Inside Last Shadow, there was a wide array of user-created content: fire-spinning with burning rat tails, charcoal grilling in the plaza, prison escape games, and more. But among them, the undeniable long-standing favorite was “Yeo Woo-rim Play.”
Ever since the beta phase, the baby Arctic Fox character—played by Yeo Woo-rim—had garnered explosive popularity thanks to its irresistibly cute appearance, especially among female players. Riding the wave of this popularity, “Yeo Woo-rim Play” emerged as a game where players mimicked the baby Arctic Fox as portrayed by Yeo Woo-rim. With endless references circulating on social media, the material never ran dry. Some mimicked specific voice lines, others copied his vocal tones, and still others imitated his movements.
Then came a surprising discovery.
When players acted like a “normal fox,” the skeleton NPCs responded moderately. But when they imitated “Yeo Woo-rim’s Fox,” the skeletons’ affection levels increased significantly.
For instance, if a regular fox passed by and received a pocket-money tip, it would usually get 50 won. But a fox mimicking Yeo Woo-rim would receive 66 won for the same action.
And of course, wherever there’s popularity, there’s always someone ready to blur the line between imitation and impersonation.
Jung Da-hoon
That fox started a cult called “Fox Church.” Looks like it’s tied to some kind of Doppelgänger class.
Jang Bori
So annoying. I mean, imitation is one thing, but why go all-in pretending to actually be Woo-rim? lol
Jung Da-hoon
Exactly. Their followers are spreading across the continent. Anyway, Pro, please don’t look online for now—
As they pieced the situation together, Kessler scrunched his nose and casually offered a suggestion.
“Why don’t you just post a notice on SNS saying it’s not you?”
“Hmm.”
Lots of people were misunderstanding. Honestly, it would be easy to clear up—just say it’s not me. But I’d deliberately avoided getting involved in petty drama before, so I hesitated.
Besides, I’d have plenty of natural chances to explain once the new season started…
“I think I’ll just log into the game for now.”
“Want to head home?”
“Yeah.”
And honestly, I was getting a little curious. This someone who was copying me so well—was it a skill effect? Just keen observation?
“Today was fun.”
“My mom didn’t make you feel too pressured?”
“Not at all. Would’ve been nice to meet your dad, too.”
“You will. He’s heading up the Asia branch now, so he’ll be visiting Korea more often.”
“You think he’ll like me?”
“Of course he will. Weery was created by my dad.”
Weery was a champion who shot to popularity because of my gameplay.
“Oh, seriously?”
I couldn’t help laughing. Back in the day, opposing teams would even first-pick Weery just to block me from getting him—it became a whole strategy. And ironically, that only broadened the range of characters I ended up using.
“Then he’s got no choice but to like me.”
I suddenly remembered the Weery mousepad on the table next to the director.
Chatting like that, we left the palace-like company headquarters and headed to Kessler’s place in West Hollywood.
***
The moment we got to Kessler’s, I hurried to log in.
[System]: Welcome. Which city would you like to start in?
Starting city: Castle of Shadows. Character: Baby Arctic Fox. Player nickname: Yeo Woo-rim.
After speeding through the basic settings, I stepped off the train.
Welcome, everyone.
At the castle gate, there was a fox sign I’d never seen before. On top of that, the outer wall of Shadow Castle—which had always been drenched in darkness and prized the shadow aesthetic—was painted white.
GOL GOL GOL
Nyang nyang nyang
Skeletons with white tails were making fox-like sounds. The ones who failed to “nyang” properly were getting gang-beaten. The nasty skeleton who ran the bakery had a speaker strapped to his head, endlessly blaring “meow-meow” fox sounds.
Nyang.
To get a better look at the whole scene, I climbed a large boulder and watched the cash shop district. It was completely overrun with confused users, not a single working skeleton in sight. Then I hopped down and followed a skeleton who was clutching a fox-covered book and groaning as he headed somewhere.
The skeleton arrived at the central plaza of the underground prison. It matched the backdrop from a viral fox video he’d seen earlier.
A bunch of skeletons had already gathered there. I pushed through the crowd and sat in the “Reserved Baby Fox Seating” area near the front.
Not long after, that fox from the video stepped onto the stage.
And his appearance was… extremely bizarre.
“Yip! Don’t do this to me, nyaaa~…”
Cradled lovingly in a skeleton’s arms, the plump Baby Arctic Fox wriggled his four legs in the air. It was definitely the same fox from the video, but for some reason, he wasn’t mimicking me at all right now.
GOL GOL GOL
Nyang nyang nyang
The fox’s voice was drowned out by the skeletons’ cheering. A moment later, a microphone was placed in front of the fox, who had been awkwardly seated on stage.
“A-a! I have something to say today, nya! Listen up, nya!”
“Is that Yeo Woo-rim, nya?”
“It is Yeo Woo-rim, nya.”
“Doesn’t Yeo Woo-rim usually speak more calmly, nya?”
The fox users sitting in front were murmuring to each other. Yeah, well, the real Yeo Woo-rim is sitting right behind you.
“Nya.”
Just then, a sleek, slender fox came up and stood beside me. Its elegantly swaying tail stilled, then wrapped around my chubby belly, pulling me close.
With a smoldering look and a wink motion, its body language clearly screaming mating interest—yep, it was unmistakably Kessler.
While rubbing fur with Kessler, I looked back up at the stage.
“I have a confession to make, nya. Please, don’t be disappointed. The truth is… actually…”
The impersonator fox was just beginning their speech when—
—I will never be disappointed, sir baby fox. Thanks to you, I found a new reason to live. I was going to throw my body away, but not anymore. I love you so much, baby fox. Let’s be together forever, gol—
—Me too! I only survived because of you, baby fox! Long live the Fox Church!—
A skeleton formed a heart above its head and began recounting their painful past before joining the church. Then other skeletons chimed in, each sharing how bleak their pre-conversion “bone-life” had been.
The impersonator fox fell silent, unable to continue. Tail drooping, they quietly listened to the skeletons’ stories. Then, lifting their gaze with newfound resolve, they spoke.
“If everyone’s happy, then that’s all that matters, nya. I hope today is another joyful day for all you skeletons, nya.”
Tan tara tan tara nyang nyang♪ Oh my Fox has arrived~♩
As soon as the fox’s speech ended, the entire plaza broke into song.
[System]: You have joined in the chorus. All of your worries and anxieties vanish.
[System]: Your body feels lighter.
[System]: Luck temporarily increases. LUCK +15
[System]: Bond with skeletons has strengthened. You can now purchase items at a 15% discount from Fox Church-run shops.
“Ooh! Let’s go now, nya!”
So this was the reason why so many users had gathered here—everyone wanted to receive the Fox Chorus buff.
The skeletons seemed to receive slightly different effects. Buffs like “Alleviated Sadness” and “Heightened Happiness” flashed above their heads.
Gol gol, that was wholesome
Let’s go now
This impostor wasn’t just a Yeo Woo-rim copycat. Judging from the buffs shown in the system log, he’d already class-changed into a High Priest. I logged out while watching him be carried away weakly in the skeletons’ arms, just like when he entered.
“Not even remotely similar.”
“You thought so too?”
Yawning, I rested my face on Kessler’s knee. The sofa was so plush I could fall asleep just by closing my eyes.
“Honestly, I think that fox has a story.”
He didn’t seem like he wanted to imitate me. Maybe that was different in the past, but at least for now, that wasn’t the vibe. If anything, it felt like he was being forced to imitate me.
Curious, I logged into the community for the first time in a while and searched “Fox Church,” then started scrolling backward through the timeline.
[Title: Ah fk Woo-rim hyung!!! (34)]**
[Title: These days all they do is perform for skeletons all day (5)]
[Title: Stuck in Fox Church so I’m not getting any quests (71)]
[Title: I’m sorry (144)]
One post stood out for having an unusually high number of comments.
***
[Title: I’m sorry (144)]
Hi, I’m the High Priest of Fox Church. I’m not Yeo Woo-rim. I didn’t even start this religion. I just imitated Woo-rim a few times, and the skeletons suddenly started worshipping me and forced the High Priest class onto me…
Anyway, I’m writing this because I think Yeo Woo-rim is being misunderstood and hurt because of me. I sincerely apologize for disrupting the game ecosystem. I have no excuse for acting like a villainㅠ
I have no way to get out of my current situation. Please help me. SOS.
└ No proof = troll bait
└└ OP: I want to post proof but the skeletons won’t let me go buy a camera;
└ Liar lol
└ Weak bait. Not even funny
└└ OP: I’m serious. I literally can’t go buy a camera
└└└ Why not? lol You’re supposed to be their king
└└ OP: The skeletons won’t even let me lift a finger
└ Then don’t post here. Go hold a speech at the temple lol
└└ OP: I did say it on stage, but the skeletons looked so shocked I thought they’d collapse
└ Ignore. Don’t feed this troll
└ New kind of Woo-rim stan defense
└└ OP: I’m not defending! I really want to go to HQ and pull the data myself
└└ Yeah, sure. Do that and maybe we’ll believe you
The poster was frustrated and upset that no one believed them.
“Kessler, look at this post. Doesn’t it seem like that fox?”
“Totally. But… what gives them the right to feel wronged?”
Technically, the guy was living it up, lording over skeletons like a prophet and enjoying all the perks of being a High Priest. But what I saw and felt was a bit different.
‘Bori said she got hired as a Fox Church guide, right?’
