Chapter 6
Chapter 6
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 6
Chapter Title: Members Over-Immerse in RP
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Humanity's first civilization was established less than 10,000 years ago.
And even before civilization took root, humans were already farming and holding religious beliefs.
Primitive farming—nothing more than simple acts like weeding around crops that grew on their own, without planting or nurturing seeds.
Primitive faith—purely instinctive worship of natural forces that humans couldn't comprehend or control.
The ancient wolf god drew power from people's faith and became a spirit being.
Its body was hundreds of times larger than an ordinary wolf.
If it had been bound by the laws of physics, that wolf might have devoured everything around it and brought the world to ruin. But as a half-spiritual entity, it sustained its existence through human faith.
Overseeing the abundance of harvests and living off human gratitude, the wolf god may have been far closer to humanity than the domesticated dogs that became livestock.
At the dawn of the tale, the wolf that first became a god was biologically male.
Yet people prayed to the wolf god for bountiful harvests, prosperity, and fertility. This shift in faith transformed the half-spiritual wolf into a goddess.
That was roughly 11,000 years ago.
As agriculture grew to dominate human life, the wolf god's power strengthened, eventually ruling over half the world from the Indus Valley to the Wa Islands.
But with the advent of gunpowder, the rise of factories, and people turning to science over faith, its power dwindled in an instant. Now, it was a forgotten relic, an old god gathering dust in some back room with no one left to seek it.
Even if it vanished, there would be no regrets. But still, she loved humans.
She thought it might be nice to mingle among them just once.
"This time, Rang-ie has to sing a song!"
In the World Live Entertainment studio, equipped with a soundproof booth and broadcasting gear.
It was an environment perfectly suited for karaoke.
To create songs, it might be good to sing a lot of them first.
At Evangelion's suggestion, an impromptu karaoke event kicked off.
After the president and manager each sang a song, the only ones left who hadn't sung were the wolf god, Wang Rang.
"I can just watch."
In ancient times, humans celebrated bountiful harvests with drums, gongs, cymbals, hourglasses, and flutes. Music soothed sorrows too, but at its core, it commemorated, celebrated, or stirred excitement.
Now, the world was abundant even without divine power.
"What are you talking about? You can't opt out like that. No escaping, no escaping!"
Evangelion grabbed the wolf god's arm, pulled her from her seat, and thrust the mic into her hands, forcing her to sing.
Well, no choice then.
No more dodging, so she'd sing a familiar tune.
"Ah, aaah, ah, ah."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ 'Is the song choice for real?'
Wang Rang, who took the mic last, chose Arirang.
What?
Traditional Korean music girl concept?
Yun Byeol, who went first, alternated between Latin American and Southeast Asian songs, leaving everyone's heads spinning.
Evangelion belted out nothing but outdated hits at least ten years old, like she'd just returned from exile somewhere.
At least the president and manager's pop duet was decent.
Though it was disappointing that it was English songs instead of J-pop.
Am I the only one who sang something Vtuber-appropriate?
Is this group really okay?
They said they were targeting the otaku market, but what if they crash and burn like that game dev who didn't even know the letter for 'otaku'?
But it was fun.
School days filled with nothing but bad memories.
Days when I could only envy kids with parents.
Like water and oil that never mix, even in the same classroom, I was isolated.
I'd never hung out with people like this.
The orphanage protected and raised me, but it also felt like a heavy rock crushing me down.
Escaping that place, my first real connections felt so good they brought tears to my eyes.
So I cried.
"Arirang was that moving!? You like traditional music?"
Evangelion spotted me crying first and asked.
As if I was crying because Arirang was moving.
"Guess some dust got in my eye."
"I'll blow it out. Phew. Phew."
Evangelion actually blew right into my eyes.
When was the last time I felt such gentle care?
The breeze meant to clear the dust only made me cry harder.
"Huh!? Spit got in!? No way!?"
"I'm fine. That's enough now."
Evangelion had stunning, exotic looks, flawless Korean pronunciation despite that, and a bit of a ditzy personality.
It contrasted with her bold claim during planning that a few dirty jokes would wrap any guy around her finger. It made her feel really cute.
To think I could be in a group with people this pretty, cool, and adorable.
Maybe becoming an idol was the right call.
Though it pricked my conscience a bit, like I was scamming them by not revealing I'd been a guy before.
How do you even explain waking up in a new body with history itself rewritten?
They'd just call an ambulance and ship me to the psych ward.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The dreamlike party ended, and it was already late evening.
"Take a taxi. I'll cover the fare."
"No thanks. I have plans after this."
"It better not be a guy."
I turned down the president's offer to pay for a taxi and made an excuse about prior plans.
Evangelion immediately asked if I was off to meet a man.
"Nothing like that."
It was a lie.
Though the odds of meeting a guy were pretty high.
"Then get home safe."
"Bye."
"See ya."
"Take care."
"Don't stress too much. Think about what song you really want to do."
The president kept mixing informal and formal speech, like she was trying to flirt and excite me with half-polite banter.
The polite manager.
Wang Rang with her unique speech patterns.
Yun Byeol's curt farewell and Evangelion's warm send-off.
Could I really be colleagues with people this pretty!?
Was my life on hard mode before, so now it's super easy mode!?
'Gotta do what I gotta do.'
I skipped the taxi fare specifically so I could do some designated driving on the way home.
It brings in decent cash, you know.
If you've got a license, why not?
I'm not driving my own car anywhere, so why not drive someone else's and get paid?
Of course, that only works if there's a client heading where I want to go.
Earlier, coming to the office during the day, there was no demand, so I had to bus it.
But now it's late evening, peak time for drunk designated driving calls.
Luckily, I snagged one heading near my place in just 15 minutes.
I headed to the location and found the client who'd called me.
"Hello."
"Huh?"
Why does he sound so dumbfounded when I just greeted him?
I check my reflection in the car window.
I realize I don't look like someone who'd typically do designated driving.
"Um,"
As I start to say I'm here for designated driving, his mouth moves fast.
"Did I die in a drunk driving accident? Is this heaven? Why's there a goddess here?"
He's pretty wasted.
"Not a goddess. Designated driver."
"The goddess is doing my designated driving? Where to? Heaven or hell? Did I live a good life?"
Don't ask me that; I wouldn't know.
The client looked like a typical 30-something office worker.
Suddenly, he sniffled.
"I don't have a wife or kids at home, but I do have my precious figure collection. Could a guy like me ever start a family? Otakus aren't popular, right?"
Now I was starting to worry.
Is it safe to drive with someone this drunk?
"Uwaaah! Even the goddess despises me! Guess otaku tastes are no good!"
My skepticism must've shown on my face. I forced a smile.
"No. I'm an otaku too."
What kind of conversation is this?
But I couldn't let this guy go.
Because he was the only call heading right near my house.
I said it was easy earlier, but actually getting home via designated driving takes luck.
No matching destination, no dice.
If I planned for it, I could keep taking calls until one near home, but tonight I just wanted to get back quick and rest.
"If you live kindly and pray to the otaku god every day, you'll surely meet a wonderful woman who accepts your tastes."
"Ahh, thank you, goddess."
"Get in the car first."
I soothed the drunkard, got him in the car safely, parked, and even helped him inside before leaving.
I basically did way more than enough to charge extra.
But this is par for the course in designated driving.
You deal with drunks, after all.
No accident, made money, got home—solid gig.
A few days later, I saw an online story about meeting a 'goddess designated driver.' It wasn't about me, right?
Right?
Please?