11

[Hero of Light, Fridae: Forming, just hold the line steadily. Yes, that's perfect. Let's keep pushing forward.]

[Hero Forming: Is this really okay? Aren't we overdoing it?]

[Hero of Light, Fridae: It's fine. I'll back you up from behind.]

[Isn't this the first time Forming has taken on this kind of position? Lol.]

[Forming isn't the Hero, but a human shield, apparently.]

[Even the enemy archers can't snipe properly.]

[If you're holding a giant shield and only guarding, of course, arrows won't penetrate. They'd need to attack you for over five minutes straight.]

[Normally, a melee weapon would pierce the sides, but geez, Fridae is holding the line behind.]

[Fridae's sweet moves—rushing in as soon as Forming's shield durability or stamina reaches the limit—are so cool!]

[Is this all part of some meta-strategy?]

***

It might be a unique feature of collaborative streams through virtual reality.

Not only could the host see the chat, but so could I.

It was quite an unusual experience.

If we won this game, the excitement would only grow.

Since we happened to team up as a duo, it was convenient that we were heading in the same direction.

Right to the central lane.

In the team battle of Soul Warfare, this was the only area where the frontline soldiers of both teams clashed directly.

At the heart of it all, Forming wielded a weapon combo famous for its balance—a massive shield paired with a moonlight straight sword.

Blocking the endless onslaught of enemies with unyielding guard.

Like tuna biting a tasty bait, a rapier aimed for Forming's side, while a giant glaive targeted me to cover the enemy's allies.

If left alone, it would be too much for Forming to handle alone.

'It feels a little early, but…'

I decided to dive in first.

Activating a dash toward the enemy knight's glaive, I calculated my rapidly depleting stamina while sensing the arrows coming from a distant enemy archer.

Unlike cautiously measuring distance like when meeting on a detour, this was a more aggressive approach.

Both our team's archer and theirs were positioning for a shot, making the situation tense.

The glaive didn't back away, likely planning to hide behind the vanguard if our archer aimed at them.

Not that I couldn't understand.

After all, I was the one charging forward first.

They only needed to aim for the gaps when I blocked or evaded the rain of arrows.

Whoosh!

'It's coming!'

'Would it truly be heroic to block or dodge the arrow like a coward?'

Matching the timing as the arrow approached my body, I activated a shoulder charge.

Ting!

With a sharp metallic clang, the arrow deflected.

Though my health still took damage, the super armor of the shoulder charge allowed me to close the gap without flinching.

The enemy would undoubtedly make the first move.

As I fully closed the distance, the glaive unleashed a signature horizontal sweep.

The precise arc of the blade, almost grazing its target, revealed the enemy's persistent intent to exploit the desperate reach of my broken greatsword.

Allowing that strike would chain into tower attacks, leaving me staring at a gray screen.

'Now's the time!'

I executed a roll, driving my broken sword into the ground ahead.

Thunk!

With the rough sound of the ground being pierced, I used the hilt as a pivot point.

Utilizing the momentum of my roll, I spun my body like a drifting car.

Though the glaive followed with a delayed swing, the enemy's exposed back appeared before my eyes first.

Slash!

Amidst the crossing of blades, blood sprayed into the air.

Squelch!

My blade struck first, sinking into the enemy left vulnerable by their misstep.

[Hero of Light, Fridae: Sweet victory.]

"Whoo."

Confirming the kill mark, I exhaled a breath of relief.

The dive I'd just made was reckless, a choice that could have easily backfired.

But in this type of game, high risks often meant high rewards.

Pushing forward, I shoved the rapier-wielding foe troubling Forming off the map with a decisive blow to their back.

"Gotcha~!"

The rapier-wielder pestering Forming wasn't exactly the cleanest adversary.

It wasn't even mid-game yet, but with two enemies absent from their lane, we had to press the advantage.

[Hero of Light, Fridae: Let's start pushing the lane. Forming, step back for a moment to recover stamina, and let's finish the remaining two.]

[Hero of Light is a god-tier player!]

[That drift move while showing off those long legs—so cool.]

[Did you see that drift? Fridae is Initial D material.]

[Pulling off stunts like that with a broken greatsword—are we playing Soul Warfare or Soul Circus?]

[That acrobatic move is a masterpiece, teacher.]

[I'm off to practice my moves now. Huff!]

[Don't even dream of pulling that off in lower ranks. If you try, you'll just look like you're doing folk dances in front of the enemy.]

***

Retreating briefly to regroup, I savored the torrent of messages flooding the chat.

The endless stream of praise directed toward me.

The subtle thrill tickled my heart, leaving me craving more.

'Could this… be my form of ecstasy?'

My musings were interrupted by Forming's surprised voice as they retreated.

Ah, I wanted to relish the moment a little longer.

[Hero Forming: Whoa, what was that dive just now? You actually pulled it off.]

[Hero of Light, Fridae: I just got lucky.]

[Hero Forming: That glaive was from a grandmaster tier, though. Luck doesn't explain that.]

[Hero of Light, Fridae: Well, I tried it and it worked.]

[Hero Forming: ...….]

When the rules of the game were followed, strategies aligned, and victories stacked up, the fun reached its peak.

In the virtual reality space where a hero's might couldn't shine, Dominating the game as an ordinary person and leading the team to victory delivered an unmatched exhilaration.

And then…

[Hero Forming: Everyone! I've reached master rank!]

[Hero of Light is the best hero!]

[A broken greatsword carrying the game—what a rare sight.]

[Three rounds, 54 kills?]

[This is why we need to duo more.]

[Forming has finally reached master rank.]

[Fridae's skill matches her sweet voice—if only her looks matched, too.]

[A broken greatsword is invincible, and Hero Fridae is a legend.]

[Should we call her the goddess of the opening ceremony? Let's give her some likes.]

[Our Forming wasn't just riding a bus, they were on a bomber jet.]

[And that jet was a master-rank bomber jet.]

[Golden Wings Badge]

A badge adorned with radiant golden wings.

It was the proud symbol of Master Rank.

Dayoung chattered excitedly, unable to contain her joy.

Seeing her delighted expression, Sehee, also known as Hero of Light Fridae, felt the satisfaction of having successfully carried her teammate to victory.

[Hero Forming: Wow, I enjoyed the bus ride. Hero of Light, your skills with that broken greatsword are amazing.]

[Hero of Light Fridae: You did great too, Forming.]

It wasn't just a compliment.

Dayoung's skills were actually commendable.

Sehee wasn't the type to calmly read the battlefield and give cold, calculated orders.

If anything, her playstyle was closer to chaotic and improvisational, bordering on reckless.

Yet Dayoung perfectly matched her movements and pace.

With skills like that, she would've reached Master Rank eventually, even without duoing with Sehee.

[Hero Forming: But is there a reason you use the broken greatsword? With your skills, using something like the Blade of Rebellion or the Wide Edge would let you perform much better.]

[Why even use a weapon like that?]

[Is Fridae going to end up using a branding iron at this rate?]

[A branding iron is still a weapon! Stop discriminating.]

[Excuse me, a branding iron is a stamp.]

[I'll hold my breath until Fridae uses the Twin Princesses' Greatsword. Huff!]

[Hero Forming: See? Everyone agrees! I just want to see you fight stylishly with other weapons too!]

In her right hand was a broken sword with more than half its blade missing—a pitiful sight.

[Hero of Light Fridae: No particular reason…]

[Hero Forming: Come on, there must be a reason. I'm really curious.]

Sehee scratched her cheek and answered awkwardly.

"Um… let's just say I wanted to show that even a weapon like this could shine. It's more for my personal satisfaction."

[So it's Hero of Light Fridae's ego trip, huh?]

[Even broken swords get pampered by Hero Fridae, huh?]

[I'll break my own weapon and call it a greatsword!]

[A branding iron is still a weapon!]

Watching the chat's reactions, Sehee chuckled softly.

[Hero of Light Fridae: Was that too random?]

[Hero Forming: No, it's actually touching. You're like a real hero.]

[Hero of Light Fridae: I am a real hero.]

[Hero Forming: Wait, really?]

Sehee's lips, faintly visible through her visor, curved into a gentle smile.

Like a single flower blooming in the desolate plains of Soul Warfare, she murmured softly.

[Hero of Light Fridae: Yes, I really am a hero.]

***

Momentum is a scary thing.

It pushes you forward relentlessly, toward an unknown future.

After Dayoung achieved Master Rank, the broadcast continued for hours.

Even though it had been a while since the stream started, there were no signs of it ending.

"And now, Hero Collab time! Let's have a chat with Hero Forming and Hero of Light Fridae!"

Originally, I had planned to just play Soul Warfare together and watch the broadcast casually.

But I'd long since fallen into her rhythm.

[Collab between Fridae and Forming? Hype!]

[Is this what they call Hero Clásico?]

[No, it's different!]

[Like an Emil Bell replaced with heroes.]

[A viewer interacting with viewers?! Mind-blowing!]

The MS Room was a virtual reality space offering a variety of services for gamers.

One of its features allowed users to invite friends for joint broadcasts.

Now, I was seated in her MS Room, chatting with Hero Forming.

'A viewer chatting like a streamer, huh…'

Anyone watching might think this was a full-blown collab stream.

Still, I didn't mind.

If anything, I welcomed it.

Wearing a helmet meant I didn't feel the pressure of revealing myself offline.

I could just relax and enjoy the conversation.

That's the essence of "Just Chatting," isn't it?

"First question! Did you design your avatar yourself?"

[She nailed the concept.]

[Sis, will you sell that skin?]

"Wow, lots of questions! Yes, I designed it offline myself, and no, I don't plan on selling it. It's something I'm personally attached to."

Apparently, my outfit piqued their curiosity.

Even after answering, questions about my equipment kept coming.

[The cloak's details are amazing—what's it made of? I'm studying fashion design, so I'm curious!]

[It's not just fabric, right? Is it a veil woven with gold threads?]

[If it's offline-made armor, how much does it weigh?]

[Can you share the manufacturer? The design screams custom craftsmanship.]

"Sorry, but that's classified. It's an industry secret."

"An industry secret? Really?"

Surprised, Forming tilted her head.

I responded with a knowing smile.

The truth was, my equipment was made of materials that didn't exist in this world.

Sharing details would be meaningless.

Now, it was my turn to ask a question.

"Why does your nickname include 'Hero,' Forming? It's unusual for a streamer."

"Oh, that?"

[Heroes are for Fridae only!]

[A world with two heroes is fine, too.]

After glancing at the chat, she smiled at me.

"Hero, didn't you say earlier that you're a real hero?"

"Yes, that's right."

"Same here. I'm a hero too. Don't you think being a hero is something to be proud of?"

Placing both hands over her heart, she spoke with warmth.

"Even if no one acknowledges it, I know what I've achieved…."

Leaning on my hand, I listened quietly, feeling a strange itch in my heart.

'Perhaps….'

Though there was no way to prove it in this virtual reality, her earnest gaze was rare to find.

"I don't think you're lying."

"Hehe, you believe me? Most people don't."

As she shyly stuck out her tongue, I instinctively reached out.

Through the metal of my gauntlet, I could almost feel her warmth.

Startled by the gesture, her eyes widened.

I smiled gently.

"I believe you, Forming. After all, I'm a hero too."

"Wha…?"

Boing!

If expressions made sounds, hers would be a perfect "boing."

[Hero! Confirmed chemistry!]

[Is this hinting at sisterly bonds?]

[Fridae's voice is pure bliss.]

['SweatyFan' donated 50,000 won! Heroes bonding—this calls for a feast!]

"Thank you for the donation, SweatyFan! What's with this bonding talk, though?"

The message accompanying the donation was one of the most chaotic I'd ever seen.

"Is this stream always like this?"

"No, not really!"

Forming… turned out to be a fun hero to tease.

***

The stream gradually reached its conclusion.

I left the MS Room and resumed watching as a viewer.

"Today was so much fun. This is what happiness feels like."

[Forming was in high spirits today.]

[It's nice to see her stream doing well for a change.]

[Let's have another duo with Fridae next time!]

[Viewers joining the stream—what a rare gem!]

Watching her wrap up, I opened the donation window one last time.

Even though the stream was about to end, I wanted to give her a proper send-off.

Channeling the power of a hero into my fingertips, I clicked.

['Hero of Light Fridae' donated 100,000 won! Host, today's game was fun. Let's duo again sometime.]

"Thank you for the donation, Fridae! See you all next time!"

Her bright, beaming smile as she flashed a V-sign was lovely to see.

As the stream ended, I felt the curse weighing her down weaken.

Financial healing with the power of a hero always works.

Without a doubt.

End of Stream