Chapter 22

Legacy of Raid’s second dungeon, [Abyss Valley], was the starting point of Leore’s story.

Until now, I was just an adventurer wandering around and solving problems that occurred nearby. But after defeating the boss [Abyss Maggot] in the [Underground Cave] and discovering a massive entrance leading underground, the story truly began.

Usually, when playing RPGs, I never took the story seriously. I just went, “Ah, okay,” and skimmed through it. But Leore was different.

I was already so immersed in Leore that it felt like reality. It was the first place I opened my eyes and moved in Leore.

Moreover, the virtual world game was so perfect that it was impossible not to get immersed.

Sure, they converted pain and suffering into vibrations, but aside from that, it was indistinguishable from reality.

My body moved according to my will, and the information before my eyes was no different from reality.

That’s probably why there’s a set time limit for accessing the virtual world.

But thanks to a special access device called MDB, made by the access device company, I could stay connected for 24 hours.

Anyway, I was seriously pushing the story to unlock the next dungeon, [Abyss Valley].

I was at the location where I defeated the [Abyss Maggot], the boss of the [Underground Cave], with NPCs—no, other companions.

I unconsciously swallowed my saliva at the sight of the massive entrance with no end in sight. I don’t have acrophobia, but sticking my head out over such a vast, bottomless place made me a little scared.

I grabbed a nearby rock and threw it.

Whoooosh………

No matter how long I waited, I couldn’t hear the rock hitting the bottom.

According to the story, I had to go down here to enter the next dungeon, [Abyss Valley].

After discussing with my companions, we decided to use the mage’s levitation magic to descend safely.

As we continued descending, the stories shared by my companions kept things interesting.

Even now, descending into the pitch-black abyss was a bit scary, but listening to my companions made it bearable.

Thud.

Time passed, and despite there being no bottom, we couldn’t descend further.

It felt like stepping on transparent glass.

It was a barrier.

Boom.

A notification for the [Abyss Valley] dungeon appeared before my eyes. Finally, I had earned the right to enter the next dungeon, [Abyss Valley].

As soon as the story ended, I naturally opened the menu and clicked the exit button to return to the quest’s starting point.

“Good job, Arang.”

“Great work!”

Pinkubelly and Sunchoo were waiting for me.

This felt strange. If it were just an RPG, it would’ve been all about Discord or chat, but having them speak directly and wait for me made me feel a bit good.

If it were just a PC RPG, they would’ve been just game friends, nothing more, nothing less. But meeting them in the virtual world felt solid, like a true hero party.

“What about Kang Hangeul?”

“He sent a chat saying he’s almost done with the dungeon he’s running.”

“Really?”

Currently, Leore has a chat system with group chats. So, for my smooth dungeon runs, the Arang Arang group chat was created.

Of course, I didn’t create it; Sunchoo did. Indeed, popular people move at an unbelievable pace.

And I didn’t know this, but Sunchoo was a veteran in Leore.

I checked Sunchoo’s nickname on the Leore log site, and he was still active in raids, with most of his meters in orange and occasionally pink.

To briefly explain how to read the meters:

There’s a scale from 0 to 100, with higher numbers indicating a higher rank.

0~24% is gray.

25~49% is green.

50~74% is blue.

75~94% is purple.

95~98% is orange.

99% is pink, and 100% is yellow.

100% means you’re the top DPS in that dungeon or raid for your class.

So, if I got a 100% yellow meter in the [Underground Cave], it means I was the top DPS among [Sword Masters].

People usually refer to these colors with “tak” attached, like “hoetak” for gray, “chotak” for green, etc.

“Have you two talked?”

I looked back and forth between Pinkubelly and Sunchoo.

“Yes! Pinkubelly and I decided to drop formalities! So, Arang, why don’t you drop formalities too?”

Already dropped formalities? That’s really fast. Well, it’s not like I’m against using informal speech in this game world, but it’s much more comfortable to use informal speech with adventure buddies.

I was about to suggest it, but since they brought it up first, it’s much easier.

“Alright. Nice to meet you, Sunchoo.”

“Eck.”

“…Why?”

As I naturally raised my hand and called him Sunchoo, he was visibly flustered.

“Well… unnie…”

Ah, right. We know each other’s ages, and even though we didn’t meet through unnie, we’ve become like real-life acquaintances. Thinking about it, Pinkubelly is the same.

Let me think. If I were playing an RPG and a younger sibling I just met suddenly said, “Hey, Arang!” I’d feel a bit weird too.

With Pinkubelly, I wasn’t as emotionally connected to Arang, so I naturally called her Pinkubelly.

But now, calling her unnie feels right.

“Sunchoo unnie. And Pinkubelly unnie.”

I nodded and added unnie. It felt awkward yet not awkward. I’m slowly getting used to being a girl.

“Ah, right.”

I almost forgot something important. Leore is so fun, and the word unnie made me lose track of what I was about to say.

“What are you guys planning for this collaboration?”

“Collaboration? Ah! I’m planning to go to the Songpa branch to get the keyring!”

“I’m thinking of going too… Ilmiho is so cute.”

I figured they’d both go for the keyring. Honestly, I don’t think anyone wouldn’t want the Ilmiho keyring.

“Great! Then let’s push for the second Arang Arang gathering!”

“Really? I can meet Arang!?”

“Uh… Arang…?”

==

Kang Hangeul

[Live Broadcast]

Arang Arang gathering. Clearing Abyss Valley. [3245]

“A gathering, you say?”

Kang Hangeul was flustered by Arang’s words.

-Gathering? A gaaathering!?

-No, Hangeul, I wanted you to be happy, but not this happy.

-Crazy girls, middle schooler Arang, and a gathering? A gaaathering!?

-WTF

-Wow, I’m so jealous.

“Yes. When the Mom’s Touch collaboration starts, I’m planning to go to the Songpa branch to get the keyring. Let’s all meet up and hang out then. Ah, hanging out might be tiring, so let’s just eat and chat.”

“I’m fine with it, but are you okay with it, Arang?”

“Why wouldn’t I be?”

“You’re still a minor. If you suddenly meet strangers, wouldn’t your parents worry?”

Kang Hangeul looked at the young girl Arang in front of him and pondered. She looked way too young.

If he had a daughter like Arang, he’d never let her go out.

-That’s true.

-15 is really young.

-I’ve seen 15-year-old boys do stuff, but this is the first time seeing a girl do it.

-First of all, the monsters look terrifying lol.

-True, from the Underground Cave, spiders, rats, maggots—even guys would feel nauseous lol.

“It’s fine. I’ve already met Pinkubelly unnie at a gathering once, and my older sister will come with me.”

“That sounds good. Does your older sister play Leore too?”

“No. She doesn’t play, but she’s worried about me, so she’ll come along.”

“That makes sense. Alright. Let’s discuss the details in the group chat.”

“Okay. Shall we head into the dungeon now?”

==

This time, the party composition for [Abyss Valley] changed.

Tank: Sunchoo. A [Warrior] who uses a massive axe and has more health than other tanks.

Melee DPS: Me. [Sword Master].

Ranged DPS: Kang Hangeul. A [Specialist] mage with good party synergy.

Healer: Pinkubelly. [White Mage].

Once again, Kang Hangeul filled in for the lacking role.

As soon as we entered [Abyss Valley], I was in awe.

I thought it would just be a dark dungeon, but it looked like a scene from a space movie.

“Wow…”

I looked around, feeling like I was truly in space.

But soon, the space turned into an abyss.

I can’t explain it, but my body felt eerie.

Splash.

Water at my feet.

Now I understand why it’s called a valley.

I wonder what monsters and bosses await in this dungeon.

I’m really looking forward to it.