Chapter 38
Chapter 38
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 38
Chapter Title: Tanker
-----------------------------------------------------------------
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ It must have been tough for her.
Dahye had buried her face in my stomach just moments ago, whimpering for a good long while.
Now she was just quietly breathing, but was this her way of healing?
Her face pressed against my belly, she breathed desperately like a haenyeo surfacing for air.
Sniffing and snuffling the whole time.
I'd taught her to play selfishly in PvP damage trades, but... not to use it for stuff like this.
"Dahye, let's go now. You need to change clothes."
"Mm... I'm suddenly super sleepy."
Her tension had finally eased up.
I was the same way.
At the event hall, I'd been fully focused on worrying about Dahye while also monitoring the forums.
But seeing her relaxed now, I felt like I could die of drowsiness.
The damage from two sleepless nights was definitely hitting hard.
My knees wobbled just from standing.
Honestly, I'm not usually this weak, but it was all because of Park Dahye.
Once you've tasted the bliss of perfect sleep and waking up refreshed, there's no going back.
Still, I had to hold out a little longer.
If Dahye, who'd suffered way more than me, could endure it, so could I.
From here on, we'd head to the hotel for a hot shower, cool drinks, delicious food, maybe even some Busan sightseeing, hit up a PC bang if there was time, or whatever Dahye wanted.
Just hold on until then.
"Dahye. Let's fake being sick and ditch to have some fun."
"Whoa, is that okay for a working stiff?"
"Nope. But right now, it's totally doable."
"For real!?"
Narrative Games' savior, Park Dahye.
You don't know it, but... right now, I feel like I could do anything.
If I sold you out, that is.
Skiving off is one thing, maybe even the corporate card.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ We headed back to the event hall.
Dahye immediately went off with the staff to change, and
the two section chiefs nearby spotted me and came rushing over in a fluster.
"Assistant Manager, how's Dahye? Is she really okay?"
Kwak Section Chief especially looked grim.
He'd seen her collapse with his own eyes, so no wonder he was shocked.
From his perspective, losing the relief pitcher was secondary; someone collapsing mid-event meant massive liability.
Especially before any contracts were signed, complicating things further.
Just as I'd predicted.
And now, I planned to leverage this to skive off.
Year-five assistant manager Kwon Seonghyeon would channel all his accumulated office kung fu into a smooth exit from this venue.
Naturally and boldly.
"You must have been shocked, Section Chief. Dahye has a bit of social anxiety, and she pushed too hard, triggering a panic attack."
"Oh no! Social anxiety? Then how did she manage cosplay..."
"She wanted to help when we were in a crisis. She's such a kind soul... I should have stopped her."
"Ah... I had no idea... Sigh... You should have said something sooner..."
"Would it have changed anything? We were desperate too. We're relieved now, but yesterday was a nightmare."
"True... We barely saved the disaster event thanks to Dahye... But now I feel bad for her..."
"She's much better now, so it'll be fine. We're heading to the hospital anyway."
Then Park Section Chief patted my shoulder and said,
He was always the coolest guy at the company in situations like this.
Whenever someone was sick or had personal business, he'd toss out lines like this habitually.
"You worked until midnight yesterday too, right? Swing by the hospital and head home. Your friend suffered because of us—treat her to something nice."
Damn... As expected, the one ray of light in my corporate life, Park Section Chief.
Of course, I'd counted on him saying that and exploited it...
Today, I'd cast conscience aside.
Time for the useless HR peon to bow out.
"Thank you. I'll update you on Dahye's condition. Probably can't make it tomorrow though."
"Don't push yourself. The viral buzz is plenty—we can roll with the core team tomorrow."
"Right, Kwon Assistant Manager! You've done more than enough. Tell Dahye thanks from us."
"Appreciate the understanding. We'll head out then!"
With Park Dahye as leverage, everything fell into place.
But I still had one more angle to play.
Skiving off is free, but this one was pricey.
With Dahye turning the tide, passing up this advantage would be a crime.
Oh, right. One more thing for you, Park Section Chief."
"Yeah, what?"
"The artist Park Dahye I mentioned yesterday."
"Her? More to discuss?"
"Turns out she's the same Dahye who helped with cosplay today. It's done and dusted, but since you picked the original art, I figured you should know."
"Wait, she's the artist? I thought she was your friend?"
"I didn't realize until we met—she's my gaming buddy. Oh, here she comes. Anyway, I'll get going! You two worked hard today. See you tomorrow!"
I wrapped it up quick before they could respond.
The Park Dahye artist thing was already settled anyway.
Whatever happened next, my guess was this:
Internet ablaze over Dahye.
Kwak Section Chief, eager to milk the aggro, would plan more marketing.
Chatting with Park Section Chief, the illustration topic would naturally arise.
Dahye, worshipped online as Rosanne herself, drew the new avatar art.
Rare, right?
Wonder how high that 500,000-won illustration he haggled for would climb—just thinking about it made me grin.
Dahye returned, having changed into a beige dress skin.
Unlike her initial fresh look, her bangs were messy, makeup smudged from sweat.
Still, she looked way better now.
Dahye's prettiest when she's just Dahye.
"You didn't wipe off your makeup? They said it's okay?"
"Yeah! They gave me cleansing cream and stuff—I'll do it at the hotel. Do I look weird now?"
"Nah, you look pretty. Good we can leave quick. Oh, and the section chiefs said thanks."
"Right... Sorry, I should have at least said goodbye."
"Disappearing fast is the best help right now. Let's go."
Dahye pulled her hat low, and I covered my makeup-stained shirt with my hand as we hurried through the venue.
A day can feel endlessly long.
Felt like we'd been holed up for two days, but outside the convention center, it was still midday.
Leaving in daylight felt so damn good.
I got early outs for meetings sometimes, but today was special.
Probably because of Dahye.
Being with her sometimes blurs the line between reality and fantasy.
Suddenly life's a game, weird visions appear, healthy Dahye turns into Pokttal.
She even transformed into Rosanne—nuff said.
This vibe now was probably part of it.
Ordinary commute, ordinary street, ordinary daytime sky—all felt like in-game today.
Like slaying a tough dungeon boss with Pokttal, inventory stuffed, exiting the dungeon.
First time skiving off, and it's this fun.
Dahye must feel the same, 'cause she said,
"Seonghyeon. Feels like we're doing something bad and running away, right? Kinda thrilling, hehe."
Sharing vibes without asking again.
Doubles the fun unintentionally.
The hotel was walkable, but we took a taxi.
Dahye was exhausted, and if she spotted something she wanted on the main road, I'd grab it.
But no matter what I asked, she just shook her head.
"Not hungry? You haven't eaten in ages."
"Later. Seonghyeon, right now more than that..."
"More than what?"
"You're dying to sleep, right? I'll tuck you in. Trust me!"
Oops.
Thought she was too wiped to notice.
Was I that obvious?
Sigh, embarrassing.
Twenty-year-old Dahye came all the way to Busan to save my company, but twenty-nine-year-old me couldn't even help her—instead, I'm worrying her.
Can't stand it.
"Think I can't sleep without you? Don't make excuses for me—let's eat something tasty first."
"No way! I carried today, so I'll carry to the end. Supporter, just follow me."
"One Rosanne run and you're all cocky, Park Dahye. Gettin' cheeky."
"Hehe, but today I'm the tank, right? Trust me, Seonghyeon?"
Fine, do what you want.
You earned it today.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ We got to the hotel, and Dahye headed straight to the bathroom.
And I...
Plopped right onto the sofa.
Tried to unpack before she came out, but couldn't stand.
Good call listening to her.
I was at my limit.
Horrifying that I couldn't sleep even now.
Moments later, Dahye emerged in a white robe.
Tag, you're it—my turn.
Legs gave out; braced the wall to barely finish showering.
When I came out, Dahye, lying on the bed, grinned at me.
Chills.
Seoul's wicked lord chased me to Busan, eyeing my body.
Sadly... tonight I needed Park Dahye more.
Well, that's how it goes.
Most peasant wives dragged off by wicked lords end up smitten.
Guess my heart's following the cliché.
I'd threatened her before leaving home to feel my absence.
Now I had to admit it.
I felt the void even bigger.
I wanted to bury my nose in her back and pass out.
Then the wicked lord spoke to her serf.
Rosanne-style this time.
"Don't dally like a coward—get in here quick."
Guess I would.
But... one thing bugged me.
Park Dahye came with just her smartphone.
No toiletries, not even a change of clothes.
So what was under that robe?
"You didn't go in there naked, right? No undies to change into?"
"Knew you'd say that—borrowed some from the costume team sis!"
"Huh, impressive."
Okay, safe then.
She'd prance around in a slip otherwise; undies make me feel better.
Finally! Sleep after three whole days.
If I crash now, I'd wake at dawn...
Then late-night snacks with Dahye.
I slipped under the covers she'd lifted, offering my arms.
"Eek! What supporter does that!"
New pattern again.
She pushed my arms down, then extended hers to pull my head in.
This pose...
Not back hug, not me holding her.
I ended up nestled in Park Dahye's bosom.
Creamy soft skin, lingering rose body wash—head spinning.
She seemed to like it, lips to my head as she said,
"I'm the tank today, so this is how it'll be. Got it?"
Whatever. No energy to reply.
Eyes closed, head on her soft chest.
Thought her back was sleeping pill enough, but front's even better.
Sleep crashing in.
But...
Of course, E-cup undies aren't that common.
She said she borrowed undies.
Right before drifting off, blurry vision caught something odd.
Her chest peeking from the slipped-down robe.
Not naked, as she said.
But... those "borrowed" undies...
Sigh...
"Dahye..."
"Yeah? Can't sleep?"
"No... sleep's overwhelming... but this... I gotta say..."
"What?"
"Nipple... patches... aren't... undies..."
"They cover it, same thing. Don't sweat it."
Dunno.
No strength to retort; sleep pouring in.
Thinking back, maybe that's what she meant earlier.
[I'll tank for you today. Trust me, Seonghyeon?]
As a game company guy, I know: female tanks get higher defense the smaller the armor.
Dahye now? Around 40,000 defense.
Cosplay Rosanne Dahye looked fragile, ready to shatter.
Nipple-patch Dahye? Could block lightning one-handed.
Supporter me today...
Just trust her and...
Sleep...
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇