Chapter 100
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 100
Chapter Title: Lichen
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Su-hyeon had evolved the plants into their dark forms and received the camp invitation the next day.
Ga-eun was finally streaming a game after what felt like forever.
Gate exploration content had become too tricky to produce, leaving her no choice.
Plus, the sequel to that trash game from before was trending right now.
In the previous game, the Drum Barrel Man had escaped the ocean unharmed and washed up on a deserted island. This time, it starred one of his lackeys.
The lackey had to roll his boss to the opposite side of the island.
But the terrain was rugged rock, impossible to roll straight through, so he had to dodge obstacles and climb over mountains.
"...There's some big rock here? Looks suspicious."
And so, Ga-eun had reached about halfway up the mountain.
The man rolling the barrel downhill and the other tumbling along with his lower half exposed.
Tree leaves and scrapes covering their bodies hinted at the brutal journey.
"Doesn't look like a rest spot, so I'll ignore it for now."
Ga-eun, burned before, tensed up at the sight of the odd rock—but it didn't change the outcome much.
She shouldn't have just been cautious; she needed to go around it...
But Ga-eun, climbing the mountain for the first time, had no way of knowing.
In the end, the barrel man's edge just barely clipped the rock.
Ku-gu-gu-gu-
"...Huh?"
The rock was a massive golem fast asleep.
Waking it from its nap came with harsh punishment.
"Wh-who's there? W-wait!!"
The golem snatched the pale-faced barrel man mid-tumble.
Ga-eun frantically mashed controls to intervene, but all her character could do was hop around uselessly.
The golem holding the barrel raised both arms high overhead...
"You crazy...!!"
Shwoong-
It struck a perfect three-pointer stance.
Thud-
"Hey!!!!!"
The barrel's rolling away so hard lololol
Face is beet red lololol
Did she have a drink? Lmao
Keyboard's gonna break lololol
His face screamed a thousand words, but now wasn't the time.
"Ugh, if I could just run a bit faster, I could grab it...! Aaaah! This guy's pushing a barrel up a mountain, so why is he so sloooow!!!"
The game's real cruelty kicked in once you lost the barrel.
In the last game, mistakes meant instant game over—no chance to recover, just watch and reset.
But here? It dangled hope: just a bit further, and you might catch up... Pure torture.
For players, it was infuriating progress. For viewers? Peak entertainment.
Then, a donation saved Ga-eun.
Council responded!
"Yes? The council? Oh, the ones pushing for policy changes?"
Apology incoming? Lol
Not 4chan, right?
The viewers latched onto the juicy bait instantly.
Honestly, Ga-eun couldn't care less what they said—this was her excuse to quit the game.
She inwardly cheered.
"Ahem, alright, game stream ends here for today. Shall we check out the announcement together?"
???
From the start next time?
"Restart later? Hmm... If I feel like it? I'll prioritize considering it. Now, let's see the site..."
Ignoring the chaotic chat, Ga-eun read the council's statement.
"...Huh?"
To sum it up: 'No intent there. Pure coincidence. Regrets to those affected. But changing policies repeatedly on short notice is tough—please wait.'
"What is this?"
At least it offered a solution.
"Camp?"
It promoted a rookie training camp coming soon: join for benefits and problem resolution.
But something felt off...
Replacing 20-day training with 3 days?
"Exactly. Feels like a band-aid fix."
The silver lining: logos from the council and major guilds listed below.
"Probably worth it, but... still hesitant."
As Ga-eun scrolled chat, lost in thought—
Bzzz-
A text arrived with a soft vibration.
'Hm? Camellia? Spam...? Wait.'
Ga-eun nearly trashed it after the first line.
But then she recalled a buried number and read on.
"Hmm..."
...Seemed legit.
Gonna join, boss?
3 days off > 20 days off
"Yeah, guess I have to. Someone I know is going too."
Not just for the break— the text sealed it.
She could verify later.
Me: Su-hyeon-ah
Me: You going to this?
Me: (Rookie Training Camp promo pic)
And now.
Drool- Drool-
Ga-eun turned at the cute sound beside her.
"Hng."
Su-hyeon had her cheek smooshed against the window, deep in sleep.
Her round silhouette evoked a hamster napping upright.
She'd chattered excitedly at first, but a few bumps later, out like a light.
No trace of her earlier grumpiness over lost luggage.
"Gonna drool soon."
Worried for her neck, Ga-eun tried tilting her head back.
But kids' centers of gravity are mostly in their heads—heavy ones.
Su-hyeon's lolled, then flopped with a thunk.
"Ah."
Bonk.
Su-hyeon smacked the window hard.
"Kng..."
Not awake, but her brow furrowed deeply.
Very displeased look.
"Sorry, hope there's no bump...?"
Ga-eun's slim finger soothed the forehead; it relaxed.
"...Drool-."
"No helping it. Here, lie on my lap instead."
"Mng..."
Even tilted, it'd be uncomfortable—better no more head-bonks.
Ga-eun removed the armrest, offering her thigh.
Snooore- snooore-
Her snoring evened out; neck comfy now.
"..."
Gazing at the peaceful face stirred an urge.
Ga-eun poked the button nose gently.
It boinged back.
Lower now—squish the two mochi cheeks.
Lips puffed fish-like, yet adorable somehow.
"Hng."
Past rice-grain teeth, a glimpse of pink tongue.
"Bigger tongue than expected."
Explains no lisping despite looks.
And how it poked out when focused.
'Would've been cute even shorter.'
Ga-eun felt a twinge of regret.
Satisfied, she pulled her phone from the other pocket, snapped a silent pic, and KakaoTalked it off.
(1)
( )
The number vanished fast.
Tteok-ip Patrol Chief: (Typing...)
Tteok-ip Patrol Chief: Thank you
Tteok-ip Patrol Chief: But
Tteok-ip Patrol Chief: (Typing...)
Tteok-ip Patrol Chief: Never mind
Me: Yes?
Tteok-ip Patrol Chief: Jealous
Me: (Sweaty rabbit emoticon)
Me: Get back to work
Me: You following us by any chance?
Tteok-ip Patrol Chief: (Blurry, unrecognizable pic)
Me: ?
Ga-eun squinted at Brüel's photo, then shrugged it off.
She'd handle it.
She's no ordinary person.
But with all those hunters around, could she tail without getting caught?
Ga-eun kneaded the soft mochi on her lap, drifting off with idle thoughts.
"Nng..."
Stepping off the bus, Su-hyeon curled up and stretched.
Forest-fresh air, gravel crunch underfoot.
We'd really arrived.
"Yawn... Sleep well?"
Ga-eun yawned, disembarking.
"Yeah... But my cheeks tingle."
Su-hyeon rubbed her flushed cheeks.
"Bug bite?"
"...You didn't drool in your sleep?"
Ga-eun averted her eyes slyly.
Worried about forehead over cheeks?
She'd only poked lightly...
"Anyway, let's go."
"Okay."
Hand in hand, Ga-eun and Su-hyeon headed for the big building ahead.
Su-hyeon, relying solely on Ga-eun; Ga-eun, here to look after her.
Both planned to stick together throughout the short camp.
"Let's see, Kim Su-hyeon and Lee Ga-eun... Kim Su-hyeon to Room 1, Lee Ga-eun to Room 7."
"Pardon...?"
But life doesn't go as planned.
At check-in, lightning struck Su-hyeon.
"...Why?"
Grabbing her name tag, Su-hyeon asked; the staff looked puzzled.
"...? Assigned alphabetically...?"
"Th-that won't work!"
Wait, something's wrong?
Wasn't this camp Jun-hyeok's setup for me?
He tricked me...!
"C-could we switch rooms maybe...?"
"Sorry, no arbitrary changes—to minimize control issues and complaints."
Ga-eun pleaded, to no avail.
"Phones for security—hand them over. Make important calls now."
"Wh-what...?"
Even phones confiscated.
Last-ditch: called Jun-hyeok. No answer.
[Hey]
[This is different]
[Didn't explain details but]
[Made it sound like it's for me]
[You scammer]
Texts sent at least.
As Su-hyeon texted, Ga-eun smiled bitterly.
"No choice, Su-hyeon-ah."
"Ga-eun-ah... Wh-what do you mean?"
I came just for you!
"...Don't look at me like that. Bear with it a bit? I'll visit later."
Teary eyes, guilt-tripping expression.
Even battle-hardened Ga-eun faltered—but nothing to be done.
Just soothe with words...
"Ah..."
Left alone in Room 1, Su-hyeon despaired.
Strange place, strangers everywhere.
'Did I come for nothing?'
What glory was worth this?
(Sorry, Su-hyeon calling it hardship before check-in even finished.)
I'd lived fine without support till now.
Expectations for camp? Long gone.
Already homesick, Su-hyeon muttered:
"I'm... just lichen..."
Su-hyeon, alone after ages.