TGMND 108

‘You have died. Would you like to resurrect in a nearby village?’

In the middle of the Eurabi Coral Reef, Yeo-woon’s character collapsed onto the ground. A crude gravestone appeared over his fallen character. The coral reef was always a tough spot, especially the second sub-boss monster. This time, he really thought he’d make it through without dying.

Yeo-woon sighed and used the resurrection token item. A bright light enveloped Yeo-woon’s character, successfully resurrecting with 50% HP. Yeo-woon immediately clung to a ladder, avoiding the monster’s attacks while fully replenishing his health. Taking advantage of this, the remaining three party members completely defeated the monster.

[Party] ParkRoach: Eeeh

[Party] ParkRoach: Neuta died again lol

Ugh, that cockroach again… here we go.

[Party] ParkRoach: You probably spend more on resurrection items than dungeon runs, huh? Am I right?

[Party] neutaaaa: Busted ㅠ

ParkRoach had recently found fun in teasing Yeo-woon, who had a surprisingly high death rate for a hero. In these situations, quickly admitting and brazenly moving on was the fastest way to escape the teasing.

Of course, ParkRoach wasn’t wrong. He knew he died a lot. But it was a bit unfair too. ParkRoach died just as much as he did.

‘Always picking on me… Am I just easy?’

Given the chance, he wanted to get a small revenge on ParkRoach. Though when that chance would come was uncertain.

[Party] neutaaaa: If you’re going to tease me, at least cover the cost of the resurrection items

[Party] ParkRoach: Wow Neuta… Now you’re extorting money from people

[Party] ParkRoach: Here you go

[Party] ParkRoach: For your resurrection item costs, lol

ParkRoach used a skill to scatter coins. An “Acquired 319 BELL!” message appeared in the item acquisition window at the bottom left.

[Party] neutaaaa: Ah…. Thanks, but…

[Party] ParkRoach: ?

[Party] neutaaaa: I hope you didn’t strain yourself, given your financial situation ㅠㅠ

[Party] neutaaaa: I feel a bit sorry… haha

[Party] Halloween Eggplant: How much did you get?

[Party] neutaaaa: 300 bell

[Party] Ji9star: Wow so pitiful I would’ve returned it ㅠㅅㅠ

[Party] neutaaaa: Should I return it?

[Party] ParkRoach: No;;

[Party] Halloween Eggplant: Really stingy haha

If he was going to be charitable, he should do it properly. 300 Bell? When Yeo-woon poked ParkRoach’s pride, ParkRoach used a higher-level money-scattering skill. Finally, 10,000 Bells at a time, ParkRoach’s money started accumulating in Yeo-woon’s account.

The effect of banknotes and cash falling on his head with jingling sounds was very flashy and brilliant. But for some reason, it felt like his pride was being shaved off.

[Party] Ji9star: But Cockroach

[Party] ParkRoach: It’s ParkRoach

[Party] Ji9star: Doesn’t Cockroach die more than Neuta? lol

[Party] ParkRoach: It’s ParkRoach!

That’s when Earth Star subtly took his side. Whenever others ganged up on him, Earth Star unfailingly took his side. Perhaps that’s why having him around was reassuring and helpful.

[Party] Ji9star: Cockroach is Cockroach lol

[Party] ParkRoach: F**k

[Party] Ji9star: Shouldn’t Cockroach be the one receiving charity since he uses more resurrection items?

[Party] ParkRoach: No, it’s ParkRoachㅡㅡ

[Party] Halloween Eggplant: Give up lol

[Party] ParkRoach: Give me a nickname change token, crappy game;;

[Party] ParkRoach: And that’s because I recently changed my equipment set

[Party] ParkRoach: My defense is a bit lower;;

Lately, even considering that ParkRoach was a healer, he had been feeling somewhat more vulnerable. So, ParkRoach had changed his equipment too. Yeo-woon nodded in understanding.

When running high-level dungeons, it was essential to adjust your gear to the dungeon’s specific traits. For example, the “Eurabi Coral Reef” dungeon was underwater, where not only did players face speed debuffs, but fire-based skills were also 30% less effective. To deal with the fast-swimming monsters, at least two pieces of equipment with speed buffs were necessary. ParkRoach must have sacrificed some defense to prioritize speed.

[Party] ParkRoach: Come on, at least compare fairly, lol

[Party] ParkRoach: Didn’t Earth Star lend equipment to Neuta recently?

[Party] neutaaaa: Gasp

Yeo-woon actually held his breath. How does he know that?

[Party] Ji9star: Ah, babe, I told you to keep it a secret, haha

[Party] Ji9star: Did you brag to the guild? >_

[Party] neutaaaa: No no;;

[Party] ParkRoach: lololol everyone in the guild knows

[Party] neutaaaa: I never mentioned it in guild chat, how did you know?

It didn’t make sense unless Earth Star subtly bragged when he wasn’t around. Earth Star had been so insistent on keeping it secret that he deliberately kept quiet when equipment talk came up. But how on earth did they know?

[Party] Halloween Eggplant: lololololol

[Party] Halloween Eggplant: Lolol, seriously… Anyone can tell…

[Party] Halloween Eggplant: Neuta, you’ve got your gear info open to the public right now

“…I do?”

[Party] ParkRoach: Weren’t you showing it off on purpose? lol

[Party] Halloween Eggplant: It’s obviously Earth Star’s equipment, so everyone knows….

[Party] ParkRoach: For real;;;

[Party] neutaaaa: Oh no…

Yeo-woon had no idea. Apparently, everyone in the guild had known. When did he leave his gear info open? He hurriedly opened the options menu and turned off the gear visibility.

[Party]Halloween Eggplant: But Earth Star’s weakness is exposed?

[Party]Halloween Eggplant: What’s up with you lending gear to someone else? And a full set with maxed options, no less.

[Party] ParkRoach: For real;

[Party] ParkRoach: If you don’t need it, sell some to me

[Party] neutaaaa: ParkRoach, you’re broke ㅜㅜ

[Party] ParkRoach: No

[Party] Halloween Eggplant: Really lol can’t understand Earth Star’s mind

[Party] Ji9star: lolololololol well~

[Party] Ji9star: You guys wouldn’t know unless you’ve had a lover

[Party] ParkRoach: This is annoying;; You’re not even really dating

When the Coral Reef dungeon had just opened recently, Earth Star had gone to the dungeon before Yeo-woon as soon as the update finished. Afterward, as soon as Yeo-woon logged in, he forcibly lent his equipment he hadn’t even asked for, so Yeo-woon was currently fully equipped with gear lent by Earth Star.

When lending the equipment to Yeo-woon, Earth Star had made sure to boast about it constantly. He proudly claimed that people had begged him to sell those items, but he only lent them to his ‘Hyung.’ Earth Star, who had been lecturing late into the night about how generous he was, quieted down when Yeo-woon sent him a chicken gift certificate as a rental fee.

[Party] ParkRoach: I blew up equipment several times trying to meet minimum options

[Party] ParkRoach: While Neuta borrows super high defense gear for free

[Party] ParkRoach: So comparing me and Neuta doesn’t make senseㅡㅡ

[Party] Ji9star: lolololololol

[Party] Ji9star: What’s the problem with me lending my own stuff?

[Party] neutaaaa: That’s right that’s right ^^

[Party] ParkRoach: Sigh… I’m jealous f**k

[Party] ParkRoach: I spent hundreds of millions just to meet minimum speed and attack/defense ㅠㅠ

[Party] Ji9star: Aww

Earth Star scattered coins three times in a row to ParkRoach while giggling.

[Party] Ji9star: Here, for your resurrection item costs lol

Earth Star threw ParkRoach’s words right back at him. Suddenly, Yeo-woon’s affection for Earth Star soared. He quickly stood next to Earth Star and felt relieved as they showered ParkRoach with money together.

[Party] Halloween Eggplant: What are you guys doing lol

[Party] neutaaaa: Helping the poor Cockroach

[Party] Ji9star: lololololololololol

[Party] Halloween Eggplant: lolololololololololololololol

[Party] ParkRoach: You two are ganging up on me ㅠㅠ

ParkRoach used an angry emoticon expression while unexpectedly receiving charity. Yeo-woon was glad Earth Star was on his side. He decided to bring Earth Star along more often from now on.

[Party] ParkRoach: I didn’t even say anything wrong but you’re siding with Neuta just because you’re a coupleㅡㅡ

[Party] ParkRoach: You’re both so annoying ㅠ

[Party] Ji9star: If you’re jealous, get a partner too

[Party] Ji9star: Right babe >_<

[Party] neutaaaa: That’s right that’s right ^^ lol

[Party] ParkRoach: Whatever, don’t talk to me…

[Party] ParkRoach: You’re both the same

[Party] Halloween Eggplant: lolololololololol

By now, Yeo-woon had become accustomed to being called “babe” by Earth Star at random times. At first, it felt so cringy, but after seeing other in-game couples playfully use pet names a few times. It seemed to be a tradition in Illusion.

[Party] Halloween Eggplant: I’ll eat quickly and come back, so wait for me, and don’t start without me

[Party] ParkRoach: Take me with you~

‘Halloween Eggplant has left the party.’

‘Halloween Eggplant has logged out.’

[Party] Ji9star: Bye bye

‘ParkRoach has left the party.’

‘ParkRoach has logged out.’

While the two were briefly disconnected, Yeo-woon stretched and loosened his tight shoulder muscles. At that moment, a speech bubble popped up above Earth Star’s head.

[Guild] Ji9star: Finally, just the two of us left hehe

“…?”

Wait, that was in the guild chat?

[Couple] Ji9star: Oh crap, wrong chat!ㅠㅠㅠㅠ

[Couple] neutaaaa: What are you doing lol

It seems he mistakenly sent to guild chat what was meant for the couple chat. I knew he’d make a mistake someday.

[Guild] CatMeowMeowMeow: What are you talking about?

[Guild] Ji9star: Not you lol

[Guild] CatMeowMeowMeow: What’s that supposed to meanㅡㅡ

[Guild] Ji9star:ㅡㅡ

[Guild] al0ha: Looks like Earth Star made a chat mistake lol

[Guild] CatMeowMeowMeow: You make a mistake and get mad at meㅡㅡ

[Guild] neutaaaa: Sigh, really….

[Couple] Ji9star: Why aren’t you taking my side, hyung?

[Couple] neutaaaa: It’s your mistake, keep quiet

[Couple] Ji9star: ;;

Yeo-woon calmly brushed off Earth Star’s chat mistake. And while people were briefly away, he pondered what his problem was. He reviewed the video from their recent dungeon run and noticed something odd. While the others managed to survive even after being hit by the boss’s ultimate attack, he was killed instantly with just one blow.

Just once, when he had taken a defense-increasing potion, he had survived an ultimate attack, which meant his health was so poor that he couldn’t even withstand one ultimate attack from the boss monster.

But there was still hope. If he could just make a slight improvement, he wouldn’t be knocked out by a single hit anymore.

‘I’m just slightly lacking…’

But how should he make up for it? There’s a limit to doping with potions that have all sorts of effects. And if he messed with the skill tree wrongly, it could throw off the balance completely and make things worse.

‘I followed the skill tree exactly as in the guide, why am I the only one like this.’

He wanted to see how others had raised their heroes. Yeo-woon grumbled to himself as he closed the windows one by one. That’s when an unfamiliar button caught his eye.

“…Propose?”

A button he hadn’t seen before had appeared in the couple status window with Earth Star. From what Yeo-woon knew, Illusion’s couple system didn’t unlock the proposal button unless the couple had been together for a certain amount of time or their affection level was maxed out.

‘Your relationship with Couple Ji9star is “Lv. 8 Exclusive to Each Other.”’

Level 8 was the maximum grade in an unmarried state. Yeo-woon hadn’t paid any attention to their couple window or fed any affection-boosting items, but perhaps because they went on party hunts together so often, they had already reached the maximum level.

Now that he thought about it, it was a little odd if their affection hadn’t maxed out, considering they spent nearly every day together. As he scrolled through the couple buffs, a thought crossed his mind.

‘I wonder if the buffs are different after getting married?’

He quickly started digging through the couple window. The solution to his problem with low health might just be found here.

‘After getting married, couples receive a stat buff of 1% to all stats, 2% damage reduction, and 2% defense increase for each affection level when hunting in a party together.’

After getting married and unlocking the affection level, the maximum affection level rises to level 10. It seemed that marriage alone could fill this lacking stat without having to bother with various effect potions. Yeo-woon immediately spoke to Earth Star.

[Couple] neutaaaa: Gubyeol

[Couple] Ji9star: ?

‘You cannot propose yet. You lack the “Will you marry me” item.’

When he pressed the proposal button, a system message about lacking an item he’d never seen before popped up. What kind of name is that for an item? And how do you even hold a wedding?

[Couple] neutaaaa: How do you get this “Will you marry me” item?

[Couple] Ji9star: W hat?

[Couple] Ji9star: Whysuddenlythis

[Couple] neutaaaa: Wait, searching it up

[Couple] Ji9star: No!!!!! Wait don’t go

[Couple] Ji9star: Why?? lol You shouldn’t need it unless you’re proposing

[Couple] Ji9star: But are you getting married?

[Couple] neutaaaa: Yeah, want to?

[Couple] Ji9star: Uh, it’s with me, though…

[Couple] neutaaaa: lololololololololol

[Couple] neutaaaa: If we get married, we get more couple hunting buffs

[Couple] neutaaaa: And I’ve received wedding buffs a few times, it’s pretty sweet

[Couple] Ji9star: I know;

[Couple] Ji9star: But why are you proposing at a dungeon entrance… geez

Who cares about the proposal location? If that was the issue, Yeo-woon would’ve gladly moved to a more fitting spot. Earth Star, who Yeo-woon thought would immediately agree and suggest having the ceremony right away, hesitated for a while before saying:

[Couple] Ji9star: Ah my head hurts…

[Couple] Ji9star: You don’t play any games other than Illusion, right…?

[Couple] neutaaaa: Yeah

[Couple] Ji9star: Then that’s a relief…

[Couple] Ji9star: Don’t say things like this just anywhereㅡㅡ

[Couple] neutaaaa: Someone might think I cursed you out…

[Couple] Ji9star: And babe, we can’t get married yet >_

Yeo-woon, who hadn’t expected to be rejected, blinked and read Earth Star’s words several times. He couldn’t understand. Wasn’t it Earth Star who had been so shocked when he broke up their couple before and asked to date again? How could the person who seemed most sincere about the couple system say he didn’t want to get married?

[Couple] neutaaaa: Why??

[Couple] Ji9star: You don’t even know who I am lol

[Couple] neutaaaa: You’re

[Couple] Ji9star: lololololol Marriage is for people who know each other well~

[Couple] neutaaaa: What does that have to do with this?

[Couple] neutaaaa: Don’t get too immersed in the game

[Couple] Ji9star: Games are life tooㅡㅡ

[Couple] Ji9star: And I don’t marry people I don’t know well!

[Couple] Ji9star: Unless it’s someone I’ve met in person lol

Yeo-woon was about to argue for the necessity of the marriage buff but was left speechless by Earth Star’s words. He’d been subtly suggesting they meet up in real life for a while now, but why was he so fixated on this offline meeting?

[Couple] neutaaaa: Ah can’t you just marry me? ㅠㅠ

[Couple] Ji9star: Nope

[Couple] neutaaaa: Why ㅠㅠ

[Couple] Ji9star: If you meet me, I will!

[Couple] Ji9star: I have lots of time lol!!

“…”

He had no intention of meeting Earth Star in real life. He wouldn’t have much time except on weekends… But recently, he had someone to spend weekends with, so there was no time to meet Earth Star.

[Couple] neutaaaa: OK, tell me if you change your mind….

[Couple] Ji9star: You tell me if you change your mind lol

[Couple] Ji9star: And lol I’m handsome lol

[Couple] neutaaaa: Is that so?

[Couple] Ji9star: It’s true >

[Couple] Ji9star: Even the guy next door said I’m handsome lol

[Couple] neutaaaa: Oh;;

I didn’t ask…

Yeo-woon sighed, looking at the now unattainable proposal button. Earth Star really seemed unwilling to accept his proposal until he met him in person.