The Devil and the Angel

I check the time—one day without any accidents. Ten minutes remained until the content officially began. Minji’s broadcast was currently running through the basic introduction, and I was waiting at the spawn point, ready to assist anyone who might run into issues.

“Ugh. The basic intro is done, so there shouldn’t be too many questions, right? Everyone’s smart enough to figure it out on their own, I’m sure.”

“Pfft. You’re such a worrier. It’ll be fine.”

“I-I really hope so.”

I flinch, startled by the sudden voice beside me. I’d forgotten I wasn’t alone. Originally, I was supposed to receive support from *Id*, but another party had offered to help faster than them. Naturally, the only people connected to me were from *NeoVerse*—specifically, the manager of the *Another World* team ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠and the VR setup crew.

Since the *Another World* members had also applied for this content, they said they’d provide support to ensure things ran smoothly. However, I’d refused, knowing that special treatment in this kind of content would create a power gap between them and the other participants. In the end, *NeoVerse* agreed to provide support in exchange for priority on their avatar production after the content concluded. It meant another meeting for me, but it was a profitable trade.

Perhaps because I’ve grown accustomed to it, I can create avatars much faster now than when I first transformed. And so, the person standing next to me was… *Meteor*, the manager of *Another World* who occasionally appeared in group broadcasts. I’m not sure why a VTuber manager needs a concept, but they claimed to be the "Guardian of the Meteorite that protects the Earth." I couldn't help but think that if they were a meteorite, they should be a destroyer, not a guardian. I mean, they wiped out the dinosaurs. How is that a guardian?

“Now, don’t be nervous. You did great with the testers, didn’t you?”

“Ah, well… since it’s a live broadcast, I’m just really nervous.”

“Hey, you’re only dealing with the people right in front of you anyway. Just ignore the viewers. It’s better for your mental health.”

I nod at the tip, though it’s easier said than done. Still, talking a bit seems to have loosened my nerves. The time had come, so all that was left was to wait for the streamers to enter.

“Alright then… opening the gates.”

“Understood. We’re ready.”

Here we go! The content begins!

I enter the code and move to the content map. It’s a space I’m intimately familiar with, having entered it countless times to check on my progress.

“Alright, everyone, it’s starting! You know what the early game is all about, right?”

“Hmm, opinions are pretty divided. But checking stats first is definitely the right move.”

Seeing the other streamers around me, muted and staring intently into their crystal balls, I feel the urge to hurry. I need to be fast if I don’t want to be left behind and get used to this world. Seeing a few people looking despairing, it seems they didn't get the stats they wanted. Thanks to *Ha-yun*, I know that one side isn't strictly better than the other, so I don't mind what I specialize in.

“Well, I’d love to use magic if I could, right? You guys want something flashy, too.”

I stare into the crystal ball and read what’s written inside. How would my stats be judged?

I’m dumbfounded by the donation that mocks me as if they’d been waiting for it, and I write down the concept I’d thought of into the crystal ball.

“By the way, it reads me pretty well, doesn't it? ‘Visitor of Hell.’ Isn't that fascinating?”

Honestly, this was surprising. A system that even reads VTuber RP? That was unexpected. I’d heard it just scanned personal info to give something fitting, but maybe they’d actually written down the concepts for every streamer who passed the audition and fed them to the AI. Thinking about that made me chuckle. *Ha-yun* writing down every single concept—the image was so vivid it made me laugh even more.

“Alright. From now on, I’m not Namgung Minji. I’m Devil Minji.”

“What, what’s wrong with it? I’ve got the ‘Visitor of Hell’ blessing, it’s the perfect name! Plus, we discussed and voted on this before the content opened, so don’t give me that.”

I shrug off the viewers' absurd donations and pick up the provided dagger to inspect it. As expected, nothing special. Even if there was something hidden, it looked perfectly ordinary to me.

“So, shall I try soloing, or find a party?”

I cross my arms and look around. Honestly, my channel isn't that big, so my connections aren't exactly vast. This content was only this popular because of the high-quality *Another World* avatars and the reputation of the map creator, *Ha-yun*. If I’d opened this alone, it wouldn't have drawn this many people.

“Oh. Found a pretty one standing alone. Let’s go for it.”

I look at a woman with white ponytail hair, blue eyes, and a small halo floating above her head—she looks like a little angel. If we’re talking looks, she’s a pass, but that name… I know we’re supposed to stick to our RP here, but her name was even more difficult than mine.

“Ahem. Are you… SexyCutieHani?”

“Eh? Oh, yes! That’s me, SexyCutieHani~”

Seeing her look around as if she didn't know who was being called, my neck starts to ache. Is it a mistake to pick a party based on looks alone? Still, she was someone I could trust. Behind that ridiculous "SexyCutie" name was a 100k-subscriber streamer from *Id* known as *Hani*. She’d actually matched my vibe well during the interview, which is why I’d given her a higher score. I just didn't know she’d use a name like that. I guess that’s the kind of name you need to hit 100k. I think to myself as I suggest a party.

“Want to party up with me and make a killing in the dungeon?”

“Gasp. You want to party with me?”

“Yeah. I’m a pro at this labyrinth city. What do you say?”

“Wow. A pro at the labyrinth city… hmm, but isn't it a bit risky to party with just anyone?”

I nod as I watch her eyes dart between me and the chat, trying to keep the banter going. She wants me to show her something, right? Viewers prefer seeing parties with interesting or special people rather than just anyone. Our channel had an atmosphere where people would ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠be happy with anyone, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠but… wait, why am I the one appearing on screen while everyone else is getting the attention? These contrarian viewers, I swear.

Anyway, meeting her expectant gaze, I point my dagger at the ground and focus. Seeing the crimson sword ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠energy burning along the blade, I feel satisfied, yet puzzled. When I saw it before, it was just blue. Why is it this color now? Ah. I understand why. It must be the blessing.

“This is Hellfire. What do you think? Interested?”

“Uh… rejected.”

“Eh? What?”

“I’m an angel, so hell is a bit…”

I’m flustered by *Hani’s* absurd response. I mean, it wasn't even a refusal, it was a "rejection." And what does being an angel have to do with Hellfire!

Seeing the viewers say that makes me even more determined. Honestly, it wasn't a hard rejection anyway.

“Hey, not all hells are the same, you know? Our hell is a *good* hell.”

“A good hell?”

“Yeah. Lots of vacation time, we boil the wicked—it’s a very kind hell, really!”

“…Is that so?”

Seeing her laugh in disbelief, I laugh along with her. There’s a chance here. I’ll make us a party no matter what. I’m going to make it happen! Let’s go for that Heaven-Hell combo!

“Hehehe. Thankfully, there are no inquiries yet.”

Since no one is calling me for help, I monitor the situation with several broadcasts open. There hasn't been a single bug or error reported; the state of the game seems excellent.

“Minji is… oh. Coincidence or not, they’re forming a combo like that.”

I’m impressed to see her immediately find a party and team up. It’s a Heaven-Hell combo I’d only thought about in my head, but I didn't expect it to happen right away. Honestly, both of them are strong enough with just their individual blessings, but with two such blessings combined, I can't even imagine how powerful they’ll be.

“Though, the high-end potential might be a bit lacking. That’s a shame.”

Hellfire has strong sword energy, but the magic that could bombard enemies at once was stronger, and the angel’s blessing—the holy attribute—was strongest when acting like a Paladin holding the front line, so it was a bit of a pity. It wasn't the exact picture I wanted to see, but it was still good in its own way.

“Ah. A call. Who is it?”

A call only five minutes after the content started? I move to the location, wondering why I’m being summoned when the early explanations were already finished. Standing before me is a very familiar face. It’s *Poru*.

“Wow! Mama actually came.”

“…You didn't call me just because you were bored, did you?”

I’m slightly flustered by *Poru’s* gaze, which seems amazed that I actually showed up. Surely there’s a real reason for the call, right? She didn't just call me to see if I’d actually come, did she?

“Hey, of course not!”

“Phew. That’s a relief. So, what’s the call for?”

“Well, what am I supposed to do if I lose my starter dagger?”

“…What?”

For a moment, I don't understand what *Poru* is saying. Lose the starter dagger? That indestructible, soul-bound item? It was an impossible bug. Honestly, since it’s a weapon you replace eventually, losing it later wouldn't be a problem, but losing it right at the start was a huge issue.

“W-what were you doing when you lost it?”

“Oh, that is…”

I swallow hard and open the administrator window. I prepare to fix it as quickly as possible and wait for *Poru* to continue. Seriously, why is she dragging this out!