Chapter 185

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The debate began.

Well, just because the debate had started didn’t mean I felt nervous or tense.

I quietly sat in my seat and listened to the moderator’s words.

“Yes, today we are gathered here once again to discuss game addiction. Professor Yoo Eun-chan from the Psychiatry Department at Korea University, please begin.”

The first to speak was the opponent who viewed games as a disease.

A middle-aged man, who wore glasses and really looked like a professor, slowly started talking.

“Please show the materials I brought.”

As he said this, he began comparing the brains of game addicts to those of drug addicts.

The materials had not changed much from 15 years ago.

The data made me frown involuntarily, but the professor on the opposing side continued to speak as if it were obvious.

“As you can see, the patterns in the brains of game addicts and drug addicts are not significantly different. This indicates that the addictiveness of games is on par with that of drugs…”

After that, he continued with various technical terms and jargon that were difficult to understand.

Well, speaking with such thoroughly researched materials was at least something worth listening to.

At least it wasn’t unreasonable.

Furthermore, he continued with logic and evidence that even I, a novice in debates, could easily understand.

After the professor’s speech, our professor also began to speak.

So far, it was fine.

After all, it was a debate based on each party’s researched materials.

The real showdown began with the next speaker, Seo Eun-sook, the representative of the National Mothers’ Association.

Her speech was much more upgraded than before.

“Game addiction is clearly a serious issue that the country needs to address. It critically affects growing adolescents, making it impossible for them to make normal judgments.” R̃𝘈ＮồβÊ𐌔

“So, you’re saying that games are indeed a disease?”

“That’s right. These days, games have become so continuous that for students in their adolescent years, who lack self-control…”

Nothing had changed.

There was really nothing different from the video I had checked last time on MyTube.

Her arguments had not evolved and, if anything, she was now trying to force her claims even more blatantly.

It was as if she was saying:

– Just listen to me, don’t say anything, and admit it.

I quietly listened to her until the end.

“Since the advent of virtual reality games, the game addiction problem among students has worsened. In severe cases, they can no longer distinguish between reality and virtual reality. Seeing these cases, we believe that stricter regulations are necessary for the sake of growing students.”

“Claiming that game addiction has worsened since the advent of virtual reality games is incorrect. According to the statistics I investigated…”

“My story isn’t over yet. Please wait until I’m finished.”

After that, her speech continued unilaterally, filled with various arguments.

She claimed that the gambling aspects of games ruined children’s spending habits, that addiction to games lowered academic performance, and that there was nothing beneficial to be gained from games, among other points.

It was a moment where I clearly realized what she thought of games.

She concluded her speech by quoting a comment on a MyTuber’s social media post.

“As a parent raising children, game addiction is an incredibly tragic and heartbreaking issue. At an age when they should be studying, they are instead engrossed in games. What parent in the world would like that?”

There was no willingness to communicate.

It felt like she was demanding that the opponent simply admit defeat without any room for rebuttal.

Emphasizing her stance as a parent, she insisted that she was speaking solely for the sake of growing students.

Even I, who had less knowledge than others, felt anger welling up inside.

If I felt this way, what about the other panelists and the audience listening to her?

I took a deep breath and forced a smile.

Did she notice my expression?

The moderator, announcer Jeon Joon-mo, looked at me and asked.

“You are a famous creator and a hot icon among the younger generation. Creator Shia, what do you think about games?”

Finally, my moment to speak had come.

As soon as I heard those words, I exhaled lightly. Then, I slowly looked at the faces of the audience surrounding the panel, both from the opposing side and ours.

Had I ever spoken in front of so many people before?

…No.

But nothing would change significantly.

I had previously had tens of thousands of people listening to my story through a monitor while broadcasting.

My pride wouldn’t allow me to feel pressured by this number of people.

I took a sip of the water in front of me to clear my throat, then slowly opened my mouth.

“To me, games mean a lot.”

I had thought a lot about whether to bring this up in the debate.

No matter how famous I had become compared to before, many people still didn’t know my story.

How dramatically my life had changed, and what kind of life I had led through games and game broadcasting.

I recalled what Sung-jae had told me.

– Be selfish. Don’t even think about presenting logical arguments with clear evidence in the debate. That’s what other panelists will handle. What you need to do this time is to simply share your story on the broadcast. It’s okay to stray from the essence of the debate. You just tell your story, and the PD will package it appealingly.

Putting forward evidence and arguing logically?

There are plenty of people who can do that besides me.

Therefore, there was only one thing I had to do in this place.

Tell the opponent my unique story.

I knew my story couldn’t be generalized.

But couldn’t it at least inspire dreams in others?

Games were almost a benefactor for Jin-hyuk and me.

They saved my brother, who was on the brink of death because we couldn’t afford treatment, and allowed me to play the role of a reliable older brother.

The people I met there have now become my strong supporters, standing by me and giving me courage.

I wasn’t sure how to precisely express this feeling.

But one thing was certain, I found their statements, labeling games as merely harmful diseases, to be unpleasant.

I smiled as brightly as I could and looked at Seo Eun-sook, the representative of the National Mothers’ Association.

Then, I spoke in a gentle voice.

“It may deviate slightly from the main topic, but I’d like to share a brief story of mine. Moderator, may I?”

The moderator glanced at the PD directing the debate shoot from behind.

Having discussed it with Sung-jae, the PD nodded as if it were obvious, and the moderator responded with a smile.

“Please, go ahead.”

“Thank you.”

What I could sell most expensively and appeal to the public with.

That was emotion.

In this place filled with stubbornness disguised as rationality, what could be more valuable than that emotion?

Emotion was the strongest.

Humans are beings capable of empathy.

“I’ve always wanted to say something to those who consider games a disease. The thing you call a disease cured my brother’s illness.”

“Could you explain in more detail?”

“I have a younger brother. Our parents passed away early, and my brother was on the verge of death due to cancer.”

With that, the real emotional appeal began.

#### 2.

Some in the audience already knew my story, and some did not.

But fortunately, many in the audience nodded as they listened to my story.

Considering the time for my speech, I pruned it to deliver only the necessary emotions, and as soon as I finished, Seo Eun-sook’s rebuttal followed.

“So, Shia, you are arguing that since games were a savior to you, they should not be classified as a disease? I think that’s a hasty generalization.”

“I was merely saying that games, too, can be an opportunity, a profession, or a dream for someone.”

“That’s a very rare case. How many children playing games can make it a career? Not all children who play games can become famous and make a lot of money like you.”

“Your words sound like you’re saying that since the odds are low, they shouldn’t even dream.”

“My point is…”

“Wanting to have a certain job, dreaming of something, wanting to be like someone. I think everyone has these thoughts at least once. I know that becoming a MyTuber is the number one job elementary school students want to have. If that job is related to games, are you saying it’s a dream they shouldn’t have?”

At my words, Seo Eun-sook bit her lips and paused for a moment.

Then, she glared at me as if she wanted to kill me.

The two of them stood up and began pointing fingers at each other, and the bewildered staff rushed onto the stage to break up the fight.

Then, the host, who had been silently observing the situation like me, swiftly delivered the closing remarks.

“With that, we will conclude today’s debate. Thank you.”

It was a fantastic ending.

No matter how I looked at it, there couldn’t have been a more thrilling conclusion.

4.

The debate, which had been full of controversy, was over.

Some members of the audience had secretly recorded it, and Seo Eun-sook’s remarks were partially leaked on MeTube even before the debate aired.

Many people were outraged by her attitude, which hadn’t changed despite the passage of time.

Later, I heard that it was all planned by Sung-jae.

Thanks to that, the debate-related keywords topped real-time searches, and public interest in the debate skyrocketed.

– A farce unworthy of being called a debate!

– Who was this debate even for?

– Famous streamer Shia, for the first time on public TV, shared his story and drew empathy!

– Is gaming a disease?

Of course, the reporters wouldn’t sit still with such juicy bait.

They all wrote articles about the debate, and the interest kept growing.

“Didn’t you say you were going to watch the debate broadcast with the viewers today?”

“Yeah, Sung-jae got permission from SBC.”

“That sounds fun, hyung.”

“If you had been there, it would have been even more fun. Man, the climax was the highlight!”

Seo Eun-sook’s self-destruction, after constantly clashing with me.

Even the professor next to me getting angry was enough to call it the best scene of the day.

I took a sip of coffee and smiled contentedly.

Jin-hyuk was also one of the beneficiaries of this debate.

He and I both appeared on the real-time search rankings.

“Is public TV still that strong?”

“Hey, public TV has been around much longer than internet broadcasts.”

“Nowadays, people our age don’t watch TV much.”

“That’s true.”

“I’ll definitely watch it later. I’m going to work out now.”

“Sure.”

After a light chat with Jin-hyuk, he packed his toiletries and went downstairs.

It’s a relief that Jin-hyuk is diligent about taking care of his body.

I had worked out early in the morning, so I planned to relax at home.

Maybe I’ll browse internet communities and search for discussions about me?

– Title: LOL Tune in at 8 PM today.

Content: From the videos other people uploaded on MeTube, it looks like our villain trashed that lady all day LOL. By the way, doesn’t he seem to be pretty good at talking? LOL Nowadays, he even looks handsome.

– Honestly, I don’t think he’s that handsome.

└ LOL Look in the mirror before you talk.

└ LOL

– He does talk well. Lately, he’s been managing his image by reducing the swearing. He’s no longer a small-time streamer.

└ What’s a small-time streamer?

└ My own little Shia.

└ Our villain… I wanted to keep him to myself.

Most of the viewers seemed to be looking forward to it.

Of course, there were always trolls everywhere.

– Title: Your villain is so uneducated.

Content: Who the hell tries to get sympathy in a debate? He had no logic and just talked about his life to evoke pity. I knew he was dumb, but I don’t know why the broadcast station invited him.

– So, which university did you graduate from?

– Author: I’m from Korea University’s Business Administration, Class of ’27.

└ What’s your name?

└ Author: Lee Shin-woo.

└ LOL I’m from Business Administration, Class of ’25, and there’s no Lee Shin-woo in ’27. What the hell are you on about?

└ LOL

└ LOL Let’s expose this guy.

└ Wow, how pathetic must you be to fake your academic background online?

The world is vast and full of idiots.

After staring at my phone for a while, I went to the bathroom and took a clean shower.

Then, I slowly prepared for today’s broadcast.

I only needed to watch the debate video and do a commentary broadcast, so there wasn’t much to prepare.

Time flew by, and it was already 7:30 PM, time to start the broadcast.

[Twipod streamer module activated]

[Set broadcast title: Spokesperson for Gamers]

[Broadcast starting.]

[5…… 4…… 3…… 2…… 1……!]

[Broadcasting begins.]

The broadcast started, and the waiting viewers began flooding the chat with messages.

– LOL I almost died waiting! I didn’t breathe until you came on!

– Hyung! What color underwear were you wearing at the debate?

– Turn on the cam right now.

– Oppa! Are you going to appear on public TV shows now? (Jiggling).

– Love Shia

– Can’t wait to watch the debate.

– LOL Shia, kiss the screen.

Still full of crazy people.

After glancing at the chat, I turned on the cam and casually raised my middle finger.

“Grab some popcorn, you perverts.”

I had prepared popcorn in advance too.

Alright, let’s enjoy the show.