The day of the MK Guild’s internal friendly match had arrived.
“No matter how I look at it, this just doesn’t seem right.”
Jaeho, who left home early in the morning, questioned his own attire reflected in the elevator’s mirror.
A brand-new, unmistakably fresh full set of Uniform.
It was his first day at work, and his parents had nagged him not to show up looking like a layabout.
“I mean, do companies these days even make people wear Uniforms anymore? That era is long gone, isn’t it?”
He felt he might embarrass himself, but convincing his stubborn parents otherwise was simply out of the question.
Ding.
Just then, the elevator, which had been heading down, stopped and opened at an intermediate floor.
“Heeek! Inbi!”
An older lady who was about to get on caught sight of Jaeho and recoiled in shock.
“Oh, good morning.”
Jaeho tried to calm her with his voice.
Actually, most people in the neighborhood already knew about Jaeho.
Besides, having seen his face since he was young, the townsfolk had a certain familiarity with him that strangers wouldn’t have.
But Jaeho’s fully decked-out Uniformed appearance was providing them with a whole new sense of terror.
“Huh? Ah… Jaeho, is that you?”
At last, a smile appeared on the lady’s lips as she calmed her heart.
“You’re too much. We’ve known each other for over ten years now.”
“Oh my, dear… anyone would be startled if you dress so intimidatingly!”
“Intimidatingly? It’s just a Uniform, though.”
“Hahaha. But aren’t you playing games today? Out at this hour and all. Doesn’t seem like you’re heading to school either.”
“Yes, I have business with my team today.”
“Ah, right! I saw your Profile Photo too. You looked so intimidating in that!”
“Yes, well… they exaggerated a bit there. Compared to that photo, I look pretty tame in real life, don’t I?”
Jaeho’s joke was met with silence.
It took about thirty minutes to get to the Head Office.
Even on a weekday morning, the Capital Region’s subway was, as expected, bustling with people.
“Hey, hey, isn’t that Alicia?”
“Huh? I think you’re right…”
“Wow, seeing her in person is insane.”
“Her physique is crazy.”
The whispers of the people pierced straight into Jaeho’s ears, unfiltered.
“I guess it’s a bit better than before.”
If people used to whisper just because of Jaeho’s fierce looks and aura, now… well, it was still the same.
However, there was a definite advantage to having his face and name known.
People didn’t just talk about his intimidating looks anymore.
He wasn’t just a scary person, but also Alicia who ran the Flower House—a different identity.
“Uh, um. Are you… Alicia, right? C-could I please get an autograph…?”
Thanks to that, there were even people who approached him first, so his image had definitely improved compared to before.
“Hey, XX, I’m telling you, all that’s pure muscle. There’s no way that’s just for show—it’s gotta be practical muscle.”
“Who cares if someone’s good at games. It’s all because of the elf anyway.”
Of course, there were still people showing off useless bravado, just like always.
Shasha shak—
Chalkak—cheolka—
As Jaeho gave out autographs and took commemorative photos for people.
—The Train is departing.
Just as the stationary subway doors began to close, a commotion broke out among the crowd surrounding Jaeho.
“Kyaaah!!”
At last, with someone’s scream, a man in a deeply pulled-down hat dashed for the closing doors.
“T-thief! Someone, please help!”
“Inbi!”
A woman clung to the fleeing man’s clothes and was dragged along, finally falling between the Train and the Platform.
Chiii—
When the Train doors closed with her still in that state, people panicked.
“Huh? What do we do?”
“D-do we need to stop the Train?”
While the flustered people could only sigh in dismay, Jaeho quickly made his way to the train door.
Others were already frantically searching for the emergency lever or calling for help, but there was something Jaeho could do before that.
Grasp—
He wedged his hand into the subway door’s gap and began to force it open with raw strength.
Kuguk—
Beeeeep—
As the door was forcibly opened, an alarm blared, but fortunately, the Train did not depart.
“Are you alright?”
Jaeho asked the woman, who was stuck crying between the Train and the Platform.
“Yes, thanks.”
“Then stay calm and wait for rescue. I’ll go after that guy.”
Just in time, subway staff, having assessed the situation, were running over.
Suu—
Rising to his feet again, Jaeho spotted the familiar hat above the heads of the surrounding crowd.
The culprit seemed to have noticed Jaeho too, flinching before hurriedly heading for the stairs.
***
“Damn it! Why’d that woman have to grab on and cause such a scene!”
Usually, he committed his crimes on packed subways or buses, but because of Jaeho, this car had become a sardine can, and he’d acted on impulse.
Besides, the woman was so flashily dressed in luxury goods that her wallet was sure to be full.
Yet, he’d been unlucky and got caught.
And now, even that terrifying-looking Jaeho was chasing after him.
“Tch, at this point, I’ll just give up the goods.”
Things had gotten so noisy that fussing over a small prize would only end with him getting cuffed.
If he wanted to avoid getting caught or pursued by the police, it was better to ditch the loot.
Slip—
He casually tossed the Pink Wallet into the nearest trash can, then checked to see how far Jaeho had followed.
“Crap.”
Suddenly, Jaeho was right beside him.
By instinct, the thief began to run.
The key to pickpocketing is stealth and agility!
He was confident in getting away.
But then—
Tip—
“Wonbik.”
Before he could even take the first step up the stairs, he felt a heavy grip on the back of his neck and instinctively swung his fist.
Grab—
But it was futile, as he was easily caught by Jaeho’s large hand.
“H-hey! The thug is beating up a person!”
He shouted while even trying to kick free, but Jaeho simply blocked it with his knee.
Thud—
As his kick met Jaeho’s hardened shin, the pickpocket collapsed to the floor in pain that felt like his leg might break.
Jaeho immediately subdued the pickpocket, who struggled wildly but couldn’t escape Jaeho’s strength.
“C-call the police! Call the police! Alicia’s going to kill someone!!!”
“Good. Let’s call them and have a talk.”
“Why are you doing this?! What are you doing to an innocent citizen?!”
“It’s kind of embarrassing for someone who just stole a wallet to say that, isn’t it?”
“What? Don’t be ridiculous!! I didn’t take anything!”
He shouted brazenly.
“Heh… idiot. Go ahead and search all you want. I already ditched the wallet…”
“Oh, this?”
At that moment, Jaeho smoothly brought out the Pink Wallet and held it in front of the thief’s eyes.
“???”
“I’ve got a wider field of view because of my height.”
Jaeho had already spotted the thief throwing it away and retrieved the wallet.
“???”
That made it even harder to understand.
How did he manage to pick up the wallet from the trash and catch up so fast?
Just how fast is this guy?
Dadada—
Just then, the subway staff arrived.
“Uh…”
They hesitated for a moment, seemingly unsure whether to detain Jaeho or the pickpocket.
***
Inside the subway Station Office, the pickpocket, Jaeho, and the safely rescued victim gathered together.
“Thank you so much…”
The woman, her makeup a mess from tears, kept bowing to Jaeho.
“Ahem, anyway, it looks like this person has been caught for similar crimes before.”
The police who responded quickly checked the pickpocket’s record, and thanks to the victim’s statement, Jaeho wasn’t dragged into any trouble.
“So, can I leave now?”
“Oh, of course. But, if a statement is needed later, would you be able to come?”
“Yes, that’s fine.”
“Thank you so much, Alicia-nim! I don’t even know how to repay you…”
“It’s alright. I didn’t do it expecting anything in return.”
“B-but… at least your contact…”
“Really, I’m fine. Please take a good rest today.”
Just as Jaeho was about to leave—
“Ah, excuse me…”
An employee from the station, eyeing him, carefully called out.
“Would it be possible to take a commemorative photo…?”
Jaeho checked the time briefly.
“Hm, I’m already late, so being a bit later won’t make much difference.”
“Sure, I don’t mind.”
Jaeho readily agreed and took the offered phone.
“U-um, me too… I was waiting earlier to get a photo…”
“Are you sure? Your makeup is all smudged…”
“S-still, who knows when I’ll get another chance…”
She quietly stepped into the camera’s frame…
“?”
Before anyone knew it, the responding police officers were also crowding into the frame.
***
Jaeho arrived nearly thirty minutes late.
“I’m sorry. Something happened on my way here…”
“Haha! It’s alright. Actually, we all saw it.”
“Huh? Saw what?”
At Dupyouno’s words, Jaeho tilted his head.
“You saved someone from falling between the subway tracks and caught a pickpocket, didn’t you?”
The many people who’d been waiting to take photos with Jaeho had all filmed his exploits on their phones.
“How could we possibly complain about you being late after all that? In fact, we’re the grateful ones. You raised the 1% Prestige for us.”
With that, Dupyouno led Jaeho into the meeting room where everyone was waiting.
After the opening ceremony, the MK Guild athletes, coaches, and managers, who were already enjoying refreshments, greeted Jaeho, and soon after, everyone moved to the Capcell Room for the friendly match.
While Seumin, who Jaeho already knew, greeted him, the other, still unfamiliar athletes were hesitant to approach.
Part of them still harbored some resentment about the special treatment Jaeho received.
“Hello.”
Just then, a female athlete approached Jaeho carefully.
“Oh, hello. You’re… Kim Jina, right?”
Jaeho racked his memory and barely recalled her name, which he’d studied in advance.
“Yes! Since you know my name, you must have heard about me.”
“…Sorry?”
“My dad is friends with King Hwang Jaeho’s father.”
“???”
Jaeho had never heard that before.
“My dad saw King Hwang Jaeho on TV and recognized him right away, said he looks just like he did as a kid.”
Was that a compliment or an insult?
“I was so surprised to hear you were coming. My dad said that if you’re King Hwang Jaeho’s son, you must be a good guy and loyal, so I should get along with you.”
“Ahem… is that so? Well, let’s get along, then.”
“Hehe, yes!”
The side of his father she knew was different from what Jaeho expected, and he exchanged an awkward handshake with her.
It was a moment he realized his father didn’t have a bad reputation among friends after all.
***
The number one Capcell, naturally, boasted the highest specs of any device on the market.
From its outward appearance, it made Jaeho’s own seem like a pile of scrap metal.
The interior cushioning, made of latex, was more comfortable than a bed, and the space was generous.
Jaeho’s Capcell had been so cramped he’d had to bend his knees slightly to play…
‘…Maybe I should save up and buy a new Capcell.’
With that thought, Jaeho logged into the Game Server.
Paat—
When he opened his eyes, he found himself not at the place where he’d last logged out, but in a vast, empty plain.
And one by one, the other athletes who logged in began to appear around him.
They, too, were looking around in awe.
They had played in company Capcells before, but for many, this was their first time using a tournament Game Server.
“Alright, everyone’s here!”
Dupyouno and the managers, who had also logged in, stood before them.
“As you can see, this place is a completely separate server from the regular New World. We don’t know how the tournament rules will be finalized yet, but for now, you all have your main server items with you. And whatever happens here will have no effect on your main account.”
He continued his explanation.
“There’s only one difference: Level. Here, everyone is fixed at level 250. That’s the same as the actual tournament will be.”
Some of the rankers might be unhappy about the nerf, but it was the right level for the majority of viewers.
Of course, the players’ flashy play was important, but it was also the league’s goal to make regular users think, ‘I could do that too.’
In short, it was a nerf to motivate and immerse all players.
“All of your stats have been reset to your level 1 base, plus any bonus stats you’ve gained. You’ll assign your main stat points up to level 250 right here. Oh, and for each level-up stat increase, you’ll have the full 250-level allotment.”
At Dupyouno’s words, all the players checked their stats.
[Lv.250 Shake]
[Warrior of the Apocalypse (Unique Grade)]
[Strength: 360]
[Intelligence: 295]
[Agility: 314]
[Stamina: 339]
[Mana: 314]
[Unused Stat Points: 1245]
As expected of a ranker, Seumin’s base stats were jaw-droppingly high.
“Wow! Seumin, you’re insane!”
“A top ranker is something else.”
The other athletes looked on in awe, and Seumin shrugged with pride…
“Heeek! W-what is this?!”
But then, a scream doused the mood like cold water.
It was Jinah, the one screaming.
“What’s wrong?”
At the other athletes’ questioning, Jinah kept glancing back and forth between Jaeho’s stat window and her own with an embarrassed expression.
[Lv.250 Alicia]
[Regent of Spirits (Heir Apparent Rank)]
[Strength: 314]
[Intelligence: 281]
[Agility: 334]
[Stamina: 324]
[Mana: 311]
[Unused Stat Points: 1245]