Destined Bonds (3)
One thing I've been feeling lately.
"Hmm... way more stuff popping up than I expected?"
It's that this thing called an algorithm is scarier than I thought.
Ever since that gate stream, I've started getting interested in gates and hunters, and afterward, NutTube and the internet started flooding me with videos related to them.
Of course, even before that, I could see huge big issues, but they were all in Shorts format, so I'd skim them and forget. But these days? Not even close.
What I'm watching right now is a gate-related post.
"Guys, I looked it up, and turns out a ton of gate clears are done solo?"
And yeah, I'm streaming right now. Category: Just Chatting.
Viewers are down sharply from the gate clear or magic demo first stream—hovering between 20 and 30. The so-called dead chat.
Didn't bother with clickbait titles or anything; just named it whatever felt chill.
Cam's off right now. Even though my face is public, streaming live with every expression and gesture exposed feels totally different from just having the face out there.
Sometimes people pop in asking why no cam, but they're just drive-bys.
Superchats aren't popping much, but honestly? I kinda love this format more than I expected.
Feels like chatting with people. Lets me co-op games I never could've imagined solo. And best of all, I get to do that "nongari" thing—random chit-chat. Having someone to talk to makes life feel way more meaningful than I thought.
Of course, it's been less than a week since I started seriously, but still. Positives outweigh the rest so far.
Especially since viewers know way more about gates and hunters than I do.
Yeah, from what I saw last time, they all looked pretty grim-faced.
Recalling that memory—they must've farmed low-key and slipped out without drawing eyes.
Gates get stats from the Management Bureau or Association once closed. Only one death reported then.
So hunters aren't for just anyone, huh. Those monsters I faced? No average joe could solo 'em.
"Guys, you ever hunted? How do you know so much?"
How do viewers know all this insider stuff? Curiosity got me, so I asked.
Threw out the question, and a mix of stories poured in. More ex-hunters than I expected—surprising.
"How come so many of you have hunter experience? Is it that common?"
From what I know, not many make hunting a living.
Lots encounter gates in life, but few grasp the ecosystem inside, farming, escapes, etc.
Like fires: thousands hurt or die yearly, everyone knows the danger. But how pros rescue and extinguish? Only firefighters know.
I've always been curious. Unknown worlds unfolding? Questions galore. Viewers answered quick.
Among them, HT15 caught my eye. 5+ years experience. Why watch me? Questions bubbled up.
Click—
So I deployed my personal seal magic. Right away, a sponsor notice blasted on stream.
[Yang Jia gifted 1 subscription to HT15!]
Gifting a sub, then pinning a viewer so their chat voices out loud. Most feel obligated to answer. 5k won? Worth it for curiosity.
"HT15."
Calling the nick direct— they froze, no chats.
Chat exploded.
Ignored the peanut gallery and dove in.
"What's your rank? Still freelancing?"
Start light, avoid early exits.
Answer came.
B-rank. Pretty high, right? From my research: C, B, A, S.
"B-rank's pretty high, no?"
Chat lit up.
Hmm, big spread. I pulled my license. Hunter cert rank: proud S shining bright. License itself glittered.
Don't reveal I'm S...
Probably from my stream performance. Mages start B, and my skills outshine human mages easy.
S-rank. Got the ranks. Next: salary? Nah, skip—rude to humans, might bail.
Asked something else.
"When do hunters usually retire?"
HT15 went silent long. ~3 mins? Then:
Yeah, looked deadly in there. Lucky it was me; normie hunter? Dead.
Spatial mana beasts too—humans can't sense, get shredded.
Nodding, noting new lore—another voice message.
HT15, gate-stream viewer—genuine worry. Dropped 5k superchat with it.
"Ah, thanks! Definitely reading it."
Ended the "pressure interview" in thanks.
Checked time. Games, chats, fun—interview too. Nearing 4 hours.
Usually 6+, but plans today.
Gate.
Baek Seol-yeon's tip-off gate day. Was gonna slack, but idea hit.
"Guys. Gate clear stream tonight?"
Time up, headed to the stream. Prepared this time: borrowed Bureau gear despite one ring, mana stone bag too.
Streamside: folks like me waiting.
Evac order? Roads empty.
"Eutcha... like this?"
Strapped phone protector. Blocks mana frying electronics, they say.
Waiting for the gate: a black Star-Rex rumbles up from afar.
Pulls to roadside. Door grrrks open—four spill out.
That the raid team from before?
Pro vibe. One pulls rifle—safety on. Yells big to nearby hunters, flashing it.
"Hah, tsk. Wasted time on some fake cop today. Shoulda hit scene sooner."
Like "back off, we got guns" warning.
Ignored 'em, bought the Gate Walkthrough Compendium ebook viewer mentioned. Short read.
Then—
Giiiing—kkaaang!
Air scratches, space shatters—a gate rips open.