Became the Mother of Virtual YouTubers - Chapter 74

As they fought through a few light battles and climbed to the highest floor of the dungeon, an ancient altar symbolizing the ‘first key’ appeared.

Centered around a cross shape engraved on the cracked wall, faint and barely recognizable letters remained.

“This is…”

“Why, do you recognize it? Can you read it? I have no idea.”

“I’ve never seen this script before either, but… for some reason, I feel like I can read it.”

Yu Da-hee stepped closer to the altar, tracing the letters with the palm of her hand as she began to interpret their meaning.

“This seems related to the Sanctuary. Somewhere in the world is the place that will save it…”

Summer swallowed and nodded.

Up to this point, it was just as she experienced in the chat RPG.

‘The problem is what comes next…’

The Summer from N rounds had always stopped right here.

From this point onward, it was an unknown territory.

If only she had known, she would have paid more attention to the back game.

‘But still, well, if I dive in headfirst, it should work out somehow~’

Of course, her determination to play as if this were the last round wouldn’t change. Even if, hypothetically, something unavoidable happened that required her to jump to the next world line.

‘Dying in this world is not Yu Da-hee, but me.’

It could be said that she was just an NPC, an AI, and why she was so immersed could be questioned.

But seeing Jin Ha’s heartfelt work on Yu Da-hee’s modeling right in front of her made it impossible not to get engrossed.

Yu Da-hee was dazzling and adorable to that extent.

*

Summer and Yu Da-hee headed towards a nearby village after exiting the forest.

The seemingly abandoned village was filled with a gloomy silence.

A chilly wind passed through the broken windows, and old signs lay on the ground.

“I definitely just said, ‘I found a village with not a single person in it…’”

The details were filled in by the AI model crafted by Jin Ha.

It was Jin Ha’s omakase; in other words, Jin-makase.

Passing through the ashen streets, they discovered a shabby inn with a half-dangling sign in a desolate alley.

The windows were broken, but the internal structure appeared relatively intact.

“Why don’t we stay there for a day?”

Yu Da-hee looked at Summer with a cautious expression.

The girl’s shoulders trembled slightly.

After more than half a day in-game avoiding monsters and walking a rough road, it was understandable that she felt tired.

“A day seems fine.”

Summer carefully opened the inn’s door.

The counter and dining area, which should have been bustling with people, were completely empty.

Cobweb-covered and dust-filled furniture lay scattered everywhere.

The floor had remnants of wood chips and food waste that had sadly rotted away.

The atmosphere felt as if a ghost might pop out at any moment, but it looked much safer than outside.

The two chose a large guest room that seemed the cleanest and closed the door.

The mirror was shattered, and the wallpaper around the fireplace was peeling in places, but…

For some reason, the bed was intact, as good as new.

It was even a king size, generously prepared.

“Wow… such an obviously revealing modeling.”

“Huh? What did you say?”

“It’s nothing. I was just thinking that the s*xual preferences of someone I know are rather overt.”

Summer summoned a makeshift campfire kit through commands.

Gathering small pieces of wood and striking flint together ignited a small flame that began to adequately light the dim room.

As her vision adjusted to the light, Yu Da-hee approached Summer.

“Summer, are you okay? You didn’t overdo it today, did you?”

She looked at Summer with a worried expression, her movements careful as if checking a friend’s injury.

With a voice as warm as the fire in the fireplace, Summer gave a dry smile.

“I’m fine~ More than that, you seem more tired.”

To be honest, Summer felt exhausted too.

Being a VR game, fatigue accumulated quicker than expected.

Yet, the fact that Summer could act indifferent and show off was all thanks to Yu Da-hee. The saintess, who worried about her with a warm voice, strangely invigorated her.

“If I take a nap here, I should be able to go further tomorrow.”

The two then sat on the bed.

The day was fading, and outside was already engulfed in complete darkness.

Only the small light flickered…

Casting their shadows long against the wall.

Fortunately, this was a world where no creatures like polar bears existed.

*

The night grew deeper.

Though they shared the same room and bed, strangely there was no discomfort.

Every time their gazes met in the light, a subtle sense of familiarity flowed between them, despite being tired.

Even though it had only been a day in-game since they met, the trust built through battle and pursuit created a bond.

“By the way, why do you keep using honorifics with me?”

Summer suddenly spoke to Yu Da-hee.

“Just speak comfortably. We’ll be seeing each other for a while, or maybe even a long time.”

Yu Da-hee momentarily looked flustered but soon smiled and nodded.

“…Okay. I will, Summer.”

“Wow~ You have a really nice voice. So, does that mean we’re starting from today?”

“That, um, well…”

“Huh? What? Aren’t we ‘friends’?”

“…Huh?”

“Or were you thinking something like we might be lovers? Just two girls?”

“…!”

Feeling unnecessarily embarrassed, Yu Da-hee lightly tapped Summer with the back of her hand, and Summer responded with a cheerful laugh.

Perhaps something more than friends but less than lovers.

An indescribable, ticklish affection passed between them.

Of course, as Summer said, they were both ‘female characters’, but that posed no problem at all.

In fact, since they were both girls, there were points that made it easier to open up.

“Summer, if we… save this world, what do you want to do afterwards?”

In the tender atmosphere, Yu Da-hee quietly asked.

“Well…”

Summer seemed to be deep in thought, stroking her hair with one hand.

“I’d like to throw away the sword and bow by the riverside and go on a healing journey, playing the lute on my back and singing songs~”

“Pfft! You singing with Summer… that seems a little mismatched.”

“Hey? Are you ignoring me? I may not look like it, but I’m pretty good at singing!”

Summer had been properly provoked.

“But to me, you’re a wonderful hero, Summer.”

Scratch that, she canceled that thought.

This huge and obnoxious saintess had quickly started flirting once she asked her to speak comfortably.

“…Ahem! Anyway, my main job is a bard. The hero is just a side gig.”

“How can I believe that? I’ve never seen you sing.”

“What? You want to hear me sing? If that’s the case, just say it outright~”

With Summer’s playful smile, Yu Da-hee nodded eagerly as if she had been waiting for this moment.

“Yeah! I want to hear it. I’m curious about your singing.”

“Alright~ Then shall I try casually picking a song?”

While lost in the mood, clearing her throat, she suddenly wondered.

‘Um… when was the last time I sang seriously?’

Of course, she hadn’t completely stopped singing on broadcasts, but that was more like performing comedy rather than singing.

Otherwise, humming a tune while playing a rhythm game was the extent of it.

‘It feels like it’s been nearly a year…?’

As she rummaged through her memories, the last time she sang was during the CosmoLive second generation candidate interview in front of Daon and Young-Jun.

What was the reaction back then?

Was it good? Or was it not so impressive?

‘Well, I can’t say I can’t sing.’

The fact that burnout and slumps had kept her from singing was all in the past.

Singing in front of numerous people was still challenging, but singing for a few acquaintances or to unseen viewers was not a concern anymore.

Now, her voice came out fine, and she could hit high notes without difficulty.

…However, there was no particular initiative to sing first on her part.

And even if someone encouraged her, she would bounce back at least once or twice.

‘By the way… what to sing?’

Countless melodies flashed through her mind.

Famous popular songs, and even a mess of original songs that no one might know.

A multitude of tunes swirled in Summer’s head.

At that moment, an entirely new melody sparkled in her mind.

It began with a small resonance.

Like tossing a small stone onto a calm surface, a subtle wave that soon transformed into a larger wave swept through Summer’s entire being.

“Hmm-hmm, ah—”

With a dreamy expression, as if she were in a trance, Summer quietly opened her mouth.

[If I’m with you, surely.]

[This summer will be enjoyable, just a bit more.]

[Even if I fall into this dreamlike world, I won’t forget.]

[But if I convey this feeling one day.]

[This dream will eventually come to an end.]

[In the street where blue shadows flicker.]

[Even years later, I won’t be able to speak of it.]

[Regretting it would be of no use.]

[Yet this feeling that rises to my throat.]

What spilled from Summer’s lips was.

[…Take my time (Summer) away.]

It was a song that no one had ever heard.