Chapter 25
Chapter 25
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 25
Chapter Title: It's Not a Self-Deprecating Broadcast
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“Phew, with all those medals, you really look so cool!”
『Whoa. Seriously. So. Cool.』
『That's the dignity of a war heroㄷㄷ』
『Just add a mustache and he'd be Stalin.』
“Stop teasing me now. I'm not happy about it at all.”
I glared at the chat window, giving them one last warning.
If they kept teasing me here, even I would end up actually sulking.
That's when one particularly bold chat caught my eye.
It was from Kukudas, my broadcast manager Shin Ara.
『But you're eating properly, right? Not skipping the bathroom? Not too uncomfortable?』
Seeing her chat sent chills down my spine.
I'd been so focused on the game that I hadn't even thought about bodily functions.
Of course, no 'urination alert' warning had ever popped up.
But since my coffin had some broken features, the lack of a warning wasn't reassuring at all.
I might have already had an accident inside the VR gear.
Feeling an inexplicable creepiness, I decided to end the broadcast quickly.
“W-well then, that's it for me.”
“Huh... You're really logging off? How about playing Maria together?”
“We'll do Maria next time. I need to grab a meal anyway, so I should head out. Sorry for being such a bother today.”
“Hey, what are you talking about. We won the game thanks to you, Sukka. Come play with me anytime.”
“Ah, sure. Let's play together again later.”
After promising Ttalgwi we'd play again, I hurriedly closed Frontline Archive.
She waved me off with a bright smile, not minding the trouble I'd caused her at all.
Soon, back in the lobby, I checked the time—it was already evening.
The game felt so realistic that even one match had taken a full three hours.
『What? Really ending?』
『If it's for food, mukbangㄱㄱㄱㄱㄱ』
『Didn't even read the donation messages and you're ending?』
『Premium gear means mukbangs are possible!!』
But I couldn't end the broadcast right away.
The viewers were expressing their disappointment and clinging to me persistently.
In the end, I compromised by reading all the donation messages before leaving.
Contrary to my expectation that there wouldn't be many, the piled-up donations amounted to a huge sum.
By the time I finished thanking everyone, I was growing more and more worried about my bladder.
It took another ten minutes or so before I could finally end the broadcast.
“Phew...”
The moment I opened my eyes in the coffin, I hurriedly checked between my legs.
Fortunately, the black Adidas tracksuit was nice and dry.
No urge to urinate either, so it seemed my worry had been unfounded.
Pressing around my lower abdomen yielded no discomfort.
Probably because I hadn't eaten or even drunk water since waking from that nightmare.
Hugging my drawn-up knees, I let out a sigh of relief.
“......”
Then it hit me that I was alone right now.
With the lively viewer chats gone, a sudden loneliness made everything feel real.
Glancing around the studio apartment, it looked exactly as it had when I woke from the nightmare.
As if no time had passed since I'd fled into the game to escape reality.
‘The doll... Should I clean it up...’
That led naturally to memories of the stalker.
Victoria's stalker, who'd thrown the decapitated 'Chernakoshka' doll and left. His death threat letter was probably still outside the door.
But unlike last night, I didn't feel scared now.
If anything, I was afraid of getting caught for excessive self-defense while dealing with the stalker.
Probably thanks to the battle I'd just fought in the game.
Having rediscovered what true terror was, a mere stalker didn't even register as scary anymore.
‘Still, I should prepare.’
But just because I wasn't scared didn't mean I could ignore it.
I was confident I could kill an adult man with my fragile real-world body, but there was no guarantee the stalker was targeting only me.
If anyone else got dragged into this, it would most likely be Shin Ara.
With that in mind, I grabbed my smartphone from the shelf and messaged Shin Ara.
[Me: Shin Ara, thanks so much again today. Felt secure having you as my manager.]
[Shin Ara: Ah! You logged out? That's nothing, like eating cold porridge—leave it to me anytimeㅎㅎ But really, you okay? Want me to come over now?]
[Me: No, I'm fine. Actually, please don't come over for a while.]
Stating the conclusion first, I awkwardly tapped out an explanation about the stalker on the Korean keyboard.
But then Shin Ara called, wiping out the message I'd just typed.
“Hello?”
= “S-S-Sukka? No, Victoria? Why are you suddenly like this? Did I do something to upset you?”
“Huh?”
= “Ah! Is it because I just watched this time? I-I wasn't not worried, I was just keeping professional boundaries as a counselor. If that hurt your feelings, forgive me just once?”
“N-no...”
= “I was really worried but held back... If you felt neglected, I'll apologize. Okay? So don't say we can't meet...”
“......”
It felt like dealing with a girlfriend refusing to accept a breakup.
Not that I had any experience with girlfriends, of course.
But strangely, it didn't feel bad.
If anything, sensing her affection toward me brought a smile to my face.
No wonder bad guys never disappear.
Smiling at this unexpected realization, I readjusted my grip on the smartphone.
“Shin Ara. Calm down. I didn't mean I don't want to see you.”
= “H-huh? Then why tell me not to come?”
“The stalker's made a move. Last night, he threw a death threat letter through the door. I told you not to come because you might be in danger.”
= “Th-threat letter?! Did you report it to the police?!”
“No. Haven't yet. I was too panicked.”
Instead of replying, Shin Ara let out a dull thud.
She must have dropped her phone in shock at 'threat letter.'
But she quickly regained composure, clearing her throat before speaking.
As expected of a counselor, her mental recovery was superior.
= “Hmm... Okay, I'll report it for you. And you know you don't have to handle this yourself, right? I know it's scary and tough, but don't confront the stalker? Got it?”
“Got it. I won't even step outside. Sorry for worrying you.”
= “I'm fine, so no need to apologize. I'll come with the police tomorrow— we'll talk then. And just in case, no delivery food tonight.”
“Okay. I'll do that. Enjoy your dinner, Shin Ara.”
= “Yeah! Good job on the stream today! Call if anything happens!”
“Yes, Mom.”
= “Sis!”
The call ended cheerfully despite the serious topic.
I'd told her not to come out of worry, but she had no intention of backing down.
Still, with this warning, she should avoid any danger.
With that hope, I sighed in relief and rummaged through the fridge.
“Oh... Spam...”
For dinner, I chose the Spam can Shin Ara had bought.
Combat rations with good memories from after capturing Berlin, fed to me by the Yanks.
Even now, I don't know why, but whenever I approached, they'd give me a whole box.
Thanks to feeding my squadmates with it, the Spam tasted hearty and delicious after so long.
“So full.”
With dinner done, lonely free time arrived.
My chronic fatigue made my body languid, but my insomnia was severe too, so I couldn't sleep.
Naturally, I ended up browsing communities on my smartphone.
Egosurfing, right? Seems I'd developed a streamer's instincts.
[Author: ㅇㅇ]
[Title: Sukka's stream today was insane ㄹㅇ]
(Sukka shoving Ttalgwi aside to dodge an ambush clip)
As soon as ally gunfire started, she reflexively movedㄷㄷ
And prioritizing saving Ttalgwi first? Smelled real love vibes.
I'm a Sukka-Ttalgwi couple stan starting today.
━ Whoa... flies off at the sound of gunfireㄷㄷ
━ Ttalgwi was still figuring shit out and standing frozen lololol
━ What kind of life has she lived to react like that?
┗ ?? : Lots of FPS games~
━ Without Sukka, Ttalgwi dead right there
┗ But if Ttalgwi died, Sukka in panic would've smoked those ambushers too?
┗ ㄹㅇ She'd have punished them instantly lololol
┗ Why'd you survive, Ttalgwi lololol
━ Don't ship Sukka lololol Manager would never allow it lololol
┗ lolololol Kukudas?
┗ That ID is straight evil lololol
┗ PTSD manager with nickname Kukudas lololol
┗ She's the worst one imo lolololol
[Author: ㅇㅇ]
[Title: Sukka's grenade baiting judgment is godlikeㄷㄷ]
(Sukka tossing a grenade at enemies clip)
Throws one grenade first to make enemies aware of it
Close range so it'd hit her too—throws high without pulling pin
Enemies instinctively look up following the grenade
Shorty Sukka darts out and shreds them with PPShㄷㄷㄷㄷ
━ Lmao combat sense aside, balls of steelㄷㄷㄷ
┗ War hero title earned lololol
┗ If not PPSh, she'd have wiped them ㄹㅇ
━ Ttalgwi couldn't move so no pin pull for safety -> Lures enemies away right after throw -> Grenade comes back but no pin so Ttalgwi lives -> Sukka planned to save her from the start
┗ Ooh... that's actually touching?
┗ Yeah seems right lol Ttalgwi no bleedout would've been super save lol
━ Enemies skilled too lol I never think to swat grenades lol
┗ ㄹㅇ Die trying to pick up a few times, becomes instinct lololol
┗ 5-sec fuse doable
┗ Cook the 5-sec and throw, idiot
[Author: ㅇㅇ]
[Title: But Sukka streams are kinda hard to watch...]
(Sukka solo fighting at C point clip)
Tiny girl taking on dozens alone, getting wrecked... heart hurt so bad...
Held my breath til ally heli resupply...
Then choked up seeing her cry over Ttalgwi's death...
Felt like after an epic sad movie, lingering effects...
━ Viewers all unified in chat... shocked me...
┗ ㄹㅇ Even the toxic assholes turned nice instantly
┗ Sukka triggers protective instincts
┗ Agreed, I'm a guy but maternal vibes almost made milk leak...
┗ Wtf dude lololol
┗ Ruined the feels ffs lololol
━ If those tactical dolphin pants maniacs hadn't dolled her up, legs fine smh
┗ That's why smashed headcam and donated hard
┗ Switched to Soviet uniform later lol so damn cute lol
┗ Called cute and she pouted lolol Say cool lolol
━ But fights like a beastㄷㄷㄷ
┗ Pity aside, play is insane lol
┗ ㄹㅇ First time seeing solo carry in conquest
“Heh...”
Reading three posts in a row brought a smile to my face.
Some annoying comments caught my eye, but most viewed me positively.
Felt like my efforts were acknowledged, my pains understood.
Knowing people in reality recognized me warmed my heart.
Started as simple screen sharing, but now communicating with viewers felt like therapy.
Finally understood why Shin Ara suggested streaming.
“Should I... keep streaming...”
Feeling positive, I dove back into communities.
Even abyss demons could be this wholesome—kinda fun.
Just then, a recommended post on my favorite topic: concept thread.
Lying comfortably on the bed, I tapped it.
[Author: ㅇㅇ]
[Title: Sukka loves Papa!]
(Sukka tossing ammo-less PPSh on ground clip)
Nah~ Gonna ditch Papa for M16~
━ Out of ammo, obviously toss lololol
┗ Ditch Papa over ammo?
┗ Broke... won't even see Dad...
┗ Sukka's paparazziㄷㄷㄷㄷ
━ Haaang♡ M16 stronger than Papa♡
┗ Shit penetration♡ Recoil and handling trash♡ Thanks for brief use♡
┗ Insane bastards lololololololololol
┗ Yo PPSh Army, you watching?
┗ Sukka pussy so hot lololololol
“Uh... Um... Huh?”
Felt like I'd seen something I shouldn't have.
Realized the abyss has deeper abysses.
Repulsed, I flung the smartphone away.
It felt tainted, looked dirty for some reason.
“Maybe... I shouldn't stream...”
Continuing seemed risky.
I'd have to think carefully and decide.