The End of Vacation #2
The End of Vacation #2
So I walked into the PC café.
"Customer. The computers shut down at 6 PM due to the curfew alert."
The owner, decked out in special armor and clutching a submachine gun, said it with a smile.
"Okay."
Man, it's a sight I just can't get used to.
Ever since the curfew alert went into effect, most businesses close at night now. I guess it makes sense, but I just can't get used to the owners actually walking around in armor and carrying guns.
But you know, if the owner is holding a gun, nobody's gonna act like a jackass. There are pros and cons. If you cause trouble and they point a gun at you, that'll sober you up real quick.
—Bzzzt.
I fed a 5,000-won bill into the machine to charge up some time and headed for an empty seat.
"Ridiculously overpriced."
Since it had been converted into an armed PC café under the law, they slapped a surcharge on the rates, making it pretty damn expensive. It was even pricier than the most notorious rip-off joint in the neighborhood.
But I looked at the notice down below and it read, "This PC café is not equipped with an underground bomb shelter and will not operate at night when an alert is issued."
Safety laws are strict, I'll give them that.
"Alright."
Now, shall I summon Kitty?
—Clack, clack.
I sat down, typed in my ID, and logged into the game site. I launched the client and entered the game, and then—
[Connection Error]
As expected, a connection error popped up. Someone was joyfully playing the game on this ID right now. A message appeared saying the current connection would be disconnected to log in, and I entered the game.
[ZeroZeroZeroZeroPrincess Lv. 51]
"Already level 51? Kitty, you gaming addict... huh?"
But once I logged in, the character had only 10% HP and was just standing there dumbly in front of some dungeon entrance.
"Why aren't you wearing shoes and a weapon?"
I opened the inventory. Everything else was equipped, but the shoe slot and weapon slot were empty.
I saw she had collected the whole [Imperial Senior Knight] unique set, except for the shoes and weapon.
And everything except the missing shoes and weapon was enhanced to +9. Looking at the state of the enhancements, Kitty seemed to be genuinely enjoying the game, and a strange feeling washed over me.
That's when it happened.
—Ring-ring.
I got a call from Kitty.
"Hey, Kitty—"
"Geun-cheol, get out here. Fast."
"What?"
—Click.
What kind of manners was this brat showing me?
Anyway, she's direct.
"Hehehe."
Seems like she got disconnected from the game mid-session, and I couldn't be more thrilled. This feels like an even greater joy than spanking her did.
I immediately turned off the computer and stepped outside.
I found a suitably secluded spot and squeezed into an alley.
—Vwoom.
Like clockwork, a small gate opened, and Kitty walked out.
"Hey, Kitty. Good to see you."
"Geun-cheol, we've got a big problem."
"Wh-what? Why? Is this because you got kicked from the game? Heheh, well, when I call, you should come running—"
"Geun-cheol. It's not that my account got disconnected."
"Then what?"
Uh.
—Shiver.
A sudden chill ran down my spine.
"Don't tell me... your sister?"
"Yeah."
"Your sister plays games and stuff too?"
"She started recently."
No wonder there were two computers!
I'd wondered why she had two—now I knew!
"My eerily good luck these days...!"
I'd planned to meet her confidently today and ask about the Fragment, and now this bolt from the blue hits me!
"It was the first time I saw my sister slam the keyboard and scream."
"All right, Kitty. How about spending the day with me? We'll eat, hit the arcade, play some pool and bowling, then head back in the evening."
"I don't know. I don't know what to do."
"Kitty. Let me ask you something serious."
"Did she happen to... say anything? Like, tell me to bring you to her?"
"I don't know."
Kitty lowered her head slightly, as if she was very troubled.
"She screamed about why a login error popped up, so I reflexively explained that someone else logged in with that ID. Then my sister yelled, asking who the hell it was... and I accidentally said your name, Geun-cheol."
"Hey! Hey! You can't do that! What's wrong with you! You're supposed to have my back!"
"Sorry, Geun-cheol. So Kitty's a fugitive too now."
"Let's execute the plan, escape! The two of us, we're escaping!"
"I don't think that's a good idea."
Even I think so!
"No, haa. Seriously. What the hell is the Void Princess doing playing a game at this hour..."
What is she, a shut-in princess?
"Kitty. Were the two of you, sisters, sitting side-by-side playing a game during this precious time?"
"No, it's just, um..."
—Tap, tap.
With her hands behind her back, Kitty stared at the floor and poked it with the tip of her foot, dragging out her words.
"What can I do, it's fun. Humans are quite talented. They made something fun."
"That's a reason for monsterkin to play games?!"
"Geun-cheol. Every sentient being needs rest. If you spend every waking moment only on work, you'll probably break down."
She's not wrong, but why did it have to be now...!
Couldn't she do it late at night after finishing all her other busy work?!
"Hoo. Fine. I guess it can't be helped. It's just a brief disconnect, what could go wrong? More importantly, Kitty. About this Fragment—"
"Ah, my sister just told me. She says to bring Geun-cheol."
"What!"
No, this crazy princess is seriously...!
She's yanking people around over nothing!
"Is the game that important?!"
"No idea. Let's go."
"What happened to escaping together?!"
"A wish that cannot come true..."
"Noooooo!"
—Vwoom!
And so, I got dragged by Kitty into the gate.
* * *
A smashed keyboard.
Fragments of a monitor floating in the air, shattered into thirty-six pieces like the wreckage of a destroyed space station.
"So it was you?"
Incongruous against this alien backdrop, a full-grown blonde princess sat on a throne and spoke to me.
"The one who caused the login er-ror?"
The situation got a bit messed up, but—
"N-No, well, you see."
Today, I was standing tall.
Originally, there was never a time I'd stood properly when meeting the Void Princess. Before, I was just a powerless, clueless, total doormat of a kid.
But not anymore.
I have to negotiate with the Void Princess and get through this situation. I need to maintain a good relationship, so I can't stay servile forever.
—Flash.
I looked directly at the Void Princess.
A beautiful woman. I'd always just glanced at her briefly before, but this time I met her eyes, brazen and bold.
—...
A subtle magical power seemed to press down on my mind.
Frankly, I'm scared shitless.
But I can't keep that up forever. The situation is urgent. Seeing as she hasn't killed me, I don't need to grovel.
"Actually, that was originally my ID... I just logged in once to try calling Kitty, and that's what happened. I'm sorry about the login error."
I apologized with a 45-degree bow of my head.
"Ho-oh."
The Void Princess crossed her legs, stroked her lips, and spoke arrogantly.
"But you feel a bit different today, don't you? I thought you'd be prostrating yourself and groveling like usual?"
A contemptuous attitude.
But she's right. It's the way of the world that those who bow and scrape deserve contempt.
So I kept my back straight.
"Why do you stand with your back so straight today? Especially when you are the one responsible for destroying this lady's computer?"
That wasn't me!
"It feels akin to a servant defiling their lord's work of art. But you, who were always so obsequious, have cast aside the necessary obsequiousness today and stand up straight. How is this lady supposed to take this?"
"I have... come to a realization of sorts."
"What sort?"
"The realization that I, born a man, cannot grovel forever. I have resolved to stand tall from this day forward, as a member of the Warrior Class and of Noblesse Oblige."
"Ho-oh."
My heart is burning!
"Because there is work to be done!"
Let the smooth-talking commence!
"Void Princess! What may I call you?!"
I put force into my voice to shake her soul, and I spoke while looking her straight in the eyes. A redefining of our relationship. That's what I need now!
"You shall call me Princess."
"Understood, Princess! I apologize again about the ID! The lost gold, the items! I will restore it all! By the end of today!"
"What did you say?"
Let's solve this first and talk later!
"How can you do that? It would take a long time of grinding, would it not?"
Perhaps because she had been enjoying it quite a bit herself.
The Princess immediately showed interest. Well, this is something. Earlier, when it was about the login error, I was scared stiff, but now I get to use this as a conversation starter. Life is full of surprises... Wait. Grinding? She even knows words like that?
"I can do it! If it's me!"
"You speak like a knight brimming with confidence?"
A knight. Even her metaphors are princess-like.
"Kitty. Make sure you receive what is to be received next time."
What's to be received next time.
Good.
It went over well. If she's talking about "next time," it probably means she won't harm me.
"If this is a lie, I shall not forgive you."
"Don't worry. Mere gold like that can be restored even tonight if I just make a cash transaction."
"Wh-What? Cash transaction?"
"It's a thing. You buy in-game gold with real money. It's no big deal."
"What in the...?"
Is she interested in cash trading?
As I was about to explain—
"Ah, ah. Just do it yourself. As long as you restore it."
She waves her hand dismissively, as if fed up. I seriously can't get a read on this person's mood.
"Anyway. Take out what you have."
"You mean this?"
I took the Fragment out of my pocket.
A Fragment smaller than the last one.
"Yes. That thing."
"Princess. Do you need this?"
"Would I have told you to hand it over if I didn't need it?"
Who talks like that right off the bat?
"Have you perhaps decided to make some kind of deal with it? And is that why you're acting like a knight?"
The Princess smirked and continued.
"Fufufu, I thought you were a cowardly wimp who trembled just at the sight of this lady. But you know how to act confidently when there's gain involved, don't you?"
"Yeah, well, you know."
"Where did you suddenly find that bravery?"
The corners of her eyes curve up. At the same time, I felt a sticky magical power seeping into my ears.
I can't tell if she's mocking me or enjoying this, but there's only one thing to say.
"I didn't just pick it up from some strange place. It was right here."
Inside my chest.
I pointed to my heart as I said it.
"I simply drew out what was inside my heart. The courage that everyone carries."
"The only thing inside your chest is a blood-red heart."
"No, I mean, that's just kind of a metaphor. Anyway, Princess. I have a request."
"Your courage is commendable, so I shall hear it."
Alright.
"What exactly are these Fragments? And why do you need them, Princess?"
"Hmm."
The Princess strokes her chin as if pondering.
"Well, it is a sort of unexpected variable."
"Excuse me?"