Former Hero, Solo Play Oriented-Chapter 196

Two days had passed since that night’s conversation with Chris and the events that led to it.

By now, I was getting restless.

Under normal circumstances, I could manage. But not this time.

I was acutely aware of a former comrade waiting on that continent. It felt like I could almost reach them if I just stretched out my hand. Yet here I was, stuck, unable to return.

Chris hadn’t left my side for those two days. Despite there being no real danger to me at home, she seemed to have grown significantly more overprotective since that day.

She stayed close no matter what I did—whether we were eating, lounging, or even sleeping.

And then...

Sitting on the sofa, nestled between Chris’s knees while snacking, I looked up at her.

"Chris, I need to use the bathroom."

"Okay."

Without hesitation, she picked me up.

"...I said I need to use the bathroom, not be carried there!"

"I’ll take you."

"Ugh..."

And so, I had been reduced to being carried to and from the bathroom by Chris.

Chris’s previously lenient approach to looking after me had clearly shifted. The ban on logging into Astria Online was part of her new approach—she wouldn’t stand by and let me recklessly push myself anymore.

Today, I was once again her captive, seated on the sofa with nowhere to go. I cast a longing glance toward the room where the capsule was and looked up at Chris.

She avoided my gaze and spoke firmly.

"No."

"...I didn’t even say anything."

Frustration bubbled within me.

From my perspective, my body was perfectly fine. Maybe repeated exposure to death in that other reality had dulled me mentally and physically. Or perhaps I had just grown numb to it all.

The thought of Melissa waiting for me, while I was stuck here for another five days, gnawed at me.

How could I convince Chris to change her mind?

As I pondered, an idea surfaced.

My cute appearance and soft demeanor—these had proven effective before.

This wasn’t manipulation, I told myself. It was... a tactical plea.

With a bit of hesitation, I turned my head slightly and pressed my face into her lap.

"...!"

Chris flinched.

There was a reaction.

Hiding a triumphant smirk, I nuzzled against her and gave her my most pitiful, pleading gaze.

"Chris..."

"Hrk."

Chris let out a strange noise, her eyes trembling as she gulped.

Just a bit more...

But before I could press further, her expression hardened.

Thunk.

"Ah."

She lifted me slightly to ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) make me face her.

Then, tilting my chin up with one hand, she gazed into my eyes.

"Uh, Chris?"

A playful yet intense glint sparkled in her gaze.

"I’m not so easy to handle anymore, you know."

"W-wait... Haa."

I tried to avert my eyes from her overwhelming stare but couldn’t hold out for long.

Her piercing gaze made my chest flutter, and I found myself unable to resist.

What was wrong with me today?

We often looked each other in the eyes, but this was different.

Chris’s gaze made me feel lightheaded, like I was floating on clouds.

At some point, I let out a small sigh and stared back at her, dazed.

She was so close.

I could feel her breath, and it seemed like she was drawing even nearer.

Just as I felt completely ensnared by her, there was a sudden flick.

"Oww!"

I clutched my forehead, where she’d playfully flicked me.

"Chris!"

I glared at her with mock indignation. She fanned her flushed face with her hand.

"Heh. How about that? I’m not so easy to sway, am I?"

"What are you even talking about?"

"Anyway! No means no."

I managed to steady my racing heart, though I couldn’t shake off how strange Chris had been acting.

This chapt𝓮r is updat𝒆d by ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom.

One thing was clear, though.

Chris had gotten stronger.

She had countered my all-out charm offensive in an unexpected way.

With my limited mobility, staying at home left me with little to do. I spent my time being pampered by Chris, eating, and watching TV.

I’d considered trying other virtual reality platforms aside from Astria Online, but Chris had banned capsule use entirely to avoid any potential risks.

The restriction was stifling, but I couldn’t argue—I had overstepped. For now, I could only abide by Chris’s rules.

Relief came in an unexpected form.

[Beep-beep!]

While I was sitting on the sofa, leaning against Chris as she stroked my hair, her smartphone buzzed. She carefully shifted me aside and stepped into the next room to answer the call.

"Hello, this is Senior Researcher Chris speaking."

A sly grin crept across my face.

This was my chance.

Calls to Chris while we were at home were rare. The fact that she identified herself as a researcher meant something important had come up at work.

As expected, she returned to the living room wearing a slightly troubled expression and slipping on her coat.

"Sigh. Looks like I have to go to the office."

"Take care!"

I quickly bowed my head.

But Chris chuckled mischievously.

"Heh. Rain, get ready to come with me."

"What?!"

Of course, “jumping” was metaphorical—Isulbi’s body couldn’t actually leap.

Why was I being dragged along?

The hum of the car’s engine was barely audible as we traveled to Chris’s workplace. Judging by her relaxed posture, the car was in autopilot mode.

I sulked in the passenger seat.

I had planned to sneak onto Astria Online while she was at work, but now she was dragging me along.

"Why the long face, Rain? You look so grumpy."

"It’s nothing."

"Aww, are you sulking?"

"I-I’m not!"

Turning my head to the window, I avoided her gaze.

Sulking? Me?

Granted, since becoming Isulbi, my emotions often mirrored this body’s reactions. Still, I was an adult, even if adults could sulk too.

Lately, it felt like my adult self was losing ground to the childlike “Rain” persona I had created as a form of escape. Around Chris, it was even more pronounced. Probably because she indulged me so much.

Chris’s workplace wasn’t far from home. Soon, a tall building came into view through the window.

I recognized it.

I’d been here once before, back when I first signed the advertising deal for Astria Online using Rain’s avatar.

Carrying me in her arms, Chris wheeled me into the towering building.

We arrived on the 12th floor, in a meeting room with plush sofas and a coffee table.

"This place looks familiar."

"Yep, you’ve been here before. I’ll be back after I take care of some work. It might take a while, so stay here and enjoy the snacks."

"You could’ve just left me at home."

"Want to come watch me work instead? It won’t be very exciting."

"N-no, I’ll stay here."

"Heh."

Chris set me on the sofa and left the room.

As the automatic door slid shut behind her, I looked around the empty meeting room.

Approaching the large transparent window, I admired the view of the Han River.

"Wow."

It was much closer than it appeared from home.

The thought struck me.

Why not explore?

This was my chance to escape the cage Chris had placed me in.

With a mischievous grin, I wheeled toward the door and quietly slipped out into the corridor.

"Freedom."

I had a plan.

A quick excursion to a capsule café nearby, and I’d log into Astria Online. Chris would never know.