Chapter 26: Microtransactions
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 26: Microtransactions
A lot happened yesterday, but the day ended just the same, and the next day began just the same.
Thanks to the aftermath of that five-hour free period, I spent the whole day lounging around and finally rolled out of bed around 11:00 AM.
I thought Wednesday would be relaxing since I only had afternoon lectures, but by the time I actually woke up, I realized I had just enough time to eat, wash up, and leave.
For lunch, I settled for a quick meal of instant rice and some side dishes I’d bought from a nearby shop.
With some sprouts, a fried egg, a dollop of gochujang, and a drizzle of sesame oil, a bowl of bibimbap was ready in no time.
While eating, I checked today’s Bamboo Forest on my phone.
“Everyone’s living life to the fullest today, I see.”
Seeing the Bamboo Forest flowing along so normally without any major incidents was almost boring.
As for personal broadcasters promoting themselves on the board, it was fine as long as they didn't spam. And as for the trolls picking fights, there were so many of them that it was basically part of the daily routine.
I closed the app, showered, and headed straight to school.
Arriving back at the campus I’d been at until last night felt a bit strange. Over the weekend, I felt like I was dying of boredom, but that didn't mean I was particularly happy to see the weekdays return. Come to think of it, the weekend was probably better.
When I entered the lecture hall, the atmosphere felt heavy. I noticed a few people glancing my way.
Ah, right. This is the class with the group project.
Now that I thought about it, Senior Han-gang was here, along with Ahn Hyun-ho, who had become awkward to be around because of Choi I-seo and our little spat at the karaoke bar.
Since we had to see each other often for the film shoot project, having this many uncomfortable people around was a problem. Plus, from what I remembered, most of them were Han-gang’s friends, so they were bound to dislike me.
Hmm.
Well, whatever.
I’ll just go about my business.
If they don't like looking at me, they can be the ones to drop the project and the class.
I took a seat and opened the mobile game I’d started yesterday. It was a collection-based RPG where cute girls fought each other in a school setting, and it was actually pretty decent.
Instead of my own dry university life, watching these "kyu-po" (cute and poppy) characters run around and fight in the game made me feel strangely at peace.
“Hmm, should I spend a little?”
Wouldn't it be okay to drop a bit of cash on the girls who kept me company during my free period yesterday?
“20,000 won... is a bit much. Maybe I’ll just do the 10,000 won monthly pass once and stop.”
A recurring 10,000 won every month felt like a burden.
“Ah, man, I can’t decide.”
I was genuinely agonizing over it. My desire was telling me to drop the 20,000 won, but my reason was telling me that 10,000 won plus daily check-ins would be enough.
“Ye-rin! Over here!”
While I was deep in my pathetic dilemma, I heard a female senior’s voice ring out.
I glanced toward the door and saw Seo Ye-rin, who had barely made it to class on time. Seeing her, Han-gang’s group waved and called her over.
I felt it was quite cunning of them to use another female senior to call her instead of Han-gang himself. Since the karaoke incident made it hard for Han-gang to approach her directly, was he using his friends?
Man, I have to hand it to them.
Whether it was Ahn Hyun-ho liking Choi I-seo or Han-gang liking Seo Ye-rin, honestly, with that much effort, it wouldn't be a loss for the girls to date them.
Compared to those guys from the neighboring university who were acting like trash with women last night, seeing these guys use their brains in such a youthful way actually made me want to root for them.
No, more importantly.
“Hmm.”
How much should I spend?
But isn't 10,000 won a bit stingy? Wouldn't I get more attached to the game if I made a bold investment?
3—30,000 won?!
If I spend 30,000 won, it shouldn't just end with me; even my son should have to play this game. That’s the only way to get my money’s worth.
My dinner tonight would be downgraded to a small cup ramen from the convenience store, but for a moment of pleasure...
Thud.
“Hi, Woo-jin.”
“Huh?”
Seo Ye-rin sat down next to me with a smile.
Instantly, a fresh scent of shampoo and a rush of cold air from the outside wafted over.
“Did you enjoy the lecture yesterday?”
What was this, a challenge to a duel?
Now that I thought about it, she had teased me quite a bit yesterday.
“Yeah, I enjoyed it very much. Thanks to you, I played games and had a blast.”
“Hehe.”
She stifled a laugh as if something was funny and hung her coat on the chair. Come to think of it, it was autumn now, so it must have been chilly outside.
Looking past Seo Ye-rin at Han-gang’s group, I saw them whispering while looking our way. They seemed unhappy that Seo Ye-rin had ignored their call and sat next to me instead.
I was about to tell her that sitting here might not be the best idea, but...
“Oh? You play Black Academy too!”
Her eyes sparkled as she saw my phone screen, and she leaned in close.
Sigh, whatever.
Well, if she wants to sit here, it’s not my place to say anything. She might have just sat here because she felt uncomfortable over there.
“Black Academy! You know this game! It’s really fun!”
She made a fuss and pulled out her own phone, speaking in an uncharacteristically excited tone. Even without trying to look, I could see countless KakaoTalk notifications on her screen.
She swiped them away, smiling as she said she’d reply later, and launched the game.
“Whoa, what the...”
Her screen was filled with dazzling, max-level female student characters. She was sitting on some kind of golden throne, and her arena rank was the highest tier.
“This game is fun, right? The girls are pretty and cute, so it’s nice to look at, isn't it?”
“Your girls look a bit terrifying because they’re so strong.”
Moreover, her main menu screen featured a girl wearing only underwear. She was really dedicated to this.
“What’s your name? Tell me and I’ll add you. Did you get the monthly pass? What about rerolling? If you don't have the meta characters, you’re really...!”
A storm of game knowledge poured out of Seo Ye-rin’s mouth.
In the midst of that, another familiar face entered the lecture hall.
It was Senior Min Ju-hee.
She was wearing a coat just like Seo Ye-rin, but why did she look like a gangster? Her hair was a much deeper, inkier black than anyone else's, as if it had been dyed, which might have added to that impression.
She scanned the room, strode over to where Han-gang’s group was, said a few words, and then walked toward us.
“Hey guys, do you have time after class? I think we need about a ten-minute meeting.”
“Yes, I can.”
“Of course.”
As expected, it was about the group project. The Joan of Arc of group projects, who was dead serious about her grades. She was so reliable.
Just then, the professor entered the room.
Since it was too late to find another seat, Min Ju-hee sat down next to me with a nonchalant expression.
“So, if you just leave the auto-battle running during lectures...!”
The professor had clearly just walked in, but why did it feel like there was another professor right next to me?
I looked at Seo Ye-rin, who was passionately explaining the game, and asked quietly.
“How much did you spend on this?”
“...I work part-time.”
“No, I’m asking how much you spent.”
“I’m an adult now.”
“Can you not hear me?”
“How I spend my money is up to me.”
“I’m not judging. I’m asking how much.”
“As much as I love the girls.”
“And how much is that?”
“...Lean in.”
When she told me to lean in, I realized that Seo Ye-rin and I were much closer than I thought.
Since she had been leaning toward me to see my phone, I only had to turn my head slightly to put my ear near her mouth.
The moment an unimaginable figure came out of her lips...
“What?!”
I reflexively stared at her.
As I looked at her with disbelief, Seo Ye-rin gave an awkward smile.
“That’s just how much I love them.”
“Wow.”
I shook my head and found myself confessing.
“Please love me too.”
“Wh-what?!”
“Just love me until your eyes roll back! Be obsessed with me! Then can I get that much in microtransactions too?! Wow, this is insane! Seo Ye-rin, the woman crazy for love!”
“Be—be quiet!”
A flustered Seo Ye-rin hurriedly covered my mouth with her hand. I had gotten excited without realizing it, shocked by the unexpected amount.
“Heh.”
Watching this from the side, Senior Min Ju-hee was smirking with her chin resting on her hand.
“Look at you two cuties.”
She seemed to find it amusing.
I gently pulled Seo Ye-rin’s hand away from my mouth and said, “If the Senior heard it, she’d be begging for your love too. Is the reason you’re so popular because—mph!”
“Seriously!”
My mouth was blocked again, preventing me from finishing my sentence, so I just stared blankly at Seo Ye-rin.
“Don't say it. Okay?”
I nodded.
“I’m letting go, okay?”
I nodded again.
the moment her hand moved away...
“Five mill—!”
My mouth was blocked once more.