Hyun‑soo rushed toward Ji‑ho after finishing his quest, only to stop dead in his tracks at the sight before him.
"Ji‑ho!" he shouted, "What are you doing?!"
Ji‑ho raised his staff and brought it down sharply. The dull thud rippled through the slime's gelatinous body. It quivered once, then collapsed into fading motes of light.
He didn't flinch. He didn't look up either. Instead, he turned toward another slime wobbling nearby, his staff already in hand.
Without hesitation, he closed the distance with steady steps and brought the staff down in a blunt strike. The slime quivered under the impact, its gelatinous body rippling from the force.
"I'm killing slimes," Ji‑ho replied flatly, staff still in hand.
The creature shuddered, then suddenly bounced backward, wobbling frantically as if trying to escape Ji‑ho's staff.
Hyun‑soo approached him with a bored look on his face and said, "Is that how you kill a slime? I never knew you can kill a monster like this."
"I'm testing things."
Hyun‑soo tilted his head, "Testing? What's there to test? It's a slime. You hit it, it dies."
"I need to confirm damage values. Root holds for six seconds at my current level. Each staff strike deals around forty. Durability drops by one every time I use this thing like a hammer. That's data."
Hyun‑soo groaned, scratching his cheek, "You're seriously counting numbers while beating up jelly? Who even does that?"
Ji‑ho didn't answer. His gaze shifted suddenly to the fleeing slime bouncing lazily nearby. Without warning, he raised his staff, mana surging into the cloudy crystal orb at its tip.
"Arcane Bolt."
Ji‑ho lowered his staff, expression blank, as if the result was already expected. "See, I could kill it in two shots," he said as his gaze slid toward Hyun‑soo.
Hyun‑soo's ears twitched in disbelief, "Two shots?! Then why were you smacking them around like a bored farmer?"
Ji‑ho gave a lazy shrug, "Because it's more efficient that way. Each strike deals about forty, and it doesn't cost mana. Arcane Bolt or Shock would waste resources for the same outcome."
Hyun‑soo groaned, rubbing his temples. "Efficient, he say. You're the only person I know who can make beating jelly sound like a business strategy."
Ji‑ho tapped the staff lightly against his shoulder, tone still flat. "Mana's better saved for stronger mobs. Slimes are just practice."
Hyun‑soo flopped onto the grass, exasperated, "Practice, huh? More like torture. Poor slimes."
Ji‑ho glanced at him, unimpressed, "They're data points."
He tapped the staff lightly against his shoulder, muttering under his breath, "Shame the durability lowers down."
Hyun‑soo was too busy groaning into the grass to catch what Ji‑ho had mumbled, his ears twitching as he muttered something about jelly rights. Ji‑ho didn't bother repeating himself.
A moment later, Ji-ho sat down, his eyes fixated on the scenery ahead.
"What's wrong with you? Why are you suddenly acting like a dumped lover?" he muttered.
Hyun‑soo never answered and maintained his silence. This made Ji‑ho poke him with his staff over and over, each jab more irritating than the last.
"Can I ask you something?" Hyun‑soo asked with a serious tone.
Ji‑ho halted and withdrew his staff.
Hyun‑soo turned toward him with a serious look, "Be honest with me. What are you feeling right now after you've played the game? Is it fun?"
Ji‑ho's gaze lingered on the sky for a moment before he spoke, his voice softer than usual. "I'm having fun, I guess. It's a brand new experience for me, and honestly, I didn't expect to enjoy it this much."
Hyun‑soo blinked, then smiled wide, his ears twitching with innocent joy, "Really? That makes me so happy. I knew dragging you into this was worth it!"
Ji‑ho chuckled quietly, "Guess you were right."
For a while, they sat in silence, the breeze brushing past them as their hair danced lightly in the cold air. Both glanced up at the bluish sky, faint smiles on their faces, appreciating the beauty of the virtual world side by side.
Hyun‑soo sighed happily, "Feels nice, doesn't it?"
Ji‑ho nodded and sincerely replied, "Yeah. It really does."
But after a beat, his expression flattened again, and he tapped his staff against his shoulder, "Still, durability lowers every time I swing this thing. Shame."
Hyun‑soo groaned, flopping back onto the grass, "You were actually being wholesome for once, and now you're back to numbers again."
Ji‑ho shrugged, "Wholesome doesn't fix equipment."
Hyun‑soo laughed despite himself, "You're impossible."
Ji‑ho leaned back, eyes half‑lidded, "Efficient," he corrected lazily.
For a few minutes, they simply enjoyed the moment. Then Hyun‑soo shifted, breaking the silence with a thoughtful look.
"What should we do now?" Ji‑ho casually asked in passing.
Hyun‑soo faced him with a bothered look. "Did you perhaps open your costume box already?"
Ji‑ho blinked, tilting his head, "Costume box?" he pondered. "You mean the one given by the administrator as a pre‑registration reward?"
"Yeah."
Ji‑ho shook his head, "Not yet."
Hyun‑soo leaned forward, tail flicking with impatience, "Then, should we open it now?"
Ji‑ho nodded, as if it didn't matter either way. "Okay. Why not."
Hyun‑soo rummaged through his status screen, and upon clicking the random costume box in his inventory, a box slowly materialized in front of him. It looked like a festive present wrapped in shimmering blue paper with silver ribbons that pulsed faintly, almost like they were alive.
Ji‑ho's own box appeared beside it, but his looked entirely different. It was wrapped in sleek black paper with sharp, geometric patterns etched in faint silver lines. Instead of ribbons, a single, precise seal held it shut, glowing with a steady, controlled light.
Hyun‑soo's ears twitched as he compared the two, "Yours looks like it's hiding state secrets. Mine looks like it's hiding candy."
Ji‑ho tilted his head and replied, "Both are random. Don't overthink it."
—————
[ Random Torso and Pants Costume Box ]
Obtain one random torso and pants costume in random quality.
—————
[ Would you like to use the 'Random Torso and Pants Costume Box'? ]
Hyun‑soo ignored Ji‑ho and slammed the Yes button. The present‑like box burst open with a flash, scattering silver particles into the air.
Suddenly, a roulette wheel materialized above the box, its segments filled with different costume icons — armor sets, flashy robes, animal suits, even bizarre joke outfits. The wheel spun rapidly, ticking louder with each rotation. Hyun‑soo leaned forward with his eyes gleaming while Ji‑ho remained still, arms crossed.
The wheel slowed, slowed… until it landed with a sharp chime.
[ Congratulations! You have unlocked a new costume! ]
The box erupted in a deep purple glow — the unmistakable signal of an Epic tier costume. The glow pulsed twice before bursting apart into silver particles. Two costume pieces materialized in front of Hyun‑soo.
—————
[ Torso: Crimson Fox Tunic ]
Woven with sly intent, the tunic carries the cunning of a fox in every thread.
Rarity: Epic
Appearance: Sleek crimson tunic with silver trim, shimmering faintly like fox fur
Primary Effect: +3 Dexterity, +2 Psyche
Secondary Effect: +70 Max MP, +3% Movement Speed, +2% Heal Rate
Character Points: 500CP
Crimson Fox Set Bonus Effect (2/5)
● 2 Piece Equipped(Unlocked):
— Primary Effects: +2 Dexterity
— Secondary Effects: +2% Movement Speed, +2% Critical Rate
— Character Points: 200CP
● 3 Piece Equipped (Locked) :
— Primary Effects: +2 Strength, +2 Psyche
— Secondary Effects: +40 Attack Damage, +50 Max MP, +2% Heal Rate
— Character Points: 300CP
● 4 Piece Equipped (locked) :
— Primary Effects: +2 Constitution
— Secondary Effects: +80 Max HP, +2% HP Recovery, +2% Double Attack chance
— Unique Passive: Fox's Guile — Buffs applied to user last 5 seconds longer
— Character Points: 500CP
● 5 Piece Equipped (Locked) :
— Primary Effects: +2 Intelligence, +2 Constitution
— Secondary Effects: +70 Max MP, +100 Max HP, +3% Critical Rate, +3% Movement Speed
— Unique Skill: Nine‑Tailed Instinct — Every 10th attack automatically triggers a bonus strike at 50% damage
— Character Points: 1,000CP
—————
[ Pants: Crimson Fox Trousers ]
The sly fox dances between shadows and flame, its steps quick and unpredictable.
Rarity: Epic
Appearance: Slim crimson trousers with fur‑like streaks, silver fox‑head buckle gleaming
Primary Effect: +4 Dexterity, +2 Strength
Secondary Effect: +30 Attack Damage, +3% Critical Rate, +2% Double Attack chance
Character Points: 500CP
Crimson Fox Set Bonus Effect (2/5)
● 2 Piece Equipped(Unlocked):
— Primary Effects: +2 Dexterity
— Secondary Effects: +2% Movement Speed, +2% Critical Rate
— Character Points: 200CP
● 3 Piece Equipped (Locked) :
— Primary Effects: +2 Strength, +2 Psyche
— Secondary Effects: +40 Attack Damage, +50 Max MP, +2% Heal Rate
— Character Points: 300CP
● 4 Piece Equipped (locked) :
— Primary Effects: +2 Constitution
— Secondary Effects: +80 Max HP, +2% HP Recovery, +2% Double Attack chance
— Unique Passive: Fox's Guile — Buffs applied to user last 5 seconds longer
— Character Points: 500CP
● 5 Piece Equipped (Locked) :
— Primary Effects: +2 Intelligence, +2 Constitution
— Secondary Effects: +70 Max MP, +100 Max HP, +3% Critical Rate, +3% Movement Speed
— Unique Skill: Nine‑Tailed Instinct — Every 10th attack automatically triggers a bonus strike at 50% damage
— Character Points: 1,000CP
—————
Without hesitation, Hyun‑soo slammed the Equip button. The purple glow surged around him, wrapping his body in shimmering light.
[ 'Crimson Fox Tunic (Epic)' equipped ]
[ 'Crimson Fox Trousers (Epic)' equipped ]
Silver particles swirled like foxfire, stitching the tunic and trousers onto his frame. The sleek crimson fabric hugged his form and silver trim glinting like living fur. The trousers shimmered with streaks of foxlike patterns and the buckle gleaming at his waist.
"Woah!" He exclaimed, eyes sparkling as he glanced all over his body, "I am pretty handsome, aren't I?"
Ji‑ho clapped his hands once, the sound flat and mechanical, like a circus seal.
"Clothing can really make anyone look different. To think you'd look this sharp, fascinating."
Hyun‑soo's ears shot up, his face twisting in disbelief, "What?!"
Ji‑ho raised a thumb, his tone still detached, "You do look good. Handsome, in its own category."
Hyun‑soo froze, his pride colliding with confusion, 'Is that even a compliment? Why does it feel like I've been stabbed in the chest?'
Hyun-soo sighed heavily, "Okay, fine. I should've known better than to expect anything normal from you."
The flow of their conversation left Hyun‑soo oddly irritated, his mood swinging like a spoiled child denied candy. His tail lashed behind him as he stomped his foot.
"I want to see yours! Open it now!" Hyun-soo shouted, voice cracking with impatience.
Ji‑ho tilted his head slightly, his expression as unreadable as ever.
"Why the rush? Probability doesn't change whether you watch or not."
Hyun‑soo's ears twitched furiously, "Don't give me that math talk! Just open it! I need to see what you get!"
Ji‑ho crossed his arms, unmoved, "You're already dressed like a fox. Isn't that enough stimulation for one day?"
"No! It's not enough! What if you pull something cooler than mine? I have to know!"
Ji‑ho's gaze sharpened, though his tone remained flat, "Statistically, cooler is subjective. You're projecting insecurity."
Hyun‑soo's jaw dropped, "Insecurity?! I'm not insecure! I just— I just want to compare, okay?!"
Ji‑ho tapped his staff lightly against the ground, unimpressed, "So you admit you're benchmarking yourself against me."
Hyun‑soo groaned, throwing his hands up, "Ugh! Stop twisting my words! Just open the stupid box already!"
Ji‑ho let the silence hang for a moment, deliberately dragging it out, "You're unusually agitated. Fascinating."
Hyun‑soo's face reddened, his tail puffing up like an angry cat.
'He's doing this on purpose!'
Hyun‑soo jabbed a finger at Ji‑ho, "If you don't open it right now, I'll— I'll nag you until you break!"
Ji‑ho's brow arched, "Persistent irritation as leverage. You've truly reached peak immaturity."
Hyun‑soo's fists clenched, his whole body trembling with frustration, "Ji‑ho!" he shouted, dragging out the name like a tantrum. "Open. The. Box. Already!"
Satisfied with watching Hyun‑soo squirm, Ji‑ho finally tapped his own box without ceremony.
The roulette spun across shimmering icons, each flashing with different colors. Hyun‑soo leaned in, tail twitching with anticipation, while Ji‑ho remained utterly calm, his eyes following the spin.
The wheel slowed… then stopped.
[ Congratulations! You have unlocked a new costume! ]
Hyun‑soo's ears twitched, "What the?"
The words slipped out, half disbelief, half anticipation.