I Have a Reason to Hate Streamers

Chapter 53

[Posted by: Anonymous (341.223)] [Title: Gawol’s Current Situation]

(Attached Image: Edited image of Gawol looking excited)

Gawol! Gawol! Gawol! Gawol! Show us your armpits! Please beat Kelberos!

(Attached Image: Edited image of Gawol sweating nervously)

How did it come to this? This is scary. It's terrifying! The expectations are way too high! I mean, the opponent is last year’s mid-season champion. But I just joined for fun while doing PK in the field!

(Attached Image: Edited image of Gawol trembling in fear)

What’s this about being the last hope of Korea? Are you crazy? Leave that kind of stuff to the pros!

[Comments]

lmao ????But can we really call her a regular player after beating Reaper? └ You laughed too, didn’t you?This whole situation is hilarious. └ All our pro team aces are out, and Gawol’s the only one left ????

[Posted by: BelievedInYouDammit] [Title: Current Situation on the Domestic Infi Arena Community]

(Attached Image: Community search results for Gawol from a month ago)

These guys who said "What skill does a sniper have?"

(Attached Image: Recent community search results for Gawol)

Now they’re seriously saying she could win. Trashy hypocrites.

[Comments]

You’re our hero, Gawol!I always believed in you!Welcome! Good job!

[Posted by: PeroPero] [Title: Kelberos’s Semifinal Winner Interview Translation]

Q. Congratulations on the victory. Could you share your thoughts? A. Winning is always a joy. However, I faced an unexpected blow. I think my opponent prepared well, but there’s still room for improvement.

Q. This is the first time your clean record was broken. A. I’m disappointed by the record, but I’m not too upset. I’ll prepare well for the next match and show a better performance.

Q. Luce mentioned she’s looking forward to a rematch in future international matches. A. That’s a delightful prospect. I look forward to it as well.

...

Thanks for the encouragement!I couldn’t make it to the end this time, but I hope something good will happen eventually.I’ll work hard and do my best next season! :)“Always cook the skin side first. That way, the flesh won’t curl and tear.”“Don’t overcook it, or it’ll get dry.”

I must have stared at the pan for too long. My legs, which had been supporting my weight, began to complain. I had to sit on my desk chair, which didn’t allow a good view of the fish, so I relied on my phone’s camera.

This is harder than I thought. I figured I’d just oil it up and fry it, but there’s so much more to consider.

Greasy food before a match isn’t ideal. I wondered how Mom used to do it. I’d seen her sprinkle something over it while cooking. Salt? Pepper? Or was it something else? I couldn’t remember, so I just followed the advice of a famous chef I found online.

It’s nice living in a world where you can learn to cook from a chef while sitting at home.

[Message from Elderlin]

Good luck today! ꉂ(ˊᗜˋ*)If you win, I’ll treat you to Korean beef! The expensive kind!I’ll buy you anything delicious, so make sure to come back a winner~Crush that Kelberos, whether he’s a Cerberus or just some local stray!

With some time to spare, I checked my in-game messages. I had a lot waiting for me.

From Elderlin, Sulbbang, and even Traveler and Agent from Dongjak Station—they all left messages wishing me good luck in their own ways. I didn’t reply, as it felt strange to express gratitude. Saying it aloud felt like it would make my emotions harder to control.

At last, the arduous cooking session was over. I carried my meal, which turned out better than expected, alongside a bowl of steaming rice. There was still some kimchi from my master’s house in the fridge.

Good. Everything was set. I’d eat well, make sure I was full, then run my final checks before the match. The rich smell of salmon stimulated my appetite.

Sitting at the table, I took a bite. It was pretty good—probably because I followed the recipe closely. Tasty as it was, though, something felt missing.

A pang of nostalgia hit me.

“You should eat more. Aren’t you going to be hungry?”“It’s better to be a little hungry, Mom.”“But... are you sure you’re okay?”“Yes, I’m fine. This is enough.”

No, Mom. I’m not okay anymore.

The food I’m eating now isn’t very good. It’s oilier and a bit overcooked. I want that salmon I used to eat.

I miss not only the encouragement but also the nagging. I know it’s selfish. I used to find it annoying. I barely remember that voice that would worry about me being late, even though we had plenty of time.

“Agh, dammit... now the rice is ruined.”

My melancholy thoughts had soaked into my meal. I was too reluctant to waste it, so I ate it anyway. I didn’t realize tears were so bitter.

I put on some music to dispel the silence. I usually disliked loud music, but our house was always bustling before a match. It was the quiet I feared more than the noise.

When I finished eating, I’d take a warm shower. Feeling the warmth might help a little.

An hour later, I was inside the game pod, preparing for the match.