episode_0038

“…Um, Seha.”

“Yeah?”

“What Seha said, it’s, it’s definitely true, but…”

Meonyangi twiddled his fingers, watching my reaction.

His yellow pupils moved around nervously.

“Uh, maybe we, we came to the wrong place…right? Is this really the place for the second trial practice…?”

Certainly, sending such a puzzled look wasn’t unreasonable.

One might wonder why we suddenly came to an arcade.

But that’s because Meonyangi isn’t a proper mid-tier hunter yet.

Those who have rolled around on the ground for a while will realize as soon as they see it.

‘Oh, so that’s here~’ is what they’ll say.

I smiled warmly and gently stroked Meonyangi’s fluffy cat ears.

“Don’t worry. It’s definitely here.”

“Meow…”

As we stepped inside, what we saw was the typical scenery of an ordinary arcade.

A place filled with game machines that everyone has probably heard of and people enjoying them.

And the usual kind of chatter that always fills the air.

“Wow, damn…what’s going on? Who’s that guy calling? Could it be Sohee unnie? Did she switch boyfriends again?”

“Probably not, right? We’re just here to have fun, right?”

“Hey~ Handsome guy over there? Wanna hang out with us?”

“What’s with the ‘oppa’ in front of single ladies! Move aside! I’m younger by a year, I should be the one to deal with it!”

I’ve gotten used to it by now, but still.

Meonyangi, who was standing next to me, didn’t seem pleased.

He quickly stood in front of me as if to protect me.

“Meow!”

Spreading his hands and shaking his head.

His determination to protect me with all his might was undeniably cute.

“What, is she your little sister?”

“From the start, our races are different, right?”

“Could it be, your girlfriend?”

“…She looks like a middle schooler no matter how you look at it?”

At the last remark, Meonyangi, feeling offended, let out a ‘Haaak!’

“I-I’m an adult!”

“You’re just a kid~ You can’t lie to unnie~”

“Meow!”

Meonyangi, acting as the main tank, drew the aggro.

Meanwhile, I looked around here and there.

‘…It must be somewhere around here.’

And not long after, I looked at the counter bar in the corner of the arcade and silently shouted ‘bingo’ in my mind.

Interestingly, this arcade had two counter bars.

A proper regular bar that welcomes guests and guides them through the games.

And a follow-up bar that seemed like it could only attract flies.

It was a structure that couldn’t be understood logically.

Why would they need two of them?

‘Well, that’s it.’

The real ‘business’ of this arcade is entering through the second one.

I approached the tired-looking female employee and spoke.

“…Yawn…”

“Excuse me?”

“Uh, yes?”

The female employee, who had been dozing off until a moment ago, suddenly opened her eyes wide. She absentmindedly wiped the drool on the back of her hand.

“…Wow, that’s intense.”

“…Yes?”

“Thank you for treating my eyes.”

“…Oh, okay.”

“So, what brings you here? Oh, looking for retro games?”

Okay, here we go.

I pointed to the displayed bottles of alcohol behind her without much interest.

Her face slightly stiffened at the sight.

“Uh, would you like to order a drink?”

“Yes, I’m a bit thirsty. Do you have ginger ale?”

“No, but we have whiskey.”

“Then please give me that. Two glasses.”

“Do you know the price?”

“Isn’t it 5 credits?”

The female employee nodded slightly at my words and silently poured the drinks.

Since she had a look that demanded something, I didn’t hesitate to rummage through my pocket and handed her a thick envelope of money.

“I’ve checked. Do you know the rules?”

“Yes, I’m well aware of all of them.”

“Great. Let me know when you’re done. I’ll leave it open.”

The female employee got up and disappeared somewhere.

Just in time, Meonyangi, looking tired, returned.

His hair was messy, as if he had been petted by the eyes of the onlookers.

“Meow? Oh, Seha. Did you order drinks?”

Meonyangi tilted her head and sniffed the whiskey glass.

“…Isn’t this just a mocktail?”

“I think it’s a game for ages 15 and up, so real alcohol might be a bit risky.”

“…Huh?”

I chuckled and ruffled Meonyangi’s head.

Enjoying the touch with a purr, she whispered softly, glancing around.

“Seha… so where’s the secret place? I heard it costs quite a bit. I’ll cover it this time. The application fee for the guild, Seha promised to cover-”

“-It’s already over.”

“…Meow?”

I explained that a while ago, one of the female employees was a manager of the secret place.

The mocktail we were drinking was proof that the deal was done.

“Me, Meow!? You already paid?”

“Yeah.”

The entrance fee to this ‘secret’ place is a total of 50 million won.

It’s ridiculously expensive, but fortunately, it’s not a one-time thing.

“Why do you need 100 million won to level up to 3 stars?”

It’s a large sum, but it’s worth it because of the value that 3 stars hold.

“…Se, Seha. Can you at least give me your account number?”

Oh, where did ‘Gosla’s’ character come from to pay money? Characters are meant to be cherished by the map manager.

“-It’s fine. We’re in the same party, right? If I’m short later, you can cover for me.”

“…Yeah.”

Meonyangi’s face, which was sullen even in response, didn’t expect to relax.

“Then, would you like something bigger than money?”

“Meow? What is it? I’ll do it!”

I reached out eagerly. I grabbed her soft cheek with both hands and stretched it out.

“Me, Meowmy~ stop it!”

“Hehehe.”

Ah, this is worth more than billions of won.

How cute it is to struggle like this. I wished time would stop like this.

But I had to swallow my disappointment at the answer that came.

“Hey? Are you ready to come down?”

The approaching employee weakly waved her hand.

“Oh, I’ll be right down.”

“Meow?”

Me and Meonyangi immediately followed the female employee.

*

Keek.

The sound of a heavily oiled wheel turning echoed.

Following the employee’s guidance, we entered a shabby-looking elevator.

And as I pulled the lever, it started to descend with a clunking sound.

‘…How old is this thing?’

I wondered what would happen if there was a crash. Soon, we arrived underground.

“…Wow.”

Surprised, Meonyangi opened her mouth wide.

The underground space was a huge white room the size of a school playground.

Inside the room, there were individual spaces separated by partitions, each with a large game console installed.

Rare breeds that are hard to find even in the upstairs arcade.

Moreover, despite the spaciousness, the number of people was so high that those waiting at the back were also crowded.

There was another surprising fact.

‘…All Power Hunters.’

They were individuals who awakened their [Status Windows] to manipulate a power called magic.

They were all engaged in 1:1 PVP battles against augmented reality opponents, wielding large armor, shields, staffs, or weapons, and dancing absurdly.

“Ugh… damn it!!!”

“I’m so frustrated… I want to die…”

“This game is so damn frustrating!”

“Wait, crazy, how do you knock it down when it’s coming at you from two angles!”

They all had one thing in common: they were not playing the game because they enjoyed it.

Some of them were in so much pain that they were crying.

“I can’t do this anymore!”

“Sir over there! Don’t shoot the shotgun at the game console! What if it breaks!”

‘…It’s the minister.’

You might have noticed, but all of them were here to prepare for the promotion test, just like Meonyangi.

These were all specially made game consoles for the mini-games designed for the promotion test.

“Let’s see… the little lady is stuck on ‘Muhee’s Dance,’ right? Do you see the 22nd game console over there? Just go over there.”

“Thank you.”

*

A few minutes later.

Mi-nyangi, dressed lightly, climbed onto the game console.

Zing-! A powerful female voice shouted, “READY 3, 2, 1.”

“Th-there… what should I do now?”

“Do you see the girl figure on the screen? Just follow along and step on the panels. Mi-nyangi, you should be able to follow along somewhat.”

“I-I think I’m going to fail!”

“It’s okay. Everyone learns by making mistakes.”

“Meow.”

Mi-nyangi pouted at my words.

Feeling sorry for her, I barely held back my laughter as she awkwardly danced along to the upcoming screen.

“Hey, don’t laugh!!”

“S-Sorry… hehe!”

“Meow! Stop laughing!!”

“Hahaha!”

Mi-nyangi’s second promotion test was a dance mini-game known as ‘Muhee’s Dance.’

To be more precise, it was a collection of short dances trending on XTube or XTalk.

Following the predetermined steps and moving to the rhythm and beat by stepping on the approaching panels… a kind of playful dance.

After practicing hard here, entering the designated location called ‘Sadan,’ dancing to pass the test and receive a passing score.

“Looking at it again, it’s still ridiculous.”

It may seem obvious.

The promotion test using this mini-game was highly controversial among the guides.

In fact, the majority of them cursed at the GM and demanded a change in the test format.

It was absurd to think that such a ridiculous mini-game was the process for raising one’s rank.

But with a single word from the man who claimed to be the ‘development team leader’ during the 1st-anniversary Q&A session, everyone fell silent.

“Now, it’s the guides’ turn to ask questions. Um… using a mini-game for promotion… it just doesn’t make sense. Wouldn’t it be better to open a more challenging boss or a dedicated trial to raise one’s rank?”

The development team leader looked at the guides as if they were pitiful.

“…Then it wouldn’t be cute.”

“…Excuse me? You mean that’s the reason for including this?”

“Of course, we put it in because our characters are cute. Didn’t Dad smile? No?”

That’s right.

I had expected it.

The operations team were all out of their minds.

But at the same time, I could relate.

In the end, the essence of ‘Gosla’ was to chew, tear, taste, and enjoy the adorable appearance of the characters.

In that sense, this mini-game, though ridiculous, was truly an excellent choice.

“Meow, meow, meow…”

“Mi-nyangi, lift your left foot a bit higher to the side.”

“Meow!”

You might be wondering here.

I understand the mini-games.

But is it really necessary to pay money just for a game console?

When you focus on the fact that ‘Gosla’ has become a reality in society, the question becomes clear.

All the game consoles you see now are valuable items that amplify a hunter’s ‘power.’

“…I guess there’s no choice.”

If you fail once, you have to suck on your fingers for at least six months.

For hunters, there was no choice but to use it.

Therefore, these promotion mini-games were items that made high-ranking individuals, established hunters with a certain level of position and power, and their clans feel threatened.

Because you never know when a talented latecomer might come and push them aside.

So, about five years ago.

Despite countless opposition, they eventually passed the crazy law of using these game consoles under their own ‘supervision and management.’

Ah, it is said that the [Four Great Clans], despite their power, actually opposed it.

Perhaps they already have enough power and are trying to control public opinion, but let’s move on for now.

Anyway, this led to the creation of a platform to recruit talented individuals and caused various social issues.

Therefore, it is risky to dance and practice in the facilities they have created.

‘…If I’m unlucky, my and Meonyangi’s status information could be exposed.’

This was made possible by the sudden ‘breakout incident’ where politicians who could have prevented it died in large numbers… there is a useless background story, but let’s move on.

In the end, other groups pushed out by power started secretly operating judicial facilities.

Even from the perspective of other clans excluding the [Four Great Clans], they are aware of the existence of such places.

They thought it was too much, and since public opinion was not favorable, they refrained from acting recklessly, considering the backlash they could face if they did, so there were adults who chose not to intervene.

‘…This is getting a bit long.’

Therefore, this sanctuary is a place where you can meet truly trustworthy individuals.

To obtain it, you had to swear an oath and ensure absolute confidentiality.

But I didn’t do it.

So, how did I find out about this place?

―…There is a place called that, so if you go there, it will be helpful. Just say the words written on the paper underneath the sanctuary. Look at it once and then burn it without fail.

―Thank you. Benefactor.

―In return… you know, the camera… huh? Our Meonyangi. Right?

―Of course!

Well, I solved it through connections.

Shortly after, Meonyangi’s highly anticipated dance highlight unfolds.

The most important and long-awaited key pose for the promotion test!

The woman on the screen raises her arms behind her head.

She gathers her legs and starts swaying her waist dynamically.

“M-Meow…ow…oh? Oops?!”

With a provocative movement that shakes not only her hips but also her chest, Meonyangi’s face gradually turns red.