Chapter 5
Chapter 5
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 5
Chapter Title: The Black Bread Killer
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For a while, he sat by the fountain, staring blankly at the sky. The lingering aftertaste of the white bread enveloping his body hadn't faded yet.
'The world has a taste like this!'
Right now, the hardships of reality and worries about the future didn't even cross his mind.
But someone came along to ruin his moment of bliss.
"Hello!"
Without turning his head, he shifted only his eyes to check the newcomer. A man wearing leather armor and a single sword at his waist approached and stood beside him.
'What the hell? Is this an event or something?'
"Sorry to bother you out of the blue. Mind if we chat for a bit?"
He just stared at the man without any reaction. The man's friendly smile grew a bit awkward.
"Ah, I'm not being ignored! Not yet..."
He started mumbling to himself. Whether it was an event or not, getting involved seemed like nothing good. Besides, he had no intention of mingling with NPCs from the start. Even if they were NPCs, he didn't know how to deal with other people.
He moved his eyes back to their original position, naturally ignoring the man.
"Um, excuse me?"
The man tried speaking again. But having already decided to ignore him, he pretended not to hear.
'Just keep eating bread.'
It was as he abruptly stood up to do another quest and restock bread.
【It is recommended to associate with him.】
The strategy guide's advice rang out.
'Associate with him?'
It was the first time the strategy guide had offered an opinion unprompted. He was startled once by that, and again by the idea of dealing with a stranger.
But he quickly regained his composure.
'Whatever, it doesn't matter.'
The strategy guide wouldn't give advice that put him at a disadvantage. And even if dealing with people wasn't his forte, wasn't it just an NPC? Thinking about it, it was ridiculous to feel intimidated.
He turned his head toward the man.
"What do you want?"
He added polite speech for now. It felt a bit awkward since it was something he'd learned from books, but it came out better than expected. Though it wasn't particularly friendly.
Fortunately, whether the man was just good-natured or had some ulterior motive, he brightened at the response.
"You responded! See? I told you it's good to give it a shot!"
The man spoke happily. But his gaze wasn't on him. It was like he was talking to something only he could see, looking off to the side.
'Crazy NPC? Is it really okay to hang out with this guy?'
As he eyed the man suspiciously, the man hurriedly introduced himself.
"Ah, sorry, I forgot to introduce myself. I'm the streamer Naltorri. I heard you've been the talk of the town around here lately, so I came to check you out. Is it okay if I stream? If you're uncomfortable, I'll stop right away."
A streamer. He knew such things existed. But he never imagined an NPC would claim to be one.
Regardless of his doubts, Yuseong continued the conversation as per the strategy guide's advice.
"Sure."
"Haha, thank you. So, may I have your name?"
'...Name?'
He froze. A name. The title others used to identify him. A concept that had nothing to do with him.
There had been no one to call his name since his parents passed away.
"Um, hello?"
Naltorri panicked as he stared at the silent, stiff-faced man.
"I-If you don't want to reveal it, that's fine. Just..."
"Yuseong."
"Pardon?"
Naltorri asked again, but no further reply came.
'Right, Yuseong. Lee Yuseong.'
Yuseong quietly repeated the name he'd forgotten for years in his mind.
It was like... his existence suddenly felt vivid.
* * *
'This guy's really unique.'
After a long silence, Naltorri thought as he looked at the man who had finally revealed his name—whether it was a nickname or real name, he couldn't tell.
Messy, unkempt hair like it had been cut haphazardly, a gaunt aura clinging to his body. His eyes, sunken under disheveled bangs, made him look overall haggard.
But the fierce glint occasionally flashing in those eyes sent a chill down Naltorri's spine.
'Did I make a mistake talking to him?'
Honestly, he seemed unhinged, and Naltorri wanted to back away immediately. But he steeled himself.
'No. This level of buzz is exactly what I need.'
There were as many streamers playing Arc as stars in the sky. It was a game that had caused a worldwide sensation, going beyond national pastime and e-sports to become national culture. Plenty of scraps fell from the table, but the competition was fierce.
'I don't even aim for the top. Just some recognition would do.'
But even that was a tall order for Naltorri, who had just started streaming Arc.
So he'd scoured the internet with fire in his eyes for differentiating content and stumbled upon Yuseong.
Nothing to lose. He titled his stream 'Checking Out the Rumored "Green Plain Village" Black Bread Killer!' and viewer count ticked up a bit higher than usual. The chat reactions weren't bad either.
[Holy crap, what a murderer vibe?]
[That's not black bread, that's raw meat he's chomping?]
Little by little, the chat was updating steadily. Viewer numbers were climbing too. Naltorri hardened his resolve.
"Mind if I ask one question?"
Nod!
'Really curt guy.'
His speech was awkward, emotions barely showed, and he didn't even speak properly first. Clearly not normal in real life either. But grumbling inwardly, Naltorri asked anyway.
"I heard you devoured the starter black bread like it was delicious. Any reason for that?"
"It's tasty."
Naltorri was at a loss for words. Meanwhile, chat sped up.
[LOLOLOL the reason we suspected is out!]
[Naltorri, no bet? Said it absolutely wasn't cuz it's tasty!]
[Ten chickens flying away!]
"So you're saying you eat it like that just because the black bread tastes good?"
Nod!
"...Does it really taste good?"
"Yes."
[LOLOL firm denial!]
[LOLOL stop hating on black bread!]
[Don't backtrack! Your hand's gonna fly off!]
In an instant, Naltorri lost ten chickens and made a miserable face. Chat exploded with 'LOLOL' and laughing emojis at his expression.
"...No helping it. As promised, I'll buy ten chickens for everyone who bet with me."
[LOLOL trembling!]
[Was just drinking beer, free snacks incoming! Jackpot! LOL]
[Don't bet if you're not sure, didn't you learn that? LOL]
"Ugh! Fine, I lost! I admit it!"
Chat filled with 'LOLOL' again at his desperate shout.
"Ah, sorry about that, Yuseong. I had a bet going with viewers."
Yuseong nodded. Not because he understood, though. He already saw Naltorri as half-crazy NPC and ignored his quirks.
'Could be an NPC with a streamer gimmick.'
NPC either way.
The questions ended, but Naltorri didn't leave.
"Feels weird to part so soon. Want to hunt together?"
Naltorri seemed intent on featuring Yuseong as a guest the whole way. Since the strategy guide said to associate, Yuseong nodded readily.
"Thank you! From your gear, looks like you just started Arc."
Yuseong still wore his initial black shorts and white short-sleeve tee. Naltorri, even as a beginner, had proper equipment.
"As thanks for teaming up, I'll carry you!"
[LOLOL how big's the level gap for a bus?]
[Our Naltorri: weak vs strong, strong vs weak! Thrilling! Always fresh!]
"Quiet! I'm pro-gamer level at least!"
[Pro! Ga! Mer!]
[Woooow (reading from textbook)]
[Baseless self-hype should be punished as fraud...!]
And so Yuseong and Naltorri formed a short party for play.
* * *
The two headed to the field. Yuseong glanced around the vast open plains.
'Hunting methods probably aren't much different?'
Field hunting was a first. When Naltorri suggested hunting together, Yuseong had absentmindedly headed for the dungeon, but the strategy guide stopped him.
【Revealing the dungeon to others is not recommended.】
So Yuseong followed Naltorri's lead to the field.
"Alright, let's start hunting. What weapon do you use, Yuseong?"
Yuseong pulled a gun from his inventory. Naltorri's expression soured.
"Ah, you use a gun."
[Gun? Gun? Guuuun?]
[Why that weapon...!]
[Guns are good no? Highest damage among weapons?]
>Highest, if you hit.
>Arc newbie huh. Bows hard to hit too right?>
"Ah, I'll explain later."
Guns were the ultimate cost-performance scam.
Bows had low strength requirements, letting you invest early points in dexterity, but guns demanded high strength for their power, leaving almost no points for dex.
Even the starter gun was unusable with Lv1 strength; higher ones were worse.
Early monsters were small and nimble, raising the barrier.
Ammo and maintenance cost a fortune too.
The starter being single-shot added insult to injury.
In short, a weapon that sacrificed everything for one overwhelming hit. That was the gun.
Of course, high-level gun users existed.
But they had godlike reflexes and solid support.
Average folks were better off ignoring guns for sanity.
Naltorri suppressed the urge to ramble all that. Bashing guns in front of a user felt wrong.
"First, let's check each other's skills. I'll go first, okay?"
Yuseong nodded.
"Good. Here I go."
Naltorri looked around. A Giant Sewer Rat was nearby. He drew his sword and approached.
[Ooh, hunt time!]
[Show that aura! The small-time aura you only show to noobs!]
'Alright. Let's do this.'
Joking with viewers outwardly, Naltorri tensed up inside. Weird guy or not, Yuseong had boosted viewers. Had to capitalize.
'No sweat. My reflexes are decent. Took lessons at the academy.'
As a global phenomenon, Arc had academies for tips and training. Naltorri's classes gave him an edge over total noobs.
Naltorri gripped his sword two-handed and closed in on the Giant Sewer Rat.
Squeak!
It charged, leaping at him with sharp incisors bared. Naltorri's eyes gleamed.
Swish!
He twisted his waist smoothly, swinging the sword sideways.
Squeak!
The blade grazed the Giant Sewer Rat's leg. It shrieked loudly. As soon as its feet hit ground, it spun and leaped again.
But Naltorri, prepared, targeted the same leg.
Squeeeeak!
The shriek echoed. The leg severed. It crashed into the dirt. It struggled to rise, but missing a leg made it hard.
Naltorri seized the gap, thrusting into its body. The Giant Sewer Rat collapsed.
[Ooh! Clean kill!]
>Not a dogfight! Pro-gamer level for sure!>
[Naltorri! Secretly skilled reveal!]
[Naltorri's got top-tier reflexes easy.]
Praise filled chat. Pride swelled in him.
'Most people just trade blows like mutts.'
His fight had been professional. Buoyed, he called to Yuseong.
"Your turn, Yuseong! Don't worry if you're rusty. I'll back you up solid. As you saw, I can cripple its legs to kill mobility. Even with low accuracy, shoot up close and you'll hit easy."
Standard way to level gun chars too.
[LOLOL look at confident Naltorri!]
>Nose so high it's grown longer?>
"Just so you know, exp splits by 'who dealt how much damage' to HP. Last hitter gets bonus. So even with my help, you'll get plenty exp."
New info. Strategy guide could've told him, but still useful. Yuseong nodded.
"Ready to take that one down?"
Now fully teacher-mode, Naltorri pointed at a Giant Sewer Rat a bit away.
Yuseong nodded again and walked toward it. As he neared, it reacted, squeaking and charging.
"For clueless viewers: Don't showboat like movies with starter guns. Grip firm with both hands, prioritize aim. Power's overkill, so sights on target—!"
But unlike Naltorri's lecture, Yuseong casually aimed one-handed.
[LOLOL showboat guy's over there!]
>Classic clueless gun picker.
Naltorri sighed softly and approached.
"Sorry, Yuseong. Guns aren't used like..."
Bang!
Gunshot rang. Then...
Thud!
The charging Giant Sewer Rat tumbled across the plain like a ragdoll.
"......"
Naltorri halted mid-step toward Yuseong.
[What? What just happened?]
Question marks and shocked queries flooded chat.
But Yuseong was chill.
Click!
He broke the barrel, ejected the casing, loaded a fresh round. Flicked his wrist to snap it shut.
Click!
Barrel locked with a metallic snap. The motion was fluid as water, zero awkwardness.
Naltorri remained frozen. Chat went silent.
[Insanely cool?]
The lone post broke the ice, voicing everyone's thoughts.