Former Hero, Solo Play Oriented

Ding dong-

“Uh, it seems Dayeon’s here.”

As I was getting my hair played with by Chris while sitting on the living room sofa, I heard the doorbell ring from the entrance. Chris got up to welcome Bae Merong.

Clunk, dododododo.

I could hear a bit of chatter and hurried footsteps from the entrance, and a short-haired woman with a petite frame appeared, sitting down next to me with a cheerful smile.

“Hi, Rain! How’s your health?”

“Hello, Sister Dayeon. I’m feeling much better.”

With a smile, Namdayeon quickly examined my body and grabbed my hand tightly, like she was about to cry.

“Woohoo, is it because Chris isn’t taking care of you properly? Want to just live at my house?”

“Hey, Namdayeon!”

Chris approached with a disappointing expression and pulled me closer to her. I shook my head while looking at Bae Merong, still nestled in Chris’s embrace.

“It’s not Sister Chris’s fault. I’ve been playing the game too much lately. I should rest a bit because I’m weak.”

“Really? I was shocked! You said you were going to take a break because you were unwell, and I thought you were getting readmitted to the hospital.”

“Um, it’s not that serious.”

“Ah-hah! Didn’t we promise to take a break for a few days?”

“Yes.”

Seeing Chris’s serious face, I lowered my head. After all, I had been rough on my body, so I couldn’t go against Chris’s words.

Chris chuckled and began to absentmindedly stroke my hair again.

“Rain, your hair is really beautiful… Haah…”

“Uh, um.”

Even though I said I would take a break, there wasn’t really anything to do outside the Continent of Astria. Lately, I had been giving my body up to Chris and receiving her affectionate strokes. Is it like a comfort doll?

Since I was busy with quests and exploring the sights in Rain’s body on the Continent of Astria, I couldn’t often spend time with Chris.

And to help Chris enjoy me more, I needed to let her touch my body from the outside world. With the synchronization rate of a regular user on the Continent of Astria, there would surely be some dissatisfaction.

If I give my body to her, Chris enjoys it, and I feel good. This is one of the few happinesses I get to experience as Lee Seulbi’s body.

While I was being stroked by Chris, a sudden thought made my face flush slightly.

Recently, Sister Chris washed me.

At the time, my head was fogged from the pain-relieving medication, so I didn’t mind being pampered, but looking back now, it was an incredibly embarrassing thing to do.

Even though we are of the same gender, as a grown woman, I showed my naked body to someone and entrusted myself to her touch.

Well, my body might be a bit small, but claiming to be a grown woman isn’t entirely incorrect, right?

I can’t be the only one embarrassed. Chris’s face was so red at the time, and she kept flinching, so she must have felt incredibly shy too.

Rain, what on earth did you just do?

Yet, it felt good. Sister Chris probably liked touching my body too, so it was okay, right?

Didn’t you enjoy it too, Sister? Uhm, is that the right way to put it?

Lost in other thoughts for a moment, I reflexively caught a cookie that fluttered in front of my mouth.

Crunch.

Bae Merong grinned as she fed me.

“Oh my, you eat well.”

“…Are you treating me like some animal?”

“Of course, our cute little critter.”

Bae Merong teased me.

I shook my head at her childish antics.

Comparing our sizes, she wasn’t exactly in a position to call me a critter either.

I’m about 140 cm tall while Bae Merong is around 150 cm, so there’s only a slight height difference. Compared to the tall Chris, who is over 170 cm, we’re just little kiddos.

“Sister Chris is like a supermodel with a great figure, but Bae Merong…”

“Rain, you!”

“Hehehe!”

I looked at Bae Merong with a playful expression. Bae Merong puffed out her cheeks. Chris laughed stupidly and shrugged her shoulders.

While they kept saying I was cute, the fresh-faced college student Bae Merong was also plenty cute. It probably didn’t just look that way to me.

As I enjoyed cookies squeezed between the giggling sisters and watched TV, lunchtime had already arrived.

“Since we have guests, we need to treat them to something delicious. Let’s see, I did shop a few days ago, but if there’s nothing left, shall we order takeout?”

Chris got up and headed to the kitchen while leaving a remark for Bae Merong.

“By the way, Rain, it’s time for some exercise, right? I’ll be preparing the meal, so Dayeon, can you keep an eye on Rain for a bit?”

“Yes!”

Bae Merong stood up and saluted. Chris chuckled and disappeared into the kitchen.

“Whoosh.”

I clutched my assistive device for exercise and carefully got up.

It was a rehabilitation aid with wheels and a handle to grip with both hands. Through this, I could practice walking little by little. Even if my legs can’t heal, doing this exercise would help my daily life even a little.

Shudder.

Gripping the handle, I cautiously started moving my legs using only my thigh muscles.

I felt beads of sweat forming on my forehead.

Bae Merong watched me walking slowly across the living room with a tense look in her eyes.

It’s fortunate that it’s not complete paralysis. I was told that L2 spinal cord injury is one of the “better” stages in spinal cord injuries, classified by professional medical terms.

I hadn’t realized my state back when I was in a hazy state of mind.

However, after living with Chris, I’ve somewhat resolved to improve, even if it’s just a little.

After all, for Rain, I need to carry Lee Seulbi’s body along too.

Hoo.

Finally, I made a full lap in the spacious living room.

I breathed out and wiped the sweat lightly gathered on my forehead.

These days, I definitely felt like my body was getting better, and it was easier than before.

Bae Merong held her chest and sighed in relief.

“Hah, why am I so nervous?”

“I’m getting better a lot. With just someone holding my hand, I think I could take a few steps without this assistive device.”

“Really? Shall I hold your hand?”

“Yes! I’d like to give it a shot.”

I clenched my hands tight and steeled my will.

Right now, I feel like I can do it without the assistive device.

Gingerly pulling my hands away from the device, I took Bae Merong’s outstretched hand.

I took a step forward.

“Oh.”

I walked.

Using nothing but my thigh muscles, it was shaky, but I definitely walked.

It seemed like tears were welling up in Bae Merong’s eyes.

“Sniffle, well done… Rain…!”

Two steps, three steps.

Thud.

“Ah!”

While I was carefully pulling her along, Bae Merong suddenly gasped at something.

At the same time, Bae Merong stumbled backward.

She, engrossed in looking at me, didn’t see the leg of the coffee table that jutted out in the living room. Bae Merong’s foot got caught, and her body was falling backward.

Holding onto Bae Merong’s hand, I leaned forward and quickly scanned the floor with a sharp gaze.

I can catch her. I need to make sure she doesn’t get hurt.

I stretched my arms out on both sides to catch Bae Merong’s head as she fell back.

Thud!

Thump.

Bae Merong, with a shocked expression, lay on the living room floor and looked up at me, close enough that I could feel her breath.

Pet pet.

I gently patted the back of Bae Merong’s head. It seemed she didn’t get hurt.

By the way, that pink hair of Bae Merong’s really suits her. The standard black hair common in South Korea actually looks a bit odd on her.

“Hah, you should’ve been more careful.”

I pulled my arms away from protecting her head and looked down at her with a broad smile.

Bae Merong’s body acted like a cushion, so I didn’t get hurt either. I smacked the floor with my arms while catching her head, so she didn’t get hurt either. Her butt might feel a bit sore though.

In fact, my arms and elbows stung a bit from hitting the ground to support myself, but since Bae Merong was okay, this much is fine.

Sure enough, even with Lee Seulbi’s body, my reflexes were still good. My reflexes from being a hero haven’t gone away!

Even back then, both strength and speed were mostly supported by the Holy Sword and Mana, so I didn’t get much muscle on this short body.

“……?”

But then, something seemed off with Bae Merong.

She gazed at my face with somewhat dazed eyes, then looked away, her face turning red.

Then she tightly shut her eyes and shouted as if making a pledge to herself.

“Ah, no! I’m not a Kksare like Sister Chris!”

“Kksare…?”

What does that mean?

Did she get hit in the head?

Did I not protect her properly from the impact?

Crunch.

I enjoyed munching on a chicken leg, savoring the taste of our takeout lunch. Crispy fried chicken.

My stomach has stretched enough that I can manage half a chicken now.

Chris smiled while holding out a second chicken leg to me.

“I made a little food, but I didn’t really have enough side dishes, so I just ordered. Since Rain likes chicken.”

“Yes, I love chicken so much.”

Bae Merong was munching on chicken with her head down, stealing glances at me.

“…This feels like a scene from an old cartoon… with the, uh, cute thing trying to look cool.”

“…? What’s up, Namdayeon?”

“Yikes! Oh, it’s nothing!”

Chris, tilting her head in confusion, soon erased her doubts and asked about Bae Merong’s growth situation.

“I think the next Elite Dungeon should be opening soon. Have you leveled up, Dayeon?”

“Of course! I’m the wizard of the now even stronger Chris raid, Bae Merong! This time, I think we can beat Rain’s party!”

With a confident face as if she hadn’t been intimidated before, Bae Merong seemed to glow with certainty.

Chris and I exchanged amused glances.

It seems the other party members of Sister Chris don’t know yet.

They will find out while attempting to conquer the upcoming Elite Dungeon, though.

“I’m all set too.”

I had created an account for streaming the videos.

Wasn’t it said that the world was one that everyone conquers together?

No, the Astria Online you created, I am the protagonist.

Through this Elite Dungeon conquest, I will undoubtedly carve the name ‘Rain’ in everyone’s minds.

In front of all users and beings that turned the Continent of Astria into a game, just watch.

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