LS 23

One of the best things about working at an internet café was that there wasn’t much need to interact with customers. Since the job didn’t involve face-to-face communication most of the time, even when there was a lot to clean or the place got noisy, it wasn’t as stressful as dealing with people. Compared to part-time jobs at convenience stores, restaurants, or cafes, it was a lot more comfortable.

Moonhyuk pulled a chocolate drink out of the fridge. He drank one every other day or so. It was just a small can that only took a few sips to finish, but it was one of his own little joys in life. He’d always text the boss when he took one, and it became a bit of a running joke, one the boss found amusing once he realized how consistent Moonhyuk’s tastes were. But that was a secret.

The boss had told him it was fine to take a few home, or drink as many as he liked, but Moonhyuk had just smiled and shaken his head. You shouldn’t get too used to the small things that bring you happiness, because if you do, they might stop feeling happy.

As Moonhyuk downed the cold chocolate drink, Soohui chuckled quietly.

“You’re drinking that again, huh?”

Moonhyuk gave a sheepish smile and tossed the can. Soohui now knew he didn’t like iced americanos. A few days ago, he’d finally admitted, awkwardly, that he couldn’t stand bitter drinks.

When she found out, she scolded him. “If you don’t like something, you should say so,” she’d told him. “Otherwise, it just feels like I’ve been bullying you.” She said that in the future, she hoped he’d say no to things he didn’t want. Moonhyuk had felt like he’d been smacked in the head. He’d never thought that his inability to say no might make someone else feel guilty. His social circle was small, so sometimes he learned these things slowly, one by one.

One of the biggest reasons Moonhyuk quickly got hooked on the MMORPG SoGod was, of course, that it was a well-made and fun game, but also because the first person he got even remotely close to, AssaGo, was someone easy to talk to.

Despite the occasional grumbling, AssaGo was considerate. He was straightforward, but not in a way that hurt people. He was a skilled player, and as a newbie, Moonhyuk got help from him often, but not once did AssaGo brag or act superior about it. Whenever they played together, the phrase “I lost track of time” felt completely accurate. These days, Moonhyuk suspected that he was logging in less for the game itself and more because he genuinely enjoyed the time he spent with AssaGo and the rest of Human.

Even the other guild members never pried into his personal life or asked uncomfortable questions. They were private, independent people who could still chat endlessly about silly things, like “Where does the word ‘elephant’ come from?”, and when someone needed help, they’d groan a little but jump in without hesitation. It didn’t matter what anyone looked like, or how old they were, or their gender, education, or job, everyone was just an adventurer. Maybe that was the real charm of SoGod.

Human, which Moonhyuk had joined thanks to AssaGo’s invitation, was full of jaw-droppingly high-level players. Now that he knew how to check others’ character info, he’d browse their stats and marvel repeatedly. There were five max-level players in this guild alone, people you’d be lucky to encounter even once in the wild.

But what made the guild special was how funny and fun everyone was. If AssaGo wasn’t online and Moonhyuk was just wandering around town, other guild members would rush to carry him, help with gathering or mining, or even quietly send him bundles of potions. They were good people, through and through.

It wasn’t until about two weeks in that Moonhyuk finally understood what “riding a bus” meant. A guild member, one of the so-called “healers”, had recently explained it to him in detail. He blushed to think of how clueless he must’ve looked before, going around saying things like “that premium carry today was awesome” after just a few runs. What an idiot.

Luckily, AssaGo had just laughed it off in the chat and told him, “I didn’t help you because I wanted anything. They are always free, so hop on whenever you want.”

Embarrassed and grateful, Moonhyuk had tried to send him thirty diamonds by mail. But they were returned.

‘I got three stacks of 9,999 diamonds. That’s 29,997 total. You keep yours LOL.’

That’s what the return message said. Once again, Moonhyuk found himself running a hand over his burning face. What a rookie move.

Even when he tried to wave them off and say, “I’m fine, really,” the guild would always respond with, “This is just how all newbies grow! Nothing to worry about~” and rush in to help. Thanks to that, Moonhyuk’s level was skyrocketing. At first, it had felt like an agonizingly slow grind, but as he began to understand the game and got more support from others, he picked up speed–and that, in itself, was exciting and fun. It pulled him deeper and deeper into SoGod.

The guild members were fun and generous, but Moonhyuk enjoyed the game most when he was playing with AssaGo. Without even realizing it, Moonhyuk had developed a new habit: as soon as he logged in, he’d check his friends list to see if AssaGo’s name had a green online light.

As he absentmindedly fixed himself an iced americano, watching Soohui get ready to clock out, theinternet café door opened with a soft chime. Moonhyuk and Soohui both turned their heads automatically, greeting the customer in unison: “Welcome~”

And in the very next second, they both froze. Moonhyuk’s heart pounded loud in his ears. He instinctively swallowed hard.

Just once more. I wish I could see him just once more.

He had wished for it, and there he was: the platinum-blond-haired customer.

“Whoa…”

Soohui’s voice murmured quietly beside him. Moonhyuk silently nodded in agreement.

Yeah. Whoa.

Still stunning as ever…

Maybe it was the greeting that drew the man’s attention, but his gaze shifted toward the counter. He gave a slight nod, then slowly began scanning the room for an open seat. It was such a simple motion, but it felt like a scene out of a movie.

The thick black coat looked expensive. The deep brown boots peeking out from underneath, stylish and clean.

“He even dresses well.”

Soohui murmured in awe. Even to someone like Moonhyuk, who knew nothing about fashion, the man looked like a model. The kind of clothes Moonhyuk wouldn’t even think of wearing looked like they’d been made for him. The man seemed to have found an open seat and slowly walked off. With every step, it still felt like he sparkled. A few other people in the café glanced his way too. The kind of face that made everyone turn for a second look, there was no other way to describe it.

“Wow, you saw that too, oppa?”

“…Huh?”

“That customer who just walked in! Holy–he’s ridiculously handsome. Seriously, does someone like that actually live around here? I’ve never seen anyone as good-looking as you in this neighborhood, but he might be your first real rival. You two have different styles, but still, his face is straight-up heavenly…”

“Ah… I actually saw him once before, late at night.”

“No way! For real!?”

“Yeah. I thought maybe he was a celebrity? Like… an idol?”

“Eh, I don’t think so. First off, idols wouldn’t come to an internet café with their face completely out like that! And I know every idol group, first gen to rookies, and I’ve never seen him before. If I saw a face like that on TV, I’d never forget it… I think he’s probably a model? Or maybe one of those Instagram celebs? Like, an influencer or something. Seriously though, he’s so good-looking… I hope he comes in often. I’ve been working here for over six months, and this is the first time I’ve seen him.”

Chattering excitedly, Soohui then hurried off to clean up after a big group that had just left. But even after she was gone, Moonhyuk’s heart was still pounding in his chest.

Ever since the last time that man came in, Moonhyuk had gone back and binge-watched all the SoGod character customization, avatar, and dye content that GOingSupporter had uploaded to NuTube. Thanks to that, he could now remember every detail of GOingSupporter’s character appearance, so clearly, it was impossible to forget.

He had only wanted to see the man’s face properly, just once. Just to know, does he really look like GoSupp-nim’s character, or was Moonhyuk just so far gone with this game that he was imagining things? That’s all it had been. But now that the man had actually come back, the feeling was… strange.

While Moonhyuk anxiously kept sneaking glances toward the seat where the man had settled in, an order came in from Station 77, for an iced americano. That was his seat. Moonhyuk immediately sprang up and began grinding the beans.

He set the cold drink on a tray and stood behind the counter for a moment, deliberating. Then, he added a small packet of gummies to the tray, ones he’d brought for himself as a snack.

Maybe if I say it’s on the house, I can talk to him for a second… get a better look at his face?

That was the thought, but the closer he got to the man’s seat, the more nervous he became. Moonhyuk had never once approached someone first to start a conversation. And he’d certainly never offered candy to someone just for a chance to see their face again. His palms started sweating as he gripped the tray tighter.

He gently placed the iced americano next to the man’s mouse, careful not to make any noise.

“Your americano is ready.”

“Oh, thank you.”

The man looked up from his phone and handed over his card. As Moonhyuk reached for it, his eyes drifted toward the man’s monitor, just out of habit, and suddenly widened.

His heart pounded even harder than when the man had first walked in.

On the screen was the loading screen for a game Moonhyuk knew all too well:

Sword of God.