Chapter 15: Something Weird
“It feels strange no matter how I think about it.”
At Da-young’s firm exclamation, I tilted my head in curiosity.
“What’s weird?”
Looking around, I couldn’t find anything out of the ordinary. The broadcasting was running smoothly, and we were in a party inside Soul Warfare; what could possibly be strange? Even though Po-Ming was live streaming now, I didn’t think my being in a party with them would negatively affect anything. Hearing my confusion, Da-young pouted.
“There’s no reason for them to party with me.”
“What are you talking about? How many people besides you would party with me?”
“Can’t you just play with other streamers?”
“Don’t forget that you’re a streamer too, little sister! How many people do you think would game with me aside from you?”
Sadly, my social circle was pretty non-existent. After Da-young, A-jin, Eun-ha, and Yu-ri, who else would there be? Since Eun-ha’s a pro gamer, she was out of the picture, meaning Da-young was pretty much the only person I could casually game with. The others weren’t even gamers.
Aside from the other streamers I met in events, I really had no desire to actively seek out new connections. Especially that Goon-de, the vibe was good, but getting too familiar seemed like it would just be tiring.
‘I’ve really become lazy.’
I felt like I had changed significantly since returning to this world. It wasn’t just my body; my mental state felt different too. Physically, my character was set to a young age of 22—thanks to the identity background—but perhaps due to the wear and tear of time, I’d grown old in regard to my mindset. It was just because this was a virtual reality game that I was somewhat putting in the effort; otherwise, I’d completely lost the desire to get involved with anyone unless it was related to being a hero. In that aspect, Eun-ha would really stand out as an exception.
If this was before I was summoned to this world, I would have jumped at the chance to have some fun with gaming-related connections… but that’s just a meaningless assumption.
Anyway, while I pondered such thoughts, Da-young’s reason was truly absurd from my perspective.
“Look at the tier difference between you and me. That’s definitely a problem.”
Caught off guard by this unexpected response, I suddenly found myself speechless. That’s all?
[Ah, lol, honestly, there is quite a tier difference.]
[Po-Ming’s got some serious inferiority complex.]
[Snake vibes are intense, snake vibes.]
[Po-Ming worked hard to reach Grandmaster. Isn’t this too much of a snake act?]
[But looking at the MMR, Po-Ming isn’t wrong.]
[For real, it’s a 1-tier difference. Po-Ming is in danger of getting demoted to Master. That’s almost like a 2-tier difference.]
[From Friede’s perspective, Po-Ming is a baby. You gotta treat them with care.]
[Treating with care = growing them strong.]
[Waaah!]
The chatroom erupted with even more heated reactions to Da-young’s response, almost filtering and conveying her feelings in a bizarre way. Just because of tiers. Seeing how Da-young was stressing over it, I couldn’t help but laugh softly. I pinched my cheek teasingly and said.
“Why are you overthinking this? It’s not like there’s any problem with us duo-ing together, right?”
“Still… I just worry there might be controversy over bus riding with you.”
“You really don’t need to worry about trivial controversy. We’re here to enjoy the game. Just because you’re a Challenger doesn’t mean you’re limited to playing only with other Challengers. Grandmasters often mix it up too. We’re not professional gamers.”
[That’s true.]
[If you don’t like it, just remove the party system.]
[Po-Ming may have a significant difference in level, but it’s still fine.]
[If it were a Master-Datak match, it would’ve been a bit riskier, lol.]
[Anyway, the team MMR averages out, so it shouldn’t really matter.]
“Okay, but don’t say anything if I mess up, alright? No matter what the other team says, you’ll stick up for me, right?”
“Of course.”
Petting Da-young’s messy hair, I started the matchmaking. Da-young isn’t exactly the kind of person who would engage in unsportsmanlike conduct, and as long as I backed her up, there wouldn’t be any issues at least regarding getting hated on. Even if we’re climbing ranks, it’s more fun to do it together.
[Bob is… endlessly Bob.]
― User JeonjuBobimbap has been kicked out.
[Let’s go, Dom-hwang-chae!]
[The staff is really doing a great job!]
[So good at kicking, it’s almost suspicious. Whoa.]
Just as I was waiting with the solid backup care from A-jin,
―Thud!
We finally found a match.
Both Da-young and I accepted without hesitation and entered the lobby.
What appeared before us was an unexpected figure.
[Oh? There’s a rival Lotus.]
[Round 2 of the brawl is starting!]
[I feel like this opposing team won’t be easy to beat.]
[Well, when Sensei is on the team, it’s a ‘fixed match’.]
[I don’t see them streaming, so they probably just played ranked.]
[Nowadays, STK has been playing ranked a lot, lol.]
[Is it true that teaming up with a Grandmaster and going against a Lotus?]
Should I at least acknowledge them? I hesitated a bit, but it seemed better to just proceed with the game.
I didn’t care so much for creating a scandal by going head-to-head with a pro player… my issue was different since Eun-ha was in a different position.
“Sis…”
“Yes?”
“Let’s make sure we win, okay?”
“Of course.”
Meaning we had to rank up… but saying that, I couldn’t shake off the feeling that Da-young’s vibe was off.
I didn’t understand why she was smirking, but I couldn’t help but tilt my head at her suspiciously high energy.
* * *
Reacting late can cost you dearly.
You need to predict the enemy’s moves based on their actions before you draw your sword. With her eyes widened, Eun-ha lowered her body in response to Friede’s sharp Holy Sword strike.
―Swish!
A small opening created by friendly fire gave Eun-ha the chance she needed. She thought now was her moment to make up for lost points, but she had no choice but to retreat at the incoming arrow from the opposing team.
“Tch!”
She unintentionally clicked her tongue, eyes focused on Po-Ming and Da-young, who were trying their best to keep her at bay from a distance.
Her tier may be low, so all she had to do was keep her aim steady and play her role as a turret.
‘No, wait. Stay calm.’
Taking safety distance, she exhaled deeply. Until now, she had been holding her breath, enduring the relentless assault from Friede and her sister, Sehee.
One minute. After thoroughly focusing on defense and dodging against her sister, this was basically the first time that an effective defense had occurred thanks to support from her allies.
They locked eyes, but no words were exchanged as they knew they just needed to clash swords in this game.
Just as she readied herself for her sister’s furious onslaught,
“Eek!”
Eun-ha quickly dodged as an arrow zoomed dangerously close over Friede’s shoulder, twisting her body just in time. As she lost her balance, Friede took the opportunity to unleash her flashy strike.
The allied support fire continued, but just a few arrows bought only a second’s worth of time. To dodge the arc of the Holy Sword swinging upward, Eun-ha executed an unexpected backflip and rolled to the ground. Then….
―Thud!
With a blunt impact, the arrow stuck into her forehead as the screen flickered gray, and Eun-ha muttered.
“Damn it….”
I understand now why I’m just being a target from behind with arrows.
But is it really fair for me to be the only one pinned down while our team’s ADC supports everyone else on a different lane? Since the beginning, Da-young had been fixating on me, leaving me unable to do anything.
On top of that, her physical abilities were monstrous; concentrating on dodging was tough enough, and having her sabotage me further ignited the flames of frustration inside me.
‘But more importantly…’
Why are those two even playing together? Given the tier, they’d never run into each other in matchmaking. With the respawn timer remaining, Eun-ha finally figured out why.
Oh, they were streaming as a duo. How did I only realize this now? It’s foolish to think like this. No one can stay sane around her sister. Maybe that’s why. Watching Da-young constantly support her sister with the arrow-slinging antics made a sinister, snake-like energy well up from deep inside Eun-ha. If I were there, I would’ve long since made her surrender and proceeded to the next match by now. But….
‘Why doesn’t she…’
To avoid scandal from rank grinding, I’m trying to limit my duo plays, yet that girl sticks close to her wherever she goes.
“Fine.”
Since our first encounter, I never had a good impression of her. Despite apologizing and trying to mend things, the fundamental differences in personality and compatibility couldn’t patch things up so easily.
If that girl comes at me, I’ve got ideas too.
As time passed, resurrected Eun-ha charged right down the center without hesitation.
Amidst all the fighting, with a dazzling display of the Holy Sword, Friede was there.
Ideally, I should be swinging my self sword in her direction, but this time was different.
Using the rushing minions as shields, Eun-ha twisted her path to break free from Friede.
Why did she make such a reckless charge? Even if she tried going down the middle, there really wasn’t much she could do.
The game system didn’t allow her to break defensive structures by herself, so seeing Friede’s perplexed gaze was incredibly amusing.
As she distanced herself, she spotted Da-young, poised with her bow in front of the defensive structure. Eun-ha let out a shout.
“I’ll take you down at least, you damn brat!”
“What?!”
Ignoring Friede, Eun-ha rushed directly at the target, challenging her. Da-young swung her dagger in a panic, but Eun-ha, used to such avoidance, swept aside the weapon with her self sword right as the timing was perfect.
―Boom!
With the familiar rumble of thunder, Da-young was left incapacitated. Feeling the familiar sensation of parrying, she noticed her sister was coming up from behind. Sorry, sister. This time, no matter what, I won’t stop.
Eun-ha wrapped her arms around Da-young without hesitation and leaped off the cliff below.
If this is a losing game, at least I’ll make sure to drag her down with me.
“Ahhhh!”
Even in a game, the unique realism of virtual reality kicked in as the sensation of falling engulfed her, triggering a scream from Da-young’s lips.
Eun-ha’s figure, floating towards the infinite abyss, resembled a falling petal in full bloom.
