Chapter 57
Chapter 57
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 57
Chapter Title: The Slowest Ride
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With the rapid advancement of science and technology, virtual reality had quickly become a staple in the modern world.
As capsule devices spread worldwide, people had grown somewhat familiar with this third realm known as virtual reality.
These days, it was common to see capsule devices even in ordinary households, and the most popular use was, of course, virtual reality games.
Especially Agas, the VR game renowned for its high realism and freedom.
Directly serviced by Rover Company, Agas had been incredibly popular among teens and those in their twenties. But now, the demographics were shifting.
The top age group was still unchanged, but over time, users from other brackets started trickling in.
Thirties.
Forties.
And even those in their fifties and beyond.
It had truly become a game for everyone, regardless of age or gender.
The reason was simple.
Lifestyle content and non-combat jobs built on high freedom.
Not everyone was grinding levels through hunting and quests. Players started living out entirely new lives on the continent, just like in reality.
By choosing non-combat paths like coachman, merchant, farmer, tailor, blacksmith, and so on.
And so, lately, it wasn't uncommon to spot players in their thirties, forties, or older in cities and fields.
But the player before him was different.
Well, he fit the bill, but he was even older than expected.
'Sixties?'
Even giving the benefit of the doubt, he looked at least in his fifties.
Jinhyeon carried the unmistakable weight of years.
'Who'd have thought there'd be a coachman player like this around here.'
Surprising.
But that was it.
'Eh, age doesn't matter when you're just playing the game.'
The real issue was this agonizingly slow carriage speed.
"Excuse me, sir?"
No matter how notorious a criminal he was, Luke still had basic manners toward his elders.
Especially in front of someone this senior.
"Heh heh, what is it, young man?"
Jinhyeon chuckled good-naturedly.
Slow.
Even his responses dragged.
This scene was the epitome of peace and tranquility.
Even the horses Jinhyeon led seemed to have adapted to the vibe, moving with utmost leisure.
As if to say, what's the rush in life?
'Holy shit.'
Sensing the gravity, Luke broke into a cold sweat and spoke up urgently.
"Sir, could you pick up the pace just a bit? At this rate, we'll be here till dawn."
"Got it. I'll do my best."
"Yes, please."
"Heh heh heh heh."
"Hmm."
The cheerful laughter was unsettling, but Luke decided to trust him once.
'I've said my piece. He gets it.'
And he was a coachman by profession, no less.
If he wanted, he could easily urge the horses faster.
'Yeah, no doubt.'
Luke had zero doubts.
But another hour passed.
"How's this, young man? I'm going at top speed now!"
"Ah, yes."
"We'll be there in no time like this, heh heh heh!"
"Ah, yes."
Luke realized soon enough.
'So this is your top speed.'
The scenery outside hadn't budged.
'Ugh, paid good money for this, and now I can't just bail.'
At least he'd padded the schedule generously.
Half-resigned, he sat in the carriage.
Neigh!
Suddenly, it ground to a halt.
'What, already slow as hell, and now picking up more passengers mid-route?'
An extra rider hopped on.
Right in the middle of this empty stretch.
'Waiting for a carriage out here? What kind of idiot...'
Luke scowled and turned.
There, he saw her.
"Hello."
A ponytail guy smiling brightly with a greeting.
'That Kotaro guy's supposed to be amazing, right?'
'Heard he scored an 81 composite on the ability sim.'
'Kid's got a bright future. Jealous.'
He hadn't started the game with grand ambitions.
Just logged into Agas like anyone else, casually.
Then he stumbled upon his own talent by chance.
And somehow, he began getting hyped as a rookie standout.
Unfamiliar attention.
Uncomfortable stares and jealousy.
At first, none of it felt natural.
Why?
Because he hadn't jumped in with big expectations.
So the spotlight was a heavy burden.
But one day.
A long-haired guy calling himself Kenni showed up.
'You're undervaluing yourself. With skills like that, you deserve recognition!'
He was the owner of a hidden class, drawing just as much buzz.
Poison Brewer Kenni.
Kenni proposed partying up, and with no other plans, Kotaro agreed.
From then on, steady party play.
Kenni kept pumping Kotaro's confidence.
'Perfect! The dream combo!'
'See? Told you—no close-range scrubs in this level bracket can touch you!'
A strange sensation.
But not unwelcome.
No, it was thrilling.
The joy of recognition and attention.
He'd finally awakened to that new world.
'Yeah, this is only natural.'
Since time immemorial, the strong deserved praise.
And Agas was no different.
Pride.
From that point, Kotaro played boldly, brimming with confidence in his skills.
'I'm strong.'
Stronger than anyone.
'So I deserve recognition.'
From everyone.
'Soon, the whole world will have eyes on me.'
Yes.
Without a doubt.
If he kept this up, it was inevitable.
Kotaro believed it firmly.
But no.
'Insane! Iron Mask Man crushed two rookies!'
'Kaum faction wins? No way.'
'Monster...'
'What's that Iron Mask Man's deal?!'
They say there's always someone better.
Iron Mask Man.
He was that someone.
In the war between Damian and Kaum territories, Kotaro's pride shattered.
'Kotaro was strong too, but Iron Mask was on another level.'
'That duo's gotta be mortified—won't log in for ages.'
Spotlight shifting to Iron Mask Man.
Shattered pride.
Endless comparisons post-war.
Of course, his prior rep didn't vanish.
His rookie ranking even climbed.
Being pitted against Iron Mask drew more scouts.
But that first taste of defeat hit hard regardless.
An overwhelming loss without landing a single blow.
All that built-up pride, gone in a flash.
'Damn that guy. Must have insane poison resistance. No way my poison should've flopped otherwise! Yeah, need stronger brews. Then that bastard...!'
'Kotaro, hate to say it, but we're splitting here. Thanks for everything—let's team up again sometime, buddy!'
Kenni bailed abruptly, leaving Kotaro alone.
Emptiness.
Lost confidence.
He wandered the southlands aimlessly.
Until he boarded this carriage with a player named Jinhyeon.
"......"
There was already a passenger, but after a quick hello, they'd ignored each other.
Awkward silence.
But Kotaro broke it first.
"Mind if I vent a bit? Out of the blue, I know."
"......"
"No need to reply. Just listen if you want."
For some reason, that day he ached to spill his guts.
So he launched into it, reply or not.
"See, recently I hit this massive wall I couldn't climb. Insanely tall—no end in sight."
A bitter smile escaped.
"Up till then, I thought I was hot shit. Deserved all the hype. Somewhere along the line, I got cocky about my skills. Ha, looking back, what a joke. Frog in a well, that's me."
Powerlessness.
Resulting void.
"Realizing that, I've just been drifting like this. Before, I aimed higher. Now? No clue what to do."
Sure, some might call it "just a game."
But since becoming a rookie, Agas was practically his everything.
Honor.
Attention.
Recognition.
His greed had bloomed there.
"Funny, huh? Hop on a carriage and immediately dump all this on a stranger."
Wouldn't blame anyone for calling him nuts.
But unloading it lightened the load, somehow.
Feeling relieved, Kotaro turned to the guy beside him with a lighter expression.
"If you're cool with it, mind sharing your stor—"
He was out cold, slumped over.
"......"
A bit later.
Neigh!
Finally arriving in Jermi, Luke hopped off the carriage with a massive yawn.
'Ughhh, thought I'd die of boredom. Fell asleep in-game.'
Kotaro's ramble was that dull—straight-up sleep-inducing.
'And of all people, I run into that guy in the carriage.'
He'd gotten off just before Jermi, but they'd shared the ride cluelessly.
With Kotaro none the wiser that Luke was Iron Mask Man.
"Whatever, not my problem."
"Heh heh heh. Safe travels, young man."
"Huh?"
Jinhyeon's carriage waved goodbye and rolled away.
Watching it go, Luke vowed.
'No matter how rushed, never riding that one again.'
Not unless Jinhyeon was the only coachman around.
"Poko."
"Oh, forgot about you."
"Poko poko!"
Poko flailed his arms in a tantrum.
Luke eyed him, pondering.
'What to do with this guy.'
The event was about to kick off.
With a dedicated event zone, they'd likely warp straight there.
Leaving Poko behind again.
'Rent an inn room and park him there?'
Best option.
If he'd go along with it.
"Poko, I gotta head somewhere soon..."
Smart enough to understand speech, so worth proposing.
"Po, poko!"
Rejected instantly.
Luke sighed at the head-shaking Poko.
"Fine, hide out somewhere then?"
"Poko poko."
"Huh, near those grass patches?"
"Poko."
Poko pointed to the tall grass lining the city entrance.
Meaning he'd wait there till Luke exited the city.
'Stubborn as hell.'
Couldn't force a kid with such firm opinions.
'No choice. He followed fine to Kaum alone last time, so trust him again.'
Figure something out post-event.
Luke muttered inwardly and nodded.
"Stay hidden till I get back, got it? No following anyone promising candy."
"Poko."
Poko raised one hand high.
No worries.
"Replies like a champ."
Luke chuckled and turned away.
Still worried, but no better ideas.
Thus, he entered the southern city of Jermi.
Users and NPCs bustled on the streets.
'Dungeon City Jermi.'
Average level 50.
Mid-sized southern hub, above Parten.
The first stepping stone to the central continent.
That was Dungeon City Jermi.
'Before turning criminal, I'd hit nearby dungeons and visit occasionally.'
Dungeon City.
The name stemmed from one thing.
Dungeons aplenty nearby.
Hence the moniker.
'Lemme see, supposed to meet at the fountain square...'
Appointment was 30 minutes pre-event.
About 20 minutes left now.
A tad late, but the buffer saved him from missing the start.
'Add friends first thing when we meet.'
Needed that for whispers.
Luke scanned near the fountain.
Then—
Grab!
A heavy hand clamped his shoulder.
'This feel...'