GBAS 38

Something was sticking out from among the audience densely packed below the stage. A few gazes briefly landed on the figure, wrapped in a white cloth from head to toe, before scattering.

If it was meant to cover their face, it was a success, but if it was meant to hide their identity, it was a complete failure.

No nickname was displayed above the suspicious figure’s head, but most of the people gathered here knew who that person was. Among them, about thirty percent probably remembered his past better than he did himself.

While they were all pretending not to know, a newbie pointed his finger and asked.

[Normal] ChiliConCarne : Huh? What’s that?

[Normal] infj : Ah

[Normal] infj : Shh shh, don’t mind it

Noticing the whispering voices, Hyunwoo stealthily bent his knees and lowered his body. Standing with his legs spread in a half-crouch, he was now at a decent eye level. Not that hiding himself would do much now that the concert was over.

A user who had their view blocked throughout the concert due to picking the wrong spot clicked their tongue and glared, but the person in question was oblivious.

Hyunwoo, mixed in with the crowd, looked up at Jooin who was tidying up his instruments on stage.

Late August, the end of summer. Unlike the weather outside, which seemed determined to burn up in a final blaze, Murcia, one of the main hub towns in <The Frontier>, maintained a moderately warm and moderately cool climate 365 days a year.

“Hmm hmm hmm hmmm.”

Great weather and a great performance. He couldn’t help but hum.

After a few short days of denying his newfound stanning, and organizing his thoughts dozens, hundreds of times, Hyunwoo decided to accept it. Rather than blaming others and twisting his actions with all sorts of reasons, admitting that he did it because he liked Baek Jooin was cooler, more rational, and above all, the right thing to do.

After that, his heart felt much lighter. He realized he was jealous of Jooin’s fans because he was envious of them being able to look up at Baek Jooin from below the stage to their heart’s content, so he even started peeking at the performances like this.

He had always chased Jooin around, nagging him to do his quest homework, but he had never paid attention to him playing his instrument. Now that he knew, he felt like the past time had been a waste.

Why hadn’t he thought of this sooner? His regret was brief. Hyunwoo, who was positive by nature, decided to just think of it in a good way.

‘At least I know now!’

He was Jeon Hyunwoo, a fine son of Korea. A man who had been told countless times that he was a body without drive, a bulldozer with a broken handle. As long as he moved forward, even if slowly, that’s all that mattered. What he wants, he gets.

Hyunwoo clenched his fists and ignited his fighting spirit.

Anyway, Jooin’s performance today was amazing. The thrill he felt when he noticed the band’s song riff hidden within the game’s BGM was exhilarating beyond compare. He never knew what was what before, but as they say, the more you know, the more you see.

Just as he was replaying a few cool scenes in his mind, the people in front of him started whispering.

[Normal] BlackMage : When will it end ㅠㅠ

[Normal] chu03 : I think he’s all done??

Even though the performance was over, the audience showed no signs of dispersing. They were simply waiting eagerly for Jooin to come down from the stage.

Hyunwoo was also waiting for Jooin. Baek Jooin was still exuding a cold aura since his verbal slip-up the other day, but today, he had the confidence to strike up a conversation.

Hyunwoo’s eyes sparkled as he looked at the lucky charm placed right in the center of the first page of his inventory.

The lucky charm’s identity was the result of sacrificing 80 sets of new kits, and it was the guitar skin that Baek Jooin had been trying so hard to get.

If he went with this, he definitely wouldn’t be able to ignore him.

Soon, Jooin finished packing up and came down the stairs on the left side of the stage.

[Normal] BlackMage : Holy crap!

Whoa…!

Swept away by the massive movement, Hyunwoo came to his senses in the third row of the procession surrounding Baek Jooin. He couldn’t see Jooin well and was about to inadvertently crane his neck when he heard a familiar yet unpleasant voice.

[Normal] HoneyButter : Kya kya, Jooin-nim!

[Normal] HoneyButter : You were the best, the best today ><

Hyunwoo’s brow furrowed roughly at the cute, affected voice.

A person can be busy for a day or so, but how could she never miss a single time? At this point, you could believe it if someone said she was an in-game NPC. It seemed others were not fond of HoneyButter either, as sounds of complaints could be heard from all over.

Hyunwoo, holding his breath in case his name appeared in the chat if he so much as made a sound, squeezed through the crowd and moved forward. Hiding his body behind a tall female character, Hyunwoo peeked over her shoulder.

Meanwhile, HoneyButter was, as always, continuing her gift-giving offensive. This much was a daily occurrence, but what soured Hyunwoo’s mood was her next action.

[Normal] HoneyButter : Jooin-nim!

[Normal] HoneyButter : Don’t you like the present?

[Normal] HoneyButter : ㅠㅠ

[Normal] Jooin : No, that’s not it

When Jooin didn’t immediately accept her gift, HoneyButter flapped the hem of her skirt and made a fuss. While doing so, she subtly closed the distance with Jooin. Hyunwoo’s expression hardened as he watched.

‘Hah.’

He had thought Baek Jooin welcomed the barrage of gifts, but seeing it up close, it seemed he was uncomfortable, judging by the slight twitch in his eyes. If you don’t like it, just say so. He’s always snapping at me. Maybe he’s trying to manage his image because she’s a fan. Anyway, it was extremely unpleasant.

[Normal] HoneyButter : Hmph ㅠㅠ

Just as HoneyButter was about to approach Jooin again.

[Normal] Jeonguk-noye-jarang : Hyung!

Unable to stand it any longer, Hyunwoo jumped in between the two.

[Normal] Jooin : You…

Jooin looked up at the person standing in front of him with a surprised face.

[Normal] HoneyButter : ?!

HoneyButter, whose hand had been blocked from reaching Jooin, looked flustered for a moment, but soon remembered Hyunwoo’s identity and openly scrunched up her face, saying.

[Normal] HoneyButter : Ah, this **

[Normal] HoneyButter : What are you

At the sharp tone, as if she considered him an unwelcome guest, the corner of Hyunwoo’s mouth twisted up.

[Normal] Jeonguk-noye-jarang : What do you mean, what am I

[Normal] Jeonguk-noye-jarang : You don’t remember me?

Hyunwoo, who had now unwrapped the cloth from his head, replied with a relaxed smile.

[Normal] Jeonguk-noye-jarang : I’m our hyung’s manager, you know? hehe

Hyunwoo, enjoying the sight of HoneyButter’s enraged expression with her two fists clenched, sent a party invitation to Jooin. Jooin, who accepted the party request without knowing what was going on, sent a message.

[Party] Jooin : What’s this all of a sudden

[Party] Jeonguk-noye-jarang : Let’s go for now, shall we?

It was obvious he wouldn’t follow if he explained further. Hyunwoo immediately cast a warp to his housing. He didn’t forget the ‘move with party members’ option either.

👾🎮

The inside of the housing was neat and tidy. As befitting a user who had maxed out their in-game life skills, one wall was lined with wooden furniture that Hyunwoo had crafted himself, and on a small table, a lamp made of variously cut and pieced-together glass shone cozily.

“What am I supposed to do when you suddenly drag me here?”

As Baek Jooin asked with a frown, Hyunwoo pulled out the chair in front of Jooin as if to say, ‘let’s sit and talk first,’ and then took his own seat. But Baek Jooin did not meekly follow Hyunwoo’s suggestion.

Jooin, holding the back of the chair, asked in a flat voice.

“So, what’s this about?”

At the cold reaction, which felt almost icy, Hyunwoo had no choice but to slightly modify his plan.

“It’s nothing much.”

As if something had appeared in front of him, Jooin poked the empty air with a displeased expression. Once the request was approved, a small pop-up window appeared in front of the two.

Hyunwoo, trying hard to suppress his excited voice, placed the newly acquired guitar skin in the trade window. Then, he immediately pressed the trade confirmation button and said.

“I wanted to give you this.”

There must have been a slight delay, because Jooin, who had been looking puzzled, widened his eyes after confirming what had appeared a moment later. He had heard that he was looking for it so eagerly, but Baek Jooin just stared intently at Hyunwoo, not touching anything.

Jooin, narrowing his eyes as if to gauge the intentions of the person who had come with this sudden gift, looked back and forth between the item and the person before asking.

“What is this?”

“I was opening some kits for something I needed, and someone told me you were looking for this.”

Hyunwoo said, feigning an indifferent voice. However, his hands resting on his lap were trembling slightly. It was because he was nervous about how Jooin would receive his gift.

“…Is that so?”

Baek Jooin said, tilting his head. It was just one phrase, but his tone seemed softer than before, and the tension in Hyunwoo’s stiff shoulders relaxed in response.

Jooin continued.