It was a spur-of-the-moment impulse.
Normally, it would've been time for me to be grinding away solo for some economic activity.
Was it because I'd gone out after so long, or maybe because it felt like that nagging toothache had finally been yanked out?
Whatever the case, it was an uncharacteristic burst of bravado on my part.
'...He mentioned playing Eden last time.'
The weather was nice for no reason, and though the stares from people had been burdensome, it wasn't a bad experience overall.
So, I got a little carried away.
Haon Park's confident declaration that he was tackling the third named boss stuck vividly in my mind.
The way he'd snorted through his nose was pretty ridiculous, and honestly, it made me want to strut a bit myself.
To show off my own strength, you could say.
That was all there was to it.
The message I'd sent after some careful thought was short but deliberate, yet there was no reply for a good while.
'...Did I overdo it?'
Just as that thought crept in and I started feeling dejected, the response finally arrived right before I could mope.
"Here's the address."
A long string of a Discord invite link.
I had a habit of not using my mic, so I couldn't speak, but chatting should be fine, I figured. With that in mind, I clicked the link and joined.
「...Have you been well?」
A crisp ding! rang out, followed by Haon Park's voice through the headset—sounding more downcast than I'd expected.
Not that I'd heard his voice much before. Still, it was obvious. I had that kind of intuition, at least.
Reading the room was my specialty, after all.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Haon Park racked his brain over how to reply to Noeul Lee's sudden message.
He hadn't seen it clearly, but the game screen peeking over her small shoulder had looked all too familiar. Plus, they shared the common ground of both being Awakeners.
So, his nonstop gushing about 'Eden' last time must've been the spark.
"Playing together isn't an issue, but..."
As he'd boasted, he'd promised to carry her, and she might've remembered that and reached out wanting a ride.
But what nagged at him was what came after.
'There was this stream I used to watch called "Apple."'
'It'd be great if she came back.'
Her past-tense reply due to the unintended long hiatus, and Noeul Lee's earnest wish for a return—they'd made him flinch for a moment.
Was it a sense of kinship? He'd been too excited and brought up the topic to chat more, which was the problem.
"Ha... Why didn't I think that if Daesik watched her streams, I'd know about her too...?"
Plus, as embarrassing and awkward as it was to admit from his own mouth, wasn't he a self-proclaimed 'customer' of a fellow streamer?
"...She probably knows about my alt too, right?"
His sub-character 'Green Apple'. No way his viewers wouldn't know.
Setting aside his awkward connection to a fellow streamer, did he really need to reveal he was an Awakener like this?
As he mulled over refusing, Daesik's wail rang out.
— DaesikNo, so what if he's a guy, like you all said!
The evil viewers he couldn't shake off had him yelling and sobbing, which unintentionally cheered Haon on.
— DaesikGoddammit! This exploded because of you bastards!
Watching him bawl over the shattered gem was a bit much, though.
"...Someday it'll come out anyway."
Figuring it might be okay to hint at it with someone who shared that commonality, the party was formed.
Her Discord ID was 'Dori'.
A strange sense of déjà vu sent chills down his spine, but he pressed on steadily.
"...Have you been well?"
He mustered his courage to ask, but no reply came.
"Ah, can you hear me?"
As Haon wondered if it was a mic issue, a message popped up in the chat.
💬 Discord Chat— DoriHi~ lol— DoriSo nice to see you~ hehe
It was a strangely upbeat chat that didn't match the glimpse he'd had of her. The 'Noeul' in the chat seemed really bright.
"Ah, Noeul, right?"
— DoriYep, that's me lol
"...Ah?"
Even after confirming, Haon briefly wondered if someone else had joined.
— DoriYou're gonna carry me, right? Hehe
"Ah, um... yeah."
— DoriPUG? Or do you have people?
"Since it's sudden, PUG's out..."
— DoriThen LFG it is lol Deer Farm ahead go go
It was a far cry from Noeul, who'd been rolling her eyes in panic, unsure where to look.
Well, judging by appearances was wrong anyway. Haon decided not to dwell on it.
'Hm...'
After the familiar server select screen came his avatars.
He pondered whether to log in with his sub as planned or his main.
Both 'Green Apple' and 'Apple' had strong, opinionated nicknames.
Since it had come to this, Haon figured he'd give a proper carry and some fan service by picking 'Apple'.
Even if she understood his situation as a fellow Awakener, it was unpredictable—but once resolved, Haon chose the direct approach.
— Daesik (Berserker) / Suppressor of the Twin Forge Masters [Whisper]Start your stream quick and bring some viewers!
The moment he logged in, Daesik's whisper hit like it was waiting, but he ignored it. He'd handle it wisely.
Leaving the endlessly sobbing Daesik behind, Haon dashed into the field.
"Um, Noeul. Actually, there's something I need to confess..."
As the scenery whipped by, Haon cautiously broached the subject.
"The thing is, I..."
But when it came time to say it, tension glued his mouth shut. He worried how she'd react.
Still, like stepping into uncharted territory for the first time, Haon carefully opened his mouth to reveal what he considered major news...
"Ah... shit..."
The disgustingly familiar character right in front of him made an irritated mutter slip out unbidden.
— Tasty Apple (Sage) / First to Summit Iron Mountain?
Smaller than him, but that figure—the vicious stalker psycho—was right there, in that very spot.
From the early days when he was still getting used to the game, contrary to claims of being a 'fan', this nutcase had stalked him relentlessly, PKing nonstop.
"N-Noeul, hold on a sec... minor incident..."
— Apple (Archer) / Suppressor of the Twin Forge MastersGod, seriously please— Apple (Archer) / Suppressor of the Twin Forge MastersJust stop already
Haon said that while frantically begging for his life in chat.
How'd it know his location? Standing in the path like it was lying in wait—creepy as hell.
The road was long; would it come again later? Skip today? Thoughts raced as...
— Tasty Apple (Sage) / First to Summit Iron MountainI'm a fan⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙[Tasty Apple (Sage) / First to Summit Iron Mountain] has killed Apple (Archer)!
"Ah, fuck! You psycho!"
The familiar line hit as the screen grayed out, and Haon yelled before he knew it.
'...Oh crap!'
He'd lost his temper and shouted, only realizing too late that his voice carried to her.
She must've been startled by the sudden outburst.
As he hurried to apologize, an unexpected twist unfolded.
— Tasty Apple (Sage) / First to Summit Iron MountainMy ears...— Apple (Archer) / Suppressor of the Twin Forge Masters??— Tasty Apple (Sage) / First to Summit Iron Mountain??
Though he was a corpse on the ground, it was surprising that the guy, who usually spammed 'I'm a fan' or 'Let's communicate', typed something else.
At this rare sight, Haon forgot he was with Noeul.
I thought you were a hardcore concept nut, but you're human after all.
"Ha... That asshole, acting all smug after landing a hook."
— Tasty Apple (Sage) / First to Summit Iron Mountain??
"What."
— Tasty Apple (Sage) / First to Summit Iron Mountain???
As if responding to his words, chat popped up. Weird. Why did it feel like they were conversing?
Like it could hear his voice...
Hear his voice?
"...Huh?"
— Tasty Apple (Sage) / First to Summit Iron Mountain;;;
Cold sweat trickled down Haon Park's back.
"...Excuse me. Noeul?"
Instead of the desperately sought person answering his call, the vicious stalker suddenly started dancing in its tiny body.
"...No way, right?"
No reply.
No Discord chat either.
With a sinking feeling, Haon spoke up.
"...Logging in?"
That's when the person he'd been desperately seeking appeared.
— Tasty Apple (Sage) / First to Summit Iron MountainNo no;;
Only then did Haon rip off his headset, kick back his chair, and stand up.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
"...Noeul, could you come out for a sec?"
The knock wasn't its usual cautious tap but a heavy thud thud, yet the door before his eyes showed no sign of opening.
"Just a moment. Let's talk."
Haon cajoled as best he could, but the door didn't budge.
"Let's communicate. Yeah?"
Let's do it. That communication you love so much.
But the door remained firm, so Haon let out a small sigh and made a promise.
He figured this was the only way to even get a conversation.
"I won't say anything. ...For real."
How much time passed after that? The front door, which had seemed eternally sealed, creaked open cautiously.
"...For real?"
With those words, a small head poked through the gap.
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