Chapter 34: Hidden Piece (2)

The feeling I had the first time I logged into this game is still vivid.

A flash before my eyes, and a sensation like I was being pulled into somewhere unreal.

While I was marveling at the realism of the VR game—

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

It flew by at such speed, slicing through the wind, that I mistook it for an attack.

What stood out were its seagull-like cries and the dry white twig it held in its beak.

A white twig.

At first, I thought it was just gathering material for a nest.

But now, I’m starting to think differently.

Wasn’t there a deeper meaning?

The most distinctive trait of White Spiritwood is its “snow-like whiteness.”

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

And yet, there are no white trees around here.

‘Maybe that bird was a hint.’

But a question popped into my head.

The bird carrying the twig—was I the only one who saw it?

If seeing the bird wasn’t a coincidence, if it was a meaningful hint…

Then surely, it wasn’t just meant for me.

There are ten streamers playing this game.

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

Why didn’t anyone else make the connection?

It might make sense if white trees were common, but right now, we can’t even find a single one.

You’d think seeing that twig might have triggered something.

Maybe it was just too early in the game and people forgot.

‘Or maybe I just got lucky?’

Maybe it wasn’t a hint meant for everyone, just a random bird passing by.

Maybe I was the only one who happened to see it.

Either way—

I got a clue about White Spiritwood.

Time to act on it.

“Silverhair, I think it’d be best if you start by chopping some wood.”

A casual tone, as if it were obvious.

The village chief’s request had popped up as a tutorial.

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

“By the way, I asked if silver ore could be used instead of stone, but they said no. You have to collect all 20 stones.”

Since I couldn’t get White Spiritwood, the usual path would be to move on quickly, gather weapons and XP.

But I shook my head.

“No, I’ll do the tutorial later. I’ve got something to take care of at the blacksmith’s first.”

Raidel raised an eyebrow.

“Huh? You have to finish the tutorial first before you can access other quests. There’s no real reason to go to the blacksmith now.”

Of course, she found it strange.

Going to the blacksmith at this point in the game?

It was out of step with the normal flow.

But I’d already made up my mind.

The bird that brought the twig—

‘It came from across the sea.’

If no other streamer has found a white tree on this island, then it must be across the sea.

There’s only one way to cross the sea.

A raft.

Let’s build one.

I had the hand axe the village chief gave me, and the village blacksmith offered basic crafting.

‘Wasn’t raft material processed wood?’

It was my first time playing, but I had done my homework on Pixel Wars basics.

Getting invited to a server like this wasn’t a common thing, so I had studied the basics.

‘But how many pieces of wood do I need for a raft again?’

Whatever it is, I can make it at the blacksmith’s.

I just can’t recall the exact number.

“Alright then, I’m off. Sayonara.”

“Ah—wait! You’re supposed to do the tutorial first…!”

Leaving Raidel’s voice behind, I bolted toward the blacksmith.

The crunch of gravel underfoot echoed brightly.

In my mind, I could already picture the raft taking shape.

Glancing back, I saw Raidel looking at me with an odd expression.

‘What is she up to this time…’

That’s what her face said.

---

‘What is she up to this time…’

Watching Yoo Seo-yeon dash off toward the blacksmith, Raidel sighed internally.

Of course, Yoo Seo-yeon’s skills were unquestionable.

Just a few days ago, her various feats on Raidel’s stream were still being talked about by viewers.

The Chain Roller match, the Raid & Master run, even her singing broadcast.

Physically, and even vocally—nothing about her was ordinary.

But now…

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

Raidel muttered, shaking her head.

The tutorial was designed to help beginners naturally acclimate to the game world.

When you start, you cut trees, gather stone, craft basic tools—it teaches the fundamentals.

Clearing the tutorial nets you a beginner’s sword and shield.

No matter how skilled you are, fighting monsters without gear is tough.

‘Well, I mean, you could fight them.’

It’s not impossible to smash a monster’s skull with a pickaxe…

But there’s no reason to go that far.

Swords and shields were simply better weapons.

Most importantly—

‘You have to finish the tutorial to unlock other quests.’

Like most RPGs,

You have to clear the tutorial before progressing.

Exploring the wonders of Pixel Wars is fine, but…

At least finish the tutorial first.

‘Still, she doesn’t look like she’s just goofing off.’

Yoo Seo-yeon’s actions suggested she had some kind of plan.

She didn’t seem to be acting randomly, like she’d drop dead if she didn’t go to the blacksmith.

She must be trying to get something there.

‘She pulled off some weird stuff during the Chain Roller match too.’

Clearing the tutorial—that’s what most players do.

That’s the normal, efficient route.

But Yoo Seo-yeon was heading straight for the blacksmith.

It made no sense.

Given her past behavior, maybe she was onto something—but the way she moved still seemed odd.

Did she know something the rest didn’t?

Crossing her arms, Raidel stared hard in the direction Yoo Seo-yeon had vanished.

While she absentmindedly watched Seo-yeon’s retreating back, the broadcast screen displayed Seo-yeon—”Silverhair”—dashing toward the blacksmith at full speed.

After a brief pause, the chat exploded.

[Silver’s making a run for it lololol]

[She’s really not listening at all lololol]

[Why is Silverhair suddenly running to the blacksmith?? lol]

[Skipping the tutorial, huh… wow]

[Of course she’s not doing it the normal way lolol]

[But maybe she knows something?]

[Delbunga, go follow her]

[Yeah, we gotta see what she’s doing for real]

With the viewers demanding it—and her own curiosity piqued—Raidel wanted to see what Seo-yeon was up to.

‘Maybe she’s gonna make some kind of weapon and show off again?’

With how insane her physical skills were, maybe she planned to beat monsters with a wooden sword without even finishing the tutorial.

A meaningless stunt, honestly—and Raidel herself thought it was weird.

But anything else was beyond her imagination.

Seo-yeon arrived at the blacksmith.

After a few words with the blacksmith NPC, she pulled out her hand axe and started chopping trees near the village.

[Huh? She’s chopping wood after all?]

[Did she misunderstand something? Looks like she’s trying to give the chief processed wood or something?]

The tutorial quest just needed plain wood.

You didn’t need to process it at the blacksmith.

In fact, trying to turn in processed wood would just get rejected.

Total waste of time.

But the truly strange part came next.

After chopping the trees, Seo-yeon returned to the blacksmith and spoke to the NPC again.

Then, an unexpected item crafting message popped up.

[…Crafting raft???]

[A raft?? At this point in the game???]

[What on earth is she making that for lololol]

[Is she heading off to find the One Piece or what lolol]

A raft.

Essential equipment for crossing the sea.

But there was no reason to build one now.

In the early game, it was best to grow near the beginner village.

Sailing off too soon would just get you pummeled by high-level monsters and die.

“Heave-ho.”

A moment later, Seo-yeon lifted the raft over her head.

As if it weighed nothing.

She marched straight toward the beach without a moment’s hesitation.

Yoo Seo-yeon’s silver-haired avatar.

Her silvery hair shimmered in the sunlight, and her back looked strangely cool.

Raidel watched in silence, then let out a long yawn.

She was curious, sure…

But she was also exhausted.

She’d been chugging caffeine drinks like water—as if energy drinks were flowing in her veins instead of blood.

Honestly, she was so tired she couldn’t tell if she was dreaming or awake.

But she’d forced herself to stay up to at least say goodbye to Seo-yeon.

“Um, sorry to say this now…”

After clearing her throat, Raidel continued.

“But I think I really have to go to bed. I’m too tired, I feel like I’m gonna pass out.”

The chat exploded again.

[She’s logging off now?? The timing lolol]

[Don’t go ㅠㅠ]

[Nah she needs sleep. Gotta rest to stream tomorrow too]

[Let her sleep, she’s human too….]

[Hasn’t she slept like 2 hours a day all week?]

[Do a sleep stream at least]

[‘BabyPunch’ donated 1000 won!]

• But isn’t Silverhair gonna stream?

[Nope, not yet]

[She applied for a streamer role but Soopjijik isn’t processing it!]

[Only the server admin can see her screen right now lolol]

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

With the viewers still clamoring, Raidel ended the stream.

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

No idea.

But whatever it is, I’ll know when I wake up.

Maybe she’ll sail off to some weird place, lose all her gear, and end up crying.

‘Crying Yoo Seo-yeon would be kinda cute too’… Raidel—Kim Ha-yoon—thought, as she collapsed onto her bed.