Chapter 13
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 13
Chapter Title: Bucheon City's Floor Master (1)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Socalled friendly communities usually split into two main types.
The first keeps things strictly to online relationships, sticking to activities like games or movies that don't require meeting face-to-face.
The second extends those bonds into real life, aiming for offline meetups and closer friendships.
'...'
Strictly speaking, the Yi-rin Shin Channel on the Archive leaned toward the latter.
As a gathering spot for Awakeners, members often crossed paths during fieldwork, which could easily blossom into real-life friendships or acquaintanceships.
Probably plenty of folks had gotten familiar with each other without ever admitting it, right?
"Okay, everyone, look here and give me a big smile! Just one big smile!"
"...I haven't even picked out my outfit yet."
And now, even I—who'd always avoided outside activities—was trying to build a similar bond with Cha Se-ra, a fellow channel user.
My first real offline friend after a full month on the channel.
It was a meaningful connection in its own way, but watching her grin like an idiot while shoving the camera in my face made me reluctant to slap any fancy label on it.
'Yeah, "devotee" fits her perfectly.'
A worshiper of my transcendent cuteness, serving as a somewhat high-performing, well-funded camera stand.
That's how I decided to categorize Cha Se-ra in my mind.
"So, what photo should we start with?"
"... "
I had plenty of ideas.
A casual brunch vibe shot, one with me focused on a book.
Or maybe something active like jogging or badminton to show some energy.
'The problem is... taking them in the same outfit defeats the purpose.'
I'd bought several sets of photoshoot clothes with the money from Full-time Farmer for today, but deciding what to pack was tricky.
What would my devotees like best?
Figuring that out wasn't hard at all.
"Huh? I can really pick...?"
"For now, yeah."
Borrowing opinions from Cha Se-ra, who followed my Clam account, should steer me clear of any disasters.
Not that failure was even possible for someone with my heavenly charm, but caution never hurt.
Swipe.
Swoosh.
"Then I'll take this one, this one, that one, and that one... "
"Don't pile them up too much—putting it all away is work too, you know."
Even from random photos floating online, it was clear Cha Se-ra had decent fashion sense.
I sorted and organized her recommendations, and soon the real shoot kicked off.
Click!
Click, click!
"... "
"Why the sudden stop? Not doing the next one?"
Yeah.
I'd overlooked one massive, crucial fact.
Acting like this in front of someone basically like a friend... was way more embarrassing and awkward than I'd imagined.
"...This isn't easy."
Call it late to admit, but I didn't just slap together random shots and post them carelessly on my account.
They were the fruits of endless trial and error—pondering how to look my best, agonizing over which expressions and poses were cutest.
"Come on, you were doing great. Did I mess up somehow?"
"... "
Alone, I could keep experimenting until I nailed it, but now Cha Se-ra was right there.
Every cringey attempt at a cute face or pose, every failure and retry... all laid bare before someone I knew.
'Hmm.'
Fine, I admit it. I hadn't thought this through.
It was my past self's mistake, assuming an extra pair of hands would just make things easier.
Shooting solo, who cared if my underwear flashed or I struck a dumb pose? But knowing someone was watching changed everything.
Honestly, this was a huge mental hurdle, cuteness aside.
"You really gonna quit now?"
"...Too embarrassing."
"You can't just close your eyes and shoot. You're already cute—what's the problem?"
She was right. It wasn't her fault. But once I noticed it, the shame hit like a truck—how do you fight that?
As I seriously considered calling it quits, Cha Se-ra caught on and started slyly muttering her "persuasion."
"You already announced the plan launch date... People are waiting..."
"... "
"Followers dropping... revenue tanking... reputation tanking... my day off wasted coming here..."
Her whining tugged at my conscience a bit. I was human, after all.
Yeah. Deep down, I was... kind of a pro at this.
Did pros ever bail from awkward moments on stream?
This wasn't embarrassment—it was professional conduct. Fulfilling my influencer duties.
"...I'll go change. Wait here."
If showing trial-and-error bugged me, I'd just nail perfect shots in minimal tries.
I pictured epic montage BGM in my head, channeling my mastered essence of cuteness to blitz through the planned shots.
Click, click!
Click!
Slither.
Swipe.
Swoosh.
Click!
"...?"
What the—this wasn't one of my outfits?
I tilted my head at the getup screaming someone else's tastes, and Cha Se-ra awkwardly averted her eyes, spilling the culprit's identity with a sheepish grin.
"That one... I snuck it in thinking it'd suit you... Ahem."
What kind of weirdo does this?
High-rank Hunters often defied common sense, and Cha Se-ra seemed no exception—hardly in her right mind.
Forest Guild, you good with this?
I worried for their guild master's mental health, sight unseen.
'Well... the clothes themselves aren't bad.'
The spot-on sizing made it feel even creepier somehow.
No way she was actually into that, right?
I shot her a suspicious glance but slipped into the outfit anyway, wrapping up the final plan photo.
"Heh heh heh..."
"No weird faces—hurry up. We've still got one video left."
I'd agonized over the video but settled on one big-impact hit.
From five steps away, cutely raise my arms... then tiptoe closer for a surprise camera hug.
'Genius...'
I could guarantee it 100%.
My devotees would lose their minds, helplessly subscribing to half a year's plan in one go.
'...This should do it.'
Clam's new legend starts now.
As I set position and prepped the shot, I realized one major issue and met Cha Se-ra's eyes with a subtle look.
"...Why?"
"Set that up, then get inside."
"Why? What're you doing? I wanna watch too..."
No amount of puppy eyes would sway me. A pseudo-hug via camera? Way too generous for a two-day devotee.
'...Perfect.'
I nodded at the footage, wrapping the long shoot.
Cha Se-ra pouted in full sulk mode, but that was her problem.
She should be grateful I even wore her fan-girl outfit—how dare she get uppity?
"Chip."
"Here..."
After transferring all photos and videos to my computer and wiping the card, I met her empty stare and boldly offered the solution.
"Buy it and see."
"... "
What could she do? That's just how superior-subordinate dynamics worked.
While brazenly checking the Archive for fun posts, sirens blared, followed by evacuation alerts and warnings.
Weeeeeng!
Eeeeeeng—!
【Warning. A gate break has occurred 400m from Bucheon Central Tower. Citizens, do not go outside under any circumstances. If outdoors, proceed immediately to the nearest shelter...】
The warnings looped endlessly, disaster texts piling up.
Cha Se-ra and I exchanged quick glances, then looked out the window—where a flying manta ray flaunted its skills, rippling body slicing the sky.
What the hell?
As I started to scoff in disbelief, the manta ray caught my gaze.
It twisted its ugly mug even uglier... then barreled toward my precious little two-room apartment with all its might.