Chapter 33

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Translator: True Detective

Chapter: 33

Chapter Title: Hey, 4885, It's You?

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1.

As soon as the results screen appeared, I saw the promotion notice and curled up the corners of my mouth.

"Looks like it came through."

Whether it was because of the news that I'd reached Master or just lunchtime, the viewer count had gone up even more.

"Why does it start at 100 points?"

I checked my match history, and sure enough, it started at 100 points. Wasn't it supposed to start from 0?

"It starts at 100? I never even thought of that. That should cut down the time to reach Challenger a bit."

I moved my finger to check the current rankings.

"Grandmaster cutoff is 501 points. Challenger is... 845 points. Still a long way to go."

It seemed like it would take even more games to hit Challenger than it did to reach Master. Things were about to get way harder from here.

"Is there no double points event or something? Like double gains on wins but double losses on defeats."

"If there was something like that, every ranked player would buy it up. The Arena doesn't know how to do business."

I shook my head and clicked my tongue.

If the Merchant Guild had run the game, they'd have sold all kinds of items. Instead of supplying military goods, they'd have hawked them for profit.

How bad was their racketeering that the Hero had to step in and crush them personally?

'They were some ruthless merchants.'

Still, all the loot from wiping them out had kept supplies plentiful.

"Alright, I've hit Master. Gonna take a quick break to make lunch for Sis. Should take about an hour. You guys eat too."

One line caught my eye while skimming the chat.

"Vitube channel? Not yet. I'd have to make one and hire an editor, but I'm focusing on Challenger first."

"Illegal chains?"

At the viewers' suggestion, I searched Vitube for my name. A bunch of channels popped up, all uploading my gameplay footage.

"For real. These can't monetize, right?"

"So unless I run my own channel or report them personally, I can't take down the illegal chains? Right?"

"I don't care much about the illegal chains themselves. But if they're profiting off it... that's different."

Suddenly, an old memory surfaced.

'In that other world, some guy copied my cooking recipes exactly and sold them.'

I'd cooked a few times for hungry villagers, so he must've tasted it, spied, and copied.

Advertising like that? Unbelievable. Later, the Magic Tower Master personally went and burned the whole place down, leaving just the sign.

After that incident, no one dared copy my recipes for profit.

"Hmm. Should I try running a channel? I could pick one of these illegal chains to make official."

No need to start from scratch or hunt for an editor. Absorbing a well-running channel would be more efficient.

"I'm thinking of making one of these illegal chains official. Which one? I'd like your opinions."

The chat scrolled fast, but one name stood out repeatedly.

"Lots of opinions that Hayul channel has clean, fun editing. I'll watch some videos and decide."

I logged out of the Arena and watched. Even just 5 minutes in, I could tell it was clean—no fluff.

"Talk parts as talk, game as game—nicely separated. And above all... it feels like it's made with love?"

"Is that my sis? Nah, no way. Probably not... right?"

Thinking about it now, it was kinda suspicious.

Sis had looked tired lately. Dark circles heavier than usual, struggling to get up in the mornings.

I'd thought it was just community stress, but could it all be ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠from editing?

"...Gotta ask her directly. Was heading out for lunch anyway, so I'll end the stream and be back."

I bowed my head and ended the broadcast. I logged out of VR and headed to the living room.

'Not here.'

I moved to Sis's room.

Opening the door, I saw her back. She was leaning deep into her chair, eyes fixed on the monitor.

She didn't notice me enter and kept typing busily.

Tadak—!

The keyboard echoed softly in the quiet room. I approached quietly and peeked at the screen.

It showed yesterday's stream. Timeline, subtitles, sound effects below—all clear signs of editing.

"Ugh... think I've got the structure down now."

While watching silently, Sis leaned back and stretched. She reached for her tumbler, saw it empty, and set it down.

"Gotta get more coffee..."

She muttered to herself and turned her chair sideways.

"...Huh?"

Our eyes met. Her eyes widened, and she froze. Mine stayed calm. Her pupils darted side to side.

"...Wh-when did you get here?"

"Just now."

"Why'd you end stream so early? You usually go till dawn."

"Came to make lunch for you."

"N-No need to go that far. I'm not a kid..."

Silence hung between us. She looked down, hands on her lap, shoulders slumped.

"...Sorry. Meant to tell you."

"Tell me what?"

"That I'm editing your videos. Planned to say once the channel stabilized. For real."

"Then why hide it?"

"...Thought you'd feel burdened if you knew. I want to help you too, but what can I even do for you?"

I let out a deep sigh. She flinched.

"Why can't you help? Just being by my side is enough. That's all I need. Family's supposed to have each other's backs. What more?"

"Thanks for saying that."

Sis hesitated, then looked up carefully.

"But I want to do something for you too. Like you did for me. Family helping each other is normal, right?"

I chuckled and shook my head at her retort.

"Can't argue with that. Fine, do what you want. Wasn't meant to be a big deal anyway."

It came off scolding, but I hadn't intended that. Just caught off guard.

"But sleep properly. Got it?"

"...I'll try. So can I be your official editor?"

I smirked slightly.

"Hmm? Not sure if I can trust a brazen illegal chain operator with my channel? Submit a resume first?"

"...That's harsh. Can't I use the videos I've uploaded as portfolio?"

"Competition's fierce. That little effort might get you rejected~?"

"So mean to family... You said having each other's backs is enough!"

Sis looked wronged. I laughed and picked up her tumbler.

"This is business. Let's talk more over lunch. I'll judge your interview attitude! Brace yourself!"

"......Yes, Boss."

"I'll let you know when lunch is ready. Keep editing till then."

"Okay."

As I headed to the kitchen, Sis called out suddenly.

"Oh, right. Hayul. Know a VTuber named 'Yura'?"

"Yura? No, first time hearing it. Why? She say something about me?"

"Hm. Nothing harmful to you... Make food first. I'll explain in detail over lunch."

"Got it."

Yura? What now?

'Kinda ominous...'.