NEET Life (1)
As soon as I got home, I hammered the keyboard. Food could wait.
True to form as a 24/7 NEET, a reply came right away.
She had zero clue.
The chat went silent for a bit. I could practically hear the gears turning as she pondered what to type.
Kraaaah!
Wouldn't most people hesitate even a little at that?
...Hah.
Like I couldn't tell it was some fat slob netkama.
What excuses. I snorted.
'Knew it.'
Classic pig-fat netkama. No girl brags about being a cool beauty like that. That's why she's dodging like hell.
'Reality's a bitch.'
This whole thing just reconfirmed my one and only friend's true identity: some sweaty uncle.
Dawn broke. I woke up and decided to act on my resolution right away.
"Gear first."
These clothes? Trash 'em. As long as I'm not naked.
But the real priority was that humiliating six-game losing streak. Unless I ditched this mouse blocking my godlike kiting, I'd be stuck in the Simhae forever.
I threw on that baggy hoodie from yesterday. Destination: the local computer peripherals shop.
I'd already checked the map and hours online, so no worries about the route.
"Welc—gasp!?"
The clerk at the counter, half-asleep, sucked in a sharp breath as I walked in. No wonder—a blonde foreigner popping up out of nowhere.
"Hello."
I greeted him right away. To show I spoke Korean and it was all good.
'Though I suck at English myself.'
A blue-eyed foreigner who can't speak the language... what a useless body.
"Looking for a mouse."
The clerk jumped up in surprise.
"Uh... a mouse? For yourself, sir?"
He seemed shocked by my fluent Korean, fumbling as he eyed me up and down.
"Yeah, for gaming. Fast response, fine DPI control. Oh, and most important: small size that fits my hand perfectly."
"Y-you like games, huh? Hahaha...!"
He hustled me over to the display, stealing glances the whole way. Blonde foreigners are rare, sure. Or maybe my ragtag outfit was the real freakshow.
"Mind if I ask what game? I love gaming too!"
"Asgard."
"Ah, Asgard! I play too—if you're cool with it, want a bus ride? I'm Diamond."
Bus? My eyes lit up. From what I'd heard, boosting a single tier cost tens of thousands of won. Hot market for a popular game like this.
'A bus! Couldn't afford it as a broke-ass before!'
And he's offering it free?
This the famous Korean hospitality?
I'd heard Koreans are super nice to white foreigners. Already reaping the benefits...!
"For real? My nick is Geog—"
Shit.
"Nah... forget it. Gotta climb on my own for it to mean anything."
Can't blurt out Geogeun Wondil!
"Haha, yeah... fair."
He gave an awkward smile and pulled a box from under the shelf.
"Here, pros use this model a lot... but your hands are so tiny..."
My whole body's pint-sized. Height around 140cm late. Hands matched—super small.
"How 'bout this? Laser Mini—super light, great grip, popular with small hands."
Hm. Compact size, sleek design. I grabbed the sample and tested it out.
'Feels amazing.'
Worlds apart from that cheapo mart mouse.
This could secure 1-2 minions per wave easy.
"Nice. I'll take it."
"Right? Killer performance for the price!"
Grinning ear-to-ear, he grabbed a new one and headed to the counter. I followed, pulling out my wallet.
"Alright, ringing you up. That's... 79,000 won."
Eek. Mouse this pricey?
Shocked, but it made sense.
'Yeah, night and day from my garbage one...'
I squeezed my eyes shut. Sacrifice for the greater good.
'Clothes later... spending's outta control.'
Trembling, I handed over my card. He swiped it into the reader.
-BEEP!
"Uh...?"
Clerk looked puzzled, swiped again.
-BEEP!
"Um... sir?"
"Yeah?"
"It's... not going through."
"Whaaat?!"
"Looks like insufficient funds..."
No, no, nooooo!
My face burned red. Forced to out myself as broke. I'd thought it'd scrape by, but nope—way off.
'If not for that Choco Ball!'
Stupid Choco Ball! Tasted good tho!
"Ugh..."
I took the card back, face fallen. Couldn't even look up after that humiliation.
"I'll... come back later..."
Just go. Never return. I set the mouse down and turned away dejectedly.
-Sniff. -Snurgle.
A Simhae loser like me didn't deserve such luxury.
"W-wait!"
The clerk's voice cracked in urgency.
I whipped around—his face was beet red, pointing at the POS screen.
"Oh my god!"
"...Pardon?"
"C-congrats, sir! Y-you just hit our store's 1,000th visitor event!!"
"...?"
1,000th? At this dead-looking shop?
Whatever.
"B-but... card didn't work?"
"Hahaha! This is just for visiting—payment irrelevant! Free mouse for the 1,000th customer. Wow, sir, you're so lucky!"
Wha—
Whaaa?
Stunned by the sudden twist, he was sweating bullets as he bagged the mouse.
"Here! Event gift!"
"Uh."
He practically shoved the bag into my arms.
"Um..."
"No worries. It's the event."
I get it.
Pity gift 'cause I couldn't afford it. Ego bruised a bit... but!
"Thanks..."
I wanted that mouse bad. Screw pride anyway. Broke as hell.
"No prob! Come back anytime!"
Beaming, he held the door. I bowed nonstop on my way out.
Back in my room, I gaped at the mouse, mouth wide.
"Hehe."
My new baby.
"Sweet."
Just looking at it filled me up.
-Grrrowl.
But my stomach didn't agree. Still starving. Finally, I set it down and went for food.
-Clunk.
Opened the rice cooker.
"No rice."
Why not?!
Wanna die?
I yanked out the 3kg rice bag from under the sink. Felt way too light.
-Shake shake.
Dumped it into the cooker.
"Eek!"
A few grains trickled out, then... nothing. Shook upside down—no more. All gone.
Staring at the pathetic remnants, I wailed at harsh reality.
"My riiiiice!!"
Already eaten it all!!!!!