Chapter 8: Memories of a family

It was the evening where most players would come back to the city to avoid fighting the stronger monsters as they get a boost at night. The city square where the Spool and Thread was located was a lot busier than normal.

The reason for the amount of people could also be attributed to in fact the Spool and Thread. As the location was quite popular among the fashionable players who played to look good in the game. This included many dancers, bards, and any rich player who liked to collect clothing.

“Hello everyone. Thank you for waiting. I know you have been waiting for over a month for our new apparel but you do not have to wait any longer.”

Orchid was in a flashy orange dress and a white boa was around her neck. As she made the announcement many players cheered regardless of her muscle bound feature. She was actually quite popular for the players as she was a master tailor and the clothes she made were unique to the region.

“I even got some lovely new models to help me out with this months release. Now without further ado, I present first my newest female gear. It will definitely boost your attractiveness two fold!”

The set up for Spool and Thread was a main building in which one can enter and a stage just to the right of it that had a mini runway. The curtains parted and every female and male players gasped.

***

Cooking Queen, Kim Juhee, and her best friend Park Hye Su who's avatar was called Sue were one of the many people in the crowd. KMC wanted a video of the new clothing release for Spool and Thread.

“I can't believe you named your avatar Sue.”

“Well I'm not so stuck up to name myself a queen!”

“No you just lack creativity.”

“It's not like I play this game on my free time. I prefer to sleep.”

“Yeah I know. You created the avatar as an obligation for work. You are still a woman. Take pride in yourself.”

“I can see why your husband left you.”

“Hey!”

“Joking joking.”

The two woman were smiling at the last exchange as they usually get into this argument whenever they play.

“Melchior-nim. Akaro is going to be here right?”

Melchior who was with the two women nodded.

“My daughter is beautiful isn't she?”

“You mean the gorilla in a dress?”

Melchior glared at Sue and Cooking Queen could only sigh.

“Do not be rude to Melchior-nim. Your daughter is quite fashionable.”

She slapped Sue on the head for her rude comments.

“Thank you. Your man for a friend is blind.”

'YOU'RE BLIND! YOU DOTING FATHER!'

Sue mentally shouted. Spotting her son she called out.

“Yong Suk! Come here.”

A fully armoured man with a giant sword on his back walked towards the group.

“Eomma! Don't say my real name here. My name here is Goliath.”

Smacking him in the head Sue looked at him angrily.

“If you can spend this much time in the game trying to look good you should go exercise in real life! Goliath... The only Goliath I see when I get home is you fattie. 21 years old already and no girlfriend.”

“Eomma!”

Tears escaped the brawny man. In reality he was considered chubby amongst his peers. In the game though he had made his avatar quite good looking and muscular. He also spent some stats on his attractiveness as well.

Cooking Queen and Melchior watched the exchange of mother and son.

“At least I don't have to worry too much about my son attracting women... just have to worry about him getting the right ones.”

“That boy doesn't even know he's gifted in that sense. He always looks to me to save him from the pushier customers.”

Just then they heard the announcement from Melchior's daughter. When the curtains revealed the model Cooking Queen gasped.

“Eonni!”

Juhee fainted and Melchior caught her. Melchior was confused as he looked at the model.

“Oh no...”

Sue who also saw the model went to assist her best friend.

“I'm in love!”

Goliath's reaction caused his mother a headache.

“Good luck with that.”

***

The curtains revealed a drop dead gorgeous beauty. She had long white hair and was wearing a flowing dress that had two pieces. The inside piece accentuated her breasts and was built for defence. It was made of light brown leather and a snow white silk. The outside piece was a flowing silk coat that was a pale sky blue. She wore pale sky blue leather boots that had a slightly higher heel (TN: I'm not a woman. I don't know the proper name for them.). But what silenced the crowd was was the unemotional face attached to the model. It gave off the feeling of the untouchable beauty of an ice queen was staring at the crowd.

'This is embarrassing.'

The secret of the model unfortunately was that she was a he. Akaro grimaced inwardly at the second quest he received.

*Flash Back two hours ago*

“No.”

“Please. I need your help in order for this to succeed. And you have beautiful features. I'm really good at make up and no one will recognize you. Promise.”

“No.”

“I'll do anything. I need your help. Don't make me cry!”

Akaro sighed and read the message in front of him.

[box border=1 cellpadding=0 cellspacing=3 width=80% bordercolor=#202020 bgcolor=#f5f5f5][col colspan=4 valign=top width=100% bordercolor=#202020 bgcolor=#f5f5f5]Measurements of a Model #2

Madame Orchid needs you to fill the shoes of a female model after losing the original model. She needs you to pretend to be female and don on the outfit she had prepared for the evenings reveal.

Difficulty: E

Requirements:

Quest fails if gender is exposed.

Cannot decline.[/col][/box]

“I will but you will sign a contract with me first.”

“Anything!”

'I, Akaro, will pose as a woman to help Madame Orchid in her reveal show on the condition that he can ask her to commission clothing using any material he brings her and to be able to sell her leather and other clothing material at 20% more than its actual price. Also she may never reveal the truth of this event to anyone.'

“Agreed. Let's sign that contract and get to modifying the clothing.”

Madame Orchid signed immediately.

Ding

[box border=1 cellpadding=0 cellspacing=3 width=80% bordercolor=#202020 bgcolor=#f5f5f5][col colspan=4 valign=top width=100% bordercolor=#202020 bgcolor=#f5f5f5]You have accepted the quest.[/col][/box]

[box border=1 cellpadding=0 cellspacing=3 width=80% bordercolor=#202020 bgcolor=#f5f5f5][col colspan=4 valign=top width=100% bordercolor=#202020 bgcolor=#f5f5f5]Level up: Contract (Beginner Lv. 8 50%)

Able to offer 8 conditions[/col][/box]

[box border=1 cellpadding=0 cellspacing=3 width=80% bordercolor=#202020 bgcolor=#f5f5f5][col colspan=4 valign=top width=100% bordercolor=#202020 bgcolor=#f5f5f5]Level up: Persuasion (Beginner Lv. 5 33%)[/col][/box]

Taking off the men's apparel and black wig he gave it to Orchid. He was given a bra stuffed with breasts pads. Akaro then was immediately given a dress to put on.

“Hmm. You are still a man and those muscular shoulders and arms will be hard to hide... unless.”

Quickly grabbing pale blue silk she started snipping away at it. She made the coat so that it was flowing and it did not reveal the arms and made his shoulders look less broad.

“Now your hair. Wait one moment.”

Akaro watched the muscular woman leave the room to only see her come back with a white wig.

“This will do. We need to make sure no one will recognize you after all.”

Orchid started to pin the hair on his head. She need to make sure it would not move even if he twirled or bang his head. Happy at the realism of the hair she then smiled.

“Almost there. Last but not least is your face. We have to make it look more feminine.”

Grabbing her make up kit she carefully administered the foundation. She was quite pleased that her subject was already considered pretty as a man as it made it easier for her to accentuate the more feminine features. She then put on an icy blue eye shadow on his face. Attaching fake eyelashes soon after. She then put on a blue lipstick on for him as well.

“Haha. You can definitely pass for a woman now.”

“Only doing this once. My face feels weird.”

Akaro walked towards a mirror and could not recognize his face. He really looked like a woman. He couldn't help but stare at the face as he remembered seeing his mother's face in some of the photos around his grandfather's house.

'I look like my mother.'

“Oh my. You need to speak like a woman to and also walk like one. Let's first work with movement.”

Akaro watched as Madame Orchid showed him the proper way to walk as a female model. Toe pointing forward and taking small steps. Also accentuating the hip movements.

Before he could practice himself he was given blue boots.

“You have to do that wearing these.”

Putting on the boots Akaro started to practice. He almost fell over a couple of times as the boots were strange to him.

'Women wear these things? It's impractical in a fight.'

He thanked his balance skill that was growing in proficiency due to this situation.

Ding

[box border=1 cellpadding=0 cellspacing=3 width=80% bordercolor=#202020 bgcolor=#f5f5f5][col colspan=4 valign=top width=100% bordercolor=#202020 bgcolor=#f5f5f5]Learned new Legendary Myth Weaver skill

Mimicry (Beginner Lv. 1 0%): Enables the user to mimic the speech and movement of any living being.

Consumes 10mana/sec when copying speech[/col][/box]

After about thirty minutes in game he was able to finally walk around sufficiently enough that Orchid spoke to him once more.

“Now you need to change the tone of your voice. Try to copy mine.”

Calling out the skill Mimic in his thoughts he started to speak.

“Does this sound okay?”

Orchid fell over with a huge crash.

“You sound exactly like me! What kind of godly skill do you have?”

“I just learned how to mimic. But I can only actively use this for about 6 minutes. It drains my mana.”

Akaro spoke in his real voice and turned off mimic.

“Good good. Well you don't want to sound like me. Do you remember Serenity's voice. Use that.”

Akaro helped Orchid up from her sitting position.

“Now we are almost ready. Keep practising on your walking. Once I separate the curtains you only have one chance to not embarrass yourself when you walk onto the runway.”

Nodding Akaro continued to practice.

**End Flash Back**

Now in the present time Akaro looked at crowds of people before he walked towards the front. With elegance and precise movements he got to the front. He had to wait until Orchid spoke.

“This matching ensemble provides moderate defence with the leather pieces found on the chest portion but still would be nice to wear for a stroll around town. The flowing silk coat will move to the breeze as if nature itself embraced you. I'm sure you ladies who are looking to attract men can agree that this would be the dress to do it in and for you men what better gift to give. The cost for this outfit is 15 gold.

Akaro spun around once when the flowing silk coat was mentioned.

Taking advantage of the situation, Orchid had an a greedy idea. She was daddy's little girl after all.

“The colour scheme that is available for the outfit are winter princess, spring empress, summer queen, and fall monarch. You can place your order with my lovely model Eun Mi.”

That was the name Akaro decided on as he did look like his mother in this form. He had to fight a frown on his face after hearing he will be the one taking the orders.

“She's so beautiful. Can you be my older sister?!”

“Do you have a boyfriend?”

“She's out of your league bro.”

“I wonder if I should get that.”

“I want it for sure.”

“Will you be my girlfriend?”

“I have money! Let's go on a date!”

Multiple requests from women and men alike to be friends with him popped up in the messages. With an icy glare he decided to try to end the slew of requests. Using Serenity's voice he replied.

“No. Not even if hell froze over.”

Obviously not the politest reply but what he thought would dissuade the group of people only made them louder.

“She's so cool.”

“A cold beauty.”

“My heart cannot take it. I think I'm a masochist.”

“Step on me ice queen!”

“More! Be mean to me more!”

“You men are gross. Don't bother eonni!”

Seeing the nonsense of the crowd Akaro took it another step further.

“Anyone who is not ordering. Get out. If you are, then line up in a straight line.”

As if it was a general who commanded his troops the cold tone of his voice got everyone in order.

He then made contracts with each player on behalf of Spool and Thread. Taking the orders and the money he handed them to Orchid.

“Alright everyone. Give us a few minutes to prepare for the male ensemble.”

The crowd were begging for Eun Mi to stay but he gave them a glare to silence them.

***

Waking up finally Cooking Queen saw that the model's name was her sisters name. She thought at first it was someone who copied her face but she knew in her heart that was not the case. The only person who knew the truth was Sue.

Cooking Queen: “Sue keep this a secret.”

Sue: “Hahaha. Your son is a cross dresser.”

Cooking Queen: “Enough. Don't make me mad.”

Sue: “I know I'm joking. You are probably going to talk to him when you get home.”

Cooking Queen: “I hope it was just a quest.”

Sue: “Well if it isn't. You would have gained a daughter.”

Cooking Queen: “...”

Sue taking the silence as danger looked to see a finger flick her forehead.

“So violent to me. Can't you take a joke?”

“Say no more or I will do that...”

Sue stopped joking and nodded furiously. Whatever she was threatened with stopped her behavior immediately.

Melchior was looking confused.

“Why did you faint after seeing that model?”

“I have anaemia.”

Juhee lied as she did not want to say anything that can lead to Akaro.

“I love her. Eun Mi. What a beautiful name...”

Goliath was still enamoured with Akaro's female form.

“Give up on ever seeing her. What can you do with your fake form.”

His mother discouraged the boy as she already knew the truth.

“I cannot just give up on her. I will wait until she leaves the store and try to get her to add me as a friend.”

Sue tried to stop herself from laughing.

'If you only knew.'

***

Removing the make up was extremely easy. It only took about ten minutes before Akaro's face was returned to normal.

“Fufu. I should maybe ask you to model for me more.”

“We signed a contract for this time only. The will not happen again.”

Akaro glared at Orchid who put her hands up in surrender.

Changing to the male outfit he wore earlier that day, he had to ask Orchid to help with hair piece. Once he was ready he hid behind the curtain once more.

Orchid stepped outside and was preparing to announce the next piece.

“Thank you everyone for your love and support. I will be sure to have all those outfits ready for you as quickly as possible. Now without further ado. Time to show off the menswear.”

Walking out feeling more comfortable he could not help but smile slightly. Which in turn attracted the female crowd.

“Isn't that the blacksmith apprentice?”

“He has black hair.”

“His face is too handsome to have more than one of him.”

“It's gotta be a wig. The red hair wouldn't match those clothes.”

“He looks like a prince.”

“The demon blacksmith!”

“Look at his evil smile!”

“But the clothes look so cool. I'll sign his evil contract.”

“Look at these gawking women. Shameless.”

“Like your one to talk. You were the one asking Eun Mi to step on you.”

“This and that is different.”

Akaro sighed as he got to the front of the runway.

“This lovely regal ensemble would make any man look like a noble. The gold trim and royal blue coat on top of a dark leather armour would definitely have the monsters stop and think twice of attacking you. Ladies feel free to purchase this for your boyfriends as this would match the dresses you have already bought. Also 15 gold for the whole outfit. Comes in Royal Blue, Aristocrat Purple, Regal Red, Sovereign White, and Bureaucrat Black.”

Orchid's naming sense for the colours would make anyone shake their head.

Using persuasion, Akaro decided to try and get everyone organized again.

“Can everyone who wishes to order make a straight line? I do not want anyone to be trampled.”

Again the straight lines were made. The females were already use to this at the Rusty Nail and the men, well they were afraid to incur his wrath.

“Are you going out with Eun Mi?”

“You guys would make the perfect pair?”

“You better not be! The ice queen is mine.”

“In your dreams maybe.”

Comments like that happened as he made contracts once more and obtained the money for the orders.

Ding

[box border=1 cellpadding=0 cellspacing=3 width=80% bordercolor=#202020 bgcolor=#f5f5f5][col colspan=4 valign=top width=100% bordercolor=#202020 bgcolor=#f5f5f5]Level up: Contract (Intermediate Lv. 1 10%)

Enables you to make contracts with the undead

Able to offer 10 conditions[/col][/box]

[box border=1 cellpadding=0 cellspacing=3 width=80% bordercolor=#202020 bgcolor=#f5f5f5][col colspan=4 valign=top width=100% bordercolor=#202020 bgcolor=#f5f5f5]Learned Word Teleportation (Beginner Lv. 1 0%) Enables you to instantly transport to a location as long as there is an item there that was inscribed with a word

Consumes mana depending on distance travelled

10 mana for each meter travelled.[/col][/box]

'Word Teleportation sounds really useful for travelling although 10 mana for each meter. 100 meters would be 1000 mana. This class uses too much mana.'

Bringing the order forms and money to Orchid he saw a greedy smirk on her face.

'Definitely master's daughter.'

“Has anyone ever told you Akaro that you are good for business.”

Orchid praised Akaro before turning to the crowd of people.

“Alright everyone. I will have new outfits once more in two months. Look forward to it then. Thank you for your patronage. Remember if you need armor repaired please go to my father's shop at the western entrance. Akaro will be there!”

After the shameless advertisement Akaro and Orchid went back into the building.

The crowd started to dissipate as the excitement was now over.

“How about Eun Mi?”

“Did anyone see her leave?”

“I was too distracted. Did she log off?”

“Someone post her video and let's all search for her.”

Various conversations about what transpired was going around town. What Akaro did not know that he had created a seed for a myth. The myth of the ghost of Eun Mi but that was another tale he will figure out later.

***

“Juhee. Did you manage to interview either Eun Mi or this Akaro character?”

The one of chiefs of KMC was talking to the lovely older woman.

“No sir. She logged out almost immediately and she did not accept my friend request. Akaro also left the scene.”

Juhee lied to protect her son. This much attention were sure to make him more introverted in real life.

“I heard a rumour that Akaro is your son's avatar. Do you want to bring him in for an interview?”

“No.”

“But...”

“No.”

“Someone as handsome as him would bring up ratings...”

“No.”

Juhee denied her boss three times on giving permission to interview her son.

“Kim Juhee. I am your boss. You will bring your son for an interview or I will fire you.”

With a cold glare she looked at the man.

“Then I quit.”

About to storm off he literally jumped at her feet.

“I'm sorry. I was joking. Please don't leave.”

In truth she was one of the best editors they had. She worked with no complaints and the results would always turn out excellent. She was also in the running to be the chief editor with her flawless record in the company. As they were smaller than other broadcasting companies losing a talent like hers could put them in precarious position as she would be swooped up by the competition the moment she left the building.

Still mad Juhee continued to glare at her boss.

“Then you will drop this issue and give me a week's vacation starting today.”

“I'll give you two weeks! Promise you won't leave.”

“Agreed.”

With the negotiations complete she left his office. Juhee was then approached by Hye Su and her supervisor Yun Hee.

“His begging could be heard from the hall. He threatened to fire you?”

“If he did you should have just left.”

Kim Juhee looked at her fellow employees and smiled,

“I am on two weeks vacation starting today.”

“Lucky!”

The both of them said.

“So are you going to talk about you know what to you know who?”

“Yeah I'm going to head home now and speak with him.”

“Hey don't leave me out. I may be your supervisor here but I'm still one of your friends.”

“As long as you don't tell anyone I'll let you know.”

The three women continue to have a conversation before Juhee went to the parking garage to leave her workplace.

***

[box border=1 cellpadding=0 cellspacing=3 width=80% bordercolor=#202020 bgcolor=#f5f5f5][col colspan=4 valign=top width=100% bordercolor=#202020 bgcolor=#f5f5f5]Health up by 100

STA up by 20

Speech up by 30

Fame up by 30

Bonus:

Received 1 silver for each order that was taken for the male clothing.

100 orders equal to a reward of 1 gold.

You have leveled up

You have leveled up[/col][/box]

You have completed Measurement of a Model #1

[box border=1 cellpadding=0 cellspacing=3 width=80% bordercolor=#202020 bgcolor=#f5f5f5][col colspan=4 valign=top width=100% bordercolor=#202020 bgcolor=#f5f5f5]Learned Attractiveness Stat.

Increases the users ability to charm others with looks alone.[/col][/box]

Before the next pop up message came up he deleted the stat.

'Useless and troublesome stat.'

[box border=1 cellpadding=0 cellspacing=3 width=80% bordercolor=#202020 bgcolor=#f5f5f5][col colspan=4 valign=top width=100% bordercolor=#202020 bgcolor=#f5f5f5]You have completed Measurement of a Model #2

Health up by 100

STA up by 20

Speech up by 30

Art up by 20

Bonus:

Received 2 silver for each order that was taken for the female clothing

200 order equal to 4 gold.

Bonus:

At not being discovered as a male all your stats will increase by 10.

Experienced gained multplied by 10.

You have leveled up

You have leveled up

You have leveled up

You have leveled up[/col][/box]

“Good work today. As a bonus gift for working this hard I'll make you some leather armour and a scarf to help hide your face. I think your handsomeness is a blessing for business but I can see that you dislike the extra attention.”

Orchid smiled as she said this.

“Can it look like this?”

Using illustration skill he took a piece of paper and drew out sketches that looked like his training gear in real life. The back of the training gear had a spot where he can slide in two katana. Also had many hidden pockets where he can store shuriken, kunai, and needles for throwing weapons. The pants also had pockets that he can hide items in as well.

“Hmm. I can definitely do something like that. You'll let me design the scarf right?”

“I see no problem for that. Thank you for your gift.”

Bowing, Akaro smiled.

“Such a cute boy. Shame if only you had the muscles like my dad you would be perfect for me.”

'Never!'

Was the final thought of Akaro as he got ready to return to the forge Rusty Nail.

“It will take me about a week or so but I'll have this armour ready for you and I'll send Serenity to give it to you.”

Nodding he took off by first going to the roof of the building. What he learned today that walking on the main street was troublesome. Now that he had nothing to carry he moved around freely. As he got closer to the training grounds he jumped down onto the street.

“Akaro.”

Hearing his name be called he turned to see the instructor.

“Hello instructor.”

“Why haven't you come by to train? I'll be honest it's been kind of lonely as not many players have been training lately. Especially one with your skill. The last skill you displayed where you slashed 17 times was especially exciting to watch. Being a fellow swordsman I was in awe with your skill.”

“I'm focusing on making a pair of swords right now and once I have accomplished that I'll come by to train again if nothing else comes up.”

“That is great to hear. Our agreement is still in place.”

“I'll put it into a contract so I cannot break it.”

Quickly drawing up a contract he bid the instructor farewell as he continued to walk towards the forge.

Cooking Queen: "I need to talk to you. Log off."

Before he replied she logged out.

***

“Nu Myung Ki.”

Myung-Ki cringed. The tone in his mother's voice sounded like he was in trouble. Myung-Dae was also in the living room observing.

“Yes eomma.”

Sighing before Juhee started talking.

“I know you are not that use to women but I do not think dressing up as one in the game will help you understand us better.”

Myung-Dae laughed so hard before until an icy glare came from his daughter which alerted him to stop.

“It was for a quest. I do not have that type of hobby.”

Frowning Akaro knew if anyone else found out he would have had a very hard time fitting in.

Relieved Juhee continued.

“Promise me you will tell me before accepting a quest like that. My heart cannot stand the heartache if my sister's son liked to put dresses on.”

“I promise eomma. But I did look a lot like mother.”

“Yeah you did. It was like looking at a ghost.”

“Can you both tell me more about her?”

“That's right you haven't even gotten a chance to get to know her yet.”

Myung-Dae interrupted at this point.

“My boy she was the most beautiful girl in all of Korea. She also had the personality of an angel. She was very charitable even before she became famous for modelling.”

“My sister was also very kind. She had no violent tendencies at all. Even when she scolded me she always looked sad as if she did not want to punish me.”

“Eun Mi was also very intelligent. She was able to even recall what I had for breakfast when she was five years old.”

“She also had the most beautiful laugh. I mis...”

Juhee started bawling before she could even complete her sentence. Tears upon tears fell from her beautiful face as she remembered her beloved sister. The memories that sprung up continued to flash before her eyes.

Akaro seeing the sadness that his aunt was displaying hugged her.

Myung-Dae continued to talk.

“When she left us it was not the greatest situation. I forbade her to go with your father but she married him in secret. Then she moved to Japan with your father.”

In between sobs Juhee responded.

“Tha... that devil. Took her away from our family!”

“Juhee! Enough. He also loved her and he managed to capture her heart.”

“Father loved her?”

Akaro was confused. If he loved her so much then why would he be so cruel to him. He couldn't comprehend the situation. Love was not something he understood.

“Yes my boy. Your father was more of a romantic then when I was courting your grandmother. God bless her soul.”

“I won't deny it. He was different then he is now.”

Juhee started to recover from her sadness.

“Grandson. Your father loved her too much. As you remind him of her he probably couldn't stand being near you. But that is no excuse to how he treated you. As long as you're here we will treat you with love.”

Myung-Ki asked out of curiosity.

“When did grandmother die?”

A sad expression was on Myung-Dae's face.

“She died of heartache... when eonni died giving birth to you she could not take it anymore.”

“But it is not your fault. Do not even notion the idea that you killed your mother. She gave her life so you can be brought to this world.”

Myung-Dae declared before hugging his daughter and grandson.

It was such a loving scene. His grandfather and aunt had tears rolling down their eyes. Myung-Ki could feel the emotions his two family members were emitting but because he had not known either his true mother or grandmother he could not replicate the same feelings they were experiencing. Instead he closed his eyes and continue to hug the both of them.

'I promise I will make sure not to cause you this much sorrow.'

He mentally promised as they all just sat there.

<>