[Translator – Peptobismol]
Chapter 19: The Unpredictable (2)
His typing speed was very slow, perhaps awkward with the outdated input device, the keyboard.
Of course.
There was a stark contrast and a sense of incongruity compared to the cyberpunk technology that allowed input through thought and eye movements.
It’s because I’m used to it, having memories from Korea.
I can type fast.
The slow pace of the chat was only natural, especially when thinking of Julia, RabbitArcher’s case.
His determination to continue the chat slowly was palpable.
It felt like a senior trying to provide accurate information, even though I’m not really his junior.
[ P2034871140 (Jobless): Of course, the same applies to people near the Meteor. A bounty? It’s only natural not to put one up. ]
This person suddenly became talkative.
[ P2034871140 (Jobless): Until now, any organization that put a bounty on either the Meteor or people near the Meteor has disappeared. ]
[ ImARealMage (Warrior): Why? ]
[ P2034871140 (Jobless): Why? It’s obvious. The Meteor came crashing down and destroyed everything. Don’t you know that the nickname “Meteor” stuck because everything around it disappears when it falls? ]
Ah.
I thought the nickname was just because she appeared like a comet.
I didn’t realize it implied wiping out everything like an actual meteor.
Ironically, it sounded more fitting.
Moreover, it was more trustworthy coming from someone in the underworld.
Wait, but if that’s true, why is my name still there?
I just saw my name listed a moment ago.
[ ImARealMage (Warrior): I saw it earlier. There was someone who I thought was a colleague of the Meteor listed on the bounty? ]
[ P2034871140 (Jobless): Huh? Wait a moment. ]
His character paused, then he checked what I said on the board.
After a short time passed.
His chat resumed.
[ P2034871140 (Jobless): Hahaha, there are still fools like this LOL ]
[ ImARealMage (Warrior): ? ]
[ P2034871140 (Jobless): Don’t worry about it too much. It’s because they couldn’t keep their wits about them before rushing in. ]
His nonchalant response was becoming familiar.
[ P2034871140 (Jobless): Haha, take another look. Looks like the Meteor has already fallen. ]
I clicked back to the board upon his chat.
……
It’s real.
The bounty post with my name on it, which was there just a moment ago, had disappeared without a trace.
Strange.
* * *
The other party continued speaking quickly.
The chat speed was noticeably faster than before.
Could it be the hidden talent of a keyboard warrior?
Or perhaps, upon hearing the news of the Meteor falling, he found it amusing and hence sped up.
Either way, it was faster.
[ P2034871140 (Jobless): Damn fools, haha. You should understand, to survive in this world, you need to keep your wits about you. Especially newbies like you. ]
[ ImARealMage (Warrior): Thank you for the kind advice, sir. ]
Isn’t this a personality that puts him in the top 3% of Neon City?
Even comparing him to the people around me, that seemed to be the case.
At that level, he was comparable to ‘Drake’, who is the nicest person I know.
This level of kindness was rare in Neon City.
I wonder what kind of person lives in the underworld with such character traits.
[ P2034871140 (Jobless): But… ]
Then.
His character stopped once again.
This time, there seemed to be a question about me.
Could he have noticed my true identity?
No, my acting through the chat was flawless.
Then what could it be?
[ P2034871140 (Jobless): Um… how did you change your job next to your ID and dress your character? ]
He was just a newbie.
[ ImARealMage (Warrior): Ah, that. ]
Fresh newbies couldn’t resist my explanation.
I guided him with the utmost explanation and kind choice of words.
·
·
·
[ ImARealMage (Warrior): Press the M key to open the map. ]
[ P2034871140 (Jobless): Where is that? ]
[ ImARealMage (Warrior): If you look closely below the old input device, you can see it. ]
·
·
·
[ ImARealMage (Warrior): I recommend the Warrior profession. You can wipe out everything in one hit. ]
[ P2034871140 (Jobless): Really? Well, if you’re a man, you should be a Warrior. ]
[ ImARealMage (Warrior): Exactly, sir! Never choose professions like Archer or Mage! ]
·
·
·
After some time, the brainwashing… ehem.
The kind education was over.
Due to my explanation about the jump key, his character jumped in place a few times.
I felt very satisfied.
[ ImARealMage (Warrior): That’s it. As I mentioned earlier, you can level up by hunting outside the village. ]
[ P2034871140 (Jobless): Huh. I thought this was just a game in name. The game has various systems. Thanks for letting me know. ]
[ ImARealMage (Warrior): No problem. Haha. ]
I successfully recruited a newbie to the failing game (not really a game).
It’s a trash game with no content, so he’ll probably quit, but… Isn’t there a saying about planting a tree even if the world is ending tomorrow?
Today, I planted a seed of hope as well.
I bid farewell to his character fading away from the screen.
Once his character completely disappeared, I clicked on the bulletin board again to check the content.
[Translator – Peptobismol]
Even after looking twice, it was indeed real.
The bounty post with my name on it, which was there just a moment ago, disappeared without a trace.
How did the timing work out like that?
I wasn’t mistaken.
It was just intriguing.
“The Meteor has fallen….”
[Based on database calculations, there is a 98% probability that the other party’s words were true.]
Even if it were 100%, it would make sense.
Thinking of it, I considered contacting Catherine.
A message… no.
It was obvious that even if I messaged her, a holographic call like earlier (with Julia) was inevitable.
It was better to make the call first.
After exiting the game, I used the visual interface to call Catherine.
A short song played.
The genre was Modern Rock.
Before the lyrics of the song started, Catherine quickly answered the call.
Half surprised and half pleased, her expression appeared through the hologram.
[“Ah, hello?”]
“Hey, Catherine.”
And then.
[Bang bang!!]
[Kill that bitch!!]
Somehow, I felt a sense of deja vu, as if I was watching the same scene as earlier.
No, it isn’t a feeling, it’s reality.
What are you doing, too?
However, just like with Julia’s case earlier, Catherine’s expression on the hologram was remarkably peaceful.
It felt like she was just going out for a neighborhood stroll.
“I heard some noise, seems like you’re busy.”
[No, not at all. I’m not busy at all. After we hang up, I will come to your house.]
[Boom!!]
[Krraaaaaahh!!!]
Hmm.
She looks really busy….
Since she insisted she wasn’t busy, I continued the call instead of ending it, not because I succumbed to her statement about coming over.
“It seems like you’re handling a commission or something.”
[It’s not a commission, just something to check out. It’s nothing serious, so you don’t need to worry about it.]
[Aaah!!!]
[It’s a monster, a monster…!]
However, even though she claimed not to be busy, it didn’t seem like a conducive atmosphere to continue the conversation.
“…I just thought of you and decided to call.”
[Really, what’s going on? You called me first.]
[Save me….]
… Um, Miss.
There’s a strange voice interrupting from the side again.
“Anyway, I’ll see you at home later.”
[…Tsk, fine. Then let’s meet at your place later.]
“Uh, take care.”
[I told you not to take that job! I don’t want to die—]
– Click.
The call ended.
No, I ended it.
It felt like my dream was about to fall apart.
…Hmm.
Certainly.
It’d be appropriate to say that the Meteor had fallen by this point.
And one thing is certain.
I’d have to play with Catherine for a long time today.
With that thought in mind, I waited for Catherine to return to her next-door house.
* * *
“Are you guys really my friends? No matter how many times I tell you guys to come, neither Shiwoon nor Catherine seem to want to come. Especially you, Siwoon, even when we talked on the phone last time, you said you’d come if I called! If you set a date, shouldn’t you at least come see my face?”
Another friend and colleague of ours.
Drake came to my house.
Even good people get angry sometimes.
Now was one of those times.
…But.
Honestly, Drake’s house was too far away to just come over because we set a date.
“Sorry! I didn’t feel like going!”
First, I apologized confidently.
In any case, it was an apology.
[Translator – Peptobismol]
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