NOVEL NEXT Chapter 13
Attention is a drug.
Whether big or small, human beings are creatures that thrive on the attention of others.
We’ve been living in a cooperative society since the primitive era. Isolation means death.
That’s why a hikikomori who can’t receive the attention of others withers and dies, and we shouldn’t worry about celebrities.
Just look at how many people were trying to be influencers on InXta and YouXube in the modern world I lived in.
Humans are, fundamentally, creatures that crave the attention of others.
And it turns out, I was no different.
No, rather, having been isolated for 12 years, this attention felt more stimulating to me.
[This really makes me want to see some action, haha.]
[You’ve been kicked by the manager.]
[Hey, I’ll pay you, just take it off a bit more.]
[You’ve been kicked by the manager.]
[Ugh… I wasn’t going to react today.]
[You’ve been kicked by the manager.]
[Come on, manager! Try to kick me again! I’ll be back in five minutes!]
[You’ve been kicked by the manager.]
Look at that, the comment section exploding over a little skin exposure.
If I were a normal ‘guy,’ I would find such things disgusting, but I was originally that type of guy. Those reactions were just amusing to me.
How long had it been since I last showed myself to anyone?
Even when I occasionally went to the city’s back alleys, I always wore a hoodie, so there was hardly a chance to confirm my appearance.
Of course, I sometimes thought while looking at puddles, “Hey, I’m not bad-looking, am I?”… but self-evaluations are generally useless.
However, seeing these reactions made my self-esteem rise slightly.
“Hey, everyone? Calm down, calm down! Um, let me put some limits on the chatroom.”
It was only after Chaerin restricted the chaos in the chatroom that things began to calm down. It was then that I finally loosened my clothing a bit and let out a small sigh of relief.
“Well, that’s a relief.”
Even though my coat was a bit down, my collarbone wasn’t visible.
There lies the Demon’s Mark. I must not be discovered, even if I die.
Right now, I could pass as an ordinary nature lover living in a strange forest, but the moment this crimson tattoo gets exposed, I wouldn’t know what would happen to my future.
As I thought about that, one question suddenly arose.
‘By the way, what do they think about the Demon’s Blood?’
Do they have information about it?
If they know, how much do they understand?
Would they try to eliminate me on sight like these people, or would they have a broader mind like modern humans?
I still had no clear answers.
In such a limited avenue as a comment section, not much information could be obtained. Moreover, directly asking them would surely raise suspicion.
‘I need more information.’
Honestly, that was the reason I accepted this broadcast.
The bad guy’s profile was important, but I was convinced I couldn’t just hide away forever.
The world is changing.
Just because I hide, it doesn’t mean they won’t enter the ‘Forbidden Forest.’
They would eventually come here, even without me.
Because for them, this place is a hunting ground.
Though their ‘levels’ are too low to come now, who knows what might happen in the future?
After all, they are warriors of infinity who can manage pain and even resurrect themselves.
If they are ‘players’ and this is a place to level up, it’s inevitable they will flock here someday. It’s a flow that cannot be stopped.
Thus, I must at least ride that flow.
This isn’t a crisis; I’ll think of it as an opportunity.
That’s why I decided to expose myself a little after 12 years of seclusion.
I can’t hide forever.
And if, by any chance, they are slightly favorable toward the Demon’s Blood manifestor…
I might find a new means of survival.
It seemed a bold decision, but I thought this path was right.
“Ha… I should have done this with my stocks.”
Then I might not have ended up crushed in a studio apartment.
I would probably be living a lavish life, drinking wine from the top floors of a Gangnam building.
[But Chaerin, do something already.]
[Chaerin… I’m feeling suffocated….]
[You seemed to have a good time when it was just us… why are you like this now?]
As I was lost in useless thoughts, new messages popped up in the chatroom.
Time seemed to have passed while I was spacing out.
In the meantime, that girl Chaerin hadn’t said a word and was fidgeting.
In short, it was awkward.
I could somehow understand her feelings. I had blocked most of my personal information, and conversing with the opposite sex felt different. I often found it hard to breathe when talking to someone of the opposite sex in my previous life.
After a heavy silence, her first words were this.
“Um, the weather is really nice, isn’t it? Haha.”
[..sigh.]
[Note to self… Talk about the weather when meeting someone of the opposite sex…]
[Don’t make stupid notes, you might get slapped.]
An excruciatingly awkward question.
But I was just as awkward, so I initiated a conversation.
“Umm, do you want to eat something?”
After all, since we were in this dangerous place, it’d be nice to offer some food.
*
“Siiiigh-!”
“Sorry, all I’ve got is salted meat… or is it enough if it’s just meat?”
“Yes, yes! Of course!”
The savory flavor of the meat spread across the cave. Well-preserved meat was sizzling beautifully before our eyes, surrounded by colorful fruits she had prepared.
‘I should have brought some vegetables too…’
She thought to herself while licking her lips.
Who would have thought she would treat me to a meal, especially meat? Just like last time, it felt like she genuinely cared about this. They say Koreans are a rice-loving people; sometimes, I wonder if she’s actually Korean.
[No other breadwinner like her, lol.]
[From today, I’m declaring Yor as my husband.]
[Have you gotten consent from the party involved?]
[Wow, he can cook well despite his looks, haha.]
[It’s just grilling meat, though?]
[You think grilling meat is easy? Haha.]
The reactions in the chatroom weren’t half bad. In fact, the image he had shown until now was full of irritation, swearing, and threats, so this unexpected charm felt quite refreshing.
Chaerin, actually receiving a meal, also felt pretty good.
One surprising point here is that even Yor used a cast iron pan in this cave.
‘I thought he’d grill on something like a stone slab…’
This wasn’t because Yoo Chaerin had a narrow mindset; it was just the impression Yor had given off.
Both his clothing and living space screamed disconnection from society.
Thus, she hadn’t expected any social tools would be found here. It dawned on her that all the knives he had were civilized tools too.
While musing on that led to another curiosity.
‘Why does he live out here in such a remote forest?’
He looked fine and seemed capable.
She wanted to ask, but she held herself back, remembering their last encounter.
Of course, the chatroom continued its discussions, oblivious.
“Alright, all done.”
As I was lost in thought, the meal was finally ready. The perfectly cooked meat was served before her.
At the same time, a notification popped up before me.
+
[Perfectly Roasted Wild Boar Meat]
This is very well-roasted wild boar meat. It’s salted slightly.
+
So this was wild boar meat. She thought as she took a mouthful.
Rich juices and savory bites exploded in her mouth. Although it was salted, the seasoning was just right for her.
“Hmm…”
This is the benefit of having a 90% immersion in the game.
It may induce PTSD during combat, but when enjoying such casual content, it brought extreme satisfaction.
Watching her eat heartily, Yor chuckled and asked, “Is it good?”
“Yes!”
“Good, eat up.”
[What the hell.]
[Chaerin, you’re enjoying the game too much, don’t overdo it before you get mad.]
[You look handsome even when you smile, bro…]
Yor enjoyed that sight.
It had been quite some time since he had shared a meal with someone instead of eating alone.
It’s a joy when someone enjoys the meal you’ve prepared.
After finishing the light meal, Yor got up to get some napkins to wipe the grease from his mouth.
He stood up, leaving Chaerin behind and headed deeper into the cave.
As he entered his storage room…
“Ah.”
He couldn’t help but feel disappointed at the sight of his storage.
His supply of daily necessities was starting to dwindle.
Toilet paper, soap, sponges — he was running low on everything.
Yor scratched his head in irritation.
He hadn’t gone to the city in quite some time.
It was about time to go to the back alleys and stock up on essentials.
‘Ugh, what a hassle.’
That felt like quite a burdensome chore. Preparing goods for trading and hauling daily necessities required significant labor.
Honestly, it felt annoying buying things and getting ripped off in the back alleys.
‘Oh?’
While he was feeling exhausted, a radical idea suddenly hit him.
‘Wait… Since I’m here, why not just ask for a favor?’
Even though she’s an otherworlder, she could confidently go to the city center unlike him.
That means he didn’t have to deal with being cheated in the back alleys for his purchases.
Of course, it felt a bit rude to ask someone he just met to run an errand, but… Surely, a little extra payment would do the trick. Honestly, that could be cheaper than the back alleys.
And who knows… he might score something that could only be found in the city center.
For example, that pastry with strawberry jam he hadn’t eaten in 12 years!
That bread was pretty significant for Yor, who had deep-seated childhood memories tied to it.
“Hey… um, was it Chaerin? Sorry, but could you do me a favor?”
With that resolved, Yor walked up to Yoo Chaerin.
Being in the position of asking for a favor, he slightly lowered his posture.
When Chaerin looked at him curiously, Yor continued speaking.
“Could you pick up a few things from the city for me? And maybe grab a bread roll from a nearby bakery…”
It was then that a notification appeared in front of Chaerin.
+
[QUEST – Yor’s Errand]
Buy the items he asked for from the city and deliver them!
Success Reward – ???
Failure Penalty – Decrease in Affection and Trust
+
“Uh, um?”
[What the hell, what the hell, what the hell!]
[It’s a quest!! A quest!!!]
[Wow, hahaha!]
[What the hell, what’s happening?]
Strangely, the responses in the chatroom were intense.