The 5 Billion Won Mega Audition Announcement

The results were exactly as expected — Micro Bikini had placed tenth.

"R-Reroll ticket…!"

Yeah, no.

I attempted to negotiate with my viewers.

"But come on, everyone — is it really okay for a stream that's supposed to be all-ages to show something that risqué?"

"…Ha. Well, I'm screwed."

Damn it. There was absolutely no way out of this one.

Unfortunately, it seemed the micro bikini wearing could not be avoided.

I slapped a five-minute chat ban on the degenerate and let out a faint sigh.

Haah. Revealing the prizes had been fun, but the segment was ending on an uncomfortably awkward note.

"That's it for today's main content."

"Not ending it. I've got one small bonus segment left."

I walked over to the television on the Dive World hotel map and pressed the remote. The trigger I'd prepared in advance fired, and a PowerPoint presentation appeared on the screen.

Then I edited the stream title.

The tide of viewers who had been streaming out like water draining from a bath came to a halt. The viewer count began refilling after all.

"The second piece of content I've prepared for you today is… a PowerPoint presentation!"

I recited my presentation script at a measured pace.

"I first explained the audition a month ago, during the RuiGwaen event, remember? Today, the entire schedule and the audition format have been finalized, so I'll be walking you through all of it."

"First up — when is it happening?"

"Starting two weeks from now — running from that Friday over the course of a week at a relaxed pace."

"Before I get into the detailed format, I'd like to introduce the two judges who'll be evaluating the auditions alongside me."

I clicked to the next slide.

"The first judge is, as you all probably predicted — Ppangpok!"

"And joining us as the second judge — apparently someone absolutely monumental."

The viewers' guesses were dead on.

"The VTuber who set countless hearts across the nation racing — it's Lilac!"

The chat window detonated as violently as it had the moment I'd revealed my new avatar.

A VTuber who had claimed the Virtual Emperor's throne through nothing but raw broadcasting talent — no money-cheat codes like mine. It was a testament to just how phenomenal Lilac's popularity had been.

"Neither of them is returning to active streaming, no. Ppangpok works for me as staff, and Lilac has kindly agreed to help out for the duration of this audition only."

"Now then — let me announce the audition format."

I flipped to the next page.

"Anyone who wants to participate must upload a self-introduction video of one minute or less to the audition preliminaries board on my fan cafe."

I attached an example. The star of the sample video had been played by Ppangpok, at my request.

"If you deliver your introduction quietly and seriously in a business suit like some corporate job interview video, you fail. These will be members for a broadcast, so each participant needs to show their own distinct flavor."

"You don't have to open with 'Hello, my name is.' It can feel like a Reel, a Short, or even — worst case — a one-minute vlog. The format of the video is completely free."

"However, you must not reveal your red pill in the video. You are required to use a Dive World virtual avatar."

"Since things kick off on August 2nd, your video needs to be up by Thursday, August 1st — at least one day before. Those entries will be judged privately by Ppangpok and Lilac on their off-air stream."

"The preliminary passers will be revealed on the evening of August 2nd. Those of you who pass will then send Dive World friend requests to my staff. I'll announce exactly who to add on the day itself."

"And then, on Saturday, August 3rd, the proper judging begins live in Dive World."

"Participants will be free to pitch themselves however they like, in front of me, Ppangpok, and Lilac."

"Why the broadcast needs you. Why you, of all people, deserve to be picked."

"The judging criteria will be determined solely by the hearts of Ppangpok, Lilac… and me."

"If you receive a passing vote from at least two of the three judges, you clear Round 1."

"That said — since I'm picking members for my broadcast, even if you get voted down by both of them, my passing vote alone guarantees you a Round 1 clear."

"After that, for one week, audition content will run every night at 8 PM — and what we'll be doing during it is a secret!"

Lu-eSlapped5TimesCheek — real name Kim Cheolsu — let out a faint sigh.

Not because the broadcast had been boring. Quite the opposite: he was breathlessly excited to see how Lu-e's streams would change after this audition.

"…God, what do I do."

And yet his face was full of worry. Cheolsu turned his eyes to the shelf.

The trophy he'd won back in his days as an actor.

Barely a few months ago, Cheolsu had been a rising rookie star — a once-in-a-generation prodigy who ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠had landed the lead role in a hit drama purely on the strength of his own acting.

But Cheolsu's mental fortitude was thinner than glass.

The female lead of the romance drama in which he starred had, of all people, been handed to some female idol. Every love line in the show was carefully designed to tease that idol's fanbase — and the idol herself had even shown a ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠subtle fondness for Cheolsu.

The result, naturally, was an avalanche of hate comments. Unable to bear it, Cheolsu holed up in his room, and the one comfort he found was watching the streams of Lu-e — someone in a situation not so different from his own.

He wanted to compete in Lu-e's audition. His head was bursting with ideas. When it came to pure roleplay acting, he was confident he was the best of any would-be participant.

And yet he was terrified — of the ugly reactions that would come flooding back at him. Even now, the hate comments from back then still gave him nightmares.

…Pfft. Me? In an audition? Don't make me laugh.

What audition, with a mindset like this? No — he'd just stay a viewer.

Cheolsu shook his head. He moved his cursor toward the recycle bin, ready to throw away every idea he'd brainstormed.

That is, until Lu-e made her final remarks.