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“Welcome.”

A noisy convenience store reflecting the atmosphere of its surroundings.

In a space where one or two drunk people wander around, ‘Soolbbang’ Kang Yu-han felt relief for the first time today.

Although it was far from a healing space in many ways, for now, this was the only place where he could relax.

As the atmosphere was warming up, he left the restaurant saying, “Chocolate milk is the golden rule after drinking.”

It wasn’t that he was uncomfortable or disliked the place.

But his heart was beating too fast, so he needed some time to calm down.

Han Da-eun, who was staring blankly while sucking on her spoon.

Her expression of smiling happily, hehe~, as if unaware of what face she was making…

‘No. Stop being disgusting, Kang Yu-han. What kind of behavior is this towards a woman you’ve just met?’

Especially not just anyone, but to that Gawol.

He couldn’t comprehend why his heart was pounding so pathetically.

The Gawol in the game was quite a terrible person.

A disaster that comes without any reason or cause.

The malice that any streamer who focuses on PVP would encounter at least once.

Especially recently, she had become strangely clingy, you could say.

She often exuded something like a deeply twisted – yet subtle heat.

Soolbbang had various complex impressions of that creepiness.

It’s certainly not a good start, having been targeted consecutively.

If it weren’t for Elderin, he wouldn’t have been involved like this.

But now… he couldn’t just hate her anymore.

Certainly, it wasn’t simply because of her appearance.

– Cute… you say? No, I’m not. I’m not cute…

– Pfft, it’s delicious. Thank you.

– I think it’s been a really long time since I smiled like this.

– Why, why are you suddenly teasing me…? Hic. Sob…

The hand that scratched her throat until it bled during the finals.

The mouth that mumbled something with a dark expression, though what she said wasn’t recorded.

That unstable appearance, noticeable even to someone as insensitive as him – gave some room for consideration.

Was it with that pitiful face that she clawed at her own neck?

The Gawol that Soolbbang saw today laughed easily, was quickly swept up in the mood, found happiness in small things, and cried like a child.

Han Da-eun was a girl who, although shy at first, desperately craved the touch of others.

He didn’t know her circumstances.

He couldn’t ask, and he shouldn’t either.

It’s not that Gawol had committed a crime, but it’s not wrong for people to dislike her either.

However, there are such people somewhere in the world.

People who can’t even ask for help and end up holding a knife in their hands.

People who cut their own hands with their blade, and are grateful not to be alone even when receiving harsh gazes.

…Is this too much speculation? Yu-han sighed.

He placed five chocolate milks and a few other items on the counter.

“I’d like to pay for these.”

“Okay. That’ll be 13,950 won in total. Do you have any points or want to accumulate points?”

“No. Just ring it up please.”

“I have some, can’t we use mine?”

“Huh? Oh, sure. I didn’t know you were here.”

During the payment, an unexpected voice was heard.

Soolbbang was startled and barely managed to calm his trembling body.

He immediately recognized who it was due to the unique clear tone.

Intoxication tinting her snow-white skin a rosy color.

A face more beautiful than anyone he’d seen before, yet somehow precarious and melancholic.

Lips forming a gentle smile despite tears still lingering between her eyelashes.

It was Gawol.

No, Han Da-eun.

“I was going to go right back, should have just stayed.”

“Hm, I felt sorry. I cried so I kept getting scolded.”

“Is that something you should feel sorry about? I’m the one who did wrong.”

“That’s true. You did wrong.”

“……”

If there’s anything similar to the game, it’s this irritating way of talking.

And the unique giggling laughter in a playful manner.

Her physique is just like Gawol popped out into reality… her features seem similar, but somehow her impression is different?

Being close, her unique soft body scent wafted up strongly.

Even among the alcohol dissolved in her breath, this cozy scent didn’t lose its presence.

Da-eun could be sexy with just her white neckline, without any exposure.

To think a person could be as pretty as a game character.

It’s beyond surprising, it’s almost awe-inspiring.

However, Gawol and Da-eun had more differences.

“You can walk a bit faster. I can keep up.”

“It’s fine. Let’s go slowly to sober up too.”

“Okay.”

The Gawol he knew was an assassin who moved faster than anyone.

She’s a strong person with a face always full of confidence and a mischievous smile that never fades.

Gawol was a woman who seemed cheerful, aggressive, and capable of doing anything on her own.

But Da-eun needed her pace matched on the way back to the restaurant.

In Sansae’s embrace, she had an expression like finding a bonfire in the middle of winter.

Han Da-eun was shy, had difficulty handling her own emotions, and seemed somewhat precarious.

He recalled when she first stepped into the restaurant.

The bandage that was too clean compared to the protective gear and crutches that looked like they had been used for a very long time.

She said she just got hurt, but it was probably a lie.

Unlike in the game, she seemed to be a bit clumsy in reality.

But that leg, hmm.

Did she strangle him to death with those slender legs?

Thinking about that, Yu-han fanned himself as he felt his face heating up.

The low laughing voice from behind seemed to tickle his ears.

“What’s wrong, are you hot?”

“A little.”

“Should we buy some ice cream from that convenience store earlier? I’ll treat you, bro.”

What are you saying? You’re not my brother.

You’re younger than me and not even a man.

Yu-han laughed in disbelief.

When they returned to the front of the restaurant, the rest of the group was waiting.

The five people rode the momentum and headed to a karaoke.

As expected of social butterflies. Sansae and Elderin sang very well.

The problem was Da-eun.

How can someone with such a beautiful voice be bad at singing?

If she just matched the rhythm roughly, it would sound decent with that voice?

Above all, that person’s taste was terrible.

* * *

[Category: Notice > Patch Notes]

[Author: GM Pia]

[Title: New Season “Pioneer” Patch Notes]

Hello, adventurers.

The new season ‘Pioneer’ patch has been implemented.

……

3. Bounty System

As announced, there will be changes to the field PK system.

The new continent is designated as a conflict zone throughout, greatly reducing field PK penalties.

Conversely, penalties on existing continents have increased, and you can check the details at [link].

The public power of each country has not yet properly settled in the new continent.

However, no one wants to make the pioneer land a complete lawless zone.

To this end, the authorities are implementing a bounty system to stabilize the pioneer land.

Adventurers who commit murder in the field can have a bounty placed on them for 3 days.

Bounty registration can be done at the guard post in Zephyrion Port, and when a wanted person is killed, the reward is immediately acquired in the inventory.

Even with a bounty on you, you can kill other wanted persons and obtain rewards.

……

However, remember this.

The bounty system was designed to kill criminals, not to protect you.

If you’re not confident in surviving, don’t carelessly set foot in the pioneer land.

* * *

A large ship crossed the ‘Undiminishing Storm’.

The voyage ended after 3 weeks in game settings, 15 minutes in real time.

The ship that overcame the wind and waves lowered its ladder to the hastily constructed port.

Arriving at the new area as soon as the patch ended.

The southwestern pioneer land ‘Zephyrion’ was a continent with a strong feeling of barren wasteland.

Scenery and people that weren’t there before can be seen.

All kinds of facilities showed signs of hasty construction, and merchants who crossed the distant sea were openly profiteering.

Consumables were especially problematic. Much worse products were being sold at twice the price of the main continent.

What’s more concerning is that no guards are visible.

As I entered the village with one question engraved in my mind.

As if it had been waiting, a red warning window appeared at the top of my view.

[You have entered a conflict zone.]

[Warning: You can be attacked by other adventurers outside of safe zones.]

[Warning: Upon death, you may lose up to 20% of the gold coins you possess.]

“Hm, nice.”

Is it because they’re dry words?

I closed the notification window that felt quite cold.

Some might feel creeped out by that warning, but I guess it’s different for me.

I’ve been using normal fields like conflict zones from the beginning anyway.

That lost gold will go into the murderer’s pocket, so it’s basically like a reward for PK has been created for me.

It’s as if the field suddenly turned into a gold mine.

Once the bounty system is activated, it will become a new source of income.

Well, bounties will probably accumulate on me too as I go on.

‘Let’s see if you can kill me.’

While looking around the village first like that.

A commotion broke out nearby.

Fire magic blazed, calling forth a red heat wave.

This is clearly the work of a user.

Looking a bit closer, I could hear agitated voices.

“You crazy bastards! PK in the village?”

“Can’t you see there are no guards, you blockhead?”

A guy in a magical girl costume was causing terror in the village.