TGMND 126

Yoon Ji-gu sat in front of the Isis auction house for an hour, observing people passing by. The rumor that those clothes were popular among the refugees was true. There seemed to be well over thirty people wearing those rag-like clothes.

‘Why are they like this? Now that the main game is Illusion, why do they all miss such an old game so much?’

He couldn’t understand their feelings at all. He had read a post saying that Illusion’s ‘Philosopher’s clothes’ were almost identical to the outfit of a villain NPC in Little Forest 2. But… he couldn’t understand why people would imitate the outfit of some insignificant NPC.

‘It’s really ugly.’

Yoon Ji-gu had subtly suggested to Lee Yeo-woon that they try matching couple looks instead and ditch the shabby outfit, but his idea had been flatly rejected. He even heard the outrageous statement that since this was the current trend, he would give him a set too.

The cloak lasted for over a year, would these Philosopher’s clothes last a year too? Just thinking about it was horrifying. These trends were disruptive to the in-game ecosystem.

The couple items they matched during the Pitch Black Cloak era were all covered by the cloak and looked terrible, but the Philosopher’s clothes are a one-piece outfit, so they can’t match any top or bottom with the same item. Especially Lee Yeo-woon, who’s seriously over-immersed, saying he can’t wear hats or accessories that don’t match the clothes, even removing the rabbit ears they had matched as couple items.

After pondering for a while, Yoon Ji-gu spoke to Lee Yeo-woon.

[Couple] Ji9star: Hyung, I think I’m getting tired of Illusion

[Couple] neutaaaa: Isn’t that obvious?

[Couple] neutaaaa: Try playing only an hour a day

[Couple] neutaaaa: Then it’ll become fun again

[Couple] Ji9star: ㅡㅡ Are you done talking?

[Couple] neutaaaa: What?

‘What? Just because I’ve been gaming at home all day doesn’t mean it’s normal to get bored. I only brought it up as a setup, but what does he know?!’

Yoon Ji-gu twisted Yeo-woon’s words in his mind and got upset by himself.

[Couple] Ji9star: Ah anyway>_<

[Couple] Ji9star: I’m thinking of playing Little Forest again after a long time…

[Couple] neutaaaa: What, really??

‘neutaaaa has logged out.’

[Couple] Ji9star: Yes

[Couple] Ji9star: Wow, he logs out before I can even answer…

Not long after, Yeo-woon’s message arrived.

Lee Yeo-woon Hyung♥: Ji-gu, where are you??^^

He seemed to be already logged into Little Forest. Yoon Ji-gu wasn’t even amused by Lee Yeo-woon eagerly biting at the bait he had thrown just in case.

Lee Yeo-woon Hyung♥: I’m asking where you are^^

Yoon Ji-gu: Ah I’m logging in;; Stop rushing me

Lee Yeo-woon Hyung♥: Come quickly^^

Playing games with Yeo-woon was nice, whether it was Illusion or that failed game called Little-whatever. But the thought of other players flocking to Yeo-woon as soon as he returned was already suffocating. What did he even do there to become such a big name? It was baffling and infuriating.

Still, this was something Ji-gu had to endure for his ultimate goal. As much as he hated it…

“This is so annoying. I’m getting a headache…”

Pressing his temples to ease the faint headache, Yoon Ji-gu made a decision. From today, he would infiltrate Little Forest as a spy. He would figure out why Yeo-woon and the refugees were so obsessed with that game. And he would find a way to ensure that this year, he and Yeo-woon could wear proper couple outfits.

***

‘Slayer <Zero> has bound you.’

<Ji9star>: Let me goㅡㅡ

<Zero>: Newbie, you’re back after a century!! Does asdf treat you well?….

<asdfasdf>: lololololol

<asdfasdf>: Ji-gu-ya, did I treat you well?

<Ji9star>: Uh;; You treat me well so don’t cling to me >ㅅ<;;

<Zero>: …ㅠㅠ

As soon as Yoon Ji-gu logged into the game and stuck close to Lee Yeo-woon like glue, players he had only briefly encountered before recognized him and approached. It wasn’t that they remembered Ji-gu himself—they remembered the newbie being escorted by the famous Lee Yeo-woon.

Yeo-woon put him on a black horse and dropped him off in front of a restaurant at the edge of the town. The players who had recognized them trailed behind, chattering away at Yeo-woon.

<GreatCatsby>: OMG it’s asdf

<Cherry>: Who’s asdf?

<GreatCatsby>: asdfasdf. In Korean, it’s ㅁㄴㅇㄹ, right? Seems he’s back

<Cherry>: Ah that cook lol

<BaobabTree>: asdf-nim, are you selling food today?

<Cherry>: What’s this, why are there suddenly so many people? Are they all here to see asdf?

<GreatCatsby>: ㅠㅠ The day of LiFo’s revival is coming

<YourDreamIsGradSchool>: Wow, sous-chef, it’s been a long time!!!!

<Hero>: If you’re quitting, sell me your black horse

<asdfasdf>: GTFO

<Hero>: ㅠㅠ

The more people swarmed around Yeo-woon, the more Ji-gu’s legs trembled. He knew these people weren’t particularly special to Yeo-woon, but the thought of them having seen sides of Yeo-woon he himself didn’t know made the back of his head throb.

That’s when it happened. A brown-bearded man dressed the same as Yeo-woon suddenly came out of the restaurant, and suddenly the title ‘Fork Restaurant Sous-Chef’ appeared above Yeo-woon’s head. Above the head of the brown-bearded man with the nickname CrescentMoon, the title ‘Fork Restaurant Head Chef’ was displayed.

“Couple title…?”

Yoon Ji-gu trembled.

<CrescentMoon>: Hi

<asdfasdf>: Oh, CrescentMoon-nim, you became the head chef?

<CrescentMoon>: Yes… There are only a few cooks left… Somehow… I became one…~

<CrescentMoon>: I gave you the title as a temporary position, so feel free to come and do business anytime…^^

<asdfasdf>: Is it okay if I can’t come often?

<CrescentMoon>: Yep… There aren’t many people anyway…ㅠㅠ Many job positions are empty…

Before Ji-gu could fully process it, Yeo-woon, who suddenly became the sous chef, left him to the encouragement of the swarming gnats around him and entered the restaurant first.

‘Huh…?’

Yoon Ji-gu stood frozen in place, dazed by the fact that Lee Yeo-woon had suddenly matched
couple titles with the bearded guy and left.

<Zero>: Aww newbie, I even gave you pocket money, why haven’t you come by? ㅠㅠ

‘Slayer <Zero> has bound you.’

<Ji9star>: This is why they don’t come, you dumbass

<Zero>: Zero doesn’t understand what you’re saying!!ㅇ.ㅇ

<Zero>: But you’re still level 2? You’re so cute

“Ah, shit…”

It was the same situation as last time. The ‘toxic veterans’ of Little Forest had a hobby of pouncing on fresh newbie characters like Ji-gu and trapping them in town. Yoon Ji-gu barely tried to escape into the restaurant to avoid them, but that decision only made him more of a mouse in a trap.

<Zero>: Newbie, dance!!

<Ji9star>: Ah come on; stop trying to trade ㅡㅡ

Frustrated but resigned, Ji-gu reluctantly performed the default dance move he’d learned last time to break free from the binding. The surrounding lunatics clapped enthusiastically and joined in, mimicking his movements. Ji-gu muttered to himself how utterly pathetic they all were as he danced in the middle of the chaos.

<Zero>: Wow, you’re such a good dancer, lol!

<Ji9star>: Says you

<Glasses>: Hey, Ji9star, did you bring asdf again? Come often!

<Zero>: Lol, more like asdf brought the newbie

<Glasses>: Anyway…. Is this the newbie who was riding asdf’s dark horse before?

<NoMaxLevelExpansion>: Seeing as asdf has no friends but gave a tour on a dark horse, must be a real friend?

<Zero>: Wow, I want to be real friends with a newbie too

<Zero>: I’ll keep them locked up and make them do Little Forest every day without food until I go to the military @ㅅ@

<Ji9star>: Military?

<Zero>: Sob, only a month left ㅜㅜ

<Glasses>: But why are you still level 2?

<Glasses>: Looks like you haven’t logged in since then, need to teach you a lesson…^^

<NoMaxLevelExpansion>: Newbie, do you know how to receive a party invite?

‘Slayer <Zero> has bound you.’

<Zero>: You guys go away ㅡ3ㅡ This one’s mine

Yoon Ji-gu, who was slowly backing away and preparing to run, was caught just before he could sprint again. The newbie character had no proper skills and moved as slow as a snail crawling. Now they wouldn’t let him go even if he danced. Yoon Ji-gu was tied to the spot again by the binding skill before he could take a few steps. He was completely overwhelmed, being pushed around by the toxic veteran.

‘Why is hyung abandoning me?’

Moreover, Lee Yeo-woon, who should have saved him from these people, was very busy cooking, and indulging in old memories. Wearing a white chef’s hat and a cook’s uniform with red stripes, Yeo-woon had a black cloak draped over it that didn’t match his profession at all. Yoon Ji-gu sighed and whispered to Lee Yeo-woon.

/whisper/<Ji9star>: Please save me ㅠㅠ

<asdfasdf>: Rolled omelette for the person who ordered!

<PotatoStone>: Shh, 3 sets for me!!!!

/whisper/<Ji9star>: Hyung, can’t you see my messages? ㅠ_ㅠ?

Lee Yeo-woon just kept busy chopping ingredients and moving the red frying pan very flashily. It was understandable in a way, given the countless chat messages popping up. The people here talked too much despite being so few in number.

<BornToBeGeneral>: Kids, line up. Every time someone cuts in line, one person leaves.

<CheChe>: ;;;;;;;;; Don’t say that, they’ll really leave ㅠ

<BornToBeGeneral>: Cancel

<YourDreamIsGradSchool>: asdf, I got the reinforced steak ingredients, please accept the trade!!

This place wasn’t very crowded for a main city. Compared to Isis, it had less than a quarter of the users, but because most users knew each other and only chatted through the global chat, the amount of conversation flowing was excessive.

“If I had known this would happen, I should have connected voice chat before starting…”

It was too late for regrets now. Yoon Ji-gu just let out a heavy sigh.

/whisper/<Zero>: Zero’s time to ask Ji9star questions! Are you friends with asdf??

/whisper/<Ji9star>: Y

/whisper/<Zero>: Wow! Then do you want to be friends with Zero too?

/whisper/<Zero>: No answer huh lol Awkward ^^;;

‘Slayer <Zero> has bound you.’

“…”

Watching quietly, his blood pressure rose. As soon as Yoon Ji-gu pressed the Shift key to break free from the binding, Zero wrapped around his body again, making him immobile.

‘Slayer <Zero> has bound you.’

<Zero>: lol lol lol lol lol lol

<Zero>: Slow

<Ji9star>: lol?

“Should I really kill that bastard?”

Ji-gu muttered, glaring at the max-level player with rising fury. He could tolerate other words, but being called slow was unacceptable.

Staring at the long line in front of Yeo-woon, Yoon Ji-gu vowed revenge against Zero, who was still binding him. He had no intention of seriously starting this game with no foundation, but his hands were itching to pay back that annoying guy.

<Ji9star>: Hyung

<Ji9star>: Hyung?

<asdfasdf>: Who ordered the potato stew?

<WholeRoastedHarkon>: That’s me!!!

“…”

Right, I’m invisible to you, aren’t I? Totally absorbed in work, huh? Yoon Ji-gu let out a bitter laugh.

<Ji9star>: ;; You look busy, so I’ll just go level up. See ya

<asdfasdf>: Who ordered the dimsum?!

<Ji9star>: S1hit;;;;;;;;;;;

<Zero>: Wow lol What to do lol You got completely ignored ㅋㅅㅋ

That bastard has been pissing him off since earlier. In that moment, Ji-gu’s vague aimless gaming turned into a concrete goal.

‘I’ll level up first and kill that bastard.’

Yoon Ji-gu quickly pressed the Shift key to break free from Zero’s binding, and before he could tie him up again, he rolled on the floor and dashed out of the restaurant. Zero, who missed catching him by a hair’s breadth and swung at empty air, kept provoking him through whispers.

He was confident in dealing with people verbally. He was willing to accept Zero’s fight anytime, but those types of people only surrender and lower their tails when you crush them with muscles, not with words.

/whisper/<Zero>: How far do you think you’ll go after leaving home? lol

/whisper/<Zero>: Newbie, asdf ignored your messages, but why won’t you accept Zero’s friend request when I’ve been talking to you? ㅠㅠ

/whisper/<Ji9star>: Hey hey, take it easy, I already have someone ㅡㅡ

/whisper/<Zero>: ㅜ.ㅜ Who is it?

/whisper/<Ji9star>: lol There is someone >_< But is it any of your business?

/whisper/<Zero>: Hmm, could it be that asdf is newbie-chan’s master? ㅜㅜ

“…Argh!”

/whisper/<Ji9star>: Wht the fck?? Mster?? Are yu crzzy??

/whisper/<Zero>: Lol lol lol lol lol lol What’s with the typos

/whisper/<Zero>: OK, I’ll tell your master that you ran away because you’re upset lol Have a nice walk

/whisper/<Ji9star>: Fck off ㅗ

Everyone in this game was crazy. If he stayed, he’d end up just as crazy. First, max out his level. Then, annihilate Zero. And finally, drag Yeo-woon out and leave this awful game.

Yoon Ji-gu ran quickly across the town with a disgusted look. When he fled to the beginner’s hunting grounds, the rotten players no longer bothered him.

“Ah! What is wrong with these people, seriously!”

They just sat at the entrance to the hunting grounds, happily watching him kill squirrel monsters and clapping every time his level went up. Some even ran over without a word to give him attack and defense buffs before retreating to watch him again from afar. They really have nothing better to do.

While almost no games in the world are unwelcoming to beginners, this one takes it too far. Maybe the reason there are no newbies in this game is because they all ran away, overwhelmed by the existing players.

‘No wonder this game is failing.’

Yoon Ji-gu finally understood perfectly why there were almost no new beginners joining Little Fore.