Chapter 2 – Keyboard Warrior Rising

“Why is that mister so fat?”

“You shouldn’t say things like that.”

“He looks weird.”

“Oh, dear. Shh. Quiet.”

Se-min thought.

He really wanted to smack that brat, dammit.

But instead of expressing his inner thoughts, he pulled his hat down.

Name, Lee Se-min. Age 24.

A social misfit. A shut-in. Morbidly obese, making everyone who saw him frown.

Unemployed and jobless.

That was him.

“Even though he looks like that, that mister is a Raider.”

“Really? A Raider?”

“Yeah. Our Yoon-i is going to be a Raider too, right? The teacher said our Yoon-i’s stats will be high.”

“Hehehe.”

“I’ll buy you something delicious after the test later, okay?”

“Yeah!”

The title of Raider felt even more painful.

It was not wrong. His name and personal details were clearly recorded in the Raider Bureau’s registry of aura-compatibles.

However, he had never even taken the Raider qualification exam.

“Mr. Lee Se-min.”

“Ah, y-yes.”

His voice trembled. It had been so long since he had spoken to anyone that he had forgotten how to use his voice. His own face flushed red at the suppressed, high-pitched utterance.

“Please come in.”

The Bureau employee called him.

This was someone he met once a year. They periodically checked the status of the aura-compatibles.

Se-min entered the room awkwardly.

Several complex mechanical devices were lined up. The employee’s face, who was rummaging through some documents, sank gloomily.

Although it was something he experienced every year, Se-min could not get used to it.

Telling himself that next year would be fine, next year would be fine, several years had passed before he knew it. Now, it was too embarrassing to even make excuses, so he just kept his mouth shut.

The employee pressed the tip of his ballpoint pen against his temple before raising his head.

“Mr. Se-min.”

“Yes.”

“You have to go to the military next year.”

This was the biggest reason Se-min came here.

Aura-compatibles were exempt from military service.

However, this was on the premise that they had passed the Raider qualification exam.

Those who were recognized as qualified to perform raids were treated as national strategic assets and were eligible for special exemptions. As long as they signed an agreement to respond to the nation’s call in an emergency, they were free from military service.

“I will handle it for you until this year, but I can’t postpone it any further after next year.”

“Yes.”

“I know your situation too, Mr. Se-min, but…”

The employee leaned back against the backrest.

“Should I arrange some psychological counseling for you?”

“Well…”

“I’m saying this because you feel like a younger brother to me. You can’t keep going on like this.”

Se-min patted the back of his neck.

He had heard proposals for psychological counseling dozens of times. The employee’s gaze felt uncomfortable. What did someone like him know to act so patronizing, and what was that nonsense about him being like a younger brother?

Se-min replied, shifting his gaze toward the door.

“I’ll just get the test and leave.”

The employee let out a noticeable sigh and nodded.

He wore an expression that said he was letting it slide this time as well.

“Alright, then. Keep in mind. You are going to the military next year.”

“Yes…”

“Please lie down over there.”

Se-min simply stopped thinking and entrusted his body to the equipment as instructed. The machine emitted a beeping sound and scanned his body once.

“The numerical value is still the same. How fascinating. 103 for three consecutive years.”

It was the ability of Raiders, a numerical value commonly referred to as aura. It served as the standard for evaluating a Raider’s basic specifications.

Although it varied depending on physical condition, awakened individuals had an average of about 100 in the beginning. In other words, in Se-min’s case, he was at the level of a newly awakened Raider.

If there was anything peculiar, his numerical value had never changed.

Although the employee said three years, that figure of 103 had remained unchanged and was always 103, both when he was first determined to be an awakened individual, when he subsequently clenched his teeth and trained desperately, and even now when he had given up everything and holed up at home to become a dropout.

“It’s finished. Sign here.”

“Yes.”

The procedure was finished.

In this way, he obtained another year of deferment.

It was his last.

Se-min trudged out of the Raider Bureau.

The sun hanging high in the sky felt uncomfortable. He hated that light, which brightly revealed his ugly appearance, so he had holed himself up in a small room.

A cold wind blew in.

Winter was coming.

It was a season he liked.

At one time, he had liked summer instead of winter. It was because the days were long. He had been a boy who liked the midday sun.

But now, he waited for winter for the opposite reason. Daytime was no longer his time.

“Dammit…”

He let out a sigh and pulled his hat down low.

He forced himself to walk toward the bus stop.

Several foreign cars passed by him one after another. They were likely a group of Raiders stopping by the Bureau.

He suddenly locked eyes with a man driving a convertible. The man giggled. It was unclear if the laughter was directed at him, but Se-min felt an inexplicable sense of humiliation.

Struggling to shake off the fading sound of the exhaust, Se-min kept walking.

There was a time when he believed he too could join that crowd someday.

Not anymore.

***

Se-min returned to his studio apartment.

It had been a rare outing.

Only when he reached his small room did his mind ease. It was his own complete sanctuary, free from anyone’s gaze.

He turned on his computer out of habit.

His pastime was surfing the internet, browsing various communities, and leaving anonymous comments. Occasionally, he would get angry and pick a fight with someone.

In some communities, he was a famous keyboard warrior.

There were times when he looked at such people and thought they were pathetic, but now he himself had become like that.

But what could he do? He had become a shut-in, and the internet was his only channel for communicating with people. The online network world was also his only outlet for emotions.

Se-min opened the internet browser.

His default homepage was MangoNet, the portal site with the highest market share in the country. He was waiting for its characteristic yellow interface.

Suddenly, a strange window was displayed.

Eligibility requirements verified.

What eligibility requirements?

Welcome, new member.

Transcendent Network.

A community connecting the transcendents of each dimension.

“What is this?”

A site he had never seen before popped up.

The layout of the site was simple. Various boards were linked to the main frame. Links to things like the Tip Board and the Special Member Board were visible, but access denied messages were displayed along with a notification of his low rating.

The only place he could access was the General Board.

“What on earth is this?”

Se-min checked the most recent post.

Title: It’s been a long time, everyone lol

Author: Sword Demon Ferzen

With a nickname like Sword Demon Ferzen, was it a gaming site?

The body text read as follows.

Hello… ^^ I’m Sword Demon Ferzen lol

I hope everyone has been well… lol

It’s already been a year since I mentioned I was entering closed-door training lol A year ago… just when I was hitting a wall, I watched a video from member Iron-Blooded Shura Moyong Gun, got shocked, and declared that I would do nothing but train until I gained enlightenment. lol

The reason I’ve returned… you can probably guess lol I’ve finally overcome the wall! As a test, I swung my sword at the mountain behind my territory, and with a single strike, the mountain became flat land…

Is this the Heart Sword that member Moyong Gun talked about? lol It was a completely new world.

(I distributed the flattened land evenly to my territory residents for free lol Lately, there has been constant praise for my swordsmanship and popularity lol Pointlessly… lol)

Anyway, I’m dropping by to report that I’m alive and share my current status ^^ I’ve also posted the insights I obtained in my own way on the Tip Board. I hope you’ll take a look, and that it serves as a time for you all to look back on the fundamentals of the sword once again.

After all, aren’t we transcendents training whether awake or asleep? lol

I have to keep this short as I’m busy… lol The Emperor must have heard the news because he keeps calling for me lately. Giving the continent’s strongest sword master a tiny territory size… If not for the grace of the late Emperor, you would have been dead by my hands long ago, punk! lol

Anyway, good fortune to all of you, fellow transcendents! lol

“What is this pathetic bastard?”

Se-min was dumbfounded and let out a hollow laugh.

What era was this that such chuunibyou-afflicted bastards were still openly alive and breathing on the internet?

Roleplay? Was it something like that? Were they playing a game where they each created their dream characters and played along together?

Se-min calmly caught his breath.

The soul of a keyboard warrior screamed at him to ridicule them. However, he was not a thoughtless troll. He decided to examine the atmosphere of the board a bit more first.

He clicked on the next post.

Title: I saw blood again today… (sigh) [5]

Author: Shadowless Killer Dam Woo-gwang

“…”

Se-min took a deep breath and exercised patience as he read down the body of the post.

Fellow dimensional companions, this seat is Shadowless Killer Dam Woo-gwang. Since everyone knows me well, there is no need for further explanation. (bitter smile)

How can humans be so foolish and repeat the same mistakes? This seat cannot contain my sorrow.

Yesterday, one of my disciples led a group and ambushed me. He was reasonably strong in his own right, so he must have thought there was a chance of victory if they attacked together. Poor thing. (mockery)

About a hundred of them struck me simultaneously, but when I unleashed the Shadowless Sword’s first form, Phantom Matchless Wild Dance, they were all reduced to pieces of meat. And that was with just the first form. They are fellows who don’t even know the most basic of basics.

Witnessing the disciple whom I had cherished turn into a handful of bloody water by my sword was by no means enjoyable…

It will take at least a month for the smell of blood to clear out.

Is the title of the strongest so desirable? Or did they believe they could enjoy some kind of prosperity in a Jianghu without me?

Perhaps I feel that all of this is my fault.

If I had ruled with absolute hegemony, they wouldn’t have even dreamed of such foolish thoughts. Perhaps my kindness, which allowed them to fall into such illusions, is my sin… not even knowing how strong their master is… (bitter)

Starting today, I shall live a bit more harshly, a bit more ruthlessly. For their sake, not mine. (determined)

Though I shall become lonely… solitude is the destiny of the absolute. (bitter smile)

Aren’t you, my fellow dimensional companions ruling in each dimension, the only friends who can understand my heart? I have vented because I felt depressed. Thank you for listening to an old man’s laments. (smile)

Since I can lighten the weight of my solitude thanks to you, I am always grateful. (clasping hands)

“Ha…”

There were several comments attached below as well.

Dragon Lord Imuncazer: I agree,,, dammit bastards,,,~! When you stay quiet, they act up and get in your face, but once you burn down a few cities, they quiet down,,, foolish bastards,,,~! I should just bam~~!

Grand Wizard Iana: With Mr. Dam Woo-gwang’s level, you probably didn’t need to see blood. How about showing some mercy? Karma returns. Please keep that in mind.

Death Lord Geherdt: Iana is raining on the parade again. Mind your own business. Just you.

The Greatest Demon of All Time Dokgo Cheonma: Agreed. Hegemony is mercy.

Sword Demon Ferzen: Dam Woo-gwang hyung, long time no see… lol You had a rough time TT

Se-min realized.

What they needed was…

A true keyboard warrior who would wield the whip to wake them up from their vain dreams and point them toward reality.

Se-min’s keyboard spat fire.

Unemployed Jobless Lee Se-min: I heard Mr. Dam Woo-gwang’s words well.

Unemployed Jobless Lee Se-min: Hmm…? Suddenly, I hear some kind of sound. This is…

Unemployed Jobless Lee Se-min: What else would it be but the sound of your parents sighing lolol Oh? I think I also hear something breaking? Pointlessly! I can hear the sound of your parents’ spines breaking in stereo too!^^ lolol You bastards driving stakes into your parents’ chests, fuck lolol Go outside and get some exercise or meet people, tsk tsk lolololol

It was the appearance of a keyboard warrior unlike anything the transcendents had ever experienced.

Se-min froze after posting the comment.

He had not signed up or written his own username, yet it was automatically displayed as ‘Unemployed Jobless Lee Se-min’.

How did they know his name and occupation (unemployed)?

He did not know what kind of state-of-the-art technology this was, but it meant his personal information had been leaked. If he got sued like this, it would be checkmate.

However, he was already well aware of the conditions for establishing the crime of insult. He was a master of measuring the “suing angle,” as it was commonly called.

It was already a life with nothing to lose. Putting aside his worries, he began hammering at the keyboard first.

Unemployed Jobless Lee Se-min: lolol They say the mountain became flat lolol Not realizing it was not the mountain that collapsed, but someone’s life lolololol Ah, I didn’t say who it was^^

He checked every post visible on the first page. The contents were all spectacular. He left malicious comments on every single one of them.

“These bastards will come to their senses now.”

Se-min smirked as he massaged his aching fingers.

He had shown those chuunibyou kids a taste of the harsh world. If they could come to their senses and return to society like this, and thereby become faithful to their work and families, how wonderful would that be? A patriot did not have to be anything special.

Giggling, he switched over to the portal site MangoNet.

A news article was prominently featured on MangoNet’s main page.

Raider Ahn Seong-jun, Achieves Platinum Mark! ‘Kesia Raid’ (Comprehensive)

Se-min’s face stiffened.

Ahn Seong-jun was a Raider who had recently begun to gain massive popularity. He possessed not only outstanding skills but also handsome looks and showmanship, earning him a thick female fanbase.

Se-min clicked on the article.

It reported that Ahn Seong-jun had hunted the Kesia that appeared on Bukhansan Mountain solo and sealed the gate.

Originally a Gold Mark holder, he was awarded the Platinum Mark for this achievement.

Considering that the higher tiers, the Black Mark and Unique Mark, were symbols of the few strongest in the nation, he had effectively become a top-tier Raider.

Se-min’s breathing grew rough.

Ahn Seong-jun.

He was a guy Se-min knew well.

At one time, they had been close enough to see each other’s faces every day.

He was the very person who had caused Se-min to drop out of high school and walk the path of a Raider.

And several years had passed.

The winner and the loser seemed clear.

Se-min checked the reactions to the article. The comments section was exploding.

People were convinced that he would eventually acquire a Black Mark and, furthermore, a Unique Mark.

“What a joke…”

If they knew what kind of guy Ahn Seong-jun was, they would not praise him like that, nor would they create a fan club and support him by sending gifts. Rather, he was a bastard who deserved to have stones thrown at him.

Se-min roughly skimmed through the unpleasant praises and closed the window.

The solid black screen he had set as his background appeared. His face was reflected back between the cluttered icons.

It was an ugly sight.

Compared to Ahn Seong-jun, who was smiling brightly showing his teeth in the article, he felt almost dirty.

To avenge his sense of defeat, he opened the internet browser again. Then, he accessed a large community site he frequented, picking fights and making sarcastic remarks.

The majority ignored him, but occasionally, there were naive people who fell for his bait and got angry.

Such cases always concluded in the same direction.

OrcPraiser: You bastard! Who the hell are you to pick a fight? Are you a jobless bum?

SML: No? My life seems better than yours lol

OrcPraiser: Don’t lie! A normal person doesn’t post malicious comments like you do!

SML: lol I’m posting verification, look

And Se-min photographed his aura-compatible registration card with his phone camera.

He covered all personal information and wrote his nickname ‘SML’ on a scrap of paper to show it was him.

SML: Becoming a Raider soon, bye. I’ll probably win in life, wealth, and real-life fights^^ No-answer lives, bye~

Se-min giggled.

There was no way for it to be revealed here that he was an incompetent awakened person who couldn’t even take the Raider qualification exam.

Aura compatibility alone was worth more than a professional license. It was an era where banks would grant loans to prospective Raiders without a second thought.

“Look at that.”

His verification heated up the message board.

Even those who had been quiet until now appeared and started chattering about the authenticity of Se-min’s license.

Those who disliked him claimed it was fake.

Se-min shrugged his shoulders.

“Let’s see how long they keep that up.”

Se-min pinched the scrap of paper with his nickname written on it between his fingers. Then, he took a deep breath.

Although he was a half-baked awakened person stuck at the awakening value of 103, he was still an awakened individual.

He could at least cast a light aura concentration. A faint, haze-like shimmer began to rise from his hand.

He photographed that sight and uploaded a post along with the picture.

Title: Don’t get jealous lol Additional verification incoming.

Author: SML

I know you guys don’t want to believe it, but reality is reality lolol This is aura concentration verification, bye lol

Se-min waited for the reaction. Most of them would probably post comments of jealousy, running around in a fit of rage.

Humming to himself, Se-min pondered how he should ridicule them again.

However, the reaction was completely different.

TaebaekMountainMightyPulse: Hey, what is that chubby, lumpy stuff on his hand lolololol And that nail length lolol

MyNameIsYota: lolololol Is that a pig trotter? lolol Instead of aura concentration, it’s a Zhu Bajie certification lololol

StrawberryLemonTea: lolol I choked from laughing so hard lol Doraemon hands lol

PorkCutletSet: Research results show that the uglier a person is, the more aggressive they are on the internet, proven true… TT

CroCopHighKick: Hey… Want hyung to buy you a drink? Cheer up…

Se-min’s face turned red.

Since it was his first hand verification, he had not anticipated this kind of reaction at all.

Se-min desperately retorted. To feign composure, he hammered out ‘lol’s first.

SML: lolol I’m a Raider, so what does fat matter? lolol If you’re annoyed, want to fight in real life? lolololol

However, he only received ridicule in return.

HometownOfHeart: lolol Don’t cry lolololol

WhereIsWally: Why can I see you shaking even through the text? lol Are those fat hands cramping up? lol Please cut your nails.

RedHotChili: lololol I’ve never seen an obese Raider, hey lol Wouldn’t you pop up immediately if I search?

RaiderExpert: Since I work in a raid-related job, I know most domestic Raiders, and I guarantee there is no such pig. At best, you’re a newly awakened novice, and you won’t amount to anything more than Blue-grade small fry. This industry is narrow, so stop acting up.

Unable to contain his anger, Se-min struck the keyboard once.

At that moment, another comment was posted.

OrcPraiser: Let’s stop. I’m sorry! By now, this friend must be slamming his keyboard. Still, it seems you really are compatible, so live diligently from now on. Isn’t a Raider a respected profession?

It was the user he had picked a fight with first. The prediction that he was slamming his keyboard was spot-on.

Se-min’s face flushed red as if all his private shames had been exposed. He cupped his cheeks and took a deep breath.

He was a veteran of countless keyboard battles. Sometimes he won, and sometimes he lost. Therefore, he knew very well how to handle defeat in the most sensible way.

He calmly deleted the post he had uploaded.

A quick retreat was the best policy.

Se-min immediately closed the internet browser and panted for a while.

His stress levels rose.

A change of plans. He had intended to start exercising and begin his Raider rehabilitation today, but he would have to start tomorrow.

He ordered chicken using a mobile phone application. He ordered two birds and added a large-sized soda. His anger subsided slightly.

Until the chicken arrived, he opened the site again to view funny posts or pick minor fights. He went to a girl group board and posted comments, feeling a brief sense of belonging and the warmth of people.

SML: Huff huff huff Yona is fucking pretty! Yona is the best

YonaFire: You really know girl groups ^^ Yona is fucking pretty!

yonappa: lol Everyone shout! Yona is fucking pretty!

“Hehehe…”

After smirking at a dance video of a rookie girl group, Se-min soon heard the doorbell ring and received the chicken looking disheveled.

It was a familiar deliveryman. As usual, he received the money with an expressionless face and left.

Se-min’s feelings of inferiority had long categorized the man as an enemy.

“A service industry worker should be kind. Tsk tsk tsk.”

Grumbling, Se-min went back to the computer. Laying out the chicken next to the keyboard, he stuffed it into his mouth and chewed as he roamed the internet world.

Leaving malicious comments on articles reporting the exploits of Raiders, exchanging trivial comments, or enjoying people’s reactions to his Raider license verification again, he realized before he knew it that it had grown dark outside.

He turned on the light.

The artificial, warmthless lighting illuminated the room.

Cluttered clothes, crushed soda cans, and instant food wrappers were brightly revealed under the fluorescent light.

Watching that sight, Se-min felt as though he, who belonged to the room, was also a part of the trash.

So he turned off the light.

The light leaking from the monitor was enough. That alone could illuminate his entire world.

The internet browser, the chicken in front of the monitor, and the soda; that was about all he needed.

***

“Phew…”

Now, there were no more sites worth visiting.

Se-min recalled the site he had seen earlier, the chuunibyou den called the Transcendent Network. Since he had scattered malicious comments, there should be a reaction by now.

However, looking back, he had not remembered the address. He had gone straight to MangoNet after leaving the malicious comments.

“What a waste.”

It was a pity since it seemed like a pretty fun place. Even when he searched here and there on portal sites, that website did not appear.

“Geez…”

Just as he let out a sigh, the internet browser refreshed on its own.

A white blank page popped up, an hourglass spun, and then a new site appeared.

Eligibility requirements verified.

Uh?

Welcome, Unemployed Jobless Lee Se-min.

Transcendent Network.

A community connecting the transcendents of each dimension.

It was the place from earlier. He had done nothing, yet it connected automatically.

Se-min felt a creepy sensation.

“What is this?”

Moreover, looking at it now, the address bar was completely empty.

In other words, there was no address.

“Is something like this possible?”

Was it the dark web, the hidden internet he had only heard rumors of?

No. Although he didn’t know much about that side, he didn’t think it would be like this.

Se-min checked the message board for now.

“Let’s see.”

And he soon forgot all his doubts and questions about this mysterious site.

The message board was blazing hot with him as the target.

Title: You seem to be a new transcendent, show some manners!

Author: All-Knowing Beggar Kim Bong-hak

Uh-huh! I have only been watching with my eyes all this time, but I am shuddering at the outrageous behavior of this new transcendent, so I leave this post.

Our transcendents are naturally in positions that lead each dimension, upright character is essential. If a transcendent becomes stained by demonic nature, the world will fall into chaos, so even that Dokgo fellow who claims the demonic path does not behave like such a wild beast.

Unemployed Jobless… Is it a white beast walking directly on the path of martial arts? You seem to be a master who has established a household with rough and domineering martial arts, but bear in mind that martial arts is not everything!

If you apologize to everyone and formally greet us, I shall forgive you.

Becoming a transcendent is something to be celebrated, but your character is deeply concerning! Make haste to apologize to your seniors and greet them!

Sword Demon Ferzen: As expected of Bong-hak hyung! lol Your writing is very refreshing! lol

The Greatest Demon of All Time Dokgo Cheonma: Do not bring up my name so insolently.

Grand Wizard Iana: Is there no one in the same dimension as that bastard? Give him some education. I’ll seriously kill him.

Shadowless Killer Dam Woo-gwang: Hahaha. Calm down. He must be a new transcendent who has just crossed the wall. It’s a time when he knows nothing. (green tea)

Dragon Lord Imuncazer: Why is everyone so angry,,,, hehe,, for guys like that,,, a beating is the medicine,,,~! But since we can’t hit him, there is no medicine,,,~! Leave him be,,,!

Se-min chuckled. Then, he left another comment to mock All-Knowing Beggar Kim Bong-hak.

Unemployed Jobless Lee Se-min: All-Knowing Beggar? Are you a beggar? lol Provide your account, I’ll throw you some charity. Hyung is a Raider lol

A reaction came immediately.

All-Knowing Beggar Kim Bong-hak: Impudent fellow! What is a Raider?

Unemployed Jobless Lee Se-min: You don’t know Raiders? The Raider hyungs who sacrifice their bodies to protect even chuunibyou kids like you when monsters show up, punk.

All-Knowing Beggar Kim Bong-hak: It seems to be a story of that dimension, so I do not know. And how old are you to be talking about ‘hyung’?

Unemployed Jobless Lee Se-min: How old are you?

All-Knowing Beggar Kim Bong-hak: I have not counted since passing one hundred and forty. Indeed, what does age matter to us transcendents?

Unemployed Jobless Lee Se-min: Bullshit, you’re full of crap lolololol

All-Knowing Beggar Kim Bong-hak: Uh-huh! How can you speak so carelessly! Is there no decorum in that dimension of yours!

Perhaps angered by Lee Se-min’s actions, Grand Wizard Iana chimed in.

Grand Wizard Iana: I’m using my points. I need to see this guy’s face.

Dragon Lord Imuncazer: Calm down, Iana,,, how much does that cost that you’re throwing away precious points and making a fuss,,~! Just ignore him,,~!

Grand Wizard Iana: Shut up, you old lizard. Lee Se-min, you wait right there.

It was from that moment.

That he began to feel something was off.

The moment when he came to think once again about this site, where no address bar could be seen and the method of connection was unknown.

Rustle.

Suddenly, a cold wind blew in.

“Uh… what wind…”

Se-min, who had been staring blankly at the monitor, turned around.

And his mouth fell open.

An unbelievable sight lay before his eyes.

“Ah…?”

Dazzling moonlight that made his eyes spin.

A gate, just like the ones that appeared when magic beasts emerged, was wide open.

“Crazy…”

And beyond it.

Beneath the moon, which loomed so vividly that its craters were visible, a woman stood in a field of flowers, glaring at him as if she wanted to kill him.