'This guy, he was the first one chosen by Hercules?'

Park Muyeol's eyes widened at the unexpected information. The second was naturally Hutton and the third was himself, chosen not long ago. Then the one who contracted with another constellation...

Park Muyeol stared at him and Michael c.o.c.ked his head in a questioning manner. “Do you have anything to say to me?”

“Tell me.”

“Yes.”

“Was another constellation interested in you in the past?”

[A constellation who likes sticks is staring at Michael with dissatisfaction.]

“...How do you know that?” This time, Michael watched Park Muyeol with suspicious eyes. This was a story that no one knew. It was the early days after the opening of Arkstar. Michael had received various love calls from a constellation. Of course, Michael didn't like this constellation. It was because he kept wanting Michael to dress up as a woman. Michael still shook when he remembered that time.

[The scorpion zodiac, 'Antares,' is wondering what happened.]

Park Muyeol shrugged. “He is interested in me now.”

“Ah?” Michael was startled by the unexpected words. No, maybe it was natural. It was natural for a constellation to be interested in such a skilled person.

Park Muyeol told him, “He seems to be very dissatisfied with you.”

“...I-Is that so?”

Michael still remembered the constellation, whose nickname was 'the first man to dress as a woman.' In the early days, Michael had used something called Stick's Protection. However, the constellation's obsession was so severe that Michael eventually ate a Star Fruit and chose a different constellation. He didn't regret it. Even if he thought about it now, he wouldn't have changed what he had done. Therefore, Michael decided to give Park Muyeol some advice, “Be careful. Didn't he ask you to dress up as a woman?”

“He did, but I didn't do it. I would be crazy if I did it. Tsk.”

“I-I see. Well done." Michael felt a stabbing pain in his chest. If so, was he a madman?

Park Muyeol saw Michael's reaction and felt strongly suspicious. “Don't tell me you...”

“No, don't misunderstand.”

“Yes, yes.” 

“No, I'm serious. I didn't do it.”

“I heard from this guy that you looked pretty good?”

“Cough! I'm going first!” Michael walked away while feeling shame for the first time in ages. The surrounding area was a lava zone and there were various fire attribute monsters that were good for Michael to hunt.

Park Muyeol's voice could be heard from behind him, “Dude~ where are you going in such a hurry~? Go slowly! Let's go together, you rotten guy!”

Michael continued to walk while ignoring the words. He couldn't bring himself to face Park Muyeol.

[The scorpion zodiac, 'Antares,' is curious about your cross-dressing.]

“...Don't be curious, Antares.”

Michael gritted his teeth and stared at the sky. Park Muyeol didn't chase Michael and instead pulled something out of his inventory. After a moment, a brightly glowing fruit was held in his hands. Park Muyeol's mouth twitched as he gazed at the Star Fruit in the shape of a golden apple.

“I will have a taste.”

* * *

Around this time, I successfully completed my interview with the duke and had tea in Drain's workshop in the mansion.

“I didn't know I would meet Buroder here.”

“Shouldn't I be the one saying that?”

“Ohh, that is true. By the way, I heard the news. Did you win the Colosseum event?”

“Well, it was abrupt. I just played around for a while. There is no need to make a fuss.”

“Huhu. There is a need to make a fuss. Weren't you amazing?”

“Groan.”

I felt like I was stabbed for some reason. In fact, it was very confusing. Even now, the TV continued to release news stories related to Dark Wolf. The match was a hot topic and it was enough to shock people around the world. Now they were all arguing about whether I was going to compete in the World Compet.i.tion or not. Of course, I didn't intend to partic.i.p.ate.

I asked Drain, “How is your health? I heard it wasn't good.”

“Yes, I was playing the game too much for a few days. It is okay again.”

“Take it slowly. What is so urgent?”

“It is urgent. How much time do I have left to live?”

I was silent for a moment after hearing his words. Then, with the intention to change the topic, I opened my mouth, “Thank you for your help.”

“Huhu. Why are you thanking me? I got help in Mulan last time. Isn't this what Koreans should do?”

"Kukuk. Yes, that's right. Koreans are truly compa.s.sionate.”

The n.o.ble t.i.tle I was originally supposed to receive from the duke was a baronet. Fortunately, thanks to Drain's closeness with the duke, I was able to receive the higher rank of baron. Thanks to this, Metheus was the territory of a baron and I became an official n.o.bleman of the Orca Kingdom. It was a much lower position compared to Edward, but in the first place, I had no desire for power.

“By the way, what happened? I heard you were going to Orca, but I didn't think you would be working under a duke?”

“Well, it turned out like this. I applied the method of the eccentric cooking suit recipe you gave me last time and applied it to the clothes of the n.o.bles. It soon became popular. Thus, I was called by the duke and became his designer.”

“Your enthusiasm is great. You might be my little brother, but I truly respect you.”

“Huhu. Buroder is the great one.”

The conversation with Drain lasted quite some time. I encouraged him to settle in Metheus. Drain pondered on it for a moment before sending a whisper to his son. His son's name was Park Bongnam. He was the adopted son of the middle-aged Drain and was said to be working in the same profession, succeeding his father Drain. Park Bongnam saw the potential of the designer career here in Arkstar and started the game following Drain. He created the brand 'D. Rainy' and was trying to settle it in Arkstar. 

“Please take care of my Bongnam.”

“I will.” I shook hands with him and agreed. We promised to meet shortly in Metheus and I left the mansion. The sun in the sky was very bright today.

“The weather is good.” I had this thought as I watched the pa.s.sing clouds.

“Where and how can I find the cloud elemental?”

I suddenly thought that it would be nice if Prometheus was here. It seemed to be around the time for him to wake, up but there were still close to three week left. It was based on the real world time so it might be natural.

“Groan. I'll have to level up and work myself as close to death as possible in these three weeks.”

I slowly moved toward where Edward and Kerenos were waiting. They had come out early and were waiting for me. I could also see the Sylphid Knights in the distance.

Ttiring~

[World: A new legend has woken up! His star name is Stick Star's Beloved.]

Park Muyeol had finally eaten the Star Fruit.

* * *

Time pa.s.sed by like a flash.

Before I knew it, a week had pa.s.sed in reality. During this time, I wandered around the Orca Kingdom and hunted various monsters. Park Muyeol was said to be hunting monsters in the volcano with Michael, who he stumbled upon by chance. He said he would continue hunting until the effects of Ambrosia were over.

Right now, I was arriving in front of the magic tower of Fortren. Players rushed to every hunting ground like crazy dogs so it was impossible to concentrate on hunting. I thought it was a good thing because I wanted to meet Muyeol and hunt together. However—

“The magic portal is currently being repaired.”

There was a problem.

“When will the repair finish?”

“Let's see. It will probably take another month or so to replenish the magic power stone that supports the portal right now. It has been like this since yesterday. Hah. I'm also troubled.”

...It was a setback. It was more heartbreaking after hearing it was okay until yesterday. s.h.i.+t. I should've come a bit earlier.

“Is there any other way to use the portal?”

“Windia doesn't have a magic power. Perhaps there is the Orca Kingdom. The magic portal there is fine. Why don't you try using it?”

“Groan.” I thought of going back that long distance and couldn't help sighing. I killed monsters while running from the Orca Kingdom to Fortren so I was reluctant to go back to the place where users were swarming. What should I do? Did I have to go all the way back again?

“Are you Dark Wolf...?”

I couldn't help turning my head at the familiar voice. The one who spoke was a young woman who I knew very well since I saw her every day at home—it was my granddaughter, Choi Mido. Why was she here?

* * *

It was a small alleyway apart from the busy streets of Fortren... 

In this shortcut that contained no people, Mido walked without hesitation. She wasn't walking alone. She was walking with Dark Wolf. She tried to calm her beating heart, but it wasn't easy.

'Sigh. Stay calm.'

Her heart was still pounding. The Colosseum finals on that day caused a huge topic and made Dark Wolf a star. He had an untouchable aura around her and Mido became a fan since that day. Mido joined Dark Wolf's fan cafe, 'Wolf's Temptation,' that night. She only looked at the photos that were uploaded, but she still prided herself on not losing to anyone when it came to being a fan.

“Why did you come here? Is it because of the magic portal?”

Dark Wolf Slowly nodded. The majestic black mane and sharp teeth were extremely charismatic. Indeed, this was the appearance of the strong.

'So cool... Ah, no. Don't be distracted, Choi Mido.' 

Mido slapped her cheeks as she reminded herself about why she came here. The reason she was here was to go to the Parta Princ.i.p.ality with her oppas. It was necessary to practice to be selected as the national representative for the upcoming World Compet.i.tion.

The Parta Princ.i.p.ality was the perfect place to train. There was a dueling hall where users could officially do PvP. It was a must-have course that was popular with PvP users because the duel was stopped automatically once health decreased below a certain percentage. The powerful weapons that could be obtained using the victory points were a bonus.

Union had announced that this year's World Compet.i.tion would be held as an integrated league so she and many others hoped to be selected as a national representative. Perhaps the selection for the national team would be fiercer than ever.

Mido suggested, “I am going to the Parta Princ.i.p.ality. Would you like to go with me?”

Dark Wolf stopped walking after hearing these words.

“Is there a way to get there? If you are going to the Orca Kingdom...”

“Aish. There is no time to go all the way there.” Mido reached out and pointed to one place. “We can fly.”

There was a giant airs.h.i.+p located there.