Chapter 13
Chapter 13
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 13
Chapter Title: Apple's Shocking Broadcast
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Watching fans and haters coexist in the community left me with a bittersweet feeling in my heart.
It felt like just yesterday that he'd confided his worries to me, but I never dreamed he'd make such a quick decision.
『No way, did someone leak my coords or something? Everyone, hold up a sec for a moment of silence.』
On another monitor, a random guy's voice flowed out instead of the familiar one I'd always heard. Any regular viewer would think they'd stumbled into the wrong stream.
'What a mess...'
Good thing I'd prepared myself seeing the "Major Announcement" title before jumping in. Otherwise, even I—who already knew—would've been shocked speechless.
『Everyone, cut the trash talk... What? Asking if it's big? Get out, just get out.』
Seeing twice the usual viewer count and the chaotic chat to match made me feel like I'd pushed him into this somehow. My conscience was seriously nagging at me.
『Legal sexual harassment? Hey, even same-sex counts as harassment!』
- But... dudes play like this?
- Apple's farm turned into hot pepper farm lololol
『When I sounded like a girl, it was 'hyung,' but now that it's revealed, it's 'noona'? What's the deal?』
- Ehheung, noona... my thing feels weird... ehheung, noona... my thing feels weird...
- Cuz... noona's right!
- From now on, I'll make you a real girl, wench
The chat exploded with every word he said. Just watching it, I felt a twinge of responsibility since I'd sorta counseled him.
Plus, now that I'd been "paroled," I cautiously tapped at my keyboard. Hoping to offer at least a little help.
Unlike usual, I put some real effort in. A whopping 100k gold worth of support.
Apple fans like her cuz she's honest, upvote lol
『Whoa! No... eullnim...? Th-thanks for the donation! Yeah, at least he was honest!』
- Honest my ass lololol
- That's true tho lolol
- Nose job lololol
- Honest, bold, big dick Appleham upvote lolol
『Hey! From now on, anyone saying big gets banned. Oh, small too! Banned!』
- Mmph!
- Uh what now lololol
- Media control room?
- Freedom of speech event lol
『Quit teasing already! I just got drafted into the army now!』
- Sudden super likable lololol
- Anti-hate rights overdrive lolol
- Ah that's the cheat code lololol
Even so, three years of streaming experience didn't let him down—Apple, aka Haon Park, smoothly shifted the topic.
'At least that helped, right?'
It was a big donation on my part.
I was feeling pretty proud, thinking I'd turned the tide a bit, when my smartphone buzzed on the desk.
《Write something nice pls;;》
It was a message from Haon Park.
No clue what was "bad" about it, but I carefully deleted the "clumsy chase lol" I'd been typing in chat.
Man, he's so picky.
Daesik was baffled by the sudden whisper from his fellow streamer Apple. Well, he had been at first.
For a moment, unease washed over him at her uncharacteristically polite apology, but then it hit him—probably about this mess.
- Ya crying? lol Ya crying? lol Ya crying? lol
- Good (clumsy) colleague (clumsy)
- She was so pretty (actual quote) lolololololol
His viewers, already mischievous, went wild like fish in water.
Against the rampaging chat backdrop, Daesik reminisced about the past.
The raid group "NEETs," formed by streamers bonding over Eden. At the first offline meetup, Apple's real-life appearance was enough to stir winds in the heart of 28-year solo Daesik.
Her voice was killer too, so denying any expectations would be a lie—but her looks made him wonder why she never turned on cam!
After the meetup recap stream, viewers noticed his giddy face and tried forcing him and Apple together.
Looking back, his fans were never unpleasant except when fake-shipping "we got married."
"Haa... I'm not crying or anything!"
- Whatchu talking about~ lolol
- Come on, no crying, repeat it clearly?
Every word poured oil on the fire.
No matter how he responded, it'd get clipped and spread everywhere.
From years of experience, Daesik knew ignoring was the fastest way to end it.
But today, emotions overrode reason.
"From now on, moment of silence for fingers. Begin."
- Si, sil...! Hate it? lololol [Message deleted.]
- What else you gonna do but bawl lololol [Message deleted.]
- Oppression event ffs [Message deleted.]
- Ah... so petty and narrow-minded! [Message deleted.]
- This guy's raid leader? This guy's raid leader? This guy's raid leader? [Message deleted.]
Along with the indiscriminate purge of viewers, Daesik's first love—unbloomed and now ended—met its conclusion.
'...Gotta do the second meetup, huh?'
The already scheduled second "NEETs" offline meetup!
Counting down the days, Daesik swallowed tears inwardly.
It was an especially lonely night.
It was an emergency.
The account, photographed all pretty like on a shopping channel. Thus began the march of hardship, the lean barley harvest season.
Compared to steadily banking 50k a day from consistent grinding, now the emergency light was flashing.
Where did it go wrong? I pondered deeply, arriving at one conclusion.
《Mom's making pork stir-fry, want me to bring some over for dinner?》
Haon Park's message still on my phone.
Yeah, I lacked that hungry spirit.
Like he dreamed of being a rancher or something, he started bringing food outta nowhere and before I knew it, he'd wormed deep into my life.
Belly full, I slacked on hunts, realizing just how annoying labor is.
《Thanks》
Couldn't ignore his kindness, so I replied, but my mind was a mess.
'Rent's due soon...'
The near-3 million gold kingdom upkeep was way beyond my current funds.
Pinning hopes on this week's raid? Stupid move.
A whole month of sleepless investment, and aside from first-clear title, no real gains yet.
Yeah, Iron Mountain's unyielding ruler was stingy.
'Maybe ask Haon to postpone this month's...?'
The thought crossed my mind.
Landlord's son—Haon would at least pretend not to hear. His stream was going smoother than expected post-"reveal."
Actually, rumors drew more viewers, up 1.5x.
But I shook my head. Postponing's temporary; paying 6 mil next month? Unrealistic.
Would be fidgeting just like now. Obvious as day.
Fiddling with my phone, stacking worries on worries, I finally resorted to my last option.
The one who'd secretly supported me after I declared independence, behind parents' backs.
《Bro, help me out.》
Time for the family card.
Telling parents and begging bailout? With my big talk before leaving, I'd probably get dragged home.
Better the lesser evil than worst! At least "bro" would just nag a bit.
Shot the text, instant reply. Chilling content.
《That place from last time?》
《Yeah》
《Swing by after work.》
Just bailout request, but creditor demands surprise inspection.
《Nooo;;》
《Leave the door unlocked》
I strongly objected, but it fell on deaf ears.
This scenario was totally unforeseen.
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