Former Hero Streamer – Chapter 196

“Sorry, I’m late.”

“Of course it’s you, sis! You came to save us!”

I couldn’t help but wonder what kind of reaction I’d get if I said, “I got caught too.”

It nearly escaped my throat, but I swallowed hard and calmed myself down.

No need to kill the vibe.

Looking at the three of them who had been running for dear life, they didn’t seem hurt or retired, so a sigh of relief slipped from Friede’s lips.

With a smile, I patted Aji’s head without saying much.

Her body curled up like a sweet cat purring softly.

As I playfully pulled her cheeks, Dayoung and Yoori were excitedly poking and prodding at the fallen boss’s face.

“Ugh, his head is really bony. Who designed this boss monster?”

“Seriously, what a bad taste. Look at that expression. It’s just like when I punish Baekbaek, he makes a face like he’s gonna die.”

“Should I take a picture and show Baekbaek?”

[So who the hell is Baekbaek, you nerds]


[Are you talking about that Baekbaek who was lurking in the gallery?]


[What? Did he get involved with that guy from the gallery?]


[Why do you automatically think he’s a guy?]


[So you think the same girl would have that nickname? LOL]


[Seems like everyone knows who it is. What kind of guy would have such a face?]


[I kinda wanna see. What kind of geek is on good terms with Friede’s mom?]

“10,000 won donation from Washbasin!

—누낭, who’s Baekbaek? It’s not some guy tangled up with you, right?”

Seeing everyone get riled up over just the name Baekbaek made me chuckle a bit.

“It’s not about my relationship with guys. For us, Baekbaek is more like… um….”

I mean, if they could actually see that damn frog, I wonder what their reactions would be. But that’s not a topic for now. After all, it’s not even human.

A talking green frog with angel wings on its back?

‘I can’t let that slide.’

I could totally see myself getting dragged by some national organization and ending up in a bizarre conclusion.

Even the free spirits and other heroes would end up embroiled in annoying stuff.

Sure, we’re all in this together, but Friede wanted to reveal her identity as a hero on her own terms.

Well, for now, it has to be kept a secret. There’s no point in dragging the conversation longer—it wouldn’t help at all.

Just when a reasonable excuse popped into my head, I thought I’d try to mumble something.

“Like a bread shuttle? You know, like Um Baek-ho from the Three Kingdoms? There’s someone just like him.”

I nodded to myself, thinking it’s appropriate since I’m not taking the lead, and it wouldn’t make a bad impression.

But….

[Whaaat? A bread shuttle? What’s with that personality?]


[Friede bullying controversy]


[Can’t stand bullying, haha]


[Add another item to the wiki for Friede’s character controversy~]


[Look at the gallery, underestimating Um Baek-ho]


[This statement twists the hearts of Three Kingdoms fans like me]


[Um Baek-ho is a total loser, right?]


[How old is Friede anyway? What kind of bullying?]

[Well, if he’s a bread shuttle, then just think like that LOL]


[Friede, I won’t forget that comment belittling Um Baek-ho.]


[Oh wow, when Three Kingdoms talks come up, the old geezers must be thrilled, haha]

Looks like another controversy just became a topic of discussion.

* * *

[So if we’re talking about Friede, she’s like a goddess of the Three Kingdoms, right?]


[How dare you bring that seducing bug to the gallery’s leader!]


[If we’re talking about ‘mom,’ we have to compare it with the legendary figures. Come on!]


[Hey! Our gallery’s leader should be matched with a strong Liu Mang, you know. How dare you!]


[Guys, stop throwing out Three Kingdoms bait, please.]

The bait that started with Um Baek-ho just kept rolling without stopping.

As people continued making shady connections between Friede and the female martial figures from the Three Kingdoms, the hero party, now finished grinding, returned to their hideout.

“It’s pretty simple, right? Well, if this was real life, I probably would’ve quit since we’d have to cut down trees ourselves.”

Jihye shrugged her shoulders as she entered the raw materials they had gathered for reinforcing their shelter.

No matter how much we focused on realism, at the end of the day, it’s still a game. No user would want to invest time and effort for something like this.

Upgrading the fence to walls, reinforcing them thick and tall.

Since the hideout doubled as a gas station, they successfully powered the refrigerator with the generator they brought and made it work.

With fluorescent lights and a water purification system, a pretty convincing zombie apocalypse hideout was built.

“Looks like that wraps up the tutorial.”

“Isn’t it too much progress for a tutorial? I’ve heard people usually don’t even get this far.”

“Honestly, with five of us cramming all the stuff in, we made it this far. The loot was better, too.”

Just as Dayoung said, if it hadn’t been for their luck with items, they wouldn’t have grown this quickly.

Especially the generator, which would be as hard to come by as picking stars from the sky for new users at the start.

“Yeah. Everyone worked hard. And thankfully, everyone returned safe without any retirements.”

The cool breeze coming through the open window.

The sky stretched out like a golden well on one side, while the other side became darker, adorned with stars twinkling in the void, as the horizon tipped into dusk.

As I enjoyed that view, I absentmindedly caught something flying in from inside.

“Is that cola?”

“Well, we’ve got glasses for alcohol, so let’s all just have cola.”

With a smile, Jihye tossed cola cans to the other heroes.

Even in this mere game, the thrill and sweetness flowing down my throat felt like it was soothing the mental exhaustion from all that gaming.

This virtual hideout felt refreshingly different from our real-life hero house.

As we quenched our thirst with the sweet drink, the golden rays of the setting sun wrapped around us gently as if to comfort our struggles.

Ah, this might make for a cool shot on screen.

Thinking about that before savoring the moment, I could say I’ve become something like a broadcaster.

“Alright, I guess it’s time to get serious.”

[Serious? No way…]


[You’re just ending it on one quest?]


[Friede mom, I’m too cold. Keep it going!]


[Usually, a stream is supposed to last around 13 hours. Come on, sensei.]


[Gallery leader, let’s go for a full 13-hour session with our iron stamina, please.]

“Yeah, well, it’s a good point, and the mood is just right.”

Thirteen hours of streaming? What is this, a black company?

Even hobbies and games can lead to burnout if you overdo them.

Ending it at a point where you feel like you’ve had fun ensures you can continue to enjoy it for a long time.

“Then, that’s all for today. I’ll finish the broadcast here. Everyone, stay strong.”

As Friede wrapped up the broadcast with a toast, she suddenly seemed to recall something important and looked up at the camera.

“Oh, and….”

As if she were speaking to someone specifically, knowing that person was definitely watching this camera.

Her eyes clearly seemed to say that.

For a moment, her lips parted, locked on the camera lens.

“Fighting, lotus flower.”

The red light of the sunset painted Friede’s cheeks, as she sent out her bright smile and encouragement.

* * *

“Ah.”

A farewell that substituted her last message.

As many thoughts fluttered in my mind, I tried to voice them, but I was choked by a lump in my throat and had to concede.

Thus, only a meaningless sigh lingered around, resonating with the now-empty screen where the broadcast has ended.

There was no need to say such things. After all, it was my sister’s personal stream; a simple, wonderful goodbye to the viewers would’ve sufficed.

But she made the effort to mention her nickname and send her regards.

How should I repay her kindness? And….

‘How can we meet again?’

I just want to meet her naturally in reality and enjoy time together. Not for the sake of the promised treatment.

My sister and I aren’t in a situation where we can only meet if we have a purpose.

Yes, just meeting purely as friends.

“That’s it!”

The idea flashed through my mind like lightning, which struck Eunha’s thoughts.

Bouncing off the bed, she rushed to the desk and saw a paper lying in the center, a big smile spread across her face.

There were often times when tickets were provided to invite family or friends to matches that had matches that day.

‘I thought I didn’t need it….’

Her family lived far away, so it was hard to call them, except for big events.

After an accident she couldn’t remember, practically all her human relationships revolved around her gaming team or connections in the professional gamer industry, so she didn’t think she could use it.

But it seems there’s some truth to the saying that poop can be medicine at the right time.

“This is great!”

Fortunately, the seats in the audience were top-notch, S grade.

On the same day as the STK team’s match, it was a rare item that was hard to get on the black market.

‘Just calling the sister seems awkward, so let’s invite others too.’

How many should I invite? My sister, Park Dayoung, Ryu Ahjin, and who else?

I should probably ask my sister about that. There’s still time, so I can check later.

If everyone in that house is who my sister gathered as heroes, I would definitely invite them all.

Tickets can be gathered, and worst-case scenario, she could just work a couple of extra gigs as an ad model to get them.

Once she found a suitable item, the plan quickly formed in her mind.

“I’m in!”

I couldn’t waste any time.

It was meant to be a break, but Eunha left for the practice room.

Shouldn’t I show off an even better performance when my sister comes? Time to practice hard again….

‘She’ll definitely come.’

She had shown up under the title “big sister” at the opening match before. Unfortunately, due to personal issues, she couldn’t participate in the roster for that opening match, so Eunha couldn’t show her play to her sister.

This time would be different. And she fully believed she would come… Eunha had no doubt about it.

“Hehe, my sister is going to watch my match.”

In the darkness at the end of the long corridor, she sensed something unusual standing still.

Knowing it was staring at her, Eunha didn’t care.

With everything her sister had done for her, she could endure anything.

So….

“Thank you.”

I’m going to do my best.