Chapter 60
Chapter 60
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 60
Chapter Title: Watching Ma-sam Fall into the Abyss
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I shook my head to clear my mind.
It wasn't the time to get drunk on Haedal's flattery.
Sure, hitting 8th place in prime time was impressive, but right now, it was time to run the stream. We could celebrate later, after the broadcast ended.
I desperately tried to control my expression.
Of course, I couldn't help but sneak a peek at the chat window. It was an uncontrollable instinct.
-Kyaaaaaaa!!!
-Jae-ho's blown up big time!
-Rawr!
-This high is insane lololol
-Keep this momentum going forever!
Naturally, my fans were thrilled. They were the ones who took more joy in my success than anyone else. They had every reason to be happy.
But why was Haedal, sitting right next to me, even more excited than the fans?
"Kyaa! You're a full-fledged mega-corp now! No, it's time to aim for the top five! I'll do my absolute best to support you by your side!"
At this point, I couldn't tell if he was a sycophant or a loyal retainer. His tongue was that slick.
'Ahem, have I overlooked a true loyalist all this time?'
Come to think of it, Haedal only buttered me up like this. Maybe he really was a devoted servant just for me.
"Ahem, more importantly, Haedal? Shouldn't we get on with the content?"
"Ah, yes!"
I sat Haedal back down in his seat.
Then, I slowly started scanning the streamers below me.
'Let's see... Should I drop into Dolbalman's room? We got close this time.'
Dolbalman was a famous mega-corp too. We'd bonded during that massive collab content. And now, somehow, he was below me. It felt pretty surreal.
'He was definitely above me before...'
That's when a familiar thumbnail caught my eye.
'Huh?'
I stopped moving my mouse. I had no choice.
Incredibly...
'Ma-sam is below me?'
Yeah.
That Ma-sam was right under me.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Ma-sam kept brazenly streaming on.
I'd heard he was even under police investigation for illegal drug use. And yet, he streamed without a single apology. The guy had skin thicker than a rhino.
But it wasn't without consequences for his broadcast.
He'd cheated to sabotage Dokgo Hwayeon's huge collab content. And broken the law to boot. Then he streamed on shamelessly without apologizing.
Of course, his viewer count plummeted.
As a result, Ma-sam—who used to pull 50,000 viewers the moment he went live—was now below me. It felt really strange.
'He's really hit rock bottom.'
Still, 20,000 people were watching his stream.
'Guess he does have some staying power?'
I clicked into Ma-sam's stream without thinking. My hand just moved on its own.
Soon, an enraged Ma-sam filled the screen. Maybe from the side effects of Blood Pill, his hair had thinned out noticeably.
[Get out! All of you, leave!]
-Rock
-Bot
-tom
-Rockbottom
-Rockbotttom!
-Serves you right lolololol
-Pfft
The chat was nothing but mockery of Ma-sam. And he was kicking them one by one.
It was basically a kick show at this point.
Watching that, I finally understood Ma-sam's current viewer count.
He didn't have staying power.
'20,000 viewers are just here to troll him?'
Some of his diehard fans were probably still around. That's how extreme fans were. But most had bailed for sure. Now, trolls flooded in to mock him to his face. And that added up to 20,000.
I watched for a bit.
Someone once said revenge is hollow. But no way. Nothing was sweeter than revenge.
Seeing Ma-sam in total ruin was that satisfying.
"I knew it'd end up like this! How dare he mess with Jae-ho! Serves him right!"
"Pardon?"
I stared at Haedal in disbelief.
Haedal used to simp for Ma-sam harder than anyone. And now he was straight-up trashing him.
That snapped me back to reality.
'Oh right, I could end up like that too.'
If I fell to the abyss, Haedal would flip his expression in a heartbeat and trash me too. Obvious as day.
Just moments ago, I'd been a little drunk on his flattery. It felt damn good. Human nature.
But I couldn't let that happen. Who knew when I'd crash like Ma-sam? I had to stay vigilant always.
'Don't get high on flattery. In one ear, out the other.'
To claim Dokgo Hwayeon, I needed massive success. Couldn't get complacent just for hitting mega-corp status.
I switched my expression back. Then I left Ma-sam's room.
"Alright, on to the next room?"
Watching ugly Ma-sam was fun, sure.
[Ah! Fuck! I said get out!]
He was still fighting the trolls. The more I watched, the funnier it got.
But this was enough.
Time to snap out of it and start the real content.
'Save the mega-corps for later.'
Most mega-corps were busy with their own content. Better to visit after they wrapped up.
I scrolled through Express's broadcast list. Then picked the perfect starter streamer.
'Gotta go stimulating for the opener.'
Suddenly, the screen filled with flesh tones. Lewd sounds started echoing.
[Hot!]
It was An Young's stream, hard at work raking in cash as always.
An Young was dancing the Zero-Two in short shorts and a white tank top. Her killer body(?) was on full display. Super stimulating.
"Hup!"
Haedal's shocked voice came from beside me. A glance showed his eyes wide as fists, mouth agape. Total stream face.
'This guy's working hard too.'
I put on my own stream face—something awestruck.
Maybe because of our reactions, chat went nuts.
-Owo
-An Young's the main wife for sure!
-An Young squad assemble!
-Here we are!
-UwU!
I checked the viewer count on the sly.
[Live Viewers: 26,311]
We might break 30k at this rate. An Young's dances were unbeatable.
Soon, her dance ended.
[Hah... Hah... Huh? What's up with chat?]
She panted, then looked shocked at the exploding chat.
-Hi
-Anha!
-Eye candy!!!
-Babe long time no see!
-Owo still got it
In seconds, the Tiger Squad overran her chat. Couldn't be helped.
Downside of touring, I guess?
But with someone as close as An Young, no biggie.
I typed into her chat, just like the viewers.
-Jae-ho1: Noona! Long time no see!
Just messing around.
Instantly, I got guested.
[An Young has designated Jae-ho1 as guest.] Lightning fast. Pro streamer An Young noona, as expected.
[What? It's Jae-ho! What brings you here?!]
She lit up brightly and sat down.
Come to think of it, I'd been too busy lately to see her much. No wonder she was so happy.
But then, something crossed her mind?
Her expression changed.
A bit sulky, maybe?
[Right, you've got a new girl lately, huh?]
-Jae-ho1: Huh? What're you talking about?
[You're totally head over heels for Dokgo Hwayeon. Everyone knows.]
Girl intuition? She was sharp.
I felt a slight pang of guilt. It was true. But I couldn't admit it straight up.
I typed casually.
-Jae-ho1: Nah, no way! Dokgo Hwayeon and I are just friends!
True enough. We weren't anything yet. Had to progress the quest(?) first.
[Really?]
-Jae-ho1: Of course! Anyway, what've you been up to, noona?
Her face brightened at my words. She'd been fishing subtly.
[Same old. Feels like all I do is stream.]
I smiled brightly too. That meant no new guy.
'Maybe swing by noona's place after the stream?'
Seeing An Young noona after so long stirred me up.
I wanted to meet her in person, chat about everything, have some fun times.
'Guess I'm a real playboy.'
After the stream, of course. Duty first.
We chatted for about five minutes. Then I sponsored her room 300,000 won.
Ding.
[Jae-ho1 has sponsored 300,000 won.] [Ack! Jae-ho! What's this?!]
Maybe because I'd gotten a huge sponsor from Dokgo Hwayeon today? 300,000 won was pocket change now.
-Jae-ho1: Heading to the next room. Dance one more before I go!
Used to be I'd beg for a free dance on goodwill. Not anymore. Could drop this cash easy(?) for content.
Especially since it was An Young noona.
[Ah! You got it! What should I dance?]
An Young jumped up excitedly. Money was king.
Soon, she started dancing, flaunting her sexy figure to the max. Her body was pure fantasy up close.
"Mi... insane."
Glancing over, Haedal's mouth was still wide open. He'd been stuck like that since her first dance. Guy was coasting on stream.
I enjoyed An Young's dance moderately, then left the room. Plenty more to see.
That's when Haedal, still gaping, dropped a bombshell.
"Y-Your Highness! In my humble opinion, An Young is the top candidate for Your Imperial Consort!"
"Pardon?"
Chat exploded at his words.
-That's right
-Fr
-Main wife An Young!
-Kya! Our Haedal knows his women
-Yessir
The hidden An Young squad all popped out.
I shot him a glare. He'd stirred up chat with useless talk.
"S-Sorry! I spoke out of turn..."
"Tch, it's fine."
This was why I brought him. Better than dead air.
Anyway, I entered the next room.
If the first was An Young, the second had to be here.