Chapter 95

(Sniper) Miu: ?

(Cook) BBQ: Oh lol

(Necromancer) 0momo0: Wow... really??

—Yes! I used to take beginners on progression runs all the time, so I’m great at briefings! Just follow my instructions and you’ll be fine!

Anyone would have found that reassuring.

(Sniper) Miu: the ward isn’t even hard so is there really any reason to use a mic?

(Sniper) Miu: we’ll clear it in no time anyway

(Cook) BBQ: Hmm true tho lol

That was when Miu raised an objection. For some reason, he didn’t seem pleased by the idea of YoureGettingSued using her mic.

(Sniper) Miu: I can type just fine while I’m playing anyway

(Sniper) Miu: I can keep an eye on Momo and handle the briefing myself

(Cook) BBQ: YOU’RE GOING TO DO THE BRIEFING?????

—Miu is?

Both BBQ and YoureGettingSued were startled.

—Didn’t you say last time that you couldn’t understand why anyone would bother with a briefing for a raid this easy?

(Cook) BBQ: Yeah lmaooo you said all you had to do was watch a guide and it was ez, so why would anyone need a briefing lolol

(Cook) BBQ: you said only ppl with no reading comprehension need briefings and use mics during prog lmao

Oh...

(Necromancer) 0momo0: People with no reading comprehension... I think that might be me... T_T

(Necromancer) 0momo0: I didn’t know I wasn’t supposed to listen to briefings during prog... haha...

Then again, Miu hadn’t been able to make sense of Mo Yeonhoo’s bizarre movements when they had raided together, either.

Of course, that had only been because Yeonhoo had messed up his sensitivity settings and kept firing in completely ridiculous directions.

(Sniper) Miu: Briefings are great for progression runs

(Sniper) Miu: Beginners don’t have to type and it’s so much easier for them to listen, how convenient is that

(Cook) BBQ: But you said briefings were only for ppl who sucked.... lol

(Sniper) Miu: BBQ when did I ever say that

(Sniper) Miu: I’ve never said anything like that haha

(Sniper) Miu: besides I only said that because Momo’s good

Miu immediately began filling the chat window.

(Sniper) Miu: How does Momo have bad comprehension what is he bad at

(Sniper) Miu: He’s the best gamer I’ve ever seen

(Sniper) Miu: He’s insanely smart

(Sniper) Miu: That’s why I thought he wouldn’t need a briefing

(Sniper) Miu: He’s already too good

Was it just Yeonhoo’s imagination, or did that feel a little like damage control? Still, he wasn’t exactly unhappy about it.

(Necromancer) 0momo0: Really???

(Necromancer) 0momo0: I’m good?

(Sniper) Miu: yeah ur insanely good

(Necromancer) 0momo0: Wow!!!!!

(Sniper) Miu: your gameplay is so damn clean it’s honestly incredible

Miu had told him he was good at the game! Miu had been complimenting him a lot lately, but hearing it even here, in the middle of a raid, felt wonderful.

(Necromancer) 0momo0: hehe thank you

(Necromancer) 0momo0: You’re good too!!!

(Sniper) Miu: You’re better

(Necromancer) 0momo0: No!! You’re way better!

(Sniper) Miu: You’re way way better

(Cook) BBQ: what even is this lmao

Mo Yeonhoo couldn’t stop grinning. Having Miu acknowledge him filled him with pride.

—Eek! I’d heard Miu had changed, but it was actually true. They said you were super nice to Momo now!

(Cook) BBQ: Oh right it’s been a while since YoureGettingSued logged in huh? I swear I did a double take when I first saw it lol the whole alliance went nuts lmao

(Cook) BBQ: I thought we’d all been hacked

(Cook) BBQ: but everyone’s used to it now lol

(Sniper) Miu: You guys certainly make entertaining jokes

(Sniper) Miu: I’ve always been nice haha

—Huh? What are you talking about? Miu is absolutely not... Eek... r-right. You’re nice.

That did not seem like what YoureGettingSued had originally intended to say.

(Sniper) Miu: Anyway my point is that YoureGettingSued doesn’t need to do the briefing

(Sniper) Miu: There’s no reason for you to put yourself through the trouble

(Sniper) Miu: I’ll type everything so you can turn your mic off

(Cook) BBQ: Well yeah briefing is work lol it’s not easy

That made sense. Having to explain everything out loud the entire time had to be exhausting.

(Necromancer) 0momo0: If it’s too hard I can hurry and watch a guide first!

(Necromancer) 0momo0: Or I’d be happy to listen to Miu explain it!!

—No! It’s not hard at all! I’m the one who’s so grateful you all came to this garbage dungeon for a progression run that I wanted to do something to help!

Yeonhoo was worried about her, but YoureGettingSued repeatedly assured him that she was fine.

—Even after watching a guide, this place must be terrifying for a beginner! I’ll brief you on all the minor mechanics too. Just trust me, Momo!

Instead, YoureGettingSued was only growing more enthusiastic. Her ability to understand a beginner’s feelings made her seem positively radiant.

(Necromancer) 0momo0: YoureGettingSued...........

(Necromancer) 0momo0: I’m so touched...

(Necromancer) 0momo0: I’ve never been this moved while playing a game before...

From Yeonhoo’s perspective, that was only natural. The first place he had put down roots after starting the game was Server X, which was packed with veterans—and then, of all places, he had joined its number-one-ranked alliance.

Surrounded by people who considered exceptional gameplay the bare minimum, of course he would immediately warm to the first person who truly understood the hardships of being a beginner.

—Eek! Momo... I’m honored to run this with a newbie who reacts this adorably!

(Necromancer) 0momo0: I’m really going to do my best for you YoureGettingSued

(Necromancer) 0momo0: I mean it!

(Cook) BBQ: Aw this is wholesome lolol

YoureGettingSued used an interaction that sent a heart popping through the air. Yeonhoo didn’t have that one, so he searched for something similar and replied with an interaction that made a heart with his entire body.

(Sniper) Miu: But

Their stream of interactions directed at each other soon came to an unavoidable end.

(Sniper) Miu: You said you were going to explain it

(Sniper) Miu: Cut down on the chitchat and get started

(Sniper) Miu: If this is a progression run it’ll take a while so how long are you planning to keep chatting?

—Oh, yes!

Just as they were about to disappear into a world of their own, Miu slipped neatly between them and brought the moment to an end. Yeonhoo tilted his head slightly at the strange edge in Miu’s tone, but BBQ and YoureGettingSued seemed accustomed to it and paid no attention.

—First of all, Momo, this dungeon...

YoureGettingSued began her explanation. Yeonhoo immediately prepared to take notes, but at first, Round One sounded extremely simple.

(Necromancer) 0momo0: So Round One isn’t combat, we just bring speed and defense potions and get through the maze as fast as possible... and the boss is in Round Two??

(Cook) BBQ: yup that’s right Round 1 is the Illusion Maze lol

(Cook) BBQ: This~ hospital that looks like paradise on earth is actually all an illusion

(Cook) BBQ: We have to break through it and find the real boss lol

That was right. Round One of this dungeon was literally called “Illusion.” The warm, welcoming hospital ward spread out before them was both an illusion and a maze.

—That doesn’t mean it’s easy! Round One actually has lots of mazes and puzzle rooms, and almost all of them have instant-kill mechanics. Personally, I think it’s harder than Round Two! You can’t just brute-force it with DPS! First...

YoureGettingSued went on to explain the different puzzles in Round One and how all four of them would need to cooperate to solve them.

Despite her claim that it was simple, however...

(Necromancer) 0momo0: Grandfather Clock Room—split up into separate rooms, check each clock’s number, then jump on the corridor tile showing the total! / Traffic Light Room—memorize where the toy traffic signs are, then move to those spots when the light turns on / If Room 1234 appears, go to the Mirror Room, follow the person with a letter over their head, and enter the mirror they call out / Doll Room—find the moving doll, and when the lights go out get behind it no matter what / Dining Room—match the colors and foods, then climb onto the matching plate when the poison gas starts

This is... easy?

(Necromancer) 0momo0: And we have to be careful not to touch any patients or nurses and dodge the children who suddenly run at us right????

Why is it so complicated?

Mo Yeonhoo was bewildered. It wasn’t enough to focus on solving the puzzles. He also had to recognize and avoid all the NPC mechanics—and even at a glance, the map was crowded with patients, nurses, and children.

—Yes, exactly. If you don’t dodge them, they immediately turn into zombies and bite us to death! It’s an instant kill!! You even took notes! You understood everything perfectly!

(Necromancer) 0momo0: But...

—Oh, it still sounds hard, right? Of course it does! You just have to learn it by doing it! I’ll help you with everything.

How could anyone be this kind?

By now, Yeonhoo could almost see a halo glowing behind YoureGettingSued’s character.

(Necromancer) 0momo0: You explained it so well that I understood really fast! Thank you! hahahaha

(Necromancer) 0momo0: But do you think I’ll actually be able to do it... T_T

—You’ve understood everything perfectly so far, so I think you’ll do great!!

(Necromancer) 0momo0: Really??? hahahaha

—Eek~ Of course! It’s a little annoying, but once you get the hang of it, it’s basically impossible to fail! And you’ll definitely be fine, Momo! Because you’re smart?

(Necromancer) 0momo0: YoureGettingSued..... hehe

—Why are you calling me, my angel?

(Necromancer) 0momo0: hahahahahaha

(Cook) BBQ: Oh boy lol this much wholesomeness is lethal

(Sniper) Miu: Starting now

While Yeonhoo was busy chatting with YoureGettingSued, Miu apparently decided that the explanation was over and immediately prepared to start. The moment Yeonhoo, BBQ, and YoureGettingSued had all confirmed that they were ready—

(Whisper) Miu: Wow.

(Whisper) Miu: Your face is going to split from grinning that hard.