After entering the game, I felt like the surroundings had opened up.
The refreshing wind—a sensation you can’t experience in a tiny room.
Things seemed different visually, and it made my mood slightly better.
Of course, that didn’t mean my menstrual cramps had disappeared.
The uncomfortable sensation in my lower abdomen lingered—sometimes it felt like a heavy rock pressing down, other times like a hot water bag placed there.
On top of that, the nagging sensation just wouldn’t go away… I felt like I was stuck in a low mood.
—
[A message left by Northern Wild Boar]:
– Hello, I’m the Vice Guild Master of SSA…
– We’re sending over the purchasing conditions for the Dragon King’s Tear.
– As you can see, it’s not a bad deal at all.
– Please reply after reading the message.
– [A long list of item details]
Now I remember, I was trying to sell an item last time.
Initially, I had planned to tease them a little before selling it at a reasonable price.
But I didn’t know… if we were to meet now, I might just turn everything upside down.
—
…I barely managed to stop myself from dismissing the message.
No, I can’t do this. It’s problematic if emotions interfere with work.
It’s unprofessional to let emotions ruin tasks at hand.
After reflecting a bit, I reached a decision.
– Meet at the Grand Cathedral by 2 PM.
After considering it calmly, SSA’s offer wasn’t bad.
They probably gave their best shot within the guild’s capabilities.
Instead of messing around and losing the opportunity, they opted for a generous offer upfront.
High-tier items like the Dragon King’s Tear can’t simply be obtained just because you have money.
To acquire it, you need to put in significant effort through quests.
Items like these are often produced for self-sufficiency rather than trade.
Trading opportunities for such items are inherently rare.
What I would gain are materials for my next high-end equipment and about two weeks’ worth of income in goods.
That was more than enough for me to breathe easier—no need to touch my savings, and it might even help me save some extra cash.
—
[You have entered the Grand Cathedral.]
[All forms of PVP are prohibited within the cathedral.]
[If you engage in hostile actions against another adventurer, severe penalties will be enforced.]
When I reached the cathedral, a few members of the SSA guild were already there.
The first person I spotted was Dynamic Station Agent, with Torch of Destruction in miniature mode nearby.
There were a few others who looked like the officer team, but I had never actually met them in person before.
“So, you were all set to pull some pranks, but surprisingly accepted the deal?”
“We both know what we need. Didn’t feel like negotiating when there wasn’t much room for it anyway. You have to have something worthwhile to take advantage of.”
“What about selling it to another guild?”
“Would you really want that?”
Ah, it was just a joke, but my voice sounded lower than usual because of my bad mood.
Truthfully, I don’t dislike these guys.
SSA Guild—its name stems from Social Service Agent, commonly known as community service volunteers.
They’ve gathered some hardcore gamers who are into the game from previous titles too.
In society, gamers are often perceived negatively as being addicted to gaming.
Nowadays, the industry has grown, and many gamers earn enough to show off to their families, but…
Some people still look down on gamers.
Especially ones like SSA, who seem to live for the game—they often become easy targets.
They get ridiculed and criticized without reason.
That irritates me.
Experiencing obsession with something is a beautiful process.
Even if it doesn’t leave behind anything tangible, enjoying the journey is worth it in this world. That’s what I believe.
So, as long as I’m not overly disadvantaged,
I don’t mind giving these guys a bit of leeway.
Am I going crazy? Is this because of my body condition?
I feel unusually sentimental for no apparent reason.
Although my thoughts seem unchanged from usual, my mood keeps fluctuating.
“…Not really. Did something bad happen to you?”
“Nothing. Let’s just get the trade done. I’m busy.”
“Did you take another job? You work really hard. What are you going to do with all this money you earn? With your skill, you could…”
“Let’s stop there. If you want to divide workloads with jokes in the future…”
“Right, sorry. I talked too much.”
[Adventurer Aegumaechuuncjang’s trade request: Y/N]
…
[Approve the trade? Y/N]
[Trade successfully completed.]
The Dragon King’s Tear vanished from my inventory, and in return, a huge amount of goods filled it.
Just looking at the inventory made me feel secure. Storing it in the warehouse improved my mood even further.
SSA’s Guild Master, Sky Emperor, bowed to me.
“Thank you. We’ve suffered a great loss in this season, and I owe you a lot.”
“You can consider this as me receiving a kickback from a freelancer. If anything good comes up, share it with me.”
“Yes, I will.”
Well, it’s not like I accepted the trade simply because I like SSA.
The Dragon King’s Tear is an item you can lose upon death.
There’s no point in keeping it around, since it only adds risk and no benefit.
I needed someone to buy it off me right away.
Even I felt burdened carrying such an item into field fights.
Thinking about it, it became clear.
But now, I really need to relieve this nagging mood.
—
[Author: Someone (IP: 259.28)]
[Title: Hey, isn’t Gawol quieter lately?]
Hey, I haven’t seen her around. What’s she up to?
[Comment]
– I saw her on a broadcast with Dongmicham a while ago.
└ Isn’t she usually the one tearing through areas up to Hakko?
└ I heard she got the first hit last time.
– I’m glad I don’t watch her anymore.
└ It’s so frustrating when a broadcast gets interrupted by her.
└ I didn’t like her until I watched Kimchi Ninja’s videos, and my opinion changed a bit.
—
[Author: ThesisPlagiarizer]
[Title: Who the heck is this “quiet” Gawol everyone’s talking about?]
I just came out from the lab after three days,
and I was killed by Gawol within two hours of starting.
I have to sleep and work tomorrow,
so why are you doing this to me?
I died to Gawol before too,
It makes me hate the world.
—
[Comment]
– Haha, laugh all you want.
– Grad students, what game are you talking about? Go to work.
– This lab slave even uses the internet.
—
[Author: DongtanMissChamEducation]
[Title: Seeking information on Gawol]
I hear Gawol is active.
Submitting reports.
In-game: DongtanMissChamEducation, please whisper.
—
[Comment]
– If you go, can you win?
– Are you going with Ggoljangjeo? He has Swordsmen when there are a lot of people, right?
└ No, I’m going alone.
└ ??? Then why are you going?
—
—
[Author: Someone (IP: 341.223)]
[Title: Seriously, Gawol is everywhere!]
How many have been killed now?
Soobin, Iruwang, and Kimchi Ninja went in one after another and they all failed.
Are there any others who died?
—
[Comment]
– Aren’t you the spy?
└ Eh?
– I just saw Dongmicham die in Elderlyn’s stream.
– Uh… I think Elderlyn just died.
—
This is why.
[Adventurer DongtanMissChamEducation has been forcibly slain.]
[Warning: Your infamy increases by 200,000 due to Field PK penalty.]
[Warning: Your infamy is maxed out. You will be hunted by guards in major cities and may be attacked by other adventurers.]
This is why I play games.
[Adventurer KimIpary has been forcibly slain.]
[Warning: Field PK penalty…]
The sensation of adrenaline rushing through me.
The breath escaping my lips carried a hint of sweetness. I deflected the incoming projectiles with ease.
Each rapid kick sent a faint current across my skin.
I killed the grappler who suddenly attacked, and also the annoying summoner.
Most of the others were like pesky flies, lacking proper fundamentals for PvP.
Now, there’s only one streamer left.
A few fire spells came my way, but nothing I can’t avoid.
A unprotected mage is merely prey for an assassin.
As I was about to finish off the mage—my gaze was drawn to ‘Elderlyn’s’ chat window.
– Losing the summoner is bad, eh.
– Dying soon.
– Doesn’t this guy usually target pro gamers? Why now?
– …
– So jealous.
「Yuksoochoegihwainja donated 50,000 won」
「Elderlyn worked hard today. Let’s rest and see each other again soon!」
How loved she is.
Kimchi Ninja and Soobin’s fanbase seem to be enjoying it now.
Tch, it’s so envy-inducing…
Elderlyn is a female streamer who focuses on skillful gameplay.
Though her so-called “skillful gameplay” mainly revolves around casual chatting and makeup content with her audience.
Her rank games and field PvP are just side features.
Of course, I usually wouldn’t bother with her.
But today, the timing was really off.
I killed a few familiar faces, but couldn’t find my next target.
Even pro gamers are streaming less during the off-season.
I was almost thinking to call it quits for today…
But the persistent discomfort wouldn’t fade.
It’s only growing worse, and when I saw her getting all the love…
I couldn’t help myself.
“Hmph, hah… hah…”
Seems like my body’s not in good shape.
My breath is uneven and irregular. There’s a subtle dizziness.
But when I see this defenseless mage, an inexplicable sadistic urge arises.
Time to change weapons.
Daggers would make it too quick. Let’s use the chain scythe this time.
I shattered multiple layers of protective shields and interrupted the spellcasting.
A mage cut off mid-spell is the most useless in this game.
Trailing them is no challenge at all.
As I pulled the chain around her neck and yanked it, bodies with similar heights pressed against my chest.
I clenched both hands tightly around the mage’s neck.
“Eep, eek…?”
Strange, isn’t it? It doesn’t physically hurt much, but when strangled, instinct tells you to try and loosen it with your hands.
Elderlyn, in reality, has no difficulty breathing.
But seeing her flailing feet is quite amusing.
Her confused expression when she turned her head was amusing too.
The chat was also chaotic.
I… I want to have something like that too.
Chatting with people about the game, laughing and getting mad over small jokes.
I want all the attention and love like you.
What makes you so different that you get all this love?
I don’t know. Suddenly, my mind went blank, and I felt better.
“Huh… Hah… Hahah…”
I wanted to enjoy this feeling alone.
I loosened the chain and turned her around, locking her in an embrace before snapping her neck.
[Adventurer Elderlyn has been forcibly slain.]
[Warning: Your infamy increases by 200,000 due to Field PK penalty.]
[Warning: Your infamy is maxed out. You will be hunted by guards in major cities and may be attacked by other adventurers.]
A refreshing sensation that lingered longer than expected.
