…There was no way I couldn’t click on it. Seriously, my mom really knows what makes a good YouTube thumbnail. She keeps leveling up by the day.
After the scene showing them setting up the tarp and gear, Kessler finally appeared.
—”Today, we invited a friend who lives with our Woo-rim. Isn’t he just as handsome as our Woo-rim?”
Judging by the timing of the upload and their clothes, it looked like late summer. Early days of cohabitation—probably around the time I went to the workshop in Singapore.
—”Hello.”
Kessler was sitting in a familiar camping chair.
—”Son~~ thank you for coming out. I made some of your favorite dishes—what do you think?”
My parents and Kessler casually chatted about everyday life over spicy chicken feet and fishcake soup. Then, from the tent next door, a song began to play.
—”When Woo-rim was younger, he used to sing for us all the time, but now he never does.”
—”I have a clip of Woo-rim singing. Would you like to watch it together?”
When Kessler suggested it, my parents’ eyes lit up with excitement.
—”Yes, yes, absolutely.”
In a corner of the screen, like inserted footage, a video played showing me awkwardly singing. I was holding a microphone in one hand and a camera in the other. It was from the RumiNo Box camera fan-sign event—the day I first met Kessler in real life.
The three of them on the big screen even stopped eating to practically bury their faces in the phone screen, focusing intensely.
When the song ended, they clapped.
—”A kid who sings this well won’t even hum a single note for us. Not a single note.”
—”It would’ve been nice if Woo-rim had come too.”
A caption popped up beneath the screen in a cutesy font: “Woo-rim is currently away for summer training camp.”
The video ended with Kessler neatly finishing his dinner and then leaving the long-term camp site.
└ I really hope my husband finds time to stop by too lolol
└ Seeing them all gathered like that is so heartwarming~ ^^ Hoping for the day he does a little performance in front of them… ^^
└ Pro, I think it’s time to show your mom and dad the dance you used to do three times a day when you were a Fox! (Definitely not just saying this because I miss Woo-rim)
└ Wow, this gaming bond turning into real-life friendship is amazing T_T
└ Day 44 of wishing for my husband’s appearance……
└ Oh my, my husband went camping behind my back, huh? Woo-rim’s mom and dad, thank you for looking after him so well ^^
Maybe it was the wistful looks in the trio’s eyes, or the soft, sentimental background music. Either way, subscribers were eagerly waiting for the day I’d appear and show some filial love on screen.
***
After coming home, showering, and lying down, I browsed through the channel properly and realized Kessler had appeared two more times after that.
His face on the thumbnails had become such a hit that the videos made it into the trending list, and my excited parents apparently called him back in high spirits. Kessler, in turn, seemed to have happily answered those calls.
“Why are they calling you so much? They’re seriously obsessed with views. If you’re uncomfortable, you can totally say no. I’ll tell them myself.”
“No, I had fun. And I mean—it’s a father-in-law summons. Gotta go.”
[Mom, I have something to say]
Mom:
Son~ are you free this Saturday?
You’re gonna ask me to go camping, aren’t you?
[No, Mom, stop calling Juwon.]
Mom:
What about next week??
[Next week’s fine.]
Mom:
Then come with Juwon~
[Got it]
Somehow, I ended up discussing a guest appearance schedule with my mother.
“Mom said she’s going to cook something delicious next Saturday… Want to come with me?”
“I’m down for anything.”
Kebab
Guys get in here, we’ve arrived at the destination
Kebab
Skeletons are waiting for us
We were chatting comfortably when a group chat message popped up and reminded me to log into the game.
Nyang?
When I logged in, I was nestled in Kessler’s arms. My body felt stiff, so I stretched, and he gently patted my butt.
The train had already come to a stop. The ticket-checking NPC, who’d waited until I woke up, bid us farewell.
—Baby Fox and friends, have a pleasant journey.
You are the first player to visit the City of Gratitude Swamp.
—Swamp affinity +15%
—Reptile rapport +10%
—Welcome Mud Injeolmi Juice is served at the swamp clearing.
As we stood before the vast, misty wetlands, a popup window appeared.
“……Wow. What even is that juice I’ve never heard of in my life?”
Bori Noona exclaimed with eager curiosity in her voice.
“I’m seriously so excited—waaah!”
Just as Bori Noona lost her footing and let out a scream, Kessler startled and scooped me up into his arms.
[Yeo Woo-rim]: Why are you grabbing me, the only one who’s perfectly safe, when she’s the one falling?
“……I don’t even know myself.”
“Hm… Bori… take my hand.”
Jung Da-hoon reached out, and Bori Noona managed to get herself out safely with his help.
As we pushed through the fog, the scent of lush forest tickled my nose. Beyond the vines, a massive desert oasis slowly revealed itself. It looked almost like a river deep in the Amazon, and on it floated a single raft.
Near the raft, a bipedal lizard—mid-meal with a frog—cawed in greeting as we approached.
—Welcome, I’ve been waiting for you-kkadeuri.
“Hello! Do we get on the raft?”
—That’s right-kkadeuri.
As all five of us climbed aboard, the raft wobbled heavily. Submerged just enough to look like we’d plunge into the river at any moment, it began moving slowly downstream.
—Aww, what a cute baby fox you are-kkadeuri.
The lizard flicked its tongue wildly, extending its tail toward me. But Kessler stepped in and blocked the way.
Nyang.
“Don’t touch the fox.”
—Why? Why? Why not the tail either-kkadeuri?
“You use that tail to dig up your nose and all sorts of nasty stuff. He’s a toddler—catching your germs could be bad.”
—Understood-kkadeuri.
The rest of the group watched, fascinated by how naturally Kessler conversed with the lizard, then someone asked curiously:
“Wait, Pro… are you unable to talk even here?”
Nyang……
“Pro?”
As everyone looked on in confusion, only Kessler held me silently in his arms.
…Did he know the truth?
…Does he know the truth?
Actually, I could speak. Ever since the patch, Baby Fox avatars could now talk using their snouts. But the moment Kessler picked me up, his sheer joy rendered me speechless.
Baby Fox is a character full of memories for him. If that fox suddenly opened its mouth and a rough adult male voice came out, it would shatter all of those precious moments.
That’s why I decided to preserve the persona of the old, mute Baby Fox.
“You can talk if it ever gets too frustrating.”
He whispered this quietly, lips brushing my ear. The puff of air tickled, and I shivered instinctively, looking up at him. He met my eyes, formed the word “Why?” with his lips—and then playfully chomped down on my snout with a big womp.
…Does he know or not? I kept pretending not to, just in case…
[System]: Entering the city’s central district.
“Huh? This is the center?”
All around us were just green leaves and more green leaves. But as we ventured further, stone towers began to peek through the dense trees.
From tiny stacks built by small lizards to massive tree nests. And then, lizards standing along the river spotted us and wagged their tails in welcome on both sides.
“The air here is seriously amazing. Feels like we’re out camping.”
[Yeo Woo-rim]: Right? This place is perfect for camping.
Soon after, the raft came to a halt. Led by bipedal lizards with flaming tails, we arrived at the throne of the Snake Rim’s serpent leader—“Snake Throne.”
But there was something oddly familiar about Snake Rim’s appearance. The pointless black cloak, the fancy shorts, the cocky, legs-crossed posture, and those Jewel Ice gems dangling off each button… Finally, the arrogant way he looked down at us.
“You’re here… Baby Fox… and the husks… gasp, Kessler-nim!!”
“What the hell are you wearing?”
Nyang nyang!
Snake Rim, clearly styled after Kessler, jolted and lifted his butt in surprise—it seemed he hadn’t expected Kessler’s arrival at all.
“How did you even get here…?!”
“I came with the Baby Fox’s party.”
“It’s… it’s really good to see you. Truly…”
Kessler, the original Lord, now wore full-length pants and a sleek, standard user outfit. Because of this, none of the lizardfolk realized that Snake Rim was blatantly copying him during this monumental reunion.
Snake Rim, completely flustered, thrashed his tail wildly and darted his eyes around in panic, but there was nowhere to hide.
You have been registered as a resident of the City of Gratitude Swamp.
The official quest will begin once the required number of players has arrived.
In the meantime, feel free to explore the town.
Players arrived: 5/1,000
Only five out of a thousand had arrived so far.
Not all the victors of the Shadow Castle were sent here. There had been other swamp villages along the route as well. Depending on their roles and qualifications, players would be spread across different settlements.
A town map exclusive to residents appeared in front of their eyes.
—This way, kkadeuri.
A seasoned lizard guide led us to the library. Built inside a massive tree, the place had a grand atmosphere, with neatly organized books lining the interior.
“So what you’re saying is… we’ve basically gotten a free pass, right? Then do we just wait here until the other players show up?”
“Yeah.”
Kessler answered nonchalantly.
That’s right—a free pass. Each season of Last Shadow was divided into three major parts. The first round ran from late September to December. Players who died or dropped out mid-season were kicked from the game and had to start over from the beginning if they wanted another shot.
After three months, victors from each castle would gather to participate in the second round—which is where they were now.
Meaning, we had already skipped over an enormous stage and jumped straight into the next level.
“We can just relax here until the others show up.”
“Ooh… But that means I can’t even find someone to kill… Guess I should go look into changing jobs ASAP. Why did I pick Murderer of all things… This is such a pain.”
“I’ll come with you, Miss Bori.”
“Thanks, Da-hoon.”
Since Bori Noona had chosen the Murderer Class, the bare minimum requirement to maintain that job was—well, murder. If she didn’t fulfill it, she could suffer personal penalties as a class holder. So it was urgent that she found a new job.
While the others talked, Kessler fastened a dog leash around my neck.
Nyang?
“It’s a safety measure. If you fall into quicksand, I’ll be able to pull you out.”
I nodded. With how fine and loose the sand was around here, this chubby little body of mine could definitely get into trouble.
After the brief welcome party, everyone went off to explore the city. Kessler, meanwhile, looked around as if searching for someone.
“Where’s Snake Rim?”
—If you wish to speak with Lord Snake Rim, you’ll need to formally request a private audience-kkadeuri.
“Then consider this my request.”
—It’s not possible at the moment-kkadeuri.
“Why not?”
—He has a guest right now-kkadeuri.
“You should be prioritizing us. You can’t seriously expect Baby Fox to sleep outside.”
…So he’s in the reception room. Muttering under his breath, Kessler stormed off toward Snake Rim’s lair.
The corridor stretching from the cave entrance to the inner room was plastered with photos of Snake Rim.
Nyang……
Even the hallway, gaudily decorated with pictures of himself… It felt oddly familiar somehow. He clearly got the inspiration from somewhere.
