Chapter 75
Chapter 75
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 75
Chapter Title: Hobby Life
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A few days later.
I finally found a new place that could serve as both my studio and home.
It wasn't far from where I'd been living, and it was surprisingly clean and nice. It was spacious too. Roughly 40 pyeong, I'd say.
'This should be more than enough for guest streams.'
I planned to use the largest central space as the broadcasting room, with the remaining rooms serving as my bedroom, a wardrobe-slash-props room, and a guest waiting area.
"Whoa! This is great!"
"Looks pretty good."
"It's so clean—that's what makes it perfect."
All three of my staff members seemed satisfied.
Of course, I was thrilled too. Securing this place had wiped out my savings and forced me to take out a loan. But it was worth it.
'About 50 million won(?)—I can pay that back in no time!'
Just two more ad streams, and I'd clear the debt.
"Oh! Right! Are you planning a housewarming stream?"
"A housewarming stream?"
I paused at Su-a's suggestion, then nodded right away.
"Not a bad idea."
It'd just mean inviting some contacts I knew and having fun together—that was basically a housewarming stream. Free content, basically. I liked it.
'Should I invite Dokgo Hwayeon too?'
Conveniently, I had her summon ticket(?).
If she came, we'd probably pull in around 70,000 viewers.
'Sounds good.'
I shot Su-a a grateful look.
"Housewarming stream it is. We have to do it. Great idea—thanks."
"Ahem!"
Su-a puffed up proudly at my praise, clearly in high spirits.
Seeing her shine, the other two staffers looked a bit desperate, like they wanted to jump in with their own ideas out of rivalry.
Hani was first to pipe up.
"J-Jae-ho! How about a cooking segment for the housewarming? Not buying food, but actually cooking it ourselves! Wouldn't that be fun?"
"Oh, like having them cook themselves?"
"Yes! Dokgo Hwayeon, An Young, and Heyni each make a dish. Then you judge them! How fun would that be?"
"That's solid."
Leaving Dokgo Hwayeon, Heyni, and An Young alone together would just spark a fight. That was why I'd been hesitant to gather all three.
But a fair cooking contest? That could work. They might even bond over it.
I immediately praised Hani.
"Excellent idea. I love it."
"Th-thank you!"
Hani looked like she'd just been saved from the brink, beaming with pride.
Su-a and Hani had delivered killer suggestions. This could push us past 70,000 viewers—maybe even 80,000.
All three of us turned to Dam-bi.
Our faces said, What about you?
"Uh, w-well..."
Dam-bi, flustered despite her large frame, fumbled for words.
The other two had already scored big(?), which only made her more nervous.
"Um... about that vtuber idol thing you mentioned last time."
"Oh, right. That."
I'd almost forgotten something important.
I looked at Dam-bi expectantly. As a self-proclaimed vtuber expert, she might have something good.
But disappointment hit quick.
"I-I think it's probably impossible."
"Yeah?"
Same as what Ra-shin had said during the ad stream.
"Yeah. To succeed as a vtuber idol, you need talent, connections, and luck—all three."
"And?"
"B-but Jae-ho, you don't have any of those three..."
"Ahem."
Her brutal facts left me speechless.
Luck aside, talent and connections were the issue.
"Connections meaning vtuber connections?"
"No. Vtuber contacts matter, but something's even more crucial."
"What?"
"Actually, it's the behind-the-scenes staff: map makers, modelers, character designers, sound engineers, editors, and so on. You don't have any of those."
"Ah..."
I had zero such contacts. All I had were streamer connections.
"Plus, no experience with big projects like this. Putting it all together, success looks tough."
"Fair enough..."
I nodded at Dam-bi's harsh truth. It hurt, but it was real.
Still, I wasn't giving up.
I had a secret weapon Dam-bi didn't know about.
"What if I had amazing composing skills?"
"Huh?"
"Like, if I could churn out hit songs left and right—could that make it work?"
"Well... that might do it. But you'd need a ton of money and time to build those connections."
"Hmm, we'll figure that out somehow."
Exactly.
I had my old world's hit songs memorized in my head.
Play my cards right, and this could be huge.
"I'll leave the connections to you, Dam-bi."
"Y-you're really doing this?"
"Don't worry. Not jumping in right away. This is a long-term play. Take it slow."
I wasn't rushing into a vtuber idol project. Too many gaps for that.
I reassured Dam-bi. Her role here was key.
"Really take it easy and slow."
"Sigh... alright. I'll give it a shot."
"Thanks as always, Dam-bi."
"N-no problem!"
Thankfully, she went along with my stubbornness. Great employee, honestly.
Of course, this was just planning—we might scrap it later if needed.
But for now, positive vibes.
The potential payoff was too sweet to ditch.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Two weeks later.
The studio move was finally complete, and the soundproofing work wrapped up perfectly.
I could start streaming right now if I wanted.
But it was only 10 a.m.
Not streaming time yet.
This was martial arts training time.
And I was watching the final Fist King Fist training video.
[Finally, Successor, the most important thing in Fist King Fist is mindset. Studying the cultivation method and forms matters, but if the wielder's heart is corrupt, it cannot unleash its true power. Always keep your mind pure and honed.] As the video ended, I gave my master a heartfelt(?) bow.
Bow.
"Thank you, Master."
Bowing to the monitor felt too much, so a nod sufficed.
Anyway, I'd finally watched every Fist King Fist video.
That meant I'd learned all the basics.
'Now it's up to me to refine it.'
I'd memorized all seven forms of Fist King Fist. Not perfectly, but I knew them by heart.
'First Form: Fist King Strike, Second: Blood Fire Incineration, Third: Dragon Slash Thunderbolt, Fourth: Mount Tai Descends, Fifth: Void-Shaking Annihilation Strike, Sixth: Ultimate Destruction Shredding, and finally Seventh: Fist King Heavenly Path.'
Honestly, memorizing the form names took longer than the moves. Some were so cringey, I resisted them.
'Fist King Heavenly Path...'
But memorizing the forms didn't mean I could unleash their true power.
Anyone could mimic the motions. You had to perfectly circulate internal energy with them for real power.
'In that sense, I've only truly mastered the First Form.'
Still, nailing the First Form felt good.
That punch from the first video was the First Form: Fist King Strike. Master said it was the most basic—and most used—move.
Of course, if I tried it now, I'd collapse immediately. Not enough internal energy.
'Should I buy a Purity Pill?'
Purity Pills boosted internal energy. Made by a famous Korean pharma company, they could grant up to ten years' worth.
But they were pricey, and results varied wildly.
'Some people only get a year's worth.'
Plus, effectiveness halved with repeated use. No perfect wonder drug, huh.
Anyway, I climbed onto the bed.
Time to build up that lacking internal energy.
'Who knows when Kim Gang-rok might come after me. Need to get stronger fast.'
Given his personality, he might pull shady moves from behind the scenes—like siccing his mages on me.
Not super likely, but better safe than sorry.
I focused, circulating my internal energy.
Favorite girls, streaming, Kim Gang-rok—all forgotten.
Just energy now.
'Focus. Focus again.'
How much time passed?
'Whew.'
I exhaled deeply, opening my eyes with a satisfied smile. More gains than expected.
'Training's going great today.'
Maybe because the move was finally done. I'd been stressed from it.
I got up, showered clean.
Then enjoyed my hobby till stream time.
'Let's see.'
I fired up Express on the big monitor. Female streamer channel, naturally.
[Oppa, dance time starting now!]
A cute newbie was doing a sexy dance. Couldn't miss this.
'Hmm, she's pretty good. Invite her as a guest later?'
Meanwhile, my hand fiddled with my smartphone. Time to browse Streamer Gallery.
Pro streamers like me had to multitask like this.
Checked hot posts first.
[An Young x Heyni) We're close friends!]
[Dokgo Hwayeon) When's Jae-ho's stream? Gotta invite me first!]
[Sudden Man) No stream notice. Dinner plans tonight.]
[Harin) Notice: No stream today!]
[Haedal) Would you die if Jae-ho said to? Of course! I'd give my life for Jae-ho!]
Started with posts about my close circle.
'Wait, Haedal's making hot posts now?'
She'd grown a lot. Came to the year-end party and now hitting the front page. Impressive.
'Hmm, not much good stuff today?'
I skimmed the hots. Less fun vids than expected. So, gravitated to the warning: NSFW(?) ones.
'Oh yeah.'