LG Chapter 27

Translator: She.wee

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Chapter 27

– Hyung, are you still at the PC room?

“I’m home.”

– …Are you okay?

“What about?”

– That jerk Minjae…

“You already heard about that?”

Kyungsoo was shocked at how quickly the news about the item disaster had reached Cheon Noeul.

– You’re not crying, are you?

“I’m really fine… It’s nothing.”

– Don’t cry, hyung.

“I’m not crying. I said I’m fine.”

– But your voice is shaky.

“No, it’s not.”

After repeating the playful exchange a few times, Kyungsoo felt exhausted. He equipped the item that he had stopped upgrading at +14 and returned to the party room with Noeul after finishing the PvP match.

“I’m really fine, so hang up. Why are you even calling over something like this?”

– I had another reason, but I also just missed you suddenly, so I called.

“Huh, what?”

– I’ll hang up now.

Noeul lightly laughed before ending the call, leaving Kyungsoo listening to the beeping sound from the speaker.

“……”

He’s really kind, but also hard to figure out. Kyungsoo, feeling troubled, stared at the calendar on his phone’s background for a moment before shaking his head and turning the phone face down on the desk to stop looking at it.

[Global] HalloweenEggplant: Look at how Meowie isn’t even talking because of the shock…

[Global] PoseidonCaptain: Should we stop gaming for today and just go gather some materials?

[Global] HalloweenEggplant: I’m fine, I succeeded in enhancing my Moon Pin to +15 yesterday anyway…

[Global] Ji9star: ? Are you trying to make us jealous? ——

[Global] HalloweenEggplant: No, listen till the end.

[Global] MeowieMeowMeow: No, I’m fine lol I was just on a call with a younger sibling.

[Global] neutaaaa: That just makes me feel even worseㅠㅠ

HalloweenEggplant took off their straw hat, revealing a shiny bald head, and equipped the Moon Pin they had successfully upgraded the day before.

[Global] HalloweenEggplant: Ta-da…heh…

[Global] Seolyoung: OMG LOLOLOLOL

A crescent moon-shaped pin was firmly attached to the side of their smooth, white, bald head.

[Global] ParkRoach: Looks good?ㅎ

[Global] HalloweenEggplant: Does it look good? Are you serious?

[Global] MeowieMeowMeow: Why did you even buy that? Hahahaha

[Global] HalloweenEggplant: My head looked a little bare when I only wore the hat…

When HalloweenEggplant put the hat back on, the Moon Pin was no longer visible. Taking off the hat again revealed their bald head and the pin.

[Global] ParkRoach: Damn LOLOLOLOL

[Global] HalloweenEggplant: Why didn’t anyone tell me I can’t wear the pin and the hat at the same time…? LoL

[Global] HalloweenEggplant: Anyway, I’ve successfully enhanced it, but I can’t even use it… Stay strong^^

[Global] Ji9star: LOLOLOLOL You seem to be enjoying being bald, am I wrong?

[Global] HalloweenEggplant: Actually, with the hat and sunglasses, it looks kind of intimidatingㅎ

[Global] HalloweenEggplant: Like a final boss… You know that vibe?

[Global] Ji9star: LOLOL You can pair the hat with sunflowers for a real stylish look.

After visiting the fashion shop, yellow sunflowers bloomed on both sides of their head, giving off a more relaxed gangster vibe.

‘Sunset has invited you to a party. Would you like to accept?’

Kyungsoo joined the party, where Minjae and Sunset were already present. From the context, it seemed like this was a raid party for the Milky Way dungeon.

[Global] SpadeQueen: Looking for people to carry Meowie through the Milky Way?ㅜ

[Global] Sunset: Anyone who takes the loot other than Meowie will be executed on the spot~^^

[Global] Ji9star: LOLOL Meowie’s command execution power is terrifying… I’m in.

[Global] Seolyoung: Me too.

[Global] neutaaaa: I’ve been crying since yesterday because of pity, making another Nakdong River in front of me… I’m coming too.

[Global] HalloweenEggplant: The water levels rising in Han River? That’s because of meㅜ I’m in too~

An impromptu eight-person party quickly formed. On the way, Kyungsoo, who had been buying all the Mermaid Pendants at the auction, followed Sunset.

As he received the party buffs from Sunset, Kyungsoo sent a private message to Minjae.

[Whisper] MeowieMeowMeow: Sunset seems like a nice person.

[Whisper] SpadeQueen: Ugh….

Maybe Sunset is one of those people who treats others well once they’re inside their circle. Even from the beginning, Sunset had always been kind toward Kyungsoo. Despite the situation being complicated, the warm, comforting vibe made Kyungsoo smile faintly.

*

It only took two hours for the event item storage to be filled with crafting materials. The prime spot for SSS-grade Blaze weapons was scouted just the night before.

[Party Chat] MeowieMeowMeow: I’ll go upgrade now, thanks.

[Party Chat] Sunset: What’s the highest grade you have now?

[Party Chat] MeowieMeowMeow: S.

[Party Chat] Sunset: Mermaid set, right?

[Party Chat] MeowieMeowMeow: Yes, Pendant… Is there something higher? Please sell it to meㅠ

[Party Chat] Sunset: ? No, there isn’tㅇㅅㅇ. Anyone up for King Bu-yong Raid? (cutter knife)

[Party Chat] SpadeQueen: You’re not even hiding it anymore heh

[Party Chat] HalloweenEggplant: LOLOLOL If we don’t go, we might dieㅠ

[Party Chat] MeowieMeowMeow: No… Then it’s okay.

[Party Chat] Sunset: The materials need to be SS-grade to have a chance of becoming Triple S, right?

[Party Chat] Seolyoung: OMG LOLOL

[Party Chat] Sunset: So, everyone’s coming, right?ㅇㅅㅇ *chainsaw noise*

Perhaps because of the thinly veiled threat, no one opted out, and the entire party headed to the Aquatic City. Sunset said they needed to visit their storage, so everyone waited at the weapon shop.

[Global] GreenAppleCheong: We’re running into each other a lot today*ㅅ* Meowie, hello!

[Party Chat] SpadeQueen: Oh, that’s the jerk who stole Cheon Noeul’s item.

[Party Chat] neutaaaa: We meet again, damn it.

[Global] Invisibleman: ;;Greenapple, hurry up.

[Global] GreenAppleCheong: Coming!

[Party Chat] Sunset: ?

Upon entering the Aquatic City for the King Bu-yong Dungeon, they ran into GreenAppleCheong again. At first, it seemed like they were alone, but it turned out they had been hanging out with another group at the city’s pub.

[Global] Iove: Poseidon, you fucker, why are you here? Get lost.

Iove pulled out a weapon, seemingly ready to threaten Poseidon, but since they weren’t in a guild zone, there was no reason to retreat or fight back.

[Global] MeowieMeowMeow: You’ll be too embarrassed to even step foot in Isis next week… Better start treating us rightㅇㅅㅇ

[Whisper] GreenAppleCheong: Please don’t fight…ㅠ

[Global] Iove: you!!

[Global] ParkRoach: Did Fake Love get a hair transplant?

[Global] Iove: ㅗ

[Global] ParkRoach: Must’ve been on their mind LOLOL Kawaii LOLOL

[Party Chat] HalloweenEggplant: Even being bald can be cool….

[All] Sunset: ?? Hello^^

Sunset, who had gone off to organize the storage room, approached and greeted them. Surprisingly, the Defeated Gang instantly vanished. Although they might not be intimidated by other players, it seemed Sunset’s reputation made them nervous.

[Party] MeowieMeowMeow: Even Defeat avoids him, haha. Is it survival instinct?

[Party] Sunset: T.T I just said hello….

[Party] SpadeQueen: Green Apple joined Defeat? But why are you greeting him, bro?

[Party] MeowieMeowMeow: I just played one round of Milky Way earlier. Don’t tell Cheon Noeul.

[Party] SpadeQueen: Why???

[Party] MeowieMeowMeow: I thought the guild was just a name. Tried to help because they were a newbie, but…

[Party] MeowieMeowMeow: I wasn’t thinking— they act like an invisible person.

It was unclear whether she joined Defeat guild knowing their bad reputation. Even if they stopped helping in the future, it would still bother me if she got abandoned by the guild later on.

[Party] HalloweenEggplant: Haha, Meowie’s 2nd secret crush?

[Party] Sunset: O.o hahaha

[Party] Sunset: That was a close call….

[Party] Seolyoung: Don’t worry, they’ll get caught and quit soon enough, lol ^0^

[Party] SpadeQueen: Kind of like that Flower Rabbit guy, haha.

[Party] Aslen: I told you not to mention that nameㅠㅠ

Was there a user named Flower Rabbit in Melody? He couldn’t remember everyone, but when hearing the name, it felt like it had to be someone from Melody. Still, Flower Rabbit was a name he hadn’t heard before.

[Party] MeowieMeowMeow: What is that?

[Party] SpadeQueen: Flower Rabbit?? Haha, Aslen’s ex-lover.

[Party] Aslen: That’s not true, I swear!

[Party] Sunset: Haha, a guy pretending to be a girl O.o. He quit though.

A guy pretending to be a girl?

“Oh, a net-kama?”

Net-kama is a term for men who pretend to be women online. The stories of net-kamas pop up now and then in any game. He had once seen someone post on a forum titled ‘The Real Identity of the Net-kama from *** Server.’ Usually, these net-kamas pretend to be women to take advantage of kind male users, stealing items or just doing it for fun.

[Party] MeowieMeowMeow: That’s the first time I’ve heard someone got fooled by that.

[Party] Sunset: O.o…

[Party] Aslen: T.T….

[Party] Seolyoung: Haha, just look in the mirror, you’ll find one.

[Party] SpadeQueen: If we find more proof, we’ll discuss it further. Someone else will probably show up^^

[Party] Neutaaaa: So, is Green Apple a guy too?

His hand froze over the keyboard. He hadn’t noticed anything unusual. He wasn’t close enough to Green Apple to confidently say she was a girl, but her calling him ‘oppa’ had slipped out naturally, and joining the Defeat Guild required revealing a photo. If Green Apple were a guy, InvisibleMan wouldn’t have reacted the way they did… Plus, Minjae had talked about her as if they’d just met after playing with Cheon Noeul that one time….

[Party] SpadeQueen: Who knows? Haha, she could be a girl! I just remembered Flower Rabbit suddenly because of the similar vibe.

[Party] Seolyoung: But it doesn’t seem like she’s come back, haha. She called me oppa, kawaii~ㅎㅅㅎ

It seemed no one was certain.

[Party] MeowieMeowMeow: What did Flower Rabbit do…?

[Party] Aslen: T.T.T.T.T.T

[Party] MeowieMeowMeow: Stay strongㅠ

From the reactions, it seemed Aslen had been duped hard. He felt bad for reminding him of that unpleasant memory. One of his old friends had quit the game after being scammed out of hundreds of thousands of won. The internet was full of scammers and weird players, but strangely, Kyungsoo had never encountered such a person….

“Oh, right, Cheon Noeul….”

[Party] Sunset: Let’s go quickly.

…And Sunset. Two of the strangest people he’d ever met online.

[Party] Sunset: Meowie, your item drop booster should be expiring soonㅜ

During the Milky Way raid, Sunset had handed him an ‘Item Drop Booster.’ Sure enough, there were only 3 minutes left on its effect.

[Party] MeowieMeowMeow: I’ll use a new one laterㅜ

[Party] Sunset: Okay^^!

Still, it didn’t seem like either of them was trying to scam him. Sunset had even given him items, and he had never borrowed or lent any expensive gear from Noeul. He was curious about how people could get tricked by such individuals.

[Party] SpadeQueen: Haha, you timed that?

[Party] Sunset: Just noticed naturally O.o

[Party] Ji9star: When you’re in love… do you even notice those little things?ㅎ

[Party] Sunset: Haha

[Party] Neutaaaa: Hahahaha

They seemed nice enough, but sometimes, when they created that odd guild atmosphere together, he couldn’t stand them.

[Party] MeowieMeowMeow: Stop laughing.

[Party] Sunset: Yes!ㅠ

[Party] Neutaaaa: He doesn’t even apologize anymore, lol

[Party] HalloweenEggplant: Hahaha

[Party] SpadeQueen: (Anonymous report) Set an alarm to notify him when the ranked game timer hit the halfway mark LOLOL Bet Cheon Noeul’s wrist on it.

[Party] MeowieMeowMeow: Why bet on his wrist?

[Party] Ji9star: I’m here;

[Party] MeowieMeowMeow: Why so early? Haha, when did you arrive?

[Party] Neutaaaa: What? Already?

[Party] Ji9star: I’ve been here since the day before yesterday, turning into a stone statue… so cold….

[Party] Ji9star: By the way, Flower Rabbit? How did you find out he was a guy? Why stop talking halfwayㅠㅠ

[Party] Seolyoung: I’ve been waiting for that question…!

[Party] Aslen: Ah…

When they moved to the next map, Ji9star was sitting alone in front of the dungeon. The other party members arrived one by one and sat beside him.

[Party] HalloweenEggplant: Aslen, this isn’t too sensitive of a topic, right?

[Party] Aslen: Haha, and if it is?

[Party] HalloweenEggplant: It’ll be even more fun.

[Party] Aslen: T.T

[Party] Ji9star: Haha

Kyungsoo opened the free board and searched for the three characters of ‘Flower Rabbit.’ The posts under that name spanned over three pages. Most were daily, casual posts suited to the free board, referring to themselves as a high school girl, with a picture of their hands after their friend did their nails. He clicked the username, wondering if they still played, but a new window popped up: ‘This user has withdrawn.’

[Party] Seolyoung: It’s kind of funny, though. Flower Rabbit was really nice to everyone except for a few of us.

[Party] Ji9star: Why? Because they were girls?

[Party] Seolyoung: Yeah, that and… haha.

[Party] Aslen: Yeah, to be honest, it was believable.

Reading Flower Rabbit’s posts, Kyungsoo could see why people got fooled. If they had acted like a high school girl in the game, as they did on the free board, it would have been hard not to fall for it. He couldn’t help but feel sympathy for Aslen.

[Party] SpadeQueen: At least I didn’t get scammed out of any gear, haha.

[Party] Seolyoung: But you did lend him money, remember? Two million, two million, the song!

[Party] SpadeQueen: /whisper/ Shut up, lol.

[Party] Seolyoung: Haha, but the problem is that Sunset was one of the few in that group….

[Party] MeowieMeowMeow: Why? Usually, people suck up to the guild master. Wasn’t that favoritism?

[Party] Sunset: T.T.T.T.T.T

[Party] MeowieMeowMeow: Shiver shiver

Kyungsoo used the ‘sobbing’ motion emoji to comfort the Melody guild members, but their reaction was cold.

[Party] Seolyoung: …? Why are you defending him? Even if I were Flower Rabbit, I’d have avoided Sunset.

[Party] MeowieMeowMeow: ??

[Party] Aslen: LOL, the guild leader totally pushed Flower Rabbit at that time, so I didn’t have a good impression either.

[Party] SpadeQueen: For real, LOL. If I were Flower Rabbit, I’d have gotten a psychiatric evaluation and sued them.

[Party] Seolyoung: Agreed. Honestly, I didn’t like Flower Rabbit much either, but I felt so bad for them, LOL. Still feel a bit sorry for them.

“…….”