"Come on," Seongjin said, already heading toward the stairs. "Let's finish this up."
Minjae followed, taking the steps two at a time as they moved up to the second floor.
The upstairs atmosphere was a lot quieter than he expected, but it was probably because a lot of the members weren't home at the moment.
"It feels almost like a hotel," Minjae muttered.
"You're not entirely wrong on that," Seongjin replied. "We actually bought the nearby motel and converted the building into our own space for the Players."
"…That explains a lot."
Seongjin turned into one of the side corridors and stopped in front of a door near the end. "This one's yours."
Minjae blinked once before stepping forward. On the panel outside, a name was already carved into the door, one that signified his ownership.
Kang Minjae.
My own room. Haven't lived in a dorm since college…let's hope it's better.
He reached for the door, hesitating for just a second before pushing it open. The first thing that hit him was the warm lighting running across the edges of the ceiling, casting a soft glow across the space.
"...Oh."
A low bed sat centered against the wall, neatly made and aligned almost to an obsessive precision. The wood tones around the bed frame gave it a peaceful, almost natural feel.
Minjae stepped inside slowly, his eyes scanning the room.
"…This is mine?"
"Yeah."
Minjae let out a small breath, almost like he didn't realize he'd been holding it.
He looked around, checking almost all of the amenities that were in the room. At the far end of the corner, a full computer setup was present, equipped to the brim with everything he could've asked for.
And he also had his own bathroom, equipped with a large bathtub and a single sink, along with a glass stand-in shower.
Needless to say, this treatment really was better than anything he'd ever seen before.
As expected of Solaris, they don't go halfway with their Players. Which also means…the expectations they have are just as high…
Minjae took a seat on the nearby bed, looking around at the entire place before his eyes landed on the windows. It was large, almost running down to the ground before jutting out into a small ledge.
For a second, an image flashed into his mind. He could almost imagine his mother sitting there, complaining about how quiet it was.
Minjae's lips twitched faintly before he glanced at Seongjin. The manager had bent down onto the nearby mini fridge in his room before stealing a can of soda.
Maybe…just maybe, I can convince Seongjin to let my Mom live here. It would make her life so much easier and—
No… he shook his head. That's asking for too much. This isn't mine yet, not really. I'd have to work hard to deserve this position.
Someday…I'll move her into a better home. I promised her that much.
"Oh, maybe she is in her room," Seongjin spoke in between sips, looking over to one of the adjacent rooms.
Minjae snapped out of his thoughts and followed the Manager's gaze. "Who…?"
"Your last member, Lunaris' resident Close-Range Striker and one of Solaris' bench Players."
Minjae's eyes widened at the news. Being a Player for Solaris, even as a bench-warmer, was nothing to scoff at. Minjae stood up instantly, following the manager until they were right up against the person's door.
He noticed the name carved on the front: Yoo Sera.
Yoo Sera…? Never heard anyone with that name. And Chaewon's never mentioned her to me, well she doesn't talk about Solaris at all, so…
Well, whatever, it can't be that bad, right?
Seongjin raised a hand and knocked lightly on the door.
Knock. knock. knock.
…
"...Ah—!"
The door creaked open, just enough to reveal the inside of her room. For a second, Minjae was confused. The door opened but nobody was there?
But as his sights readjusted, he did see something…the very top of someone's head.
Red, with messy strands of hair poking out just outside the threshold of the door.
Minjae looked downwards, and that's when he finally saw her. She was small, petite even. He wouldn't blame somebody for mistaking her as a kid honestly.
"I'm sorry!"
The words came out immediately as she bowed her head slightly.
"I didn't realize— I mean—I heard the knock but I didn't open it fast enough and I thought maybe you'd already left and I—"
"Relax," Seongjin cut in.
"…Right. Sorry."
Minjae stared for a second. This…is the last member?
"…Uh," he started. "Hi."
She flinched. "Ah—! Hello! I'm Yoo Sera! I—um—sorry, I didn't mean to—"
"Lunaris' resident Close-Range Striker," Seongjin said casually. "Yoo Sera, one of the two bench Players of Lunaris."
"Wait…two? Who's the other one?"
"Arthur."
"Really? Damn."
"…Ah," she said quietly, shoulders shrinking just a bit. "I know I don't really look like it, but I—"
Is she really a bench Player for Solaris? There's gotta be something special about her.
Let's find out…
Analyze.
[Analyze Target — Yoo Sera— Confirmed.]
[Target: Yoo Sera]
Strength: 28
Agility: 20
Endurance: 25
Mana: 16
Huh…her stats are…kind of terrible for a Tier-3 Player? How the hell can she even be a Lunaris Player, let alone a Solaris bench Player?
But as Minjae's gaze moved down the translucent panel to her skill, the next line he read changed his mind completely.
[Skill: Berserker – Doubles the user's Strength and Endurance at the cost of losing partial rationality.]
Berserker! She has that skill?!
Minjae's eyes turned immediately to Seongjin, who was already expecting his response.
"No, she's not related to New Vegas, the Hero."
Minjae's eyes flicked between the manager and the small girl. "What, but how's that possible? She has the same skill as him?"
But as the words came out of his mouth, he realized the situation was starting to become awkward.
Sera had gone quiet. Her eyes were lowered slightly, fingers fidgeting at the hem of her sleeve like she was trying to make herself smaller.
Wrong place, wrong time…huh.
Minjae exhaled quietly, scratching the back of his head. "…Right."
"…Nice to meet you," he said instead, a bit more carefully this time.
Sera blinked, clearly caught off guard. "Ah—! Y-You too! I mean—sorry—I—"
"Seems like I'll be your Captain starting from now on. I hope we can get along," Minjae nodded, smiling softly before extending a hand toward her.
Sera flinched a bit, clearly not expecting the gesture. However, she managed to compose herself before reaching out.
"Yeah, likewise…"