Chapter 88

EP.88 The Depressed Saint's Counseling

『Game Over.

You have once again proven yourself to be a great hero by leading the battle to victory.

As a result, the emblem of the hero, which was hidden deep within the dungeon, willingly resides with you.

By obtaining two more emblems, you can advance to a higher level.

I wish you another victory!』

This message appeared right after I won the match, where I had been paired with a bald giant who had been glaring at the saint as if he were about to shoot lasers from his eyes.

I was sitting in front of the computer, breathing heavily even though I hadn't moved a single step.

After several deep breaths, I finally managed to calm down.

The bald warrior and our team, as well as the audience, had been saying some incredibly lewd things to me, and I had just smashed all their heads in.

I had been smashing heads for quite a while, to the point where the enemy team even tried to calm me down.

Of course, I had lost my mind due to embarrassment and was just instinctively smashing the keyboard, so their attempts to persuade me didn't reach me at all.

The scene of madness where I, a crazy woman, smashed the skulls of both allies and enemies with my mace, while wearing a tight and revealing priestess outfit, could be summarized as such for this game.

“...”

Well, we won, so it's fine.

Except for the fact that the team kill count easily exceeded ten, I didn't do anything wrong.

Unlike usual, I didn't press the button to match for the next game.

I exited the match window and returned to the main waiting screen.

Perhaps sensing that this was my last action before ending the broadcast,

the chat window turned into a sea of hooks.

[?]

[??]

[???????]

[Not doing it anymore?]

[Why suddenly?]

[No way, are you quitting here?]

[You have to finish the promotion match ㄷㄷㄷㄷㄷㄷㄷㄷ]

[Why are you stopping at this moment??????]

After typing just three letters, "I'm going," I ended the broadcast without hesitation.

It was a bit earlier than my usual broadcast end time, but my throat was sore, and I felt exhausted, as if I might catch a cold if I continued.

In such a situation, it's best not to push myself and just go to sleep.

Ding.

『You have unread messages.』

As I was about to lie down on the bed, the notification sound and the appearance of the message made me sit back down in the chair.

Who could it be at this hour?

...But, it wasn't unexpected.

There was one person who always filled my inbox with "I love you" messages.

“...”

Sure enough, my inbox was filled with over a hundred messages.

Sent by a player with the nickname "WitchRebecca."

I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you...

The screen was filled with these declarations of love, and I let out a sigh of exasperation.

I suddenly wondered,

What am I to this person that they would act like this?

As I stared blankly at the friend list, the nickname I had registered earlier caught my eye.

She was online and not in a match.

I hesitated for a moment before sending her a private message.

[Saint: Excuse me]

[WitchRebecca: I love you]

Why is she so quick to reply?

Even if she had been waiting for my message, she wouldn't have been this fast.

Feeling too lazy to think further,

I bluntly asked her the question.

[Saint: Why do you keep saying that?]

[WitchRebecca: Keep?]

[Saint: That you love me]

She says she loves me even though I haven't done anything for her.

It's not that I feel bad, but it's just strange.

In contrast to her unexpectedly quick first reply,

this time her response was unexpectedly slow.

I was a bit taken aback, thinking she would just say something like, "I just love you."

It seemed like she was seriously thinking about it.

Perhaps my question was too broad, so I added more context.

[Saint: Just, you know]

[Saint: You were just following me from behind without saying anything]

[Saint: But suddenly, you started sending these messages...]

That was my question.

There must be a reason why someone who used to just follow me silently started sending these love messages, but I didn't know what it was, which was a bit frustrating.

The silence lasted longer than expected.

Is this really something to think about for so long?

I was about to say it was fine if she didn't want to talk about it,

but she suddenly started sending messages quickly.

[WitchRebecca: My brother]

[WitchRebecca: saw you]

[WitchRebecca: and]

[WitchRebecca: .]

Then, the green light indicating her online status turned off.

She had logged out.

What, like she was embarrassed or something.

Considering how she had been sending such embarrassing messages, even if it was online and visible to others, I thought it was a cute reaction.

But why did she stop talking?

What, what?

Why did her attitude suddenly change?

And a brother? What brother?

If it was just a matter of recognizing me in the game, it wouldn't have caused such a fuss. It must be a real-life story.

Did someone I had smiled at on the street recognize me?

Is this person's brother one of them?

There's no way to identify the real me with the online me.

Ah, except for my appearance.

I look exactly the same in-game as the saint, so it's not a stretch to assume it's the same person.

But when? Where?

I've been going out more lately, so I can't pinpoint exactly when it happened.

Feeling frustrated over something trivial, I gave up on trying to figure it out.

“...”

I opened the window to cool my heated head and looked outside.

The night had fallen early due to winter, and a bright blue moon hung in the sky.

Perhaps it was the chilliness conveyed by the pale moon,

or the sudden cooling after being so excited,

I suddenly felt sentimental.

What.

Everyone has changed so much.

The category of "everyone" included the connections I made online today.

The berserker, the tank, and WitchRebecca weren't originally like this.

It's not that I'm disappointed by their changes, but the fact that they have changed is a bit...

If someone asked what's a bit off, I wouldn't have an answer.

But it feels like their changes are because of me, even though I haven't done anything wrong, it just...

Anyway, my mood plummeted.

Sometimes I feel like this.

In fact, it's often nothing, and even though I realize it's nothing, I sometimes feel depressed.

This was one of those times.

I stared blankly at the sky, lost in pointless and depressing thoughts.

I must have been like that for an hour or two.

If it weren't for the sudden ding of another notification,

[WorldBest: ㅎㅇ]

“...”

What, suddenly.

[Saint: What do you mean, suddenly?]

[WorldBest: Can't even say hello?]

[Saint: I'm feeling depressed today]

[WorldBest: Are you on your period?]

[Saint: No!]

[Saint: That's sexual harassment!]

[WorldBest: Hmm]

[WorldBest: Then what is it?]

[Saint: Just feeling depressed]

[WorldBest: .]

I could see him struggling with my whining,

which gave me a strange sense of satisfaction.

[WorldBest: Something must have happened]

[Saint: Not really?]

[WorldBest: You want me to guess why you're feeling depressed?]

“Eek.”

Surprised.

As I always think, this person is really bold.

He could probably make a fortune if he set up a fortune-telling stall somewhere.

I was about to send a chat saying I was bluffing,

but his reply was even faster.

[WorldBest: I said your thoughts are obvious]

[WorldBest: And it's clear you're digging yourself into a hole with pointless thoughts]

[Saint: ㄷㄷ]

[WorldBest: But I don't know exactly what those pointless thoughts are]

[Saint: I thought you knew everything]

[WorldBest: There's no hint]

[WorldBest: I don't have the ability to read minds]

[Saint: You don't?]

[WorldBest: Of course not;]

I thought he had that kind of ability.

But, looking at his words, he really didn't, did he?

It's not like that's possible, right?

While I was having this absurd thought,

his messages continued.

[WorldBest: So, tell me once]

[Saint: Huh]

[Saint: Why are you so humble?]

[WorldBest: I thought you'd be sulking for a few days if I acted like this today]

You know me too well.

Conversely, I don't know you well enough, which is the problem.

[Saint: .]

[Saint: You're being unusually kind today?]

[Saint: Even for something that doesn't concern you]

I stopped typing my fingers.

Isn't my problem something that doesn't concern you?

But, why did he sound so aggressive?

I was about to cut off the conversation, but he responded after a short pause.

[WorldBest: Why doesn't it concern me?]

[Saint: Why not?]

[WorldBest: Of course it does]

[WorldBest: I need to know to comfort you]

[Saint: Wow]

[Saint: I feel tingly all over]

[Saint: I might turn into a squid]

[WorldBest: You're dead]

[Saint: (crying emoji)]

Even though I said it felt tingly, I couldn't deny that my heart, which had been stiff, had melted.

So, I decided to confide in him.

[Saint: Well]

[WorldBest: ㅇㅇ]

[Saint: I was, you know, tormenting the audience a lot]

[WorldBest: Tormenting?]

[Saint: Sexual harassment and all]

[WorldBest: Ah ㅇㅇ]

[Saint: And this weird person keeps sending me really uncomfortable messages]

[WorldBest: ㅇㅇ]

[Saint: So I'm feeling depressed]

[WorldBest: ?]

[Saint: I've told you everything, so comfort me quickly]

[WorldBest: ??]

[Saint: Why are you using question marks?]

[WorldBest: Is that your real problem?]

[Saint: Why?]

[WorldBest: If that's all, you wouldn't be depressed]

I wouldn't be depressed just because of that.

If I asked why, I wouldn't have an answer.

But, I felt like he was right.

I didn't really know why I was feeling depressed.

The silence lasted longer than expected.

Is this really something to think about for so long?

I was about to say it was fine if he didn't want to talk about it,

but he suddenly started sending messages quickly.

[WorldBest: My brother]

[WorldBest: saw you]

[WorldBest: and]

[WorldBest: .]

Then, the green light indicating her online status turned off.

He had logged out.

What, like he was embarrassed or something.

Considering how he had been sending such embarrassing messages, even if it was online and visible to others, I thought it was a cute reaction.

But why did he stop talking?

What, what?

Why did his attitude suddenly change?

And a brother? What brother?

If it was just a matter of recognizing me in the game, it wouldn't have caused such a fuss. It must be a real-life story.

Did someone I had smiled at on the street recognize me?

Is this person's brother one of them?

There's no way to identify the real me with the online me.

Ah, except for my appearance.

I look exactly the same in-game as the saint, so it's not a stretch to assume it's the same person.

But when? Where?

I've been going out more lately, so I can't pinpoint exactly when it happened.

Feeling frustrated over something trivial, I gave up on trying to figure it out.

“...”

I opened the window to cool my heated head and looked outside.

The night had fallen early due to winter, and a bright blue moon hung in the sky.

Perhaps it was the chilliness conveyed by the pale moon,

or the sudden cooling after being so excited,

I suddenly felt sentimental.

What.

Everyone has changed so much.

The category of "everyone" included the connections I made online today.

The berserker, the tank, and WitchRebecca weren't originally like this.

It's not that I'm disappointed by their changes, but the fact that they have changed is a bit...

If someone asked what's a bit off, I wouldn't have an answer.

But, I felt like their changes are because of me, even though I haven't done anything wrong, it just...

Anyway, my mood plummeted.

Sometimes I feel like this.

In fact, it's often nothing, and even though I realize it's nothing, I sometimes feel depressed.

This was one of those times.

I stared blankly at the sky, lost in pointless and depressing thoughts.

I must have been like that for an hour or two.

If it weren't for the sudden ding of another notification,

[WorldBest: ㅎㅇ]

“...”

What, suddenly.

[Saint: What do you mean, suddenly?]

[WorldBest: Can't even say hello?]

[Saint: I'm feeling depressed today]

[WorldBest: Are you on your period?]

[Saint: No!]

[Saint: That's sexual harassment!]

[WorldBest: Hmm]

[WorldBest: Then what is it?]

[Saint: Just feeling depressed]

[WorldBest: .]

I could see him struggling with my whining,

which gave me a strange sense of satisfaction.

[WorldBest: Something must have happened]

[Saint: Not really?]

[WorldBest: You want me to guess why you're feeling depressed?]

“Eek.”

Surprised.

As I always think, this person is really bold.

He could probably make a fortune if he set up a fortune-telling stall somewhere.

I was about to send a chat saying I was bluffing,

but his reply was even faster.

[WorldBest: I said your thoughts are obvious]

[WorldBest: And it's clear you're digging yourself into a hole with pointless thoughts]

[Saint: ㄷㄷ]

[WorldBest: But I don't know exactly what those pointless thoughts are]

[Saint: I thought you knew everything]

[WorldBest: There's no hint]

[WorldBest: I don't have the ability to read minds]

[Saint: You don't?]

[WorldBest: Of course not;]

I thought he had that kind of ability.

But, looking at his words, he really didn't, did he?

It's not like that's possible, right?

While I was having this absurd thought,

his messages continued.

[WorldBest: So, tell me once]

[Saint: Huh]

[Saint: Why are you so humble?]

[WorldBest: I thought you'd be sulking for a few days if I acted like this today]

You know me too well.

Conversely, I don't know you well enough, which is the problem.

[Saint: .]

[Saint: You're being unusually kind today?]

[Saint: Even for something that doesn't concern you]

I stopped typing my fingers.

Isn't my problem something that doesn't concern you?

But, why did he sound so aggressive?

I was about to cut off the conversation, but he responded after a short pause.

[WorldBest: Why doesn't it concern me?]

[Saint: Why not?]

[WorldBest: Of course it does]

[WorldBest: I need to know to comfort you]

[Saint: Wow]

[Saint: I feel tingly all over]

[Saint: I might turn into a squid]

[WorldBest: You're dead]

[Saint: (crying emoji)]

Even though I said it felt tingly, I couldn't deny that my heart, which had been stiff, had melted.

So, I decided to confide in him.

[Saint: People have changed too much]

[WorldBest: Changed?]

[Saint: Everyone]

[Saint: Honestly, I don't know]

[Saint: I don't know why I'm feeling depressed]

[Saint: They've changed, and that's it]

[WorldBest: From what I see]

[WorldBest: You've changed the most]

[Saint: That's true]

[Saint: And that's the problem]

[WorldBest: Tough]

Indeed, even for him, this seemed to be a difficult problem.

I had expected a response like, "Just go to sleep and you'll feel better in the morning," but sensing his struggle, I was honestly surprised.

What's with this tsundere guy?

[WorldBest: Maybe you should find something that hasn't changed]

[Saint: Huh?]

[WorldBest: What do you think?]

[WorldBest: Me?]

[Saint: You're consistent]

[WorldBest: Then it's fine, right?]

[Saint: What's fine?]

[WorldBest: Anyway, it's fine]

[Saint: It's not fine for me???]

[WorldBest: Then keep looking]

[WorldBest: If you find one or two people]

[WorldBest: Especially someone who has both changed and remained the same]

[WorldBest: You might think the changes are good]

[Saint: Is there such a person?]

[WorldBest: How should I know?]

[Saint: ;;]

[WorldBest: Your problem was weird to begin with]

[Saint: Yeah]

[WorldBest: Then gg]

It was a confusing counseling session.

Yeah, honestly, I don't know.

Thinking about it more would just give me a headache,

so maybe I'll just go to sleep this time.

When I wake up, it might all seem like nothing.

Ding.

“...”

Who is it now?

[GoldenSun: Hey~ I found you~]

[GoldenSun: Master]

[GoldenSun: Let's do that thing]

[GoldenSun: (I'm not saying it because you're in a promotion match, I just want to play, really)]

Right,

there's this person.

This person is still as perverted as before,

but they have definitely changed, for the better, I think?

Looking at this, maybe Solomon was right, changes can be good...

[GoldenSun: Master, hurry up]

[GoldenSun: It's time to show the orange guys your discipline]

[GoldenSun: I've even come up with a plan]

[GoldenSun: It's called the "Master's Boobs to Attract Attention, Then Knuckle Punch" plan!]

[GoldenSun: While everyone is distracted by Master's big and luscious...]

[Saint: Ugh]

[Saint: If you don't quiet down, I'll smash your head]

[GoldenSun: Smash!]

Good...

Right...?

Author's Note (Author's Postscript)

Thank you, Kawatori, for the 100 coins.

Finally arrived!

The recommendations have finally reached a new milestone. Thank you to everyone who has been supporting me... (I really mean it, don't forget to recommend)

If I keep writing, the day will pass. I'll try to come a bit earlier tomorrow ㅠㅅㅠ

Thank you for reading, and I'll be back tonight!