As time passed, the outline of the Prelude tournament became clear. The group stage had concluded, and the intense Round of 16 was also over. Now, only the strongest remained, with the quarterfinals having started just a few days prior.

Most of the teams that had been seen as strong contenders for the championship had survived. AT Cerberus, Reaper and Traveler’s Acid Gaming, and Phantom’s Veiled Nightmare all showed the results expected from top-tier teams.

Of course, there were teams that exceeded expectations.

Japan’s Falcon team, led by Insane, was one such team. Phantom had noted Insane as a player to watch out for, and Falcon proved themselves as an emerging powerhouse. Insane even went toe-to-toe with Hashashin, showcasing top-tier Swordmaster skills.

Looking at their roles, it would make sense to consider Hashashin superior. Assassin classes generally lack the raw combat power of Swordmasters. But it seemed Insane was quickly closing the gap to join the same ranks.

The rapid growth was extraordinary, almost incomprehensible. Perhaps something had sparked that growth.

"Well, I didn’t watch the match, though."

Even I can’t keep up with every match. Once Sigma was eliminated in the Round of 16, there was even less reason to follow. Their opponent was North America’s LB, an overwhelmingly powerful team.

And it was a Swordmaster. Naturally, that wasn’t a match I was keen to watch – after all, I still couldn’t wield a sword freely.

If only I hadn’t started Kendo. If I hadn’t clung to my parents as a kid. If I could have expressed myself openly. If I’d just studied and gone to college like other kids. If I’d had the courage to tell my parents I loved them even once before they passed. If I hadn’t been born. If I’d died during that childhood illness. If I’d fallen off that rooftop instead of crying in fear.

"Wait, scratch that last one – that was after the accident, so it wouldn’t matter anyway."

Whenever I pick up a longsword, these sticky thoughts creep in. Watching someone else’s Swordmaster match would only bring jealousy. Still, I hadn’t removed Swordmaster as my subclass, so my lingering attachment was just as persistent.

One day, I’d have to overcome this issue. I planned to visit my parents’ gravesite soon – there were things I wanted to tell them.

And… hmm…

“Da-eun, Da-eun?”
“Huh… Oh, yes?”
“We’re here. You’ve been pushing yourself too hard lately, haven’t you? Are you really okay?”
“I’m fine. Just spaced out a bit and nodded off, I guess.”

When did I even fall asleep? Coming to my senses, I realized Elderin had already parked in the underground garage.

It wasn’t the familiar studio I’d visited before. Unlike the sleek, clean studio, this building had an old, neglected air. Somewhere, it seemed there was a leak, as the air felt damp and smelled of mold.

It oddly smelled like my current place. Although I’d been practically living in Sigma’s accommodations, I hadn’t moved out of my old room yet. Soon, I’d say goodbye to it, too.

Sigma now covered my medical expenses, and with streaming income growing steadily, I had no reason to stay in that cramped room.

“You streamed for over ten hours yesterday too.”
“I was just gaming, so it wasn’t that tiring.”
“Still, be careful. You’re getting enough sleep, right?”
“You don’t trust me at all, do you?”
“It’s not that… I just can’t leave you be. I can’t help worrying.”

Most people would call that mistrust, right? I almost felt a bit hurt… but then again, it was her way of caring for me. With that thought, I felt better.

If we kept talking about this, I knew it’d turn into a lecture. I needed a topic change.

“This parking lot is really hot. Feels like summer already, doesn’t it?”
“Haha, true. Speaking of summer, Da-eun, do you have a swimsuit?”
“Of course not. What would I even use that for?”

My left leg can only move up to about knee height. In water or lying down, I could manage a slight movement, but my ankle and toes are unresponsive, as if they weren’t even part of my body.

Yet they’re painfully sensitive to any shock or discomfort. Swimming isn’t an option.

Elderin knew all this, so why would she ask?

“You could take a few pictures, at least. Your viewers would probably love it.”
“…No. I’m not doing anything suggestive.”
“Hmm.”

Elderin looked at me thoughtfully. For some reason, whenever I refused anything sexy, she’d give me that “Oh really?” look. It was as if she found it amusing, even though she’d never said anything outright.

A small smirk appeared on her lips.

“For someone who says that, you sure put effort into taking care of yourself. Don’t tell me you’re secretly looking forward to it?”
“Taking care of myself?”

My mind froze for a moment. What did she mean by that?

Following her gaze, I looked down. My chest blocked part of my view of my abdomen, but I had a sense her eyes were focused a bit lower.

It was a bit embarrassing, but from my neck down, I practically had no body hair. My groin area, in particular, was something both Elderin and Sansae had once commented on. I felt my face grow hot.

“It’s… it’s just my natural state, okay? I’ve always had smooth skin there! Never done anything to it!”
“Oh dear. Don’t say that so loudly, Da-eun.”
“Eek…!”

Since my streams transitioned to gaming, I hadn’t turned on my webcam much. After all, my main appeal was my skill. If there was one more attraction, it would be the exhilarating speed of my assassin class.

Some pointed out other “attractions”… but I didn’t pay it much mind. Most of the constant harassment was probably just to tease me. I suppose I had enough bad karma to deal with.

It was something I’d have to tolerate. Occasionally, I wondered if they meant it sincerely.

Anyway, I didn’t mind webcam streams all that much. While there were some embarrassing memories, it marked a fresh start for me. Maybe I’d show my face more often in the future.

“What do you think? It’s one of the biggest stores in the country.”
“It’s huge. Honestly, the parking lot was a bit rough, though.”
“It’s an old shopping mall building. They have recording studios and filming spaces upstairs too.”

I planned to borrow Elderin’s studio temporarily. But I couldn’t rely on her forever, so I’d have to get my own setup eventually. That was why we’d come to this store selling streaming equipment.

I felt a surge of excitement. Buying gear always has a special thrill. The equipment filling the store looked almost as if it were glowing.

Today, I was set on buying a new microphone. There were so many options, I didn’t know where to start.

“If you’re unsure, you can test some out. Want to try?”
“Really? I can?”
“That’s why you come to a physical store. It’s hard to click ‘buy’ online with these prices. Better to use it and hear it for yourself.”
“Then, yeah, I’d love to try.”
“Alright, let’s go test it out together.”

I remembered the quick recordings I’d uploaded from my phone before. Compared to professional broadcasters, the sound quality was terrible. Remembering how people still enjoyed them warmed me inside.

Elderin and I toured the store, even checking out the recording studio. She had mentioned wanting to take a photo with me one day, so the filming area could come in handy.

Not right now, but maybe someday I’d grant her wish.

When the elevator reached the fourth floor, Elderin waved, looking surprised. She’d spotted someone she knew.

“Long time no see! Who’s this with you? She’s so pretty.”
“A close friend. She recently started streaming. Were you recording?”
“Yeah, just taking a short break.”
“Mind giving her a quick tour?”
“Sure! Shall we go?”

At first, I thought it was fine. How often would I get a chance to visit a recording studio in my life? The microphones here were supposed to be far more advanced than any broadcasting mic I’d get.

So, I’d eagerly followed along. But things were not quite as I’d expected.

“Is… is this how you’re supposed to do it…?”

I placed a silicone ear replica in my mouth, moving my tongue to gently tickle it, as I’d been shown. When I puckered and sucked on the earlobe, ASMR streamer “Ryeohee” gave me a thumbs-up from outside.

This was not what I had anticipated at all.