MAX 38

Hyung?

Han Jiho frowned the moment he saw the message. It was a sudden, unexpected title, different from how he usually called him “98-nim.”

A few more messages from Chaehyun followed, but at the same time, “LookingForGirlfriend”’s chats were appearing so fast that he didn’t have the chance to check them.

[LookingForGirlfriend]

Is there any proof that b*stard didn’t use hacks?

[LookingForGirlfriend]

Fcking taking his side when you don’t even have proof, sht lol

And then, “LookingForGirlfriend”’s chats began to be deleted in real-time. He didn’t know who the server administrator was, but it seemed they were watching the chat together.

[1Jiho]

Wha— lol There’s no proof because he didn’t use hacks, this is so absurd lol

[1Jiho]

Then where is your proof that he IS hacking, sh*t lollol

Harsher words—beyond comparison to before—were exchanged, and the situation spiraled toward the absolute worst. “LookingForGirlfriend” was acting like a wild, unbridled colt, lashing out and pouring insults at the clan members.

[LookingForGirlfriend]

HanJiHo98 this bstard is hacking, kick him out quick lol HanJiHo98 this bstard is hacking, kick him out quick lol HanJiHo98 this b*stard is hacking, kick him out quick lol

Not stopping there, he began to spam the chat window with malicious content. It reached a point where communication was no longer possible.

Staring blankly at it, Han Jiho let out the breath he had been unconsciously holding. It was a suffocating situation, as if he had eaten three sweet potatoes without any water.

However, perhaps because he had slept and let out a Hansum, he didn’t feel the nausea or the urge to vomit like he did when he first saw Hepari’s post. He was in a state of surprising calm.

No, to be precise, he was in a state of lethargy. An indescribable sense of emptiness and skepticism covered his entire body; it felt like being buried under a thick, heavy blanket.

Within that heavy helplessness, Han Jiho squeezed his eyes shut.

Just give up. Just pretend you don’t know. You know better than anyone that nothing changes anyway.

The impulse to run away hammered loudly in his chest.

With just one click of the “Leave Clan” button, he could be liberated from everything weighing him down. There was no need to explain, no reason to stay. Even if he did, nothing would change. This situation was bound to repeat itself anyway.

That was why he wanted to run.

He wanted to leave the clan, delete his ID, uninstall the game, and go back to living as if nothing had happened. Even if others pointed fingers and called him a coward, he felt he had no choice but to do this to escape the cycle.

Because this was the only way to cut off the endlessly repeating vicious cycle.

So, just as he was about to go into settings and click “Leave Channel.”

Ding. The cheerful notification sound stopped his hand once again. The sender, this time too, was Chaehyun.

After a moment of hesitation, Han Jiho checked the message Chaehyun had sent. It was full of typos, as if he had sent it in a hurry.

But the messages didn’t end there. At the bottom of the program, a notice appeared saying that Chaehyun was typing a message.

[Chaehyun]

Hyung, how about making it so only people you like can join?

Han Jiho burst into a chuckle at Chaehyun’s rambling chat.

It was funny how he was subtly promoting himself, but he was grateful to him for taking his side without fail this time as well. Thanks to that, he felt he could breathe again, escaping the emotions that had been weighing heavily on his heart.

Perhaps that was why Han Jiho impulsively tapped on the keyboard. He couldn’t just ignore his messages and leave.

[Han Jiho]

But I feel like I’ve only caused trouble..

However, he couldn’t say anything in response to Chaehyun’s following chat.

[Chaehyun]

That’s just because that bstard is a dumbss.

“…”

Han Jiho stared at the screen, speechless. He felt like he had been hit in the back of the head.

He was right. He had done nothing wrong. He had never used hacks, and there was absolutely no reason or need to listen to such ridiculous nonsense or apologize.

Even though Chaehyun had told him this over and over, why had he forgotten?

The idea that running away was the only way was wrong. Running away was just a temporary evasion. It could never be the answer to this problem.

And yet, like a fool, he had thought that was the only way.

Only now did he realize that fact. Han Jiho let out a self-deprecating snort. He found himself pathetic and laughable—acting as if he were fine on the outside while groveling in a sense of defeat.

But he was glad he realized it even now. If he hadn’t, he would have continued to live cowedly, only looking for ways to escape.

This was all thanks to Chaehyun.

His mind, which had been as foggy as if covered in thick mist, began to clear.

Looking back, he had always tried to hide himself. His words, his actions, and even his emotions.

But how did that effort return to him in the end?

‘We are currently having an internal meeting, so just stay quiet and wait.’

‘Jiho-hyung, are you sure you really didn’t use hacks?’

When the hack suspicions were raised, the organization remained silent, and his colleagues turned their backs. There was no one who believed in him, supported him, or cheered for him. Even when he proved his innocence through his skills.

Having left the team and the league as if fleeing, Han Jiho suffered for a long time, trapped in betrayal and distrust. He couldn’t even believe the cheers of fans who said they would wait for his return. His situation was no different from having lost his life.

However, from the moment he met Chaehyun, his daily life began to change bit by bit.

The time spent playing games and talking with him was incredibly enjoyable. It felt like he had regained the purpose and joy of life that he thought he would never feel again.

Also, through Chaehyun, Han Jiho recalled the existence of the fans he had forgotten. Despite choosing retirement due to the indelible wound of hack suspicions, they were still cheering for and supporting him.

And now.

He was standing, once again, at a crossroads.

To run away, or to face it.

If it were before, he would have chosen to run without hesitation. But not anymore. Because he realized that nothing could be ended by running away.

Many things had changed compared to the past. Han Jiho was not alone. Although it had only been a few days since they met, there was someone who believed in him. He didn’t need to run anymore.

[Chaehyun]

Can’t you just keep playing games with me?

Therefore, Han Jiho composed his mind as he looked at Chaehyun’s chat. Someone believed in him and wanted to be with him. Running away once was enough.

So, as they say, even a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

He decided to start by doing what he could do first. That was proving to the clan members and others that he had not used hacks.