Chapter 15: Chaos in the Desert: The Guild Welcome

Episode 15

<Welcome to “Odin’s Boundary”! May Balder’s blessing pour down on you today as well!>

How long has it been since I last logged in?

After being discharged from the hospital, Kyunghun spent the past three weeks going through the motions inside and outside of Seo, staring at the familiar screen, lost in thought. From starting this ridiculous game, enduring the grueling time stuck in the mines, to finally logging into the server he had sworn never to touch again—it wasn’t entirely unpleasant.

But it wasn’t exactly enjoyable either.

Though his face was worn from fatigue, his hands, optimized for gaming, moved instinctively as he entered the server and briefly interacted with an NPC offering quests.

[General] MachoKing: Long time no see, Captain.

<“The Captain” will provide today’s quest!>

He spoke mostly to himself, of course.

Kyunghun, now accustomed to the routine, accepted the daily quest and clicked through a few pieces of equipment. Seo-hyun hadn’t logged in yet, so it was probably better to run around alone first. MachoKing, clad in combat gear, made a slow spin in front of Kyunghun as if to show off.

[Guild] LA Kongdaenam: Macho?^^

It was LA Kongdaenam, the guild master of the “Black-Haired Beasts” guild Kyunghun had joined during his previous login. Kyunghun lifted his cursor from MachoKing and started typing.

[Guild] MachoKing: Yes, hello.
[Guild] MachoKing: Am I too late to log in? ;;

It had been three weeks and two days since his last login.

Most guilds would have sent a string of curses and kicked him out by now, but Kongdaenam, either just a good-natured person or someone who had no expectations of Kyunghun, simply chuckled.

[Guild] LA Kongdaenam: No, it’s fine, haha. I knew you were coming. ^^

[Guild] MachoKing: Haha, this is embarrassing.

Kyunghun fiddled with a business card on his desk, crumpling and folding it absentmindedly while scratching the back of his neck. Sure, he had joined the guild to get items, but it felt wrong not to do anything.

[Guild] MachoKing: Still, it’s the first day in the guild today.
[Guild] MachoKing: Shouldn’t we do something?

Though he itched to get the items quickly, he wasn’t brazen enough to ask outright. He greeted the guild members and planned to ask Kongdaenam slyly about it later. As he calculated various possibilities, Kongdaenam spoke up.

[Guild] LA Kongdaenam: Macho ^^
[Guild] LA Kongdaenam: Everything is ready.

[Guild] MachoKing: …Ready for what?

Kyunghun tilted his head. His black hair fluttered in the server’s sunlight. Kongdaenam, watching him, responded.

[Guild] LA Kongdaenam: There will be a guild welcome ceremony. ^^
[Guild] LA Kongdaenam: We’ve prepared everything.
[Guild] LA Kongdaenam: Let’s go. ^^

Kyunghun wondered what kind of nonsense this was. After starting this game, he had only grown suspicious and cautious. As his fingers hesitated, Kongdaenam kept typing.

[Guild] LA Kongdaenam: The deputy guild master you’ve been waiting for is also here.

[Guild] MachoKing: ,…I wasn’t waiting.

[Guild] LA Kongdaenam: Haha, yes ^^ Let’s go, everyone’s waiting.

[Guild] MachoKing: Isn’t the deputy guild master busy?

Recalling previous conversations, Kyunghun asked, and the chat went quiet for a moment.

[Guild] LA Kongdaenam: Apparently, he has some free time today. ^^

Then Kongdaenam sent coordinates and left abruptly. Kyunghun had expected him to at least escort him there, but it was purely a solo move.

Suppressing his unease, Kyunghun moved to the coordinates Kongdaenam had left. He arrived in the middle of a desert where golden waves shimmered under his feet. His scarf fluttered wildly in the strong wind.

“Great Sandy,” a place where centipedes and scorpions appeared as mobs suited to the desert and oasis environment, was famous among players for its exotic scenery.

However, it was also a minefield where monsters could appear through the sand at any moment. Kyunghun, clicking around the desert with his cursor, muttered as he recognized familiar faces.

“…Even their hand waves are synchronized.”

In the middle of the desert, Kongdaenam, Yaongi, and Palpal waved at Kyunghun, probably timing the same emote.

Until now, Kyunghun hadn’t bonded with anyone except Seo-hyun. He had chosen a solitary path after a bad experience on the first day, partly because Seo-hyun had taken the seat beside him.

Though he liked Seo-hyun despite their spats, the presence of the three in front of him now was something else entirely.

[Guild] Yaongi: Hey bro, long time no see, haha.

Moreover, the fluttering long-skirted female character still felt strange. Kyunghun paused at the golden-laced skirt, and Yaongi immediately sent a message.

[Guild] Yaongi: At least say hi――

[Guild] MachoKing: S-sorry;;; long time no see.

[Guild] Yaongi: Just feel free to talk casually.

[Guild] MachoKing: ?? Didn’t you hate talking casually when we first met?

[Guild] Yaongi: Me? O.o Nope, never.

[Guild] Odin’s 88: Hello, Macho.

Odin’s 88, instead of Yaongi, greeted him, drawing Kyunghun’s attention.

[Guild] MachoKing: Yes, hello.

[Guild] Odin’s 88: Have you chosen your gear?

For the first time, Kyunghun responded happily to the direct question.

[Guild] MachoKing: Yes, the Aoren Armor.
[Guild] MachoKing: Is that possible? I need it.

The chat went quiet for a moment after Kyunghun’s words, then red text started appearing.

[Guild] LA Kongdaenam: Okay, that’s possible ^^

[Guild] MachoKing: Who said that?

[Guild] LA Kongdaenam: Our deputy guild master~ ^^

[Guild] MachoKing: …Ah, yes.

The brief silence was likely a whisper from the deputy guild master. Understanding the situation, Kyunghun focused on the chat.

[Guild] LA Kongdaenam: Macho, could you turn around? ^^

[Guild] MachoKing: Eh?

[Guild] Odin’s 88: He’s right behind you…

Kyunghun moved the cursor back to expand his view.

And then his mind froze.

Standing next to the stiff MachoKing, Kongdaenam said in a dry voice:

[Guild] LA Kongdaenam: He’s such an attention seeker.
[Guild] LA Kongdaenam: Even when he comes, he acts like this.

From the opposite side of the desert, a massive sandstorm was approaching, but what startled Kyunghun wasn’t the wind—it was its source.

Something was rushing toward him. No—it was running, not flying.

It was Seo-hyun’s wolf.

Kyunghun blinked in shock. Why was it here?

[Guild] MachoKing: Uh, guild master,
[Guild] MachoKing: What am I looking at right now?
[Guild] MachoKing: Why is there a wolf in the desert?

Kongdaenam replied casually.

[Guild] LA Kongdaenam: Just think of it as a nonsense show.

[Guild] MachoKing: Could it be the deputy guild master…

[Guild] LA Kongdaenam: Correct ^^

Seeing the unbelievable reality, Kyunghun hurriedly looked for cover.

[Guild] MachoKing: …I don’t need the item then.

[Guild] LA Kongdaenam: Isn’t it a bit early to kick him?

Yaongi and Palpal stood protectively in front of Kyunghun in this awkward situation.

[Guild] Yaongi: Don’t worry, bro, it’s fine, haha.

[Guild] Odin’s 88: Sometimes he acts like that when he’s in a bad mood… you get used to it.

[Guild] MachoKing: No, you guys,
[Guild] MachoKing: This isn’t a matter of getting used to it.

Alone, trying to stay sane amid the chaos, Kyunghun’s brow furrowed. The previously roaring wind had calmed, and a large wolf stopped in front of the Black-Haired Beasts. Its massive body was intimidating. Kyunghun muttered nervously about the mess ahead.

Seo-hyun lightly jumped off the wolf’s head and greeted MachoKing.

[Guild] Seo-hyun: Who is this?
[Guild] Seo-hyun: Isn’t this Macho, who said he liked being alone?

As expected. Kyunghun let out a weary sigh at the young man’s angry chat. He had momentarily forgotten Seo-hyun’s age—24. How angry must he be now?

Wiping his dry palm over his mouth, Kyunghun slowly typed.

[Guild] MachoKing: I think you’re confusing me with another Macho.
[Guild] MachoKing: Sorry, we’re strangers.

[Guild] Seo-hyun: Bro, what the hell are you doing right now?

But it had no effect.

[Guild] Seo-hyun: I’m going to smash the bow I gave you

Meanwhile, Kongdaenam and Palpal observed the scene and sent messages together.

[Guild] LA Kongdaenam: Macho, you must be tired.
[Guild] LA Kongdaenam: Just deal with him a few times.

[Guild] Odin’s 88: Hey, aren’t we supposed to have a welcome ceremony? ;;

[Guild] LA Kongdaenam: Palpal really has no sense.
[Guild] LA Kongdaenam: What kind of welcome ceremony is this?
[Guild] LA Kongdaenam: This is a funeral.