[TS] The Return of The Gamer - Chapter 57

Several days have already passed.

I wanted to create a new account right away, but unfortunately, the issue regarding my identity hasn't been completely resolved, so I'm told it'll take some time.

…If I'd known this would happen, I would've waited a bit longer to delete my account.

Normally, this would be the time I'd be cultivating a new account, but unwillingly forced into a mandatory hiatus, I was sprawled out in bed.

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-Compilation of the late player’s insane plays.avi

-Hey, why is it already a funeral home vibe? Don't kill Prisoner, you bastards.

-Prisoner will return. As always.

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‘This is a total mess.’

Watching the community or broadcasts for a day or two is one thing, but watching it made my longing for the game even stronger.

Of course, if I wanted to, I could play other games.

However, there was a big difference in interest between temporarily playing other games when I had options, and playing a game out of necessity when I had no choice.

Soon, all the games were boring.

I thought I was a pure gaming enthusiast, but it was a huge misconception.

Shockingly, I wasn't a slave to the game, but a slave to Legend of League.

“I’m bored……”

Oh, my voice sounded a bit weird just now.

…Doesn't matter. There's no one listening anyway.

“What are you doing?”

“Hyak!”

“What kind of strange sound is that?”

Please knock, for God's sake...

The problem is that the door is too smooth. No matter how much I was distracted, how can I not hear the door opening? The door should make the cliché creaking sound, something like that.

“How many days have you been like this?”

I unconsciously flinched at my mother's words.

And then I blurted out a poor excuse.

“…I have nothing to do.”

In my heart, I want to quickly create a new account, level up, climb the tiers, and receive offers to join teams so I can debut as a pro player quickly.

But, as it often happens with the affairs of the world, how can I help but not have things go as I wish?

“If you have nothing to do, why don’t you come with me for a bit?”

“Where to?”

“The new house. We should start organizing the belongings. You decide the layout of your room. You said you wanted to, right?”

Ah, that place.

“…We went there before.”

“You just picked the room back then. Today is the day to arrange the furniture.”

“Already?”

That means the move is literally right around the corner, doesn't it?

Soon, the problem with my identity will also be resolved.

‘That said… are you going to make me work there?’

At that moment, my mother's expression became very strange, as if she had read my expression.

“Don’t worry. I wouldn't make you do anything. You just have to tell me where you want to place things like the desk.”

“…I haven’t said anything yet?”

“It's all over your face.”

…I should practice managing my expressions later. It’s so obvious that I lack social experience.

“Anyway, get ready.”

“Alright.”

“What's this? I thought you'd say you didn't want to go because it's a hassle.”

“Right.”

I'm really curious about that too.

I don't know, but I guess the days of hardship have pushed me to this point.

‘Going out.’

Maybe it's because it's been a while since I've been out, or maybe it's because a new stimulus has finally come into my boring life, but I felt strangely excited.

*

Black military cap.

Light beige hoodie.

Plus the long padding I always wear.

Having finished preparing for the outing, I stood in front of the entrance door with a light step.

“Are you wearing that again?”

“What are you talking about? The hat and hoodie are different, aren't they?”

Although I did some shopping because I had nothing to do for days, she doesn’t know how much effort I put into choosing this.

“…I can't expect much from you.”

My mother shook her head.

Whether she did or not, I looked at the mirror in the entrance and lightly adjusted my clothes.

“It's pretty, isn't it?”

You can't deny this, right?

“Ugh.”

As always, my mother sighed with a helpless look and went out the front door.

My mother, who was in the driver's seat, said,

“Oh, Yuri will come over around dinner time. Let's eat dinner nearby.”

“Really?”

I haven't really felt it because it's so quiet at home, but we're definitely moving, it seems.

“Where’s Dad?”

“He has a work dinner. So let's go eat something delicious together.”

This is… the weight of being the head of the household?

I could see my father, drunk, humming a song and coming home.

“We're here.”

Since I'd been this way before, the scenery wasn't so new.

I guess I'm getting old.

Of course, that doesn't mean that all the scenery has become familiar.

‘Umm….’

[SY Palace]

Even though it wasn't my first time, the imposing feeling given by the gigantic, soaring structure that pierced the sky was extraordinary.

It wasn't for nothing that the old power figures built the buildings high as a symbol of their authority.

If it wasn't for the house I'm moving to, I probably wouldn't have come near here for the rest of my life.

“What are you doing?”

“Ah, yeah.”

As I followed my mother's back into the building entrance, the gazes around us began to focus on us as if they had been waiting.

It was my unlucky day, as a group of women living here happened to be passing by.

“Hye-min's mom, over there, over there.”

“Why?”

“I think it's the house that's moving into the penthouse this time.”

“Oh, the announcer... Oh my.”

The gaze that initially turned to my mother eventually stopped on me.

Even I, who am oblivious to the public's attention, felt it, but my mother didn't react.

‘Is she used to it?’

I heard that my mother was a famous announcer before.

So, in a way, it's natural that she doesn't care about the surrounding gazes.

“The elevator is here.”

After reaching the top floor amid countless gazes, what greeted us first was a commotion.

“Put that over there!”

“Yes!”

It was bustling with people carrying furniture that wasn't there before.

‘It doesn't seem like they moved the furniture from home… Did they buy all new furniture?’

What, is it okay to be so extravagant?

‘…No, maybe it isn’t extravagant?’

As I was shrinking in my thoughts, one of the people who looked like movers from the moving company approached us.

“Oh, you're here?”

“Yes. You've been working hard. I've made a reservation at a restaurant nearby after you’re done, so please go and have a meal.”

“You don’t have to go to that extent… Oh, thank you. Do you need anything else?”

“Yes. I think it would be better if my daughter looked at her own room. Could you help me?”

“Ah, yes. Let's go.”

And then, my mother naturally pushed me on the back.

“…Huh?”

“Since it's your room, you should go and see it.”

“I, what am I supposed to do? By myself?”

“You said you wanted to decide the layout of your room yourself?”

“I did, but…”

What my mother was saying was clear.

“…So, I’m supposed to tell you where to put the furniture and stuff?”

“Yes.”

What should I do?

Should I just say I can’t?

‘…No.’

A man of the world, or maybe not anymore, but anyway, I was born that way, so I can't back down here.

“…Alright.”

I'll show you.

What is the optimal furniture arrangement for a Challenger.

.

.

.

……That grandiose dream shattered into pieces the moment I saw the faces of the harsh-looking men.

“Excuse me, could you move aside for a moment?”

“Ah, yes, yes…”

Even though some of the staff members are no different in age from me, the sense of intimidation they emanated was extraordinary.

…Or maybe I'm just a scaredy-cat.

I believe in the former.

It must be.

No, it has to be.

“How should we place the desk?”

As if reading my troubles, one of the staff members approached me first and asked in a kind tone.

Feeling as if I had met a savior from the sky, I slowly stated my requirements.

“Um… place the desk so that it doesn’t face the door. Oh, put that over there.”

“Understood.”

Indeed, if you have money, it’s good, as the staff members carefully listened to my words.

“Where should we put this?”

“Ah, please put that on the balcony side.”

“Understood.”

And…

Since there were many people, the furniture arrangement was completed in an instant.

“How is it?”

“It's, it's enough.”

“If there's anything you don't like, please tell us. Changing the position is not a problem at all.”

“It's really okay. Thank you.”

With a desk in a L-shape that doesn't face the door and a monitor arm mount that can hold at least four or more monitors.

And all the furniture arrangements, including the bookshelves, were no different from those for gamers.

It was the arrangement I wanted so much.

“You've all worked hard. I've sent you the restaurant's location by text. Please tell them my name when you go.”

“Thank you, ma'am. Please call us anytime if you need anything else.”

“Ho ho, yes.”

After the staff members left, I looked around the penthouse filled with various furniture and asked my mother.

“When do we move in?”

“It will probably take about a week. We have to clean it, and there are still things to be finished.”

“Really?”

A week….”

That was a pleasant sound.

“Why, do you want to come here soon?”

“N, not exactly….”

As always, she’s playing on top of my head.

“Let’s go. Yuri's waiting.”

“Where is she?”

“She’ll probably be here soon.”

As we arrived at the underground parking lot, my mother rummaged through her handbag.

“Huh?”

“What’s wrong?”

“I think I left the car key upstairs. I’ll go up for a moment.”

“Alright.”

My mother, who was about to rush to the elevator, paused.

“Then, since we're waiting, why don't you go buy some water at the convenience store? I'm a little thirsty.”

Oh ho, another errand?

It’s probably not because she's really thirsty.

Maybe this is part of my mother's social training that she has been doing so much until now.

I'm not getting fooled anymore.

“Alright.”

Of course, that and refusing are separate issues.

‘It's not that difficult.’

Following what my mother said, I arrived at the convenience store in the apartment, and after a few tries, I found the refrigerator and took out two bottles of mineral water.

“1,000 won.”

“Ah, here you go.”

“Could you insert it?”

“Yes, yes?”

“Here.”

Are convenience stores like this these days?

I felt my face flush, and I awkwardly inserted the card into the card reader.

“It’s backwards.”

“Yes? Ah, yes, yes!”

I want to die of embarrassment.

…No, just kill me.

[“Payment completed.”]

“Now, take it out.”

“…Yes.”

At first, I thought buying a bottle of water wouldn't be a big deal.

But I was wrong.

A tremendous hardship awaited me to buy a bottle of mineral water.

‘…I’m definitely going to insist on having a water purifier.’

I felt all my energy drained, and I pushed the convenience store door.

“Huh?”

What’s this, why isn’t it opening?

…Then there was someone on the other side.

“So, sorry.”

I want to die of embarrassment today.

No, it feels like that almost every time I go out.

And,

As I stepped aside, the door opened, and an unexpected face appeared.

“Ah.”

Why are you here?