NOVEL NEXT Chapter 19
Typing in the outdated input device known as a keyboard felt awkward, as his chat speed was incredibly slow.
Of course.
There was a significant difference and disconnect compared to the cyberpunk technology where you could input desired content just by thinking and moving your eyes.
I’m used to it because of my memories from Korea.
I can type quickly.
Even considering Julia, who had a slow chatting speed like a rabbit, it was only natural.
You could feel his willpower as he slowly continued typing his chat.
The intentions of my senior wanting to provide me with accurate information.
Even if I wasn’t exactly a true junior.
[P2034871140(Jobless): Of course, that applies to people near the meteor too. Bounty? It’s normal to not know about it.]
This guy suddenly had a lot to say.
[P2034871140(Jobless): The organizations that placed bounties on the meteor itself or its surroundings are all gone now.]
[ImARealWizard(Warrior): Why?]
[P2034871140(Jobless): Why, you ask? Because the meteor came flying and smashed everything! The nickname “meteor” comes from the fact that everything nearby disappears when it falls, didn’t you know?]
Oh.
I thought it was just a nickname because it appeared like a comet.
I learned for the first time that there was a hidden physical meaning of “meteor,” implying it wipes out everything.
Oddly enough, that seemed more accurate.
The testimony of someone staying in the underworld also made it more trustworthy.
Wait a minute, though.
If that’s true, why is my name still here?
I had just seen my name prominently displayed a moment ago.
[ImARealWizard(Warrior): Um, I saw earlier that a person I thought was an ally of the meteor had a bounty on them?]
[P2034871140(Jobless): Huh? Wait a sec.]
Then, his character moved.
It was going into the bulletin board to check what I had said.
And after just a brief moment.
His chat, which had stopped, started again.
[P2034871140(Jobless): LMAO, there are still idiots like this! Haha!]
[ImARealWizard(Warrior): ?]
[P2034871140(Jobless): Don’t worry too much. It’s just that they catch fools who can’t even check the ground before running.]
I was already used to his blunt responses.
[P2034871140(Jobless): LOL, take another look. Seems like the meteor has already fallen.]
I clicked the bulletin board again due to his chat.
……
This is real.
The bounty post with my name that had been there earlier has completely vanished.
What a strange event.
—
5. Unexpectedly (2)
The other party quickly followed up.
The chat speed had obviously increased compared to before.
Was it a hidden talent of a keyboard warrior?
Or perhaps they laughed upon hearing about the fallen meteor?
Anyway, it was fast.
[P2034871140(Jobless): You fools! Haha, if you’d seen it, you’d know. To survive in this world, you need to stay alert. Especially newbies like you!]
[ImARealWizard(Warrior): Thank you for the kind advice, sir;;]
With this demeanor, he might be among the top 3% of good personalities in Neon City.
Even comparing with those around me, that was the case.
You could compare him to “Drake,” who was the kindest I knew.
Such uncommon kindness in Neon City.
I wondered what kind of person could survive in the underworld with such a personality.
[P2034871140(Jobless): But… ]
At that moment.
His character stopped again.
This time, it seemed like he had a question about me.
Did he suddenly suspect my identity?
No way.
My chat performance was flawless.
Then what is it?
[P2034871140(Jobless): How did you change the job next to your ID, and how did you dress up your character?]
I was just a newbie.
[ImARealWizard(Warrior): Oh. That’s…]
I couldn’t resist another fresh newbie.
With the maximum explanation and friendly word choice I could muster, I guided him.
·
·
·
[ImARealWizard(Warrior): Pressing the M key opens the map.]
[P2034871140(Jobless): Where’s that?]
[ImARealWizard(Warrior): It’s right below the outdated input device.]
·
·
·
[ImARealWizard(Warrior): I recommend the Warrior job. You can wipe them all out in one hit!]
[P2034871140(Jobless): Really? I guess as a man, I should go with the warrior then.]
[ImARealWizard(Warrior): Of course, you’re a true gentleman! You should never take a job like Archer or Wizard!]
·
·
·
Some time passed, brainwashing…
The kind education came to an end.
Thanks to the jump key I taught, his character jumped up and down in place a few times.
I was exceedingly pleased.
[ImARealWizard(Warrior): Just like that. As I mentioned earlier, you can hunt outside the village to level up.]
[P2034871140(Jobless): Wow. I thought it was just a game, but the systems are so diverse. Thanks for the info!]
[ImARealWizard(Warrior): No problem! Haha.]
Successfully recruited a newbie into the dying game (not a game).
It’s a garbage game with no content, so I’ll quit it, but hey, isn’t there a saying that even if the world ends tomorrow, you should plant an apple tree?
Today too, I planted a seed of hope.
I waved goodbye to his character disappearing outside the screen.
After his character completely vanished, I clicked the bulletin board again to check the information.
Even after two views, it was real.
The bounty post with my name that had clearly been there earlier was gone.
What on earth was the timing?
I hadn’t misread it; it was just endlessly intriguing.
“A meteor has fallen…”
[Calculating based on the database. Probability that the other party’s statement is true…, 98%.]
Even if it’s not 98%, but 100%, it still makes sense.
Since I thought of it, I contemplated texting Catherine.
Message…, no.
If I sent a message, it was obvious I’d get a hologram call just like earlier (with Julia).
It would be better to just call her directly.
I closed the game and manipulated my view interface to call Catherine.
A short song played.
The genre was Modern Rock.
Before the lyrics of the song could come out, Catherine picked up the phone quickly.
Her face showed a mix of surprise and joy through the hologram.
[What? Hello?]
“Hey, Catherine.”
And.
[Bang Bang!!]
[Kill this b*tch!!]
Something.
I felt an uncanny sense of déjà vu viewing the same scene as before.
No, it’s not déjà vu; it’s reality.
What are you up to?
But just like with Julia earlier, Catherine’s expression, appearing in hologram, was incredibly peaceful.
It felt like she was just out for a neighborhood stroll.
“I can hear the sounds, so you seem busy.”
[No, not at all. Not busy at all. Once this call is over, I’ll be heading home.]
[Blow it up!!]
[b>[Boom!!!]
Hmm.
She sure looks busy….
But since she said she wasn’t busy, I didn’t feel the need to end the call.
I wasn’t succumbing to her statement about coming over later.
“Are you on a mission or something?”
[Not a mission, just a little errand. It’s nothing for you to worry about.]
[Grahh!!!]
[It’s a monster, a monster…!]
However, even if she insisted she wasn’t busy, it didn’t seem like the atmosphere was suitable for continuing the call.
“…I just thought of you and called.”
[What a rare occasion, you’re the one calling first.]
[P-please spare me…]
…Uh, ma’am.
There’s an unfamiliar voice interrupting on your side.
“Anyway, see you at home later.”
[…Tsk, got it. Then I’ll see you at home.]
“Yeah, 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 I was going to have a troubled dream.
…Hmm.
It was definitely fitting to say a meteor had fallen.
And one thing was certain: I would have to spend a long time having fun with Catherine today.
With that thought in mind, I waited for Catherine to return from her house next door.
—
“Are you seriously friends? Siwoon and Catherine both don’t come over even after I asked them so many times. Especially Siwoon! I told you last time we talked that if I called you, you’d come, right? If we arrange a meeting, you should at least show your face!”
Another one of our friends and comrades.
Drake came to my house.
Even kind people sometimes get angry.
Now was one of those times.
…But,
Honestly, Drake’s house was too far to visit just because we made arrangements.
“Sorry! I was too lazy to go!”
I confidently apologized first.
Anyway, it was an apology.