Former Hero Streamer – Chapter 232

Chapter 1: The Awakening

The feeling of shivering in ecstasy really is strange and addictive, Eunha thought.

A gentle hand felt like it was pulling her from the depths of a deep slumber.

One would usually feel annoyed if someone forcibly woke them up, but since all she could remember from her awareness sinking away was a nightmare, an overwhelming joy filled her heart instead.

That guiding hand was the source of immense liberation, making her feel as though she were flying in the sky despite being in the sea of dreams.

“Mm….”

As she lifted her heavy eyelids, her vision slowly returned, and she moved her eyes from side to side.

It was a familiar room.

At first, her mind was just filled with the thought, ‘This room is nice.’

Then a moment later, the obvious question arose: “Where am I?”

In the end, she muttered…

“I’m dead.”

Seeing the voice coming from her cracked lips, it didn’t seem like she was in the afterlife at all.

With difficulty, she lifted her arm and pinched her cheek. Though her strength had faded, she could distinctly feel the sensation of being pinched.

I really am alive. My sister saved me.

“Did you sleep well?”

With that nostalgic voice, the door opened, revealing someone entering.

With a cozy smile, she asked, and even in her weak state, Eunha nodded.

“Yeah… I’m okay.”

“That’s a relief.”

“Yeah. Indeed.”

She never expected to meet and talk again like this.

Though she had faith that her sister would save her, the chilling sensation of falling before being devoured by the Demon King was an encounter she could never forget.

“That guy…”

“We defeated him with everyone’s strength. Thanks to your efforts, Eunha, no one got hurt.”

The unwavering gaze in her sister’s eyes proved there was no lie in her words.

If Eunha hadn’t distanced herself as much as she did, many people would have likely been hurt due to the aftermath of that battle in the city center.

Even though Sehee had set up a barrier, there must have been a lot of chaos in quickly gathering everyone inside.

Eunha could firmly state that her last struggle and resistance as a Hero were not in vain.

“I’m sorry, unnie.”

“Huh? For what?”

“I revealed my identity because of me, didn’t I?”

Ah, that?

At Eunha’s words, a smile crept onto Sehee’s face.

It wasn’t something that needed an apology. From Sehee’s perspective, it was somewhat entertaining.

“It’s not like revealing your identity is going to make things harder.”

“What about outside…?”

Eunha’s gaze drifted toward the window.

Her current body, soul, and essence were all liberated; she had returned to her original form, meaning she had regained her powers as a Hero.

So, even though she was exhausted, Eunha could feel it. The countless presences outside her home.

All of them were directed toward her.

Sehee blinked and then seemed to understand, nodding her head.

“Outside? Ah, there are people outside. They flocked like ghosts the moment the Hero appeared. Don’t worry. No one can come in here.”

“Uh-huh. Right. It feels like a dream.”

She spoke while blankly gazing at the many emotions and concerns that were concentrated here.

Despite waking up to reality, she felt as if she were still in a dream.

“Unfortunately, it is reality. Our Eunha needs to recover quickly and get up. Your team members and family are worried.”

“Oh, really?”

“You getting eaten was broadcasted live. When it airs later, the donation sponsorships will be something to see.”

“Yeah, that’s true. Right now, I think that kind of happening might actually be nice.”

Even with Sehee’s playful smile, Eunha calmly nodded.

If this moment is reality, then it’s okay to tease as much as she wants.

Because she was with family, friends, and team members… and Heroes.

As Sehee gently patted Eunha’s forehead, she shook off the seat and stood up.

“Well, I’ll be going out now. Call me if anything happens.”

The Heroes, having just gone through fierce battles, needed rest.

Before stepping out, she added,

“Welcome back.”

“…!”

She had forgotten the most important greeting.

Left behind, Eunha just opened her eyes wide, staring blankly at her sister’s back as she walked out.

“Ah…!”

The sigh that escaped her lips was not only due to being breathless.

It was a breath full of remorse from not being able to save the world as a Hero and the fear of being eaten by the Demon King, spilling out all her emotions.

As she expelled the ashes of countless emotions buried within her heart, small dewdrops formed in her eyes.

“I’m back.”

In response to her sister’s welcoming greeting, Eunha’s sobbing continued.

* * *

Eunha’s situation seemed to have wrapped up neatly and coolly.

They had defeated the Demon King without casualties and saved Eunha.

At this rate, it seemed like they might even be given hidden rewards for completing the quest.

Once outside, everyone’s gaze turned toward her.

“Eunha?”

“She’s resting.”

“Huh? With no issues, being a Hero must be expected. Oh, right!”

Dahyeong, who was sipping on her drink while nodding to herself, suddenly turned to everyone as if she remembered something.

What’s going on?

“Did everyone contact your families?”

“Yeah. I told my dad right away. We talked for a bit, and it seems they have many people at their place, so they’ll be staying indoors for a while.”

“Our family is the same. People are really quick with information, huh?”

From what they were saying, it seemed like everyone was fine.

Of course, unless something drastic happened, there wouldn’t be any reason to bother a Hero’s family. Though, just in case, it might be wise to take some precautionary measures today.

Dahyeong let out a deep sigh and sank deeply into the couch at Yuri and Ajin’s words.

She looked more tired now than right after defeating the Demon King. What could have happened?

“Ugh, I’ve been getting an earful from my mom since yesterday. She keeps asking why I didn’t say I was a Hero.”

“Ah….”

Mam’s not even a Hero.

Yuri seemed to have taken a particular beating after being caught by her father for sneaking the truth about her being a Hero.

Ajin mentioned that her younger sister was still bombarding her with texts.

Watching the three of them share their troubles related to this made me grin involuntarily.

It felt like the old days in school when friends gathered to exchange feelings on common topics.

“We’ve all been through a lot, right?”

“Yeah, we sure did.”

Jihee just enjoyed the flowing atmosphere, calmly sipping her beer.

Among us, only Jihee and I didn’t have families to return to. So, I quietly enjoyed the stories the other three shared.

Suddenly, I felt a tinge of envy.

Having a place to return to, a family waiting for you is undoubtedly a wonderful thing.

If you all weren’t here, there would be no one waiting for me.

With such foolish thoughts, I forced a bittersweet smile and gulped down the remaining beer.

Chilled in the ice bucket, it was not the kind of coolness you get from just being taken out of the fridge, but a refreshing sensation that flowed down my throat.

At that moment, a different kind of coolness approached, not from my throat but from the base of my neck.

Turning my head, I found Jihee, who was holding her beer can up to my neck while flashing a peace sign.

“What’s up? What’s bothering you?”

“Bothering? I’m just watching.”

“Anyone who says they’re just watching doesn’t have that look in their eyes.”

Seems she got into the habit of playfully tormenting me, and that persistence felt somewhat annoying.

Honestly, she was right. A bit of jealousy crept in.

“I wonder if I should let my family know I’m a Hero, too. Just suddenly having that thought.”

“Why, are you jealous because Dahyeong’s being all like that?”

“To be honest.”

After a brief conversation, Jihee propped her chin on her hand and tilted her head slightly.

Maybe thanks to the awakening of her Hero’s power, a blue aura gracefully flowed through her long, silky black hair.

As she put down her beer can, her fingers, moving through her hair, touched my cheek while imbued with that blue aura.

“What’s the difference? Trust and bonds don’t just come in one kind, you know? Family is family, and a Hero is a Hero.”

That’s straightforward thinking from Jihee.

Thinking back, she often showed excellent mental care tendencies.

Perhaps she was always good at studying. Or maybe after mastering martial arts, she’d received some mental training to avoid going insane.

Regardless, with her warm, tipsy gaze, Jihee comforted my heart.

“So, I think you don’t need to burden your heart. Sehee is Sehee, and she’s someone invaluable to us, irrespective of the title of our relationship. Just because the names differ doesn’t mean the importance is any less. So, you really don’t need to feel lonely. Sehee’s home to return to is here, and we are the ones waiting to welcome her.”

With a long-winded explanation, Jihee concluded with a wink.

It felt like she saw right through my heart, and oddly enough, I felt bashful.

Well, fine. I admit I was unnecessarily harboring jealousy.

More than that…

“Hey, you’re not calling her Sehee anymore, huh?”

When I pointed out that subtle difference, Jihee answered with a softer smile than usual.

“Why, do you dislike it?”

I considered that a rather cowardly reply. If she showed me that kind of expression, the response was already set.

“No.”

Not wanting to show my expression, I turned my head, playing it off as a Hero but cowardly.

“Yeah.”

Just as I was cleaning up the remaining beer with a relieved heart, the commotion over there reached my ears.

With a flushed face, Dahyeong tossed the topic our way.

“Ah, unnie! Listen to me! Ajin said it’s embarrassing being a magical girl at over twenty!”

“In that case, just call it a magical maiden. It’s pretty disgraceful for an adult to cosplay as a girl! And I’m Ajin, not Ajin! That curse is broken!”

“Um, I think that sounds accurate. It might be better for Dahyeong unnie to change her title to Sorceress. There’s no one here who fits the magical girl title besides me, right?”

“Yeah. Our Dahyeong may be like this outwardly, but her heart is still a teenager! Everyone, please understand her, fellow Heroes.”

“Hey, I said to be quiet, but it’s too noisy. Can you be….”

As they stirred up the ruckus, Eunha, who was painfully supporting herself at the door, appeared as well.

Today, it seems like it’s going to be tough to keep the peace.

I pulled out another beer can from the ice bucket and popped it open.

The sharp sound resonating clearly was releasing a mild steam, just like the relief I felt inside.

* * *