Chapter 11

Chapter 3 – Returners Can Be Idols Too

[Victory Achieved.]

[Diamond 5, 21 points↑]

Streeeetch.

I stretched after pulling an all-nighter gaming for the first time in a while.

Today was the weekend.

A day off from work.

“Domi Oppa, good job!”

“You too.”

When Ayu next to me cheered excitedly, I smiled back and replied.

Since meeting in real life, Ayu had been comfortably calling me “Oppa” when we were alone.

As long as we kept our private conversations private, it was fine.

“I’m Platinum 1 now! I might actually hit Diamond soon!”

“You’re still far off. You gotta break through the gatekeepers first. And once you hit Diamond, that’s when the real grind starts.”

She’s underestimating Diamond.

Even I, who’s been to Top Grandmaster 420 points, know Diamond is hell.

“Phew, I’m gonna hit Diamond. I’m coming for that kiss.”

“Diamond’s gonna run away.”

“I’ve got a way to handle Oppa.”

Scary words.

I made a disgusted face and swung my arms to loosen up.

My body felt stiff from not playing ranked for a while due to work.

‘I should switch back to my main account.’

Right now, I’m on my alt.

I decided to switch back to my main account today and opened the chat.

[Black Ayu: I’m Platinum 1! Ayu’s going Diamond soon!]

[Deathlight and Heart: Congratulations.]

[I Know (Female): Already? You’re close to Diamond.]

Right after Ayu bragged, congratulatory messages flooded in.

[Ggotbi: Are you playing with Domi Oppa?]

At that moment, Ggotbi sent a message.

She was the same age as Ayu and quite close to her.

Does she know Ayu’s a girl?

[Black Ayu: Yep! Oppa’s carrying me lol. Oppa, I’ll treat you to food again.]

[Ggotbi: Treating him again?]

Ayu blurted out nonsense.

I glared at her, and she nervously tapped her head.

Maybe I should punch her later.

Ding!

While I was glaring at Ayu, the chat buzzed.

I checked, and it was a private message.

[Ggotbi: Domi Oppa, did you meet Ayu?]

It was from Ggotbi.

[Doremipasolo2: We met recently.]

[Ggotbi: Why didn’t you call me?]

[Doremipasolo2: Huh? We planned to meet just the two of us.]

[Ggotbi: You should’ve called me!]

Why’s she acting like this?

[Ggotbi: I miss Ayu too…….]

Hmm.

What?

My expression changed as I read the chat.

Something about Ggotbi’s message felt off.

Same age.

The friend Ayu hangs out with the most when I’m not around.

And in-game, they’re opposite genders.

Most importantly, they get along really well.

‘Well, of course they would.’

I sighed and looked at Ayu.

She’s a girl, after all.

She naturally understands and takes care of things better than guys her age.

[Ggotbi: When are you meeting next?]

[Doremipasolo2: Ggotbi, I’m asking out of concern.]

I hesitated while typing.

But since Ayu’s a girl now, I couldn’t just let it slide.

Ggotbi’s also a long-time acquaintance, though not as close as Ayu.

[Doremipasolo2: Do you like Ayu?]

[Ggotbi has left the private chat.]

Crap.

As my head buzzed, I stared at the chat window. Ayu was doing a “Diamond Wish Dance,” mimicking Blackstar.

……Crazy girl, not the time for that.

‘What do I do?’

If I tell Ayu, she’ll probably laugh and tease Ggotbi.

The problem is, Ggotbi seems pretty sensitive.

She might get hurt and leave the guild.

‘But still.’

I couldn’t just leave Ggotbibi like this.

“Ayu.”

“Yeah?”

When Ayu stopped dancing and looked at me, I casually asked while closing the chat.

“Anyone in the guild who might’ve figured out you’re a girl?”

“Huh? Hmm, maybe Ggotbi?”

No, not her.

She’s the least likely.

But it gave me an idea to resolve any potential guild drama.

Just let Ggotbi know Ayu’s a girl.

“Ggotbi’s a bit upset. She heard we went out to eat alone.”

“Huh? But she’s busy.”

“Busy or not, she’s still upset. You and Ggotbi are close, right?”

“Right? Ggotbi really likes Blackstar too. As fellow idol fans, we had to get close!”

There’s more to it, though.

Ayu, oblivious, just giggled.

“So Ggotbi wants to hang out too. What do you think?”

“I’m fine with it. You’ve met Domi Oppa too. Oh, how about the three of us go out? It’s almost summer. Let’s go to the valley. Hehe.”

“Why are you grinning like that?”

“Thinking about grilling meat gets me excited.”

What a colorful personality.

And making summer plans with gaming friends.

“……Do you have any other friends?”

“Oppa?”

“I’ll talk to Ggotbi and set it up!”

Before Ayu’s eyes got scarier, I quickly left.

—

A few days later.

At work, I was typing away with a tired expression.

I was preparing materials for a meeting with the video editing team, who were supporting Ji-eun’s YouTube channel.

‘Work’s exhausting.’

I took a sip of the iced Americano I had earlier and stretched my neck.

Still, things were going smoothly, so I felt at ease.

Ji-eun was actively participating since it was something she wanted to do, so I wasn’t too worried.

“I’ll try going to school a bit longer. I feel like I’m losing.”

Ji-eun’s face looked much brighter than before.

“If it doesn’t work out, can I still whine to Ha-chan Oppa?”

Whining, huh.

Feeling like I’ve gained a younger sister, I awkwardly smiled and put down my coffee.

Yeah, for my little sister, I’ll work harder.

Ding!

Just as I was about to start typing again, a Kakao notification popped up.

Thinking it might be work-related, I checked, but it was someone else.

[Ggotbi: Oppa, can you help me pick what to wear?]

Along with the message, photos started flooding the chat.

The face wasn’t visible, but it was clearly the same girl—probably Ggotbi.

“She has this many clothes?”

Wait, is she trying them all on for tomorrow?

How serious is she about Ayu?

Feeling sorry for Ggotbi, who’s about to get her heart broken, I picked a few outfits.

I’m not an expert on women’s fashion, but she seemed to want a guy’s opinion.

[Ggotbi: What do I do? I don’t think I’ll sleep tonight.]

She’s too excited.

I silently wished for her feelings to be resolved.

[Ayu: Oppa, here’s a cute photo of Ayu today. Save it.]

Right then, Ayu sent a message.

It was a selfie of her making a peace sign, and I quietly replied.

[Me: Why do you only take photos at home?]

[Ayu: You’re the only one I send these to.]

[Me: You just never go out.]

Ayu’s messages were flooding in, so I quietly put my phone down.

She’s so carefree, not knowing how others feel.

While I was thinking, it was already time to leave work, so I shut down my computer and headed out.

“Ah, Ha-chan.”

Just then, I saw a woman passing by.

Dressed in a suit and still wearing an eyepatch, it was Orzia.

“Orzia, heading home?”

“Yes.”

Orzia was working at Rodri Company to adjust to society.

Being from an older era, everything was new to her, so she spent most of her time learning computers and smartphones.

Compared to her time, the language and vocabulary had changed a lot, but Orzia used language magic to handle it.

That’s why we could communicate well when we first met, even though she’s from the Joseon era.

If she couldn’t even do that, communicating with others during battles with Dimensional Beings would be tough.

“Are you getting the hang of your phone?”

When I asked, Orzia took out her phone and pressed a few buttons.

Soon, my phone rang, and I answered.

“See? I’m getting better.”

“You are.”

Hearing her voice both through the phone and in person, I replied, and she smiled faintly.

Seeing her adapt to life here made me feel proud.

“I’ll treat you to a meal sometime.”

Earning money as a working adult is scary.

Just a while ago, I was mooching meals off Ayu, but now I can treat others.

Adulthood is amazing.

“Thank you.”

“Then, can I join too?”

Just as I was about to treat Orzia, I heard a voice from behind and turned around.

There stood Baekseolhyang, smiling at Orzia and me.

“Is that okay?”

“Of course.”

Later, I found out Baekseolhyang was the chairman of Rodri Company.

I didn’t want to upset her, so I quickly agreed, and she chuckled.

“Just kidding. It’d be rude to mooch off an employee. Instead, I’ll treat both of you. I couldn’t properly thank you for helping last time.”

I already got a bonus for that, but it’d be rude to refuse the chairman.

Plus, it might help Orzia get closer to Baekseolhyang.

“Please do.”

“Consider it done.”

Baekseolhyang waved and headed to the elevator.

She had this career woman vibe every time I saw her.

“Ha-chan, you should be careful.”

“Huh? Careful of what?”

Just then, Orzia suddenly spoke.

Confused, I tilted my head, and she looked off into the distance.

“You might get eaten before you know it.”

“Are Dimensional Beings targeting me?”

“Something more dangerous is after you.”

I didn’t know what she meant, but her words were ominous.

Something more dangerous.

……The landlord?