I Have a Reason to Hate Streamers

The place where I was supposed to meet Luce was quite familiar to me, actually.

My daily life radius is pretty narrow.

Even when I was a Kendo player, I wasn’t one to wander around, but after my legs fell apart, it became even narrower.

These days, I go back and forth between home and the hospital. Other than that, I go to the convenience store once in a while—nothing much more to it.

So, when I say “familiar place,” there aren’t many options to choose from.

In this case, it was within the premises of Sigma Medical Group. In other words, it’s the hospital I often visited.

I usually went to the rehabilitation center, and this was in front of the main entrance, but still.

By the time I arrived, two women were already waiting in front of an elegant car.

I wasn’t particularly late, they must have arrived ahead of time.

Naturally, one of them was Luce. The other one, I assumed, was Camelian.

“Thank you for coming! This is Camelian. And this is…”

“It’s Gawol. You seem to already recognize me. Oh, my real name is Han Da-eun.”

“Camelian. Shin Eun-chae. I apologize for before.”

Camelian, whom I saw for the first time, had a much cleaner impression than I expected.

Unlike the fierce and menacing look she had in the game, in reality, she looked like an exemplary student.

Seeing her fidgeting while looking at my legs, it seemed that she wasn’t a bad person after all.

There was a sense of curiosity and confusion in her wavering eyes.

Maybe she was wondering how I could move with legs like mine.

Surprisingly, rather than asking questions, actions came first.

Shin Eun-chae bent at a 90-degree angle with an attitude that clearly conveyed politeness.

To be honest, it didn’t feel all that delightful.

After staring for a moment, I couldn’t hold back a sigh that escaped.

“It’s fine. I vented a bit back then too. There’s no point in getting mad now.”

“I’ll be careful next time.”

“Try to fix your back first.”

Was I really that unkind of a person?

Seeing them bowing so low, it made me feel burdened instead.

Only after I straightened my back did Camelian show some relief.

Right. I got my apology, so that’s that.

It wasn’t like I was that noble either.

Speaking of which, I kept sensing Luce’s eyes on me.

Well, for whatever reason, I also lied to Luce.

The day I was on Elderin’s broadcast.

I told Luce that I was nurturing a Fire Mage.

Then, on the same day, I revealed my face as Han Da-eun Ga-wol.

When Luce found out, she must have been quite baffled.

“I’m sorry too. I tricked you while playing the game. I had no bad intentions. So, the reason I did that was…”

“I understand. I know what it feels like. I went through something similar.”

Ah, I see.

This is why I liked Luce.

Because she had also gone through tough times like me.

She understood how an ailing body feels like a kind of sin.

Thanks to that, my mind felt at ease.

“Shall we get in the car? It feels a bit awkward just standing here. Let’s go grab something to drink.”

*

Sigma Medical Group is a globally influential medical foundation.

Its authority can proudly claim to be the best even domestically.

Honestly, for me, there was nowhere else to treat my legs or undergo rehabilitation training.

We arrived at a café on the third floor or so after just a few minutes in Luce’s car.

As soon as I got off, subtle gazes were directed at us.

It would be a lie to say it wasn’t because of my or Luce’s appearances.

But most of those gazes had been on us even before we got out of the car.

More accurately, they were on Luce’s car.

“It’s not something you see every day.”

Luce has a lot of money, after all.

Elderin’s car wasn’t a cheap model, but Luce’s was in a different league.

It wasn’t just a matter of “making a good amount of money.”

Subtly, from the way she behaved, she emitted a certain elegance.

Just as I couldn’t easily hide my impoverished heart.

“What would you like to drink?”

Luce chose cold brew.

Camelian opted for an Americano, and I went for a milkshake.

Since my body changed, I particularly enjoyed sweet things.

When I ate, it felt like my head sparkled—ding!

It oddly heightened my tension, and I found myself searching for one whenever I got the chance.

While waiting for our drinks at the table, Luce spoke first.

She looked slightly troubled.

“Can I ask why you stopped gaming, Da-eun?”

“Ah… that’s…”

So this topic was coming up.

I had been prepared for this.

I too had something I hoped for, which was why I made this trip.

However, I wasn’t ready for the words that followed.

“I have a guess. Did I ever mention what I intended to do before I became a pro gamer?”

Gawol started sharing a brief story.

Looking back, it was a simple cause and effect.

Elderin, who earns a tremendous income as a streamer.

Luce, with even more wealth—far beyond that of Elderin.

Is Luce’s affluence solely dependent on her pro gamer salary?

Before becoming a pro gamer, she used to be into horseback riding, which is a sport that also requires a lot of money.

“I was originally supposed to become a researcher in the virtual reality field. But after the riding accident, I couldn’t continue my studies anymore.”

“Hmm.”

“The fact that I started gaming after the accident must have played a part as well.”

Sigma e-Sports is Luce’s team.

This is something many people already know.

But the reality was a bit different.

Sigma started as a company in the USA, but Sigma e-Sports belongs to the Korean League.

The timing of its inception and Luce’s entry into the Pro League isn’t very different at all.

Lastly, Luce had been volunteering at Sigma for quite some time.

As for Sigma as a medical foundation?

To put it accurately, the entire Korean branch is backed by someone named Lee Ga-yoon.

To be more specific, you could say she is the only daughter of the branch manager.

“Recently, we received a request from a game company. The details involve analyzing logins and verifying usage records. It’s quite rare to find someone who has expertise in VR devices while also being capable of validating pro gamer-level movements.”

The bell signaling our drinks was bzzz- ringing.

Camelian got up naturally.

“Sigma has a solid foothold in the virtual device sector. Reviewing the stability of connection devices carries legal credibility. Despite that, there are definitely areas where private influence cannot reach.”

“…”

“I know all this. That’s why I came with Eun-chae. I’m concerned that I might be prying into your wounds, Da-eun. I’m sorry for finding out without your permission. It wasn’t intentional.”

I felt a bit scared.

My secret, which I wanted to hide, could leak out in this manner.

However, maybe this is a good thing.

*

Camelian came back with our drinks.

She stirred the white shake gently with a thick straw.

In the meantime, I sorted out my thoughts.

It’s impossible for my legs to heal overnight.

Likewise, using a normal connection device to move as I used to isn’t feasible either.

However, formally protesting and fighting against the game company… it’s difficult, but it’s possible.

“… You’re right. It’s not that I stopped gaming, I can’t do it anymore. I had been using a brainwave connection device, but I was blocked due to stability issues. They say it’s fine to use other connection devices.”

“Is that so? Stability issues were beyond my capability to address. I needed to provide only the facts, you see.”

“I understand that much.”

I’m not completely ignorant of society.

It could turn into a legal conflict between companies, so it must have been managed fairly.

I didn’t intend to push my luck here.

However, with the response just now, I was certain.

My judgment was correct.

Luce was someone who could be my most reliable support right now.

Gawol asked.

“Do you want to continue playing the game?”

“Yes. That’s why I came.”

A straightforward answer. It wasn’t a matter that required deliberation.

Likewise, when I wanted help, I didn’t hesitate.

“Help me. I don’t want to end it like this. I don’t want to lose Gawol like this.”

I want to reclaim the paradise I lost.

I want to return to where I can run on my own two legs.

Just once, I want to get back what was taken from me.

I have always lost, and each time I’ve been trampled by the world.

So, isn’t it okay to wriggle just once?

Even if it’s ugly and pathetic.

If I were to be rejected here, I was prepared to grab Luce’s ankle and cling on.

As long as I wasn’t beaten to a pulp, I didn’t plan to let go.

“Do you have a method in mind?”

“Yes, I do.”

Game companies are not invincible.

In fantasy novels that dealt with VR games, companies were often portrayed as extralegal entities, but that’s not how it works in reality.

They are social entities just like everyone else.

That means I also need to fight within the realm of society.

It’ll be a long and arduous battle, but there is a chance.

After sharing the plans I had laid out—Luce expressed her thoughts.

“It’s a direct approach. Straightforward and principled. It’s going to take a very long time. There’s no guarantee that Da-eun’s skills will hold up until then.”

“… I’m prepared.”

“But doesn’t it mean you could avoid going all the way to court? You’re still innocent, Da-eun. There are more loopholes in the law than you think. Surprisingly, principle-led people are skilled at using shortcuts.”

I know well.

As long as you don’t break the rules, right?

With a smile, Luce took something out from her bag.

There was a contract on a white sheet of paper.

“Shall we sign this first? No turning back.”

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