Chapter 343
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 343
Chapter Title: 139. The Weight of Life (1)
Talking about Foxgames' sleaziness has become old news by now, but lately this guy's been stirring up fresh agro on the boards.
Some might call it a puppy or a little dog, but he specifically labeled it a "puppy bastard" because it's a Mutation.
Hey, it's a novel way to off yourself.
Way better than those crappy, half-assed games he makes.
The problem is that his post, alongside the recent influx from Necropolis, is exploding in popularity.
"SKELTON. Another flock of migrants spotted outside."
Su's voice came through the speaker, but I didn't respond.
What I was staring at was the like count on Foxgames' puppy-rearing log.
"......"
Closing in on a thousand.
On Failnet, maybe, but on our neighborhood playground Viva! Apocalypse!, that's a dream number.
There aren't even ten thousand Korean board users to begin with.
If ten thousand people see a post, the rule of thumb is 10,000:100:1—100 likes, 1 comment. Applying that, Foxgames' log has been seen by over a hundred thousand people.
Of course, that rule applied to YouTube with its billions of users, so shoehorning it onto our board is a stretch. Still, it's clear Foxgames has seized a revival chance thanks to the Necropolis influx.
Absurd as it is, my and Valentin's hard work and sacrifices ended up handing him this opportunity.
As I pulled my hands from the keyboard for a deep breath, Su entered the bunker.
"SKELTON. What're you doing?"
"Sorry, Su. Just... sketching out detailed op schedules."
"For real? Not surfing the net?"
Times like this, I regret forming a group.
Not because of Su.
The root cause of Su bugging me is the refugees.
In other words, the migrants.
Despite everything, as Jang Gi-young's prized disciple, I've decided to follow my master's example and use more philosophical or rhetorical terms for labels.
"Migrants" is my term for the winter refugees.
These winter refugees are pouring down day by day.
Unlike other areas, though, migrant numbers around my turf are low.
That's thanks to my prime location choice—my zone hugs the highway southbound, so anyone heading that way can just zip along it without crossing my turf.
People passing through are either lost, detouring around raiders on the highway, or seeking Sejong or another new home.
Truth be told, these refugees weren't a big issue before I grouped up.
My bunker was well-camouflaged, and I moved carefully.
Now it's different.
We've got a group, expanded territory.
Detection risk is way higher than solo days.
Luckily, migrants through my zone hurry on without a glance.
But more migrants are coming than expected.
"Not heading to Sejong?"
"Sejong's got a good rep."
From the hilltop, my crew and I watched the procession descending from the north, veering southwest.
Direction checks out for Sejong.
Like it or not, it's the only place truly functioning as a city.
Rumors say warlords control some southern cities, but true to military form, their iron-fisted control like prisons keeps real info scarce.
Standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Su, we eyed the latest migrant flock.
About fifty strong.
Most armed with guns or judge killers, no vehicles but pulling handcarts loaded with essentials.
Like other migrants, they didn't stop, just passed through my zone and vanished over the ridge.
"All clear."
Another flock gone.
More to come, no doubt.
Sejong's rep was solid even back on Failnet, and with Necropolis, it's painted as near-paradise.
Sun setting, so back to the bunker.
Likes over a thousand.
"......"
I couldn't wrap my head around it.
No, why that hack?
A guy who spent his life making games but sucked at it, only good at politicking—how's he riding this high?
Side note: Foxgames' trash game got the axe via self-shutdown.
Reasons: no new content, mounting bugs, lag so bad it's unplayable.
Par for the course since he didn't even make it, but I figured he'd sink with it forever.
But reality doesn't follow my script.
Comments tell the tale.
...
Another smash hit.
I shoved my chair back, slumping to glare blankly at the dark ceiling.
"......"
Beast-rearing content being what it is, he'll probably stay hot until that Mutation eats him.
The thought hit me like lightning.
This didn't sit right.
A guy who's lived stealing ideas from others, exploiting junior devs' labor to steal their glory outright—a prime specimen of scummy elder—doesn't deserve this surge from lucking into a stray pup.
Couldn't stomach it, so I logged in with my alt.
Familiar messages.
Emergency notice as expected.
Too many posts could mess up board order, so posting restricted.
Comments still allowed once logged in.
Anyway, reason for alt Dr. Emiless: test the waters.
"......"
Tap tap tap
Everyone's holding breath before the crowd, but I'm not the only Foxgames hater.
Especially after his game flop tanked his rep; he vanished after.
Tossed the spark; fire should catch somehow.
A day passed.
Su reported another migrant flock.
Checked together: Sejong-bound again.
Didn't spot us, no sign they'd scout this barren spot.
Back to boards, checked comments.
Just one lonely comment.
Reporter must be bored lately.
She's definitely got my alt favorited.
Switched to main, checked hots.
"?"
A question mark floated in my eyes too, like Reporter's comment.
I've seen folks say "This is why Koreans can't have nice things," but I've never uttered it.
Human individuality is too diverse to lump into nations or ethnicities—that's my take.
But seeing m9's new hot post, I felt a fierce urge to say that forbidden phrase.
You know the type.
One hot shop in town, next thing identical one pops up next door.
YouTube too.
New content drops, copycats swarm.
m9's one of 'em.
Dunno where he got it, but he's rearing a kitten in a tilted apartment, posting the log.
Not as cushy as Foxgames—no Mutations thanks to Kim Byung-chul's gun-toting crew next door—but definitely pre-war "breed" bloodline.
Breed name in comments.
...
m9's copycat content: around 400 likes.
Half of Foxgames', but considering usual hots barely crack 30, it's massive.
Slyly, m9 didn't stop at cat.
m9 sneak-exposed Ji Young-hee, daughter of the Ji clan leeching his apt.
Creepy personality, but looks are top-shelf pretty.
Anyway, sudden pet-rearing craze leaves me a bit flustered.
Wasn't pet-raising an outdated, risky hobby?
Foxgames is basically timing how long till his pup chews him.
I remember friends who reluctantly put bullets in their beloved pets' heads.
Years passed.
People change, thoughts too.
Current trend: pet-rearing confirmed.
But I'm not joining.
Precisely: no need to risk it for pets.
To put it bluntly, online, I'm a bigger deal than Kang Han-min by miles.
"......"
Tap tap tap
Messaged Deadman Walking.
A tiny, trivial request.
Embarrassing, but: add my name subtly to Necropolis' front gate.
Won't list with Valentin to spread her name, but a footnote nod seems fine.
Like:
Not bad, right?
Quick reply from Deadman Walking.
"......"
Deeply regrettable, but etching my name on Necropolis seems impossible.
Cooling off, it makes sense.
Just blinded by rage for a sec.
Meanwhile, Foxgames-sparked pet craze rippled to others.
Grabbing dogs or cats from somewhere and posting became the trend.
Checked a few.
Mostly plain ones.
Berkut's cat was hilariously ugly, good for a chuckle.
Issue: even nobodies like Berkut hit hots just by bandwagoning.
"......"
That irks me a tad.
"No dogs or cats around?"
Asked hunter Rebecca.
Un-American as it sounds, she scarfed dogs, cats, even bullfrogs without mercy—should know local critters.
"Mutations too. No pups with litters?"
"Nah, none."
"......Really?"
"Plus migrants everywhere now. No time to hunt pets."
Rebecca's right.
Migrants frequent.
Mostly small Sejong groups.
Not smart to roam wasteland for net fads now.
Problem: not just me trend-stimulated.
Kim Byung-chul posted.
Precisely, his somewhat dim daughter.
Photo: girl baring partial arm/leg, hugging massive pup her size.
Mutation.