Chapter 3
Chapter 3
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 3
Chapter Title: Broadcast Start
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There had been a slight mishap, but I managed to properly gift chicken to Madness.
However, there was a minor issue: a few hours had passed since I bought the chicken, leaving it soggy. The crisp crunch I'd dreamed of was nowhere to be found.
It felt like I'd been scammed somehow.
Madness's ecstatic expression as she devoured the chicken I'd bestowed upon her was undoubtedly satisfying,
but it fell just a bit short of what I'd hoped for.
And then,
"You didn't think I'd eat it all by myself, did you...?"
"...I'm sorry."
"No, no. I gave it to you, so it's right that you eat it."
I'd expected her to at least ask if I'd like a piece,
but Madness had torn through a whole chicken in under twenty minutes the moment she got it.
A luxury item we might never afford again.
Of course, since I'd given it to her, it was pathetic to even think that way, let alone voice it—but I couldn't help feeling a tad resentful.
A fleeting silence settled between Madness and me across the table.
I pursed my lips and waited a moment, but she didn't seem inclined to speak first, so I lifted my bowed head and addressed her.
"Fine. Anyway, did you go and settle things properly today?"
"Yes, I did. I got half the agreed amount for sure. The other half is due next week because things are so tough right now."
I bit my lip to stifle a sigh and finally looked up at Madness.
"Didn't I hear that last week... and the week before...?"
"She said this time it's for real."
"R-Right."
With eyes brimming with such conviction, it was hard to press her.
The problem was, those same convinced eyes had stared back at me last week and the week before,
but for now, I'd let it slide.
More importantly, we needed to focus on using our funds wisely.
After all, earning money matters, but so does where you spend it.
Sure, if you rake in enough to spend anywhere without a care, that's ideal—but we're not in that position.
"So, excluding rent and basic living expenses, how much do we have to work with?"
"Roughly 60,000 won or less."
"60,000 won..."
I pondered Madness's answer.
We could use this substantial sum, but the earnings from briefly showing my face today kept nagging at me.
It had been so easy to make money.
60,000 won was a fortune, yet today it felt oddly diminished.
From showing my face and posting to getting banned took less than three minutes.
In other words, I'd earned that in under three minutes.
If there was such an easy way to make money, why put Madness through all that hardship?
"Madness, I have one thing to ask you."
"I shall listen intently, Your Abyss Majesty."
"What do you think of doing internet broadcasts?"
"...Internet broadcasts?"
Madness echoed my words in surprise, and I tilted my head at her reaction.
"I thought this appearance was merely decent by my standards, but it seems to exceed human expectations."
"Objectively speaking, it's quite beautiful."
"I-Is it?"
As I faltered at the sudden affirmation, Madness nodded and continued.
"From working among them, I've realized humans come in all sorts of ugly varieties."
"That's a harsh way to put it."
"But it's true. What I mean to say to you, Your Abyss Majesty, is that our aesthetic sense isn't so different from humans'. Compared to the succubi born embodying ideal beauty, this form doesn't fall short—and it should hold significant value to them."
"In other words?"
"Internet broadcasts... I don't think it's a bad idea."
Not a bad idea.
I thought the same.
With this appearance, she'd rank comfortably mid-tier among succubi.
If I had to quantify it, top 20% at least.
My threshold was just raised from ruling the Demon Realm and witnessing countless succubi and their beauties.
If this world's standards were that low, then as Madness said, this form should be highly valued.
"Thank you, Madness. You've given me conviction."
"But Your Abyss Majesty, there's a problem we need to solve."
"A problem?"
"No matter how outstanding the appearance, it holds no value if no one sees it."
Like a beautiful flower wilting unknown because no one knows it exists.
I understood.
"Simply turning on a broadcast with no preparation won't draw humans."
That was true too.
Even if my form was beautiful, with no one knowing me, no one would care about my stream.
"Then what should we do?"
"If only there were a way to build recognition..."
At Madness's worry, I suddenly recalled what I'd originally planned.
"For that, I have a good idea."
Madness looked at me puzzled, but a solid plan had come to mind.
Turning on a broadcast during this tournament could build some fame.
The tournament encouraged it anyway.
They said it was to prevent illegal program use upfront—and if I alone showed my face...
Not a bad idea at all.
Sure, the crowd might be rough and not say nice things, but it seemed perfect for the 'recognition' Madness mentioned.
It was just a community tournament, so not tons of viewers,
but the difference between zero and even one was enormous.
"Trust me."
I spoke to Madness with full confidence,
and
"I trust you, Your Abyss Majesty."
Madness bowed her head to me.
A girl with a beautiful form would take first in the tournament, looking down on all.
This would be the starting point of my revival.
Ultimately, all this was to restore my magic and return to the Demon Realm.
"We will return to the Demon Realm no matter what."
It had been just over half a year since setting foot in this world.
Finally, we'd spotted hope for progress.
At last, my time had come.
Two weeks passed, my ban lifted, and the tournament began.
I'd prepared much for this.
Along with game practice, I'd honed my ability to stare straight at the camera.
Not perfect yet, but I'd studied broadcasting,
and even learned some acting—I could now cry on cue in about 16.3 seconds, even if not sad, and control my expressions.
"I must show a beautiful face; I can't afford distorted ones."
Everything had to be perfect—as expected of the Demon Realm's sovereign.
In fact, it was odd that I'd burdened Madness until now, just eating and idling.
I cleared my throat.
I glanced at the clock in the bottom right of the monitor.
It was just turning to 8 p.m.
Less than a minute until the tournament start, when all participants would turn on their streams at once.
I did the same, mouse hovering over the start button, waiting.
With ten seconds left, I counted down silently and hit it.
The chat window activated simultaneously.
Viewer count: a solid 9 right off the bat.
Not bad for a start—the first chat popped up immediately.
An out-of-nowhere insult, but not particularly upsetting.
"Hm, true. I have no mother."
With no parents, what they called pad-lipping insults were useless against me,
so I smiled brightly and replied cheerfully to the chat.
"I'll let it slide graciously—it's a plain fact, after all."
I spoke calmly, and the chat oddly fell silent.
Shrugging at the inexplicable reaction, I launched the tournament game.
The host was checking streams for issues; it would take 5-10 minutes, per the tournament Discord chat.
Meanwhile, I did final checks.
Was my hair messy?
Face clean? Clothes okay?
Everything perfect confirmed, I adjusted the cam angle, turned it on,
and my face on the bottom-right monitor feed looked pretty good even to me.
"Behold, this body has descended upon this place. Look upon me."
With hands on hips and head held high proudly, I struck the pose.
Everything was proceeding exactly as planned—this was the dignity of the Demon Realm's sovereign.