Chapter 23
Chapter 23
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 23
Chapter Title: Hamburger
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Who the hell is this girl anyway? Stop making it go viral.
The communities were buzzing with bait posts as always.
However, what set these apart from the usual clickbait was that almost every single one featured the same video attached.
It was the clip of Ida Yeon singing during a sponsor reaction.
A girl who looked like the cutest in the world belting out tunes of ruin and apocalypse in a chick-like voice was sensational enough on its own.
Plus, even though the lyrics were unheard-of horrors and the rhythm utterly bizarre,
it was surprisingly decent and had this sneaky addictiveness to it.
It had morphed into the perfect stimulating video for online communities.
Even in places unrelated to streaming, like an online RPG game's forum.
No clue what this video is, but yeah, spot on.
Even in completely unrelated, out-of-the-way communities far from games or streaming,
Ida Yeon's singing echoed across every forum.
If it weren't for the song, fuck.
As the hype peaked and interest from targeted posts began to fade, new attention poured in.
This wasn't the one-and-done kind like those hit pieces.
The trend was just kicking off—no one knew when it would die down.
The more attention the communities gave it,
the more visitors flooded Ida Yeon's stream page.
Her follower count had broken 2,500 in just three days—a feat impressive for someone starting from scratch with zero promotion.
But every gain comes with a loss.
You can't win it all without risking something; that's just how the world works.
Communities are teeming with people.
So many people.
Sure, plenty are decent, but there are just as many rotten ones.
And not just rotten—plenty are outright vile and repulsive.
Attracting community attention
means drawing the eyes of those types too.
It's like swallowing poison and medicine in one gulp.
Too young-looking, pass.
She looked like total trash, would she turn down a free burger???
No matter how cute or pretty she was, it couldn't ward off endless malice.
As always.
It takes dozens of reasons to show kindness to someone,
but zero to harbor ill will.
"Madness..."
"Your Abyss Majesty, speak."
"I want to make money without working."
I meant it.
Today, my body felt heavy and off—definitely not in top shape.
I whined at Madness, who was already changing clothes and getting ready to head out while fidgeting on the bed.
"There is no such method, Your Abyss Majesty."
Her cold, curt reply made me flinch and tremble, but I clamped my mouth shut.
Madness's stunning face showed fatigue, marred by ugly dark circles.
I wasn't oblivious enough not to know why.
"Uh, Madness."
"Yes."
"Fighting!"
Still sprawled on the bed, I waved one hand limply. Madness gazed at me with a subtle expression, then nodded.
She slipped on her worn-out, sole-less shoes and left the house.
Watching her go left me feeling awkward.
Maybe I'd gone too far with the prank yesterday.
When I clung to her, she tensed up so much she probably didn't sleep a wink.
"Urgh..."
I tidied my messy hair, got up, and sat at the computer.
Even though it wasn't cold, my body shivered slightly—condition was definitely poor.
I turned on the PC, spaced out for a bit, then started the stream.
It wasn't stream time yet, but I had nothing else to do.
Streamers' duty is keeping to schedule, but that mostly means no tardiness or unannounced breaks.
Starting early or streaming on off days counts as a bonus event, I'd learned.
My head spun.
Was this a cold? Condition really sucked.
I lightly slapped my cheeks—smack smack!—and peered up at the cam with bleary eyes.
Both cheeks were red.
-? What? Why start streaming already?
Ah, viewers.
They hadn't expected me this early, so viewers trickled in slowly. Those who joined seemed shocked.
I fought the dizziness and greeted them.
"I have arrived."
-Didn't you say 'dorra' or something?
"It's the intent that matters, no?"
-You seem half-assed today, hair's a mess.
"A thought struck me upon waking."
-What?
"No matter my disheveled state, this body remains beautiful—so this look suits me quite well, don't you think?"
I'd only wiped away some eye gunk; hair still messy.
But it had that vulnerable cuteness, so it should be fine.
If an ugly person did this, it'd be gross—but I'm pretty, so.
I flashed a beaming, maximally cute smile.
My head spun, headache throbbed. Weather wasn't cold, yet I felt chilly.
Body heavy.
Bad condition meant no proper wash before streaming, but as said, pretty so it's fine.
-At it again with the bullshit.
-No manager today?
"Sister stepped out briefly, so I must manage in the meantime... Hoo..."
I shrugged, blinking slowly. Breathing a bit ragged.
Deep breaths to steady it.
-Look at her flushed face.
-You sick?
"Likely a mild cold, but nothing serious."
I couldn't figure out why I'd caught a cold.
Last night, hugging Madness should've made it warmer than usual.
-If sick, just rest, don't push.
-Taken medicine?
Amid concerned chats, I checked viewer count.
21.
21 joined despite the surprise start.
More than expected—I nodded.
"No, no. This is nothing; worry not. And medicine? That's for the weak."
I snorted, staring straight at the cam.
A mere cold couldn't touch the Demon Realm's sovereign.
With 21 tuning in despite the sudden stream, I couldn't bail.
-What the fuck is this crazy bitch saying?
The chat quieted, perhaps overwhelmed by my bravado. Then, an intriguing message caught my eye.
-Want a hamburger? Got a gift card.
Hamburgers weren't chicken-level, but definitely luxury food.
And offering it to me?
Tempting.
But suspicious.
Why give away something so precious instead of eating it themselves?
Ah, perhaps.
"A tribute?"
-????
Sitting as Demon Realm's lord, tributes come unbidden.
This hamburger must be the same.
Feeling the thrill of social pinnacle after so long—despite not usually caring—I grinned happily, cheeks dimpling.