Chapter 33

The season of <Eternal World> is divided into two parts.

From January to May is the first half, and from July to November is the second half.

The months not included, June and December, are the preseason. No matter how much you raise your score, it’s a meaningless period.

That’s why the quality of solo rank drops during the preseason. The reason is that people don’t take the game seriously.

So, the demons of <Eternal World> usually take a break in June and December.

It’s not fun and just makes you angry because it feels like a normal game anyway.

I’m the same.

Of course, I’m not a demon, but I had a lot to do.

I should start game development soon.

This time, I wanted to make a game that wouldn’t get scrapped.

“What are you going to make?”

“It’s a secret.”

“Even from me?”

“Bunny Run, you have a lot of secrets from me too.”

Those who try to uncover secrets must be prepared to have their own secrets revealed.

Trying to only dig up others’ secrets is the act of someone without a conscience.

“I don’t have any secrets though?”

“Really?”

“How could someone who’s been streaming since they were young have secrets?”

“Wait a minute.”

At her shameless words, I opened the wiki.

It’s time to find out the liar.

“‘It is said that she has no dating experience.’ Hmm.”

“What about it?”

“No dating experience?”

At my interrogation, Bunny Run’s voice suddenly lowered.

“Unnie. Are you implying that I look like someone who dates, drinks, and smokes?”

“I didn’t say that. Thinking about it, you probably don’t have dating experience.”

I quickly read another part of the wiki.

“‘It is said that she has never been to the sea.’ Is this high-level RP?”

“I really haven’t.”

“Really?”

“Yeah…”

That was surprising. She’s never even seen it.

I closed the wiki. The verdict was in.

“I admit it. Bunny Run, you are truly an apostle of the god of purity.”

“Every time you say that, it reminds me of the viewers.”

“Do you feel a sense of familiarity?”

“It feels like you’re dodging.”

That was too harsh for someone who has sworn to the god of sincerity.

But pioneers are always criticized. I had to endure it silently.

Bunny Run took a sip of coffee and asked.

“Unnie. How long are you going to keep doing part-time work?”

“Me?”

“Yeah.”

“Probably for quite a while.”

I have plenty of time anyway. Even working part-time three days a week doesn’t interfere much with my main job.

That’s the situation. I couldn’t think of a reason to quit the part-time job.

Experience is important to me. This applies to all creators.

For example, if the protagonist of my game works part-time at a movie theater, I can describe it more vividly than anyone else because I’ve actually worked at a movie theater. Experience has many advantages like that.

Plus, meeting various people is also good.

Lee Jin-seop, who charmed people to extort tens of millions of won and tried to take an additional 50 million, gave me a lot of inspiration.

He’s scheduled to appear in my game someday.

Indeed, interacting with people stimulates inspiration.

“Regardless of me, how long are you going to keep doing part-time work, Bunny Run?”

“I was thinking of quitting when you do.”

“Then I might be doing it for another year?”

“You’re going to do it for a year?”

“Yeah.”

Even if I quit early, it would be to do something else. I wouldn’t stop doing part-time work altogether.

“Unnie, you have a lot of money now, right? How much did <Fantasy Life> sell in total? Over 500 million won?”

“After taxes and fees, you have to cut it in half.”

Especially with tax issues, I need to find a tax accountant soon. I can’t believe I’m at the point where I need a tax accountant. It feels really good.

“Anyway, Bunny Run, you should consider quitting part-time work soon. It’s affecting your streaming.”

“…I’ll think about it.”

At my words, Bunny Run answered in a somewhat sullen tone, then suddenly opened her mouth as if she remembered something.

“When is the new game coming out?”

“Soon.”

“Really?”

Bunny Run’s head shot up. Her eyes were wide open, clearly surprised.

Well, it hasn’t even been three months since I released various games. If you count the VR version of <Fantasy Life>, it’s only been a month. It’s too early for a new game to come out.

“I work fast.”

“No matter how fast… is that possible?”

“My skills have improved.”

Perhaps convinced by my explanation, Bunny Run nodded blankly.

Sincerity always gets through.

“Yoorim!”

The staff room door opened, and my part-time colleague, Jin Ho-chan, approached.

In his hand was a sandwich.

“You must be hungry. Eat this and work.”

“I’m about to leave though?”

“You can work at home too.”

Since he was forcing it on me, I had no choice but to take the katsu sandwich and eat it.

It was incredibly delicious.

After swallowing all the food, I spoke.

“You don’t have to buy me this every time.”

“It’s nothing. Thanks to you, I didn’t lose a fortune.”

Lee Jin-seop was smoothly arrested. As I expected, he was a habitual offender, so the police cooperated immediately after I reported him.

The total damage so far is almost 1 billion won. He’s really skilled.

Fortunately, Lee Jin-seop invested more than half of the borrowed money in cryptocurrency. If he had just spent it recklessly, there would have been no solution, but thanks to that, everyone got their money back safely. The recent surge in cryptocurrency prices also helped a lot.

I picked up the remaining katsu sandwich. Then, I suddenly had a premonition and declared.

“You really don’t have to buy me gifts. Seriously.”

“……”

“You already did, didn’t you?”

“Just take it. It’s not much.”

Jin Ho-chan took out a well-wrapped gift box.

It was clearly a watch. The size gave it away.

“Just accept it. It’s not a big deal.”

The amount… Since everyone chipped in, it must be around 1 million won, right?

I sneakily glanced at Jin Ho-chan’s face.

He was overflowing with anticipation, practically spilling over. It had to be at least 3 million won.

Why is it so expensive? I sighed inwardly as I unwrapped the package.

As expected, a feminine-designed watch came out from inside.

Was it a Cartier product? From what I know, it’s around 3.8 million won.

There were 13 victims, so that means each person contributed 300,000 won?

Isn’t that too much?

“I paid 3 million won. It’s common courtesy to give a tenth of the wallet’s value if someone returns it, right?”

Jin Ho-chan almost lost 12 million won because of this incident.

So, I get that he’s really grateful to me, but a tenth of 12 million is 1.2 million, not 3 million. Even 1.2 million is too much.

I don’t get it anymore.

If I return the gift and treat him to a meal, it should balance out, right?

After thanking him and putting the gifted watch on my wrist, Jin Ho-chan looked pleased.

Bunny Run was staring at it intently.

Why is she like that again?

I was curious, but instead of asking, I got up from my seat.

It was time to leave work.

After changing clothes and leaving the theater, Bunny Run followed me.

“Unnie, want a ride?”

“It’s only a 5-minute walk, though?”

When I asked, confused, Bunny Run’s lips slightly pouted.

It was so subtle that only a genius observer like me would notice.

“I haven’t had dinner yet, want to grab something to eat?”

“Sure.”

Rabbits get lonely if left alone. But if you touch them too much, they die from stress.

What a troublesome animal. I was surprised.

We got in the car and quickly arrived at our destination, a French restaurant.

Sitting at a table with a view of the night scenery, I wiped my hands and asked.

“Were you planning to go on a date with your boyfriend but called me because it fell through?”

“I told you I don’t have a boyfriend. What are you talking about, unnie?”

“Can you even get a reservation here an hour in advance?”

“Apparently, you can.”

I guess we got lucky. Nothing is impossible in this world.

“So, why are you feeling lonely today?”

I asked directly. A one-second counseling session. Straight to the point.

“Just because.”

“Just because?”

Bunny Run hesitated. If she doesn’t want to talk, that’s fine.

I opened the menu.

I planned to pay today, so I chose a wine without even looking at the price.

This is why you need a fat bank account.

The situation was completely different from before, and my shoulders naturally straightened.

“Unnie.”

Finally, Bunny Run spoke. I looked at her, encouraging her to continue.

Bunny Run’s lips twitched.

“You have a lot of friends besides me.”

That was the most unfair misunderstanding in the world.

“I don’t have many friends, though?”

“You’re close with Pape, close with Rumen, close with the part-timers…”

“If you count it that way, I’m also close with In-ho.”

“You’re close with him too…”

I roughly understood. Logically, at least. Emotionally, I couldn’t really relate. I’m not the type to get upset over something like that.

“But my first friend was Bunny Run.”

“Wasn’t it Pape?”

“He was a dormant friend, so he doesn’t count.”

“Really?”

Bunny Run’s mood brightened again. I glanced at the top of her head. No ears? Suddenly, I wanted to pull them.

The bread for the appetizer arrived. Bunny Run picked up a piece and chattered.

“Unnie, you’re so lucky. Everyone loves you.”

“Not ‘everyone.'”

“I want to give you a gift too.”

“You already treated me to omakase.”

“That was a thank you. I want to give you a gift just because.”

The part-timers gave gifts as a thank you, so she probably thought she’d win if she gave a gift purely out of goodwill.

I wonder where the competition is in that, but human emotions don’t run on logic alone. Can’t you relate? Are you a T?

I was a T.

“Wow, I’m really looking forward to the gift.”

“So, unnie.”

“Go ahead.”

“Want to go clothes shopping?”

“Clothes?”

At my words, Bunny Run nodded.

She scanned my outfit.

“I’ve been thinking since last time, unnie’s clothes…”

“Are like popular items from a fashion e-commerce platform?”

“Yeah.”

“That’s because they are.”

“It’s a waste of your looks, unnie. I’ll help you get it right.”

Well, that’s fine. It’s all part of learning. For example, if the protagonist of the game I made is into fashion—(omitted).

“Ah.”

“What?”

“There’s someone else like me. Can I bring them too? I’ll pay for their clothes.”

“I don’t mind, but who?”

With Bunny Run’s permission, I sent a message to the person in question.

“In-ho.”

Kim In-ho also uses the same site as me.

So, with Bunny Run’s fashion expertise, wouldn’t he improve too?

He’s been teaching me a lot and giving me game-related inspiration, so I wanted to repay him. This worked out perfectly.