episode_0006

We arrived at the white space called the preparation room on the site.

As I took a deep breath, my feet were cold. Come to think of it, I was so busy logging in that I didn’t even think about putting on my shoes. I went back to my room, put on my shoes, and logged in again.

When I turned around, I saw a military flag. I approached and raised my sword. It’s heavy. I don’t know if I can swing it well.

Grimoires are of no help against goblins, and according to the site’s opinion, it is difficult to use spears in the forest. So much so that a sword would be better. So, I’ll have to take a sword, but I don’t think I’ll be able to use it well either.

I opened the door to the level 1 room and entered. The room was empty, as the slime did not seem to be able to regenerate.

I opened the inner door. I saw a forest full of trees and bushes.

“Huh… I wonder what you’re going to do with me.”

In fact, I persuaded Do Yu-geon not to go because it was dangerous, but that was not the only reason.

I don’t have good physical ability. Because I’m a middle school student, I haven’t grown as much, and I don’t enjoy moving my body, so I don’t have enough stamina. Moreover, my motor skills are not good, so I fall down at least once every winter.

In a situation like this, how do you catch a bipedal monster called a goblin and how do you roam the dense forest? To be honest, I doubt that even if he goes to visit Do Yu-geon now, it will be of any help to him. Wouldn’t it actually be a hindrance? It’s not that I won’t go, though.

As I took a step and crossed the door, I felt an uncomfortable feeling. Intuitively, I had the feeling that space-time magic was at work. It seems that the space and the forest are not in the same place.

When I turned around and looked at the door, there was only one door on the ground. Your intuition is correct. I feel somewhat reassured. Since I lack physical ability, I would rather trust my intuition and senses, even if it is unclear.

I closed my eyes and concentrated on my sensations. When looking for slime in the city, I relied on a vague sense of what it was, but now it’s clearer. This is because each object or animal has a certain high density of magic power, so its existence can be identified by feeling the magic power.

Although it may not be as easy as a slime with a relatively high magic density, you will be able to find Doyugun if you feel the magic. I’ve never tried it, but I had that intuition.

My senses continued to expand and their range increased. The goblins came to their senses and finally discovered Doyugun. There were no goblins around him.

The guy continued to walk around, but considering that it was a forest, it didn’t seem like he was seriously injured.

If I could understand it in detail, I would know not only the position but also the posture of walking.

I tried a bit, but it still seems impossible.

I walked in the direction where the guy was. The forest wasn’t very thick, but it wasn’t easy to walk through. The bushes were sometimes tangled, so I had to cut them with a sword as I walked, and I often got caught in stems or roots.

After moving around and cutting down the bushes a few times, my stamina soon ran out. Swinging the sword is too difficult. It’s heavy just to lift it, but swinging it around is daunting.

If this continues, I’ll leave before I meet him.

I put the sword on the floor for a moment and massaged my arm. Measures are needed. Without much thought, magic came to mind.

I caught slimes with magic, so it might be possible to deal with bushes as well. Why did I just think of this now? I guess magic is still unfamiliar to me.

I gathered the magical power of the air and shot it at the bushes. The stems are broken and holes are formed, but the stems are still tangled and not at a level where you can walk.

I could just repeat the current method a few times, but I thought of a better way. It fires magic power sharp enough to cut the stem. I’ve never tried it, but I think it could work.

After gathering magical power again, it was shaped into a sharp curve. It didn’t work at first, but after trying it a few times, I became somewhat sharper. It’s easy.

I fired magical energy at the bushes. Although it wasn’t neat, the stem was cut. The magic power fired was not long before it was dulled again, but it was a good result.

I used magic and walked while dragging my sword on the ground.

Before coming to the forest, I was worried about how to deal with goblins, but once I got here, there was no need to deal with them. If you know where you are and don’t know where you’re moving, you can just avoid it.

It’s spinning around a bit, but it doesn’t seem like he’s in any particular danger, so it’ll be okay.

Do Yu-geon was still wandering around the forest. I’m not sure if it’s because they can’t find the door or if they’re trying to catch the goblin.

If you get lost, you can just log out. If you’re trying to catch a goblin, I hope you put your head on the ground and reflect.

It slowly became a street where I thought I might not be able to see anything. From his senses, he happened to encounter a goblin. It seems like its purpose is hunting as it rushes right in. Ha, indeed.

Experience points flew by and I could see him between the trees. Even though I just fought a goblin, I’m still fine. I’m so glad. I wish I had gotten hurt.

“Hey, Do Yu-geon.”

The guy was startled and looked this way. I roughly threw the sword around. It’s so heavy I’m dying. Why do I have to go through all this trouble by bringing something that is useless?

It seemed like the guy was trying to say something, so I hit him.

“Look at your phone.”

“phone?”

It’s strange here, but communication is possible. So, I kept calling and talking on KakaoTalk while I was here. I haven’t seen him though.

Do Yu-geon looked at the details and smiled awkwardly.

“Well, I muted it….”

“Okay. Didn’t I tell you yesterday that it was dangerous? Is my memory weird?”

“I told you that.”

“Does he have thoughts or not? He has no brain.”

The guy opened his palm and gestured for me to stop talking, so I stopped talking. I crossed my arms and looked.

“what.”

“I didn’t come here because I didn’t have any ideas. When I looked at the site, I was told that I would log out while hunting. Then, my safety would be guaranteed.”

“You literally believed that?”

“No, I didn’t believe it.”

“Isn’t that what you believe?”

“that…….”

“You’re doing well. Really.”

The guy took a step back and said.

“Anyway, if it’s dangerous, you can just log out. … Log out.”

Do Yu-geon disappeared.

“uh?”

uh… … .

uh?!

Is this kid running away now?

* * *

The next day it was school time. Cha Ha-neul got on the subway and watched the entrance.

Do Yu-geon didn’t answer the phone all last night. If I send a KakaoTalk message, he reads it but doesn’t reply. So I’m waiting for him to take the subway to school.

We arrived at the stop where he got on. There was no guy. I waited at school dismissal time, but there was no one there either. I think I ride around the usual school pick-up and drop-off times.

Should we try it? I have to go home. At his school, if you run quickly to the stop, you can take the subway at an earlier time slot. So you should be home by now. If not, just wait.

I got off at the stop and walked to the apartment where Do Yu-geon lived. I thought about making a phone call on the way, but decided against it because I didn’t think there was any need to be on guard.

Cha Ha-neul rang the doorbell at the door. Soon I heard a voice.

“who are you?”

“it’s me.”

“……Who is Naya?”

“What do you say? I’m here to play, so open the door.”

“Uh, um. Are you really just here to have fun?”

“Then is there something else?”

“…Nothing. No, you’re not trying to get angry, are you?”

Of course that’s right. Did you do that knowing you would be angry?

“What, were you worried about what happened yesterday? You can move on if you apologize.”

“Really? I was sorry yesterday. I was so embarrassed in so many ways that I couldn’t even think of replying. I’m sorry.”

“Yes. It’s okay. Instead, open the door. My legs hurt.”

The door still didn’t open. Should I just open it and go in? I know the password.

The guy who didn’t react for a moment spoke.

“Are you really okay?”

“Yes. I received an apology, so what can I do?”

There was a sound and the door opened slightly with the latch engaged. What are we going to do?

He looked here through the crack in the door.

“It’s okay, right?”

“That’s right.”

It’s a very calm expression. He smiled.

The guy thought for a moment and said.

“Have you visited the site today?”

“Slime?”

“uh.”

“I haven’t gone in yet today.”

“Then I guess you didn’t see the results of the offline meeting. We have a lot to talk about today. Come in.”

The door opened. It’s open, it’s open. I went in.

“I thought only a few people would be able to gather because the offline schedule was tight, but there were more people than I expected. Even the detector maker participated.”

The guy took steps to go into his room.

“Do Yu-geon.”

“uh?”

He pointed to the living room sofa.

“sit down.”

The guy looked at me for a moment, then grunted and sat down on the sofa.

I headed to the kitchen and opened the refrigerator. Juice… … . When I took out the tomato juice, it seemed like one glass wouldn’t be enough. There are no other juices.

I poured it all into one cup and mixed coffee into the other cup. hot. I checked the freezer, but there was no ice. I had no choice but to grab the juice and coffee and head to the living room.

I sat down next to the guy. The guy’s attention was reflected on the black TV screen. What should I say now? He came home angry, but when he actually wanted to say something, he hesitated.

When I scold him, he looks strange because he is a middle school student of the same age, and if I just ignore him, I think he will do something dangerous again. I wish I had the patience to not worry about this.

I poured some coffee and drank it. Hot, hot. I should have just thrown away the coffee and brought cold water. It has been unseasonably chilly these days, but today it is hot and stormy.

Do Yu-geon got up, brought a fan, and turned it on. You’re quick to notice. I wish it had been like this yesterday too. Was it actually a problem because it was fast?

The guy looked this way and cleared his throat while standing.

“I didn’t even reply, but there’s no need to set the tone like this.”

“What? Do you think that’s why I’m doing this?”

The problem is that he did something reckless, but he is saying strange things.

The guy’s eyes wandered aimlessly and he spoke.

“Well, it was reckless. Anyway, the result was good. I killed three goblins. I might have been a little hurt, but I didn’t have any injuries and it wasn’t dangerous.”

“It was reckless, right? The result was good, right? Next time you’ll throw yourself off a cliff, huh?”

I don’t think this guy realizes how dangerous his actions were. We need to talk.

So, I took the time to talk about how dangerous that decision was, to the blindness of being swept away by information on the Internet, to the excessive gaming mindset.

I feel a bit relieved now.

I drank coffee. It cooled down in the meantime. When I looked at him, I couldn’t tell if he was upset or depressed. Oh, maybe that was too much. What should I do?

Should I change the subject?

“This is enough. What are we talking about offline?”

“uh?”

“No, why, I heard that the results of the offline meeting showed up earlier. I was wondering what that was talking about.”

“Oh, that.”

Do Yu-geon was dazed for a moment, then stood up and shouted.

“Yes, that’s right! That’s it!”

Well, what is it? Suddenly.

The guy looked this way.

“Good. I’ll show you and let’s go to the room.”

He took the juice and led the way to his room. I’m very embarrassed.

I followed him into the room and the computer was turned on. The computer was in a slime detector, and among them was a post about a review of an offline meeting.

The purpose of the offline meeting was to verify resurrection. So, it is said that the participants formed a party and logged in as scheduled for verification.

And it is said that the verification was completed by a person who had been resurrected several times and was resurrected again after being killed by a goblin, demonstrating the resurrection right before our eyes.

“It’s important from here on.”

“I understand, stop moving the mouse. You’re going crazy.”

It is said that after the purpose of the meeting was over, there was an after-party. In the process, a consensus emerged that verification of information was necessary.

So, it was said that it would be a good idea to create a trustworthy verification group, and it is said that a consensus was reached to reorganize the site and create an organization as suggested by the detector manufacturer who happened to be a participant. Let’s name it Exploration League.

After that, the article ended by saying that we are collecting additional opinions and recruiting people to join us.

It’s the Exploration League… … . It seems like something is out of touch with reality here. Or is it just you who are out of touch?

“Exploration League. Wow. Cool.”

“so.”

Yeah, you knew that.

“No, not like this. Huh.”

huh?

The guy continued.

“The Exploration Federation verified resurrection, right?”

“I don’t have much trust in the federation or anything.”

“Anyway, right?”

“Yes. The chances of getting hit have increased. So?”

“Then the minimum level of safety is guaranteed?”

“Are you saying that again? I told you so blindly.”

The guy stopped talking.

“Wait, wait. The minimum safety I’m talking about is about possibility. Possibility. So, it’s good to have it, but it’s not possible if you don’t have it.”

“Hmm. Okay….”

It means that you will ultimately believe it, no matter the possibility or anything. Guaranteing safety and having the possibility of guaranteeing safety are completely different things. It’s a matter of life or death, but is it okay to just ignore it like that?

I just thought to myself.

The guy said excitedly.

“So let’s go catch the goblin.”

“Yes?”

“You were nagging me earlier and saying that goblins are dangerous. From what I experienced, they are not. Now that we have at least some level of safety, let’s go catch them together. I’ll show you that they’re okay.”

In fact, it is now questionable whether goblins are really that dangerous. I caught 3 of them and felt them moving around with my senses, so I don’t think it’s too dangerous to handle.

On the site, there are many stories of people running away after meeting each other, or stories of people fighting for a while and then getting robbed and barely surviving. At least the jumping is slow and the goblin is cautious, so you can run away or something.

On the weekend when an offline meeting was scheduled, there was even a debate about how many times a goblin needs to be resurrected to be good at fighting.

At the time, I thought it was true that it was dangerous enough to run away anyway.

But this guy caught 3 fish without any damage… … .

“What is the goblin’s running speed? Is it worth running away from?”

“It was slow. You could probably run away. But there’s no need to run, just catch it. It’s easy.”

I don’t think it’ll be weak though. Umm.

“Okay, okay. Let’s go get it.”

Let’s experience it first. Then you will know.