The Returning Commander of the Gacha Game

Chapter 0 – Commander, Return(ed)

Was quitting a game to focus on real life such a big mistake?

Or was the problem that I reinstalled the game I used to play once my life stabilized?

Firma, a mobile game I frequently enjoyed since college.

In this game, the player becomes a commander of a massive military corporation, solving major incidents across the continent.

The story was cliché, but after getting a taste of Firma’s unique modern fantasy setting along with character designs that perfectly hit my preferences…

Before I knew it, I found myself among the few users who had devoured all the end-game content like crazy.

Eventually, I reached the level of giving off that distinct stench of a veteran player, and even wrote a few strategy guides hoping to attract new players to the game.

Though I eventually had to put it down due to the real-life race of studying for certifications, job hunting, and working life.

I once poured my life into it, and it was still the first game I returned to among the countless games that had passed through my hands.

…Of course, that doesn’t mean I wanted to become the protagonist of that game.

‘Ah…’

In the black screen of the powered-off monitor, a person’s figure is reflected.

A bob cut reaching the shoulders, fox-like eyes, and a soft voice coming from a sigh that couldn’t quite be swallowed.

Below that, a uniform and an employee ID hanging at chest level, proving her identity with three small characters:

‘…Commander.’

No matter how many times I look, I can’t get used to it. Am I having a strange dream?

When I open my mouth, she opens hers simultaneously; when I tilt my head, she tilts hers too.

If I raise my hand, she raises hers the same way, and if I pinch my cheek, she also pinch-

‘Ow, that hurts…’

So it’s not a dream…

I would have preferred if it were a dream, but the subtle pain in my cheek makes me realize this is reality.

…Anyway, to get to the point.

So, that pretty woman reflected in that pitch-black screen… is me?

No, wait. This game…

‘The Commander… was a woman?’

Although it was never officially revealed, I was convinced the Commander was definitely a man.

No matter what reasons you could come up with, fundamentally it was clearly a male-oriented game where all the playable characters were women.

Moreover, some characters’ dialogue included direct expressions of affection toward the protagonist.

Because of that, in fan art, the Commander was mostly depicted as a plausible male character.

…I’ve learned something new, but I’m not happy about it at all.

I just wanted to encounter this in the official setting released by the game company, not experience it personally.

This method is too malicious. It’s even worse because there’s no way to return to reality.

That point… I’ll set aside for now since there’s no immediate solution.

‘Was it always like this…?’

I understand that the place where I opened my eyes is the familiar office I’ve often seen through the screen, but one thing puzzles me.

On the spacious desk that fits the size of the room, apart from the computer presumably used by the original Commander… there was nothing else.

Yes, nothing at all.

‘…Why is there nothing?’

It seems like just yesterday I was snickering at the mountains of paperwork always piled up on screen, thinking ‘not my job.’

When it actually became my job, the tasks that should have been there were nowhere to be found, and only the innocent desk gleamed, showing off its cleanliness.

Did the owner of this body do their job that well? No, even so, there should at least be some office supplies to be normal.

It’s too suspicious to consider it fortunate… There are too many concerning parts. I’m already confused from being possessed.

Shouldn’t someone at least tell me the circumstances? No tutorial…?

– Knock knock

‘Commander, are you there?’

While I was continuing my own deductions amidst the confusion, I heard a knock followed by a voice I’d heard somewhere before.

This is an opportunity. Judging by the natural formal speech, even if they’re not a character I’ve seen often, they must at least be an employee here.

Good. I’ll deal with them appropriately and casually ask how things work around here…

‘Sigh… they probably aren’t here. I’m coming in.’

‘Eh?’

But I am inside?

However, before I could respond, the door swung open first.

Soon what came into view was dark brown hair, and a somewhat short maid uniform revealing snow-white shoulders and slender legs. It’s an outfit I know well.

…And.

‘…Huh?’

As she confirmed my appearance, her expression gradually froze.

The cleaning supplies she was carefully holding fell to the floor with a thud.

…Ah, don’t tell me.

‘…Commander?’

‘…Hello.’

‘Is it really you, Commander?’

When I awkwardly greeted her, her frozen expression began to distort slightly.

Then, moisture slowly gathered in her brown eyes… and soon she rushed toward me.

‘Where on earth have you been… *sob* you’re finally back…!’

‘W-wait… can’t… breathe…’

‘You didn’t even tell me… do you know how worried I was…?!’

…It seems the commander of this place had been gone for quite a long time.

…For as long as I had quit the game.