Chapter 12
Chapter 12
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 12
Chapter Title: Because I Wasn't Alone
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"What the...?"
I squinted at the finished product.
The new outfit I'd designed for Myth on a whim, without much thought.
Since her concept was horror games, I'd gone heavy on the eye makeup and leaned into classic horror creatures like Dracula, Frankenstein, or mummies.
So why the hell had this absurd monstrosity come out of it?
"...Maybe seven years asleep means a ton of backlog built up."
This was way too niche.
Staring at the godly outfit where the covered parts and exposed skin seemed perfectly split 50/50, I felt my face heat up.
Sure, in this industry, first drafts and final products often looked nothing alike after revisions—that was just how it went—but this was on another level.
"Still, this turned out pretty decent, all things considered."
Of course, it was a far cry from Myth's actual black dress, but even so, it was solidly impressive. Very solid.
I had no idea about the caddy—whatever that was—but the quality was there.
...Or was it?
Looking closer, some parts stuck out awkwardly here and there.
Zooming in, the shoulder lines bugged me.
Why had I even gone with this bizarre Santa-mummy hybrid concept?
Now that I looked, the exposure was sneakily high too.
Had I skimped on texture refinement because it had been so long?
If I put my mind to it, I could probably clean this up nicely.
Hmm.
Maybe tweak it a bit more.
That creator curse—the one where your own work looks like total garbage—had me glued to the mouse.
"...Do armpits really need to be exposed?"
But demand for that was probably high.
What if Myth hated it, though?
Imagining her despising me with, "Seol-ah, is this how you saw me?" made my heart feel like it was ripping apart.
I needed to find the right balance.
Countless monologues, conditions, and imagined reactions from Myth and the viewers swirled in my head.
And just like that, I kept dragging the mouse without a break.
Swoosh, swoosh.
The sound of it gliding across the desk rang clearly in my ears.
This felt weird.
Was my focus always this intense?
It felt like I'd been at it for nearly twelve straight hours without rest, but I wasn't tired at all. No drop in concentration.
After that, I eyed the newly finished result and squinted again.
"...This isn't bad at all."
It still wasn't quite ready for prime time, but maybe good enough to show Myth as a draft.
Or not.
Looking closer, there were still tons of fixes needed.
I'd revised it over and over, but satisfaction eluded me.
With a deep sigh, I grabbed the mouse once more.
"Not quite there yet—let's tweak it a little more."
"Nah, this feels perfect already."
"No, something's still off, don't you think? Especially here—the bandages need more layers."
"It's like you're saying this for my sake, but viewer demand comes first. Armpit lines are fine to show."
"Really? If you say so... How's the texture?"
"Couldn't be better. It's perfect."
"Hmm. Alright then..."
My eyes still spotted a million things to fix, but if she was happy with it, no need to overdo it.
I let go of the mouse and buried my face in the pillow.
My head, spinning at breakneck speed, finally melted away, and the world settled back to normal.
Had I always felt this way during work? I couldn't remember.
Anyway, it was done. Time to send it to Myth and see her reaction.
Lying there, I picked up my phone.
Would she hate the exposure, or love it?
Right as I went to text her, something clicked as off.
Huh?
...Come to think of it.
Who the hell was I talking to?
Cherry and strawberry scents tickled my nose.
There, beyond the phone screen—right by my head, looking down at me—was Myth.
"Whoa whoa whoa whoaaa?!"
"Ahahahahaha!"
Screams and laughter intertwined.
How long had she been in the room?
No way she'd seen the initial prototype, right?
As my face burned red, Myth—now laughing so hard tears welled up—finally spoke.
"Seriously, how zoned in do you have to be to not notice someone talking to you?"
"Uh, er..."
I had no clue what to say; my tongue froze.
Watching me flounder, she giggled, sunlight streaming in from the window behind her.
"You awake? Seol-ah?"
"...Good morning."
For some reason, Myth—fist pumping in excitement—came over and perched on the edge of the bed.
"Can I use that one?"
"Quality's not quite there for a live stream yet. Plus, viewers have only seen the black dress so far—sudden switch to this might turn them off."
I shook my head.
Throwing a twelve-hour rush job into a stream with five million subs, her biggest event of the year?
I lacked the guts, terrified people might hate my work.
At 26 in body but 19 in mind, it hit hard.
"It's fine."
Myth's hand clasped my trembling one.
Firmly, resolutely, tightly.
That steady touch somehow calmed me fast.
"I'll vouch for it—as a ten-year streamer and mega Nutuber with five million subs."
"Vouch for what?"
"More than you think—way more. People will love your work."
Myth's eyes sparkled.
Myth smiled warmly at Legend.
She understood his anxiety.
Putting yourself out there always took guts.
For a boy who hadn't even tasted alcohol, it must weigh heavy.
You hadn't seen my debut, so lacking confidence was natural, maybe.
But you're overlooking something.
Over those seven years, the world changed more—far more—than you realize.
"Watch my stream. I'll prove it."
I've been waiting for you.
"The VTuber 'Myth' with five million subs was never alone, not for a second."
Because it's you plus me that makes Myth.
My popularity was never just mine.
And now, finally...
The moment you realize it has come.
The VTuber Gallery was buzzing as always with the annual event hype.
The "that" all the longtime Myth fans kept raving about.
Myth's year-end horror game marathon.
If her absurd avatar quality was the root of her popularity, this content was what rocketed her to the stars.
An insane five-day streak of daily horror games at year's end.
It started back when Myth, for some reason, declared she'd play every viewer-recommended horror game in a one-hour window—a total madlad bomb drop.
Thanks to this and the Corolon pandemic syncing up perfectly, she exploded. Now it was an annual tradition.
Doesn't seem like something you'd plan sober.
Five days, 16 hours of horror games each? For real?
20-year-old Myth wasn't right in the head.
But that's a 4-player game—can it fit the horror rush?
Yeah, possible. She said getting older means solo mic for 5 days sends her to the hospital, so collab prep is ready.
House of Horror 18: House of Horror 18: El Dorado Cat vs. Atlantis Cat Grand Battle.
Underrated Tsukuru gem—plz do it.
Title screams trash. Myth ain't touching it.
What horror games this year?
What legendary moments await?
Everyone hyped, posting away until Myth went live.
Stream start: 7 PM.
Not long now.
Just a silhouette pic?!
And it's totally different from her usual avatar?!
No way—new avatar for real?!
FOR REAL NEW AVATAR?! FIRST IN 7 YEARS?!
A nuke had just dropped on the community.