Chapter 56: Why do you only give Nox?

‘Thankfully, it doesn’t seem like she’s seriously ill.’

Victory, also known as Jeon Woo-seung, watched his friend, who had now established a company, set fixed streaming hours, and fully transitioned into a professional streamer.

The streaming schedule that Jeon Jeon-seol had promised was Wednesday to Sunday, from 4 PM to 8 PM.

If she were truly unwell, there was no way she could commit to such a regular schedule.

‘But isn’t it a bit short?’

Four hours a day, five days a week, totaling 20 hours per week.

Even without comparing it to his own schedule—where he played for over 10 hours a day, six days a week, with additional practice on top of that—

It was still only half of what an average full-time worker puts in, who works eight hours a day, five days a week, totaling 40 hours.

Compared to other full-time streamers, many of whom stream six to eight hours a day, five to six days a week, it was significantly shorter.

‘Maybe she really isn’t in good health.’

She had never explicitly mentioned her health, but a person’s actions often spoke louder than words.

There had to be a reason why she earned the nickname ‘Byung-ga-cheong’—a short form for ‘Sickly, Delicate, and Pure.’

She was labeled sickly because she had been hospitalized in the middle of her Challenger speedrun.

Delicate because the only part of her body that had been shown—her hands—were so small and delicate.

And pure because of her articulate speech and clear, beautiful voice.

Even though the abbreviation sounded strange, it was an eerily fitting nickname.

“Are you watching your girlfriend’s stream again?”

“Hyung, stop saying stuff that’ll cause misunderstandings.”

“She’s a girl, and she’s your friend. That makes her your girlfriend.”

“Come on, stop with the wordplay.”

His teammate, Sellen Choi Joo-an, had approached him.

The schedules of professional gamers were generally similar.

Waking up around noon, eating lunch, and practicing in scrims from 1 PM to 4 PM.

From 4 PM to 7 PM, a break that included dinner.

Then scrims resumed from 7 PM to 11 PM.

From 11 PM to 4 AM, time for another meal, self-practice, or personal streaming.

With only one rest day per week, it was a grueling schedule that only those in their late teens or early twenties—the peak of physical health—could endure.

The reason professional gamers had such short careers was often attributed to this very schedule.

But that wasn’t what mattered now.

What mattered was that Jeon Jeon-seol’s streaming time was perfectly aligned with pro players’ break time.

Her stream was from 4 PM to 8 PM.

And their break was from 4 PM to 7 PM.

Victory was using his break time to watch Jeon Jeon-seol’s stream.

And his teammate had caught him, teasing him about it.

‘If only she were just another guy, things would be easier.’

It was frustrating. So frustrating.

Why did the world make such a big deal out of men and women being close?

It was absurd to even call them close.

They had been close three years ago.

Back then, they had spent countless hours together in-game.

Now, things were awkward.

Because the world never left a close relationship between a man and a woman alone.

Especially when one of them was a superstar under constant scrutiny.

And even more so because Jeon Jeon-seol had already drawn a clear line.

If she were just another guy, they could exchange numbers, grab meals together, talk about games, and stay friends.

But because she was a girl, he couldn’t even ask for her number, let alone meet up.

It was frustrating.

‘At least we can meet in-game.’

Jeon Jeon-seol had finally stepped onto that stage.

The true arena where the best of Teamfight Arena gathered.

The Challenger rank.

Now, they could meet again in the game.

Their first match ended with Victory losing, but that didn’t matter.

They had always won and lost against each other in endless battles.

It was just a happy reunion.

‘As long as she doesn’t disappear again.’

Jeon Jeon-seol—formerly known as Legender—had vanished one day without a word.

Victory had felt a massive sense of loss.

When he found her again after three years, he was ecstatic.

He could compete against her again.

Even though he was a superstar aware of his status, he had worked to clear her name simply because she was important to him.

His only true rival.

But because she was a girl, because of the public’s scrutiny, and because of her own cautious distance, he couldn’t get any closer.

It was driving him insane.

All he wanted was to play games together.

For now, it was fine.

But what if she disappeared again?

He didn’t think he could bear it.

If she vanished without a word, he’d be furious.

‘Legender.’

The reason he wanted to know who she was in real life was because he was afraid she’d disappear again.

But he couldn’t get any closer, because if he did, it felt like she really would vanish.

His chest felt suffocated, but there was no one he could talk to about it.

A major event had arrived.

The release of the Magical Girls Chronicle movie.

Magical Girls Chronicle is NOT a dead franchise!

They were still releasing movies!

It moved all of America to tears! A masterpiece!

Normally, he hated leaving the house.

But this was no normal occasion.

Not watching the Magical Girls Chronicle movie in theaters would be a crime.

Venus, I love you!

He went out at dawn to watch the first screening.

Then he had breakfast and watched the second screening.

After heading home for a nap, he came back out for a third screening.

You think I’m crazy?

No. This is love.

“Argh!”

Damn it.

Did they not shuffle the photo cards!?

Of course, watching the movie three times in one day was out of love for the series.

But one of the reasons was also the movie’s bonus photo card giveaways.

Seven types, handed out randomly.

‘Why did I only get three Nox cards!?’

Did they seriously not shuffle these!?

The probability of getting a Nox card was supposed to be 1 in 7.

Getting three in a row? That was a 1 in 343 chance!

There was no way I just happened to hit that odds.

It made way more sense that the theater was just handing out the same card in order.

Were they just giving out the Nox batch without mixing them properly!?

Unbelievable!

I can’t hold this in any longer!

I decided to go to the ticket booth and complain.

If they say it’s given out randomly, then it should be truly random!

Only giving out Nox cards is a crime!

Don’t ignore the serious concerns of an otaku!

“Excuse me, I watched the first screening at dawn, the second in the morning, and now I’m here for the third one, but I’ve only gotten Nox cards each time. You didn’t mix them properly, did you? If it’s supposed to be a random distribution, then it has to be shuffled!”

“Dear customer, we assure you that the distribution process has been thoroughly checked to ensure fairness.”

“You really mixed them properly?”

“Yes, that is correct, customer.”

“Then why did I only get Nox cards three times in a row?”

A 1 in 343 chance.

Not impossible, but extremely unlikely.

A suspicious number.

“Um, would you like to trade with my Venus card?”

Just then, a fellow audience member who had been observing my argument with the staff spoke up.

‘Venus!’

Here it is, the Venus I was looking for!

“Yes!”

I turned to face the person.

Wait.

Why does this face look familiar?

Even with a mask on, their eyes and voice seemed strangely recognizable.

‘Victory!?’

What the hell is he doing here? Oh, right, this is the Magical Girls Chronicle movie!

I knew he’d be here to watch it!

No, wait! That’s not the problem!

What if he recognizes me?!

‘I’ve heard that voices sound quite different through a microphone compared to in real life.’

But my expensive microphone delivers my voice almost exactly as it is.

Shouldn’t have bought such a high-end one…

‘I need to change my voice.’

Self-imposed voice modulation: ON.

“Here, let’s trade.”

“…?”

Crap!

I suddenly changed my voice, and now he looks even more suspicious of me!

Good thing I’m wearing a mask and sunglasses!

If he saw my insane beauty, things would’ve been even worse.

Thank you, habitual disguise!

“Thanks.”

Fortunately, I successfully traded cards without revealing my identity to Victory.

I love you, Venus!

I could never give up on Venus!!!

After the trade, I quickly fled into the theater.

As long as I stayed seated, I wouldn’t have to see his face again.

‘Why is he sitting in the same row!?’

It was Monday. Not even a public holiday.

A random weekday afternoon screening at 3 PM.

Most of the theater was empty.

Not because Magical Girls Chronicle is a washed-up, outdated franchise!

It’s just the time and date, okay?!

Because of that, I picked the best seat.

And apparently, Victory had the same idea.

Only two empty seats separated us.

Now, we were sitting in the same row, watching the movie.

This was so uncomfortable.

‘Lucky me.’

Victory was in a great mood.

Getting Venus from the random card pack had been unlucky.

What he really wanted was the Nox card.

But then, he saw someone arguing with the theater staff after getting three Nox cards in a row.

When he offered to trade his Venus for a Nox, they immediately agreed.

‘They watched it three times already? That’s real dedication.’

A woman wearing sunglasses and a mask indoors.

Suspicious, but he wasn’t particularly interested in celebrities.

Victory only cared about the Nox card.

After the trade, he entered the theater and—what do you know—she was sitting in the same row.

Two empty seats between them, but with no one sitting there, he could see her clearly.

Still, he didn’t sneak glances at her.

It would be rude, and besides, he himself was someone who preferred to stay unnoticed.

But then, in the middle of the movie…

“Sniff.”

A quiet sob from beside him made him instinctively turn his head.

And he saw her.

At some point, she had removed her sunglasses to watch the movie properly.

‘Is it just the mask making her look prettier?’

Tears streamed down her face, and yet—

She looked even more beautiful than the characters on the theater screen.

For a moment, he forgot to breathe.

It was as if someone who should’ve been inside the screen had stepped out and sat right next to him.

That’s how unreal it felt.

‘What does she look like under the mask?’

Even with it on, she was the most stunning girl he had ever seen.

Which meant…

What was underneath had to be even more breathtaking.

Victory only snapped out of his trance over a minute later.

Thankfully, she was so absorbed in the movie that she didn’t notice his staring.

She had already seen it three times, and yet she was still so emotional, completely lost in the film.

If she was just here for the special gifts, she would’ve sold them online.

No one watches a movie three times just for the freebies.

She must really love this anime.

For some reason, Victory felt a small sense of kinship.

Even though he’d probably never see her again.

Translator’s Note:

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