Chapter 75
Chapter 75
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 75
Chapter Title: Doll for Doll
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Meeting someone close in an unexpected place is usually a pleasant surprise.
That's why I hadn't even considered that Ji-su would be here, making this encounter all the more welcome right now.
But at the same time...
'If I'd known, I wouldn't have come out...'
I was mortified.
The embarrassment hit me before any joy could, which said it all.
Anyway, Ji-su gave a small smile as she looked at my flushed face.
"You seem like the type who enjoys getting up on stage, huh?"
"Not really... not at all... It was just for the top prize..."
I shook my head slightly at her question, dipping my chin.
But I had to make one thing clear before anything else.
I wasn't the type who enjoyed going up on stage.
"Top prize? What was it again... Choice of game merch?"
I just nodded at her words.
"What did you want?"
"Oh... um... There's this 60cm doll, but it's sold out, so I was trying to snag one here."
"Ah, that doll? I saw people carrying them around. It's pretty cute."
We chatted and chuckled lightly, but as she opened her mouth to say more, a staff member approached from behind the stage and called out to her.
"Ah, Park Ji-su, could you check the script revisions? This way, please."
"Got it. Yeon-bi, I'll call you later."
"Okay."
She'd been about to tell me something, but she followed the staff back where she'd come from.
'Haa...'
I let out a long internal sigh as I slowly made my way from behind the stage to the participants' waiting room.
When I arrived, I saw the singers from the stage lined up on plastic chairs.
As I entered, everyone gave me a quick once-over.
"Ahem."
I cleared my throat softly, and their eyes returned to normal, going back to their phones.
I sat in my spot, debating pulling out my phone, but I was too drained and just stared blankly ahead.
While waiting in the room, I could hear the male and female leads from the game up on stage doing a photo op or something.
Cheers and the host's voice followed, suggesting a short ceremony was underway.
They were talking about the game story, updates, investment amounts, event mini-game results, and so on.
'I should've bragged about that stuff.'
Mini-game? Obviously within top 50. (Thanks to character performance.)
And I'd invested the most money, no doubt.
Story... nothing much to say there.
'I was always rushing through story stages to clear them fast.'
They were handing out coupons and prizes to those who'd participated in the interviews. I anxiously listened, hoping they wouldn't give away dolls.
From what I could overhear, thankfully, no dolls or keychains were being distributed.
I'd have burst into tears right there if they had.
Half-joking, of course.
...Half.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Alright, next up, the results announcement!"
The host's booming voice came from the stage after the interviews wrapped up.
At the same time, staff in the waiting room told the karaoke event participants to head up to the stage.
"Please come straight this way."
I slowly climbed onto the stage.
Looking at the crowd gathered in front, memories of what happened earlier flooded back, heating up my face again.
'This'll stick with me forever.'
I'd probably never forget it.
"Before the awards~! We can't skip asking the explorers who joined today's event, right?"
'Huh?'
What were they getting at?
"First, the explorer standing here. Are you enjoying the game?"
"Uh... yes. I've been playing since the pre-launch beta."
"Whoa~ Beta version? Mind if I ask if you're a streamer or content creator...?"
"Yeah, not a huge one... I stream various games."
"Woo!!!! Woaning oppa!!! You're insanely handsome!!!"
As the streamer finished introducing himself, a guy in the audience shouted at the top of his lungs.
His voice set off laughter from those around and even the host.
"Your fans love you."
"Haha... yeah. Shh!"
He chuckled casually, putting a finger to his lips in an exaggerated hush gesture.
The audience erupted in laughter again.
"Since you've played since beta, you can give a more objective take. What do you think of this update?"
"In my opinion..."
Conversations went back and forth.
Next was another woman—not me.
I'd heard she'd sung a Japanese song, nailing it so well the crowd cheered wildly.
From her interview, she was a beta player too, but hadn't spent much, so her ranking was lower than expected.
Then two or three more.
A pretty long interview session, and finally, the mic came to me.
"Next explorer!"
"Ah... hello."
Remembering earlier made my voice falter a bit.
Still, the host smoothly acknowledged my greeting and kept going.
"The explorer who lit up the stage today! Your song choice was on point, huh?"
"It's my favorite song."
To my straightforward answer, someone in the crowd yelled, "Music expert!"
The host and audience burst out laughing.
I couldn't help but smirk along with them.
"Hahaha, looks like you've got fans already. Moving on. Are you enjoying the game?"
"Yes. I didn't start at launch, but it's fun."
"When did you start?"
"Hmm... Right after the summer event ended, before the fall one began."
"Really recent, huh?"
"Yeah."
"And yet you came up on stage out of love for the game—we're truly grateful. We have game company HQ staff here too... Yes, over there. Give 'em a round of applause!"
The game company staff nearby clapped with smiles, and the audience applauded me too.
'This is even more embarrassing.'
I knew what they were doing, which made it worse.
But it wasn't malicious, so whatever.
"So... your mini-game ranking this time?"
"Roughly top 50..."
"T-top 50?!"
The surprised host and murmuring crowd below.
Yeah, starting this year and hitting top 50 would shock anyone.
'In this game, money buys everything.'
Of course.
Though people with top-tier characters I lack or better control might rank higher.
Money buys everything, but snagging first place outright... that's another story.
Anyway, top 50 isn't low.
"Whoa... aren't you playing a bit too hard?"
"The game's fun."
"After you step down, I'll definitely call over some staff. Gotta give you something."
Department stores give VIP status for hundreds of thousands spent, but games like this don't.
Still, compared to other games where you drop billions and get no respect, this one's better.
'It's the bare minimum treatment.'
I nodded lightly at the host's words, chatted a bit more, and wrapped up.
Quick interviews for the few behind me, and finally, the awards began.
I wasn't expecting much, of course.
Lots of people sang better than me, especially that woman from the interview—the crowd loved her most.
Standing there zoning out, wondering how to get a doll, the host suddenly turned to me.
"The popularity award, chosen unanimously by our judges today!! Explorer, come on up!"
"Y-yes...?"
Flustered, I hurriedly took the certificate and prize he handed over.
The certificate was decorative, and the prize was...
'Whoa, a character figure.'
Palm-sized character figure.
He'd said earlier it was one releasing soon.
"One comment, please!"
"Uh... um... Thank you!"
So dazed from winning, I couldn't think of anything but thanks.
Even so, the host and crowd went wild.
I stepped back amid thunderous applause.
'...Glad I came.'
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ After the singing event ended and I came down from the stage prizes in arms.
I wandered the booths, then got a call from Ji-su and left the venue.
Events were still going strong inside.
Ji-su said to enjoy and come out slowly, but with no reason to stay, I left right away.
'The doll was the goal from the start.'
Now, to get a doll... secondhand market it was.
I searched resale sites on my phone while exiting, but nothing was up yet.
'Should've stood out front with a sign saying "Buying dolls at premium".'
Lost in silly thoughts, I spotted Ji-su, makeup fully removed.
'Totally different.'
What was cosplay, anyway?
Mind-blowing.
"Sis, what's with all that in your hands? Let me help."
For her high-quality cosplay gig? Ji-su was loaded with stuff.
Suitcases, paper bags, even a big box with character art from staff.
No way she could carry it alone.
"It's fine. Staff are taking it to my car. Wait here—I have something for you."
She said that and started eagerly tearing into the big character box.
Watching blankly, she suddenly pulled out a huge doll and handed it to me.
"This is..."
The 60cm rabbit robot doll I'd hunted all day for.
Brand new, unopened.
"Where did you..."
It was sold out everywhere—how'd she get it?
"I did cosplay modeling today. They gave these as commemorative gifts to models like me, the stage host, and other external staff."
She glanced at the now-open box.
Inside: one of every souvenir shop item from today.
"You... sure it's okay to give this?"
"Yeah. If you receive, you give back, right?"
I replayed her words, then it clicked.
'Ah.'
The hamster doll I'd won for her before.
She still remembered that one.
"...Thank you."
"I'm more thankful. Skip the thanks—put it away."
I smiled small at her casual wave.
Never thought that doll would come back like this.
People really should live kindly.
"Gotta haul this stuff... and head somewhere else, so can't go together. Head in first."
"Okay, sis. Seriously, thank you."
Hugging the doll, I thanked her sincerely again.
She looked awkward, waving it off while nudging my shoulder.
A single doll could make me this happy.
Clutching my precious rabbit doll tight, I waved to Ji-su and slowly walked to the parking lot.
At the car, I placed the doll in the passenger seat, even buckled it up.
Then, buzzing with excitement, I turned the key.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Back home, first thing: unwrapped the doll.
Hugged it tight and plopped onto the sofa.
It's huge, so it's super cute.
Definitely 60cm.
Excitedly set it on the sofa, snapped photos, sent a bunch to Ji-su.
Played with it for ages, then remembered the coupons I'd gotten.
Skin exchange ticket and character growth material exchange—both unobtainable with money.
Entered them happily.
While playing as usual after, it hit me.
'That guy on stage... said top 40 without many characters, like me?'
To push my mini-game rank higher, I tweaked my builds hard.
After grinding, I hit the top 30s.
My personal best.
'Ooh... best build yet.'
Headed to the community to brag, but offline event aftermath? Tons of new posts, buzzing vibe.
'So many event reviews.'
Evening now—events probably wrapped, folks home posting.
Reading reviews of today's happenings, words seeming to describe me caught my eye.
'Off-Key Girl...?'
📰 Breaking News [Felt It After Seeing Off-Key Girl] Our game is a god game Otherwise there's no way the capital's top cool beauty would play this 💬 Comments — Anonymous Agh, who is that again — Anonymous Civilian bait = ban The post vanished right after I saw it.
Admins deleting it immediately.
Still... Off-Key Girl?
Isn't that nickname a bit much?
'Hmm...'
A few more posts about me popped up and disappeared.
Capital's Top Cool Beauty.
Average-Pumper Girl.
Insane Hack-Spend Girl.
And so on.
Not overthinking it.
They all stemmed from Off-Key Girl anyway.
After some buzz, an admin notice banned general public posts, and it all died down.
'Mixed feelings.'
A mix of excitement and complication.
Whatever—mission accomplished.
I smiled faintly at the doll perched alone on my gaming chair.
'Cute.'