Former Hero Streamer – Chapter 39

I temporarily set aside the chatter in the chat room and logged into Soul Warfare.

It was somewhat of a mischievous act to tease the viewers, but there’s a certain thrill in such attention.

I can’t do it often, though.

As the loading finished and my darkened vision returned, I was greeted by the view of a grand castle adorned with a red sunset.

In Soul Warfare, even the same location has different points of appreciation.

Sometimes, the skies clear up, it rains, or the sun sets—an ordinary change in weather as time passes.

The players energetically running around the castle, that majestic structure, shows off a variety of colors thanks to these changes.

It’s too dream-like to be considered just a simple game, and the background showcasing the glory of a mythical age often becomes a significant factor in the game’s popularity, making me instinctively want to whistle at such picturesque views.

‘The architecture of that world isn’t lacking either, but the world I’ve visited as a hero is different from Earth; if I had to choose a vibe, I could say it’s closer to that of Soul Warfare.’

Regardless of what’s inside, the existence of those grand castles built atop towering mountains was one of the few elements I marveled at when I was first thrown into that world.

I suddenly thought about this because it changed from the usual gloomy clouds to a cozy sunset, I guess.

I seem to be getting a bit sentimental.

“Today’s lobby screen has a nice atmosphere. Usually, it’s all dull clouds, but for once, there’s a sunset.”

[The sunset… is setting]

[Just McCr… shush!]

[Hush! You can’t say that name here]

[It’s a rare sight; the host is lucky]

[곰탄재료푸우 donated 10,000 won!


– Noona, don’t move. I want to take a picture of you.]

As the sunset tinged the red curtain, a different donation came in.

Something to take a picture of, huh? It seems like they want to… photograph me? Capture a screen?

Seeing the donation message for the first time, I hesitated for a moment about whether to refuse, but quickly brushed it off as unnecessary.

I’ve been captured and recorded countless times during gameplay, so what’s the point of taking more shots during the lobby screen?

Rather, it got me thinking about how this could be possible in virtual reality.

If the reality is that impressive, there’s no need to struggle taking press photos outside, right?

[곰탄재료푸우 donated 5,000 won!


– Mamang, is there another pose?]

Without hesitation, my answer came out.

Okay.

“Confirmed.”

With a short reply while holding the Broken Greatsword, I shifted the camera angle and struck a slight pose.

Trying an exaggerated pose in such a picturesque view would only spoil the vibe.

Natural and simple.

Planting the broken blade into the ground, I stood there with one hand resting on the hilt, like a walking stick. My figure appeared on the screen.

Not a bad vibe.

[What are you doing?]

[Hey, aren’t you running rank games?]

[Did you suddenly catch celebrity syndrome? Why are you like this?]

[I like it; seeing the sunset in Soul Warfare’s lobby is rare!]

[Honestly, it became a beautiful picture when Noona posed.]

[The sunset melting away the bitterness before the door opens.]

[It’s gonna disappear in 10 minutes anyway, so just enjoy it… It’s not easy to see the sunset in the lobby for no reason.]

[Seriously, I’ve played Soul Warfare for over a year, and I’ve only seen the sunset in the lobby about three times.]

[I think I should clip this. It’s really worth watching.]

“Will it disappear in 10 minutes?”

[Did the host not know?]

[Yeah, it usually goes dark and gloomy, but sometimes you can see starry skies or sunsets, but it can’t last more than 10 minutes.]

[Do you know anything about this game?]

[Using a Broken Club on the training instructor?]

[LOL.]

“Wait, the lobby view can’t change, right? This will also disappear in 10 minutes?”

[Yes, Noona, it’s about 7 minutes in, so there isn’t much time left.]

[Shit, Trom Games should fix the lobby so it stays with a sunset!]

[The sunset… really sets.]

[Seriously, in 3 minutes it’ll be gone, LOL.]

[Oh! Soul Warfare’s fundamental is its dreary, bleak aesthetic… What kind of sunset romance is this?]

[The Soul Warfare I play is… authentic romance, you fools.]

Isn’t it too short of a time to wrap this scene up in just 10 minutes?

‘I wish it were a bit longer.’

As I checked the info and read other chats, the time slowly whittled down to just about 1 minute left.

I tried to soothe my regret while watching the slowly setting sun.

[곰탄재료푸우 donated 5,000 won!


– Thank you, Noona. The picture turned out great!]

[That damn bitch isn’t planning to use it for commercial purposes, right?]

[If our Pooh really wants to become 곰탄재료, he would, LOL.]

[Seriously, LOL.]

[If Noona uses it recklessly, she’ll be in big trouble.]

“It’s ending already. It’s a pity, but well…”

Just as I was about to close it and log into a ranked game, an absurd thought struck like lightning and ran down my spine.

Ah, a person like me, thinking such things in this atmosphere…

I gathered my shaky mind and gave a soft smile to the camera.

“Let’s consider this the last time; shall we have a service moment?”

[???]

[What kind of service?]

[There’s only 3 minutes left. Let’s heat some curry.]

[I want black bean noodles.]

[We’ve barely got less than 3 minutes.]

[I also like the sunset the most. I wish I could see it with my sister, ㅠㅠ.]

[Stop it with the spamming.]

I manipulated the panel to change the camera angle.

Naturally, it looks like I’m gazing at the sunset, as if someone is quietly watching me from behind.

What the viewers saw from their perspective was the silhouette of my shadowy figure.

Just then, a cool evening breeze wafted in, causing the golden cloak draped over me to ripple.

And…

“Ahh—.”

Taking off my helmet wrapped around my head, the wind that came just at the right moment added to the refreshing feel.

[???]

[Oh my god????]

[Did you just remove the helmet?]

[Oh shit, turn around, you!!!]

[Noona!!!!!!!!]

[Requesting Season 21 Friede’s reveal!]

[마지막싶새 donated 5,000 won!


– Noona, please look this way!!]

[티끌모아파산 donated 10,000 won!


– Don’t run away! Turn around!!]

As the light reflects back, just before the sun sets, my pure golden hair matched with the golden cloak seemed to radiate its light, making the sky brighter.

Savoring the last of the sunset’s charm, I turned my head slightly just before it completely disappeared.

Since I uploaded a separate viewers’ perspective screen, what they would see from this action would be just a hint of my eyes.

That should be sufficiently stimulating for them.

“Service over.”

As I donned the helmet again, the sunset completely vanished, and I returned to Soul Warfare’s signature gloomy sky.

Returning to a desolate field filled with thick clouds and cursed winds.

And the chat reactions exploded like an active volcano finally awakening.

[Hey, stop fooling around and just reveal properly.]

[That pose was cool, but… I’ll give it a thumbs down.]

[Were you blonde?]

[Isn’t it a character? Dying it or whatever is all free, right?]

[If my Noona is Friede here, I’ll upvote the hell out of it!]

[Stop it with the absurd fantasies, you crazy bitch.]

[Something… something feels off, and it’s more irritating.]

[Noona… please make the service generous, please ㅡㅡ.]

[Service? Stop being ridiculous.]

Seeing this reaction, I only had one gesture to make.

Just like before, I formed a V with my fingers and stuck my tongue out slightly between my slightly parted lips.

The magma that had erupted from the chatroom was now threatening to evaporate the sea itself.

[마지막싶새 donated 8,000 won!


– Show me, show me, show me, show me, show me!]

[지크가터벨트 donated 7,000 won!


– Reveal ‘do it’ reveal ‘do it’ reveal ‘do it’ reveal ‘do it.’]

[누나를먹는미디르 donated 8,000 won!


– Take off the helmet, Noona!!!]

[서윗한남 donated 8,000 won!


– Hey, you’re not training anyone right now, you devilish girl, if you do this you’ll get 5700 on the ride back!]

With the donation screen filling the frame, I thought it would be impossible to continue playing the game now.

Not only was it the donations, but the chatroom was heated, like a balloon about to pop with even a light poke.

With the chat limited to once every minute, it quickly transitioned to two minutes due to the excessive barrage.

But even that felt insufficient, so it changed to slow mode in under a minute.

With this, if I ever reveal myself further, I can’t help but worry whether the broadcast will stop.

“Calm down, everyone, please.”

Even my uttered words as Friede were a statement I didn’t really expect.

A half-hearted attempt didn’t quell the flames; if anything, it fanned them further.

Especially when the one responsible for the current atmosphere is the one saying it…

No, anyone can see that Friede didn’t seem intent on calming the situation.

The slight upward curve of her lips openly revealed her feelings right now.

“We need to get into ranked games soon, so please stop excessive donations.”

[누나를먹는미디르 donated 5,000 won!


– No, I’m not stopping; I’m going to keep donating!]

[지크가터벨트 donated 5,000 won!


– Noona, you sure will get a nice payday, haha!]

It would be nonsensical to say I couldn’t get into ranked games because of donations. Simply disabling the donation feature would solve it.

Yet the fact that they insist on doing so… yeah, it’s a provocation.

“If you keep this up, I have my ways too.”

You know there’s something, right?

It’s more tormenting to seem like you might show something rather than showing it all at once.

The more they yearn, the narrower their vision gets, and that’s when mistakes tend to happen.

Perhaps before starting the stream, I could find a suitable chance to bring out ‘that item.’

[Keep blabbering about the donations.]

[Everyone, gather!]

[Did you think Friede would just show a little and that we’d be satisfied and retreat?]

[I caught a glimpse of Noona’s nape, and I want to lick it! Heeheung.]

[Crazy words, but… this is the last time.]

[다리사이성난불길협곡 donated 5,000 won!


– So damn confident, you crazy girl, LOL; let’s see that method!]

Just like right now!

“Okay, then…”

Suddenly, Friede’s outfit transformed all at once.

“I’ll show you.”

No longer did the elegant armor and golden cloak shine as a light of hope in the dark world of Soul Warfare.

[?]

[???]

[What… is this?]

[I saw this on the news!]

[?????]

It covered her ankles and even obscured her eyes with a mesh veil.

It was the sole culprit allowing the impressive Hero’s Equipment to be viewed only below the ankles.

“The moment the chat calms down, I shall take on the role of the Islam Warrior streamer. Everyone, get jealous of my exceeding hijab.”

The Broken Greatsword had vanished, and in its place was a curved sword shaped like a blue crescent.

[Oh, crazy LOL, this is dizzying.]

[What… is this?]

[Please, go back to being the Light Hero!]

[포밍이 donated 5,000 won!


– Noona, that’s not a hijab; it’s a burka!]

Late corrections felt pretty hollow.