SNS Frenzy Over the Atlantic

With in-flight meals, movies, and games—without even sleeping—NoName had indulged in every entertainment the plane offered. She posted the photos to SNS with a satisfied heart.

SNS brought a totally different kind of fun from streaming. While chat windows spewed fragmented real-time emotions from viewers, Instagram comments felt more like genuine attempts to connect with the account owner. Just a few posts created the same buzz as a full broadcast.

Wearing a pleased expression, NoName drifted off to sleep as they neared their destination.

Meanwhile, the couple seated behind her could hear the soft breathing of the sleeping child. As some Nobel Peace Prize winner once said, if the world had ten times more cuteness than it does now, there'd be no wars. Their hearts naturally calmed.

But apparently, the world hadn't caught on yet. This tiny peace felt at 10km altitude hadn't reached Korea.

It wasn't front-page news, but dig around news sites and you'd find plenty of articles about NoName.

But as they say, others' misfortune is your fortune. NoName's streams were 58% foreign viewers, and thanks to Kariri kickstarting her SNS, tons of internationals flooded in, welcoming her in their languages.

"Nami... Nami!"

"Nngh?"

"We're almost there. Didn't you sleep at all?"

"Nah. Better to stay up late to adjust to the time difference anyway."

The time difference between Korea and Frankfurt was 7 hours. Even after landing, it'd be 6 a.m. local time. Yoon Seol waved it off, saying time difference wasn't the issue.

"You gotta post a clarification on Insta or Together ASAP. Right now..."

"I know."

"Huh?"

"I know everything. So don't worry... yaaawn."

She buckled up tight and gently closed her eyes again.

"This kid's insane... her thinking's not normal at all."

Oh, phone died.

Lots of messages from acquaintances. All saying the same thing.

She hadn't thought much when posting the second feed, but comments and DMs asking for updates piled up, making her realize.

Coincidentally, the posts came off exactly like she was leaving Korea for good.

Whatever, if they misunderstood on their own, no harm done.

She wondered what life would've been like born elsewhere.

In Civilization Total War, random pick was Luxembourg. Luckily, the richest nation per capita GDP worldwide. Games being games, crushing the French Kingdom and absorbing Qing China was no biggie.

But playing made her realize Korea wasn't pushover either.

Yeah, if born on some Central American island with crap magic infrastructure, things would've been way worse.

Sometimes, gratitude for what you have is key.

Germany's sky was thick with gray clouds. They passed colorful houses and Europe-specific cobblestone streets rare in Korea, arriving at vast Römer Square with parasols from cafes and public benches.

They stood there like abandoned scarecrows by a statue for ages.

"Principal, shouldn't we drop our bags at the hotel first?"

"Hmm... Been too long, no clue which way."

"Can't you ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠just check the map?"

Lost. Should've memorized the route herself.

Too bad her phone was dead.

Danielle, first time in Europe, had set her bags down and was strolling the square. NoName called her over with a warning.

"Niel unnie, don't just leave bags on the ground like that. This ain't Korea—pickpockets are everywhere."

"Oh, got it."

"Yeah."

Especially in Europe, always watch for pickpockets and snatch thieves targeting Asians.

Rustle—

Yoon Seol approached from behind, rummaging in her bag.

"Snacks are in the front pocket, not there."

"..."

"Still can't find 'em, Yoon Seol unnie?"

"Did you call me, Nami?"

"...?"

Yoon Seol was with Danielle. Gu On-yu was on a bench checking maps.

So who was rummaging behind her?

"...!"

Turning, she glimpsed a man sprinting off like hell.

My phone and power bank...!

Pickpocketing this bold? No time to think—she drew a transmutation circle.

Circle complete in 1 second. Overchanneled mana in panic, but no activation.

Thief wobbled but kept running fine.

Why?

Tried others just in case, but mid-circle spells felt outright blocked.

Too far now; as she aura-infused her legs to chase, Gu On-yu noticed and drew her wand.

"Gaaargh!"

The thief yelped and faceplanted hard on the cobblestones. Same spell as NoName's first try—proper hit.

To reclaim her precious phone ASAP, she rushed over. It had tumbled unprotected multiple times; screen cracked bad.

Tried playing it cool, but irritation seeped through.

First overseas trip, and this happens.

Past life? No exaggeration—this guy would've been executed.

Out of Gu On-yu's sight, she aura-loaded her heel and stomped his hand.

"Aaaaaagh!"

"Oops, my bad!"

Magic failure wasn't from Korean incantations. Duh—standard international runes.

Germany didn't allow magic freedom. Precisely, not for non-citizens.

"Korea's the special case."

Powerful police to nab any tax dodger, terrifying admin to deport anyone swiftly without fuss. Countries like that profit more from universal magic freedom for tax revenue.

Korea, Switzerland, some US states shared mana plant access universally. EU terror hotspots didn't.

So Germany's foreigner restrictions weren't discriminatory. Quite the opposite—welcoming to refugees and stateless via friendly policies. NoName learned that civics tidbit.

"This little brat did this to my hand! What're you gonna do about it? Untie me and get me to a hospital NOW!"

"Let me recap: Not this lady, but that girl crushed your hand?"

"Yes! That's it! Aaaagh it hurts!"

"Madam? I'm unmarried."

"Ah, sorry."

"Not the time for marital status! My hand! My hand!"

Sent Niel and Yoon Seol to the hotel first. NoName went to the station with Gu On-yu.

A scruffy guy in a white tee, hands bound tight, was being questioned. Moving'd shift bone shards—insane pain tolerance.

"Passports, please?"

Gu On-yu handed over NoName's too from her handbag. Blue regular passport, gray official one—hers.

Cop checked, then eyed NoName.

"Know the streamer NoName in Korea?"

He flipped to her photo on the ID page.

"Yeah."

"Weird name. Legal name really NoName?"

"Careful with pronunciation. NoNaMe. Nami."

"Aha, Nami. Na... wait..."

"Max, issue?"

"Levi, come check this."

"...?"

Bearded young cops alternated staring at monitor and her, intense.

"Scheiße! Sorry. This real? You're really WOA rank 1?"

"God almighty, you NoName?"

"Uh? Yeah..."

"Whoa... unbelievable. How'd you hit rank 1 at that age?"

"Who's the kid?"

Thief shuddered, confused by the fuss.

"Miss Gu, her guardian?"

"Yes, currently."

Gu On-yu smiled warmly.

"Sorry for the commotion. NoName's huge online, especially gaming. We're massive fans."

"See, NoName? Healer 70k. How'd you get 135k?! Monster confirmed!"

"Paladin run, huh. Priest next time?"

"Duh! No priest, no healer!"

Gaming bonded them instantly with Frankfurt city cops. Maximilian, he intro'd, wagged a finger playfully.

"Photo ok? Can post to SNS?"

"Uh... sure."

"Max? Not patrolling?"

"Chief! Chief! Photo with us! Don't you know her? Get a sig—your son'd love it."

"Who?"

Levi, selfie mode ready, slung an arm around NoName, arm extended.

"Nice to meet ya, Nami. Identical to your avatar."

"Why realize now, idiot! Head to toe same."

"You bastards! My hand! Forget pics, hospital please!"

"Want me to take it?"

"Thanks, Miss Gu!"

Photo captured: beaming thumbs-up youths flanking NoName, reluctant grumpy chief roped in.

Youth checked pic, bowed satisfied to Gu On-yu.

Polite Korean-style.

"Pickpockets everywhere lately. Germany safest in Europe, but guess not anymore haha."

"Tough work round the clock."

"Sorry for bad first experience on arrival day. We apologize. Hope the rest of your Frankfurt trip is all good!"