Chapter 34 : Hidden Piece (2)

I still vividly remember the feeling when I first logged into this game.

A flash before my eyes, and it felt like I was being dragged into somewhere not quite real.

I was marveling at the realism of the VR game.

Then, a bird that looked like a seagull suddenly brushed past my shoulder.

It flew by at such a speed that it could be mistaken for an attack, slicing through the air.

What stood out was its cry that sounded like a seagull and the dry twig it held in its beak.

A white twig.

I just thought it was off to build a nest or something.

But now, I’ve started to think differently.

Maybe it had another meaning?

One thought came to mind.

The most distinct trait of the Baegnyeongmok is its “snow-white” color.

I don’t know if it was as white as snow, but the twig was definitely white.

And there were no white trees around here.

“That bird might’ve been a hint.”

But then, a question came up.

The bird carrying the twig.

Was I the only one who saw it?

If seeing that bird wasn’t just a coincidence—if it was a meaningful hint.

Then it couldn’t have been shown to only me.

Not just one person—ten streamers were playing this game.

At least one of them should have seen the white twig and thought of the Baegnyeongmok.

Why didn’t anyone else make that connection?

If white trees were common, maybe it would make sense.

But right now, we’re in a situation where we can’t even find a single white tree.

You’d think that twig would trigger some kind of realization.

Maybe it’s just that everyone was too overwhelmed at the start of the game and forgot about it.

“Or maybe I just got lucky and happened to see it?”

It might not have been a hint given to everyone—just a bird that randomly appeared and passed by.

Maybe I really was the only one who happened to see the twig in the bird’s beak.

In any case,I got a hint about the Baegnyeongmok.

Time to act on it.

“Silver Hair-nim, I think you should start by chopping some wood.”

The tone was like it was the obvious thing to do.

It was the Village Chief’s request that popped up during the tutorial.

A basic quest to collect 30 pieces of wood and 20 stones.

“By the way, I asked if Eungwangseok could be used instead of regular stone, and the answer was no. You still have to get all 20 stones.”

Since there was no way to get Baegnyeongmok right now, the logical choice was to just move on and get weapons and experience.

But I shook my head.

“No, I’m going to do the tutorial later. There’s something I want to check at the blacksmith first…”

Rydel’s eyebrow lifted slightly.

“Huh? But you have to finish the tutorial first to unlock other quests. There’s no real reason to go to the blacksmith now.”

It was only natural for her to find it strange.

Going to the blacksmith at this stage in the game?

It was a choice that went against the usual progression.

But in my mind, everything was already clear.

The place where the bird carrying the twig came from.

“Across the sea.”

If the other streamers hadn’t found a white tree on this island, that meant it had to be across the sea.

And there was only one way to cross the sea.

A raft.

Let’s build a raft.

I had the hand axe I got from the Village Chief, and the village blacksmith could handle basic crafting.

“Was the material for the raft processed wood?”

This was my first time playing the game, but I had learned some basic knowledge about Pixel War.

After all, it wasn’t every day that someone got invited to a server like this.

I made sure to study at least the basics.

“But how many pieces of wood did I need to build a raft again?”

Whatever the case, I could craft it at the blacksmith.

I just couldn’t remember the exact number of wood pieces required.

“Alright, I’m heading out. Sayonara.”

“Ah! But the tutorial… you’re supposed to finish that first…!”

Leaving Rydel’s voice behind, I dashed off toward the blacksmith.

The sound of gravel crunching beneath my feet rang out cheerfully.

The shape of the raft was already forming in my mind.

When I glanced back, Rydel was staring at me with a strange look on her face.

“What are you trying to pull this time…?”

Her expression seemed to say.

***

“What kind of stunt is she trying to pull this time…”

Rydel let out a silent sigh as she watched Yoo Seoyeno’s back disappearing in a dash toward the blacksmith.

Of course, there was no doubt about Yoo Seoyeno’s skills up to this point.

Just a few days ago, her performances on Rydel’s stream were still being talked about by viewers.

Chain Roller, Raid & Master, even her singing stream.

There was nothing ordinary about her—not her physical prowess, nor her vocal talents.

But right now.

“No, seriously, she needs to chop wood, mine stone, and actually do the tutorial…”

Rydel muttered, shaking her head.

The tutorial was designed to help beginners naturally adapt to this world.

At the start of the game, you’re supposed to chop trees, mine stones, and craft simple tools to learn the basic controls and systems.

Once you finish the tutorial quests, you receive a beginner’s sword and shield.

No matter how skilled you are, it’s hard to fight monsters without proper gear.

“Well… I mean, it’s not impossible.”

Cracking open a monster’s skull with a pickaxe can be done.

But there was really no reason to go that far.

Compared to mining tools, a sword and shield were far superior weapons.

More importantly.

“You have to clear the tutorial to unlock other quests.”

Just like most RPGs,

You needed to complete the tutorial to actually progress in the game.

It was fine to explore and be fascinated by Pixel War, sure, but…She still had to finish the tutorial quests first, no matter what.

“It doesn’t seem like she’s just running off to play around.”

Besides, Yoo Seoyeno’s movements felt calculated—like she had a plan.

It wasn’t as if she’d suddenly die if she didn’t go to the blacksmith right now, and she didn’t seem to be acting randomly either.

It meant there was something she wanted to get from the blacksmith.

“Back during Chain Roller too, she showed some strange behavior…”

Most players start by completing the tutorial.

That’s the standard, efficient route.

But Yoo Seoyeno, once again, was heading off to the blacksmith completely out of the blue.

An incomprehensible choice.

Given her track record, it felt like maybe she knew something others didn’t—but when she actually acted this way, it just came across as bizarre.

Does she know something we don’t?

Rydel unconsciously crossed her arms and stared intently in the direction Yoo Seoyeno had run off to.

While Rydel absentmindedly watched her disappear, Yoo Seoyeno—“Silver Silver”—was shown sprinting toward the blacksmith at full speed on the stream.

A moment of silence passed, and then the chat box exploded with messages:

「Silver’s running LOL」

「She really doesn’t listen hahaha」

「Wait LOL why’s silver-noona suddenly sprinting to the blacksmith?」

「Skipping the tutorial?? Whoa」

「Never plays it normal LOL」

「But maybe she’s onto something?」

「Delbung, follow her」

「For real, we gotta see what she’s doing」

With viewers asking for it—and Rydel herself curious what Yoo Seoyeno was up to.

“Is she going to make some kind of weapon again and surprise everyone?”

Yoo Seoyeno did have impressive physical abilities, so maybe… she was trying to put on a show—like defeating monsters with a wooden sword without even clearing the tutorial first.

Honestly, it made no sense.

Even she thought it was strange.

But beyond that, Rydel’s imagination couldn’t come up with any better explanation.

Yoo Seoyeno arrived at the blacksmith.

After exchanging a few words with the blacksmith, she took out her hand axe and began chopping down trees near the village.

「Huh? She’s cutting trees after all?」

「Maybe she misunderstood something? Looks like she’s gonna process the wood and give it to the village chief?」

The wood needed for the tutorial quest was just raw wood.

There was no need to process it at the blacksmith.

In fact, if you brought processed wood, the village chief would just reject it and ask for plain wood.

In short, a waste of time.

But the truly strange part came next.

After gathering the logs, Yoo Seoyeno returned to the blacksmith and spoke to him again, like she was asking for something.

A moment later, an unexpected crafting message appeared on screen.

「…Raft crafting???」

「A raft? At this point in the game???」

「Why the hell is she making that LOL」

「What, is she going after the One Piece or something? LOL」

A raft.

Essential equipment for crossing the sea.

But there was no real reason to build it at this stage.

In the early game, the best strategy was to level up near the beginner’s village.

If you sailed off somewhere far too early, you’d just get smacked down by monsters way above your level and end up flat on your back.

“Up we go.”

A little while later, Yoo Seoyeno lifted the raft above her head.

As if it had no weight at all.

Without hesitation, she began to walk toward the seashore with confident steps.

Yoo Seoyeno’s avatar, with her silver hair.

Her hair sparkled in the sunlight, and somehow, her back looked kind of cool.

Rydel quietly watched that figure for a moment, then let out a deep yawn.

She was curious, but…She was so tired.

She had been grinding non-stop for a week since the server opened, all in the name of hunting down hidden pieces.

She’d drunk so many caffeinated drinks, it felt like energy drinks were flowing through her veins instead of blood.

Honestly, she was so exhausted, she could barely tell if she was awake or dreaming.

But she forced herself to stay up just to say goodbye to Yoo Seoyeno.

“Um, sorry to say this right now,” Rydel said after a clearing her throat.

“But I think I really have to go to sleep. I’m about to lose it from how tired I am.”

The chat instantly exploded.

「You’re logging off now??? The timing LOL」

「Don’t go」

「No, let her sleep. We’ll see her tomorrow」

「Rydel’s human too, let her rest…」

「Hasn’t she only slept 2 hours a day for a whole week?」

「At least do a sleep stream」

《‘EungaePunch’ has donated 1,000 won!》

But isn’t Silver-hair streaming too?

「Nah, not yet」

「She applied for Soopjijik, but the staff’s dragging their feet!」

「Only the server admin can see her screen right now LOL」

“Anyway, sorry again. I’ll turn the stream on as soon as I wake up. Have a good day, everyone.”

Leaving behind the noisy chat full of protests, Rydel ended the stream.

‘But seriously, what is she trying to do?’

She had no clue.

But whatever it was, she’d find out when she woke up.

Maybe Yoo Seoyeno would end up sailing somewhere weird, losing all her gear, and crying her eyes out.

That’d be kind of cute too… Rydel—Kim Hayun—thought, as she collapsed into bed.