Vol 1 Ch 15

At that moment, Sunshine Angel cautiously raised his hand and spoke. ShutUp scanned the shirtless Sunshine Angel beside him from head to toe.

 

“I don’t want to.”

 

Saying that, he looked back at me and spat out words as if grasping at straws.

 

“ShutUp. If your match rate with Sunshine Angel isn’t over 80 percent, I’ll link with you willingly.”

 

Moment, hearing my proposal, whispered to lower it to 70 percent. But ShutUp ignored him and looked at me, spitting out his words.

 

“If it’s not over 80 percent, you’ll follow me without complaint?”

 

“…Yes.”

 

“Keep your word.”

 

I just wanted to buy time or shift the attention focused on me to Sunshine Angel. I wanted to explain that I wasn’t the only one who wanted to partner with ShutUp; other male characters did too.

 

Sunshine Angel stood before ShutUp with hopeful eyes. ShutUp, while facing him, didn’t meet his gaze and merely clasped his hands.

 

<<…3. 2. 1.>>

 

While many people watched, the <<Matching Result.>> announcement appeared between the two. Immediately, ShutUp let go of his hand.

 

Some chuckled and pointed at the two, while someone with a kind heart gave Sunshine Angel the remaining robe. Sunshine Angel, now properly dressed, stared at the number displayed in the center of the screen. In contrast, ShutUp seemed indifferent, as if he hadn’t expected much.

 

<<…70…, 72…, 74…>>

 

But, this was yielding an unexpected result.

 

As it surpassed 70 percent, ShutUp’s expression contorted. Moment’s face lit up, and Sunshine Angel’s mouth hung open in ecstasy.

 

<<Matching Result 87%>>

 

“Wow! Amazing! Wow, congratulations!”

 

I grabbed Sunshine Angel’s hands and expressed my surprise at the matching result.

 

People around us were murmuring. Some complained about user discrimination, saying, ‘Isn’t it just that ShutUp gets good matching results?’ Others openly compared me and Sunshine Angel, saying, ‘With 87 percent, you could even change guides.’

 

The only one uncomfortable with this result was ShutUp. As I wore a relieved expression, far from feeling any partner crisis, ShutUp’s face was contorted as if something was boiling inside him.

 

Unable to stand the murmuring any longer, ShutUp formed a party with Sunshine Angel and grabbed me by the nape of my neck, taking me through the portal. Moment yelled, ‘Where are you going when you promised to link with me?’ but for now, following ShutUp was the only way to calm the situation, so I was dragged along reluctantly. Otherwise, it would undoubtedly become famous on the bulletin boards as a gay love triangle.

 

<<Moving to ‘Leviathan’s Lake’.>>

 

The place we arrived at through the portal was a pavilion located in the center of a lake. I wondered when he had designated such a place for warping… I thought it was just a lake, but a long shadow was visible beneath the transparent water.

 

“If you get close to the water, you’ll be eaten.”

 

The long shadow, which didn’t seem like a joke, appeared hazy, as if reflecting the clouds, but it moved against the water currents in small bursts, and bubbles rose with a pop.

 

Seeing that, I stood as close to the center of the pavilion as possible.

 

“You two can link, why did you bring me along?”

 

“What if… after I link with him, I abandon you?”

 

ShutUp told me to stay in the center of the pavilion and then sat down on the bench by the railing. It was the perfect spot for whatever was swimming in the lake to poke its head out and snatch me.

 

“That’s up to you, isn’t it? If you want to change partners, you change.”

 

ShutUp maintained a cynical smile and glared at me. It felt like he was saying, ‘You’re rejecting me?’ The nuance was also ‘I even bought you Relax skills, and you, of all people, dare to?’

 

As the atmosphere between us soured, Sunshine Angel pleaded with ShutUp.

 

“I’ll just leave. Don’t fight. I’m satisfied just with the fact that our matching rate turned out like this with you, ShutUp-nim.”

 

ShutUp, who had been glaring at me as if he could devour me, looked at Sunshine Angel clinging to his arm with a much softer gaze. So, I was about to say, ‘Fine, I’ll go,’ but ShutUp was faster.

 

“Yes. Well, it wouldn’t be bad.”

 

“Right, ShutUp. It’s better to be with someone who likes you. I find linking with a man unpleasant.”

 

“Was it unpleasant to be with me?”

 

“Well, yes.”

 

ShutUp approached in three steps and stood so close that his shadow fell over my face, looking down at me.

 

“So… I’m unpleasant?”

 

When lovers break up, they often push each other away with harsh words to leave no lingering feelings. This felt like the perfect moment for that. Since there was a guide to fill my place, I decided to push him further.

 

“Yes. It’s incredibly unpleasant. It feels sticky. I don’t feel good. After linking with you, I have nightmares, and I get indigestion even when eating lunch the next day.”

 

ShutUp’s expression contorted even more than before. Maybe I overdid it.

 

“For someone who says that, your moans weren’t exactly quiet. You were arching your back and moaning.”

 

“Th-that’s… that’s just the game settings… it’s not my will.”

 

His eyes shimmered with a blue light, clearly agitated. ShutUp dropped a town return scroll at my feet.

 

“Alright. Get lost.”

 

That was the most welcome news I’d heard and what I had been hoping for. Yet, strangely, I felt like I was being rejected by him, both in reality and in the game. So, I felt the need for a more definitive relationship establishment.

 

“Fine. Since it’s come to this, let’s also dissolve our partnership.”

 

ShutUp, who had turned halfway, smiled with his lips askew.

 

“You don’t regret saying that?”

 

“Why would I regret it?”

 

“Is that so? Fine then.”

 

<<‘ShutUp’ has dissolved the partnership.>>

 

‘Wow. Such a quick-acting bastard.’

 

After confirming the partnership dissolution, I picked up the return scroll to go to town and tried to use it, but my nape was suddenly grabbed.

 

“That was a consideration I gave you as your partner. Now you’re a stranger. There’s no need for mercy.”

 

With that, he threw me out of the pavilion. With an irresistible force, I flew like a stone and plunged into the water.

 

“Gasp… hic…!”

 

It felt suffocating underwater, but I could breathe. I couldn’t open my eyes even in a swimming pool, but perhaps because it was a game, I could open them.

 

It was a lake, but it was as deep and serene as a blue ocean. Since I could swim, I slowly tried to ascend to the surface, but I saw a long, serpentine tail.

 

“…!”

 

As I’ve said countless times, this game reflects reality too well. The creature that turned its head towards me looked like an eel… and had an immense number of teeth.

 

Screeeech—!

 

As soon as it saw me, it created a surge of water and approached in an instant. It reminded me of how a snake swims underwater.

 

I tried to swim away, but I was merely tossed about like debris. When I turned my head slightly, I saw its snout open wide, and as I closed my eyes in surprise, my entire body felt constricted, and blood spread around me. And my lower half slowly sank to the bottom of the lake.

 

Thus, I was torn to shreds and killed by this unknown lake creature. All because ShutUp had thrown me away. As my vision reached the lake’s surface, I saw someone’s face looking down at me. ShutUp was smiling with satisfaction as he watched me being ripped apart.

 

“Aargh!!”

 

Ultimately, that day, I had the same nightmare while sleeping.

 

The horror of that moment was so terrifying that it appeared in my dreams. The pale, vacant eyes approaching from the dark blue water, and the snout with densely packed sharp teeth. The sensation of another mouth appearing inside its mouth and digging into my neck. Most of all, the moment I was chased, my heart pounding, was etched into my mind even after I turned off the game.

 

“Ha… so damn scary.”

 

That was my impression after finishing the game yesterday.

 

The urgent moment, which made me break out in a cold sweat, was etched into my mind, and now I woke up screaming from a similar dream. Above all, ShutUp’s devilish face looking down at me was unforgettable.

 

‘What a cruel bastard.’

 

Yesterday, my level became 45. It was lowered once by ShutUp and once by that eel-like monster…

 

However, on the other hand, I felt relieved and happy that since my partnership with ShutUp was broken, I could meet a new Psychic. And now, ShutUp. No, Seomun Jun wouldn’t be tracking me, so I could protect my real life.

 

Taking advantage of the nightmare, I went to the bathroom and, while washing my face, smiled contentedly at my reflection.

 

*

 

I started my commute, telling myself that a pleasant Friday had begun.

 

This Saturday was a day the office would be closed. The thought of being able to play games late into the night after work tonight filled me with anticipation, wondering if I might meet a good female Psychic.

 

Humming a tune, I opened the office door when I heard a loud engine sound from behind. That exhaust note. I knew without looking. It was Seomun Jun’s car. I couldn’t understand why he always parked here in the morning.

 

I tried to pretend I didn’t see him and enter the office, but the closing door didn’t shut and swung open.

 

“Are you heading in now?”

 

“Well… yes. I open at 9:30.”

 

I had planned to clean the front of the office for the first time in a while, but Seomun Jun entered, so I couldn’t do anything and just took a drink from the mini-fridge and handed it to him as he sat on the sofa.

 

“But, why so early…”

 

“Ah, damn it. Nothing’s going right.”

 

As soon as I handed him the drink, Jun twisted the cap and downed it in one gulp, sighing and expressing his annoyance. As far as I knew, he had a passionate link with Sunshine Angel, who admired him at 87 percent matching rate yesterday, so I wondered why.

 

I wanted to ask, ‘Is it because of that?’ but since I wasn’t GentleTouch, I held back and asked again.

 

“Is something wrong?”

 

“That person from yesterday. Ha, seriously.”

 

So, who?

 

I needed him to specify whether he meant Sunshine Angel or the new tenant so I could chime in, but as it stood, the only person related to me was the new tenant, so I wondered if there was a problem with the interior renovation on the 6th floor. When the two of them entered the building across the street yesterday, they looked like they would fall in love overnight.

 

“I can’t cancel the contract.”

 

As expected, he was talking about Namgung Bin. Unfortunately, I had to say what needed to be said.

 

“Even if you withdraw the contract, the commission cannot be refunded.”

 

I said ‘no take-backs’ firmly, but seeing him with his head bowed, only looking up with his eyes, I felt a weak urge to return half of it. It wasn’t like we’d only clash for a day or two, and there might be more properties to broker in his building in the future.

 

“Ah, did you look into that?”

 

“Look into what?”

 

“The phone number.”

 

Wow, what a persistent bastard.

 

I almost yelled out loud, “Did you not get enough links with Sunshine Angel yesterday and break up your partnership, yet you’re still obsessed?!” Why is he like this? He’s totally obsessed.

 

“There’s no way to find out.”

 

Then, Jun picked up his phone and made a call somewhere. I thought nothing of it until my phone, charging next to the PC, rang.

 

I rushed over and flipped the screen down. Then, pretending to look for something in a drawer while sitting at my desk, I switched it to airplane mode. After composing myself, I sat back down opposite Jun. He pressed the call button again, frowning.

 

“What the, why isn’t it connecting? This is really…”

 

With the person in question right in front of him, Jun swore profusely and spat harsh words at Gentle, my second self. Honestly, it would be a lie to say I wasn’t hurt.

 

“Argh! What’s the point of saying anything? They can’t hear me. It’s just a waste of my breath.”

 

‘No, I’m listening to everything.’

 

I could tolerate any insult, but when he finally spat out, “Another impotent bastard,” I almost retorted, ‘I’m not impotent!’ How dare he touch a man’s pride like that. What a rude guy.

 

“Ah. If that tenant from yesterday comes by wanting to cancel the contract, just let them. I don’t want to meet them.”

 

“Yes. Is there any reason why I wouldn’t?”

 

If I had added ‘Your Highness’ at the end, it would have been perfect. I answered like a eunuch, and Jun gave me an displeased look before leaving without another word.

 

‘What, dude? You said I was impotent. I answered like an impotent person, and now you’re acting like this.’

 

As Jun roughly opened the door and left, Hyesun, the owner of the clothing store next door who was entering my office, yelped in surprise.

 

Normally, you should pull the door open to leave, but because some people push it open like that, passersby get startled. I had it set up so it would catch when pushed, but it quickly became useless.

 

“Oh, that startled me. But, what the heck, that rude…”

 

“He’s a rude one.”

 

I added to Hyesun’s words as she watched Jun’s retreating back heading towards the building across the street.

 

“Why is that person here so early in the morning?”

 

“Well, there’s a contract from yesterday, and it seems there’s a conflict with the new tenant. They were acting like best friends yesterday. But, Hyesun, what brings you here so early?”

 

As I asked, I quickly got up and offered her the drink I had given to Jun. She shyly accepted it, took a sip, and looked at me.

 

“Excuse me, what are you doing next weekend?”

 

“Next week? Hmm… Nothing much, really.”

 

“Then, would you like to go somewhere with me?”

 

“Huh?”

 

They say love comes without any warning. She, the owner of the clothing store, was asking me out on a date. Because she ran a clothing store, her usual appearance and style made her look like she could easily have a boyfriend, so I had never looked at her with that kind of intention… But now, my heart was pounding, and I felt good.

 

“I’ll go. What time and where should we meet?”

 

“Let’s meet at Samsung Station by ten. I’ll tell you where we’re going when we meet that day.”

 

“But, why not this week, why next week…?”

 

“Well, I need some time to prepare. Anyway, you must keep your schedule free next week.”

 

Was I going to escape being single next week? I had thought Hyesun was pretty, but that was just my objective opinion as a neighboring shop owner, not as someone interested in her romantically. But now, making such a personal arrangement, she seemed different.

 

I wished it were this week, but next week was fine too. Didn’t they say life is half misfortune and half happiness? Now that I’ve removed the misfortune that is Seomun Jun, happiness in the form of Hyesun awaits.

 

“Um, then I’ll be going.”

 

“Yes.”

 

I waved goodbye to her as she left.

 

“Sigh…”

 

But, seeing the dark-colored vehicle, I sighed again. Some of the neighboring real estate agents asked, ‘Is that my car?’ Of course, they were joking, knowing full well it wasn’t.

 

When I sweep the front of my office, I usually only sweep up to the hardware store. Today, I extended my reach to Hyesun’s clothing store.

 

“Hello, President Yoo. You’re busy already this morning.”

 

Just then, someone greeted me. It was President Heo from Daebak Real Estate up there. Seeing him with clients so early in the morning showed he had exceptional business acumen.

 

“Hello.”

 

His comment about me being busy was just a polite formality. I wanted to retort, ‘Looking at me sweeping the front of the building with a broom, do I look busy anywhere?’ But, well… what’s the point, so I just scooped the collected trash into a dustpan.

 

Then, I overheard them talking in front of Seomun Jun’s building.

 

“President. There’s a very spacious office on the 6th floor here, would you like to take a look?”

 

“The building is clean, too. It’s okay.”

 

President Heo said, “Let me see,” and I saw him making a call to Seomun Jun. I lingered there, even though I had already swept everything up and just needed to throw it away.

 

I wanted to see President Heo’s disappointed face when he heard it was already under contract. He was the one who had chided me at the local real estate agents’ meeting, saying, ‘Why did you come all the way here, you should have gone somewhere else.’

 

“Oh my, President Seomun Jun. This is President Heo from Daebak Real Estate. I was wondering if we could take a quick look at the 6th floor? Yes, we’re right in front. Yes? Ah… Is that so?”

 

See, I told you it was under contract. Go away, you fat cat. Hmph, I thought, laughing inwardly.

 

“Ah, darn it. It was just rented out recently. President, let’s go somewhere else. Honestly, the landlord of this building is quite unpleasant…”

 

“Oh, really? The building looks good, though. What a shame…”

 

The client licked his lips. President Heo led his client away, glancing at me.

 

“President Heo is also busy this morning.”

 

I responded with a smile. Then, Ah, the world is joyful, I thought, and went inside the office to throw away the trash.

 

It’s been a morning full of good things. I got one over on President Heo, who always annoyed me, and I’ve even started a personal friendship with Hyesun. I wish every day were like this.