TGMND 129
by Springlila‘Ji9star has invited dldudns to a regular party. Do you accept the request?’
/Whisper/<Ji9star>: I have a lot of time
‘Ji9star has invited dldudns to a regular party. Do you accept the request?’
/Whisper/<Ji9star>: Want me to prove it?
‘Ji9star has invited dldudns to a regular party. Do you accept the request?’
/Whisper/<Ji9star>: It’s trueㅇㅅㅇ
‘Ji9star has invited dldudns to a regular party. Do you accept the request?’
/Whisper/<Ji9star>: Proving it!
At this rate, it would never end. Yeo-woon sighed and replied.
/Whisper/<dldudns>: If you don’t want to get beaten to death, find someone else while I’m still asking nicely
/Whisper/<Ji9star>: ㅠㅠ That doesn’t sound like asking nicely,,,
/Whisper/<dldudns>: I just returned after a long time, so I don’t know the Sky Tower attack patterns well;;
/Whisper/<Ji9star>: It’s okay, I know the patterns
/Whisper/<dldudns>: ?
Even Yeo-woon, who had run the dungeon a long time ago wouldn’t remember much, so there was no way Yoon Ji-gu, who had just started this game, would know the attack patterns.
/Whisper/<Ji9star>: Really, I’ve learned the patterns roughly!
/Whisper/<dldudns>: Why?
/Whisper/<Ji9star>: I couldn’t clear it alone no matter what, so I studied a bit >_<
“…Studied.”
He really doesn’t skimp on money, time, or effort when it comes to things he’s interested in, even if he doesn’t know much else. He could just pretend not to know and leave to avoid being dragged along, but Yeo-woon suddenly became curious. He wondered why Yoon Ji-gu was so enthusiastically playing this game, even staying up all night. Was there some reason he became so desperate when he had been so indifferent when he gave him a ride last time?
/Whisper/<Ji9star>: Just focus on healing
/Whisper/<Ji9star>: I’ll carry us and clear this crazy fast
/Whisper/<Ji9star>: Just trust me ><
/Whisper/<dldudns>: ….
Yeo-woon felt strange. When he first met Earth Star in Illusion, he was just dumbfounded and angry because so many absurd things happened at once, but now, facing him in a situation where he thought they were strangers, he felt like he had gone back to that time. Looking back, he thought that Earth Star’s annoying behavior back then might have been Yoon Ji-gu’s own defense mechanism.
/Whisper/<Ji9star>: Hmm
/Whisper/<Ji9star>: It feels a bit boastful to say this myself…
/Whisper/<Ji9star>: But since it’s true, I’ll just say it
/Whisper/<Ji9star>: I lol am really good lol >_<
/Whisper/<Ji9star>: Ah, just trust me once
“But why do I find this cute…”
Even his whiny tone sounded like Yoon Ji-gu’s voice. If someone else had said this, he wouldn’t have felt anything special, but imagining Yoon Ji-gu’s face behind the monitor made even each letter seem cute. Thinking about him typing the ‘>_<‘ emoticon with his characteristic cold expression while trying to act cute made Yeo-woon smile involuntarily. It was ridiculous how Yoon Ji-gu’s typing was full of aegyo(cuteness) when he would stutter if asked to say the same things in person.
‘Ji9star has invited dldudns to a regular party. Do you accept the request?’
Well, why not. Yeo-woon was curious about Yoon Ji-gu’s true feelings as he desperately tried to get him into the party, and he wanted to ask directly what sudden wind had made him so enthusiastic about Little Forest.
Yeo-woon changed his mind and decided to join Yoon Ji-gu’s party.
/Whisper/<dldudns>: Regular party doesn’t show party members’ health
/Whisper/<dldudns>: Switch to dungeon party and send again
/Whisper/<Ji9star>: Then you’ll accept the party?
/Whisper/<dldudns>: Yeah
/Whisper/<Ji9star>: Nice
Unlike Illusion, Little Forest’s party attributes were divided into several types. Regular parties existed for socializing, trading, or mini-games. Therefore, information that party members didn’t necessarily need to know wasn’t displayed.
On the other hand, dungeon parties displayed all party members’ remaining HP and MP, making it easier for cooperative raids. However, Yeo-woon, who spent most of his time in crafting, had little reason to use dungeon parties before.
‘Ji9star has invited dldudns to a dungeon party. Do you accept the request?’
He’s really fast. Yoon Ji-gu was quick in both learning speed and many other ways. It hadn’t been long since he told him about the party function settings, but seeing him immediately correct it and send a new invitation, it seemed his brain wasn’t that bad after all…
‘You have accepted the party request.’
/Party/<Ji9star>: Haha
/Whisper/<dldudns>: ㅡㅡ;
So far, the party consisted of only Earth Star and himself. Surprisingly, it meant that he was the first member he invited to the party.
“I didn’t say anything… How can he do this in a situation where he doesn’t even know it’s me?”
The sudden whisper from Earth Star’s side. His brazenness in inviting him to the party, claiming he knew he had come to help him despite being strangers. No matter how he thought about it, the situation didn’t make sense, but Yeo-woon didn’t feel too bad about it. Perhaps because it seemed like Yoon Ji-gu was unconsciously recognizing him?
“Must be fate.”
Yeo-woon murmured a joke that would have shocked his past self from a year ago and smiled faintly.
***
[on] Ji9star (Party Leader)
[on] dldudns
[on] DeerStarRay
[on] ThankYouInEnglish
The 4-person Sky Tower party formed after fierce competition was as follows.
/Party/<Ji9star>: Follow me
/Party/<DeerStarRae>: Okay okay
/Party/<ThankYouInEnglish>: Thank you
“…”
Earth Star, using dual pistols, shot towards the back. The recoil sent his body flying forward. He moved the fastest among the party members by utilizing the movement skills attached to his attack skills, and ThankYouInEnglish, the tank, followed closely behind with a large shield. DeerStarRae ran alongside Yeo-woon, who had no special agility options, chased after them.
Although Yeo-woon had watched the entire selection process, he couldn’t understand Yoon Ji-gu’s criteria at all. ThankYouInEnglish was an extreme role-player, and DeerStarRae was selected after having a one-minute conversation with Earth Star using only emotes.
/Party/<dldudns>: Wait a moment, get buffs before entering!
Before the party entered the dungeon, Yeo-woon opened the F2 keyboard that had buff skills collected to give all necessary buffs to party members. Numbers 1 to 6 were skills that affected attack power and defense, while 7 to 0 were used to slightly increase item drop rate, luck, agility, and so on.
Not knowing how much of each was needed, it seemed best to gather all applicable buffs and apply them one by one to party members.
‘Mana Shield’
‘Increase Magic Defense’
Yeo-woon’s character held a broom upside down with one hand and spun in place. As the skill name was recited by the voice actor, the broom handle drew a circular shape around Yeo-woon. A magic circle pattern was engraved inside the circle, flashing brightly, and a faint shield shape flickered above the heads of nearby party members, increasing their defense against magic attacks.
‘Harden’
‘Increase Physical Defense’
‘Witch’s Revenge♥’
‘Increase Attack Power Proportional to Damage Taken by Enemy’
‘Dragon’s Claw’
‘Increase Critical Hit Chance’
‘Blessing of the Waves’
‘Increase Water Attribute Skill Damage’
‘Spider’s Protection’
‘Increase Attack Power for Mage Class Jobs’
‘Shooting☆Dash!’
‘Increase Agility, Attack Speed’
‘Curse Resistance’
‘Generate Resistance to Curse Debuffs’
/Party/<dldudns>: That’s it!
/Party/<ThankYouInEnglish>: Thank you
It was then that DeerStarRay used a confused expression emoji and said to Yeo-woon:
/Party/<DeerStarRay>: Forest Keeper
/Party/<dldudns>: ??
Forest Keeper was the name of this character’s job. It seems they’ll just call him by his job name since English is difficult to read.
/Party/<DeerStarRay>: Not trying to be rude
/Party/<DeerStarRay>: But we don’t need buffs yet?
/Party/<dldudns>: Oh?
/Party/<DeerStarRay>: But since it’s a board game, higher dice rolls are better, so thanks for the luck buff GG
/Party/<ThankYouInEnglish>: Thank you lol
/Party/<DeerStarRay>: No, not you
“Where was the Luck buff again…”
/Party/<DeerStarRay>: Forest Keeper, didn’t you raise the luck buff? Then you should use it once lol
“Ah, found it.”
Yeo-woon followed DeerStarRay’s advice and used the buff skill that increases luck.
‘Lucky Seven★’
‘Increase Critical Hit Chance, Luck’
As a four-leaf clover pattern flashed and disappeared above the party members’ heads, DeerStarRay seemed satisfied and gave a thumbs up.
/Party/<DeerStarRay>: Good good haha
/Party/<dldudns>: Thanks for letting me know haha
/Party/<dldudns>: It’s been too long since I returned to LIFO
/Party/<DeerStarRay>: Ah, you’re a returning player^^b
/Party/<DeerStarRay>: Here, you just need to use defense increase when the boss uses breath attack, okay?
/Party/<DeerStarRay>: It’s not that difficult, don’t be nervous
/Party/<DeerStarRay>: If you have any more questions, just ask
/Party/<DeerStarRay>: My main character is on the Fortune Teller route, so I know well
DeerStarRay shrugged. As if to show that they didn’t mean to embarrass him with this conversation, they bowed to Yeo-woon while using cute emoticons consecutively. Being quite experienced, DeerStarRay seemed to have mastered even the limited emoticon expressions.
/Party/<dldudns>: OK, thanks
Yeo-woon nodded and raised his fist above his head. Then DeerStarRay and ThankYouInEnglish also raised their fists above their heads, forming a sense of unity.
/Party/<Earth Star>: Are you three flirting? ㅗㅗㅗㅗㅗ
/Party/<dldudns>: Feeling left out? lol
/Party/<Earth Star>: No, I’m notㅡㅡ
/Party/<dldudns>: Want us to include you?
The three people simultaneously raised their fists. Earth Star got serious and backed away.
/Party/<Earth Star>: No, I don’tㅡㅡ
/Party/<DeerStarRay>: lololololololol There’s a learning scroll for this, want me to give you one?
/Party/<Earth Star>: Stop being so annoying, seriously
/Party/<ThankYouInEnglish>: Thx
/Party/<Earth Star>: That’s not a compliment
/Party/<ThankYouInEnglish>: Thxㅠㅠ
/Party/<DeerStarRay>: Your concept act is getting out of hand
/Party/<DeerStarRay>: What are you, a Pokémon or something
/Party/<dldudns>: lolololololololololol
/Party/<ThankYouInEnglish>: Thank you thank you
Feeling left out as the other three people were kneeling on one knee, looking up at the sky with their fists raised, Earth Star seemed to feel excluded. A crosshair mark appeared above Earth Star’s head. He stomped his feet alternately in frustration.
/Party/<dldudns>: lololololololol Don’t get angry
/Party/<dldudns>: Please
Belatedly adding formal speech, Yeo-woon used an interactive emoticon expression to stretch his hand over Earth Star’s head and pat it vigorously. How cute. Then the other two party members approached Earth Star and used the same interactive emoticon expression. Suddenly surrounded by three people and getting his head patted vigorously, Earth Star jumped up and quickly entered the portal first.
/Party/<Earth Star>: Ah, hurry up and come
/Party/<Earth Star>: Before I kick you out of the partyㅡㅡ
If Ji-gu really wanted to kick someone out, he would have done so without saying anything. He must have just felt embarrassed by all the attention focused on him and ran away.
/Party/<DeerStarRay>: OK
/Party/<dldudns>: lololololololol Alright
/Party/<ThankYouInEnglish>: Thank you DD
Yeo-woon couldn’t stop laughing, imagining what Yoon Ji-gu’s expression might be like right now. Would he be frowning in annoyance? Or would the corners of his mouth be twitching with secret pleasure?
It was hilarious how Yoon Ji-gu sometimes acted like an attention seeker, but when someone started to genuinely find him cute, he would freeze up like a malfunctioning cat, stiff with surprise.
‘You have entered the Skyland -Sky Tower- Dungeon.’
Upon entering the dungeon, a rectangular board game spread out before their eyes. The board floating in the bright blue sky consisted of 36 squares, with 10 squares per row. Outside the board, fitting the sky background, pure white clouds were floating gently, and palm trees with lush green leaves were planted on those clouds. Monkey monsters sat on these trees, staring down at Yeo-woon’s party.
‘I will explain the game rules of the Sky Tower Dungeon.’
Large text filled half the screen as a clear voice actor’s voice rang out. At that moment, the eyes of the nearest monkey widened, and it threw what it was holding, hitting Earth Star’s head.
/Party/<Earth Star>: Ah s**t!!
‘The minion monkeys not participating in the game throw bananas from the trees.’
/Party/<Earth Star>: I could have dodged it
/Party/<dldudns>: The banana?
/Party/<Earth Star>: Yesㅡㅡ
“Why would you dodge that.”
When Yeo-woon cleared this map a few years ago, there wasn’t a single turn where he wasn’t hit by a banana. The banana-throwing timing was inconsistent, and the monkeys attacked whenever they felt like it, so it was easier to just get hit and recover health afterward.
‘The bananas thrown by monkeys can be dodged, and if hit, your health decreases.’
The monkey pointed at Earth Star who got hit by the banana and chittered with laughter. Next to Yeo-woon’s party standing at the starting point of the board, a large king monkey wearing sunglasses fell from above with a thud. And next to that king monkey, minion monkeys of the same size as those on the trees huddled together.
‘You will play a board game against Mr. Monkey’s gang, the villains of Skyland.’
‘If you defeat Mr. Monkey’s gang, you can obtain the <Tenon Temple Entry Ticket> that Mr. Monkey has secretly hidden.’
With a thud, a large die fell onto the center of the board. The large monkey picked up the die and threw it high into the sky.
‘Only the team captain can roll the dice.’
Star marks appeared above the heads of Earth Star and Mr. Monkey. It seemed the party leader would take the captain’s position.
/Party/<dldudns>: Then what do we do?
/Party/<ThankYouInEnglish>: Thank you
/Party/<dldudns>: Oh
/Party/<Earth Star>: What did you understand lololololololol
/Party/<DeerStarRay>: There’s almost always a mini-game or battle every round
/Party/<DeerStarRay>: We do everything except rolling the dice, don’t worry
/Party/<dldudns>: I see
It was a good sign. At least two or three people in the party already knew the game rules, so Yeo-woon figured he could coast along without much effort.
‘Players move the number of spaces equal to the sum of two dice rolls.’
The king monkey wearing sunglasses held up the dice and threw them high. When the sum of the two dice came up as 9, the monkeys chittered and ran, stopping precisely on the ninth square. A treasure chest popped out of the square, and as the monkeys opened it, the sound of coins piling up was heard above their heads, and the monkeys started rejoicing.
‘Various events are hidden in each square, and depending on the situation, there may be a 3-minute battle with the opposing team.’
‘After both Mr. Monkey’s gang and the player team go around 8 laps, the winner is determined by the sum of remaining coins, total kills, and death count.’
“…”
Now he remembered. When landing on a battle event square, they engage in a 3-minute battle with the monkeys, and back then, Yeo-woon was responsible for 80% of the team’s deaths, almost causing them to lose.
“We’re doomed.”
What if they lose because of him? Should he not have come along? Yeo-woon’s expression hardened.
‘If all party members become incapacitated during the 3-minute battle, the game automatically ends, and the dungeon resets, requiring you to start the board game from the beginning.’
Soon, the words ‘PLAYER’S TURN’ appeared on the screen, and the monkeys looked back at the starting point.
‘The captain of the player’s side, please roll the dice.’
/Party/<DeerStarRay>: Come on, 66 plz
Earth Star jumped to the center of the board, picked up the dice, and used the ‘Roll’ skill. The large dice flew high and then fell onto Earth Star with a thud.
“…?”
What just happened? Earth Star was crushed under the dice, took damage, and was thrown backward.
/Party/<Earth Star>: What the ♣♣
/Party/<DeerStarRay>: Huh, what’s going on? Did something change?
/Party/<Earth Star>: This is ridiculous, getting hit by this?
The damage was minimal, but HP was definitely reduced.
‘Player’s side, move twelve spaces.’
/Party/<DeerStarRay>: Wow, we really got a 66 lololol Amazing
Despite the situation, getting the highest roll on the first turn was a good start.
/Party/<Earth Star>: But there’s a problem here…. When I played solo, I never got hit by the dice? It used to fall away from me even if I didn’t dodge???
/Party/<Earth Star>: Isn’t this a bug?ㅡㅡ
/Party/<DeerStarRay>: Probably not lol
/Party/<DeerStarRay>: They’d need to update something for a bug to appear
/Party/<DeerStarRay>: It’s a s**t game, so they’ve been ignoring existing bugs for two months, and they rarely update, so new bugs don’t even appear (sigh)
/Party/<Earth Star>: Ah…
It wasn’t wrong, and Yeo-woon knew LIFO was a dying game, but actually hearing the word hurt a little. At its peak, it was a game that almost everyone around him played. Now it was disheartening to see it so thoroughly ruined that people were saying it was lucky the servers hadn’t shut down yet. Back then, there were really a lot of people, and it was fun.
/Party/<dldudns>: They still do weekly maintenance, don’t they?
/Party/<DeerStarRay>: lolololololol Wow, you must have been away for a really long time…. They don’t do anything during maintenance anymore
/Party/<DeerStarRay>: So people are saying
/Party/<DeerStarRay>: They just put up the maintenance screen to keep us from playing
/Party/<DeerStarRay>: And during that time, they all just have breakfast together or something?
/Party/<ThankYouInEnglish>: Damn, RIP dying game ㅠㅠ
/Party/<DeerStarRay>: You just broke your concept lol
Anyway, if it wasn’t a bug, there’s no way the player could get hit by throwing game dice. Yeo-woon opened an internet window and searched for “Little Forest 2 Sky Tower hit by dice”. Wondering if there were others like Earth Star who got hit by the dice…