Chapter 32
Chapter 32
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 32
Chapter Title: Myth's Solo Live (3)
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10 days later.
I finally gazed at the completed map and collapsed straight onto the bed.
What started as a plan to make just one concert venue map had snowballed with added features, dragging on for a full 10 days.
Gorgeous lighting, a stage maximizing mirror-like textures that reflected the light.
As Sua had suggested, I'd deliberately lowered the quality on the rear framework.
Overall, it had that crisp, quintessential "concert hall" vibe.
Of course, what you saw was just the surface—preparing all the diverse effects for Myth's live show had eaten up even more time.
"Uwaaa. It's done."
A wave of utter exhaustion crashed over me.
Is this the backlash from burning through all my focus like that?
I hadn't noticed while working, but now that it was over, an overwhelming fatigue hit me like a truck.
"You worked hard too, Sua. Thanks to you, the map turned out great."
"Oh, right away?"
After a brief exchange, the call ended, and instead of dragging my weary body to bed, I headed outside.
"Oh, you finished?"
"Yeah. Did you check the work?"
"Why bother? You and Sua nailed it, obviously."
The living room was packed with the new furniture that had arrived recently. There sat Myth on the couch, munching on a carrot while watching TV.
Good grief—even if it's home, why wear something that skimpy?
A thin tank top and hot pants.
Awkwardly averting my eyes, I cautiously approached the couch.
"Anyway, things are gonna blow up soon~."
Making sure I'd sat beside her, Myth stretched languidly.
Blow up? What did she mean by that?
I asked her.
"Blow up how?"
"The announcement drops tonight. Title's super hype: Myth 'The First Solo Live.' The fandom's gonna explode."
Myth said it with total confidence.
If anyone else said it, it'd sound obnoxious, but this was Myth, the VTuber with 5 million subscribers.
Even half the views on her announcement post would top a million eyes.
The communities would ignite in seconds, and the wildfire would spread endlessly.
"Our fans have been kinda deflated lately from Dream Live's onslaught, but this'll be a great gift for them."
"Onslaught?"
"Dream Live's been ramping up this year. From 3D avatar updates for veteran members to solo lives, joint lives, birthday lives—you name it."
Viewers enjoy all sorts of VTuber content, but nothing tops "lives" in popularity.
A dazzling stage, where streamers who usually huddled in a screen corner playing games or mugging for the camera now stood center stage, singing and dancing—that was a whole other level.
It hadn't been such a big deal in the past, but in modern times, "lives" had become the symbol of VTubing.
"But you did a live in Japan last Christmas."
"That was a joint one. Japan's #1, America's #1, and the world's #1—that's me—teaming up."
Myth thumped her chest proudly.
Come to think of it, there was something I'd been curious about. Perfect chance to ask.
"By the way, your fandom's always scrapping with Dream Live fans on the communities. That's okay?"
"Nah, it's fine. That's all just WWE."
"WWE—learned about it recently. Like UFC or whatever, right?"
"Whoa, that sounded just like some old geezer finally picking up internet slang."
"Suddenly feeling like I'm falling behind the times..."
These moments really drive home how out of touch I am.
"Nope. No gloomy thoughts allowed."
Myth smirked and shoved half a carrot into my mouth.
Crunch.
The unexpected sweetness from the chewed carrot snapped my near-melancholy mood right back to normal.
"Just gotta catch up. We've got plenty of days ahead together."
"True that."
I nodded readily.
Satisfied with my expression, Myth hopped off the couch with a cute "Hup!" and some fighting spirit.
"Alright, stream time for me, so gotta prep. No more gloomy vibes for you, Seol-i—watch my YouTube instead."
"Promoting even on the way out?"
"You were gonna anyway. Hehe, I'll swing by later for late-night snacks. You're not crashing right away, right?"
"Nah. Work's done, back to freeloading for a bit. Your stream ends early tonight, yeah? Wanna watch a movie?"
I pointed with a fingertip at the massive TV dominating one wall of the living room.
When I'd questioned buying something so huge, Myth insisted bigger screens made videos better.
Personally, this behemoth TV hit that sweet spot of male fantasy, so I'd protested once then let it go.
Watching TV on this giant screen with booming speakers was awesome.
Best part? Modern TVs connect to the internet, so lounging on the couch watching Myth's streams right here felt next-level.
The world's come so far, I thought anew.
"Sounds good. Pick a movie you wanna see."
"Cool. Have a great stream."
Right before Myth opened our front door to leave, she poked her head back around the corner like something just hit her.
What was that meaningful smile?
She'd definitely done something.
Clueless and flustered, I heard her say,
"Oh, that carrot I ate half of earlier."
"Huh?!"
"That was what I wanted to tell you. Anyway, off to stream!"
"Hey! Get back here!"
"Pbbbt! Who told you to make that gloomy face in front of me?!"
Myth giggled wildly and dashed straight into her own place.
She's getting way too good at this stuff.
I plopped back on the couch and flipped through TV channels.
...Damn it, for real.
Every time I swallow, it pops into my head.
Mid-January, one evening at 7 PM.
A single announcement went up on Myth's community.
It was more than enough kindling to set every community ablaze.
One live and they think they're hot shit? Our turn now, bastards LMAO
Oh, QWER-hyung. Bro made a map after just a month back
Japanese song but Myth's cover has more views LMAO
But saying Mika can't sing from the start... won't fly, huh? Dream dogs pls have mercy.
Agreed. Born without pipes, whatcha gonna do
Tough call? Didn't even hit 1 mil at 5 mil sub celebration.
Real talk, max 400k. Still insane tho.
The buzz spread beyond Korean communities to Japan, the Anglosphere, and beyond—a massive event.
Naturally, word reached VTubers worldwide.
"Mika, you see this news?"
"Yeah, Maki. Myth-unnie's... doing a solo live. This is getting scary for real."
"Still too early to say. Unless QWER made the map, it'll be half-baked. Remember Christmas? Everyone ragged on Myth-unnie for standing out too much."
"That's why it's scary, Maki. If she nails it—"
Japan's #1 VTuber, Mika, gave a bitter smile and silenced her phone, buzzing madly with notifications.
A storm was brewing.
A typhoon massive enough to shape the industry's next decade.
The past 7 years.
Myth had been a milestone, showing the path forward for VTubing—especially avatars.
They'd barely caught up to her avatar after 7 years, only for this insane map to drop out of nowhere.
"VTubing will chase Myth-unnie's shadow until the day she retires."
Maybe even long after.
Maki gulped at Mika's heavy words.