Chapter 25
Chapter 25
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 25
Chapter Title: Ma-sam Becoming More and More of a Has-Been
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'What the hell?'
I checked the message with a slightly surprised look on my face.
It was from none other than Dokgo Hwayeon's manager—the manager of one of the biggest corporations out there.
[Hello, Jae-ho. I'm Dokgo Hwayeon's manager. I'm reaching out regarding the Streamer Training project recruitment.]
Unfortunately(?), it wasn't from Dokgo Hwayeon herself. Still, the message contained some pretty important info.
I read it carefully and quickly.
[......Dokgo Hwayeon has said she'll pretty much guarantee your audition success. So please join us with peace of mind...]
To sum up the message:
• We're doing this big content project—hop in.
• It's two weeks of teaching martial arts to streamers.
• Instructors will be Dokgo Hwayeon and a few other martial world streamers.
• Oh, it's not just teaching martial arts—there'll be various contents mixed in, including sparring matches, so heads up.
• By the way, lots of low-tier and big corp streamers applied, but hardly any mid-tiers.
• If you join now, you'll get a ton of attention. And we'll basically guarantee you pass the audition. So apply.
Of course, the tone wasn't that casual.
I just summarized it for convenience.
I pondered for a moment.
'An audition, huh...'
I'd definitely planned to turn it down earlier.
No real gains from participating.
But this changed things.
'She'll basically guarantee I pass?'
From the looks of it, this wasn't some quick content.
Two whole weeks, they said.
In simple terms, passing the audition meant a two-week gig falling right into my lap.
Plus, I could build connections with the big corps.
'Might balance out my lopsided network a bit.'
I had a decent streamer network from my manager days.
But mostly mid-tiers and low-tiers.
No big corps.
'Makes sense—big corps were ones Ma-sam scouted himself.'
This could fix that imbalance.
I nodded.
The more I thought about it, the better it seemed.
Of course, I wasn't taking their word at 100%.
Dokgo Hwayeon's manager said they'd basically guarantee passage.
Sounded like 90% odds.
But no way.
Probably meant they'd give low-tiers like me a little extra consideration.
The big corps?
Different story.
They probably got unconditional guarantees.
'World's always like that.'
Seemed unfair, sure.
But internet broadcasting was like that.
Big corps were essential for viewer spikes.
If I were them, I'd pick big corps over low-tiers too.
Better for the stream.
Anyway, I decided.
'Might as well apply.'
Dokgo Hwayeon's team hand-picking me?
That sealed it.
'Means she remembers me, right?'
Could've been the manager's solo call.
Still, I wanted in.
'They won't drop me easily anyway.'
Plus, I felt weirdly confident.
Maybe thanks to my talents.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Tsk, not happy about this."
Ma-sam had been frowning a lot lately.
Part of it was his pathetic Newtuber views.
Since Jae-ho left, Newtuber views tanked. Su-a's editing skills weren't up to par. Felt like his hair was falling out over it.
But he could endure that. Hair loss sucked, but he could tough it out. Live streams were what mattered most.
Now even those were shaking.
Most contents used to be Jae-ho's ideas. Ma-sam just followed the script.
No more. Su-a lacked the chops. He had to plan himself.
And that's why streams were wobbling—his plans sucked compared to Jae-ho's.
Fans straight-up said recent streams were boring. Viewers dropped. He could get booted from the top 5 corps at this rate.
No wonder he was frowning nonstop. Couldn't remember the last time he smiled.
'All this because Park Jae-ho up and left me.'
He'd fired Jae-ho. True. But he'd even messaged begging him back. Jae-ho ignored it. Ungrateful bastard.
'Dares repay the guy who fed and raised him like this?'
He hadn't resented Jae-ho this much at first. It was bearable then.
But Newtuber views and ads kept dropping.
Live viewers too. Unbearable now.
'Viewer count—the most important thing—is plummeting...'
He obsessed over viewers more than most streamers.
Believed viewer count was everything. High numbers brought ads and donations automatically.
Call it viewer-count OCD.
Anyone outdoing him? Gut punch. Jealousy city. He knew he was worse than most.
And his viewers? Same vibe. "That streamer, that audience."
His fan cafe proved it.
💬 Fan Cafe — Fan1 Ma-sam's getting outdone in viewer count everywhere lately? Gonna lose to no-name big corps too at this rate? — Fan2 You know he lost to Tanguri yesterday? Felt embarrassing for me. — Fan3 Wtf, lost to Tanguri too? Ma-sam's totally a has-been now. — Fan4 Every time Ma-sam streams, we all hit rock bottom once ㅋㅋㅋ — Fan5 Ma-sam's lost it lately. Needs to get beaten by Jae-ho once to snap out of it ㅋㅋㅋㅋ The fan cafe was all viewer talk. And bashing Ma-sam by comparing to others.
They hadn't trashed him this hard before.
Still a fan cafe, though.
When Ma-sam beat others in viewers, they'd hype it up among themselves.
No more of that. Everyone saw he was declining. No positive posts.
Were even his fans turning on him?
Ma-sam finally resolved.
This couldn't go on.
He needed a new manager.
No—specifically Jae-ho. No one else could revive his streams.
But Jae-ho was killing it solo. No way he'd return.
'Then I'll crush his stream.'
He hadn't planned to go this far.
But no choice.
Jae-ho's stream had to tank for him to survive.
Only then would Jae-ho crawl back.
'Once it flops, he'll return to the fold.'
He grinned wickedly.
Time to plan sabotaging Jae-ho's stream.
'Cut off his limbs first.'
Jae-ho had built his own crew lately. Cocky.
An Young and Heyni.
He targeted Heyni. Younger, more promising.
'She turned me down last time... but not this time.'
This time, he'd seduce her as a man. Keep her by his side.
'Fits my type too...'
Her cute pretty face contrasting huge bust and hips? Perfect. Totally his style.
He opened Stargram quick.
DM to Heyni.
Ma-sam: Hello, Heyni. This is Ma-sam. Hahaha! Bet you're shocked? Never thought a celeb like me would DM you. He thought he was pretty handsome.
Slightly squinted eyes girls dug, big nose screaming virility. Thick lips too. Skin was iffy, but other charms covered it.
'Heyni'll fall fast. Heh heh heh.'
He smirked lecherously. No girl could resist him.
DM sent, he called his editor/manager.
Heyni conquest: done. Now direct hit on Jae-ho.
"Su-a, come here?"
"Huh? Oh, sure."
Su-a appeared, massive chest bouncing.
Jiggle jiggle.
'Oh damn.'
White tank top showed everything. Veins and all.
'Ahem, not the time.'
He ogled her chest then looked away. Asked her:
"Message from Dokgo Hwayeon, right?"
"Yeah. Technically her manager."
"What'd it say?"
"Guaranteed pass if interested—reach out."
"Hmm, yeah?"
His form was dipping, but still top 5 corps. Dokgo Hwayeon had to extend invites.
"Oh, Jae-ho's in the applicant list too?"
"Jae-ho? Yeah. Yesterday's list had him."
"Is that so..."
He pondered.
He'd had no plans for Dokgo Hwayeon's content. Most top 5 probably same. They eyed each other warily.
Didn't matter now. Just crush Jae-ho.
"Tell 'em I'm in."
"For real?"
"Yeah. Changed my mind."
"But participant list's out."
"No prob. I'm Ma-sam."
That said it all. A big corp like him? Dokgo'd make room.
"Oh! And starting next week, daytime streams mainly."
"Daytime? Why? Viewers won't show."
"Got plans. Prep yourself, Su-a. Got it?"
"Yessir."
Thus began his Jae-ho sabotage prep.
'Pfft, Daytime King?'
He could stream days. Just no reason to.
But if he did?
'New Daytime King born.'
Jae-ho? Nothing.
His true colors would show.
'Drop his viewers under 500.'
He was confident. No fancy content needed. Just show up daytime—Jae-ho'd crumble.
'Damn straight. Who needs some manager punk.'