Just as Expected, the Helper Drama Fizzled Out
As expected, the helper controversy around me didn't blow up into much of a problem. Or rather, it was only natural since the guy who had been threatening to report me never actually did.
So what was that asshole doing instead?
The bastard was still trolling in my stream chat.
What the hell is this guy's deal?
He didn't seem like your average psycho, but at this point, it was so ridiculous I couldn't help but let out a dry laugh.
Sure, just like the guy said, if he left, my stream would go back to zero viewers. But I wasn't the type to care about that anyway—I could've just kicked him out if I wanted.
The reason I didn't?
I'd realized this asshole was just a bored NEET messing around out of sheer boredom, not malice. If he'd been genuinely picking fights out of spite, I'd have booted him immediately.
And while I hadn't noticed at first, he didn't even seem to truly believe I was using a helper anymore. It was more like he was just pulling shit out of his ass to poke at me. Besides, anyone watching my current skill level play out wouldn't seriously think "helper."
Plus, streaming solo was getting kinda boring for me too.
I brushed off his nonsense and ended the stream. Man, Master was creeping up fast, even though I was slacking off as much as possible. At this rate, I'd hit it in three days.
Honestly, I wasn't thrilled. Reaching Master would just remind me how much my skills had slipped, plunging me back into despair. Well, not despair exactly—I had no plans to go pro again anyway.
By the time I shut down the PC, it was already night. I'd skipped dinner to game, and now my stomach was rumbling. Should I order something?
I wasn't hitting the gym anymore either, so I had nothing much to do. Lately, my routine was borrowing manga from the nearby rental shop, killing time zoning out, then snapping back to reality and queuing up LoE again.
Mulling over what to eat, I left my room and headed to the kitchen—only to lock eyes with Dad, who had just gotten home. He used to work late all the time, so I almost never saw him this early. Lately, though, it happened pretty often.
After a moment's hesitation, I mumbled a quiet greeting.
"Welcome home."
"...Yeah."
That was it—no more reason to stick around. As I tried to slip past him to the kitchen, Dad suddenly spoke up.
"Had dinner?"
"...Pardon?"
"I asked if you'd eaten."
What's with this guy all of a sudden? Flustered, I answered anyway.
"No, not yet."
"Got chicken. Want some?"
Chicken...? He bought chicken?
"Uh, sure."
I could've said no, but this was such an unprecedented situation that my brain short-circuited, and I found myself going along with it.
While Dad went to wash up, I prepped the most awkward father-daughter dinner on earth.
I didn't have to wait, but I did anyway. He came out soon after and sat at the table.
"Dig in."
"...Okay."
This is so awkward.
"Oh, it's bone-in."
"Don't like bones?"
"...I prefer boneless."
"Noted for next time."
What the hell is going on with this man? I'd never seen him act like this in my life. Buying chicken was weird enough, but actually listening to my preference? Unreal. And next time?
He even tossed the last remaining leg onto my plate while I was eating one. I'm losing it. What is this?
"One's enough."
"I like the thighs."
...Well, if he insists.
I wasn't about to turn down free chicken anyway, so I scarfed down the second leg. No crime in enjoying the food.
As we polished off the bird, Dad suddenly spoke up.
"Lately."
"Hm?"
"What've you been up to?"
"...Why do you ask?"
This time, wariness hit before the surprise. Why probe like this? Once could be a fluke, but twice or thrice? Red flag.
"Just curious. Quit the gym?"
"Creepy dude hanging around."
"...Be careful."
Since when do you worry about me?
"Why ask?"
"...You can't stay home forever."
Aha, that's the angle.
"Telling me to get out?"
"Not what I said."
"Then what?"
"...Ever thought about studying? You're young—aim for college or something."
There it was, the real point.
"Still hung up on me ditching studies for pro gaming? What, study now? You just want me earning my keep, right?!"
Anger boiled over, my voice rising without me realizing. I regretted it instantly, but once the emotions surged, they wouldn't settle.
"People don't change, they just don't—!"
But what came out of Dad's mouth was nothing like I'd expected.
"I'm sorry. Didn't realize you'd think that."
...Dad apologized.
"Wasn't my intention. No pressure."
"...Not your intention?"
"Yeah. Won't force what you hate."
My head spun a little.
"Just seemed like you were drifting without goals. Studying widens options if something clicks later. Forget it if you hate it."
"...Really?"
"Do what you want. You're smart—no need for my input."
Finish yours; the rest is mine.
While I reeled, Dad dropped that and retreated to his room. Left alone, I could only chew over his words. Sorry? Do what I want?
First time hearing that. He'd fiercely opposed my pro gaming dream. Told me to leave if I wanted permission, and I did—straight to the team dorm.
Couldn't go pro underage without parental okay. Even after leaving, if Dad hadn't followed through, I wouldn't have made it. But he kept his word.
...Two years later, renewing with Tundra brought me back face-to-face thanks to Coach Kim, but those prior two years? Zero contact.
Even after, just glimpses—no real time together like this.
...Dunno. Dad felt like a stranger today.
Memories of Mom's days surfaced, fuzzy now.
Was he like this back then?
Weak team my ass—I was Tundra.
Today's "interaction" with my sole viewer dragged on like always. Then the guy abruptly brought up the ECK Challengers League.
I brushed off his now-familiar bullshit and was about to queue when a certain team popped into mind.
Yeah, the team now in Challengers. Originally CM Revolution Gaming—my debut squad, where we ran a miracle streak to Eld Cup runners-up together. But they couldn't avoid relegation to division 2.
And now, Yuseung's team, with my friend as jungler.
I hadn't even checked their results, but it wasn't wrong to say I rooted for them deep down. Once my team, my home, with my buddy there.
With Jesus Yuseung, they probably weren't tanking hard.
...What?
I checked, and holy shit, it was true. My and Yuseung's old home, now E Revolution Gaming in Challengers, sat at a glorious 1-11—properly, vulgarly assfucked.
Unbelievable. The troll bragged about the team nonstop, and now they're here getting wrecked? What gives?
Sigh. None of my business, but learning Yuseung's squad was getting curb-stomped didn't sit right. Sure, only "Revolution" lingered from the old days, but still my roots.
Worried about me and tanking on purpose?
Nah, total self-importance.
Thinking back, quite some time had passed.
Back then, my mentality sucked, and I was a bit jealous of Yuseung, so I kept my condition under wraps. But now? Way better, no lingering regrets.
Least to Yuseung, I'd never hide it forever.
...Feels like self-importance, and probably not worry over me causing this,
but just in case.
...Maybe meet up.
I killed the stream right then, grabbed my phone.
...Text first, or he won't buy it?