Chapter 88
Chapter 88
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 88
Chapter Title: Colosseum Showdown
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The broadcast turned off.
The camera turned off.
404 stares blankly at the pitch-black screen.
The childish voice of 404, which had been chattering noisily just moments ago,
vanishes into silence.
Swoosh-
....
Through the faint darkness, 404's yellow eyes glint toward me.
If the current situation isn't scary...
That would be a lie.
I can roughly guess how the kid will act from here.
But.
I need to prepare for any contingencies.
I've readied myself to pull out the 'Mass-Produced Hero' from my Employee ID.
If the kid shows even the slightest sign of trouble, I'll draw the Mass-Produced Hero.
Suddenly-!
!
The yellow eyes approach me. A heavy voice echoes through my bones.
【...Big Bro.】
'...A real fan, huh.'
Then there's no time like the present.
The moment I decide it's time to draw the Mass-Produced Hero.
【This is... a world first!!】
【Selling ghost stories as a business. It's unique! It's intriguing! Why didn't I think of that? Missing out on such a great business idea... Ugh! I'm so jealous!】
【I could do it too!!】
Suddenly-!!
One more step, and our eyes would overlap perfectly at this close range.
....
It's overwhelming.
But.
It worked.
Fortunately, things are unfolding just as I'd initially predicted.
I listen closely to the kid's excited voice.
【Today's broadcast is a total hit! You even know all the broadcast angles!】
【Can't you come out like this next time too! Ah, no... How about appearing regularly on my stream!!】
'You want me on your broadcast?'
A sudden invitation from the top-tier ghost story streamer in the ghost story influencer scene.
From no one else but.
404 himself. His offer is something you rarely see.
So, I immediately state my position.
“Your offer is truly appreciated. However, as a mere employee, it would be difficult for me to carve out separate time.”
Appear on a broadcast? No thanks.
I have no desire to get more entangled with this kid.
I don't want to risk my life on these daily death-defying broadcasts.
...Hm?
Wait a minute.
Come to think of it...
If I think about it a little.
'What I'm doing now doesn't seem all that different?'
The thought flashes through my mind that my current relationship with Noise isn't so dissimilar.
...No.
Still, Noise wouldn't suddenly try to kill me.
Plus, having already lost my left arm to Noise, if I provoke him further.
I might lose other intact body parts instead.
'So don't worry, Mr. Noise.'
I'm still on your side.
For now...
Still inwardly reaffirming that I'm Noise's loyal employee.
404 is currently.
【......Um......Ah......Ugh.......】
deep in thought about something.
I don't know what he's pondering so intensely.
But now's my chance.
I slide my left hand into my Employee ID while scanning the numerous cameras scattered around.
Then, I make this proposal to 404 right in front of me.
“Regular appearances are tough, but I have a proposal for you.”
【Huh? What proposal? Something fun? Broadcast-worthy material?】
...Broadcast maniac.
But right now, I poke at that very aspect of his. The broadcast angle no streamer could resist.
And one of my few escape routes from this place.
“Since being invited here is fate, how about a 'power struggle' between me and some of your ghost stories? Would that make good content?”
【!!】
Sparkle-!
404's eyes sparkle excessively.
I half-expected his eyeballs to pop out and hit the floor.
[Power Struggle with Ghost Stories.]
404 won't refuse this proposal.
Because...
He's a broadcast maniac.
He's probably thinking right now.
Broadcast gold.
A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
High demand supply.
After my 'ghost story trading' remark on the broadcast, plenty of viewers are curious about my abilities.
He must have caught onto that.
【N-no restrictions, right! Big Bro!!】
【If Big Bro wants, I can prepare dozens... no! Hundreds!】
Hundreds?
Don't mess with me.
“This is just a simple event content, so two should be about right.”
For me right now, two is perfect. I can handle that many.
The reason I made this proposal to 404 is.
Because he has a warehouse full of various props called the 'Content Vault.'
And what's inside that Content Vault of his is.
Humans and ghost stories.
The reason for his twisted hobby is simple.
Purely for fun.
Purely for the broadcast.
He sees them as mere consumables prepared for his streams.
Of course, he's not so dopamine-addled as to capture ghost stories stronger than himself, so the highest grade among those he has now.
Is probably C-grade at best.
If it were my past self, maybe not.
But now, with the Mass-Produced Hero and the quill pen infused with that toy ghost story, I might manage.
No.
I definitely can.
Sparkle sparkle sparkle-!!
After hearing my proposal, 404 busily starts setting up the broadcast.
【Then, as Big Bro said, I'll prepare two!】
Prepare? He already has them on hand.
【I'll set up the shooting location, so don't worry and just relax for a bit!】
Whoosh-!
With exaggerated movements straight out of a European cartoon character, he frantically rearranges the site setup.
Crash clang bang-!
Click clack-!
Shraaala-!
....
'He's busy.'
404 tears up the wallpaper and floor without hesitation, reconfiguring the space. His hands move with practiced skill, like he's done this many times.
I watch his efficient movements for a while.
Once I sense his attention has shifted away from me.
I double-check the white mask I pulled from my Employee ID earlier and our first Bear Doll slipping into my pocket.
Scribble scribble-!
“…Yeah, yeah.”
And finally.
Drip-
Amid the familiar ink dripping from the quill pen in my right hand onto the floor, a single phrase emerges.
-The child just... liked toys, that's all.
As the black text fades and a white pillow bounces up from the black puddle into my arms.
'It's done.'
All preparations are complete.
Click-!
Right on cue, he seems to have finished his setup too.
【Thank you for waiting!】
【A colosseum-style shooting set just for Big Bro! Like it?】
“You're giving me such special treatment; how could I not be grateful.”
...Whoa.
Even I got chills saying that.
I've reached a realm where smooth-talk flows out naturally.
Brushing off the goosebumps on my skin.
404 urges me to move to the set he's prepared once I'm ready, as he'll start shooting soon.
Swoosh-
My gaze turns to the hastily constructed set.
Dirt spread on the ground, a massive stone wall encircling it in a circle. Plus, lights brightly illuminating the circular stage, and camera angles set up without gaps.
It's...
really well-made.
All this in under five minutes. Incredible.
Step-
Following his words, I head to the shooting location. The moment I enter the set, the first thing that catches my eye is—
In the pitch-black space untouched by light, a cage faintly glowing draws my gaze.
The thick darkness coating the space inside the cage.
That's where I'll fight the ghost stories 404 selected.
Even the 'Ghost Story Log' mentions that 404 possesses a considerable number of ghost stories.
The types he has still aren't fully revealed.
But.
Just like in games.
No matter how many characters you have.
There are always the named ones you use most.
The ghost stories 404 has featured most on his broadcasts so far.
Exactly three.
-(Member, time for your workout.)
-(What's today's expression?)
-(Unreleased Video.)
His only combat-type ghost stories are those exact three.
He's obviously sending two of them into this fight.
Tap tap-
The mic quality echoes through the space, tapping my eardrums, followed by 404's booming voice.
【Alright! Let's restart the broadcast right...】
“Before that, I have a question.”
【Yes?】
Pointing to our first Bear Doll in my pocket, I continue.
“Since I have to face two opponents, I'd like to use this little friend too. No problem, right?”
【...Hm, that level of balance adjustment is fine.】
With permission for our first Bear Doll's participation granted, 404's goofy voice booms through the space.
【Then! This time for real, let's start the broadcast!】
“Do that.”
【Cue!!】
Swoosh-!
With the broadcast 'cue' signal. The countless cameras illuminating the colosseum all swivel toward me at once.
-The broadcast has begun.
【'Massacre Squad' viewers, hope none of you died waiting! But I have huge news!】
【An epic ghost story battle with our special guest, the 'Black Flame Man'!】
ㄴ. Hi hi hi hi hi.
ㄴ. Welcome bro.
ㄴ. Wah, get rid of the concept freak!
The moment I see my face close-up on the streaming screen.
‘Should I wave?’
I lightly wave my hand side to side at the camera filming me.
【It's a 2-vs-1 battle! Of course, Big Bro is the '1'!】
‘Well, technically I'm two people too...’
【Now, let me introduce the ghost stories Big Bro will face!】
ㄴ. Who??
ㄴ. Obvious, that muscle freak.
ㄴ. Whoooooo??
Clank-!
Rattle rattle rattle-
With a heavy sound.
The cage positioned straight ahead begins rising upward.
Thud-!
With the sensation of striking the ground.
Flex!
Flex!
A muscle man, whose creepiness surpasses mere intimidation, emerges from the cage.
【Muscle Loss! No! Muscle Loss! No!】
Following right after, the next one appears.
【Favorite ▒What is it?▒ Video ▒.】
Through the stuttering static, a lanky adult male figure with a worn, heavy metal projector frame flipped over his head makes his entrance.
The two revealed ghost stories look just like.
Pudgy and Skinny.
‘Their size difference is at least five times.’
As soon as the opponents fully appear, I pull out our first Bear Doll from my pocket too.
Totter!
Planting left foot then right arm in turn.
Our first Bear Doll stands proudly with arms on hips.
...
Hm.
Cute.
Gazing at our first Bear Doll, I regain some composure. Confirming both sides are ready, 404 continues.
【Big Bro! Ready to start?】
“...”
I gently bring the white mask in my hand to my face and speak calmly.
“Yes, let's begin.”
【Then! Let the showdown begin against the Black Flame Bro, who's drawing massive attention in this world!】
Whoosh-!
【???】
A strong gust slicing through the air grazes my skin, and a man's black shadow falls over the one with the projector on his head.
【Like ▒Video ▒.】
“Who watches videos these days.”
The man's left hand grips the projector.
Chomp-!
“These days, it's all OTT.”
Without a moment's hesitation.
The projector plummets straight to the dirt ground.
Thud-!
Craaack-!
Shattering to pieces.
【.........Huh?】