NOVEL NEXT Chapter 138
“Ka, Na…?”
As if on reflex, Da-eun felt the weight settle on her outstretched arm.
It was light.
The limp girl’s face held a serene glow.
As if she could open her eyes at any moment.
However, the warm aura she usually felt from the girl was no longer there.
“…”
After staring down for a while, Da-eun silently hugged the girl.
*
[Joanie: Taking a break today]
No kidding.
[Comments]
-Ah, this tension;
-‘Taking a break today’? LOL
┗It’s another break today~
┗Isn’t this enough to quit the streaming?
┗Would you quit if you could earn some serious cash?
-What’s the reason this time?
┗What else could it be?
┗She said she’s taking a break for work
┗You believe that? So naive, LOL
┗Who said I believe? Just saying;
-She’s probably busy playing with her new boyfriend, huh?
┗PDF is saved, good luck!
┗Looks like a total loser, LOL
┗Does this idiot really think using a VPN will keep them safe??
[Joanie doesn’t give a damn about anything]
Why are you crawling in here and whining?
Talk about your master at your own base, damn it.
[Comments]
-Yeah~ I’m never leaving~
-If you’re mad, you know what to do? LOL
┗Ah, you bastards;
[But am I the only one who doesn’t get it?]
What’s the big deal about an NPC dying that you have to weep and take a break for days?
You should be moderate with immersion; it’s kind of gross, honestly.
Seeing this makes me think games are indeed a disease, for real.
[Comments]
-I totally agree; I want to slap these gamers
┗Did I say something wrong?
┗Do you think I’m right?
┗Don’t answer with a reverse question; give me a logical counter.
┗LOL, you drop this crappy post and expect a logical rebuttal? LOL
-‘For real’
┗Can’t counter, so you just say ‘for real’ LOL Ugh, LOL
┗Scratch?
┗The one who got scratched is you, idiot.
┗Unlike you, I have a job and plenty of friends!
┗Ah yes, LOL, that’s nice to hear, LOL.
┗Wow, you’re getting scratched nicely.
-First off, it’s clear you’re not a gamer.
[The real reason Joanie is taking a break.txt]
Anyone who has been moved by something, be it a game, book, comic, drama, or movie, will understand what I’m saying.
When something you’re deeply immersed in comes to an end, the aftertaste is intense.
It feels like the journey is over, and I’m left alone; it’s disappointing to think I can’t see the characters live anymore.
I can’t quite put this feeling into words, but it leaves me empty and makes it hard to focus on other things.
Joanie might be in such a state.
If a human can immerse themselves in a pixelated game, how much more in a reality-blurring game like Silia Online?
Anyone who has seen Joanie’s expression when she was with Kana knows how Joanie felt about Kana.
If you’re not a clueless introvert who causes awkward silence every time you speak, you can’t miss it.
It’s not just any NPC that died; it was the one she struggled and successfully befriended after great effort. Naturally, it’s a huge shock.
Honestly, if Joanie quits Silia Online because of this, I can’t blame her.
[Comments]
-I understand, I really do.
-I get everything except, why mention introverts?
┗Um…
┗I didn’t want to look like this!!!!
┗I… I’m sorry…
-It’s true. After finishing [The Last of Land], I couldn’t even think about playing another game for a while.
┗That’s a classic, I agree.
┗If only the sequel had come out properly…
┗??? The first part of that is over, right?
┗This guy’s a time traveler!
-Most of the people commenting right now are probably not actually thinking seriously.
┗Most are just here to stir things up or scratch.
┗Ignoring them is the best response.
-So that’s what immersion means; look at these idiots agreeing with it.
┗A normal person just thinks, “That’s sad” after watching a melodramatic movie; they don’t cry.
┗Exactly, you’re absolutely right! Can you please step outside?
[Those who don’t get Joanie]
Are you damaged kids with no sensitivity?
Isn’t it sad that the copy machine that churned out money and viewers has broken down?
If I were Joanie, I would’ve been sobbing too.
Anyone who’s not crying is either a communist or a psychopath.
Either way, it’s dangerous; be careful if you have those kinds around you.
[Comments]
-This is a refreshing kind of idiot.
┗One commie down.
-Where do these types keep crawling in from?? It never ends, damn it.
“…”
Under the title [Today’s Break], Da-eun scrolled through the comments.
Her emotionless black eyes moved slowly, scanning the responses.
There were quite a few supportive comments wishing for her to rest well.
However, far more comments expressed dissatisfaction over the break announcement, showing quite a rough response.
It was only natural.
It had already been four days since Da-eun stopped streaming.
It’s only natural for fans to vent their frustrations after a daily streamer suddenly takes a break for four days without explaining the reasons.
Da-eun understood their feelings, but.
‘…I don’t want to do anything.’
She didn’t feel like broadcasting at all, nor did she want to do anything else.
She wasn’t even in the mood to eat, only forcing a piece of bread into her mouth when her stomach eventually began to protest from hunger.
“…Should I just quit everything?”
She knew what death meant, but this was the first time she experienced someone she was very close to leaving.
Da-eun didn’t know how to fill the emptiness lodged deep in her heart.
She could only flail around in the bleakness that made everything feel pointless.
Bzzz-
Da-eun’s phone vibrated.
Since she let go of Kana, those who knew her situation had sent their concerns through calls or messages.
Among them were those sharing their experiences to sympathize with her.
This one was probably just another one of those.
Da-eun reached for her phone but paused.
‘Do I even want to see it?’
Every time she received such words, she said she was okay, but they probably knew she wasn’t.
It was tiring to hear the same old phrases again.
As she debated whether to read the new message or not.
“…”
Thud.
Eventually, she picked up the phone.
The vibration buzzed briefly, then stopped, suggesting it was a text or a message.
With an expression showing no anticipation or interest, Da-eun looked at her phone.
As expected, the messenger app was shining with a notification of a new message.
“…?”
Da-eun’s eyes widened in surprise.
“…Demoninus?”
If it’s Demoninus, that’s surely the name of the company that developed Silia Online, right?
As Da-eun scanned the message multiple times, the word “Demoninus” at the top did not disappear.
‘Is this a phishing scam?’
Realizing her eyes weren’t deceiving her, Da-eun thought to herself.
There was no way Demoninus would send a personal message to a mere streamer without a reminder.
They needed to pick their moments when playing pranks.
If it were normally, she would’ve easily brushed it off as ‘Oh, it’s just a phishing scam.’ but Da-eun wasn’t feeling sharply today.
Just as her frowning fingers were about to reach the report button.
“…?”
Da-eun noticed something and halted her finger.
It mentioned that they also left the same message on her game account, in case she couldn’t believe it.
If it wasn’t a scam, her body moved unsteadily toward the capsule.
And, just as they said, she saw the same message she received on the phone waiting for her.
“Is it real…?”
As Da-eun confirmed that it was a message from the game’s official account, she began reading the message slowly.
Unlike phishing texts that usually contain links, requests for calls, or replies, this was formal but summarized into a suggestion to visit the headquarters if she was interested.
“Demoninus… wants to make a proposition to me?”
The company that had always acted so aloofly?
Da-eun furrowed her brows while mumbling.
“This isn’t a joke or something…”
Demoninus had to know what had happened recently.
So, they couldn’t possibly be unaware of what Da-eun had gone through. It felt as though they were mocking her by contacting her at this particular moment.
“…Huff.”
As Da-eun bit her lip, she sighed.
“Am I being overly sensitive about this…?”
Whether she accepted the proposition or not, just receiving that message from Demoninus would be enough to create a buzz.
If she were to turn on the stream and share what happened, the reaction would be explosive.
Even if it wasn’t that, since Da-eun loved Silia Online, she had no reason to refuse….
If she hadn’t gone through that loss beforehand.
“Okay. Let’s go.”
After contemplating deeply, Da-eun made her decision.
Let’s go and ask.
Stumble.
Before Da-eun could get ready to head out, her body suddenly lost balance and faltered.
There was no way her body, which hadn’t properly eaten or rested for several days, could feel normal.
Suddenly, Da-eun glanced at her reflection in the mirror, and her face was a mess of dried tear tracks.
“I should eat first… and then take a shower.”
‘But, how did Demoninus know my number?’
For a moment, such doubts flickered through Da-eun’s mind.
‘It must have been on the personal information I provided when I signed up.’
Not wanting to think deeply about it at that moment, she brushed aside the question nonchalantly.
*
Thus, Da-eun arrived at the headquarters of Demoninus.
She looked up at the familiar exterior of the building, entering without hesitation.
Thanks to having washed and put on makeup, she no longer looked like a zombie, but her face still appeared gaunt.
As Da-eun approached the reception or customer service, a counter-like area, the staff greeted her with a bright smile.
“How can I help you?”
“Uh, I’ve been told you have a proposition for me—”
“…A proposition?”
The staff tilted their head as if hearing those words for the first time.
Just as Da-eun’s mind started to think ‘So it was a phishing scam after all…’
“May I have your name, please?”
“…Shin Da-eun. My Silia Online nickname is Joanie.”
“…Ah! Are you the streamer…?”
Da-eun nodded.
“Please hold on a moment. I’ll check for you right away!”
Soon, the employee started typing energetically on the keyboard, and a positive voice emerged from her mouth.
“Ah, I see! I’m sorry for the inconvenience. This hasn’t happened before.”
“It’s alright.”
“Please take the elevator over there to the 10th floor.”
“Thank you.”
“Keep up the good work with your streaming!”
Having hastily added her encouragement, Da-eun smiled in return, following the directions to the elevator.
“10th floor, 10th floor… the president’s office?”
They’re directing me straight to the president’s office?
Feeling something was off, Da-eun had already pressed the button, and the elevator was moving.
Since there was no turning back now, Da-eun folded her arms, awaiting the elevator’s arrival.
Shortly, the elevator came to a cheerful ding and stopped.
“Welcome.”
As the door opened, a woman with long hair greeted Da-eun.
Her hair color was similar to a typical Korean hue, but something about it felt different.
Before Da-eun could fully form her thoughts, the soft grip of the woman pulled her hand.
“…Eh?”
“What are you doing? Come in quickly.”
Caught off guard by such an unfamiliar experience of being led by a stranger, Da-eun’s mind momentarily froze.
“W-who are you?!”
The woman who was dragging Da-eun looked at her with a curious expression, as if it were obvious.
“Since I’m in the president’s office, naturally, I’m the president, right?”
“The president?!”
Someone who looks so young?
Whether Da-eun was confused or not, the woman walked unhesitatingly deeper into the president’s office.
“B-but where are you taking me?!”
‘How strong can she be?!’
Finally snapping back to her senses, Da-eun tried to wrench her hand away, but the firm grip held her fast.
“You’ll find out when you see it.”
With a tone that sounded rather annoyed, the woman carelessly dragged Da-eun along, provoking her to feel frightened, shaking off her sense of emptiness.
What if she got dragged somewhere and something happened to her?
Would they kidnap her and demand ransom?
Maybe they were planning some despicable experiment.
With all sorts of terrifying imaginations swirling in her head, Da-eun could only be pulled along, unable to shake off the woman.
“We’re almost there.”
Finally arriving at a door, she was released from the grip.
“Open it.”
“…What is this place?”
“You’ll find out. Just open it.”
“No way.”
Da-eun’s suspicion reached its peak after facing all the odd events since she had arrived.
In such a situation, there was no way she’d follow the order to open the door.
With her prickly defenses up, much like a porcupine encountering a predator, the woman shrugged her shoulder.
“I dragged you here because you were taking too long. I’m not planning to force you. If you really don’t want to, you can just leave.”
“If I just leave—”
“But if you do leave, you’ll regret it, you know?”
“…Are you threatening me?”
You think I’ll let you just go like that?
Although Da-eun inquired if she was being threatened, the woman shook her head.
“No, it’s a recommendation.”
“With how forcefully you brought me here, it’s hard to take that seriously.”
“As I said, I dragged you here because I wasn’t fond of the delay. If left to your own devices, you’d start living in the elevator.”
“…I wasn’t taking that long.”
The woman smirked.
It was evident she entirely disagreed with Da-eun’s statement without needing to speak further.
‘Regret, huh?’
What a laugh.
She had regretted enough over the past few days.
Now, a little more regret wouldn’t make a difference; saying that wouldn’t make Da-eun feel more inclined to enter this suspicious place.
Yet.
“…”
Da-eun’s hesitant feet moved straight ahead.
“Let me be clear, this isn’t because of your words.”
Her intuition told her she had to open this door.
It wasn’t because of what the woman said.
“Of course not.”
Da-eun shot a glare at the woman who spoke teasingly, placing her hand on the doorknob.
“Alright. What could possibly happen?”
Taking a deep breath, Da-eun pulled the doorknob.
And revealing the inside of the room.
What caught Da-eun’s eye wasn’t a sterile lab or a room for imprisonment as she imagined, but an ordinary-looking office.
However, what truly drew Da-eun’s attention was something entirely different.
“…Huh?”
There was one unmistakably out-of-place item for an office.
If it had been a game where they’re looking for anomalies, she would have pointed it out right away—a bed of suitable size.
On the luxurious bed, a girl lay propped against the headboard, seemingly half-asleep.
Swish—
The girl’s eyelids slowly opened.
“…You’re late.”
A lazy hint glimmered in her pink eyes.