Chapter 198

The article stating that the president visited Na-Me’s hospital room immediately after concluding his overseas schedule seemed to quell public opinion.

However, additional reports of a wreath being found in a garbage dump gradually intensified the nation’s anger.

Could it be that people are truly losing their affection for Korea? What if they just up and leave for the United States?

Eventually, on Saturday, June 10, 2051, at 10:30 AM, President Lee Jo-won presided over a senior secretary meeting and directly mentioned the operation to eliminate Valpurgis in his opening remarks.

He also conveyed his intention to request the timeline of the incident from the UN forces, which unexpectedly gave rise to simultaneous attacks from both the ruling and opposition parties.

The ruling party criticized it as a reckless judgment that would break trust with allied nations and create a national security crisis, while the opposition strongly condemned it as an act of buying time when they could have immediately turned the National Intelligence Service and the Defense Intelligence Command upside down.

The media, fueled by outrage, rejoiced.

If nationalist videos were becoming hugely popular on V-Tube, the main media articles ensured views with so-called “anti-national” videos.

Such headlines included “Number 1 in OECD Youth Suicide Rate,” “Number 1 in Elderly Poverty Rate,” and “Number 1 in Annual Working Hours,” among others.

The public was inclined to attribute the harshness of life to external factors rather than finding it within themselves, and the media fueled that nature.

However, there were also genuinely hopeful messages in the news.

It was reported that Professor Dong Jin-su’s cardiology medical team successfully completed a surgery related to the Aura Heart disease that Na-Me had.

With this, those who had been anxious finally began to pay attention to her whereabouts again.

[Is it true that NoName’s V-Tube subscriber count reached 1 million?]

300,000 people added each day.

How did Na-Jak’s channel become this global phenomenon?

[Comments]

– I saw this morning that it seems to be hitting international news too.

└ Really?

└ Yeah, it was even on BBC’s main page.

– I hope you don’t have to broadcast anymore, just finish the surgery and post an update to let us know you’re okayㅠㅠㅠ

– Do you use something like Instagram?

└ SNS is a waste of life.

[Analyzing why NoName had an exceptionally vast knowledge]

Would you have just played games if you realized you were trapped in a virtual world?

You would have struggled to find a way out.

During the free time after gaming, you probably memorized everything you could find on the internet.

Watching the broadcasts, it was evident that they were a natural genius with memory beyond human capability from the beginning.

Additionally, research indicates that the higher the mana sensitivity, the greater the mental maturity, explaining their adult-like reasons.

To have survived for 7 years just on potions means their mana sensitivity wasn’t ordinary to begin with.

What do you think of this speculation?

[Comments]

– So that’s why what the national assembly members from the Bi-Academy say feels juvenile due to lower mana sensitivity?

└ That doesn’t seem to be related at all, lol.

– The news suggests that NoName is suspected of having Lestakaya Syndrome, which has nothing to do with high mana sensitivity, right?

└ (Author): Is that so?

└ But I acknowledge their mana sensitivity is extraordinary.

└ Even if the Moonwalk uses a user-friendly simulation, handling 5th circle magic shows they’re not just any talent.

– Are you saying they couldn’t even eat and spent all day gaming and studying?

– So sad, I think I’d get traumatized and couldn’t enter a capsule again.

[Life without Na-Me is hell…]

I’ve realized, NoName has no substitute…

When I watch other kids’ channels, the kids just keep babbling.

Thinking that there is an adult behind the avatar who’s charming is disgusting.

So if you know of a broadcast where a young child plays games spectacularly, please recommend it.

[Comments]

– No way that’s going to happen, lol.

– Back when NoName was broadcasting, you should have been grateful.

└ We were already thankful because they didn’t stream regularly, right?

└ Everybody cheered back then, lol.

– The streamer started last year, what were you doing not watching during that time?

└ They said they didn’t even game, how would I know!

└ They should have gone deep-sea exploration at least.

Na-Me’s Twish streaming waiting room was enveloped in silence.

It was incredibly sorrowful to see viewers unable to step away despite the environment being unsuitable for broadcasting for some time.

[NoName’s Broadcasting Studio]

[Currently Offline – 4,921 waiting]

– Is it real that it maintains 5,000 even though there’s no broadcast?

– Cosmic Mia 5,000, wow.

– It’s already a cold corpse.

– I hope they suddenly start a broadcast.

– This phrase has been mentioned 299,792,458 times already.

– So what do we do now?

– They’ll probably come on a Sunday… they’ll definitely come next week… or next month…

– Mom, it’s too dark and cold here…

– Only a black screen and a chat window; it’s creepy.

-(Manager 5): Dᅟᅣᆯㄲㅃ@#ㅓ갿#ㆍ#ᄁᅠᆯㅈ가#($ㄲ!!!!!!!!!!

-?

-?

-?

-(Manager 5): Just got an invitation from the host!

– Huh?

– An invitation?

– Don’t joke around, you sharp-tongued furry!

-(Manager 5): I’m serious, silly!

-(Manager 5): (Photo).jpg

-(Manager 4): ?

– What’s going on?

– A birthday party?

– Wasn’t NoName’s birthday tomorrow?

– Why hasn’t anyone mentioned it!!!

-(Manager 1): Whoa, I just got one too, wow!

-(Manager 2): I didn’t get one; I feel so left out…

– What’s your standard for that?

– No way…?

Na-Me received online invitations from a total of three people.

“Hoyamuyaho,” “Grad Student Save Me,” and “Cat Humping is the Best.”

The commonality was that they were all avid fans of Na-Me’s broadcasts.

[When it happens, I will treat the top contributors to a meal.]

Graduates of the first small awards ceremony held when the Twish community was first established were unable to hide their excitement.

-(Manager 5): Goodbye everyone~~~! I will throw off all the shackles and bonds of this world and set off to find my happiness~~~! Yay, I’m going to see Na-Me!!!

* * *

“Happy birthday to our Na-Me turning eight!”

The dim room suddenly brightened.

Rubbing my eyes, I searched for the bed button to raise myself up.

The voice came from Professor Cheon. It seemed he arrived right at midnight, but unfortunately, Adella was a step ahead in celebrating.

“What’s this? You’re still awake just to wish me a happy birthday?”

“And I told you to turn on the light when using your phone. Your eyes will suffer.”

“Choose between congratulating me and nagging me, please.”

“Hahaha.”

As soon as it hit 10 PM, the professor, who usually goes to bed, seemed unusually persistent in staying up late.

Before I knew it, a pretty strawberry cream cake was on the table, and in his hands was a bear-shaped wrapping that I assumed was my birthday present.

“I wondered what would happen if you brought a sweet potato cake.”

“I know Na-Me’s taste well.”

With Professor Cheon’s suggestion, we moved to a much larger VIP room.

It was a systematically arranged floor with a reception room, kitchen, bedroom, and even a space for medical personnel to stay.

The familiar home-like decor made it hard to believe it was a hospital, easing the burden.

Rather, that aspect made me forget the staggering amount associated with a VIP room.

“Is this a gift?”

“Would you like to open it?”

“What could it be… I think I’m a little excited.”

“You’ll find it will be a gift to your liking.”

With the professor’s confident words, I slowly untied the ribbon with curious eyes.

As the expressions of the bears on the wrapping crumpled, I guessed my expression was likely filled with joy.

The white box had a logo from a brand I knew well right in the center.

[IWC Schaffhausen]

“I thought this would suit Na-Me better than a Rolex or Omega.”

“Wow… But if what’s inside is just a watch, I’d be very disappointed. You know what I mean, right?”

“Hahaha, there’s no way that would happen. Would you like to open it?”

The doctor had instructed me not to engage in strenuous activities for my heart, but in this regard, Professor Cheon’s consideration felt lacking.

With a racing heart, I peeled off the seal and slowly opened the box.

The lid displayed that logo again, emphasizing that it was a luxury item.

I took out the long object, delicately cushioned, holding it with both hands as I pulled it out.

If I had to liken it to an instrument, it was a bit smaller than a flute, approximately the size of a piccolo, glowing with a dazzling silver hue.

“A mana scriber…!”

It’s a high-end product also called a wand. With the luxury label attached, I could only imagine how expensive it must be.

“Would you like to try it?”

For mages, a wand is akin to a clone, simplifying the process of recording spells and optimizing mana infusion.

I couldn’t hide my excitement any longer.

Though I wasn’t well-versed in the specific handling, it shouldn’t be a big issue.

[Cast: Light]

The spell circle of the first circle was automatically drawn.

It was so simple that detailed rune formulas were etched automatically too, leaving me in awe. In terms of convenience, it far surpassed the wand used by Professor Cheon.

The only variable I had to specify was the light intensity.

Moreover, there was no sign of a 0.1% error margin from the optimal mana infusion I had mentally calculated, fueling my curiosity further for this wand.

“What is this called?”

“I call it IWC Reminiscence.”

“Reminiscence? That’s quite an emotional name considering it’s an IWC.”

“How do you like it? It’s not heavy, is it?”

“Yes, I love it… Oh, I should’ve thanked you before receiving a gift. This seems like I’m just pleased with the wand.”

Unable to put down the wand, I hugged Professor Cheon tightly.

“Thank you…”

“I’m glad the gift suits you.”

“I’m grateful you adopted a child like me.”

“…!”

I felt the hand of Professor Cheon, touching my back, tremble slightly.

“I’ve been thinking about it for a while. I believe I’m a truly lucky person. Even if I struggled for 7 years, so what? I will live happily for the next 90 years.”

“……”

The imposing image of the grandfather disappeared, and Professor Cheon now looked at me with eyes full of nostalgia.

“Today marks exactly a year. It’s been a year since I escaped from the capsule. I often think about what would have happened if I hadn’t met you, Professor Cheon.”

He is truly a good person.

He genuinely understood the struggles of a child who had only been in the world for less than a year, akin to a newborn in terms of experience.

“I’ve been realizing frequently lately that there’s hardly anyone as remarkable and simultaneously kind-hearted as you in this world. So, anyhow, what I want to say is… thank you for raising me. Not that I intend to go anywhere, so don’t misunderstand…!”

“Thank you…”

“What for… I’m the one who is more thankful… I mean it.”

A brief silence lingered.

Expressing gratitude felt embarrassingly heartwarming yet delightful.

Neither of us knew what to continue discussing.

Ultimately, I took the initiative to ask again.

“Do you have a specific reason that solidified your decision to adopt me?”

Professor Cheon’s lips repeatedly parted and closed.

He hesitated as if searching for words to say.

Seeing him deep in thought made me swiftly change the subject.

“No, I just asked casually. By the way, what should we do for the birthday party? Should I send an apology text?”

“You can invite them here.”

“Huh? Here?”

I glanced around, looking at what Professor Cheon suggested.

There was no doubt; it was a room larger than our living room.

“Is that really okay?”

“Of course.”

I peeked out through the curtains to look at the first-floor scene outside the hospital.

Though it was the 19th floor, it was hard to see well, but it seemed that outsiders were bustling about.

There were no white patient gowns to be found.

Could they be journalists, or perhaps V-Tubers? Politicians or civic groups might be outside too, since I occasionally heard voices booming through loudspeakers.

“It looks a bit difficult to break through to this extent…”

“I can meet them at the entrance.”

“Ahaha, I see, then I’ll relay that to the kids.”

After chatting a bit more with Professor Cheon, he turned off the lights with a goodnight greeting.

Like the name “Reminiscence,” the past days flashed by like a panorama.

Holding the mana scriber to my chest like a beloved plush toy, I fell into a sweet slumber while faintly hearing the lullaby whispering in my ears.

“I miss you… Mom…”