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* * *

In a place buried deep within the sands of time, where nothing remained, everything felt like a labyrinth.

Occasionally, the remnants of some buildings hinted at what once might have been a thriving domain.

This was the battlefield map before the Soul Warfare―a wasteland.

In this desolate place, where not even the sound of the wind could penetrate, an unexpected multitude of presences was gradually revealing themselves.

‘So many!’

Dahyoung was fully taken aback as the numbers reached well into the hundreds, and she suppressed her trembling expression while glancing around.

Even for a famous streamer, wasn’t this a bit extreme? And it wasn’t just a random crowd that gathered.

“Tsk, even the clans are here.”

No matter how positively one tried to think, the scene before her could only elicit a click of the tongue.

Armor and equipment set up as if everyone had agreed on the same style, adorned with unique emblems, were easily noticeable.

While individual physical abilities might fall short against challengers, in the chaotic frontline battlefield, they were famed for being veterans.

This wasn’t your typical group battle in a maze or temple; these were war maniacs who reveled in head-on brawls.

The problem was that the wave of humans entering from behind showed no signs of stopping.

“What are we going to do, sis? This isn’t even a raid level!”

“Uh? Um… can’t we manage somehow?”

Feeling an icy shiver from the hundreds of gazes aimed her way, Sehee, who had been yawning casually, was now gasping out loud.

“See? You shouldn’t have made such ridiculous promises!”

Dahyoung struck her chest in frustration at the incident that had just occurred at lunchtime.

* * *

[What’s this notice from Friede?!]

Posted by: yaSergei

Bring in either 10,000 or 100,000 and let’s all hop in?

Hey, you moron! The maximum limit for a war map is 1,000 per team!

Even if you go solo, it’s 1 to 1,000—what’s with the blockbuster movie setup nonsense?

hope5555: This idiot clearly doesn’t even know the map’s characteristics.

ㄴㅇㅇ: For real, lol.

LAmpadu: Watch your language, dude. They can still be brought in one by one based on the number of fallen.

ㄴ눈찢메와혐한두: Even then, not even close to 3,000 combined, right?

ㄴ김깨뚤라꾸: Last winter, during massive clan battles, we reached a max of 2,500 combined. Yup.

* * *

[Not hating on the leader’s skills, but this is tough.]

Posted by: 아빠신음에비앙

You really think Friede can take on 1 to 1,000?

Even if just dozens jump in, it’ll be a total wipeout.

Don’t forget that even last season, Friede had its fair share of losses.

서윗한남: You’re the one who’s weak, dude. In war mode, if there’s too much power disparity between teams, the losing side gets some buffs, didn’t you know?

ㄴㅇㅇ: How much do those buffs even add?

ㄴ서윗한남: It’s not as dramatic as Supernova, but it definitely helps. Yup.

ㄴyaSergei: The real question is how much it’ll ramp up if Supernova activates while they’re buffed.

ㄴ김깨뚤라꾸: So many have been wiped by normal Friede… A core user who went on a rampage with a hack even got sent packing as soon as they tried to use Supernova. If Friede’s soloing in war mode, just how many buffs could they even stack? That sounds downright crazy!

ㄴ아빠신음에비앙: Hell if I know.

ㄴ지크가터벨트: What do you expect from you, lol?

누나를먹는미디르: Seriously asking. Can any gamer think of a way to last even 5 seconds against Friede with Supernova?

ㄴ일광소검: Honestly, that’s just broken, lol. The strongest available forces are Wardens and Lotuses, and even they got wrecked by normal Friede.

ㄴ김깨뚤라꾸: If we use hacks too, could that work?

ㄴㅇㅇ: For real, lol.

* * *

[Claiming 10,000 and 100,000…]

Posted by: 눈찢메와혐한두

Even for Friede, would that many fans show up for a fan meeting? Stop with the wishful thinking, dudes.

…some might think that way. Just look at Friede’s firepower. When it comes to a virtual reality gathering, they all show up like gangsters.

ㅇㅇ: Alright, let’s roll!

지크가터벨트: This isn’t even modified material, there’s nothing amusing about it…

ㄴ눈찢메와혐한두: ㅠㅠ

[This time, Friede will choose a different weapon, right?]

Posted by: ㅇㅇ

No matter how cool the Holy Sword is, no fool’s gonna wait around for a charge, right?

I have a feeling they’ll bring another weapon.

Or maybe not.

ㅇㅇ: King’s mind is a god’s will, lol.

일광소검: If this goes on, Broken Club will be all the rage, lol.

ㄴ세숫대야: Hey! Student! Remove your topics and get back to stroking it. ^^

* * *

The event she declared, dubbed the ‘Friede Raid’, had become the new buzz in the community.

The notion that just a single user could turn into a raid boss—a long-standing fantasy in RPG gaming—was capturing everyone’s attention.

While many players had exploited bugs or loopholes in various games to play like raid bosses, no one had ever succeeded before.

However, in Soul Warfare, it was established that unless players had some serious alterations, they couldn’t play as raid bosses in virtual reality.

Stat increases? This game doesn’t give grand scale meanings to being labeled a raid boss in virtual reality, no matter how high the stats go.

Damage and health metrics, stamina, and other stats can be sufficiently covered by differences in user control.

Even with stat increases and timing adjustments, there remains a definitive limit to human response times.

The skill known as Supernova possessed an unprecedented degree of stat increase, yet it was labeled a trap skill for a reason.

If individual players hoped to become raid bosses, the only avenue left was to fiddle with the system and use hacking programs to achieve near invincibility.

So… right, normally, this would warrant a laugh.

But why was every player so focused on the Friede Raid? The answer was simple.

“It’s the anticipation.”

Dahyoung, lying on her bed, cut straight to the core of it.

That’s right, it was the hope to prove oneself through skill, not via hacks.

What if Friede met those expectations? As she lay down and gazed at her phone, a smile crept at the thought of that scenario.

How exhilarating it must be for those who participate in the raid, witnessing that historic(?) scene through their own eyes.

“It’s an interesting concept.”

Just how far could her fully buffed sister go?

Even Dahyoung, who had always watched from the sidelines, couldn’t help but feel a surge of imagination.

Then, it happened.

―Ding.

“Huh?”

A notification chimed on her sister’s channel.

‘Not a personal message?’

What sort of announcement could it be this time?

Pushing back anxious feelings, Dahyoung hurriedly tapped the screen.

There, she found….

[Friede Fan Meeting, Friede Raid Reward Announcement!]

Posted by: Friede777

Hello, everyone.

Have you all been doing well? It feels like ages since the last announcement just a day ago.

Today, with the fan meeting, we’re holding a Friede Raid!

I know you’d feel let down if you put in all that effort to defeat the boss and ended up with no rewards, right?

So right now! There’s a new announcement!

If Friede falls, the user who lands the final blow will get a private, heart-thumping♥ date with Friede on a day of your choice! (Ba-bum~!)

However, Friede’s difficulty will be slightly increased.

Friede can recruit one ally, which will be a tricky choice for those aiming for a date with her.

P.S.: If you don’t want a date, you can refuse! If you do, I’ll give you 10 chicken gift coupons ^^

“What… WHAT?!”

An insane scenario that she never wanted to imagine was thrust directly in front of her.

* * *

Due to that notice, she hurriedly complained to her sister, but you can’t take back a promise already made.

What could she do? In the end, despite her cries, Dahyoung was chosen as Friede’s ally, a role for the Hero formation.

Look at those blazing eyes.

Given the swarm of cockroaches that had gathered since the temple square, it was clear they were dead set on this.

Understandably so. A date with her sister? What guy would refuse such an event?

Despite it only being one person who would deal the final blow, so many had gathered, like clouds merging into one.

Ah, even if she didn’t want to, those thoughts kept surfacing.

What if that shadowy golden sun were to touch her sister’s hand, interlock arms, and warm up with subtle skinship? What if they leaned over and gradually touched her back, and finally, you know… it ends up like that?

“Yikes! I don’t want that!”

As Dahyoung clutched her head, Sehee, curious about her intense reactions, chuckled softly.

“Don’t worry. I’ve got my ways. It’s all because you came through for me, Dahyoung.”

“Eh? Me, really?”

“Yeah. You’re the first Hero I met. Someone who figured it out before anyone else….”

Sehee leaned close and whispered in a tone that only Dahyoung could hear.

“My very own Hero.”

“Eek!”

Despite being teased shamelessly, a scream escaped her lips, but Sehee just smiled warmly.

“Let’s enjoy this. It’s bound to be fun.”

“…Okay.”

As they made those promises, Dahyoung checked her equipment and skill settings.

And soon, the raid would commence.

‘I am the Hero formation. And…’

Friede’s Hero.

Today, I will protect Friede.

“Hehe….”

Being my sister’s Hero sounds so sweet.

Turning her head away so no one could see, she desperately stifled her grinning lips.

* * *

 

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