Chapter 44
Chapter 44
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 44
Chapter Title: Mercenary Debut Brawl
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Playerz channel's broadcasting scene was in an uproar.
No, it wasn't just the broadcasting world.
Rankers who took interest in the new rookies from the lower floors, and various guilds as well.
A conspiracy theory circulated that Baehae Entertainment had planned and manipulated the test. On the other hand, there were plenty who believed it.
Public opinion was boiling over.
The guilds were the same. Baehae Entertainment suddenly found itself busy with contacts from guilds.
The problem was that most of them weren't about broadcasting, but guild recruitment offers.
"I'm not joining a guild."
In that situation, Unhyang relayed Soo-hyuk's words to the company.
"If they have something to say to me, do it through sponsorships..."
John Tail, who heard those words relayed, was dumbfounded and couldn't continue speaking.
Communicate through sponsorships if you have something to say? He was starting to doubt if that was the mindset of a newbie streamer who had just begun broadcasting.
"Hmph, hum-hmm~."
Humming a tune, Unhyang flopped onto the fluffy bed.
The bed was covered with jerky, candy, jelly, and various other snacks.
"This is why I do manager work~."
In the morning, after finishing breakfast, Soo-hyuk left the dorm to take the trial.
Taking the trial meant starting a broadcast soon. Unhyang had stocked up on her favorite snacks and was waiting for Soo-hyuk's stream.
Staring intently at her kit, waiting for the broadcast start notification...
Suddenly, she recalled what she had said to Soo-hyuk last night.
"You'll be surprised for sure? Prepare your heart until I tell you."
"Ugh-."
What had possessed her to say that?
'He won't think it's weird, right?'
She regretted not keeping quiet.
For the first time, Lee Soo-hyuk had asked something personal about her, and in her excitement, she had said something unnecessary.
"Argh-! Arghhh!"
Bam, boom-!
Once again, Unhyang punched the innocent pillow.
It was natural for the feathers bursting from the pillow to scatter around the room.
While she was secretly screaming in embarrassment alone...
The message she had been waiting for.
No.
Now, the message that over 10,000 subscribers had been waiting for appeared on her kit's screen.
3rd floor trial grounds.
Standing at the portal entrance, Soo-hyuk greeted the influx of viewers.
"LeeSooHyukILoveYou, thanks for the 1000 points sponsorship. You're back again. Ah, MissionVillain... Yes. Let's try winning somewhere today."
After doing it a few times, he was getting used to interacting with viewers.
Maybe because there were many new viewers pouring in?
As soon as he started the broadcast, questions flooded in. Some came as small sponsorships.
He couldn't reply to every chat, but he couldn't ignore sponsorships. Plus, given his broadcast's focus on trials, right at the start was when sponsorships poured in most actively.
"Yes, solo again. I prefer going alone."
GoldLion.
The name of Reinhardt's guild. Having changed their nickname like that, they seemed to be a fan of Reinhardt.
"Yes. For the time being, I'm focusing on the Victory Tower."
Guilds were showing serious interest now.
At the juicy sponsorship, Soo-hyuk smiled behind his mask.
"Not the right time yet. Thanks for the sponsorship."
Soo-hyuk had no intention of joining a guild.
But that didn't mean there was nothing to gain from them.
10 minutes into the broadcast.
Soo-hyuk checked the viewer count.
2,719.
A clear increase from before.
At this rate, 4,000—no, even 5,000 might be possible.
'Collabs really pack a punch.'
Subscribers had surpassed 10,000 too.
Edited videos were going up soon, and yesterday's collab earnings would settle by end of day.
Now he understood why the company regretted missing the Reinhardt collab so much.
'Broadcast is going smoothly.'
Just keep it up like this.
The point accumulation was accelerating faster than expected. All he had to do was keep providing the spectacle they craved.
And that was too easy.
Because—
'I am Lee Soo-hyuk.'
Step-.
He moved toward the trial.
Eyes gleaming outside the mask, Soo-hyuk spoke.
"Alright, let's start the broadcast."
Flash-.
As he stepped into the portal, a brilliant light enveloped his body.
In the center of a pure white background.
With the message floating before his eyes, the trial began.
The 3rd floor trial changes greatly depending on the kingdom affiliation chosen.
Each faction is hostile to the others, and quests differ by affiliation.
A brief debate on the two factions ensued. No need to research if they were gonna discuss it here.
Which was better? The answer was set, but Soo-hyuk's choice was the opposite.
Conrad.
The chat exploded again at that choice.
Conrad.
Only about 3% of all players chose this faction.
And there was a reason so few players picked it.
Whoosh-!
Color filled the blank white landscape like a canvas. The hazy scene shook like heat haze before sharpening into clarity.
Inside a building thick with the stench of men. Soo-hyuk's view filled with burly, muscular mercenaries.
Mercenary.
That was the status assigned to Soo-hyuk and all Conrad Kingdom players.
Just as Soo-hyuk began his Conrad Kingdom trial...
"What's this scrawny punk?"
Thud-.
A man bumped Soo-hyuk's shoulder as he passed.
"Don't just stand there like an idiot? You're in the way."
The lanky giant glanced at Soo-hyuk and clicked his tongue.
He could have passed without touching, but he deliberately bumped. Soo-hyuk wasn't dumb enough not to notice.
"You bumped me?"
Suddenly, Soo-hyuk's eyes sparkled as he adjusted his mic.
"Nice to meet you?"
Step-.
Soo-hyuk approached the man who had bumped his shoulder.
As Soo-hyuk tapped the man's shoulder, he turned around. Their eyes met, and the man scowled fiercely.
"What? Got business?"
"Yeah. Obviously. You bump someone's shoulder like that."
Soo-hyuk said, glancing at the insignia on the man's shoulder.
A silver badge symbolizing B-rank mercenary. A fairly high rank. Enough to strut around picking fights with confidence.
"What the fuck, punk. Spit it out if you got business. Mute?"
At the man's words, Soo-hyuk realized his situation.
"Ah, right. The mic."
A bit embarrassed, Soo-hyuk quickly readjusted the mic.
Repeating the same line once more...
"So what? E-rank trash."
E-rank.
That was Soo-hyuk's current mercenary rank.
All players starting in Conrad get E-rank. It was three ranks below B-rank.
"Don't you know how it works here? No strength, low rank, no name—you get stepped on."
The man grinned sleazily.
"Be grateful I only bumped your shoulder once. Right?"
Murmurs-.
As tension hung between them, people began gathering around.
"Fight?"
"Looks like it."
"Who's the new guy?"
"Rookie. But will it even be a fight? Rank gap too big."
"Vulture picking on E-ranks again."
The onlookers' chatter reached his ears. Some seemed to hope Soo-hyuk got crushed.
Of course. Mercenaries were that kind of crowd.
Barbaric, sweaty, violent.
'Especially in backwater small guilds like this.'
Smirk-.
Soo-hyuk smiled at the gathered crowd.
Enough audience now.
"Yeah. I'm E-rank."
Crackle-.
Mana rose from Soo-hyuk's fingertips.
Bang-.
The fist shot out swiftly, struck the man's jaw, and returned.
"But not from now on."
"What bullshit..."
Mid-sentence, the man's legs gave out.
His pupils rolled back, whites showing. Soo-hyuk lightly shoved the collapsing body aside.
Thud-.
The wooden floor groaned under the heavy impact. The unexpected outcome left onlookers stunned.
"Huh...?"
"Why'd he drop suddenly?"
"Sick or something?"
Most couldn't comprehend the fall. It happened too fast.
"Hey, Vulture! Hey! You okay?"
"What's wrong with this guy? Some condition?"
"Heard his mom was sick lately..."
"Dumbass! Even if mom's sick, why collapse now?"
Meanwhile, the man's crew pushed through the crowd.
C-ranks, D-rank, and one more B-rank mercenary gang.
They glared at Soo-hyuk, grinding their teeth.
"You punk, got lucky huh?"
"Keep staring? Wanna peel off that weird mask with your face?"
"Did this bastard do something?"
Having to do it twice, Soo-hyuk scratched his head and adjusted the mic.
"They didn't see it either."
He had planned a flashy debut punch, but it was too fast.
Still, good thing.
Mercs specialized in picking fights anyway.
Tap, tap-.
Soo-hyuk slowly released power from his fist and continued.
"This time, I'll hit a little slower."