Chapter 101
Chapter 101
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 101
Chapter Title: The Idol Beyond (11)
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Starlit Entertainment's vice president, Benjamin Hayes, looked at Rico across from him with an intrigued gaze.
"A virtual reality idol... The market outlook isn't bad at all. For a major agency like ours, you could say our investment is just a bit late."
Virtual reality technology had advanced rapidly in recent times. The increase in users was significant as well.
A promising new technology highly likely to become the next mass media. As such, Starlit had already been considering ventures to capture the new customer base enjoying virtual reality.
"So this isn't just a casual recommendation. It's a sort of pilot project. Miss Rico, you've already proven your success as an artist. We won't skimp on the treatment. Feel free to hear the terms and decide later."
And with that, he grinned and met her eyes.
"Above all, if you sign with us... we can resolve many of the issues you're facing right now on your behalf."
Rico's shoulders twitched.
The issues she was facing.
He was referring to that stadium concert where she could no longer refund the fans' ticket purchases.
"Well, it was the previous agency's fault from the start, so we could just let it slide... but depending on how you handle it, this could be a chance to solidify your fans' loyalty even more. That's why you're concerned about it too, right, Miss Rico?"
"...Yes, that's right."
Hearing her response, Benjamin presented two solutions. He extended one finger.
"First way to resolve it: We can advance this contract payment or prepay settlement funds to cover the ticket refunds. Looking at your channel revenue, you could recover the loss in just a few weeks. Honestly, this might be the stable option. But..."
Then he extended a second finger.
"You don't have to cancel the concert altogether."
"...!"
Facing Rico's wide-eyed stare, Benjamin continued.
"The first Omega Stadium performance by a virtual reality broadcaster. That symbolism carries real weight. Miss this chance, and someone else might snag it. So why not take a gamble now that things have come to this? The prep time is a bit tight, I admit, but I guarantee it. Decide now, and we'll make the show happen without issue. If this concert succeeds, your brand value as Starlit's idol Rico will skyrocket. It's an investment we're happy to make as a company."
There was no room for doubt in his words.
Starlit Entertainment was the top expert in this field, after all.
From connections with specialized contractors to know-how in planning and executing massive events. Even with a shorter prep period, they could deliver results far superior to Prism Studio.
Now, it all came down to Rico's choice.
"........."
Was the proposal too sudden?
She seemed about to respond, then hesitated. Unexpectedly, she turned to me.
After a long pause, she hardened her expression and asked.
"If I choose to do the concert... will Eve come watch too?"
I nodded lightly.
"Of course."
Having come this far, there's no way I'd miss the finale.
I wanted to watch. How much brighter Rico could shine once she cast off all that bound her.
"I'll cheer you on to the end. I promise."
At my words, she beamed.
"...Thank you!"
Then she turned back to Benjamin, her face filled with unwavering conviction.
"I'll give it a shot...! No, I really want to do it!"
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The massive sports arena in the heart of the city, Omega Stadium.
The venue, usually ablaze with passion from sports clubs and fans every week, had been transformed into something entirely new for this holiday.
All for the first-ever solo concert by virtual reality idol Rico in Omega Detroit history.
Fans had lined up since early morning and were steadily entering.
The vast performance hall was already packed with an enormous crowd.
Tens of thousands of people sparkled, gazing at the stage with their fanlights raised.
"......."
Behind that stage.
The cheers of the tens of thousands already seated, brimming with anticipation, echoed all the way there.
Waaaaaaaaah—!
It was overwhelming. Like endless waves crashing against the ceiling and walls.
Feeling those roars with her whole body, Rico closed her eyes gently.
Thump, thump....
Her heart pounded fiercely.
What was the reason for this thrill?
Tension before the biggest stage of her life?
Or anxiety about whether she could pull off the things she'd hastily prepared in that short time in front of her fans?
Or perhaps... thinking of someone somewhere in the audience right now.
"......."
As she'd grown as a streamer, all Rico had dreamed of was more fans.
Their love was the only pillar supporting her life in this harsh reality.
But now... there was someone similar to that—maybe even more precious.
At that moment, a short message popped up on her comms implant.
[I've just arrived at the venue too. I'll cheer you on while watching. Go Rico! Fighting!] 'Eve...'
Her friend, somewhere in the audience.
For some reason since that day, thinking of her made her heart race like it was broken.
"......."
But despite these feelings, treating her as just a friend was growing harder.
Strangely, it had been easier before, when she knew nothing of Eve's true nature.
She could strike up conversations easily, chat endlessly about nothing.
But now that Rico knew how incredible Eve really was, it was harder to approach casually or act overly chummy.
Fear that her actions might seem mercenary.
That Eve might feel used, get disappointed, or come to dislike her.
But Rico shook her head.
'No. It wouldn't be like that.'
Eve wasn't that kind of person.
Rico knew better than anyone, having been saved by that kindness herself.
So this was just her own inferiority complex.
She was preemptively deciding she didn't belong by Eve's side.
Some might despair at that. Nothing more futile than feelings for someone utterly out of reach.
But Rico was greedy. She had no intention of giving up easily on what she wanted.
That's why she'd stormed out of paradise alone and come this far doing what she loved.
'So... I'll become incredible too.'
So that one day, their hands could reach each other.
So she could stand by her side as someone worthy.
'I'll shine so brightly, so highly, that she'll have no choice but to look back.'
Just then, the producer's voice came through her comms implant.
["Sound, lights, effects—all green. Stage is perfect. Rico, you ready?"]
It was finally time. Rico replied energetically.
"...Yes!"
["Good. Show starts now."]
"Whew..."
She took a deep breath to steady herself.
A moment of silence.
["Virtual avatar precision projection on standby. Countdown: 5, 4, 3..."]
A familiar floating sensation swept over her senses.
On stage, idol Rico awakened once more.
-Waaaaaaaaaah!!!!!
Ear-shattering cheers.
Dazzling lights pouring over her body.
And filling her vision: tens of thousands of fanlights twinkling like stars in the vast night sky.
Toward that sight, Rico shouted with the brightest smile in the world.
"Everyone! Made you wait, right!! Time for the best night ever?! Then, let's start!!! First song, Sunblind!"
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ 📰 Welcome to the Lucid Connect Official Forum This is the streamer and channel fan community for the virtual reality online broadcasting platform, Lucid Connect. Please follow the board rules and use respectfully. 📋 Free Board — Anonymous [The concert afterglow still won't fade...] (5) — Anonymous [Still obsessed] (13) — Anonymous [Rico squad, you guys never log off? It's been a week, how long you gonna milk this?] (54) — Anonymous [Thinking about it, Prism bastards are total trash] (13) — Anonymous [Starlit is god...!] (8) — Anonymous [So happy Taering came back safeㅠㅠ Thought she'd quit streaming] (14) — Anonymous [Big corps really different fr] (21) — Anonymous [Cheering for Jolt bro, only flower paths from now on] (3) — Anonymous [Lol who refunds tickets without seeing the legend showㅋㅋ] (37) ⭐ Hot Thread — Anonymous [Is this for real??] (3816) ◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Rico's Omega Stadium concert came to a triumphant close.
Her story of rising above all adversity deeply moved her fans, earning her even more fervent popularity than before.
The other streamers rescued from Prism Studio also seemed to be gradually recovering from those horrific memories and returning to stable daily lives.
'Good.'
Some had even reached out personally through the streaming platform—somehow knowing how to contact me.
Expressing deep gratitude and wanting to repay the favor somehow, I simply told them living happily was thanks enough.
'Honestly, I only helped them as a side thing because of Rico...'
It felt awkward receiving such thanks.
In any case, despite getting caught up in unexpected events, I never lost sight of my original goal.
The virtual reality worship service for the suburban residents.
The partner streamer contract with the platform was already finalized.
Leveraging Starlit Entertainment's connections and influence, I didn't even have to lift a finger. In half a day, a contract report with the best terms arrived on my terminal, heavily in my favor.
I could truly feel the difference between an ordinary MCN and a major corporate agency.
Now able to run broadcasts without sponsorships or ads.
And simultaneous viewers boosted to three times the previous amount.
'Finally...'
All problems resolved.
Now I could just relax and hold services with the believers without a care.
Or so I'd thought for sure.
Just three days after resuming virtual reality worship.
Until that system message appeared before my eyes once more.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Maximum viewer limit for current channel reached. Upgrade plan?] "......."
Faced with the all-too-familiar, utterly exasperating situation, I sighed and rubbed my forehead.
'What the hell is this now...'