The Million-Won Rock and Reluctant Horror Games

"…Haha, it's not even been two hours yet. No way I'm ending the stream already."

…Damn it. I'd planned to wrap up early today and chill out, but my grand scheme just went up in smoke.

"Well… the review wrapped up quicker than expected today, so I don't have anything particular in mind. Oh, how about I show you some items I pulled while the stream was on hiatus last time?"

I started rummaging through the pile of items stacked in one corner of the room.

Showing off something weird like the Gumiho Comb would just make the chat explode again, so the only thing stream-friendly was this one.

I picked up the 'rock' I'd left on the balcony to toss out later.

Surprisingly, the item name was literally just Rock.

No ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠special effects or anything. The effect was just… rock.

…Honestly, this was no different from some random chunk of concrete rolling around on the street—a total piece of trash. But for streaming purposes, it was perfect fodder.

Even I had burst out laughing in disbelief when I first saw it.

I immediately held the chunk of concrete up to the camera and shared the appraisal results.

"Pfft, who'd buy something like this? Even a loaded person wouldn't…"

…Huh?

My brain went blank at the massive 4 million won donation. Was I seeing this wrong?

A moment later, words slipped out unbidden.

"…S-Sold!!!"

I'd said "sold," but my conscience was pricking me a bit. Selling a plain old chunk of concrete for 4 mil felt off.

I wasn't some money-grubbing maniac, but hey, did money really make everyone equal?

…No, ripping off viewers like this wasn't right.

I shook my head wildly to snap out of it and continued.

"Um, ItemCollectorShakin? I got excited for a sec there, but thinking it over, 4 million seems too much. Send ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠me your account, and I'll refund you."

I believe streamers owe reactions—it's part of the job. I'm not some greedy bastard inducing donations either; it's my way of thanking the generous folks who donate.

But this guy bought a rock for 4 million—not a reaction worth that much.

Now that I'd decided to walk the path of item sales, I couldn't gouge on prices.

"…Really? But even if you say that, I still can't quite accept it…"

"H-Horror game all of a sudden…? That's supposed to be a punishment, right? …A-Any other reactions?"

I'd always hated horror games with a passion.

During my shut-in days, I'd tried every genre under the sun, but horror? Never touched it, never planned to.

"Sure, horror game it is."

…Horror game or fetish headband? No contest.

Like hell I'd wear that grotesque thing on stream again.

"…Sigh, got it…"

The demands kept piling up somehow.

This chunk of concrete had zero value as an item. A 1% throwing power boost was meaningless.

Was he really buying it just 'cause he's an item collector? I couldn't wrap my head around it, but if he said so, fine.

I neatly packaged the 'Rock,' changed into the clothes Hayeon bought me, and headed out.

Now, which game? As a horror noob, I asked viewers for recs.

"Primal Fear: The Structure? Sounds terrifying just from the name, sis. …Everyone, is this really not scary?"

I didn't fully trust them, but I had no better ideas either.

Soon, I hauled out my top-tier VR rig and hooked it to the stream.

Not what I bought it for, that's for sure.

"Don't scare me like that. And no juice-squeezing or anything else! Let's see, Primal… Primal… Ah, here it is. This one?"

I bought the game right away and headed back to the library.

"While it downloads… Huh? What's up, everyone?"

I glanced at the library in a panic from the chat reaction.

And there they were, all the otome games I'd played before, lined up.

…Including the 19+ ones.

I froze like a deer in headlights, my face heating up red.

Embarrassing to admit, but that was exactly why I'd splurged on this VR rig.

…Fuck, how do I explain this? No excuse even exists.

"Th-That's not it…"

I felt insanely wronged, but had no defense.

I used to be a guy, so liking these games was fine!

But I couldn't exactly out myself to them…

My world was crumbling.