Chapter 118: Chapter 117

Sora scolded me.

“You know, people are going to think you’re a psychopath at this rate!”

“That’s why I turned off the stream and practiced.”

“That’s not the point!”

Sora scolded me once again.

It had already been over a week, going on two weeks, since the Leviathan team had formed.

There was about a month-long gap between the draft and the start of the league, so other teams were also diligently practicing. Especially Cerberus and Griffin, who would be facing off in the opening match, must be training relentlessly.

Our Leviathan team was also practicing in our own way, and I, in particular, was giving Mero some one-on-one lessons.

Though, the content of the lessons was pretty consistent: repeatedly teaching Mero some mental discipline by ruthlessly cutting her down.

Initially, we broadcasted these lessons, but after doing it a few times, the novelty wore off. The training itself was too intense to make for an entertaining stream.

Training isn’t really something that’s meant to be enjoyable anyway.

So lately, we had been practicing in private, off-stream.

“Lately, Mero’s been getting some strange nicknames.”

Some viewers had started calling her things like “Duke’s stew” or “Duke’s braised beef.” How has the Duke’s prestige fallen to such lows?

“It’s a world where you never know what’s going to be a problem! You have to be careful all the time!”

“Hm.”

I nodded absentmindedly in response to Sora’s outburst.

She wasn’t wrong.

For instance, there was a VTuber who accidentally showed a browser with their, uh, bookmarked sites on a stream. Another one tried to do a mukbang, only for their reflection to reveal some “red pills” they hadn’t meant to show. There’s even been a case where someone accidentally exposed their old account while streaming a Nintendo game they hadn’t touched since before becoming a VTuber.

It’s common for things that seem harmless to end up causing trouble.

Especially for someone like me, a highly refined Duke’s daughter, being mistaken for a psychopath is absolutely unthinkable. So, as Sora said, I should be careful.

“Why did you even start doing this in the first place? …Is Mero-senpai’s face that fascinating to you?”

“No, that’s not it. Mero, come here.”

I called for Mero.

She had been watching the entire scene from a safe distance while Sora was scolding me. Though she had warmed up to me, she still seemed a bit awkward around Sora.

When I called her name, Mero hesitantly approached, looking a bit sheepish.

I put my arm around her neck.

Thud

“H-Hey…!”

“Mero, do you know how many times you’ve died at my hands?”

“I… I don’t know….”

“Exactly 117 times.”

As I’ve said before, human memory can be quite subjective. For example, you might think you’ve never lost while playing as a holy knight, but a quick look at your match history might reveal a couple of defeats.

Humans struggle to remember exact numbers. Unless you’re a flawless Duke’s daughter like me, that is.

So Mero probably remembers getting beaten up by me but wouldn’t recall the exact number of times she was beheaded.

“You see, Mero, I’d really like it if you could act a bit more rationally.”

I whispered this into Mero’s ear.

She flinched within my arm’s grip.

She enjoys being physically affectionate with others, but she doesn’t seem used to receiving it. She looked as startled as a rabbit, her expression filled with fear.

To be honest, I’m not exactly comfortable with this kind of physical closeness myself.

Physical affection isn’t something that meshes well with the life of a noblewoman.

“Hm… Seems like you and Mero-senpai have gotten quite close?”

Sora looked at me curiously. I guess seeing me with my arm around Mero’s neck was a strange sight for her.

Anyway, Mero nodded in understanding.

“Y-Yeah… I’ll keep it in mind….”

“Thank you. So, do you have time tomorrow, Mero?”

“Tomorrow… I have something scheduled.”

“That’s a lie.”

For a split second, Mero’s eyes darted in a different direction.

It was clear she was lying. Mero is generally very honest with her desires, so it’s easy to read her in moments like this.

“Come out tomorrow too, Mero.”

“T-Tomorrow as well…?”

“Yes, tomorrow. Same rules as always.”

I tightened my arm around her neck a bit more.

As our bodies pressed closer, Mero’s gaze dropped.

Then, subtly, her hand started reaching toward my backside, so I flicked her forehead.

“Ouch….”

“Let’s help each other grow as teammates.”

I smiled lightly.

[Virtual VTuber Gallery]

[General] Is Golden Sun worth anything if he can’t do NTR?

(Mero meme)

“Can’t even get that, tsk tsk.”

[Comments]

Golden Sun got taken down by a virgin lolol

Is there a video of Sora pleasuring herself in defeat after getting NTR’d by Laura?? ㄴ Golden Sun’s such a noob lolol

Why’s he associated with the Golden Sun meme lolol

Just a family servant. ㄴ Family servant lolol

[Live Commentary] Why is Laura so harsh on Mero lolol

(Clip)

Laura: Mero’s been playing too brainlessly, so I thought she should learn that acting without thinking leads to punishment. Laura: So today, I’m planning to do a ‘Surviving the Apocalypse with Mero’ session. Laura: Mero, do you see that building over there?

Mero: Yeah, I see it.

Laura: Go in there alone.

Mero: What?

Laura: From what I’ve gathered, the serum needed to create the vaccine is stored in there. Laura: I’ll wait here, so go fetch it for me.

Mero: You want me to go in alone? Mero: With all those zombies?

Laura: If you make it back, I’ll grant you one wish.

Mero: Anything? Mero: Really?

Laura: Yes.

Mero: …And if I don’t come back?

Laura: Don’t worry about that. Laura

: I’ll just revive you as a clone.

Mero: You’re a demon…

Laura: What was that?

Mero: Nothing… Mero: I didn’t say anything…

[Comments]

Is Mero finally going to get laid? ㄴ No way. ㄴ Betting my life savings she doesn’t. ㄴ Can’t even win against a Laura with 1 HP, how’s she supposed to do it lol

Did they unlock clone technology for the main character? ㄴ Yeah, they did last time. ㄴ If they have clone tech, revive the SEKR members too! ㄴ Fat chance lolol

Is Mero a member of the suicide squad or what lol

Lately, the lady’s routine starts with killing Mero first.

What sins did Mero commit in her past life? ㄴ She’s committing them in her current life.

[Live Commentary] ??? : My poor friend Mero

(Screen capture from Laura’s stream)

"How pitiful, you’ve turned into a zombie."

[Comments]

Ended up a zombie lolol

She’s the one who turned him into a zombie and now feels bad for him lol

What happens next? ㄴ She just killed him again lol ㄴ Didn’t hesitate, just chopped his head off.

If she can break through solo, why send Mero at all? ㄴ So she has a legit reason to decapitate him. ㄴ She’s killed him illegally so many times already lolol

Wow, kinda hot. ㄴ ? ㄴ Yeah, zombie bodies can be kinda hot. ㄴ Still warm…

[General] ??? : About Mero…

(Kim Yu-shin meme)

The horse’s neck must be cut!

[Comments]

What nonsense lolol

Guess she really is Laura’s pet, huh?

Even Zhuge Liang would approve. ㄴ Literally ‘kill the horse’ lol

Mero, oh Mero, why is it only your head that’s left?

【Ally Puppeteer has defeated the enemy Saint.】 【Ally Dual Swordsman has defeated the enemy Heavy Armor Warrior.】 【Ally Combat Priest has defeated the enemy Paladin.】 【Ally Dual Swordsman has defeated the enemy Gunner.】 【Ally Dark Knight has defeated the enemy Necromancer.】 【Ally Puppeteer has defeated the enemy Martial Artist.】

The six kill logs appeared clearly on the screen, followed by the word “Victory.”

Rui let out a sigh of relief as she looked at the two large characters flashing on the screen.

“Mero! That initiation was great!”

Whack!

Valbara gave Mero a hearty slap on the back.

As a male VTuber, Valbara generally avoids any form of physical contact with female VTubers to avoid misunderstandings.

But Mero was an exception.

With her complete lack of femininity, even Valbara treated her like one of the guys.

“Eek?! Wh-What was that….”

But Mero jumped back, looking startled.

Her face didn’t look so good.

“Did that hurt?”

“No, it’s not that…”

“Anyway, great initiation! You’ve improved a lot, huh?”

“Haha…”

Mero gave a forced smile.

“Something seems off.”

Watching her, Rui thought that Mero seemed unusually subdued lately. Usually, she’s overflowing with energy, even crude in her behavior.

But recently, she’s become rather meek.

“Mero.”

“Eek?!”

This time, she only heard her name, yet Mero flinched.

The voice calling her belonged to Laura.

“L-Laura… Wh-What’s up…?”

“I watched you play from afar. You did well today.”

“Oh, thanks… Th-Thanks…”

Mero couldn’t meet her gaze, but Laura looked at her with a fond expression.

Hmm…

It seems like Mero might’ve been put through the wringer by Laura.

“She didn’t usually listen to anyone, you know.”

Rui had a close relationship with Mero.

To be blunt, among Leviathan’s six members, Rui only messaged Mero and Kirin personally through CocoaTalk.

She’d even met Mero in real life and had meals together, though Mero was a bit of a handful—like handling a wild horse sometimes.

For Laura to have tamed her so well…

“I did hear she knows how to ride. Could that have something to do with it?”

For some reason, Mero had already gained a reputation on community sites as Laura’s “trusty steed.”

There were memes of Mero lying down like a chair for Laura or fanart of her walking on all fours with reins on her face, Laura perched on her back. Some even had versions where Mero was… well, clothed and unclothed, and Rui was reminded of how diverse the world is.

At any rate, Rui was pleased to see Mero behaving herself.

Plus, Mero’s skill level was improving, and Sora’s was subtly growing as well.

“Seems like I’ve done my part raising Mero and Sora. So, what’s next?”

She recalled that Choi Gaho had mentioned helping to “train up Mero and Sora” but hadn’t told her the next plan.

It had been about two weeks since the Leviathan members began practicing together, but Choi Gaho hadn’t shown up since the initial meeting.

He occasionally sent messages on their Discord server, but as an active pro gamer, he seemed pretty busy with real-life responsibilities. Perhaps it’s because he’s a family man.

It would be helpful if Choi Gaho could explain the next plan directly, but that was probably asking too much. Rui decided she would message him privately later.

After all, that’s the role of a team captain.

“Maybe I should also plan some new games for the team and set up a few more events.”

Busy, busy.

But Rui liked being busy.

She had a bit of a workaholic streak, feeling most anxious when she had nothing to do.

Rui’s goal was to make Leviathan the most popular team in the Fantasy League.

Winning would be great, but the real point of VTuber activities is gaining popularity and subscribers, isn’t it?

“Please take care of my girls, Rui. I hope you can give them a boost.”

“It wouldn’t be a bad deal for you, either. I’ll make it worth your while.”@@novelbin@@

That was what Lingo had told Rui recently.

Help others when they’re still finding their footing, and they’ll remember your kindness later.

Aurora was destined to become the biggest VTuber on EYEAI, with both charm and star power. So solidifying a connection now would undoubtedly yield benefits in the future.

“How can I help her rise…?”

As Rui pondered this, a message notification popped up.

Ding

When Rui checked the message, the sender was Kaiser, the Fantasy League’s event organizer.

A man who’s probably rooting harder for the tournament’s success than anyone else.

Kaiser [Hey boss, I’ve got an idea for an event. Got a minute?] [It’d be great if each team could send 2-3 members.] [It’s a fun game I found.] [It’s an escape room game.] [If you don’t escape… you turn into your little sister, apparently.]

“...?”

What kind of bizarre idea is he coming up with now?