Filler Content for Slack Streams, Now an Ad Gig
"Even in another world, durability doesn't change much."
I filled the audio with commentary while staring at the freshly slashed gate.
Unlike my usual solo gate clears, I wasn't alone today. Not with Su-yeon—she'd headed off to climb the tower. So who was my companion? Pay attention to the fact that the stream was live. My hardworking viewers spamming the chat were today's party members.
"It is kinda a secret technique, okay? Space attributes hold dominance over physical ones. If you can't interfere with pure enough attribute power, ramping up the output doesn't mean squat."
Actually, it's more than just an advantage—it's a straight-up superior-inferior relationship. Of course, even overcoming the matchup requires enough raw power. Space has its own durability concept, after all.
After a quick clarification for the viewers' misconceptions, I scanned for the next gate.
"Not every day. And usually I wrap it up way faster. I'm dragging it out now for the stream."
So why switch to this unusual broadcast format? Obviously, external pressure. Call it an ad gig, basically.
The story goes back to last night.
"Hello?"
"Sorry to call so late. Is this Lightning Streamer 'Geukbing'?"
"Yeah, that's me."
Deep into the night after my lab visit, an unknown number called.
"I'm Shin Jae-yeon from Gate Disaster Response HQ. To cut to the chase... we're reaching out with a request, hence the late call."
"A request? Wait, how'd you get my number?"
"...From public records. We sincerely apologize for that. We've emailed several times, but no response..."
"Ah."
Checking my account email, sure enough, there were a bunch. They seemed legit, no impersonation. I just never check mail much—it's mostly terror spam anyway. Usually, official stuff came through Seong-yoon or the managers' NIS channels. Why direct contact today?
When I asked, the answer came surprisingly straightforward.
"That channel isn't linked to our department..."
"......"
Internal turf war or something? Guess I need to check mail more often. Buried among the spam were some business proposals. Makes sense—my stream's scale has grown.
"So, what's the request?"
I asked bluntly, letting on that it must be important if they dug up my number. The rep sounded relieved to get to the point.
"Yes. We're requesting an ad broadcast."
"...Huh?"
An ad? From the government?
"Recent UN resolution: With 'Tower openings' making the world safer, all members must promote it aggressively."
"Huh."
Towers have only been around a few days? It sounded absurd, but the reasoning made sense once explained. Everyone was desperate. The immediate crisis was over—good. But now the astronomical losses from gates were glaring. And delays in recovery would balloon them further.
Top priority: PR. Ease public anxiety first, no matter what.
"So we're asking famous folks and strong awakeners to help promote."
"Hmm. Yeah, plenty of celebs awakened, or awakeners jumping into media."
"Yes. Pairing celebs with low-profile awakeners, but for you, Geukbing, no need."
Media promo, then. Massive global scale, tons of people involved. As a streamer, I couldn't sit out.
"Got it. When?"
"Noon tomorrow."
"Pardon?"
Tomorrow? No wonder the rush. Global simultaneous event—no time for pickiness. My influence in this mess made me indispensable, self-praise aside.
"We'll meet all conditions maximally. Please..."
I'd accidentally hardballed the negotiation. Her voice sounded like failure meant headlines, so I quickly accepted the ad.
...Yeah, that's how it went down.
(Ad) Gate Dismantling Analysis / 133,138 viewers
Even with lingering embers, views were splitting to other celebs doing the same ad.
"Alright, let's inspect this gate nice and slow."
Last one was a quick check for structural changes. This one's more viewer-friendly.
Otherworld Dissolution: 146:36:34
"You guys see it too?"
"Monsters get locked inside until that timer runs out."
The gate linking straight to monsters now has an "inside."
"Come to think of it, I've never gone in one myself."
"No one's tried?"
"If I can, I will."
I'm ahead of the curve, surprisingly. My speed's unmatched. Unless they started streaming post-arrival, no catching up.
"Time to poke around inside, then."
I reached into the black rift. A familiar sensation hit—like the open quest authority. Tower-related, probably.
This time, I let it pull me in without resistance.
"Mm. Figured as much."
Next instant: vast plains ahead. Gate behind me. Stream dead, as expected. Broadcasting accident?
Trial period applied!
Entered otherworld, 'Blue Beast Plains'.
Gate Rank: C
Awakeners below average C-rank stats advised to retreat.
Recommend close-range, physical, anti-large specialists.
Remaining entities: 62
Convert monster remains to magistones at desired ratio before exit.
"Magistones now, huh?"
Hadn't handled one, but obvious use. First, assess. Phone and camera worked, no gear limits. Signal can't cross gate, that's the issue.
Dimensional scale's a pain. Even small otherworlds = cosmic distances without firm link.
"Huh?"
I blurted dumbly. Felt a connection inside: my home barrier.
Normal otherworlds cut mana links. Independent spells might linger faintly, but clear ties? Distance kills 'em.
Focused: linked via gate. Not typical otherworld—gate bridges physically. Signal blocks, but my mana pierces.
Simple fix. I conjured an ice crystal, hurled at gate.
Fwaaaah—!
Crystal hit rift, exploded. White light pierced through.
Phone signal flipped.
Starting broadcast.
(Ad) Gate Dismantling Analysis / 61,125 viewers
"This body, revived!"
I declared triumphantly to the camera after confirming the stream.
"Yep. But I overcame it."
Specifically, the spell extended my barrier link—not just mana/info, but physical matter faintly. Result: signal through. Gate interior broadcast achieved.
"Scored a stream content win."
Seems not gate-specific. Typical otherworlds, but gate proximity shortens physical distance.
"Monopoly content...!"
"Not right now, probably?"
Research might change that. My method relies on home barrier—needs gate interference power plus strong anchor. Tough.
Dudududu—
Chat exploded at the rumbling. Turned: dust clouds and black shadows on open plains. Six-legged massive cow monsters, 3-4x normal size, dozens charging. No wonder the quake.
"Hm. Otherworld, so flashy okay."
"Ah. It's fine, it's fine. Haven't shown combat on stream, have I?"
Sword on rift = basic. Near-fight with Mr. Jo Cheol-min fizzled before real action.
"First demo, then. Time to show off a bit."
I stomped lightly. Crackle—ice crystals spread, etching patterns on plains. Magic circle after ages.
Levitated camera overhead for pretty angle on incoming herd, chanted at them.
"Engage. Arctic Garden."
Circle glowed. Blue flowers bloomed amid grass—dozens to hundreds, thousands blanketing plains. Full bloom: eerie chill.
Fwaaaaah—!
Snowfields formed around each. Plains turned white expanse dotted with blue blooms—a true "garden."
Not combat magic, really. Made in my old world during war—for a kid craving flowers on demon-wasted land. Witch made it; I learned. My traits terraformed it into ecosystem terror.
"Pretty, right?"
Pick the spot, great mood-setter vista.
"......"
Such tasteless moderns. Show flowers, they fixate on frozen stomped cows.
I tsked, lamenting romance-lost times.