Chapter-1:

Gamer Tone Down

The breeze flows, December 21st, just 10 more days until New years.

Ping! A message appears on a phone.

Hyejin: “Yo! I found this new game online called 'Traverse'! You really gotta try it, dude!“

I raise an eyebrow as I look at the message, I'm Jeong-il. A 22 year old gamer who has absolutely no life other than games. I'm also a famous streamer! I reply back,

“What type of game is it?“

Hyejin has been my close friend since high school. She and I met in real life a few times, but we mostly talk on messenger because we're both lazy to go out.

Hyejin: “An adventure, RPG! It's dead awesome! The graphics are hella high quality, and guess what? THEY UPDATE FREQUENTLY!“ 

My eyes narrow at that last sentence. Updating frequently? No game can update very fast. But then again… I move to my pc as I type in, 'Traverse' on G*ogle playst*re. I look at the reviews, damn, a 5 star rating for a newly released game? I check the reviews, and someone says,

Goldfishlover: “This game is the BEST if you like adventure games. It's multi-player, too! The graphics are majestic and it updates often. I love this game, 5 STARS!“

My eyes widen. I guess Hyejin wasn't lying about it. I scroll down through the other reviews and everything positive about the game. I sigh, well as I veteran gamer, I can't just ignore this game, can I? Although it's just an excuse to try it out. I click download, as I lean back in my chair, waiting for it to finish downloading.

I jolt as my little sister barges into my room, Hye-kyung. 15 years old, and a spoiled brat. Graceful gem? Please. More like clumsy brat. (Hye-kyung '혜경' in korean means 'graceful gem.)

She glares at me, exasperated as she sees me gaming… once again.

“Oppa! How many damn games are you going to play?!“

I sigh. At least she has the courtesy to call me 'Oppa'. I roll my eyes, leaning back in my chair.

“None of your business, twerp. What do you want?“ 

Hye-Kung rolls her eyes, astonished by my behavior and personality. She looks at me and says, her face furrowing.

“Mom said we both have to go to the grocery store to get eggs, milk, vegetables, pasta, salt and pepper, oh right and she said we could get some things we want so she gave me 20,000 won extra!“

I blink a few times as I sigh, looking at the downloading screen on my pc and getting up. It'll download by the time I get home, so I'll bide my time. I get up from my chair, putting on a jacket.

“It's cold outside, so wear a jacket.“ 

Hye-kyung nods excitedly. As she dashes out of my room into hers, she always likes going outside. No idea why. I wear my jacket as I see my mom talking on the phone, probably some of her friends. Hye-kyung comes out of her room, wearing a comfy jacket as she smiles, coming over towards me.

“Let's go, let's go! Hurry up!“ She says excitedly while pushing me out of the house.

I grunt as she pushes me outside, I glare down at her and reply.

“Jeez, fine! Stop pushing me!“ 

I turn to my mom as I continue getting pushed towards the door by Hye-kyung.

“We're leaving, mom!“

My mom nods, waving her hand as I groan, geez… since I'm the only man in the family, it doesn't give them the right to drag me wherever. But they're both women, so they need a man… God damnit.

When me and Hye-kyung are outside, snow is falling as I huff, seeing my breath. We walk on the sidewalks. Couples everywhere. I roll my eyes internally as I pass by the couples, we reach the grocery store as Hye-kyung immediately dashes to get everything on the list. I look at the extra 20,000 won mom gave.

I narrow my eyes with my streams, I make much more money. Why even give 20,000 won extra? I could've paid myself. I sigh. Mom probably thinks I'm broke as hell when I'm not. Streaming is a job! People should get that!

Hye-kyung smiles as she comes over, with all the stuff in the list mom gave. She holds the basket and then hands it over to me.

“Now can I get something I want?“ She asks, wanting to be sure she can get something.

I look down at her and run a hand through my hair, ruffling it as I say, blunt.

“Yeah, yeah. Get something you want. I'll get these paid.“

Hye-kyung's smile widens as she strolls through the candy aisle. 15 and still likes candy… tch tch. But I like candy too, so I can't really blame her out loud.

I walk up to the cashier as I place the basket and say.

“Ring these up, please.“

The cashier smiles as she speaks up.

“Of course!“

I pause as I look at her. She looks around my age… and very cute… I clear my throat as I look away, get yourself together, Jeong-il. You're 22 and not 16, for god's sake. Stop falling for cute women.

The cashier rings up everything as she smiles, looking up at me.

“Is that all?“

I turn my head around, seeing Hye-kyung dashing with some ramen and chocolates as she places them on the counter and says, panting.

“Can you ring these up as well, please?“

The cashier nods slightly and rings up the ramen and chocolates, costing a total of 20,000 won exact. Damn, mom really knows her maths. But even if it went over, I could've paid for it so it's not really a big deal.

I pay for the stuff as we head outside and the cashier bows, smiling.

“Come back again!“

I glance back at her, and then look front again. It's not like I'll see her again. Why care? 

We walk back home, I open the door as Hye-kyung dashes to mom and gives her the bag, taking some chocolates from the bag before heading into her room as mom yells

“Hye-kyung! You better wash your teeth after eating that chocolate and eat dinner after!“

Hye-kyung yells back from her room

“Yeah, mom!“

I roll my eyes and head into my room, closing the door as I see the game had finished downloading and smile as I come over towards my chair and sit, positioning myself and wearing my headset. I smirk as I open the game, let's see if it's as good as everyone says.

To be continued…