The promise had been kept all too well.
I hadn't wanted it kept quite this well.
"You play 'Eden' pretty often, huh?"
"Y-Yeah..."
"I've been dabbling a bit myself—it's surprisingly fun. What server's yours?"
"Priya..."
"Oh, same server?"
Ever since the landlord's son—the building owner's heir—had brought over some food, these awkward small-talk events kept popping up.
It helped me save about 100,000 gold a day, so it was a welcome gesture... but not to this extent.
Like the iced Americano that had somehow ended up in my hand.
"Lately, I've been trying Iron Mountain."
"Ah..."
"You might not know, but the second named boss is the Twin Forge Masters—two of 'em—and their patterns are total trash. They only do the spread attack on Sages and Archers."
"Is that so..."
"Totally. You'll feel it if you try it yourself. Oh, I've been attempting the third named lately too. No clue on its patterns."
It wasn't that we couldn't communicate.
The problem was we had so much in common that conversation flowed too easily. It just wouldn't end, and that was exhausting.
Yeah, that was it.
"...Even if you're just dabbling, you're pretty strong."
"Doesn't that mean I'm not really dabbling anymore?"
Calling it "dabbling" when you were tackling top 1% content was nonsense, but I nodded anyway.
Some people do this full-time...
I figured it was possible because he was the building owner's son.
"Since we're on the same server, want me to bus your alt? I can carry you through the first named!"
"Uh, um..."
"Farm the first named together, and you could handle the second too!"
Leaning side by side on the balcony, I'd just nod along as he talked—a full social routine.
That was all I did, but dealing with people drained so much energy.
Even now, his eyes sparkled as he asked if I wanted the carry.
I averted my gaze, fiddling with the now-useless cup holder.
The melted ice had left it soggy, a testament to how long it'd been sitting out.
"No, I'm good... thanks."
"Ah, I can explain the patterns even if you don't know 'em!"
"...M-Maybe later..."
"Great! Mind sharing your Discord ID?"
My social circle was tiny.
Even in real life and the game, I only chatted with my four raid team members. Over two years, and all I knew was their ages and names.
Adding someone else? Especially someone in the same building?
This won't be easy...
His expectant gaze felt heavy, so I turned away.
"That's a bit..."
"Ah, Discord's inconvenient for quick chats, right? How about your phone number?"
"Uh..."
I'd expressed refusal, but he brushed it off naturally.
Before I knew it, his smartphone was in my hand.
It was so seamless. Is this alpha male power? Stunned, I handed over my number.
"Thanks. Oh, what's your name?"
"Noeul... Noeul Lee."
"Ah, Noeul! I'm Haon—Haon Park. Save it!"
"...Okay."
Haon Park flashed a bright smile.
My pocket smartphone buzzed faintly, then stopped. A historic moment—my first non-family contact added.
This should be enough now, right?
If I'd hunted or gathered instead, I'd have made at least 100,000 gold by now—then Haon spoke up.
The price of that spicy pork stir-fry was steeper than expected.
"So, uh, Noeul... you still hanging out with Daesik?"
"Huh?"
"You mentioned it last time."
His hesitant tone and averted eyes were full of unease.
If it's what I mentioned before... oh...
It seemed to refer to my embarrassing side hustle, unfit for normal ears.
"Not often... just occasionally."
"...With Daesik?"
"Not always him—other clients too."
"..."
Haon's expression shifted oddly. The same look from before.
"Wouldn't it be better to do something else instead?"
He must've pegged me as a "ricebug"—the freeloaders who live off game scraps.
Fair enough: trash-strewn room from volume bags, always-on streams. Even gaming pointed to it.
Still, calling it "that kind of thing" stung a bit.
This is why I hated mentioning it...
Having the building owner's son uncover my secret income—even my parents didn't know—left me mortified and deprived by comparison. Deflated, naturally.
"I didn't do well in school, no skills... gotta eat somehow."
"..."
"It's all I can do."
Saying it myself felt pathetic, but it was reality.
I wasn't book-smart, loved only games. Suited me, sure.
"You still watch Daesik's streams though. Must be tough."
"Market research. See what they like, what they need..."
"...Customer management?"
"...Ah! Yeah. Customer management."
I was impressed he nailed it—but the heavy vibe killed my spark quick.
Thankfully, Haon lightened things up. True social butterfly.
"So, besides Daesik, do you watch other streams?"
"I used to watch others, but that streamer quit."
Curiosity lit his face. He into streams too?
"Huh? Who?"
"One called 'Apple' that I enjoyed."
"'Apple'?"
"Yeah. You know 'em?"
"Of course—I watch pretty often."
Suspiciously many commonalities with this rich heir. A fan too, huh.
"Haven't seen streams lately since they stopped, but leaving it on like radio was nice."
"Radio? Their controls are solid though?"
"..."
I didn't react much.
I watched Apple for the chatter and solid hits.
No idea what kind of fan he was, so no need to explain.
"Apple's good enough for skill streams, right?"
"..."
"...Aren't they?"
No response, and his face filled with confusion.
His reaction suggested not a "farmer" fan—casual viewers.
Well, people watch for all sorts of reasons.
I just focused on the impacts and banter.
"Wish they'd come back."
"Yeah?"
"Ruined my routine."
"Huh?"
"...Nothing."
Just that.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
We chatted more after—trivial, nutrient-free banter.
How much time passed? Our talk ended when my iced Americano went flat.
"Ugh... I'm dead..."
I flopped onto bed the second I got home. Drained from rare socializing.
The stir-fry's cost was hefty. Break-even? No way.
It was meant to save 100,000 gold, but not worth the math.
Politely decline next time.
My hard-won conclusion.
Alt gathering or main hunting would've netted over 100,000 gold in that time.
Money aside, it was tiring—not easy downtime.
Still—
Unlike his alpha looks, Haon Park—the heir—wasn't all bad.
"This is Haon Park."
A text from the trading site? No—first from someone else.
Considering society's view on "Awakenings," he'd treated me without bias.
— Anonymous['Awakening' pretty girls are gross? Upvote lololol]— Anon1Upvote lololol— Anon2Fr— Anon3Real talk, prefer them as guys— Anon4↳ ReplyHold your breath for 30 mins?— Anon5↳ ReplyWhat kinda play is that?— Anon6↳ ReplyWhat play? Jerking off— Anon7↳ ReplyThat's why it's better?📰 Breaking News[(Breaking) Major Ministry of National Defense Announcement!] (Ministry of National Defense press photo) They're considering drafting Awakened who manifested as males lololol— Anon8Who am I? A proud Korean citizen!— Anon9Active duty pls active duty pls active duty pls— Anon10↳ ReplyJust take Gihun types, skip these and we're good?— Anon11↳ ReplyStraight to 7th Republic lolol— Anon12National petition time~ petition time~📰 Breaking News[Total Awakened So Far] (Government press photo) 150 total. Out of 60 million, that's lotto odds? Special laws for Awakened is overkill imo. TBH seen any IRL? Only on news, none around me— Anon13Fr lol just an accident— Anon14Stop obsessing over Awakened, care about us baa!— Anon15Awakened concept AV was hot af— Anon16↳ ReplyNeed that code ASAP— Anon17Guy in my class Awakened and transferred— Anon18↳ ReplyBig tits?
Logged into the community—same old posts.
A group shunned everywhere, reduced to mockery.
At least he wasn't that type.
...Probably not.
And the next day, Apple's long-dormant stream went live again.
It had been two weeks since I'd lost Apple.