Chapter 90
Chapter 90
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 90
Chapter Title: Like a Water Ghost
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Water ghosts are said to be unable to pass on to the afterlife unless they fill their spot with someone else.
In that sense, it seemed I'd unintentionally done something similar to a water ghost.
I'd clearly reached the end of World War II and seen Eastern Battlefield's ending.
But my real body had died and been cremated, leaving no vessel to return to, making a true homecoming impossible.
Then, (former) Victoria—who had a body identical to mine in the game—stepped over death's threshold.
Since she'd attempted suicide inside a VR device of all things, it was highly likely that some god or system had mixed up the body data.
That would explain why I'd returned in (former) Victoria's body.
Assuming the soul that lost its body because of me had headed into the game, it made sense that the one trapped in Eastern Battlefield now was (former) Victoria.
"..."
That meant I had to rescue her, no matter what it took.
Fortunately, with the war ended, (former) Victoria wouldn't have to fight, but the body she'd possessed—mine—was a wreck from the war's aftermath.
The state of my body right before returning was no different from a half-drowned corpse.
My shoulder, pierced by bullets, was too painful to even move, my thigh stabbed by a bayonet and burned by white phosphorus was hideous, and my frostbitten ears and toes were rotting away.
It was unlikely that the fragile girl who'd taken her own life would be happy possessing such a battered body.
So, we had to move her to a healthy body in another game before she tried suicide again.
To (former) Victoria, both reality and the game probably felt like hell right now.
Even if paradise wasn't waiting where she'd fled, I wanted to at least pull her out of hell.
"Ajeossi Han Jintae, you said earlier this update is the final test, right? So if I cooperate, we can save Seo Jiwoo?"
"That's right. Our VR tech has reached the level we aimed for. This update was the final verification for executing the migration plan. If no bugs show up in full-scale testing, we judged we could transfer Seo Jiwoo's data without loss."
"So that's why you tried to hide the bugs? Even asking me to act?"
"Actually, this isn't a bug. We just didn't expect Victoria to play the game. But the executives won't see it that way. They're worried about losing Seo Jiwoo's data, so they might delay the migration plan. Everyone's sensitive and cautious since it involves our benefactor's life."
"If that's the case, you should've told me not to play beforehand."
"I-I did tell you... I definitely mentioned it when I gave you the VR device..."
"Uh, um... I have amnesia..."
"Yeah..."
I listened to Han Jintae's explanation and awkwardly laughed it off.
The uncle, flustered with guilt, finally looked like an ally instead of an enemy.
Cooperating with Universe was essential to save (former) Victoria.
But we had to keep the Morozova sisters safe, and I was worried about the butterfly effect from my absence, so calling off the all-out war now was practically impossible.
That left us with only one option.
I had to impersonate Eastern Battlefield's Victoria myself and perfectly verify this update.
"Okay, I'll impersonate Seo Jiwoo."
"R-Really? I heard you're suffering from PTSD. Aren't you scared to play an FPS game?"
"Of course I'm scared. But since it's for therapy, don't worry. My PTSD has gotten a bit better lately, so it shouldn't be a big issue."
"Th-Thank you! Really, thank you! I'll never forget this favor!"
As soon as I promised to cooperate, Han Jintae shot to his feet and bowed deeply.
His stress must've been immense lately—his once lush crown was thinning noticeably.
Part of me wanted to tell him I was Seo Jiwoo, but right now, to avoid mistakes, everyone needed to stay on edge.
So it seemed better to confess I was Seo Jiwoo only after this was over.
With that judgment, I flashed a smile to lighten the heavy mood.
Now it was time to seriously plan the 'Seo Jiwoo Migration Operation.'
"So, what exactly do I need to do? You've been asking me to act since earlier. Are you going to write a script or something?"
"Unfortunately, we can't prepare a script. We never spectated Seo Jiwoo's play directly. So you'll have to improv everything."
"Improv?"
"Yeah, no one knows how Seo Jiwoo survived on the Eastern Front. Data analysis confirms frontline combat, but most info like relationships is hard to interpret. Is that too much pressure? Can you act?"
"Oh, yeah. Acting itself won't be hard. Don't worry about it seeming like a bug."
"That's a relief. I believed an aspiring actress like Victoria could pull it off."
Come to think of it, Eastern Battlefield was a game where users created their own stories.
And since spectating wasn't possible, no one knew what war I'd fought through.
That's why they were asking me, as an aspiring actress, to improv on the spot.
But since I remembered every detail of my past perfectly, I could deliver a level beyond method acting—true oneness of self and role.
However, that meant reliving the hell I'd endured all over again.
Even if it was unavoidable to save everyone, it wasn't a welcome situation.
"So that's why you called us?"
"This is where the planning and PR teams shine!"
While we talked, the two women who'd been quietly listening spoke up.
Sadly, I didn't remember their names, but they were the content planning team leader and PR team leader, in that order.
Their help was crucial to package this as planned content.
I gave them a look asking if they had good ideas, and the PR team leader—bobbed hair, round glasses—addressed me.
"Hehe! As expected, Sukka was fated to be Universe Partner's first generation! We'll manage your streams from now on! Let's promote this content subtly yet boldly!"
"Uh, um... Wouldn't it be better to just let it pass smoothly?"
"No way! If it leaks sloppily, we'll get all sorts of wild speculation and noise! Better for us to drop official info first!"
"Ah, yeah... I trust you'll handle it well..."
"Then, for consistent acting, shall we flesh out the RP setting first?"
"Huh? RP?"
"Oh! Sukka doesn't watch vtubers? RP means role-playing. Think of it as the concept that breathes life into a vtuber. Got any preferred settings?"
"Uh..."
Her energy—like five Ttalgwis compressed into one—made my shoulders hunch instinctively.
I instantly understood how she'd risen to head of a major corp's PR team.
Even amid that, she was leading the meeting, polling everyone.
Her determination to leave no one out was palpable.
"What's your take, planning team leader? What RP suits Sukka?"
"Hmm... It has to fit Frontline Archive, right? Anything too flashy would make content hard to plan."
"Right! I'll ask again later, so prep a better answer! Next, tech director! Give an RP that fits Sukka!"
"I'll respect Victoria's opinion."
"What a boring answer! Straight to executive director! Your thoughts!"
"Cat. Black cat."
"Ugh! Perfect fit, but no furries! Rethink it! Producer's turn!"
"Heh, I'd love a 'daughter of Universe' setup."
"Wow! Sukka got an adoption offer! Accept, Sukka?"
"N-No..."
The heavy meeting room atmosphere brightened in an instant.
Even Han Jintae, who couldn't meet my eyes before, smiled in relief.
Finally, the PR team leader's question turned to the last staffer.
The only one here who'd watched my streams: Hwarang.
"You're Yoo Harang, right? Share any good ideas freely!"
"Yes, but doesn't Sukka already have a story like RP? One that fits the current situation pretty well."
"Huh? Really?"
"You're playing an FPS to treat war PTSD, right? Viewers think you're a Russian war victim, but you dodge confirmation, so it's just speculation."
"Uh... That's heartbreaking..."
"And Sukka loves the Soviet military. Russia and the USSR are inseparable. How about setting your war experience as 'World War II Eastern Front'? It connects naturally to your built-up image."
"Oho! Time traveler concept?"
"Exactly. Add a bit more: 'Soviet girl soldier who possessed a World War II game, then returned to reality.' That'd boost immersion when impersonating Seo Jiwoo, right? Of course, your opinion matters most, Sukka."
"Ooh! Game possession returnee concept! What do you think, Sukka? Sounds good to me!"
As soon as ideas wrapped, everyone looked at me.
But chills ran down my spine, leaving me speechless.
Hwarang's RP suggestion hit me dead-on.
He probably wasn't doing it on purpose, but it felt like all my secrets were exposed.
If I had to guess, someone in Hwarang's family must be possessed by a spirit.
That was beyond deduction—pure clairvoyance.
"G-Ghost... Scary..."
"Ah! It's just an RP setting, not treating you like a ghost! Sorry if it upset you. I should've been more considerate of your feelings..."
"N-No, it's fine. Let's go with that setting..."
"Yes?"
Later, I'd ask Hwarang to tell whatever spirit tormented me to knock it off.
Still, a perfect RP for me had slyly been decided.
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