Chapter 129
Chapter 129
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 129
Chapter Title: Suryeon's First PC Bang Experience (1)
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Lunchtime.
Suryeon finished her meal and stood up from her seat.
Hwaryeon and Choryeon, who hadn't finished eating yet, asked her.
"Hey, Yi Suryeon! Where are you going?!"
"Where are you headed, Suryeon unnie?"
Suryeon glanced at them briefly before answering.
"The rooftop."
The rooftop door was locked tight.
But with just a little force, she could open it.
"Don't block my way, you damn door."
Just like that.
Suryeon twisted the rooftop door handle, forcing the locked door open.
Clunk—!
"Hoo."
Unlike the classroom overflowing with humans.
The rooftop only had traces of humans in the form of cigarette butts—no actual human forms in sight.
"Finally, some time alone."
Living among humans was exhausting for Suryeon.
She couldn't communicate well with them, and they were all boring anyway.
That's why she could finally catch her breath on a rooftop like this where she could be alone.
"The breeze feels nice too. Perfect."
Suryeon walked to her usual shady spot where she always lay down to rest, spread out a clean blanket on the floor, and lay back.
Then, she pulled out her earphones connected to her MP3 player from her pocket.
"Music is the only pleasure permitted by the state."
She chose classical music.
Suryeon lay on the rooftop, listening to classical pieces, enjoying a peaceful lunchtime.
"Beethoven, Bach—these humans might actually be dragons. How else could they compose music like this?"
She loved it.
And so, Suryeon enjoyed her solitary, tranquil break.
But suddenly, the tightly locked rooftop door swung open.
Clunk—!
"Ptooey, why do these doors open so easily these days?"
"Well, it's good, right? Makes it easy to smoke. Isn't that right, Sujin?"
"Shut your trap, it's annoying."
Swish—
A sharp, venomous voice rang out.
Suryeon peeked her head out slightly.
'...Upperclassmen, huh.'
Two guys and a girl who looked like upperclassmen.
They even dressed like the kind of humans who stirred up trouble in society.
'Tch, it's because of humans like these who so brazenly break rules that human society is falling apart. Coming up to the rooftop just to smoke.'
Tsk tsk—
The future of South Korea looked bleak.
Suryeon shook her head pityingly.
"Hey, anyway. You guys heading to the PC bang today?"
"I'm definitely going. I'll carry you all."
"I don't wanna. Nothing to do there anyway."
PC bang.
Suryeon had seen it vaguely on the internet before.
A place packed with hundreds of PCs, perfect for gaming.
"PC bang. Yeah, that exists. Dad still doesn't seem like he'll buy me a computer anytime soon."
Hmm.
"Maybe I should check it out."
She'd gotten some good info.
Suryeon didn't feel particularly grateful to the delinquents, but she started planning her PC bang trip.
First things first.
"I need money."
She decided to secure the most important thing: cash.
Even if she went to the PC bang, she couldn't play games without money.
***
After school ended.
Suryeon headed straight home.
She ran up to her dad and asked.
"Dad."
"Yeah?"
"Can you give me some money?"
She needed money.
At her words, Yi Hajun looked puzzled and asked.
"I can give you money, sure. But what for?"
"Well..."
Hmm.
Suryeon racked her little brain hard.
'If I tell Dad I want money to go to the PC bang, will he give it to me?'
No.
The odds of Dad giving me money for that are low.
No way he'd hand over cash if I said PC bang.
After her cold analysis, Suryeon declared confidently.
"To eat some tteokbokki."
"Tteokbokki? You hate that stuff, Suryeon."
"Sometimes you just crave it. Don't judge me like that, Dad."
Tteokbokki disappeared once eaten anyway.
No evidence left behind—perfect for covering tracks.
"Anyway, I'm eating tteokbokki tomorrow. Just give me 2,000 won."
She stuck out her hand boldly.
Yi Hajun gave a slight mischievous smile.
'Yeah, right, this isn't for tteokbokki.'
She was trying to play it cool.
But her acting was terrible.
Yi Hajun pulled a 50,000-won bill from his wallet.
"50,000 won!"
Waves rippled across Suryeon's usually stoic face.
'As expected of me. I totally fooled Dad.'
Suryeon reached out to grab the 50,000-won bill.
But her hand couldn't reach it.
"Suryeon, isn't carrying cash around a hassle?"
"...No? I wanna carry it myself."
"Nah, what if you lose it? So Dad'll prepay 50,000 won at the snack shop for you."
"Hah?"
"Then whenever you want, you can just go eat tteokbokki! Right?!"
"..."
Suryeon clenched her fists and sealed her lips tight.
She was furious.
"Suryeon, why no answer? You can eat tons of tteokbokki—shouldn't that be great?"
"..."
"Suryeon?"
"Yeah... love it... so much... Dad..."
Grit—grind—
She answered through clenched molars.
Yi Hajun figured that was enough and pulled out one more bill.
"Kidding. Suryeon, truth is, you don't want tteokbokki, do you?"
"...Yeah."
"Here. 5,000 won."
A 5,000-won bill.
Suryeon's eyes went wide as she took it.
"...This is really for me?"
"Who else? You need more?"
"No, this is good...!"
Suryeon shoved the 5,000 won hastily into her pocket.
Then, looking up at Yi Hajun, she said softly.
"...Thanks, Dad."
Yi Hajun gently stroked her head.
"Next time, just tell me what you want straight up."
"...Yeah."
"But what'd you need the money for?"
Suryeon hesitated for a second.
But she decided to be honest.
"To go to the PC bang..."
"Oh."
PC bang.
Hearing that, Yi Hajun thought to himself.
'Suryeon really loves games. Already wanting to hit up a PC bang.'
Well, as long as she just plays some games and comes home, it should be fine.
"Alright, go ahead."
"...Thanks."
As long as she didn't cause trouble, it was okay.
***
After school.
On the way home.
Hwaryeon pointed at the snack shop and said.
"Let's get tteokbokki! Dad already paid! He said go eat whenever we want!"
Hwaryeon declared she wanted tteokbokki.
But Suryeon and Choryeon shook their heads.
"I don't really want tteokbokki. I'm getting slushie."
"I-I don't eat tteokbokki 'cause it's spicy! I want tornado fries!"
The dragons each picked different menu items.
Hwaryeon furrowed her brows a bit.
"Menus should be unified at minimum! You idiots! This is such a hassle for me!"
Sigh—
Hwaryeon let out a breath and dashed into the snack shop.
Standing on tiptoes, she yelled through the window at the shop auntie.
"Auntie! Gimme tteokbokki, slushie, and tornado fries!"
"Oh my, money?"
"Dad prepaid!"
"Ah, you kids. Hold on, coming right up."
"Okay!"
After placing all the orders.
Soon, the snacks started coming out.
Hwaryeon ate her tteokbokki.
Suryeon slurped her slushie.
Choryeon munched her tornado fries.
After school, the kids filled their bellies with snacks.
"All done! Let's head home!"
"Yay!"
Hwaryeon and Choryeon walked toward home.
But Suryeon stayed rooted in place.
"Sorry, but my path leads elsewhere."
"Huh? What nonsense now, Yi Suryeon!"
"I've got stuff to do now. See ya."
Whoosh—
If they tried to tag along, it'd be annoying.
Suryeon bolted quickly toward the PC bang.
"Hey, wait! Take me too!"
"Huff huff, me too!"
"Tch."
They were following after all.
To shake them completely, Suryeon picked up speed.
Soon, Hwaryeon and Choryeon were out of sight.
'No matter how fast they run, they can't catch me.'
No one could match her speed.
And so, Suryeon ditched everyone and arrived in front of the PC bang building.
"...This is the PC bang packed with computers."
Gulp—
What would a PC bang be like?
Suryeon stepped forward for her first PC bang experience.
"PC bang's on the third floor..."
She climbed the stairs diligently on her short legs.
Passing walls plastered with game posters, she arrived.
"Here goes..."
As she stepped forward, the automatic door slid open.
Cool AC air washed over Suryeon.
And then.
"Ah..."
Suryeon had reached paradise.
"So many computers..."
Gamer heaven.
Sleek interior.
Massive monitors and the aroma of instant ramen wafting in the air.
Suryeon fought to keep her rising lips in check as she slowly took in the PC bang.
'Everyone's playing different games. Lots of ones I've seen on XTube.'
Now she could play those games too.
Suryeon set her bag down at an empty corner seat and sat.
With eager anticipation, she powered on the computer.
"Get ready, humans. Blue Dragon Yi Suryeon has descended."
My grand entrance.
Suryeon giggled as she placed her hands on the keyboard and mouse.
Her goal: rank one.
***
At the counter, swamped cooking ramen and snacks, on the verge of collapse.
During a brief breather.
A little kid approached and said.
"Hey, human."
"Yeah?"
A girl with long blue hair.
Stunningly beautiful.
Hard to fathom why a kid like her was at a PC bang.
"What's up, little one?"
"I'm not little. Anyway, lend me that. I need to call my dad."
Suryeon pointed at the smartphone on the desk.
The clerk smiled and handed it over.
"Calling Dad?"
"Yeah."
Suryeon answered curtly and dialed.
As soon as Yi Hajun picked up, she said.
"Dad, no time. What's your resident registration number? I need to make an account."
You needed an ID to play games.
With time ticking away, Suryeon said impatiently.
"Hurry, tell me your number. Need to get the verification code."
Suryeon stomped her feet in anxiety.
Even as a dragon.
PC bang time was precious.