Chapter 1

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Chapter 1 – My Gamer Friend is a Returner

1

“Oh.”

I let out a light sound as I looked at the computer.

No, there was nothing light about it.

Because the numbers on the screen meant that the coins I had put in had gone down the drain.

Today, I realized.

That I have no talent for coins.

“I’m screwed.”

Realizing that my life’s dream had gone down the drain, I placed the back of my hand on my face, feeling tired.

Just looking at it made my head throb, and I couldn’t snap out of it.

What to do.

That was the last bit of money I had left.

Next to me, under my hand, I saw a game console with the brand “VR” stamped on it.

Price: 875,000 KRW.

The world’s first proper VR RPG game console that can run Road of Academy.

It’s expensive, but I still don’t regret buying it.

Everything I’ve done in the game has meant a lot to me.

Even though it’s been 5 years, thanks to my diligent cleaning and blowing on it, the console still shines today.

And that shine was shaking my heart.

‘Should I sell it?’

With rent due tomorrow and barely scraping by.

Yesterday’s part-time job money was all spent on alcohol and coins, leaving me in this mess, so I pressed my forehead with my hand.

No.

Let’s think of another way.

‘Should I sell some items?’

To cool my throbbing head, I decided to just turn on the game.

Otherwise, I felt like I’d go check the temperature of the Han River right now.

Putting the console on my head and closing my eyes, the character selection screen appeared shortly after.

I had three characters to choose from.

Selecting one, I was able to enter the game after a brief loading screen.

A dazzling greatsword and a black helmet.

Looking at the job title “Black Knight,” I did some light stretching.

This was always the first thing I did when entering Road of Academy, and it helped me feel like I was truly in the game.

[ Black Ayu: Domi, hurry up and come. ]

At that moment, a familiar chat message caught my eye.

In the guild chat I created, two people were online, and one of them, Ayu, had sent a message.

[ Doremipasolo: Hi ]

[ Black Ayu: Hi hi, wanna run some dungeons today? I have time. ]

[ Doremipasolo: Nah, I came to sell some items. ]

[ Black Ayu: Items? Did you get something good? ]

[ Doremipasolo: Nah, my coins went down the drain zz I don’t even have money for rent today ]

[ Black Ayu: Bro, this isn’t the time to laugh, right? ]

When I explained my situation, Ayu reacted with some seriousness.

Ayu, my gaming friend, has known me for almost 4 years now.

We’ve never met in real life, but Ayu knows my situation well, so I’ve shared various stories with him, and now he’s genuinely worried.

[ Doremipasolo: So I’m thinking of selling some items. Maybe even the black sword I’m wearing. ]

[ Black Ayu: No way, how much did you spend just on enhancing that? I helped you enhance it too. ]

[ Doremipasolo: If I sell it, I’ll share some money with you. ]

[ Black Ayu: I don’t need it. Bro, isn’t your situation really serious? ]

Seeing Ayu genuinely worried made me feel a bit better.

At least there’s someone in this bleak world who truly cares about me.

( I Know has logged in. )

At that moment, another nickname appeared in the chat.

[ I Know: Good morning ]

[ Doremipasolo: It’s 12 PM. ]

[ I Know: I was busy with yesterday’s stuff ]

[ Black Ayu: Hi, I Know. But sis, Doremipasolo is in big trouble. He doesn’t even have money for rent. He might get kicked out soon. ]

[ I Know: ? Really? ]

[ Doremipasolo: Haha.. ]

[ I Know: Is this the time to laugh? Give me your account number, I’ll send you some money urgently. ]

I paused at the following chat.

Asking for my account number right away?

I knew I Know’s spending habits well, but she’s just the same age as me.

Even though we’ve spent as much time together as Ayu, she’s just a girl my age.

Pride doesn’t feed you, but I didn’t want to be a burden.

[ Doremipasolo: It’s okay. I’ll figure it out. ]

[ I Know: Take it, no interest. I have a lot of money. ]

[ Doremipasolo: Even so ]

[ I Know: — If you don’t take it, I’ll come find you. ]

How would she find me when she doesn’t even know where I live?

While I was puzzledly looking at the chat, I kept saying it’s okay and declined.

“Bro!”

While I was chatting, Ayu must have figured out where my character was and came over.

Red twin tails and an obviously large chest.

The character, customized with so much effort to look exactly like Yoo Ah from the idol group Blackstar, ran up to me.

Of course, the one controlling that character is a dark-skinned guy.

“Really, don’t do that. Take my money. I’ll lend you some.”

“Why are you doing this too?”

Having just declined I Know’s money, I felt awkward when Ayu offered to lend me some.

Ayu just turned 20 this year, what money does he have?

‘Well, considering the money he spends on idol fangirling, it’s not like he has none.’

But still, it’s my younger friend’s money.

I can’t take his hard-earned money.

“Bro, really, stop with the pride! I know your situation well. From university…”

“Ayu.”

When I cut him off, Ayu flinched and lowered his head.

Then, as if realizing his mistake, he bit his lip.

The character was so pretty that it looked cute, but since it’s a guy, that action lost all meaning in my head.

“If it really comes to it, I’ll sell the console to solve it. Don’t worry.”

“Ah, no!”

At that moment, Ayu screamed as if in panic.

Why is this guy suddenly like this?

As I blinked, Ayu desperately grabbed my cloak.

“Who will run dungeons with me if you’re gone!”

Oh, such a realistic reason.

“I Know?”

“I Know is serious about rankings. I’ll die.”

“Well, I’m serious too.”

“You can just switch to your sub-account.”

Ayu started mumbling, tapping his fingers in the air.

It seemed like the idea of me quitting the game was a big shock.

“Even so, don’t quit the game. Are you going to abandon all our guild members?”

“Abandon? I’ll just pass on the guild leader position.”

“Is our bond only this much!?”

Well, that leaves me speechless.

The bond formed through our guild is precious to me too.

It’s been 5 years.

Even in real life, I haven’t been this close with friends, and more than anything, being in the game is enjoyable for me.

But reality keeps tightening its grip.

My life has been completely ruined since the incident at university.

I was accused of sexual harassment by a girl in my department, even though I did nothing, and I had to drop out of school.

No matter how much I claimed my innocence, the disdain from the department and the girl’s political maneuvering meant no one believed me, so I quit school in frustration.

No, the biggest reason no one believed me was probably her background.

‘Daughter of the chairman of JCM, Korea’s top hunter company.’

After the “Towers of Apocalypse” started appearing around the world, the dimensional gate phenomenon began.

And at the same time, the appearance of superpowered hunters, managed by Korea’s top company.

I still remember.

“Do you understand your place now? No matter how much you excel or how talented you are, if you’re out of my sight in Korea, you’re screwed.”

The words she said to me, smiling, as I was leaving after submitting my withdrawal letter.

And no matter how much I tried to claim false accusation in court, I could predict my future.

Which side the court would take.

The daughter of Korea’s top hunter company chairman.

Or a dropout who lost his parents to the dimensional gates and has nothing.

Isn’t the result too obvious?

‘Damn it, it’s the girl who tried to freeload on the assignment who’s wrong. Am I wrong for pointing that out?’

The university I attended was Korea’s top hunter university with many departments related to hunters.

No matter how far her influence reached, there was no hunter-related company I could join after dropping out midway.

And now.

Feeling a sage moment in life, I immersed myself in the game, and here I am.

26 years old, unemployed.

The only thing I have is being a master rank in Road of Academy and running the 29th ranked guild, Dangchan.

Writing it down makes it feel lonely.

Of course, Ayu doesn’t know all of this.

What he knows is just a part.

That I was wronged and had to drop out of university.

It was a way to deal with it, knowing that sharing such stories with others is meaningless.

At that moment, my stomach started growling.

Even in the game, I could feel the hunger of my body.

“Alright. Forget the rent, if you’re so worried, buy me a meal.”

“Ah, a meal?”

Ayu looked at me with wide eyes.

He seemed a bit flustered by the mention of a meal.

Rent is okay, but buying a meal is like that.

Just send me a gift card or something.

Hearing my words, Ayu seemed to seriously consider it, crossing his arms.

Thanks to that, his chest stood out, but since it’s a character, I didn’t pay much attention.

At that moment, Ayu nodded as if he had made a decision.

“Alright. I’ve been wanting to meet you someday anyway!”

Huh?

Is that how it’s going?

Hearing Ayu’s words, I blinked.

I thought he’d send a gift card, but it seems he interpreted my words as buying me a meal.

“Just don’t be surprised when you see me.”

“Ah, okay.”

After Ayu told me where to meet by 2 PM and logged off, I scratched my cheek.

I knew Ayu’s number, so it’s not a problem, but meeting him in real life is a first.

‘What does he mean by don’t be surprised?’

Is he fat or unattractive?

Imagining the image of a fanboy obsessed with games and idols, I shrugged.

Whatever he looks like, it doesn’t matter to me.

After all, I’m not exactly in a normal state either.

‘I should shave.’

With such light thoughts, I decided to go out to get a meal from Ayu.

Not knowing that this would be the start of something.