Chapter 31
Chapter 31
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 31
Chapter Title: Disciplining the Fans
-----------------------------------------------------------------
After the holiday break, Haon Park's face looked wan when I finally saw him again. Not quite skin and bones... but definitely much thinner.
"...Did something happen?"
"Huu..."
I'd half-expected it, but when I pretended not to know and asked anyway, he let out a deep sigh in response.
Oh dear. Looks like the locust swarm did more damage than I thought.
"Do you know how many times a day I hear about you from Noeul?"
"..."
"Every time I turn on my stream, they look for you before me. What am I supposed to do?"
Asking me about that...
No matter how much I racked my brain, I couldn't come up with an answer, so I just scratched my head awkwardly.
"But will collabing really fix it?"
"..."
In response to my question, Haon Park just silently patted some cushion-like foundation onto my face. I squeezed my eyes shut against the puff of floating powder.
How did things end up like this? I pondered as he did my makeup.
...Is this my karma?
What if I hadn't demanded he communicate with me and had just ghosted him instead?
But that was genuine fandom...
Yeah, probably not related. Moving on.
What if I hadn't drunkenly called Haon Park that time?
Would this have been avoided?
Honestly, I don't remember well...
That was under the influence. Moving on. Any judge would show leniency.
So, was it Haon Park's fault for turning that into collab content?
...I think I've found the culprit.
Feeling the touch of Haon Park's hand tapping my cheek, I cautiously opened my mouth.
"Haon?"
"...Yeah."
"Looks like it all started because you dragged me into it for your stream... Owph!"
His hand suddenly tapped my lips, sending a rush of powder into my mouth. I hurriedly spat it out.
The makeup tasted more bitter and chalky than I'd expected.
"Noeul, wanna open your eyes?"
"...No."
"...Open them."
"..."
I had a lot I wanted to say—like "No way, don't do it"—but I wisely kept my mouth shut.
I carefully opened my eyes.
Haon Park's expression was hard to read, even for someone like me who prided herself on quick wits.
"What if you hadn't drunkenly called my name back then."
"..."
"Or even before that! If you hadn't sniped me and become a big name."
"..."
"None of this would've happened, right?"
"...Tch."
So polite of him.
Gratefully, Haon Park laid it all out for me step by step. So I just quietly let him finish my face.
"Man... even I think..."
"Huh?"
"...Nothing."
He seemed like he had something to say.
When I opened my eyes and pressed him, Haon Park averted his gaze and changed the subject.
Not that I was dying to know anyway. So I pretended not to hear.
- The queen... has returned.
- The halted universe begins moving again.
- Missed you, sis ㅠㅠ Missed you, sis ㅠㅠ Missed you, sis ㅠㅠ
- You've arrived, GodGodGod
"I missed you guys too..."
Of course, it was a lie.
What am I supposed to do, keep my hand up forever?
- I worship you GOAT
- Come out more often
The chat was going wild. The hot welcome made my head spin.
They kept calling me a streaming genius, a streaming superhuman—whatever that meant, it was embarrassing and overwhelming.
"...If you all missed me so much, why do you keep tormenting me?"
There was a hint of genuine grievance there. If they were going to welcome me like this, couldn't they treat me a little kinder in Eden too?
- It's our way of showing ‘love’?
- But... if we don't do that, we can't get your attention?
No matter how I thought about it, there was something off with the viewers' way of expressing themselves.
"Ah... thanks for the sponsorship."
This second sponsorship steered things the same way as the first stream. I'd shown up planning a lecture stream, but it felt a bit disappointing when it went like this.
But...
The difference from the first stream was my mindset. This was a purposeful broadcast with a clear goal! That was why I'd agreed to Haon Park's request despite the trauma from the first one.
"...No, today's a lecture stream!"
- Sis?
- Why? We were good together.
- Apple, don't just sit there—convince her.
I'd pondered the direction before starting and steeled my resolve. A deep analysis of what caused this whole mess!
No matter how much I thought about it...
All the root evils stemmed from the clumsiness of that first collab!
After agonizing over it countless times, I'd concluded that the unchecked proliferation of the Dori Corps came down to my own lenient attitude.
How much suffering had I endured because of them!
So, drawing on my years as a viewer, I decided to go for a so-called ‘mental standoff’. Today, I'd straighten them out.
"Today, we'll cover the Mana Combustion damage cycle."
- Please don't...
- Nooo stop
- I prepared 5800 characters of questions ;
The chat churned violently. It was definitely working.
"Mana Combustion is the boss fight damage cycle you all are curious about... It might be tricky, so take notes."
- Guuaak!!
- Sis why we were good together
- Apple please do something
They couldn't appreciate this precious lecture you can't even buy. I looked away from the chat.
"We'll start with the 1st named boss."
"Pfft!"
Haon Park burst out laughing beside me at my declaration. It was small, but satisfying. Made me feel good. So,
Am I doing well?
I shot him a look full of that meaning, but he turned his head away, avoiding my eyes. No idea why.
Since I ignored the chat, they started throwing money to get my attention. An hour into the lecture, right after finishing the 3rd named boss patterns—that was my triumph.
- People here! Shit!
- Sis... it's too cold here....
- I surrender. Spare me.
Looking at the chat, it was full of viewers writhing in agony.
This should be lesson enough. Glancing at Haon Park to confirm, he just shrugged—as if to say, do whatever you're comfortable with.
I took a sip of water, then stared at the chat critters. Time to negotiate.
"...You all want Q&A, right? Got any questions?"
- Finally acknowledging us?
- Been waiting for those words!
- Questions? ‘Everything’. Wanna know? ‘Everything.’
The chat sped up again now that I was paying attention. So predictable, but I couldn't show weakness like before. To achieve my goal, I had to stand firm.
So I glared and stated firmly.
"...Th-then, for Q&A, can you disband that Dori... whatever guild now?"
No clue why the chat flooded with "cute," but anyway.
- Fan club #1 disband? No way lol
- Hmm, that's a bit lol
- Our homeland! Our Eden!
They were as firm as I was. But I'd predicted this wouldn't fly.
The basics of negotiation: start with an unacceptable demand, then slip in the real one!
"...Then can you stop following me around, interfering with my hunts? Stop harassing me..."
Because of them, my peaceful work life in the game was endless torment. That was my true demand.
- Hmm...
- Can't even watch from afar?
- Dori Corps has had some crazies lately lol
And as expected, the chat wasn't as firm as before.
At that moment, an anonymous viewer spoke up.
Haon Park looked at me with eager eyes at the incoming sponsorship message.
"...If it includes me?"
- What'd you two do?
- Event lol
- Explain yourself.
Testing the waters, and the viewers were turning dark in real-time!
The mood suggested even my proposed condition wouldn't pass. So, ignoring Haon Park's gaze as best I could,
"Th-then, just me! Spare just me!"
I begged.
Haon Park's expectant eyes filled with shock and betrayal.
"...Dori?"
He called out to me like he couldn't believe his ears, but I bowed my head. Sorry, but survival comes first.
I'm an abalone mushroom after all.
- lol handler's still there
- Real-life event lol
- All in agreement?
- Sis-approved drug. Enjoy it tasty.
The satisfied bunch. Meanwhile, Haon Park was freaking out beside me like he couldn't believe it.
"No, guys! You didn't do it to me before!"
- You had a handler back then lol
- What can we do? You're too strong now.
"I'm strong too! So stop harassing me!"
- No focal point before, now there is lol
- Numbers win lol
- Rediscovered the ‘hand feel’ after so long?
"This is too much!"
- Thiiis is too muuuch~
- Git gud lol
- Bros mess around like this lol
Haon Park sobbed. Was it that shocking? He was more upset than I'd expected, so I quickly changed the subject.
"A-alright, questions now!"
Deal sealed!
No idea why normal people have so many questions, but a promise is a promise.
With my announcement, the chat sped up. It filled with safe topics and tough ones alike.
Where to start...
Something straightforward and easy to answer first.
"Are you a virgin?"
At that moment—crash!—the mic flew off, courtesy of Haon Park.
Oh no, that was expensive.