Chapter 81

How can I get permission?

If I had a family and they showed such symptoms, I probably wouldn’t give permission either.

This is really awkward.

If I say that Arang’s seizures and I are separate, and that I don’t feel any pain, discomfort, fear, or terror, it feels like things will get even worse…

“Is all that’s left here just aegyo…?”

They’re really worried about me, but in the end, Anna and the teacher will grant my request. The problem is how hard it’ll be to convince them.

First, I log out of the virtual world.

Anna unnie naturally detaches me from the access device and picks me up in her arms.

Crying is out of the question. If I shed tears with this face, this beauty, I might make someone’s heart ache like Hyeseon unnie last time.

Usually, negotiation is needed in situations like this, but I have no weapons for negotiation. All I have is aegyo.

In other words, cute aegyo is my only bargaining chip.

I don’t think this alone will convince them to let me participate in the offline tournament.

Anna unnie, holding me in her arms, stares at my face with a worried expression.

Her expression and gaze make it clear she has no intention of letting me go. It’s a side of Anna unnie I’ve never seen before.

“Do you really want to go?”

Anna unnie strokes my head.

Her expression as she asks if I want to go doesn’t look good.

Do I really want to participate in the tournament so badly that I’d make my family worry this much? Honestly, no.

Of course, the game is important. I love the game and enjoy it a lot. But I don’t want to get so absorbed in it that I make my family worry.

Her warm touch, affectionate gaze, ample chest—wait, no, not that. Anyway, my family supports and loves me, allowing me to enjoy the game.

I should probably give up on this tournament.

I need to prove that I’m healthy and happy, so that in the future, I can participate in offline tournaments without worrying them.

As I organize my thoughts and prepare to tell Anna unnie that it’s okay if I don’t go to the tournament—

*Mwah.*

Anna unnie kisses my forehead.

“Let’s go.”

“Huh?”

“I’m worried, but keeping Arang locked up in the hospital like this… I realize it’s just my own selfishness. Arang wants to go out, and as her unnie, I can’t stop her.”

Surprisingly, Anna unnie, who had been making a face that suggested she wouldn’t allow it no matter how much I aegyo’d, gave in with a resigned smile.

“Somehow, I felt that if I didn’t allow it this time, Arang might never leave the hospital room…”

Anna unnie carefully touches the amputated part of my arm.

It’s true that as a disabled person, I can’t go out like others.

To go outside, I have to endure a lot of effort and pain.

Because of that, even if I can go out, the stares and the pain make people stay home and wither away.

Thinking about it, I’m in a really good situation.

Born to parents who have amassed some of the world’s greatest wealth, loved by them, and with an unnie who loves me.

…But I didn’t wish for it to be like this.

Right now, I’m outside with Anna unnie and Hyeseon unnie for a meeting about the Leore tournament event.

The problem is the limousine and the black escort vehicles. There are at least 10 bodyguards.

Anyone seeing this would think the president was coming out.

“Arang, did you have fun at the arena?”

Pinkubelly unnie strokes my head as she speaks.

“Yeah! I saw the video of Arang dueling with the famous pro player Jeong Jin!”

Sunchoo unnie leans in with sparkling eyes.

Originally, only Anna unnie and Hyeseon unnie needed to be at this meeting, but Anna unnie called Pinkubelly and Sunchoo unnie, members of the Leore guild, to make me feel less awkward and uncomfortable while going out, and to give me the same sense of security as in Leore.

The effect is definitely there.

It’s reality, but it feels like I’m in Leore. Plus, the limousine is filled with Leore-related stuff, which adds to the feeling.

The difference from Leore is that my limbs are prosthetic, and my physical body in reality is practically non-existent.

“It was fun… but I didn’t expect to lose in the tournament…”

“They didn’t know how strong our Arang is!”

Sunchoo unnie hugs me and shakes me excitedly, but Anna unnie pulls me out of Sunchoo unnie’s arms.

“Huh?”

“Arang is my little sister.”

“Hmph~”

“Hayaan unnie…”

But right now, in this gathering, I like Pinkubelly unnie more. The reason is simple.

She has the biggest chest here!

At my words, Anna unnie looks shocked and hands me over to Pinkubelly unnie.

I confidently rest my head on Pinkubelly unnie’s chest.

She’s not as big as Emma from the Mea’d raid party, but Pinkubelly unnie isn’t your average Korean when it comes to size.

Her chest is superior to most pillows.

“Hehehe.”

Pinkubelly unnie’s laughter echoes from behind, and everyone glares at her.

“Technically… I’ve been with Arang the longest here…!”

She’s right.

Out of 24 hours, I’m only in reality for 2-3 hours, and excluding sleep, I spend about 16 hours in Leore, usually doing quests or dungeons with Pinkubelly unnie.

Especially since we started together from low levels and reached max level together, Pinkubelly unnie feels more like family than a friend.

Sorry, Anna unnie, but I’ve spent more time with Pinkubelly unnie than with you.

That’s probably why Anna unnie is handing over her company duties and starting Leore.

From what I heard last time, she’s almost done with the handover and has bought an access device, so it won’t be long before she starts enjoying Leore.

‘Playing games with family or lovers usually makes relationships worse… especially RPGs…’

==

Ucheol, the manager of the Legacy of Raid tournament team, received word that Arang was almost there and came out of the company to wait at the entrance while using his phone.

“Huh?”

Ucheol, who had been reading posts related to Leore, was startled by the sight of a massive convoy of vehicles.

“What, what’s this? Is there some event nearby? Wow, a limousine. Huh?”

As the vehicles naturally started entering the company premises, Ucheol quickly tried to recall if there was any event at the company today, but there wasn’t.

The vehicles lined up in front of him, and people in expensive-looking suits stepped out.

‘Bodyguards…?’

The bodyguards opened the door of the most expensive-looking limousine, and women stepped out.

In the center was a girl in a wheelchair who caught Ucheol’s eye.

‘Arang the user…?’

Having watched the WFK achievement video and arena videos multiple times, Ucheol immediately recognized Arang, even though her vibe was different.

‘The difference between her in Leore and in reality is stark. Is she the type who flies around in the virtual world?’

“Arang-nim, welcome. Let me introduce myself again. I’m Ucheol, the manager of the Legacy of Raid tournament team.”

Having experienced countless things to reach the tournament management team, Ucheol quickly assessed the situation, composed himself, and bowed as politely as possible.

“Hello…”

“Nice to meet y—gasp!?”

Ucheol, who had bowed, looked up and saw Anna, and his composure shattered.

“I, I, Ian-na CEO!? Wha, what are you doing here, how?”

Only then did Ucheol realize that Arang and Anna shared the same last name, and he quickly pieced together that they were related.

‘Arang the user is Ian-na CEO’s little sister!?’

“L, let’s all follow me, please!”

==

“Ahem… so… this part is done like this—”

Ucheol explained everything about the Leore tournament event and event-style matches as clearly and thoroughly as possible, leaving nothing out.

“So the mount… if I don’t get it this time, I can’t get it, right…?”

“Yes. Mounts, titles, and pets are all season-limited.”

‘Thank goodness. I didn’t think Arang the user would be so interested in these things.’

“Arang, you want to do it, right?”

“Yeah… I really want to… I really want that 2-person mount…”

“Got it. Thank you, Ucheol-nim, for explaining so kindly.”

“N, no! It was my honor to be able to explain.”

==

“Ugh…”

Ucheol, who had perfectly escorted them out, plopped down on the lobby floor.

He had thought he’d just be meeting a young girl and one of her parents for a simple meeting, but things had gone completely differently than expected.

Arang the user in Leore was mischievous, cute, and had overwhelming physical abilities that left everyone in awe.

But in reality, Arang the user seemed gloomy. Like a student sitting in the back of the class, not talking to anyone, keeping to herself.

And the most important thing was…

‘Who would’ve thought the guardian of Arang the user would be the CEO of the Korean branch!?’

He almost threw up the lunch he had eaten before the meeting.

It’s a miracle his mental state isn’t completely shaken.

If he had made even one mistake, who knows what the consequences would’ve been.

Even though the Korean branch CEO has different power dynamics compared to the headquarters, she’s still family with the headquarters CEO.

‘That was close… my heart hurts… but I succeeded. And this tournament… it’s going to be the best one yet.’

Ucheol jumped up and clenched his fist.

With Arang the user’s popularity, the Korean branch CEO of Mars, and two women who look like celebrities…

Ucheol, wearing the brightest smile, headed off to explain the meeting details to his team.

‘They definitely said they’d all come. That means the viewership is going to be huge! As long as nothing weird happens… I’m getting promoted!’

As long as nothing weird happens, that is.