Chapter 35
Chapter 35
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 35
Chapter Title: Even a Brush is a Critical Hit
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In modern Korea, orphanages are sustained by sponsorships from companies, individuals, or organizations.
Of course, government subsidies exist too, but the state rarely provides direct cash support except in extreme cases.
They only cover basic labor costs and facility operations.
Instead, they offer indirect benefits like independence support, vocational training, and other auxiliary programs.
Most financial perks closely tied to money—like housing assistance or independence stipends—go directly to the orphans themselves, not the orphanages.
So what about the orphanages? Do they only spend on food, clothing, and shelter for dozens of kids?
Due to the system's limitations, they're always strapped for cash.
That's why most orphanages have a religious affiliation.
Surprisingly, despite all the flak Christianity gets—woke cultists, tithing Lamborghini revvers, or child molestation scandals after faith, hope, and love—
it's the biggest sponsor keeping orphanages afloat.
Personally, that's why I feel a huge debt to Christians.
Like, to the point where during weekend chapel services at the orphanage, I'd pinch my thighs to stay awake and listen.
Because of that, pretty much any Korean orphan—not just me—would have a solid grasp of the Bible.
So there was good reason to examine the current situation from a theological perspective.
- Bros! Let's be real. What did I do that was so wrong?! Damn, I'm an orphan too, you know?! Honestly, don't I have the right to shoot my mouth off!
Behold the sinner who sins with his tongue and feels no shame, unbowed.
Not content with one sin, he exalts himself in pride, repeating the sin of arrogance.
The Lord commanded to crush the proud and wicked underfoot (Job 40:12)—
even an agnostic like me had no choice but to heed that voice this time.
Anyway, I took the first round in Triachia.
Now it was time to start the second round in a new arena: words.
A passive skill orphans like us—those forced to face the world's storms alone—had drilled into us:
dueling with our razor-sharp tongues.
- Yoo Seo-ha? That was you in chat just now??
- Um... wanna hop into the Death Code? Sent you the link via DM.
I clicked the freshly arrived message link.
A voice messenger channel waiting for me.
With grim resolve, I entered.
From here on, civilians (parents optional) GTFO.
This place had turned into a battlefield where even a brush with parents made them vanish.
- Hello.
"Ah, um, hello?"
- Huh? You're a girl?
"Does my name sound that masculine? No hard feelings for personal reasons."
- No... your name sounds feminine, but you're top ranks, so I figured guy for sure.
"Wow...! Sexist remark right out the gate?"
- Hm. But isn't this based on facts? If Triachia were 50/50, sure, but with 90% guys, top ranks gotta reflect that.
"Oh..."
- So this isn't sexism; it's reasonable inference from real data.
This guy's no pushover.
Brushing off an attack like that with ease?
Classic orphan. Knows the only one who'll protect you is yourself.
I fired off praise laced with that meaning.
"You're definitely an orphan, Min-seong."
- Yep. I'm an orphan. Like you, Seo-ha.
Viewers weren't wrong saying my subpar skills were boosted by wordplay alone, elevating the stream's level.
Parrying like it's nothing.
A worthy rival, no shame in calling him that.
"Still, 'you orphan?' to a stranger threw me off. Felt like you were picking a fight."
- Nah. Even without family upbringing, no way I'd mean it like that. Literal meaning, obviously.
"Hmm... As someone without family upbringing either, please refrain from comments that fuel orphan stereotypes."
- Fair, I was thoughtless. Sorry again.
Time to scrap the original plan.
With this streamer's personality and viewers used to it, my intended approach would've flopped.
Plus, faking tears? My inner macho rebelled when I tried.
"Was gonna squeeze some juice to mess with you... but realized it's too girly, so nah."
- Thanks for letting it slide!
"Apology accepted... dragging it further ain't manly, right?"
- Whoa. Smells like testosterone. Muscle mass by any chance?
"Our chat has zero juice, so subtle digs like that don't land."
- Oh? Really?
At this point, even non-juicers seemed to be scratching at me.
We got cute cam streamers like Boss Lady—why pick on a dullahan like me?
Total concept play, obviously.
Even knowing that, it still hit the rage button.
"...Anyway, none. You saw firsthand? It's skill streaming."
- Ah. Aah...
"It's fine. Pro gamer? Nah... Civilians lose to civilians sometimes."
- ......Hahaha.
"Oops, sorry. Aspiring pro? But spamming cheese like Advance Sky Temple... basics are... um."
- ......Needed to recover points quick, that's why. Wanna do some friendlies?
I couldn't help but laugh.
That's his scratch spot!
Found the weakness—now just feast.
"Hm... Min-seong, what's your rating now?"
- 2,605 now. Why?
"Exactly 200 apart. I'm 2,805 after that win."
- Top 10?
"Yup. But 200 points... in Triachia terms... big gap, right? Even for ranked, I prefer same-tier for productivity..."
Mocking effort is evil, but he struck first.
Extinguish evil with evil. Maybe that's the true eye-for-an-eye.
Even if not, no one here slacks.
I'm grinding Triachia daily under rehab excuse too.
If orphans can trash orphans, then grinders can mock grinders. Logic complete.
Point fingers at me? Just spitting in your own face.
- Aha... Yeah, now I get why viewers call you evil, Seo-ha.
"Me? Evil?"
- Deny all you want, but drop the giggles in your tone...?
"Sorry. I'm just a giggly person..."
- Haha! Orphans usually aren't.
"That's why we gotta laugh harder. My laughs spreading to others? Even better."
"Hierarchy seems sorted, so I'm out."
- Now straight-up calling it hierarchy sorting?
"Pros know the score—why play dumb?"
- Wow... 5 years streaming, first time meeting someone this tough.
"Brings back orphanage spice? Mine was full of that level."
- ...What orphanage breeds that?
"Just your standard Incheon one, crawling with 'em."
- Ah fuck. Incheon. Figures...
No wonder they call it demon realm.
Incheon—especially those tucked in the demon corners—were beast dens below human.
Explains why I cut all ties post-graduation.
Even disabled shields didn't work there.
"You, Min-seong? Where from?"
- ...Lifelong Seoulite.
"Aha. Thought you were soft... not pureblood orphan."
- Huh?? Pureblood orphans exist?
"Even in Seoul, bedtime hierarchy beatings?"
- Such insane places still exist these days?!
"Well... Incheon's GOAT of GOATs. Been out a while, dunno if culture lingers."
- That's not GOAT; just bad case of Goa T.
With a 2-0 over Oh Min-seong, I exited the messenger triumphantly.
All he had left: "fake orphan" title.
Less orphan-like? Sounds better, right?
Definitely beats my new "pureblood orphan" moniker...
Congrats on the cool nickname.
Heart swelling with anticipation, I awaited collab time.
Couldn't wait to tell Boss Lady.
Boss Lady, I took the enemy's head.
Prep for round of 16 easy.
And shortly after.
...
- You crazy bitch!!
"Huh? Didn't I do good? Won the pre-war duel and came back..."
- How can't you go even one day without drama!!!
"Unfair. He struck first."
- Normal people don't dismantle foes after one preemptive hit?!?!
Busted.
Big time...
...Why?