Chapter 35
NP2Her real name was Han Goyo.VD1oSi
JZMHis nickname as a professional player was Goyo.um3S6
wMDuThe reason Kang Byeokrin came to know Goyo was pure coincidence.74z8
gHuTo begin with, she had no interest whatsoever in professional gamers or video games.Lcc
coCkoydHowever, one day, videos of Goyo’s matches started appearing in her MTube algorithm.GOJpwN
GoaPDU7Naturally, she ignored them.yXZ
MgqEZShe even marked several times that she wasn’t interested in that kind of content, but, due to some strange error, they kept appearing over and over again.CbbPE5I
xw9RAs she pressed the [Not Interested] option for what felt like the hundredth time.mLFc31W
s2c8One day, without realizing it, she found herself staring at the thumbnail.6xjtwX
PgNJiRAAfter seeing it so many times, that face had started to look familiar.TgAUi
rva‘He’s pretty handsome.’sULE
8SHqTWith a face like that, he should have gone into the entertainment industry instead of playing video games.aTrSpMm
2tSm8If he had been an idol or an actor, she would have considered making him an ambassador for one of the group’s companies.3X9
NvKJAqI‘Could it be because he’s too short?’G49Mjr5
3WnuWith a face like that, it was the only explanation she could think of for why he wasn’t a celebrity.YVE0h
PEE2qFor the first time, Kang Byeokrin played one of his videos.WsYA
xRB‘What? Why aren’t they showing the player?’KJb
xfNaSeveral people were moving tiny characters around in a game, but the players themselves were never shown; the screen displayed only the match.3dOjucg
fsNHer curiosity piqued, she began skipping ahead ten seconds at a time, trying to find the moment when the boy she wanted to see would appear.7oXTq
nbaxXfkAs she skipped through the video, the commentator kept repeating the same name over and over.TrdyeNA
cu3r“Goyo! Goyo! Goyooooo!!! This is impossible! Player Goyo has absolutely no intention of losing! It’s absolutely impossible for him to lose!”TvGT
w0dSV“Huff, underage players are the scariest. After all, they have the best reflexes. Ah, just as I was saying that…! Wow!! Goyo!!! He completely overwhelms his opponent once again! It’s utterly one-sided!”XwCDp3
KQuznbkOther names were mentioned as well, but none came close to how often they said “Goyo.”hNdhQz
QGBThat boy wasn’t just handsome.pp7tS4
hS94nRUHe also seemed to be unbelievably good.5fHHb
LGnShe patiently skipped through a video that was over thirty minutes long, ten seconds at a time.0vK
VwJvOYEven so, she barely managed to catch glimpses of him.p3jFUcZ
rlAXapDuring the match, he would occasionally appear in a tiny, low-resolution window in one corner of the screen.EV8FK5p
q4OAnd those moments lasted only an instant.ooJZF
KlcMaUAfter pressing the fast-forward button again and again, Kang Byeokrin finally got a good look at him once the match ended.xtH
v006His face was so expressionless that he almost seemed cold.15nDYg
IhxXx3The slight upward tilt of his eyes gave him a strong, confident look.sKGH
FwIyuBut the instant victory was confirmed.Kq06Knv
rVSrJFbThe corners of his lips slowly curved upward as he removed his headset.v6a1n
pXDZSThe face that had remained indifferent throughout the entire match lit up with a radiant smile.5yxXAu
JqpgwXsKang Byeokrin stared blankly at the screen.wxQ
eudoFor a moment, it felt as though he was glowing.iGmM3V
wvuq9XAnd by the time she came to her senses.M0kBxP
7NjLUShe was already searching for every video of him she could find.hPYAMJ
85e0O‘He’s 181 centimeters tall? That’s actually pretty tall. He hasn’t been a professional player for long, and next year he’ll already be an adult… He’s younger than me.’bTu3JtR
8FUc”Mid? Center…? I don’t understand what they’re talking about, but it looks like Goyo is the best. He always wins whenever he plays. Besides, he’s the name they mention the most.”dsbRTyy
gtKeShe spent the entire night binge-watching every Goyo video she could find.GnX
akbThe next morning, with her eyes completely bloodshot, she finally admitted it.DmbD
kABI4She had developed an enormous interest in that young professional player.bhgn
NatIt was the first—and also the last—time in her life that she ever became someone’s fan.AkZK
RVl3UgAs long as she followed Goyo, Kang Byeokrin was happy.K8Hu
JHPeTfAt first, she fell for his face.nCtysfE
oyHjoQuBut as time passed, she ended up falling in love with the way he played.LOU
thIv8Following the recommendation of her assistants, she never expressed that admiration publicly, since it didn’t fit the image she was expected to project as the heir to a conglomerate.z9o
YhzNgNBut her affection for the player named Goyo was completely genuine.zPBBz
8jQEven if it only lasted a year.tvGEQ
MZQThat was all the time she was able to watch him play.MtzI2q1
GUPMxL“Haah…”W8iYS
S4tKaComing back to the present, Kang Byeokrin let out a sigh.iJ7t
tgh6jKGoyo’s final match remained as vivid in her memory as if it had happened yesterday.9TNYW
jjYNot long ago, she had received the news that he had suddenly disappeared, and ever since then she had worried about him every single day.Rxl4
qXNnShe had never imagined they would meet again like this.cfckH7S
rlvLTh‘I wonder if he’s okay…?’NgFQ6N
gFzEarlier, she had run off in shock and hadn’t even had the chance to look at him properly.YlfQDEl
AsD2TShe took several deep breaths, trying to calm her heart, which was still pounding.u4Da
8X0Approaching a retired player whose career had ended because of an injury and telling him she was his fan would probably only make him uncomfortable.Zpx
NUoBesides, the fact that she liked professional gamers was a secret she kept hidden from the public.ISOn
jyJk‘Act naturally. As if you don’t know him… Completely naturally!’QnF
mJ4kpHugging a twenty-five-centimeter Goyo plushie, Kang Byeokrin repeated those words to herself over and over again.LeQXzc
K3NVnThen she ran to her walk-in closet.dtIDMF
FKMShe rummaged through every single piece of clothing until she found an outfit that looked elegant without being overly formal.G8ob
TO941With almost solemn determination, she headed downstairs to the living room, where Goyo would be waiting for her.9lnPY
aiDHFKyAnd her plan to “act naturally” failed spectacularly.wVNh
zhk***PQNGVLp
NCfAzS“Please follow me.”InLYt0
YSjs6Guided by Director Woo, I entered the mansion while looking around with curiosity.XlCNYx
RXW‘It’s really huge.’K5sat
JWQdvThe garden was enormous as well.o7E2Kt
TVZIt was exactly the kind of place one imagined when thinking of the home of an extremely wealthy family.83Y0O
DypmqThe interior was elegant and refined, clearly reflecting its owner’s taste.Arq
FKdoeHowever, I couldn’t enjoy it in peace.WRVEO
zSPLBecause Director Woo remained standing very close to me with impeccable posture.h2u4
CjAAv‘I feel like he keeps staring at me.’Jipk
jNRSomeone like Cheongang’s Director surely knew of the Trial Response Agency’s existence.Ldl
0Vt97He might not have known that Samra was an android, but he had to be aware that he held an important position.4OcPmD
F9KIpI8And yet, he didn’t pay the slightest attention to Samra.CMb
SPtHe only watched me.c0iG
VIX1U6Every time our eyes met, he gave me a flawless professional smile.ZHJs
zkLBut for some reason, there was a chill hidden behind that smile.GK9fY
jcmVI discreetly glanced at my watch.OPR
NoHeauThere were five minutes left until the appointed time.df6
Usu“The Chairwoman will arrive right on time.”KvRd
fCpcuzDirector Woo said with a faint smile.EyDq5mP
VGAmWy“Thank you very much.”dPF
bnPThe moment I thanked him, his smile grew even deeper.v1n6jh
OHZoq’…I think he likes me even less now.’95X
A74W6I didn’t understand why, but all I wanted was to settle the matter as quickly as possible and leave.gEnne
EUYparCrash!z4J
vCPjaVAt that moment, a loud crash came from the upper floor.Ernf
EmvwuTxDirector Woo immediately ran toward the stairs, and I also jumped to my feet.ZYGrc
tMF0CXoKang Byeokrin was coming down the stairs with a limp, supported by Director Woo.MpjnGs
foxCL“Are you alright?”T1l3LQb
3B1SkI immediately walked over to ask her.P6REwRP
iGTIPIKang Byeokrin’s face turned completely red.6invbj
vNT1zdr‘Ah…’mMXCck
1JlI took a step back.VRl9
SczMaybe she was embarrassed about falling, and I’d been too forward by approaching her.gijZo
x1WEngFThen she immediately exclaimed,eZH
e3TJa“I’m fine!”kKW9
3SJ7Her voice cracked as she spoke.A8Ov
CBvHmHer neck also turned red, while Director Woo was no longer even trying to hide the fact that he was glaring daggers at me.uEHyHiU
Svjet‘I don’t know what I did, but I’m sorry…’LMKMu
AUDzuAs I apologized to myself inwardly, Kang Byeokrin asked a strange question.iu6
TMo“And… are you alright?”WZBEP
pjFU93sI had no idea what she meant.DhtI
q4FJust as I was wondering how to answer, the true host of the meeting entered the living room.tL1Hq
N8eC4“Samra!”KcuK
XicNISEHer powerful voice echoed throughout the high-ceilinged house.Hbd1N
ZXy2m0A woman with thick shoulder-length hair strode toward us.7CzGm3F
s6c5Although she was already past sixty, she looked like a middle-aged woman.Xtr
BjsC2FCheongang’s Chairwoman, Kang Cheonseo, walked straight up to Samra and held out her hand.ZDIYSgl
G8GEX6Y“How have you been?”dQOr8q
0aZXw“I’ve been well.”3d08
SJANSamra replied politely as he shook her hand.HPNrc
zBSp“Hahaha. You’re still a civil servant?”UCV
u5uNZVT“And I intend to remain one.”PZPcfj
dwx“What a shame. If you ever quit, call me immediately, alright? I’m first in line.”UqpWKbj
1Gi“Chairwoman Kang Cheonseo is not first in line.”dKQ3x7
VZFa9cS“Oh, come on, we’re friends. Let me cut in.”03gInlQ
4t7WVo“That is a subjective opinion, Chairwoman Kang Cheonseo.”k8o
yOOAlthough the response might have sounded rude, Kang Cheonseo simply burst into hearty laughter.MQPqU
cdKvThen she turned her gaze toward me.MTg
RTuVI“So I was wondering why our precious Samra had decided to venture out into the outside world.”deQ
gNnNK1yThe contrast between the black and white of her eyes was striking, giving her a powerful gaze.SEPhA
yxS5NkvShe extended her hand toward me as she said,CaxJWl
Qpwk9m“I never imagined it would be because of Goyo. It’s a pleasure to meet you. I should have greeted you while you were still competing, but in the end, we ended up meeting after your retirement.”jijL
MPvZI froze completely at those unexpected words.Gs3J1
L7MvcKang Cheonseo smiled.FFnRW
FyR9aO“We were one of your sponsors too, remember? We got involved because of you, Goyo.”Hqini
9LA“…Thank you very much.”PbqYf
doZNFI managed to answer with great effort.mY8
VzPFcFcOnly then did I bow deeply.s46H
TCx“I never imagined you would remember me. I’m sorry for not greeting you sooner. It’s an honor to meet you, Chairwoman.”4YM
W4Xc“An honor? The honor is mine for being able to meet you, Goyo.”h5H
iPGw9DnAfter lightly waving her hand a couple of times, she shifted her gaze to Kang Byeokrin.6CNhG
qk1DR“Rin. Go upstairs and have that injury treated.”fDiVFIe
neVSn0“Grandma…!”r0Vg
tBtkKang Byeokrin called out in the saddest voice imaginable.w2GdLv
Rt0cxBut Kang Cheonseo interrupted her mercilessly.FTNvm
KzcrJN“Kang Byeokrin.”lAEnI
vLQW4She frowned but ultimately headed toward the elevator, leaning on Director Woo for support.mRFECPh
axyOnce she disappeared, Kang Cheonseo elegantly shook her head.k5oL
AkV“It’s my fault for raising my granddaughter so poorly. That girl is a wild colt.”MA0L
pixThen she looked directly at me.h4wx6qJ
rO4e9sh“Goyo, you can understand her, can’t you?”Zye
Vfr8yPnI smiled faintly.xNvlJXU
pMixVy5“I didn’t see anything at all.”55MhT
3wbbaxHKang Cheonseo let out a laugh.wMxZU
3sB3H11“Shall we eat? You must be hungry.”rjeAu
p7t34It felt as though she were treating me like a child.hk9xPf
Ejyps5xAlthough, considering her age, it wasn’t exactly strange.leoiZQ
DcFhxHonestly, if it meant obtaining Proper Appearance, I didn’t care.RuuZ
2i4AI wouldn’t have even minded being treated like an animal.yrtxps
J7JxMAIAs I followed Kang Cheonseo toward the dining room, I even found myself wondering whether crawling on all fours or barking would do less damage to the Trial Response Agency’s reputation.xM8q
ihO4DYwThe servants, moving without making the slightest sound, had already laid out a table full of hot dishes on an enormous marble table.EIDTEV
TERUAtsKang Cheonseo seated Samra and me.8QAHNC
iTvOAs she offered us various dishes, she naturally guided the conversation.HJ3E
sHbTo my surprise, she had an incredible talent for making her conversation partner feel comfortable.UKpsjSi
Me2tzsvThat was precisely what made me even more nervous.Fwtc
uSyyoI forced myself to stay completely focused so I wouldn’t accidentally reveal any improper information under the conversational skill of such an experienced businesswoman.CAujf
BnsOnly after dessert had been served did the real matter begin.jwnBTI
tcfjjDAfter having all the servants leave, Kang Cheonseo spoke with a meaningful smile.n8jvRBq
tMC“So then, Goyo. What favor did you want to ask of me that brought you all the way here?”LkED
oiS3qI set down the spoon I had been using to eat persimmon sorbet.BQW8eza
Up7z“Hm? Why are you putting it down? You can keep eating while we talk.”kU1mDt
hNgn7wr“Yes. Thank you.”WRajX
19Yl0Even so, I didn’t touch the dessert again.8ZHyJ
mBB5lI waited for the Chairwoman to continue.Ty2aMFH
jQZ2xpyThe corners of her eyes curved into deep wrinkles.rH7Wvv
Y02e“It must be a very important request. I’ve never seen Samra leave the Agency or personally help anyone before.”NBZz7
uVFUShe didn’t seem like someone who liked beating around the bush.J1IQG
oufcrjSo I got straight to the point.7NJc
xYO“I would like to request the support of the item called Proper Appearance, which is currently in the Chairwoman’s possession. It is an item necessary to clear a Trial.”PHfDzf5
rhgXHIo“Hmm…”ORmU
FmJKang Cheonseo let out a murmur of apparent discomfort.Uwg
0ACEuBut even I could tell it wasn’t genuine.6Du1y
vYb“I can’t hand it over without receiving something in return.”45m7wbO
PQrP“Please explain your reason.”EZFSW
lxh90a“Samra, don’t be so strict. Pasung obtained that item with an incredible amount of effort. If I simply hand it over to the Trial Response Agency now, what would that make me look like?”7Nu
ocJPasung…?84Wk2X1
xaVInstinctively, I straightened my posture again.wsIdo
fDPpPp1Then I asked as calmly as possible,LnrzJql
IBf78QS“Was it Pasung’s CEO who obtained Proper Appearance?”9vtw
0or“That’s right. CEO Cha of Pasung is truly extraordinary. You know him too, don’t you, Goyo?”BhF
uLlVdfOf course I know him.BzpLECJ
nACajwyVery well.U2oP
xiJmI barely managed to swallow all the words threatening to spill out.Ioope
4mMCBecause Pasung’s CEO Cha was…Xk5XLk
9KUtyUsMy favorite character!JM2
PJPbp‘So he exists in this world too.’afDta
urSpCmAs I struggled to contain my excitement, Kang Cheonseo added even more fuel to the fire.9hNIl
LBTW“What a dilemma, Goyo. How about speaking directly with CEO Cha to ask for his permission? I can call him right now.”0Qip
CGbShe took out her phone and waved it in front of me.8FNK9mi
zwgdTalk to my favorite character?gcdOR1
dkKrLCIt was an opportunity I couldn’t let slip away.mUP
Wxh4ODbTrying not to let my excitement show, I replied,4S6
YEeBF3“If it wouldn’t be too much trouble, I’d like to as—”XhZck
ZwM“No.”8eBI8S
sajEReSamra interrupted me.T1D
AevHis expression disappeared completely.g47
mBlPK9The face that had been imitating human reactions until just moments ago became astonishingly cold.lFu
jQmq8Q“Chairwoman Kang Cheonseo. What exactly do you think you’re doing?”sjGA
XmIsY“What is it, Samra? I was only going to make a phone call. It seems you’re hiding something.”e2f
oeDUq“This is not a matter in which Chairwoman Kang Cheonseo should involve herself.”soc3
ytMtuo“Would you like me to guess?”W9LgErl
fnVjfbPKang Cheonseo smiled mischievously.x2wEeV
XNE“CEO Cha of Pasung is looking for Goyo, isn’t he?”0gkPKhd
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dihnblls 300
Golden Corebro
dihnblls 300
Golden Coreif my favorite character was looking for me Id collapse on the spot
dihnblls 300
Golden Core👀👀👀👀👀👀👀👀