Chapter- 3:

A walk in the park? No! A walk in flames!

After that… instant death incident. I stopped playing for a bit, not because I was mad, but because I had gotten a bit busy with my life.

I sigh as I yawn.

“Hyung! Hyung! What's this?“

A kid points out a mathematical sum. I look down as I look at the sum.

“Oh, it's division. I'll tell ya that in a bit, kiddo.“

I'm currently working as a tutor for my mom's friend as a part-time job because my mom thinks I'm too grown up to be playing video games and streaming all day.

The kid, aka, Yoo-joon. He's a good kid, smart, and cute, too. He does his work, and I do mine. The job's as simple as that.

Yoo-joon takes his pencil and begins writing on the book. He's in 3rd grade. Yet he's smarter than his peers. I stretch as I lean in and clear my throat.

“Okay. So basically, to do division, you need too…”

A few hours later…

I yawn as I get up and take my bag.

“Righteeo. My job is done, and your job is done. I'm out. Tell aunt I left, 'Kay?“

Yoon-joon nods as he gets up.

“Okay!“

I walk out the door as I stretch. That was one long tutoring session. I scratch my temples as I glance at a bakery shop nearby. 

“Might as well get a treat.“ I say to myself.

I walk towards the bakery and open the door. The bell rings as a cashier welcomes me.

“Welcome!“ The cashier says.

I blink a few times. I've seen her before… Right! The one who worked at the convenience store!

“Uh…” I mutter, not knowing what to say.

The cashier smiles as she tilts her head. Ah, right! I came here to eat something. I quickly divert my gaze from her and look at the menu.

“I'll have a mississipi fudge cake slice, please. To go.“

The cashier nods and rings it up.

“Alright, sir! Your total will be ₩10,000! Would you like to pay cash or card?“

I hand over my card to the cashier, and she scans it.

Ping! Payment successful.

The cashier hands back my card, and I put it in my wallet.

“Please wait for a few minutes, sir! Your order will be out in 3 minutes!“ The cashier says, turning away to prepare the order.

My eyes widen as my hand moves before my brain could process it, and I hold her back.

The cashier blinks a few times as she pauses.

“Uhm… do you need anything else sir…?“

I freeze. Shoot. Why did I grab her arm? I try to think of an excuse, but my brain is fried.

“Uhm… uh… w-whats your name…?“ I ask hesitantly.

. . . Awkward silence.

I quickly tilt my head down, embarrassed. Fuckkk!! I shouldn't have asked for her name in the first place! Why the hell are you being this weird, Jeong-il?!?!?

“Myung-hee.“ The cashier whispers.

I blink a few times and raise an eyebrow as I look up at her

“Huh…?“

The cashier, embarrassed, looks away as she says it once again.

“You asked for my name, didn't you? It's Myung-hee.“

My eyes brighten up. Myung-hee… that fits so much. I look at her eyes as she glances back at me. It felt like the time had frozen, and the world around us disappeared. For the first time… I've fallen in love.

I quickly pull my hand away as I rub my neck, embarrassed.

“Ah, uhm, that's uh… that's a pretty name you got there.“

Myung-hee looks away shyly as she nods.

“Thank you…”

She quickly goes off to prepare my order. I look down at my hand, the one which I had grabbed her from. Her skin felt smooth and soft… her arm was… quite tiny compared to mine.

I quickly slap myself as I groan, grabbing my hair. The nearby people look at me as if I'm a mad man.

“What the fuck am I thinking about?! Get your act together!“

Few minutes later…

Myung-hee comes back with my order and she gives it to my hand. She is still embarrassed as she bows.

“Enjoy your cake, sir.“

I nod as she walks away. She's so cute… I look back at the bag and clutch it in nt hand. It feels like something given to me as a gift… I smile as I turn around to leave, leaving a tip on the counter. As well as my number. Oh cmon! I had to take a chance, okay?

I exit the shop, holding the cake bag in my hand, happy. I go home and open the door.

“I'm back!“

My mom peeks out from the corner of the kitchen.

“Welcome back. Did the tutoring session go well?“

I nod as I remove my shoes and wear my slippers. Going to my room immediately.

I yawn as I plop down onto my gaming chair. Bored.

“Now what…”

I glance at Traverse. I ponder before opening the app.

'. . .'

'Signing into Traverse. . .'

[!. . .Loading. . .¡]

The AI, Ru-ru had come back as she floats on the screen.

“Welcome back, Rise_West! During your time away you had missed some events and quests. Would you like to do them now?“

I pause as I look at the screen and click on agree.

“Fantastic! Logging you in right away!“

[/!Welcome back, Traverser 'Rise_West'!]

The beautiful scenery greets me once again. I breathe out a sigh as I smile.

A pop up event box appears on my screen, reading. The new year's event.

My eyes slightly widen in curiosity.

'The New Year's Event!'

[/”For this event, we are planning to reveal the new boss that everyone has been wondering about! The event rewards include: A new year's couple costume, An A tier healing potion, A class, world, region change and a legendary tier… S tier sword, The Titan Blade! The winner's will receive any one of the above mentioned prizes…”]

I stopped reading at the S tier sword. S… S tier?! I want it. No. I NEED IT. 

I crack my knuckles as I grin.

“I just have to grind a lot. This should be a walk in the park!“

Or so… I thought. I groan as I drink another healing potion. Stumbling back. 

CYNIX grins as he steps forward, pointing his sword at me.

“Trying to get the S tier sword too, huh? I won't let you.“

A walk in the park…? Yeah right. More like a walk in flames.

To be continued.