Rescuing Maem
“I’m going to save Maem!!” (Maem has no idea.)
Yesterday really shook me. So that’s one way to approach things. Out of nowhere, I’d picked up nicknames like Virgin Controller, Unicorn, and Virgin Detector. Not bad, though. Way better than stuff like “Intimidation Queen” or “Jjangpo Ham.” Anyway, it’s a good thing. New products are always the best—fridges, phones, computers, accessories, luxury brands, even games. Everything. The unboxing moment is the peak. That’s when it’s at its absolute best. What’s so great about that? What’s so special about the feel of tearing it open? I used to watch unboxing videos all the time, especially phones and tablets. That was the best part—the moment you peeled it open and saw that pristine, glowing surface. I even bought one myself once… but I never used it and ended up giving it to my parents. Still, if that’s what it means, isn’t it a compliment? Ah… but I’m not some kind of object!! I’m not that kind of person. What would that make my parents?! It’s just things. Only things!! Not people. Then what about Merona? She supposedly kept her virginity thanks to that huge chest of hers? Hmm… that’s just personality disorder territory. Man-hater. Feminist. Even those types couldn’t pull it off. Guys would be showing up with luxury gifts, sports cars, travel tickets, tongues hanging out, bowing and scraping. You’re telling me she resisted all of that? That’s not human. Unless it’s Maru. Maru’s definitely a virgin!! The perfect woman. A divine sculpture. There’s no way Gaia’s descendant Maru has ever met a man. Bwahahaha. As expected of the Great Maru. My respect for her just keeps growing. My one and only Wanna One. Maru worshipper Seon-a. Bwaha. “As expected of Maru. Heh.”
I wanted to hear Maru’s voice. I called her. Tch. She must be asleep… yeah, this is her usual nap time. Babies need plenty of sleep. Can’t be helped. “Mmm…”
In that case, I should get to work. I opened Discord. Oh!! There was a message from Maem. It said, “How about this Saturday?” Alright… I should check with Merona. Wait, what was Merona’s actual name again? Uh… ah!! Moddeok. Almost forgot completely. Anyway, I called Moddeok. Phone calls are easier than messages. Texts always feel different when you write them versus when you read them, and I hate that pressure of having to read everything properly.
— Ring ring. Ring ring.
Is Merona asleep too? She’s not picking up on Discord. Then… I’ll just call. I have Moddeok’s number. I can reach her with this. I tried again.
“Hel… hello…”
“Hello!! It’s Seon-a. Do you remember me?”
“Seon-a… yeah, I know…”
Moddeok’s voice was completely hoarse.
“Are you free this Saturday?!”
“Sa… Saturday?”
“Yeah! Let’s play that shooter game together!!”
“Ah… that… um… later…”
“Are you sleepy?”
“Mhm…”
“Got it.”
Then what? Should I hang up? Hmm… but I really want a definite answer. If I say “I’ll check later and get back to you,” what am I supposed to tell Maem? Maem, please wait a little longer? Ugh… I wish Moddeok would just give me a clear yes.
“Let’s do it! I really want to play with you, Moddeok!! Game chaos!!”
“Ehehehe… Satur… day?”
“Yeah! Saturday.”
“Okay…”
“Whoa!! Really?”
“Mhm…”
“Thank you!! I’ll hang up now!! It’s Seon-a, okay? Don’t forget later!! Don’t answer the phone and then forget who called or what we talked about!!”
“Kheheh… okay…”
Call ended. Now I should tell Maem. Collaborations are such a pain. Let’s just wing it. No, that’s not right. We need to pick a game, coordinate everyone’s schedules… this is seriously exhausting. I immediately called Maem.
“Hello!! Hehehe, what’s up?”
“It’s settled!! The person we’re collaborating with is Merona. I got a definite yes!”
“Okay. So it’s Merona and Seon-a, right?”
“Yep! That’s right. Who did you find, Maem?”
“I… I got PapaChoi, the one we played with before.”
“Huh!? Wha?!”
Who was PapaChoi again? The name rang a bell, but I couldn’t place it. I searched for PapaChoi right away. 120k YouTube subscribers. What the—!! No way!! His gaming channel had 120k, and his family sitcom channel had 960k… What is this?! Maem’s connections are no joke!! PapaChoi has two daughters. Whoa! A 12-year-old and a 6-year-old. His wife… wow. He’s married? He even shows his face. His videos get good views too… whoa. Ah… no way!! What? Hold on… we were on the same team? In D-tier… huh? He even played Goose Duck with me? What—!! We’ve met before. But I don’t remember. I must have that “recent memory loss” disease. Actually, I’m bad with faces too. If I don’t interact much, I just forget.
“Ah!! PapaChoi!!”
“Yeah!! Is that okay? He seemed really fun last time!!”
“Ah!! Yes!!”
“Hehehehehe.”
I don’t actually remember… but since Maem likes him, I said it was fine.
“Then Seon-a, let’s meet up at 6 on Saturday!!”
“Got it!! Understood!! Ah… ah!! Right, Maem. Maem.”
“Yes?”
“You know that thing we talked about!!”
“Which thing?”
“The meeting!!”
“Ah… ah. Yeah. Yeah, that’s right.”
Maem sounded really flustered. She’s pulling me in again? Tch… Maem’s completely lost in the VTuber world. I have to save her. Reality isn’t VR. This is Earth, South Korea… wherever. There’s only me. I’m the one who has to rescue Maem.
“I’ll save you!!”
“Huh? Save what…?”
“Don’t worry. Just trust me. Definitely… definitely. Just trust me.”
“Ehh? Hehehehe.”
“Ugh… don’t worry. Not right now, but I’ll definitely save you.”
She’s a princess trapped under a curse. Right now she’s under the Demon King’s spell, unable to even dream of escape. Just wait. I’ll gather my allies and come rescue you. Sob sob… believe in Seon-a. Seon-a will break the curse for you.
“Ehhh? What do you mean?”
“Just wait a little. I’ll prepare like crazy and save you.”
“Save me from what?! What exactly?!”
“No. I already know everything. Don’t worry. Just trust me. Definitely. Definitely.”
Tears almost welled up.
“Huh? No, tell me too!! Tell me. I’m scared. I’m scared~”
“No. There’s nothing to be scared of. Just wait a bit.”
I spoke to her soothingly. It’s still too early. Someone sealed under the curse would reject anything I say. It’s sad, but also a relief. If Maem had never met me, Seon-a… she would’ve gone her whole life thinking VR Chat was reality. Thanks to meeting me, she’ll get to experience real-world joy. Should we go to an amusement park? I’ll take Maem to an amusement park, get her delicious food, and show her all the fun things in reality!! Just trust me. I’ll take care of everything. Trust only me, Maem.
“Nooo. Tell me too!! What, what, what is it?”
“That is… Maem, you’re currently under a curse.”
“Ehhh? Me? Why?”
“The curse of mistaking reality for VR Chat.”
I said it casually. She wouldn’t understand. Trapped under the Demon King’s curse, she’d just show the silent treatment pattern. I know everything.
“Eh? What—hahaha. No. That’s not it.”
The curse is strong. They put an incredibly powerful curse on her. I thought she’d just go silent, but they even brainwashed her. This is going to be one tough journey.
“Then why won’t you meet me?”
“No. No. That’s… well… we’re not close enough for that yet… hehehehe…”
“…”
Damn. The Demon King’s kid is seriously strong. Now he’s even casting a “drawing boundaries” curse? If I were still the old, un-grown Seon-a, I would’ve been hurt. But I’m a grown hero now. I know Maem is under a curse. If I didn’t know that, I might’ve been a little wounded.
“The Demon King’s spawn is powerful.”
“Demon King? What’s that supposed to mean!! Tell me too!!”
“I can’t say. We’re going to get closer now, and I’ll pull you out of VR Chat into reality. Just wait a little.”
“No. What are you doing by yourself!! Hehehehe. Seriously, what? Let’s get immersed together.”
“You can’t right now, Maem.”
So that’s the plan—steal my strategy? Demon King’s spawn… it was such an obvious trick that it was easy to see through.
“Huh? No, seriously… what even… I don’t…”
“You’re at a loss for words, aren’t you?”
“Uh… yeah. Obviously.”
“That’s the proof.”
“Puhahaha. No. No…”
The Demon King’s spawn was controlling Maem but got flustered by my holy power. About 70% success. A little more and I can rescue Maem. Just wait a bit longer. Really, Maem.
“I’m going to save Maem!!”
“Maem has no idea… Seon-a, who exactly are you trying to save?”
“There is someone.”
“No… I told you I don’t know?”
Of course she wouldn’t know. The Demon King’s power can’t reach inside my head. I’m a hero with that much holy power. Don’t worry. I’ll safely rescue Maem.
“Then I’m going to start streaming now. I need to wrap up Pong World today.”
“No!! You have to tell me before you go. What… what are you planning? Tell me.”
“You’ll find out when the time comes, Maem. Wash your hair, put on makeup, wear something pretty, and wait. We’re going to eat delicious food and go to an amusement park together. Be ready.”
“Puhaha. Really? Hehehehehe.”
“Yep!!”
Judging by her reaction, I’m over 90% there. No matter how strong the Demon King is, good always triumphs over evil. In the end, the hero wins.