A Basement-Dwelling Loser, the Inquisitor – Chapter 206

I woke up feeling sluggish all over.

That lazy sensation was so strong that I even found it bothersome to move.

I’m used to these days coming periodically, but I get the feeling I’ll never fully get accustomed to the sensation itself…

It’s that magical day… my period has come again.

While ordinary women calculate and prepare for this cycle in advance, I wonder how they manage to do that.

For me, it’s like, “Oh, it’s here…” and it’s kind of fascinating.

Well… I guess since I don’t really have painful cramps and it’s mostly just this lethargic feeling, I don’t pay much attention to it.

But why does it have to be on this magical day?

Sure, it’s a recurring thing, but why does it have to be today of all days… the day the second half of the Newdi World Quest starts…

If it had come two days later, it would have been no problem at all.

“Ugggh….”

I just want to lie around without a single thought in my mind.

I don’t even want to think about Newdi.

In fact, so far, I’ve just logged into Newdi on those days and then logged off.

The World Quest should last until tomorrow, right…?

Considering my cycle has generally lasted about two days… well, it looks like I won’t be able to participate in the World Quest.

The World Quest… it’s important, no doubt, but can it really be deemed more important than my desire to rest?

I don’t think so.

I mean, it’s not like my absence is going to change anything.

I’ve heard that there will be a chance to experience it later as a Memorial Quest, so let’s just decide to give up on this World Quest.

★

【Rene’s Galleryⓜ】

【Title: I’m taking a break until tomorrow】

【Author: Rene🔸】

Due to personal reasons, I’m taking a break until tomorrow.

【Likes: 79 / Dislikes: 79】

This place is nice since there’s no ㄴㅇㅇ: ???

└This place is nice since there’s no ㄴㅇㅇ: What the hell does that even mean?

└Rene🔸: I have personal reasons, I’m sorry.

└Rene🔸: Please don’t swear.

Nore-Nene-NoLife🔹: Seriously, cut the crap.

└Nore-Nene-NoLife🔹: You know today is the day the second half of Newdi’s World Quest opens, right?

└Nore-Nene-NoLife🔹: It feels like you’re planning to log off and play alone again like that Golem Challenge, damn it.

└Rene🔸: Yes, I know. But I’m not logging off to play alone; I’m just going to log in briefly and log out, so I probably won’t be able to do the World Quest, I’m sorry.

└Nore-Nene-NoLife🔹: ??? What’s going on??? Is this really serious?

└NewdiMaster: This Newdi nuisance is actually giving up on the World Quest???

└NewdiGallery: Seriously, this seems like it might actually be a problem.

【Title: Don’t burn the gallery down too much today】

【Author: ㅇㅇ🔹】

If that Newdi nuisance is actually giving up on the World Quest, it means something really personal is going on, so take it easy.

【Likes: 51 / Dislikes: 2】

ㅇㅇ: From now on, I’m going to start praising the headband.

Pioneer: Seriously, whatever else is going on, if she’s giving up the World Quest…

└Pioneer: I’m actually worried that something bad really did happen, damn it.

★

[Incoming call from Tuni]

[📞 | ❌]

As I logged into Newdi briefly and lay in bed, I received a call from Tuni through Miss Code.

Is something going on?

…Honestly, it’s a hassle, but I can’t ignore Tuni’s contact.

Reaching that conclusion, I pressed the call accept button.

“Hello…?”

[Rene! I heard the news. You’re taking a break until tomorrow and not participating in the Newdi World Quest at all…?]

“…Ah, yeah.”

[Is there really something big going on? If so, can I help you with anything… ?]

Tuni sounded worried like something serious was happening.

Something big? What does that mean?

I mean, depending on how you look at it, it could be considered big, but is it really serious enough to warrant this kind of atmosphere?

[If there’s anything I can do to help, just let me know….]

“I don’t think it’s really something you can help with… I’m fine on my own….”

After all, it’ll sort itself out in two days.

[Are you really okay? Is it something too tough to mention to those around you…?]

“Not really… it’s just that time of the month….”

[…Huh? You’re talking about that time of the month…?]

“Yeah…”

[Sorry, but are you referring to your period…?]

“Yeah….”

Seeing Tuni say the word ‘period’ so casually felt kind of amazing.

I felt a bit embarrassed to say it directly myself.

Is this influence from my past life as a guy?

[So, that means you’re on your period, which is why you’re taking a break and not doing the World Quest… ?]

“Yeah…. I feel super sluggish, so I’m just going to lie in bed until tomorrow….”

[…Hmm. I’m relieved it’s not something serious. I was worried because you said you weren’t taking a break but were giving up on the World Quest… I thought something really serious had happened.]

Of course, I’m not without a hint of disappointment.

Once this period is over in two days, I’m sure I’ll regret thinking, “I should have just held on a little longer!”

But shaking off this sluggish feeling right now is definitely not an easy task.

[Um… anyway, rest well, Rene.]

“Thank you…. Oh, speaking of that, about the last thing we planned… can we schedule it for next month? Or just whenever is convenient for you….”

[Oh, I’m fine with anytime next month, so just contact me!]

“Got it…. See you next time….”

With that last bit of conversation, the call ended.

Now I could lie back down and have free time again…

[Incoming call from Jaehoon]

[📞 | ❌]

…This time, it was the leader of the Sirius Team calling.

I want to think there’s no way, but my gut feeling was telling me.

This is definitely the same misunderstanding as the call from Tuni.

“Phew… hello…?”

[Ah, Rene! It’s Jaehoon. I just heard the news, and I wanted to see if you could talk for a bit. If it’s serious enough that you can’t talk right now… ]

“…It’s, it’s that time of the month.”

[…Huh?]

“It’s not that anything bad is happening; it’s just that today is, you know… I’m taking a break because of that….”

★

Upon hearing my story, Jaehoon was startled and quickly apologized, relieved that it wasn’t something serious.

After that, he suggested checking on the various discussions happening in my fan community… that is, Remagal.

What in the world are they discussing that would make him suggest checking Remagal?

They’re probably just having some pointless conversations like they usually do while I’m on break.

I thought that, as I opened Remagal on my phone.

And Remagal unfolded before my eyes with a scene completely different from what I imagined.

─────────────────

【Title: No, is this really not a serious matter?】

【Title: Does that Newdi nuisance really make sense giving up the World Quest?】

【Title: If something really has happened to Rene, I’m going to kill you all!】

【Title: You bastards already know the headband’s home life isn’t good, yet you still act like this whenever she takes a break?】

【Title: Rene, just come back healthy and keep the stream on; I’m not asking for anything more.】

【Title: Even just once a week streaming would be fine, so please come back safely…】

【Title: Seriously, if the headband is giving up the World Quest, it must mean something serious, right?】

【Title: I’m really worried, and the fact that they aren’t commenting or posting makes me more worried;】

【Title: Seeing stuff like this, the headband seems genuinely too kind, which makes me concerned.】

【Title: Obviously, you all know she only posted that notice to ease the worries of her fans, damn it.】

─────────────────

All sorts of speculations swirled around Remagal that I couldn’t comprehend.

The speculations started from the fact that I was giving up on the Newdi World Quest, which is set to start today.

It was no one else but me, giving up on the Newdi World Quest, which sparked various theories that something really serious had to have happened.

There were posts suggesting that I might not be seriously ill.

Some speculated that I might have issues back home and needed to go back.

Others suggested that I was meeting my biological parents.

Or even that it could be the anniversary of a sponsor I sometimes mention on stream.

Where on earth do I even start with all this nonsense?

Especially the sponsor anniversary…

The sponsor I occasionally mention on stream is Ia…

If Ia died, the world over there would be in big trouble, right?

Anyway, it seemed that my habitual love for Newdi led to these misunderstandings.

…Well, I could resolve the matter by leaving a post on Remagal, but…

“I absolutely cannot do that…”

You’re telling me to post on Remagal that I took a break because of “that time of the month”?

Isn’t that just asking for me to be killed…?

Of course, I could write something like, “It’s not a serious matter for the fans to worry about,” too.

But in that case, they’d definitely wonder why I’m taking a break if it’s not serious.

However, if I just leave it as it is, they’re genuinely worrying for me.

What should I do…

★

[Rene]

[After a brief chat, I’ll continue with the Newdi World Quest]

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