Chapter 10
Chapter 10
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 10
Chapter Title: Members Over-Immerse in RP
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"I'm just stepping out to the bathroom for a bit."
With that, I switched off my mic and pulled out my phone.
I dialed the president's number and discussed how to wrap up this whole situation.
"Should we just go all out with some promotion? 'World Live Entertainment's KEYS! Coming soon! Please look forward to it!' or something like that?"
I'd been practicing my stream solo when suddenly I got featured in a major creator's content, and viewers shot past a thousand.
What kind of coincidence is this?
A thought suddenly crossed my mind.
Maybe the president had us practice with the live stream on specifically to show us how tough it is to build an audience from zero viewers—to instill some discipline.
But Evangelion pulled in 300 on Yardio before crashing, and now I've broken a thousand out of nowhere.
The world doesn't always go according to the president's plans, it seems.
-"I wouldn't recommend that."
The president's verdict came through the phone.
Why not?
Promotion is always better the more you do it.
Isn't this a golden opportunity, rare as hen's teeth, to get our name out to so many people?
-"Virtual culture is still pretty underground in Korea—a niche thing close to the shadows. If non-virtual fans mix in before our core audience solidifies, it could turn into a mudfight and chaos on stream. I get that it's a shame to pass up the exposure, but sticking to the original plan is probably best here."
"Got it, President."
-"Aren't you a little disappointed? We landed such a great chance."
"How's a salaried worker supposed to go against the boss?"
-"……."
It was a joke, but she took it seriously, so I backpedaled fast.
"Kidding, kidding. I'll trust and follow your lead completely, President!"
She's the one who passionately chased her dream and first told me I was needed.
And she's pretty.
The president is pretty.
So it's only natural I'd want to side with her a bit.
Even kindergarteners and babies prefer pretty people, they say.
That's human instinct.
-"Thank you."
I got a thank-you from a beautiful girl.
Doesn't that make my life a success already?
With that thought, my lingering attachment to those thousand viewers vanished in an instant.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Malibu was in a good mood.
Thanks to stumbling upon this promising zero-viewer streamer, he had a feeling he'd get some great footage.
A girl with a beautiful voice, belting out a Japanese song fearlessly in front of a thousand viewers.
All that was left was a nice wrap-up and getting permission to use the video.
Of course, he'd pay an appearance fee.
Honestly, Bubble Wrap should be the one paying him for the promo, but that wouldn't look good.
She was a regular zero-viewer civilian; he was the big-league corp.
A successful streamer like him footing the bill looked classy and shut down any potential backlash later.
And he'd make way more from the video views than the fee anyway.
-"Attention, guests who visited our restaurant today. We're closing soon, so please check for any forgotten items and exit the premises."
But then Bubble Wrap suddenly called time on the stream.
Fine up to there.
Improvised content on the spot was tough to keep fun forever—Malibu had been thinking it was time for a graceful exit anyway.
He was a bit curious why she'd gone to the bathroom and come back to end it, but that wasn't something to pry into.
"Please take good care of Bubble Wrap here. Give her a follow too."
Bubble Wrap's channel, which had over a thousand visitors, saw followers jump from zero to three hundred.
And with his shoutout just now, up to five hundred.
Surprisingly, a simple "please follow" line packed more punch than expected.
When you're a broadcaster, you need a thick skin—putting yourself out there.
💬 Comments — Viewer1 Why is Bubble Wrap our girlfriend? Clear it up! Clear it up! — Viewer2 Nah, like Malibu has a girlfriend lol — Viewer3 That voice is killer. Gotta tune in every time she goes live. If this launched Bubble Wrap's stream career, it'd be a nice connection. If not, oh well—that's as far as it goes.
He'd helped plenty already.
Being a successful streamer yourself and turning someone else into one? Totally different leagues.
But with that level of on-stream presence, she'd probably make it on her own anyway.
Malibu wrapped up the content with those thoughts.
About an hour later.
After ending his own stream, he sent Bubble Wrap a private message.
To get permission for the video.
-Hey, Bubble Wrap. It's Malibu, the guy who illegally dropped viewers on you earlier. Just reaching out to ask if I can edit our unofficial collab stream from today into a YouTube video. Of course, I'll pay an appearance fee. It'll be good content for me and promo for your channel—win-win.
The raw appeal of internet streaming—no complicated contracts.
Sure, if a company got involved with big ad money, it'd be different, but this was small potatoes. Malibu could handle it without paperwork.
He figured 500,000 won for the fee.
A sub-hour stream for that much cash? She'd be thrilled.
And as he kept saying, the promo was gold for a zero-viewer—way more valuable than the money.
She should be begging him to post it after getting paid.
That's what Malibu thought.
-Sorry.
"Huh?"
But Bubble Wrap's reply made him doubt his own eyes.
Sorry? Why?
No way she's turning it down, right?
-Is there a reason you're declining?
-I'm like a mirage that flickers and vanishes... Sorry.
"What the hell?"
-Come on, at least let me offer 500,000 won as the fee.
No response.
-If you're mad I ran the collab without asking first, I apologize.
No response.
Come on, you had fun too—with all those viewers, you were loving it, singing your heart out. Why pull this now?
Malibu couldn't quite type that.
-Can you at least tell me why? Is the fee too low? I'll bump it to 700,000 won.
One reply after his desperate pleading.
-They say reunions are sweeter after a parting.
-Hoping we meet again someday...
"What the fuck is this crazy bitch saying?"
Malibu, baffled, refreshed her channel.
Unless she was secretly streaming with a hidden cam, this reaction made no sense.
But she wasn't live.
This was her real response, not some stream bit.
-1 million. Can't go higher.
-1.2 million. Seriously, last offer.
-1.5!
He wanted to believe she was just playing hard to get, jacking up her price.
But Bubble Wrap vanished without a trace of greed.
Just like she said—like a mirage...
"Argh, there goes one video idea."
He couldn't upload without permission.
Malibu had ambushed her with the collab, but he had that much decency.
In the end, he spent the next day fuming.
She was on his mind while brushing his teeth, lying in bed, even eating breakfast.
Laughing and chatting it up during the stream, then flipping the script when he asked for video rights?
Wasn't this the classic "eat and beat"?
A bit vulgar, but yeah.
Sucking all the juice and ditching.
Sucked the juice dry, huh?
If she ghosted like this, no promo, nothing.
'Was she planning to quit streaming anyway? Was yesterday her last?'
He couldn't fathom why she'd make that choice.
If there was a "pay 1 million to read her mind" button, he'd smash it.
"Fucking mirage bitch."
But Bubble Wrap never went live again.
Malibu and the viewers remembered her for about a week before forgetting.
That's the shelf life for memories of strangers.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ When he bid 1.5 million for the appearance fee, I was tempted for a sec.
Should I convince the president and take it?
But I held back.
World Live Entertainment and KEYS aren't mine to swing around on personal whims.
Yeah, if that's the price to protect a beautiful girl's smile, it's a bargain.
'I may be broke, but do I have no pride?'
Truth be told, it stung like hell.
The more I thought about it, the worse it got—so best not to.
Starting at 500k and ballooning to 1.5 million like that.
She's got a fiery temper, sure, but damn, big streamers rake it in.
Wonder if I could hit that level too.
'100 million subscribers! Global corp!'
The president's dream was so grand, it felt unreal.
Like, really?
It was on par with a kindergartener dreaming of becoming president.
Great mindset since you're born anyway, but really?
Well, someone will make it, I guess.
We ended up canceling the third day of zero-viewer stream practice as planned.
Going live again would've pulled aggro for sure.
Malibu seemed to have good intentions digging up a zero-viewer for content, so ghosting feels kinda bad for him.
Evangelion and I caused massive incidents on day one and two.
Is this what star quality is?
Maybe that's why the president scouted us?
Or not.
Still, yesterday's chaos sparked some inspiration.
For my original song—melodies are starting to bubble up on how I want to do it.
Maybe consult with the president.