READ NOVEL ONLINE Chapter 225
Returned home, flaunting a wealth of half-baked knowledge gathered from the internet.
After helping move some boxes, I came back to my cozy home and flopped down on the living room floor.
Just had lunch and made a quick trip to the mart, and now I don’t feel like doing anything this afternoon.
It would’ve been a perfect day if only the monster hadn’t shown up.
Ah, was today the day Siyeon was supposed to take care of it?
‘Maybe I’ll play a round of the game.’
Dragging myself lazily, I crawled to my room and pressed the computer power button.
After a long time, I clicked the game icon with my mouse.
Since I hadn’t logged in for a while, the update took forever.
Among the offline friends list, one familiar nickname was online.
[LookingForMom30000Rounds]
‘This guy’s nickname is really something.’
It’s Sunhyuk.
His nickname screams, “I’m crazy.”
In my last memory, his game rank was silver, but now it’s gold, the highest rank.
How much has he been grinding this game?
[PoopMaster]
As I was thinking that, a private message popped up in the game.
There’s only one person who’d send me a private message in this situation.
Click-clack, I sent a short three-letter chat to Sunhyuk, who’s still pulling pranks even in the game.
[You’re dead]
[What can you even do lol]
[Blocked]
[Sorry]
After a bit of back-and-forth, I started a game for the first time in a while.
Wondering what had changed while I was away, I spent time reading through character descriptions and items.
After a quick read, I warmed up with a match against Sunhyuk.
Even though my main character had been nerfed, it was still usable.
After some farming, the battle began.
I thought Sunhyuk would rush in after a few feints.
‘Huh?’
Contrary to my expectations, he avoided my attack timing and went for a straightforward damage exchange.
Given my character’s defensive nature, I took a lot of damage.
Even when I tried to self-repair in a corner, he persistently chased and canceled it.
His playstyle had changed so much since middle school, I was momentarily surprised.
But soon, I got used to his attack patterns and started countering steadily.
‘Yeah, if I just sync my rhythm, it’s over.’
[Ah]
Unable to sustain the damage exchange, Sunhyuk’s character eventually fell.
Frustrated, he started spamming compliments mixed with complaints.
[Seriously]
[Game]
[You’re so annoying]
If it’s not a team game, beating me is still far off.
After leaving that chat, I quickly exited the match and continued chatting.
Since we were students who hadn’t met in a while, the conversation was predictable.
How were the mock exams, how’s your school, etc.
I figured he’d say he’s around 4th or 5th rank, and school’s just okay.
But then came an unexpected reply.
[I dropped out.]
“What the hell?”
The unexpected answer made me curse out loud.
The bear cub, Gomteng, who was nearby, reacted first.
“What’s wrong?”
“None of your business, mind your own.”
“Okay.”
“Huh.”
After telling him to mind his own business, I crossed my arms and let out a frustrated sigh.
From a diligent student’s perspective, it’s hard to understand.
When I asked what he was thinking, Sunhyuk explained that after being stuck in school studying, it felt meaningless.
He thought it’d be better to start earning money sooner, a decision he made after deep thought.
He didn’t tell many people but had many arguments with his parents.
He then went on to brag about how much he’s earning now, even though I didn’t ask.
I get it, earning even 100 or 200 on your own as a student boosts your confidence.
“I’m heading out!”
In the middle of our conversation, a voice came from the front door.
What could he be doing going out at this time? I turned my chair to face the front door and shouted.
“Where to?”
“To hunt the monster!”
Siyeon, heading out to hunt the monster.
As soon as she said that, a faint alarm sound and a disaster alert message appeared on my phone.
“Alright, be safe.”
I turned back to the monitor and replied.
If I heard about the monster late, my attention would naturally drift.
Siyeon opened the front door and left, while Gomteng was casually munching on snacks without a care.
His nonchalant attitude annoyed me, so I scolded him a bit.
“Hey, why didn’t you say anything?”
“It’s an odd-numbered day.”
“That’s not the point, you should still say something, kid.”
Gomteng mumbled that it wasn’t his day to speak, implying he didn’t need to.
His attitude of acting like he did nothing wrong made me snap a few more words before turning back to the monitor.
Sunhyuk, who dropped out, seems to be doing well.
I left a few short words of encouragement.
[Well, work hard]
[Already leaving?]
[Yeah]
[Bye]
After just one match, I felt satisfied and quickly turned off the game.
With the computer still on, I started organizing my winter clothes.
While sorting clothes for the laundry, the doorbell rang, startling me.
I didn’t order anything, so who could it be?
On the intercom screen was a familiar face.
Tae Hyun, holding a kimchi container, probably asked by his mom to deliver something.
I opened the door without hesitation.
“What’s up?”
Tae Hyun walked in without hesitation, pushing the door wide open.
Just seeing the kimchi container, I knew what was up, but I asked anyway.
“Mom made some side dishes and told me to bring them over.”
“What’s in it?”
“Stir-fried kimchi, anchovies, and what else…”
Tae Hyun couldn’t even remember what he brought.
While checking the contents, I noticed Tae Hyun looking around curiously.
Siyeon’s room, my room, the bathroom, the kitchen.
After looking around for a while, he finally asked.
“Where’s Siyeon?”
“Oh, she’s out for a bit.”
“What for? She doesn’t have academy today?”
When I said she went out, he immediately followed up.
I was at a loss for words when he asked why.
What should I say?
It’s not like he needs to know everything.
Without thinking, a lie slipped out.
“I don’t know? Maybe she went to the convenience store.”
“But there’s a monster outside.”
Tae Hyun, worried about Siyeon, checked his phone for disaster alerts.
Well, it’s nice that he’s concerned, but we’re the ones who have to go out when the alarm sounds.
I couldn’t say that out loud, so I quietly changed the subject.
“By the way, how were the mock exams?”
“Between 2nd and 4th rank?”
“Wow, not bad.”
The conversation flowed naturally as we transferred the side dishes to glass containers.
Between 2nd and 4th rank, he must’ve done his best.
Stir-fried kimchi, anchovies, rolled omelet with veggies, lotus root stew, and squid jerky.
A combination that would make you lose your mind when paired with steaming white rice.
My mouth watered as I divided the dishes.
As the recipient, I expressed my gratitude.
“This looks delicious, tell your mom thanks.”
“Okay, she said to come over more often.”
“Heh, how could I?”
Through Tae Hyun, his mom said it’s okay to come over for meals anytime.
…I chuckled and objected.
Even so, there’s such a thing as propriety.
While we were talking, the front door lock beeped.
Perfect timing, just as we finished transferring the food.
“Siyeon’s back.”
“Then, I’ll head out?”
“Bye.”
As we exchanged goodbyes, I followed Tae Hyun to the front door to see him off.
The door handle clicked from outside, and the door swung open.
There stood Siyeon, back home with the mascot casually perched on her shoulder, completely unaware.
“Ah.”
“Huh?”
It happened too fast to stop.
All the time we spent hiding it was for nothing, as it was exposed in an instant.