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Even with good conditions and all, there was no need for me to put a leash on myself. Honestly, it felt like such a random proposal that it almost made me question if it was really necessary.

Above all, I have my own noble cause for gathering heroes. It’s not something driven by a desperate need to risk my life; rather, it has become my destiny, a form of amusement, and a goal since I have nothing left in my current life.

They may have thought I was merely a successful game streamer when making such a proposal, but what can I say? There’s no need for me to belong to any group and strap myself with chains. Besides the choker I’m wearing now, there’s nothing that binds me. Ah, and the high heels too.

So I had no choice but to respond like this.

“Nope. No way I’m doing it.”

As soon as I shot that reply, an awkward and chilly wind seemed to swirl around us. But what could I do? Even if they were serious about offering the entire STK team, it held absolutely no merit for me. Whether it was recruitment or negotiation, both sides needed to show they could gain something, but we were just drawing parallel lines that didn’t overlap. There was no possibility that the premise could even be established.

“Friede. Why…?”

“I can’t belong to any group. I have personal matters to attend to. It’s not like I’m in dire need to join a gaming team as a streamer. I think this is where I’ll stop listening to this conversation.”

I cut them off mid-sentence, firmly refusing because I didn’t want to leave any room for negotiation. Whether it was the captain or the team leader, at least Warden—a player—left me with a pretty good impression. As Eunha said, he had a strong professional spirit and outstanding skill. That was why I didn’t get up from my seat right away, even after hearing such a ridiculous title as one of Friede’s four heavenly kings.

“I think that’s enough. I have no intention of revealing this to anyone, so don’t worry. I enjoyed the pre-event. Please send my regards to Eunha.”

I turned my body as a gesture of parting and called out to Dayoung and Ajin.

“What are you doing, Dayoung? Ajin too. Let’s go.”

“Uh, okay.”

“Let’s go together.”

With my extended senses, I felt three pairs of eyes sharply focused on me from behind. The anxious team leader, the sighing captain, and the silent player Warden just looking at me. What can I say…

“It feels off.”

“Huh? What did you say?”

“Nothing, just nothing.”

It was a delicate relationship, not outright ignoring nor overtly pretending; it left me with a strange feeling. The pre-event that should’ve been enjoyable ended on a sour note. For some reason, the taste lingering in my mouth felt quite bitter.

Since I still had tasks to finish, I inwardly shoved that feeling down as I hurried on my way.

* * *

“I’m sorry. I should’ve taken more time, but I got too carried away by my fan feelings…”

“No, it’s not Team Leader Hong’s fault. Originally, Manager Ppae Ppae said this was the perfect time to recruit Friede, so rushing turned out to be our mistake. In any case, don’t feel pressured just because we didn’t recruit Friede. We can continue building good relationships. Let’s try to create as many connections as possible through the Yeonhwa player. Even if we engage in events, as long as they’re linked to us without other teams interfering, it’s still a win.”

As the sulking team leader and the comforting captain faded into the background, Warden swallowed the sigh that almost escaped him. He felt a mix of pain and regret, akin to a bitter bile rising in his throat, making it impossible for him to take a step forward. He could only stand there, staring blankly at the blonde woman, Friede, walking confidently into the distance, feeling his own worthlessness.

Having been praised as a top star player until now and secretly proud of his skills that matched that reputation, the shock was all the more significant. The realization that what he held could evoke no response from her filled him with a hollow feeling. Above all…

“I was too hasty.”

This was the first time he’d connected with her, filling him with a sense of anxiety that there might not be another opportunity to make a mistake. Couldn’t he have calmed down a bit more? The anxious heart, at its end, ended up being crushed under the weight of his slip-up and feelings of emptiness.

He had to admit that the most thorough defeat in this pre-event was none other than himself, forcing him to gaze longingly at Friede’s retreating figure, disappearing down the corridor.

* * *

“Um, sister, are you okay?”

In the thick atmosphere filled with uneasy tension, Ajin cautiously tried to alleviate her beloved sister’s mood.

“I’m fine. Honestly, I’m not angry because of those people.”

“Ugh!”

The response from Ji-sehee made Dayoung, who was sitting behind her, react instinctively. Oh right, she mentioned Manager Ppae Ppae. At a glance, it could seem like a coincidence based on the nickname, but there were no two ways about it—‘Ppae Ppae’ was the perpetrator they were discussing.

I thought everything was quiet lately, so it got better, but I never expected they’d start a sinister fan cafe targeting my sister. It was utterly bewildering despite Dayoung’s experiences with Ppae Ppae’s antics.

“I’m sorry, sister. It’s because I couldn’t manage things well.”

Ah, I ended up apologizing to my sister again. I hoped this sort of thing wouldn’t happen again, and I should’ve taken special measures… Countless thoughts swirled in my mind, but it was already too late for regrets. Right now… my heart hurts.

“Dayoung doesn’t need to apologize. Well… right. Ppae Ppae isn’t a newborn either. Dayoung is Ppae Ppae’s colleague and friend, not a caregiver. So don’t say sorry. I’m genuinely okay.”

“…Yeah.”

“Are you sure? You’re not thinking otherwise, are you?”

There’s no way. At least my sister has always been on my side. For our heroes’ sake, she believed in those words.

But… whether I’d even have the right to feel guilty about all of this, I can’t just sit and watch anymore. No matter how much my sister insists she’s fine, Dayoung decided to put an end to Ppae Ppae for good from this point on. At that moment, she heard her sister’s voice calling her.

“Dayoung.”

“Yeah?”

“Let’s go to your house for a bit.”

She didn’t ask the foolish question of why or what was happening. She already knew what her sister’s words meant.

Yeah, perhaps it’s for the best. With my sister by my side, it might just be possible.

“Alright. I’ll leave it to you.”

“Just leave it to me.”

“What, what are you planning to do?”

While Ajin was flustered and unable to grasp the flow of events, the luxury Rolls Royce Sweptail worth 16 billion was speeding through the congested evening rush, further intensifying the unintended chaos.

* * *

“Heh, by now, Ji-sehee must have received a proposal from the STK Streamer.”

Ppae Ppae thought that everything was going according to plan as her wings fluttered enthusiastically.

To Ppae Ppae’s eyes, the STK Gaming Team was quite an enticing group. They were already reigning as the top team in the industry, along with their renowned reputation as the best in E-sports. Numerous legendary gamers emerged from the lineage of Stella Craft, Legendary Battle, and Soul Warfare. Even after retirement, they continued to thrive as streamers under the team, making it a bountiful land flowing with sweet honey.

If I try to lure in heroes to create a Hero Company, should I just head straight into the unknown? Of course, I know Ji-sehee’s wealth, but nowadays, assets can vanish like a mirage depending on how one invests and manages them. Rather, if I secure a solid backing in a verified, safe environment, Ji-sehee’s grand plan would fall into place perfectly.

Above all, I had high expectations that this plan would lead to Dayoung’s rise as well. Yes, everything was a big picture of Ppae Ppae for our Dayoung. The image of Dayoung soaring endlessly with the wings of both Friede and the STK Gaming Team flaunted brightly in my mind.

“Streamer style reversal, life on the rise, yeah~.”

Sinister desires flickered in her eyes. Bichi Ji-sehee, Dayoung-gay, Ajin-gay, Yuri-gay… and the countless heroes that might still be lurking somewhere in this world gathering in the Hero Channel. A space that dominated the world, a Showtime venue. Such a splendid space getting built while I envisioned my dazzling debut stage. The future of becoming an internet star leading a multitude of followers lay vividly before my eyes.

“My nickname is definitely going to be Ppae Ppae, right?”

Once the heroes rise, with their backing, I’ll debut like a shooting star… a super streamer Ppae Ppae with real-time views in the millions. While Ppae Ppae unfurled her dream drenched in sweet bliss, she heard a car honking outside her house.

What’s that? Dayoung-gay doesn’t have a car. As she tilted her head in confusion, moving toward the window, Ppae Ppae suddenly felt a chill run down her spine. The psychological impact was so intense that the muscles in her wings seemed to spasm. She couldn’t allow herself to fall embarrassingly to the ground, so she forced herself to land successfully and let out a sigh of relief.

“Phew, that was close.”

Ppae Ppae, who had nearly become Lucifer falling from the sky, heaved a sigh of relief and muttered.

“Damn, it’s not even the Demon King coming; why’s this bad luck…”

The pressure she felt when facing the Demon King head-on was nothing compared to this. No, it was even greater than that. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have felt so weak in that moment and fallen into a panic. It was too intense to dismiss as mere delusion. At first, she questioned it, but soon decided to erase it from her mind. After all, she had been quite busy with her schedule lately. It must be the fatigue from overwork. Thinking too lightly of it, just as Ppae Ppae was about to lift off again…

―Beep!

The sound of the front door opening rang out below, and Ppae Ppae’s eyes widened. Could it be Dayoung-gay? There hadn’t been any prior contact. Setting aside her confusion, she tried to make her way to the living room. But just as she emerged toward Dayoung’s room…

“Ppae Ppae.”

As soon as a chilling voice echoed, a golden flash sparked right before her eyes. Captured in a soft yet strong grip that she couldn’t escape from, Ppae Ppae beheld Ji-sehee, smiling sinisterly as she gazed at her.

“Say that you’re dead today.”

“…Huh?”

Why is she wearing Hero’s Equipment?

 

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