I woke up in slight pain, my back was aching, I really needed to stretch more. Considering I was mostly sitting and gaming then crouching while I worked, of course I was going to have the back pain of a 60 years old person.
I stood up and made a big stretch, groaning loudly before walking out to the kitchen.
"Oh, Good morning, you usually wake up more early."
I was slightly confused but then realized it was Lisa. I waved at her saying my good morning too.
"I have the day off today, but I am going to visit my mother."
I smiled as I went ahead and made myself some pancakes as she was as just eating on the counter table. I haven't really talked to Lisa much but it felt really easy to just chat with her.
"How's gaming by the way? We should play, though I'm on a long quest so I'm not even at the capital of the main country."
She spoke as she fixed her glasses while I placed the pancakes on my plate and sat down beside her.
"Well, Don't worry about that since I'm still in the starter town.."
I made a little awkward laugh as she stared at me, clearly confused.
"You haven't left?"
I nodded and took a bite of my pancake before continuing to speak.
"I started a quest and I guess it's a long one too so, I won't be able to leave until then."
I smiled before noticing the time.
"I should probably get going to see my mom, see ya!"
I stuffed the rest of the pancakes into my mouth before running back to my bedroom to change into some new clothes. I wore some black jeans then a plain black shirt, made sure I had all my stuff before I headed out.
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To: mom
From: Lee Gihyuk
Message: hey mom! I'm coming to visit you, I was going to surprise you but you might go on a walk outside and we just miss each other, so wait for me first!
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I sent the message and she replied fast, happy on the fact I'd come to visit her for this week. I smiled, I couldn't to tell her about the good luck I've gotten. I hurried off to the bus stop as I decided I'd bring her some flowers as the last batch of flowers I got are probably wilting away.
I stopped by a flowery shop that was near the hospital, it was a small little shop that had a nice air to it. I walked in as there was a woman who looked up from the cashier as I gave a small wave.
"Would you.. like any help?"
Her voice was quiet as she had her black long hair, round glasses and clearly smaller than me.
"Yes, is there any type of flowers that can last pretty long? Something that won't wilt after a week."
I asked as I looked around, the place was so colourful with the flowers.
She let out a sigh but was fast to hide it. I understood that feeling, obligated to ask if they need help but not wanting to do it. Oh the pain of a worker.
She walked over and looked around, before pointing at the some bell shaped flowers.
"Cut lilies are are pretty low maintenance, would you like me to make a boutique?"
I looked over, liking the way it looked before nodding as well replying to the girl.
"Just a small mix of them, nothing to big."
I smile before suddenly getting a call.
"Tell me when it's done."
I moved away with a small bow before answering the call, it was from Kyun.
"Hyung! Sorry for leaving you out of nowhere yesterday, anyways let me help you level up a bit, we'll go to the nearby forest. You need to actually experience the fighting instead of just training."
I blinked slightly confused before letting out a small chuckle.
"Why are you talking about L.O in the morning already? But sure I'm not at home right now though so I'll text you later when I get home."
I spoke as he seemed to agree happily before saying his goodbye. At the same time, I noticed behind me from the reflection of the window, the girl was looking at me.
I turned around with a small smile.
"Are the flowers finished?"
I asked as I walked over to the counter, pulling out my wallet to pay cash. Since I've been here before I already knew the flowers were usually cheap.
"Oh- right yes here you go."
She handed me the flowers and got the cash register ready as I then paid for them. I bowed as a thank you but she suddenly stopped me.
"Wait, excuse me,"
She asked as I noticed her looking shy. I was wondering at first, was she about to ask for my number. I felt a bit smug at the fact, but she looked a bit young for me.
"Sorry, I think I'm too ol-"
I was suddenly cut off by her sudden voice.
"Do you also play L.O? Can we be friends? I've been playing but don't usually make friends there."
She seemed to be in a slight panic but I could see excitement from her voice.
Now I just felt embarrassed for getting all high horses there. Though that would be good to have more people I knew and could play with. Shaking off the embarrassment I nodded.
"I guess you heard me talking on the phone."
I let out a chuckle as she nodded, saying her sorry for eve dropping.
"Don't worry about it! I want to make more friends in L.O anyways so yeah, we can."
I nodded as we then exchanged numbers so we could contact each other to play together.
After that interaction, I said my goodbyes as I didn't want to make my mom wait for too long. I waved goodbye and headed off to the hospital, flowers in my hand. It only took about 10 mins or so to reach the hospital, I then walked in, talked to the front desk about my visit and walked in.
I gave a small knock on the hospital door to my mother's room, walking in as I saw her dark brown short hair. She was looking out of the window before she looked over with a sweet smile.
"My dear! Nice to see you, have you been sleeping well?"
She asked as I nodded, walking over to the bedside to change the flowers in the vase.
"I have, how about you? You doing well?"
I asked, finishing up with the flowers before taking a seat beside her. She suddenly took my hand in hers as she rubbed it gently.
"Momma wants you to take care of yourself okay? I'm sorry if I've been such a burden to you."
She spoke gently. I knew she always blamed herself, but it wasn't her fault that she got an illness.
"Don't worry, I am, just make sure you take care of yourself so you can get out soon!"
I smiled before changing the subject to a much happier topic.
I told her about the flyer that I came across, the cheap housing I live in, the nice people I've met so far.
"Not a lot, but not only do I have more people to talk too, I also have a way to get more money! Though it might take a while."
I laughed awkwardly but she was just smiling at me happily. The sweet smile of a carrying mother.
"You're in your 20's, I'm glad you're having some fun now instead of working all the time."
She then nudge me with her elbow.
"Make sure to find yourself a girlfriend too."
She laughed before patting my shoulder.
"Or maybe a boyfriend who knows, whoever you want."
Oh god I felt a bit embarrassed, but still happy since she was supportive.
"I just want to focus on getting you healthier first."
She then teased me on the fact maybe I play to much games that's why. The rest of the day was us talking and laughing. Talking about her health and then soon going out for a stroll at the back of the hospital.
It was getting late now though, so I brought her back to her room once more.
"I'll come visit again next time, so take care ok?"
I spoke as she agreed and told me to do the same before I headed off back home.
While I was on the bus home, I realized I had a few texts. One from the girl who wanted to play L.O and then a text from Kyun as well.
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From: Jueng Beom
To: Lee Gihyuk
Message: hello, it's the worker from earlier, just wanted to say hi and ask for your username so I can add you, I'm going on a raid later but let's meet up in game soon!
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She seemed excited to be able to play, and I was just happy to make more friends in game, seeing she seemed to be a long time player already maybe she could help me know more too.
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From: Lee Gihyuk
To: Jueng Beom
Message: yeah sure, my username is LHyuk, I'll be on later so I'll see the friend request, see you next time!
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Now to reply to my co-worker.
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From: Han Kyun
To: Lee Gihyuk
Message: Hyung! When are you getting home, I wanna play, I have to sleep soon because I can't ruin my sleep schedule my mom says. [eye roll emoji] let me show you a good starter hunting area at least.
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Seeing how someone I never really talked to want to help me so much was pretty nice.
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To: Han Kyun
From: Lee Gihyuk
Message: I'll log in once I'm home, I'm almost there so just wait for me in game!
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Andddd sent. Once the message was sent I put my phone away once again, looking out the window as the sun began to set, I was getting hungry too, might as well buy some chicken or something on the way home.
Finally I reached my home, carrying some convenience store bought chicken. The moment I walked in, the first people I saw was the international student Jonathan and Lisa. They said hi then was quick to ask what I bought. Their eyes were basically begging for me to give them some so I gave in and did just that.
"Thank you kind sir."
Lisa teased before I headed up to my room with now only half of what I bought. I sat on the bed to eat quickly, then went to change into some comfortable clothes before finally logging into the game, sitting into the Silver Mind machine.
When I opened my eyes, I was back at L.O, where I left off, the front of the tavern. The start of the new skills I've achieved.
Immediately one I logged in, Kyun was fast to text me, telling me to accept his party request then head to the marked area he placed in the map. I did just that and headed off, having a burning feeling on the back of my head, I looked around but saw nothing so I just shrugged it off and went to meet my friend.
"Hyung! Over here!"
Kyun, or well, Dark K called me over with a wave and I made a little jog over. He stood in front of wild boars roaming around, though they weren't just your typical boars, they had large bottom fangs that went pass its forehead, and a large horn in the middle of its head.
"It's called a Rior, basically a mix of a boar and a rhino. These are level one but the stronger ones can be pretty terrifying."
I nodded, just staring at it before pulling out the sword that Nel gave me.
"So all I need to do is kill them right?"
The black haired other was about to speak before I got too impatient and just rushed in. Not being able to hold back, my old gaming mind couldn't help but just go straight at it.
"Wait Hyung!!"
He shouted behind me but I already took a strike on one, which instantly killed it.
"Pretty easy of course."
I nodded to myself acting all smug before I was suddenly thrown forward. One of the other boars hitting me from behind.
"They act like real animals, if you attack one of their kinds, the others will come for you, why didn't you wait?"
Seeing someone younger than me look so disappointed made me feel shock before I was hit once again, now just running around while trying to ask the other for help, but he wouldn't, Kyun was pretty petty, just because I didn't listen now he's just watching me sit on top of a tree while multiple Riors try to get me.
"Hey! Help me already!"
I shouted swinging my sword towards the younger male.
"No! That's on you!"
After a while, the beasts slowly dispersed and left me alone, letting me go back down as I walked tiredly towards Kyun.
"I'm sorry- I'll listen more now."
He nodded before finally pulling out his own weapons, a bow and arrows that matched his elvish and green aesthetic.
"I'll help you level up to at least 5 before I have to go, then you should think carefully about where you put your stat points."
Oh right, I had stat points, well it doesn't matter I'll figure it out at some point, a old number one ranker should know about this at least. After a few more tips from the more experienced player, we began to grind fighting off the animals. We made a pretty good team.
.
.
Within the forest lines on top of the branches was a hooded man, looking over the two guys who were merely trying to raise ranks. It was the same man from before.
"Why did he have to have a strong player as a friend.. I'll have to wait for it."
He mumbled to himself, pulling down his hood to expose a white short and slicked back hair man with deep gold eyes. Above his head was a blood red circular marking on his cheek that had a line across it. Yet with a certain skill, he was able to hide the marking.
He kept eyes on Lee Gihyuk, hiding within the shadows once more as the shouting of two friends defeating monsters stayed in the background.
To be continued..