Chapter 145: I’m the damn queen

[Blooming Core Minor Gallery]

Title: Leah’s server-first +12 and the reactions…clip

Content: (Success effect after the blackout, the bow floating in the air)
(Koharu’s stream ending abruptly without a word)
(Ayame, broken… declares she gives up on educating her junior)
(Karen, demanding a cut since she encouraged the enhancement in the first place)
(A screenshot with the onlookers, excluding Koharu ^^)

Comments:

• I screamed when the glowing bow rose from below

• I thought it broke for sure, what a twist
  └ The admins are evil, the initial effect looks exactly like a failure lol

• Koharu rage quitting is hilarious lol
  └ She ended her stream the moment the +12 message appeared lol
  └ It’s funny, but I’m worried she’ll quit Voxel Craft ㅜ
  └ Don’t worry, she’ll be back, grinding all night to earn enhancement funds lol

• Karen, you discouraged her from +12, why are you demanding a cut? lol
  └ Shameless Karen
  └ The 3rd generation is shameless like their leader lol
  └ Is Leah the leader of the 3rd generation?
  └ Not officially, but if they had to choose one, it’d be Leah
  └ That’s true

└ Seriously, how many legendary moments is she creating in Voxel Craft alone?
└ RP server = Leah’s personal playground
└ Clippers are rejoicing!
└ Seriously, even looking back, that +12 success is insane

Title: +12 Deepwood Bow performance test…mp4

Content: (Leah hunting a Dark Dragon)

OP as
lol

Comments:

• The entire hunt in one clip? lol

• Look at that damage lol

• 4-shot lol
  └ The Dark Dragon has 400 HP, so each arrow does at least 100 damage…
  └ Landing all headshots is also impressive

• She probably can’t capture most wild animals now lol

• One-shotting them, so there’s no way to leave them at low HP lol

• Good thing she already secured her mounts

• Will there even be a chance to properly use that weapon before the server closes?

• It was already unbalanced because of her physical skills

• Don’t worry, according to Leah, she’ll be given a ‘role befitting the weapon’
  └ Practically gave them a mission lol
  └ Ah, giving the admins more work lol

• I’m impressed by Leah’s talk… It would’ve been a disaster if the +12 attempt failed, but she turned the atmosphere around
  └ Listening to her, I felt like I had to try it too… and even if I failed, it’s okay, right? I felt like that lol
  └ She sounds well-read
  └ Ha, women are more attractive when they’re a bit air-headed… but I’ll take one for the team
  └ (Leah-con aiming the Spirit Bow)

• Esmi Leah’s theory of fate is that there are realms of seizing and realms of permission within fate. It’s an insight that recognizes both will and flow. This enhancement is the same. By emphasizing the bond with the weapon, it seems like she’s focusing on the aspect of permission, but the act of challenging extremely low probabilities is itself an attitude of seizing. In the end, perhaps the most mature stance a human can take before fate is to exert their will while remaining unfazed by the outcome.
  └ ????????
  └ Are you drunk? lol
  └ What a Vtuber critic lol
  └ So dignified lol
  └ Even she wouldn’t have thought that deeply lol
  └ ???: What the
  is this nerd saying…?
  └ Leah would probably like this comment though lol

Mark Lennox was a former editor at Pitchfork, the music criticism webzine. Now, he was a full-time YouTuber.

In-depth music commentary utilizing his major?
That wasn’t the main content of his channel, “Ear First.”

His main content was reacting – mostly with awe and surprise – to various genres with his expressive face.

That’s what got more views and shares.
Well, that’s how you survived on YouTube.

But the comments he casually dropped during his reactions, and the reviews he delivered at the end, definitely showed he had an ‘ear for music.’

His current subscriber count was 1.32 million.

And just now, a new video was uploaded to his channel.

[REACTION – Virtual Opera Singer Performs ‘Queen of the Night’ Aria?]

The thumbnail was a close-up of Mark’s face, hands on his head, next to a 2D character with long, straight hair.

The video started with a light greeting to his subscribers.

“Someone tagged me on Z. Said I ‘had to see this.’ Well, it’s usually nothing special… but let’s see.”

Mark’s voice was light, as if it wasn’t a big deal. Topped with his characteristic playful laugh.

“A virtual opera singer… that’s new. But honestly, I don’t think it’s a good combination.”

He smiled again while looking at the avatar.

“It’s from Japan, right? Right? The character design is definitely Japanese. Big eyes, anime colors… total Vocaloid vibes.”

He put on his earphones. As he pressed the play button and the first note played,

“…Wait.”

Mark’s hand moved without hesitation.

He paused the video.
And rewound it.

“I’ll rewind it.”

This time, he didn’t say anything.
Leaning back in his chair, his gaze at the screen had changed.
His lips, devoid of his usual faint smile, were set, and a slight wrinkle appeared on his forehead.

“What the…”

The video continued to play. The notes gradually ascended.
But before reaching the climax,

He reached out and paused the video again.

“…I apologize. I have to pause it one more time.”

Mark shook his head and chuckled briefly.
This time, his expression was closer to confusion than surprise.

“Honestly, I was expecting to hear electronic sounds. The usual autotune, a stiff tone. That kind of thing. But the sound I heard in those few seconds?”

Still shaking his head, he continued,

“That wasn’t virtual. That was visceral.”

He rubbed his forehead.

“Okay. From the beginning again. I’ll listen properly this time.”

He leaned forward slightly. He stared intently at the avatar’s moving mouth.

His breath hitched, and just before the high note began,

“…No, no. Don’t tell me she’s gonna -“

Ah-ah-ah –

The moment the first phrase erupted,

Mark, who had been bowing his head, jumped up. His chair wheels screeched as it rolled back, and his hands flew to his head.

“She did it. She actually did it.”

Half laughter, half surprise. Confusion and thrill mixed in his eyes.

He looked down at the screen, still half-standing.

The character on the screen held the high note perfectly, without faltering.

And then.
The sound descending, then soaring again.
Rapidly splitting notes, followed by jumps.
Entering the coloratura section.

Mark didn’t move.

“…I’m.”

He opened his mouth, but no words followed.

His lips parted a few times, and he looked at the screen again with his mouth wide open.

“No way. Just… No
way.”

He uttered a word that was bleeped out mid-sentence.

He couldn’t sit back down, nor could he stand up straight,
he just stood there, hands on his head.

After a long while, he took a deep breath and muttered,

“This isn’t just a performance. This person is making a declaration.”

His next words were filled with conviction, as if he was making the declaration himself.

“She’s saying, ‘I’m the damn queen.’”

After the song ended, his commentary continued with a brief analysis and his impressions. And then, looking at the screen, Mark said,

“Wait a minute. Looking at her channel, it says she’s Korean?”

This week, I was invited to Eunseo’s family’s house.

Even if you’re close neighbors, you don’t necessarily have to meet regularly.

But it was awkward to refuse when a child was looking forward to it, so I eventually agreed.

And it had been a while since we last met.

But when Eunseo’s mom called, I heard something a bit unexpected.

“Choeun… I’m really sorry, but I think we have to postpone tomorrow’s plans.”

Well, as long as it wasn’t a same-day cancellation, I didn’t mind. Actually, even if it was a same-day cancellation, I wouldn’t have gone anyway.

“It’s okay. Did something come up?”

“Ah… yes. Actually, I got a call from the hospital. The supporters’ association there holds a charity event every summer for children with rare diseases. Our family was invited this time.”

“A charity event?”

“Yes. It’s a dinner, and invited musicians perform. They also collect donations from the sponsors.”

Eunseo’s mom hesitated.

“Actually… I received the call a few days ago, but I couldn’t tell you, Choeun. Even though we were invited, we were discussing whether to go or not as a family. We had plans with you, and I know how much Eunseo was looking forward to that day… but we eventually decided to go, so I’m telling you now. I’m really sorry.”

“Don’t apologize. I’m really okay.”

Even as I said that, an uncomfortable feeling quickly rose within me.

It wasn’t because the plans were cancelled.

A feeling of… unease and nausea.

I couldn’t help but ask cautiously,

“Is… Eunseo sick?”