#012. League of Champions
After running a few more streams, I was starting to get the hang of handling viewers. Streaming had seeped into my daily routine, making it feel more familiar. Of course, it helped that I wasn't directly managing chat or dynamically planning content myself. The first-gen seniors handled their own weekly schedules, after all.
"Time to fire up a YouTube channel soon, huh."
Two weeks of streaming had built up a decent stash of fun clips. The company would probably provide an editor. Yuseol had said to launch YouTube once we had enough clips stockpiled.
My main content was the usual VTuber mix: variety gaming and chit-chat. I played RoyalGround (Log) a lot during games, but my talk streams weren't super long.
"Maybe it's time to try a new game."
I'd expected becoming a VTuber would upend my life, but reality was tamer. Streams averaged 3-4 hours. Shorter than most, but I streamed six days a week while others did four or five.
"Huuuuh."
Still, streams drained me mentally every time. All that emotional output left me listless. My Log solos were popular, but solo queue brought snipers, stamina issues, you name it.
"Urgh... a new game, huh."
Popular streamer picks lately? League of Champions or Valorant. But could I even get into those? They were brutally hard—objectively high risk of quitting after frustration set in.
Maybe hire a coach.
Honestly, that new 'Comprehensive Package' in the point shop was tempting more by the day. Frequent streams had pushed my points to 10%.
"Call it reinvestment and just buy the damn thing?"
I decided to ask Yuseol first if she could hook me up with a coach. Help me out, Yuseol-mong!
...
Yuseol had been insanely busy lately. Pouring everything into second-gen debut prep meant skimping on her own streams and counseling rookies nonstop. Exhausting. Things were finally smoothing out as everyone improved. She'd just caught her breath when another DM pinged.
"Who the hell at this hour... oh."
From Neru. Truth be told, Neru had been my biggest debut worry. I'd fretted over Ren's shyness most, but surprisingly, she and Yuzha handled streams smoothest—real pros in action. Neru lacked initiative, but had this magnetic charm that hooked you. Matching her real self to the character had scared me too, but her home setup during surprise calls eased that.
"What now..."
The DM: Wanted to expand content with a new game—League of Champions or Valorant—but diving in blind was too daunting. Yuseol chuckled. Not the stereotypical streamer personality, but damn if she didn't try hardest. Neru asked the most questions too.
"A coach... from first-gen? Nah, better if I do it myself."
League of Champions was major league; most first-gens played. But their skills weren't coaching material.
Bronze and Silver teaching? Please.
Kurose Ritsu hit Gold, but pairing her with Neru might crush the kid. Better Platinum Yuseol handle it. She fired back: she'd coach personally, attaching her schedule.
...
A week later, I'd resolved to buy this godforsaken Game Streaming Comprehensive Function Package. The trigger? Yesterday's Log stream.
Landed cockily at the school building in solo queue, pumped shotgun in hand for early fights. Then a frying pan maniac charged me head-on.
"What the f—"
[Inappropriate word detected. Censoring.]
"That lunatic!"
Bang! Bang!
But this guy's movement was nuts. I whiffed my entire pump shotgun mag. Pan psycho smashed my skull during my frantic reload. Panicked, I dumped three shells—total miss. Humiliating defeat.
"Ugh."
Endless mockery in chat.
"Hey!"
My legendary aim lived on as a clip, eternal shame. Things mellowed after, but bullets still whiffed, viewers roasted. Unbearable. I, Neru, refuse bot treatment—AI or not. "Bots shoot better" haunted me.
I eyed the point shop item.
Can't game? Getting roasted by viewers? We've got you! Gain AI computation and pattern analysis!
No side effects!
Price:Humanity Points 10%
Current Humanity Points:12.1%
12.1% after three weeks. Theoretically 100% in nine, factoring overlaps and debut surge...
"Screw it, I'll farm more."
This body felt normal now. Neru was on my side—no harm intended. Eyes shut, bought it.
Remaining Humanity Points: 2.1%
Initializing synchronization...
"Guh."
Brain zapped, pain surged—I blacked out on the bed.
Two hours later, I woke. Head throbbed faintly, but something felt... off.
Acquired AI Computation Power.
Acquired AI Analysis Power.
What changed? No obvious difference yet. Tonight's Yuseol RioCham lesson stream would test it. Tutorial first, maybe.
...
Evening hit; I went live.
[Hanako Neru is now live! - Learning RioCham from the Boss]
League of Champions dominated popularity charts forever. Fading a bit lately, but still PC bang king. Tourneys generated massive hype—I'd watched a few. Tried it myself once or twice, but bailed quick.
"Ugh, screw it. I'll show you my real skills."
Chatting while waiting, Yuseol's call connected fast. Launched the game.
"Hello?"
"Did I keep you waiting? Sorry."
"Nah, just vibing."
My level 12 'neru' account popped up. Auto-friend reject hid it fine; Yuseol was added already.
"Oh, you've played before?"
"Yeeah, watched tourneys and tried, then quit."
"Basic concepts?"
"Uh, rough game flow? Kinda."
Minions spawn periodically on three lanes, farm gold. Buy items, power up champ. Fight, destroy nexus—win. That was my League of Champions knowledge.
"Flow's solid then. Won't take long."
And so Yuseol's RioCham lesson began.