Chapter 54
"Why did those guys suddenly go missing?"
"Who knows. Even the Chinese authorities can't figure out the cause."
"Can't they just investigate?"
"Well... they designated a 100km radius around the Yalu River as a no-entry zone, possibly because of Sertina's skill."
"..."
No, so they're skipping the investigation altogether and straight-up suspecting me first?
"Hmm..."
A surge of irritation twisted my face. Well, I was the only one who attacked Chinese players, so it made sense they'd suspect me.
"What if it was infighting or something?"
Even a toothless tiger is still a tiger. There'd be no reason for foreigners to assassinate Chinese players without cause. Plus, over 30 million players were still holding out on the mainland. Poke them carelessly, and it'd be more than anyone could handle.
What's the real cause...?
I rubbed my cheek with one hand, rolling my eyes. The flesh stretched like sticky rice cake. I hadn't noticed, but it was surprisingly squishy.
"Well, with ten million dead, there must've been some unrest. I don't know the details, though."
I let out a long sigh at Choi Ah-rin's words.
"Don't worry about this incident. China invaded first anyway, so it won't be an issue."
"Not stressing over it."
I didn't care what they yapped about. I was just curious who the bold force attacking China was.
"Tell them to sort it out themselves."
"Got it."
Choi Ah-rin replied innocently.
"Oh, by the way, Sertina.
"Yeah?"
"Want to join the guild masters' group chat?"
I tilted my head at the unfamiliar suggestion. Guild masters' group chat...?
"It's a chat for guild leaders from representative guilds in each region. I created it myself so we can quickly share urgent news."
In other words, a direct hotline.
Guild leaders from other regions...
I nudged a chunk of crumbled building debris with my toe. Come to think of it, aside from Busan's Park Jeong-hoon, I hadn't met the others. Curiosity piqued.
"But it's for representative guilds per region, right? Can I join?"
My Eterna Guild's base was in Seoul. But Seoul's top guild was Yoo Ji-hoon's Star Guild. Even the Silver Tree Guild that Choi Ah-rin used to lead was now under Yoo Ji-hoon.
"No problem! There are multiple reps per region anyway. And no guild's been as active as your Eterna Guild right now!"
"Ahem, well... sure, then."
I cleared my throat and puffed out my chest. My guildmates were the best, after all.
"I'll take that as a yes and send the link!"
"Yeah, I'll check it when I get home. I'm out pretty far right now."
"Okay~"
After hanging up, I headed back to Eterna HQ. With Cha Eun-joo out today, I decided to stroll leisurely through central Seoul.
Back home, I flopped onto the bed. I turned on my phone and checked Choi Ah-rin's message.
The messenger app at the bottom had a notification badge. It was the guild chat link from her.
I hovered my finger over it, then paused.
"Better set a profile first."
Time to ditch the blank profile. Everyone slapped some random pic on theirs; I should hop on the trend. It looked kinda drab anyway.
What to use, though...?
Cute animal? Fantasy landscape? Mystery anime character?
After mulling, I went with the safest: a selfie. My face was public knowledge anyway, and nothing else came to mind. I wasn't an expert on this stuff.
Switched to selfie mode and roughly framed the shot.
Like this? Or this...?
"Hmm..."
No clue. Just snap it.
I adjusted so my whole face filled the screen. No poses—I'd leave that to pros.
Once the shake stopped and it sharpened.
Click.
The shutter sounded. I checked the pic.
"Kinda awkward..."
My face crammed the screen like it might burst. Big doe eyes and features packed tight.
Fail. Redo.
As I switched back to camera—
"Huh? Sertina, when'd you get back?"
I turned at the voice. Cha Eun-joo stood outside the open door.
"Just now."
I replied curtly. She stretched and stepped in.
"I just got back too. Helped with a subjugation in Incheon. Ugh, raid boss popped right after I arrived."
"Raid boss spawned?"
"Yep."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"Too much hassle for you. Besides, I can handle a regular raid boss solo!"
She thrust her chest out proudly.
"Well, two buildings got wrecked mid-fight..."
"..."
She scratched her head with an awkward grin. Then her eyes flicked to my phone.
"Whatcha doing anyway?"
"Photo."
"Photo...? What kin—"
She leaned in, peeked, and lit up. Blush bloomed on her cheeks.
"Oh my."
"...?"
"Is this you, Sertina? You took it yourself? What's it for?"
Her words sped up like machine-gun fire. No idea what she was hyped about, but this pic was scrapped.
"Tried for group chat profile... failed."
"Failed...?"
Her smile vanished.
"Yeah, so I gotta retake—"
"No, you can't!"
Her voice cracked like thunder.
"Uh, what?"
Stunned, I stared. She grabbed my shoulders hard—strong grip.
My eyes widened.
"Sertina!"
"Wh-what?"
"You must use this photo for your profile! You have to!"
She emphasized fiercely, eyes resolute like a warrior vowing to parents before battle.
...Kinda scary.
"Th-this one...?"
"Yes!"
"Hmm..."
I eyed the pic. Why? It looked puffy and flat to me.
Some trend I didn't know? She was sharper on this stuff, so I trusted her. Desperate plea over a profile pic meant something was up.
"Fine, this photo it is..."
After tweaks, I reopened Choi Ah-rin's link.
Tapped the yellow "Join" button and entered the chat.
Right as I joined, messages poured in. Looked like a heated debate on a profound topic.
"Oh..."
Late-night menu selection—serious business. Some familiar faces, some new.
I nodded along, waiting for more to gauge the vibe.
But oddly, no new messages. Like time froze. Only one lingered in the void.
A strange tension hung in the silence. Even in text, it felt palpable.
About 30 seconds later, Busan's Park Jeong-hoon broke it.
Greetings flooded in after him.
Some online, some not. Awkward quiet lingered.
Unsure what to say, my fingers fidgeted in the air.
Conversations are fine now, but chatting feels different...
First time in a group full of strangers. The Gwanghwamun exposure chat didn't count as real talk.
I recalled their debate and typed.
A brief hush.
Wait, Cha Eun-joo had the same reaction...
I tried making an image of Sertina taking a photo!