NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 157 - It Begins
“It’s heavy.”
“Bear with it. If you don’t like it, go cam-less.”
“…Just you wait.”
Perhaps she never truly intended to resist. Her timid revolt was easily quashed. Of course, even if she had resisted, it wouldn’t have made much difference.
They were numerically outmatched from the start.
The proudly brought masks had long been confiscated by StarPork. Using the excuse that she, as a fan of GetDevoured, couldn’t tolerate a humiliating meme, StarPork had snatched victory with a burst of speed and explosive energy from seemingly nowhere.
In the end, Lee Yena, who sat slumped in her chair wearing a full-face helmet, moved her head around, trying to find a more comfortable position.
“Getting used to it?”
“It feels like my neck is getting shorter.”
She muttered her complaint quietly, furrowing her brow, though it didn’t seem to have much effect.
“You’ll get used to it soon. And since you attached a mic inside for when you’re broadcasting outside, even if you speak quietly, the sound should be captured well… All set. Wanna give it a try?”
“Give back my robber mask.”
“So, you were aware it looked like a robber mask.”
“Yep, the sound is being picked up well.”
As Lee Yena’s complaints were being ignored, the time was approaching just ten minutes before the start of the first match of the finals.
It was time to start the joint broadcast.
* * * *
『Ark is live!』
『Watching the Worlds Finals! With GetDevoured, Revan, StarPork』
『Ah~ Ah~ Ah~ Ah~ Ah~』
『Something big has arrived dd』
『Is it cam-less today?? Is it cam-less today?? Is it cam-less today?? Is it cam-less today?? Is it cam-less today?? Is it cam-less today?? Is it cam-less today?? Is it cam-less today??』
『Open the door! Open the door! Open the door! Open the door! Open the door! Open the door! Open the door! Open the door!』
『If you covered the cam with duct tape, you’re dead』
『3:1 4P Alpha Male’s life, so jealous dd』
Message deleted due to temporary ban.
『From today, I’m rooting for V7, dammit』
Viewers were quickly filling up, and the chat was starting to flood in.
The Gwangjil turned ReformedGwangjil, Lee Honam, hesitated briefly, then pressed the backspace key for a long time. The malicious chat messages about Revan that had filled up almost six lines disappeared quickly, but unfortunately, the emotions deep in his chest did not vanish so easily.
“Another collaboration. After the finals, there will probably be an after-party livestream where they’ll drink. How many collaborations have there been already?”
Of course, he prided himself on being a clean viewer and did not express such complaints directly.
“If you keep collaborating without solidifying your solo streams, you’ll only attract temporary attention like an inflated muscle balloon. I’m genuinely saying this for the benefit of your broadcast, GetDevoured-nim. Like how KoK continuously builds a firm fan base with specific games, you too should focus on solo streams and occasionally do collaborations to retain newcomers and grow your audience. And, it seems you drink too often during streams. The liver is a silent organ, so it’s really dangerous…”
He never sent long emails filled with messages like this either. Strictly speaking, he detested viewers who tried to manipulate broadcasters in such ways. However, it wasn’t as though he had no complaints.
As a fan (admittedly self-proclaimed) who wanted to see GetDevoured’s gameplay and hear her voice, collaboration content was not preferred.
Moreover, a collaboration with a man. And that man being Revan, of all people. To put it bluntly, it was the worst.
『If you don’t broadcast your way home after ending, I’ll assume you had sex』
ㄴ This message has been temporarily blocked and deleted.
『Ow… my unicorn horn… it hurts so much…』
『I’m going to die』
『Where does Revan live? Where does Revan live? Where does Revan live? Where does Revan live? Where does Revan live? Where does Revan live? Where does Revan live?』
Recently, he couldn’t stand seeing the chat filled with increasingly dark and deranged fans. Although he believed it wasn’t the broadcaster’s fault, he couldn’t help but think that if only she hadn’t given those people an excuse to act out…
But what filled his mind now was not annoyance or jealousy, but regret. Had there ever been a time when he regretted not becoming a broadcaster more than now?
He had never once thought about broadcasting. Because of this, he had earned an image in the KoK forum as a fiery yet skilled master, different from those clowns who made money through games… but what did that matter?
If he had been a broadcaster too… maybe he could have been there collaborating today.
Moreover, that image had long vanished with the nickname Gwangjil. Although the man behind it, Dodat, had not yet acknowledged it.
“Sigh…”
As he let out a sigh full of mixed feelings, a voice began to emerge against the dark waiting screen.
《Hello, everyone! Just, just a moment. Setting up is taking a while because there are so many people. Please calm down. I see a lot of GetDevoured fans here… Please greet them.》
《Hello. Everyone seems very excited. Is it because you are all looking forward to the finals… Take a deep breath together. Hmm… Should I play a bit of music for you?》
《What, when did you bring that out?》
《I carry it around with me. The good thing about small instruments is that you can always have them on hand.》
《Confiscate that… No, where are you putting it!》
《Wow, that actually works! As expected of our GetDevoured.》
《Stop marveling and quickly take away that ocarina.》
“Why! I love GetDevoured’s performances. Our GetDevoured can do whatever she wants!”
“Oh. Should we then?”
“… Do what you want, but ask in advance.”
“Alright, I’ll be moderating the performances, so everyone, don’t worry too much… Then, shall we turn on the broadcast now?”
As Ark organized the situation, a rather large, blurry rectangle appeared at the bottom right corner of the screen. The newly turned-on camera slowly focused-
“Huh? Is this really a webcam?”
Four people seated in pairs appeared on the screen.
There was Ark, a familiar face, and StarPork, who had become well-known through the tournament. The man must be Revan, so the one behind him…
-『User donated 1,000 won!』-
【Where did you get that helmet again?】
The person wearing a helmet must have been GetDevoured. Perhaps it was the contrast with StarPork sitting beside her. Somehow, she gave off an oddly sensual impression.
Despite wearing clothes that weren’t very revealing, the glimpses of her skin, so pale it was almost white, stood out. Her exposed collarbone, and her chest, which couldn’t hide its presence even when covered. And…
“No way, is that an ocarina around her neck? I can’t see the strap. Wow, how does that stay up there?”
The ocarina, laying stably on her chest, was slightly swaying.
The rhythmic movement was captivating, almost hypnotic. Below, her slender hand kept fidgeting nervously as if anxious about something. Considering her usual demeanor and gameplay, it was hard to imagine this frail hand belonged to GetDevoured. It made one want to hold her hand and reassure her, triggering protective instincts…
Her face was hidden beneath a full-face helmet, but… could it be that she was uncomfortable in that position?
“I think a mask would be better.”
“Not until knives enter my eyes.”
“… Don’t people usually say ‘dirt’?”
“I thought you’d spread it around if I said ‘dirt’…”
“… It’s quite the slander.”
Even though he didn’t want to see them too friendly, he also didn’t want her to be uncomfortable if she was the only one feeling that way.
Feeling conflicted, definitely not a simp, but a fan named Dojil crossed his arms and focused on the screen. He wished they would zoom the camera in a bit more, he thought.
* * * *
“What? Rogue? Are they really doing it? Wow, what? They really did it!”
『???Rogue???』
『Trolling pick in Worlds finals ONLOLOLOL LOLOLOL LOLOLOL LOL』
『Runner-up behavior』
『Wasn’t that a pick mistake?』
『??? Rogue?』
『What is Orthodox, that dumbass, doing?』
ㄴ This message has been deleted due to temporary block.
『The achievements of the Rogue Revival Movement have reached the Worlds』
『Crazy LOLOLOL』
『There’s a reason he always ends up as the runner-up』
『The Rogue’s pocket called a Rogue ㄷㄷㄷ』
『The Rogue’s pocket is indeed sturdy』
『No way, is it really like GetDevoured’s 2-Underground team?』
The chat room was a cauldron of chaos. Even though she wore a helmet, the chatter about Lee Yena, who had appeared in front of the camera, had almost disappeared.
The sudden appearance of a Rogue in the finals was that shocking.
“The audience’s cheers are no joke!”
“This is the first time a Rogue has appeared in the Worlds! Honestly, everyone loves Rogues but hasn’t had the chance to see them!”
“Not just in Worlds, but I don’t think they’ve ever appeared in the league either. And frankly, they’re probably cheering because they think V7 has won—Hey, what are you doing?”
“Taking your mic away. Otherwise, your nonsense is going to get broadcast.”
Yet, Lee Yena herself seemed oddly calm. Considering her usual enthusiasm for Rogues, it wouldn’t have been surprising if she had been jumping around in excitement.
Except for the minor incident of trying to snatch Ark’s microphone from behind, she showed no notable reaction.
Was she under that helmet with her eyes wide open? Or was she smiling softly like on that day? Nothing of her face could be seen beyond the tinted visor.
StarPork suddenly wondered if she should have just let Lee Yena wear a ski mask as she turned toward her.
“President of the Rogue Revival Movement, what’s your take on this Rogue in this composition?”
“It’s the beginning of a new meta.”
“What?”
“Once Worlds ends, everyone will understand. As the level of team play goes higher and higher, a team with a Rogue in their composition will have an overwhelming advantage. 2-Underground with a Rogue is the standard. Sending only one Underground is trolling.”
Answering in a low voice, Lee Yena soon declared firmly.
“The era of the Woodcutter is over.”
At that very moment when she added her final comment, Ark quickly turned around, thinking Revan would inevitably counter with an argument—
But Revan just kept his mouth shut, a complex expression on his face.