Chapter 5

"…What is all this?"

Chansung scratched his head and checked each of the system messages that appeared before him.

"Let's see, this is a congratulatory message, so I'll skip it… I can open the box later. What's this affiliation?"

"Indeed, it's like this…"

Chansung nodded, knowing that it wasn't something he needed to worry about right now, and moved on to the next one.

The next was the 'Cash Shop Menu.' In MMORPG online games, it was now almost a given to have a place where you could buy various benefits or items with real money.

"Hey? They're selling clothes? Suits, swimsuits, leather jackets… and even collaborations with ShX and PrX?"

Perhaps because the game had a medieval and modern Western fantasy setting, the desire for modern fashion was high, and sales were doing well.

Of course, there were probability-based items and pay-to-play items, but they mainly provided convenience, such as increasing the success rate of item enhancements or crafting, and probability correction items.

The only probability-based item was a random box, which the game's developer, 'D.E' Corporation, described as, "Just for fun. The real probability is terrible, and it's not cost-effective. We just put it in there."

It randomly gives one item from the game's item list.

The probability was so poor that it seemed 'D.E' Corporation had only included it to meet the expectations of other game companies.

However, this very point made it a way for users to express gratitude to 'D.E' Corporation, saying, "I'll support you."

"And the achievements… Ah, this is proof that I did something…"

After analyzing and confirming all the message windows, Chansung opened his inventory.

When he opened the Beginner Adventurer Support Box (Warrior), it contained several items, including a standard-issue longsword, leather armor supplied by the Adventurer's Guild, beginner potions, torches, and ropes.

"Looking at this, it feels so real. This… it looks like a real sword. Ah… it's virtual, so it's fake, right? That sounds strange. Sigh…"

Chansung, looking at the sharp edge of the standard-issue longsword, sighed involuntarily.

Unconsciously, he recalled the day he received his real sword and registered it, which led to a fateful accident.

"Anyway, this… is quite interesting?"

Chansung remembered fighting the NPC squad leader, Karl.

After the accident, he had swung the sword with all his might, and even though it was a virtual world, he could fight with enjoyment.

The best part was that he could use techniques he considered lethal without any burden.

'But with my current stats, I can't fully implement our school's sword techniques… This body lacks speed, strength, and stamina.'

While practicing sword techniques was one thing, Chansung had another expectation.

The combat as a swordsman that he couldn't do in reality.

The fact that he could do it freely in this game made his heart race.

'Anyway, I should apologize to Uncle when I get out. Phew.'

"Huh? Uncle?"

"Ah… Yes! Let's see. Open the system window… Game exit and device shutdown."

With the voice, "Exiting the game," Chansung's consciousness faded.

When he opened his eyes again, he saw the inside of the Phantom Drive-2 where he had been lying.

Although he realized he had left the virtual world, his eyes were a bit blurry, as if he had just woken from a dream.

"Ugh… It feels like I had a dream? Ah…"

When he came to his senses, the first thing Chansung felt was the emptiness in his legs.

The sensation in his legs, which he had clearly felt in the virtual world, was gone, making him feel quite strange.

"Anyway, I'll go eat… Huh? Who are you?"

"…And who are you?"

The lid of the Phantom Drive-2 opened, and Chansung saw a strange woman.

She was tall, probably much taller than he was when he was healthy.

'About 180 cm?'

She was wearing casual black pants and had long hair that covered one eye, giving her a cold impression.

"I… I'm Chansung Yun… Yo?"

"I'm Minhee Choi."

"Ah… You're Uncle's daughter. And you seem older… Should I call you 'sister'?"

"If you're Chansung… Ah! You're Mr. Yun's son! Well, call me whatever you like. Anyway, you can come to our house, but I didn't give you permission to use my Phantom Drive-2."

"It's because… Uncle…"

"Ha… I see. I actually thought you would. Why does this damn father touch other people's things?"

She left the room with a glare.

Chansung, not knowing what was going on, but knowing he should come out for dinner, wheeled himself into the living room.

"Father, why is this child using the Phantom Drive-2 that I queued up all night to pre-order?"

"That's… It was a very urgent matter. Ha ha, I'm sorry. I've already ordered a new one. It's just that it's a direct import from overseas, so it will take about two weeks to arrive. Ha ha ha."

"Ha~ You should have talked to the owner first. How can you do things like that? That's why Mother and I…"

It seemed that the black helmet-like device was originally the property of Minhee, Uncle's daughter.

"Actually, I wanted you to use the Phantom Drive S, which you used before, rather than a new device."

The Phantom Drive S. The previous model of the black helmet-like Phantom Drive-2, with special options added.

"Yes. If that had been the case, I wouldn't have been so angry."

"But after thinking about it, the Phantom Drive S doesn't have that… automatic cleaning function, does it? When you were in a raid before…"

"Ah! Ahhh! Ahhhhhh!"

When the sensitive topic came up, Minhee started screaming.

"The conclusion is… Dad did the right thing, right?"

"…Next time, please discuss it. Sigh! Now I have to reschedule my video. I was planning to shoot a review of the experience and performance today. Sigh."

"Anyway, let's eat first. I have something to talk about, too."

Amidst the confusion, Chansung was relieved that the situation had settled down.

"As I mentioned before, Minhee, from today, Chansung Yun will be staying with us for a while."

"Yes. I heard that. Well, if it's Mr. Yun's family, it's fine. Of course, I'll help with any issues, like his leg problems."

"Ah, I'm fine. I may look like this, but my body is light, and I can do everything on my own even without legs. It's just that I can't walk, but I don't have other inconveniences."

Although he had no legs and had been in the hospital for a long time, making him quite weak, he had been well-trained, allowing him to move better than an average person.

"So, in reality, there's not much to worry about, and we just need to coordinate laundry and meals."

"Yes, I understand. That shouldn't be a problem."

"And one more thing… This guy is also playing World Ark, so could you look after him a bit? I don't expect you to do much, like joining a guild or supporting him, just be kind when he asks questions."

"Taking care of a newbie, huh? Hmm… What kind of newbie?"

"He has a special situation and is completely clueless about IT. Chansung, can I see your phone? Look. He's still using this antique."

Chansung took out his phone, a model from seven years ago. The screen and the phone case were covered in fingerprints, and there were even cracks.

"This is a 100%, no, 200% newbie. Not only is he new to virtual reality games, but he's also a complete newbie to online games. I didn't know such people still existed."

The cool expression gone, Minhee looked at Chansung with a strange gaze.

Indeed, in this era, a high-purity newbie like Chansung at his age was rare, so her reaction was understandable.

"Well, I know you're busy, so just add him as a friend and answer his questions. Got it?"

"Well, that shouldn't be a problem. To be honest, I'm busy trying to clear raids these days. Plus, I have to edit videos. Sigh~ But I'll help when I have time, and if he needs support, I'll do that too, so don't worry."