Where Should I Go? (5)

[Discord][Ppase] — Ppase: B-but still, bro...

Ppase: Since we're doing this anyway—

Ppase: Mind if we verify you're really a Ren main just once?

I hadn't expected him to believe me so easily, that's true. But after pretending to buy it earlier, here comes Ppase with his common sense kicking in right away. So the bitchy attitude he shows on stream is just a mask after all.

The talk about tending to my "daughter" has long since been pushed to the back burner.

Ppase logs into the game in a flash. Punching in the match ID he gave me, there's the pitiful guy who's now Len_Daisuki, waiting.

Ppase... talking back?

Impossible.

The screen switches quickly to character select. As if we'd planned it, I pick Ren. Ppase goes with Arnold, his daily driver lately.

The loading screen flashes by briefly, and soon the two characters appear in the arena. The background is a cramped underground fight pit. Iron bars enclose it on all sides, giving off a cold vibe, while cheering crowds roar from behind.

Ppase yaps excitedly, but it's not much of a threat. Saying he's King on wall maps means he's worse than that normally. I've fought him twice already, so I know all his bad habits cold. Like his fixed opening move right at the start.

??

He rolls sideways habitually if he eats a hit right away.

???

Keep pressuring him, and he goes full "fuck it" with reckless attacks.

Those are just the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠tip of the iceberg—really limited examples. In truth, there are way more habits throughout the match. Double backdash into crouch every time. Predictable movement before aerial combo starters. Fixed timings for sudden grabs. Low pokes on a set rhythm.

So the result's inevitable.

Ppase vents his bewilderment straight into chat.

He's handing me the answers with his movements—what does he expect me to do? Think while playing, duh.

In the end, even in set two, Ppase can't lay a finger on me and hands over the win. He still hasn't figured out the issue.

Good words.

But so what? No change at all.

I can tell he's thinking while playing. The problem is that thinking doesn't lead to varied strategies on the fly. When attack A comes in, Ppase has options 1 through 5 lined up. And each has a fixed pattern behind it. That's why pros beat him easily—it's all these predictable choice patterns. He maximizes options, but since the follow-ups are rigid, they get read. Pros figure it out eventually during the match. Fast or slow, that's the only difference.

A hits, Ppase picks 1? You know exactly what's next without even looking. Naturally, he gets his nose slit wide open. A low poke with unpredictable timing gets guarded, or parried into him eating an aerial combo. Repeat that, and slump city. What did I do wrong? What's lacking compared to them? Why can't I win? Rinse and repeat, and he freezes in place, stumbling.

That's the decisive gap between current top rank Kings and the tier below, Duke. He thinks, sure—but only pulls out pre-saved patterns. He could advance further but stays put, unwilling to push. Being a streamer, not a pro, and entertainment-focused, there's a line he won't cross. Time investment differs.

No need to play him more. Too easy, no fun.

Mutual verification done anyway—time for contracts. I'll accept whatever terms he offers, but if he tries ripping me off openly, I won't stand for it. Streamers have scammed clueless guests with cheap fees before.

Back to Discord first, and Ppase has already laid out detailed guest appearance terms.

[Discord][Ppase] — Ppase: Bro, check the details below—

Ppase: Like I said, this is top-tier in the industry.

Surprisingly thorough contract ready. Base 500k won per guest spot on his stream. Plus 50% of live donations and 50% of Newtube video revenue. Not banking on donations or views much.

500k. Twice a month is a million. At least I won't skip meals.

His scripted pitch sounds scammy as hell, but I can't help laughing. Contract looks solid—no flaws.

Public address and taunting like that? This guy's no saint either. What if someone shows up and bricks his head?

Whether he's joking, we'll see if he scams. The real important part's next.

He knows and dodged on purpose. See? Surprisingly sensible and sharp.

Condition: Don't turn into Ta-in MK-II. Right now, no one's more perfect offline than normal-acting Ppase.

He'd investigated beforehand—Ren main only plays Sundays. Monday to Saturday, grueling schedule, probably forced hard labor. No time for daughter, obviously. And she's no ordinary beauty. Masked and hatted tight, but elegance oozes out.

"...Gotta be socially isolated."

Eye-catching foreigner already. Assume creeps like that Sinchul guy kept pushing. Anyone'd turn shut-in, scared to go out.

"......"

Grind.

Ppase's molars clench. Remembering the convenience store incident two days ago.

"Knew that Sinchul prick would cause trouble someday..."

Bro's daughter freaked out hysterically the moment Ppase showed to help. How startled was she? Should give him a reward even. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Can eating together make up for that?

Cautious stance, but the reply eases him a bit.

Might be for the best. Chance to show a shut-in girl the world's joys. Ppase has chops as a guide. But no pressure. Long isolation means brainless pushing like Sinchul backfires. She trusts Ppase, so he must respond thoughtfully. Plus, it's a "family approval" quest. Perfect shot to pull wary Ren main fully to his side.

No bank info? Some reason. That's the distance between Ppase and Ren main now.

Not good enough. Time for ear-tickling good news.

No hint dropped, but sharp catch.

Indeed. Ren main shines brighter than any raw gem seen. Most hide in dirt or stone, needing polish to reveal color.

This one? Shone from first appearance. No polish needed—perfect gem crystal. That's Ren main.