Hobbyist VTuber

VR (Virtual Reality).

As the name suggests, it’s a technology that allows you to experience a virtual reality as if it were real.

VR games, utilizing VR technology, offer an even greater sense of realism compared to regular games.

It feels like you’ve actually stepped into the world of the game—that’s what VR gaming is all about.

“Is it because it’s expensive? The performance is definitely good…”

Ha-eun, who had just logged into the famous VR game <Beat Saber>, felt an immersion beyond what she had imagined.

Thanks to purchasing a high-quality VR device, she was reaping the benefits.

The VR visuals and sound were all smooth without any lag.

Because of this, she could truly feel the virtual reality.

However, due to a recent donation message from Da-yeon about a VR horror game…

– VR horror games are another level of fun.

– Looking now, there’s no horror game on the roulette.

– Chairman, you’re bold.

– Look at the avatar’s pupils shaking lol.

She belatedly realized that VR’s excellent realism could work in a different, terrifying way.

“…Why are you doing this to me?”

She genuinely resented Da-yeon on the other side of the screen.

The thought that the virtual world before her eyes could turn into a haunted mansion with monsters jumping out made her shiver.

A horror game played with VR’s ultra-realistic visuals and sound?

She was certain she might faint during the play.

“It’s definitely going to be a broadcast accident.”

But she couldn’t say anything directly to ekdus7.

Because showing fear of VR horror games would only backfire.

So, for now, she had no choice but to pretend not to see Da-yeon’s donation message.

There was no point in mentioning the existence of VR horror games anyway.

That’s why, not long after, she immediately started playing Beat Saber.

“Hmm, which song should I pick?”

– Instead of Beat Saber, how about a horror game (message deleted).

– Let’s go with Angel’s Thesis, Dia.

– Awaken, let’s go.

– When are you going to install avatar mode?

– Renada seems fun too.

– Will you do it with 3D avatars later??

Beat Saber is what you’d call a rhythm game.

Blocks called notes fly towards you in sync with the song you choose, and you slash them with swords in both hands to score points.

Honestly, it looked fun.

Especially the part where you slash blocks with swords to score points seemed interesting.

“It’s been a while since I held a sword.”

Maybe it was because of the memory of wielding a sword like it was part of her body during the filming of <Moonlight Divided by Clouds>.

Even though the music hadn’t started yet, her hands moved on their own.

In an instant, it was Yeong-wol’s sword dance.

The laser swords in both hands drew smooth curves, floating in the air for a moment.

– Oh lol.

– What was that just now?

– The posture is coming out.

– The frames are so smooth.

Just like that, the chat speed briefly increased due to the unexpectedly smooth movements.

-Slice.

♪──♪

♪──♪

♪──♪──♪──♪

Finally, with the beat sounds, the scenery of Beat Saber’s map also began to change gradually.

Soon, a steep cliff landscape unfolded.

With wind effects appearing around, it looked like a scene from a martial arts comic.

The bamboo forests on both sides of the cliff also had quite an impact.

Just like that, whoosh.

The sword in Ha-eun’s right hand was briefly raised towards the front.

At the same time, she recited a famous swordsman’s line.

“Ah, this cool and heavy sensation. It’s been a while!”

– LOL.

– No, lol.

– Sword Master (1st generation).

– Dia, you watched that comic too.

After that, the blocks Ha-eun had to slash started flying towards her.

After cleanly slashing the first block, she moved very flashily.

What followed were countless sword strikes.

The swords in Ha-eun’s hands swept through like a fierce storm, slashing the colorful blocks.

– So flashy.

– Look at the show-off lol.

– Why are you so good?

– Isn’t this your first time??

– Dual-wielding form is insane.

Just like that, from top to bottom.

Sometimes from the side straight to the upper right.

Other times, from a diagonal gradually turning into a curve in an irregular form.

“Hinokami Kagura—! …Slash super fast!”

– You know Demon Slayer.

– What’s with the ‘slash super fast’?

– You buffered for a moment because you couldn’t remember the breathing technique name lol.

– The sword speed is more like an Oni than the Demon Slayer Corps.

She slashed and slashed the various colored blocks flying from afar.

Thanks to deliberately swinging the swords flamboyantly, the Noeul fans’ reactions were generally positive.

Finally, the last block appeared.

She adjusted her stance slightly towards the red LED block flying towards Ha-eun.

-Slice.

The sword tip briefly pointed towards the ground.

In contrast, Dia’s avatar was staring straight ahead.

“Kaminari no Kokyuu, Ichi no Kata—.”

– What?

– LOL.

– What’s Kaminari, you weeb (message deleted).

– Baby’s excited lol.

“—Hekireki Issen!!”

-Whoosh!

With the sound of cutting through the wind, the last block split into two pieces and shattered.

Unsurprisingly, the chat was flooded with ‘LOL.’

Shortly after, the final score window that appeared in the center of the broadcast screen was an A.

Dia’s high-pitched voice, full of pride.

“Those Noeul fans who don’t listen, I’ll slash you all with my sword~. Behave~.”

– Gasp.

– Suddenly disciplining the Noeul fans.

– Now let’s go play a horror game (message deleted).

– Can’t I say something like a damn spirit XX?

– Always beating up the Noeul fans whenever there’s a chance.

The Beat Saber broadcast ended about an hour later.

It was because she subconsciously realized that playing Beat Saber had some exercise effect.

“Then, haa. See you later~. Bye, this…!”

– Diva.

– Ah, today was fulfilling.

– Look at her panting.

– Bye.

Just like that, slightly out of breath, beep.

She ended both Beat Saber and the broadcast simultaneously.

However, as usual, she couldn’t leave the broadcast booth immediately after ending the broadcast.

Because the VR horror game donation message from Da-yeon a few hours ago was still lingering in Ha-eun’s mind.

“…She’s definitely going to make me play a horror game.”

If she didn’t prepare at all, she was sure to go through all kinds of hardships.

She couldn’t just wait for the day Dia’s free pass would be used.

So, she finally accessed the VR horror game community.

She started looking through various popular posts to find out which VR horror game was the scariest.

“First, exclude the 19+ ones. Also, exclude the ones that are a bit too much for broadcasting…”

After a long time of searching for a VR horror game that Da-yeon might request Dia to play, she finally found a zombie apocalypse genre game and completed the purchase.

After taking a deep breath…

“…Let’s just get a feel for it today.”

Just like that, swish.

The VR headset on the broadcast desk was placed back on Ha-eun’s head.

Soon, she was faced with a bizarre menu screen.

The background music was also spine-chilling.

𓂃𓂃𓂃♪𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃

“…Ugh…”

But since she had to get used to it somehow, she spent several days solely on VR horror game training.

Of course, the time she spent trembling after hastily taking off the VR headset was several times longer than the time she spent wearing it.

She even had to cover her mouth to prevent Na-yeon or Seong-yun from hearing her screams.

There was only one thing Ha-eun hadn’t considered.

[ DiaDiah ]

[ Online 🟢 ]

“Huh? Dia’s in a game?”

– ?

– Really.

– What are you doing off-stream??

– If you’re going to play games, you should stream it.

For those who had Dia’s ID and were friends with her, they could see what game she was playing.

Yuna, who was conducting a general game broadcast as usual, tried to call Dia for that reason.

However, the call with Dia didn’t last long.

The reason was that Dia’s mental state was literally in tatters.

[ …The funny thing is, it’s fun. It’s fun but…scary.]

“Uh, yeah. Hang in there, Dia.”

She also asked not to reveal the name of the game Dia was currently playing.

To Yuna’s viewers, she just said it was a game Dia wanted to play privately.

“People keep saying to stream, but how can someone keep streaming all the time? Sometimes Dia needs to play games alone and relieve stress.”

– Stress?

– Her voice sounded like she was about to cry.

– Are you sure it’s stress relief? LOL.

– The Noeul fans are freezing to death again today..

While Yuna was putting up a strong defense for Dia’s off-stream game play, Ha-eun, who had pushed the limits of VR horror game play, took off the VR headset and repeatedly washed her face.

The resentment towards Da-yeon was still vivid.

Of course, she would use Dia’s free pass for pure fun without any malice.

“…Just wait.”

She firmly resolved not to let Da-yeon off easily for making her suffer like this.

If Da-yeon really becomes a second-generation member of Hwansanghyang, she decided to assert all kinds of seniority as a proper senior.

That’s why she prepared a few secret accounts that no one knew about.

Just like Da-yeon, who hid behind the nickname ekdus7 and tormented Dia one-sidedly, Ha-eun also planned to hide behind various anonymous nicknames to fluster Da-yeon.

***

Time passed, and it was already mid-February.

The preparations for the live stage of Hwansanghyang 1st generation’s group song『Illusion』and the recruitment process for Hwansanghyang 2nd generation were gradually coming to an end.

However, it wasn’t just Hwansanghyang-related matters that were nearing their end.

｢The sunlight that day was light yet heavy, and the long shadows clung to my ankles until the end.｣

“How is it? The teaser came out well, right?”

Director Kwon Jae-hyup asked for Ha-eun’s thoughts on the finally completed <The Sunshine> teaser.

Ha-eun nodded and replied that it seemed like a good teaser.

The long journey of <The Sunshine> was also gradually coming to an end.

Strictly speaking, the latter part of the filming wasn’t finished yet, but the core parts were almost complete.

‘…Let’s do our best until the end.’

Having been deeply impressed by <The Sunshine>, Ha-eun wanted to do her best until the very end.

That’s why she slowly started to get into the mood for the filming that would start in an hour.

However, because the worries related to Da-yeon still lingered in Ha-eun’s subconscious, she was worried about how long she could hide Dia’s red pill.

“Alright, get ready. …Action!”

-Step.

｢…Tell me. Who on earth are you?｣

Kim Jung-hyun’s secret militia activities were questioned by Hwang Tae-seong, making her flinch.

Just like Ha-eun and Da-yeon, Kim Jung-hyun and Hwang Tae-seong had also been friends for a long time.

The expression she faced was also incredibly complex, making Ha-eun feel slightly troubled.

The feeling of having your secret identity discovered by your closest friend was complicated in many ways.