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Viewer interaction.

One of the basic virtues of a VTuber.

Personal counseling also falls under the category of interaction, after all.

From that perspective, it wasn’t such a strange sight.

“Okay, first question─☆ Why were you mean to your friend?”

[ekdus7] – I really don’t know either…

“Second question─☆ You still want to stay friends with that person, right?”

[ekdus7] – ..Yes.

I didn’t have a professional counseling certificate or anything, but I could definitely chat with someone.

It felt a bit wrong to ignore a hefty sum of 100,000 won.

However, that nickname felt strangely familiar.

For some reason, the situation the viewer was in didn’t seem all that unfamiliar either.

‘…Could it be?’

I started considering the possibility that ekdus7 on the other side of the one-on-one chat was someone Ha-eun knew.

The problem was that the more I talked with ekdus7, the more that possibility turned into certainty in Ha-eun’s mind.

“How long have you been friends with that person?”

[ekdus7] – We’ve been together since first grade in elementary school… So it’s been about 11 years this year.

“Then have you had a big fight with that friend in those 11 years?”

[ekdus7] – Not a big fight. Actually, thinking back, it seems like I was the one who got angry and irritated all the time…

– Your friend is a saint?

– Did you have some dirt on them?

– Apologizing for 11 years of torment with just one word?

– Are they a girl? If they’re a girl, I could be friends with them (deleted message).

‘…Wait, I need to freeze for a second.’

So, after all the other chats came to a sudden halt, I carefully asked why they suddenly felt like apologizing.

“Did you do something really wrong to that friend? Recently─☆”

[ekdus7] – Well, I did slap them a few hours ago. That was for filming (deleted message).

[ekdus7] – No, if you think about it, they told me to slap them first (deleted message).

[ekdus7] – I just felt like I needed to apologize before it got too late. I’m sorry for everything from A to Z.

‘It’s definitely Da-yeon.’

It would be a lie to say I wasn’t surprised at all that ekdus7, beyond the chat window, was indeed Da-yeon.

I’d seen Da-yeon watching Di-a’s stream through Ha-eun’s own eyes, but I had no idea she would pour out personal worries to Di-a.

I hadn’t realized that Da-yeon, who always appeared so cold, was dealing with such concerns on the inside.

But right now, I was being Di-a, not Ha-eun.

Even if I gave a response, I had to answer from Di-a’s perspective.

So.

“If it’s someone who’s been your friend for 11 years, I think they’d be able to accept your apology☆”

[ekdus7] – But… I don’t know where to start apologizing.

“Then let’s apologize from start to finish! It’ll be better for you to just get it all off your chest!”

[ekdus7] – ..Apologize for everything from start to finish?

“Yup! After you finish all your apologies, shake hands and hug─☆”

To put it nicely, it was pure.

To put it badly, it was a childish response.

Di-a.

A pure spirit who had only set foot in the human world for just over a year.

Since she was a spirit, not a tainted human, she believed that reconciliation could be achieved with a heartfelt apology, handshake, and hug.

I had to believe it, at least for the sake of Di-a’s roleplay.

Honestly, the answers were a bit cringy from Ha-eun’s point of view.

But I never thought she’d actually follow Di-a’s advice to the letter.

Just as Da-yeon knew Ha-eun well, Ha-eun also knew Da-yeon well.

Thus, I figured the moment that high pride of hers would bend was unlikely to happen anytime soon.

Anyway, since my 100,000-won counseling session had also come to an end.

I restored the chat window, which I had temporarily paused for Da-yeon, back to its original state.

And almost simultaneously.

[User ㅇㅇ donated 1,000 won! ]

: I want to marry Di-a, how can I get married?

It was a donation that stretched the definition of counseling a bit.

In response, Di-a’s reaction was also.

“Marriage? Wait a minute~. I need to know if there’s a cute wizard who says that whenever there’s a sunset─☆”

– Gasp

– Everyone, step away from the keyboard!!

– The wizard is going to get them, the wizard is going to get them, the wizard is going to get them, the wizard is going to get them, the wizard is going to get them!

– Esteemed wizard, I said nothing!

– Dom Huang Cha─!!

It was a slightly different reaction compared to when dealing with ekdus7.

Also, it was an appropriate reaction to make the viewers forget about ekdus7’s worry.

The broadcast ended about an hour later.

As usual, Ha-eun, who had completely exhausted her energy and spirit, headed straight to bed.

However, the worry about Da-yeon that had been occupying a corner of Ha-eun’s mind.

More specifically, the concern regarding Da-yeon’s inner feelings.

“…I can’t say I’ve been angry.”

Putting off falling asleep for a moment.

I began to reflect on what things Da-yeon had been regretting.

Things I had brushed off because Ha-eun hadn’t done anything wrong.

Things that were merely momentary sulking.

The fundamental reason was the difference in ‘time lived’ between Da-yeon and me.

Outwardly treating her as a friend while inwardly regarding her as a younger sister due to the age difference.

That’s why I hadn’t really felt angry or hurt by whatever mischief Da-yeon pulled.

However, the way I had continually treated Da-yeon in a calm manner had resulted in something not good for her.

I figured I needed to be a bit firmer moving forward.

I especially wanted to be firmer regarding the filming of <The Moonlight Beyond the Clouds>.

If by any chance Da-yeon came to apologize to Ha-eun during the filming, reacting positively to her apology and improving the relationship would undoubtedly affect her role as Queen Yoon.

The in-story Queen Yoon of <The Moonlight Beyond the Clouds> had to remain an adversary to Yeong-wol until the end.

There should never be a time when they appeared to be on good terms.

Therefore.

Ever since discovering Da-yeon’s true feelings that day.

“Hey, Jung-yoon unnie. Where’s Ha-eun?”

“Uh, it’s just that Da-yeon… I’m sorry. I’m not sure either.”

“…? If the manager doesn’t know, who does?”

I started avoiding Da-yeon to the point of asking Jo Jung-yoon for cooperation.

At least during the filming period of <The Moonlight Beyond the Clouds>, I planned to maintain some distance from Da-yeon.

Either way, Ha-eun was also worried that her own changes would negatively affect the drama’s filming.

‘Character collapse is absolutely not allowed under any circumstances.’

I had become softer compared to before.

It felt like I was dating a guy or something.

The things Ha-eun had been hearing lately had become a significant source of concern for her.

Setting aside the weird misunderstanding of being in a relationship with a guy, Ha-eun couldn’t ignore that her impression was changing little by little.

Yeong-wol showing a softer side as a woman would take place in the latter parts of <The Moonlight Beyond the Clouds>.

So, right now, I needed to appear in line with the situation Yeong-wol was in.

Ha-eun had given herself a little push in that direction.

Still, imagining the worst-case scenario of having to quit VTuber broadcasting felt a bit extreme.

But right now, nothing could provoke Ha-eun quite like the loss of Di-a.

‘…Huh?’

‘Ha-eun’s vibe….’

‘Suddenly, it got sharp.’

From then on, I only generated the necessary emotions, layering them onto Ha-eun’s expressions, voice, and gestures.

And honed them even more sharply.

The scene S#87, which was about to be filmed, was the last step toward the union of Lee-hyun and Yeong-wol.

Finally departing the palace, Yeong-wol hears news that Lee-hyun is in danger and returns, fighting off countless assassins single-handedly.

A desperate battle solely for Lee-hyun.

The emotions that needed to surface were all far from soft.

Most importantly, the swordplay performance Ha-eun had practiced repeatedly in the past had to be fully poured into this S#87 Donggungjeon attack.

“This scene might go into the promotional teaser, so I need you to give it your all.”

“Yes.”

“Show us Yeong-wol’s unmatched strength.”

For this scene, I resolved to completely discard the notion of softness.

The next scene, S#88, was also the anticipated moment of their ‘union.’

It was the highlight where Yeong-wol’s strength as a warrior would be most clear and evident.

At the same time, a stepping stone to another highlight, S#88.

It was the most important scene in <The Moonlight Beyond the Clouds>.

And just as that important filming was about to begin.

-Clang.

With a fierce gaze fueled by anger toward those who would harm Lee-hyun.

With a sense of urgency to find and protect Lee-hyun as quickly as possible.

With a dark expression overlaying the resentment toward the former Yeong-wol who had chosen to leave Lee-hyun’s side.

Yeong-wol presented herself before the many cameras at the filming location.

It was right after I recited the line that signified the beginning of the swordplay performance.

「…I’ll kill you all.」

Immediately, just like the assassins who drew their weapons toward Yeong-wol, she too drew her sword.

Without a moment’s hesitation, she charged in and cut the waist of the nearest assassin in one go.

Then, the tip of Yeong-wol’s sword, which was raised high toward the sky.

-Clang───!!

Sent the fierce blade flying far away from Yeong-wol’s neck.

Not missing the assassin’s moment of confusion, she thrust forward.

‘Kuh, kuh…!’

Fresh blood gushed out from the assassin’s mouth.

Yet, without caring about it at all, she drew her sword and aimed it at the other assassins.

What unfolded was a one-sided massacre.

-Thrust─!

-Slice!

-Clang, clang, clang──!

What was once one was now split into two.

Straight cuts formed on the sturdy chests of the attackers.

They fell apart, completely wrecked from head to toe.

‘Sa…save me—!!’

The shadow of the assassin, unable to complete their words, crumbled harshly and vanished.

The smell of blood had already started to resonate everywhere.

And yet, the ferocious aura that had not weakened continued to scour for those who posed a threat to Lee-hyun.

Although red liquid was seeping out over the black garments, now was not the time to worry about mere injuries.

From then on, countless lives were either completely cut off or brutally crushed by a single person.

Thus, when those unsteady footsteps moved again following the last traces of life that remained.

-Startled.

Another form of murderous intent unlike anything felt before enveloped Yeong-wol.

So, with teeth clenched, she swung her fearsome blade again, beginning the final bloodbath.

The tip of the blood-soaked sword traced an irregular wave of destruction.

The man who was larger than any assassin Yeong-wol had faced so far displayed remarkable sword skills and pressed her hard.

-Clang─!

-Clang!

-Clang, clang, clang──!!

Only to sever the opponent’s breath.

Without even a smidgen of hesitation.

The sword was aimed at the waist, but quickly shifted toward the shoulder joint.

When that too was narrowly blocked, she readjusted her grip and hacked down.

Like a whirlwind, they aggressively clashed swords.

Finally, it was just before dawn, at the moment when the blue light of early morning began to cast over Donggungjeon.

‘This… insane monster….’

With a final follow-through, she used her half-broken, ragged sword to sever the last assassin’s throat.

Yet she couldn’t stop her swaying steps, for she hadn’t confirmed yet.

She didn’t know if the person she had desperately sought to protect was safe.

​

「Hah…」

The exhausted expression that seemed about to collapse at any moment.

Taking a single step felt miraculous in her current state.

With sheer determination focused on reaching Lee-hyun, she pressed onwards.

And at the end of such arduous steps came the confrontation with.

「Die──!」

A stunning sight of about five or six assassins already defeated by Lee-hyun, and

the last assassin that Lee-hyun hadn’t taken down, swinging his sword toward Lee-hyun.

「…!!」

With the very last of her strength, she squeezed out every ounce of energy.

Disregarding her own safety, she launched herself towards the assassin, plunging the broken sword into the assassin’s heart.

Not even a second later, she collapsed, entirely drained of all energy and spirit, losing consciousness.

Thus, how long had it been since Yeong-wol’s consciousness had completely faded away?

– Blink.

– Blink, blink.

「…Your Highness…？」

Past the gradually clearing vision, at last, she met the long-desired face of Lee-hyun.

However, she was stunned to see her own reflection lying on a hospital bed, partially exposed above the waist, getting treatment.

-Thud.

In an instant, a breathtaking feeling enveloped Yeong-wol, as if her heart had plunged into a bottomless pit.