It’s not that kind of malicious broadcast

They say that humans go through five stages of denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance when they face their own death.

Why did the content from the liberal arts class remain so vividly in her memory? StarPork sighed, fiddling with her ice cream with a somber gesture.

She recalled the professor’s statement that this wasn’t limited only to discussions of death. He mentioned that similar reactions are observed when facing unforeseen, unavoidable pain.

Could this be applied to her situation of being booted off the broadcast?

“So… it feels like this. Should I show you a picture? Hmm… Ah, this one looks good. What do you think?”

『Wow』

『Beautiful』

『Wow』

『Oh, can we reveal this???』

『No leaks!!!』

『Wow, you really showed this』

『Geez;;』

“Ugh, what is it!!”

StarPork had already moved past the stage of denial, where she had believed there was no way she’d be excluded and that they would surely choose again.

The time when she scowled while watching the viewers who sat enjoying the broadcast from the royal seat and laughed at her passed quickly.

Then, she tried desperately to break through that solid wall—by sending a direct message to Lee Yena (which went unread) and attempting to buy a spot on the board—needless to say, it failed.

Therefore, having swiftly passed through denial, anger, and bargaining, StarPork was now deeply entrenched in the stage of depression.

“Why… why won’t they show it to me…”

When she thought about contacting them later, the answer was obvious. They would surely tell her what had been said and show the photo. But they would do it with a tone questioning why she was even asking.

But—

“It’s not the same.”

What meaning would there be in hearing everything after it was already over?

Suddenly, StarPork remembered the short time she had worked as a kitchen assistant at a bar, upon her aunt’s request.

Korea had advanced to the quarterfinals of the World Cup, and they desperately needed help.

The place was overflowing with energy, and the cheers of people echoed— it was an exhilarating atmosphere, but, of course, she couldn’t watch the game herself.

Her spot was in the kitchen, without a television. StarPork painfully realized that day, there were moments missed that would never return. There are joys felt only when you share the flow of time.

While she busily washed the dishes, watching people shout, hug each other, and erupt in excitement—later on, merely hearing, “Oh, that? There was a goal. It was a fantastic pass”, didn’t touch her.

“Should I make a call… No, that can’t be. Just hold back. You have to.”

《Then, this is the last concern. We will select the final person who gives the best answer. Ah, since this is a private concern……it should not be aired on the broadcast, so please send your answers via KoK personal message. We’ve all added each other as friends anyway.》

“Ah, why does even the answer have to be private! This is basically as secretive as the National Intelligence Service!”

While CravingWarmAmericano was about to transition to ‘acceptance’, StarPork reverted back to the ‘anger’ stage. The chat channel of Lee Yena’s Discurse broadcast was overflowing with satisfaction.

『Okay!^^7』

『Is there anyone who doesn’t have GetDevoured in their friend list?』

『??? If you’re a viewer of GetDevoured, you should all be friends, obviously;;』

『God GetDevoured is really kind……adding all the viewers as friends……』

『All viewers (5 people)』

『Ah, this is the charm of a small channel』

Outside the fence, flames were rising-

『🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥』

『🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥』

『Me』

『🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥』

『Me』

『🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥』

『Rock』

『These crazy bastards were never here to begin with, but now they’re acting all high and mighty. I’ve been here from the start, promoted it, donated, subscribed, watched since it was small, I’m special, but these guys are just watching because they’ve got nothing better to do.』

『Adding as friends is crossing the line. Delete it yourself, damn it』

『Those bastards always troll whenever we meet』

『Ah, seriously』

‘Just……kick all five out……and restart……’

『Just kick all five out and restart』

Even StarPork, shivering outside the fence, was joining in the wave.

* * * *

It had been an interesting time, in many ways. I was a bit surprised by the higher-than-expected proportion of serious Rogue users.

Were the number of Rogue users increasing? Or did a small group of Rogue users all gather in this broadcast?

For some reason, the latter seemed more likely. Although encountering Rogues more often while running rank games had increased, considering the number of targeted attacks, it was hard to draw any significant conclusions.

Anyway.

It was time to wrap things up.

I had to pick the person whose advice resonated with me the most for the last piece of advice…

“Yes, then… it’s time to choose the final person. Congratulations to ‘Don’t Come Near Me with an Axe’, you’ve survived.”

After kicking out the remaining four people, the chat window became noticeably quieter. The person left… Should I call them NoAxe? Anyway, they seemed somewhat delighted, sending various messages in the chat.

Of course, since one person could only fill the chat to a certain extent, it was expected.

I felt that it was about time to transition.

“Do you happen to have a microphone?”

『Yes, yes!』

『I have one』

“Well then, shall we have a brief conversation? Think of it as a free donation opportunity.”

I didn’t have any prize prepared in advance. Initially, I hadn’t even planned to leave only one person till the end. Still, they made it to the very end; wouldn’t it be disappointing to have nothing?

An ending should have something fitting to mark it.

While thinking about that, I suddenly recalled my first interview-like interaction on Ark’s broadcast.

No one can resist a free donation.

Surely, NoAxe would be happy too.

“Oh, but…”

Looking at the Tw*tch viewer count, there were still around 13,000 people.

Unlike the somewhat detached me at the time, talking in front of so many people might be difficult for NoAxe. They might feel uncomfortable with their voice being exposed…

Moreover, the chat window was…

Quite intense.

Even for someone who likes watching a fire, that’s something you do while looking at a campfire, not a forest fire.

“The chat atmosphere got a bit rough while I wasn’t looking. Um… everyone, let’s take a deep breath. Imagine running on a peaceful meadow, with sheep and horses, and a gentle breeze caressing you.”

『Caressing?』

『Breathe in saying ‘damn’, and breathe out saying ‘it sucks’』

『I think my horn is about to break』

『🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥』

『Don’t run into me on the street』

『🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥』

『Talking about a peaceful meadow, yeah right』

『I’ll definitely kill you』

『Hoo ha, hoo ha, damn, damn, damn』

『Just looking at their ID, they reek of being a total loser; can we please choose someone else?』

In this atmosphere, people would enthusiastically hurl insults, regardless of who it was.

And even if the person doesn’t really know me and is just throwing out random comments, being the target of such concentrated fire from numerous people isn’t a pleasant experience.

A thought briefly crossed my mind, wondering if playing some soothing music might help. Based on past experience, it hadn’t been very effective.

Having gone through a rigorous verification process… Oh, did they come in the middle? Anyway, they were a precious talent. Measures should be taken to protect them. They say, “Better safe than sorry.”

However, thinking realistically, the way to protect NoAxe in this kind of atmosphere would indeed be…

“We won’t let NoAxe’s voice be broadcasted. This will be enforced even if you dislike it… Yes.”

I thought maybe by removing anything that could be a target of ridicule, it would help. If their voice were heard, people would latch onto it, dissecting even their tone.

By not broadcasting it at all, all issues would be avoided. Any insults would be directed at me instead.

“Oh. But if speaking itself feels burdensome, please let me know. We can substitute it with another reward… Hmm, I’ll think about it. I don’t really have anything suitable as a reward. These days, cash is the best gift; should I give you cash? If you want, feel free—”

『No, no, no!』

『I like this a lot.』

『Other than cash.』

『That free donation…』

… Thank goodness.

Well, shall we start then?

Oh.

But completely isolating them would be a bit too much. We’ve already set clear distinctions all this time. We should at least share what kind of conversation is going on.

* * * *

《Hello.》

《Yes, hello.》

《Uh… yes, hello.》

《What was that just now…?》

《Ah. Since the viewers can’t hear what NoAxe says, they might be confused. When you speak, I’ll relay it for you. Think of it as a donation TTS and don’t worry.》

《Oh, uh, I don’t speak like that.》

《… Sorry. I don’t have much TTS experience… should I call this STS? Anyway, I’ll try my best.》

《I think I’ll just leave… No, no. I’ll try my best. If I do well from now on, it will be fine. I’ll put a bit more effort into acting. Trust me.》

《… NoAxe?》

On the broadcast, the voice of Lee Yena, slightly changing in tone, continued to flow.

TL’s Corner:
I’m hella confused.