Reaper (1)
"Ughhh..."
It's only after the sun has set that I finally make it home. Standing in the entryway, I stretch my arms high above my head. A languid fatigue has settled deep into every part of my body.
"Ugh..."
I toss the shopping bags full of my new underwear and women's clothes into the corner of the room, then flop face-first onto the bed. The soft blankets and pillow wrap around me like a cozy embrace.
"...Not bad."
I lie there with my eyes closed for a long while, murmuring softly to myself. The fresh scent of grass from the park I passed still lingers at the tip of my nose.
"It's been a while..."
It's 8:03 p.m. now.
When was the last time I stayed out this late? For some people, this might be when their day is just getting started—but for me, it's a shocking personal record.
—Look at how pale your skin is—you look like a vampire...
Yeah, someone said that to me once back in the day.
That I was so skinny and pale, just like a vampire.
Was it to live up to that? After that, I started heading home religiously before 6 p.m., before sunset.
Just like vampires avoiding the sunlit day, I avoided the hordes of people rushing home from work or school, or heading out for evening plans.
Like moths swarming neon signs, and the endless whispers tearing me down that hammered into my ears.
The night streets were pure hell for me.
A world out there I never wanted to face.
"Maybe I'm kind of amazing..."
Thinking back on how I used to feel, staying out until this hour—especially in the bustling downtown area—is a massive step forward.
Maybe,
I'm actually moving ahead, little by little.
Is taking these steps a success?
"......"
I stare blankly at my small, snow-white hand.
Today's outing was only possible because of this Gale Dancer body. If I'd been in my old wheelchair-bound form with paralyzed legs... I'd have just donned the headgear and escaped into the game world, no doubt.
In a way, this is a blessing.
Why did this happen only to me?
Is there a scientific explanation?
What if I suddenly reverted back...?
"...No."
I shake my head hurriedly.
Enough with the negative thoughts.
From now on, only positive ones.
Healthy body, healthy mind.
...That crepe was delicious.
"...Want another one."
Positive thoughts.
I savor the lingering sweet taste on my tongue.
Yeah. After buying underwear, I even succeeded in eating a crepe—from the shop itself.
I could still hear the murmurs behind me, but with my resolve hardened, I overcame the pressure much more easily than before.
The victory of conquering my past made that crepe even sweeter. As expected, crowded places have their reasons.
"Nngh..."
With a short groan, I roll my body ninety degrees to the side. Now that my body is smaller, the bed feels bigger—plenty of room.
"Community..."
I turn on my phone and check the Legend Frontier community, which I hadn't looked at during my outing. It's a bustling site, and popular posts have piled up already.
"Eh."
And the star of most of those popular posts? Me.
The post was about spotting someone who looks just like Gale Dancer. Probably one of the people at the crepe shop who recognized me from earlier.
"Haa..."
I let out a sigh.
They upload it to the community like they've seen something incredible, and it even hits the popular list.
Why are people so obsessed with what Gale Dancer looks like in real life? Do they have some idealized image in mind?
"Hmm..."
Well, doesn't seem like they're imagining anything good...
"Whatever..."
I spam the back button to close the community.
No photo of me was attached, and the comments were dismissing it as cosplay or "no way someone like that exists"—all nonsense. No need to dwell.
"Time for streams..."
Next, I open Xwitch and tune into a Legend Frontier broadcast. Like anyone, I have my favorites.
His streams are clean and well-paced, the chat stays wholesome, and his manly tank playstyle is a treat to watch.
We've crossed paths in ranked a few times, and his manners were always top-notch—great guy overall.
I click the screen.
Joining a stream already watched by thousands. Of course, I won't chat or donate.
Just a quiet viewer.
"Huh...?"
I'm peacefully watching Hwa Jin-gun's ranked stream when a donation chime blares out of nowhere.
Donations to a big corporate streamer are normal, but the problem? It mentioned Gale Dancer—me.
"Haa..."
I sigh for the umpteenth time since flopping onto the bed.
Why all this interest in me?
Hwa Jin-gun hates stirring drama—he outright bans mentions of other streamers or rankers. Curious enough about me to break his own rule?
Wanting to hear curses, like "Speed Swordsman is trash, official word from rank 2"?
...Stress surges.
"......"
...Unusually, he responds to a mention of another ranker. He didn't watch, but heard about the start.
"Huh...?"
His effusive praise makes me blink in surprise. Grateful he thinks well of me, but... are we that close?
"Pfft."
Not satisfied with his mild response? Another viewer sends a spicier donation, slamming me and Speed Swordsman.
"Annoying."
I frown.
Just like soccer fanbases with their rivalries, Legend Frontier rankers have the same. Fans envy, snipe, trash each other.
I'm a ranker, just started streaming, and the hottest topic right now—I get the guarded donation, but hearing it sucks all the same.
...But Hwa Jin-gun's a pro streamer. He chuckles leisurely, brushing off the cheap provocation.
"......"
"......Touching."
First time seeing a streamer defend Speed Swordsman—I'm hit with an inexplicable wave of emotion.
"......"
Topic shifted like that's enough on Gale Dancer and Speed Swordsman. Pro streamer pacing.
"Hoo..."
I turn off the phone screen and sprawl flat on my back, staring at the ceiling. Not a bad mood after Hwa Jin-gun's pure praise, but my head's swirling with thoughts.
"Why do they dismiss me so much..."
I'm rank 7, using a "proven" build per Hwa Jin-gun—yet constant trash talk.
Because I lack a fanbase from no streaming, so I seem like easy prey?
Or because low-tier wannabes suck at Speed Swordsman?
Or not enough proof for them yet?
Would hitting personal rank 1 make everyone acknowledge it?
"Number one..."
I murmur the number I've never even considered.
I play Legend Frontier not for pro gaming or the top spot. Just to run freely—that's it.
Kept running, hit ranker status. Top 10 felt good, so I've been chilling around 7th.
But maybe time to aim higher.
"Not bad."
...Hitting 1st with Speed Swordsman? Sounds kinda good.
"Hoo..."
I bolt upright in bed. Grab the VR headgear 4.0+ prize, carefully don it.
Planned no gaming tonight, but 1st-place greed hit—light ranked game or two.
Or maybe watching Hwa Jin-gun sparked it.
Reason doesn't matter.
Fun, win—that's all.
"Stream... maybe?"
Suddenly pondering: not a Speed Swordsman tutorial, but broadcast ranked?
One reason Speed Swordsman gets hate: small fanbase from its creator (me). Daily streams might grow it.
...Plus,
—Can I ask when the next stream is...?
—Really? I'll be waiting!
"......"
Someone actually said they'd wait for my stream.
Said tomorrow, but as an aspiring streamer, gotta meet fan expectations. I start prepping.
Set headgear to stream mode, link to PC, input title.
"Perfect."
Prep done, I flash a satisfied smile.
Title lacks flair... but whatever. Viewers will find it.
"Chat a bit, light one or two games, then sleep."
Vow for casual healing with interaction, then hurl myself into the battlefield.
...That was the plan, for sure,
and the exploding chat,
⊳ Alicia in Wonderland (Berserker-Stealth)
⊳ Nergi Geum Mwo Ha Ni (Spearman-Tanking)
⊳ Metia (Musketeer-Sniper)
⊳ 22222222 (Thief-Stealth)
"......"
an enemy team lineup I can't just brush off.
"Hmm...'"
And one name in particular steals my gaze.
"Alicia..."
Alicia in Wonderland.
Legend Frontier's personal rank 1,
master of stealth berserker, pinnacle of the game.
The Reaper harvesting players' lives.
...She's on the enemy team.
"Gotta go hard..."
I flash a wry smile.