Chapter 21
Chapter 21
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 21
Chapter Title: I'm Shy by Nature
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I'm shy by nature.
Persecutory delusion.
True to form for someone like me who's collected all sorts of mental disorders, I've been through something similar in the past.
It was already a story I'd brought up several times before...
My school days were like that.
Back then, I mistakenly thought all my classmates were badmouthing me behind my back. How foolish.
It didn't take long to realize the truth—it wasn't a delusion; it was actually happening.
Of all things. I was genuinely getting trashed left and right!
So, it turned out I wasn't delusional; I was just naturally gifted at reading the room.
How lucky that I wasn't crazy.
By my sharp instincts...
Unlike rowdy teenagers in the throes of puberty, adults surprisingly don't care much about others.
For instance, when I heard the new hire in the next department over had a disability with only three fingers, I just thought, "Oh, okay," and moved on.
Once I became an adult, outright discrimination dropped off sharply.
If anything, I got more consideration.
So even if my identity got exposed now, there'd be no reason to freak out and tremble.
Right now, it's just a spike in curiosity from a few coincidences,
and true to our nation's goldfish attention span, it'll fizzle out soon enough.
I guarantee it—handle it boldly, and it'll blow over without issue.
"P-P-P-President, wh-what do we do?"
"Seo-ha! Calm down!"
"Uwaaaaaah!"
"Deep breaths! Deep breaths!! No, open your mouth! I'll give you a Choco Ball!"
The problem stems from not fully accepting this body as mine.
This body that suddenly changed.
Which means it wouldn't be weird if it switched back anytime.
I don't know.
Whether parallel worlds don't exist and this is the only me,
or if I've possessed a world where the "real Yoo Seo-ha" existed.
Philosophical debates on egoism and actuality don't suit me, so I'll drop it,
but I wanted to keep this body clean, just in case the "real Yoo Seo-ha" comes back.
Anyone would hate it if some stranger messed up their life, right?
I can't avoid economic activity to survive, but I don't want to create any major turning points.
"Wuup?"
Something entered my mouth.
I sucked on it instinctively, and a tart cherry flavor filled my mouth.
My pounding heart gradually settled.
Hmm...
Thinking about it, didn't I cross the line ages ago?
I turned a body that knew nothing of cigarettes into a nicotine addict in days.
And if the "real Yoo Seo-ha" actually exists, where is she now?
Maybe she's in my original body.
Could Yoo Seo-ha, who's scraped by on short-term gigs her whole life,
replace "me (socialized ver.)", the super ace with a 100-0 record against Karens in customer complaints, shielded by my "nationally certified disabled" golden badge?
No way. She couldn't handle the silver tongue like I do.
Eh... let's call it even, Miss Yoo Seo-ha.
If my delusion is right and you really exist, you're probably raking in my performance bonuses right now.
Not just the cushy iron rice bowl job, but a fat bank account too? I saved up nicely.
Feels unfair if only I suffer, so I'll mess up your life a bit too.
"Seo-ha! You okay?"
"Yeah. I just reached an amicable agreement with the party involved."
"You're still not right in the head..."
"I am, though."
In the end, what matters is whether my face got shown.
I stared silently at the president.
Even as I was lost in turmoil, she seemed to have already checked.
"It's fine. Your face barely made it—just up to the shoulders?"
"Phew. That's a relief."
Still, better if my face didn't show at all.
I even recalled the agreement from earlier and nearly flipped out and revealed it on impulse...
But I'm not the type to act that rashly over petty grievances.
Plus, odds are high I'll live as Yoo Seo-ha forever anyway.
"I'll delete the replay for now."
"No need. Weren't you gonna upload today's stream to NerTube?"
"I have a separate recording."
Having a viewer base with a higher average age has its perks.
The mainstream opinion stays within reason.
Seeing the unified push, my rebellious streak stirs.
I'm confident scratching at faceless opponents.
What could rile them up?
Decision made, I handed the Choco Ball back to the president,
angling my hand into frame.
"Whoa. You!"
"Everyone. Curious about my face? Getting antsy?"
"But what can you do? I'm not a streamer; I'm just a civilian. Sadly, you won't get to see my face..."
"Haha. Can't even see my face—how would you hit my philtrum? Instead, take this lovely president. Look at these perky boobs! Feel better?"
"Seo-ha. You're the top-tier among everyone I've met..."
"Please keep loving our president from here on out!"
I withdrew my hand with a wave, like a greeting.
Thanks to my sudden stunt, the chat exploded so hard it was tough to cast the final set.
Of course. I ignored it completely and commentated steadfastly.
"As expected of Player Im Chan-ho. His 'Trench' nickname isn't for nothing. That defense is rock-solid... Tough to break."
"Whoa. Kang Jun-oh's knight drop, as expected. I learned a lot watching him use knights—"
"Wooo!! Thank you!!"
"Wait, President, you wouldn't sell out your friend for money— Ow! That really hurts! Argh! E- ease up!!"
"Seo-ha. This is on you...!!"
Slap! Slap! Slap!
"No! It's off-screen anyway, just pretend— Ow! Why hit for real!"
"Even I got pissed hearing it! Give me back my sweet viewers!!"
Just like that, the president collected 170,000 won and perfectly restored public favor.
All thanks to my stinging back's sacrifice—I'll demand shares later.
The STL finals ended with Kang Jun-oh's back-to-back win.
The president had been bummed about her mentor and fellow Undead main Im Chan-ho's loss,
but both showed stellar play, so she seemed satisfied enough.
"Now I'll really go wild! Great work everyone!"
The screen faded to black.
The centered message announced the stream's end.
"Phew... Seo-ha. You did great too."
"You too, President."
With the stream off, the lingering heat suddenly dissipated.
The broadcasting booth fell quiet.
My own excitement began to fade as well.
"Ugh! Thanks so much for helping today! It's super late. Can you get home? Want a ride?"
"...President. Sorry."
"Huh? Why all of a sudden?"
With the camera off, I reflected on my actions.
Self-assessing, I'd apparently gotten carried away without realizing.
She was the pro and the host, right?
Yet I'd stepped forward too often.
TL;DR: I overdid it.
Loser trait. Regret hits after turning away.
With work over, my innate shyness took over.
Truth is, off-duty me is always like this.
"I did so many things without consulting you first? Might've been unpleasant from your position..."
Maybe things wrapped up well because she cleaned up after me.
I'm such a newbie in this field.
Sorry if I caused unnoticed trouble.
"Must've been exhausting covering for me. I got overheated without realizing..."
"Pfft."
I kept my head down gauging her mood, so I didn't see her face.
But I heard the laugh.
"What? ...Seo-ha, this is wild. You're really a total newbie at internet streaming?"
"Huh? Obviously."
"That's the shocking part... Talent? Anyway, nothing needed covering. I was caught off guard a bit... Especially that, con■ thing... Hm. But your wrap-ups were pro-level?"
"...Really?"
"Yeah. How to put it—your flow control was insane. You left zero loose ends at the end?"
"I planned escape routes in advance..."
"And you hit hard when hitting, took it well when taking. Even light smacks sounded like you were dying."
One-sided beatdowns are fun at first but turn sour long-term.
She said I handled that well.
It was something I paid extra attention to...
Positive feedback brought relief.
"But you're so unique, Seo-ha. How's your work mode ON/OFF so different...?"
I looked up to see her suppressing a grin.
What was so funny?
"Can't believe the wild one from moments ago turned this timid. Seeing you shrink after doing so well is just..."
"Just?"
"Super cute. Hehe."
"......"
The horrific assessment soured my face.
I stuck out my tongue and gagged.
Cute—another perception-shattering word after "sis" last time.
"Hey! Don't hate it that much?!"
"Urgh..."
"Ugh! It's a compliment!"
"Never wanna hear it again..."
Way too late to head home alone.
Ended up riding with the president.
I tried refusing out of guilt, but seeing the appearance fee digits made my back bend 90 degrees automatically.
She burst laughing at my sparkling eyes.
She laughs a lot.
In the car, we chatted about stuff.
Like how the "bet with friends" she mentioned was SOFT's Apprentice CK.
That's why she called Im Chan-ho "master."
Little things like that.
And the next morning.
I finally realized something crucial.
"Uh... Pro season's over, so Im Chan-ho's resuming as your master, right?"
Then what about me?
Am I unemployed just like that?
Hunted hounds get boiled.
Worried I'd end up the same.
My main income was at risk.
But those worries were unfounded.
Bzzz—
"Yes, President."
"Gasp... So I'm getting ditched?"
"Huh."
Direct chat with this pro season's runner-up? Unforeseen luck.
No matter our faction differences, sharing Triachia concepts with that caliber is rare.
"I'm thrilled!"
"No problem."
"Got it!"
Call ended.
Fired up the PC and checked Death Code—three glowing letters caught my eye.
Really collabing with a current pro and runner-up.
Hm... One worry.
Viewers expect my shameless trolling side,
but can't disrespect a first-timer.
So I opened a private chat with Im Chan-ho, tense-faced.
Doing my usual without warning might genuinely offend, so preemptive permission.
Ding!
Surprisingly instant reply.
After yesterday's grueling match, he'd be tired.
Straight to the point.
Perfect. Permission secured.
Screenshot and backed up quick.
Obvious for future-proofing.
Im Chan-ho. This season's runner-up, zero-time champ pro gamer.
My lips twitch.
Daring to hand me a "free scratch" pass?
He'll regret it later.
Evening stream can't come soon enough.
First greeting... Keep it polite for first meet.
Impartial vibe.
Impartial Slayer Yoo Seo-ha.
Launch.