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Sniping.

The act of intentionally matching into a game with an internet streamer and then disrupting that streamer’s gameplay.

Generally, the streamer who gets sniped tends to be helpless against the viewer who has targeted them.

Unlike the streamer, who finds it difficult to even recognize the viewer’s nickname, the viewer knows everything about the streamer’s current status, location, and field of vision.

The biggest reason and purpose for sniping was the streamer’s transformation into a punching bag.

Streamers who have become punching bags due to snipers often show so-called “entertaining” reactions.

Thus…

– Toodoodoodoo—!

[<LUX>Diah>>>☠Diah is a well-known pineapple pizza lover.]

“Rumors, Noeul has cut—☆”

Instead, the situation where the Noeul gang is getting beaten by Diah, whom they tried to snipe, is a comical reversal where Diah, the one who should be tortured, is instead venting stress by punishing them.

– No way, they can’t even match up!!

– Their reaction speed is just ridiculous;;

– What are they doing, cleaning up the entire angle by themselves?

– How many smokescreens are there, seriously? Hahaha

The Noeul gang began to strategize how to defeat Diah, who possessed FPS skills several levels above theirs.

Despite continuously getting punished by Diah, a stubborn desire grew within them to see Diah take a loss somehow.

In any case, the only proven strategy up until now was to overwhelm Diah, just like during her first Battle Island broadcast.

However, targeting Diah, who repeatedly changes the type of server she connects to, made it challenging to match up in the first place.

Even if they somehow managed to match up on the same server as Diah, there were just too few of them to employ an overwhelming strategy.

Even if the Noeul gang, switching to a small elite strategy, brought sufficient items to Diah, she too was already in “human disaster mode” after finishing all her farming.

If they approached while she was farming, it would just end up with the Noeul gang donating items to Diah.

At this rate, Diah would certainly be unable to vent her frustrations live, facedown by the malicious Noeuls until the broadcast ends.

Of course, seeing Diah wiping out the nasty Noeul gang was entertaining, but seeing her appear more emotionally invested in the game would surely be more amusing.

– Ding!

[Someone donated 10,000 won!]

: Yuna, if we’re doing Battle Island, let’s go with Diah.

Just then, another fantasy world VTuber Yuna, who had just started her stream, prompted Diah to collaborate.

It was undeniable that no Noeul could defeat the current Diah.

However, if Yuna, who had literally dreadful FPS skills, managed to hold Diah back as her stabilizer…

“Eh? What? Why is she already on?”

– Apparently, she started a bit early because she’s feeling good today.

– The surprising part is she’s already finished a few matches.

– Even more surprising is that she won almost every match except one.

The difficulty in facing Diah would surely drop as even while covering for Yuna, she couldn’t show her human disaster phase.

“Hm… Should I play with the youngest again?”

– Diah giving Yuna a hard time is definitely not allowed~~~

– Diah was really good at Battle Island, you know?

– Yuna, who can’t even differentiate between burst fire, vs Diah, who dodges grenade traps; it really puffs up my chest…

– Will the bus be tipped over or not?

Thus, eventually, after Yuna sent a chat message asking if they should play Battle Island together…

“Hi hi~. Can you hear me, Diah?”

“Yup─☆”

Without even a moment of hesitation, Diah immediately accepted the collaboration proposal, and thus the Diah & Yuna duo was formed.

As soon as the duo with Yuna began, Diah’s tension inexplicably shot up a few levels.

With about 7,000 Noeuls and around 5,000 viewers from Yuna’s stream combined.

Approximately 12,000 viewers excitedly awaited the genuine moments of Diah, who would soon face Yuna’s disastrous Battle Island skills.

The number of people targeting the Diah & Yuna duo also skyrocketed tremendously.

– Doo doo doo—!

At last, the Battle Island matching sound was heard.

And just a few seconds later, a multitude of sniping viewers appeared before Diah and Yuna.

Even though they hadn’t officially started the game yet, their numbers were astounding.

Countless avatars were solely following Diah and Yuna.

Upon Yuna’s command to sit out of test, everyone except about three people promptly took their seats.

There was no missing the army.

“Wow… Are all of these our viewers?”

A mix of surprise and disbelief was evident in her voice.

With literally a swarm of sniping viewers buzzing around, Yuna ended up speechless.

However, unlike Yuna, who was just spinning around Diah from earlier…

“Where are we going, Yuna~?”

Diah, with her trademark bright voice, inquired where to start for Battle Island.

“Well… it seems like they’ll follow no matter where we go.”

“Then let’s go to the base camp─☆”

Base camp.

Commonly referred to as Beckam.

Since it’s located right in the center of the map, it often provides safety from the toxic cloud that gradually creeps in from the edges.

The number of items available for farming is also greater here than anywhere else.

However, because so many people flock to Beckam for these advantages,

It’s also an area where what one calls a “dogfight” happens constantly.

“Base camp? Really?”

Yuna also knew well about these characteristics of Beckam, which left her questioning Diah’s proposal to go there.

Given the overwhelming number of viewers sniping the Diah & Yuna duo, going to a place like Beckam seemed to guarantee their immediate death.

“I can handle them all, so it’s alright─☆ Just trust me!”

Yet Diah was unwavering in her thoughts.

Eventually, after the game began, there was no choice but to head toward Beckam, following Diah.

Of course, it was monumental for the viewers matched in the same lobby as the Diah & Yuna duo.

Not only did they know their starting point in advance, but that starting point was also Beckam.

Given the nature of Beckam, where no vehicles or motorcycles spawn, there would be no escape route.

Now, they genuinely believed that the opportunity to take down Diah had arrived.

Finally, as the Diah & Yuna duo arrived at Beckam.

– Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!

– Doo doo doo doo—!

As expected, numerous avatars following them immediately swung into farming as they began an intense battle.

– Purf…!

“Ahh! The grenade exploded… oh, it’s across from us.”

Due to the cacophony of fighting sounds echoing from everywhere, Yuna lost track of what was happening.

In contrast, Diah, who dashed into the nearest warehouse, was busy focusing on her farming like any other day.

It wasn’t even three minutes since they’d heard Diah say she was done farming.

At that moment, Yuna, who had just managed to farm a rifle, was taken aback as she shifted her gaze.

“…? Is that truly all you’ve farmed?”

“Yes!”

Diah was showing on Yuna’s broadcast screen with only two long machetes equipped, instead of a rifle.

– ????

– Dual wielding ㄷㄷ

– Why are there machetes all over Beckam instead of guns, lol?

As Yuna and even her viewers were dumbfounded by Diah’s bizarre farming state, sounds of footsteps gradually emerged from the entrance of the storage where Diah and Yuna were.

It was right after Diah handed a bulletproof shield and several smoke grenades.

“Cover me from behind the shield and throw smoke grenades whenever they’re about to end─!”

“Uh, what? How should I do that??”

“Smoke─grenade─! Keep throwing─!”

Almost simultaneously, Diah tossed a smoke grenade towards the entrance of the storage, engulfing the entire vicinity in white mist.

Not long after, Diah entered the dense smoke alone, leaving Yuna behind in the corner of the storage.

Yuna, still unaware of what Diah was thinking, had no choice but to hide behind the bulletproof shield and watch the situation unfold.

However, despite not once hearing any fighting sounds…

[<LUX>Diah>>>🔪☠Release the mint chocolate army.]

“Eh?”

Diah’s kill messages started popping up at the top right corner of the game screen.

Followed by the absence of any battle sounds.

Yet, Diah’s kill messages kept appearing.

Curious about what was happening, Yuna connected to Diah’s broadcast through her secondary computer.

– Swish!

– Thwack—!

[<LUX>Diah>>>🔪☠Target spotted.]

Diah was seen tossing her machetes towards the heads of players, scoring one-shot kills instead of swinging them.

She followed up immediately by retrieving the machete lodged in the fallen avatars and tossed again with precise aim.

As both machetes were alternated during quick retrievals and tosses, Diah cut through the thick smoke effortlessly.

The speed at which Diah retrieved and threw her machetes was blisteringly fast, leaving no room for delays.

– How can you hit them when it sounds like only footsteps are heard?

– When did our Diah become Draven?

– Swordmaster ㄷㄷ

– This is seriously funny, haha.

– Now Diah’s doing circus tricks with machetes!

As expected, chat had already gotten quite lively and chaotic.

At that moment, once Yuna and her viewers grasped what was happening in that dense smoke, similar reactions filled the chat.

“Um, everyone. Is this even possible?”

– Even we don’t know?

– This is our first time witnessing something like this hahaha.

– Diah is indeed a riot.

– Why are the snipers just taking it?

In truth, the players who ambushed Diah and Yuna in the warehouse were struggling to locate Diah’s position to the best of their efforts.

However, unlike firearms where the direction shot is displayed on the minimap,

Machetes, which are both melee and thrown weapons, didn’t provide any markers.

In fact, the sound of the machetes flying through the air was hardly detectable.

As a result, most of the sniping viewers perished without even being able to pinpoint Diah’s location in the thick smoke.

Even if they accessed Diah’s stream to screen snipe her, Diah’s vision was still obscured by the smoke, leaving them clueless to her whereabouts.

Only a handful of players managed to emerge from the smoke and aimed their weapons at Yuna hidden in the corner of the storage.

– Thwack!

Taking a single shot at Yuna hiding behind a bulletproof shield was far from an easy task.

As soon as machetes flew toward the direction of the gunshots…

“Yuna, sis─! Smoke─!”

“Ah, got it!”

Diah dispatched the players that ambushed Yuna in an instant, before quickly disappearing back into the smoke.

Eventually, all the attackers in the storage lay defeated.

As time passed and the smoke cleared completely,

There was a scene showing the numerous corpses that Diah had taken down, littered around the warehouse entrance on Yuna’s broadcast screen.

“Hurry and start farming too, sis~☆”

Her usual bright voice.

In contrast to that brightness were numerous bloodstains smeared all over Diah’s avatar.

This was nothing short of horror.

This is what pure evil looks like.

In any case, they had farming to do.

“Yuna, do you prefer a sniper rifle or an assault rifle?”

“I really suck at aiming. I probably won’t hit a single shot with a sniper rifle. An assault rifle will be more prudent.”

“Okay─☆”

Yuna also rummaged through the inventories of the fallen avatars to snag usable items.

Moments later, Diah’s voice called out from outside of the warehouse, asking Yuna to come over.

Thus, heading toward Diah’s direction.

– Swish!

– Swish, swish!

She found a player in front of Diah, repeatedly sitting and standing up with no clothes on.

“Put your hands up!”

At Diah’s high-pitched voice, mimicking a police officer, the player complied and raised them above his head.

And almost simultaneously…

“I’m still gonna shoot!”

– Bang—!

Diah pulled the trigger on her sniper rifle, resulting in a clean kill.

– What the heck, hahaha!

– Hahaha!

– Totally toying around, for real.

– T-bagging has really reached another level.

– This is truly legendary.

It was undeniable that Diah was showing one unexpected moment after another.

However, it couldn’t be denied that everything she did was unbelievably entertaining.

So, the time passed, and up until the end of the broadcast, they continued to play Battle Island together.

Thanks to Diah’s spectacular comedic timing, there were highlight moments aplenty to be uploaded on YouTube.

“Then, I’ll see you next time~☆”

“Yeah! Sleep well, Diah~.”

And with the farewell completed with Yuna, the broadcast concluded.

Afterward, just like other times, she emerged from the white soundproof booth, nearly exhausted, and collapsed onto the bed right across from it.

Perhaps it was because she had broadcasted for three or four hours longer than usual, or perhaps she was just slightly excited about her first collaboration with Yuna.

Thus, scarcely a few seconds later, she fell into a deep sleep, not even noticing who might carry her off.

The comfort of the new bed and mattress from Sears was truly astounding.

She had no idea that the VTuber community broadcasting Diah and Yuna’s streams had become abuzz with talk of Diah once again.

Nor did she learn about the numerous fearsome words added to Diah’s nickname list due to her ruthless demeanor during the Battle Island collaboration with Yuna.

– Diah <<< a definite gallery head, huh?

– She’s just a superstar, capable of driving people insane.

– Watching her crawl in smoke to avoid getting shot was truly impressive.

– That nonsense won’t work against professionals.

– Are the snipers even professionals?

– Diah played through the entirety of Season 1 of Battle Island and has the vibe that comes from experience itself.

– I once met someone who played the same way as Diah, but I can’t recall their nickname.

– Wasn’t that person called Barcode?

– How do you know that?

– Because I’ve been through it too, I can tell.

– If today’s collaboration was fruitful, is it time to click ‘like’?

– Immediately jumps to Pandral.

– You just called it ‘like’ for instant engagement, didn’t you?

– Since she did a collab with her sister, Yuna didn’t mind when things went haywire.

– Yuna genuinely loves Diah; it’s that obvious.

– The polar bear weeps today as well.

– Until the day the Arctic ice completely melts.

– It’s simply not in her nature to criticize anyone. Why are you stuck on some polar bear circuit?

– Diah <<< a spirit, not a Terminator, for sure.

– Real-Time Loser: Anyone who didn’t get the memo that the broadcast was starting early.

– Diah) Follower count exceeded 170,000 ㄷㄷ

– At this rate, she might hit 200,000, the first in the fantasy realm.

– I reported Diah for hacking; if you’re upset, just stream with a hand cam or something.

– Are you serious?

– Wow, the intelligence level isn’t even remotely average.

– Diah <<< I feel like she could compete in tournaments.

– Are we witnessing the birth of the greatest output in the fantasy realm?

– She’s already the number one in viewer count in the fantasy realm.

– Yuna) I never thought I’d see Yuna eating chicken in my lifetime.

– Just shut up and reverence Diah, GOAT.

– Grabbed her by the collar to prevent her from jumping off the bus, lmaoo.

– Real-Time Diah Wiki update.jpg

– Hey, even the railgun applauds while watching Diah’s clips?

– Who even is that, you nerd?

– Wow, do kids today really not know the railgun? The legend of Season 1 with 1100 points?

– Get lost if you’re just scraping by.

“On Saturday at 10 in the morning, we’ll practice at the school auditorium. If you’re going to be late, text me~.”

About a week after Yuna and Diah’s collaboration.

As soon as the class ended, Gong Hye-yeon approached Hae-eun to deliver information on the location and time for <Falling Together>’s practice.

Nodding right after Hye-yeon finished speaking.

Since she had no major schedules besides her nighttime VTuber broadcasts, she thought she could sufficiently practice.

After that, she said farewell to meet tomorrow and hopped into Joo Jeong-yoon’s van heading over to Doubly’s studio.

It seemed they needed to check the song that Aria the Empress must sing in <Falling Together> together with Doubly.

Not long after arriving at Doubly’s studio, they headed for the recording room as usual.

Afterward, everything was quite normal until she adjusted her vocal tone following feedback from Lee Joon.

But then…

– Swoosh.

“…Why are you looking at me like that again?”

She noticed Joon’s gaze had shifted from seeing Ha-eun as an actress to viewing her as a singer named Pinocchio.

Plus, having been rustling around a bit, Joon soon asked her.

“Hey, Ha-eun, do you want to perform at the Dome?”

A small sheet of paper and an obscure request came her way.

“That’s not a good sign.”

“Eh? Isn’t that a buzzword?”

“True, but not in the context you might be thinking.”

As the music practice momentarily paused, she had to ask Joon what kind of request it was this time.

Eventually, the story she heard from Joon was a topic she hadn’t particularly thought about.

“They’re holding the Infinite Challenge Music Festival again this year. I’m currently scouting singers to participate, and Pinocchio is among the candidates.”

Many seemed to express that it would surely garner a lot of interest.

Since it would mainly be a show of interaction between singers like Pinocchio and the regular cast members of <Infinite Challenge>, amusing situations would likely arise.

“Oh, didn’t you film Don’t Stop People together with Gun-yeol earlier? So, it’s time for us to film together too.”

“Really? Can it happen like that?”

“Why not?”

Eventually, she didn’t outright refuse but instead noted she’d think about it, tucking the <Infinite Challenge Festival> related papers into her bag that Joon handed over.

The next request from Joon came shortly afterward.

“Can I come to watch the musical you’re preparing, Ha-eun?”

Strictly speaking, there was no reason not to allow it.

Since there’s no special qualification required to view <Falling Together>.

The only concern was that if Doubly, who had a close relationship with Ha-eun, decided to attend her musical.

Her friends, who looked up to her as a senior singer, might find it more intimidating being in her presence.

Even so, she couldn’t quite say she couldn’t allow it.

‘Film directors or casting directors have been sneaking in to watch. Wouldn’t leaving a good impression with them help your chances?’

She also recalled the secret from Gong Hye-yeon that Ha-eun had shared about the Narae high school fall festival.

Regardless of what happens, Lee Joon and Lee Gun-yeol are admired seniors or idols to the trainees.

Having made a good impression through this performance with Doubly could have various benefits.

Above all, opportunities like this to showcase the trainee’s skills to successful singers like Doubly aren’t very frequent.

Perhaps this performance of <Falling Together> would provide her friends with a chance to gain more recognition.

With that thought in mind, instead of saying not to come, she responded that it was okay for him to come to watch the musical.

She added a personal request to Joon and Gun-yeol as well.

“If by chance you meet my friends…”

“Meet them?”

“Please treat them not as a senior singer, but as a friend. Also, let them know that if they treat me too formally as a senior, I might get upset.”

“Hm… Do your friends exhibit that much formality?”

“Yes.”

Even if her friends treated Ha-eun bowing respectfully, it was unlikely they would refuse Doubly’s request.

In fact, refusing Doubly’s request could even be more problematic than just treating Ha-eun casually.

That’s why Joon’s later reply was thankfully, “Okay.”

Ironically, it feels ironic that a problem arising from the music industry is resolved within the music industry’s framework.

But it was surely better than continuing to feel distant from her trainee friends.

Afterwards, they practiced for roughly another two hours before heading home.

Coincidentally, it was around the time the 15th episode of <The Moonlight Divided by Clouds>, including the final highlight, began.

– Beep.

“Eh? Watching together?”

“I have something to check.”

It had been a while since she began watching <The Moonlight Divided by Clouds>’s live broadcast alongside Nayun.

She felt the need to check on Ha-eun’s acting one last time before rehearsal for tomorrow’s <Falling Together>.

Finally, the 15th episode of <The Moonlight Divided by Clouds> began.

It started with Lee Hyun and Yeong-wol stepping outside the palace, just the two of them.

​

｢The moon has already risen high.｣

The opening of the final highlight was presented.

What followed was a portrayal of Yeong-wol that made it almost unavoidable for Ha-eun to fall in love with her.

​

-Suffocates.

​

Yeong-wol’s genuine feelings slowly began unraveling from her fingertips, completely enveloping Lee Hyun’s hand.

In response to Yeong-wol’s gesture, a brief smile and gentle voice were exchanged.

｢When did you become so bold?｣

An inquiry devoid of expectation for an answer.

The reply returning from Yeong-wol was once again another question.

｢Is it so bold to hold my lord’s hand?｣

｢Could it be that you’ve only held my hand?｣

｢For now, just for this moment, please be my lord.｣

​

With a slow lock of gazes, the intertwined fingers remained clasped.

Even when the discussion of selecting a crown princess began,

time flowed, and once all dialogue concluded, Yeong-wol’s request to choose her as a crown princess came forth.

-Wobble.

Having committed the rudeness of leaning the crown prince’s body against herself,

the once clasped hands would never part.

｢Choose the woman facing you now. The one who pines for your lord for far too long.｣

A fervent emotion emerged through her intense gaze, immersing in the calm voice expressing her ardent longing.

Even in that moment, they held firmly that their grasp would never fade.

It was a vow made with a steady yet fervent plea.

​

｢May your fate be tied to Kim Yeon, the first daughter of Deputy Minister Kim Ho-jin, so that she may aid your lord and continue your lineage.｣

Regardless of what she had to give in to stand by Lee Hyun, it mattered not.

Truly, she could willingly offer up anything and withstand any hardship.

So…

​

｢I will become yours… forever.｣

Even if it were to possess someone whom she loved far deep within her heart,

from head to toe, she sought to claim her lord as her own.

So that none could shatter that bond.

｢…I am in love with you, my lord.｣

Her eyes, filled solely with affection.

Her smile, brightened by the soft glow of the moon, sparkled vividly.

Her voice, layered with longing.

Seeking to display only that which she was unwilling to lose to anyone, to express the true essence of what it feels like to love.

Amidst all this, Diah wrapped herself in that radiant brightness.

And as time passed, silhouettes merged wholly.

What she displayed was maximum sincerity.

After extending her heartfelt affection to the utmost limit, and the tenderest love she could muster,

-Smirk.

｢Prepare yourself. Whenever it may be, it will surely become an unforgettable moment.｣

Her enchanting smile foretold an exceptional twist of destiny.

One that would compel anyone to acknowledge Yeong-wol as the crown princess.

Time passed, and before long, the dark night sky gradually transformed into the soft blue of dawn.

And the blue hue soon faded, quickly replaced by the deep yellow light of the sun rising above the horizon.

The arrival of a new morning.

A time anew.

And.

-Thud.

｢How have you been all this while?｣

Those assembled at the crown princess selection ceremony would face without fail a sense of undeniable superiority.

Perhaps it was because she had meticulously prepared, almost too meticulously for Lee Hyun that even those details beyond perfection became apparent.

Each small gesture radiated elegance unlike the sharpness of her previous disposition.

Even with the hostile gazes confronting her directly, she displayed no sign of retreat.

Amidst shouts and reprimands from those who recognized the woman in front of them as Yeong-wol, she would not flinch.

After enduring days against all insults and taunts, a soft smile remained fixed on her lips.

The atmosphere felt distinctly altered from before.

｢The choice remains solely in your hands, my lord. Why then, do these gentlemen tread past lines they shouldn’t as your servant?｣

With an innocent charm unfounded for her young appearance, she carried a confidence bordering on arrogance.

It was only after locking eyes with Lee Hyun on the other side that she displayed the gentlest of smiles, encapsulating an unwavering faith toward him.

One step forward.

Then another.

With soft footsteps, the shadow drew closer to Lee Hyun, enveloping the space in silence once again.

With each calm stride, her hair flowed softly and her elegant skirt danced gently.

The measured breathing combined with her strength exuded a kind of charming allure.

Before long, she radiated an indescribable pressure beyond imagination.

​

｢The first daughter of Deputy Minister Kim Ho-jin, Kim Yeon. It is an honor to meet you, my lord.｣

Each word came out steady as her gaze never wavered, giving the essence of unshakable confidence.

This composure was radiant; it left everyone in awe, unable to take their temples off her.

At that instant, it felt as if breathing itself became a task that no one could complete.

​

‘What scene did Ha-eun like the most? Personally, I adored when Yeong-wol makes her entrance as a completely different character.’

The scene described by Yoo Sungjae from days past was unfolding at that moment.

When Yeong-wol revealed her terrifying demeanor splendidly before the one person she cherishes most.