Former Hero, Solo Play Oriented

Chapter 92

*Ding dong—*

"Oh, it must be Dayeon."

As I sat on the living room sofa with Chris tending to my hair, the doorbell rang. Chris got up to greet Beimerung.

*Click, thud, thud, thud.*

I heard some conversation and hurried footsteps near the entrance, and soon, a petite woman with a bob haircut appeared, wearing a cheerful smile as she sat down to my left.

"Hi, Rain! How are you feeling?"

"Hello, Dayeon unnie. I'm feeling much better."

Nam Dayeon—Beimerung—smiled as she examined me, her eyes quickly welling up with tears as she grasped my hand tightly.

"Sniff... Chris unnie isn't taking care of you properly, is she? Why don’t you just live at my place?"

"Hey, Nam Dayeon!"

Chris returned with a disgruntled expression and sat to my right, pulling me closer to her. Wrapped in Chris's arms, I looked at Beimerung and shook my head.

"It's not Chris unnie's fault. I've just been pushing myself too hard in the game lately. I need to take more breaks since my body is weak."

"Really? I was so worried! When you said you had to take a break because you weren’t feeling well, I thought you’d end up in the hospital again."

"Well, it’s not that serious. But I do need to finish my daily quests."

"Hey! You promised me you'd take a break for a few days!"

"Yes..."

Seeing Chris’s stern expression, I lowered my head. I couldn’t disobey her, especially since I knew I had overworked myself.

Chris chuckled softly and, with a dreamy look, began gently running her fingers through my hair again.

"Rain’s hair is so beautiful... haaa...."

"Uh, um..."

Although I’d agreed to take a few days off, there wasn’t much to do outside the world of Astria. Recently, I’d been letting Chris pamper me, like some sort of beloved doll.

In Astria, I’m constantly running around completing quests and exploring with Rain’s body, so I don’t spend as much time with Chris as I'd like.

And if Chris wanted to enjoy my company more, I had to let her interact with me in the real world. With the average player's synchronization rate in Astria, it’s hard for her to truly enjoy it.

When I give her my body, it makes Chris happy, and I feel good, too. It’s one of the few moments of joy I can experience in Seulbi's body.

As Chris continued to stroke my hair, I suddenly blushed at a thought.

Recently, she’d helped me bathe.

At the time, I was dazed from the painkillers, and I’d let myself be pampered like a child, but looking back, it was quite embarrassing.

No matter how close we were as women, showing my naked body and letting someone else wash me—well, it was still a bit awkward.

Even if my body is small, I can still claim to be a grown woman, right?

Surely, I wasn’t the only one embarrassed. Chris had turned bright red and fidgeted constantly during the whole thing, so she must have been flustered too.

What have you done, Rain?

Still, it felt nice. And Chris seemed to enjoy it, too, so it must have been okay.

You liked it too, right, unnie? Hmm, is that the right way to think?

Before I could dwell on it, a cookie appeared before my mouth, and I instinctively took it.

*Munch.*

Beimerung grinned as she fed me.

"Aw, you eat so well."

"...Am I some kind of pet to you?"

"Of course, my cute little animal."

Beimerung teased me.

I shook my head at her childish behavior.

Comparing our sizes, she wasn’t exactly in a position to call me a little animal.

I’m about 145 cm, and Beimerung’s around 155 cm, so there’s maybe a hand’s width between us. But compared to Chris, who’s nearly 180 cm tall, we’re both tiny.

"Chris unnie has such a model-like figure and height, but Beimerung unnie... well..."

"Rain, you!"

*Smack!*

*Thud.*

Beimerung lay on the living room floor, looking up at me with wide eyes, our faces so close I could feel her breath.

*Pat, pat.*

I gently patted the back of her head. It didn’t seem like she was hurt.

By the way, pink really suits Beimerung's hair. Black, the standard color in Korea, looks a little awkward on her.

"Sigh, you should be more careful."

I removed my arms from behind her head and smiled down at her.

Beimerung had cushioned my fall, so I wasn’t hurt either. And since I’d used my arms to soften the impact, Beimerung's head was fine, though her backside might be a little sore.

My arms and elbows stung a bit from hitting the floor to support her, but it was worth it to keep Beimerung safe.

Even in Seulbi's body, unable to walk, my reflexes were still sharp. The quick reactions I’d developed as a Hero hadn’t disappeared.

After all, my strength and speed had always been supplemented by my sacred sword and mana, which was why my petite body hadn’t developed much muscle.

"...?"

But something seemed off with Beimerung.

She stared at my face with a dazed look, then turned her eyes away, blushing.

Then, as if steeling herself, she squeezed her eyes shut and shouted.

"No! I won’t be like Chris unnie!"

"Chris... what?"

What’s she talking about?

Did she hit her head after all?

---

*Munch.*

I tore into a chicken drumstick.

Today’s lunch was takeout. Crispy fried chicken.

I could now eat about half a chicken, thanks to my improved appetite.

Chris handed me a second drumstick with a smile.

"I was going to cook, but I didn’t have enough side dishes, so I ordered food instead. I know you love chicken."

"Yes, I really love chicken."

Beimerung sat with her head down

, nibbling on her chicken, sneaking glances at me.

"...It's like something out of an old anime... all cute, but then with those cool eyes."

"...? What are you talking about, Nam Dayeon?"

"Huh! Oh, it’s nothing!"

Chris tilted her head in confusion, then brushed it off and asked Beimerung about her progress.

"It looks like the next elite dungeon will open soon. Have you leveled up enough, Dayeon?"

"Of course! Beimerung, the newly strengthened mage of Chris’s raid team, is ready to go! This time, I’ll beat Rain’s party for sure!"

Beimerung was back to her confident self, as if she had never been flustered.

Chris and I exchanged amused glances.

Her raid party members still didn’t know.

They’d find out during the next elite dungeon run.

"I’m all set too."

I had already created the account for streaming the event.

The world that all players are striving for together?

No, the *Astria Online* you built belongs to me.

Through this elite dungeon run, I’ll make sure everyone knows the name *Rain*.

Not just all the players, but even the ones who turned the continent of Astria into a game. Just watch me.