Chapter 372
Chapter 372
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 372
Chapter Title: The Comeback
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John Tail struggled to calm his pounding heart.
To everyone else, today was the day the inter-guild war restarted.
But not for him.
Today was the day streamer Lee Soo-hyuk made his return.
'He's really bulked up enormously.'
A streamer whose body kept growing even while he was on hiatus. He'd never seen anyone like that before.
When Unhyang first suggested scouting a newbie player with barely any viewers, he'd thought it was nonsense.
Even when he acquired Lightning and became a hot topic right after, he'd only thought they'd recruited someone decent.
Still, he hadn't held high expectations.
Broadcasting talent and player talent were separate things. The fun from growth had its limits.
Eventually, it'll stop. No matter the talent, there's a ceiling. Those who rise fast burn out fast.
But he didn't stop. What would be a once-in-a-lifetime event for a normal streamer, he pulled off daily, racking up massive popularity.
Then one day, Lee Soo-hyuk announced his hiatus.
At first, he'd chewed out Unhyang, his manager. How could she do this when momentum was building? She knew better, right?
But...
-What do you think would happen if Lee Soo-hyuk really went live?
Those enigmatic words wouldn't leave his mind.
'Maybe it's really...'
In the dim room, monitoring the broadcast, John Tail's chest thumped loudly.
The pounding wasn't just from his heart.
"Team leader!"
"Hyung! We know you're in there. Open the door!"
Someone pounded on the door.
When he went out, Hawk's Eye and Pak Soo-hyuk stood there. Pak Soo-hyuk wore the exact same mask as Lee Soo-hyuk, making his heart drop for a second, thinking it was him.
"What's up?"
John Tail was close with both Hawk's Eye and Pak Soo-hyuk.
Hawk's Eye held up the chicken he'd brought in both hands.
"Hasn't started yet, right?"
"Lee Soo-hyuk's comeback stream?"
"Yeah. Isn't it today? Came to watch together."
The two entered John Tail's place. There was a big monitor, and right on cue, the screen lit up.
John Tail hurriedly joined the broadcast. He'd thought he'd be the first viewer, but no such luck.
Dozens of people flooded in instantly. Too fast to tell who was first.
Dozens to hundreds, then thousands.
Watching the viewer count explode, Pak Soo-hyuk muttered.
"This guy's been on hiatus for months, right? Insane firepower."
"These people aren't just here for fun broadcasts."
John Tail had to admit it. He'd been wrong, and Unhyang had been right.
"They're here to see Lee Soo-hyuk. Not just the show, but to witness one man's history. That's why they can wait. No, they probably didn't even think of it as waiting."
"Definitely..."
Pak Soo-hyuk, a top streamer himself, nodded with mixed feelings.
"Different from us."
Normal streamers gave laughs and entertainment. But Lee Soo-hyuk's streams felt entirely different.
Of the three, Hawk's Eye understood it best.
"He delivers heat."
The thrill of a legend come back to life. Not laughter, but the overwhelming awe of witnessing a true great.
That was the essence of streamer Lee Soo-hyuk.
The broadcast started without waiting for more viewers.
No special greeting. As if showing things as they were, a blue flag fluttered on screen.
"Whoa..."
"Production value? They put a lot into this."
Better than any greeting, that flag was the perfect start. Less "Lee Soo-hyuk is back" and more "Blue Eyes is back."
Kim Si-woo. Kim Ye-ryeong. Lee Hyo-min.
Legends of old appeared on screen. With the Blue Eyes flag, even knowing it was a broadcast, hearts raced.
Everyone expected Lee Soo-hyuk's mask last, but...
Kiyaaaaah-!
A familiar roar echoed from the broadcast.
The Red Dragon's bellow shaking the arena.
"Archmage?"
"Didn't she go top lane?"
"Of all times..."
They should've cheered at the unexpected Archmage, but the three couldn't.
This was Blue Eyes' big reveal moment. Nothing could've topped this comeback. But the Archmage would steal the spotlight.
Yet...
"Huh?"
"Why's the screen showing the Archmage here too?"
Question marks appeared on Hawk's Eye and Pak Soo-hyuk's faces.
Lee Soo-hyuk's feed showed Vulcanus and Hailz. Her entrance was noteworthy, but he was the star.
Had the inexperienced streamer slipped up?
The moment that doubt arose...
"Huh?"
"Wh-why's the Archmage coming here?"
Archmage Hailz descended from Vulcanus, landing beside the Blue Eyes flag.
The camera naturally caught Hailz and Lee Soo-hyuk together. The three knew it was intentional staging.
"H-hyung. Did you know?"
"N-no idea. If I did, would I sit still? I'd be spamming articles everywhere!"
After learning Unhyang was the Heavenly Demon's daughter, John Tail had thought inwardly.
We're screwed. Streamer Lee Soo-hyuk's going down with her.
No one would support the Heavenly Demon's daughter. Naturally, no one would support her streamer either.
This debut stream might be the biggest crisis of Lee Soo-hyuk's streaming career.
But...
'What is this?'
The screen finally focused on Lee Soo-hyuk.
Three true legends. A nameless robed man, Unhyang, and the Archmage.
With them flanking and behind him, Soo-hyuk's eyes smiled through the mask. His presence pierced the screen—was this really the same guy from a year ago?
The three watching together shared the same thought in that moment.
The masked Lee Soo-hyuk looked like the real deal.
Soo-hyuk experienced the limits of his dynamic vision for the first time in ages.
Chats scrolled too fast to read. Normally, manager Unhyang would summarize them, but she was in the war too.
Sponsors poured in too, matching the chat speed.
At least sponsor messages were readable. Half from familiar IDs, half new.
Of course, not all chats and sponsors were positive.
Such jabs at Unhyang's Heavenly Demon bloodline popped up occasionally. Viewers demanding she be fired as manager.
Still, backlash was lighter than expected. The guild members' presence overshadowed her.
After gauging reactions for a bit, Soo-hyuk finally spoke.
"Loyal retainers. Long time no see."
Despite the Unhyang reveal, reactions weren't bad. Soo-hyuk struggled to read the flying chats as he continued.
"Missed you all too. Being unemployed was tough."
Not just talk.
Hard to believe even for himself, but sometimes he missed this. Speaking to crowds, bantering, entertaining them.
It started for points, to get stronger.
"Almost went live a few times mid-hiatus. Show the changes, introduce friends properly. Had a lot saved up."
How to tell his story?
That dilemma was settled long ago. No need to tell it.
"So I'll show it properly this time, worth the wait."
As he spoke, another figure entered the arena.
In red robes, emanating no special aura yet crushing all presences.
Like a single red dot on white canvas, only he stood out sharply. His presence was that overwhelming.
The crowd tensed for a different reason. Bigger than the Archmage.
Heavenly Demon Jin Ha-ryeong.
Thud, thud. His slow steps entered the arena, players subtly backing away.
The Heavenly Demon was competing again.
Everyone tensed. He could casually slaughter anyone who annoyed him.
But...
Thud-.
Ignoring the world, he walked one direction.
A path cleared before him.
No one blocked him. Some squeezed eyes shut, praying he wouldn't stop before them.
Thankfully, when they opened eyes, he was gone.
What they saw was his back. Striding without hesitation toward Soo-hyuk.
Soo-hyuk, sensing him, walked to meet him. Their closing speed doubled.
When close enough, as if by appointment, both stopped.
Swish-.
Soo-hyuk slightly lifted his mask. First time on stream seeming to remove it, startling onlookers.
But it stayed half-on, mouth visible. He mouthed:
-Long time no see.
The Heavenly Demon's lip curled reading it. A rare expression on his face.
Long time no see. Words only he would understand here.
As shock spread at his smile, even more shocking words left his mouth.
"Welcome back."