Public Enemy
“You know what my ex-girlfriend used to tell me?” I asked.
It was a very short-lived relationship, but I learned a lot about life’s truths back then.
“That I shouldn't play the stock market.”
Of course, she probably said that because my income wasn't that high at the time, but I’ve heard it so many times that it’s been drilled into my head: even if you have a lot of money, you shouldn't play the stock market.
I actually watched her stocks tank right in front of me.
That's why I had to be firm.
“I’m sorry, but I don’t think I can do that. It’s not my area of expertise, and I’ve been told not to do it since I was young.”
It was a very simple but reasonable excuse.
As expected, the drunken Violet was taken aback by my words and stepped back.
I felt a little sorry, but it couldn’t be helped.
It wasn’t anything else; I just felt strongly that I shouldn’t play the stock market.
“Ah… Okay. Well, I can’t force you if you don’t want to…!”
“Sorry for killing the mood. My bad.”
“It’s fine, let’s just have a drink!”
And with that, we drank beer at the Adventurers’ Guild.
*
And so the next day came.
For some reason, [Detox] didn't cure my hangover.
Maybe my body didn't think it was poison.
So I was feeling like death warmed over.
Exhausted, too.
I just wanted to collapse right there and then.
But I had to take a shower.
I hadn’t showered yesterday, so I was pretty grimy.
Of course, I could have just used [Purify] to clean myself, but there was something about it that felt… off.
Like I was wiping myself down with a wet towel.
“Ugh…”
With that thought, I got out of bed, opened the door, and stepped outside.
I wasn’t worried about being attacked.
Basil was guarding the house.
I came home drunk yesterday and couldn’t even buy Basil her favorite tanghulu. Maybe I could pick one up for her on my way back later.
With that thought, I hid my subspace pouch in the house.
[Perception Reduction]
I cast several spells to make it difficult for others to notice me.
Then, I hid it in an inconspicuous place and grabbed some cash.
I quickly made my way to the public bathhouse.
Of course, my house had a makeshift shower, but I felt like showering outside today.
There were also a lot of things I had to do outside.
“Ah, that feels good.”
As I showered, I organized the things I needed to do today.
First, I had to go to the Adventurers’ Guild and become Gold Plate Rank.
Dondas said that once I became Gold Plate Rank, I would receive investment funds from the Adventurers’ Guild at a certain rate, but even considering that, there was another reason why I wanted to rank up.
The banking system.
Of course, I could use the banking system even if I wasn’t Gold Plate Rank, but I couldn’t deposit much.
The upper limit was a bit low.
That’s why I wanted to be promoted to Gold Plate Rank.
I heard the amount you could deposit increased.
‘…I should ask around before I go.’
It was better to ask people I knew about these things.
So before I stopped by the Adventurers’ Guild, I planned to visit Harang Hall and also write a post on the forum.
And buy some tanghulu on the way.
‘…Why do I have so much to do?’
I wanted to live comfortably, but in order to live comfortably, I had to keep doing annoying things.
I thought if I was strong enough, people would leave me alone, but because I was only moderately strong, people around me kept trying to take what I had.
‘Honestly, you can live without it if you don't have it.’
If you don’t have the ability, you should just live within your means.
I don’t understand why they would try to make a living by stealing from others.
As I was thinking these thoughts, I logged onto the forum.
And an interesting post caught my eye.
[No way CocoNenne, you crazy bastard][34]
Judging by the number of comments, it seemed like it was blowing up.
I clicked on the post with a grin.
What could have happened—I wondered.
[Author: Cthulhu]
[Title: No way CocoNenne, you crazy bastard]
[Content: (Photo) What the hell are you doing sending that thing to Koruntum? Are you insane?]
L CocoNenne: lol
ㄴ CocoNenne: If you don't like it, then you guys should attack where I am.
ㄴ Cthulhu: Tell us where you are so we can attack, you idiot.
ㄴ CocoNenne: I will if you attack me lol
ㄴ Cthulhu: Is this guy for real?
ㄴ Cthulhu: A lot of people died because of you.
ㄴ CocoNenne: That's their fault for being weak.
ㄴ CocoNenne: I even told you I was going to send it.
‘…He really did it.’
When I saw his post on the forum the other day, I thought, “No way he’ll actually do it,” but he really did send it.
Astonished, I continued reading the comments.
L MayTheUnfaithfulFindPeace: What do you think you're doing?
ㄴ MayTheUnfaithfulFindPeace: Are you really out of your mind?
ㄴ MayTheUnfaithfulFindPeace: You've crossed the line.
ㄴ MayTheUnfaithfulFindPeace: You better watch your back if you ever post on the forum again.
ㄴ CocoNenne: ㄷㄷ I'm so scared.
ㄴ MayTheUnfaithfulFindPeace: Are you mocking me right now?
ㄴ CocoNenne: Oh, you caught me lol.
I felt a headache coming on.
Why was this guy picking fights with everyone?
He may have the talents of the body he possessed, but that didn't mean he inherited the personality.
Why was he acting like this?
It was hard to understand.
As I was thinking about it, I continued reading the comments.
L: Please, just go die. ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ
ㄴ CocoNenne: Nope lol
ㄴ: What a real jerk.
ㄴ CocoNenne: Come and fight me then.
ㄴ CocoNenne: You're too chicken, right? lol
ㄴ: What are you, in elementary school? Talking about fighting and stuff lol.
ㄴ: So childish, really.
ㄴ CocoNenne: Yeah, I'm gonna be childish~
L: CocoNenne <<< Upvote if you hate cringe guys like him lol.
ㄴ: Upvoting with all my might.
ㄴ: He's so disgusting.
ㄴ CocoNenne: Yeah, well, you guys are more disgusting for ganging up on me lol.
ㄴ: At least we're self-aware enough to know we're ganging up on you. Good for us.
ㄴ: Lmao.
L: Objectively speaking, I can understand where CocoNenne is coming from… He’s probably never received proper attention in his life, so he can’t help but act this way… We should be more understanding.
ㄴ: For real?
ㄴ: Are you a psychologist by any chance?
ㄴ CocoNenne: No, I got plenty of attention when I was a kid.
ㄴ: Must be nice to have gotten so much attention lol.
Everyone was mocking CocoNenne.
Half of the posts on the forum were about him.
It was beyond pathetic.
Why was he acting like this?
It was as if a teenager going through puberty suddenly gained immense power and became narcissistic.
Thinking about it like that, it was a little unsettling to think that it might actually be the case.
The story of a middle or high school student with the mind of a child possessing an incredibly talented body and wreaking havoc.
Wasn't that a classic story?
Of course, it had nothing to do with me right now.
I had no plans to go to Koruntum anytime soon.
And I had to prepare for Andromalius’ attack.
As I was thinking these thoughts, I left a comment myself.
L ReallyDirtPoor: Wow…
ㄴ ReallyDirtPoor: I truly respect you…
I meant it from the bottom of my heart.
I was curious how a person could act like that.
I kind of wanted to meet him in person and flick his forehead.
He reminded me of those clueless kids I used to see all the time when I was working at the cafe.
Muttering insults under my breath, I finished showering, got up, and dried myself off.
And then it hit me.
‘…Oh, right, I was going to post something.’
I was so caught up in the drama that I had completely forgotten what I was supposed to do.
I didn't usually make mistakes like this.
With that thought, I quickly wrote a post.
[Author: ReallyDirtPoor]
[Title: Should I go for Adventurer Gold Plate Rank or stay at Silver Badge?]
[Content: I'm seriously torn, what should I choose? Recommendations please! I heard a rumor that the bank gets upgraded, is that true?]
After posting, I left the bathhouse, dried off, and got dressed.
As I made my way to Harang Hall, I checked the forum.
Since I was always covered in my robe, there was no way anyone would know I was browsing the forum.
Just in case, I cast Perception Reduction and moved around discreetly.
With that thought, I checked the comments on my post.
[Author: ReallyDirtPoor]
[Title: Should I go for Adventurer Gold Plate Rank or stay at Silver Badge?]
[Content: I'm seriously torn, what should I choose? Recommendations please! I heard a rumor that the bank gets upgraded, is that true?]
L: Yeah, the bank gets better.
ㄴ: It wouldn't hurt to try.
ㄴ: Adventurers' Guild shill spotted lol. What are you trying to sell us, asshole?
ㄴ: ?? Why is this considered shilling? I was just stating facts.
ㄴ: This guy's a real piece of work.
L Ferus: It’s not a bad idea if you use the bank often.
ㄴ Ferus: As the amount you deposit increases, so do the benefits.
ㄴ Ferus: But if you don’t use the bank that often, then there’s no need.
Once again, I received advice from the veteran adventurer as I arrived at Harang Hall.
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