Photobook Uproar
Normally hovering between 2,000 and 3,000 viewers, Hajieun's broadcast was now packed with over 13,000 people.
Even during the bold simultaneous stream with Devil King's Life, it had only hit 8,000. With nearly double that now tuned in, it showed just how serious this mess was.
Hajieun bowed her head silently and prostrated herself on the floor.
Hajieun just kept banging her head. Honestly, she hadn't expected such a fierce backlash, so she had no choice but to own up to her 100% screw-up.
"Sorry, everyone. But you guys didn't expect it to blow up like this either, right? I had no idea!"
"Bang your head!"
With crisp, obedient echoes chanting back, she slammed her forehead down again. It seemed to calm the furious crowd a bit.
"S-So anyway. I've brought the owner here. Hehe. Did I do good?"
At those words, Yu Eunha sighed from off-camera and stepped into view.
*
Honestly, when they said they'd make a photobook from the previous shoot, I'd just shrugged it off. I wasn't savvy about that stuff anyway. Figured they'd handle it fine on their own.
But looking into what they'd done? Total disaster.
No market research on quantities, no factory scouting—just some half-assed site check. It reeked of amateur hour.
"So, no plan for production volume, just messaged a merch site?"
"W-Well, isn't that how merch sites work...?"
I pinched my forehead at Hajieun's response.
"Fine, I'll give you that—I don't know merch. But for preorders, just take more orders, right?"
"Huh?"
"Do a preorder."
"?"
Hajieun looked utterly lost, so I nodded and patted her bowed head.
"Grow up nice and healthy."
Hajieun's cheeks flushed red.
"Take unlimited preorders, then hit factories with the receipts. Locks in better rates once orders are firm."
"Uh..."
The dazed Hajieun grabbed a notebook.
"Get quotes from multiple factories. Lock in paper quality, binding specs, page count first—or they'll screw you."
"Binding specs, page count..."
"Once factory's set, negotiate schedule and notify buyers. No warehouse? Contract full package: packing and shipping."
"Full package..."
"Try skimping by doing it yourself? Disaster waiting. Better pay the fee."
"Oh..."
"Huh?"
The viewers' shock made me brush it off vaguely.
"Just read a book or two."
Ignoring the stunned chat, I placed a hand on Hajieun's head.
"And..."
I showed her the preorder page she'd made, smirking.
"Just tacked 'extra shoot for secret reward on 2k copies' at the end?"
"Ah, about that..."
"First I'd heard of it."
Hajieun sweated bullets, forcing a stiff grin.
"Y-You know the saying? Easier to beg forgiveness than ask permission?"
"......"
My icy glare made her slam her head down again.
"S-Spare me."
"No. Die."
At my cold reply, she blurted desperately.
"But Eunha-nim, think about it. All those super girly photos..."
She rolled her eyes dramatically.
"Wouldn't one cool, majestic Devil King shot be nice? Pure loyalty!"
She winked at the camera, and supportive chats flooded in.
I narrowed my eyes at the surging support.
"Sorry, but I've learned my lesson. Can't trust you lot."
"That said, adding a Devil King concept shot sounds good. I'll allow that much."
Hajieun's head snapped up.
"For real?"
"...As long as no funny business."
"Of course! My life's on the line."
"......"
My skeptical look made her scratch her head sheepishly.
With my help soothing the crowd, Hajieun ended the stream and looked up at me.
"Thank you. You saved my skin."
"Good. Since I helped, time for your help."
"Huh?"
"Don't wanna?"
She beamed at my words.
"N-No! Anything to help!"
"Anything. You said anything."
"Uh...?"
I led her to Monica's house.
*
Dragged to Monica's, Hajieun's eyes went wide.
"Wait, paperwork assistant for the magic tower business plan?"
"Yep."
I nodded at the map of my personal zone.
"Need someone to help Monica with docs while I raid the Abyss."
"Paperwork? I-I've never done that! No office job ever!"
I grinned wide.
"Think of it as learning. It's not hard once you start. Though mess up and you're liable."
"That's black company talk!"
Monica, now with a paperwork slave, giggled.
"Ahaha~ It's not bad, you'll be fine."
Seeing Monica's glee, Hajieun tried to backpedal.
"B-But I have streams!"
I whispered in her ear.
"Imagine if I hadn't bailed you out on the photobook fiasco."
She hiccuped.
"Hic?"
"Tens of thousands would've torched your channel."
"Y-Yeah?"
"Who saved you?"
"...You, Eunha-nim."
"Who kept your stream alive?"
"...I'll do it! Happy now?!"
Sniffling, she took the papers.
"Haven't touched this since college..."
Monica smiled brightly.
"You'll get it. Just do it."
"......"
Confirming her misery, I did some quick stretches.
"S-So when're you back, Eunha-nim...?"
"Dunno... Aiming for floor 20 this year, so lots to clear. At least one or two per run—week tops."
"Oh!"
Her eyes sparkled.
"Magic level up, even stronger then!"
"Probably."
"New artifacts?"
"Who knows. We'll see."
"Hope for new spells."
I smirked meaningfully.
"Heh... Already got some new ones."
"?"
At her puzzled look, I chuckled and raised my staff.
"Gonna use it again?"
I nodded at Monica.
"Show Hajieun!"
"......"
Monica tossed a cartridge from her drawer, smirking.
"Having fun, kiddo?"
"Heh, love using it."
I loaded the ether cartridge and cast.
A silver magic circle formed, and Shasha appeared atop it.
"You're here, Alexandr."
Shasha bit her lip, glaring.
"Y-You!"
"Ahaha."
"Stop summoning me! Once a day since I taught you! Getting back to the Abyss takes effort too!"
I grinned at the blank-faced Hajieun and introduced him.
"My familiar, human Alexandr. Alexandr? This is my colleague Hajieun."
They eyed each other, frowning.
"Oh! The kid from joint training before!"
"Not a kid, jerk!"
Shasha gnashed his teeth, grumbling.
"Agh, should've never taught you this spell!! Not for this abuse!"
I poked his cheek, laughing.
"But now we tackle the Abyss together. Familiars count as magic."
"...True."
"I summon 'cause it's great. Don't hate it too much."
He blushed at my look, nodding meekly.
"......"
Hajieun covered her mouth at the tamed Shasha.
"This is your familiar? A person? No way..."
"Hmph!"
Amazed by Shasha, she glanced between us.
"You're not doing illegal human experiments or trafficking, right...?"
"Pot calling the kettle. You brag about being Yu Eunha's slave everywhere."
"That's just my gimmick..."
I tilted my head at her.
"Gimmick?"
She blinked at me.
"Gimmick... right?"
I ignored her and grabbed Alexandr's hand.
"Anyway, Alexandr. Got a paperwork slave now. Conquest time."
"You think it's a gimmick, right?! Eunha-nim! You don't actually see me as a slave, do you?!"
I gripped her slender hand, grinning fiercely.
"Since we're at it, come to the foundation too. Good to learn while doing paperwork."
"Foundation?"
Monica sidled up, grabbing Hajieun's shoulder.
"C'mon~ Kiddo, over here."
"Got it."
"????"
As Hajieun flailed in confusion, Monica finished her clean cast.
[6-level Survival]
Teleport
With a simple incantation, me, Monica, Hajieun, and Shasha dropped into Foundation City Byeolbada.