Chapter 8
Chapter 8
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 8
Chapter Title: Proof of Intelligence
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V- V-.
I struck a victory pose toward the camera for just over two minutes, and the chat lit up.
...
I quietly lowered my hand.
"Nongji" was intelligence spelled backwards, meaning they thought my intelligence was low.
I wanted to flaunt my wisdom and dispel these wicked rumors, but such talk was cropping up already. This wouldn't do.
"Are you all not gravely mistaken about me?"
Irritation welled up, so I puffed out my cheeks a bit and shot the camera a sideways glare.
If an ugly person did this, it'd be a hideous sight no one could stomach,
but when a beauty like me did it, even this became one of my charming gestures.
In any case,
they were definitely misunderstanding me.
I'd just realized I might come off a little odd, but that didn't mean I was stupid, did it?
"I am far wiser and more sagacious than you all imagine."
The greatest reason I could reign over the Demon Realm was my overwhelming might,
but that didn't mean the Demon Realm was some pushover where brute force solved everything.
I couldn't claim to be the wisest in the world, but I certainly wasn't a fool deserving such mockery.
"I daresay I'm far smarter than any of you."
I thrust out my chest, letting my gaze sweep from top to bottom, exuding confidence through my posture.
Humans mocking me.
"Could you at least pretend to believe me...?"
Over seventy people, and not a single one took my words seriously.
Not one.
"This feels... a bit lonely..."
The viewer count had grown, yet not one took me seriously. It made me crave Madness.
"Ah, about that, I apologize, but it's unavoidable for now. Could you overlook it? Once I have money, I'll overhaul everything grandly."
I was already aware my streaming setup was poor.
Even if I started earning, I'd need to save for improvements in the meantime.
Yesterday, in my excitement, I'd splurged on luxuries unfit for my station—pointless spending I must guard against.
"Why, this body's home, of course."
What an obvious question.
I'd heard big streamers had personal studios, but I hadn't reached that level yet—and these viewers knew it too.
Truly puzzled, I tilted my head, then flashed a sly grin.
"To ask something so obvious—perhaps it's not this body that's foolish, but you all?"
What was this now?
"Having no parents is plain fact, so I can take it calmly, but calling me stupid is an outright lie!"
"Surely you all can tell fact from fiction...?"
I wanted to slam the table—bang bang—but it'd probably hurt, so I tapped it—knock knock—and let my fury show.
I'd prepared to endure all insults as a defeated invader,
but genuine worry about my intelligence? That was intolerable.
"I challenge you all to a duel!"
I glared at the puzzled chat and continued.
"A game!"
"Yes. You all and I shall play a game to decide the victor. If I win, you must never doubt my intelligence again!"
"Then..., if you win.... if you win......"
It was a rash outburst in anger; I'd never considered that outcome.
The possibility of my defeat.
In the past, I'd have scoffed at defeat for this body.
But this body had already lost once.
Nothing said I couldn't lose twice. Imagining defeat's aftermath terrified me.
Not acting—real tears welled up.
Unable to refute their taunts and worries, only affirming them.
Like admitting I was the fool myself. Pathetic.
"Uuuugh......"
"It's all your fault..."
Driving me to this—humans were truly vile and not to be underestimated.
I missed the Demon Realm.
I wanted to return.
"I hate you all—begone!"
In a surge of emotion, four of the seventy viewers actually left. Realizing my slip, I bit my lip.
If all viewers fled like this, I'd lose my share to Madness again.
Become that useless nothing once more.
That I couldn't allow!
I bowed my head.
"I-I'm sorry! Please don't leave!"
Their intent to tease was obvious, but after my blunder, I was at a disadvantage.
I resented my past self.
There were many reasons I'd invaded this world, but if I could speak to past me, I'd say:
This place is darker and more depressing than the Abyss where I was born—don't even think of invading.
Wishing my plea reached past me, I endured the humiliation.
"Ugh..."
"S-Sorry.... P-Please don't go....... I beg you..."
"Y-You forgive me?"
Reading the chat, they didn't seem truly angry.
If anything, they seemed delighted.
Relieved I'd stemmed the viewer exodus, I answered the new question.
"After hitting triple digits, I stopped counting precisely."
"Ah, you mean this body's age? I just turned fifteen this year."
Confirmed from this body's memories—couldn't be wrong.
The moment I took over, it was her birthday: fifteen.
Chuunibyou? Whatever that was.
Curious yet reluctant to pry, I shelved the vague feeling and returned to the main topic.
Enough chit-chat.
I cleared my throat—ahem—stared straight at the camera, and spoke.
"More importantly, we've gone off on a tangent. Let's return to the beginning."
I hadn't forgotten today's broadcast goal.
"I want to prove I'm no fool. Have any good ideas?"
I sought to demonstrate my wisdom, my intellect.
And uproot every malicious rumor.
I asked the viewers, and surprisingly, they dove right in.
"Prison Escape...?"
I'd heard of it somewhere, but details escaped me.
Seeing I didn't get it, viewers eagerly explained at length, thrilled to know more than me.
In short: puzzles so simple even kindergarteners could solve, but ads deliberately failed them to frustrate viewers into thinking, "I'll do it myself."
One such viral game was Prison Escape.
A major streamer played it live, sparking a platform-wide trend.
Puzzles, eh...
"Then, if I clear the entire game, will you acknowledge my wisdom?"
I scoffed at their vibe: as if I'd never manage it.
They were missing something.
Puzzles were practically my specialty.
"No reason to refuse, then."
My second broadcast—and the trial of my wisdom—began.
"Behold this body's wisdom well, and spread it far and wide!"
This body's greatness!