Why Is This Working? (3)
I think I've seen something like this in some economics book. There are three ways to earn people's trust: first through actions, second through appearance, and third through money. I remember the author, who was pretty obsessed with cash, hammered home how important that last one was.
-The easiest way to gain fame, even if you can't build personal trust, is money.
Suddenly talking economics? Yeah, I know it sounds random. I don't remember the exact details anyway. I read it back when I first got rich and thought, Man, I should check out books like this. Whatever.
The Gallery was still buzzing with my bait, like they never got tired of it.
Now they're begging for donations like this. Why do I splash so much cash? Simple. 'Gotta save the hakko farms.'
Lately, society had turned into a graveyard for hakko. Even the three I'd vetted in advance had croaked. What can you do? Time to throw more money at streams and give 'em some hope.
'O Cheol-deuk's a bit iffy, though.'
The girl who'd been my gateway into streaming was skyrocketing day by day, backed by a solid 1,000 average viewers—like a concrete foundation.
I had no clue why she was popping off.
'No matter how you slice it, she screams menhera.'
Honestly, she creeped me out more than the Gallery's ten-gays.
My O Cheol-deuk posted every single day without fail, hunting for me. She ignored all streaming formulas. Her voice had that magnetic pull you could call charm, but it still carried a gloomy, total-loser vibe. A freak show chasing one specific viewer.
If I were a regular, I'd shatter my horns and spew blood the second I entered her stream.
'Kinda like a pseudo-dating sim?'
...Eh, maybe.
...What the hell is this? I clicked like a dog, mesmerized by the agro mastery.
...This isn't even bait; it's straight-up honest.
I clutched my head and hit back. 'Pretend I didn't see this.'
Shutting down the Gallery—my lifeline—left me with nothing to do. New VTubers and streamers popped up occasionally, but they grow on their own grit early on. I'd boosted some right away if they showed talent or hustle.
'Rational spending is key.'
Calling it "rational" while dropping big bucks felt absurd, but vibes matter. Even I admitted I'd been blowing stacks lately.
'Like 10 billion won?'
Good thing it matched this month's interest. 'Phew... Still not used to it.'
From scraping by on 6,000-won convenience store graveyard shifts to this? It felt off. That's why I still bought those 10,000-won four-packs and nursed them.
'Is this what rich life is?'
A few months after hitting over a trillion, the world hadn't changed. The noisiest news? Coin prices exploding again. Stock Gallery mentioned a few more burger splashes.
'Wonder how that guy's doing.'
The coin tipster ghosted my thank-you text. Probably cashed out big as a true believer and dipped. Or blew it all at the casino—dopamine junkie.
-Slurp.
Sipping a beer alone in this massive living room felt kinda bittersweet.
-Swipe.
I picked up my phone again.
-Snort. I chuckled. "These idiots only come to me. Buncha beggars."
Of course, I showered them with burgers proper.
"Secretary."
I spoke up to her mid-tax chat.
"Yes?"
"Still VTubing?"
"Stuck at home, got bored. It's fun, though."
"Aha."
"Should I quit? If it's awkward calling me or whatever."
"Nah, it's fine. I won't summon you outta nowhere."
Actually, good for me. If her stream blows up, we open servers through her. If not? Oh well.
"Got it."
"So, how're we sourcing the income?"
"Stocks are iffy legally, right?"
"Yep."
"What now?"
"I'll talk to the accountant direct."
"Interest tax and all good?"
"No worries. We're fully compliant."
She nodded confidently, exuding duty. Probably 'cause I barely gave her busywork. No outings, no driving.
"Look into donations too. Hope Orphanage side."
"Aren't you already donating to Hope Orphanage?"
"More's better."
"Accountant'll love it."
"...Not that intentional. Direct sponsorships, no middlemen. You know."
"Of course."
"That all?"
"Yep. Just verification."
She packed her files to leave.
"Oh yeah. Seen any good hakko?"
Personal request: flag potentials. Hard to judge solo.
"...Couldn't tell. O Cheol-deuk caught my eye 'cause she keeps name-dropping you."
"...Why her."
"Viral marketing ploy, maybe."
Viral marketing...
"Me specifically?"
"You're trending lately."
"Just a passing wave, I bet."
Gallery worshipped me a bit, but IRL? Nobody. Just a donor, not a big streamer. Peanuts next to Excel broadcast bombs.
'Generous Gallery name at best.'
Strut too hard? I'd get nuked: [This guy's a bubble—upvote]. [Sucking off a few donations like dogs—mass hysteria?] [Blows less than Excel but gets weird hype]. Food splashes might shield me, but I barely watched anymore. Only two months deep as a total noob.
"...Suhyun-ssi, you see that post?"
"Huh?"
"Main wife wars erupted outta nowhere."
"...No clue."
"Liar. I didn't even explain."
She stared, dead certain. Her sharp instincts—usually a pro, now poison.
"...Why?"
"Just curious. O Cheol-deuk? Your first sponsor, right?"
How'd she know?
"Secretary, you on the Gallery?"
"Viewers recommended."
"Skip that crap next time. Main wife debates?"
"Was fun."
She beamed innocently, eyes gleaming despite the droop.
"No idea."
"Heh..."
"Don't even know her red flags."
"True. No reason you would."
"Obviously. She's weird."
"So no connection?"
"Obviously. Just a donor. Like any streamer."
"Got it."
She nodded.
"Mind if I handle it?"
"...Handle what?"
"Got a stream content idea."
"Tch, can't recommend."
"Pure fun. Like her hunting you. Okay?"
"...Fun, right?"
I eyed her thorny words desperately. No clue what stunt she'd pull.
"Of course. No harm."
She grinned sunnily.
"Fine."
"Cool. Heading out."
I walked her to the door.
"Call if needed."
"Yep. Stream hard."
-Ding-dong.
Door shut; I flopped on the sofa.
'What? What's her play?'
Call and stop her? Her bonus-baby traits made her unpredictable. Seemed safe, but sudden acceleration possible.
'She's a pro. Should be fine.'
-Ding.
Anxious alert. No friends, so who? Phone check: streaming community post.
Only one with notifications? My secretary.
"What the fuck."