Starting the Africka Broadcast

"Africka broadcast, huh."

Kim Jihun had made up his mind to start streaming on Africka. He'd heard somewhere that top internet streamers raked in serious cash.

"Even some celebs on variety shows these days started as Africka BJs."

Kim Jihun thought of the TV stars who'd come from online streaming. They'd begun as Africka BJs and somehow ended up showing their faces on network TV.

"I don't need to aim that high. Part-time wages would be nice, though?"

Muttering to himself, Kim Jihun began preparing his Africka stream.

"This PC is total trash."

But he couldn't start broadcasting right away. His home computer was way too outdated. It was a bargain-bin model bought four years ago. Running the latest game, Overwatch, was a struggle, let alone streaming while playing.

So Kim Jihun resolved himself.

"Time to upgrade the computer."

It was essential for gaming. Having decided, Jihun bought used parts: a motherboard, CPU, extra RAM, a cheap graphics card, and even splurged on an SSD.

Before he knew it, he'd dropped around 300,000 won on upgrading his PC.

"Ugh, my money..."

Jihun regretted the expense. But he rationalized it to himself.

"It's fine. I'll earn it back streaming! And now ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠I can play Overwatch at home!"

Thus began Kim Jihun's gaming stream, with a hefty investment already sunk in.

...

That was Kim Jihun's stream title. He fired up the Africka program and launched Overwatch.

Soon, his character appeared on screen. Jihun grinned from ear to ear as he started the game.

"Never thought the day would come when I could game at home."

His old rig had been a severe low-spec relic. But after investing that whopping 300,000 won, it was reborn—decent enough for gaming now.

"Still not as good as a PC bang machine, though."

It couldn't compare to PC bang computers yet. Those ran high settings at smooth frame rates, while Jihun's barely hit 60 FPS on low.

But Kim Jihun didn't get discouraged.

"Home gaming's better anyway. And I can stream too."

Smiling, Jihun dove into the game.

Kim Jihun stared at his stream chat in disbelief.

"What? They all leave just 'cause it's not competitive?!"

He was pissed. He'd turned on the stream and started playing. His flashy gameplay unfolded brilliantly. He crushed enemies with terrifying reaction speed the moment he spotted them. He filled his ultimate gauge nonstop, spamming abilities relentlessly. Racking up 20-kill streaks, 30-kill streaks without dying—his overwhelming play felt like a gaming god had descended.

But Kim Jihun's performance didn't draw much attention. His character, [Repeater Creator God], was only level 24. Competitive required level 25. So he'd done quick play for the stream, but with everyone fixated on comp, viewers were ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠scarce.

Jihun steeled himself.

"I'll grind comp and get the viewers."

He'd sunk 300,000 won into this. No backing down! He'd grind viewers and make money, come hell or high water.

And finally, the moment arrived.

Jihun had finally hit level 25.

"...Finally."

He sat there, overcome with emotion. Level 25 wasn't high, but now competitive was unlocked. With a determined look, he moved his mouse cursor.

"Alright. Time to get serious with some real gaming?"

Kim Jihun clicked the competitive button.

...

Jihun jumped into competitive. He was on a 7-win streak in placements already. The enemies he faced were all Diamond rank—top 5% gamers who could say they'd "played some Overwatch." But amid those solid ranks, Jihun's play didn't falter. It dominated them!

-Haha, round 'em up and sweep 'em away.

Bang bang bang bang bang bang!

-Helpless.

The revolver of his hero "McCree" spat fire. Six ultimate bullets swept through the foes. The ding ding of kill sounds rang sweetly from Jihun's speakers.

-Team wipe!

"Yes!"

Even in placements, Jihun dominated. Insane reaction speed pierced enemy heads instantly. Clever movement dodged bullet hell. And every ultimate? Multikills! Jihun grinned.

"Hahaha. Viewers are rolling in now."

He glanced at his stream chat. It was packed with shocked viewers praising his play—and a few suspecting hacks—debating away.

Jihun read through the messages.

His flashy play drew viewers, and more viewers drew even more. Kim Jihun felt deep satisfaction.

He hadn't made real money yet, but he felt great. Just having an audience for his gaming was thrilling.

'This is more fun than I thought.'

Smiling, he checked the chat. Dozens were watching already! At this rate, it'd hit 100 soon. Jihun beamed with joy.

...

Deep in the zone, Kim Jihun stared at his monitor tensely.

'Last placement match now.'

He'd reached the final placement—his 10th. He'd carried every one with overwhelming physical talent. One more win, and his rank would lock in.

With a serious expression, he eyed the hero select screen and picked his.

"Feeling Genji this time."

Genji, the Japanese cyborg ninja. Shurikens and dagger, ultimate summons a dragon spirit sword to shred foes—stylish as hell.

"Alright. Genji carry time... huh?"

Satisfied with his pick, Jihun watched his teammates select. But annoyance crept in fast—from a teammate's chat.

A teammate had just declared throw. Jihun felt insulted. But this was placements! Win this, and he'd land Grandmaster. No quitting now. He tried to persuade.

"Haa..."

Jihun sighed. In this 6v6 game, one thrower made winning brutal. But Jihun had god-tier talent beyond normals. He'd forced wins despite throws before, leveraging his skill.

Normally, he'd ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠win easy. But not now.

'Of all places, Grandmaster tier.'

Grandmaster players were all elite. Enemies too. One throw was fatal here.

Jihun had won 9 straight with monster plays, landing in GM placements for the finale. But now a GM teammate wouldn't trust a placement player and threw.

Jihun assessed seriously.

'5v6, huh...'

He peeked at stream chat. Messages flooded from viewers.

Teammate throwing, viewers spectating with glee. Jihun chuckled bitterly, then got fired up.

'Force the carry and win this too.'

He gripped his mouse tight, psyching himself up.