LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 105
The two rangers of the ‘Hong Baek’ guild, ‘Go Seung Woo’ and ‘Seob Seop Yi’, burst into exclamations in the lobby of Klaus Hotel.
“Wow, this is incredible. This is the power of the world’s top capsule company, huh?”
“In this era where virtual reality tech is connected to various industries. You know, Chris, the CEO’s only daughter and lead researcher. You knew that, right?”
“What? Was that the reason you were so desperate to join the Hong Baek guild?”
“Hehe, as if! Well, we’re just part of a generation that enjoys the game with advanced tech.”
As the promised dinner time approached, they soon entered the spacious hall of the hotel that Chris had invited them to.
The hotel had been known by a different name in the past, but now it belonged to the ‘Klaus Capsule Corporation’.
In the last 20 years, science and technology, including AI, had made rapid advancements.
The progress of technology had enabled people on Earth to enjoy lives in new worlds.
And one of those worlds was the ‘Continent of Astria’, where countless people enjoyed adventures filled with swords and magic.
“Oh, what is all this?”
“Wait, are we using the whole hall today?”
Even upon entering the hall, they couldn’t help but marvel.
Luxurious hotel buffet food, champagne, and wine. The tables of the hotel looked like a high-class party venue, filled with various foods and drinks.
Go Seung Woo wagged his tongue in amazement.
“Wow, your parents must be well-off.”
“What are you saying? Chris is clearly someone who has risen to lead researcher on her own merit!”
“Impressive at such a young age. Seob Seop Yi, you seem interested in virtual reality tech? What does the Guild Master research?”
“She mentioned something about sensory separation in virtual reality… Ah, the guild members are coming.”
As the promised time drew near, guild members began to gather one by one.
The first person to catch Seob Seop Yi’s eye was a large young man.
“Whoa~ What’s all this?”
“Oh, it’s you, Hopkins! Nice to meet you!”
“Ha ha! You must be Seob Seop Yi. I can recognize you right away! Are your party members coming too?”
“Yes, our party decided to all attend. What about you guys?”
“We’re all coming as well.”
“I thought a few might drop out due to personal schedules. The Hong Baek guild really has strong cohesion.”
“After all, it was an invitation from Chris! How could we decline? And…”
Hopkins grinned widely.
Seob Seop Yi couldn’t help but smile back.
‘Drizzle Rain.’
The most talked-about figure in ‘Astria Online’ right now.
Surely, there were people attending just to see her face.
“I personally don’t care, but our party ‘Red Hot Chicken’ has been making such a fuss about it.”
“Ha ha! Our party is really looking forward to seeing ‘Dal Borom’ too.”
While a few men were drawn to Rain’s cute appearance and petite frame, fortunately, the men of the Hong Baek guild were normal. It seemed more like Rain’s delicate body triggered the protective instincts of the women.
Her strengths weren’t just in her looks; she was strong too. In this era where virtual reality held nearly as much weight as reality itself, abilities honed there were considered a talent and an object of envy.
While Seob Seop Yi and Hopkins chatted, other party members gradually arrived. They, too, marveled at the view of the hall.
“Wow! As expected, Klaus Capsule Corporation! Even the meeting venue is on another level!”
“Isn’t there supposed to be a dress code for places like this? I’m in casual clothes!”
“Are Chris’s party members here yet?”
“We still have some time before the promised hour. They could have come early to prepare for guests.”
All members of the Hong Baek guild, excluding Chris’s party, gathered in the hotel hall.
Before long, Chris’s party members also made their appearance.
“Oh, is that Deathly Death?”
“Bae Merong, Cherni, right?”
“Nice to meet you, Hong Baek guild members! I’m your wizard, Bae Merong!”
Everyone smiled at the sight of Bae Merong bouncing into the hall. A little later, Deathly Death and Cherni entered together.
Hopkins laughed heartily, while Seob Seop Yi exchanged smiles as they shook hands.
“Aha~! Nice to meet you, Hopkins, Seob Seop Yi!”
“Bae Merong, except for your hair color, you look just like your character, right? I really altered my face during customization. Ha ha!”
“Hehe. Beautiful people like you wouldn’t understand the feelings of us average folks.”
“What are you talking about? Everyone looks great!”
The few who were anxious about dress codes sighed in relief upon seeing Chris’s party members in casual outfits.
Tap tap.
And with the sound of light heels clicking, the host of this party and the master of the Hong Baek guild, ‘Chris’, appeared in the hall.
The atmosphere shifted with the arrival of the tall beauty with reddish hair.
“Oh wow.”
“Indeed.”
Hopkins and Seob Seop Yi couldn’t help but exclaim.
They were genuinely awed by her overwhelming presence and appearance.
She looked just like the character ‘Chris’ from ‘Astria Online’.
With a slightly sharp impression, anyone would be frightened should she frown. Fortunately, her eyes had a gentle curve.
“Thank you all for gathering here today. To the members of the ‘Hong Baek’ guild.”
“What a thing to say! We’re thankful for the invitation!”
“Thanks to you, we get to enjoy a party like this. Ha ha!”
Chris shook hands with Hopkins and Seob Seop Yi.
All members of the Hong Baek guild, except for one, took a moment to greet one another.
“I see. The second floor of this building is entirely virtual reality capsule facilities…! It could be viewed more as a theme building of Klaus Capsule Corporation than a hotel, I suppose?”
“There are also various experience programs. Like reaction speed test simulations, for example.”
“Oh, I’d love to try that!”
“Hehe, feel free to enjoy yourselves. The hotel rooms on the 5th floor and the capsule facilities on the 2nd are available exclusively for our guild members today. Those coming from the provinces can spend the night, too.”
As Seob Seop Yi listened to the conversation between Hopkins and Chris, he glanced towards the windowsill where Deathly Death stood, leaning against the wall with a sharp gaze out the window, swirling a wine glass in his hand.
Go Seung Woo, a ranger in Seob Seop Yi’s party and his friend, approached and whispered in Seob Seop Yi’s ear.
“That guy is the current arena ranking number one, the main tank of Chris’s party, Deathly Death.”
“Aside from the out-of-this-world user known as Rain, he’s the best player in Astria Online.”
“They’re all impressive in their own right.”
“Well, Bae Merong and Cherni are excellent wizards and summoners. They’re among the envy of the elite dungeon first clear experience with just five in the Hong Baek guild.”
“I want to go chat with them, but the atmosphere seems pretty intense.”
While Seob Seop Yi and Go Seung Woo were whispering to each other, Bae Merong marched angrily towards Deathly Death.
“Hey, Deathy oppa! You’re just standing alone right after coming here again. You should talk to the guild members!”
“Thinking I’m a lone fighter with a cool vibe, huh? Ugh, ahhh!”
Bae Merong grabbed Deathly Death’s collar and pulled him toward the center of the hall. Deathly Death scratched his head and bowed to Seob Seop Yi.
“I’m Deathly Death.”
“Hehe, I’m Seob Seop Yi.”
“You can call me Go Seung Woo.”
Deathly Death, who radiated an intimidating vibe, was powerless in front of Bae Merong.
Seob Seop Yi smiled as he watched the two seem to get along well.
“By the way, the protagonist is nowhere to be seen.”
Not just Seob Seop Yi, but others were also waiting for someone.
In this hall full of people, one person was still missing.
Peep peep.
The two female users of the Hong Baek guild, ‘Red Hot Chicken’ and ‘Dal Borom’, peeked around the entrance of the hall.
Gathering her courage, Dal Borom approached Chris.
“Excuse me, Chris?”
“Yes? Oh, it’s you, Dal Borom! Nice to meet you.”
“Y-yes! Well, um…”
“Hehe, I’ll introduce you.”
“Ah!”
Dal Borom’s face lit up.
Chris approached the entrance of the hall.
And then.
Beep beep.
A small mechanical sound echoed from the entrance of the hall.
All eyes turned towards it.
With that mechanical sound, a girl entered the hall.
No, it was more accurate to say she ‘arrived riding’ something.
“…….!”
Silence.
The crowd was more shocked than when Chris had revealed herself.
How many people in this world have the presence to captivate an atmosphere just by their appearance?
The entrance of the pure white girl left everyone in the hall speechless.
“W-what?”
Seob Seop Yi’s lips quivered.
No one had imagined there would be someone with such an unreal, mysterious appearance.
In a virtual reality game where customization was possible, it was a look hard to believe.
Yet, it had materialized right before their eyes.
With black obsidian-like eyes that exuded a calmer aura than the game’s character, one could even sense a finely sharpened edge within them.
Her silvery hair reflected light as if trying to color the entire hall.
A beauty so breathtaking it seemed like God had crafted her; one could only think the deity might have taken something away in jealousy.
She was.
Seated in a wheelchair.
In the thick silence, her lips parted.
“Hello. I’m Rain.”