Chapter 87

The interview ended abruptly due to Arang’s seizure, and the atmosphere took a sharp nosedive.

The problem was that the match between Arang and pro player Kim Gi-hyung wasn’t the end of the tournament—it was just the beginning.

Ucheol was torn about how to feel about the situation. On one hand, the tournament’s attention had skyrocketed to insane levels. The viewer count shot up instantly, breaking records for all previous event tournaments combined. It was almost on par with a Korean national tournament.

*”It feels like I used Arang… A child in pain like that…!”*

Well, he *did* use her. Despite her young age, she had skills better than most adults, the cuteness and charm of a 15-year-old, and her WFK (World First Kill) achievements had made her quite famous in Leore. That’s why she was invited to this event.

Not just Arang, but the beauty of Marsble’s Korean representative and her fellow guild members was sure to draw attention.

But then things took a weird turn.

At first, he thought she was just one of those gloomy girls who were different in real life compared to the virtual world. With the virtual world advancing so much, there were plenty of people like that, and he assumed Arang was one of them.

But Arang wasn’t like that. Her reality was hell itself.

The prosthetic arm and leg she removed to enter the access device, and the seizure-induced accident after the match became the biggest incident in tournament history.

Ucheol quickly assessed the situation, cleaned up for the tournament’s sake, and rushed to the waiting room to check on Arang.

At the entrance, he found Kim Gi-hyung, who had also come to see Arang.

==

The first time he saw Arang was in a video shown by his rival, pro player Jeong Jin.

He was amazed watching a girl who barely looked 15 push Jeong Jin to the brink with her insane physical skills and sense.

He thought that as she grew physically and mentally, she might not just dominate Korea but the global stage as well.

Looking at her recent records, he thought it wouldn’t be long before she appeared in the arena, but that time came sooner than expected.

When he heard that the pro player scheduled for the event had to cancel due to an emergency and was replaced by user Arang, he was thrilled.

He didn’t want to beat a young girl—he wanted to experience the talent she displayed firsthand.

When he first saw the girl who had nearly defeated his rival in real life, he was confused.

Then came pity, followed by irritation.

He knew what provocation was, but that face, that expression, those gestures—it was impossible not to get angry.

Before he knew it, he was seriously fighting the girl.

Facing her, he realized Arang was the real deal. Her physical skills surpassed even world-class players he’d faced on the global stage.

She was fast.

Much faster than in the video he’d seen.

*”Did she grow this much in such a short time…?”*

Her skill chains were so smooth it felt like they were connected seamlessly. The timing, the execution—it was hard to believe even when seeing it right in front of him.

She felt twice as fast as any pro he’d faced before.

But her lack of experience showed. She might be the strongest in PVE, but in PVP, she wasn’t quite there yet.

*”A year? No, a few months and she’ll reach our level.”*

In the final match, it seemed like she had learned something from the previous matches, showing completely different movements. In this short span of time, Arang kept growing.

In the end, she lost by a hair’s breadth, caught off guard by an unexpected attack.

*”What a shame. If I’d taken it seriously from the start, it would’ve been a lot more fun.”*

He went to the virtual world to watch Arang’s interview but was shocked to see her collapsed on the ground.

The situation ended with a woman who seemed to be Arang’s guardian picking her up and disappearing.

Kim Gi-hyung looked at his hands.

*”She was so light…”*

She was so light it was hard to believe she was human.

The girl who had been smiling and exuding fighting spirit just moments ago was now a girl filled with despair.

*”Did I attack this girl…? Did I do this to her…?”*

Emotions he’d never felt before began to surface.

It felt like he’d pushed an innocent person into hell with his own hands.

His hands trembled.

==

When he came to his senses, he found himself in front of Arang’s waiting room with Ucheol, and they entered together.

“Welcome.”

Anna greeted them, and they both bowed their heads.

“”We’re sorry.””

They sincerely apologized for the situation.

Even if they hadn’t intended it, they felt guilty for their actions.

The quiet, bleak waiting room lightened up as Arang woke up.

“Limited 2-person mount… title…”

“Arang…!”

The women who had been worried about Arang’s seizure sighed in relief as she spoke.

==

The second seizure.

It was startling, but no major issues arose.

Probably because Anna unnie had calmed her down well.

I know my condition well, so I know the seizures themselves aren’t a big problem. The memories Arang had sealed away are triggered, and once the emotions settle, the seizure stops.

It’s not painful or anything. When a seizure is about to happen, my mind retreats.

But leaving it like this isn’t good.

I thought about it before falling asleep, but I think I need treatment.

For the sake of my mental health and the people who care about and love me, I need to normalize.

From what I know, mental health issues require a lot of time and effort. But I’m a 15-year-old unemployed beauty!

Plus, I’m staying in Korea’s best hospital with VVIP treatment, so I won’t lack anything in my recovery.

To enjoy gaming with Anna unnie, my guild members, uncles, and everyone else, I need to get healthy.

For Arang and for my fun gaming life.

==

The atmosphere in the waiting room improved after some conversation.

Ucheol uncle and Kim Gi-hyung sighed in relief seeing me talk normally and bowed their heads to apologize.

The real problem is me—this seizure shocked a lot of people in many ways.

I said I was fine and casually brought up the mount and title.

“Hahaha. Don’t worry! I’ll make sure to take care of it. It’ll be sent via coupon through Leore’s admin email.”

“Phew…”

“Arang… sigh.”

The most important issue was resolved first. The unnies sighed, but this was the most important thing to me!

“Kim… Gi-hyung uncle… I’m sorry…”

I apologized to Kim Gi-hyung, who must’ve been shocked. If my opponent suddenly clutched their chest and collapsed during a game, I’d be shocked too.

Especially if it was a cute, pretty girl like me.

Just collapsing would be shocking, but a limbless girl lying on the floor, tears, snot, and drool streaming down her face while convulsing?

“I was surprised. But I’m glad you look okay now.”

“I… was surprised too… I didn’t think you’d be that good… If I’d gone all out from the start…”

I would’ve lost.

I’m still lacking in real combat experience. Top-tier duel experience.

*”I’ll take it slow.”*

It’s not like I’m going to bury myself in the PVP arena. It’s just content to enjoy until next season, and once I hit Challenger, I’ll drop PVP.

“Honestly, I’d like to recruit you, but… it seems tough.”

Pro gamer recruitment? If it were the old me, I’d say yes right away, but now I’m not really interested.

“It’s a hassle…”

“Yeah. Yeah.”

While chatting, Pinkubelly unnie showed me her phone.

“Arang… you should see this.”

“Huh…? Ah…”

What Pinkubelly unnie showed me was the guild chat.

Come to think of it, tomorrow is the guild gathering. Plus, all the guild members knew I was in the tournament and had been cheering me on, watching the live stream.

Especially Baedeokgae and Mara Jjamppong, who sent me gifts in-game and even messaged me privately to cheer me on.

But then I went and chopped off my limbs on live stream, had a seizure, and flopped around like a Magikarp using Splash. No wonder the guild chat exploded.

*”This is a mess. How do I explain this…?”*

The guild chat was blowing up nonstop. Everyone was worried about me.

“First… let’s take a photo and send it to show I’m okay…”

I’d love to strike a gal pose and show a bright side like in Leore, but that’s impossible in real life, so it’s a bit disappointing.

I’d like to do a smile act like my tear act last time… but is there a way?

The tears last time were because of period cramps… so does that mean smiling is possible if I’m happy?

Lots of questions pop up. What is my happiness, and what is Arang’s happiness?

Actually, I think I’m happy now.

Looking around, I see Anna unnie, Pinkubelly unnie, Sunchoo unnie. Beauties I wouldn’t have dared to talk to in the past.

Arang’s wish to play with family, friends, and people like before.

Isn’t everything already achieved? Though Arang seems to want to run around and play in real life, that’s happening in Leore.

I buried my face in Anna unnie’s chest, feeling her warmth and the softness of her chest to the extreme, imagining happiness.

My lips naturally curled up, and I raised my head.