Chapter 74

Chapter 8 – Childhood Friend

“Juk-sim, the next pattern is coming!”

Inside the Road of Academy.

As a Black Knight, I was dashing through the walls.

The massive new raid monster, Ifuranzel, with its six heads, spewed flames, and at that moment, Juk-sim’s staff was raised.

[Juk-sim has cast ‘Death Ice Blast’.]

Instantly, the six mouths about to spew fire froze simultaneously.

Juk-sim’s skill in precisely targeting the moving mouths was always astonishing.

[Juk-sim has activated ‘Dark Aura’.]

[Ifuranzel is ‘Terrified’. Defense partially reduced.]

At that moment, a debuff perfectly timed, and someone leaped from the ground.

It was none other than Nae-ki, a female character in a yellow uniform over a black base.

“Yah-chaa!”

With a battle cry, Nae-ki struck Ifuranzel’s neck with her axe.

Fragments from the axe scattered, and arrows rained down.

From afar, Ayu was shooting with a red-hot crossbow.

‘This is the chance.’

I immediately raised my greatsword high, gathering dark energy.

[Doremipasolo has activated ‘Black Star Cluster’.]

With the skill activation sound, I struck Ifuranzel’s neck, and the severed head rolled on the ground.

After that flawless strike, I exhaled and turned to target the next neck.

“Let’s finish it!”

Yes.

We were in a 4-man raid.

After successfully hunting Ifuranzel, we had a rewarding item distribution time.

Soon, I’ll get another chance to attempt an 18th enhancement.

Wait, Araman. I’ll definitely avenge you!

Winning is all about going all the way!

“Man, that was real fun! This is what gaming is all about!”

Nae-ki, still exhilarated, swung her axe around.

I wonder what she’s been doing all this time if she’s this excited.

“By the way, Domi, you met Ayu, right?”

“Ah, I also met Ggotbi.”

“Wow, I’m jealous! I want to meet her too! Ayu, why won’t you meet me?”

“Nae-ki, you’re too noisy.”

“Hahaha! That’s too harsh!”

I can’t deny she’s noisy.

Moreover, Nae-ki doesn’t know Ayu is a girl.

Nor does she know Ggotbi is Yoo Ah.

‘She’ll be shocked when she finds out.’

Well, she’s the type to not care.

“By the way, haven’t seen Eva Ham and her sister lately? One of them logged in recently.”

“Ah, she said she’s busy with work and can’t log in for a while.”

“Aww, I miss the twin Ham sisters. Can you arrange a meetup?”

“Easier said than done.”

“Domi, you live in Seoul, right? I’m in Gyeonggi. Wanna grab a drink? You used to never leave the house. I left you alone back then.”

Is she feeling lonely lately?

Seeing Nae-ki actively arranging meetups, unlike before when she didn’t log in, I scratched my head.

“Let me know when you’re coming up. I’ll be your drinking buddy.”

“Really? Really! Awesome~”

Then, I suddenly looked at Juk-sim.

Silently examining items, Juk-sim met my gaze and tilted her head.

Honestly, while Nae-ki is one thing, I’m most curious about Juk-sim.

I know nothing about Juk-sim’s gender or voice.

‘In terms of gaming time.’

Despite spending the most time with Juk-sim.

Then, I saw Juk-sim typing.

[Juk-sim: Why are you looking at me like that?]

“No reason.”

I shook my head, indicating it was nothing.

It’s rude to pry into someone’s personal life when they don’t want to share.

Moreover, Juk-sim rarely goes out, her range limited to the convenience store near her home.

Arranging a meetup for such a person is a challenge.

I know from my own experience of being a shut-in, afraid to meet people.

“By the way, Domi, didn’t you say you have an appointment today?”

“Ah, right. What time is it?”

Hearing Nae-ki, I immediately checked the time.

Today, I had an appointment with Baekseolhyang.

I don’t know what we’ll do, but she mentioned talking about university last time, so there must be something.

“Just enough time to get ready. Sorry, I gotta go.”

As I was about to log off, Ayu shot me a displeased look.

She knows I’m meeting Baekseolhyang today.

Given her usual dislike for Baekseolhyang, she must be unhappy about us hanging out.

But what can I do?

My boss set up the meeting.

“I’m off.”

With that, I logged off, bid farewell to everyone.

“Done?”

As I exited the game, Baeksan, lying on the bed, yawned and spoke.

When I logged in, he was wandering around, passing through walls, but now he’s back.

“Yeah, time for my appointment.”

“Alright.”

Baeksan answered indifferently.

For some reason, Baeksan is always indifferent when it comes to Baekseolhyang.

Did something happen between them in his world?

“Practice your Aura on the way.”

“But I’m taking the subway?”

“Do it standing, man.”

After the Academy, training daily with Baeksan, I’ve achieved a 0.2% growth.

Almost doubling my Aura capacity!

I marveled at my growth, but Baeksan still seemed dissatisfied.

‘Gotta master Aura soon.’

Thinking of someday deflating Baeksan’s ego, I headed to the bathroom to wash up.

Then, I quickly got ready and took the subway to the meeting place.

For some reason, I couldn’t escape the shirt and suit pants.

Thinking of meeting our company chairman, my hands unconsciously went that way.

The plight of a working man.

‘My hair’s a bit long too.’

Touching the ends of my overgrown hair, I thought I should visit the salon soon.

‘And I’ve lost some weight.’

Glancing at my once precarious belly, now with visible upper abs.

Baeksan’s intense training and Aura strengthening my body, I might soon have a good physique like those hunters who often model.

Suddenly, my self-esteem soared.

Maybe I’m not so bad?

“You’re here.”

And my self-esteem crumbled the moment I saw her.

Her strikingly white skin and flowing silver hair.

Exotic sapphire-like eyes under blue lashes.

Baekseolhyang, in a summer-like lace dress with shoulder straps, looked like she stepped out of a photoshoot.

Honestly, I think she’s the prettiest among the people I know.

Standing before her, I felt small.

But seeing her bright smile, I realized this was reality.

She’s really, really pretty.

“Sorry, were you waiting?”

“No, I came by car.”

Right.

I felt everyone passing by staring at her as I approached Baekseolhyang.

“By the way, you’re in a suit?”

“Ah, it’s comfortable and felt like I should wear it.”

“Meeting your boss?”

Since that was the truth, I awkwardly smiled.

Baekseolhyang looked at me with slight dissatisfaction.

“I came to meet Ha-chan for personal reasons today.”

Her slightly drawn-out complaint surprised me.

Since it was our first meeting outside work, her demeanor was unexpected.

‘Well, thinking about it.’

Baekseolhyang and I don’t know much about each other.

I don’t even know her age.

“Let’s go buy clothes now. I’ll change quickly.”

“Haha, just kidding. Ha-chan, you look good in a suit. Let’s walk first? There’s a place I want to go.”

“Sure, let’s go!”

I immediately followed her.

Though my self-esteem was low, walking with a beauty was exciting.

“The place you wanted to go is the university?”

And the place Baekseolhyang and I arrived at was none other than a university.

Not my alma mater, but one of Korea’s top universities.

“Yes, honestly, we can’t attend university, right?”

“Well, that’s true.”

Baekseolhyang is smart enough to pass entrance exams easily.

But after six years away from studying, it’ll be tough for me to regain my former skills.

Plus, both of us lack the time.

From what I see, Baekseolhyang is always busy.

With Giraseong, she’s working daily; attending university is impossible.

Thinking that, I realized she must have put in great effort to make time today.

“So, I thought of experiencing a day at school. The dean, a friend of a friend, allowed a day’s class experience.”

Her thorough preparation was impressive.

Her clenched fists looked cute, but I was also worried.

Noticing my expression, she turned and smiled faintly.

“Do you think it’s too much for me to take a day off from the World Returner Association to keep our appointment?”

I silently nodded.

Seeing that, she clasped her hands slightly.

“It’s not too much. I consider today my day off. And I was really looking forward to it.”

Her earlobes turned slightly red.

Staring at her, I coughed and said,

“Alright. Let’s give our best at school today.”

Even if it’s just for a day, we can enjoy the experience.

“I got class passes through a friend. Thought you’d be interested in hunter or returner classes. Is that okay?”

“Absolutely love it.”

The class passes she got were for senior-level courses.

Though it feels like a free ride, it’s just a day’s experience, so no big deal.

“How about this class?”

Seeing my reaction, Baekseolhyang leaned in, showing me the class photo on her phone.

Feeling her soft hair and skin so close startled me, but I composed myself, thinking it’d be rude.

“Sure, let’s do this.”

“Great. Ah, and…”

She hesitated, looking at me.

Tilting my head, she cautiously spoke.

“Ha-chan and I are attending the same school today. How about we drop formalities among schoolmates?”

University students don’t always drop formalities, but it’s common among peers in the same major.

So, it’s not a big deal, but I needed to know one thing.

“That’s not hard, but I don’t know your age, so how should I address you?”

Asking the question I hadn’t dared before, she covered her mouth and laughed.

“I’m the same age as you. Twenty-six.”

So, we’re the same age.