Chapter 112. We're Doing a Photoshoot?
Chapter 112. We're Doing a Photoshoot?
'He really was a Lancer-Berserker...'
Max hefted his massive club onto his shoulder, grinning broadly.
"I was making sure Emilia got something to eat. I took my time—didn't want to startle her while she was putting on her makeup."
Despite his rugged(?) appearance and massive build, his voice was unmistakably fired up.
"Maybe it's because this is the first guild event we've done, but I'm feeling excited for no good reason!"
He tapped the club with his enormous hand. Emir joined in, twirling his twin spears before resting them gracefully over his shoulder.
"Boss, I'd like to look around a bit, too."
Their eyes sparkled with anticipation, like kids stepping into a playground. My gaze, however, was fixed on the spear Emir was holding.
'Wait a minute... was it really okay for him to carry that around?'
Unlike Max's weapon, Emir's weapon was an actual artifact. This could be a bit of a problem. I glanced cautiously toward the manager.
"It's fine."
As soon as he met my eyes, he smiled as if reading my mind.
"They're Hunters, after all. S-ranks and above are permitted to carry artifacts without separate authorization. I've already sent out an official notice just in case."
"Ah, well... I guess it's fine?"
The manager smiled and nodded.
"As if an S-rank Hunter would cause an accident."
Emir seriously looked like he might cause one...
---
Soon, the three of us wandered around the venue. Since Laila was waiting backstage for the event's second part, I had no choice but to act as these two's chaperone.
'I really couldn't trust sending just these two off alone...'
And I turned on the stream for our viewers who could only follow the event through the game company's official channel.
[ World's Strongest Hero : KXGF vlog let's go ]
As expected, the viewers were shocked to see Max and Emir as well.
[Whoa wtf;; Max-ham what the heck is that lolololol]
[Was Hecle even a cosplayable character in the first place???]
[Even strongmen would give up against that build? lololol]
"Wahaha! It's your viewers."
"Nice to meet you all! I'm Emir, an employee of the boss!"
We chatted briefly as we moved around. Max and Emir wandered the exhibition booths, marveling at everything they saw.
"Oh... maybe because it's straight from the company, the CMC combat suit looks incredibly realistic!"
"Max Hunter, the Blade Queen next to it is also incredibly realistic..."
Their eyes glittered like children's, and I hovered between them, on edge.
But soon, their presence electrified the venue.
At first, visitors just thought of them as 'high-quality foreign cosplayers.' But then they recognized me standing next to them, and exclamations burst out from everywhere.
"Huh? Aren't those... Max Hunter and Emir Hunter?"
"Wow, they actually came to this?"
"The quality is incredible! Would it be alright if I took a picture?"
People flocked to them in an instant. They whipped out their phones and snapped photos as if they were idols. Max, in particular, drew the most attention thanks to his overwhelming visuals.
"Excuse me... I'm sorry..."
A father who had come with his family cautiously approached us.
"Would it be alright if I placed my child on your shoulders... and took just one picture?"
The father was making even more of a fuss than the child. But Max nodded cheerfully.
"Well, that's no trouble at all!"
Fathers who had brought their young children lined up one after another. They knew Max's character suspiciously well.
[Suspiciously well...]
[lololol when we become fathers, that's exactly how we'll be]
[First of all, do you have a girlfriend?]
[That damn bitch]
Perhaps that was why they requested specific poses.
"Th-thank you!"
The parents took pictures, endlessly thanking him.
"Is it also possible... to swing the spear around?"
"Well, there's a bit of space, so..."
I looked over at Emir on the opposite side. He had cleared a space and was spinning his spear with flair. My eyes narrowed slightly at the sight.
'...Emir was definitely an S-rank too...'
He's a Hunter who wields the spear skillfully, after all. But still, I worried for him like a child left near the water's edge.
─ Whoong! Bwoong...!
People were filming his deft spear swings.
"He really isn't an S-rank for nothing..."
"I heard that's actually his own artifact?"
Just then, a text message notification popped up on my phone.
"Ah, we should get going soon."
"Hm? Already?"
"It looks like the second part of the event is starting."
Max carefully lowered the child from his shoulders, and Emir gathered up his spear.
Max and Emir followed me deeper into the venue. The atmosphere was already electric, and the entrance was packed with throngs of people.
A packed audience. And even outside the barricades, spectators were overflowing.
The turnout this time was even bigger than the first part. It had already become a huge buzz because of Laila, and word was that a famous streamer would be attending the second part of the event.
[There's a ton of people;;]
[Is our game a god-tier game now?]
[ Saintess's Foot Wiper has donated 10,000 Watts! ]
- My sister is seriously so pretty...
A sudden flex from the manager.
[Lee Chae-hyun you fucker stop watching alone and let's watch it together!!!!]
[I was looking for Lee Chae-hyun to smack him on the head, where the hell is this guy?]
[ Saintess's Foot Wiper has donated 30,000 Watts! ]
- My sister smells so good...
[(Crying tears of blood emoji)]
[How much is it? Answer quickly it's urgent!!!!!!]
'I was in a hurry too...'
"Alright, everyone, have you all arrived~?"
The emcee announced the start of the stage program. And as expected, the streamer co-host, who had his own broadcasting experience, handled the flow smoothly.
"So many people have come here today! And we've invited a very special person, haven't we?"
"Yes, that's right. The most famous Hunter, and someone who streams on Pajijik!"
"Yes, actually, I've seen countless cosplays at related events, but there was no one as beautiful as her."
"There weren't this many people during the first part... Isn't this all thanks to that Hunter and the streamer next to us?"
"Hahaha, it's definitely more thanks to 'that Hunter' than me."
Their perfect witty banter. And then the emcee turned his head and called out a name.
"Laila, come on out!"
The lighting in the back flickered red, and the spotlight gathered on a single point.
─ Click, clack...
With the click of her somewhat high heels, Laila appeared holding a crimson sword. Her newly styled twin tails swayed. However, no one let out a cheer. They were just staring blankly.
"Wow... no way..."
"Wh-what... is this?"
Even the emcee's reaction was completely different from before. It was on a completely different level from when she wore the slightly modified maid outfit. A pure white dress that looked as if it were made of silk.
─ Whoosh!
She swung her sword once and struck a pose.
"Waaaaaah!!!"
"Big sis!!!"
"Is this for real?"
"How can a real person be that pretty?"
Only then did an explosive roar of cheers erupt from the audience.
The sound of camera shutters, phone video recordings, and fans' exclamations. The atmosphere was exactly like that of a celebrity appearing on stage.
"Hahaha!"
At that moment, the emcee looked at the streamer who was co-hosting the event. Then he made a teasing joke.
"A married man shouldn't stare like that, you know?"
"Now, now! My wife is also here, so you can't say things like that!"
The venue grew boisterous again at the emcee's joke intended to shift the mood.
"Laila! I heard you enjoy this game, how is it?"
Laila took the microphone, smiled slightly, and replied.
"The weapon response is good, and the effects are pretty. Personally, my taste is..."
Her words continued, followed by laughter and applause from the audience. After that, the microphone was passed directly to a few members of the audience.
"Big sis, have you hit the pity system a lot?"
"Ugh... don't even mention it... how much money I've spent..."
The Q&A session continued after that.
"Big sis, which character is closest to your ideal type?"
"Saintess, have you by any chance... tried this new content?"
"You're so pretty...!"
Laila answered with composure. Then the emcee raised his hand and delivered the closing statement.
"Now it's a short break time! The third part will continue in 10 minutes with a new cosplay!"
"Haha, please use the restroom, get some water, and be sure to keep your seats! It isn't over yet!"
The hall's lighting transitioned softly, and in the amiable atmosphere, people kept their seats or moved quickly to prepare for the third part.
After confirming that she had disappeared backstage, I grabbed Max and Emir and headed behind the stage.
"Ah, Hero!"
─ Hug!
Smiling brightly, Laila immediately hugged me. Next to us, Lee Chae-hyun was clicking his tongue enviously as he watched us.
'Ah... so this was the good smell...'
"Ah! I'm a bit sweaty..."
She gently pushed against my chest and fanned herself with her hand, her face flushed. She was always cute, pretty, and lovely, but she was even more so today...
'Did I have a fetish for this cosplay?'
"Hoo... Anyway, I'll go change my clothes and be right back!"
I nodded as if spellbound at her words about changing clothes. Laila went inside with the staff member who was carrying the costume.
'Hmm...'
Since her makeup was already done, they said they only needed to touch up her hairstyle a little. The sound of clothes rustling came from inside, followed by the sound of a hairdryer.
─ Click! Click!
"Wow, big sis... seriously..."
"Hehe, thanks..."
It sounded like they were done, as I could hear them laughing and taking pictures inside.
'Well, I already know she's pretty...'
─ Rumble!
"Hero!"
I heard Laila open the door and step out behind me. I was slightly looking forward to it, but I wasn't incredibly nervous.
'Huh, honestly... no matter how pretty she was, you get used to it when you live together...'
Ah, I just lost my words...
I was staring at Laila in a trance. Then the staff member spoke to me, and my train of thought was broken.
"Oh, right! The photoshoot our director mentioned is scheduled for tomorrow, right?"
'Ah, shit... drool...'
"Huh? A photoshoot? What do you mean?"
"Huh?"
At my answer, the staff member looked at Laila with a surprised expression. Following suit, my gaze also turned to Laila.
"Laila, a photoshoot?"
"That's right! I was supposed to do a photoshoot, but I completely forgot to tell you, Hero."
Well, what a surprise.
This was a welcome one.