Chapter 42
Chapter 42
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 42
Chapter Title: The Game Betting 50,000 Viewers
-----------------------------------------------------------------
4th-Dimensional Streamer Harin boldly opened her mouth. It was a momentum that even made Dokgo Hwayeon flinch.
"I want to show the viewers what we all look like gathered together! And streaming is way more fun, right?!"
I let out a silent sigh at her words.
I'd already streamed today before coming here. Naturally, all I wanted was to head home and rest.
But if we turned on a stream now, I'd have to do another one here. Even I, who loved streaming, drew the line there.
I immediately looked at Dokgo Hwayeon. I hoped she'd rein Harin in somehow.
But Dokgo Hwayeon betrayed my expectations.
"Hmm... Now that I think about it, it's actually a pretty good idea."
"Right?!"
"Yeah?"
"What do you think, Jajang?"
"I like it too!"
"And you, Seing?"
"I-I think it's good too."
The rest of the team agreed with Harin's opinion. Well, technically they were agreeing with Dokgo Hwayeon's questions.
Soon, I saw Dokgo Hwayeon looking at me. Strangely, her face was full of mischief.
"Jae-ho, you're on board too, right?"
"Uh... well... yeah."
There was no refusing in this atmosphere. I had no choice but to nod.
Haa, we're doomed.
It was 9 p.m. now.
If we streamed more here, I'd probably get home at dawn. Not a great situation for me.
But they say you should hear people out to the end?
Dokgo Hwayeon's voice pulled me out of my despair.
"How about we decide whose ID to use with a game? Wouldn't that be fun? Oh, I'll sit this one out, of course."
I snapped my head up at her words.
Did she just say we might use mine?
With her out, that was a 25 percent chance. More than good enough odds.
Jackpot.
In an instant, all four of our eyes lit up. Even the usually timid Seing's eyes sparkled.
It was impossible not to get excited.
How many fixed viewers does Dokgo Hwayeon have again...?
As far as I knew, it was around 50,000. Just turning on a stream and chatting would draw that many.
Obviously, this stream would start with at least 50,000 viewers too. And it'd be under your own ID. This was an unbelievable opportunity.
My mind raced. Thinking about streaming in front of 50,000 sparked content ideas instantly.
Hmm, casual chit-chat feels too tame.
A casual talk stream would still be fun, especially chatting with Dokgo Hwayeon. Viewers would love it.
But our group was still shy with each other. It was our first time meeting today, so that was natural. We wouldn't get real chemistry like this.
What if we did a mukbang instead?
A great idea hit me.
This was Dokgo Hwayeon's café. And she was sitting right next to me.
Doing an honest mukbang review of the café food right in front of her.
What face would she make if I said the cake here sucks?
Just imagining it was hilarious.
The viewers would eat it up too.
I brightened up. Content had come together in a flash.
Man, I really have a knack for this streaming stuff.
That's when Dokgo Hwayeon spoke up.
"Let's do the Son Byeong-ho game. And I'll join in too. If I win, I get to pick whoever I want to host the stream."
I didn't love her suggestion. Specifically, the game. But I didn't show it. Instead, I enthusiastically agreed.
"Oh! Great idea! I'm in!"
I was covering my bases in case she won.
If Dokgo Hwayeon suggests something, everyone will follow anyway. Better to side with her proactively.
The others quickly followed my lead.
"I-I like it too."
"Me too!"
"Whoa! Sounds fun!"
Everyone agreed. Game over, basically.
The Son Byeong-ho game started right away. No need to drag it out—just raise your hand, and you're set.
Dokgo Hwayeon went first.
And the turn went clockwise from her right.
Tch, that puts me last...
I was on her left. Not ideal, but nothing I could do.
Whatever. Position doesn't matter much in this game anyway.
Better to think productively than blame my spot.
But ending with just mukbang feels lacking. Mix in some skits? Yeah, let's blend them. Actually, start with skits. Feels like it'd be even funnier...
That's when Dokgo Hwayeon, fingers spread wide with all five out, spoke.
No, she started to speak, glanced at me, gave a soft smile, then continued.
Her words left me dumbfounded.
"Fold the guys."
"Pardon...?"
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
"Fold the guys."
I panicked at Dokgo Hwayeon's sudden attack.
I'd just nailed one piece of content. All that was left was to stream.
But I'd overlooked something crucial.
If it's not my ID, it means nothing...
I wasn't selfless enough to hand over content I'd worked hard on(?) to someone I'd just met.
If we couldn't use my ID, that content was gone forever.
No, it's just the first attack. Still early.
I shook off the panic.
Focus on the game now.
I slowly folded one finger.
Four chances left. Stay calm, build momentum, and I could still win...
"Fold the streamer who's only been debuting for a month."
But Jajang's turn in second made me sigh.
This was hopeless.
And proof came quick.
"Uh... s-sorry, Jae-ho. Fold the one who just came from streaming."
"Hehe, fold the one who called you handsome earlier!"
Before I knew it, I had one finger left. Basically eliminated.
I glanced at Dokgo Hwayeon. This was all thanks to her.
She looked back, face lit up like she was having the time of her life.
Well, she was just smiling lightly, but that's how it felt to me.
I shook my head at the sight.
Getting mad at Dokgo Hwayeon here would look pathetic.
Plus, I wasn't out yet. Can't give up till the end.
I almost targeted her but changed my mind. No one else would follow if I attacked her.
Better to hit someone else.
Like... that 4th-dimensional Harin who started this whole thing.
The others might pile on if I went for her.
I quickly named her trait.
"Fold the one with bobbed hair."
"Ugh."
Only Harin had bobbed hair.
I saw her fold a finger.
I whipped my head to Dokgo Hwayeon, giving her my most desperate look.
Please...
Did my eyes get through?
Pfft.
She suddenly laughed. And rewarded my faith.
"Fold the streamer who gets called 4th-dimensional a lot."
"Ah! D-Dokgo Hwayeon!"
"Jae-ho looked so desperate. Couldn't help it."
"Hing..."
Jajang and Seing jumped on Harin next.
"Fold the one who said gaming's their hobby earlier."
"Ah, no!"
"F-Fold the one who hates cucumbers."
"N-Not that!!"
In a flash, she was down to one finger. Tied with me.
That's right.
My face brightened. If I could just hang on, maybe a miracle...
But no miracle came.
"P-Park Jae-ho, fold!"
Of course, Harin targeted me. She had no choice.
My last finger vanished.
And with it, my hopes.
"No way..."
This was a shot at 50,000 live viewers.
If my content hit big, even more.
And it slipped away.
I slumped in despair. Anyone would think I'd just been dumped.
Pfft.
"Jae-ho's kinda cute like that."
"Y-Yeah."
The team cooed at me like I was adorable, but it didn't help.
I watched the game with a hopeless face. Didn't matter who won now.
The remaining four sped through it.
"Fold Harin!"
"Ack! No!"
Harin, with one finger, dropped first.
"Fold the one nicknamed Jajang!"
"Ugh!"
"Fold the quietest one here!"
"......"
"F-Fold the richest one."
"You just targeted me?"
Then the last three went wild on each other.
The result?
"That means I win. Fold, Seing."
"Ah..."
Dokgo Hwayeon took the victory.
Her face was beaming. A rare sight from her usual streams. She must've been having a blast with us.
"Hmm, who to pick?"
Hold up.
One forgotten detail hit me.
If Dokgo Hwayeon won, she could pick anyone she wanted. And they'd host.
My eyes sparked with hope again.
I didn't know yet.
I stared at Dokgo Hwayeon desperately. Please pick me.
She glanced at my face.
Then she spoke.
"Ah, I was gonna pick someone else..."
"B-But?"
"But you're too cute. Can't do it. I'll pick Jae-ho!"
"Jackpot!"
I shot up from my seat.
An unexpected miracle had happened.