Around 2 p.m., I returned from showing office spaces to a client nearby. I hadn’t eaten before noon, so I was starving.
A tteokbokki chain on the first floor across the street seemed to have opened today—there were congratulatory flower wreaths displayed outside. I walked over, offered my greetings, and decided to have a late lunch there.
“The location’s great. Even before opening earlier, lots of people stopped by.”
“Really? There are plenty of offices around here, so I bet you’ll get a lot of late-night delivery orders too. You’re going to make good money, boss.”
Since it was a newly opened place, we exchanged some polite well-wishes as I put a bite of bright red tteokbokki into my mouth.
Just then, through the open door, I saw Jun leaving his building. I’d been thinking about what a weirdo he was—asking me to find my own number that morning—while slurping fish cake broth, when he passed by the storefront. Maybe because of the wreaths, he glanced back once.
The shop owner, who had been cooking, spotted Jun and wiped his wet hands on his apron.
“Hello! We just opened today—why don’t you try some before you go?”
“Later.”
Tsk. So rude.
I drank more broth and dipped the complimentary fried snack into the tteokbokki sauce before eating it. Maybe because it was a chain, but the taste was solid.
Looking at the menu—3,000 won for just five pieces of fried snacks—I was reminded of the fried dumplings from when I was a kid. Back then, they were 200 won each. Lost in thought, I stared blankly at the menu board.
“You eating right now?”
“Huh? Yes?”
I thought he’d just walked past, but before I knew it, Jun was standing beside me and then sat down across from me. Judging from his earlier response, he hadn’t looked interested in eating, so I couldn’t figure out why he was sitting there.
Without a word, Jun pulled out a credit card from his wallet and placed it in front of me.
What, was he offering to pay for this tteokbokki?
When I looked up at him, he spoke bluntly.
“There’s a place selling oils on the first floor of David Department Store. Go buy eucalyptus lavender scent from there.”
“…….”
I’d been swallowing a bite of sweet potato tempura, already half-choking, and his words made my chest feel tight. Who in their right mind sends someone on an errand while they’re eating? Especially when I was having a late lunch because of work!
They say you shouldn’t even bother a dog while it’s eating……. You dog.
“Make sure you buy it from that store.”
“You mean not the department store right here, but David? That’s a bus ride away.”
“Then take the bus.”
“You have a car…….”
“Too much trouble. Oh, and while you’re there, buy a diffuser for that office. When I stopped by this morning, it smelled off.”
I took a gulp of water and mumbled that I got it. As he stood up, he held up two long fingers right in front of my eyes.
“Buy two.”
“I said I got it.”
As soon as he was done giving orders, Jun left. Even the shop owner clicked his tongue, muttering about how dry and cold he was.
“Boss, I’ll pay.”
After finishing my meal, I went to pay—and since I was holding Jun’s card, I used it. Even when I boarded the bus, he didn’t send a single message asking why I’d used his card.
Ah. Maybe as a landlord he doesn’t even get transaction alerts?
Maybe he just ignored small expenses. If he complained later, I’d say I didn’t know. I entertained a petty little revenge fantasy.
Let me show you what happens when you hand someone your credit card.
I even took a taxi to David Department Store and paid with his card. And for the diffuser he’d asked for, I bought a large-capacity package set.
When I finished and stepped out of the department store, my phone rang. The screen showed [Juni]. Normally, I’d save landlords’ names along with their address, but since he was speaking casually to me, I didn’t want to save him formally either.
I picked up to say I’d just finished buying everything, but his mocking voice came first.
[You’re having a great time, huh.]
“What’s so great? I’m just running your errands.”
[Tteokbokki, taxi. And what kind of diffuser did you buy, something the size of a water jug?]
“…….”
So he’d received every transaction notification.
Then he should’ve called when I bought the tteokbokki. It seemed like he’d deliberately watched to see how far I’d go.
The only thing that came to mind was that I’d committed a grave sin—but I didn’t want to say it.
[I wasn’t going to say anything……. Let’s keep it reasonable. Got it?]
“Y-You told me to use it! I didn’t have my wallet on me!”
[Yeah, sure. Take a taxi back like before. And since you’re there, stop by the food section and buy some bread.]
They say a guilty conscience makes one bold, and even as I spoke confidently, I felt a twinge of shame. But he really had the nerve to turn me into a bread shuttle.
My pride was wounded, but I had to ask.
“What kind of bread?”
[Any kind. Buy some for Yoo Du……, too. Though you probably already did without me telling you.]
“Yes. ……But why did you stop halfway through my name?”
I heard a low chuckle on the other end. I’d thought it was just bad reception, but the way he’d said my name like that was intentional.
Still, I felt a little guilty pushing back any further. He was turning a blind eye to what might technically be a crime, and he’d even generously told me to buy more. Running errands wasn’t entirely a bad deal.
[Leave what you bought at the door.]
“Yes.”
But since he’d made me his bread shuttle, I decided on a small, petty revenge. I bought a delicious custard cream bread for myself, and for him, I picked only ones with raisins.
I got low-fat milk fortified with calcium for me, plain milk for him. Fresh whipped cream for me, plain buttercream for him.
Carrying the items split into two shopping bags, my steps felt light.
***
I entered Jun’s building and took the elevator. The seventh floor—his front door—no longer felt unfamiliar. Without much thought, I rang the bell.
He told me to just leave it there since he wouldn’t be home anyway.
I placed the bags neatly in front of the door and turned around. As I waited for the elevator again, I heard the front door open behind me.
Thinking it might be better to return the credit card in person, I turned at the sound and pulled out my wallet.
“You should’ve said you were home. Here’s your ca—, who are you?”
A young man suddenly stepped out and began picking up the neatly stacked bags from in front of the door.
“Me? I’m someone who sleeps with the owner of this house.”
“What? Oh……. I see. So you sleep here.”
I’d seen him from afar before. The underwear guy—the one I’d run a condom errand for while holding Jun’s wallet. It was him.
I’d suspected Juni might be gay. Is that why he was so good last night?
For a moment, my thoughts blanked out. Realizing I’d been taken by a full-fledged gay guy made my brain short-circuit a little. Could it be that the reason he was looking for me was…… to really go after me……?
Suddenly, I remembered the guy who’d once delivered semen-stained underwear to my hometown house. In the game, it was a virtual world with anonymity, so it wasn’t threatening. But if someone chased the real me, that was a different story. I wasn’t homophobic—but being the target made me anxious.
Lost in scattered thoughts, I suddenly felt uncomfortable running into Jun at any moment, so I hurriedly pulled out the credit card from my wallet. Since I’d once carried his wallet out for a condom errand, I figured this small favor would be fine.
“This is Seomun Jun’s credit card. Please give it to him for me.”
But the man’s face suddenly lit up when he took the card. For a split second, I thought, ‘Huh? Why is he so happy over a card that isn’t even his?’ and tightened my grip on the edge of it.
I hadn’t meant to let it go—but his grip was stronger. He swiftly snatched the card and quickly shut the door behind him.
Hmm……. Maybe I should’ve handed it directly to the owner……?
Well, I’d handed him the wallet before.
I let it slide and took the elevator down. I briefly considered going back up, thinking something felt off, but just then I saw a potential client lingering in front of my office and ran over—completely forgetting about it.
***
“Ah, another wasted day…….”
Lately, plenty of clients came to look at places, but none of it led to actual contracts. That made me even more anxious and drained. I’d heard most new businesses shut down within a year of opening—my office felt like it might become one of them.
“Haah…….”
After work, I returned home and collapsed onto the sofa, my body feeling like it weighed a thousand pounds. Resting my face against the armrest, I brooded over the worries of making a living.
On top of that, this bizarre situation of ShutUp trying to find me had given me a migraine out of nowhere. If I wanted any peace of mind, one of my two identities had to go. At this rate, both sides would end up mortgaged to that bastard.
It was far simpler—and safer—to shut down my in-game self than my real-life self.
After making that decision, I slowly sat up. Holding my phone with both hands like it was some sacred ritual, I sent ShutUp a message.
[I had no living expenses, so I sold my access device. So unfortunately, I’ll have to quit the game. Thanks for all the carries. I hope you meet a good Guide and keep rising. If you think of it as trading the Ring of the Noble Elf’s Breath and the Relax skill, you won’t feel too wronged. So please forget about me.]
I sent the long, dignified message dripping with finality.
Whether he believed it or not, I truly planned to quit the game for at least a month. By then, he’d meet a new Guide and forget me, and I’d level up with Han-woo to 50 before transferring to another server.
If it weren’t for that damn Relax skill, I’d return the device…….
The cost of that skill chained me down with regret.
But less than a minute after sending the message, ShutUp started calling relentlessly. Even if I rejected the call, it came again. If I didn’t answer, it rang again.
“Wow……. Look at that obsession.”
When I kept refusing, a message arrived.
[Answer. If you don’t, I’ll find you.]
Right. Avoiding him wasn’t the solution. And since he had money, he might really hire a private agency.
I answered, trying to make my voice sound weak enough that he wouldn’t recognize me. Not that it mattered at this point.
“Hello…….”
[What do you mean, quit?]
“I—I don’t have any money right now. I sold the access device. What else can I do?”
[Give me your address. I’ll buy one and send it.]
“What?”
For a split second, I was tempted to blurt out my address at the offer. Wow. Look at this calculating bastard. He told me to find out where I lived, and now he was trying to get it out of me like this?
But ShutUp sounded fully prepared to actually buy it if I asked. Even when I told him it was fine, he threatened not to let me quit on my own.
[How much do you need?]
“Huh?”
That was all I could manage in response to his unexpected generosity.
The landlord across the street wasn’t exactly the type to show consideration or kindness. But now he was offering to buy me an access device—and asking how much money I needed.
I should’ve cut it off cleanly, but greed kept creeping in. If I got caught up with him, my real life would be ruined…….
“Forget it. Why would you lend money to someone whose face you don’t even know?”
[If it’s not much, I could just give it to you. I need a Guide.]
……Just give it to me?
I’d been sprawled lazily across the sofa, but I slowly sat up.
The famous saying came to mind: human greed has no end, and we repeat the same mistakes. If he gave me something, I should assume it’d shackle me somehow.
But he’d said if it wasn’t much, he could just give it to me. If he could casually say he’d buy me a 1.5 million won access device, then maybe I could push it a little higher.
“Really, just give it to me? I need three million won. I’ve got debts here and there to pay off…….”
If he refused, I could just say I’d expected that and tell him to enjoy the game before hanging up.
There was a brief pause.
Then his low voice sank into my ear.
[Give me your account number.]
My heart skipped.
Honestly, a man shouldn’t feel his heart race because of another man—but hearing ShutUp say that, it felt like my heart dropped straight to the floor.
