Chapter 7
Meanwhile, at that moment, there was a man pounding his chest like a gorilla in frustration because he couldn’t turn on his mic.
He had more piercings on his ears than most people and red-dyed hair that came down to slightly cover his neck. With his sharp, cat-like eyes, he already looked a bit fierce—and the harsh words coming from his mouth didn’t help either.
His name was Choi Haneul. In TheReso (the game), his nickname was KimSook-i.
Haneul felt like he was going to lose it because of a new guild member named Sunya. It wasn’t just her terrible gameplay—that was already frustrating enough—but her utter lack of awareness drove him nuts.
Even if you didn’t know Hwansung well, anyone watching him this past week could see he was practically hovering over Sunya, showing interest in her. Naturally, the guild members figured it out. They all realized he had feelings for her.
But the person in question—Sunya—was completely oblivious. And whenever situations like that played out, it made Haneul feel like he was going crazy.
Sure enough, another text came through on his phone from Hwansung.
“This bastard texting me he can’t whisper during a boss fight? Unreal.”
[Crazy Bastard]: I’m not going with you to next week’s raid. I’m out.
“What the f—?”
The moment Haneul read the message, his temper flared. He started furiously typing a response—harsh but without a single typo.
[Hey, this isn’t it;; I’ve been living without a mic for a week because of you, dude;;]
[Crazy Bastard]: I paid you, didn’t I.
That shut Haneul up.
…Yeah. He had paid him.
To understand this story, we need to rewind to a week ago.
It was the day Sunya joined the guild. Haneul’s mic broke, and he had planned to play one boss run then order a new one.
But then, strangely enough, Hwansung—who rarely messaged anyone directly—reached out.
He told him… to keep playing without using his voice from now on.
Haneul thought it was utter nonsense. In a raid, it was way more efficient to talk than to waste time typing.
And now this guy suddenly wanted him to live like some mermaid prince, mute and voiceless?
[What kind of BS is this?]
[Did you buy the rights to my voice or something? Who do you think you are, telling me to play mic-less?]
[I knew you had trash personality, but this is worse than I imagined, lol]
Hwansung’s reply was brief.
[Crazy Bastard]: I sent you ₩300,000.
“Is this guy insane? Trying to buy people with money?”
[You received ₩300,000.]
Well… yeah. For that much cash, Haneul could game in silence just fine.
He had no room to complain. But the thing about skipping the next raid? That was not up for sale.
He kind of understood where Hwansung was coming from, though. Someone in the guild group chat had recently commented that Hwansung was acting flirty with the newbie. Another guild member, who hadn’t logged in lately, responded with a now-iconic line: “You don’t play games just to meet girls.”
Hwansung denied it, saying Sunya reminded him of someone he had a crush on back in school. Same nickname, same real name, even the same voice.
It’d be weirder if it wasn’t her.
Everyone in the guild was shocked. Hwansung’s first love had become a kind of mythical figure in the guild. He was one of those annoyingly tall, good-looking, rich types you’d see in a drama—basically perfect in every way except personality.
And that’s who Hwansung had fallen for.
Everyone had heard about Hwansung’s long-ago crush, but they assumed it was just some fleeting puppy love. That changed after a guild meetup when a drunk Hwansung kept murmuring, “Yoon Hae-ya…” over and over again. The guild burst out laughing, calling him an old-school romantic.
But even as they laughed, they felt a chill at how deep his feelings ran.
Now, after believing he’d never see her again, he met her by chance—in a game, of all places. So yeah, it was understandable he was getting worked up when she talked to another guy.
But still…
[You’re full of it if you think I’m skipping raid just for that, you crazy bastard.]
And Sunya—no, Yoon Hae—probably didn’t even know Hwansung liked her. It just seemed like that was her personality.
Haneul had already scanned her character in that short week. Clueless, frustrating, honest to a fault.
“No wonder Hwansung’s a mess over her,” Haneul sighed.
One person was already spiraling over the fear of losing her again, while the other had no idea, and the rest of the guild found it all hilarious. And he—Haneul—was now the guy who sold his voice for ₩300,000.
This guild sure was running smoothly.
[Crazy Bastard]: Sent ₩100,000.
[Crazy Bastard]: Find someone else for my spot.
“This dude’s actually insane. Thinks money solves everything.”
[You received ₩100,000.]
[Sure thing, hyung. ㅎㅎ]
…Turns out money does solve everything.
[Guild Chat] KimSook-i: brb
After that brief “brb” from Sook-i, even the voice chat went dead silent. Everyone assumed he’d be right back, but it was taking longer than expected.
“Maybe he went to the bathroom?”
“Hmm… you may be right, young swordsman. Perhaps… a mighty burden is being released.”
“Could be.”
[Guild Chat] KimSook-i: ♡♡ What are you even saying
[Guild Chat] KimSook-i: I told you I went to earn some allowance
Just as the conversation ended, Sook-i miraculously returned.
“Come now, great Sook-i. All humans relieve themselves. It’s nothing to be ashamed of.”
[Guild Chat] KimSook-i: ♡♡ It wasn’t that, geez −−
“Sunya.”
“Yes?”
“Hwansung may be like that, but Sook-i too. I apologize for our sect members not being more straightforward.”
“Uh… no, it’s okay.”
She could maybe say that about Sook-i, but Hwansung? What part of him wasn’t straightforward?
“Isn’t he one of the most direct people I’ve met…?”
“Babe.”
“Ah! Y-Yes?”
Startled, she responded to Hwansung’s sudden voice after a long silence.
“I’m excited for our first boss fight date. Aren’t you?”
“…”
She didn’t feel excited—just terrified. She couldn’t bring herself to answer. Maybe her silence made Hwansung feel down, because his voice suddenly sounded gloomy.
“Wait… are you not excited? It’s our first time, though.”
“…”
[Guild Chat] KimSook-i: Just say you’re excited ♡♡ If you don’t ♡♡ he’ll probably sulk again
“Sook-i speaks true… Sunya, just go along with it.”
It felt like one of those school situations where you get dragged into the cool kids’ group. You don’t want to play along, but if you don’t, you’re the one who loses.
She held the mic close and let out a soft sigh, making sure no one heard. She didn’t understand why Hwansung chose this cringy persona, but as Sook-i and Cheonma suggested, it was probably best to just go with the flow for now.
“…I’m… excited.”
“Same.”
Then Hwansung’s character began hugging hers. It was one of the in-game emote features.
[Guild Chat] KimSook-i: Cringe. Let’s just clear the boss already……
“Just do what I say like usual, and when the boss casts Dark Embrace, use your two defensive skills.”
“Okay!”
“Ah, wait. Now that I think about it, I’m pissed.”
“Huh? Why all of a sudden…?”
She couldn’t keep up with Hwansung’s mood swings. He’d seemed happy a moment ago when she said she was excited, but now he was moody again like a rollercoaster.
Sook-i, ever annoyed, sent two little heart emojis.
“No, seriously, why does Eregos get to hug Hae-ya?”
[Guild Chat] KimSook-i: Ha… ♡♡
“Right? I’m the only one who should be hugging her, so why is that bastard allowed to?”
“Uh… it’s just the name of a boss skill, right?”
She didn’t get why he was so invested in the skill name. It wasn’t like she was physically being hugged. It was just a tank-buster that targeted the tank.
It wasn’t just her—Cheonma was confused too, and Sook-i looked done with it all.
“I’m the only one who should be hugging her. Why should Hae-ya have to get hugged by some other bastard?”
[Guild Chat] KimSook-i: ♡♡ Then YOU be the tank, genius;;
“What, so I should just watch as she gets healed by another guy? Don’t you know tanks and healers are the most likely to fall for each other in games?”
[Guild Chat] KimSook-i: ♡♡ You’re seriously ♡♡♡♡ing crazy. Just quit the party already ♡♡
“Why would I quit?”
Hwansung replied like it was the dumbest thing he’d ever heard. His tone was like someone being told to eat Chinese food because there’s no rice for Korean food—and he’s wondering, why wouldn’t we just get rice?
“We’ll just clear it before Dark Embrace even gets cast.”
[Guild Chat] KimSook-i: ?
