A Basement-Dwelling Loser, the Inquisitor – Chapter 49

When I talked with Tuni the other day, I heard that to start VTubing properly, at least 500,000 won is needed.

At that time, the idea of challenging myself with such money was unimaginable.

However, thanks to yesterday’s broadcast, I earned over 700,000 won, and when I add it to the money I’ve made so far from my rice farming, it surpasses 1,000,000 won.

Of course, I don’t plan to spend all that money, but at least I’ve now got the chance to challenge myself as a VTuber.

Opportunities should be seized when they are granted.

If I hesitate and let it slip away, I will just waste time.

“Hmm….”

Having sat for over four hours searching for illustrations to use as a VTuber, my body was starting to feel stiff.

Yet, despite those four hours invested, nothing had progressed.

Certainly, there were many pretty illustrations that caught my eye.

But hiring those who create such illustrations was a problem – money and time were both issues.

If the price is cheap, they can’t meet the schedule, and if they can meet the schedule, it costs too much.

…If I had planned a break of three months from the start, I might have found a solution.

Should I just extend the break period to three months now?

Well, I know that’s nonsense.

Given that the gallery is already on fire due to a one-month break, adding another two months?

Just imagining the scene sends chills down my spine….

…For now, I’m hungry, so I’ll look for about ten more minutes and then eat.

Thinking that, I clicked on the Nator recommendation tab again, and a nickname “Tada Shumi” appeared on the screen.

As expected, the subject of his recommended post was illustrations.

“Wow….”

And it was a breathtakingly beautiful illustration.

Without a doubt, the best I’ve seen so far.

[Tada Shumi @TadaShumi]

If I’m not attracted to it, I won’t draw it.

If you send the concept via DM, I’ll start on it.

Mesmerized, I clicked on that account, and such a profile greeted me.

An account description that said they wouldn’t draw unless they were intrigued, and the nickname ‘Tada Shumi (ただ趣味)’.

Maybe there’s potential with someone like this?

I know all too well.

An illustration at this level is bound to be expensive.

If it’s cheap, there’s surely a backlog of projects.

Honestly, it wouldn’t be wrong to say there’s no hope.

But if this person truly draws out of mere pleasure, without any profit calculation… there might be a slight chance.

Since there wasn’t even a mention of pricing….

[Rene @Lene_ND ‧ 6:32 PM]

Hello, I’m reaching out because I want to commission a VTuber illustration.

Could you please draw a giant Warhammer-wielding Inquisition Officer in a priest robe?

Please let the gaze I’m watching from be the same as his.

With a sincere prayer, I stood up from my seat.

Time for food.

★

“Yawn….”

After waking up and stretching, I followed my usual routine, washed up, and sat down in front of the computer.

The time was 11 AM.

Thankfully, my life pattern, which seemed to be disrupted due to the Albion raid, returned to normal after just one day.

In truth, I still felt a bit drowsy, but that would ease up with a little movement, so it didn’t matter.

By the way, I still hadn’t received a response to my message from last night….

Was my order not their taste?

…Well, considering it was such a beautiful illustration, hoping while having little money might have been too greedy.

So, I’ll let go of the disappointment and focus on what I can do.

For now, maybe I can do some more searching on Nator until Bora arrives….

“…Huh?”

As I thought that and logged onto the Nator homepage, I saw a blue dot next to ‘Tada Shumi’ in my DMs.

A notification that a DM had arrived.

“…Could it be?”

[Tada Shumi @TadaShumi ‧ 9:53 AM]

Hello. I apologize for the late reply.

Do you happen to have any character design settings or materials prepared?

I’d like to see any materials you have before making a decision.

“…Is it really possible?”

Suddenly, a rush of expectation surged within me.

Of course, there was also a note that they would decide after looking, but still, the prospect had grown.

Feeling my heart racing, I sent over the settings I had prepared yesterday.

Truthfully, when I say “prepared,” it was just some details like hair and eye colors.

“…Ah!”

Thinking about it, there was something.

The concept I wanted was an Inquisition Officer wielding a Warhammer while wearing a priest robe.

A clothing style so familiar to me that I could find it just by opening my closet.

If I send this as material, wouldn’t it be much easier for him?

With that thought, I immediately opened the wardrobe, took out the priest robe and Warhammer lying in the corner, and snapped some photos to send.

Just in case, I included the back view as well.

Would this amount of material be satisfactory enough?

This is all I can provide.

Filled with both anticipation and unease, I waited, and thankfully, this time the reply came back quickly.

[Tada Shumi @TadaShumi ‧ 11:32 AM]

I’ll start working on it from today.

“…!”

That’s… the reply saying they would begin working.

Joy bubbled up inside me, and I thought I should send him a message of gratitude.

But.

[Tada Shumi @TadaShumi ‧ 11:34 AM]

By the way, could I possibly see photos of the cosplayer wearing this outfit?

I really love seeing cosplay photos, and the quality of this outfit and Warhammer looks incredible.

It would be helpful for my work to see someone wearing it in person…

“Uh, um….”

After reading the subsequent DM, my mind began to cool rapidly.

In an instant, I realized he must be misunderstanding something.

[Rene @Lene_ND ‧ 11:36 AM]

It’s not a cosplay outfit.

This priest robe is proof that I belong to the Church of Iya.

It signifies that my actions as an Inquisition Officer, while trying to convert heretics, are recognized by her.

So, this outfit can only be worn inside the buildings of the Church and during the acts of conversion.

Naturally, wearing it for any other reason or to show it to someone else is absolutely impossible.

Well, Bora saw it once, but that was an unavoidable incident.

“….”

While it’s understandable that someone unaware might make such a mistake, seeing that the other party had misunderstood made me reflect on various things.

That outfit was a symbol of who I am, yet to others, it appeared to be just a costume….

A mix of frustration and displeasure filled my head.

But what made me the angriest was the fact that I couldn’t question the other person about it….

[Tada Shumi @TadaShumi ‧ 11:39 AM]

I apologize for the misunderstanding. If my words hurt you, I am even more sorry.

If you find it difficult to show me what you’re wearing right now, could you send me pictures later?

If that’s too much of a request, I’m willing to compensate.

Since you’ve commissioned a VTuber illustration, I assume you’ll need Live2D as well, and I can offer that free of charge.

Would that be acceptable?

“….”

Quietly, I removed my T-shirt and dolphin pants.

…Well, it’s understandable that someone might mistake it.

Honestly, getting upset over something so trivial with someone who’s putting in this much effort is the strange part.

If they are showing that level of enthusiasm, shouldn’t I be thinking about how to assist them as much as I can?

I’m not excited about this because it’s free.

No, it’s definitely not that.

★

[Rene @Lene_ND ‧ 11:45 AM]

Thank you, I appreciate it.

“…That’s a relief.”

When the reply that it was not a cosplay outfit came back, Sia sensed she had messed up.

Of course, I can’t say for sure since we haven’t met face-to-face, but I could detect discomfort in the reply.

For the commissioner… ‘Rene,’ it likely isn’t just a simple costume, but a valuable outfit with deep meaning.

Sia berated herself for not considering that.

However, that didn’t mean Sia was giving up.

Sure, Sia could easily end the conversation with Rene and start on a different project.

Anytime she wanted, she could take on work since she had that option.

There was absolutely no need to cling to a task that might not even yield proper payment.

Yet, Sia’s reason for holding on, even when offering to do everything for free, was simple.

The quality of the priest robe and Warhammer Rene sent looked incredible.

Even an illustrator with a discerning eye had to acknowledge it through the lens of her hobby of browsing cosplay photos on Nator.

She wanted to draw that outfit herself.

If possible, she wanted to infuse her preferences into it as well.

The fire of creation ignited within this illustrator.

She became curious about how the body’s curves would appear while wearing this outfit. What kind of atmosphere would suit such attire? Ultimately, what kind of masterpiece would it turn into?

All those thoughts were so tantalizing that Sia did not want to give up this commission.

And it seemed that Rene recognized Sia’s feelings, as she subsequently sent the photos.

“Wow.”

Unintentionally, Sia exclaimed in admiration.

The priest robe, which could look slightly bulky, was intentionally belted to accentuate the curves and define the figure.

This was only possible because the model possessed confidence in her body.

And the model shown in the photo proved where that confidence stemmed from.

As a woman, her body showed in all the right places and drew in all the right curves.

While it sounds simple to say, when considering how half of humankind suffers from not being able to achieve such looks, it’s easy to see how remarkable that is.

Moreover, she wasn’t just flaunting her figure but was perfectly embodying the outfit as well.

The white priest robe, which looked softer than silk, radiated a sense of sanctity, and the uniquely shaped necklace seemed to symbolize mystery.

Combined with the palpable weight emanating from the Warhammer, it felt as if everything she did was justified.

As if she were truly an Inquisition Officer.

As soon as Sia felt that, a surge of creative energy erupted in her mind.

Despite completing a significant commission just yesterday, she didn’t feel tired at all.

Right now, she only wanted to pour all this desire into drawing.

The only disappointment was that the face was obscured… but considering she initially aimed to see the outfit, it wasn’t that critical.

One could easily assume she was beautiful, though.

“…Oh, right.”

[Tada Shumi @TadaShumi ‧ 11:50 AM]

Teacher.

I want to do it perfectly, so I’m seeking help from others.

Would it be alright if I showed this picture to them?

The two people Sia intended to ask for help, knowing that Tada Shumi was her alt account, were precious younger siblings.

Of course, Sia wasn’t hoping to ask for help just because they were close.

One had skills comparable to Sia as an illustrator, and the other had extensive knowledge about various fashions as a model, so they would surely be of great assistance.

The reply Sia received for her DM was.

[Rene @Lene_ND ‧ 11:54 AM]

Thank you, I appreciate it.

“…Awesome!”

Thankfully, it was allowed.

“Wow, this is seriously sexy….”

She didn’t forget to praise her.