Chapter 80

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Translator: True Detective

Chapter: 80

Chapter Title: Grand Chef Korea - Didn't Know Gallery Moderators Get 5 Million Won Salary?

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1.

A heavy silence blanketed the massive hall. Contestants, staff, even the cameras—every gaze in the space locked onto me in unison.

Trrring-

The awkward silence was shattered by a notification chime ringing out. I pulled out my phone and checked; the caller was my sister.

"…Hello?"

"Hayul! What was that at the end?! What the hell happened in there?!"

I let out a long sigh at her frantic voice coming through the phone. This wasn't something to discuss here.

"Hold on a sec."

I excused myself from Yurim and Lee Seohwa, then got up from the sofa and headed to my room.

Click-

Once the door closed behind me, I finally spoke again.

"It's not what you're thinking, sis. Nothing happened."

"Nothing?! Do you have any idea how crazy the communities are going right now?!"

"…No clue. I don't touch them unless you show me."

"It's total chaos! Full of wild theories and hate about you!"

"Yeah, figures."

If the episode had ended like that, it'd be unavoidable fodder for gossip. Even if I were a viewer, I'd be talking about it.

"Just to be sure… that thing in my head right now, it didn't really happen, right?"

"No idea what's in your head, but definitely not. So don't worry too much. It'll all come out next episode."

"Okay. I'll trust you. Hayul from the Hero party would never do something that vicious! I've believed in you from the start!"

"……For real?"

"…………."

A brief silence fell over the line. Guess she still has a conscience.

"Anyway, don't stress. PD Jung In-sun edited it that way on purpose. I didn't actually do anything like that."

"Got it. But why'd PD Jung edit it like that?"

"For ratings. We discussed it beforehand. They might edit things a bit maliciously. So don't take it too hard, sis."

"Really? You guys talked about that?"

Her voice rose a notch in surprise over the call.

"Yeah. Shows like this need a villain, right? When the PD brought up editing, I said go for it."

"…Hayul. You don't have to sacrifice yourself like this anymore. You're not part of the Hero party."

"I know. But if someone's gotta do it, might as well be me."

"Hayul…."

Her voice trembled slightly.

'This is embarrassing.'

Honestly, it didn't feel like much of a sacrifice. I was just doing what I wanted.

"Ahem. Anyway, what's the latest on the red pill theories?"

I switched topics to lighten the mood. I was actually curious too.

"I'll send you a community link. Hard to explain, so check it yourself."

"Gotcha. Hanging up then. Ease up on the communities, okay?"

"I'll… try."

"No lying."

"I mean it! I'll try! But it's not like I can control it… And it's so boring without you lately. Can't believe I survived alone before."

Fair enough. Suddenly being alone again must feel weird.

"Back then, at least streaming kept it from getting boring, right?"

"…Maybe?"

"If you're really bored, try streaming. Your fans are waiting for a comeback. You gonna abandon them?"

No response for a bit. Didn't expect the streaming nudge.

"But is streaming smart right now? With all the agro from you?"

"What are you talking about? Now's perfect. Pull back those viewers who dipped during the break."

She pondered, then replied.

"…Okay. I'll think about it."

"Don't just think—do it. Even 5 minutes. Got it?"

"Yeah…."

"Alright, bye. Eat well. Communities in moderation. Okay?"

"Quit nagging!"

The call cut off with her outburst. A chime followed, so I checked messages.

"What kind of emoticon even is that?"

Her messages from watching the stream made me chuckle. Felt like peeking at live viewer reactions.

Anyone'd think she was handing down forbidden magic. Just like those dark wizards back in that other world.

I snickered as I opened the community.

Dozens of posts had gone up during the broadcast, peaking when I appeared. Latest ones were flooded with my name.

Couldn't read them all, so I cherry-picked the intriguing ones.

'Public opinion's sour.'

Makes sense—they want Grand Chef talk, not vtuber chatter.

After that post, every female contestant sparked "Is that her?" theories.

The gallery devolved into pandemonium as everyone piled on.

'This some anti-fan setup?'

Seemed less like real fans, more like trolls trying to trash my image.

'Some trolls mixed in for sure.'

Grand Chef gallery was #1 hot right now, drawing all the agro.

Mods caved and made a separate 'Vtuber' tab.

The chaos settled into a shaky peace as folks split off to their topics. Then—

'That scene' hit, and the gallery united in shock.

"Ugh…."

Praise like that stung worse than hate. Even if insincere.

"…It was tasty."

I muttered, scrolling for more.

"Pro chef my ass."

Obvious bait. Problem: suckers bought it.

'Pretty entertaining…'

My mentions kept popping, impossible to stop scrolling. No wonder sis was hooked.

"…Sis wrote that, huh."

Checked all existing posts, refreshed for new—felt familiar.

'No way she did.'

Doubtful she'd be that clueless.

Her reply made me squeeze my eyes shut.

"Sigh…."

That's the fate of community addicts. Scared me straight—I closed the app.

'Time for a workout.'

Missions resume in two days. Wonder what'll come next. Excited.