Sorim Grapes is Wronged

39.

[Party/Gchang: On that note, Angryy, won’t you join our guild? ㅇㅅㅇ Quick recruitment ㅇㅅㅇ!]

[Party/Angryy: No]

[Party/Beombiga: Recruitment doesn’t work on Angryy..]

[Party/Beombiga: I tried too, but it didn’t work, so I’m just waiting for Angryy to create a guild and I’ll join that]

[Party/MinoIsMine: ??? Have you talked about this with the Jangsan Tiger guild master?]

[Party/Beombiga: Why should I talk to that person?]

[Party/MinoIsMine: lol No]

[Party/MinoIsMine: I thought the Jangsan Tiger guild name was made because of your name, Beombiga… ㅠㅠㅠ]

[Party/Beombiga: That’s not it, that person just likes tigers ^^]

[Party/Gakjong: If Beombiga becomes a free agent later, the server will go crazy lol]

[Party/Gchang: Beombiga, don’t forget there’s also a guild called Pale Ghost in this world…┃ㅅㅇ]

[Party/Beombiga: I’m going to join Angryy’s guild…]

[Party/Angryy: I’m not making a guild]

Being a guild master would definitely be tiresome in many ways. A misanthrope like me should never take on the role of leading a group.

[Party/MinoIsMine: Then Angryy, do you have any plans to open a store?]

[Party/MinoIsMine: People who enjoy farming content all seem to be going into self-employment]

[Party/Angryy: Well, self-employment doesn’t make money, so there’s no need..]

[Party/Gakjong: Since Angryy said he’s rich in real life, he could probably just buy gold lol]

[Party/Gchang: I envy being able to spend real money ㅇㅅㅠ I made money by running a side dish store when I was broke before]

I flinched for a moment.

Side dish store.

This game really has all kinds of content.

[Party/Beombiga: I’ve run a side dish store too ^^]

[Party/Gakjong: Ah lol I saw that broadcast lol You said you had a dream of running a side dish store, but quit after two days lol]

[Party/Beombiga: That’s embarrassing…]

[Party/MinoIsMine: lol]

[Party/Gchang: What kind of dream is running a side dish store ㅇㅅㅇ;]

[Party/Angryy: My parents used to run a side dish store..]

[Party/MinoIsMine: ;;]

[Party/Gakjong: OMG]

[Party/Gchang: Let me try a 14-line poem about that…]

I didn’t mention that we closed the store after my parents passed away, as it would probably make the atmosphere too gloomy.

[Party/Beombiga: You ran a side dish store?]

[Party/Angryy: If you search for Seorim-dong side dish store, you’ll see a lot of praise]

[Party/Angryy: It’s an old story though]

[Party/MinoIsMine: Wow, that must have been nice, having a feast every day lol]

[Party/Gakjong: I’m jealous, we only had kimchi as a side dish at home lol]

[Party/Angryy: It wasn’t exactly a feast, but we did have at least 3 side dishes]

[Party/Gchang: This solo-living Gchang is always indebted to side dish stores, side dish stores are the best ㅇㅅㅇ!]

[Party/MinoIsMine: You’re trying hard lol]

[Party/Beombiga: Angryy]

[Party/Beombiga: Did you live in Seorim-dong?]

[Party/Angryy: Yeah, when I was young]

[Party/Beombiga: Seorim-dong in Gangseo-gu, Seoul?]

[Party/Angryy: Yes]

After that, Beombiga became strangely quiet. Maybe he’s busy.

After enjoying the farming content for a while, I checked the time.

Today is the first day of my brother’s school festival. I should go before it gets too late.

[Party/Angryy: I have to go now]

[Party/Gakjong: Huh?]

[Party/Gakjong: 9 PM.. it’s not time to go out according to your usual pattern?]

[Party/MinoIsMine: Is your brother calling you again?]

[Party/MinoIsMine: Angryy is such a good brother, always taking care of his sibling ㅠㅠㅠ]

[Party/Gakjong: Could be a good older sister too]

[Party/MinoIsMine: Oh, could you be a woman?!]

[Party/Angryy: I’m a brother]

[Party/Gchang: So you won’t be back today?]

[Party/Angryy: Probably not, my brother really wants me to come to the festival]

[Party/Gakjong: So it is your brother calling you after all lol]

[Party/MinoIsMine: Really a good brother lol]

[Party/Beombiga: I need to go out too]

[Party/Beombiga: Angryy, have a good time with your brother, see you tomorrow]

[Party/Angryy: Okay]

[Party/Gakjong: Bye bye]

[Party/MinoIsMine: Leave the farm to us!]

[Party/Gchang: What’s the point of guarding a farm with nothing to steal ㅇㅅㅠ]

It was hard to turn off the game… but I did it anyway.

To make a good impression on my brother’s acquaintances, I washed up thoroughly and put on expensive, neat clothes. While checking my appearance in the long mirror of the dressing room, I thought of Angryy wearing any random equipment. Maybe I should spend some money on nice clothes like Beombiga. I have more than enough money anyway.

Beombiga used to wear only one outfit called the Eternal Taoist Robe, but since starting raids with me, he’s gotten many outfits. Changmigak said it’s almost like a fashion show. On the other hand, I always have just one.

I guess I haven’t paid enough attention to the outfit of a character called a hero in that world.

Ah, I just want to buy him a nice outfit right now.

Should I just go on the last day of the festival? Usually, the last day is more memorable than the first day.

I was seriously considering it, but just then my brother sent a text asking “When are you coming?” So I put on my shoes and left the house even more reluctantly than when I turned off the game.

Rabbit and Tiger

I don’t know if all university festivals are like this, but the Korea University festival was really crowded and noisy.

Everywhere was packed, but the booth labeled “Business School Beverage Stand” had an especially long line. As I was about to take out my phone to call Jin, he rushed out wearing an apron before I could even dial. He must have been quite busy, as his bangs were wet with sweat.

“Hyung, you came?”

“Yeah, there’s no seats. Just pack some side dishes and drinks for me. I’ll eat at home.”

“Look at you, acting all pleased. Geez. Wait a bit. A seat will open up soon.”

“But there’s a line…”

“Just wait a moment. It’ll only take about 30 minutes.”

30 minutes is a moment, little brother?

“Hey, Kim Ha-jin! What are you doing? Rolled eggs here!”

“Two Isul for table 6!”

“Table 4 says their kimchi stew hasn’t come out!”

The customers’ voices were loud, but the serving staff’s voices were even louder. I’m starting to get PTSD from when I worked at a pub.

Jin spoke urgently.

“It’s just busy right now. Hyung, if you don’t want to wait here, go look around the festival for an hour and come back.”

“You said 30 minutes earlier.”

“Once 90 minutes pass, everyone will clear out.”

“Don’t sneakily increase the time. I’ll just come back tomorrow. You look busy, go back in.”

“Actually, I haven’t had dinner yet.”

“What? Shit, are those senior bastards making you work without feeding you? Didn’t I tell you to smash their heads if there are guys like that? I didn’t raise you to be someone who just takes it. What about Da-bin? Has she not eaten either?”

“Da-bin hasn’t either, and neither have the seniors. Hyung, if you come back in an hour and a half, we can eat together. By then, we can use you as an excuse to eat.”

“I’m just going to go in now and flip all the tables-“

“Okay, I’m going. See you later!”

He rushed back inside just as quickly as he had come out.

I glared at the inside of the pub from outside, memorizing the faces of each serving staff. Those guys who are making our Jin and Da-bin work without feeding them.

But looking at their faces, they were all so young. At most, around 23 years old.

They all said they haven’t eaten, right?

Why are they working so hard without even eating when this isn’t even a job that makes money? Seeing them all serving with excited faces despite skipping meals made me feel frustrated and empty.

It reminds me of when I worked in the pub kitchen. Sometimes they would hire young part-timers for short periods, and the competition was surprisingly high. These 20, 21-year-olds all had expressions just like those students in the festival booth at first. Eyes sparkling with curiosity and interest for something they’re experiencing for the first time.

I couldn’t understand them when I was around their age, and I still can’t now.

I trudged away from the pub.

Jin told me to look around the festival, but my feet naturally led me to the smoking area.

I don’t smoke much these days as the urge has lessened, but whenever I come to school, I habitually seek out the smoking area.

It was crowded but not completely full, so I entered and took out a cigarette. As I took a puff, the smoking room door burst open and a big guy rushed in.

“Ha-un hyungnim.”

As the huge guy with a hat pulled low over his face approached me, calling me “hyungnim” in a deep voice, the nearby smokers moved away from me.

I glanced at the very handsome face visible under the brim of the hat and greeted him.

“You’re Kwon Je-beom, right? Hi.”

“Hello.”

Kwon Je-beom bowed to me and continued.

“…You remember my name.”

“Yeah. Did you come to smoke?”

“No.”

“Huh?”

“Yes.”

“What?”

“Yes.”

What is he trying to do…?

Kwon Je-beom reluctantly took out a cigarette pack and then put it back.

“Actually… I saw you outside, so I came in.”

“Ah, I see.”

“……”

“……”

“Hyungnim.”

“Yeah.”

“Fore…st…”

“……”

“Fofo… Fr… Frfr…”

“Take a deep breath. Exhale slowly.”

Kwon Je-beom took a deep breath and exhaled slowly.

“Now speak.”

“…Are you enjoying Forest Effect?”

How nervous must he be to pronounce Forest Effect as “Fofo Fr Frfr”?

“I’m enjoying it. You keep enjoying it too.”

“……”

I kept my mouth shut, not wanting to make him more nervous by continuing the conversation.

Kwon Je-beom stood quietly beside me while I smoked.

Kwon Je-beom and Beombiga really… I can’t understand why there are theories about them being the same person, they look nothing alike.

As I was stubbing out my cigarette a moment later, Kwon Je-beom spoke softly.

“The Business School is running a pub for this festival.”

“Yeah.”

“Our department is holding a game competition.”

“Oh, really.”

“…We’re giving prizes up to third place.”

“Oh, really.”

“The prize is Forest Effect game money.”

Ah. This is a bit tempting. I’ve become rich enough to spend money on the game without guilt, but free stuff is still good.