Attention is like a drug.
No matter how big or small, people live off the attention of others. We’ve lived in cooperative societies since the primitive ages, and isolation has always been synonymous with death.
That's why hikikomori, shut-ins, wither away from lack of attention, and why we don’t need to worry about celebrities—they’re constantly in the spotlight.
Just look at how many people in my modern world flock to platforms like Instax or Yubetube. Humans, at their core, crave attention from others.
And it seed I wasn’t all that different after all.
In fact, having been isolated for twelve years, this kind of attention hit even harder.
[“Damn, he’s hot. I wanna have a go at him, lol.”]
[User banned by the manager.]
[“Hey, I’ll pay you. Show a bit more.”]
[User banned by the manager.]
[“Ah, f*ck. I wasn’t gonna jack off today.”]
[User banned by the manager.]
[“Sure, manager, kick out all you want. I’ll be back in five minutes anyway~”]
[User banned by the manager.]
Look at that. Just because I revealed a little skin, the chat exploded with all kinds of trash comnts.
A typical “man” might be disgusted by this, but I used to be one of those guys. I found it more amusing than anything else.
Besides, when was the last ti I showed my face to anyone?
Even when I ventured into the city’s back alleys, I always wore a hood. No one ever saw my face. Sure, there were tis I caught my reflection in a puddle and thought, “I’m not bad-looking,” but self-assessnts are always useless.
However, seeing reactions like this… I couldn’t help but feel a slight boost in my self-esteem.
“Uh, everyone? Please calm down! I’ll be putting the chat on restriction for now.”
The chaos in the chat finally subsided after Chaerin restricted it. That’s when I closed my jacket and let out a small sigh of relief.
“Well, at least that’s a relief.”
Even though my coat slipped a little, my collarbone wasn’t exposed.
Because right there, on my collarbone, was the Demon’s Mark. It’s sothing I can never let anyone see.
For now, I could pass off as just another recluse living in a strange forest. But the mont soone spots that crimson-black mark, my future would beco uncertain.
As I thought about it, a question suddenly popped into my head.
“What do these people think about Demon’s Blood?”
Do they know about it?
And if they do, how much do they understand?
How do they perceive it? Will they react like the people here and try to kill on sight? Or, like modern humans, will they be more open-minded?
I had no way of knowing yet. The limited interaction through the chat window wasn’t giving any useful information. And directly asking them would only raise suspicion.
“I need more information.”
That was part of the reason I accepted this broadcast.
Sure, it was important to get that troubleso player banned, but I also realized I couldn’t hide forever.
The world is changing.
Just because I stay hidden doesn’t an they won’t co into the “Forbidden Forest.”
Eventually, they’ll co here, even if I’m not around.
After all, to them, this place is a hunting ground.
For now, the players can’t co because their levels are too low, but who knows what will happen in the future?
They’re infinite warriors—capable of controlling their pain, even resurrecting themselves.
Since they’re “players,” and this place is where they can level up, it’s inevitable that they’ll flood in. It’s an unstoppable tide.
In that case, the least I can do is ride that tide.
This isn’t a crisis—it’s an opportunity.
That’s why I decided to show myself after twelve years of seclusion.
I couldn’t hide forever.
And if, by so chance, these people aren’t entirely hostile towards those marked by Demon’s Blood…
I might find a new way to survive.
It was a bold decision, even for , but I was convinced it was the right one.
“Ha… if only I’d made decisions like this when it ca to stocks.”
Maybe then, I wouldn’t have died crushed in my one-room apartnt.
I could’ve been living the high life, sipping wine in a penthouse in Gangnam.
[“Chaerin, do sothing already.”]
[“Chaerin... I can’t breathe right now...”]
[“You used to have fun when it was just us. What’s wrong now?”]
While I was lost in thought, more ssages flooded the chat. Apparently, ti kept moving while I was spacing out.
Chaerin seed flustered, too, unsure of what to say.
In short, it was awkward.
I could understand how she felt. I’d blocked most of her attempts to find out more about , and conversations with the opposite sex can be… different. Back in my previous life, I always felt like I was suffocating when I tried talking to won.
After an unbearably long silence, she finally spoke.
“Uh, the weather is nice today… right? Haha.”
[“...Sigh.”]
[“Note to self: Talk about the weather when eting a girl…”]
[“Don’t make notes like that, dumbass. You’ll get slapped.”]
It was an awkward question.
But I was just as awkward, so I responded.
“Well… want to grab sothing to eat?”
After all, she’d co all the way to this dangerous place. The least I could do was offer her so food.
Sizzle—!
“Sorry, all I’ve got is salted at I can cook quickly… But, hey, it’s at, so that should be enough, right?”
“Yes! Of course, that’s perfect!”
The savory sll of the at filled the cave. In front of them, well-preserved at sizzled and browned nicely. Surrounding it, the colorful fruits Chaerin had brought added a decorative touch.
‘Should’ve brought so vegetables too...’
She thought this to herself, smacking her lips in anticipation. She hadn’t expected him to serve her food—let alone at. She had gotten the sense during her previous visit that this man took pride in providing als. Maybe it was because Koreans are known as “a nation of rice,” but at tis, she wondered if he wasn’t originally Korean himself.
[“Talk about a model husband lol”]
[“I've decided: from today on, Yor is my husband.”]
[“Have you gotten his consent for that?”]
[“He cooks better than he looks, lol.”]
[“It’s just grilling at, though?”]
[“You think grilling at is easy, huh? LOL”]
The chat was reacting well to the sudden change in Yor’s deanor. Up until now, all they had seen from him were monts of annoyance, cursing, or outright threats. This kind of unexpected charm was a welco change.
Chaerin, the one receiving the al, was certainly enjoying herself as well.
There was one surprising detail, though—Yor, who lived in this isolated cave, was using a cast-iron skillet.
‘I thought for sure he’d be cooking on so kind of stone slab...’
It wasn’t that Yoo Chaerin was narrow-minded; it was more because of the way Yor usually presented himself.
From his clothes to his living conditions, he seed entirely cut off from society. She hadn’t imagined he’d have tools from the modern world.
Now that she thought about it, even the blades he used were refined tools, products of civilization.
As these thoughts circled in her mind, a new question arose.
‘Why on earth does he live out here in this remote forest?’
He seed perfectly capable—healthy, strong, and skilled. Part of her wanted to ask, but she held herself back, rembering how their last conversation had hit a wall.
Of course, the chat, unaware of her inner thoughts, continued their lively debate.
“It’s ready.”
As Chaerin absentmindedly pondered, Yor finally finished cooking. He placed the perfectly grilled at in front of her.
At the sa ti, a window popped up in front of her eyes.
[Roasted Wild Boar at]
Perfectly grilled wild boar at. Slightly salty from being cured with salt.
So it’s wild boar at, she thought as she took a big bite.
Her mouth filled with the juicy, rich flavor of the at. Though it had been cured with salt, the seasoning was perfect for her taste.
“Mmm… so good.”
That’s the beauty of a 90% synchronization rate. It might be traumatic during combat, triggering PTSD-like reactions, but for monts like this—enjoying small pleasures—it brings extre satisfaction.
Seeing her enjoy the al so much, Yor chuckled and asked, “Tasty?”
“Yes!”
“Good, eat as much as you want.”
[“Damn.”]
[“Chaerin, you’re enjoying this ga way too much. Chill out before I lose my mind.”]
[“Even his smile is handso...”]
Yor seed to enjoy watching her eat.
Having eaten alone for so long, it was rare for him to share a al with soone else. Naturally, when soone enjoys the food you prepare, it’s a source of joy.
After the light al, Yor stood up to grab a napkin to wipe the grease from his mouth. He left Chaerin behind as he walked into the back of the cave.
He entered his supply room when—
“Ah.”
He couldn’t help but be disappointed.
His stock of essentials was running low. He was almost out of napkins, soap, and rags.
Yor scratched his head irritably.
It had been a while since he last visited the city.
It was ti to make a supply run to the back alleys to restock.
“Ugh, what a hassle.”
It was a tedious task—preparing goods for trade, hauling supplies back. It required a lot of effort.
And honestly, the thought of getting ripped off in the back alleys just to buy the stuff didn’t sit well with him.
Wait, what if...
Suddenly, a brilliant idea struck Yor.
“Hold on… Why not just ask her to do it since she’s here anyway?”
Chaerin may be an Otherworlder, but unlike him, she could walk confidently through the heart of the city.
That ant she could buy the supplies from the main markets instead of him getting ripped off in the back alleys.
Sure, asking soone he just t for a favor felt a bit awkward… but if he threw in so extra cash, it would still be cheaper than his usual trips.
And who knows, maybe she could even pick up so items he hadn’t been able to get for twelve years.
Like… that strawberry jam-filled pastry he hadn’t eaten since he was a kid!
For Yor, that pastry held a special place in his heart.
“Hey… uh, Chaerin, right? Could you do a favor?”
Having made up his mind, Yor approached Chaerin, his tone a bit more polite than usual, given that he was the one asking for a favor.
She turned her head with a curious expression, and Yor continued.
“Could you pick up so supplies from the city for ? Maybe grab a pastry from the bakery while you’re at it…”
And then it happened.
A new window popped up in front of Chaerin’s eyes.
[QUEST – Yor’s Errand]
Buy the items Yor requested from the city and bring them back to him!
Success Reward – ???
Failure Penalty – Decreased Favorability and Trust
“...Huh? W-wait, what?”
[“Holy sh*t!”]
[“It’s a quest!!”]
[“OMG LOL”]
[“Who is this guy, seriously?”]
For so reason, the chat was going wild.
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