Chapter 54

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Translator: MadScientist

Chapter: 54

Chapter Title: New Big Spender Coin King

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Thanks to my meeting with Min-ji, my steps felt remarkably light on the way home.

A long-held guilt ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠about Young-jin seemed to wash away, even if just a little.

With that sense of relief, I arrived home.

I sat down at my computer, set aside the coffee I'd bought on the way, and as part of my daily ritual to wrap up the day, fired up AmericaTV. This was always the time when Ye-ji's stream was on, and I looked forward to it.

But something was off.

Unlike usual, over ten thousand viewers had flooded into Ye-ji's room.

"Huh? What's going on? Why are there so many people?"

Curious about what incident had blown up, I jumped into the stream, and my eyes were immediately glued to Ye-ji, who was crying and flustered, and the chaotic chat flooding the screen.

"What the hell is this situation?"

I tossed a question mark into the chat first.

— ??? What's going on?

The chat exploded right after.

— Chairman! Ye-ji won't manage her die-hards or give out her number lol

— Die-hard bros are demanding refunds right now ㄷㄷ

— Chairman, escape quick lolololol

'Refunds? They showered her voluntarily, and now refunds? What kind of nonsense is this...?

Did Ye-ji make some huge mistake?'

It was so absurd that I typed seriously into the chat again.

— Ye-ji, can you explain in detail what happened?

The chat went quiet for a moment.

Viewers were waiting to see how I, the room's Chairman, would react.

Communities were live-streaming it too, watching with keen interest.

Ye-ji started explaining in a trembling, tearful voice.

"Chairman oppa... The die-hards kept asking for my number, and when I didn't give it, they all started demanding refunds and ruining the stream..."

Everything clicked once I heard her out.

'Demanding personal contact for pocket change, and refunds when refused? That's not right.'

It was ridiculous, and I might have brushed it off elsewhere.

But this was my home base.

My simple daily wind-down and one true hobby had been disrupted.

While I pondered, the chat grew noisy again.

— Chairman's shocked lololol

— Chairman's mentally broken lolololol

I recalled one of AmericaTV's customs: the "shield barrage."

I made up my mind and typed.

— Ye-ji, it's too noisy. Can you freeze the chat for a sec?

Ye-ji hesitated but switched chat access to managers, die-hards, and Chairman only, as I asked.

This moment was being relayed live to communities, and viewers buzzed in excitement, waiting for my move.

The unpredictable twist had everyone's dopamine spiking.

I proposed to Ye-ji right away.

— Ye-ji, can we talk on the phone real quick?

Voice is fine on stream. I'll state my position.

Ye-ji replied, startled.

"Sure, oppa! But I don't have your number..."

I responded calmly.

— I'll DM it. Call me.

The chat went wilder.

— Whoa, Chairman's so cool lololol

— Chairman calling a girl cam? This is rare AF

I quickly DM'd Ye-ji my number, and soon my phone rang.

I muted the stream volume and picked up.

"Hey, Ye-ji. First call, right?"

『Yeah, oppa... I'm so sorry our first call is over something like this.』

Ye-ji sniffled apologetically.

I spoke evenly.

"No worries. I was late today with errands, so it's a bit startling.

I've got the gist now, so I'll share my stance."

『Okay, oppa...』

Knowing the call was broadcasting, I continued steadily.

"Die-hards, I've seen you in chat before, but this behavior is out of line.

You've enjoyed all the barrages and reactions so far, right?

Refunds now? What kind of tantrum is this?

You begged her to join group chats before— was that all just to pull this?"

The die-hards fell silent.

Creep behavior was banned on AmericaTV too.

Ye-ji probably had no idea.

"Good thing she didn't join.

Anyway, Ye-ji. Pull up the star balloon page so viewers can check."

『Got it, oppa.』

Ye-ji displayed the star balloon rankings.

I dominated first place, naturally.

Even combined, ranks 2 through 10—the die-hards—barely hit 500k.

I spoke calmly.

"See, I'm overwhelmingly top donor, and this is my first call with Ye-ji today.

Who are you to demand refunds over no number?"

After a brief silence, I declared boldly.

"AmericaTV has this great 'shield barrage' culture, right?

Here, star balloons are power.

Let me show you."

Then to Ye-ji directly.

"Ye-ji."

『Yes, oppa?』

"I'll launch a shield barrage, so blacklist them all and no refunds. Can do?"

『Yeah... If you say so, oppa!』

From my pre-loaded 100m+ won in star balloons, I fired 600k total (60m won) in six 100k bursts.

The chat froze in shock.

First time in AmericaTV history.

I typed after the barrage.

— Shield barrage done.

No more refund talk.

I outdid your combined barrages by 10k each.

Get out of this room.

Ye-ji instantly blacklisted all the die-hards per my orders.

Viewers rode massive dopamine highs, spamming coin-ups.

AmericaTV communities erupted.

Public opinion flipped to Ye-ji instantly.

Not stopping there, I typed again.

— Raffling 100 fan joins for chicken.

With 10k balloons and the message, fan joins exploded.

Ye-ji's support fully reversed.

That day, Ye-ji left a powerful mark on AmericaTV viewers via Coin King's shield.

A historic scene where toxic sentiment flipped in an instant.

AmericaTV communities flipped completely over "Coin King" and the "Ye-ji incident."

Viewers who'd witnessed the shocking events firsthand couldn't contain their excitement late into the night, heating up the boards with endless posts.

Post lists poured in nonstop.

Posts kept flooding through the night.

AmericaTV communities lit up just from the name "Coin King."

Thus, the Ye-ji incident became AmericaTV legend overnight.

Even after the stream ended, my fingertips trembled.

Heart still racing, I popped my e-cig with shaky hands and inhaled deeply.

Exhaling sweet mint vapor, I slowly caught my breath.

'That was... so close to disaster...'

Truth be told, mid-stream my mental broke; I wanted to quit, shut it down, and run.

Never imagined die-hards would go that far.

Suddenly facing thousands mocking and jeering terrified and saddened me.

Then Coin King oppa appeared.

Like a movie prince on white horse, he swooped in at the perfect moment.

Crushed all die-hards with unimaginable 600k barrage, ordered blacklists, took my side.

Even flipped public opinion perfectly.

'He was so cool... That voice, so composed...?

Sounds way younger than expected...?'

Thinking back, first time hearing Coin King oppa's voice today.

Always chill in chat, figured he had experience, but his real voice was much younger, brimming with confidence.

That relaxed tone mastering the chaos? Heart skipped.

'Coin King oppa... really saved me.

More than the money... Believing and protecting me then? Thrilling and grateful...'

Unconsciously, my face heated imagining oppa's nic.

My Coin King delusions stirred again.

'What kind of guy is he?

Probably handsome IRL too?

Why help me like this?'

His young, relaxed voice echoed in my ears.

First listen felt oddly comforting, reassuring.

The 600k balloons were great, but right now, Coin King oppa—who trusted and shielded me—loomed larger.

'How to repay... Shower, call, thank him sincerely...'

Excitement wouldn't fade.

Imagining Coin King oppa's voice and looks, I set down the e-cig, hand slipping into my panties.

Planning to relieve with Coin King as side dish.

Panties already soaked.

Breathing ragged, I enjoyed a quick happy time.