[TS] Obsessed Gamer: The Ultimate Return – Chapter 365

“Is it too much to ask for me to just rip it off while I’m at it?”

Before the team headed to America, there was something I had to address first.

“Hmm…”

I stood in front of the house. Normally, I would have entered cheerfully or trudged in, but for some reason, I couldn’t seem to take that first step.

“Uh.”

One step.

“Hmm…”

Two steps.

“Ugh…”

One step back.

“What are you doing here?”

“Ahh!”

“…What are you so startled about?”

Turning around, I saw my mother, looking even more shocked than I was, staring at me with a puzzled expression.

“What are you doing? Why aren’t you going inside?”

“Oh, right! I should go in. Yes.”

Caught off guard by my mother’s unexpected appearance, I had no choice but to head into the house.

But wait, if Mom was out, I’d be going into an empty house, wouldn’t I?

“What’s wrong?”

“…Nothing. It’s fine.”

I awkwardly made my way to the sofa in the living room. Normally, I’d rush into my room and fire up my computer, but today, I had something to tell my mother.

“Hmm?”

Mom, having changed her clothes after coming out of her room, seemed puzzled that I was still lingering in the living room instead of going to my room.

“What’s with the loitering?”

“Uh? Ah….”

Should I say it or not? I had decided to speak up, yet my mouth felt stuck.

What should I do? Just blurt it out?

But what if I blurt it out and she says not to?

Ah… I don’t know.

“By the way, didn’t you say you’re going to the All-Star Event this time?”

“…Huh?”

I froze for a moment, completely caught off guard by my mother’s sudden mention.

How did she know?

I blurted out my thoughts.

“…How did you find out?”

“Of course I know. Why wouldn’t I?”

Her casual demeanor made it seem entirely normal—like it was somebody else’s business.

“Uh… Mom.”

Since she already knew, I didn’t need to hesitate any longer.

“Yeah. Just say it.”

“So, um, I think I have to go to America because of the All-Star Event….”

Although the voting wasn’t over yet, honestly, given the current voting situation, it would be ridiculous for me to drop out.

“Yeah, of course.”

…What?

Mom’s calm, almost taken-for-granted attitude left me momentarily speechless.

“Uh… I’m going to America?”

“Yeah. You should. What’s the problem?”

“Is… is that okay?”

Was I just too used to my parents’ overprotectiveness? Or was this her way of finally recognizing me as an adult who could handle international travel all on my own?

“Really, I can go to America…?”

“You have to go anyway, right?”

“That is true….”

Having secured first place in the All-Star voting by a landslide and then not attending would be unthinkable as a pro. Especially considering how much effort I had made to build my popularity and notoriety.

“Don’t worry. I’ve cleared the entire schedule ahead of time. You don’t need to be concerned about that.”

“…Huh?”

What’s going on? Why does it feel like we’re not on the same wavelength?

“What do you mean by that?”

“Wasn’t it because of me? You were worried I’d get tied up with my schedule because I’m going to America with you?”

“…Huh?”

I was momentarily left speechless at how casually she said it.

“…So, you’re going too?”

“Of course. Isn’t that obvious?”

Ah…

I see now. For her, it was a given that if I was going to America, she would be going with me, so she didn’t feel the need to mention it.

“Uh… but our whole team is going?”

“Oh really? That’s great! I’ve been wanting to see Yujin and her friends.”

“That’s… not exactly just friends….”

Strictly speaking, aren’t they more like business partners? Not that we weren’t friends, but…

“Don’t worry, I’ll handle the preparations, so you don’t need to stress about that.”

Uh… well…

Even considering that this was my age, isn’t it a bit weird for my parents to tag along?

I’m not a mama’s boy or anything…

Uh, maybe not.

“…”

Did she pick up on my reluctant demeanor? Mom’s expression shifted to something odd.

“What’s wrong? Do you not want to go with me?”

“Ah, no! Of course not!”

If I had to choose whether it’d be better or worse to go with my mom, it’d obviously be overwhelmingly better to go together. Even if the security and assistant guy was tagging along, having a guardian made a world of difference.

“Good to hear. I thought maybe I was being too nosy.”

“Ah, no way! That’s not it.”

“Right? Well, let me rest for a bit. You should wash up and change your clothes.”

“Uh-huh.”

And thus, the unexpected outcome of my upcoming trip to America was finalized, accompanied by my mother.

How that would go, I had no idea, but I just hoped it would all go smoothly.

*

Everything went into fast forward.

The teammates were buzzing around making their passports, but I didn’t need to since I already had mine.

‘…But why do I have a passport?’

That thought crossed my mind for a brief moment, but hey, good is good.

The preparation for the All-Star Event within the team was primarily handled by Baek Seong-an. Meanwhile, Mom managed the personal travel arrangements.

Soon, I realized I wasn’t doing anything at all.

So, as departure day approached, the only thing I had left to do was a short personal stream ahead of the All-Star Event.

[ON AIR] [Outlaw111]

-Last broadcast before the All-Star Event

Viewership started to climb rapidly. Normally, I’d do a Solo Queue stream, but with the All-Star Event coming up, I thought I’d try a simple talk show.

-Oh

-Ah ㅡ Ha (basically meaning hello, Outlaw)

-Hi hi

-Been a while

“Hello, everyone.”

『’SingSyungSaengSung’ gifted 10 balloons.』


『“Congrats on being number one in the All-Star votes!”』


“Ah, yes. Thank you.”

But as I geared up for a talk show with the camera on, I hit a wall—what should I even talk about? Nothing came to mind.

I guess I would just respond to whatever the viewers said?

『’DooDooRuTroupe’ gifted 10 balloons.』


『“When are you going to America?”』


“Uh… I’m not too sure yet, but it seems like it’ll be soon.”

Since the All-Star voting was still ongoing and my teammates needed to prepare too, time was of the essence.

-Breaking news) Current vote percentage is 94%

-Lol ㅋㅋㅋㅋ

-Does that even make sense?

-At this rate, we could leave for America right now! ㅋㅋㅋㅋ

-For real ㅋㅋ

It seems like even at this moment, my votes are still coming in strong. Well, I can’t speak for the other teammates, but it’s pretty much a sure bet for me.

『’KimBaekjeong’ gifted 10 balloons.』


『“Get revenge at the Red Cup!”』


“…Of course. I’ll definitely get my revenge.”

Normally, I wouldn’t have responded so boldly, but this was genuinely how I felt.

The last Red Cup was utterly disappointing for me, and that’s why I’ve been sharpening my sword for the All-Star Event.

-Yes!

-This is it!

-Outlaw! Outlaw! Outlaw! Outlaw! Outlaw! Outlaw! Outlaw! Outlaw! Outlaw! Outlaw! Outlaw!

-Daehwangrow ㄷㄷㄷ

The viewers exploded with support. On top of that, the balloons kept pouring in.

『‘OutlawIsGod’ gifted 1,000 balloons.』


『“He’s a god!”』


『‘OLZ)GangNamResident’ gifted 500 balloons.』


『“Love you, sis!”』


『‘BiBiBiBiBip’ gifted 800 balloons.』


『“Good vibes!”』

“Uh… thank you, OutlawIsGod, GangNamResident, and BiBi. I’ll do my best at this All-Star Event.”

Even though the All-Star Event was a special event, my promise to give it my all drew nothing but support from the audience.

-Your sister is so cool!

-We’re cheering for you!

-Take the All-Star title! Let’s go!

-Let’s goooooo!

The viewers and fans. Everyone was cheering for me, my team, and all the players taking part in the All-Star Event.

Maybe because the talk show format felt oddly unfamiliar to me, I didn’t have that much to say during the stream.

Question, answer.


Question, answer.


Question, another answer.

As I continued chatting with the viewers, time flew by quickly.

“Then, I’ll wrap up today’s broadcast here. See you after the All-Star Event!”

-Already?

-Whoa

-Let’s do it a bit longer!

-Where did the host go? Where did the host go? Where did the host go? Where did the host go? Where did the host go? Where did the host go? Where did the host go? Where did the host go? Where did the host go? Where did the host go? Where did the host go? Where did the host go?

-Bb bye

-ㄷㅇ ㅂㅈ

-Oh ㅡ Bar (basically meaning hello, Outlaw)

As the audience let out their disappointment, I ended the stream.

Then I slowly turned my gaze to the calendar.

‘It’s right around the corner now.’

The All-Star Event.

And America.

It’s time to go there now.