Chapter 74

We swept the group stage. With a victory in the deciding match for first place, we advanced to the tournament.

The team we faced in the deciding match was Rozon’s “Invincible Rampaging Potato.”

The journey of “Invincible Rampaging Potato” was quite eventful.

Since three teams had one win and two losses, a rematch was held, and thanks to that, Rozon fought fiercely to secure second place in the group and earn a spot in the deciding match.

Maybe because the process was so entertaining. Not only did the viewership spike, but we also streamed while waiting for our opponents.

Rozon, who had garnered so much attention and made it to the deciding match, ultimately suffered a crushing defeat against us.

It made the intense previous match seem meaningless.

Viewers blamed Rozon’s loss on his sudden decision to pick a melee DPS instead of sticking to his usual ranged DPS, but I had a different opinion.

Originally, *Eternal World* was a game where the favored team had an overwhelming advantage, and the underdog was at a severe disadvantage.

For the underdog to win, they had to take risks and make bold moves.

In fact, Rozon’s gamble almost paid off.

If the gap in the city hadn’t widened, we could have contested the tier 3 objective timing and turned the teamfight around.

It seems the mysterious high-level player’s teachings paid off.

Originally, his understanding of melee DPS was nonexistent, but to grow this much?

I’ll stop here for now.

Swoosh. Data scrolls across the monitor. It was information about our next opponent in the tournament.

Hmm.

Hmm hmm.

Hmm hmm hmm?

As I diligently analyzed our next opponent for the round of 16, I slowly turned my head.

A delicious smell wafted through the air.

I got up and headed straight to the kitchen.

In the kitchen, a certain beast was eating army stew.

I calmly asked,

“Beast-nim. Why are you eating army stew?”

“…Today’s a rest day for the tournament.”

“The tournament is tomorrow, and if you eat something so stimulating today, the dopamine receptors we worked so hard to stabilize will go haywire. You can’t do this.”

I confiscated the army stew the beast had ordered and emptied it down the drain.

Then, I made them eat oatmeal, chicken breast, and Greek yogurt with me.

“…Can I at least watch MTube?”

“Of course not. When did you even take out your smartphone? Put it back in the box.”

“…Hmph.”

What’s with the “hmph”?

Do you think you’re cute or something?

Still, staying cooped up at home was stressful in its own way.

Practicing right before the tournament wouldn’t make much of a difference anyway. A day is too short for a person to change.

Right now, managing our condition was more beneficial.

Ah. Except for Choco Full Bread. That one was still practicing character control at this very moment.

But not Beast-nim.

This beast was better off resting quietly for the tournament.

Hmm.

“Should we go hiking?”

“Unnie. You sounded just like the team manager.”

“…Hiking?”

If hiking wasn’t appealing, a walk would do.

Either way, getting some sunlight to produce vitamin D, serotonin, cortisol, and “healthy” dopamine was better than staying indoors.

…Managing this is really exhausting.

I don’t know if I’ll participate in another tournament, but next time, I’m definitely joining the balance-breaking super cheat team.

“Unnie. Anything but hiking?”

“Any physical activity is fine.”

“Then, how about we go to the swimming pool? There’s one nearby.”

Suddenly, Bunny Run’s voice perked up.

She must really like swimming.

But no.

I shook my head and replied,

“No.”

“Why?”

“If we go to the pool now, the emotional impact of winning first place in the tournament, me creating a game, and then traveling to Okinawa, Japan, with the team to shout ‘It’s the sea!’ while showing off bikinis will be diluted.”

Bunny Run seemed convinced by my thoughtful explanation.

“What on earth are you talking about, unnie?”

Or maybe not. Was she serious?

It’s not that important.

“We already did the ‘It’s the sea!’ thing in the East Sea, so no more compromises. Hold off on swimming.”

“I still don’t understand you sometimes, unnie.”

“Don’t worry. Most people don’t.”

“…Um.”

Chae Crung cautiously raised her hand during our conversation.

I turned my head and asked in a friendly tone,

“What is it?”

“…Do we really have to move around?”

“Technically, getting sunlight is the main point. Moving around is a bonus. Going to the library to read a book is a no-go.”

“…Hmph.”

I knew it.

Are you Satan’s kin?

Trying to freeload at the library, huh?

I glanced at Bunny Run and Chae Nalmeok and opened my mouth.

“Any other suggestions?”

“…Then, how about we visit the university?”

“Korea University is famous for having boring festivals. Is the campus any different?”

“…Actually, I have a book to return.”

Well, then, there’s no choice.

I headed to Korea University with Bunny Run and Chae Elite.

In Bunny Run’s German luxury sedan.

When I saw the iconic “ㅎ”-shaped main gate structure of Korea University, my head nodded on its own.

They say if someone asks about the future of the nation, look up at Gwanak. Indeed.

As expected of a university attended by the best talents, the “ㅎ” of wisdom was embedded in the main gate.

“…Sorry. I forgot the book I needed to return.”

“Bunny Run-nim. U-turn, please.”

And so, we went back home and then returned to Korea University.

For some reason, the “ㅎ” on the main gate now looked like a blurry “ㅎ.”

Someone must have swapped it out in the meantime.

“Unnie.”

Bunny Run put a hat and sunglasses on my head and face. It was a routine whenever we went out together.

I adjusted my sunglasses and spoke to Chae Crazy Beast.

“What book did you borrow?”

“…’The Philosophy of Social Media.'”

“Are you in the philosophy department?”

“…I’m in the economics department.”

If it were the philosophy department, I’d tell them to drop out and focus on streaming, but the economics department was different.

If you’re in Korea University’s economics department, you’ll probably land a good job. Even if it’s a humanities field.

“But why is someone from Korea University’s economics department doing broadcasting?”

“…You’re only asking that now?”

“There were too many shocking things, so I missed the timing.”

Specifically, Iron’s teamfight skills and the beast-like abilities that drive people insane made me miss the timing.

Chaenarin hesitated and finally spoke up.

“…I’ve been watching VTubers for a long time.”

“Oh?”

“But a few months ago, while watching Kirinuki, I found someone really fun. I thought, ‘I want to be like that,’ and that’s how I started streaming.”

“It’s pretty common to start something out of admiration. So, who was it?”

“…Suddenly, it looked so fun to just turn on a stream in someone else’s house and go crazy using their avatar.”

Wait, she turned on a stream in someone else’s house and even went crazy using their avatar?

“Wow. I don’t know who it is, but they’re definitely not sane.”

“That’s you, unnie.”

Bunny Run responded with a dumbfounded voice.

What?

“I’ve never done anything crazy like that.”

“Unnie. Have some conscience.”

“This is unfair.”

Anyway.

This Chaedolseongbureunsaeparantteokip kid. Was she a Han Yoorim fan?

No wonder. Her Yoorim transformation control has improved so much it’s suspicious. If she chose a good role model, it makes sense.

I proudly puffed out my chest and declared.

“If you have any questions, feel free to ask anytime.”

“…After meeting Yoorim unnie in person, those thoughts kind of disappeared.”

“I see.”

We headed to the university library.

It was supposed to be vacation, but I was surprised by how many people were there.

“…A lot of people are taking summer classes, and some are staying in the dorms.”

“Don’t they have to move out during vacation?”

“…If you pay extra, you can stay. A lot of people do that. It’s convenient for using the library.”

I didn’t fully understand, but if that’s how it is for university students, then so be it.

As we entered the library, the cold air conditioning breeze hit us.

So refreshing.

We returned the books quickly, but we didn’t leave the library right away.

Honestly, the AC was too comfortable.

I rested my chin on my hand and looked at Chaenarin.

She was carefully considering which book to borrow next.

Right. No smartphones, no internet. Plus, daily exercise and a diet of oats and chicken breast. Borrowing a book should be fine.

As long as I don’t read it, it’s okay.

It might seem pointless, but it’s a kind of frugality. Borrowing books gives the illusion of having read them.

Chaenarin’s dopamine had to be protected.

“Unnie.”

Bunny Run whispered. I answered with my chin still resting on my hand.

“Go ahead.”

“This makes us look just like college students.”

We are college students, after all. Outside, we’re treated as such, so it’s nothing new—.

“Definitely. Yoorim noona and Bunny Run noona. Even as freshmen, you’d fit right in.”

“?”

Suddenly, someone joined the conversation, and I turned around.

The voice was familiar from streams, but the face was unfamiliar since I’d never seen them in real life.

What’s this now?

Under my gaze, the man, Choco Full Bread, smiled brightly and explained.

“I came to return some books and saw Yoorim noona, so I came to say hi.”

“This is our first time meeting in real life. Plus, I was wearing sunglasses. What if I had mistaken you for someone else?”

Even if my avatar is based on my real appearance, jumping into a conversation with such confidence after only knowing me through my avatar?

Are all university students like this?

This isn’t normal.

“Unnie, you’re one to talk.”

“As I always say, I’m a very sensible person.”

“Ahem.”

A cough was heard.

Who’s that now?

Turning around again, a woman who had coughed smiled and spoke.

“Hello?”

“Hello.”

It was the librarian.

Quiet in the library, please.

Common sense, everyone. Please follow it.

Or else you’ll get kicked out like us.

I stretched.

People really should get outside more.

“Perfect timing. I was just about to go photosynthesize.”

“…Yoorim unnie. I haven’t picked a book yet.”

“Pick it later.”

At my words, Chaesimurook shook her head, then asked.

“…So, Yoorim unnie. Who’s this frog-like clumsy guy?”

“Yoorim noona. Who’s this gloomy-looking girl with concentration issues?”

“Both of you already know who the other is, so stop with the roundabout talk.”

Just to clarify, Full Bread doesn’t look like a frog. If anything, he resembles the male lead from the movie <The Slaughterer>. He’s quite handsome.

He’s nothing like Kim In-ho, who looks more like a supporting actor playing a murderer.

And Chaenarin isn’t gloomy; she’s more of a literary girl.

Modern literary girls all have a bright, beautiful girl style, and Chaenarin, being part of the MZ generation, follows the latest trends well.

Full Bread gave Chaenarin a suspicious look and asked.

“Yoorim noona. So, is Chaenarin’s practice going well?”

“I’m managing her thoroughly, so it’s fine. How about your practice, Full Bread?”

“Bbangbbang hyung said it feels like his kid got married, and it made him tear up.”

“Bbangbbang has always been emotional.”

Interpreting Bbangbbang’s reaction, it meant Full Bread had grown enough to be touching, but…

Even though he’s a former world championship runner-up, Bbangbbang is originally a support player. He’s easily swayed by emotions, so his evaluations aren’t very reliable.

This won’t do.

“Choco Full Bread.”

“Yes.”

“If you have nothing to do, come with me. Since we’ve met in real life, it’s a good chance to do a thorough check-up.”

“Got it!”