Chapter 49: The Slasher That Killed Appetites
Ding-a-ling.
"Welcome! Dining alone?"
"Yeah. One pork soup, please."
"Right this way~ Pork soup for the hall!"
Carpe—no, Jeonghun—followed the server to his seat.
It was a bit past dinnertime, but the place was still bustling, as expected from a spot near the university district.
"Ow... my shoulder."
Had he overdone it?
Jeonghun rubbed his right shoulder while thinking that.
He'd logged into the game early that morning, so even after a full 10 hours, it was only around 8 PM when he logged out.
Normally, he'd be editing videos at this hour, but ever since his Room opened up, Cheonma had taken over that task, freeing him from it.
Not quite bedtime yet, though... After a moment's hesitation, a passing thought had prompted him to head out for a walk.
His destination: the arcade!
More precisely, the rhythm games there.
After seeing that hammering up close, how could I not get fired up?
Inspired by Fergus's skills, he'd gone wild on the rhythm games, hoping it might help his crafting somehow.
Heading straight to the arcade for RaSe reasons right after a 10-hour session... He thought, I'm in deep, aren't I? But it wasn't that unusual, really.
The world was changing by the day. No surprise—it was all thanks to RaSe.
For instance, stats showed a massive surge in people taking up sports and exercise over the past six months.
Gyms, archery, kendo, boxing, jiu-jitsu, and the like. Participation in activities involving direct physical exertion or weapons had skyrocketed exponentially.
Ball sports had taken a hit, sadly, but overall fitness participation had exploded.
It stemmed from research proving that real-world physical abilities meaningfully impacted character control.
Maybe I should hit the gym too?
A prominent American sociologist had called Last Savior's societal impact unprecedented in speed and inevitability, outpacing any cultural shift before it.
In this world, even rhythm games in arcades featuring hammers and anvils instead of drums and sticks wouldn't raise eyebrows.
One day, someone might answer "What's your job?" with "Holy knight of XX Guild!" and no one would bat an eye.
"Here's your pork soup! Enjoy."
"Thanks."
Slurp.
He seasoned it with shrimp sauce, dropped in some blood sausage, and took a spoonful. Warm happiness spread through his body.
Yeah. No matter how the world changed, a steaming bowl of pork soup stayed the same. As long as it didn't break the 10,000-won mark, he could conquer any hardship.
"Man, thinking about that raid today just pisses me off. We barely hit phase 3."
"Who could've predicted that crit at the end? That tank guy has the worst luck."
"What did I tell you? You gotta reinforce your shield ahead of time. Even safe enchants—I kept saying it, but you skimped 'cause new gear costs too much... Boom, shield shatters, raid wiped."
The university crowd meant mostly college kids, and their hot topic was, predictably, RaSe. Hearing game talk in eateries had become everyday scenery.
The TV mounted in the shop was tuned to a RaSe-dedicated news channel, too.
"Hello! I'm caster Jeon Yong-jin of 9 PM! Today's RaSe!"
"This is Ye-na~"
"Yes! Hello, viewers. We've gathered today's top issues for you..."
"Yo, Yong-jin hyung's armor looks different today. Did he score some loot?"
"Ye-na's costume is otherworldly as always. Her style game's insane."
Even live TV broadcasts originated from inside RaSe now. It was the new normal.
Half a year had brought this much change—what would three years bring? Jeonghun pondered as he crunched into a pickled radish.
Damn, their radish is on point.
"First up: news on Korea's pride, player Cheongeom! Check the footage."
"Yong-jin hyung's such an obvious Cheongeom stan. Look at that grin splitting his face."
"Who in Korea hates Cheongeom? Totally normal reaction."
"We got a stan over here too."
"So you hate her?"
"Nah... not that."
He'd heard of Cheongeom even before starting RaSe.
She was Korea's most globally recognized figure—a perfect superhuman straight out of movies, games, or comics.
A beauty + top pro gamer combo that defied logic, proving real!
She embodied the hyper-FPS mascot D.Va from decades ago, making it real.
Korea rank 1. World rank 5. Standout in elite guild Eden.
Her world-class skills paired with idol-topping looks had made her a global superstar.
Especially in China, where her popularity was off the charts—her nickname Cheongeom originated from Chinese fans and went official.
Her fame swept ads, with rumors of singing or acting careers brewing.
"Clean boss kill in this clip too. Ye-na, notice anything special?"
"Hmm? Yong-jin oppa's dopey grin watching Cheongeom?"
"Ahem. Since you missed it, I'll point it out. This freeze-frame post-boss kill—see her sword's faint golden glow?"
"Yeah, but... is that special? Looks like Striking effect?"
"Haha, most would think so. But RaSe vets see different. Striking's glow is deeper gold."
"Weird... Any other buffs with gold effects?"
"You're a solid mid-tier now, Ye-na. Nope, no buffs do that. Not a skill effect."
"Then what is it?"
"Brace yourself. That's the glow for +10 weapon enhancement success!"
"What?! +10? No way!"
The casters' words stirred the crowd.
"+10? Wasn't Cheongeom's weapon unique?"
"Damn, unique to +10? She has everything—now luck too? Tax the lucky bastards extra!"
"She pays tons in taxes and donates big. Quit the jealousy, it's ugly."
"Jealous af. Haven't even touched rare +9."
The host beamed like he'd done it himself.
"Her sword is the famed unique Ice Snow. First Korean with +10 unique."
"World rank 1 possible now?"
"Rank 1's a stretch, but top 3... maybe."
"Hm..."
Tuning out the reactions, Jeonghun quietly spooned his soup.
They had no idea the guy next table slurping pork soup held a +12 legendary.
Fergus really is a monster.
With two 9-star crafting skills, he was obviously one... but +12 legendary when +10 uniques were top-tier? Unimaginable.
Each mention of her +10 made Jeonghun feel oddly smug.
"Finally, today's rising star."
"Ugh, hate this part. Talent shows kill my vibe..."
The show's end always featured hot videos or prospects.
"Already buzzing in communities. You know her, Ye-na."
"No way?"
"Yep. Star of Cheonma TV: Cheonma!"
"Pffft!"
Jeonghun choked, coughing uncontrollably.
He gulped water to calm down, then stared at the TV in disbelief.
"I'm a huge fan!"
"One-shotting Onepi-dan, guerrilla quest reveal, Hell Beast solo kill. Just two vids, but communities are exploding. Too unreal—hacks or fakes, they say."
"Cheonma-nim's not like that!"
"Ye-na calls every prospect her fan."
"Her shtick, probably. You see those Cheonma vids? Fake or not, fights like a beast."
"Devouring Onepi-dan was pure catharsis."
Listening, Jeonghun flushed and chugged water endlessly.
"I'm neutral. Doesn't look hacked or edited, but too absurd to buy straight."
"Hmph. That robotic neutrality's the worst."
"Haha, we gotta keep possibilities open. Wait—Ye-na, fresh upload on Cheonma TV?"
"Really? Can we see?"
"Perfect timing. Viewers, rolling the video now."
Then the new Cheonma TV video dropped.
"Kyaaah!"
"Gah!"
"Holy shit, jump scare!"
Screams erupted.
The clip opened with a massive slater oozing across the screen!
"Filmed a slater and no spoiler warning or mosaic?"
"What a troll. Cheonma? More like demon."
"...Appetite gone."
"How do you even fight that? Imagine eye contact."
"Faint standing. Sobbing for mom? Easy."
"..."
What the hell did he upload?!
Jeonghun mentally apologized nonstop, drowning in water.
"Ugh, Yong-jin oppa, kill it! I can't handle this—gonna cry!"
"Sorry, viewers. Ye-na's broken; can't continue. Curious? Search 'Cheonma TV' on RaSe channel..."
Click!
The flustered server killed the TV, but too late.
"...I'm out."
"Stomach's churning. Grabbing meds at the convenience store."
"Cheonma TV force-fed diets even here. Name etched."
"Sir? Sir?!"
Every customer but Jeonghun bolted after paying.
"Don't leave it all!"
That day, Jangsu Pork Soup set a record for leftovers since opening.
The 10-Star Player's Lucky Draw