Chapter 72
Chapter 72
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 72
Chapter Title: Odesa Blues
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【Mission Success!】
〔Broadcast until arrival in Odesa〕
“Ahaha, thanks for the mission success…”
Ttalgwi gave an awkward laugh as her reaction.
Having arrived in Odesa and even found Irina, the ‘Kingpin Mission’ was an obvious success.
But Ttalgwi couldn’t feel happy at all, even after receiving the mission reward.
That was because Sukka was moping around like the world had ended.
Curled up on top of Sutzka as it headed to the garage, there was a girl sucking on her finger like a child.
It might not be fair to say to someone who was depressed, but she looked just like a kitten abandoned by its mother.
She had been terrified or excited at times before, but this was the first time she’d been this down.
Ttalgwi had no idea how to comfort her and just felt troubled.
『But that woman earlier, is she an NPC who looks like Ttalgwi?』
『Viewers are going wild in Sukka’s stream right now lololol』
『Why’s she suddenly like that?』
『Irina doesn’t look like Ttalgwi at all in real life lolol』
『This is Ttalgwi’s fault』
『Fr, they only have similar hair color lolol』
The reason Sukka had ended up like this was the NPC named ‘Irina Morozova’ they’d met just a bit ago.
Ttalgwi didn’t know the exact reason, but from the vibe, it seemed like the NPC’s memories had been reset, shocking her.
Of course, meeting Irina hadn’t been pleasant for Ttalgwi either.
Even putting aside how it made Sukka depressed, Irina’s appearance had been way different from what she’d expected.
Sukka had definitely described Irina as an ‘NPC who looks like Ttalgwi.’
But the Irina they actually met had an even younger and gentler vibe than Ttalgwi had imagined.
If Ttalgwi was a sharp-featured, cool city vixen, Irina was like a puppy-faced country girl.
Thinking that Sukka had seen her that way all this time made a corner of her heart itch uncomfortably.
【User ㅇㅇ has donated 1,000 coins!】
〔But if Irina hangs around that slut for a few years, she might end up like Ttalgwi?〕
“That fucking…”
Anyway, right now was the time to worry about Sukka more than Irina.
Ttalgwi was curious why Sukka was so attached to a game NPC, but she and the viewers had enough tact not to ask.
Soon, Sutzka came to a halt with a jolt in front of the military garage.
Odesa here was a fairly large hub, so it was a city where you could log out instead of just going AFK.
She, Sukka, and even Ghost hadn’t slept and were exhausted.
She was worried about Sukka after logging out, but it was finally time to get some rest.
“Sukka, time to wake up. You can log out in there, okay? You’re too cute, so spit out that finger.”
“Ah…”
“There’s still plenty of time left. It’ll be safe here until France surrenders. Let’s slowly convince Irina and Yelena.”
“Yeah… I wanna log out now…”
“Who’s home when you log out? Wanna stay on call with me until you fall asleep?”
“Ah, Manager’s coming over… Thanks for worrying…”
Fortunately, Sukka didn’t throw a tantrum about not wanting to log out.
And though Ttalgwi didn’t fully trust it, having the manager there eased her mind a bit.
Sukka soon got up and slid down from Sutzka like a playground slide.
Then she trudged toward the barracks with her shoulders slumped.
She was so down that she didn’t even greet the squadmates.
Ttalgwi gave a wry smile as she got down from Sutzka, and Sukka, who’d been walking ahead, slowly turned and bowed her head.
“Thanks, everyone… I’ll rest a bit and be back…”
“Ah, yeah! Sleep well and let’s meet again!”
“Yeah… I’ll contact you…”
“Good night!”
Even at her most depressed, Sukka still kept up her manners.
Seeing that, Ttalgwi and everyone waved and said good night.
Sukka soon logged out, and Sutzka prepared to enter the garage.
Feeling like they’d passed a hurdle, Ttalgwi turned to the squadmates with a smile.
“Ghost, you heading to bed too? Your face looks almost like a corpse. No need for the skull mask.”
“Yeah, time to log out. I meant to keep the driver company, but before I knew it, I’d become her drinking buddy. Drank too much vodka.”
“Got it. So what about you tank uncles? Sutzka’s heading into the garage too.”
“Why call us uncles? Whatever, we’ll stick around watching those NPCs from earlier. If some crazy player messes with them, it could blow up. We can just drink like we’re on vacation.”
“Ooh… Didn’t know you guys were so considerate? Experience really counts, huh? Then we’ll leave it to you uncles and log out too.”
“Fine, quit the backhanded compliments and go to sleep.”
Fortunately, Wardaddy, Bible, and Gord decided to stay.
It seemed like they were watching for malicious streamers or preparing for any contingencies.
Reassured, Ttalgwi waved energetically and headed to the barracks.
Logging out inside the barracks would make her character vanish from this world.
The free-spirited woman who didn’t care about wake-up times, Ttalgwi.
Though she worried about Sukka, it was finally time to catch up on all the sleep she’d put off.
* * *
I crawled out of the coffin after ending the stream and headed to the bathroom.
Then I stared into the mirror at the girl reflected there for a long while.
Messy hair brushing my shoulders and dark circles even heavier from pulling an all-nighter.
It felt like I was looking at a walking corpse, my eyes hollow as if advertising how depressed I was.
What had I even expected to be so disappointed? What kind of meeting had I imagined to end up this down?
I tried to find answers in the mirror, but there was only one scene I suspected as the cause.
“Yelena…”
Irina taking care of her little sister kept replaying in my mind.
Not the negative, gloomy Victoria, but the cheerful, bright Yelena.
I hated to admit it, but the emotion I felt right now was unmistakably jealousy.
It might sound extreme, but it was an inferiority complex from being Yelena’s ‘substitute’ in the past.
I felt disgusted with myself for being jealous of a mere ten-year-old girl.
The only atonement I could manage now was making a pathetic face at the mirror.
“Victoria? Can I come in?”
Just then, Shin Ara’s voice came from outside the bathroom.
She must’ve seen me moping on the stream and rushed over right after work as promised.
I tried to smooth my face and force a smile.
But no matter how much I kneaded it, I couldn’t make an expression like Yelena’s.
If anything, my face muscles relaxed, weakening my tear glands.
I sniffled and gave up on smiling.
“Come in…”
“Oh, you’re in the bathroom? Didn’t pee yourself this time?”
“Please don’t tease me right now…”
“Uh, yeah… Sorry…”
I greeted Shin Ara and flopped onto the bed.
It wasn’t exactly proper guest behavior, but today I wanted to be as messed up as possible.
Shin Ara set down her bag and lay beside me, keeping some distance.
But having already decided to go all in on being pathetic, I rolled over and buried my face in her chest.
Her unique warm, soft scent wafted gently.
For the first time acting spoiled like this, my stiff expression seemed to loosen a bit.
“That person earlier was Irina, right? She was as cool as you said, just like you described.”
“Yeah… Irina’s even cooler there…”
“Hm? You’re sulking over Irina but still praising her? Victoria’s personality is so cool and chill.”
“D-Don’t know…”
Shin Ara started stroking my hair.
I had no intention of using her as a Irina substitute, but her gentle touch soothed my hurt feelings.
Still, it felt embarrassing to act like a real little kid.
To hide my heating face, I pressed right up against her stomach.
This way, Shin Ara would never see my face.
Her huge breasts would block me perfectly.
“Victoria, mind if I sleep here for a few days?”
Suddenly, Shin Ara—who’d been stroking my hair—made an enticing offer.
I forgot to hide my face and crawled up to her chest.
Then, between the massive valley, I saw Shin Ara’s brightly smiling face.
I asked her openly, showing my excitement without restraint.
“Huh? I-I’m fine with it, but sis, you okay?”
“Yeah, holiday starts tomorrow. I even brought spare clothes.”
“G-Great! Let’s sleep together then. Ara sis is the best.”
“Uh, um… You’re so happy it’s kinda embarrassing…”
I hugged her tight to convey my joy.
They say people get clingy right after heartbreak, and maybe I was exactly that now.
But even setting aside the gloom, I was genuinely happy.
I was exhausted from staying up all night, so I looked forward to sweet sleep with Shin Ara.
Soon, Shin Ara squirmed like it was hot and took off her top.
From her softly smiling face, she seemed excited about staying over during the holiday too.
“I brought a book on PTSD too? I’ll study while you stream, Victoria.”
“Uh… Can’t you just hang out with me? I’m not streaming tomorrow.”
“Hm? Why? I’m fine with it.”
“W-Well… I think I need some time too…”
It just so happened I was planning to take a break from the game and streaming.
For a day, two, or even four or five. I needed time to face Irina and Yelena.
If I met Irina like this, my resentment would only deepen, and facing Yelena would drown me in inferiority again.
So for my sake and everyone’s, gathering my resolve once would be best.
Fortunately, with tons of players gathered in France, it’d be a while until the poison gas war.
I felt bad for my comrades who’d worked hard for me, but a few days of relaxed rest should be fine.
“Really? Then wanna go out tomorrow?”
“Uh, what?”
But suddenly, the difficulty spiked.
I trembled as I looked at Shin Ara’s sudden outing suggestion.
“You said you’d buy beef last time. Let’s go out and grill some tasty beef together.”
“Th-That… Can’t we just order raw beef online…”
“Mm… I’m fine either way, but didn’t you promise to buy beef for your teammates too? Wouldn’t it be good to scout a spot for the afterparty?”
“Ah, yeah… True…”
“Weather’s nice and warm lately, perfect for going out. Let’s muster some courage just once. I’ll support you so nothing goes wrong.”
“…….”
Shin Ara grabbed my shoulders, eyes sparkling.
She was so right I couldn’t even argue.
Of course, I wanted to venture outside as soon as possible too.
I’d been treating my PTSD for that very reason, so an outing was an unavoidable goal.
Once I thought that far, motivation sparked in my anxious heart.
I had no choice but to nod to Shin Ara’s outing proposal.
“Got it. Let’s go out and eat beef.”
“Great! Then wanna pick tomorrow’s outfit first? You’re not planning to go braless, right? I’ll pick something pretty and cute for you!”
“Ah! Un-Underwear’s fine without—”
“—Not fine at all? Is Victoria an exhibitionist?”
“…….”
Damn, no bandages even at home.
Looks like I’m wearing a bra after all.