Chapter 7

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Translator: True Detective

Chapter: 7

Chapter Title: First Friend

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"......"

The owner of the nickname Ice Queen, 'Han Soo-yeon', was quietly staring at Castaway's reply.

She had no idea how he could communicate with people from 2channel, but the items he was trading were anything but ordinary.

'Rice? Ramen? Instant rice?'

Han Soo-yeon knew what kind of world 2channel was.

A fantasy world inhabited by humans, elves, dwarves, and various other races.

She had learned that from posts on the gallery.

Anyway, it was astonishing that 2channel not only had conversations but also ramen and instant rice.

'And he's offering to send them first?'

In times like these, when no one could be trusted, that was unthinkable.

It was an era where people didn't just backstab for profit—they'd stab you in the back without hesitation.

"......"

Separate from that, the double amount of food Castaway had offered was ridiculously low.

'If rationed carefully, about a week.'

What if she sold the Awakening Stone for 200,000 points?

Since 4channel jelly cost 5 points each, that would buy 40,000 of them.

'With 40,000...'

At two per day, that's 57 days—nearly two months for her group.

Of course, it had to sell first, but even accounting for that, it was a definite loss.

'Need to look into this more.'

Han Soo-yeon thought she needed to dig into Castaway's identity and sent a reply.

<Ice Queen(3ch): With 200,000 points, I could buy 40,000 4channel jellies. That's two months' worth for my group. Is there a reason you need the Awakening Stone?>

'No dice, huh?'

I looked at Ice Queen's reply and thought I'd lowballed too hard.

Slashing from 200,000 points to 1,980 left no room for ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠excuses.

'But asking for the reason gives some hope.'

I pondered how to respond.

The good thing was, Ice Queen and I would never meet in person.

'Different channels. Different worlds.'

Plus, different channels couldn't even read posts.

'I can read them somehow, though.'

And I knew others could read my posts too.

In short, revealing my info to Ice Queen wouldn't affect me.

'At worst, she'd post about it on 3channel.'

Someone from 2channel coming to find me?

If that were possible, they would've crossed over already.

'Anyway, let's talk.'

With that decision, I replied immediately.

<Castaway(2ch): I need the power to protect myself. I'm in a bit of a bind right now.>

<Ice Queen(3ch): If it's not too rude, could you tell me? I'd like to help if I can.>

Help?

'If you're helping, just sell me the Awakening Stone.'

Of course, I knew she had a group to be responsible for, so it wouldn't be easy.

But if I helped her in return, it could benefit us both.

'Worst case, I don't lose much.'

So I honestly told Ice Queen about my situation.

<Castaway(2ch): I was drinking with a friend yesterday. But......>

I woke up here. The gallery popped up in front of me. I got an ability, and now this is my situation.

<Ice Queen(3ch): ......Amazing. Transported to another world, and an ability to buy modern items.>

<Castaway(2ch): Honestly, I have no clue what's going on. I'm hiding in some secluded spot right now.>

<Ice Queen(3ch): You definitely need the Awakening Stone then. I'll sell it to you.>

Oh?

Surprisingly, Ice Queen agreed to sell the 200,000-point Awakening Stone.

<Castaway(2ch): For the items I offered?>

<Ice Queen(3ch): Yes. But in return, keep trading with me. I'll trade you bloodstones too.>

"......?"

Bloodstones?

<Castaway(2ch): What's a bloodstone?>

<Ice Queen(3ch): A stone that drops from zombies at low rates. You need it to strengthen abilities.>

It seemed abilities weren't just acquired and done—you strengthened them afterward.

'Get the ability, then reinforce with bloodstones?'

<Ice Queen(3ch): Obviously, bloodstones rarely hit the exchange.>

<Castaway(2ch): Why's that?>

<Ice Queen(3ch): Getting stronger than other factions comes first.>

I tilted my head at the idea that bloodstones took priority over food or points.

<Castaway(2ch): So you fight people too, not just zombies?>

<Ice Queen(3ch): You're so naive. People are scarier than zombies.>

Naive? I'd only been in this world a few hours.

I didn't know each world's situation yet, so I hadn't thought about it.

But if Ice Queen was right...

<Castaway(2ch): Then don't you need bloodstones too, Ice Queen?>

<Ice Queen(3ch): Not urgently. And you need them more right now.>

True, if unknown people found me, who knows what would happen.

I might end up a machine just buying modern items under strict surveillance.

'If it comes to that, even Ice Queen couldn't help.'

Different worlds, after all.

<Ice Queen(3ch): But this is still a sure loss for us, so could you add 50 chickens and 100 beers?>

<Castaway(2ch): Chicken and beer?>

I checked the modern items menu for their prices.

-Boneless Spicy Chicken: 20 points

-Beer 500ml: 2 points

Totaling 1,200 ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠points.

'With the originals, 3,180 points.'

For reference, I had 2,608 points now.

Obviously short, so I immediately listed 1,000 red bean buns and 1,000 milks on 2channel.

<Castaway(2ch): A bit pricey. Wait a sec.>

<Ice Queen(3ch): Short on points?>

<Castaway(2ch): Been here less than a few hours.>

Fortunately, the red bean buns and milk on the exchange sold well as always.

<Ice Queen(3ch): If points are short... try auctioning a box of ramen on 3channel exchange.>

<Castaway(2ch): 3channel auction?>

<Ice Queen(3ch): Yeah. It'll make a decent amount. Or cigarettes for pocket change.>

Ramen and smokes...

'Worth a shot?'

It would take time for the 2channel ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠buns and milk to sell out.

With time to kill, I bought a box of ramen and a carton of cigarettes.

'Ramen box 23 points. Cigarettes carton 45 points.'

After buying both, I hit register on 3channel exchange—and it went through fine.

'Can list across channels, huh.'

I switched to [Auction] and listed the ramen.

Auction time was settable; I picked 3 hours, no need for longer.

Next, the cigarettes—

'Huh?'

Unexpectedly, three slots max—cigarettes didn't list.

No big deal; I could relist later.

'At least I learned the limit.'

Soon after, my ramen auction got flooded with comments.

Ding— Ding— Ding—

Along with that, 1:1 requests and PMs poured in from countless people.

Sensing the hassle if I accepted any, I immediately asked Ice Queen.

<Castaway(2ch): Ice Queen-nim, chat requests won't stop.>

In 2channel, it was just a few; 3channel was different.

Requests kept coming, so I asked for help, and Ice Queen replied.

<Ice Queen(3ch): First, [Add Friend] with me. Then go to settings and block the channel.>

<Castaway(2ch): Add Friend?>

<Ice Queen(3ch): Any issue?>

I'd heard adding friends shares location.

But different channels, so no ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠issue.

<Castaway(2ch): No.>

<Ice Queen(3ch): Okay.>

I hit [Yes], and Ice Queen appeared in my friends list.

'In a way, my first friend.'

<Ice Queen*(3ch): Now go to settings and block the channel. Settings are...>

I followed her instructions into settings.

Detailed options existed, but I found and hit 3channel block.

'Done.'

Confirming cut off the endless 1:1s and PMs cleanly.

The noisy alerts silenced too. I checked the gallery again.

The gallery showed ongoing auctions.

'460 points? Higher than expected.'

Ramen was already profiting over 10x instantly.

With plenty of time left, maybe 20-30x.

'Pure profit-wise, this might be better.'

Ding~!

Another alert mid-thought.

The 2channel buns and milk had all sold.

'But sales seem slower than before.'

Felt a bit sluggish compared to earlier.

Food gets consumed daily, so it'd sell eventually.

'Anyway, points secured.'

I bought and sent Ice Queen the items she requested.

<Ice Queen*(3ch): Got it. You really sent first?>

"......?"

Scam maybe?

But contrary to my worry, Ice Queen sent a trade request, handing over the Awakening Stone and 10 bloodstones.