Chapter 158
Chapter 158
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 158
Chapter Title: Suryeon's Precious Game Console (3)
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Day by day passed.
Suryeon became more and more immersed in her games.
"So, in this situation, what formula should you use to solve the problem—"
"..."
Click-click—click—
During class.
Suryeon kept her head down, frantically pressing buttons under her desk.
'It's all stuff I already know anyway. Playing a game shouldn't be a problem.'
She didn't stop gaming even at school.
Whenever she had a moment, Suryeon would pull out her Nintendo and dive back in.
She looked no different from an addict.
'Kekeke, I finally paid off the loan. My neighbors helped me clear it so fast.'
She'd grown fond of the villagers in the game.
Playing Animal Crossing had made her really attached to them.
'Platypus isn't such a bad guy after all. I'm glad the village is happy now.'
It was all thanks to me.
The villagers helped a little, sure.
But that was how Suryeon saw it as she completed every bit of content in Animal Crossing.
"I'll come back if I miss you guys. Bye-bye."
Suryeon waved at the villagers on the screen.
"I can always come back to see you if I want anyway."
She was waving goodbye like that when—
"How about the smart Suryeon solves this one?"
"...!"
The homeroom teacher called on her.
Suryeon jumped up in surprise, hiding her Nintendo behind her back.
"Lee Suryeon? Come up front and solve it. What are you doing?"
"...I'll be right there."
Whew—
She stashed the Nintendo in her desk drawer and walked up front with a sigh of relief.
Choryeon watched her with sly, narrowed eyes.
'Suryeon sis is playing games way too much. What would Dad say if he knew? Got her weakness now.'
Choryeon quietly harbored thorns in her heart.
It was one way for a fragile plant to survive in a harsh world.
'I'll tell Dad right away!!'
Of course, it was to protect her dad, not herself.
From other rivals, that is.
***
Late evening.
The night when everyone was asleep.
In the master bedroom, Suryeon slowly opened her eyes.
"...Is everyone asleep? They look like it."
Hmm.
Better test it.
Suryeon immediately poked Hwaryeon with her finger.
"Ugh, uuum... chicken... I'll feed you soon... be good..."
"Hmm, Hwaryeon sis is definitely out cold."
She wouldn't wake up even if there was an earthquake.
Suryeon quickly moved on to the next target.
"Dad..."
"Yawwwn... hmmm..."
"Always snoring so loud. So annoying."
But he was asleep, at least.
Next.
"Choryeon."
"..."
"Sleeping so quietly. Guess she's getting old, sleeping like a log these days."
I'll let her off for now.
Suryeon turned her head, looking toward Mangmung, who always slept next to Choryeon.
"..."
"Mangmang...?"
"Why aren't you asleep, Mangmung?"
"Meow..."
*Look away*
Mangmung averted her gaze at Suryeon's words.
She must have woken up from the sound of Suryeon stirring.
"...Mangmung has sharp ears."
"Meow..."
"Mangmung. From now on, you saw nothing. Got it?"
"Meow meow...!"
"Mangmung. Bedtime starts now."
Thud—
Mangmung immediately flopped down onto the bed at Suryeon's command.
Suryeon smiled in satisfaction.
"I'll give you extra snacks later."
And then.
Suryeon pulled the blanket over her head to block any light.
Creating the perfect setup for gaming.
"Tonight, it's Pokémon time."
A game with all sorts of types.
Catch countless monsters, train them, and become the champion.
Some of them were super cute.
"I wonder how fun this one's gonna be."
Thump-thump—
Heart pounding, Suryeon inserted the cartridge.
And so, Suryeon took her first step into the Pokémon world.
Ding-a-ling—!
"Th-the alarm already...?!"
Suryeon hurriedly pretended to sleep when her smartphone alarm went off.
She'd lost track of time, pulling an all-nighter on the game.
Even so, her mind was full of nothing but the game.
'Who's the gym leader next?'
Thump—
Suryeon had discovered the thrill of adventure.
She looked like she'd be glued to games for the foreseeable future.
***
"Hmm, what should I do about this."
Lately, I had a worry.
Suryeon's condition was off.
"Hwaryeon."
"Yeah, Dad!"
"No matter how I look at it, doesn't it seem like Suryeon's gaming late at night? Look at those dark circles."
Her dark circles were severe.
They hung down like a panda's.
But Suryeon insisted she was innocent.
"Dad, there's no evidence. I heard Korea values evidence. Innocent until proven guilty."
"Where'd you pick up fancy words like that...!"
Maybe because they'd soon surpass my education level.
The kids were starting to use pretty advanced vocabulary.
It wasn't that I was ignorant, of course.
'...Maybe I should study something too.'
Otherwise, Dad's authority would crumble.
I felt like I needed to brush up on my own education.
Anyway.
"You've never seen Suryeon gaming late, right?"
"No! Dad, I'm watching Masked Rider! Be quiet!"
Game Ranger had ended.
Now Hwaryeon was hooked on the new Masked Rider series.
"Hwaryeon really loves heroes. I wish she'd like Dad that much too."
"Hmph, Masked Rider and Dad are different!"
"They're both heroes, though?"
"Th-they're different if I say so!"
Hmph—
Hwaryeon turned her head away.
"What the heck..."
Anyway.
Hwaryeon claimed she didn't know.
But I was sure Suryeon was sneaking games.
I stood up and approached Choryeon.
"Choryeon."
"Yes?"
"Have you ever seen Suryeon gaming late at night?"
"Ummm..."
Choryeon seemed to ponder for a second.
Then she smiled brightly and answered.
"Nope! Never!"
"...I see."
"Yeah! Mangmung probably hasn't either!"
I turned to look at Mangmung.
"...Meow meow!"
Mangmung shook her head, claiming she hadn't seen anything.
So why was Suryeon in that state?
"Hmm..."
Something felt off.
As I pondered,
Choryeon tugged at my clothes and said,
"But Dad! Did you know a dragon's wish is different from a normal wish?"
"Not exactly. I just figured it was something like that."
"Then I should explain it for you!"
Ahem—
Choryeon pulled out glasses from somewhere and put them on.
Then, imitating a teacher, she began her explanation.
"A dragon's promise is a blood oath! It must be kept no matter what! Because it's sworn on the Dragon Heart!"
"What happens if you break it?"
"Chains bind the Dragon Heart! And your mana gets sealed!"
"What?!"
A dragon's promise was that dangerous?
'So Suryeon stayed up late gaming even though her mana could get sealed?'
Was that impressive?
Or fearless?
I couldn't help but admire her bizarre behavior.
"They say a gamer's brain is wired differently. Guess it's true."
"Dragons and humans have different brain structures to begin with, though...? Probably...!"
"Thanks for telling me anyway, Choryeon."
I'd almost gotten my daughter's mana sealed.
'As long as I don't catch her in the act of that promise. Her mana won't get sealed.'
Got it.
As long as I didn't personally witness Suryeon gaming late,
Her mana wouldn't get sealed.
I steeled my resolve and stood up.
"Lee Suryeon. No more late-night gaming."
I couldn't let this slide during her growth spurt.
I wanted my daughter to grow up right.
That's what I thought as I hardened my heart.
***
But.
I didn't need to steel myself that much.
Why, you ask?
Because Suryeon was suddenly in an environment where she couldn't game anymore.
Afternoon, after the kids got home from school.
Unlike usual.
Hwaryeon and Choryeon were supporting Suryeon as they came in.
"Sob... hic..."
Suryeon, shoulders shaking as she wiped her tears.
"Wh-what's wrong, Suryeon?! Why are you crying!?"
I rushed over to her in shock.
Hwaryeon spoke for the sobbing Suryeon.
"Dad!"
"Why's Suryeon crying, Hwaryeon?"
"Suryeon's game console is gone!"
Her Nintendo full of memories.
The one I bought her.
The one with all her friends inside.
Had she lost that precious thing?
"Sob... hiiic... Daaad... my... my game console... hic... it's gone..."
She threw herself into my arms, tears streaming endlessly.
She seemed really heartbroken over losing her precious console.
"How on earth did you lose your game console?"
I figured I should hear Suryeon's side of the story.