Chapter 18
Chapter 18
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 18
Chapter Title: Forum Flames and Raven Revealed
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[Indie Minor Game Gallery]
Sudden debauchery of Daehyeop Kim, followed by his appearance on Sweet's stream.
After the series of events blew over, the relay firepower on the Indie Game Gallery slowly reached its peak.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ 📰 Mage Hunting Prowess Witnessed by Daehyeop.jpg [250] Fact is, Martial Artists are better in boss fights [456] Mage << Needs normalization no matter who looks [333] Sweet getting shredded by dungeon boss clip [289] Mage low point, Martial Artist high point, just memorize it [571] The two facts revealed as the pair kept clearing dungeons were these.
Mages had overwhelmingly superior hunting capabilities, but faltered in boss fights.
Martial Artists shone tremendously in boss battles, but their hunting was subpar.
When Sweet hit level 14 and Daehyeop Kim reached level 16.
They finally conquered the Servant of Darkness, with Daehyeop Kim taking 71% contribution for the win.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ 📰 Title: Called Mage OP, but the bubble burst quick (Servant of Darkness raid scorecard meme) Skill setup bizarrely focused on AoE Sole mobility skill has a whopping 40-second cooldown Mana runs dry before even a few skill cycles Forced mouth-opening bullshit mechanic to top it off Ah... thanks for your service all this time Rest easy now, JOAT (Black-and-white meme with staff photoshopped onto funeral portrait) Recommends 550 Disrecommends 275 💬 Comments [568] — Anon Hard to believe just an hour ago Martial Artists were getting this treatment — Anon Gald Cup skip and stance switch is hilarious tho — Anon Of course, only game noobs gathered here — Anon Opinion manipulation by Mage fans lol ◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ 📰 Title: Why blindly believe the director? (Meme of Aurora eyes closed looking up) Director isn't an idiot who'd openly favoritize one class on official channels Probably munching popcorn watching Indie Game Gallery right now lol Recommends 445 Disrecommends 99 ⭐ Top Comment — Anon (Seal Meme Waifu) Balance manipulation wtf ↳ Reply Fucking bitch ↳ Reply She's doing it all alone — Anon These idiots where the meta changes every week blah blah — Anon Week? Here it changes every hour lol — Anon WWE as usual, what's the problem — Anon Male players' dicks look bigger, Korean specialty ◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ 📰 Rewatching Domestic RPG Balance Summary.txt 1. My char needs to be strong 2. Stronger than that guy's 3. But that guy's gotta be strong too 4. Still, mine needs to be stronger ... ... ... 16. Even perfect balance needs frequent patches 17. But I don't trust devs (my char is weak) 18. Patch ignoring public opinion as much as possible 19. But listen to me 20. My words aren't public opinion (Shocked frog meme) Indie Game Gallery right now, mega recommend Recommends 800 Disrecommends 31 💬 Comments [682] — Anon What's with the middle summary? What 100-year blank? — Anon Rice freak beatdown content, censored at OP's request — Anon ↳ Reply Rice eaters terrorize OP's YouTube every time they see it — Anon Wtf rice eaters are real societal evil — Anon But can AkaRe do rice farming? — Anon Gotta wait for official release — Anon Rice freaks already prepping — Anon Instead of rice freak slur, let's say dark gamer It was impossible to satisfy everyone.
A truth anyone could grasp just by lurking the Indie Game Gallery for an hour.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Akare's balance isn't perfect.
Especially since it's modeled after a real otherworld.
Perfect balance doesn't necessarily equal game fun anyway.
That said, they weren't half-assing the balance either.
"An interview, huh..."
The official YouTube info section email was flooded with messages.
Among them, interview requests stood out in number.
She wasn't uninterested in doing one.
But beta was too hectic, so post-beta would be better.
"Gotta brainstorm BM too..."
BM. In short, monetization.
Akare currently had zero BM structure.
During development, she hadn't even considered it.
Lately, a small greed for a richer real life had sprouted.
For that, money was needed. Essential in cold capitalist modern times.
To get it, Akare had to generate revenue. Any good ideas?
'Don't wanna copy domestic RPG BM structures.'
Stuff like "Whoa! 3-year f2p beats whales" paywalls weren't appealing.
She didn't want to inflict that 'fun' on her game.
"Safest bet is selling avatars."
Using creator privileges to sell trendy outfits from various eras for cash—they'd sell.
Outsiders might scoff at paying for data rags, but in reality, people bought pricier virtual threads than real ones all the time.
"Gotta develop affinity system quick too."
First NPC with affinity release? Raven, obviously.
"Raise affinity, unlock avatar outfits for that NPC."
Sell swimsuits, maid outfits, uniforms for cash.
Would it sell? Per her guess, like hotcakes.
Princess Raven flaunting a swimsuit? Serving in a maid outfit?
How could male players resist?
Same for the reverse.
Prince Raven in a swimsuit, suited up in uniform.
Fashion-sensitive female players wouldn't stand a chance.
"Heh heh... gonna rake in the dough."
Just imagining bundles of cash, drowning in capitalist bliss...
"Add 'em at official launch post-beta."
She jotted notes for launch additions.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ BM Addition (Avatars). Affinity Addition (Raven).
King of the Undead, Elder Lich raid teaser (trailer).
New normal job, Spirit User addition & preview.
Official launch commemorative event planning & execution.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Ads... too much for now."
With Akare revenue near zero.
Ads starting at tens of millions were pie in the sky.
"Taking loans for ads feels iffy."
Hmm. Even as a hardcore Akare fan.
Going credit delinquent? No way, no matter how luxurious.
"Master. Then no Heh Heh Mode at launch?"
"Huh?"
Aka-chan, quietly listening beside her, tossed out a baffling question.
"Heh heh mode."
Swipe- swipe-
Aka-chan's blatantly lewd gestures made her cover her face instinctively.
"Mating mode. Revolutionary content..."
"No lewd stuff!"
💥 WHACK! 💥 She rolled up the document stack into a paper baton and smacked Aka-chan's head.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Sweet leveled up easily through party hunting with Daehyeop Kim.
Especially thrilled, having gotten the 'Obsidian Staff' dropped by the Cradle of Black Magic boss, Servant of Darkness, handed over by Daehyeop Kim.
✨ LEVEL UP! ✨ "EXP's starting to slow down now."
Freshly hit level 19, Sweet gazed longingly at the Obsidian Staff.
Level restriction: 20.
Just one more level to equip.
"Calling it for today, gonna rest up."
"Daehyeop-nim, already logging off?"
Daehyeop Kim, showing fatigue, declared rest.
Sweet couldn't hold him back, just saw him off.
"Ah, head to the plaza now and something good'll happen."
"Plaza? Why there? What's the good thing?"
Daehyeop Kim just smiled, no answer, and logged out.
"Hmm... guess I'll..."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ — Viewer Uh You stay Only streamed 15 hours Fill 24 then go Time flies Viewers instantly reacted to the usual debauchery buildup.
Gauging the mood, Sweet flashed a mischievous grin.
"Joke joke."
Plenty left to do in Akare.
First, complete the sewer regular inspection commission.
Curious about Daehyeop Kim's 'good thing' at the plaza.
Find new dungeon or hunting ground, level up, test Obsidian Staff.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ — ㅇㅇnim's 10,000 won donation - What's your take on Mage balance? "Not bad? Mob farming feels like... hack n' slash games. Definitely fun."
Chatted with viewers, hit Mercenary Guild, completed commission.
Level too high? EXP reward felt meager.
Shrugging off regret, Sweet headed to the plaza from the guild.
"Wonder what the good thing is."
How long waiting by the massive fountain in the plaza?
Step- step-
"Hm?"
A woman in knightly garb approached Sweet.
Her stunning, never-before-seen beauty left Sweet's eyes wandering.
"Business with me...?"
"Pfft, forgotten already?"
The knight spoke as if they'd met before; Sweet's eyes narrowed.
Come to think, similar outfit somewhere...
Tracing memories, Sweet realized.
"Wait, Raven?"
She beamed then.
"You've grown much stronger since last we met."
Flustered by the male-turned-female, but more shocking was her arm.
"Said you'd fix it, and a new arm really grew?"
After capital arrival, Sweet wanted to travel with Raven.
Worried over the Black Illusion Rabbit-severed arm.
Raven politely declined, assured there were ways.
Sweet hid concern, but now seeing her whole, relief flooded in.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ — Viewer What? Raven was a girl? ?? Devs know best lol For real? Unaware of Sweet's feelings, chat flooded with question marks.
Made sense—no one imagined Raven female.
Unfounded gallery delusions turned real; who'd predict?
"Really glad."
Sweet savored the reunion.
Heard why Raven hid gender.
Recalled Black Illusion Rabbit fight.
Like old friends, warm, comfy chat flowed.
Then, anomaly.
⚠️ THUMP! ⚠️ First heart palpitation ever in Akare.
⚠️ THUMP! ⚠️ Speaking to Raven, heart raced wild.
"Uh..."
Face hot, body heating up inexplicably.
Something wrong for sure.
"Gotta go."
Sensing oddity, Sweet bolted.
"That's it for today, folks."
Sorry.
Mumbled end, logged out.
Out of capsule, Sweet pressed hand to chest.
⚠️ THUMP! ⚠️ The pounding echoed in reality too.