Attention is like a drug.

No matter how big or small, people live off the attention of others. We’ve lived in cooperative societies since the primitive ages, and isolation has always been synonymous with death.

That's why hikikomori, shut-ins, wither away from lack of attention, and why we don’t need to worry about celebrities—they’re constantly in the spotlight.

Just look at how many people in my modern world flock to platforms like Instax or Yubetube. Humans, at their core, crave attention from others.

And it seemed I wasn’t all that different after all.

In fact, having been isolated for twelve years, this kind of attention hit me even harder.

[“Damn, he’s hot. I wanna have a go at him, lol.”]
[User banned by the manager.]
[“Hey, I’ll pay you. Show a bit more.”]
[User banned by the manager.]
[“Ah, f*ck. I wasn’t gonna jack off today.”]
[User banned by the manager.]
[“Sure, manager, kick me out all you want. I’ll be back in five minutes anyway~”]
[User banned by the manager.]

Look at that. Just because I revealed a little skin, the chat exploded with all kinds of trash comments.

A typical “man” might be disgusted by this, but I used to be one of those guys. I found it more amusing than anything else.

Besides, when was the last time I showed my face to anyone?

Even when I ventured into the city’s back alleys, I always wore a hood. No one ever saw my face. Sure, there were times I caught my reflection in a puddle and thought, “I’m not bad-looking,” but self-assessments are always useless.

However, seeing reactions like this… I couldn’t help but feel a slight boost in my self-esteem.

“Uh, everyone? Please calm down! I’ll be putting the chat on restriction for now.”

The chaos in the chat finally subsided after Chaerin restricted it. That’s when I closed my jacket and let out a small sigh of relief.

“Well, at least that’s a relief.”

Even though my coat slipped a little, my collarbone wasn’t exposed.

Because right there, on my collarbone, was the Demon’s Mark. It’s something I can never let anyone see.

For now, I could pass off as just another recluse living in a strange forest. But the moment someone spots that crimson-black mark, my future would become uncertain.

As I thought about it, a question suddenly popped into my head.

“What do these people think about Demon’s Blood?”

Do they know about it?

And if they do, how much do they understand?

How do they perceive it? Will they react like the people here and try to kill me on sight? Or, like modern humans, will they be more open-minded?

I had no way of knowing yet. The limited interaction through the chat window wasn’t giving me any useful information. And directly asking them would only raise suspicion.

“I need more information.”

That was part of the reason I accepted this broadcast.

Sure, it was important to get that troublesome player banned, but I also realized I couldn’t hide forever.

The world is changing.

Just because I stay hidden doesn’t mean they won’t come into the “Forbidden Forest.”

Eventually, they’ll come here, even if I’m not around.

After all, to them, this place is a hunting ground.

For now, the players can’t come because their levels are too low, but who knows what will happen in the future?

They’re infinite warriors—capable of controlling their pain, even resurrecting themselves.

Since they’re “players,” and this place is where they can level up, it’s inevitable that they’ll flood in. It’s an unstoppable tide.

In that case, the least I can do is ride that tide.

This isn’t a crisis—it’s an opportunity.

That’s why I decided to show myself after twelve years of seclusion.

I couldn’t hide forever.

And if, by some chance, these people aren’t entirely hostile towards those marked by Demon’s Blood…

I might find a new way to survive.

It was a bold decision, even for me, but I was convinced it was the right one.

“Ha… if only I’d made decisions like this when it came to stocks.”

Maybe then, I wouldn’t have died crushed in my one-room apartment.

I could’ve been living the high life, sipping wine in a penthouse in Gangnam.

[“Chaerin, do something already.”]
[“Chaerin... I can’t breathe right now...”]
[“You used to have fun when it was just us. What’s wrong now?”]

While I was lost in thought, more messages flooded the chat. Apparently, time kept moving while I was spacing out.

Chaerin seemed flustered, too, unsure of what to say.

In short, it was awkward.

I could understand how she felt. I’d blocked most of her attempts to find out more about me, and conversations with the opposite sex can be… different. Back in my previous life, I always felt like I was suffocating when I tried talking to women.

After an unbearably long silence, she finally spoke.

“Uh, the weather is nice today… right? Haha.”

[“...Sigh.”]
[“Note to self: Talk about the weather when meeting a girl…”]
[“Don’t make notes like that, dumbass. You’ll get slapped.”]

It was an awkward question.

But I was just as awkward, so I responded.

“Well… want to grab something to eat?”

After all, she’d come all the way to this dangerous place. The least I could do was offer her some food.

Sizzle—!

“Sorry, all I’ve got is salted meat I can cook quickly… But, hey, it’s meat, so that should be enough, right?”

“Yes! Of course, that’s perfect!”

The savory smell of the meat filled the cave. In front of them, well-preserved meat sizzled and browned nicely. Surrounding it, the colorful fruits Chaerin had brought added a decorative touch.

‘Should’ve brought some vegetables too...’

She thought this to herself, smacking her lips in anticipation. She hadn’t expected him to serve her food—let alone meat. She had gotten the sense during her previous visit that this man took pride in providing meals. Maybe it was because Koreans are known as “a nation of rice,” but at times, she wondered if he wasn’t originally Korean himself.

[“Talk about a model husband lol”]
[“I've decided: from today on, Yor is my husband.”]
[“Have you gotten his consent for that?”]
[“He cooks better than he looks, lol.”]
[“It’s just grilling meat, though?”]
[“You think grilling meat is easy, huh? LOL”]

The chat was reacting well to the sudden change in Yor’s demeanor. Up until now, all they had seen from him were moments of annoyance, cursing, or outright threats. This kind of unexpected charm was a welcome change.

Chaerin, the one receiving the meal, was certainly enjoying herself as well.

There was one surprising detail, though—Yor, who lived in this isolated cave, was using a cast-iron skillet.

‘I thought for sure he’d be cooking on some kind of stone slab...’

It wasn’t that Yoo Chaerin was narrow-minded; it was more because of the way Yor usually presented himself.

From his clothes to his living conditions, he seemed entirely cut off from society. She hadn’t imagined he’d have tools from the modern world.

Now that she thought about it, even the blades he used were refined tools, products of civilization.

As these thoughts circled in her mind, a new question arose.

‘Why on earth does he live out here in this remote forest?’

He seemed perfectly capable—healthy, strong, and skilled. Part of her wanted to ask, but she held herself back, remembering how their last conversation had hit a wall.

Of course, the chat, unaware of her inner thoughts, continued their lively debate.

“It’s ready.”

As Chaerin absentmindedly pondered, Yor finally finished cooking. He placed the perfectly grilled meat in front of her.

At the same time, a window popped up in front of her eyes.

[Roasted Wild Boar Meat]
Perfectly grilled wild boar meat. Slightly salty from being cured with salt.

So it’s wild boar meat, she thought as she took a big bite.

Her mouth filled with the juicy, rich flavor of the meat. Though it had been cured with salt, the seasoning was perfect for her taste.

“Mmm… so good.”

That’s the beauty of a 90% synchronization rate. It might be traumatic during combat, triggering PTSD-like reactions, but for moments like this—enjoying small pleasures—it brings extreme satisfaction.

Seeing her enjoy the meal so much, Yor chuckled and asked, “Tasty?”

“Yes!”

“Good, eat as much as you want.”

[“Damn.”]
[“Chaerin, you’re enjoying this game way too much. Chill out before I lose my mind.”]
[“Even his smile is handsome...”]

Yor seemed to enjoy watching her eat.

Having eaten alone for so long, it was rare for him to share a meal with someone else. Naturally, when someone enjoys the food you prepare, it’s a source of joy.

After the light meal, Yor stood up to grab a napkin to wipe the grease from his mouth. He left Chaerin behind as he walked into the back of the cave.

He entered his supply room when—

“Ah.”

He couldn’t help but be disappointed.

His stock of essentials was running low. He was almost out of napkins, soap, and rags.

Yor scratched his head irritably.

It had been a while since he last visited the city.

It was time to make a supply run to the back alleys to restock.

“Ugh, what a hassle.”

It was a tedious task—preparing goods for trade, hauling supplies back. It required a lot of effort.

And honestly, the thought of getting ripped off in the back alleys just to buy the stuff didn’t sit well with him.

Wait, what if...

Suddenly, a brilliant idea struck Yor.

“Hold on… Why not just ask her to do it since she’s here anyway?”

Chaerin may be an Otherworlder, but unlike him, she could walk confidently through the heart of the city.

That meant she could buy the supplies from the main markets instead of him getting ripped off in the back alleys.

Sure, asking someone he just met for a favor felt a bit awkward… but if he threw in some extra cash, it would still be cheaper than his usual trips.

And who knows, maybe she could even pick up some items he hadn’t been able to get for twelve years.

Like… that strawberry jam-filled pastry he hadn’t eaten since he was a kid!

For Yor, that pastry held a special place in his heart.

“Hey… uh, Chaerin, right? Could you do me a favor?”

Having made up his mind, Yor approached Chaerin, his tone a bit more polite than usual, given that he was the one asking for a favor.

She turned her head with a curious expression, and Yor continued.

“Could you pick up some supplies from the city for me? Maybe grab a pastry from the bakery while you’re at it…”

And then it happened.

A new window popped up in front of Chaerin’s eyes.

[QUEST – Yor’s Errand]
Buy the items Yor requested from the city and bring them back to him!

Success Reward – ???
Failure Penalty – Decreased Favorability and Trust

“...Huh? W-wait, what?”

[“Holy sh*t!”]
[“It’s a quest!!”]
[“OMG LOL”]
[“Who is this guy, seriously?”]

For some reason, the chat was going wild.