[TS] Malicious Sniper

I arrived home by taxi and, after entering the password, opened the front door.

Unlike the bitter cold of midwinter, the inside of the residence was very warm.

The cold air was driving away the effects of the alcohol, but as I felt the cozy warmth, the intoxication began to rise rapidly.

“Unnie!”

“Uh…?”

With my hazy eyes, I looked ahead to see Ji-hye gazing at me with a worried expression.

She must have waited for me until this late hour, coming out as soon as she heard the door open.

Usually, Ji-hye insists on sleeping at this hour, so it was clear she had been waiting for me.

That sight reminded me of a dog waiting for its owner.

“Hoo… Ji-hye…”

“Are you drunk…? I’ll help you.”

Just hearing my name made her step forward without hesitation.

The mixed smell of food and alcohol could easily be unpleasant, but she was helping me despite it.

Ji-hye supported me and headed upstairs to my room on the second floor.

With a little grunt, she finally made it to the second floor.

One hand opened the door, leading me inside.

“Lie down and get some sleep here.”

“No…”

“What?”

“Don’t go.”

Snatch!

I grabbed Ji-hye’s hand just as she was about to leave, laying me down on the bed.

I didn’t even know why I held on, but I followed my body’s instinct.

Pulling her hand toward me, I laid Ji-hye down on the bed instead.

“Unnie…”

“Shh.”

Confusion flickered in Ji-hye’s eyes.

Seeing those pitiful eyes, I reached out and stroked her cheek.

Lowering my body closer to hers, I brought my lips to her ear.

Puff…

“Ugh…”

As I blew my breath into her ear, she shuddered as if tickled.

Pulling back, I looked down at Ji-hye’s adorable face.

Maybe it was the alcohol, but she looked even cuter than usual.

In my hazy state, I pondered what kind of person Ji-hye was.

She was talented, sincere, and had a beautiful heart — nearly the perfect person.

Could such a person even exist in the world? It felt that way.

How could such a lucky charm tumble into my life?

Even if we could never be together forever, I didn’t want to let her go.

A sense of possession that had long been dormant within me was awakening.

As that feeling surfaced, I slowly started to speak, recalling old memories.

“You won’t leave me, right?”

“What do you mean…?”

“Just say you won’t disappear without a word.”

“…”

Ji-hye, who had been avoiding my gaze, finally met my eyes and slowly opened her mouth as if she had given up.

“…Okay. I won’t suddenly disappear.”

“Hehe… You’re good. So good…”

Having obtained the answer I desired from Ji-hye, I moved my hand upwards.

With the same hand that stroked her cheek, I caressed her hair.

How many times did I stroke her with that affectionate touch?

With the warmth and the rising intoxication, my eyes began to close.

*

“……”

As I opened my eyes to the warm sunlight, I recalled what had happened yesterday.

I had never blacked out from drinking, and this time was no exception.

I vividly remembered what I had done to Ji-hye after arriving home.

I wished I could forget those memories.

“Sigh…”

What on earth prompted me to act that way yesterday?

Of course, Ji-hye was pretty, and she had done many cute things, but that didn’t justify my actions.

“From now on, no more drinking…”

Blaming everything on alcohol, I sat up.

Looking down, I noticed my usual pajamas.

It seemed Ji-hye must have changed my clothes after I fell asleep.

“I wish she’d stop being so caring…”

To change my clothes after all that?

That’s precisely why I liked Ji-hye and cherished her.

Moving to the bathroom, I washed my face more meticulously than usual.

I hadn’t even washed off the makeup I received at the beauty shop.

Although I’d only done basic makeup due to my amazing natural features, it was still quite bothersome since it was my first time.

After washing my face until every trace of makeup was gone, I stepped out of my room.

A burning thirst hit me, so I headed downstairs to quench it.

By now, Ji-hye would typically be preparing breakfast.

As I made my way to the kitchen, I could hear her familiar humming softly in the background.

“Mm~ Mmm~”

As expected, Ji-hye was cooking in the kitchen, wearing an apron.

With her earphones on, she was listening to music, just like always.

Maybe the events of yesterday weren’t so shocking after all.

If I had been in Ji-hye’s position, I might have felt a bit creeped out.

Perhaps outwardly she seemed the same, but inwardly she might be reluctant to interact with me.

Deciding it was best to apologize for my actions quickly, I approached Ji-hye.

“Ji-hye.”

“Huh~ Oh? Unnie, you’re awake?”

As I called her name, Ji-hye forced a smile.

It was obvious she was conscious of what had happened yesterday.

Feeling a mix of resentment towards myself for my actions, I tentatively continued speaking.

“Um, about what happened yesterday… I’m sorry.”

“No? Oh, no! I was just a bit taken aback, but I wasn’t upset or anything.”

“Really…? Can I trust that?”

“Yes, yes. So, please lift your head.”

Having been bowing my head like a criminal, I followed Ji-hye’s suggestion and raised it.

Honestly, I had committed a rather rude act.

But seeing Ji-hye treating me kindly, putting aside what I’d done, brought a smile to my face.

“So, what’s for breakfast today?”

“Oh, I was making hangover soup. I wanted to help you recover from your hangover…”

“Thanks for thinking of me. Should I wait at the table?”

“Yes. Just a moment, and I’ll make it delicious and bring it to you!”

I moved to the dining table to wait for my breakfast.

*

“AAAAGH!!!”

Curry screamed as it awoke from its slumber.

“Huff… Huh…? Where is this…?”

Looking around, Curry confirmed it was in its own room and sighed in relief.

Just moments ago, Curry had been dreaming of a romantic relationship with Barcode, and just before waking up, had been playing a stick game with Barcode.

That legendary stick game that only relationship streamers could play.

“What the hell… Hah…”

Having endured a horrific nightmare, Curry exhaled roughly while spewing a mix of emotions through swearing.

It had been the most terrifying nightmare in recent memory, and just thinking about it sent shivers down Curry’s spine.

What was especially frightening was that, in the nightmare, Curry had been smiling happily while being with Barcode.

Determined to erase the nightmare from memory, Curry headed to the bathroom to wash off the cold sweat.

After a quick shower, Curry stood blankly gazing into space before recalling something important that had momentarily slipped from mind.

Every year, Curry had communicated with viewers through offline events.

However, at some point, Curry felt that not only offline events were sufficient and began a special content series after the offline events concluded two years ago.

It was called the ‘New Year’s Match.’

Recruiting viewers from different tiers to play a user-set game, and then Curry would commentate on that game.

The matches would take place across five different rounds.

The matches for Iron and Bronze tier viewers.

The matches for Silver and Gold tier viewers.

The matches for Platinum and Diamond tier viewers.

The matches for Master and Grandmaster tier viewers.

Finally, the matches for Challenger tier viewers.

The winning team in each match would receive exclusive prizes from Curry, and a special prize went to the MVP selected through viewer votes.

It was essentially an event for viewers who were unable to participate in the offline event.

Of course, to avoid boredom from simply commentating throughout the broadcast, Curry would also participate in the Platinum and Diamond tier matches.

Naturally, as the content’s host, Curry was excluded from the MVP consideration.

Remembering that she hadn’t announced the ‘New Year’s Match,’ Curry hastily sat in front of the computer.

*

In a dark room, except for the light from the monitor, a man stared intently at the video on the screen.

“The pet dog can’t chat originally, so I made it impossible. If you’re satisfied, please type ‘woof woof.'”

The woman appearing in the video spoke softly.

The gloomy man at the computer slowly opened his mouth.

“Woof woof.”

The video’s protagonist, Barcode, instructed him to make a dog noise as he moved the mouse with a sinister grin.

“…If you’re satisfied, please type ‘woof woof.'”

“Woof woof.”

“…Please type ‘woof woof.'”

“Woof woof.”

“…Please type it.”

“Woof woof.”

“…Please do.”

“Woof woof.”

How many times had he barked at the video?

The man stopped rewinding the video.

He only focused on the quietly playing video.

“Honestly, don’t you have a beauty complex?” a question prompted in the comments, and Barcode replied.

To that, the man twitched his lips.

Finally pausing the video, he spoke softly.

“You’re pretty.”

“Well, I don’t really know if I’m pretty or not.”

“You’re pretty.”

“…I don’t know if I’m pretty.”

“You’re the prettiest in the world.”

“…I don’t know if I’m pretty.”

BANG BANG!

“Why do you keep saying you don’t know!!!”

The man got angry, hitting the keyboard for a while.

Eventually, unable to withstand the impact, the keyboard shattered completely, and only then did the man calm down, rising with a sinister smile.

Click!

The man turned on the light in the room, putting on a black zip-up hoodie.

The walls of the room were covered with pictures of Barcode.

“Ha ha…”

As he laughed, he looked around, his gaze finally drifting upward.

On the ceiling hung a photo of Barcode getting out of the taxi and entering a villa.

Staring at that photo for a long time, the man expressed a chillingly obsessive smile.

“I’ll get to see you soon.”

With that last murmur, he left the room.

*

A new announcement appeared on Curry’s community board.

There was only one kind of announcement that would drop at this time.

“Of course…”

The title of the announcement was ‘Notice for the New Year’s Match Event.’

The New Year’s Match content was an event that Curry had hosted since two years ago.

I had never participated in this match, but this year, I was planning to take part.

Of course, just because I wanted to join didn’t guarantee my participation.

The participation condition for this event was first come, first served, and since Curry’s broadcast had skyrocketed this year, the competition would be fierce.

Challenger Barcode would likely be able to participate in the match, but what I really wanted was to join as Nayun Queen and irritate Curry.

Even if I couldn’t join as Nayun Queen, winning the game as Barcode would still be advantageous for me.

If I won the match, I was thinking of demanding something like a ‘one-on-one phone date’ instead of just a ‘prize.’

The New Year’s Match would start tomorrow at 5 PM.

There were about 17 hours left until then.

I began practicing in preparation for tomorrow’s match.

Engaging in utterly pointless practice, ensuring I could enter the private room faster than anyone else.

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