NOVEL NEXT Chapter 57
Several days have already passed.
If it were up to me, I’d dive straight into creating a new account, but unfortunately, my identity issues aren’t completely resolved yet, so I need to wait a bit longer.
…If I had known this, I would have delayed deleting my account a bit.
Under normal circumstances, this would have been prime time to level up a new account, but instead, I found myself on a forced break, just rolling around on my bed.
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– Legendary gameplay compilation of the deceased.avi
– Hey, why does it feel like a funeral already? Don’t kill the prisoner, damn it.
– The prisoner will return. Just like always.
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‘Things are chaotic.’
It’s one thing to browse the community or watch broadcasts for a day or two, but the more I did, the more my desire to play games only grew.
Of course, I could have played other games if I wanted to. But there’s a huge difference between casually playing another game because you have other options and being forced to play something else because you don’t have a choice.
Soon, nothing else felt fun.
I always thought of myself as a pure gamer, but that was a huge mistake. Shockingly, I realized I wasn’t a slave to gaming; I was a slave to Legends of League.
“I’m so bored…”
Oh, my voice just sounded a bit weird.
…It’s fine, right? No one’s listening anyway.
“What are you doing?”
“Yahk!”
“What kind of weird sound is that?”
Please, just knock already…
The damn door is too soft. No matter how distracted I was, how could I not hear the door opening? Seriously, a door should at least creak a little!
“How long are you going to be like this?”
My mother’s words made my shoulders twitch uncontrollably. I then spat out a feeble excuse.
“…I have nothing to do.”
Truthfully, I wanted to quickly create a new account, level it up, climb the tiers, receive offers to join a team, and debut as a pro player as fast as possible.
But, as life often goes, things don’t work out just the way you want.
“If you have nothing to do, do you want to come with me for a bit?”
“To where?”
“To the new house. It’s about time we start organizing our stuff. You can decide the layout of your room. Isn’t that what you wanted?”
Ah, that place.
“…We just went there last time.”
“All we did then was arrange the room. Today’s furniture organizing day.”
“Already?”
That basically meant moving day was practically upon us, which also hinted that my identity issues would soon be resolved as well.
‘By the way… am I really going to be made to work there?’
At that moment, as if she read my expression, my mother’s face turned quite peculiar.
“You don’t need to worry. I’m not going to make you do anything. Just tell me how you want the desk positioned and stuff.”
“…I haven’t said anything yet?”
“It’s written all over your face.”
…I’ll need to practice managing my expressions later. My lack of social experience shows too much.
“Anyway, get ready.”
“Got it.”
“What’s this? I thought you’d say you didn’t want to go because it was a hassle.”
“Right?”
I’m just curious about that myself.
I can’t be sure, but perhaps the unilateral trial of the past few days has pushed me to this extent.
‘Going out.’
Whether it was the excitement of going out after a long time or the thrill of finally having a new stimulus in my dull routine, I felt a strange flutter of anticipation.
*
I finished my outing preparation with a black military cap, a light beige hoodie, and my usual long padding.
Standing at the front door with light steps, I heard…
“Are you wearing that again?”
“What do you mean? I’ve changed up the hat and hoodie!”
Even if it was shopping out of boredom for a few days, I put a lot of thought into this outfit.
“…What could I expect from you?”
My mother shook her head.
But regardless, I glanced at myself in the mirror by the entrance, casually fixing my outfit.
“Looks good on me.”
That cannot be denied, right?
“Ugh.”
My mother let out a small sigh, as usual, with a look of resignation before stepping out the front door.
As my mother took her place behind the wheel, she said, “Oh, Yu-ri will come by around dinner time. Let’s grab dinner nearby.”
“Really?”
Since the house was usually so quiet, I hadn’t realized it, but it seemed we were indeed moving.
“What about Dad?”
“He has a company dinner. So, let’s go get something delicious together.”
Is this… the weight of being the head of the family?
For some reason, I could vividly picture my dad stumbling in, drunk, humming a tune.
“We’re here.”
Since I’d been here once before, the scenery wasn’t all that new.
Guess I’m getting old.
Of course, that didn’t mean everything felt familiar.
‘Hmm…’
[SY Palace]
Although this wasn’t my first visit, the imposing architecture reaching for the sky was nothing short of overwhelming.
It’s no wonder that power-hungry people from long ago built tall structures as symbols of their authority.
If this weren’t the new house, I probably wouldn’t have ever come near this place.
“What are you doing?”
“Ah, yeah.”
As I trailed after my mother into the building’s entrance, it felt like gazes were immediately fixated on us as if they’d been waiting for the moment.
It just so happened that a group of women living here happened to be passing by.
“Hey, Hyemin’s mom, over there!”
“Why?”
“I heard that family is moving into the penthouse.”
“Oh, the one that used to be an announcer… Oh my!”
At first, the gazes directed at my mother soon landed squarely on me.
I could feel the stares even though I’m usually oblivious to such things, yet my mother seemed entirely unfazed.
‘Is she used to it?’
I heard my mother was a famous announcer back in the day.
So I guess it’s no surprise that she’d be unbothered by people’s attention.
“The elevator’s here.”
In the midst of all those gazes, the first sound to greet us upon reaching the top floor was a flurry of activity.
“Put that over there!”
“Okay!”
There were people bustling about, carrying in furniture that hadn’t been there before.
‘It doesn’t seem like they’re just moving furniture from the old place… Did they buy everything new?’
What in the world, is it okay to go all out like this?
‘…Or maybe it’s not a big deal?’
While I shrank back into my thoughts, one of the moving staff approached us.
“Ah, welcome!”
“Yes. Thanks for your hard work. I’ve made a reservation at a nearby restaurant for dinner, so please have a meal afterward.”
“There’s no need to do that… Oh, thank you so much. Is there anything else you need us to do?”
“Well, I think it’s best if my daughter sees her own room, so could you help us with that?”
“Ah, yes, of course. Let’s go.”
And just like that, my mother naturally pushed me forward.
“…Huh?”
“It’s your room, so you should go see it.”
“W-What do you want me to do? Alone?”
“You said you wanted to decide the layout of your room yourself, right?”
“That’s true, but…”
My mother was crystal clear in what she meant.
“…So, you want me to decide where to place the furniture?”
“Yup.”
What should I do?
Should I just say I can’t do it?
‘…No.’
As a man, or at least a guy born that way, I can’t back down now.
“…Got it.”
I’ll show them.
What the optimized challenger’s furniture layout looks like.
.
.
.
…That grand dream shattered the moment I saw the rugged faces of the moving men.
“Excuse me, could you please step aside for a moment?”
“Ah, yes….”
Despite the fact that some of the employees were likely around the same age as me, the intimidating aura they exuded was unreal.
…Or maybe it was just that I was a coward.
I believe it’s the former.
It has to be.
No, it must be.
“How would you like the desk arranged?”
It felt like someone read my mind because one of the staff approached with a kind tone.
Feeling as if I encountered a savior descended from the heavens, I slowly voiced my requirements.
“Uh, please place the desk so it doesn’t face the door. Oh, and put that over there.”
“Understood.”
Indeed, money really talks. The staff listened intently to my requests while gradually fulfilling them.
“Where should I put this?”
“Oh, please put that on the balcony side.”
“Got it.”
And…
With so many helping hands, the furniture placement was wrapped up in no time.
“How is this?”
“U-Um, it’s enough.”
“If there’s anything you’re not happy with, just let us know! Moving things around is no trouble at all.”
“Really, it’s fine. Thank you.”
They set up a desk in an L shape that didn’t face the door, along with space for at least four monitors.
Plus, the bookshelf and all the furniture arrangements were designed specifically for a gamer.
This was the layout I had longed for.
“Great job, everyone. I’ve sent you the restaurant location via text. Just mention my name when you go.”
“Thank you, ma’am. If you need anything else, feel free to call.”
“Hoho, yes.”
After the staff left, I couldn’t help but look around the penthouse filled with various furniture and ask my mother, “When will we move in?”
“It’ll probably take about a week. We need to clean up, and there are still some finishing touches to be done.”
“Really?”
A week…
That was music to my ears.
“Why? Can’t wait to move in?”
“N-Not like that…”
I always feel like my mother’s always above me on the hierarchy.
“Let’s go. Yu-ri will be waiting.”
“Where is she?”
“She’s probably almost here by now.”
When we arrived at the underground parking lot, my mother rummaged through her handbag.
“Hmm?”
“What’s wrong?”
“I think I left the car keys up there. I’ll be right back.”
“Okay.”
Just as my mother was about to hurriedly head towards the elevator, she paused.
“While we’re waiting, could you run to the convenience store and grab some water? I’m feeling a bit thirsty.”
Oh really, another errand?
She’s probably not genuinely thirsty.
This is probably just another part of the countless social training sessions she’s put me through over the years.
I’m not falling for it today.
“Fine.”
Of course, saying that and actually doing it are two different things.
‘It’s not even that hard.’
Following my mother’s instructions, I arrived at the convenience store within the apartment complex and after fumbling around a bit, finally found the fridge and pulled out two bottles of water.
“1000 won, please.”
“Ah, here you go.”
“Could you insert it here?”
“Y-Yeah?”
“Right here.”
W-What? Is that how convenience stores work nowadays?
I felt my face heat up as I awkwardly inserted my card into the reader.
“Other side.”
“W-What? Oh, right!”
I’m so embarrassed I could die.
…No, just end me already.
[“Payment completed.”]
“Now please take it out.”
“…Okay.”
At first, I thought buying just one bottle of water would be easy.
But I was terribly wrong.
Buying a single bottle of water turned out to be an epic saga of suffering waiting for me.
‘…I’m definitely getting a water dispenser installed.’
Feeling utterly drained, I pushed open the convenience store door.
“Hmm?”
What’s going on? Why isn’t it opening?
…Oh, there was someone coming from the other side.
“E-Excuse me.”
Today, I’m dying of embarrassment.
Wait, I feel this way every time I go out.
And just as I stepped aside, the door swung open, revealing an unexpectedly familiar face.
“Ah.”
What are you doing here?