TGMND 135

It was so absurd how he said these things while being unable to make eye contact and acting all shy. Proud of himself for enduring this time pretty well, Yoon Ji-gu looked up at Yeo-woon with an excited voice and said:

“Hyung. What else do you want to do besides this?”

“Huh?”

“I told you I could figure it all out. Don’t hide your true self anymore.”

“My… what?”

“I, I don’t mind it either, you know. I told you before too, right? I can do this kind of thing for you.”

“Uh…”

“That… the stick from before, we can use it once I get more used to it. That really hurt like hell, so let’s take it out after I’ve adjusted about three times. You got that, right?”

“Stick? …Ah, that paddle…?”

Yeo-woon mumbled, thinking of the paddle gathering dust buried in his drawer.

“Ji-gu… you want to get hit three more times…?”

“Hyung! What should I do for your birthday? You can ask for me as a present, okay?”

“No, actually, I was just joking…”

“School uniform? Should I wear a school uniform?”

“It was a joke…”

“I think I still have all my old uniforms at my parents’ house?”

“Uh…”

“They’re almost like new since I hardly wore them. Should I bring those? Or you can wear them too.”

“Hey, what are you saying? Why would I wear that!”

“But it’s your birthday, we should try something new. We’ve done tying up, and now spanking, so… mmph!”

Yeo-woon shut Yoon Ji-gu up, who kept spouting nonsense, with his own mouth. Ji-gu’s eyes widened as Yeo-woon suddenly shoved his t0ngue in, but he soon relaxed, opening his mouth and tilting his head back. They explored each other mouths for a long time. As Yeo-woon continued sucking on Yoon Ji-gu’s lips, something at the back of his head caught his attention.

“…!”

Startled by the hand naturally cradling his head, Yeo-woon pushed Ji-gu away hard and asked:

“…What’s with your hands?”

“What do you mean?”

“…”

Ji-gu was moving both hands so naturally even though Yeo-woon hadn’t untied them. Only then did Yeo-woon notice the necktie, half torn and ruined beyond repair. Ji-gu, who had ripped apart the tie that had bound his hands tightly, blushed as he embraced Yeo-woon. His fully d1ck member poked at Yeo-woon’s lower half.

“That, Ji-Ji-gu.”

…Maybe it was because he had left it for so long that it felt bigger than usual.

“…!”

Yeo-woon threw his head back, feeling the big d1ck pushing in deeper and spreading his narrow entrance. The sound of flesh meeting flesh filled the room. Unable to contain his excitement, Ji-gu kissed all over Yeo-woon’s face.

“Hyung, you can really look forward to your birthday…”

‘Crazy.’

For the first time in his life, Yeo-woon feared his own birthday.

***

‘What? So your revenge was meant for that Zero guy, not me? Why?’

Last night, Yeo-woon had asked in a bewildered voice. Ji-gu revealed some facts he had been too embarrassed to share before. That a user called Zero kept following him around saying ‘You’re mine’ and making it difficult to progress in the game by casting binds on him when he entered towns. Hearing this, Yeo-woon took his side, saying ‘That must have been hard,’ and patted his butt comfortingly.

Ji-gu decided to keep it a secret forever that the main reason he resolved on this revenge was because of that one word, ‘slow’. Even to himself, it seemed too childish and petty a reason.

‘But why did you rush to level up so much?’

‘He’s going to the military soon, so I have to get him before that.’

‘He’ll get sad on his own once he enters boot camp anyway, why bother?’

Is that so? Yoon Ji-gu felt a bit relieved at those words.

‘B-but it’s different from handling it myself.’

‘You said he’s max level and you’re only level 100.’

‘It’s okay. From level 100, the level difference damage adjustment applies.’

The official website’s information on Little Forest’s PVP damage adjustment based on level difference was as follows:

In the following areas, damage is adjusted by a certain amount during player battles depending on level difference.

[Adjustment Areas] Applicable only in the following maps:

>Adventure Forest (Expand)

>Dripping Tree (Expand)

>Tenon Temple (Expand)

>Lady’s Chess Piece (Expand)

[Level Difference] Applied from minimum level 100.

Damage increases proportionally to the level difference with the battle opponent, and basic stats are also adjusted. Of course, equipment and skill damage still mattered, but delaying revenge for over a year just because he couldn’t reach level 100 was unacceptable.

However, as Yoon Ji-gu was worrying about how to handle it since he’d obviously lose in a one-on-one fight, Yeo-woon suggested one solution.

***

Smack!

<Zero>: o_o?

When Yoon Ji-gu hit Zero’s head with a flick, Zero’s HP decreased by 1 and he turned around.

As expected, Zero started chasing without Ji-gu even telling him to follow. Ji-gu occasionally looked back and opened a free portal in the middle of town. Stretching his hand into the air, a circular portal just big enough for one person to pass through appeared.

As soon as Ji-gu passed through, Zero barely squeezed in, and the portal disappeared from the town along with the two people, meeting the dismissal condition of ‘more than 2 people passing through’.

‘You have entered Forest of Patience II (Arena).’

‘Monsters from existing maps do not appear in Arena maps.’

‘Combat recovery potions cannot be used.’

‘Normal recovery potion cooldown is doubled.’

‘Production class characters do not lose HP when attacked.’

‘Player revival option has been disabled.’

‘Battle Time: 1 minute’

‘Victory Condition: The player who survives until the end of the battle wins.’

‘If all players survive until the end of the battle, it is considered a draw.’

As soon as they entered the map, the combat map conditions set by the player popped up all at once. However, Zero accepted the arena entry without reading any of those conditions. To him, Earth Star was still just a level 2 newbie, and he thought no matter how much he had bulked up, he couldn’t match a veteran like himself. At that moment, YourDreamIsGradSchool, who had been waiting above, charged in with his shield.

‘Charge of Victory’

He cut Zero’s HP in half and temporarily stunned him.

‘If the longer it drags on, the higher your chances of losing, don’t give him a chance to attack and end it in one turn.’

‘…!’

For a suggestion from Yeo-woon who knew nothing, it was quite usable. It was also the most suitable tactic for Yoon Ji-gu, who had poured everything into movement speed and attack speed. Yeo-woon introduced someone who could cover the level difference, and YourDreamIsGradSchool, whom he introduced, used the initial skill and stepped back.

<Zero>: Aaahhkk

While Zero’s eyes were spinning, Earth Star, who had been waiting, unleashed all the skills he had prepared. Even when the stun wore off, Zero couldn’t regain his senses due to the continuous chain of skills and died in less than 30 seconds.

With skills pouring in at a speed Zero had never seen before, his HP was all gone before he could dodge or do anything. YourDreamIsGradSchool used his self-destruct skill to commit su1c1de as planned, and since Earth Star was the last surviving user in the map, this round went to Earth Star’s victory.

‘Zero has been defeated. Arena points -80’

‘YourDreamIsGradSchool has been defeated. Arena points -20’

‘Final winner,  Ji9star. Arena points +100’

As the battle ended in an instant, the three players were moved to the Dripping Tree continent, which includes the Forest of Patience.

<DirectTradeMurderer>: Potato soup…. Direct trade, immediate entry possible

<Sunflower>: I want 50 fried angler fish!!

<asdfasdf>: Okay

In the middle of town at the save point, Yeo-woon had set up a stall saying ‘I’ll combine ingredients for you’ and was selling food. Zero, who had been stupidly frozen even after the battle ended, finally jumped and asked Earth Star.

<Zero>: Newbie how did you do that?

<Ji9star>: Skill lol

‘Slayer <Zero> has bound you.’

<YourDreamIsGradSchool>: lololololololol I heard about this already

<Zero>: If you don’t tell me I’ll kiss you o3o

Shit, again. Yoon Ji-gu frowned and curled up tightly.

<Ji9star>: Hyung save me

<asdfasdf>: ^^ Have some pie~

Yeo-woon approached Earth Star, who was tightly bound by Zero and used the chef job’s special skill ‘Force Feed’ to give Zero a pie item. Zero thoughtlessly tried to use the item to replenish his remaining health. That’s when it happened.

‘Zero has died. Cause: Poison. Place of death: Dripping Tree Village Address 1’

<Zero>: ????

‘asdfasdf’s Arena points +10’

Players nearby gathered around and murmured about Zero, who suddenly died on the peaceful street. And Yeo-woon became the first production class user to gain arena points this season.

<YourDreamIsGradSchool>: No way lololololololol

<YourDreamIsGradSchool>: lololololololol

<Zero>: Oh come onㅡㅡ

<Zero>: Zero’s ranking dropped hard o.o

<Zero>: I’m going to the army next week how do I fix the ranking

<Zero>: Really how long will it take to recover this!! I’m so screwed!!!!ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ

<YourDreamIsGradSchool>: RIP 

<Sunflower>: RIP 

After reviving himself at a resurrection stone, Zero dramatically rolled on the ground, demanding his points be returned. Apparently, losing to a production-class player cost him far more points than losing to Earth Star.

<YourDreamIsGradSchool>: First time I knew you could put poison in food lol

<asdfasdf>: Usually we don’t, but there’s a function to not remove debuffs~

It was already surprising that Little Forest was the first game with a production class, but Yoon Ji-gu didn’t know there was even a function to add poison debuffs to food.

“But why… when the revenge is already over?”

Yoon Ji-gu asked, tilting his head.

<Ji9star>: Did you put poison in his food??

<asdfasdf>: Yeah

<Ji9star>: Why??

<asdfasdf>: He was trying to kiss youㅠㅠ

<asdfasdf>: You’re mineㅠㅠ

“…!”

<Zero>: You commit murder for that?ㅠㅠ

<Ji9star>: Wha-

<Ji9star>: Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

Yoon Ji-gu screamed and force-quit the game. Players remained in the town where he had disappeared, still chatting.

<asdfasdf>: lolololololol He leaves like that again

<YourDreamIsGradSchool>: lol asdf-nim

<YourDreamIsGradSchool>: Do you know the newbie in real life too?

<asdfasdf>: He’s really cute, isn’t he

<YourDreamIsGradSchool>: Is that so?

<asdfasdf>: lolololololololol

<asdfasdf>: He always force-quit like that when he’s flustered

<asdfasdf>: It’s really funny…

<YourDreamIsGradSchool>: He force-quit because he was flustered?

<YourDreamIsGradSchool>: Damn lolololololol

<Zero>: Sob the newbie left without telling me how he did itㅜㅜ

<Zero>: And that damn sous chef killed meㅜㅜ

<Zero>: What about Zero’s ranking reallyㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ

<YourDreamIsGradSchool>: Are you real-life friends with the newbie, sous chef?

<YourDreamIsGradSchool>: I think it’s the first time I’ve seen you consistently hanging out with someone, right?

<asdfasdf>: He’s my boyfriend

<YourDreamIsGradSchool>: Oh wow!!!

<YourDreamIsGradSchool>: I should tell my girlfriend to play Little Forest with me when I get one!!

<Zero>: Haha you’ll never bring one o.o!! lol

<YourDreamIsGradSchool>: lol fvck you

<YourDreamIsGradSchool>: Hope you answer the nation’s call soon and disappear from my sight~^^

<Zero>: Don’t talk about the army, I’m going soon anywayㅡㅡ;

<Zero>: Zero will tell his girlfriend to play Little Forest too when he gets one! o.o lol

<YourDreamIsGradSchool>: In the army? lol

<Zero>: How do you get a girlfriend there, damn;

<YourDreamIsGradSchool>: lol You might if you pick up soap

<Sunflower>: Sorry for being forward, but after you gain seniority, you can ask your favorite private to pick it up for you

<Zero>: Are you guys crazy?

<Zero>: Cut it out…. -..- Zero is really scary when angry?!

<Sunflower>: The sergeant is quite feisty, I see haha

<Zero>: Fvck

<YourDreamIsGradSchool>: Oh my God, I’m dying

<YourDreamIsGradSchool>: lololololololololololololol

<Zero>: h;; That was seriously fvcked up just now

<Orichalcon>: Why are they like that lololololol

<asdfasdf>: lolololololololololol

The topic of conversation shifted to Zero’s military enlistment. It seemed the imminent call to national duty next week was a bigger blow than losing one round to Yoon Ji-gu. Yeo-woon, having completed his own revenge, logged out of the game with a refreshed feeling, following Ji-gu.

[Guild] Ji9star: So there, Neuta-nim

[Guild] Ji9star: Gave him food with poison and killed him >_<

[Guild] Ji9star: lolololololol

Despite having screamed and quit the game at Yeo-woon’s “You’re mine” comment, Yoon Ji-gu had been grandly embellishing Yeo-woon’s heroic tale since earlier, apparently impressed by the act of killing Zero again with poisoned food.

[Guild] Wandu Wandya: Wow, getting a kill through an exploit is so like Neuta-nim lol

[Guild] Wandu Wandya: While being the first to die in PvP lol

[Guild] neutaaaa: ? Do you have evidence? ^^

[Guild] Wandu Wandya: A ton?

[Guild] neutaaaa: Ah I see haha okay^^

[Guild] Wandu Wandya: lololololololol

[Guild] Wandu Wandya: Getting quite brazen…

[Guild] Wandu Wandya: But wait, is there even a poison damage effect on food items?

[Guild] CatMeowMeowMeow: idk

[Guild] CatMeowMeowMeow: First time hearing about it

[Server] Sunset: Cat-nim why are you ignoring my whispers sㅇㅅ”ㅇz!!!

[Guild] CatMeowMeowMeow: Ugh

[Guild] CatMeowMeowMeow: I’ll be back after dealing with thisㅡㅡ

Of course, they’d never heard of it before—this wasn’t Illusion. Yoon Ji-gu smirked.

[Guild] neutaaaa: We’re talking about Little Forest lol

[Guild] neutaaaa: There, chefs can create food items with desired additional effects

[Guild] Halloween Eggplant: What?

[Guild] Captain Poseidon: ?

[Guild] ParkRoach: Little Forest?

[Guild] Halloween Eggplant: What were you two doing there…?

[Guild] Ji9star: lololololol

[Guild] Ji9star: What else, I went on a date with him><

[Guild] neutaaaa: lolololololololol haha

Yeo-woon was currently wearing matching couple outfits with Yoon Ji-gu for the first time in a while. He had promised not to wear his cloak just for today. Yeo-woon wore white rabbit ears to match his burly pet, while Ji-gu wore black cat ears to match his ghost cat. Both characters wore suits with shorts in different colors, and with their hats also matching in black and white, they looked even better.

In less than a week, even the Little Forest refugees seemed to abandon the ‘Tenon look’ and returned to their fundamental ragged cloaks. There were even merchants who bulk-bought philosopher’s clothes within the server hoping for a price surge, but they ended up crying over the worthless rags no one wanted to buy.

‘Captain Poseidon has used All-Gather. If you accept, you will be moved to the guild room.’

“What, again.”

Due to the guild master’s abuse of power, most guild members gathered in the guild room. PoseidonCaptain created a mock execution site using guild master privileges, placing Yeo-un and Yoon Ji-gu in the center, tied to a pole above a blazing fire, while guild members gathered around.

[Guild] Wandu Wandya: lolololololololololol

[Guild] al0ha: Wtf is this? lololololol

[Guild] Halloween Eggplant: lolololololol

[Guild] CatMeowMeowMeow: tsk tsk

[Guild] ParkRoach: #CoupleExecution #LoveStory #DateGram #CoupleLook #Campfire #Mood

Guild members surrounded the couple being burned at the stake and started a campfire.  Wandu Wandya and ParkRoach danced to the guild room background music, while  CatMeowMeowMeow clapped. At the same time, the guild master lowered both of their positions.

‘Ji9star has been demoted to regular guild member.’

‘neutaaaa has been demoted to regular guild member.’

[Guild] Ji9star: Ah;

[Guild] ParkRoach: How does it feel to be burned at the stake

[Guild] neutaaaa: It’s my first time, but it’s warm~ haha

[Guild] CatMeowMeowMeow: Was this updated recently? lololololol

[Guild] Captain Poseidon: Yes, it was in the guild update content^^

[Guild] Halloween Eggplant: Our guild master is using the new feature well

[Guild] Captain Poseidon: The charge is

[Guild] Captain Poseidon: ‘The crime of not cherishing Illusion enough’….(ㅠㅠ)

[Guild] Ji9star: But I logged in every day!!!

[Guild] Ji9star: You’re the one who didn’t log in yesterday

[Guild] Ji9star: You’re not qualified to be guild master, give up your position

[Guild] Captain Poseidon: Qualifications are determined by internal meetings within the guild…?

[Guild] Ji9star: But you always have those internal meetings alone;;

[Guild] Halloween Eggplant: I cautiously agree!

[Guild] neutaaaa: Seconded…

Yeo-woon’s guild position always went up and down along with Yoon Ji-gu’s. Even though the positioning system was supposed to rise according to contributions within the guild, Captain Poseidon and the deputy guild master changed positions arbitrarily. Yeo-woon had even held the honorary guild member position, two levels higher than a regular guild member, a month ago, but after repeatedly going up and down like this, he seemed to have given up and no longer felt awkward regardless of his position.

Now, in fact, only  CatMeowMeowMeow and Yoon Ji-gu himself cared about positions within the guild.

[Guild] Halloween Eggplant: You always complained when I changed positions but you’re being a dictator yourself, really unbelievable;;

[Guild] Captain Poseidon: I can’t agree with that opinion of dictatorship

[Guild] Captain Poseidon: If you have any objections to what I say, could you please raise your hand?

All the guild members gathered in the guild room raised their hands without exception. It was quite a spectacle to see hands rising one after another like a wave from the end.

‘CatMeowMeowMeow has been demoted to elite guild member.’

‘Wandu Wandya has been demoted to regular guild member.’

‘al0ha has been demoted to regular guild member.’

…

[Guild] Captain Poseidon: A new rule has been established that raising your hand in the guild room will lower your guild position for a day.^^ Please make sure to read the notice and follow it~

[Guild] CatMeowMeowMeow: ㅡㅡ

[Guild] Ji9star: I feel a bit better since we’re all screwed together >_<

[Guild] ParkRoach: lololololololol but

[Guild] ParkRoach: I’ve been curious about something for a while

[Guild] ParkRoach: Why is there a rule in the guild rules that says >When cooking ramyun, put the water in first<?

[Guild] Halloween Eggplant: Someone must have said they put the ingredients in first and they fought about it lol

[Guild] Wandu Wandya: Was it al0ha that time?

[Guild] Wandu Wandya: He said he put the noodles in before the water boiled

[Guild] Wandu Wandya: To soak them a bit, and his position was lowered by unanimous vote

[Guild] CatMeowMeowMeow: For real, why would you do that?

[Guild] al0ha: Please respect my choiceㅜㅜ

[Guild] KidneyMouse: lolololololololol

[Guild] al0ha: A rule just gets added every time something happens… That’s not a notice anymore, it’s Illusion’s diary;;

[Guild] Wandu Wandya: For real, it’s becoming the Tripitaka with useless content lol

‘The couple outfit is cute.’

Whether his guild position was lowered or he was burned at the stake, the fact that he was with Yeo-woon even in this moment satisfied Yoon Ji-gu. Now that he looked at it, the bright red flames seemed to match unexpectedly well with the black and white suits, so Yoon Ji-gu pressed the screenshot button to save this scene in his memory.