What Do You Think about Living With a Gaming Addict Girlfriend and Having Pure Love?

Chapter 5 – Park Da-Hye (3)

—–CROW—– 

Park Da-Hye’s face was red, almost as if it were about to burst.

Strangely, the flush looked like blush. Hmm… was it a similar effect to the aura from earlier?

Beautiful people look beautiful no matter what they do.

Then, she buried her pretty face in her hands.

“Ah, what do I do…”

Right, it must be embarrassing.

But it’s okay.

My comrade, struggling in this wretched fake world.

There’s no need to be embarrassed.

I’ve cleared the same life tutorial as you.

“I’m sorry, it’s so messy, isn’t it? I usually clean it, but I haven’t been feeling well lately…”

“No, it’s fine. I was the same at your age.  I understand completely.  Being twenty, good at housework, and a good artist too? That would be even stranger.”

This time, it wasn’t a sales pitch, but genuine sincerity.

At that age, it wasn’t that I didn’t know *how* to live properly, but that I didn’t even know what a proper life *looked* like.

All I could do was struggle to survive each day, piling the rusted parts of my mind in my room.

What was the reason for the state of my room back then? I didn’t know at the time, but now I know for sure.

Because I was lazy? Because I wasn’t feeling well?

No, the reason a room becomes like that… is because the heart is sick.

I should change the subject.  She seems distressed.

Talking about shared interests is the best option in these situations.

Right, that’ll do.

“Wow. That’s… isn’t it? The Duel Tournament prize!”

I pointed at the figure proudly displayed on the widest shelf.

Only those in the know would recognize it.

The figure awarded for reaching the finals in Billion Saga’s first Duel Tournament.

I never imagined I’d see it here.

It seemed like I chose the right topic, though.

Where did the embarrassed girl from just a moment ago go?

Park Da-Hye’s expression instantly changed to one of barely contained excitement.

“Wow, you know that too, Assistant Manager!”

“Of course I do. There are only 64 of them in the whole country, it’s a rare item!  Do you mind if I take a closer look?”

“Of course! Feel free to look around.”

For the record, I have one of these figures too.

Mine is the version with the Orc NPC, Fist Master, and his loyal wolf companion, Akaph.

This one was the version with the Fairy King and a branch of the World Tree.

I heard that a few were released on the secondhand market right after the tournament.

The price skyrocketed after that. What was the last traded price? 1.8 million won?

You can’t even get them anymore.

To have such a valuable item… this young lady is something else.

“Hehehe. It’s my treasure. It’s the only thing I can brag about, and you recognized it right away.”

“Just like me. This figure is my treasure too. Although they look different.”

“Whoa, really? Awesome! How did you get yours, Assistant Manager?”

“Just, you know, I got lucky.”

Heh heh. Young blood.

This living legend actually reached the finals himself and received the figure.

There’s even my team name engraved on the bottom.

The team name with KimPokDaughter’s and my name on it.

We barely managed to get it thanks to KimPokDaughter’s control.

If this weren’t a business meeting, I’d show her proof right away.  It’s a shame.

“Wow, adults are different. They’re so expensive these days.”

“You got one too.  Do you mind if I turn it over? I want to see the team name.”

“Hehehe, please do. By all means.”

By all means? The way she said it, it must belong to someone famous.

A current pro gamer or a famous streamer?

If it belonged to someone famous, it might have collector’s value, but to me, it’s just some ignorant fool who doesn’t understand honor.

Alright, let’s see who this fool is.

Confirmation time.

Here we go!

*Flip!*

『Thud!!!』

Whoa.

The moment I flipped the figure over, a lightning bolt struck my head.

Because of the words written underneath.

Words that should never have been there.

[1st Duel Tournament Finalist]

[32nd Place TEAM_SungHyeonPokDaughter]

What is this?

My team name.

No, KimPokDaughter’s and my team name.

*What the hell? Why is this here?*

The Duel Tournament was a 2v2 PVP competition.

My partner was, of course, KimPokDaughter, and my figure is at my place, so…

This means this is KimPokDaughter’s figure.

Why is it in a complete stranger’s room?

I quickly put the figure down.

My hands were trembling so much I was afraid I’d drop it.

Is this what it feels like when the sky falls?

*KimPokDaughter…*

*That KimPokDaughter!*

*Not satisfied with selling gold, you sold our memories too?*

Logically, I knew.

I have no right to interfere in KimPokDaughter’s personal life.

Whether she sells the figure or burns it, it’s her freedom.

But…

*Sob, you bastard. Does love change for you too?*

A sense of betrayal I had never experienced before sent chills down my spine.

I thought even if everyone else betrayed me, you, KimPokDaughter, would be eternal.

I thought you would cherish our memories.

I treasured those memories like a precious jewel.

But not you?

This hurts more than breaking up with my girlfriend.

“Assistant Manager, are you okay?”

No, I’m not okay.

“Where did you buy this?  No, how much was it? Over 3 million won, right?”

If it’s over 3 million won, I’ll just think, “Well, it was worth selling,” and let it go.

But if she sold it for less, I’ll kill her.

But Park Da-Hye’s answer sidestepped both possibilities.

“Heehee. I didn’t buy it.”

“Don’t tell me… you didn’t get it for free, did you?  Please tell me you didn’t.”

“You must be jealous.  But I didn’t get it as a gift.  I earned it myself.”

“Huh?”

“I was a finalist in the 1st Tournament.  Pretty impressive, right? I got it as a prize with the friend I mentioned earlier.”

What nonsense is this?

She earned it herself?

The 1st Duel Tournament was six years ago.

So… Park Da-Hye was 14 years old back then.

She reached the finals at 14?

Not in a control-based game, but in an RPG that requires capital?

That’s amazing.

But why is the team name on the figure the same as mine?

A marking error?

A delivery mistake?

No, there’s a simpler, more straightforward answer.

The blurry pieces in my mind began to fall into place.

Starting with KimPokDaughter’s chat last night.

[[KimPokDaughter: Good good.  But I have an appointment tomorrow, so I might be a little late.]]

[[Me: *You* have an appointment??  What are you, a normie?  That doesn’t make sense?]]

[[KimPokDaughter:  I have business too!  I’m going to make some money!]]

KimPokDaughter, who, for the first time in years, wasn’t logged in today, saying she was going to make money.

Artist Park Da-Hye, who plays Billion Saga.

Park Da-Hye, a finalist in the 1st Duel Tournament.

The team name on the figure, the same as mine, SungHyeonPokDaughter.

KimPokDaughter, who always earned and exchanged gold for cash.

Why would KimPokDaughter do such a foolish thing?

Well, to pay for her residence and living expenses, of course.

*Ding!*

[Conclusion reached.]

[Artist Park Da-Hye *is* KimPokDaughter!]

Is this even possible?

What are the chances of running into your online friend in the middle of South Korea?

Especially when that friend is a hardcore gamer who spends all year cooped up inside, and you just happen to meet her during the one time she ventures out?

But no matter how improbable it is, let’s admit what needs to be admitted.

This girl in front of me is my sworn friend, my mentor, my only family.

KimPokDaughter.

Wait a minute.

So that means… you were twelve when we first met?

I… was best friends with a middle schooler?

Ugh, this is messing with my head.

Come to think of it… I understand now.

KimPokDaughter’s usual strange remarks flashed through my mind.

[Going to vote? Just play games with me. Me? I don’t vote.]

Such childish remarks.

[Bitcoin? What’s that?]

Such an extremely limited knowledge base.

Or…

[Sung-Hyeon, have you ever had sex? I haven’t, damn it, I want to have sex!!]

Such vulgar, sex-crazed comments.

I thought KimPokDaughter was just a funny idiot.

*An old fart talking like a horny middle schooler lol What a weirdo.*

That’s what I thought.

*I* was the real idiot.

A middle schooler being a middle schooler.

Why didn’t I realize it?

Does this mean my mental age is that of a middle schooler?

No, maybe I’m wrong. Let’s confirm one last time.

“I looked up all the matches from that day. What was your ID?”

“KimPokDaughter!  I was a Priest, do you know me?”

It’s her.

The way she casually says that hideous ID, it’s definitely KimPokDaughter.

And do I know KimPokDaughter? I dare say no one in the world knows KimPokDaughter better than me.

“I know you very well.  You’re currently ranked 48th among Priests.”

“Whoa. That’s amazing.  You even know my ranking? You’re a true Billion Saga fan.”

“Who… your partner.  Their play was impressive, so I remember them.”

“Wow, you know Sung-Hyeon too? That’s the friend I was talking about. He’s really good, right?”

Yeah, that’s me.

Hearing her say that brings tears to my eyes.

Back then, the difference in our control skills was so vast that I was known in the community as KimPokDaughter’s summon.

Come to think of it, I was riding a bus driven by a 14-year-old, hehe.

Anyway.

To meet KimPokDaughter in real life…

My ironclad rule of never meeting offline has been broken, but honestly, the joy I feel is far greater.

If she had been a pot-bellied man in his thirties, as I imagined, I might have hugged her.

But right now…

I’m too burdened to feel joy.

This room.

When I thought she was a stranger, I just wanted to run away.

But now that I know you’re someone precious to me… it’s not someone else’s problem anymore.

Damn it.

PokDaughter, I understand now.

Selling gold wasn’t a strange hobby, but a way to survive.

When I sought you out for my own happiness…

You were trapped in this room.

Surrounded by piles of ramen cups and lunchboxes.

Eating only things like that.

Today was supposed to be a relaxing, leisurely day, perfect for gaming.

But in an instant, it turned into a day of heartache.

Have you been eating properly?

“Lunchtime is almost over. Park Da-Hye, have you had breakfast?”

“No, I brought the cake, and I have a lunchbox. I was going to eat it later.”

Park Da-Hye said this with the brightest smile.

How can you smile like that?

My face was filled with despair during my residence days.

Well, KimPokDaughter is different from me.

So, let’s not project.

“A lunchbox… you eat lunchboxes. Convenience store lunchboxes.”

“Yes, yes, they’re delicious. They’re the best out of the ones they sell these days.”

See, she said it’s delicious.  Stop making assumptions.

KimPokDaughter has her own life, and I have mine.

Don’t project my past onto KimPokDaughter.

This isn’t Billion Saga.

You have no right to interfere.

“I see. I should try one sometime.”

Stop meddling.

Just take the illustrations.

And just leave.

You know better than anyone how painful pity can be on a miserable day.

Don’t be a jerk.

“What did you have for dinner last night?”

“Heehee, this is a bit embarrassing. I had ramen.  But why do you ask?”

I’m realizing now how slow I am.

“Park Da-Hye, would you like to have dinner with me? My treat, I’ll buy you some meat.”

* * *

—–CROW—– 

#Only READ at DarkstarTranslations