A Basement-Dwelling Loser, the Inquisitor – Chapter 23

‘…Are you living in a good place?’

That was the first thought that crossed Tuni’s mind when she arrived at the apartment where Rene lived.

The transportation was convenient, nearby amenities were plentiful, and the place looked immaculate—as if it were a newly-built apartment.

‘Didn’t she say she was trying streaming because she needed money?’

At least from Tuni’s perspective, this was definitely not an apartment where someone without money could live.

‘…Well, there must be a story behind it.’

Yet, putting such questions aside, Tuni decided not to bring up anything that might ruin the mood and continued on her way.

The communal entrance of the apartment where Rene lived was ajar as if someone was in the process of moving in, with a truck and a ladder truck parked in front.

After passing through the common entrance and pressing the button for the 17th floor in the elevator, it quickly arrived at the destination.

The view beyond the railing was quite a sight to behold.

Ding-dong~.

Hearing the sound of the intercom’s bell, Tuni pondered various thoughts.

What kind of person was the Inquisition Officer… Rene?

Well, she wouldn’t be an ordinary person for sure.

But aren’t streamers basically strange people who crave attention?

Although Tuni didn’t have any streamer acquaintances, the major company streamers she’d watched for study were mostly like that.

So perhaps someone who enjoys playing with such concepts isn’t too far from being ordinary.

Whatever kind of person came out, she shouldn’t be too surprised.

It could be construed as rude, after all.

[Who is it?]

As such thoughts passed through her mind, a languid female voice echoed through the intercom.

It was Rene’s voice, whom Tuni had heard a few times on Miscode and during broadcasts.

“This is Tuni, who said she would come today… Jeong Seoyeon~.”

[Oh, yes….]

With a click, the front door opened.

And standing before Tuni was a beautiful foreign woman.

“Ah, hello….”

“Hello?… Huh?”

Her silvery-white hair cascading down to her hips looked soft, as if well cared for.

Her ruby-red eyes glimmered like actual rubies, and her flawless, vibrant skin radiated a cheerful vibe.

Contrasting the silvery-white hair, her black short-sleeved shirt and dolphin pants appeared light and comfortable, yet she looked perfectly dressed up.

Her appearance was a testament to plausibility.

Tuni certainly understood that saying.

‘So this is… the Inquisition Officer?’

The notorious Inquisition Officer from New Dimension who would smash your head for simply being a Priest or Paladin?

She knew she was a woman, but could this concept-obsessed person be such a delicate beauty?

‘No way….’

I must have accidentally come to the wrong house.

Thoughts raced through Tuni’s mind as she took out her phone and opened Miscode.

[Inquisition Officer: Apartment Complex XXX, Block 103, Unit 1702]

‘Unit 1702… that’s right. Ah, maybe I messed up the complex or block number? …But no, this has to be right.’

Just as confusion started to overwhelm Tuni’s mind, a voice called out.

“Um, Tuni…?”

“Ah, yes?! I’m sorry?!”

She—Rene—called out to her by the nickname she used as a streamer.

It felt as if she were being warned not to turn away from the truth.

“Uh, um… Inquisition Officer? No, you are Rene, right…?”

“Yes, that’s right….”

Tuni silently wished someone would tell her it was all a lie.

That was her unfiltered honesty.

“Big sis! When are you coming back?”

As Tuni stood at the entrance still denying reality, a small girl peeked her head out from a room inside.

With her dark brown bob and bright eyes, she was undeniably cute, yet she looked nothing like Rene.

“Uh… is she your younger sister?”

“She’s a girl who lives upstairs; I’m just taking care of her while our parents are out….”

Well, that made sense.

Tuni nodded, thinking even if there was a large age gap, they didn’t share any resemblance at all.

Then.

“That’s not it, Rene! I’m here looking after you!”

“…What?”

Tuni tilted her head in confusion, unable to comprehend the girl’s words.

“Um, well….”

“I’m here because I’m worried you might be alone!”

The sincerity in the girl’s eyes was unmistakable.

Of course, it could just be typical childish playfulness, but to Tuni, those eyes were filled with genuine concern.

Meanwhile, the very person in question—Rene—looked flustered and couldn’t formulate a proper rebuttal.

‘…What on earth is going on here?’

In New Dimension, there was someone who couldn’t communicate properly as a concept-obsessed person, and in reality, she was stammering before a much younger girl.

It was a scene that left no room for confusion.

Tuni’s mind was beginning to swirl with confusion.

“Anyway, Bora, this is Tuni, who came to help me today. Tuni, this is Bora, as I just mentioned, the girl I take care of during the day….”

“Hello! I’m Yubora in the first grade of Beautiful Elementary!”

“I’m Tuni. Nice to meet you. Let’s be friendly from now on, Bora.”

“You can just call me Bora!”

“Got it, Bora. Call me Tuni Onee-chan. I hope we get along well, okay?”

“Yes!”

Although neither of them displayed their true emotions on their faces.

Not knowing what kind of relationship they had, Tuni had no desire to accidentally lead the conversation into something serious.

No matter how trivial the matter was, it was nothing for Tuni, who had over three years of experience as a streamer, to hide her feelings.

But one thing she certainly realized.

“For now, let me get you something to drink… you can take it easy in the room….”

“Ah, yes. Thank you.”

Perhaps the image of the ‘Inquisition Officer’ in New Dimension and ‘Rene’ in reality were….

“Rene! I’ll figure out if Tuni Onee-chan is good or bad! You might have been tricked by a weird person since you’re so innocent!”

“Haha, yes….”

“….”

Completely.

Totally different.

“Tuni Onee-chan.”

“Hmm?”

“What does Rene Onee-chan do? I asked earlier, but she said it was a secret and wouldn’t tell me!”

Bora’s bright eyes widened as she asked Tuni.

But from the words she just heard from Bora, Tuni understood Rene’s intent.

‘She must be trying to hide her streaming career on purpose.’

Since Tuni also didn’t like to reveal her streaming to the people around her, she could thoroughly empathize with Rene’s feelings.

“If Rene Onee-chan doesn’t tell you, it might be difficult for you to tell her either.”

“That’s so unfair!”

Though saying that, Bora giggled, clearly not bothered.

With her bright, lively demeanor as a child, Tuni smiled kindly and patted Bora’s head.

‘So cute… I wonder if Rene gets her energy from Bora on a daily basis?’

Of course, it was a completely wrong assumption.

While Rene didn’t dislike spending time with Bora, she certainly didn’t find it energizing; rather, she thought, ‘It feels like my energy is being drained….’

Naturally, no one would clear up that misunderstanding.

★

Knowing she had no idea what Tuni might like, Rene decided to prepare her favorite honey water.

It cost an astounding 1,800 won per bottle.

A legendary beverage that could only be enjoyed on special occasions…!

Normally, it wouldn’t be something one could offer to a mere guest, but she couldn’t serve something ordinary to someone who came to help her.

After all, she was someone who understood etiquette.

“Here is, um, honey water….”

“Ah, thank you. I’ll enjoy it.”

“Would you like to drink some too, Bora…?”

“You said I could just call you Bora?! I’ll enjoy it, Rene Onee-chan!”

“Oh, yes….”

Having shared light refreshments, they moved into the main topic.

“Bora, could you please wait in the living room for a bit…?”

“Hmm? Can’t I stay here?”

“It’s a bit, um, important to discuss….”

“…Rene Onee-chan, you’re so mean!”

Tuni wanted to share the news only after settling Bora down for sure.

In any case, her reason for starting streaming was partly due to Bora.

“Both of you seem to get along well.”

“I-I haven’t really done anything….”

“Uh-huh… Anyway, to get to the main topic, the thing I mentioned yesterday… have you prepared it?”

“Ah, yes. I’ve prepared it….”

After watching the replay of Rene’s broadcast, she discovered issues with the video quality.

If there was no problem with the Reverse Capsule itself, it was likely an issue with the streaming settings.

However, since the Reverse Capsule had already registered physical info, it would be difficult for others to modify the settings; they had to be adjusted while connected to the computer and she had asked ahead to have that prepared.

“As expected, you’ve set the bitrate incorrectly. Your audio settings are also two levels too low…. You started with the default settings completely.”

“Ah, yes… they said it was fine not to touch anything online….”

“That’s not entirely incorrect, but if you want to broadcast seriously, it’s better to change your settings. Those little details eventually come together to make a better broadcast. Well, I’ve been streaming for over three years and I’m still pretty much a beginner… haha.”

Tuni took about ten minutes to fix all of Rene’s streaming settings before stretching and asking her.

“By the way, Rene, why do you tell your viewers that you’re using a voice changer?”

“Ah, um… Well… I thought if I attracted interest with this, and later said I was a real woman… it might create a buzz and I could… gain more viewers, I guess….”

Tuni firmly believed that this was a strategy that simply couldn’t fail.

No, it wasn’t just a matter of being bound to succeed; it was an idea of genius.

If she were to succeed someday, wouldn’t other beginner streamers start to follow this method as well?

That would surely etch her name in the history of the streaming industry.

Tuni could only imagine the shock when she would reveal such a brilliant idea to Rene…

“…Um, Rene, are you perhaps a bit dense?”

S-Surely, she thought…