Debut Broadcast... Wait, What?
I watch Minji as she broadcasts with such fervor. While her channel isn't massive, she’s been at it for quite a while, so she flows through the stream quite naturally.
But… why? How? I’m happy she’s doing well, but…
“One… ten… hundred… thousand?”
Why are the viewers steadily increasing? I can’t wrap my head around why there are so many people here, so I peek at the chat window. The answer has to be in there somewhere.
It was only when I saw my own nickname in the chat that I understood what was happening. There were viewers who had been watching since the ancient days—people who had seen that very first stream where I appeared as the person who made Minji’s avatar and chatted with her.
There were actual "fossil" viewers who had been watching Minji for three years. That meant….
“Ah… no way, right? Wait, I’m really going to appear on stream in this state… uh….”
Feeling a headache throb as the viewer count climbed and people kept mentioning my nickname, I look at Minji and mouth the words to her. *I’m really not ready today. Look at the viewer count.* I mouthed it to her, praying she’d get the message.
Please, seriously! I’m confident I’ll collapse if I do this right now! So, Minji, save me!
But perhaps that wish was too much to ask; Minji just stared at me with a look that said she didn't understand, and I slumped to the floor with a heavy *thud*.
This meant it was practically set in stone. I was going to have to introduce myself and reveal my avatar in front of a rapidly growing audience. I was expecting around 200 people, but now that it was crossing 2,000, I just felt breathless.
“Haa. No. Let’s calm down, calm down. Let’s just pretend there are no viewers. Ugh….”
I grab both my cheeks and try to steady myself. Right, viewers… there are no viewers. I’m just seeing things. It’s absurd for this many people to flock to a small-time VTuber like Minji! The streaming software must be bugged! That has to be it!
Thinking that, I felt a little calmer. Or not—in reality, the chat was moving so fast that instead of calming down, I only grew more nervous.
Why, oh why? Why is the chat suddenly looking for me? What on earth did she say to promote this! What did she tell them while I wasn't paying attention! Why is the spotlight on me?!
I shake my head frantically as Minji turns her gaze toward me. I’m not ready yet. I’m not ready!
But Minji, oblivious to my thoughts, adjusted the camera and stood up. Ah, I’m doomed.
“Right. Right, it’s my stream. You guys really don’t want me? Well, I can’t help that. I’ll introduce a friend of mine who I specially met after crossing over from hell. You ready?”
“…….”
“Hmm, this friend is very shy, you see? No mean comments, everyone, give them a warm welcome. Got it?”
I felt betrayed all over again as Minji asked if I was ready without even waiting for an answer. If you were going to do that, why even ask?!
I fidgeted as the camera moved in to capture me, then let out a breath and looked into the lens.
“I… I’m not… ugh.”
“Pfft.”
“No… uh, hello. I’m, um, MPG?”
“Why are you saying that like it’s a question?”
I scratch my cheek at Minji’s laughter. I mean, I was flustered and nervous, so I couldn't help it—wasn't she laughing a bit too much?
The chat window was becoming chaotic beyond my imagination.
“Ahem. ‘Just a model,’ you say? I’m her friend, so let me tell you, there isn't a single lie here.”
“U-ugh, what are you saying?!”
I stare at Minji, dumbfounded, as she suddenly speaks up while I’m reading the dizzying chat. I mean, it’s my body—why are *you* the one acting so proud?! And why are you revealing that! You’re just making the chat burn even brighter!
“Pfft, but guys.”
I tilt my head as Minji takes the camera that was filming me and fills the screen with her own face. I was confused about what she was trying to do.
“This is *my* stream, okay? If you don’t look at me, I’ll get sulky!”
“Wow….”
“What’s with that reaction?”
“N-nothing, it’s just fascinating.”
I know that’s what you call ‘viewer training,’ but seeing it right in front of me felt strange. It felt like I was seeing a shameful side of my friend that I wasn't supposed to see; it was quite an amusing sight. Since this would definitely become a dark history for her in the future, I couldn't help but keep laughing.
“Anyway, look back at the camera and try introducing yourself again?”
“Eeh. Uh… well.”
“Hey! That’s not it! Just introduce yourself.”
“Ah, right. I’m a virtual reality content creator, MPG. Please feel free to call me M.”
Honestly, there wasn't much else to say. I was honestly a bit scared to reveal my personal information, and if I accidentally let it slip that I used to be a man! I didn't even want to think about it. Well, actually, it wouldn't really matter, but I’d definitely get some weird looks.
“And, um… I’m the avatar creator and ‘mama’ for the Another World members and Namgung Minji.”
“That’s right. She’s my friend and my mama. She gave me the body I use here.”
I was a bit surprised when Minji naturally stepped over and hugged me, but I smiled and looked at the camera. *Tee-tee, wow, yuri…* The chat was flooded with all sorts of things, and my head started spinning again. It wasn't this bad during the last Another World stream, but as expected, Minji’s chat was on another level.
“Anyway, she’s my friend, my mama. And…”
At her touch as she patted my head, I nod and execute what I had prepared.
*Pop! Pop!*
Fireworks explode outside the window, showering the room in bright light. And in the middle of that light, text appears.
“My re-debut celebration and our M’s debut celebration! We’re doing content with support from Eed. That’s the surprise news for today.”
After showing the text, *‘Can’t I make a killing in the dungeon?’*, the camera turns back to me.
“So, M will tell you what kind of content that is. Right?”
“Yeah, I… I’ll explain.”
I take a calm breath, float a hologram window, and spread it wide to introduce the content. I pull out the stick I’d prepared in advance and point to the hologram to explain.
“First of all, ‘Can’t I make a killing in the dungeon?’ was originally content made for relaxation.”
It was originally meant to be peaceful—farming, fishing, that sort of thing—but I added more elements through Minji’s suggestions. I move the stick to point at the important keywords.
“The most important things in this content are the dungeon and growth. I shifted the life elements to be supplementary and changed them to be more suitable for a broadcast.”
If it had just been farming or something like that, the stream would have been boring. There might be people who like that kind of thing, but if you’re watching a stream, you want something flashy and fun. And there’s no problem since you can enjoy the content without necessarily focusing on the dungeon and growth.
“It’ll be really fun to meet various monsters in the dungeon, fight and win, and grow yourself using the materials you get, right? And there aren't just a few monsters; there are already dozens, and each has its own mechanics. Hehehe, there are so many really fun mechanics…”
“Ugh, that laugh just now was a little creepy?”
I flinch at Minji’s words and look at her. Creepy? I was just laughing normally….
I sneak a peek at the chat, and the reactions were similar. No… can’t a person be a little gloomy! I wasn't saying anything bad, so isn't that a bit much?
“Ahem. Anyway, the main focus is the dungeon and growth, and combat and exploration are included within that.”
“Doesn't your mouth water just hearing about it? I saw the monster models, and they were incredible, weren't they?”
“Heh… as side activities, there’s farming, fishing, and crafting. There are special crops and fish that you can only see here! And unique crafted items.”
Encouraged by Minji and the chat’s praise, I find myself speaking faster and faster. More! I want more praise and more interest in my content. That’s why I couldn't stop explaining. I felt like I wouldn't be satisfied unless I explained everything I could right now.
“And, and you can mine ore while exploring, and you can get special items, and of course, there are hidden elements too…”
Perhaps it was because I’d been talking non-stop for about 30 minutes, but seeing Minji look at me with an expression that said she was fed up, I realized I’d gone a bit too far.
I’d enjoyed explaining it so much that I couldn't stop myself. But it was all important information; if I hadn't said it, I wouldn't have been able to properly introduce the content.
“Whew. How is it? Everyone’s looking forward to it, right?”
I scratch my head at the half-asleep chat. Hmm, I guess the explanation was a bit boring, but I felt I’d satisfied their expectations enough. Seeing Minji sitting in her chair looking exhausted, I felt a bit bad. But wouldn't it be fine if I was satisfied?
I stop explaining so Minji and the viewers don’t get any more tired. I still had plenty more to say, but since I’d covered the most important parts, I decided to hold back.
“Anyway, that’s the content. You viewers know what to do if you want the other streamers you watch to play it, right? So, I’ll take questions now.”
Even if we didn't promote it ourselves, the viewers watching right now would spread the word. The viewer count is… wait? Why ten thousand?
My body freezes at the thought of so many people watching. Isn't this… isn't this way too many? How did it get this high in such a short time?!!
And so, I ended up getting bombarded with questions.
Ah… I’ve burned myself out completely….