[TS] Malicious Sniper

The moment Nayun Queen’s sniping began, Curry’s attitude toward me changed drastically.

Before, they were like a long-haired cat wary of humans, but now they resembled a curious puppy.

“What do you think about the Diamond 1 tier, Barcode-nim?”

“As Curry usually says, it’s a hellish place.”

“Ugh… our chairman has a keen eye. This tier is genuinely hell. Quite literally.”

Despite never engaging in any private conversations related to the broadcast, Curry was now relaxed enough to chat with me about simple topics.

It was clear that, to them, I was no longer just Nayun Queen.

That said, they wouldn’t show any openings either.

If I manage to keep hiding it until the perfect moment, when I finally unveil my secret…

What kind of reaction would Curry have upon learning the truth?

I was curious, and for the sake of future enjoyment, I chose to quench my immediate thirst.

“Ah, what a shame, I lost.”

“That’s unfortunate. Well, I didn’t even get to the top this round.”

“Sudden bluntness is a bit painful for my heart…”

“Doesn’t seem to affect you in any way, right?”

“…Maybe because you’re the chairman, you know me too well.”

Although I lost in the fourth promotion match, Curry didn’t seem that upset at all.

In fact, they seemed comfortable enough to tease me a bit.

The problem was that losing that last round put us in a win-lose pattern.

At this rate, I felt like I’d rack up three straight losses and plummet down.

“Are we really going to reach the Grand Master this time? Don’t you think, everyone?”

“Gotta win the last promotion match, right? Focus!”

“Oh, yes.”

Curry, who was all hyped up, cooled down and concentrated on the game.

It was an important match with Master on the line, where even a slight mistake could determine our future.

In that situation, Curry approached the promotion match with a serious attitude that was different from before.

As a result, we managed to steer the tide of this game smoothly, and I couldn’t help but reveal the smile I was hiding.

If Curry hits Master, I would officially start the teasing.

First, I’d lure them in with the bait of ‘Master,’ then I’d strike once they take a bite.

Teasing around in the Diamond tier would only worsen how Curry treats me.

Everything I had advised earlier was just expressions of affection.

[Victory]

“Ahhh!!! Master achieved!!!”

Curry leaped up from their seat, half-screaming upon achieving Master.

It didn’t feel like a streamer’s showy reaction; they genuinely looked thrilled.

Well, it wasn’t surprising considering their rank and score had plummeted since the preseason.

They had every right to be that excited.

“Um… Ahem!”

When Curry caught my gaze while standing, they cleared their throat and sat down.

Their avoidance made it seem like they were shy.

What’s with the shyness when their usual reactions are even more over-the-top?

“Congratulations on reaching Master.”

“Haha… It’s all thanks to you, Barcode-nim.”

“Barcode-nim?”

“…Do I really have to maintain that concept?”

“I’m just joking.”

But it wasn’t a joke.

Such a pity.

“Shall we grab dinner soon? Celebrating Curry’s Master achievement.”

“Oh, it is dinner time already. But… there’s nothing to eat in my place… What to do?”

“Let’s order in. I like takeout.”

“Hmm… I eat takeout quite often too.”

As Curry pondered on what takeout to order, I leaned in closer.

Getting near their ear, I slowly opened my mouth.

“How about chicken? I’m really craving some chicken and beer.”

“Eh? But…”

Maybe due to the previous fanmeeting incident…

Curry reacted negatively to my suggestion of drinking.

[What’s that?]

[Why am I the only one left out?]

[The couple has just ditched 40,000 people.]

[See? This is why couples are problematic.]

[So what’s going on, Curry?]

[Ah haha, I caught on.]

[Just looking at Curry’s expression says it all.]

[So what’s this about? You cheeky rascals ㅡㅡ]

[Looks like someone is trying to act like they know something.]

Checking the chat, I saw the reactions I had intended popping up.

Curry wore an expression that said, ‘Should I say this or not?’ while glancing back and forth between me and the viewers.

“Ah, it’s nothing. I just asked if chicken and beer might be good…”

[Asking to drink isn’t nothing…?]

[To insiders, it’s nothing though ㅇㅇ…]

[It’s weirder that Barcode isn’t an insider.]

[For real ㅋㅋ]

[That’s just… so cute!]

[Curry PTSD flashing? ㅋㅋㅋㅋ]

[Living together drinking show? This one’s rare…]

As the viewers caught onto the whisper, chat filled up with anticipation for a drinking show.

With the expectation of a drinking stream already formed, Curry had only one choice left.

“Sigh… what brand of chicken do you like?”

“I like any, so you decide, Curry-nim.”

“Understood…”

Although their voice sounded like they had a lot of complaints, I didn’t mind.

The justification of a drinking stream for the Master achievement was sufficient.

Moreover, Curry loved chicken and beer to the extent that they sang about it regularly.

So even if they pretended to dislike it outwardly, they might secretly enjoy it.

Well, if they didn’t like it, that would be fine too.

“Ah, there’s probably no alcohol at home…”

“Shall I go buy some?”

“How can I send a guest on an errand? I’ll be back quickly.”

Curry stepped out to buy the drinks immediately.

Due to their prompt action, I didn’t even have time to wish them a safe trip.

Left alone in Curry’s house, I carefully surveyed my surroundings.

Since I was about to do something mischievous, I thought Curry could be hiding somewhere and pretending to leave.

Fortunately, I didn’t sense any particular presence, and reassured no one was home, I turned my head away.

“Curry-nim, you really aren’t cautious, are you? What were you trusting to leave me alone? Hehe…”

[d:d:d:d:]

[What are you planning?]

[Does this stream now belong to me?]

[Is it possible that everything was an act?]

[It’s practically true that Curry’s stream is Barcode’s, right? ㅇㅇ]

Moving to Curry’s spot, I switched the broadcast screen to the waiting display.

I couldn’t help but hear the viewers’ outcries ringing in my ears, but I ignored them.

Searching for the folders that a guy should have, I looked for an array of new names.

Blue Jay, Cuckoo, Goose, Owl…

But the manly folder didn’t show up.

I didn’t give up and looked further, but only broadcast-related files popped up.

Just when I thought of giving up…

[Malicious Sniping]

One folder caught my eye with a striking title.

I found my cursor drawn to the folder as if it had a life of its own.

Double-clicking the folder icon…

[Malicious Sniping List.txt]

Inside the folder was just one text file, and its title didn’t seem right.

Should I check this? My curiosity was already taking over.

I opened the text file and started checking the top contents.

The text file held brief information about various snipers.

Every name was familiar to someone like me who had undergone persistent sniping requests.

Some crossed lines and learned their lesson, and there were even those who bothered Curry along with me.

Any info on me? Scrolling down, I sought out my details.

======

[Nayun Queen/Nayun Prince/Nayun Princess]

Main tier – High rank Grand Master

Active hours – Broadcast hours

– Has been sniping madly for years but never crossed the line

– Occasionally disappears, but it’s not on a fixed schedule

– Same individual as streamer Barcode, only lacking decisive proof

======

“Ugh…”

After confirming the information about Nayun Queen, I checked the last modified date of the text file.

The last modified date was December 15, 2020.

It had been edited once after the Platform Tournament and hadn’t been touched since.

So, it meant that Curry must have figured out my secret during or before the Platform Tournament.

Since I noticed that Curry had figured out my secret, it wasn’t all that strange.

I never hid the suspicion that Barcode and Nayun Queen were the same person.

After staring at the text file for a while, a thought suddenly hit me.

Could I use this file to torment Curry?

If so, how could I torment them?

While I was concocting these ideas, the sound of the door lock came from a distance.

Tap tap tap-

Footsteps got closer, and shortly after, the door opened.

Curry entered with a black plastic bag filled with alcohol.

“Barcode-nim! You’re not supposed to touch the broadcast screen…”

Curry, who initially tried to say more, froze in place.

Their gaze was fixed on the monitor screen, where the ‘Malicious Sniping.txt’ file was displayed.

I could have easily closed the file the moment I heard the door lock click, but I chose not to.

I instinctively knew that I could use this situation to have even more fun at Curry’s expense.

“…”

“…”

Curry stood still, mouth shut, and I also maintained silence.

A heavy silence fell in the room.

*

Having bought soju and beer from a nearby convenience store, Curry returned to the apartment.

Waiting for the elevator, they checked the broadcast, noting that the screen was set back to the waiting display.

It was proof that Barcode had touched the computer, making them wonder if there was a file that shouldn’t be seen.

Just as that familiar thought came to mind, they remembered they couldn’t let her know about that file at any cost.

Becoming impatient, Curry entered the arriving elevator and pressed the button.

What usually felt like a brief elevator ride now stretched like an eternity.

“Please don’t let Barcode see ‘that’ file…”

Curry silently prayed, wishing more than ever as they hastily entered the password.

They hurriedly opened the door and stepped inside.

“Barcode-nim! You really shouldn’t touch the broadcast screen…”

The intended recipient was certainly Barcode, but Curry’s gaze stayed fixed on the screen.

If it had been a normal day, they would have quickly shifted their gaze back to Barcode, but they couldn’t force themselves to look away.

Because the familiar text file and its contents represented the very ‘worst situation’ that Curry had feared.

“…”

“…”

They could do nothing but keep their mouths shut.

Their mind went blank, leaving no thoughts at all.

It felt as if their brain had shut down, as if they had turned into a fool.

The weight of the silence increased, tightening around their throat.

For a moment, they wondered if they would suffocate mentally.

Just at that moment, Barcode opened his mouth.

“You came back early? I thought it would take you longer.”

“Ah, yes.”

Usually, Curry would have followed up on their response with extra details out of consideration for the broadcast.

But now, even answering felt like a monumental task.

“What are you standing there for? Come on, sit down.”

“…Yes, understood.”

With the mindset of a criminal, Curry sank down beside Barcode.

Didn’t they grant forgiveness? They glanced at Barcode but only met chilling, lifeless eyes in return.

The streamer who had supported and cheered for them since the beginning…

Turns out, they thought they were a notorious malicious sniper!

Curry couldn’t even fathom what Barcode’s feelings were at this moment.

Was the sense of betrayal they had felt during the fan meeting overshadowed by this new level of betrayal?

Realizing it was almost as if they had betrayed their longtime chairman, guilt began to seep down their spine.

“Curry-nim.”

Barcode had inched closer and spoke softly to Curry.

In a voice too quiet to be captured by the mic.

“Since we are broadcasting now… let’s talk later.”

The final opportunity to listen resonated clearly, even if it was softly spoken, shining like a beam of light in the dark.

Amidst despair, Curry caught a glimpse of hope in this dire situation.

The thought that they might have a chance to remedy their irreversible mistake flickered in their mind, along with gratitude towards Barcode for providing that opportunity.

“Thank you for giving me a chance.”

“Don’t misunderstand.”

In that instant, Curry held their breath.

Barcode’s next words came like a blow.

“I’m still not forgiving you, Curry-nim, and I’m not done being mad.”

With those words, Curry shrank down like a wronged child.

Yet, because of that, they missed the change in Barcode’s expression.

Beneath the mask of their angry facade lay a teasing smile just waiting to emerge.

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