It was a historic year — Year 2025
The year 2025 was historic, marked by many monumental events. Most notably, it witnessed the launch of the very first virtual-reality MMORPG. While older games existed, none could compare to Phantasy Realm Online — an entirely new reality created within cyberspace. In just a single week of registration, applications flooded in from every corner of the Earth in such massive numbers that the servers nearly collapsed under the weight. Yet, amidst the global excitement, one person remained completely unperturbed.
– Ten hours before the Grand Launch –
C Academy.
It was the kind of institution where wealthy families sent their children to secure their future status. Among the many brilliant students there was Kim Ji-ho, the sole heir to the country's president and corporate chairman, Kim Tae-seok.
Ji-ho was a master of the piano, guitar, and violin. He was also an impeccable athlete — a fencing champion with a black belt in Taekwondo — whose physical achievements perfectly matched his intellectual abilities. For three consecutive years, he had held the top spot in the national academic rankings.
Yet, a flaw existed even within his perfection. Distant and indifferent to the world around him, Ji-ho gave off an aura that warned others to stay away. A bookworm at heart, nothing made him happier than earning excellent grades in every subject.
While heading toward the cafeteria, Ji-ho could not escape overhearing the constant chatter of his peers.
"That game is everywhere..." he thought irritably. "I swear, everywhere I go, people discuss nothing else. It would be much more beneficial if these students invested some effort into their studies."
Despite the surrounding noise, Ji-ho sat alone, eating his meal calmly while listening to classical music through his headphones. He completely ignored the envious gazes of several onlookers.
However, his peace was shattered when a classmate sat across from him and snatched the last portion of meat from his plate.
"Hey, Ji-ho, you hate sausages, right?" the boy mumbled shamelessly.
Without a word, Ji-ho slammed his spoon down. The cafeteria instantly fell into a stunned silence. The offender quickly tried to hide his face and began apologizing profusely.
"And where are your table manners?" Ji-ho asked coldly. "Didn't your father pay your etiquette teacher enough?"
Hyun-soo laughed. "In case you forgot, I would never attend such boring classes."
His name was Choi Hyun‑soo — the third son of Choi Sang‑woo, the owner of Choi Biomedical. Hyun-soo possessed a personality completely opposite to Ji-ho's. Playing pranks was his favorite pastime, and Ji-ho was his favorite target. Still, despite their vast differences, the two had grown up together because their families had been close friends for generations. Even Hyun-soo could hardly explain the root of their friendship.
"Want me to find you a building to jump from? Consider it a farewell gift," Ji-ho said coldly, standing up from his seat.
Hyun-soo looked confused. "W-what?"
Ji-ho smiled faintly. "Relax, it was just a joke."
He began to walk away, only to be stopped when Hyun‑soo grabbed his arm.
"Wait! Where are you goi —," Hyun‑soo froze as Ji‑ho's icy glare pierced through him.
"Don't touch me with those filthy hands."
Blushing deeply, Hyun-soo stepped aside with an embarrassed laugh. "Sorry!"
Hyun‑soo let out a shaky breath. "Well... that was scary," he whispered, watching Ji‑ho walk away.
As Ji‑ho's back disappeared through the cafeteria doors, Hyun-soo's grin faded into a quiet expression.
'Uncle Tae‑seok keeps telling me Ji‑ho changed after Auntie died,'Hyun-soo thought. 'He says Ji‑ho locks himself away in books, fencing, and silence. That's why he asked me to keep an eye on him… to make sure he doesn't drown in it.'
Uncertainly scratching his head, he sighed. "Why does he consider me a suitable observer? Ji-ho can barely tolerate my existence!"
He laughed sheepishly to disguise his true feelings, continuing in a whisper. "But if I leave him in peace, Ji-ho will completely isolate himself from everyone."
Leaning against the cafeteria wall, he forced a small laugh to mask the weight of his thoughts. "Guess I'll just keep pestering him. Better me than nobody."
The afternoon bell rang, signaling the end of classes. Many students rushed outdoors, eager for the fun night ahead. In contrast to the crowd, Ji-ho seemed utterly unexcited. Right before they exited the school gates, Hyun-soo playfully jumped onto Ji-ho's shoulders.
"Ji-ho, come home with me today!"
Furrowing his eyebrows in displeasure, Ji-ho growled menacingly, "Get down right now, or else..."
Hyun‑soo leapt off immediately. "O-or else what? You'll scare me again?" he laughed nervously.
Ignoring the comment, Ji-ho continued walking toward the gate. Hyun-soo followed closely behind, scowling but smiling.
Despite their differences, they were neighbors. Their estates were only minutes away from the academy, forcing them to walk home together almost daily — a routine Ji‑ho found unbearable. Silence was his sanctuary, yet Hyun‑soo's endless chatter turned it into torture. To Ji‑ho, it was nothing less than a living hell.
As they turned into a pedestrian walkway, Hyun-soo started talking again. "Hey, Ji-ho, can you please answer one question?"
"No."
"Am I really your friend?"
"I told you not to talk to me. Better yet, stop breathing. That would be best for both of us."
"No way! We need to talk! Let's go to that cafe!" Hyun-soo insisted, practically dragging Ji-ho inside a nearby cafe.
Ordering meals for both of them without asking, Hyun-soo waited patiently while Ji-ho remained as indifferent as ever. However, as they ate, the constant eye contact eventually irritated Ji-ho.
"What do you want? Don't stare at me like that."
"I thought you would appreciate the gesture. Is the food not good?" Hyun-soo laughed.
"Not bad. At least it's edible."
Thinking aloud, Hyun-soo briefly imagined Ji-ho feeding himself raw snake meat in the wild. Then, sudden inspiration struck him.
"Why not try their pudding?" Hyun-soo grinned.
For some reason, Ji-ho relaxed noticeably at the mention of the dessert.
'Got him,'Hyun-soo thought.
"Should I order some?"
Ji‑ho nodded obediently. Smiling happily, Hyun-soo ordered five plates of pudding.
"Eat up! Enjoy!" Hyun-soo watched contentedly, noting how pleased Ji-ho looked after tasting the dessert.
Heartened by Ji-ho's evident satisfaction, Hyun-soo whispered confidently to himself, "Perfect! Everything is going smoothly..."
"Well, Ji-ho..." He nervously cleared his throat, trying to appear casual even as beads of sweat formed on his forehead. "You've heard about the new online game launching today, right? What do you think about playing it?"
"Nope."