Seongna's Relentless Trash Talk
Whoa, as expected, Seongna never backs down. No one would believe it, but Minji's mind worked surprisingly fast in certain situations. You couldn't survive long in the world of trolling if you just ran around causing chaos without thinking. When to draw aggro, how to do it, and in what way. Whether this was the right moment to step in or the moment to hold back. If you didn't consider all these factors, you wouldn't last long as a troll. That's why Minji, the representative troll of Ias, could be considered quite perceptive. That said, she usually went around doing destructive eye-rolls, so she could definitely be called a bad girl who knew exactly what she was doing but pretended otherwise.
Anyway. Minji's sharp senses picked up on it: Ah, this is getting a bit annoying. The Blood Cult Leader? Whatever, Baek Eun-ha the team leader's bet was actually pretty rude if you broke it down seriously. No matter how you looked at it, even if they met as opponents in the tournament, saying "Hey, if you lose, join my guild" right after meeting for the first time was against etiquette. However, if that line came from the "Blood Cult Leader" concept rather than team leader Baek Eun-ha herself, the story changed a little. From that point on, Baek Eun-ha's bet, while somewhat rude, would be treated like WWE theatrics meant to heat up the tournament. If she refused the offer, it would look like she was running away because she was scared of losing. The other side probably knew that too, which was why she was forcing herself to endure the embarrassment and keep up the concept act. It was truly a petty and forced method.
While Minji was internally thinking, "Ah, how should I handle this?" Suha was thinking: What do I do? With Minji's personality, there's no way she'll stay quiet. Suha knew her well. On the outside Minji had a grand and generous heart, but inside she was petty and held grudges. She was probably acting like nothing was wrong right now, but her insides were twisted up and she was itching for revenge. They'd reached the point where Suha could tell what Minji was thinking without her saying a word. It was truly a deep friendship.
"Haha, I was wondering if it was true, but you really are just like the Heavenly Demon Cult people. So what do you say, Seongna?"
At that, only Eder, who hadn't grasped the situation, grinned brightly. With attention already focused on the concept enthusiasts, and now even getting broadcast-worthy material, Eder was about to feel endless gratitude toward Baek Eun-ha when—
"Eder-hyung."
—Minji's chilling voice rang out. Eder thought it over. What was it again? When she used that tone, it was… definitely when she was in a bad mood. Why all of a sudden? Well, the opposing team leader's provocative bet might have rubbed her the wrong way, but was it really that bad? Eder had made the mistake of judging Minji by normal standards, so he still hadn't adapted as well as Suha had.
"Can I do the trash talking?"
One of Minji's life philosophies was that she had to return what she received. Literally "an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth." If someone provoked her first, she was the type who couldn't feel satisfied until she got revenge. If you looked at it differently from its original meaning, the guy who wrote the Code of Hammurabi would be dumbfounded.
Eder's deliberation didn't last long.
"Hmm, sure. Do it if you want."
So far the team leader had been handling things, but there was no rule saying "the team leader must do the trash talking." Besides, this role suited Seongna far better than him. Since the other side had specifically called out Seongna to provoke her, it made sense for Seongna to step up too.
"Thanks."
After Minji took over the trash talking, Nice Team's turn finally arrived.
"Ah, I heard the bet clearly, Baek Eun-ha-nim."
Then Minji seemed about to throw a provocation at Baek Eun-ha, who had offered her the rude bet—
"Before that, Mr. Operator."
—instead of Baek Eun-ha, she suddenly turned to the operator. The operator was startled. Huh? Why me all of a sudden?
"Yes, please speak."
"I have one request. Would that be okay?"
"As long as it doesn't violate the rules, it's fine, but does it have to be right now…?"
"Instead of this one-sided exchange, I'd like to speak directly with team leader Baek Eun-ha-nim."
At Minji's sudden request, the operator's mind raced. In other words, she wanted to have a real-time trash-talking fight with Baek Eun-ha, who had provoked her. That seemed a bit problematic. What if they got too heated and started hurling insults? The reason trash talking had been divided by team was to prevent the atmosphere from overheating due to provocations and causing incidents. If they did it live and in real time, especially with that uncontrollable crazy girl participating, an accident was bound to happen.
"Well… that would require Baek Eun-ha-ssi to agree as well…"
"I'll accept the bet on the condition that we do this, Baek Eun-ha-nim. What do you think?"
"Uh… um… that is…"
Blood Cult team leader Baek Eun-ha would most likely accept Seongna's proposal. She looked somewhat troubled, but since she had been the one to suggest the bet in the first place, she would surely accept this too. So what choice did the operator have? He absolutely could not create any possibility for this crazy girl to cause trouble! He shouldn't, he really shouldn't—
In this atmosphere, how was he supposed to stop it? Even if he said "No, that's against the rules," everyone would just complain that he had no sense. In truth, there was only one thing the operator could do.
"If Baek Eun-ha-nim accepts, I'll allow it."
He could only pray that Baek Eun-ha would politely refuse the offer.
"…I don't mind. No, I accept."
And as always, the heavens only ignored the prayers of believers who came crying and begging when they needed something.
Seongna's proposal was somewhat surprising, but Baek Eun-ha could understand her feelings to some extent. "Yeah, she'd be dumbfounded and bewildered." Having a complete stranger suddenly shove an offer you couldn't easily refuse without any prior discussion would make anyone uncomfortable. Especially for streamers whose lives depended on attention and reputation, even someone as free-spirited as Seongna would feel the same. The fact that she was dragging this into trash talk meant she probably had something specific she wanted to say. Since they had no private relationship and there were eyes watching in an official setting, this moment was the most appropriate timing. "I'll just take a few insults."
This incident was clearly her crossing the line. Knowing that better than anyone, Baek Eun-ha intended to silently endure whatever Seongna threw at her. If she tried to counter clumsily and ended up getting excited and beaten down, Seongna would definitely feel satisfied. Just as she was waiting for Seongna to open her mouth—
"Hmm, you lowly remnant of the Blood Cult who throws the Central Plains into chaos. You dare challenge me?"
—When Seongna's voice came through, Baek Eun-ha's expression instantly froze in a daze. Huh…? Did I hear that right? Did I mishear? No, that was definitely Seongna-nim's voice. Was it an auditory hallucination? Of course, she quickly realized it wasn't.
"Why no answer, lowly remnant of the Blood Cult? You dragged this lady into your farce, and now you plan to back out?"
When Baek Eun-ha didn't respond, Seongna's voice came again, urging her.
It was a beautiful, clear voice that was pleasing to the ears, like a righteous and resolute female martial artist of the murim. Baek Eun-ha's mind raced. Ah, is she trying to match my concept? She doesn't have to do that… I don't really like that kind of concept play either… Though the consideration is appreciated. "Um, Seongna-nim, you can speak normally—"
But Baek Eun-ha had made one very important miscalculation.
"Silence!!"
"No, that's not what I meant, the tone—"
"You lowly remnant of the Blood Cult, are you mocking this lady right now?"
She had wrongly assumed this crazy girl would have any human compassion.
"Eh…?"
By now even Baek Eun-ha could tell what Seongna intended. Even if it was a small group, a guild leader needed at least some basic perception. "Why aren't you keeping up the concept?" Seongna was saying that now. Maybe she was also saying, "You started it first, so what's there to be embarrassed about now?" Even so, that was a stretch, but what she wanted was clear.
"Th-that… This lady is… the Blood Cult… Leader, Baek… Baek Eun-ha…"
When she had proposed the bet to Seongna, Baek Eun-ha had endured and kept up the concept. Showing such cringey behavior in front of viewers was extremely embarrassing, but she had gritted her teeth and held on to escape this gathering of idiots. But back then it had just been a simple task of reading a pre-written script. Not like this real-time roleplay where she had to exchange lines! It was mortifying. She wanted to storm out right now, bury herself under a blanket, and curl up.
"Oh? So you finally speak."
I already told you earlier! But you cut me off! Swallowing the urge to shout that, Baek Eun-ha barely managed to open her mouth.
"Th-that's right! Then… you will… accept this lady's bet… right?"
"Yes."
Since it was unavoidable anyway, let's just end it quickly. After winning the bet, she'd drag that bad girl into the Blood Cult and make her the successor before escaping. They say you have to lose something to gain something. This embarrassment and humiliation would become the foundation for a free tomorrow. Of course, Baek Eun-ha had made another miscalculation.
"Ah, before that—"
Minji was the type to keep gnawing on a toy once she started until she was satisfied.
"What exactly is the Blood Cult's goal? What kind of people are you that you go around doing this?"
"…Eh…?"
From a roleplay perspective, the previous line would be the protagonist questioning the villain organization's goal. But to Baek Eun-ha's ears, it sounded more like, "What kind of people are you that you're doing this because you have nothing better to do at your age?"
"W-well, that's…"
At this point, tears welled up in Baek Eun-ha's eyes. Seriously, why me? Why me? I know I did something wrong. But still, this much… Sniff… This wasn't necessary. Damn demonic cult bastards… Real bastards… "To… dye the Central Plains… in blood… and plunge it… into chaos…"
"Hmm."
Baek Eun-ha was now almost sobbing, but Minji's torment continued without end.
"I can't hear you well. What did you say?"
"To d-dye the Central Plains in blood…"
"Hah, with such a small voice, how am I supposed to hear? Say it again."
In that moment, something snapped in Baek Eun-ha's head. Then—
"To dye the Central Plains in blood! And plunge it into chaos, that's why!!"
—she ended up shouting. Haa… Haa… After the rough breathing only Baek Eun-ha could hear, a brief silence fell. And what broke that silence was—
"Ah, I see… Um… Fighting? Hmm, rather than that, cheer up? Hmm. What expression would fit? Ah, I give up! Baek Eun-ha-nim, fighting for conquering the Central Plains! You can do it! Ah, Mr. Operator, I'll stop the trash talking here. Then I'm done!"
Ding.
After saying everything she wanted to say, Minji ran away just like that. Well… left alone, Baek Eun-ha—
"You bad girl!!!"
—finally burst into tears.