Former Hero, Solo Play Oriented

I stared at Team Leader Han Yeoreum with a tense gaze.

As she lowered her head to greet us and sat down across from me, her long eyelashes lifted, revealing her eyes.

And then our gazes locked.

Han Yeoreum’s eyes widened, and she covered her mouth with both hands.

“Kyaak!”

She let out a bird-like scream, stifled by surprise.

“Oh my, oh my! You really look just like in-game…! So… so cute!”

With her dreamy eyes, she started squealing.

Hooook, hooook.

It felt like a sneeze was about to escape from her nose.

I could only wear a dazed expression.

That reaction is similar to the one Sister Chris sometimes shows!

Chris pulled me close to her, glaring at Team Leader Han Yeoreum with a wary look.

Han Yeoreum met Chris’s gaze.

“You’re Chris, right? Lee Seulbi’s guardian and senior researcher from Klaus Capsule Corporation.”

“Yes, and?”

Chris hugged me tightly as if to protect me, replying to Han Yeoreum with a sharp tone.

“Our little one is really cute too, you know. We always argue over who’s cuter between the second and the youngest. Would you like to see a picture of our kid?”

“…Really?”

Chris started squealing along with Han Yeoreum as she looked at the photo on the smartphone Han Yeoreum presented.

“Oh my, oh my! Team Leader Han’s youngest is so adorable too!”

“Right!? Hehehe, Seulbi is really pretty!”

“Isn’t it? Isn’t it? Heehee!”

Chris quickly hit it off with Han Yeoreum, giggling away.

“……?”

Looking at Chris acting like that, an odd feeling began to rise in my chest.

It wasn’t a good feeling.

Why am I feeling this way?

My emotions took over, and I acted on impulse.

Swish.

I abruptly yanked at Chris’s collar, who was squealing with excitement over the smartphone alongside Han Yeoreum.

“Eh!”

Thud.

Chris was pulled back by my grip and plopped down on the sofa.

I sulked a bit and muttered.

“We came to talk about the advertisement, right?”

“R-right.”

Chris looked at me with a slightly puzzled expression, then suddenly started chuckling.

“Rain, …are you perhaps reluctant to hear someone else say you’re cute?”

“I-I don’t know.”

“Heehee! Don’t worry! You’re the only one for me, Rain.”

“…….”

I hung my head.

For some reason, Chris looked really happy.

It definitely seems like she doesn’t like hearing others say I’m cute or pretty.

But why does that bother me?

I carefully examined the proposal and contract draft that Team Leader Han Yeoreum had presented.

“Objective… Contract scope… Contract duration…”

My head spun.

This is complicated.

When would I ever be involved in advertising?

“The advertising shoot schedule and details are important. The shoot itself will be at designated locations in-game… basically, we just need to film in Astria Online.”

“Is that so? So, we won’t be going anywhere else to shoot or stepping into some capsule?”

“It’s an advertisement shot in the metaverse world. The conditions are very favorable.”

That’s extremely beneficial for me.

I wouldn’t have to drag my uncomfortably heavy body around for filming. I could shoot right inside my capsule.

Although there were parts I needed to film in the Continent of Astria, the Green Dragon Raid would be reused from already focused footage.

“And, section 4. Compensation and payment conditions.”

This is a very important item.

How much will they pay me matters.

If they pay a lot, I have to accept the advertisement. To repay the debt I owe Chris.

The amount is 50 million won.

There’s even additional incentives based on achieving advertising goals.

Is that a lot?

Chris looked shocked.

“Well, we can consider our Rain as a celebrity of Klaus Capsule Corporation. But honestly, this is pretty good for a first advertisement shoot for a regular person, isn’t it?”

“I told you I’m not a celebrity…”

And when did I become affiliated with Klaus Capsule Corporation?

“Hehe, Rain is going to be a renowned influencer in the metaverse, so One Game is rather lucky.”

Given Chris’s reaction, it seems like the conditions are indeed quite favorable.

I glanced over at Team Leader Han Yeoreum.

From her beaming smile, I couldn’t read any particular emotions.

I don’t know her authority level, but being just the marketing department’s team leader, she’s likely just doing what she’s told from above.

What could be the reason for offering me such good terms?

Could there be some ulterior motive?

After thinking for a while, I nodded.

“I’ll sign the contract.”

There are incentives, and in the future, I might even expect more ad shoots.

Anyway, with Rain’s body, I can accomplish quite a lot.

To earn money, I plan to make use of whatever I can, whether it’s my face or anything else.

“If Rain is okay with it, then I’m all for it.”

“We need to make money.”

“Well, your money is also my money… ahem, all right. I’ll go run an errand for a bit. I’ll be back soon.”

Chris licked her lips and took the copy of the contract, heading out somewhere.

Han Yeoreum was lingering in the air with her smartphone, handling some tasks.

I gazed at Han Yeoreum and inquired.

“What are you doing?”

“Hehe, there are procedures like legal reviews that need to be addressed after drafting the contract. For now, Lee Seulbi, you won’t have any more tasks today.”

“Ah, I see.”

So, I won’t just be signing the contract on a whim after reading it.

But still, I’ve learned a lot this time, so perhaps I can handle this kind of contract by myself next time.

In the meeting room, just Han Yeoreum and I remained.

I looked at her and fell into thought.

Today, Team Leader Han Yeoreum focused solely on her job.

It seems she really came only for the advertisement contract.

Does she not have anything to say to me?

If she isn’t questioning my synchronization rate, then this should be the end. I can enjoy the Continent of Astria as usual.

But I also have some questions.

Team Leader Han Yeoreum.

Is she merely a marketing person, and how much authority does she really have?

How much does she know about ‘Astria Online’?

I know nothing.

Should I be the one to bring it up first?

I gulped and asked her a question.

“Team Leader Han Yeoreum, I have a question. Could you please answer me?”

“Yes? Hehe, what could Miss Seulbi be curious about?”

She showered me with friendly glances, as if she were more than eager to help.

Should I ask if she knows about my abnormal synchronization rate? No, I don’t need to poke the hornet’s nest unnecessarily.

I should stick to more fundamental questions.

The chances of her knowing are slim, but…

I encapsulated everything I was curious about into one sentence.

“…Is ‘Astria Online’ a game?”

For a moment, silence fell in the meeting room.

Team Leader Han Yeoreum continued to wear her friendly, smiling expression.

Then she opened her mouth.

“It is a game.”

“Really?”

“Yes. A game, and nothing more.”

Of course, it’s a game. I already knew that.

There are status screens, and stats exist.

The demon race follows specific patterns, welcoming users in their respective instance dungeons.

And the countless deaths and resurrections I have experienced.

In that place, death is not the end.

However, I simply cannot view Astria Online as just a game.

Then Team Leader Han Yeoreum added a footnote.

“…for now.”

“……!”

My eyes widened.

She knows something.

“The adventurers from the stars are active here to overcome the crisis that has befallen the Continent of Astria. Their actions will rewrite the history of the Continent. It’s a place of thrilling adventures and magic.”

She spread her arms as if delivering a speech.

“Here, everyone is the protagonist. No matter who saved it in the past or who vanished, no one carries a mission alone. The mission to save the world is something everyone shares together.”

“…….”

“Isn’t it just about having fun without any worries? What more could Miss Seulbi be curious about?”

I opened my mouth, then closed it again.

Behind her friendly smile, I felt a strong sense that she wouldn’t answer any more questions.

Just then, Chris returned.

“Rain?”

Chris looked at me with a puzzled expression, glancing back and forth between me and the still-smiling Han Yeoreum.

“Well then, I’ll leave it to you, Miss Seulbi.”

Team Leader Han Yeoreum organized her paperwork and stood up to greet us.

As she was about to step out of the meeting room, she paused for a moment and spoke to me.

“Oh, Miss Seulbi, do take care of your health.”

“…Yes.”

“Hehe, don’t push yourself too hard.”

On the way home with Chris, we exchanged casual conversations.

“Ha, I had several answers prepared, but in the end, your synchronization rate worries turned out to be unfounded.”

“Yeah. They didn’t show any gestures to take measures.”

“You didn’t just ignore that while knowing, right? Well, the marketing department isn’t likely to know much about the tech side, but… Hmm, I feel both relieved and unsettled.”

“…….”

I felt equally unsettled.

My questions still hadn’t found answers. Today’s meeting with Team Leader Han Yeoreum left many questions in its wake.

But it’s also clear that, at the very least, Team Leader Han Yeoreum knows a lot about me.

She must be aware of my synchronization rate as well.

She also left me with the impression that she wouldn’t care about how I operate.

What kind of people are involved in this game company, and who is the god-like being in this world?

“Ha.”

My head hurts.

I let out a sigh and decided to think simply.

They likely won’t impose sanctions or take measures.

For now, this is enough.

There will be things to learn through ‘Rain’ in the future.

In any case, it feels like I’ve received implicit permission to do as I please.

At the same time, I felt a bit irritated.

It’s a world where many users help each other.

Now, it seems like a lone hero carrying a mission isn’t necessary anymore.

I’m fine with that. However…

Suddenly, a fun thought crossed my mind.

If I can do as I please, then I can do it my way.

Shall we show something only I can do?

First, the next dungeon needs to open.

“Sister Chris.”

“Uh-huh?”

“I’m planning to do exactly what I did before for the next Elite Dungeon.”

“I knew you’d want to go solo. Just don’t overdo it.”

“I think it would be super fun to livestream my challenge for the first clear in solo play!”

Chris’s eyes widened.

For the first time since coming to this world, Lee Seulbi beamed with confidence.

---