NOVEL NEXT Chapter 574
[October 2053 Champion Update: The Return of Asteria]
Asteria, who lived for the revenge of the Selena species, finally completed her vengeance by dragging the final boss, Duke Arkansha, into the furnace.
This anime episode received a dreadful rating of 1.4 out of 5, drawing endless curses from viewers.
Then, six months later…
In a new episode, the protagonist’s party discovers a younger version of Asteria.
The Selcore, which was inside the star destroyer, managed to fuse with her body and bring her back to life.
Really, a plotline that completely defies logic.
However, this episode received an impressive rating of 4.7 out of 5.
It turns out, the sheer cuteness and coolness of Petite Asteria’s battle scenes won everyone over.
“I think it’s true. In fact, do we only look for coherence when misfortune strikes us? Throughout life, unexpected luck or misfortune can hit us out of nowhere. Yet, we tend to take the given luck for granted while always searching for reasons behind our misfortunes. If this is human nature, then it perhaps is.”
– Uu, tui tjia… Misfortune is too much to bear
– Even if it’s forced, let’s keep on living~
– You just can’t resist NoNamer, lol
– Asteria committed companion suicide ← Why didn’t she jump out right before she fell, with so many movement devices?
└ Came back from the furnace / became NoNamer ← Aww, so cute, lol
└ That’s it, lol
Asteria was fundamentally an unbalanceable champion.
High-risk, high-return champions ultimately split their lives in a tight match at the beginning.
Thus, this reworked Asteria was reborn with a completely different skill set.
The setting was that her own body had become the weapon.
Asteria became an intuitive assassin champion who charges and consumes moonlight in the bushes and along the riverbanks.
[NoName – Diamond IV]
– What’s with the no-name dud? This is precious
– Asteria looks easy and buffed; I wonder how it goes
– Emergency in the Diamond zone!!!
– Better hide your nickname in-game
– LOL, no doubt a fan meeting will be held
I selected Asteria from the pick screen.
I perked up my gray fox ears and looked around.
“Wow, I really shrunk…”
I could feel the noticeable drop in perspective.
Old Asteria stood at 180cm.
But now, she didn’t even reach 140!
Feeling her chest with both hands, it was as flat as ever.
– Starting to show clear signs of dislike already, lol
– The room leader’s ears are adorably long, lol
– Na-me prefers Pudding Asteria, boo-hoo
– Is this League of Legends or something?
– This is the Asteria you chose; grit your teeth and endure.
I bounced in place and ran fast to gauge my movement speed.
“Well, it still feels nostalgic being back home. I read somewhere that modern people suffer from existential loneliness because we are a generation without a hometown. Most people born in cities find their childhood neighborhoods no longer resemble what they used to be. I’ve been blessed with a hometown that never changes, so in that sense, I consider it a blessing.”
“ADC, can we swap?”
“I can’t play support.”
“How about a double ADC?”
“If you want to lose, go ahead and pick that.”
“Yeah, I don’t mind losing. This is just my smurf.”
“Your winning rate is 45%, huh? Analyzing your life based on your smurf jokes makes sense.”
Our bottom duo was already fighting before the game even started.
Suddenly, it hit me.
What was I even thinking…
– Team’s really in bad shape, lol
– LMAO
– Let’s just quit this crazy game, Na-me
– It’s dizzying, lol
– Home town is pretty tough, huh?
I hid my nickname and settled on a new one for this match.
[Just Listen and Watch the Screen Off]
*
I set the tone for a calm broadcast, considering the viewers.
I turned the in-game sounds down as low as possible.
After hitting level 2, I used my precious flash skill, available once every five minutes, to sneak over the wall and invade the enemy jungle.
“Dreaming Mode will open the server once this match ends. Normally, it would open at midnight, but you can try it out a few hours early, so please understand.”
I hid in the bushes, charging my moonlight.
High-output energy pierced through the enemy jungle’s eyebrows.
After winning the smite battle, I secured my first kill just 2 minutes and 5 seconds into the game.
“Wow, you really hit that hard! 
”
“I see Asteria went from being a late-game champion to an early-game monster.”
“WTF, the game broke in just 2 minutes, lol!”
“I turned my screen on out of curiosity because of the chat.”
“Gameplay is just a usual part of life, I guess.”
[Our Allies Have Fallen]
[Enemy Double Kill]
But what followed was the news of our bottom lane’s demise.
Without a care, I continued my jungle path.
“Earlier, we briefly mentioned the strike; I think we need to touch on this again. To summarize, hospitals were running in a way that they covered losses through their medical profits, but if I take those lucrative businesses away, it will create a structure where they cannot cover losses.”
[Our Allies Have Fallen]
[You Have Eliminated the Enemy]
Our mid-laner got solo killed, but I rushed in and snagged the kill.
“So, if Dreaming Mode is to be deployed, it should only be used for high-cost, low-revenue items like critical care and rare diseases… I want to do that too. However, from a realistic perspective, we can’t make such convenient magic with our current technical power. Hence, many people are working hard around the world.”
– Did you seriously say that?
– Telling us to just take the loss on those bad businesses is really a thief’s mindset, lol.
– Isn’t this Na-me significantly toned down?
– Yeah, the actual query to the government was asking, “Please just let the Dream Capsule be used for critical and rare diseases and patients in nursing homes.”
– These guys are crazy, lol.
The already ruined enemy jungle was seething with anger as they rushed into our territory.
Again, I charged my moonlight in the bushes and surprised them from behind, claiming another kill.
[Killing Spree!]
[Just Listen and Watch the Screen Off – 3/0/0]
“From one perspective, I do understand that hospitals can’t operate with just loss-making businesses. They have their specific purpose fund set aside, but they will continue to incur losses in the future, right? This situation seems quite natural to me, honestly.”
The enemy jungler, whose mental state completely unraveled, immediately gave up jungling and focused on attacking our bottom.
[Our Allies Have Fallen]
[Enemy Double Kill]
[Support is Crazy: Enemy jungler always camping our bottom]
[MyTeamIsMad: Why isn’t our jungler coming?]
[RoyalMid: Shut up; the jungler is doing fine; don’t you see the score?]
[Just Listen and Watch the Screen Off – 6/0/1]
“A car gets repaired and if the repair costs become too high, you buy a new one. But our body doesn’t allow for that, so expenses just keep skyrocketing. This is where the government’s role becomes more important. You may not know, but the expected healthcare expenditure reduction effect of the Dream Capsule is projected at 50 trillion won annually. And look, there’s the answer already!”
From the mid-game, I completely set my sights on the enemy jungle, lingering around to mess with them.
I ambushed their monsters and scored kills.
[Just Listen and Watch the Screen Off – 7/0/1]
I even chased after the fleeing jungler, chasing all the way to their fortress and killing them.
[Just Listen and Watch the Screen Off – 17/0/6]
I waited in plain sight in the enemy territory and took them down.
[Just Listen and Watch the Screen Off – 21/0/8]
[World’sOutToGetMe – 3/15/9]
“Overall, it appears to be a business beneficial to all, so it would seem reasonable to negotiate with the government about adjusting costs on deficits. I just hope you understand that the Dream Capsule is increasingly showcasing its cost-reduction effects.”
[World’sOutToGetMe: Are you seriously psycho? 2-level jungle camps, a 1-minute wait; why is it only me hit?]
– Wow, our bottom combined for 20 deaths; and NoName is carrying us?!
– The enemy jungler is completely shattered, lol!
– They’re stomping Diamonds like it’s Bronze! Crazy!!
– Is this truly an early-game champion…?
– Asteria isn’t weak at all late-game?
– It’s been 20 minutes, I’m full item; of course I wouldn’t be weak, lol!
– This is how it should be to climb the ranks!
– So calm yet so psycho in-game, lol!
The game was tough, yet quite fun.
I wiggled my body in front of the 4-level higher jungler.
My fluffy tail swayed alongside my movements.
The avatar control felt much more natural and convenient than before.
‘Could it be that there’s not much difference from my original height?’
I quickly dismissed the sad thought.
“Game’s over, everyone, come back.”
– Finally, the League is over, yayyy!
– What’s the score? Lol!
– Why is the chat so fierce? What happened? Lol!
– Na-me’s dancing is so cute, hehe!
– Na-me’s happy because she won!
[‘Tiramiratte’ has donated $5,000!]
– But what about the doctors who got laid off or fired?
“Unemployment benefits and training sessions, right? Don’t most just do that…?”
– Amazing~
– The answer to a foolish question, lol!
– Thanks, Na-me!
– Why do these people seem unaware of what everybody knows?
– When you get laid off, you look for another job, of course.
– In this day and age, having a side job is standard; looks like some don’t realize that.
– As Na-me put it, if the costs rise, the thoracic surgery and emergency medicine sectors might actually revive.
└ So they aren’t going on strike.
– Family Medicine and Otorhinolaryngology might take a hit.
└ They’re surviving due to the pandemic, but the ophthalmology sector is already wiped out.
└ Eye clinics are utterly failing; wiped out by the Wizards’ pie!
“So I’ve just played a game with Asteria. By the way, how should I request a skin? Personally, I think she seems way too small, so perhaps making her about 20cm taller would be nice—”
[‘Na-me Ring Ring’ has donated $10,000!]
– Chat is about to die.
“Well then, how about just 10cm…”
Immediately, the chat flooded like a tsunami.
Overwhelming counterarguments made my ears droop.
Some even argued that she should be shrunk even more.
They demanded, “Her hair must be twin tails, wear yellow clothes and blue suspenders, and the weapon should be Skiabona, swapping the moonlight effect from silver to gold!”
“That’s just dyeing me, right?”
– (YES, Na-me!)
– Hehehe, I can become Na-me, I can become Na-me!
– To be precise, it’s Asteria cosplaying NoNa-me!
– Wow, Na-name skin is making my mouth water already, lol!
– Is League finally reviving?
– I’d spend 500,000 won on this, lol!
└ 500,000 won is pushing it…
└ Even so, 50 is crossing the line; it won’t benefit Na-me.
└ Better donate that money to Na-me instead.
[RoyalMid: Thanks for the carry!]
“Sure.”
Despite the game ending, I lingered in the battlefield, savoring the moment.
Paladins sounded trumpets atop the magnificent fortress, and Liri, who had become a wealthy figure, scattered riches across the streets.
The memory of clicking to return to the waiting room was more dreadful than dying.
Each time, I would wander around the map, clearing my head like this.
My feet led toward the crumbled enemy fortress.
‘Aren’t those players still in there?’
Four people were fiercely arguing in a 2v2, while one nearby quietly stoked the flames of conflict.
“Why did you push for a gank there when things were so risky? We couldn’t have sent anyone mid or top right away.”
“If we hadn’t invaded, it would’ve definitely been a loss. Plus, it was fine for me to give up a double kill to a ruined jungler, right? You guys were too stubborn and lost control, whose fault is that?”
– This is League, lol!
– How on earth did I survive for seven years in this demon realm? Isn’t that impressive?
└ Fact: Na-me is the top tier ■■■■■■■ in this demon realm.
└ Gasp, lol!
– In reality, NoNa-me should’ve been born a saint, but because of League, this happened instead.
– How could you say that about our Na-me!
– Hey, no cursing at Na-me allowed!
– I might not watch games, but I enjoy watching fights, lol!
I expanded my audio range to eavesdrop on the enemy team’s voice.
Ding—
But the alert sound immediately gave me away.
“Ah, our jungler just arrived. Can someone tell us who’s more at fault here?”
“Me?”
“Yeah, you. Well, your speech sounds a bit rude, huh? You usually play that badly?”
“I’m not a jungler much; I’m a ADC.”
“Ha ha ha! You say it wasn’t your fault while you totally messed up the AD’s path!”
– Lol, what’s that enemy jungler so grumpy about?
– Why’s this so funny, lol!
– The malice is overwhelming!
“No way, were you a champion last season? No wonder your reads are so sharp!”
“If you’re already a Diamond, why not explain what you think were the turning points at 3 minutes and 8 minutes? This is making me lose my cool.”
“Dying with a 1K gold lead in a 2v2 dived without calculation is really crossing the line.”
“Since the enemy’s ultimate was down, we could’ve attempted; stop babbling nonsense!”
“Hey guys, we have NoName here right now. Why does that even matter?”
Whoosh—
At that, all eyes turned my way.
“Isn’t that the fake NoName?”
“NoName #8903 here, for real? Whoa! 50,000 games played!”
“Why is NoName here in this run-down place?”
“This guy just said rude things about Na-me!”
“Haha, I knew it! That’s why Asteria played so well.”
The argument immediately ceased.
Before long, it had morphed into a makeshift fan meeting instead.
– Look at the change in atmosphere!
– League’s idol has arrived!
– Honestly, what’s so funny about fighting over trivial matters?
“Excuse the intrusion, but… Na-me, who do you think is more at fault?”
– Ayy, this is real League format!
– Asking NoName, huh? No way!
– Diamonds, just what’s left of your pride?
I licked my lips in anticipation.
“Keep fighting a bit longer.”
“Pardon?”
“Pardon?”
“Feel free to discuss together. I’ll donate a Chicken Gifticon to whoever I believe was less at fault. Just send me a message afterward.”
“Wait, just a sec!”
“Ah, if both go offline, I’ll have to void it.”
[NoName moves to the waiting room.]
I left them to their debate and departed the battlefield.
“Why is it called a battlefield? Because the fighting never stops. I’ll now open Dreaming Mode for you all. If too many rush in, the payment system might bottleneck, so please be understanding if connecting takes a little longer.”
– Truly, what a wicked being, lol!
└ Never expected this, lol!
– Getting a Chicken Gifticon from NoName would be a life achievement, for real.
– They’re about to fight harder, lol!
– NoName ← the real menace, yet it’s never been formally mentioned!
└ Hey, not NoName, but NoName, please make that correction!
– The long-awaited capsule access showdown begins!
– NoName gaming ON, LOL!
└ You, too, be a devil!
– Ah, my Dream Capsule is here, let’s go!
*
[Motorbike Gallery]
[When’s the Room Fortress Warrior NoNa-me episode coming out?]
I looked for V-tube, but there was only a teaser.
[Comment]
– Tomorrow night at 9 PM
└ (Author) Thanks, thanks!
– I can’t wait to see Cheon Saetbyeol’s appearance!
NoName breached the boundaries of the online community.
Even those unrelated to Na-me were casually discussing her.
Then came the long-awaited day of the Dreaming Mode reveal.
[Yo, look at how many users are online! LOL!]
(Waiting for payment: 8,211,427)
(Expected time: 1h 35m)
I’ve never seen a number like this in my life, lol!
[Comment]
– Is that for real…?
└ (Author) Stop acting like a loser and catch on!
– The peak concurrent users are ten million, insane magic, lol!
– Wow, I’ve just realized how amazing NoName is.
– Be sure to leave a review, please!
– How did you even get a Dream Capsule? Your ability is sick!
Baria produced ten million capsules, out of which about 80,000 landed in Korea.
As everyone anxiously awaited reviews…
[Hey, you guys see? The little pimple on my cheek looks like it’s gone now?][691]
(Before and after face.jpg)
I might be a bit mistaken, but it seems like it disappeared.
It isn’t entirely gone and, if you look closely, you can still see a slight trace.
I can only use it for 10 minutes a day, so I’ll give it another shot tomorrow.
By the way, the Alchemist was amazing! 
I thought I’d see my favorite singer at the concert, but it was my dad who went through all the trouble to get the tickets! I was so moved!
[Comment]
– Will it really improve skin too? That’s literally unbelievable.
– Considering it might be inflammatory fibrous lesions might not be too far off…
– Wait, are you nuts?
– Quick, hit up those who have capsules and ask for before-and-after shots.
– Why on earth did Na-me create something so extraordinary?
– You must be imagining things; that effect didn’t happen back when they had the popup store in the US.
[Dreaming Mode 1.1.3 Update]
Then, just minutes later, the community saw another seismic shift.