Gallery Frenzy and the Eternal Pink-Haired Kid
I stared at the text reflected on the monitor of my super-competent senior, Kim Hyeji, doubting my own eyes.
I just lurk on the gallery, but even I could tell this was beyond their usual circlejerk scale.
It was a pretty unconventional clear for a newbie, sure, but enough to cause this much ripple?
Thinking that, I clicked on the most recent post.
Oof, that's rough...
"Fuck, Grandma!!"
Shouldn't have clicked that.
Around noon when the sun was high, the Awakener Association put out a clarification statement.
The Awakener Association would like to address the issue of responsibility regarding the events during the Green Devil's Lair raid.
Investigations revealed that the butler entity inside the dungeon was a cultist...
The evolved Goblin Lord was equivalent to a B-rank boss monster, and our association members' response was entirely appropriate...
The gist was: Dan-gun Guild's raid leader Kim Minho tried a reckless raid based on black market info, we stopped them, so chill out. They presented clear evidence without fabrication, so I figured the gallery bait would die down quick...
Or not.
Shot an innocent butler dead, but turns out he's a cultist
(Photo of exploding gold ingot)
Wasted expensive gold, but that's the clear method
(Gif of exploding Goblin Lord)
Stole the boss kill and rewards, actually took down a super strong boss
What the fuck, a shaman or something?
Dungeon raid embezzlement 2x, DUI 1x, human rights violations 39x, failed raids 12x
And their opponent was? "B-rank boss monster."
(Thumbs-up frog emote)
We saved 'em, be grateful.
That's a virgin? Fuck off?
- Likes: 142
Dan-gun Guild got used as a shield, so my rep's recovering socially, but...
The WWE ain't over. I've seen my tit pics over 30 times on the gallery already?
"Shoulda regressed right when the button popped...!"
Too much already done to loop back and suffer again, but this is driving me insane.
Knew it'd be an issue, but not this big.
At least the association dodged the splash. Though trolls popped up occasionally...
The trolls got buried quick thanks to the association's rep for iron-fisted handling built over time.
Sure, plenty of cringey disgusting posts that made me grimace, but public opinion beat them down naturally.
Obviously. I'm a real person, not a 2D character—crossing lines could be trouble.
"Ah, whatever. It'll work out."
Talk like that, but it's not all bad.
Public's just confused by the weird strat, but post-statement, I'm seen as a bit extreme but competent hunter.
Lay low from now on, it'll fade.
...No confidence in staying lowkey tho.
I'm prime attention bait looks or skills wise. No faith in chilling quiet, but not hiding either.
"Sigh, time to prep to head out."
Today's the day I meet up with Hyeji senior—first raid celebration drinks.
Awkward meeting boss on weekend, but no real aversion.
Better than rolling at home anyway.
"Hoo... these shoulders are fucking heavy."
Stripped top to shower before heading out, mirror shows the massive things attached to my chest.
Carry 'em daily, never get used to it.
"Shiiit."
Ignored it best I could and turned on the shower.
10 mins early, arrived at meetup spot ahead.
Better early than late.
Nothing to do, so texted senior.
"Cute emote."
Swallowed a laugh, pocketed phone roughly, opened the shop door and went in.
Today's crew: me, Hyeji senior, and one association member who blocked Dan-gun's early entry.
Association does post-raid dinners as culture, apparently. Gives paid week off for recovery after.
Real nice big corp vibes.
"Welcome! What'll it be?"
"Uh, pork neck and belly, 3 servings each please."
"Got it~"
Hyeji senior said order what I want while waiting. Someone else pays anyway... fine by me, eat what I like.
"Over here, senior!"
"Sorry I'm late. Boss suddenly wanted raid data."
"No biggie. You're buying dinner."
"Haha, I'm freeloading too."
Chatted till last guy arrived. Hunter boom lately, economy blah blah, small talk.
"What were you doing when you awakened, Sion? College?"
"College then enlisted..."
"Enlisted?!"
"Yeah... volunteered."
"Patriotism? Impressive."
"Ahaha..."
Dodged big risk mid-convo with improv. Technically true—dated classmate, broke up, bolted to army.
"Why's this senior so late?"
"Call him."
"Was about to."
Hyeji senior pulled phone, called the other. After a minute, her face darkened.
"...Cops nabbed him?"
"What?!"
"Close by, I gotta go check. Wait here alone a sec?"
"Nah, I'll come."
Senior said wait while she fetches, but solo pork belly awkward, so tagged along.
Left stuff at shop, ran 3 mins down street, spotted cops and one guy afar.
"Hah... I'm an adult, I swear?"
"Quit bullshitting, call your parents, punk! Kid learned all the bad shit..."
"Showed ID already. Old enough to smoke."
Something off. Pink-haired kid clutching cig, surrounded by three cops.
Looked straight up juvenile scolding.
"There he is."
"Huh?"
"Skill side effect, looks young."
"Even so, that's too much..."
Open mind still sees middle schooler max. Adult? Maybe not my place as genderbent chick.
"Ah, coworkers here."
"Coworkers my ass... huh? Association?"
Fuck. My face sold that hard cops recognize instant?
Shoulda regressed at button pop, regret daily.
"Th-that's our senior, must be misunderstanding."
"Whoa! Sorry! Thought girlfriend..."
Cop bowed hasty apology, incident wrapped.
Just doing his job, no fuss from us.
"...So, how old?"
"29."
"Don't lie."