A Basement-Dwelling Loser, the Inquisitor – Chapter 179

Everything was perfect.

The skeptical gazes directed at me transformed into looks of admiration and praise, and even those who envied and resented me began to acknowledge me.

“Thank you, everyone… I will never forget that it’s because of you all that I stand here today. I hope to count on your support from now on as well…”

My precious people cheered for me, and the mere thought of being able to share my future with them filled me with happiness.

Surely, this was a gift bestowed upon my efforts up to this point.

How much effort had I put in?

How much pain did that effort bring me?

I had to endure things I didn’t want to experience, so it was only natural that my body and mind would be exhausted.

Of course, my story wasn’t over.

From now on, I would continue to live, accruing numerous experiences with these people.

Therefore, I believed that, no matter what hardships lay ahead, I could overcome them.

I wanted to convey that mindset to everyone.

“Through today’s experience, I will become a better version of myself, and starting tomorrow, once again…”

And then.

“AAAHHHHHHH!!!”

While I was expressing my gratitude to my family, acquaintances, and fans, a high-pitched scream echoed from behind.

“A ninja! A ninja has appeared!!!”

“…What?”

What the hell was that…? A ninja?

At the sound of the scream, I turned my head in that direction and was met by a figure clad in a black mask—truly something that could only be described as a “ninja,” wielding a katana in one hand and throwing kunai at the crowd with the other.

“Cough…”

Blooms of red blood scattered.

My precious people fell helplessly, like marionettes with their strings cut.

“Why…?”

Today was supposed to be a joyous day.

A day meant for countless smiles and laughter.

“Who are you to ruin that…?!”

I had to stop this.

No one but me had to stop it right now.

[Really? That’s amazing!]

This moment was proof that “that person” recognized me…!

“NOOOOOOOOO!!!”

Letting out a scream that was nearly a shriek, I charged forward.

Could I actually win?

I didn’t know.

The person I was right now was ultimately just an ordinary person, so I had no delusions that I could stand against such weaponry.

But despite that, I had to try.

To protect everyone…!

“Huff…!”

I closed the distance as quickly as I could.

Reach. Reach. Reach…!

And, praying to the gods, I threw all of my strength into my fist.

But it didn’t take long for it to be proven that even that determination was mere folly.

Thunk.

An unpleasant sound resonated through my body.

Thunk. Thunk. Thunk.

“Cough…!”

“AAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!”

The acrid scent of blood wafted up from my throat.

My hands could exert no more strength.

My vision was fading.

Even the screams around me were growing distant.

They were all signs that I had reached my end.

“What exactly did we do wrong…?”

“Indeed…?”

In response to my last rage-filled question, the ninja answered.

“…Huh?”

And the ninja’s voice was far too familiar.

“Why are you…?”

“It just happened…”

My vision gradually clouded to black.

And the last thing I saw was…

“Goodbye…”

Eyes as red as rubies.

★

“Ugh?!”

Eunho woke up drenched in cold sweat.

“What the hell was that terrible dream…?”

Sure, he had won in the Worlds and was riding the hype, but suddenly a ninja appeared and began slaughtering people, turning out to be none other than Rene.

From Eunho’s point of view, it was literally a nightmare.

“This must be all because my sister had the Master’s broadcast on…”

Blaming Seoyeon naturally as he woke up, Eunho found that she was no longer in the room.

In fact, the computer was even turned off.

Considering Seoyeon often stayed up late playing games when she was home, this was strange.

“…Did she go to sleep because she was tired?”

It was still only 4 PM, and Seoyeon usually didn’t take naps.

“Maybe she just had some plans or something.”

Thinking that way, Eunho got out of bed, having nothing particular to do, and decided to turn on the computer.

If he were at his usual place, he would have been in the Reverse Capsule practicing scrims at this time, but right now, Eunho was on break.

No one would be angry at him for wanting to relax on his day off.

[Stay strong]

“Uh?”

Then Eunho spotted a note with those words written on it on his desk.

“What’s this?”

From the handwriting, it was easy to tell it was Seoyeon’s note.

But he couldn’t quite grasp the meaning behind the encouragement.

‘…Did she go home because of the broadcast?’

Eunho knew very well that Seoyeon was always supportive of his pro-gamer life.

So, he thought this note was a little encouragement she left for him before heading home.

“She’s coming back for dinner later, though.”

When he had taken leave, his family had agreed to spend time together at home.

Feeling it was a strange thing to do but still amused, Eunho powered up the computer.

…And only after launching Miscode to play games with his friends did he realize the true meaning of the note Seoyeon had left him.

〔Gathering of Class 1-3 Trash〕
[Seonghan: (Rene crying GIF)]
[Seonghan: Please just die, you filthy bastard]
[Garam: Recruiting people to go to Eunho’s house and break his head]
[Jinhyunmin: You filthy bastard should focus on gaming instead of trying to hit on such a girl??]
[Jungmin: If someone like him dates that woman, it’s a huge disgrace. Admit it, and I’ll upvote it, lol]
[Eunkyul: LMAO]
[Jung Eunho: You bastards shouldn’t say stuff like that when you know what kind of guy I am!]
[Dabin: Shut it, I really want to kill you, okay;]
[Seonwoo: If I kill this bastard, can I go to heaven????]
[Jungmin: It seems like a free pass to heaven, lol]
[Seonwoo: (holds up knife thumb up.jpg)]
[Seonwoo: I’ll head over right now, buddy…]
[Jung Eunho: Bastards]

〔Sirius Server〕
[Alice: (Rene crying GIF)]
[Alice: Eunho, this seems a bit off, haha;]
[Ga-eun: A man who cannot ignore a crying woman… King Eunho]
[Rex: Was the fact that you called him Master until now for that reason???]
[Zeta (Manager): Our Eunho really has some skills…]
[Dice (Coach): Indeed, lol]
[Dice (Coach): I’ll cheer for you, Eunho, haha]
[Owen: It’s not like that, guys, I’m innocent!]
[Prophy: But you said you didn’t want a girlfriend… That girl? You said you’re single-minded for her…]
[Owen: No way, you little bastard…]
[Zeta (Manager): Let’s not use harsh words, guys… He’s scary…]
[Prophy: LOL]

Eunho felt wronged as he typed those messages.

He remembered the dream where he was stabbed to death by Rene.

“Wow, that was one hell of a precognitive dream…”

★

[By the way, why did you suddenly bring up the story from when we ate meat…? Did Eunho make some weird contact or something? You’re not trying to expose me, are you…?]
After finishing the broadcast, Tuni called him again.
He was worried that she might scream like she did on the broadcast, but thankfully Tuni’s voice was very calm.
However, he couldn’t grasp the intent behind the question.
Weird contact?
He hadn’t done anything of the sort.
In fact, he hadn’t contacted her even once since that day.
“You mean expose…? I just thought it was a nice story to share…. Ah, by the way, I also had something to tell you, Tuni…”
[…Huh? Is it my turn this time….]
“I’m really grateful that you told me it wasn’t weird back then… And I’ll definitely contact Owen later to thank him too…”
[…Oh, it’s really not necessary! I can pass it along. Since Eunho is on vacation, he’s home with us anyway! I can tell him, so there’s no need to trouble yourself! You know, Eunho tends to feel burdened by such thank-yous!]
Seeing Tuni being so adamant made Eunho wonder if there was some reason why…
…Could it be that Tuni has a brother complex?
But no, when he saw them together at the meat restaurant, they didn’t seem overly close or anything.
Hmm.
This was a tough problem.
If he were to find possible reasons… Hmm. He really didn’t know.
Regardless, it was still a message meant for him, so he should agree.
“Alright then…”
Since now he was the official streamer for the Sirius Team anyway.
There would be another opportunity to thank them later, so he could just do it then.