TGMND 124 Side Story

[Guild] ParkRoach: Excuse me

[Guild] ParkRoach: Excuse me??

[Guild] neutaaaa: Me?

[Guild] ParkRoach: Yes, you

“…What’s this?”

Yoon Ji-gu frowned and stopped what he was doing. Has that cockroach gone crazy? Why is he suddenly acting up with Yeo-woon?

[Guild] ParkRoach: Are you a hacker? I’m asking cautiously out of curiosity…

[Guild] neutaaaa: What are you talking about? lol

[Guild] neutaaaa: Suddenly changing someone’s profession…

He couldn’t help but snicker. Among these people, he knows Yeo-woon best. He was itching to flatten the cockroach’s nose, who was pretending to know everything about Yeo-woon.

[Guild] Ji9star: Hacker? lol

[Guild] Ji9star: There’s nothing valuable on Neuta’s account anyway

[Guild] Ji9star: You should know, he is completely broke lol

[Guild] CatMeowMeowMeow: lololololol

[Guild] ParkRoach: lolololololololol ah

[Whisper] neutaaaa: Wanna die?^^

“Why is he getting upset even when I’m trying to defend you?”

He was just trying to defend in his own way. Yoon Ji-gu grumbled discontentedly.

[Guild] CatMeowMeowMeow: But why isn’t Neuta wearing the cloak?

[Guild] ParkRoach: That’s right

[Guild] Ji9star: ??

Cloak? There was no mention of that.

[Guild] Halloween Eggplant: Oh, come to think of it, that makes sense

[Guild] Halloween Eggplant: Neuta is someone who’d give his life for his cloak

[Guild] neutaaaa: What do you mean give my life;;

[Guild] al0ha: Maybe it’s really not Neuta?

[Guild] Captain Poseidon: Oh…

Yoon Ji-gu was also intrigued by the mention of Yeo-woon not wearing the cloak. Why would Yeo-woon take off the cloak? Is it really not hyung?

[Guild] CatMeowMeowMeow: Anyway, it might be understandable if it was someone else, but it’s strange for Neuta to act like this

Yoon Ji-gu was also suspicious, but he thought he should at least take his lover’s side. Yoon Ji-gu, stomping out the sprouting seeds of doubt, began to defend Yeo-woon without hesitation.

[Guild] Ji9star: Maybe you’re reading into it a bit much lol

[Guild] Ji9star: He probably just took it off for a moment >_<

[Guild] CatMeowMeowMeow: It’s not just for a moment? He’s been like this since earlier

[Guild] CatMeowMeowMeow: Looks like a hacker’s looting his items

[Guild] Ji9star: What if I go and it turns out to be wrong?

[Guild] CatMeowMeowMeow: If it’s wrong, you get a punch lol

[Guild] Ji9star: OK lol

[Guild] Ji9star: Then if it’s a lie, can I sell your info to CatCrush?

[Guild] CatMeowMeowMeow: Sure

[Guild] Ji9star: Seems like it’s true lol Sorry~

[Guild] CatMeowMeowMeow: One punch saved up

[Guild] Ji9star: Transfer completed to the captain.

[Guild] CatMeowMeowMeow: OK

[Guild] Captain Poseidon: ?

[Guild] Captain Poseidon: Why me all of a sudden?

Seeing that CatMeowMeowMeow didn’t change his words even when provoked on a sensitive spot recently, it didn’t seem to be a lie. Yoon Ji-gu immediately switched to couple chat and directly asked ‘Neuta’, who wasn’t making any excuses.

[Couple] Ji9star: Hey you

[Couple] Ji9star: While hyung is asking nicely, log out

[Couple] Ji9star: That guy is really broke so there’s nothing to steal lol

[Couple] Ji9star: It so obvious lol

[Couple] neutaaaa: Gubyeol-ah, do you really want to die?^^

[Couple] neutaaaa: Are you dating a beggar? WTH…

[Couple] Ji9star: Huh?

[Couple] neutaaaa: What do you mean ‘huh’? Do you want me to punish you, Yoon Ji-gu?

[Couple] neutaaaa: And who’s hyung?

“…But you are hyung?”

The only person who knows his real name and calls him by the weird nickname ‘Gubyeol’ is Lee Yeo-woon. Therefore, this wasn’t the work of a hacker.

[Couple] Ji9star: lololol It was just a joke >_<

[Couple] neutaaaa: Be careful ㅡㅡ

“Wow, that was close.”

Pretending as if he hadn’t been suspicious at all from the beginning, Yoon Ji-gu immediately changed his words and started to represent Yeo-woon’s position directly.

[Guild] Ji9star: Breaking news

[Guild] Ji9star: I think that’s really Neuta

[Guild] ParkRoach: How do you know that?

[Guild] Ji9star: They passed my test >_<!

[Guild] al0ha: Test?

[Guild] Halloween Eggplant: What kind of test?

[Guild] Ji9star: Love test♥

[Guild] al0ha: Ah, I see

[Guild] CatMeowMeowMeow: Ah, I see

[Guild] Halloween Eggplant: Ah, I see

[Guild] ParkRoach: Shocking that it wasn’t a hacker

ParkRoach and CatMeowMeowMeow, who had been making a fuss about logging out immediately, finally quieted down. Yoon Ji-gu felt a bit smug thinking he had proven Yeo-woon’s innocence.

[Guild] Ji9star: Why’re you accusing innocent people? Apologize

[Guild] Wandu Wandya: Wow, so only a lover would defend like this, huh? Lol

[Guild] neutaaaa: Gubyeol-ah ㅠㅠ

[Guild] Ji9star: Look, you made him cry—apologize now!

[Guild] ParkRoach: Sorry sorry

[Guild] CatMeowMeowMeow: Sorry

[Guild] neutaaaa: It’s okay~

[Guild] neutaaaa: These things happen^^ Just don’t do it again

[Guild] ParkRoach: You’re pretty cool lol

[Guild] neutaaaa: Yep haha

“What’s this?”

Yoon Ji-gu glared at the chat window with his arms crossed. He was the one who cleared up all this misunderstanding, but Yeo-woon didn’t even thank him. Why are they creating this warm atmosphere among themselves? He didn’t like this situation at all.

[Guild] Halloween Eggplant: But

[Guild] Halloween Eggplant: What if it’s really a hacker despite all this?

[Guild] Ji9star: I told you it’s really him?

Yoon Ji-gu was frustrated with people doubting Yeo-woon, even though he himself had been a bit suspicious earlier.

[Guild] Halloween Eggplant: Let’s be real, it’s not like anyone’s seen his face

[Guild] Halloween Eggplant: And Neuta said before that he was too lazy to set up a secondary password

Whoa. That’s… not great.

“I better go fix that for him.”

[Guild] Halloween Eggplant: Isn’t he practically a perfect target for hacking?

[Guild] CatMeowMeowMeow: Shudder

[Guild] ParkRoach: Now that you mention it, it does make sense…

How does it make sense?

Yoon Ji-gu felt smug. As expected, he knows Yeo-woon best. He didn’t even need to make a phone call. There was something between Yeo-woon and himself that others didn’t have. Unlike other guild members, he and Yeo-woon had a special relationship, they had actually met in person, and they even used pet names.

[Guild] Captain Poseidon: I asked in the guild chat, and fortunately, it is Neuta himself ^^

Checking his phone for the guild char, he saw that the Guild Master, Captain Poseidon, had sent a message requesting identity verification along with a screen capture. Yeo-woon had simply replied with a single letter ‘y’.

[Guild] neutaaaa: Why do you keep doubting me? ㅠㅠ

[Guild] Halloween Eggplant: Sorry…

[Guild] neutaaaa: It’s okay~

[Guild] Halloween Eggplant: Thanks

[Guild] neutaaaa: Haha

[Guild] ParkRoach: Lololol look at that quick change, so cool

[Guild] Wandu Wandya: Lololololol

[Guild] Captain Poseidon: Lolololololol

[Guild] KidneyRat: Lolololololol

[Guild] al0ha: Lolololololololololol

[Guild] Ji9star: Still, I’m the only one who defended you, right? >_<

[Guild] neutaaaa: Yes Gubyeol, only you honey ><♥♥

Yoon Ji-gu stared at the suddenly frozen chat window, his cheeks turning bright red. He suddenly felt so fond of Yeo-woon. He liked Yeo-woon calling him Gubyeol, and even the unfamiliar pet names like ‘honey’ were lovable.

[Guild] Captain Poseidon: Why are they acting like this when they’re not even really dating?

[Guild] ParkRoach: They might as well date lol

[Guild] Captain Poseidon: Probably not.

[Guild] CatMeowMeowMeow: Why are you all so serious? They’re both guys, so that’s a bit… lol Probably not

[Guild] Wandu Wandya: Lololol If you ask me, Cat, you’re the one taking it too seriously

[Guild] CatMeowMeowMeow: What did I do?

[Guild] Wandu Wandya: Look, gender aside, if they were actually dating, there’s no way they’d act like this

[Guild] Wandu Wandya: It’s 100% attention-seeking roleplay

[Guild] CatMeowMeowMeow: I guess that’s true

[Guild] Halloween Eggplant: It would be fun if they did date! lol

[Guild] Wandu Wandya: What’s fun about that? lol It would be more fun if Cat dated Chn

[Guild] CatMeowMeowMeow: ?^^

[Guild] Wandu Wandya: I’m sorry Cat

[Guild] Wandu Wandya: Challenge me to PVP, please spare me

[Guild] CatMeowMeowMeow: Lol hurry up and accept so I can beat you up^^

[Guild] Ji9star: Gangster Cat

[Guild] Wandu Wandya: I’m going to lose anyway ㅠ

[Guild] neutaaaa: Lololololololol

Whether CatMeowMeowMeow had an online stalker or not didn’t matter; it was all fake. But our relationship was real. All these clueless fools… It felt so satisfying, knowing he was the only one who understood Yeo-woon’s true self. Moments like these left Yoon Ji-gu feeling a peculiar sense of fulfillment.

[Guild] ParkRoach: Can I say something?

[Guild] ParkRoach: At first I thought Neuta was so pitiful

[Guild] ParkRoach: But now they just seem like birds of a feather

[Guild] ParkRoach: Neuta~ and Earth Star~

[Guild] ParkRoach: They’re equally matched~ Both cut from the same cloth

[Guild] al0ha: Equally matched? lol Such dishonor

[Guild] Ji9star: ??

[Guild] Wandu Wandya: Lololololol Neuta didn’t used to be like this…

[Guild] neutaaaa: Was I?

[Guild] ParkRoach: Yeah totally

[Guild] ParkRoach: At first Neuta always seemed unhappy

[Guild] ParkRoach: Always being harassed by Earth Star, but now he’s just like a second Earth Star

[Guild] Wandu Wandya: He’s totally rubbed off on him ㅠㅠ

[Guild] Ji9star: Don’t insult me

[Guild] ParkRoach: Being like Earth Star = insult? lol

[Guild] Ji9star: It is an insult—come on ㅡㅡ

[Guild] ParkRoach: Oh, you get it?

[Guild] Ji9star: Yeah, it’s an insult, dammit

[Guild] ParkRoach: Oho, not bad—you’re pretty sharp, huh? lol

“What’s with ‘like Earth Star’?

Yoon Ji-gu grumbled as he refuted the guild members’ words. Far from being alike, Yeo-woon and he were completely different in body type, appearance, personality, and lifestyle. If Yeo-woon had had a personality similar to his own, they probably would never have gotten this close. After all, Yoon Ji-gu always avoided people who seemed to be of the same type as himself.

That’s when it happened.

[Guild] neutaaaa: Ah, I get it

[Guild] neutaaaa: I guess we’ve grown alike because we’re in love ^-^

“…Cough!”

For a moment, an awkward silence hung over the guild chat window at Yeo-woon’s words. Yoon Ji-gu choked in surprise, and small round tears formed at the corners of his sharp eyes.

[Guild] al0ha: Anyone wants to go to the Milky Way;

[Guild] CatMeowMeowMeow: Me…

[Guild] Wandu Wandya: What are we going to do about this atmosphere

“H-how can hyung say such things so casually!”

After his cough finally subsided, Yoon Ji-gu covered his face with one hand and quietly exclaimed, even though no one could see him. L-love? And they’ve grown alike because of it? Just mumbling it to himself made his face burn hot.

[Guild] ParkRoach: Seriously, what’s up with Neuta? lololol

[Guild] neutaaaa: ? Because I love him^^

[Guild] al0ha: Please shut that mouth

[Guild] neutaaaa: OK ^^

[Guild] ParkRoach: Sometimes this person seems worse than Earth Star

[Guild] ParkRoach: Seems to be getting more and more weird as days go by

[Guild] Halloween Eggplant: ?

[Guild] ParkRoach: Not talking to you—go away. For real, stop butting in

[Guild] Halloween Eggplant: Okay,,ㅠ

[Guild] CatMeowMeowMeow: Lololol

“…”

So that’s why they look alike? Is Yeo-woon… really in love with me? Ji-gu pressed his lips together tightly, trying to contain the overwhelming affection he felt swelling up inside.

Others might not recognize Yeo-woon immediately due to their shallow relationship with him, but he and Yeo-woon could always recognize each other with just a single exchange. It was thrilling that none of the guild members noticed this special relationship between them. It made him feel uniquely special.

[Guild] ParkRoach: I got it! Someone must have possessed Neuta’s body;;;

[Guild] neutaaaa: ?

[Guild] ParkRoach: #PossessionStory

[Guild] al0ha: Lolololololol

[Guild] ParkRoach: Taking off the cloak is so unlike Neuta lol

[Guild] ParkRoach: And he’s acting more like Earth Star today—it’s suspicious, no?

[Guild] al0ha: Hmm

[Guild] neutaaaa: Interesting theory

[Guild] ParkRoach: So I’ve been thinking about it, and it seems like

[Guild] ParkRoach: Earth Star has possessed Neuta’s body?

[Guild] Ji9star: ? Then what am I…. – _-;

[Guild] ParkRoach: ?? Good point… What could it be?

Even if ParkRoach’s words were nonsense, there was still the question of why Yeo-woon had taken off the cloak. That cloak was crucial to his illusion magic and something he would never give up on, no matter what. There must be a reason why he suddenly changed his mind when he wouldn’t even listen to pleas to take off the cloak.

“…Ah, gasp!”

Suddenly realizing something, Yoon Ji-gu became urgent. He immediately switched to couple chat in the game, asking very discreetly so only Yeo-woon could see.

[Couple] Ji9star: Hyung…

[Couple] neutaaaa: Yeah

[Couple] Ji9star: Perhaps

[Couple] neutaaaa: Yes?

[Couple] Ji9star: Are you quitting the illusion? ㅠㅠ

[Couple] neutaaaa: Suddenly? lolol

It wasn’t long before the Guild Master cautiously asked the same question as if he had the same thought.

[Guild] Captain Poseidon: Neuta, are you perhaps quitting the game…

[Guild] Ji9star: Gasp, I just thought the same thing ㅜㅜ

[Guild] al0ha: Who gave you permission?

[Guild] Wandu Wandya: Pay back my money before you quit

[Guild] neutaaaa: I’m not quitting lolol ㅠ You’ve been spreading rumors since earlier…

[Guild] neutaaaa: But Wandu, I’ve never borrowed money from you?

[Guild] Wandu Wandya: Ah, you’re not falling for it

[Guild] neutaaaa: ㅡㅡ

[Guild] Captain Poseidon: I thought you were clearing out your items ㅠㅠ

[Guild] Captain Poseidon: I heard you took off your cloak, so I just suspected ㅠㅠ

[Guild] Captain Poseidon: If not, that’s a relief

[Guild] neutaaaa: I literally just changed clothes, that’s all?

“No, something’s off.”

Yoon Ji-gu shook his head. If it was just changing clothes, there’s no reason for the conversation to drag on like this. He would have put that beggar-like cloak back on over the changed outfit… There must be a reason why ParkRoach and CatMeowMeowMeow brought this up.

Yoon Ji-gu immediately teleported to where Yeo-woon’s character was. CatMeowMeowMeow and ParkRoach were already there, standing guard as if to protect Yeo-woon and other Poseidon guild members who had heard the news were crowding around. Al0ha started getting frustrated and randomly firing skills in all directions.

[Global] ParkRoach: #ExplainYourself

[Global] al0ha: ExplainYourself!

[Global] Captain Poseidon: Please explain!

[Global] Wandu Wandya: Explain!

[Global] neutaaaa: Seriously?

[Global] neutaaaa: You told me to take off that hideous cloak, but now that I actually did, you’re staging a protest?

All the guild members stopped what they were doing and came to check Yeo-woon’s outfit. He had indeed taken off that rag-like pitch-black cloak and instead was wearing some clothes that looked like a tattered rag. It was vaguely familiar, but since it hadn’t left much of an impression, it was likely a junk item nobody wanted.

“…W-what is that?”

Yoon Ji-gu was quite taken aback. He wondered where Yeo-woon had found such clothes.

Secretly inspecting Yeo-woon, who had left his equipment viewing permissions open, the name of the outfit he was wearing was ‘Philosopher’s Clothes’. Just ‘Philosopher’s Clothes’, without any modifier. True to its name, it looked like something that might appear in a high school ethics textbook. And it wasn’t just plain—it was frayed at the edges and marred with stains, giving it a worn-out look.

[Global] CatMeowMeowMeow: So you’re not wearing the cloak anymore?

[Global] neutaaaa: Well, for the time being…

[Global] Ji9star: W hat?

“That’s impossible!”

Yoon Ji-gu muttered without realizing it. Of all people, Yeo-woon giving up the cloak? It was unthinkable. That wouldn’t be Neuta anymore!

Yoon Ji-gu searched his memory and barely remembered where that shabby-looking rag came from. A few years ago, it was one of the clothes distributed during a scenario story update. They were handed out so generously that anyone who logged in daily could get multiple sets.

Yoon Ji-gu also remembered buying endless puzzle items that increased enhancement probability with event items at that time, and cursing whenever this rag came out. It wasn’t particularly pretty, and distributed items given to anyone had no value as fashion items. As a result, these Philosopher’s Clothes were forgotten by everyone in less than a week, and he too remembered sending them by mail to some random storage character. He thought he might find a set if he searched through the neglected storage characters.

‘That’s a totally old item, where did he get it?’

Wrapped in that ridiculous white garment, Yeo-woon stood next to his burly pet rabbit. It was absurd. Unless the combat mode was on, its usual appearance was small and incredibly cute, so he couldn’t understand why the pet combat mode was on in town. It seemed Yeo-woon preferred the burly rabbit appearance over the regular rabbit look.

[Couple] Ji9star: Hyung, can I ask you one thing?

Yoon Ji-gu switched to couple chat so only Yeo-woon could see and casually asked.

[Couple] neutaaaa: Lol what is it??

[Couple] Ji9star: The cloak

[Couple] Ji9star: Did you take it off to give it to someone else…? Haha

It was plausible for Yeo-woon, who had a habit of giving anything to people from the same game.

[Couple] neutaaaa: hahahahaha no no

[Couple] neutaaaa: I still have some

[Couple] neutaaaa: I have a few extras, want one?

[Couple] Ji9star: n

He already had one. Though not by choice…

[Couple] neutaaaa: 🙁

Still, why would Yeo-woon, who treasured that cloak as if it were his lifeline, abandon it? The person who insisted he could never take it off no matter what and got all serious and snappy when guild members told him to take off the cloak. Yun Ji-gu couldn’t wrap his head around it.

“…Something’s seriously off.”

Worried, Ji-gu wondered if he should call Yeo-woon or casually ask if something was wrong the next time they met. While debating, a player passing by the Poseidon guild crowd stopped and confidently stood before Yeo-woon.

[Global] OakForestThug: Hey, hey!

An unfamiliar player greeted Yeo-woon with a raised fist, the default Little Forest emote.

[Global] neutaaaa: Hi

Yeo-woon returned the greeting by also raising his fist, and after this brief exchange, OakForestThug continued on their way without lingering. OakForestThug was wearing the same philosopher’s clothes as Yeo-woon, and that fist-raising gesture was a typical Little Forest emoticon.

Only then could Yoon Ji-gu guess that this outfit was currently trendy among Little Forest users.

[Guild] MeowMeowMeow: Hey, that person is wearing the same clothes too

[Guild] Halloween Eggplant: Must be a refugee from that crappy Little Forest lol lol lol

[Guild] neutaaaa: ?

[Guild] Halloween Eggplant: Oh sorry

[Guild] Halloween Eggplant: lol lol lol Wow Neuta is cursing at me in whispers

[Guild] Halloween Eggplant: Too harsh ㅠㅠ lol lol lol lol lol lol

[Guild] Halloween Eggplant: Then should I call it godly Little Forest?

[Guild] Halloween Eggplant: Okay… Sorry sorry

[Guild] Halloween Eggplant: Anyway, has the trendy item changed?

[Guild] neutaaaa: yy

The trendy item has changed? What on earth prompted those stubborn refugees to wear something other than cloaks? It was so ridiculous that Yoon Ji-gu couldn’t even laugh.