Chapter 199
Chapter 199
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>Translator: penny
>Chapter: 199
>Chapter Title: Purple Taste
>-----------------------------------------------------------------
>Chapter 199
>199.
>“No, seriously, why the hell is your nickname Purple Taste? It’s so gross.”
>One day, Kkukku finally snapped after holding it in for so long, venting about Purple Bro.
>Do-hyun, who’d been harboring the same resentment deep down, immediately agreed.
>“Agreed. Every time I see it on my friends list, I wanna delete you.”
>“? Why are you guys picking on me the second I log in?”
>“You look like you’re begging for it! It doesn’t suit you at all—no, it suits you so badly! What kind of character has a name like Purple Taste? It’s filthy.”
>“…What’s wrong with my character? Isn’t this the mark of a true veteran? Sword Emperor, back me up here. Doesn’t it look cool?”
>Purple Bro shook his head at the two of them like they were clueless, pleading with Sword Emperor—who was dead serious about his own aesthetic—but it was no use.
>“…It’s an eyesore. I’d appreciate it if you changed it.”
>“You too, the one person I trusted….”
>“You should ditch that sparkling eye emoji too. It’s starting to genuinely disgust me.”
>“…Can you put that sword away first before you talk?”
>Even Sword Emperor had drawn his blade over it.
>Everyone piling on like this wasn’t because of their personalities—it was all because of Purple Bro’s character customization.
>“No, the nickname isn’t even the real problem. Do something about that filthy character first.”
>“Agreed. Out of all the looks in the world, why underwear and a mullet? You got some exhibitionist kink or what?”
>“You’re one to talk, always in those robes…. But yeah, agreed.”
>Over 190cm tall, a hulking brute. Dark skin, bulging muscles.
>And those muscles weren’t just on display—they were practically screaming, right down to the inner thighs peeking out from his underwear.
>Topped off with a mullet and sunglasses.
>Picture that.
>In a VR game, a guy rocking that horrific look with the nickname Purple Taste. How would you feel?
>“Ah, I should’ve farmed a bunny headband too… Why doesn’t this game have bunny headbands?”
>“Crazy….”
>Whenever anyone shuddered and called out his utterly incomprehensible fashion sense, Purple Bro always gave the same response.
>“Because this is the mark of a true veteran!”
>“…That was back in the PC gaming days. Who wears that crap in a VR game!?”
>“Back in my day, it was like that! Seeing users dressed like this made me so jealous and cool. It was my dream!”
>“Please, just drop that dream. Think about everyone else’s eyes for once.”
>“Fine, whatever about the look—but why Purple Taste for the nickname?”
>And just like that, they circled back to the original topic.
>“I’ve always liked purple.”
>“Why?”
>As everyone suddenly focused like they’d forgotten they were roasting him, Purple Bro grinned and replied.
>“Why? Purple’s the color of the elite.”
>“…Ah.”
>“Purple is always right. That’s why I only wear purple watches in real life too.”
>“That’s… a bit much. Isn’t game addiction kinda sad at your age?”
>“You guys gonna talk? Hah, of course talent freaks like you wouldn’t get it. This is the heart of the common folk. Sigh.”
>Back then, they’d chat about all sorts of trivial stuff with their comrades.
>As the content dried up and the game started dying, they spent more and more days huddled around a campfire, bullshitting.
>That day was one of those days, and they’d brushed it off as a joke….
>The reason Do-hyun was thinking about it now was simple.
>‘…Man, he’s still purple overload.’
>The Purple Bro he ran into in God Ose was purple incarnate.
>Weapon, gear, accessories—nothing wasn’t purple.
>His hair shimmered so brilliantly purple it was like he’d question why it wasn’t dyed. No doubt about it.
>‘Never thought I’d run into Purple Bro here.’
>That had to be him.
>‘…That monster over there know you, Master?’
>‘Yeah, something like that. Old comrade.’
>‘Hoo…. Lots of openings, but the power radiating off him surpasses even mine. A true powerhouse befitting Master’s comrade.’
>‘Reza Reja!’
>A smile crept onto Do-hyun’s lips.
>He’d been sure Purple Bro was playing God Ose, so he figured they might meet in the Empire, but not like this—so soon.
>‘Guess my worries were for nothing.’
>Truth be told, he’d been a little concerned.
>Unlike Demlock, where customization was totally free regardless of gender or whatever, God Ose had limited options.
>His comrades had been full of personality even in their characters back then, so he thought they’d look so different in God Ose that he wouldn’t recognize them….
>‘Never imagined he’d keep that monstrous muscle build the same.’
>Fashion, hairstyle, skin color—everything was different from Demlock, but that size and those muscles? Identical.
>Probably based his character directly on his real self.
>Back then, it made him look like a dangerous vet in a bad way, but now it kinda looked like a decent gym rat….
>‘…Hold up.’
>A sudden thought made Do-hyun furrow his brow.
>‘So he customized it to match his real body… and walks around in just underwear…? Urk…!’
>He genuinely dry-heaved and staggered back.
>Right then, their eyes met, and Purple Bro—no, Astra, owner of the Armory—waved.
>“Hey, long time no see.”
>Astra greeted him warmly, like a friendly neighborhood bro.
>All eyes turned to Do-hyun. The players went from shocked to outright gaping.
>“No way… Did he just greet Kaiser?”
>“Long time no see? What? Have they met before?”
>“Different regions, so they couldn’t have… Unless they met IRL?”
>“Or they knew each other from before?”
>“Nah, Kaiser’s been off the radar and just started up again. There was that rumor Astra came from Demlock—is it true?”
>Ignoring the chaos from the unexpected scene, Astra casually walked toward Do-hyun.
>He was among the crowd, but his massive height made him visible.
>Even without that, people parted around him as he approached.
>Of course, Berze wasn’t about to let Astra just waltz up.
>Swipe, chin.
>Berze stepped in front, blocking him, and Astra tilted his head.
>“What’re you, some punk?”
>“…That’s my line. What do you think you’re doing? Armory owner.”
>“What does it look like? Going to say hi.”
>“Don’t play dumb. You know exactly what’s going on here. Should I take it that Babylon’s siding with Kaiser?”
>The players gasped at Berze’s aggressive tone.
>They hadn’t expected him to say it so bluntly.
>Mentioning the current situation and the guild now?
>This wasn’t just the Armory owner’s business anymore.
>His answer here would mark the Top 10 Guild Babylon as allied with Kaiser.
>“…”
>“Whoa….”
>The players held their breath, watching intently.
>A chilling tension hung in the silence. Kaiser versus Hero Guild, with the Armory owner stepping in between.
>‘This is getting too exciting?’
>‘What happens now? Babylon jumping in for real?’
>‘Top 10 Guilds can’t interfere in other guilds’ fights. The rest wouldn’t stand for it.’
>‘Technically not a guild fight though? Sigh, but it’s Kaiser, so who knows.’
>‘Whatever, this matchup’s pure gold. Record first.’
>All eyes locked on Astra in this thrilling standoff.
>How would he respond?
>That’s what everyone wanted to know.
>At the suddenly flipped dynamic, Astra smirked like, Oh really?
>“Damn, you sly fox.”
>“…I’ll take that as a compliment. So, what’s your move? You really planning to get in our way?”
>“Get in your way?”
>Astra let out a hollow chuckle, his expression shifting in an instant.
>His face hardened coldly. As he stepped forward, Berze felt a shadow loom over him.
>“You just said ‘get in the way’ to my face? About my Babylon?”
>The low rumble echoed like thunder in the cave, sending chills down Berze’s spine.
>‘What kind of pressure is this….’
>Overwhelming size and height exuded pure intimidation.
>The once-friendly Astra now advancing seriously made sweat bead on his palms from the suffocating tension.
>The height difference put Astra’s necklace right in view, gleaming a brilliant purple.
>Gulp.
>In that moment, not just Berze but everyone held their breath.
>‘So this is the Armory owner… Top 10 Guild master.’
>‘No matter the pay-to-win talk, Top 10 is Top 10….’
>‘Aura for days….’
>They felt in their bones that Top 10 Guild masters weren’t just anyone.
>The tension lingered only briefly.
>Swoosh—
>The taut atmosphere loosened.
>Astra chuckled, relaxing his face.
>That alone eased Berze and countless players’ breathing.
>Thud.
>Astra clapped a hand on his shoulder, speaking lightly like it was nothing.
>“Haha, I’m just saying hi and leaving, so relax.”
>“…”
>Step, step.
>Berze didn’t stop Astra as he brushed past.
>He couldn’t.
>‘Armory owner. Top 10 Guild master—a guy who covers mediocre talent with cash.’
>Berze, aiming for Top 10 himself, had reached the upper 100s and felt confident.
>Babylon was a threat, but the Armory owner? Maybe doable.
>He’d underestimated him.
>But no.
>[Unique ability ‘Piercing Gaze’ activates.]
>[Assessing gap with target.]
>[Warning! Extreme danger! Avoid combat.]
>Berze’s unique ability.
>A piercing insight on any target, granted by a Mythic God himself.
>Never once wrong.
>He’d only bet on sure wins with it and always came out on top.
>And now it screamed: Run.
>‘…A gap this wide?’
>Feeling the chasm between Top 10 and upper 100 firsthand, Berze clenched his fist.
>His pride stung.
>Losing momentum so pathetically.
>Even feeling relieved for a split second when openly dissed.
>‘And I’m supposed to aim for Top 10 like this?’
>Grit—
>Berze looked up, eyes flashing fiercely.
>This wouldn’t do.
>‘Justification’s on our side anyway. No reason to back down.’
>Resolved, Berze signaled his officers.
>Fist clenched, shaken twice, then three fingers extended.
>Hand sign for Plan 2: Shut up and jump Kaiser.
>[Guild whisper: B-but… Babylon…]
>“Babylon can’t interfere anyway. That was just bluffing. Backing down here means Hero Guild never reaches Top 10. I’ll take responsibility—go!”
>[Guild whisper: …Understo… Huh?]
>[Guild whisper: …What?]
>“Damn it, what now…!”
>Berze whipped around at the dumbstruck voice clashing with the mood.
>Instinct screamed danger.
>One glance at Kaiser’s spot, and he got why.
>“...?”
>Berze reacted the same.
>So did the onlookers.
>“Huh? What? Where’d Kaiser go?”
>“What? He was just here?”
>“He was? Nah, he wasn’t.”
>In that split-second distraction, Kaiser had vanished without a trace.
>“Did Kaiser ditch those two and bail?”
>“But they seemed to know each other? Why ghost in this situation?”
>“Wait. This timing… No way….”
>The buzz died quick.
>One player voiced the suspicion nagging everyone.
>“…Playtime limit up, right?”
>“…”
>“Ah….”
>It perfectly explained everything.
>Silence meant agreement, and Berze’s brow twitched in ugly frustration.
>The implication was clear.
>‘…Missed him again? This pathetically? Argh!! Kaiser!!!’
>Fuming internally over blowing the perfect chance to nab Kaiser, Berze’s face flushed red.
>Ignoring the mental stability alerts popping up, he raged.
>When…
>“Pfft….”
>Astra couldn’t hold back a baffled chuckle.
>What kind of ridiculous reunion was this?
>The heavy mood he’d built deflated, but a smile played on Astra’s lips.
>“Damn punk. Same as ever.”
>Which made it all the more him.
>And as they’d guessed…
>[Playtime limit reached. Forced logout.]
>[RCD recording ended.]
>Pssh—
>Do-hyun scratched his head as he exited the capsule, seeing the logout message.
>“Talk about timing.”
>He couldn’t help but laugh at the absurdity.
>What a logout timing even gods would weep at.
>Reunion would have to wait, but the situation wasn’t bad.
>‘Bought some time at least.’
>Thanks to Purple Bro’s unexpected assist.
>So for now…
>‘Time to do what I can.’
>Grinning, Do-hyun eyed the recorded footage.
>Wondering where to upload and how.
>* * *
>That night.
>[Kaiser VS Hero Guild!]
>[Hero Guild vs Kaiser War. Kaiser to Blame?]
>[Hero Guild Master Berze Claims Victimhood, Sparks Debate…]
>[Armory Owner Crashes In! What’s Babylon Master Astra’s Tie to Kaiser?]
>-What the fuck, no, what now? My diapers are all out.
>└lololololol
>└lololol How many diapers you packing today, Diaper Lord?
>└Fr, no quiet days lolol
>└Kaiser is legend Kaiser is legend Kaiser is legend Kaiser is legend….
>The God Ose community exploded.