Chapter 136
Chapter 136
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 136
Chapter Title: Broadcast Appearance
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Yuseong didn't quite get what West Garden meant at first. He was already doing his own personal broadcasts, after all.
'If you mean a broadcast, I'm already doing one.'
'Not your personal broadcast, Yuseong. Someone else's broadcast.'
'You mean a collab stream?'
'Something like that.'
West Garden went on to explain in detail.
The world was famous for personal streams where players showed off their Arc gameplay, but that didn't mean those were the only popular ones.
'There's this streamer named Toosil. Pretty famous one. He does content testing players' physical abilities.'
They called it 'What if the strongest in-game are in real life?'
It all started when Toosil uploaded a video showing off his own physical prowess. As a ranker and famous player in Arc himself, he figured it would draw plenty of interest.
And it blew up big time.
Rankers already had all eyes on them. Plus, Arc rankers were bound to have something special going on—virtual reality favored people with great body control and skills, after all.
So Toosil's real-life moves in the stream were impressive too.
Of course, he couldn't move exactly like his Arc character. That was virtual reality, not the real deal.
But the viewers knew that full well. Toosil's real-world agility alone was enough to show off a ranker's awesomeness.
Put the two together, and the reaction was explosive.
It started as a one-off event, but with all that attention, it would've been a waste to do it just once. Strike while the iron's hot, right? So Toosil started cranking out more episodes back-to-back.
He poured his connections and cash into inviting other rankers. Most of them jumped at the chance to expand their audience.
Not every one was a hit, though.
Some rankers just didn't fit the format—or maybe their real-life physical skills weren't all that—and they ended up disappointing viewers and drawing jeers.
Even so, confident rankers kept taking the challenge, and the content stayed popular.
'People go wild when someone amazing in-game is amazing in real life too. Virtual reality's fake, but reality's real, you know. Lots of folks have gotten even more famous from appearing on that channel.'
Otherwise, people wouldn't flock to it knowing they might embarrass themselves.
'Thing is, he's been struggling to book guests lately. Not every ranker wants to risk that just for fame. So he's started scouting up-and-comers too, and it's been working out pretty well.'
Talented players hungry for recognition, eager viewers, and Toosil wanting to keep the cash and audience flowing. Perfect alignment.
'You want me to go on as an up-and-comer?'
'Exactly. And I'll be going with you.'
West Garden had been getting invites from Toosil nonstop. As a top-tier ranker in skill and fame, it would've been weirder if she hadn't.
But she'd turned them down. No need to jump through hoops in some circus act.
That all changed with one sentence from Yuseong about wanting to get famous. She accepted the next invite on the spot.
Toosil wouldn't turn down Yuseong, Arc's hottest prospect. With West Garden in the mix? No way.
Still, one thing to check first.
'To avoid embarrassing yourself on that stream, you need decent motor skills. You good at moving your body?'
Sure, bombing on stream was a way to get famous in a blunt sort of way. But it rarely ended well. And it'd tarnish his skilled-player image.
Right now, Yuseong had built a massive rep as a powerhouse from back-to-back bonus boss clears, winning guild wars, and snagging the Necronomicon copy.
Getting labeled a real-life nobody would ruin that.
Yuseong's answer was simple.
'I'm good.'
He had a rough idea of this world's average physical level. With the Nano Machine injection and life-or-death fights against monsters and beasts, he doubted he lagged behind.
'Perfect. I'll pitch it to Toosil then.'
Toosil snapped up West Garden's proposal. It was the guest he'd been chasing forever. And now Yuseong, the buzz of the moment, was coming too?
No reason to say no.
And so Yuseong ended up on the stream.
* * *
Yuseong rode to the meetup spot. He didn't know the address they'd sent, but with the strategy guide, finding it was a breeze.
'This the place?'
He stepped out of the car and eyed the building.
'A shooting range, huh.'
The name said it all.
The parking lot was mostly empty. A few cars dotted the white spaces, including his.
'They rented out the whole place?'
That explained the emptiness.
Just as Yuseong headed inside, a familiar car pulled in.
'West Garden.'
It slid smoothly into a spot near his. The door opened, and as expected, Hye-won stepped out.
'Hello, Yuseong.'
'Hello.'
'You beat me here?'
'Just arrived.'
After the usual greetings, they headed into the shooting range.
'As I mentioned, Toosil rented out the whole place. He said it's the perfect spot to test your abilities.'
Made sense for a Gunner who shot guns. Renting the entire range? Not so much.
'Ever actually fired a gun before?'
'Of course.'
More than fired—he'd carried one like a body part.
'Figures. You probably did your military service.'
Otherwise, chances to shoot in Korea were slim. If he'd at least tried it once, he wouldn't totally bomb, she thought with a bit of relief.
'If it goes south, I'll have to step in.'
She didn't need to come just for Yuseong, but she was there to back him up if things went wrong.
She'd suggested this to repay a favor. If his image tanked because of it, it'd be turning kindness into betrayal.
He'd saved her grandma's life, no less. She couldn't let that happen.
'Welcome!'
A man in his early-to-mid thirties greeted them. The stocky guy was Toosil.
'Great to meet you. West Garden. And Yuseong. I'm Toosil.'
'Nice to meet you. West Garden here.'
'Yuseong. Pleasure.'
They shook hands and exchanged greetings.
Toosil was outgoing and sociable. His friendly vibe made it clear why his streams were so popular. It wasn't just the content.
'Honored to have you both. Coffee?'
He pointed to an instant coffee machine in the corner. They nodded, and he zipped over with cups for Yuseong and Hye-won.
They chatted lightly for a bit. Mostly Hye-won and Toosil. Yuseong stared at the brown liquid in his paper cup.
'Not like the coffee I know.'
He'd wandered cafes a lot while exploring streets—they were everywhere. Tried tons of drinks out of curiosity. But this? New to him.
'Smells good, though.'
He took a sip. Bitterness and sweetness swirled on his tongue, laced with that classic coffee aroma.
'Whew!'
A satisfied sigh.
Yuseong savored it happily.
'...You really enjoy that stuff.'
Toosil watched, impressed.
Yuseong was famous for devouring food like black bread with pure delight. Lately, pics of him clearing plates at restaurants had been popping up online.
Toosil had researched him for the shoot, seen the videos. They made you hungry just watching. But in person? Even more appetite-whetting.
'Yeah.'
Hye-won agreed. She'd seen it once before when they ate together. Apparently, it didn't get old.
In the end, after downing three cups of the cheap instant coffee they'd normally ignore, they started filming.
Toosil's team was already set up in the range.
'We'll start with West Garden. Ready?'
'Good to go.'
Toosil signaled his staff, and the stream went live. Viewers flooded in.
He always did these live, no edits. Raw and real built trust.
This one was live too.
Proving the stream's popularity, numbers spiked fast. Higher than usual.
'Worth the booking.'
Toosil grinned at the viewer count.
Who you booked made all the difference. Top ranker West Garden and hot prospect Yuseong.
How could a stream with them not blow up? The notice he'd posted early had drawn a huge crowd.
[Hey Toosil!]
[Whoa, real West Garden]
[Yuseong's here too!]
'Hey everyone! Toosil here! Today we're checking how Arc's top players stack up in real life! And today, finally! I got the guest I've been dying for. If you play Arc, you know her—the top ranker who's all about doing her own thing, the one and only West Garden!'
Toosil introduced Hye-won with applause. The staff joined in cheers.
'Hello, West Garden here.'
She bowed to the camera.
'And if we're naming the hottest name right now, it's gotta be this guy. The man pulling off the impossible! One and only Yuseong!'
'Hello. Yuseong here.'
Yuseong mimicked West Garden and greeted the camera.
Viewers welcomed them wildly. The chat alone made their excitement palpable.
'Alright, enough chit-chat—like always. Let's jump in. First up, West Garden's physical test!'
The real stream began.