Chapter 7
Chapter 7
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 7
Chapter Title: Rising Attention
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[So, does that mean the guy we met today, Yuseong, is better than him?]
"No, I didn't say that!"
Naltorri hurriedly denied it.
The person currently the topic of conversation was someone with considerable recognition in Arc. At least, overwhelmingly higher up than Naltorri, who had only just started dipping his toes into Arc.
Casually claiming that such a person's skills were lower than Yuseong, who had only just begun Arc, would bring nothing good.
[lmao close one! That should've been the hook!]
[Naltorri's life extended successfully]
"Who are these people sending? Anyway, it's clear Yuseong's skills are impressive. Definitely above mine. But that doesn't mean he'll become one of Arc's top experts."
[It's not a game that ends with just physical prowess]
Arc was, strictly speaking, an RPG. Level up to boost stats, learn various skills, and your character grows stronger.
However, simply leveling up didn't make you a top expert.
Thanks to its extreme freedom, Arc had no definitive answer on which stats to raise for which class.
Of course, there were somewhat standardized patterns, but true top players tailored their stats to their own skills as a matter of course.
On top of that, elements like bonus points for first dungeon discoverers provided additional abilities, and items were another factor in skill, so luck and information mattered too.
The players dominating Arc now were the result of everything aligning perfectly.
"Even if Yuseong pulls off amazing plays, if the stat difference is too wide, he can't win. Especially if the opponent has good gear equipped."
[There are definitely high-level players with low physicals but insane luck, monstrous stats, and full sets of top-tier items]
[Lucky guy lmao]
[For real, seeing that guy makes you think the world runs on luck]
"Still, with Yuseong's skills, if he gathers all the available info diligently, he could easily reach the top ranks. That physical ability really blew me away. Though, thinking back now, the fact that he genuinely found the black bread tasty was even more shocking."
[For real, that was culture shock]
[Plenty of skilled people, but he's the only one who eats black bread like it's delicious]
[I got free chicken and I'm happy]
"Damn it!"
<lmao>
<lmao>
<lmao>
Just then, the doorbell rang.
"Oh, my chicken must be here."
[You ordered chicken in the meantime?]
[Got a bet to settle with chicken, gotta ease the pain lmao I get it]
"That's not it!"
Naltorri quickly grabbed the chicken. As the steaming box appeared in front of the monitor, the chat flooded with comments like it looked delicious, they should order some too, what about their diet?
Naltorri picked up a drumstick like he was showing off and held it in front of the camera. Then he bit right into the meat.
The crispy batter and chewy flesh mingled with the savory, salty flavor.
"Ah~! Chicken is truly divine!"
[Just ate dinner but now I crave chicken]
[Terrorizing stomachs at this hour?]
[Still looks less tasty than when Yuseong ate that black bread]
"That's why I went looking for him in the first place. But even he will surely order chicken after logging out."
[Wanna bet again? 100 chickens this time]
"No way!"
At Naltorri's firm refusal, the chat was once again plastered with 'lmao'.
After chatting with viewers for a bit like that, Naltorri ended the stream.
'Alright, today was really great.'
Anyone could see it was the most successful day in his streaming career. Peak viewers shattered records, and donations were plentiful.
Of course, he had no intention of stopping there.
'Gotta edit and upload this quick.'
Viewers might subscribe after watching it. Plus, this video could be the spark for explosive channel growth.
'Or is that too optimistic?'
Still, Naltorri diligently edited and uploaded the video.
* * *
Yuseong, emerging from the virtual reality device, glared at the battery display. But that wouldn't magically recharge it.
He turned his head with a sigh.
'I'm hungry.'
He'd eaten so much black bread and white bread in-game, but it didn't fill him up in reality. Yuseong headed to the food storage.
'Not much left.'
He'd have to risk his life hunting again.
One sigh. Then he popped the remaining meat into his mouth.
"...Tasteless."
Even as he muttered the words laced with deep gloom, he chewed the meat thoroughly.
* * *
Naltorri wasn't a hugely popular Arc streamer. He'd only started streaming recently, so it was natural. Thus, he had few consistent subscribers.
As a result, his first uploaded stream was buried in the flood of thousands, tens of thousands of videos uploaded daily.
Of course, videos about Arc's famous players racked up insane views, bringing massive profits to those involved.
But those were a tiny minority.
And Naltorri's video was just one of the overwhelming majority that didn't make the cut.
Still, even videos that only served as filler for the famous ones got some views. Hipsters or exploration enthusiasts often sought them out.
So if a video was entertaining, even slightly, it would see a meaningful uptick in views.
The views on Naltorri's Yuseong video started twitching upward bit by bit.
[Whoa, physical god!]
[Why use that trash gun? With skills like that, other weapons would be better]
[Nah, nothing special. Korea's full of people at that level]
Admiration, questions, envy. Reactions varied, but Yuseong's video was undoubtedly starting to draw interest.
* * *
Thanks to the crappy generator and battery combo, Yuseong could only log back in after some time.
The thrill of entering virtual reality was as fresh as ever.
He immediately pulled black bread from his inventory and took a bite. The raw meat taste he'd endured in reality was completely overwritten. Just discovering this flavor made starting the game worthwhile.
But to keep feeling this joy, he'd need to keep questing and earning money.
'Let's allocate stats first.'
He'd leveled up while hunting with Naltorri.
Lv 6 (Exp 2 / 60)
HP - 56 / MP - 0
Strength - 12
Stamina - 28
Agility - 41
Dexterity - 10
Intelligence - 10
Magic Power - 0
Luck - 10(+30)
Bonus Points ? 10
※ Traits
Savior's Blessing: Designated stat +30 (change once per day possible)
※ Attention ? 121
Yuseong's hand paused as he was about to distribute bonus points per the strategy guide's advice.
'What's this?'
At the bottom of the status window was a new term: Attention.
'Hey, strategy guide. What's this?'
【Attention shows exactly how much interest people have in you, Player. You've drawn enough interest to unlock it.】
'People's interest, huh.'
Obviously not real humans. NPCs came to mind.
A game where you had to attract NPC attention. Once again, he felt the developers' uniqueness. Or was it eccentricity at this point?
'Was that why you told me to hang out with NPCs?'
【No. This program advised mingling with people, not NPCs. Though the reason for that advice is indeed Attention.】
'Yeah, yeah, people.'
Yuseong glanced at the Attention term again.
'What’s it for?'
【Reach a certain level, and you can purchase various items.】
'And that level is?'
【Hit 1,000 to unlock the Purchase Window for the first time.】
'Alright? What items?'
【Weapons, food, medical supplies, and more.】
He could already buy those in-game.
'Selling rare items unavailable in-game?'
Current Attention: 121. 1,000 was still far off. Yuseong let it go.
'The guide will explain when it's full.'
Right now, he wanted to move fast and get more bread.
After allocating stats, Yuseong kept hunting Giant Sewer Rats.
[Hi, Yuseong. Wanna hunt together today?]
He occasionally partied with Naltorri's messages. Naltorri marveled nonstop at Yuseong's play, even showing chat reactions from his viewers.
But Yuseong felt nothing.
Some viewers started hating him for his rude attitude, while others found him cool and liked it more.
No one doubted his skills, though.
As a result, Yuseong's Attention steadily climbed.
Not long after.
"I'm truly grateful! You've done me a great favor! Ah, I must repay you! Here, take this! Thank you so much!"
The quest ended with the old lady NPC's words—he'd lost count of how many times he'd heard them.
This moment was always ecstatic for Yuseong. Staring blissfully at the growing black bread icons in his inventory.
【You've cleared the 'Bread Shop Old Lady's Memories' quest 50 times. Conditions for the linked quest have been met.】
'...Ah! That's why I was repeating it—for the linked quest?'
The fact had slipped his mind amid the black bread bliss. He should feel accomplished having reached the goal, but instead, his motivation dipped.
'No more black bread now?'
He was now familiar enough with trading to buy bread anytime, but the free black bread from quests had been the best.
【Black bread is the cheapest item. You can buy plenty from NPC trades right now.】
'I know.'
Knowing didn't erase the regret—that's human emotion.
【Think rationally. Get much stronger, earn more, and you can buy black bread by the mountain.】
'M-Mountain of black bread!'
He imagined himself buried in it, smiling contentedly. Black bread everywhere, never running out no matter how much he ate.
'...Amazing.'
Saliva nearly dripped.
Then.
"Hi there!"
A cheerful voice rang out.
'Another NPC.'
A beaming female NPC stood before Yuseong.
She had a somewhat cute appearance. But having seen only his long-dead mother as a woman, he felt no stirrings.
Sure, he had some curiosity about the concept of women. But it was just a program fragment. No excessive interest.
Above all, Yuseong's focus was solely on food and scenery.
"Um, excuse me?"
She called out, her face a bit awkward. Naltorri's awkward approach from before flashed in his mind.
'Socialize?'
【Recommended.】
Honestly, it was annoying. He was busy hunting, questing, buying food, and sightseeing.
But Yuseong suppressed the annoyance.
'All for the mountain of black bread.'
Following the guide's advice would speed that up immensely.
"What is it?"
"Ah, well, you see..."
She seemed flustered by Yuseong's curt attitude.
'Not as shameless as that other NPC.'
"Are you a streamer too?"
At Yuseong's question, she snapped back. She regained her smile.
"Yes! I'm Bom Bom, an Arc streamer!"
She bowed her head politely.
'What kind of game has this many self-proclaimed streamer NPCs.'
He wanted to ask the developers—probably dead by now—what possessed them to make such a bizarre concept.
Yuseong turned away. As Bom Bom looked flustered, he spoke.
"Let's go."
"Y-Yes?"
"Aren't you asking to hunt together?"
"Ah, y-yes."
She answered in a daze.
Her streaming skills seemed below Naltorri's.
Or rather, considering Yuseong's attitude, Naltorri's were superior. He'd surely grin and follow happily even now.
"Coming?"
Yuseong started walking ahead. Bom Bom stared at his back with bewildered eyes.