That evening.
I couldn’t log in at 9 like ShutUp told me to because I had to rush to a local real estate agents’ gathering. Only after barely finishing the meeting did I check my messages—it was already past 10. I checked my phone while riding the bus.
The message had arrived at exactly 9:01.
Several more came after that.
[Why aren’t you coming ― 21:00]
[Not replying? ― 21:03]
[If you don’t reply within 2 minutes I’m cutting the partner link ― 21:05]
[Bye ― 21:08]
In less than ten minutes, ShutUp cut ties with me. When I logged into the game, my partner slot might already be empty.
But today I was too exhausted. I didn’t even have the energy to get angry. Talking with the so-called successful real estate bosses in the area felt like my soul was being drained.
This industry, where you deal with people constantly, gathers only strong personalities. And inside, they were all sly as snakes. Even though everyone clearly knew who had closed which deals, they still complained about how hard things were and how the market was bad.
The one who should’ve been on the verge of tears was me. Still, I smiled and listened to all of them. As I went around pouring drinks and asking for their support, some gave me territorial attitude, saying, “Why come all the way here? You could’ve done business somewhere else.”
I just smiled and said I looked forward to working together, then sat down where the chopsticks had been placed. That’s when I overheard a conversation across from me.
[So that landlord brat over there, seriously. Young as hell. There’s a limit to tearing up contracts. Ah, how did the owner of Dajeong Real Estate manage to sign with him?]
That’s right. My agency’s name was Dajeong Real Estate. I don’t know why I’m so drawn to that word “Dajeong” (gentle), but still. I was sipping my drink when I felt their eyes on me and looked up.
[Well… I begged and pleaded.]
[Even begging didn’t work for us. What’s your secret?]
The secret is… running errands.
I couldn’t exactly say I secured the contract by doing things like buying 0.01 condoms (ultra-thin condoms) for him. So I just smiled and vaguely said I’d shown consideration by letting him park in front of my shop.
[Seriously, that landlord guy… even if we want to ignore him, that fully furnished studio building a bit further away is his too.]
The people across from me grumbled in frustration. But honestly, there were hundreds of buildings around—skipping a few wouldn’t make anyone starve. It just seemed like his properties stood out like landmines.
Still… I’m jealous. Two buildings, huh.
Listening quietly, I learned his buildings were beautiful and popular with clients. But even if you met his conditions, he’d decide on a whim whether to proceed, so nearby agencies had stopped showing his listings altogether.
If I play this right… I might be able to monopolize them.
While they complained, I was busy sensing opportunity. Clients could come and go, but buildings were different. Running condom errands? I could do that every day if I had to.
That’s what I was thinking while riding the bus home, sharpening my resolve internally—when ShutUp ruined the mood with those messages.
“Yeah, yeah. Goodbye, then.”
A game was just a game. Real life mattered more.
Still, being level 36 meant it wasn’t a total loss, but it did feel unfair. I was still only D-rank—that wasn’t what we agreed on. I mentally calculated things. That ring had been expensive, and he cut me off just because I didn’t reply for ten minutes?
The distance from my office to home was an hour. I’d spent all my money securing the office space, so I chose somewhere cheap to live—but now transportation costs were piling up instead.
By the time I got home, it was past 11. I didn’t even have the energy to shower. Since I didn’t bother replying, messages from him stopped too.
That’s how fleeting relationships in games were. Still, as someone older in life experience, I felt like I should say something. Everyone had real lives to live—he was being too harsh.
[I just got home because of work. Cutting the partner link like that isn’t what we agreed on ― 23:01]
I thought about swearing, but getting mad wouldn’t fix anything. Sighing, I loosened my tie slightly and collapsed onto the sofa.
Ah… I should wash up…
I tried to get up, but my body wouldn’t move. It wasn’t the first time I’d fallen asleep like this.
Just as my consciousness was fading, my phone rang. At first I thought it was my morning alarm and tried to turn it off, then remembered—oh right, I just got home—and looked at the screen.
My eyes must’ve been bloodshot; my vision blurred for a moment. After blinking several times, I could finally read the caller ID.
[Big Mouth]
It said “Big Mouth.” I’d meant to save him as ShutUp, but since he spoke so casually, I got annoyed and saved it like that instead. I rubbed my eyes lightly and answered with a tired voice. My throat was dry, and my voice barely came out.
“Hello—”
[What? Hello?]
At ShutUp’s question, I straightened up with a serious expression.
“No. He-llo.”
[You not logging in?]
“What would a Guide do alone? And I’m sleepy.”
[Just come in for a second and take this. If you don’t, I’ll give it to someone else.]
The words “It’s expensive” at the end pierced straight into my ears.
Right. I should at least squeeze one thing out of him before cutting ties. It felt too unfair to end things like this. I slapped my cheeks lightly to wake myself up, sat back on the sofa, and put on the helmet.
<<Welcome to Blood Planet.>>
<<Moving to last login location.>>
The screen appeared, and the land where I’d logged out yesterday came into view. The gentle breeze felt nice. Maybe that’s why? It made me even sleepier.
I was so exhausted that I just lay down in the grass. Since the game reflected my drowsiness well, my character lay there with eyes closed too.
If I fall asleep like this, I’ll get looted clean. If those ImSorry guys catch me, I’ll lose everything… probably get my head chopped off too….
So even if I slept, I needed to go to the Adventurer’s Village first.
“You’ve got it easy.”
At the sarcastic voice, I slowly opened my eyes. ShutUp’s face was looking down at me. Checking the partner window, he was still listed there. Guess that earlier threat message was just bluffing.
That brat was playing with me.
I sat up. He sent a trade request, and when I accepted, a magic scroll and several potions appeared in the trade window.
“Use the scroll right away.”
“Mm… okay….”
I used it straight from my inventory. My body warmed slightly, and a new skill appeared at the bottom of the screen. What kind of skill did he give me? I checked, and then—
“Re… Relax. Wait, Relax? The thing you just gave me—was it Relax?”
“Yeah.”
“Whoa! Are you insane?! This—this thing! Do you even know how much this costs?!”
While I was stammering in shock, ShutUp just stood there casually muttering, “Couple million, maybe?” like it was nothing.
The thing I’d just used half-asleep was that very magic scroll Han-woo had sold for a huge profit. A skill worth several million won… used on a character I was only casually leveling.
My sleepiness vanished instantly. I jumped up and grabbed ShutUp by the collar.
“Hey! You should’ve told me before making me use something this expensive!”
“You complain even when I give you stuff.”
Wait… if I committed to being a Guide, learning Relax was actually a massive advantage. Even later, after separating from ShutUp and looking for the Psychic I really wanted, whether I had Relax or not would make a huge difference.
I quickly let go of his collar and straightened his clothes instead.
“Th-thanks. I was just shocked, that’s all.”
At that moment, I saw ShutUp trying to grab my arm while we talked.
If he caught me, he’d definitely kiss me again—and I’d probably be locked out of the game until this time tomorrow. More than anything, it felt unfair to keep being on the receiving end.
I twisted my body away quickly.
“Oh? You dodging me?”
As ShutUp stepped closer, I opened the keyboard interface and quickly pressed Alt + F4. The screen instantly shut off, and my living room came back into view. This was why prior research mattered.
“Ahaha! You thought you’d catch me again?”
I hummed happily as I took off the helmet. The moment I did, my phone started ringing again. Didn’t even need to check—it had to be ShutUp.
Heh, rookie.
I deliberately ignored the call to make him suffer a little. After giving me a magic scroll that expensive, cutting the partner link would be his loss. It felt like the power balance between us was finally shifting.
“You think I’m playing this game just to kiss you?”
I muttered at the ringing phone screen instead.
After about three calls in a row, it finally went quiet. For a while, I planned to make him anxious by purposely not logging in after work. I set my phone alarm for 4 a.m. and lay down in bed.
From now on, I’m logging in at 4 a.m. Heh heh. Just to collect all the experience you farmed!
***
I was an S-rank Guide.
Every beautiful Psychic wanted to partner with me. Whenever I went to the Adventurer’s Village, they lined up hoping to link with me.
When I went hunting with them, I cast Relax and protected them with shields. After their passionate battles ended, they came to me carrying expensive spoils.
Everyone approached me. Our lips slowly met, and the link began. She removed all her armor and climbed on top of me.
I held her slender waist, lost in bliss. This was the game life I’d always wanted.
Gazing at her deeply, I spoke.
[Are you this pretty in real life too?]
Brushing back her long hair, she parted her bright red lips and leaned close to my ear, whispering softly.
[My cock is the prettiest.]
Huh? She’s a woman—so why does she have that?
Startled, I grabbed her arm and pushed her away. The long-haired woman’s face changed into ShutUp’s.
***
Ding ding ding— ding ding!
Ah… who’s playing the piano at this hour… Oh right, that’s my alarm.
My eyes snapped open. After all those kisses with ShutUp in the game, was I seriously dreaming stuff like that now?
Whoa, am I actually going to turn gay at this rate? I thought I escaped that guy in briefs, and now it’s this dude?
Calming my racing heart, I checked my phone screen. The alarm I’d set for 4 a.m. yesterday was ringing faithfully.
I considered just going back to sleep since I was tired, but I needed to log in at least once a day to collect the experience ShutUp earned, so I dragged myself up. Mornings were usually slow at the office anyway, so dozing off a bit later would be fine. That’s why I thought pushing myself now would be okay.
I washed my face, brushed my teeth, and made a cup of coffee just like when getting ready in the morning. Outside the window, everything was still pitch black. Checking my phone, ShutUp hadn’t called again since earlier.
“Guess he gave up.”
He probably had no idea I’d wake up this early to log in. Stretching wide, I sat down comfortably and put on the helmet.
