Chapter 148
Chapter 148
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 148
Chapter Title: S-Rank Bounty Hunter
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Haesol had cleared her entire day.
She did have other schedules, but surely nothing was more important than this.
Honestly, she still couldn't figure out why Seo-hyun wanted to jump into the VTuber industry.
Wasn't she someone who had no need to do that?
Social prestige, personal talent, wealth... She already had everything most people could hope for in life.
So what was someone like her missing?
No matter how much she thought about it, Haesol couldn't come up with an answer.
She'd have to talk to her directly to get a sense of it.
Haesol tensed up.
This was someone she absolutely could not treat lightly.
One wrong move, and her life might be in danger.
Of course, she'd never heard of Seo-hyun treating anyone poorly... but you never know.
There were plenty of outwardly gentlemanly people who were thugs underneath.
Even so, Haesol's mind raced.
No matter how she looked at it, if she debuted properly... it would be a massive hit in every way.
She had no idea what Seo-hyun's broadcasting instincts were like, but wasn't helping with that her job?
For now, paperwork or whatever be damned—she was accepted.
Other applicants might protest that it was outrageous, but what could they do? Survival came first.
Her counterpart was at the pinnacle of power. She could remove even the president if she wanted.
Haesol had no clue why she wanted to be a VTuber... but still.
As always, she planned to give it her all.
* * *
I looked up at the massive building.
No wonder they said it was a VTuber company thriving even overseas—the scale was insane.
I'd heard that right after the Third Mutation, the VTuber market exploded.
With people staying indoors more, preparing for potential crises, the cultural flow naturally shifted toward indoor activities.
That boosted the VTuber industry big time.
Even streamers who used to do cam broadcasts were switching to virtual avatars to avoid the hassle... It showed just how deeply rooted VTubers were in online streaming.
I entered the building. Thanks to the Perception Inhibition Magic, no one recognized me.
Magic really was convenient in so many ways.
As soon as I stepped inside, I called the person who would soon be my CEO, Haesol.
"Hello? I've just arrived. Where should I go?"
-Oh, you're here? Hold on. I'll come down right now.
While I waited downstairs, I saw someone rushing over breathlessly.
The staff eyed her curiously.
"CEO? Where are you rushing off to?"
"A guest just arrived... Wait, where are they?"
"No one else has come in separately."
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"I've been at the reception desk the whole time, and no one's come in."
That's when I released the Perception Inhibition Magic.
As the spell lifted, I walked over to Haesol and greeted her.
"Hello."
She stared at me in shock.
* * *
Haesol nearly jumped out of her skin when Seo-hyun suddenly appeared out of nowhere.
"Wha-what!?"
But the shock was fleeting. Haesol knew exactly what kind of existence Seo-hyun was.
"Ah, hello. Director...?"
"Just call me Seo-hyun."
"Got it, Seo-hyun."
"Wha-what...?"
And she wasn't the only one shocked.
The reception desk staff gawked at Seo-hyun like they might faint.
Why was she here of all places?
The staff's face said it all, and when Seo-hyun gave her a small smile, she clapped a hand over her mouth.
"Let's talk details in my office first."
"Sure."
* * *
The CEO's office was huge.
"Wow... Your company's scale is no joke."
"It's an undeserved success. We just rode the wave perfectly."
Haesol seemed to have composed herself quickly, sitting calmly at the reception table.
"So, Seo-hyun. Could you tell me why you're interested in Pathfinder...?"
I gave her the same answer I'd given Min-hyuk.
"So... basically, you want to hide your real identity completely and seek new experiences?"
"Yes. That's the summary."
"Then, this industry might offer you all sorts of fun."
For a moment, her eyes sharpened. She must have gained some conviction, judging by that glint.
"I think so. That's why I chose it."
"Why Pathfinder specifically? You could have gone indie."
I pondered her question before answering.
"I chose Pathfinder because I wanted to rub shoulders with people on equal footing."
"Equal footing... Peers."
"Yes. Honestly, my current status doesn't allow for equal relationships. Friends are all I have. That's made my connections shallow and wide... that's the vibe. I can't build deep bonds even when I want to."
Haesol seemed to grasp what I meant.
"But if your peers see you, they'll be on their guard."
"That's why I want to put off meeting them in person as long as possible. Until we've built some rapport and there's no distance... then I'd like to meet."
"Good thinking."
She gave a small smile at my words. Suddenly, I wondered if this was okay, so I asked her.
"But... is it fine to recruit like this?"
"Yes. I'll take responsibility as CEO. And..."
"And?"
"I've seen real potential in you. You dance well, sing well—basically, you meet the top requirements for a VTuber. That's not all that's needed, of course... but strengths in dance and song draw attention easily."
"That's a relief... A friend said the competition is brutal."
"Hmm, see those documents?"
I looked toward her desk at her words. Piles of what looked like thousands of sheets.
"...No way?"
"Yes. All those are third-gen applicant files. We're already at over 2,000 to 1, and it'll only grow."
I gasped.
This was no joke.
"Alright, let me explain the third-gen lore briefly."
"Lore...?"
"Yes. It's like an extension of the RP—their backstory. Think of it as a world setting. Idols do it a lot these days."
"So first-gen, second-gen... my seniors have settings too?"
"Of course. Check the homepage later; you'll see."
"But that RP thing... do I have to stick to it?"
"Honestly, in Korea, most don't. Our girls are like that too. But setting it up early lets you meme with viewers later, so it's better than nothing."
"Ah..."
"Anyway, the third-gen concept is set: wanderers."
"Wanderers?"
"Yes. Pulled from our company name, Pathfinder. First-gen: pioneers. Second-gen: settlers following them. Third-gen: wanderers in the post-settlement wars and chaos."
"So all my peers are wanderers?"
"Yep. But wanderers come in all types—they're the freest, after all. That's where individual RPs branch off."
I could picture it.
"Gonna feel rugged."
"Right. Not all wanderers are rough, though, so subtypes emerge. What RP do you want, Seo-hyun?"
"Hmm... something spicy. Opposite of my public image."
"Nice? I thought that'd suit you."
"Post-war chaotic civilization, wandering... bounty hunter vibe could be fun."
Haesol's—no, the CEO's—eyes lit up.
"Oh... bounty hunter. Love it?"
"Ah, but is that civilization modern?"
"No. Medieval feel, basically."
"Then... bounty-obsessed, slicing throats of wanted criminals everywhere. Rough type."
"Perfect. Abilities?"
"Since real me uses magic, go opposite: close-combat martial artist."
And so, we spent a good while discussing, finalizing my virtual avatar concept.
Thus, my RP was set as...
An S-rank Bounty Hunter. A bounty hunter... and human hunter.