Chapter 71: Influencer (1)

The moment I became a tank, Dong-su hyung’s team, which had been progressing smoothly, collapsed in an instant.

They couldn’t handle the relentless barrage of car bombings and, in the end, decided to make a desperate move by charging at me.

And then they were all annihilated.

Without exception.

Since they were my acquaintances, I didn’t particularly enjoy the victory, but that part bothered me a little.

– The tank is really living up to its name, lol.

– Ah, I want to play zombie mode.

– I want to try being a tank too.

– Even beginners find that terrifying, but did you see how Shia’s car hit rate was? lol

– Yeah, Kan fell twice.

– But we got to see a lot of zombies.

– It’s getting a bit boring… any other games on VR Star?

The viewers’ reactions weren’t bad.

Since they enjoyed the content of visually first, how could their reactions be bad?

Of course, since I played seven rounds in a row, some viewers were getting bored.

If you think about it, I’ve been broadcasting the same game since yesterday, so they might be tired of it.

Moreover, this is the VR Star event venue with lots of attractions!

I wanted to play other games too.

I nodded while checking the mood in the chat.

“The homework is done now, so stop whining. Don’t worry, I’ll find the next game. Okay?”

– It was homework?

– Yeah, they said they’d pay per survivor kill.

– Wow, you must have made a good haul today.

[‘Streamer Shia’ gifted 1-month subscriptions to 100 random viewers!]

– ???

– What’s this event? lol

– Wow, we’ve never had an event like this before, have we?

– Crazy!

Since I earned a lot today, it was the least I could do for the viewers.

After casually handing out the subscriptions, I spoke to the viewers.

“I’ll switch to outdoor broadcast mode soon, so those who want to wait, please do. It’ll take about 10 minutes. Got it?”

The event hosted by ended without a winner.

After shutting down the capsule, I came out of it immediately.

Then Mr. Seok-hwan from greeted me with a deep sigh.

“Really… isn’t this too much?”

“What’s the matter?”

“They’re telling me to write a report to the higher-ups.”

“Oh my, how unfortunate.”

It’s unfortunate that you have to write a report, but what can you do?

I had to make money.

Mr. Seok-hwan shrugged his shoulders once, then grinned and said.

“Just kidding, just kidding. Let’s see. Since you destroyed seven teams… it’s 14 million won, right? Check your phone. The money should be deposited.”

Ding.

At his words, a deposit confirmation message popped up on my smartphone, naturally warming my heart.

Indeed, there’s nothing warmer than money.

While I was smiling happily at my phone, Mr. Seok-hwan continued speaking gently.

“How was it today?”

“The zombie mode was really fun. It’s worth considering as content later.”

“As I mentioned yesterday, the footage you played today will be used for our promotional video.”

One of the terms in the simple contract I signed with them was exactly that.

The footage I broadcast today could be used by .

They seemed to be planning to use my zombie play footage to create a promotional video.

I nodded in agreement.

“Use it as much as you want.”

“We intentionally adjusted it so that you could play various special zombies. Were you satisfied?”

“Oh… so the last round with the tank too?”

“Of course. You have to play all the zombies for us to make a nice promotional video.”

…Hmm, it was really rigged.

I had no idea.

Anyway, since the result was good, let’s not mind it too much.

After a light conversation with Mr. Seok-hwan, he smiled and asked me.

“Are you going to enjoy more of VR Star?”

“Yes, since there are a lot of streamers here, I plan to walk around and say hello.”

“Have you decided on the next game?”

“Well, not yet. Do you have any recommendations, Mr. Seok-hwan?”

Mr. Seok-hwan shook his head and answered.

“I was just curious, haha! I’m also a fan of your stream… Oh, should I contact Mr. Sung-jae separately for the next homework stream?”

Homework is always welcome.

I nodded naturally at Mr. Seok-hwan’s words.

“Of course. Homework streams are always welcome.”

“Thank you. Have a great day.”

Though my segment was over, the main experience event for was just starting.

Thus, after saying goodbye to me, Mr. Seok-hwan hurried back to their booth, and I watched his retreating figure while taking out my smartphone.

Since I had my fill of , should I start moving?

I launched the Twipod broadcasting app on my smartphone and slowly walked out of the booth.

“Hyung!”

“Wow, it’s really him.”

“Hyung! I want to be a streamer like you! Can I take a photo with you?”

“Hey, don’t cut in line. We were here first.”

I couldn’t hide my surprise at the sudden market-like atmosphere.

At a glance, it looked like dozens of people, each holding their phones, were waiting for me.

Hmm…

Today is going to be a very long and tiring day.

2.

After finishing the play, I joined Na-young.

I originally planned to hang out with Jin-hyuk, but unfortunately, Jin-hyuk was taken away by Dong-su hyung and Sharaout.

As expected, they, who loved fighting games, headed to the related game booth.

I don’t particularly like fighting games.

Moreover, since there were no new fighting games released at this VR Star, I didn’t see the need to go.

“But is it really okay for us to walk around like this?”

“Why? Does it feel awkward?”

“It’s more awkward than… no, it’s just awkward.”

“What can we do? I’m already used to it. You should give up and get used to it too, Na-young.”

“…Yeah.”

At some point, people started following us around.

And the number quickly grew, forming a large group.

Is this how the Pied Piper felt?

Behind Na-young and me, there were at least fifty people following us.

Seriously, for no reason at all.

I sighed and asked them.

“Why are you all following us?”

Soon, I received a reply from them.

“Hyung! Don’t mind us, just do what you want! We’re just curious and following you around.”

“Yeah.”

“Hyung! Don’t you accept real-life donations? I queued up and bought coffee for you.”

Then, a student in a school uniform approached me with a carrier holding two iced Americanos.

– Wow.

– Real-life donations.

– I’m packing a lunch right now. Tell me what you want to eat!

– That’s near my house… should I go out too?

– The advantage of outdoor broadcasting = tribute

– His mouth is about to split from smiling, lol. He must be happy.

All I ever did for my viewers was curse at them, but when I look at them, they really are kind.

I accepted the student’s carrier with a slight smile.

“Thank you, student…”

At that moment, the student whispered quietly into my ear.

“Hyung, could you perhaps give me some words of encouragement for the college entrance exam this year?”

Wait, the college entrance exam is coming up soon, and this third-year high school student is here doing this?

I should give him a sharp comment.

“Tell me your Twipod nickname.”

“My nickname is Shia’s Fan.”

“Got it.”

After briefly fiddling with my smartphone, I spoke quietly to the student.

“I just added you to my broadcast blacklist. I won’t remove you until after the exam, so keep that in mind.”

“Hyung, Hyung!”

“Come back as a college student, not a high school student.”

Moved by my words, the student nodded and his eyes sparkled. Then, suddenly, he hugged me and turned away with a look of no regret.

While I was watching the boy’s back with a rather pleased heart, the viewers who had been watching this scene together with me started flooding the chat.

– So, it’s like “come back stronger,” huh?

– Still, it’s heartwarming that he encouraged the third-year student.

– Our evil lord is surprisingly sweet, makes you want to pamper him.

– But how does a third-year student watch this tough broadcast?

– Interesting.

Na-young, who had been watching the interaction between me and my fan from the side, nodded with a soft smile.

“Chan-sik, you always seem so considerate. Like with that kid last time.”

“The kid?”

“You know, the high schooler we met in League of Storm.”

“Oh, Sung-shin? Sung-shin’s doing really well these days.”

Sung-shin, huh.

It’s been a while since I last contacted him.

I heard that Sung-shin is now an apprentice in a pro gamer team, working hard to become a professional gamer.

I should meet him soon and treat him to a meal.

Anyway, while I was walking around the VR Star event venue with Na-young, chatting about this and that, I looked around to see if there were any games worth playing, and Na-young tugged on my t-shirt.

“Chan-sik, how about that one?”

“What is it?”

“Haven’t you streamed that game before? There are a lot of people gathered around it.”

“…Oh?”

I looked where she was pointing.

As she said, there was a familiar game booth set up there.

In front of it, there were overwhelmingly more people gathered than at other booths, and the reason was simple.

“Welcome to the Samurai Wars booth! We’re participating in VR Star for the first time and are holding a special event!”

“If you clear the mode specially prepared for VR Star, we’ll give you a participation prize, and for those who clear it in the shortest time, we’ll give the state-of-the-art capsule made by Phoenix! The Phoenix Infinity.”

“Please participate a lot!”

The female narrators, dressed quite lightly, were eagerly soliciting participation.

It’s the first time I’ve seen such aggressive promotion at VR Star today.

I grinned as I looked at the game booth.

“Samurai Wars, huh…”

“Want to give it a try?”

“If I go there, I feel like I’ll get beaten to death right away.”

– LOL

– The narrators might break his head with the mic.

– Narrators from hell, LOL.

– That’s a suicide mission.

– Na-young must know and is doing it on purpose.

– Wow, the duo’s personalities are insane.

The viewers’ reactions were enthusiastic.

I never expected to go to such lengths to participate in VR Star.

From what I heard, they were on the verge of going under, so it seems like they’re making a last-ditch effort before going bankrupt.

It seems they’re trying to recruit players from other countries since they’re losing ground in Japan…

Not a chance.

After a brief moment of contemplation, I looked at Na-young and spoke.

“Shall we give it a try?”

“Great! I’ve wanted to try it.”

Having made a quick decision, we headed straight to the booth, which was teeming with people.

When we arrived at the booth, a staff member walked out.

It seemed like it was because of the badges hanging around our necks.

“Oh, streamers have come?”

“Hello! I’m rookie streamer Na-young. I haven’t decided on a nickname yet, but I came to give it a try.”

“Ah! Na-young! Of course, I know you, nice to meet you. I’m Woo-sung, the person in charge of this booth…”

The person in charge, who was smiling brightly at Na-young, glanced at me.

Then he started stuttering with his mouth wide open.

“You, you are…”

“Nice to meet you.”

Oh, how long has it been since I’ve seen this reaction?

The booth manager’s face turned pale as he recognized me, and I gave him my brightest smile.

“I’m Streamer Shia. I had a lot of fun with Samurai Wars. I have a lot of fond memories, so I came by. Ah, I’m already looking forward to it.”

I’ve decided. This time, it’s you!