Chapter 5
Chapter 5
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 5
Chapter Title: 4. Park Dahye (3)
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◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Park Dahye's face was so red it looked like it might burst.
Strangely, the flush made her cheeks look like they'd been touched up with blush, but... hmm, kinda like that aura from earlier.
Pretty people look good no matter what they do.
Then she buried that pretty face in both hands.
"Ah, what do I do..."
Yeah, she'd be embarrassed.
But it's okay.
My comrade fighting tooth and nail in this filthy fake world.
No need to be ashamed.
I've cleared the exact same life tutorial as you.
"Sorry, it's so gross, right? I usually clean up, but lately I've been feeling under the weather..."
"No, no. I was the same way at your age. I totally get it. Doing housework at twenty, drawing well too? That'd be the weird part."
This time, it wasn't sales talk. It was sincere.
At that age, I didn't just not know how to live properly—I didn't even know what "properly" looked like.
I was just flailing day by day, piling up the rusted parts of my mind in my room. That was all I could manage.
Why did my room end up like that? I didn't know back then, but now I do for sure.
Laziness? Poor health?
No. The reason a room turns into that... is a sick heart.
Poor thing. Maybe I should change the subject.
Best to talk about interests in times like these.
Yeah, that'll do.
"Whoa, that's it, right? The Dual Tournament prize!"
I pointed to the figure proudly displayed on the widest shelf.
Only those in the know would recognize it.
The figure given as a reward for advancing to the finals of Billion Saga's first Dual Tournament.
Never imagined I'd see one here.
Still, seems like I picked a good topic.
Where'd that embarrassed girl go?
In an instant, Park Dahye's expression shifted to one itching to brag.
"Whoa, you know about it too, sir?!"
"Of course. There's only 64 of them nationwide, a real treasure. Mind if I take a closer look?"
"Go ahead! Look all you want."
By the way, I have one too.
Mine's the version with the orc NPC Fist Master and his loyal wolf companion Akap.
This one was decked out with the Fairy King and World Tree branches.
I heard a few hit the secondhand market right after the tournament.
Then prices skyrocketed. Last one sold for... 180,000 won?
Can't even get that now.
Impressive for a kid to have something this rare.
"Hehehe. My treasure. It's the only thing I have to brag about to others, and you spot it right away."
"Same here. This figure's my treasure too. Different design, though."
"No way, really? Awesome! How'd you get yours, sir?"
"Just got lucky and bought it."
Heh. Young blood.
Truth is, this living legend advanced to the finals himself and claimed his figure.
Heck, my team name's even engraved on the bottom.
The one with Kim Pokttal and my names.
We barely scraped by thanks to Kim Pokttal's controls.
If we hadn't met through work, I'd verify right now. Shame.
"Whoa, adults are on another level. They're crazy expensive these days."
"You got yours too. No big deal. Can I flip it over? Wanna see the team name."
"Hehehe, flip away. Please do."
Please? Sounds like it's someone famous.
Pro gamer? Popular streamer?
If it's famous, it might have collectible value, but to me, it's just some fool who doesn't know honor.
Alright, let's see which fool.
Checking now.
Flip!
『Thud!!!』
Ouch.
The moment I flipped the figure, a lightning bolt struck my head.
Because of the text on the bottom.
Words that absolutely should not be here.
[1st Dual Tournament Finals Placement]
[32nd Place: TEAM_SeonghyeonPokttal]
What the hell is this?
My team name.
No, mine and Kim Pokttal's.
'Fuck. Why is this here?'
Dual Tournament was 2v2 PvP.
My partner was obviously Kim Pokttal, and my figure's at home.
So this means it's Kim Pokttal's figure.
Why the hell is it in some stranger's house?
I quickly set the figure down.
My hands were shaking so bad I nearly dropped it.
Is this what it feels like when the sky falls?
'Kim Pokttal...'
'You bitch, Kim Pokttal!'
'Not content with selling gold, now you're selling our memories too?'
My head knows.
I have no right to meddle in Kim Pokttal's private life.
Sell the figure, eat it for all I care—her choice.
But...
'Ugh, you fucking bastard. Does your love change?'
First time feeling betrayal like this. My neck's killing me.
I thought even if everyone betrayed me, you'd be eternal, Kim Pokttal.
Thought you'd cherish our memories.
I treasured them like gold.
But not you?
This hurts more than any breakup.
"Sir, you okay?"
No. Not okay.
"Where'd you get this? No, how much? Over 300, right?"
If over 300,000 won, I'd swallow it with "Well, she sold it."
But under that, she's dead.
Park Dahye dodged both.
"Hehe. Didn't buy it."
"Don't tell me you got it free? Say no."
"PD sir must be jealous. But no, it was a gift. Wait, no—I earned it myself."
"Huh?"
"I'm a 1st Tournament finalist. Impressive, right? Got it with that friend I mentioned."
What nonsense is this?
Earned it herself?
1st Dual Tournament was 6 years ago.
So... Park Dahye was 14 then.
Finals at 14?
Not a control game, but an RPG needing capital?
Damn, she's good.
But why's the team name on the figure ours?
Marking error?
Shipping mix-up?
No. Simpler answer.
Pieces in my hazy mind started fitting together.
From last night's chat with Kim Pokttal.
[[Kim Pokttal: Good good. But I might be late tomorrow, got plans.]]
[[Me: You? Plans?? Weird? Doesn't make sense?]]
[[Kim Pokttal: I have business too! Gonna make money!]]
Kim Pokttal, who skipped login for the first time in years to "make money" today of all days.
Park Dahye, who plays Billion Saga.
Park Dahye, 1st Tournament finalist.
Figure team name: SeonghyeonPokttal, same as mine.
Kim Pokttal, selling gold daily for cash.
Why would she do something so stupid?
To pay goshiwon rent and living expenses, duh.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Deriving conclusion.] [Author Park Dahye is Kim Pokttal!] Does this make sense?
What's the odds of randomly meeting a gaming buddy in the heart of Korea?
A total shut-in gamer who only games in their room for a year straight, perfectly timed to step outside.
But no matter how impossible, gotta face facts.
The girl in front of me is my sworn friend. My master. My only family.
Kim Pokttal.
Hold on.
That means... you were twelve when we first met?
I... was besties with an elementary kid?
Ahh, reality crashing down hard.
Now it clicks.
Kim Pokttal's weird habits flash through my mind.
[Going to vote? Can't you just game with me? Me? Nah, no voting.]
Childish crap like that.
[Bitcoin? What's that?]
Pathetically narrow knowledge.
Or...
[Seonghyeon, you ever done it? I haven't, fuck, I wanna do it!!]
Even vulgar sex jokes.
I just thought she was a hilarious retard.
'Old fart in heat like a hormonal middle schooler lol crazy bitch.'
Passed it off like that.
Turns out I was the crazy one.
She was actually middle school age.
How'd I miss it?
Is my mental age middle school level?
No, maybe my assumption. Last check.
"I looked up all the matches from that day. What's your ID, miss?"
"Kim Pokttal! Priest, know it?"
Yup.
Says that hideous ID without batting an eye. Definitely her.
Know her? I dare say no one worldwide knows Kim Pokttal like I do.
"Very well. Priest ranking 48 right now."
"Whoa, no way. You even know my rank? True Billion Saga fan."
"Who was it? Your partner. Remember their playstyle, it was cool."
"Whoa, you know Seonghyeon too? That's the friend I mentioned. Pretty good, right?"
Yeah, that's me.
Makes me wanna cry hearing that.
Back then, our control gap was so huge, the community called me Kim Pokttal's summon.
Thinking back, I was riding a bus driven by a 14-year-old. Heh.
Anyway.
Meeting Kim Pokttal in real life.
My iron rule of no offline meets is broken, but honestly, joy outweighs it.
If she was the potbellied 30-something I imagined, I'd hug her tight.
But now...
No room for joy. Heart feels heavy.
This room.
When I thought it was some guy's, I just wanted to bolt.
Now that I know it's my precious person's... it's not someone else's problem.
Damn.
Pokttal, now I get it.
Selling gold wasn't a weird hobby. It was survival rice-eating.
When I was searching for you to be happy.
You were trapped in this room.
Piles of ramen cups, lunchbox trays.
Eating that crap.
Today was supposed to be a lazy, perfect gaming day.
Turned heartbreaking in a flash.
You... eating okay?
"Lunchtime's almost over. Miss, did you have breakfast?"
"Nah, brought cake, got lunchboxes. Gonna eat later."
Park Dahye flashed the world's purest smile.
How can she smile like that?
My goshiwon days were pure despair.
Well, Kim Pokttal's different from me.
So, no emotional projection.
"Lunchboxes... convenience store ones."
"Yeah, this one's tasty. Best of the new ones."
See? Tasty. Don't assume.
Kim Pokttal has her life, I have mine.
Don't overlay my past on her.
This ain't Billion Saga.
You got no right to butt in.
"Got it. I'll grab one next time."
Don't meddle.
Just grab the art.
And leave.
I know better than anyone how pity from a miserable day hurts.
Don't do dumb shit.
"What'd you have for dinner last night, by chance?"
"Hehe, kinda embarrassing. Ramen. But why?"
Now I see. My IQ's tanked.
"Miss, wanna grab a meal with me? My treat—meat."
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