Chapter 2
Hmm? Beodeul rubbed his lips with a perplexed expression. It seemed like this person wanted to form a party with him… Beodeul recalled his first party experience and unconsciously frowned a little.
[Normal] SonyeoGajang: ?
With no response or party invitation, SonyeoGajang circled around Beodeul’s character, jumping. It seemed like a gesture to hurry him up or get his attention.
[Normal] SonyeoGajang: You try leaving the party
Ah. Beodeul realized he was already in a solo party and put his hands back on the keyboard. Looking more closely, it seemed SonyeoGajang had already tried to send him a party invitation.
[Normal] Girmu: I’m sorry but I’m a first-timer ã… ã… You should probably find another party
All the party recruitment notices Beodeul had checked earlier were looking for experienced players. It was already difficult to find a party for this dungeon, and with everyone looking for experienced players, first-timers had trouble gaining experience. This was one reason he couldn’t easily find a trial party.
In fact, Beodeul’s first party had been an experienced party. Beodeul had disclosed in advance that he was a first-timer, but the other party members let him join after seeing only his equipment and stats, which was the root of the problem.
When Beodeul died in phase 2 of the boss room and was ejected from the dungeon, they kicked him from the party, cleared it themselves, and moved on to the next quest.
He had occasionally heard of cases where party members would just use someone’s DPS and then discard them, but Beodeul never thought it would happen to him. After that, he avoided the Trial Gateway III area for a while and focused solely on leveling up.
[Normal] SonyeoGajang: np
[Normal] Girmu: Pardon?
[Normal] SonyeoGajang: We’ll clear it quickly I’ll guide you
This person doesn’t know the danger of clumsy players. Beodeul became more serious and quickly typed.
[Normal] Girmu: I’m a seriously bad controller ã… ã… You should just go with another party
[Normal] SonyeoGajang: np np never seen worse control than him
Him? Who’s “him”…? Beodeul stopped typing in confusion. SonyeoGajang typed a brief “ah” and then added:
[Normal] SonyeoGajang: there is; a controller like no other in this world
[Normal] SonyeoGajang: party invite pls
What if I set a new record for that “controller like no other in this world”? Despite feeling anxious, Beodeul invited SonyeoGajang to his party, thinking it might work out somehow.
[Normal] SonyeoGajang: Make me party leader, and do you have a mic?
After transferring party leadership, the microphone function in the party switched to ‘on’ with a flashing notification to check microphone options. Using voice with someone he just met still felt awkward for Beodeul.
‘But since communication is important for this dungeon…’
In the videos Beodeul had watched, Trial Gateway III was described as a dungeon where cooperation between party members was important, so most people turned on their microphones. Well, it couldn’t be helped then. Beodeul put on his neglected headset and replied in chat.
[Normal] Girmu: Yes, I can use it
[Normal] SonyeoGajang: Then turn on voice chat options and join, we’ll depart as soon as you’re ready
Depart? Without other party members? Beodeul’s eyes shook as if there was an earthquake.
[Normal] Girmu: Are we going just the two of us??
The answer to his urgent question came through his headset.
—Yes. Looking at your equipment, I think your DPS will be sufficient, and fewer people makes this place easier.
It was an unexpected voice. A calm yet somewhat cool male voice that didn’t match either the nickname “SonyeoGajang” or the lovely female character.
—In places like this, having more people making mistakes just causes more headaches.
It was like a wind blowing from a cave in early winter. The pronunciation was also very clear, making the voice seem to pierce right into his ears.
Beodeul was so surprised by the voice and content that his thoughts momentarily froze.
The voice is just like a voice actor’s… No, wait, he’s saying we’ll go with just the two of us even though I’m a first-timer? Wouldn’t my mistakes cause even more headaches?
—Aren’t you turning on voice chat?
Ah, right. He was so distracted that he forgot to turn on his microphone option. Beodeul hurriedly turned on his microphone and spoke.
“Hello.”
—…
With no response, he couldn’t tell if the other person could hear his voice. Beodeul tilted his head and spoke again.
“Can you hear me?”
He also typed in chat at the same time.
[Normal] Girmu: Can you not hear me?
Then a brief response came through his headset.
—Ah.
“…?”
Beodeul waited for more words, but the answer came in the game instead. It was accompanied by the sound of rapid keyboard typing.
[Normal] SonyeoGajang: I can’t hear your mic well
[Normal] SonyeoGajang: Do you have VoiceCode
[Normal] SonyeoGajang: It’s a program used like this game’s voice chat
The messages popped up one after another. Beodeul knew about “VoiceCode.” It was something frequent gamers often used for voice communication.
In the game, you had to form a party directly to set up microphone options, but with “VoiceCode,” if you shared each other’s ID codes and became friends, you could communicate just by logging into the program.
[Normal] SonyeoGajang: It’s less choppy and much clearer than voice chat
[Normal] SonyeoGajang: Want to use that instead?
I could hear you fine, is there a problem with my microphone? Beodeul touched his earlobe and replied in chat.
[Normal] Girmu: Ok then… I need to install it first
[Normal] SonyeoGajang: Take your time
Can’t be helped. Beodeul searched the internet and installed the program while glancing at his character in the game. SonyeoGajang was moving more busily than before in front of Beodeul’s character.
[Normal] Girmu: Sorry ã… ã… The installation is about 30% done
[Normal] SonyeoGajang: Huh? no no take your time
[Normal] Girmu: Ah… ok ok
Thankfully, it seemed like they weren’t rushing him. Beodeul noticed that the party’s microphone option had somehow switched to ‘off’ and let out a sigh of relief.
When the program installation finished, SonyeoGajang guided Beodeul through various settings. After a while, once Beodeul became familiar with how to use it, a friend request notification popped up.
Check the friend request!
[SN]
The nickname consisting of just two consonants looked quite cynical. Beodeul looked back and forth between the “VoiceCode” screen and SonyeoGajang’s character before accepting the request.
‘Is it “SN” because of SonyeoGajang? But the voice doesn’t really…’
Beodeul, thinking absent-mindedly, couldn’t help but smile. Indeed, the voice didn’t match the nickname at all.
‘Still, it’s rude to think like this.’
Ahem, clearing his throat, Beodeul accepted SonyeoGajang’s invitation and entered the voice call room. Adjusting his headset, he spoke again.
“Ah, can you hear me well now?”
—…Yes. I can hear you.
Somehow the voice sounds even deeper than before. Beodeul pursed his lips and let out a thoughtful “hmm.”
“But is it really okay for just the two of us to enter?”
Upon checking the party window, SonyeoGajang’s class was “Wizard.” And it was the “Holy Wizard” class, which was closer to a supporter. The game company introduced the “Holy Wizard” as a class that combined various support skills with hunting abilities, but players simply evaluated it as “a class that’s neither here nor there.”
Beodeul didn’t care about such perceptions when choosing a class, but he was still worried. His poor control made him uncomfortable with taking a solo DPS position, and also—
—It’s fine. Holy Wizard and Dragon Slayer have good synergy.
“DrSl” was short for “Dragon Slayer,” Girmu’s class. Beodeul nodded as he pondered SonyeoGajang’s words. It was the first time he’d heard that Holy Wizard and Dragon Slayer had good synergy.
But that’s one thing, and this is another. Good synergy only matters when the pair works well together, right? SonyeoGajang’s formal reassurance didn’t completely alleviate Beodeul’s anxiety.
Seemingly noticing this fact from Beodeul’s silence, SonyeoGajang muttered:
—If it really doesn’t work out, there are other options…
Other options? Beodeul watched SonyeoGajang’s character approaching the dungeon entrance and asked:
“What are they?”
—Let’s try first. I’m entering.
Couldn’t they have used that method beforehand? Beodeul watched the video that played upon dungeon entry with troubled eyes.
As the short video was about to end, SonyeoGajang’s calm voice came through:
—I’ll guide you well, trust me.
Strangely, those simple words made Beodeul feel a bit more at ease. Shaking off the tension lingering at his fingertips, Beodeul smiled slightly and replied:
“Yes, I’ll trust only you, SonyeoGajang-nim.”
Somehow this feels like a cult leader and follower. Unaware of SonyeoGajang’s silence, Beodeul had quite a leisurely thought.
*
It’s going smoothly. For the first time while running Trial Gateway III, Beodeul had such a thought. During his first party, he was too nervous to think straight, and from the second time onward, he had jumped in alone to practice, leaving no room for relaxation.
But now, with a reliable party member like SonyeoGajang, Beodeul was surprisingly calmly dealing damage.
—You’re doing well.
Just before entering the boss room, SonyeoGajang said while reapplying buffs. Beodeul responded while watching various effects enveloping his character.
“It’s just been mob hunting so far.”
—Still, you were quite skilled at herding mobs even with just two people. You also know the map well.
“Actually, I’ve tried getting to the front of the boss room alone a few times.”
—Alone?
It was a brief question, but perhaps because of the tone of voice, Beodeul somehow felt like he needed to provide further explanation. But explaining personal reasons to someone he just met seemed a bit… He hesitated, wondering if his situation would seem pathetic.
—But earlier you were reluctant even with two people with me.
But when he heard that peculiar mutter, Beodeul’s mouth opened automatically.
“Ah, it’s not that I disliked SonyeoGajang-nim.”
Beodeul meant to stop there, but the boss room door didn’t open. It meant that SonyeoGajang, the party leader, was postponing the entry while waiting for his response.
“Umm… I just came to be wary of parties in general.”
—With Girmu-nim’s DPS, I think you could have cleared it quickly in any party.
It’s not the DPS but the control that’s the problem. Beodeul swung his sword toward the innocent door, moving his character while letting out an “ahaha” laugh.
“It wasn’t that easy.”
—Seems like you’ve tried.
“Yes. Once with party members. But I got knocked out in boss phase 2.”
After saying that, Beodeul felt awkward and needlessly laughed in chat.
[Normal] Girmu: haha…
Then SonyeoGajang moved and placed a hand over the door. Watching the door becoming enveloped in light as if resonating with SonyeoGajang, Beodeul relaxed his hands.
—Let’s clear it this time, then.
SonyeoGajang spoke as if it were no big deal, but there was the scent of a master coming from them. Before Beodeul could respond, the door opened and SonyeoGajang jumped inside.
*Leave party: Leaving a party.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
