Chapter 5: Hunter Community(2)

[StarHater has entered the chat room.]

PassionateRed: Hiyo.

DokdoGuardian: Yo yo.

Warm messages greeted me as I joined the chat, like meeting old gaming buddies. Seems like this place isn’t just for job hunting but also for casual chatter.

PassionateRed: Why’s your name StarHater?

StarHater: Just hate stars.

PassionateRed: Why?

StarHater: Their actions seem like trash.

PassionateRed: Oh… do stars do bad stuff…?

Instinctively typing, I must’ve sounded crazy. Unlike the cosmic beings of my old world, here, stars are just pretty lights in the sky.

LoaderGirl: What, got burned by a hunter contracted with a constellation?

DokdoGuardian: Bet that’s the most likely case.

The term “constellation” sounds like it’s about stars. Better learn about it just in case.

StarHater: What’s a constellation?

The chat exploded with responses, like I’d become the butt of a joke.

LoaderGirl: Oh, saw your profile—you’re a newbie. A constellation’s basically a star with a ‘self’ and huge power. It’s a rare opportunity in dungeons; getting one can change your life.

A star with a self and immense power. My hands trembled as if I had tremors. Even if they weren’t the stars that tormented me and humanity, I couldn’t forgive stars yet.

As the constellation topic heated up, I quietly observed the chat.

LoaderGirl: Yo, Dokdo, how’s it going over there?

DokdoGuardian: Absolute worst. Japanese hunters keep stirring trouble, and our yearly casualties are no joke.

LoaderGirl: Honestly, your guild’s the only one still defending Dokdo. Ever thought of quitting? Not about patriotism, just worried for you.

PassionateRed: Still, abandoning Dokdo feels wrong…

What’s this about?

Abandoning Dokdo, Korean land? Unthinkable in my time. With a name like DokdoGuardian… is something happening there?

StarHater: What’s this talk?

LoaderGirl: You Korean? How do you know so little about our society?

StarHater: I’m a returnee.

LoaderGirl, who’d been scolding me, spammed apologies upon hearing I’m a returnee.

LoaderGirl: Oh gosh, my bad lol ;;

PassionateRed: StarHater, no idea how long you were gone, but Japan took Dokdo ages ago.

Dokdo, our proud territory, was taken. It hit me like a culture shock, but I didn’t feel rage or fury.

It hurts that our land was stolen, but it’s not like I can step in.

StarHater: What was our country doing while Dokdo was taken?

PassionateRed: Korea’s a weak hunter nation. Plus, Japan has a national disaster-level hunter, so the pressure was intense.

DokdoGuardian: Damn bastards. I’ll take Dokdo back before I die.

DokdoGuardian’s chat dripped with anger. From what I gathered, Japan’s top hunters forced ours out of Dokdo.

Yet, amid deserters, DokdoGuardian stayed, fueled by patriotism.

DokdoGuardian: Sigh… got a kid and wife to look after… it’s tough.

PassionateRed: Still, I’m proud you’re a Korean citizen, Dokdo.

LoaderGirl: Good person. Too good.

The Dokdo topic fizzled out. Who’d expect such heated debate in a four-person chat?

‘Impressive people.’

PassionateRed: StarHater, we make this room nightly, so come back often.

StarHater: Oh, sure…

LoaderGirl: Sounds like you don’t wanna?

Their playful teasing made me chuckle. Even in the harsh hunter world, there’s this small joy.

Pretty admirable bunch.

StarHater: What’re your ranks?

LoaderGirl: Don’t ask. Mood killer.

DokdoGuardian: She’s D-rank. Don’t mind her.

LoaderGirl: Wanna die?

LoaderGirl’s rough vibe, clear from her name, feels like someone to watch out for. Like, get too close, and your life’s ruined. As I watched her and DokdoGuardian’s keyboard brawl, a notification popped up.

[FlameSorceryKing has entered the chat room.]

PassionateRed: Yo, our room’s elite is here.

LoaderGirl: Hey, old man.

DokdoGuardian: Long time no see, SorceryKing.

FlameSorceryKing’s name screamed powerhouse. The chat members greeted him like old comrades.

Then, his message appeared.

FlameSorceryKing: I’m exhausted…

A weak response for such a grand name.

LoaderGirl: Old man, what’s up?

FlameSorceryKing: Lost our team’s rookie in a gate yesterday.

His words chilled the chat room.

DokdoGuardian: What happened…?

FlameSorceryKing: Association misjudged the dungeon’s danger level. It was B-rank, but we took our new C-rank rookie. A giant arachne appeared, and while leading the team out, the rookie got poisoned…

Failing to clear the gate, he lost a teammate. Everyone consoled him.

I’ve been there. New comrades writhing in pain from biochemical weapons in the old world, brave souls who fought the stars, never seen again.

FlameSorceryKing must feel the same.

FlameSorceryKing: F*ck… facing the family, I could only cry. Felt like dying from guilt.

LoaderGirl: What about the staff? That’s not just a suspension—it’s jail time.

FlameSorceryKing: Turns out, the staff’s some high-ranking official’s kid. My team’s protesting, but it’ll probably end with a slap on the wrist.

DokdoGuardian: Crazy bastards. Thinking of my kid in that situation tears me apart.

FlameSorceryKing’s typing grew frantic, spilling years of frustration from the association’s incompetence and government pressure.

Even a third party like me could feel the rage.

FlameSorceryKing: One more time, and I’m burning down the association and the Blue House.

PassionateRed: SorceryKing, this chat’s logged…

FlameSorceryKing: I’m not joking. I’ll kill them all.

LoaderGirl: Chill, old man;; You’d turn Seoul into a firestorm.

His explosive rant had everyone trying to calm him. They seem like old friends, but even to a stranger like me, his words felt genuine.

Finally calming down, FlameSorceryKing apologized, unlike his earlier loss of control.

FlameSorceryKing: Sorry, everyone. This was my only place to vent.

DokdoGuardian: I get it. I’d do the same.

PassionateRed: It’s tragic, but may the deceased rest in peace.

FlameSorceryKing: There’s a newcomer too. Really sorry.

His outburst didn’t bother me. I empathized, having been there. I sent a quick reply.

StarHater: I’m fine.

LoaderGirl: This guy’s weird too, so don’t worry, old man.

It wrapped up oddly, but it seemed resolved.

FlameSorceryKing: I’ve got work tomorrow, so I’m off. Truly sorry again.

PassionateRed: We’re good. Take care.

FlameSorceryKing: Thanks.

[FlameSorceryKing has left the chat room.]

After he left, it felt like a storm had passed. Others started saying they were tired and logged off.

LoaderGirl: Today’s chat was heavy. Got plans tomorrow, so I’m out.

[LoaderGirl has left the chat room.]

DokdoGuardian: Wife’s calling. Good night, all.

[DokdoGuardian has left the chat room.]

Only PassionateRed remained. As I was about to say goodbye and leave, he called me.

PassionateRed: StarHater, got a minute if you’re not busy?

StarHater: I’ve got time. What’s up?

PassionateRed: Just hoping you’ll keep coming to this room.

He asked me to visit regularly. I was planning to anyway—chatting with strangers is fun.

But why ask me specifically?

PassionateRed: Don’t take it weirdly. You just seem like a good person.

StarHater: I think you guys are cool too.

PassionateRed: Glad to hear. It’s late, so I’m off.

StarHater: Good night.

PassionateRed: Night, StarHater ^^.

[PassionateRed has left the chat room.]

Watching PassionateRed leave, I exited the chat and shut off the computer. Fast boot-up, fast shutdown—Sihyun must’ve spent a fortune.

“Ugh, I’m hungry…”

Feeling peckish and with nothing else to do, I decided to hit a convenience store. No delivery at this hour.

Since I was already dressed from going out, no need to change. Yawning heavily, I opened the front door by the shoe rack. I pressed the elevator button and watched the numbers climb slowly.

‘High floors take forever.’

Bored, I waited as the elevator dinged.

[Doors opening.]

A pleasant voice announced as the doors parted, revealing bright lights and a familiar woman’s face. A blue-haired woman’s pupils widened upon seeing me.

“What the hell, why are you here?”
“Yuri…?”

The fiend who stole my bowl stood before me.