It’s not that kind of malicious broadcast

『❗ (Notice): Emergency Temporary Measures』

『Dear Warriors,

Thank you for always loving Knights of Knights.

Due to the emergence of unintended effects, the 『Faithful Body』 trait of the Holy Knight will temporarily be unavailable.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause in your gameplay. Our developers at Knights of Knights will do our best to restore this trait to its normal state.』

* * * *

I opened my eyes, and it was before the alarm went off—quite an early hour. At this rate, there was no need to set alarms layered every five minutes.

Yet, due to a strange sense of unease, I couldn’t help it.

My phone was silenced from phone calls and texts due to the numerous notifications I received the previous day. So, what can you do? The best I could do was set multiple alarms.

“Ugh……”

Stretching my sluggish body, I moved around a bit… Ah, should I sleep a bit more? As I checked my phone to get rid of the diminishing motivation, I saw it was 8 minutes before the first alarm would go off.

Sleeping more would just tire me out. Despite the tempting voice urging me to turn off all alarms and take the day off, I decided against it.

To wake up, I lay sideways on the bed and firmly pressed each notification on my phone to check them. After all, they say the blue light from screens disrupts sleep. Conversely, in the morning, it helps to wake you up…

『Ark: Yena』

『Ark: Are you sure you’ll be okay at 2 today?』

『Ark: It seemed like you ended your broadcast quite late yesterday』

… Where did my private life go?

I did feel more awake.

Thinking back, I recalled seeing Ark on the manager list in yesterday’s broadcast. After the initial phase, I got quite engrossed, so I didn’t pay much attention later on.

Did she watch until the end? If so, that means Ark also went to bed around 6 AM. And seeing as she sent a message an hour ago… Did she pull an all-nighter? Ark must be more exhausted than me.

『Yes』

『I got less sleep』

『Just woke up now』

『Planning to get ready and head out』

-Bzzz

Was it just luck she was looking at her phone? her reply came almost instantly.

Recently, it seemed like everyone around me was glued to their phones. Was this okay—part of me wanted to voice that thought. Unfortunately, Ark was so diligent in her streams that it was hard to say anything.

『Ark: Did you have lunch? Are you eating before you go?』

Lunch, it’s lunch. Timewise… well, it technically is.

Having woken up as if I were adapting to a different time zone alone, my stomach, still seemingly asleep, had no intention of accepting food.

『Ark: Or do you want to rest a bit more?』

『Ark: Our collab starts at 6 o’clock』

『Ark: It’s okay as long as you come by around 5:30!』

While pondering over possible menus that might stir my appetite, a series of messages from Ark arrived.

Hmm…

I sort of wanted to say yes… but it wouldn’t be right.

Nodding to the suggestion of postponing our meeting because I might be tired after playing games late into the night seemed a bit… off. I had enough sense to realize that. Initially, Ark had proposed starting the collab at 6 but had also not insisted on meeting earlier if possible.

『It’s okay』

『I’ll just grab a quick bite and come』

I sent a response that would avoid awkwardness whether or not I ate later, and then, entering the chat room which still had numerous unread messages above Ark’s, I sighed.

『Revan#322: No』

『Revan#322: You said you wouldn’t do that』

『Revan#322: Pick up the phone』

『Revan#322: Hey』

『Revan#322: Seriously driving me nuts』

『I reported the bug』

『And I clearly said not to follow it』

『Revan#322: Trying to block the sky with your hand』

『Revan#322: Ha』

『Revan#322: Fine, at least hide the specific map』

『Okay』

『I’m currently filming a video to upload to the bug report forum…』

『I’ll just attach an image of the specific map when reporting the bug』

『Revan#322: No』

『Revan#322: It’s all visible in the thumbnail』

『Revan#322: Please just cover the screen a bit』

『The bug report forum guidelines say including the specific map helps with bug fixing』

『It’s probably fine.』

『Revan#322: You’re doing this on purpose, aren’t you?』

『🤐』

『By the way』

『You’re getting used to informal speech these days.』

『Why don’t you just speak informally?』

『Revan#322: Honestly, if I speak informally, I’ll end up swearing.』

『Oh dear.』

『You’d get into trouble for your personality.』

『Revan#322: You’re really doing this on purpose.』

『Revan#322: Anyway, I get it, so don’t use that build.』

『Revan#322: What’s your goal anyway?』

『Revan#322: You don’t even read these anymore.』

It wasn’t that I didn’t read it. I glanced at the preview and focused on the broadcast instead… I hoped he understood it that way. I didn’t ignore it. Really.

In response to Revan#322’s final message, I left a thumbs-up emoji (👍) and turned over in my seat.

Even so, I felt unusually listless, probably due to lack of sleep. Sure, I overdid it yesterday. It had been a while since I played Battle Mage, so I might have gotten a bit too excited.

As I lay in bed, trying to keep my drowsy mind awake, a few words floated in my head.

Objective, for example.

Well, objective, huh.

… Maybe I should take a shower.

* * * *

“Yes, this is Lee Yeri.”

“Oh, attorney Lee? Can you come to my office for a moment?”

“Yes, attorney. I’ll be there right away.”

‘If I swear, at least they’ll hear.’

Even if that attorney didn’t hear it, the assistants sitting in front of me definitely would. Then, they’d chatter among themselves and surely gossip here and there.

Lee Yeri let out a deep sigh, choosing to replace cursing, and slowly, very slowly, stood up.

The reason for being called to the office was obvious. There was something urgent, as always. Urgent enough to drop the dozens of tasks I was already struggling with, perhaps enough to pull an all-nighter.

It was all too familiar. A scenario replayed in my head even without it having to be said out loud.

When you explained that it was absolutely impossible, he would coax you, acknowledging you’re struggling. If you continued to insist, he would then ask who you would designate to stay up all night in your stead.

Unable to point out anyone, the scene of you finally replying that you would handle it yourself vividly appeared before your eyes.

‘I hope he collapses before reaching there. No, dying would be too extreme… maybe get kidney stones. Or suffer from diarrhea and constipation simultaneously. Or develop a rice allergy.’

While rolling such unspeakable thoughts on the tip of your tongue, you eventually arrived at the office.

“Oh, attorney Lee. Please have a seat over here. We’ve got a very interesting case. I’ve already explained it to Attorney Yoo.”

An unexpected guest stood in the superior’s office. A junior you had occasionally discussed games with over meals… and who watched game broadcasts in the office.

“I’ve always known Attorney Lee was excellent, but I didn’t realize the junior attorneys liked her this much. When I told Attorney Yoo at lunch that I was going to assign this case to Attorney Lee, she immediately requested that I call her if any juniors were needed. She said she really wants to work with you. Isn’t it commendable? You don’t see this kind of junior these days.”

“Oh, come on, attorney! You didn’t have to say that much! All the juniors want to work with the Attorney and Attorney Lee too.”

“Oh, I’m honored to be included. Anyway, as I mentioned earlier, it’s an interesting case. Have you heard of Faraday Games? You two might have since you’re younger. Though, women might not know since they don’t play games?”

While showing a tiny smile to the junior who nodded, Lee Yeri’s mind was spinning quickly.

‘A game company. What would a game company want to entrust us with? If it’s intellectual property, the IP team should handle it. Unless they want to dump even the IP issues… Ah, right. Please fall by getting diarrhea, constipation, and kidney stones all at once and then throw up.’

“Anyway. It’s a company that has just started its Series C funding, and it’s quite, um, globally successful. The public listing is certain, only the valuation is the issue. We need to secure such a company as a client early on. So… this first case is really important.”

Knowing or not knowing the curses being hurled internally.

The superior continued explaining the task with a face full of joy.

“Look. This is quite peculiar. Some internet broadcaster, like a G-Tuber or something. This person has been consistently exposing vulnerabilities in the game. Normally that’s bearable, but apparently, there’s a protest involved now.”

“…A protest?”

“Yes, peculiar isn’t it? He says he’ll hold a protest in front of the Korean branch. He even filed for a demonstration. Anyway, they want us to review if this continuous vulnerability exposure, combined with the demonstration, constitutes business obstruction. Seems Faraday is a bit sensitive since they’re about to go public.”

“Oh – vulnerabilities! Right! That’s sensitive from a game company’s perspective.”

“Exactly, our Attorney Yoo understands games well. Anyway, if we find it constitutes business obstruction, they might sue, and if that happens, they’ll pay through the nose. Attorney Yoo volunteered, so help him review it thoroughly.”

Lee Yeri wanted to ask why this was considered an interesting case. No matter how much she thought, it wasn’t understandable, not from the superior nor from the junior. As always, she could barely understand a bit — but she forced herself to swallow the sigh trying to escape, and nodded her head.

“Yes, attorney. I’ll review it thoroughly and have a draft ready by the day after tomorrow.”

.

.

.

Upon returning to her office and inviting the junior to take a seat to explain the opinion letter.

“It’s not business obstruction.”

“What?”

“It’s definitely, definitely, definitely not business obstruction.”

Watching the junior push forth the documents without even sitting, Lee Yeri could only clasp her head as her headache intensified.