C14

Chapter 14: Everyday Life with Shigumin

Putting on my headphones, I returned once more to the world of Asuon.

My character, who hadn't logged out since yesterday, stood quietly at the 5th-anniversary event base.

Inside the monitor, the time for the limited-time event was still ticking.

Time remaining. Obtainable rewards. Farming efficiency.

Reo naturally checked those numbers. Then, he typed Shigumin's name into the friend chat column.

Leo: “Shigumin”

A reply came back immediately.

Shigumin: “What?”

Leo: “Let's go do bosses.”

Shigumin: “Sure.”

The usual reply, but after a slight pause.

Shigumin: “What about school?”

Reo's hand stopped for just a split second.

Leo: “I skipped.”

A few seconds later.

Shigumin: “Hm-mm.”

A short reply; normally that would be the end of it. But.

Shigumin: “Well, perfect timing if it's during an event.”

Leo: “True.”

Shigumin: “Leo, have you been playing non-stop since yesterday?”

Leo: “Yeah.”

A brief pause hung in the air.

Shigumin: “...Figures.”

Leo: “What does?”

Shigumin: “That exact kind of thing.”

Leo: “Because it's efficient.”

Shigumin: “You're probably the only one who can say that without a second thought, Leo.”

Leo: “Is that a compliment?”

Shigumin: “About half.”

Leo: “Dubious.”

Shigumin: “Still, I figured you hadn't changed a bit.”

He smiled faintly.

In regular guild chat, Shigumin only talked about what was necessary. Boss locations, strategy info, item trades—short words were enough for the necessary info. But it was a little different only when the two of us were hunting together. Sometimes we'd talk about things unrelated to strategies, or pointless conversations would drag on. I suppose it's because we've played together for a long time. Probably, it was the same for me too.

Shigumin: “Oh yeah,”

Leo: “What?”

Shigumin: “Did you see ZeroMero's video?”

Leo: “Haven't seen it. Something happen?”

Shigumin: “He dealt 8.9 million damage to Zelga and is making a huge buzz right now.”

Leo: “With all buffs included?”

Shigumin: “Yeah. Looks like he set up ideal conditions and pulled it off with a supreme spell.”

Leo: “In that case, Lord Gomez is way better.”

Shigumin: “Well, yeah. Gomez's firepower is in a league of its own.”

Leo: “I don't think you should use that guy as a benchmark.”

Shigumin: “Coming from you, Leo.”

Leo: “Because it's a fact.”

Shigumin: “Still, normally speaking, 8.9 million is plenty amazing.”

Leo: “That's true.”

Shigumin: “Our guild's subjugation runs would probably go viral if we made videos of them too.”

Leo: “Maybe.”

Shigumin: “But nobody would upload them, right?”

Leo: “Because we're not interested.”

Shigumin: “True. Nobody cares about that kind of stuff, huh.”

Leo: “Yeah.”

Shigumin: “Everyone just prioritizes whatever they find fun.”

We hardly ever had exchanges like this with other guild members. Convey only what's necessary and end it there. But with Shigumin, it naturally kept going.

Shigumin: “Did you drink the Asuon collab elixir?”

Leo: “Didn't. Did you?”

Shigumin: “I did. It was sweet.”

Leo: “Any effects?”

Shigumin: “Felt a little energized.”

Leo: “Guess it worked then.”

Shigumin: “Just sugar, though.”

Conversations unrelated to strategy naturally kept flowing.

Shigumin: “Oh right, did you eat that trending Koromaru pudding lately?”

Leo: “Never heard of it. Is it popular?”

Shigumin: “Yeah, super popular.”

Leo: “That much?”

Shigumin: “Some shops are even sold out.”

Leo: “To that extent, huh.”

Shigumin: “Curious?”

Leo: “A little.”

Shigumin: “Rare.”

Leo: “It's pudding, after all.”

Shigumin: “I know. You love pudding, Leo.”

Chattering away with such nonsense, the two of them headed toward the event map. The boss of the new map added in the 5th-anniversary event. A place where many players gather. Recommended party size: 6 or more.

However, Reo and Shigumin didn't particularly care. In selfish, recommended sizes are nothing more than guidelines. Equipment, experience, and player skill. As long as those are met, headcounts aren't absolute.

Arriving at the boss area, a short message arrived from Shigumin.

Shigumin: “Start.”

Leo: “Understood.”

The moment the giant boss revealed its form, the sky dyed dark. Emerging from deep within the temple of the floating continent was a dragon that had protected this land since ancient times.

The Void-Ruined Dragon, Valgreia.

Its collapsed wings and massive body shimmering like the night sky were carved with ancient scars—proof of having lived through long, long ages. The next moment, a roar that shook the skies echoed across the area. The effect of the surrounding air trembling and its overwhelming pressure made it a boss fitting to grace the new map added for the 5th anniversary.

Yet. What we looked at wasn't the pressure. All that mattered were the necessary pieces of information for victory: attack patterns, evasion positioning, and damage order.

Battle start.

Valgreia's wings spread wide—immediately after, a shockwave ripped through the air, tearing across the entire battlefield. Wide-range attack. Quicker than confirming the displayed attack range, the two of us simultaneously distanced ourselves. Shigumin creates an opening—I pile on attacks—moving instantly to the next action. For a coordination built up over three years, words were unnecessary.

A few minutes later. The moment the Void-Ruined Dragon Valgreia quietly crumbled down, the words "Subjugation Successful" displayed on the screen.

Shigumin: “Done.”

Checking the acquired items, we confirmed a 120-minute cooldown until the next challenge.

Shigumin: “On cooldown.”

Reo looked at the remaining time.

Leo: “Want to go to Red Jula?”

Shigumin: “I'll go change gear.”

Leo: “Understood.”

Utilizing the 120-minute wait for another hunt. It was routine.