Chapter 57: Why are you here?

Several days had passed.

I had wanted to immediately create a new account, but unfortunately, due to unresolved issues with my identity, I was told it would take some time.

…If I had known this, I would’ve delayed deleting the account.

Had everything gone as planned, I’d already be leveling up a new account by now. Instead, I found myself in an involuntary break, lying in bed and rolling around aimlessly.

– A compilation of Prisoner’s amazing plays.avi
– Why does this feel like a funeral? Stop acting like Prisoner is dead.
– Prisoner will return. He always does.

‘What a mess.’

Watching streams and browsing the community was entertaining for a day or two, but the more I did, the more I longed to play the game.

Sure, I could play other games if I wanted to.

However, there’s a huge difference between taking a break with other games because you have the option and playing them because you have no choice.

Soon, every game felt boring.

I had thought of myself as a pure gamer, but I was utterly mistaken.

To my shock, I wasn’t a s*ave to gaming—I was a s*ave to League of Legends.

“Ugh, I’m bored…”

Wait, did my voice just sound weird?

…It doesn’t matter. No one’s listening anyway.

“What are you doing?”

“Whoa!”

“What was that strange noise?”

Could you please knock first?

The door being so smooth was a problem in itself. Even when I was distracted, how could I not hear the door opening? Doors should creak like in old movies or something.

“How many days are you going to stay like this?”

At my mom’s words, I flinched.

I muttered a poor excuse.

“…There’s nothing to do.”

Of course, I’d love to just create a new account, grind levels, rank up, get an offer from a team, and debut as a pro as quickly as possible.

But life doesn’t always go the way you want it to.

“If you’re so bored, why don’t you come with me for a bit?”

“Where to?”

“The new house. We need to start organizing the rooms. You said you wanted to arrange your own room, right?”

Ah, that place.

“…But I went last time.”

“That was just to pick the rooms. Today’s for furniture placement.”

“Already?”

That meant the move was just around the corner.

And by extension, it probably meant my identity issue was close to being resolved too.

‘But… are they planning to put me to work?’

Noticing my expression, my mom gave me a strange look.

“Don’t worry. I wouldn’t ask you to do anything. Just tell us where you want your desk, that’s all.”

“…I didn’t even say anything yet.”

“It’s all over your face.”

…Looks like I need to practice managing my expressions. It’s obvious I lack social experience.

“Anyway, get ready.”

“Okay.”

“What’s this? I thought you’d say it’s too troublesome and refuse to come.”

“Yeah, me too.”

Even I wondered why I agreed so easily.

Maybe the past few uneventful days had pushed me to this point.

‘Going out, huh.’

I wasn’t sure if I was excited because it was a rare outing or because it was a break from the monotony of my routine, but I felt strangely eager.

I put on a black military cap, a light beige hoodie, and my usual long padded coat.

Once ready, I stood by the door with a spring in my step.

“Are you wearing that again?”

“What are you talking about? I changed the cap and hoodie this time.”

Sure, I bought them out of boredom a few days ago, but I spent a lot of time carefully selecting them.

“…I don’t even know why I bother.”

Mom shook her head.

Unbothered, I adjusted my outfit in the mirror by the entrance.

“Looks great to me.”

You can’t deny it.

Mom sighed as she walked out the door, her expression saying she had given up.

Once in the driver’s seat, she said, “Oh, by the way, Yuri will join us at the new house later. Let’s have dinner near there.”

“Okay.”

The house was always so quiet that I hadn’t really felt it, but it seemed we were indeed moving soon.

“What about Dad?”

“He has a company dinner. So it’ll just be the three of us for dinner.”

Ah, the weight of being the head of the family.

I could already picture Dad drunkenly humming a tune as he stumbled home.

“We’re here.”

Having been to the new house once before, the scenery wasn’t particularly fresh.

It felt like I was getting old.

But not everything was familiar.

‘Hmm.’

[SY Palace]

Even though this wasn’t my first visit, the towering building that seemed to pierce the sky gave off an overwhelming presence.

It was no wonder ancient rulers built tall structures as symbols of their authority.

If this weren’t going to be my new home, I probably would never have come near it in my lifetime.

“What are you doing?”

“Oh, uh, nothing.”

As I trailed behind my mom into the building, curious gazes seemed to pierce us from all directions.

It just so happened that a group of local women was passing by.

“Hey, look over there.”

“Huh?”

“That must be the family moving into the penthouse.”

“Oh, the ones who said the mom was a former anchor? Oh my!”

Initially, the attention was focused on my mother but quickly shifted to me.

Even someone like me, usually oblivious to attention, could feel the weight of their stares.

Yet my mom didn’t react at all.

‘Is she used to this?’

I had heard that my mom was once a famous news anchor.

It made sense that she wouldn’t be fazed by this kind of attention.

“The elevator’s here.”

Once we arrived at the top floor, the first thing that greeted us was the bustling noise.

“Put that over there!”

“Yes, sir!”

The place was teeming with movers carrying furniture that wasn’t there before.

‘It doesn’t look like they moved the furniture from our old house… did they buy everything brand new?’

Was this okay?

‘Or maybe this isn’t even a stretch for them?’

As I was caught up in my thoughts, one of the movers, presumably the team leader, approached us.

“Oh, you’ve arrived?”

“Yes. Thank you for your hard work. I’ve reserved a table at a nearby restaurant for you all, so please enjoy a meal after you’re done.”

“Oh, no need for that, but thank you so much! Is there anything else you’d like us to do?”

“Yes. I think it’s best if my daughter arranges her own room. Could you assist her with that?”

“Of course. Let’s go.”

Before I knew it, my mom gave me a little push.

“…What?”

“It’s your room, so you should go and decide.”

“Me? On my own?”

“Didn’t you say you wanted to arrange your room the way you liked it?”

“Well, I did, but…”

Her meaning was clear.

“…So, I should decide where to place the furniture?”

“Exactly.”

What should I do?

Should I just say I can’t?

‘No, I can’t back down now.’

I may not be a “manly man” anymore, but I was born one, so I have to see this through.

“…Alright.”

I’ll show them.

The most optimized layout from a Challenger-level gamer.

Or so I thought, until I saw the stern faces of the movers.

“Excuse me, could you move aside?”

“Oh, uh, sure…”

Even though some of the movers weren’t much older than me, the intimidation they radiated was no joke.

‘Or maybe I’m just a coward.’

No, it had to be the former.

I convinced myself it was.

It had to be.

“How would you like the desk arranged?”

One of the movers, seemingly sensing my nervousness, approached and kindly asked.

He felt like a savior sent from the heavens.

“The desk… should face away from the door. And that one, place it over there.”

“Got it.”

Money seemed to work wonders, as the movers diligently followed my instructions without skipping a beat.

“And where should this go?”

“Over by the balcony, please.”

“Understood.”

Thanks to the number of movers, the furniture arrangement was finished in no time.

“How is it?”

“It’s… it’s great!”

“If there’s anything you don’t like, let us know. Moving things around is no trouble at all.”

“No, really, it’s fine. Thank you.”

The desk was positioned in a U-shape, facing away from the door, with room for at least four monitors and a monitor arm stand.

It was perfect.

The placement of the shelves and all the furniture was perfect for a gamer.

It was exactly the arrangement I had wanted for so long.

“Thank you for your hard work. I’ve texted the restaurant’s location to you. Just give them my name when you get there.”

“Thank you, ma’am. If you need anything else, feel free to call us anytime.”

“Of course.”

After the movers left, I stood in the penthouse, now filled with furniture, and asked my mother, “When are we moving in?”

“It’ll probably take about a week. We still need to clean up and finish a few things.”

“Really?”

A week…

That was welcome news.

“Why? Are you excited to move in already?”

“It’s not like that… exactly.”

As always, she saw right through me.

“Alright, let’s head out. Yuri will be waiting.”

“Where is she?”

“She should be almost there by now.”

When we reached the underground parking lot, my mom rummaged through her handbag.

“Huh?”

“What’s wrong?”

“I think I left the car keys upstairs. I’ll go grab them quickly.”

“Alright.”

As she was rushing toward the elevator, she suddenly stopped.

“Actually, while you’re waiting, can you go grab some water from the convenience store? I’m a little thirsty.”

Oh, another errand?

It probably wasn’t really about the water.

This was likely another one of my mom’s countless attempts at training my social skills.

Nice try—I’m onto her now.

“Alright.”

Of course, knowing her intentions and refusing were two separate matters.

‘It’s not a big deal anyway.’

Following her directions, I found the convenience store inside the apartment complex.

After wandering a bit, I located the fridge, grabbed two bottles of water, and went to the counter.

“1,000 won, please.”

“Oh, here you go.”

“Can you insert it here?”

“Huh? Oh, sure.”

“…Over here.”

Wait, is this how convenience stores work now?

Feeling my face flush, I awkwardly inserted my card into the card reader.

“Other side.”

“Oh, sorry! Right, got it!”

‘Kill me now.’

I felt like crawling into a hole as I managed to complete the payment.

[“Payment complete.”]

“Now, please remove your card.”

“…Right.”

At first, I thought, ‘How hard could it be to buy a bottle of water?’

But I was wrong.

Buying a single bottle of water had turned into an ordeal.

‘I’m definitely asking for a water dispenser at home.’

Completely drained, I pushed against the convenience store door to leave.

“Huh?”

Why isn’t it opening?

Oh.

There was someone on the other side.

“Sorry! I’m so sorry.”

Today was extra embarrassing.

Actually, it felt like every time I went out, I ended up feeling like this.

And then, as I stepped aside, the door opened, revealing someone I never expected to see.

“Ah.”

Why are you here?