Chapter 71
Chapter 71
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 71
Chapter Title: It's Not a Self-Deprecating Broadcast
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『No way, they even added NPC family relations? This update is insane...』
『At this point, isn't Universe a total badass with no fucks given? Even if it's NPCs, can they really handle kids dying?』
『First time seeing an AI scamming players with self-harm threats lol』
『If it's a kid, maybe it's treated as an essential NPC and can't die?』
『Fact: Modern VR games don't give a shit about anything unless it's sexual』
『Sukka, test it out—give her a light flick on the forehead』
The chat window was burning up, and I was just as shocked.
The viewers seemed stunned by Frontline Archive's AI system, but I was floored by the very existence of Irina Morozova.
And for good reason—Elena, who had died early in the war, was perfectly recreated here.
In this absurd situation, I couldn't help suspecting that every NPC from Eastern Battlefield had migrated to Frontline Archive.
In the worst case, the number of comrades I had to protect could balloon from dozens to hundreds, even tens of millions.
Of course, Universe, the developers, probably had no idea what they'd done, but that didn't make it forgivable—my face soured involuntarily.
"B-But why are you looking for my big sis? Did she do something wrong? Are you here to take her away?"
"Huh?"
"Don't take my sis! I can't live without her! She's not even in the army!"
"N-No, it's nothing like that, so don't worry. I just want to protect your sister."
But sadly, I couldn't entertain the idea of saving everyone.
My hands were far too small to save tens of millions, and the tide of war wasn't something one person could bend to their will.
Right now, my only wish was to save Irina, at least.
Of course, that wish had led to her little sister Elena showing up, but with my comrades' help, protecting two should be feasible.
From what I remembered, Odessa would come under attack before Sevastopol.
So I had to hurry her to the rear before the ongoing "French Six-Week Escape Movement" wrapped up.
"Elena, can you tell me where Irina is?"
"Y-You're really not taking my sis?"
"No, actually, I'm taking her no matter what. And you too, Elena, so don't worry. It's not for anything bad—I just want to keep you both safe."
"Why would a soldier protect me and my sis...?"
"I've received a lot of help from Irina before. I want to repay that debt. Haven't you heard the rumors of war breaking out? It's too dangerous to stay in Odessa right now."
"The adults say it'll be fine..."
Elena backed away from me as she answered.
She seemed to have misunderstood that I was here to conscript Irina—her wariness had thickened.
Her sharp thinking, beyond her years, hinted at the harsh environment she'd grown up in.
She was so perceptive that chat lines like "A kid this quick on the uptake..." started popping up.
"Elena, do you have any other family besides Irina?"
"Huh? Why do you ask?"
"I need to know how many people to bring along. If it's too many, we'll need another way to travel."
"That sounds super suspicious... Can't you just not ask?"
"W-We’re not suspicious people. Do I look like a weirdo to you?"
"Yeah..."
"..."
I grabbed Elena's hand as she kept backing away.
She looked ready to bolt if I let go.
I understood, having been forcibly conscripted myself, but I hadn't expected this misunderstanding—it left me flustered.
I had no idea what to say to clear it up.
『Of course a little kid would find a soldier suspicious?』
『Thinks you're using the kid as bait for conscription lol』
『That girl's got a smart mom somewhere』
I glanced at chat for advice, but it was useless.
Come to think of it, I was inherently suspicious just existing here.
And with Elena right in front of me, I couldn't even react to chat.
I had to forcibly calm my twitching eyebrow.
"Elena!"
Then, a familiar voice called from behind.
A voice I'd thought I'd never hear again—one that nearly brought tears to my eyes.
At the same time, Elena shook off my hand and ran forward.
I slowly turned my head to follow her, and a longed-for face entered my view.
"Big sis!"
"Lena! Were you trying to scam outsiders again? How many times have I warned you?"
There stood Irina.
She hugged Elena just as she'd hugged me—exactly like the Irina I'd first met in Sevastopol.
I wanted to rush over and bury myself in her arms.
To call her name and wash away the pain of those bygone days.
But I had too much to say, and my mouth wouldn't move.
I'm sorry. I missed you. Forgive me. Saying any of it would make the tears flow.
"Don't tell me you messed with a soldier this time? What is wrong with you! And why'd you steal his uniform?"
"I-I didn't steal it! She put it on me!"
Then, following Elena's pointing finger, Irina turned to me.
Tears blurred my vision slightly, but her face was crystal clear.
Smooth blonde hair, blue eyes, and pretty freckles.
Her left eye, mangled by shrapnel before, was intact. Her right ear, amputated from frostbite, was whole.
Yes, Irina had been that pretty and pure.
The young woman who never lost her smile in hell was more beautiful than anyone in peacetime.
"H-Hey! Take it off now! Can't you see the Gold Star on that kid's chest? That's a Hero of the Federation!"
"O-Okay!"
"Agh! The uniform's all wet! I swear, I can't live like this! You're getting a spanking when we get home!"
"U-Um, sis... But that hero said she's here to take you away..."
"What?"
Irina approached me hesitantly.
For some reason, her eyes looking down at me were filled with deep suspicion.
I desperately held back tears and gazed up at her.
Just managing a faint smile so she'd recognize my face was my limit.
"I-I'm sorry. It was just a kid's mistake—could you forgive her? Here's the uniform back. Please just let it slide this once."
"..."
"No, I mean... You look young too, hero, but our Elena's only ten? She was just hungry, so if you could understand..."
"I-Irina?"
"Y-Yes? H-How do you know my name...? Are you really here to take me? N-No! I have to take care of my sister! Please spare me just this once!"
"..."
But Irina didn't recognize me at all.
She eyed me warily and even tried to hide her sister from me.
That finally broke my dam, and tears spilled out.
Part of me wanted to beg her to remember, but what if she was pretending not to know? I couldn't get the words out.
The hope swelling in my heart burst into sharp pain.
The peaceful beach from moments ago felt like the world's saddest hell.
"U-Um... Are you okay? Can we go now? We'll return all the canned food too."
"..."
"I-I've never even touched a gun, so I won't be useful to the Red Army! I'll cheer for your heroism from here!"
"..."
Irina bowed her head to me, then turned away as if fleeing.
She went to Elena and started carefully checking her for injuries.
It felt like a mom telling me, "You're the adopted kid," then doting on her real daughter right after.
Of course, I'd half-expected this.
Reviving an NPC's model didn't guarantee their memories came back.
But even prepared, I couldn't hold back the tears.
I resented the NPC who'd called me Chernakoshka and left me hope. I loathed the developers who'd erased all my traces.
"We'll be going now! Sorry for our sister's trouble! Lena, apologize quick!"
"S-Sorry!"
But Irina, oblivious to my pain, hurried off like she was escaping.
I reflexively reached out, but her name wouldn't leave my tightly clenched lips.
In the end, watching the sisters recede, my legs gave out.
I collapsed onto the cold ground, hiding my tears in the seawater-soaked uniform.
Was I happy to see a healthy, living Irina? Or sad that she'd forgotten me?
Both, of course—but the sadness edged out the joy.
"Sukka... you okay?"
"Sniff... ugh..."
Then, Ttalgwi, who'd been quietly watching, spoke up.
Her hand gently stroking my back carried deep concern.
I swallowed my tears hard and nodded to say I was fine.
But her next words made the sobs burst out.
"Aw... Hurt that Irina didn't recognize you, huh? Come here. I'm Ttalgwi—only my hair color matches hers."
"Nyaaang... Ttalgwi sis..."
Once they started, the sobs wouldn't stop.
I wept into Ttalgwi's chest until it was soaked.
The viewers must've wanted to comfort me too, because weird chats flooded in.
Tears blurred my vision, but chat stood out sharp.
『Two defeated heroines teaming up』
『Elena, Irina's little sis... orange juice gushing...』
『Jealous Sukka over Elena + Ttalgwi dethroned by Irina』
『Love triangle that scares the polar bear lol』
"Sniff... I didn't... didn't get jealous..."
"Don't look at chat right now..."
Truly, not a single comforting message.
At least they weren't suspecting my bond with Irina.
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