Chapter 25 : Unraveling the story of a deferred death

“What’s going to happen now?”

“What do you mean, what’s going to happen?”

“We resolved the abnormal phenomenon, didn’t we? Now we have to do interviews with reporters, go through complicated procedures at the Awakener Association… Isn’t that how it usually goes?”

I’ve seen it on the internet before.

The scene of an Awakener giving an interview after resolving an abnormal phenomenon.

Even now, dozens of reporters are gathered at the entrance.

In just a little while, my identity will be exposed to the world.

I’ve managed to survive, and now here I am worrying about my identity being exposed.

It seems my mind has finally found some peace.

However, Yoo Isul’s response was unexpected.

“Interview? Why would I do something like that? I never understand Awakeners who give interviews. What kind of wealth and glory do they think they’ll gain from it?”

“Uh… Isul, have you ever done an interview before?”

“I told you to call me Isul Unnie.”

“…You’re so rude. Let me ask you instead. Have you ever seen one of my interviews online?”

“No. I don’t think I have.”

“Exactly. I don’t do that kind of bothersome stuff. Procedures? I don’t do those either. I’m just going to hand over the item and head home.”

“But there are dozens of reporters at the entrance right now…”

“Oh, that? I sent them all away.”

“…What?”

“Before I met you, I told them all to scram. I said, ‘It’s Yoo Isul. You just stepped in shit.’ After hearing that, they all quietly left.”

From the moment I arrived here to resolve the abnormal phenomenon, I never thought I’d be able to keep my identity hidden from the viewers.

Of course, I thought it was only natural to give interviews to reporters after resolving an abnormal phenomenon.

I was planning to go live tomorrow and reveal to the viewers that I’m an Awakener, along with my abilities.

However…

Whether this is fortunate or not, I’m not sure.

But thanks to the ridiculously insane person next to me, it seems I don’t have to worry about my identity being exposed right away.

Well, there’s no such thing as an eternal lie in this world.

One day, my identity will be exposed.

But if possible, I hope it happens after my stream stabilizes…

After I build a solid concrete base of viewers for my channel.

When that time comes, I plan to reveal my identity to the viewers myself.

I walked to the entrance while chatting about various things with Yoo Isul.

The more we talked, the more I realized something.

Yoo Isul…

this person isn’t as bad as I thought.

Sure, her way of speaking is a bit rude, but…

Her personality doesn’t seem completely wrecked.

Yoo Isul asked me,

“So, who is ‘Bichineun Mutbyeol’ exactly? Are you really not going to tell me?”

“I told you, it’s the god I believe in.”

“Yeah, but I’ve never heard of a god by that name.”

“Well, if you’re so curious, why don’t you come check out my stream later?”

“Oh, you stream? What kind of stream?”

Ah…

I just messed up.

“Is this that thing called a leading question or something?”

“Not answering? Should I just search it up? Lee Jia, Bichineun Mutbyeol… Wow, it comes up

right away. And it’s even a cam stream?”

It’s not a cam stream, it’s a Vtuber channel.

Although, admittedly, the synchronization is suspiciously high.

But anyway, it’s a Vtuber channel.

When we arrived at the entrance, just as Yoo Isul said, the dozens of reporters who had gathered were nowhere to be found.

If I had to guess, it’s probably because the reporters know Yoo Isul’s personality better than anyone else.

Now that I think about it, I recall seeing something in Yoo Isul’s list of controversies and incidents about [verbal abuse toward reporters and camera destruction controversy].

Yoo Isul and I entered the Awakener Association building, which was set up right at the entrance, to deliver the item.

As soon as we stepped inside, the chairman of the Awakener Association, Yeo Jeonghwan, came running out barefoot to greet us.

No, to be precise, he came out to greet me.

“You’ve really gone through so much, Jia-nim! My goodness, you look like a mess… Are you hurt anywhere?”

“No, I’m fine.”

Surprisingly enough, aside from my clothes being riddled with holes, I wasn’t injured at all.

I’m amazed at how resilient my body is.

“I think Isul-ssi had it tougher than I did.”

Yeo Jeonghwan stared silently at Yoo Isul.

Then, in her typical rude tone, Yoo Isul responded,

“What are you looking at, old man? If you’ve got something to say, spit it out.”

“Jia-nim, has Yoo Isul caused you any trouble?”

“Trouble? Hell no. I took a knife for her while protecting her, for crying out loud.”

“…Is that true?”

I gave a slight nod.

Yeo Jeonghwan visibly flinched with surprise.

Whether he was flustered or not didn’t matter.

Yoo Isul casually tossed the diffuser she was holding to Yeo Jeonghwan and said,

“Get the briefing from her, old man. Hey, Lee Jia.”

“Yes?”

“Give me your number.”

“Oh, uh, sure.”

Yoo Isul and I exchanged numbers.

Yeo Jeonghwan, watching us, looked utterly shocked.

What’s up with this guy?

“See you next time. I’m out.”

“Pl-please take care!”

And just like that, Yoo Isul disappeared from view.

Yeo Jeonghwan murmured to himself,

“Yoo Isul… called someone by name. And even exchanged numbers. This… this is a clear abnormal phenomenon…!”

Is calling someone by their name really something so shocking?

I provided the most detailed briefing possible on the recent situation.

I explained how effective my ability was in resolving the abnormal phenomenon.

Using my ability, I recited the wiki information word for word without a single error.

Fortunately, information I had previously checked could always be reviewed again.

If I couldn’t do that, it wouldn’t even be worthy of being called a wiki.

After hearing my briefing, Yeo Jeonghwan looked momentarily dazed before letting out a small, incredulous laugh and speaking.

“To think you could even figure out the solution to the abnormal phenomenon… This… I never imagined such detailed information could be acquired…”

“I’m glad it was helpful.”

“Yes. It’s actually been so helpful that it’s overwhelming. Jia-nim, you’re an invaluable talent. If I had my way, I’d assign you exclusively to item appraisal rather than these dangerous tasks of resolving abnormal phenomena.”

“I’m kind of stuck with a curse that makes me die if I don’t write about abnormal phenomena on the wiki.”

“…That’s the problem. The lack of information about the black smoke you encountered is incredibly frustrating. What in the world could it be?”

Black smoke.

Well, I don’t know much, but one thing is certain:

There’s some connection between Bichineun Mutbyeol-nim and that black smoke.

And that black smoke…

It didn’t feel like a simple abnormal phenomenon.

This is just a baseless, gut-feeling assumption…

But somehow, I’m oddly certain of it.

Anyway.

“You don’t have to worry too much about me. It turns out, I’m sturdier than I thought.”

“An ability to verify information, combined with a body tough enough to withstand being cut by a blade… Even though I’m a dual Awakener like you, Jia-nim, my abilities aren’t nearly as exceptional.”

To be precise, it’s not a dual ability but rather a trait of the ‘Ardent Follower’ species.

But does that even matter?

What’s important is that I fulfilled my duties as the Official Archivist.

And in doing so, I successfully delayed my disposal.

What could possibly be more important than that?

“Anyway, I look forward to working with you in the future, Jia-nim.”

“Is that it? Nothing else?”

“Yes, that’s all. I’ll escort you home. However, it would be greatly appreciated if you could visit the Awakener Association from time to time to assist with item appraisals and such.”

“That’s not too difficult.”

“Thank you. Lastly, we’ve decided to keep your identity hidden from the public for the time being.”

“Oh. Did Kim Joonghwan…?”

“How did you know? Yes, Kim Joonghwan strongly insisted that Jia-nim’s identity must not be revealed.”

Damn it.

Kim Joonghwan!

I didn’t trust you at all!

Thanks to Kim Joonghwan’s understanding of Vtuber streaming, it seems I’ve avoided the misfortune of having to do an explanation stream for my viewers if my identity were exposed.

As expected, there are no bad people among Ayase’s viewers.

This is what you’d call the average Adungi viewer.

[Duties of the Official Archivist]

No breaks unless dead.

You must stream at least once a day, or you will be forcibly returned to the Omnia Archive.

Write at least one new [Item] document per month. (This month’s duty: Completed)

Write at least one new [Abnormal Phenomenon] document per month. (This month’s duty: Completed)

Failure to fulfill these duties will result in the immediate revocation of Archivist status and disposal.

The duties of the Official Archivist are updated in real-time.

“Hehehe… Hehehehehe!”

The next day.

I stared at the newly updated Lee Jia (Vtuber) wiki entry and giggled like a lunatic.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The sound wasn’t the price for my blasphemy.

It was the neighbor pounding on the wall, complaining about the noise.

I felt bad about the disturbance, but what can I do when laughter just keeps bubbling up naturally?

After reading through the updated entry about myself, I let out a sigh of relief for being alive.

And then—

“Haaaaaaah…”

I exhaled another deep sigh, as if trying to collapse the ground beneath me.

Humans truly are fickle creatures.

Having survived the brink of death, I now found myself worrying about trivial matters.

Yesterday, right before ending my stream, I remembered the promise I made to my viewers.

“I’ll do a 24-hour endurance stream.”

I must have lost my mind.

No matter how urgent the situation was, what was I thinking making a promise like that?

Ah.

If I could turn back time, I’d slap my past self across the face.

Not that it would hurt much, given my absurdly tough body that can’t even be pierced by a blade.

But still, I’d slap me anyway.

For a Vtuber, a promise made to viewers is sacred.

Unless there’s a natural disaster, it must absolutely be kept.

I’ve seen more than a few Vtubers fall into ruin after breaking promises to their viewers.

At least other Vtubers have the option to “reincarnate” by switching up their avatar and RP.

But I can’t reincarnate.

Not ever.

I only have one life, one chance.

That’s it.

Is this what a cow feels like being led to the slaughterhouse?

Before my regular stream time arrived, I forced myself to close my eyes and get as much rest as possible.

I also stocked up at the convenience store, buying energy drinks and caffeine-loaded coffee milk in generous amounts.

And then—

I started the stream.