Act 2. Bicheon Kingdom (Complete)

How much time had passed? When I opened my eyes again, I saw the familiar ceiling of my room.

"Ugh..."

Was it the aftereffects of my injuries? My body wouldn't move easily.

"...?"

Actually, it wasn't the injury—it was because Bambi was sprawled asleep on top of me, and Cheong Harin was using my body as a pillow while dozing off in a chair.

Creak—

At that moment, Jinun opened the door and came in.

"Ah, you're finally awake. How's your body feeling?"

He grinned so cheerfully that it was hard to believe this was the man who'd just pierced through Lilith's belly and turned her into a donut. He spoke to me with a beaming smile.

I gently lifted Bambi off my stomach, sat up, and bowed politely.

"I greet the War God..."

"No need for that. We're comrades who fought together, aren't we? Comrades don't stand on ceremony. Haha."

Jinun didn't have affection levels. Once trust maxed out, he treated players like true ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠sworn brothers.

"Ahaha... But why is she here...?"

"Oh, you mean Harin? She came to her senses and felt really sorry about attacking you. While you were out, both Kangho and Harin took great care of you."

"I see..."

Out of habit from petting Asella's head, I found myself gently stroking Harin's hair without thinking. Her cool, silky strands slipped through my fingers.

"...Mm... Huh?"

Harin woke at my touch, rubbed her eyes groggily, then widened them upon seeing I was awake.

"...Sleep well?"

"Noel!!"

She threw her arms around me, then suddenly pulled back.

"Are you okay? You're really all healed...?"

"Yeah. I heard you took care of me—thank you so much."

Harin hugged me tightly again, repeatedly apologizing. For a while, I patted her back soothingly.

After getting up from the sickbed, I opened the chat window alone and started checking the items I'd gained this time.

"...Eh, it's decent enough."

"And... oh."

"Oh... I'll have to try this on later."

Avatars have a random chance for effects, higher with better grades. Most are just for looks, so even if they have options, they're rarely game-changers. This one had a design like our New Year's hanbok, based in pink and plum—objectively, it'd suit me perfectly.

"May I come in?"

Jinun's silhouette appeared outside the door.

"Yes. What's up?"

Creak—

"Haha. Well... The king has something to bestow upon you. Shall we go together?"

"Sure, let's go."

Jinun and I headed to the massive palace where the Bicheon Kingdom's king resided. On the way, people recognized me, gave envious looks, and handed me all sorts of gifts. I smiled back. With all NPCs' affinity set to trust, no one stared curiously or showed hostility anymore.

Finally at the palace, we entered to see the king.

"So, you've come."

I couldn't recall the formal Eastern bow, so I modestly curtsied, lifting my dress with both hands and dipping my head slightly.

"I greet the King of Bicheon."

"I owe you a great debt. Truly... as a king of a nation, I am deeply grateful."

"No, it was just what needed doing."

The king smiled and gestured to a nearby warrior.

"Bring it forth."

After a short wait, the warrior returned with a box. Not too big or small—a perfect size.

As the box reached my hands, the king smiled and said,

"Open it. I never imagined the day would come to unveil what that lady gave us."

'No way.'

Click—

Inside was a pair of shoes.

"...Thank you."

"No, this is the least of rewards due. Especially for one who carries her legacy."

Just how far did Priscilla's influence reach? Curiosity stirred, but now wasn't the time.

"You may withdraw. Tonight's the last night of the banquet—enjoy it before you go."

"...Thank you. I definitely will."

I left and returned to the room. When I asked Jinun if I could keep using it, he laughed heartily, saying it was already mine.

"Well... shall we take a look?"

"...Insane.."

With my mana-hungry self always twisting like a pretzel, this felt perfect.

"Anyway, shall we wrap up today's stream after enjoying the banquet?"

"Ahaha, I'm fine. Still got some left in me..."

That evening, I equipped the Moonlit Goddess avatar from the quest reward. I also put on the hairpin I'd gotten on the way to the palace earlier.

"Whoa... it's really pretty."

In the mirror stood the avatar's namesake—a true moonlit goddess.

I opened the door and stepped out. Soon, I spotted Cheong Harin in a similarly refined outfit, her expression blank.

"Noel, wanna hang out together? I'll show you around."

I accepted without hesitation.

Her cheeks seemed a bit flushed just now—probably my imagination?

I closed the chat lightly and headed out.

Harin and I strolled the streets, peacefully enjoying the banquet. We popped candied fruits from the roadside market into our mouths—the bustling energy melted away my fatigue. (The auntie gave them for free, and when I offered money, she gave extras.)

"These are so good. I wanna eat them again later."

A crunchy coating burst with sweet fruit juice—similar to tanghulu but different.

"Mmm~"

People in lion masks danced through the streets, drumming up excitement amid endless laughter. It felt like reward for all my hardships.

We wandered to a quiet spot and stopped before an arched bridge over the river.

"Noel, thank you."

"Ahaha, no biggie. It was what I had to do."

"...Still. Thank you."

Harin gazed wistfully at the full moon and spoke.

"You know? This bridge has an interesting legend."

"Oh? What's that?"

"They say if a man and woman stand on ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠this bridge and become lovers, they'll have eternal love."

She smiled faintly as she told the tale.

"...Romantic."

I climbed the arch and looked at the moon.

"Yeah... A confession here would be unforgettable. Hehe."

I turned back with a smile at Harin. Moonlight bathed my head softly.

"Thank you. Fun story."

Harin's face was oddly flushed. Was it the Moonlit Goddess avatar? Under the full moon, Noel's figure outshone any woman.

After moon-gazing with Harin a while, I returned to the plaza and met the Jeok Clan's heirs.

Eldest son, Jeok Kangho.

"...Sorry. Wounds all healed?"

"Yes. You're strong yourself."

"...Haha! I am pretty tough!"

Kangho perked up immediately.

Second son, Jeok Seonho.

"...Sorry for everything. I apologize for my reckless words."

"It's fine..."

Seonho started using formal speech with me.

Third daughter, Jeok Sehua.

"Wanted to thank you for saving our country."

Sehua was memorable from our intense prelim match. I smiled, took her hand, and shook it.

"Couldn't say it then, but you were tough too."

"Hehe, thanks. Feels good hearing that from you."

"...Aren't I older though?"

Sehua bolted away.

The Bicheon Festival came to an end.

"To the 3,720 viewers who stuck around for a whopping 16 hours—thank you. That's it for today's stream."

"And to those who donated while I pushed the story..."

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

"Eek."

"...Ria, thank you so much for always donating like this to my streams. Y-You're not overdoing it, right? It's spare cash, yeah..?"

"Y-Yes... So, total donations during stream: Ria with 3,850,000 won, Sora with 2,200,000 won, NelTubeFighting with 1,100,000 won..."

I continued thanking viewers who'd donated 50,000 won or more by name.

"Big content arc done, so I'll take a short break to recharge. Rest tomorrow, and... not sure exactly when the next stream is."

"Anyway, thanks for watching my stream for so long."

Still in the hanbok avatar, I gave a short bow.

"That's it, everyone. Nelba—"

Noel's stream ended after 16 hours and 13 minutes.