Chapter 36: The Time to Quit

As always, once Seria’s stream ended, she returned to being Cecilia Artemedes.

During her broadcasts, she was the beloved and delicate nun adored by many, but once the magic of streaming faded, she was just an ordinary person again.

“Haa… Still, today’s stream was fun.”

As always, she felt fulfilled. Streaming was exhausting, but the love and attention she received from so many people made it worthwhile.

More than anything—

“I miss Strawberry Unnie.”

The one who had reached out to save her from the hardships of being a VTuber.

Ddal-ssyong.

That was what she called herself, insisting that she be addressed as Strawberry Unnie.

Not only was her voice captivating, but her avatar was just as beautiful—an incredibly stunning elf.

She was so perfect in her role that calling it “RP” felt ridiculous; she was the very embodiment of an elegant elf, far beyond what Cecilia had ever imagined.

“I always wondered why she had so much money.”

But who would have thought—

That she was someone even the CEOs of major corporations would bow their heads to?

“Am I… really being loved by someone that incredible?”

She probably was.

And yet, it didn’t feel bad.

No matter how powerful she was in the outside world—

At least during the streams, and at least in front of her, she was the kindest and warmest elf imaginable.

“This feeling I have for Strawberry Unnie… is it admiration? Or is it…”

Something else?

She wasn’t sure yet.

But if she just went a little further—

If she just let herself go a little more—

Maybe she would finally understand this feeling.

Late at night, as she was catching her breath after finishing her stream—

-♬

The sudden chime of the doorbell echoed through the silent apartment.

The current time—2 AM.

There shouldn’t be anyone visiting this late.

Tilting her head in confusion, she cautiously approached the front door.

“Who is it?”

Just in case, she called out to whoever was on the other side.

And through the door, the voice that answered was one she recognized instantly—

A voice she never expected to hear.

“It’s your father.”

“Ah… Father?!”

A chill ran down her spine.

Her parents—whom she had severed ties with long ago—

Had suddenly shown up at her doorstep.

Who wouldn’t be shocked?

“Open the door.”

His voice was as stern as ever.

The same man who had oppressed her all her life—

Now stood just beyond the door, exactly as she remembered him.

She had never wanted to see him again.

That was why she left home in the first place.

“Go away. I have no intention of seeing you.”

“Cecilia. Open the door this instant.

Are you really going to turn away your own father at the doorstep?

I did not raise you to be this way.”

“This was my choice.

But the one who pushed me to this point—

Was you, Father.

So leave.”

“As I told you before, Cecilia—

I never gave you permission to leave home.”

“So what?

I have nothing more to say.

Leave.”

“You used to be such an obedient child…

I wonder when you became such a defiant little frog.”

Then, with a sharp click, the door unlocked.

Her breath caught in her throat.

Standing before her was a group of towering men dressed in jet-black suits, their expressions rigid and emotionless.

And in the center of them—

Her father.

More imposing than ever, his gaze sharp as a blade.

His eyes burned with an intensity that sent a shiver through her spine.

It was as if he had been watching her from the other side of the door the entire time.

“….!”

The moment she met his eyes—

Cecilia’s entire body froze.

That gaze.

That same, terrifying gaze from her past.

It was the same one he always wore when he was about to punish her.

Nothing had changed.

And so, just like before, her body reacted again.

She became a loser once more—his doll, his puppet.

“……”

But this time, Cecilia clenched her fists tightly and snapped herself out of it.

This time was different.

She was no longer that weak, powerless girl.

She was no longer the helpless, useless child who did nothing but obey her parents’ every command.

‘Now, I have something I want to do!’

Determined not to back down, she took a deep breath and spoke—not in anger, but with quiet resolve.

“Father, you’re always so forceful.

If things don’t go your way, you always resort to tactics like this.”

“Forceful? If anyone else heard that, they might misunderstand.

I am simply saying what I must for your sake.”

“And that is exactly what being forceful means, Father.”

“You can keep talking, but how long do you intend to leave your father standing outside?”

“Haa… Fine. Come in.”

Seria finally relented and let him inside.

There was no point in arguing—this man never listened.

Letting him in would at least prevent a bigger scene.

The two suited men stayed outside the door.

Only her father entered.

He took off his shoes, stepped in without hesitation, and scanned the room.

Then, with a cold tone, he muttered—

“It’s cramped.”

“Why? Does it bother you?”

“I can’t believe my daughter is living in a place worse than a doghouse.

It’s beyond comprehension.”

“That’s because I never took your money.”

“That’s not what I meant, Cecilia.

I am expressing my disappointment that my daughter doesn’t even have the capability to live somewhere much better—even on her own.”

“……”

“You have never lived up to my expectations.

The world only remembers those who are first place.

If you are not first, you are nothing.”

“Wasn’t this conversation already over before I left home?”

“My conversation was never over.

You were the one who walked away, Cecilia.”

“There’s no point in talking when we’ll never see eye to eye.”

Ignoring her words, he sat cross-legged on the floor and spoke in the same cold voice.

“Are you not even going to offer me some tea?”

“You know exactly what I mean.”

It was an unspoken message—leave this house immediately.

But, of course, such things never worked on him.

If anything, he ignored it on purpose.

“I’m thirsty.”

So he had no intention of leaving easily.

Not until he got what he wanted.

“Haa… Fine.”

She let out a deep sigh, walked into the kitchen, and carefully prepared a cup of tea.

With the utmost politeness, she placed it in front of him.

Her father picked up the cup, inhaled the aroma—then immediately frowned.

After taking a single sip, he muttered—

“It’s subpar.”

“Father, you do nothing but complain from start to finish.”

“But, this is because the tea leaves themselves are of poor quality.

For what they are, you managed to bring out some flavor—impressive.

If you had used finer leaves, I might have even been surprised.”

“……”

“You have always been a disappointment to me.

But you are not without potential.

After all, you are my child.”

“You overestimate me, Father.”

“Ridiculous. My judgment is never wrong.

And more than that—my blood proves it.

You could be great.

You just need to push yourself further.”

“But you never once praised me back then.”

“I don’t give out praise for nothing.

However, I have never criticized you for something you actually did well.”

“Father… I have something I want to do.”

At that, his brows furrowed.

And as if he had already known all along, he scoffed—

“That virtual-whatever nonsense?”

“…..!”

“Hmph. You look surprised.

Did you really think your father wouldn’t investigate what you were doing?”

“Well, I suppose you would.

What—have you even watched my streams?”

“I have.”

“……”

It felt strange.

It was already embarrassing enough when a friend found out about her streams—

But to think her father had been watching?

She didn’t even know how to react.

“You seem to be making more money than most.

But I did not raise you to be a clown for others.”

“A c-clown?!?”

“What else would you call it?!

Hiding behind that ridiculous 3D model,

Flirting with nameless men,

Using your fake voice to lure them in,

And squeezing money out of them?!

Is this what I raised you for?!

How is that any different from a prostitute in a bar—taking money from men?!”

“That’s—!

That’s too much, Father! You’re going too far!”

“Am I wrong?

And on top of that—you’re not even at the top of that industry.

If you’re not number one, you might as well be nothing.

You need to think long-term.”

“Again with first place!

First place, first place, first place!

Enough!!

I don’t have such an obsessive desire to be number one!!”

“Hah.

If not for that Ddal-ssyong or whatever she calls herself,

Do you really think you would have made it this far on your own?”

“……”

Of course.

This man… knew everything.

She couldn’t even bring herself to argue.

‘Because… it’s not wrong.’

Seria imagined it.

What if Ddal-ssyong had never taken an interest in her?

What if she had never been her favorite?

Where would she be right now?

Would she have gained this many subscribers?

Would she have been able to maintain such high viewership?

‘Honestly… I don’t know.’

She couldn’t be certain.

That was how immense Ddal-ssyong’s presence was in her life.

‘I’ve relied on Strawberry Unnie so much…’

At the beginning, more than 90% of her revenue came from Ddal-ssyong’s donations alone.

Even now, her contributions were still a significant portion.

If she removed Ddal-ssyong’s support—

Her average income would plummet.

“Do you understand now, Cecilia?

In the end, you couldn’t have reached where you are without relying on someone else.

Even the position you stand in now—

You didn’t get here on your own!”

“Hic… hhic….”

“So return home.

Learn under me.

When the time comes, you will inherit my position.

Then, you will have wealth and honor beyond anything you could imagine.”

“Hhic… hhic… but…

I… I want to do this!!”

“Wanting something doesn’t guarantee results!

If there is no clear success, then it is better to quit quickly!”

“I won’t!!

I want to keep going!!

I want to keep being a VTuber!!”

“You mean you want to keep relying on that Ddal-ssyong person?

Do you really think she’ll support you forever?!

Think, Cecilia!

People never stay fixated on one thing forever!

They always get bored eventually!”

“That’s—!”

“And that’s not all.

There are countless people out there—

Far bigger and more entertaining than you.

Do you really think your streams are interesting enough to compete with them?”

“I don’t care about that!

As long as there are people who love me for who I am…!”

“Foolish girl!

It’s because you settle for this mediocrity that you’re in this pathetic state!!”

Tears spilled down her cheeks.

She had worked so hard.

She had poured everything into this, and she had been proud of the results.

But the man in front of her—

He denied everything.

He said it wasn’t enough.

He said she had to climb even higher.

And that what she was doing now—

Was nothing but a worthless endeavor.

“Get out.”

“You’ve grown rude, Cecilia.”

“I’m not going back.

So leave. Now.”

“It seems… words are not enough.”

He suddenly stood up and strode toward her computer.

Seria’s eyes widened in horror as she leaped to her feet.

-CRASH!!

But it was too late.

A magic circle flared in his palm—

And a destructive spell tore through the computer, utterly shattering it.

“What are you doing?! Stop it!! PLEASE, JUST STOP!!”

“This thing is the reason you refuse to come to your senses.

You’ve always been too attached to computers.

I never liked it.”

“A… Ah…!”

The very first computer she had bought—

With the money her viewers had donated to her.

The machine that held all the memories she had built with them.

Now, nothing more than a pile of scrap.

“Hhh… hhic…!

You’re cruel… too cruel!!”

“You may hate me all you want.

So hate me—

And come to me.

Then, I will give you the chance to take your revenge.”

“Hhhhic… ugh…!”

“I will give you until morning.

Think carefully.

At the very least, I do not wish to drag you back by force.”

The room was in ruins.

Computer fragments were scattered everywhere.

The place she had once lived and worked was now a disaster.

Without looking back, her father turned and left the room.

Seria collapsed to her knees.

“HUUAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!”

She sobbed.

And sobbed.

And sobbed.

“Hhic… hhic… hhh….”

As she cried, a single name surfaced in her mind.

Not Kurona.

Not Rania.

Not even the CEO of YoloLive.

Ddal-ssyong.

Like a woman possessed, she grabbed her phone—

And dialed her number.