Chapter 40
Chapter 40
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 40
Chapter Title: The First Broadcast
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It begins.
The next morning, the new Miracle Management headquarters in Gangnam was still in disarray, with boxes not fully unpacked.
But the air in the third-floor CEO's office was heavier and more intense than ever.
The head of the PR team continued her report to Siwoo.
"We'll emphasize that we're the first in Korea to receive permission for Awakener broadcasts and distribute promotional videos accordingly."
"Yes, and make sure to highlight that it was Miracle Management, not Lee Chai, who received the permission."
"We're also planning various promotions. In particular, the streaming sites say they'll run aggressive 2+1 coin events."
"Press releases will start going out today as well, so please monitor them closely."
"Yes, understood."
As the PR team head left the CEO's office, Siwoo picked up his coffee cup and took a sip.
The rich espresso aroma jolted his brain awake.
He glanced at the time on his smartphone and tapped his fingers on the desk.
The rhythmic sound heightened the tension.
A moment later, right on schedule at 10 a.m., articles about Miracle Management's MCN flooded the internet.
📰 Breaking News [Breaking] Miracle Management Establishes Korea's First Awakener-Focused MCN 📰 Breaking News [Exclusive] Hunters Turning Broadcasters? Miracle Secures Official Association Approval 📰 Breaking News [Issue] Miracle's Bold Move with Three S-ranks... Exclusive Awakeners' Broadcast Debut Imminent. Who's Next? In less than ten minutes, the main pages of major portal sites were plastered with Miracle articles.
"…."
Siwoo, staring at his monitor, was at a loss for words.
The reaction wasn't just explosive—it was shocking.
High-rank Hunters and Awakeners had always drawn massive popularity, yet the Association had been extremely averse to exposing their abilities indiscriminately to the public.
Even famous Hunters were strictly regulated.
Official approval for this? Unheard of.
And a corporate MCN at that.
It was unprecedented.
Hunter communities and SNS were buzzing solely about Miracle.
💬 Comments — User123 Yo, you see the Miracle article? LOL — HunterFan88 Awakener broadcasting permit approved? Does this even make sense? The Association old fogeys actually greenlit this? Is this the same stuck-up Association I know? — GuildHater Insane. First time I'm rooting for a management company. — Skeptic99 Association approved this? They take bribes or what? — ReplyGuy Above commenter is an idiot, it's Miracle. — RealTalk Fr, Miracle has the Association by the balls lol. ⭐ Top Comment — PowerLeveler Three S-ranks? Association has no choice but to bow lol. Jealous? What ya gonna do. — NationalPower LOL three S-ranks are national assets. Their CEO says "let's broadcast" and the Association head's like "yes boss" lol. — AssociationSucks Association leadership ain't all that. — CuriousCat So now we can watch other Hunters too? — MiracleFan If Miracle signs 'em lol. Public opinion buzzed with the clear understanding that Miracle held all the power.
They knew the permit came from having three S-ranks, and hoped their favorite Hunters would join Miracle.
That way, they might get to watch A- and S-rank Hunters in real-time raids.
And that could only happen under Miracle.
Exactly as Siwoo intended.
'As expected.'
Siwoo scrolled through the monitor, a smile playing on his lips.
His eyes sparkled with triumph.
"Nothing beats something sensational."
Some might ignore it, but others craving fame would come knocking at Miracle's door.
Attention was power.
That was when it happened.
The CEO's office door burst open, and the PR team head rushed in, panting.
"C-CEO! Operations are grinding to a halt!"
She gasped for breath, her face flushed with excitement—like she'd won the lottery.
"Tell me."
"Inquiries are flooding in!"
"From Hunters?"
"...No! Well, uh."
"...?"
"F-Fans... ."
"...Pardon?"
"Fans of Hunters like Kim Ju-hyung are demanding we sign them!"
"... ."
Siwoo thought to himself.
'Why are they freaking out?'
He'd expected Hunters to reach out.
But more than them, the fans wanting to see them were calling Miracle.
"...And?"
"... ."
"... ."
"...Please have mercy, CEO."
"... ."
"... ."
"Issue an official statement that we're accepting contract inquiries."
"...Really? We were supposed to wait for reactions to Lee Chai's broadcast first... ."
"That's not like you, Team Head."
"...Haha. Understood."
Siwoo watched the PR team head leave and close the door.
"How many calls could there be?"
He scrolled the monitor curiously.
And lost his words again.
— DesperateFan Sign Park Mina with Miracle RIGHT NOW!!! — CrazyStalker If Miracle doesn't sign Kim Ju-hyung, I'll shit on your front gate and post proof lol. "... ."
Just one scroll down, and it was filled with unhinged reactions.
Realizing those calls were tormenting the office explained her plea for mercy.
Siwoo kept smiling.
He was enjoying it.
This chaos would fuel Miracle's growth.
He rested his chin on his hand, gazing at the skyrocketing numbers on screen.
Interest surging like a stock price.
His eyes already envisioned the next phase.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Six days later.
The third floor of the Miracle headquarters now featured rows of newly set up streaming rooms.
Siwoo, surveying the ten or so adjacent rooms, opened the door to the one with the light on.
The soundproof booth was silent.
Top-tier condenser mic, high-end camera, and dazzling lights surrounded Lee Chai.
Her shoulders were hunched in tension.
"Hoo... Hoo... ."
Lee Chai pressed her trembling hands to her chest.
Her heart felt like it would burst.
'Can I do this?'
Not face-to-face, but the thought of people watching and judging her made her breathless.
She could feel countless eyes beyond the monitor.
"You okay?"
At Siwoo's voice, Lee Chai startled and looked up.
Her eyes shook with anxiety.
"C-CEO."
"Chai, calm down."
"Wh-What if... people don't like me?"
She knew it was the past, but those memories kept dragging her down.
Words calling her useless.
Threats of disposal.
The lab nightmares strangled her throat.
Siwoo approached, turned her chair to face him, and looked straight into her eyes.
His gaze was firm, unwavering.
"Chai."
"...Yes."
"People will love you."
"...Why?"
"Because... ."
"How... how do you know?"
"Look, Chai."
Siwoo turned her chair to the mirror.
Then placed a hand on her head and spoke.
"You'll see it in this reflection."
"... ."
Siwoo gently stroked her hair.
"You shine just by existing. No need to force a smile or chatter away."
"...Just sit there?"
"Yes. Sing if you want, or just zone out if not. Your voice, your face—your presence alone will captivate them."
Lee Chai's cheeks flushed at his words.
"They say women like funny guys, but really, a handsome face is the fun itself. Same for men. A pretty girl just makes you smile by looking."
"...I think I get it."
Saying that, Chai looked up at Siwoo's face.
Watching him like this, she understood what he meant.
That mere existence was enough.
Those words sank deep into her heart.
Implanting the conviction that she had value.
Fear receded, replaced by new emotions.
She wanted recognition.
From him.
She wanted to monopolize him.
His gaze.
"Got it."
Lee Chai's eyes changed.
Resolve filled her once-anxious gaze.
"I'll... do great."
"Good."
Siwoo smiled in satisfaction and stepped out of the booth.
He waved to Chai before turning away.
Chai watched him, thinking.
She knew he didn't see her as a woman yet.
She knew many women surrounded him, and he didn't pour deep affection even on them.
'Then.'
She turned her chair back into position.
Gripped both hands, staring at the monitor.
Her screen showed the viewer count ticking up.
[Current Waiting Viewers: 74,201] Over 70,000 already, and the broadcast hadn't even started.
The chat scrolled like a waterfall.
💬 Chat — Viewer1 Waiting room numbers for real? LOL — BotHunter Did Miracle buy bots? — Newbie Who's Lee Chai? Hot? — Informed Miracle signed Lee Jia and Kim Yaeun lol, can't you tell? — HighStandards Not Kim Yaeun tier? No approval lol. A chaotic mix of hype, curiosity, and doubt.
Unaware or not, Chai swallowed as the countdown dwindled.
She glanced at the door, thinking of Siwoo.
'If he doesn't see me as a woman.'
Then back at the monitor.
"I'll make him."
30 seconds.
20 seconds.
The chat was now too fast to read.
— HypeTrain She's coming she's coming - get in here — HistoryMaker First Awakener streamer !! — Legend History in the making — Troll Making? LOL Last 10 seconds.
Chai gripped her mouse tightly.
She squeezed her eyes shut, then opened them, clicking [Start Broadcast].
Click.
⚙ BROADCAST STARTING ⚙ [Broadcast commencing.] The black screen cleared, the camera lens activating.
Lee Chai's face filled the screen.
Her white skin glowed even more translucently under the lights.
Deep, soulful eyes and red lips.
She gazed at the camera and gave a slight smile.
That smile was enough to enchant tens of thousands of viewers.
A mysterious, dangerous allure pierced through the screen.
Her voice flowed through the mic.
"Hello... I'm Lee Chai."