Chapter 126: Chapter 126

The recording time itself didn’t seem to last more than a few minutes.

Yet somehow, it felt like a long, extended moment.

As soon as we finished and stepped out, Ryeohee burst out excitedly.

“Insane, insane, insane! Is this a talent or what?”

She grabbed my hand without warning, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

She looked just like an overjoyed child, though I was the one looking up due to the height difference.

It felt a bit unfair.

If only I had grown just a little taller, it wouldn’t be so annoying that everyone I met seemed taller than me.

“Da-eun, would you be up for a real, full recording with me next time? I could bring a truly fitting scenario for you…”

“No way. I’m already dying of embarrassment right now.”

“You say that, but you did really well once you got started. Anyway, I’ll edit this and send it over. Could you give me your email address? And your phone number?”

“Yes, just a moment.”

After exchanging contact details with Ryeohee, we parted ways.

It seemed like she wanted to keep in touch with me.

She even suggested having tea together after the recording session.

Naturally, it wasn’t a bad idea for me either.

Connections like these are always mutually beneficial in the long run.

Still, I declined, since I had another appointment lined up.

Unfortunately, I had to promise Ryeohee we’d catch up next time.

Anyway, I’d achieved what I came here for.

In the end, I chose the same microphone model that Elderin uses.

After testing several, I realized it was easiest to go with something familiar.

“Now we’re just left with picking up the outfit, right?”

“Yes. I’ve let them know I’m coming today.”

“Good. Since you put so much thought into it, you should see it yourself. I’m sure it came out great.”

The last task of the day was… picking up the cosplay outfit I’d ordered.

Though I could have had it delivered to my home, this time, I really wanted to put in the extra effort.

I planned to meticulously check every detail, no matter the time or cost.

This was why I’d asked for Elderin’s help.@@novelbin@@

I didn’t know much about clothing myself.

From selecting the fabric to the finishing touches, I relied on Elderin quite a bit.

Though, in exchange, I did incur a bit of a cost.

Now that I’d started establishing myself as a streamer, nothing came free.

They hadn’t asked for money, but somehow, that only made me feel more anxious.

“When will you reveal the outfit once you get it?”

“Hmm, maybe in three days? Or, if things go well… tomorrow?”

“Tomorrow already?”

“They’re in a hurry. Ha, honestly, I’m a bit disappointed. If I’d had more time, I would have hit Rank 1 and then unveiled it.”

Fortunately, the outfit turned out flawless.

Two days later, I stood before the camera in full cosplay.

[Posted by: Korea is League 7]

[Title: I told you, this sh*t league is hopeless]

[Posted by: Anonymous (256.141)]

[Title: How long are we supposed to keep putting up with this?]

[Posted by: Anonymous (352.253)]

[Title: At this point, they don’t even care about winning]

[Likes: 1,086]

They’ve been whining about the weak Korean assassins for years, and yet nothing has changed.

They’re just as stubborn and don’t know when to back down.

So what exactly have you been doing all this time?

Did you at least try to nurture young talent with a decent youth system?

Did you spend big bucks to compete for top SSS-grade players?

Did you even manage to lose in a way that people would say, “That was a tough fight…”?

No, you just got completely trashed.

And what about the foreign mercenaries you said you’d bring in this year?

We lost Phantom, Hero, even Polaris, yet what does Q Prime do as soon as the restrictions were lifted?

[Attached Image: An elder being spoon-fed]

Letting go of an ace and bringing in an old geezer, lmao.

Damn idiots, I’ll be dead and buried before you ever win anything.

I don’t even care anymore. Don’t bother buying mercenaries; just break up the team and give the players an allowance.

Or no, screw it; you don’t even deserve that. Just leave already.

I think I’ll root for a European team now.

[Posted by: Anonymous (291.911)]

[Title: Just latch onto Ga-wol’s leg and beg]

You suck at getting assassins.

There’s no one you can buy, and you can’t compete financially.

You didn’t even get a promising rookie assassin.

So please, just beg Ga-wol to join, cry if you have to.

If that doesn’t work, strip him, take a photo, and blackmail him.

[Comments]

“Only hope for Korea in crisis: Call him Master Ga-wol.”

“Right on, show some respect!”

“You think Ga-wol is your friend?”

“If you take a photo, mind sharing?”

This wasn’t something I’d planned from the start.

On the day I landed on cosplay in the penalty roulette, I sincerely considered a variety of characters.

Initially, I tried picking a character with a simple outfit, then gradually expanded my choices.

I hardly knew any characters.

Magical girls, maids, kunoichi, witches, uniforms, succubi…

I must have looked at every popular character out there at least once.

For any that seemed appealing, I even tried looking up their backstories. But you can’t force affection overnight.

I know not every cosplayer is deeply invested in their characters.

But this, to me, was a commitment to my viewers.

Choosing any random character felt half-hearted—I couldn’t bring myself to do it.

So maybe, in a way, the choice was already made.

“Ga-wol! We’re ready for you!”

The character I knew best and could genuinely feel for.

If I had to embody someone in real life, how could I leave him out?

If anyone expected something different, my apologies… my body had moved before I even realized my decision.

Silvery hair, just like in the game, slipped into my line of sight.

There were no shadows trailing at the edge of my cloak, but it billowed with each step I took.

In the mirror, I saw myself reflected as “Ga-wol,” just like in the game.

The dagger… felt a bit lighter than the one I handled in-game.

I almost spun it out of habit but stopped—its balance was off, and I felt I might drop it.

Deciding it was better not to hold it, I tucked it carefully at my waist.

“Would you like a hand up to the stage?”

“I’m fine. I want to go alone.”

This was a path I wanted to take alone.

It wouldn’t have meant as much if I’d relied on anyone’s help.

Compared to everything I’d walked through until now, this was hardly difficult.

With my walking stick, I ascended to the stage.

Bright lights shone between each slow step.

Using the stick was tricky.

Unlike crutches, it couldn’t bear my weight, so my left arm was under heavy strain.

Naturally, every step took more energy than usual.

But the Ga-wol I knew would never lean on crutches.

At least in front of the camera, I had to stand on my own two feet.

“It’s fine. This much isn’t that hard.”

My breath grew heavy.

Despite the air conditioning, heat collected within my cloak.

But not a single thought of complaint crossed my mind.

If anything, my heart beat harder than ever.

Something I thought had died on April 26th came alive within me again.

“Just for this moment, Da-eun has caught up to Ga-wol.”

Ga-wol was still faster, and Da-eun was slower.

The distance he would have reached in an instant…

Just standing on stage wore me out, so I clung to the display behind me for support.

And yet, I’d come this far.

I, Han Da-eun, was standing at the starting line.

Turning around, I spotted the cameras hidden between the bright lights.

An anxious staff member hurried over.

“Let me adjust your cloak.”

“Yes, thank you.”

This time, I had no reason to decline.

The cloak was adjusted to better hide the walking stick.

The rumpled clothes were tidied, and my stance grew a bit steadier.

The display I leaned against bore the Sigma logo.

The signature green of the medical field. The emblem I’d once admired while watching Luche.

And beneath it.

Five letters that brought a smile to my face.

GAWOL

Sigma eSports member.

Main class: Assassin. Sub-class: Swordmaster.

Nickname: Ga-wol.

As of today, I officially become a pro-gamer.

It’s ironic that it’s thanks to the game company bowing to public opinion, but once this video goes up, there’s no going back.

Not that I want to.

Did I smirk as I looked at the main camera?

The cameraman smiled approvingly.

“Perfect expression, posture. We’ll begin filming right away!”

I knew it for sure.

Right now, I’m shining brighter than anyone.

[A new video has been uploaded.]