Chapter 153: The War Against Malicious Comments (3)

The ‘alternative’ I suggested wasn’t a difficult method. It wasn’t about making a public apology on the broadcast, nor was it a financially burdensome method.

Just one word.

A single word that could end this hellish atmosphere.

And even that word wasn’t a curse.

It wasn’t a dirty insult that would offend me; it was just a simple word.

However, among the 14 people gathered here, no one stepped forward confidently.

I looked at them and sighed deeply.

Then, I spoke in a much calmer voice than before.

“Just one word is enough, isn’t it? Just come up to me, look me in the eye, and say, ‘You deserve to be cursed!’ Isn’t that right? Honestly, you all think that way inside, don’t you?”

“Absolutely not.”

“Ugh.”

“Really… no.”

– If they could do that, they would have cursed our Evil Gang long ago.

– Yeah, even without cursing, that statement seems harsher.

– LOL

– Honestly, some people here must feel pricked by this.

– But it’s a bit disgusting. Didn’t he also climb up here by making an image with curses? Hypocrisy is disgusting.

-?

– Even if you made your image with curses, you can’t climb up to that spot, LOL. If you curse, your life just goes to the gutter, you idiot, LOL.

– For real, LOL. There are still a lot of people who act without realizing it.

It was enough to create a picture.

I looked at the 14 participants bowing their heads and gave a bitter smile.

As expected, it was hard to find someone who would curse me in front of me.

These were people who freely rampaged behind the anonymity.

However, those who came here were willing to somehow collect their mistakes.

That’s why I didn’t want to criticize them too much.

Of course, when I checked the list of malicious comments they initially posted, I was furious.

But today’s content wasn’t just for provocation.

I quietly spoke to the 14 participants.

“If it’s something you can’t say in front of a person, you shouldn’t say it online either. Isn’t that right?”

“That’s right.”

“Really… sorry.”

“Come on, can’t you say anything other than ‘sorry’ all day? Well… I expected this.”

The reason I was able to prepare today’s content so smoothly.

It could have easily crossed the line, but there was a reason Sung-jae helped me actively.

Image making.

I could establish my image enough through today’s content.

I already highlighted the participants hesitating and watching each other, and now it was time to take care of the words and messages.

I slowly looked around and started to speak.

“As promised, I won’t hold you accountable for finding the courage to come here today. A promise is a promise. Although you didn’t perform here, honestly, this is enough.”

“Thank you… really, thank you.”

“Be good from now on…”

“But I have a few questions. Who should I ask first… Alright, Beom-seok.”

The student Lee Beom-seok from Group 6, who read the malicious comments first earlier.

At my words, Beom-seok was startled and walked forward.

“I thought it would be good to hear your thoughts before leaving. How was it?”

Beom-seok awkwardly grabbed the microphone and opened his mouth with a troubled expression.

“…I thought, ‘The responsibility is heavy.'”

“Responsibility? What responsibility?”

“I just… started commenting for fun. At first, I started mildly, but as I crossed the line, I got more attention from people. I just… liked that. It felt exhilarating…”

I didn’t want to understand or know the psychology of those who posted malicious comments.

Even if you live off public attention, if that attention is poisoned, it can only be painful.

Isn’t it natural to bear malicious comments because you’ve become famous and do broadcasting?

Sure, you might be able to bear it and broadcast.

But bearing it doesn’t mean you don’t get hurt.

Clearly, the wounds accumulate.

Those accumulated wounds could someday fester and lead to irreversible consequences.

In extreme cases, one might even take their own life.

If someone commits suicide due to harassment by malicious commenters, whose fault is it?

Is it the fault of the person who couldn’t ‘bear’ those malicious comments enough?

Is it because they made money from fame, so they deserve to be hurt?

Nonsense.

Everyone has the right to live like a human being.

The malicious comments I saw since becoming a streamer weren’t things I had to ‘bear’ naturally. They made me clearly realize what it means to kill someone with a keyboard.

What I wanted to clearly convey to the viewers today was exactly that part.

“Do you regret it?”

“…Yes.”

“When did you start regretting it?”

“Actually… I came here with my parents the other day.”

It was probably after Sung-jae filed the complaint, to go through the settlement procedure.

Of course, I wasn’t there because I had to broadcast at that time.

He seemed to want to talk about that incident.

I slowly nodded, and Beom-seok spoke with tears streaming down his face.

“My parents saw the malicious comments I wrote. And… my mother cried then.”

For a moment, the studio was silent.

Beom-seok continued to speak, sobbing.

“My father didn’t say much. He just… didn’t say anything to me and kept apologizing to the ChickenBox representative. He said he wanted to visit Shia and apologize if possible…”

“I declined.”

The suggestion I made along with the rejection was today’s gathering.

Most of the student participants had similar stories to Beom-seok.

Adults weren’t much different either.

Those who accepted my suggestion today were mostly people who struggled to pay the fines.

After Beom-seok, other participants’ confessions followed.

How much time had passed?

Finally, all 14 had finished their honest confessions, and I took the microphone and slowly concluded.

“I think we should end today’s content here quickly. Ah, one last word before you go.”

Grabbing the hammer I had beside me lightly, I spoke clearly toward the camera.

“As I warned, don’t blame me for whatever happens next if you didn’t show up today.”

The war wasn’t over; it was just beginning.

I gave a sly smile and stared directly into the camera.

6.

At first, this broadcast started purely out of a desire for content.

However, as soon as the broadcast ended, a bigger wave began to surge.

– Streamer Shia declares war against malicious commenters!

– Can endure personal insults! But can’t tolerate attacks on family and colleagues!

– Understanding the law! According to the revised law in 2028, a fine of up to 10 million won can be imposed!

– With the continued activity suspension of famous streamers and MeTubers, there is a need for ongoing awareness of malicious comments…

– Support statements for streamer Shia from various groups, including the entertainment industry?

“You’ve got the result you were aiming for.”

“It wasn’t the result I was aiming for. Wasn’t this the result you wanted, Sung-jae?”

“It was all for Chan-sik’s plan, haha.”

“At least things will be quieter for a while.”

Even ChickenBox had been managing the issue of malicious commenters sensitively lately.

The malicious comments directed at the streamers affiliated with this place.

Several ChickenBox-affiliated streamers had declared long-term breaks, entering a period of rest.

Even Dong-su, known for his strong mentality, recently said it was overwhelming, so need I explain more?

I waited for a while in the ChickenBox office, where everything had been cleaned up after the broadcast, and checked my phone diligently.

Peak viewers: 110,000.

The lawsuit content that no other streamer dared to attempt concluded with undeniable success.

“What about the participants who didn’t show up today?”

“They are likely to engage in legal battles. They probably won’t willingly accept the trial results either.”

“So, there will be some additional costs.”

“Yes, but those costs can also be charged to them.”

“Well, I’m sure Mr. Sung-jae will handle that part.”

Using malicious commenters as content was fun, but there was a real possibility that public opinion about me could worsen after today.

Violating the freedom of comments, being a dictator, and so on.

Such reactions were already appearing in some communities.

However, as always, the Evil Gang was at the forefront.

**Title: Can’t Stand Hypocritical Shia Anymore**

**Content: At first, I watched because he was good at games and cursing was fun, but lately, he’s been overdoing it and I don’t want to watch him anymore. Am I the only one? He keeps sending messages and controlling comments like he’s some celebrity. Is this a communist state? I’m leaving this community first. Goodbye.**

Posts cleverly criticizing me while pretending to be neutral.

Such posts were popping up here and there.

But sure enough, the Evil Gang’s spearhead was stepping up against such posts.

– LOL If you hate it so much, just don’t watch it, LOL. Do you think it will collapse because you alone don’t watch?

– For real, LOL. This guy has hated us from the beginning, pretending not to, it’s so disgusting.

– Shall I send you to a communist state, LOL? He just said not to cross the line with insults, and you’re losing it.

– Hey… you by any chance… are you the one who got sued by our Evil Gang?

– Highly likely.

– If I see your ID in this community again, I’ll piss on your face!!

From the last broadcast, when Dong-su made a huge broadcasting mistake.

“If you do ~~, I’ll pee on your face!” soon became a meme.

It was so influential that I wondered if he had thought about his broadcast content even while drunk.

Drunken Dong-su had that rough charm.

After web surfing for a while, I lightly turned over on the soft office sofa and spoke to Sung-jae.

“How is going?”

“It’s scheduled to be decided according to Chan-sik’s schedule. The students for the first filming will be chosen soon… I hear the program’s plot is already set.”

The new program being prepared by VRN.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Though the name would change once it was officially aired, it was surprising how quickly things were moving compared to what I had thought.

If I were to juggle along with , it would indeed be quite hectic…

As I quietly nodded while thinking about the upcoming schedule.

“I’ll take a week off starting tomorrow.”

“That’s not bad. If linked with today’s controversy, it might influence public opinion more easily than expected.”

Sung-jae readily accepted my decision.

I had been running too hard lately.

I needed a break. I was supposed to rest enough during the last trip to America, but unfortunately, I couldn’t.

It was time to take a break, meet friends, and refresh myself.

Although I had already taken a week off before, it was good to take a break to recharge for the upcoming schedule.

“We can set the shooting schedule for in advance.”

“Shall we arrange an additional meeting as soon as you return?”

“Let’s do that.”

“Understood.”

After wrapping up everything, Sung-jae lightly smiled at me and said.

“I won’t contact you for a week, so please rest comfortably.”

“Thank you.”

I trusted Sung-jae because he kept his word.

However, exactly three days later.

That promise was broken by an unexpected event.