Broadcast Day 2 - Q&A Content (4)
I stared at the selected nickname, furrowing my brow.
"……Haa~"
Well…… I can't say I didn't expect a situation like this. Self-praise aside, this body is the elder dragon, the Annihilation Heavenly Dragon Grand Ragnar. Long ago, I even clashed directly with those who dared call themselves gods. And it's only natural for weak humans to be wary of someone like me. That's true from my experiences wandering countless dimensions, and even recalling my hazy memories of my previous human life.
Even in dimensions far more technologically advanced than this one……
What was it they called it…… cyberpunk?
They came charging at me, claiming they'd hunt me down. ……I crushed them all, of course.
Anyway, I anticipated something like this. And I prepared for it. The problem is their method of approach.
"Before answering your question, I have something to ask first."
"You…… used your abilities to manipulate the odds, didn't you?"
No reply appears. Peering through my Heaven Dragon Eye from my true body, I see a crowd milling about in confusion. The location…… yes, that's Seoul in the Republic of Korea.
"Indeed, I knew you would try to reach me. Of course. It's only natural to act to protect your group. I won't fault you for that."
"However…… to ask me a question, you stole opportunities from others."
If they'd competed fairly like everyone else, betting on their luck in this lottery, it wouldn't have mattered. Whether an individual or the Hunter Association as a group, I promised to answer questions from viewers who watched my stream and won through this probabilistic draw.
But they used abilities to artificially boost their chances. That's deceiving the other viewers who competed fairly and insulting me, the one running this lottery.
"The viewers entrusted this lottery solely to me in faith. Yet you ruined it."
Desperate messages flood in, not just from the Republic of Korea Hunter Association but from other viewers' chats too, anxiety swelling. Still, I frowned slightly.
"If you wanted to talk to me, there were plenty of honest ways besides this foul method. You could have entered the gate where I am directly, or if you lacked the courage, simply posted in this chat window."
"Don't underestimate a dragon's abilities. I'm reading every single comment scrolling by right now."
The chat fills with astonishment. Of course. Without this level of dynamic vision and memory, one couldn't call oneself a dragon.
"Is there any reason I should listen to you, who insulted my honor and sullied the fair chance I guaranteed?"
They're apologizing, but my anger doesn't subside. Propping my chin on my hands, I asked.
"What compensation do you plan to offer me?"
Power? "Can your feeble power compensate me?"
Wisdom? "Is the wisdom humans have accumulated superior to mine, honed across ages and countless dimensions?"
Wealth? "Will you compensate me—who can produce gold—with mere riches?"
They have nothing superior to me. If I wished, I could reduce this planet Earth to ashes. What could they possibly offer such a being……?
As my mood darkens, fear emanates stronger from the comments. Well…… I have no intention of laying waste to a human nation, no matter what. I was insulted, and it's dragon-like to rage at such mockery, but they proceeded without knowing it tarnished my honor. As leaders representing a country, they've likely seen such minor cheating as routine.
Ordinary humans might overlook minor unfairness due to lack of power or status, but I'm no human—I'm a dragon. Not part of their group, nor weaker than them. Their mistake was acting without considering that.
But I won't vent my anger over such an unwitting error. I'm too merciful a dragon for that, and I wish to communicate with them.
"Compensation……"
Desperation seeps from their words. I close my eyes briefly, pondering. What would quell my anger?
"……Very well. Then compensate the viewers watching this broadcast right now."
The viewers gasp in surprise at my declaration. I spoke as if it were obvious.
"I have no need for human compensation. So…… shouldn't you make it up to those harmed by your actions?"
"Compensate them first. I'll hear you out after."
What they wanted was a conversation with me. Even if they cheated to get this Q&A slot…… they still got it. Besides, I never said beforehand not to cheat.
"Once you've compensated properly, post in my stream chat. Then I'll answer one of your questions.
"This is an Oath between you and me. Fulfill your promise first, and I shall fulfill mine."
The viewers' gazes toward these bureaucrats turn icy. Seems this world's view of leaders is no kinder……
I addressed the viewers.
"I'll say this now."
Some humans claim that no matter how strong one is, the violence of numbers is unstoppable. ……In a way, that's true. A single ant can't defeat a human, but countless ants might. Numbers hold great power.
"But no matter how many ants gather, they can't overcome a typhoon."
That's what an elder dragon is. A natural disaster, an irrational calamity, an untouchable existence. Self-praise though it may sound from me, an elder dragon, it's simply fact. A true disaster numbers can't touch……
Strength. Violence. That is I.
"That I communicate peacefully with you humans like this, and compensated for wrecking your streets with gold, is solely because I'm an outsider."
Setting aside my previous life, I'm a being from another dimension. This world belongs to its natives, and the Hongdae Street I visited yesterday belongs to its humans. I, stronger than them, could destroy the city and kill without consequence…… but I compensated anyway.
Why? "Because I considered you and respected your existence."
I could easily take by force, but out of respect for this world's humans, I compensated them. That means I recognize them as this world's residents and as beings with personhood like myself.
"So don't fear or dread me. As long as you respect and consider me, I'll do the same for you."
The chat scroll slows. It even feels laced with faith……
I gazed at the chat a moment longer, then closed the dialogue window. The roulette reappeared, but the mood for more Q&A was gone.
"Regrettably, that's all for today."
The chat races with pleas. Smiling at the viewers watching me, I reassured them.
"Worry not. I'll return tomorrow."
From what I've studied, streamers should keep consistent schedules. They need rest days for health…… but as a dragon, I require no rest. This broadcasting body is just an avatar anyway.
"Very well. Tomorrow at 1 PM Seoul time, I'll start the stream again."
"I'll stream from 1 PM to 10 PM tomorrow, so no need to fret."
The viewers cheer instantly. I could do 24/7, but……
Over 50,000 viewers—an extraordinary number, even if I'm new to internet streaming.
"If I keep you here forever, won't those living off streaming starve?"
"Yes. Then, that's all for today, children. See you tomorrow."
Countless comments flood in, but I ended the broadcast.
……Now, time to brainstorm tomorrow's content?
Broadcast has ended.