Chapter 146
Chapter 146
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 146
Chapter Title: Boredom and the VTuber Pitch
-----------------------------------------------------------------
“That guy's living one hell of a busy life.”
Tae-hoon, lounging at home, sipped his soda while watching the news.
The news was reporting that Seo-hyun had resolved the situation in Cambodia.
“He's already swamped, and now these weird Erosion Entities are popping up. It's only natural.”
His friend next to him, Min-hyuk, responded with equal nonchalance.
“With things that mess with people's minds showing up too... Man, I've felt this since Mutants first appeared, but the world's gone totally mad.”
“Speaking of which, didn't you become the official editor for Ark Angels? You sure it's okay to be slacking off like this?”
“I already wrapped up their stuff and am juggling a few side gigs on top.”
Tae-hoon stuck out his tongue in amazement.
He wasn't an expert in video editing, but he knew it wasn't easy work.
And handling multiple projects at once? That couldn't be a walk in the park.
“...Doesn't editing usually take forever?”
“Dunno. It was just so fun I finished before I knew it. Right now, all my work's done, so I'm just cracking open some dried squid with you.”
“Then why not go on a date with your girlfriend?”
“What kind of date in this mess? Even if it's safe, people's nerves are shot. Regular folks like us get one-shot by an Erosion Entity. Best to hole up indoors as much as possible.”
“House dates exist, you know. Wait, doesn't your girlfriend complain?”
“About what?”
“About you chilling with me like this, peeling squid. Doesn't it look suspicious from the outside?”
“I talked to her about it. Explained once, and she got it right away.”
“What'd you say?”
“Asked if she could date her little brother. Said it's exactly like that.”
“...Huh. Yeah, when you put it that way.”
“See? She accepted it just like that.”
“Anyway, how's the pay?”
“Ark Angels pays pretty damn well. Looks like Han-gyeol pulled some strings... Thanks to that, life's good these days. And more than that...”
“More than that?”
“With the world like this, internet streaming's blowing up. Hunter streams, Mutant streams—take Yeonhwa noona's broadcasts; they're insane.”
“Oh, right. Her channel pulls in tens of thousands of viewers, doesn't it?”
“Yeah, she's leaning into Erosion Entity hunts as content now... A Mutant like her popping them left and right? People eat it up.”
“Internet broadcasting's really taking off these days?”
“What're you saying? And lately, VTubers are surging.”
“What's that?”
“People who used to stream no-cam now use animated characters instead.”
“There's demand for that?”
“Plenty. High demand, high supply... Lets you broadcast without showing your face, so streamers flock to it. Viewers too. Stalking and stuff happens a lot, so yeah. VTuber perception's improved on streaming boards too—no more 'otaku crap' backlash like at first. Almost none now.”
“Wild...”
“Wanna give it a shot if you're interested?”
“I'm busy acting.”
“You look pretty free for someone busy.”
Tae-hoon shook his head at Min-hyuk's words.
“It looks that way now, but I'll be slammed once I start the next project. Just have some downtime reviewing scripts...”
“Fair. No easy gigs out there. Yours sounds rough—multiple jobs. Helping the Bureau hunt Erosion Entities, acting when you're not...”
Tae-hoon shook his head.
“Everyone's considerate, so it's not too bad. Barely any physical fatigue.”
“Lucky. Hey, maybe pitch streaming to Yoon Seo-hyun later.”
“She got time for that?”
“Who knows? She mentioned in that national address—Artifacts could minimize Erosion Entity damage. Might free her up?”
“Oh, yeah. True. But if she streams, won't it explode?”
“That's why VTuber. And I'd edit it for her.”
“You sneaky bastard—that your angle?”
“Streaming's a red ocean. Use connections—friends or whatever—max out, right?”
“...Fair. But why would she do VTuber?”
“She's got a reason.”
“What?”
“Fun. She's been whining lately—everyday joys gone, life's boring. I get why.”
“Why's that?”
“Everyone sucks up to her for everything—fun? People thrive on overcoming challenges for that rush. But snap her fingers, and praise rains down reflexively. Gotta be dull.”
“...Yeah, I get it.”
“Bottom line: no sense of achievement. Streaming? Especially hiding your face? Pure achievement rush. Starting at zero viewers and building up—that hits different.”
“But she has to enjoy it for that to work.”
“She will. 100% her type.”
Min-hyuk was convinced.
* * *
The Cambodia trip was over.
This place was nuts—too many crazies. Handed them all off to Nia.
One trying to recreate the Killing Fields, another brainwashed by psychic Erosion Entities.
Explained why Nia asked for help.
Couldn't even talk to them—brute force only.
Anyway, brute force wrapped up easy.
No matter the Mutant, unless they're Yeonhwa noona level, they can't even scratch me.
Bonus: Stocked up on mana barrier Artifacts from Paradise with the Dwarves for Korea. Should nix Rift risks for good.
Meaning: peaceful daily life returns.
My mana barriers are physically impenetrable to Erosion Entities.
Sure, downgraded versions since I didn't install personally—could break like that Haeundae one... But buys plenty of time.
Not ditching gains from Erosion Entity corpses either.
Barriers just prevent sudden civilian attacks.
Mutants still key for killing them.
Way safer than before—daily life uninterrupted.
Wrapped most tasks, so barely anything needs me now.
Even Bureau paperwork's light—done quick.
...Bored.
Snapping fingers feeds me life on easy mode, but that's why the boredom hits harder.
No achievement from accomplishments.
Whatever I do, blind praise—got numb to it.
In short... Life's no fun.
“Anything fun out there?”
Mid-thought, Min-hyuk messaged.
[Jo Min-hyuk: Whatcha doing?]
[Yoon Seo-hyun: Diligently slacking]
[Jo Min-hyuk: Wanna try streaming?]
[Yoon Seo-hyun: Nah? It'll suck anyway. Whatever I do, praise pours in; they'll tiptoe around me—ruins the fun.]
[Jo Min-hyuk: Nah, something hot now—hide your identity and stream.]
[Yoon Seo-hyun: What's that?]
[Jo Min-hyuk: VTuber]
[Yoon Seo-hyun: Seen some lately... Folks using cartoon avatars?]
[Jo Min-hyuk: Yeah, basically role-playing virtual characters... Interested?]
[Yoon Seo-hyun: Dunno...]
[Jo Min-hyuk: Streaming with fans treating you normal—fun, right? You said nothing's fun lately. Try it, worst case you quit.]
[Yoon Seo-hyun: Why pitch it to me?]
[Jo Min-hyuk: Your stream would be hilarious, various reasons lol]
[Yoon Seo-hyun: What do you want outta me?]
[Jo Min-hyuk: I'll edit and manage full-time.]
[Yoon Seo-hyun: ...Why?]
[Jo Min-hyuk: Just seems fun.]
I sighed reading Min-hyuk's chat.
Friend, but total wild card.
Streaming, huh... Kinda curious.
Not as Yoon Seo-hyun, Mutant Bureau Director—just raw me. How'd that land?
Dragon-type Mutant, Director stripped—pure skill in streaming? Odds low.
I'm no natural entertainer.
Failure guaranteed.
But.
Still...
His words rang true—sounds fun.
Can plain old me survive streaming on talent alone?
Thinking it over's already entertaining.
No risk in failing.
And at the end? Achievement.
That's enough.
[Jo Min-hyuk: Do it or not?]
Perfect timing—his nudge.
I smiled. Knew why.
I'd vented lately—bored, no thrill.
Sneaky guy, all heart.
Can't ignore a friend trying this hard.
Replied simple.
[Yoon Seo-hyun: Let's try it]
[Jo Min-hyuk: OK]
Erosion crisis stabilized—time for some fun.