Episode 1
Living Alone but Too Strong
Solo Living Romance
Owning a house in your name.
Like many people, this was my dream and goal in life.
I had achieved this dream.
No, more precisely, I had achieved it.
“Hmm… this is ruined.”
At least, until it was shattered right before my eyes.
I scratched my head.
In front of my destroyed villa.
I, kneeling, am Ha Min-ho.
28 years old.
My occupation? Hard to define.
Delivery, unloading at centers, various labor jobs, supporting events.
Anything that made money, I did it.
Had to survive.
I lived frugally, worked two jobs, clawed my way up to earn it all.
200 million won.
Plus a 300 million won, 30-year loan.
A full-on financial stretch, the so-called “all-in.”
Oh, the light of my life.
Oh, the flame of my existence.
Not even thinking of the loan interest.
The original sin of going all-in, my soul.
“Phew…”
14 pyeong (≈46 m²), two-room, my home.
Everything I bought with my youth turned to dust in an instant.
“Waaaaah!”
A deafening roar came from afar.
I slowly turned my head and looked.
Between the buildings, monsters the size of houses were running around.
“Fire!”
“Move, move, move!”
Soldiers fired their guns, tanks bombarded.
In the heart of Seoul.
On the spot where the Lotte Tower once stood ten years ago.
A gigantic tree, glowing golden, stood tall.
The so-called “World Tree Tower.”
A vertical hierarchy, each floor said to be larger than Yeouido.
Because the players failed to clear the top floor in time, these monsters emerged from the tower.
So my innocent home’s appliances and furniture turned to dust.
I scratched my head.
“What a terribly unlucky day.”
It happened so suddenly I didn’t even feel anger.
Well, being angry wouldn’t change anything.
‘Does insurance cover this? I heard disasters related to the tower aren’t compensated.’
Tap, tap! Tap, tap!
I was standing there, briefly tapping on my smartphone when…
“They’re coming!”
“Run!”
People around screamed and fled.
Bam!
“Ugh!”
Someone hit my shoulder, throwing me off balance.
My phone fell and rolled across the floor.
“Ughh…!”
I kneeled to pick it up.
Then I heard a scream from behind.
“Move, move, move!”
“Move? What?”
I turned my head.
‘Huh?’
A large piece of debris flew toward me.
Probably thrown by the monster from the World Tree Tower.
Then.
Crack!
Before I could react, my vision went black…
Red blood gushed beneath the fallen debris.
Half-crushed under it, I managed a crooked smile.
“Seems like… I’m having a really unlucky day.”
Not only was my home destroyed.
But several kilometers away, debris from the monster hit… me.
“This is why I don’t believe in religion.”
As I was dying, Ha Min-ho closed his eyes with a smile.
My life wasn’t extraordinary, so I had no regrets.
Only one lingering wish…
‘I wanted to realize my solo-living dream.’
Why I, an orphan from a shelter, had worked so hard to earn money:
-
“Wow, this person arranges their home so well. Such good tips!”
-
“A terrace! Perfect for a drink with friends. Amazing!”
Solo-living king.
A YouTuber who showcases solo-living spaces.
People in his videos seemed happy living alone in their way.
Watching them gave me vicarious satisfaction.
After staying up all night watching hundreds of videos, a single desire grew:
‘I want my own space.’
A room decorated with items of my taste.
Inviting friends.
Cooking with care and holding home parties.
The so-called “solo-living romance.”
I wanted to achieve it.
Now I was on the threshold.
Yet before I could enjoy this dream… I almost died.
‘What a shame. Just a little… a lot.’
But what can I do?
Water already spilled.
At the moment when I had resigned myself…
…
I heard a message in my ear.
<<“Ha Min-ho” awakens as a player!>>
<<Analyzing “Ha Min-ho”.>>
‘Huh?’
<<Intense attachment to the home. Considerable solo-living romance.>>
<<Analysis of player “Ha Min-ho” complete.>>
‘What… Player awakening?’
Was I seeing my life flash before my eyes?
<<Congratulations! You have acquired the player talent, “Infinite Solo Room”!>>
With that final line, my fading consciousness completely went out.
A few weeks later.
A white room about 8 pyeong (≈26 m²).
Ramen packets, garbage bags, water bottles, and a portable gas stove scattered on the floor.
Other than two black doors on either side… the place was somewhat bleak.
In the center.
Tap, tap! Tap, tap!
A man in conquest attire was writing something on a tablet and asked.
Investigator Kang Jin.
Sent from the Player Association of South Korea.
“Ha Min-ho, what’s behind the door on the other side?”
“Ugh… I don’t know. I tried opening it, but it wouldn’t budge.”
Ha Min-ho, the owner, tugged the handle several times, but the door didn’t move.
Investigator Kang tried as well, with the same result.
Using detection devices he brought, he checked again and wrote some notes on his tablet.
“This should be sufficient.”
“What’s the result?”
He tapped his forehead with the stylus, looking troubled.
“I’m afraid Ha Min-ho, your talent is rated F.”
“Ah, I see.”
Kang Jin sighed bitterly.
‘Ha Min-ho, 28 years old. An orphan with no family. Lost his mortgaged house in this incident… awakened as a player in the process.’
Even if he had awakened a mediocre “tower-related” talent, he could have made a living.
D-class talent alone could earn hundreds of millions annually.
A-class or higher could make billions.
Player awakening could be a lottery.
But with this talent… everything is lost.
‘So unfortunate. Really unfortunate.’
Ha Min-ho’s talent, by association standards, is clearly F-class.
Barely useful for show-off skills.
Effectively, zero income and 300 million in debt.
The investigator sighed.
“This report will be submitted to the association within a week. You may appeal, but a re-evaluation costs 500,000 won at your expense.”
“No, I won’t need that.”
Min-ho waved dismissively; the investigator nodded.
“Then, I’ll leave now.”
“Yes, please do.”
Squeak!
The investigator opened a door, revealing a playground beyond.
The place where player Ha Min-ho had used his talent “Infinite Solo Room.”
The investigator hesitated, then turned to him.
“Here, Ha Min-ho.”
“Yes?”
He pulled a 50,000-won bill from his wallet.
“Use this… to buy yourself a meal. Keep your strength up.”
“Ah, thank you.”
Min-ho tilted his head, then accepted the money.
Thud!
The door closed, and silence returned to the white room.
“Quite a generous guy.”
Well, it doesn’t matter.
Min-ho pocketed the 50,000 won and sprawled on the floor, laughing.
“Thanks to this, I’m set for meals for a while.”
This is Lucky Min-ho.
Lost his house, awakened the “Infinite Solo Room.”
I liked this talent. No, honestly, I thought it was amazing.
The room shrank from two rooms to one.
“…I can summon my solo room anywhere.”
Regardless of location, I could summon a space to rest.
For example, in the middle of Gangnam?
Then I effectively own a house in Gangnam.
3 billion won debt, yet I gained such a room.
“The villa destroyed? Even better.”
Plus, I could control lights and electricity easily.
“Utilities-free solo room. Perfect, absolutely perfect.”
No property tax, insurance likely lower.
Even if I had awakened some combat talent, I’d have to risk the tower unnecessarily.
“Also, I can still live my solo-living dream in a one-room.”
Thinking positively, the benefits are endless.
At that moment, my stomach rumbled.
“…Hungry.”
Meals delayed due to the investigator’s visit.
I got up, grabbed a convenience store triangle kimbap and cup ramen.
“Time to eat!”
Humming, filling the kettle with water, and scribbling on my smartphone.
[“Infinite Solo Room” tutorial starting.]
“Huh?”
A semi-transparent window appeared before me.
“Status window?”
I had heard players could see this.
Most tower events progress through this window like a game.
‘But I didn’t hear about a tutorial.’
Another message appeared.
[Your first guest is arriving. Serve them well and gain their favor.]
Bang, bang, bang!
Someone was pounding on the door.
Not the door I entered from, but the opposite, long-locked one.
‘What now?’
Taking a deep breath, I asked,
“…Who’s there?”
<<Please open the door.>>
“Who is it?”
<<Please… open the door.>>
A childlike, androgynous voice.
My intuition said: opening this door will only lead to trouble.
[Guest has arrived. Open the door immediately!]
“Why? What if something comes out?”
I backed up, ready to flee.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Time passed. The door calmed down.
“…Gone?”
—Then.
Kraaaang!
“Ahh!”
The door burst open.
A person flew in, hitting the wall.
“Ouch, my head…”
“…Who?”
Round eyes. Medieval adventurer clothing.
Height barely 150 cm.
Animal-like ears. Face covered in fur.
“A beastman?”
Inside the World Tree Tower, non-humans were said to exist.
Why did they come into my room?
More concerning: a giant axe on their back, smeared with blood-like red.
Dangerous at a glance.
“Uuuu…”
Beastman stared at me.
I backed away, kettle in hand as a weapon.
“Don’t come closer… or I’ll pour this on you.”
Hot water vs. axe. Axe has the advantage, but better than bare hands.
Step by step, beastman approached.
‘Should I run? Or pour it?’
Then.
Thud!
They kneeled, pouting.
“Hungry… please… give me food!”
“Huh?”
Their stomach rumbled loudly. Cheeks hollow. Poor condition.
“Then I’ll help you… please…”
Pleading eyes.
The beastman’s gaze fell on the cup ramen and kimbap.
[It is the host’s duty to serve their guest.]
[You never know… good deeds may be rewarded.]
Min-ho’s face lit up with thought.
A while later.
“Wahaha! Delicious, delicious!”
The beastman stuffed food in their mouth, bits on their cheek.
“Good they’re enjoying it.”
After finishing the meal, satisfied, they said:
“Best meal ever! Is this fancy food?”
“No, nothing that fancy… it’s common.”
“Oh, even common food is good here?”
‘Other world?’ I asked.
“I’m Venti! Means ‘Wind’ in our tribe…”
Then asked my name.
“Ha Min-ho.”
“Good name!”
“Not Mino, Min-ho.”
“Mino!”
“Uh… okay.”
I decided not to overtalk.
“…Can you return to where you came from, Venti?”
“Yes, but first, I’ll help you. Must repay meals when I’m here.”
“Rule? You don’t need to do that.”
Venti grabbed their axe.
“You’re a player, right?”
“Yes, but…”
“How far did you climb?”
“Not yet. Put the axe down first.”
Smiling, pounding his chest:
“I’ll climb the tower with you!”
“The tower? World Tree Tower?”
“Yes! Must repay meals!”
“No need, really.”
Somehow, this seemed troublesome.
“Can’t! Once in here, I help!”
“Uh… to return, you have to help?”
“Yes! Your talent says so! Don’t you see the status window?”
I glanced:
[Guests must repay meals to return to their world.]
[Make sure to receive their gift!]
‘Ugh…’
This might get annoying.
A few hours later.
World Tree Tower, 1st floor.
“Phew, finally warmed up.”
“…My God.”
What’s this?
Around Venti, dozens of goblins lay in pieces on the floor.
[Ha Min-ho player level has increased!]
Nonstop status window messages and loud voice notifications…
