Chapter Index





    Ch.4Someone’s Memory(S)

    # 4. Someone’s Memory (S)

    [You have selected Someone’s Memory as your choice reward.]

    I blinked. The space changed instantly. How should I put it… it was somewhat dreamlike.

    And, seven alphabets were floating in the air at regular intervals.

    V E R I T A S

    “What’s this? That’s the name of our guild.”

    The alphabets were glowing in various colors as if asking to be chosen.

    ‘Should I try touching one?’

    Just to be safe, I put aside any thoughts of making a selection and simply tapped one of the alphabets. It was V.

    [V]

    [Do you want to select V’s memory?]

    I quickly stepped back. There was no information or hint.

    “Who the heck is V anyway?”

    When I touched V, it said it was V’s memory, meaning each alphabet represented someone’s memory. Indeed, the other alphabets were the same as V.

    ‘Is this really a good thing?’

    Viewing the memory of someone I don’t even know is an S-grade exclusive option? Maybe it shows hidden pieces or hidden quest information?

    Since my reward showed the name of the guild I belong to, there must be some connection. Could these possibly be the memories of guild members?

    “I have no idea.”

    But the alphabets weren’t the class names of guild members, nor were they nicknames. Since I knew almost nothing about the guild members’ real-life information, I couldn’t make any further guesses. I wasn’t even sure if these memories belonged to guild members. They could be memories of NPCs from the original game or “The Tower.”

    ‘Let’s assume it doesn’t matter which one I choose.’

    With no information to go on, it was basically just a random pick.

    Hoping to receive the S-grade energy once more, I chose S.

    [S]

    [Do you want to select S’s memory?]

    “Select.”

    [You are looking into S’s memory.]

    This time, instead of a crystal ball, the entire world changed.

    **

    – KillMePlz, why don’t you ever use voice chat?

    “Sigh… here we go again.”

    [KillMePlz: I told you when I joined. I don’t use voice chat]

    – But you should at least respond during raids.

    [KillMePlz: You said it was fine when I joined. And I followed orders well. I barely made any mistakes. The raid was successful, wasn’t it?]

    – It’s not like you never spoke at all. And with voice chat, other guild members can move more organically when they hear you. Chat and pings inevitably have delays.

    That’s not wrong, so I can’t argue against it. But if that person was genuinely saying this with pure intentions, I wouldn’t be this annoyed!

    – In long-term raids like this, coordination between guild members is important, and if you put up walls like this, it’s a bit… you know? Don’t you agree?

    “Damn…”

    It was a mistake.

    There are so few guilds at my level, and I carefully filtered through them to join this one, but I overlooked that it had “some” social tendencies. And after it was accidentally revealed that I’m a woman, and a college student at that, they became even more persistent…

    ‘I should have never used chat at all.’

    They say you can’t spit in a smiling face. I was friendly to people who were kind to me, and before I knew it, I mentioned my lectures, revealing that I was a college student. That itself wasn’t a problem, but perhaps because I was young, people became too comfortable and kept bringing up topics unrelated to the game.

    ‘Whatever.’

    A female college student who’s good at games? If I also had a nice voice and a pretty face, I can imagine men would go crazy over that, right?

    I wish I were just a delusional crazy woman…

    [KillMePlz: If you’re not happy with me, I’ll leave.]

    – No, no, that’s not what I meant!

    I left the guild without hesitation. It was a high-level guild, so it was a bit regrettable, but I don’t want to stress over people in games when I already deal with that in real life.

    I could imagine the gossip behind my back—wondering if I was catfishing, or questioning why I was so stubborn about not using voice chat in this game—but I didn’t care.

    There are plenty of other guilds out there.

    Sighing, I browsed through the guild recruitment posts, and absentmindedly clicked on one…

    [Elite Raid Team VERITAS Recruiting Guild Members!]

    – Currently recruiting main tank!

    – Character requirements: Tank class/Top 10 in each class/Item level 985(minimum), 990(recommended) or higher/Achievement for clearing all existing raids

    – Player requirements: No history of political disputes, conflicts, or bad manners/No guild-hopping/Must strictly follow guild leader’s orders/Voice chat not mandatory (listening is required)/No prying into real-life information/Must join group chat (for announcements)/20 years or older

    – This raid team is formed with the goal of tackling Raid Boss Purkle. We’re looking for members who will stay together for at least a year, not just temporarily. There will be no interference outside of the Purkle raid challenge! VERITAS WANTS YOU!

    – For membership inquiries, please whisper Guild Leader [JoanOfArcIsASaint] or Vice Guild Leader [YeBeopNoJeong] with your specs attached for verification!

    “This is it!”

    Why didn’t I discover this guild earlier? I thought I had searched thoroughly.

    The guild leader’s nickname is a bit strange, but that’s not important!

    I immediately took screenshots of my character window, achievements, and inventory, then sent a whisper…

    [JoanOfArcIsASaint: KillMePlz? Are you inquiring about guild membership?]

    [KillMePlz: Yes]

    [JoanOfArcIsASaint: Can we meet at Edenguard Square?]

    “That was fast.”

    [KillMePlz: Yes, I’ll be there.]

    I have a good feeling about this.

    *

    – Once again, great work everyone. Since we’re all tired, let’s discuss item distribution tomorrow. Sleep well, everyone.

    [WaterKnowsTheAnswer: Good night, leader!]

    [WaterKnowsTheAnswer: Bye everyone~]

    [WaterKnowsTheAnswer has logged out.]

    [YeBeopNoJeong: You worked hard too, leader. Good night everyone.]

    [YeBeopNoJeong has logged out.]

    [SaeAx: bb]

    [SaeAx has logged out.]

    [KillMePlz: Kill me…]

    “I’m so sleepy…”

    I turned off my computer. As soon as I lay down on my bed, I turned on my phone. The thrill of Purkle was amazing but momentary, and now I was faced with the reality of worrying about morning classes and my exhausted body.

    [06:07 AM]

    “Should I skip just this once? Ugh.”

    No way. If it were an elective, maybe, but this is a required major course.

    [Alarm Time]

    [08:35 AM]

    [2 hours and 28 minutes remaining.]

    ‘Hair… I’ll just wear a hat instead of washing it. And skip breakfast.’

    After compromising to sleep even five minutes more, I closed my eyes. I fell asleep immediately.

    *

    “Seyeon!”

    “Oh, hi, Jiyeon.”

    “Your face… Don’t tell me you stayed up all night again?”

    “Haha.”

    “Seriously, you…”

    I barely made it to the lecture hall before class started. As soon as I sat next to a friend from the same department who I’m fairly close with, she lightly scolded me. She’s one of the few people who knows I sometimes stay up all night gaming, so she can tell at a glance. I didn’t wash my hair, wore a hat, didn’t put on any makeup, and my eyes were probably a bit swollen too.

    “And yet you still get good grades, huh? What’s your secret?”

    “Ahaha.”

    It’s not something to brag about or lie about, but my grades are pretty good. Not top of the class, but decent. If my grades had suffered because of gaming, my parents wouldn’t have let it slide… so I have to study properly when it’s time to study. Well, in her eyes, I might seem like a fraud who only plays games yet still gets good grades?

    “Seyeon.”

    “Yes?”

    “Do you have any plans after classes today?”

    Of course I do.

    I need to play the game! There will be an after-party with the guild members, including item distribution. It’s nothing fancy, just a time to share rewards and discuss what went well and what could be improved, kind of like a debrief in other games?

    I can’t wait to relive the moment we conquered Purkle!

    But it would be weird to explain this straightforwardly, right?

    Ah, how annoying.

    “I do have something, why? Is something happening?”

    “Well, there’s a gathering with our classmates and seniors, and they really want you to come.”

    Ah. I hate this.

    Why does she keep doing this when she knows I hate these gatherings?

    The furtive glances and expressions.

    The more lecherous desires that are felt despite attempts to hide them.

    It’s not just my self-consciousness; I’ve accidentally overheard their conversations, so I know for sure.

    How my lips are this and my chest is that and my legs are this and my hips are that…

    It’s none of my business.

    I feel tired just imagining it.

    And I’m actually extremely tired too.

    “Sorry.”

    “Don’t be like that. Everyone’s been waiting for you since you keep missing these gatherings.”

    “Sorry.”

    I ignored her chattering beside me. Thankfully, the professor came in before she could become more persistent.

    “Did everyone have a good weekend?”

    “Yes~”

    “Then I’ll start taking attendance. Kang Gihan.”

    “Here.”

    Ah~ I wish this would end quickly so I could go home.

    Indeed, forcing myself to smile is too exhausting.

    *

    After all the lectures ended, I bought some food at the convenience store and got back home after six. I quickly showered, dried my hair, and logged into the game at six-thirty. I was tired, but sitting in front of the computer seemed to make my mind clearer. Is this addiction? It might be.

    [UJikHanDwitMun: Kill~]

    [SaeAx: hi]

    [KillMePlz: hihihi]

    Two people greeted me as soon as I logged in. Including me, we’re probably the three youngest members. SaeAx is also a college student like me. If they were working adults, it would be difficult to log in at this time unless they took time off.

    [KillMePlz: When did you log in?]

    [SaeAx: Just now]

    [SaeAx: Oh]

    [SaeAx: You know what?]

    [SaeAx: I slept all day today lol]

    [KillMePlz: lolololololol]

    [UJikHanDwitMun: lol]

    [UJikHanDwitMun: I just logged in too]

    [UJikHanDwitMun: What should I eat for dinner]

    [UJikHanDwitMun: Any recommendations?]

    [SaeAx: Chicken breast]

    [UJikHanDwitMun: *middle finger*]

    [SaeAx: Not everyone can eat this]

    [SaeAx: (chicken breast photo)]

    [UJikHanDwitMun: Nooooo]

    “Hehe. They’re really funny.”

    SaeAx with his somewhat inappropriate ID but cheerful personality, and UJikHanDwitMun who seems shy but speaks his mind. The stress I felt earlier is gradually melting away with this conversation where I don’t need to be cautious.

    [UJikHanDwitMun: But the leader still hasn’t sent anything in the group chat]

    [UJikHanDwitMun: Usually by now]

    [UJikHanDwitMun: There would be an announcement about when to meet]

    [SaeAx: True]

    [SaeAx: Could it be]

    [SaeAx: Overtime work?]

    [KillMePlz: I don’t think the leader has ever worked overtime]

    [SaeAx: Well, they’ll show up eventually]

    [SaeAx: Or the vice leader might make an announcement]

    Now that we’ve conquered Purkle, the after-party isn’t that important, right? The leader isn’t the type to steal items anyway.

    But.

    [WaterKnowsTheAnswer: Huh? They’re still not here?]

    [YeBeopNoJeong: I don’t know what they’re doing either]

    [YeBeopNoJeong: I’ve never had private chats with them except during guild recruitment]

    [PhysicalTherapist: Everyone’s still not here?]

    Even when all guild members had gathered, the leader did not log in.

    [YeBeopNoJeong: The “no real-life info” rule is frustrating at times like this.]

    [PhysicalTherapist: So are we done for today?]

    [SaeAx: Who wants to do homework?]

    [UJikHanDwitMun: Me!]

    [WaterKnowsTheAnswer: Me!]

    [SaeAx: What about you two?]

    [YeBeopNoJeong: Then I’ll rest today]

    [YeBeopNoJeong: If the leader logs in later]

    [YeBeopNoJeong: Group chat]

    [SaeAx: OK]

    [YeBeopNoJeong has logged out.]

    [PhysicalTherapist: Ugh, I’ll rest too. I’m too tired.]

    [SaeAx: OK OK]

    [PhysicalTherapist: Bye]

    [PhysicalTherapist has logged out.]

    [SaeAx: What about Kill?]

    As time passed, guild members either formed homework parties or left because they were tired, but…

    [JoanOfArcIsASaint has invited KillMePlz.]

    [Do you accept the invitation?]

    ‘Leader is showing as logged out, but what’s this invitation?’

    [SaeAx: Answer me, KillMePlz!]

    [KillMePlz: Sorry, count me out too]

    [SaeAx: OK OK OK]

    [SaeAx: Then it’s better for me to join someone else’s party than to recruit]

    [Do you accept the invitation?]

    “Um… I accept?”

    **

    [You have peeked into S’s memory.]

    “…”

    “…”

    “……”

    “……”

    “No way.”

    “It can’t be…”

    After peeking into “Someone’s Memory,” the S-grade exclusive reward.

    “KillMePlz…?”

    “Leader…?”

    A woman wearing a white short-sleeved t-shirt and sweatpants suddenly appeared before me.


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