Broadcast Day 5 - It Burns from the Start (1)
The war between the Heaven-Exterminating Dragon Grand Ragnar and North Korea (putting aside whether it can even be called a war) had become a massive global issue.
First off, there was the sheer power of an EX-rank monster that had trampled human might without batting an eye. It might be because Grand Ragnar's abilities were a natural counter to human civilization... but the world's intellectuals claimed the outcome wouldn't have changed even without her metal-manipulating powers.
"The sheer scale of her power is on another level."
"Even with nukes? Forget winning—could we even scratch her?"
Everyone on TV was spouting similar takes, and naturally, attention shifted to the remaining six EX-rank gates besides the Baekdu Mountain Gate. Humanity had already half-given up on conquering them, now just bracing for when they'd burst open...
Yet despite that, humans were confident. Inside the gates—monsters' home turf—they might be screwed, but outside, on humanity's turf, they could unleash everything they had. No EX-rank boss could withstand dozens of nukes... right?
But Grand Ragnar, that EX-rank boss monster herself, had just demonstrated otherwise. Even if North Korea was a disgrace of a nation now, she'd toyed with them utterly.
"Humanity needs to change how we view EX-rank gates."
"We must treat the North Korea incident as a cautionary tale."
"We need vigilance. North Korea's fate could be ours tomorrow..."
The whole world began eyeing EX-rank gates with newfound wariness.
Meanwhile, public opinion on the culprit, Grand Ragnar, was split down the middle.
The first group focused on the danger Grand Ragnar posed. Sure, North Korea started it, but what she did was undeniably "a monster attacking humans." Regardless of justification, the incident ripped open an old scar from the early gate days—the first outbreaks, when monsters poured out and massacred humanity. A generation had passed, but plenty still remembered the pain and terror. And this North Korea fiasco reignited those fears, especially among them.
"Monsters doing broadcasts? What nonsense!"
"What nonsense!"
"Dart Stream, shut down the monster's stream!"
"Shut it down!"
Protests even broke out in Seoul, Korea... even though Dart Stream, where Grand Ragnar streamed, was an American company.
On the flip side, plenty saw her actions in a positive light.
She'd set a precedent—"a monster waged war on humans and won"—but she had justification. No deaths despite the "war." Plus, her streams often showed pro-human vibes. For these reasons, some deemed her actions justified. Others had different motives.
"Hated North Korea anyway—serves 'em right," grumbled resentful elders.
"Get on her good side, maybe she'll help with other EX-rank gates?" hoped survivalists eyeing her power.
"Dragon eyes too cute!" squealed the brainless fans obsessed with her looks.
Debates raged, insults flew, fights broke out—the world buzzed chaotically, like water droplets sizzling on a red-hot griddle.
And right in the middle of it all, the instigator ended her week-long dive and went live.
It wasn't unexpected, but the chat reaction upon going live was beyond imagination.
"...?"
They'd all seen me mercilessly thrash humans—where did this confidence come from? Humans are such bizarre creatures. Especially their mental fortitude.
"Well then. Have you been well, children?"
"Hm..."
I glanced at the current viewer count.
[Current Viewers: 517,492]
Viewer numbers had spiked? No wonder Echo had been fussing about needing new computers. If not for her freshly set-up rig and software, today's stream would've crashed right here.
Silently thanking Echo—who was now in standby—I cleared my avatar's throat softly.
"Ahem! Before we begin today's broadcast, I have something to say."
Too many people—can't get a word in. And with other languages popping up, folks from abroad had joined. Sticking to Korean would leave them lost.
I'd rather not use Dragon Tongue on stream, but no choice now. Fourteen languages in chat alone—can't repeat myself for each.
Instead of the avatar, my true body spoke—to every human watching.
First, thank you for your interest in my stream.
But the country I'm broadcasting from is called Republic of Korea. So from now on, the stream will be in Korean only.
Announcement done, I sank my true body back into the magma.
Dragons don't vocalize like lesser beasts—we use something akin to telepathy. That's Dragon Tongue: beaming thoughts directly into minds, bypassing language barriers. That's why I can chat anywhere, any dimension.
When I first mutated the organs for it, I thought it was a dud... but damn, it's handy now.
"Hm. Shall we continue, then?"
A few spicy comments, but they barely skirted my moral code.
Anyway, declaration done—time to stream. But first...
"One more announcement."
I flashed the plastic card from yesterday's Hunter Association president.
"Behold. At last, even I have a resident registration card."
Genuine congrats from some. But obviously, this card didn't make me a real Korean. The photo's my horned avatar. The resident number's some weird custom one, not standard. And worst... it's labeled "Special Management Resident Registration."
"The Hunter Association president said it doesn't make me a true Korean."
No voting rights or other citizen perks. No rights, no duties—no military service, no taxes. Its sole purpose?
"It means the Republic of Korea vouches for me—not as a dragon, but as a broadcaster."
For sign-ups or ID checks online or IRL, use this. Not pure goodwill—they want to flaunt ties with me and monitor my registrations. Still, not bad for me.
For one thing...
"No more using Lee Hyun's resident number. That's a relief."
Teasing me for theft. I didn't respond.
Because it's true.
"Indeed. Not intentional, but I did steal it."
I just used what big bro handed over... but yeah, theft.
"So I've already arranged separate compensation for Lee Hyun."
Oh dear... Humans still don't get me at all.
Can't compensate ID theft with mere gold.
"Just once: when Lee Hyun asks for help, I'll aid him."
The chat erupted in flames.
...Why do they keep doing this?