Chapter 100
Chapter 100
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 100
Chapter Title: Beyond the Idol (10)
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The violent organization backing the operation of Prism Studio.
Cleaning up the Black Dog Gang was simpler than expected.
Just a few bishops who had been constantly guarding us stepped forward, and it was handled with ease.
They were nothing but parasites who preyed on the weak to line their own pockets from the start. There was no way such scum would show any real backbone. The instant they grasped the power gap, they didn't even dream of resisting and simply rolled over belly-up.
It was a pathetic display that nearly drew a sigh.
Anyway, thanks to that, I achieved exactly what I wanted without a hitch. I nullified all the slave contracts binding Rico and freed the other streamers who'd been imprisoned by the agency.
In truth, Prism Studio had quite a few people trapped in the same situation as her.
Even broadcasters with no dirty laundry at the time of signing ended up that way. The company had orchestrated scandals that would end their lives if exposed, fabricating evidence through all sorts of illegal temptations.
As a result, those streamers—collared like that—had been exploited as company slaves right up until we discovered and released them from the agency basement.
"Really... is it okay to just walk out like this? Um... my contract..."
At first, they wore dazed expressions, unable to believe it.
But once they stepped outside and saw the gang members subdued in the lobby, they finally broke down in tears of gratitude.
"Thank you.... Thank you so much...!"
And then there were the piles of internal company and gang documents we uncovered.
No need to dig deep—filthy skeletons came spilling out everywhere.
So rotten that I couldn't even fathom salvaging and repurposing the agency.
Best to just wipe it all clean.
So I reassured the broadcasters freed from the basement and sent them on their way.
"Don't worry about your weaknesses. Those guys won't breathe a word for the rest of their lives."
In just one night, Prism Studio was completely cleaned up.
But I had no intention of burying this incident.
Not just Rico—far more affiliated streamers were involved than expected. Rather than forcing silence and breeding needless suspicion, I chose to lay it all bare to the public.
The abuse the victims had endured. Prism Studio's true nature.
I needed to give them a chance to dispel the disappointments they'd caused fans under agency pressure and clear up the resulting misunderstandings.
Of course, the victims of those unfair contracts would be portrayed thoroughly as such—which they were.
Managing things so the studio's leverage didn't surface? Child's play for a church already concealing far darker secrets.
With that, everything was sorted.
Dusk had deepened into dark twilight.
I turned to the last person lingering in the studio. Rico.
"Well then, now..."
She'd waited silently the whole time.
The entire duration we'd scrubbed the studio and mopped up the gang.
So unobtrusive I'd nearly forgotten her presence, just quietly observing us.
That realization hit me.
Rico had been unnaturally subdued all along.
With her personality, she should've chattered a hundred words by now at least.
Belatedly startled, I urgently scanned her face.
"Um, Rico?"
"........."
Something was definitely wrong.
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A bit more time passed, and as planned, the Prism Studio incident was revealed to the public.
Public reaction wasn't bad at all.
If anything, sympathy surged, with most rallying to support the exploited streamers.
But... not every issue tied to the incident was fully resolved.
Rico's Stadium Concert problem lingered.
The Black Dog Gang and Prism Studio—tidied up neatly by the church—had already squandered all the money extorted from broadcasters.
Liquidating their assets now would return only a fraction to the streamers.
Thus, Rico's concert ticket sales couldn't be fully refunded either.
Still, once fans learned the honest truth, most expressed understanding.
But those stuck bearing the financial loss wouldn't feel great.
Some clueless types even directly blamed Rico.
True fans swiftly crushed such trolls, but Rico still seemed uneasy.
Learning this, I pondered briefly.
Having stepped in to help once, leaving it on this sour note wasn't my style.
'Isn't there some way?'
Then an idea sparked.
I immediately pulled out my communicator and dug from a drawer something I'd long forgotten.
A sleek electronic business card I'd received before.
The text gleamed clearly.
[STARLIT Entertainment - CFO, Benjamin Hayes]
On the appointed day, Rico and I arrived early at the hotel cafe.
Beyond the high-rise window stretched the bustling cityscape.
Lavish interior where even a commoner might hesitate over a single drink.
Across from me, Rico fidgeted with her fingers.
Looking uneasy, she asked me again.
"Um, Eve.... Who exactly are you introducing me to here...?"
"........."
I didn't answer right away.
Just observed her briefly.
'Still... something's off.'
Rico's demeanor was strange.
Especially when alone with me.
The Rico who'd never shut up was eerily quiet.
Look at her now—not even meeting my eyes properly.
Not urging me despite my delayed reply.
"......"
"........."
Something had definitely changed.
Was this her true self, and she'd been forcing cheer until now?
Or the venue's fault?
No clue.
She'd been utterly unfazed even when invited to Lumina HQ.
'Then why so timid now?'
Honestly... I didn't mind this side of her.
The old hyper energy gone, she even seemed a bit cute.
Playfulness struck; I teased by withholding.
"You'll see when you meet them."
Rico's eyes welled slightly.
"Can't you just tell me now...?"
We bantered lightly like that.
Then—
Clack, clack.
Someone entered from the cafe depths.
A gentlemanly man with neatly combed salt-and-pepper hair.
Glancing around briefly, he spotted us and grinned broadly.
"Hahaha! It's been ages! How've you been?"
"Yes, good to see you. Benjamin."
A Lumina Group executive I'd met once before.
Benjamin Hayes, who'd come out to the suburbs himself for wine on Godfather's behalf.
I greeted the long-unseen man politely.
"Have you been well too, Benjamin?"
But at those words, his face abruptly hardened.
"...Hold on."
"Yes?"
Looking somewhat displeased, he warned me.
"Eve, I heard you've become the Chairman's goddaughter. That makes you family now. When will you drop that stiff title? Call me Uncle Ben from now on."
"Ah, yes...."
Benjamin was a Lumina exec and Godfather's distant relative, I'd heard.
Now that I thought, they shared traits—like that exaggerated flair.
'Really hereditary, huh.'
A bit burdensome, but with a favor pending, I forced the unfamiliar term.
"Looking forward to it, Un-Uncle Ben...."
"Hahaha!!!"
Hearing my awkward tone, he burst into laughter matching his hearty build.
After guffawing awhile, Benjamin cut to the chase for this meeting.
"Alright. So, someone you want me to meet?"
"Yes. This is her."
I introduced Rico, rigid beside me.
His jovial air vanished; he appraised her with a businesslike gaze.
"........."
After a moment, he greeted her directly.
"Pleased to meet you. Benjamin Hayes of Starlit Entertainment."
And from his pocket, an electronic business card.
Identical to the one he'd given me before.
Rico took it absently, then gasped belatedly.
"S-Starlit Enter...?!"
"Haha, you've heard of our company too, miss?"
"Y-Yes! Of course! Who hasn't...!"
Nearly teary-voiced, Rico accepted the card, hands shaking uncontrollably.
It was warranted.
Virtual reality idols were still niche culture despite booming growth and fandom.
That's how half-baked mid-tier agencies like Rico's Prism could run rampant.
But Starlit Entertainment was different.
A true major corp subsidiary MCN on another level.
A top management where only guaranteed gems pierced cutthroat competition to debut.
The dream name for anyone in Omega Detroit aspiring to artistry or entertainment fame.
The company crafting and handling genuine superstars—a pillar of the city's culture industry.
At Rico's reaction, Benjamin nodded approvingly.
"Saves on intros. I'm Starlit's CFO, Benjamin Hayes. Here on Eve's recommendation to offer you an exclusive contract."
"....!"
At that instant, the electronic card slipped from Rico's hand, clattering onto the table.