Chapter 6
Chapter 6
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 6
Chapter Title: Streamer
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Triachia was structurally extremely vulnerable to stream snooping—the act of watching a streamer's broadcast to glean in-game information.
Even three minutes into the game, when the opponents hadn't so much as laid eyes on each other...
The opening build alone could decide the matchup as much as 70:30 in one's favor.
That was why, whenever former pro Kim Sung-jin lost, it was almost always due to a viewer sneaking in for a snoop.
"No way! I begged that hard, and they still won't rematch?"
"Stream snooping... doesn't seem like it. They did original searches, see? The dwarf stepped into central search once. And they didn't completely read the build..."
That was why Kim Sung-jin could only wear a somber expression.
The replay looped over and over.
Yet each time, it only reinforced his conviction that it wasn't snooping.
Build choice was part of that evidence too.
If it really had been snooping, they'd have gone for an all-in build starting barracks at population 8, not the standard 11.
Even if it was subtle snooping, it didn't matter.
This build was slightly unfavorable, but against the gap between a former pro and an amateur, it should've been blockable without issue.
"Ah... I should've just skimmed it and built the poison dispenser, but it looked blockable, so I got greedy."
If the opponent hadn't built in their front yard natural, Kim Sung-jin would've scouted knights and erected a defense tower.
But hadn't ghouls been sprinting out from the second multi's rear?
Trench or elf archers—anything but knights would've been a quick delete.
"Opponent was better than expected. See here, that skeleton poke detail? Most players focus on elf archer control and can't spend resources, but the building timing is razor-sharp. Oh! Resource management too!"
- Anonymous's 1,000 won donation!
Kim Sung-jin felt endless regret too.
His audience was drawn to his high skill, so showing losses bred discontent.
Fortunately, no major backlash.
Probably thanks to the first game's sub account, cheese rush, opponent's skill, and clever tricks making it entertaining.
Still, as a streamer, he regretted missing the juicy "revenge" hook.
- PurgedSiri's 50,000 won mission!
〔Find and beat the player from just now〕※ Remaining time 23:59:55 ※
"Thanks for the mission! What was their ID? I remember... Ah! 'Ttalpi Reader'. Thanks. I'll definitely get revenge."
Seemed he wasn't the only one thinking that—mission hit instantly.
In other games, finding the same player in 24 hours would've been tough,
but Triachia was an old game with only vets left.
Smaller playerbase meant good luck could reunite them quick.
Kim Sung-jin repeated the ID of his conqueror.
If they opened a room, he'd jump in.
But it wasn't nonsense to wonder where to look—no sign in custom rooms yet.
"Tch. Not there. This might take a bit? But with that skill, they play a lot, so I'll find 'em slowly."
And so Kim Sung-jin's defeat passed as a mere incident.
At least for the morning.
*
Truth be told, streams rarely had long shelf lives.
Peak earnings were huge, but scandals could plummet you anytime, and
'fun' for viewers wasn't formulaic—you never knew when you'd lose your spark.
Smart streamers dug survival burrows against downfall.
Not blowing cash on impulse, but building personal cash cows.
"No customers again..."
Mid-tier streamer Kang Nari sat idly in her fly-buzzing shop.
Female cam streams declined with age, so heeding peers' advice, she'd prepped during her peak at 26.
Frugally saved, opened a small shop in a station area.
Side gig now, main job post-retirement.
Problem: what to sell?
Vapes and e-liquids, specialized.
Chosen thinking it'd hold interest long-term, but now it seemed foolish.
"Should've just staffed a convenience store... Wanna turn back time for real."
A soft sigh escaped Kang Nari's lips.
No one to hear her mutter against boredom—the shop was dead.
It'd spawned in this environment.
Not past peak, but as a streamer, broadcasts trumped shop.
Average stream time: evenings to dawn, peak viewers.
Thus, late morning to early afternoon at shop, evenings streaming—her routine.
But vapes' main customers?
Adults.
And during open hours, adults worked.
So she missed evening post-work buyers.
Even if clueless on streaming, she felt her business sense lacking.
Current sales barely covered rent and utilities.
No wage for herself even.
Ding-a-ling!
"Welcome!"
Every customer was precious.
Kang Nari shot up, greeting the hesitant entrant warmly.
"...Hello."
Inside, disappointment.
The customer looked underage no matter what.
Petite, slight build.
Pretty face, but messy unbrushed hair.
That dropped estimated age further.
"Looking for something?"
Smile stayed.
Off chance they were an adult babyface.
ID check at checkout.
'Doesn't look like a smoker...'
Clear skin unlikely for one, fidgety glances screaming out of place.
Suspicion deepened.
Unaware,
the customer met eyes, parting small lips.
"Um... I usually smoke cigs but wanna switch to vapes, came not knowing much."
"Ah, need a recommendation?"
"Yes."
From dozens of devices, she picked a cheap beginner-friendly one.
No pricey stuff first—intimidating.
"This one's podless.... And easy to clean..."
"Ah. Yes. Yup."
"Inject liquid like this, clean pod with ethanol or water..."
The customer nodded blankly to explanations—adorably.
Like a baby bird mouth agape for food.
Unbidden smile formed.
But explaining smoking stuff to such a girl felt...
Guilty, like corrupting innocence.
"Hmm..."
"If unsure, wanna demo?"
"Demo?"
"Try a sample device. But... ID first? You look so young."
"Ah. Sure. Here."
Surprisingly, Yoo Seo-ha was an adult.
Not newly so—solid 22.
Photo matched perfectly—no fake.
Handed back casually, hiding surprise.
Yoo Seo-ha tucked ID into cute wallet.
That face, adult?
If I looked that young, I'd plan streams to 30s, 40s...
Even knowing true age, couldn't see her as full adult.
Especially mouthing the demo—
Sweet vapor on tongue, half-lidded eyes widening sparkly?
Like a pampered little sis, enviably lovable despite annoyance.
Kang Nari curbed her softening smile.
Yoo Seo-ha tilted head at hand-held device.
"Huh? Wasn't like this before?"
"Something wrong...?"
"No, just... Tried a friend's vape once long ago, wasn't this tasty."
Yoo Seo-ha eyed it wonderingly.
Usually cig smokers find vapes off-putting, but this suited her.
Thanks to Kang Nari—'Old Smoker Auntie' to viewers, Soft streamer's top smoker—her sensed pick.
"So device and liquid that one?"
Hundreds of liquids; sample was apple.
Intentional fruit—sweet ones popular with women.
Tiny cute customer triggered bias.
More precisely, 'strawberry cream croffle or butterscotch muffin fiend?'
Bias hit true—she had girly, childish tastes.
Thus prejudice became 'expertise.'
Yet despite clear liking, Yoo Seo-ha hesitated.
Kang Nari queried.
"Need more?"
"No... Um..."
Less hesitation, more bashful.
Avoiding eyes, tiny voice.
"Is there sweeter...? Suddenly craving it..."
"Kh! Ahem, of course!"
Thus Yoo Seo-ha bought 'SUPER SWEET' liquid.
So sweet it split opinions.
But she savored it like candy, eyes blissfully relaxed.
Kang Nari waved her off.
Joy at first customer in 3 hours brief.
Yoo Seo-ha paused midway, returned.
Ding-a-ling!
"Um."
"Huh? Forgot something?"
"No, just... I don't know vapes well.... Can I come back often with questions?"
Tiny face full of worry—being a bother?
Kang Nari stifled laugh, beamed.
"Anytime! Come whenever!"
Only then Yoo Seo-ha smiled bright, left.
Kang Nari content—secured cute regular.