Chapter 93

Victory is truly an amazing guy.

Every morning, he thanks his fans and reminds himself that without them, he is nothing, thus steeling his resolve. Some superhero out of a textbook, right?

I admire him, but I can’t respect him that way.

I could never live my life like that.

Still, the viewers remain somewhat unfamiliar.

While I appreciate them watching, if they weren’t there, I wouldn’t exactly die.

I start to genuinely dislike those who are always voicing complaints.

Could it be that because my livelihood doesn’t hinge on broadcasting, I’m unable to be genuine?

However, the advice from an anonymous sponsor resonated with me more than Victory’s ever could.

Victory’s words are good, but this side fits me better, doesn’t it?

The best revenge on people who dislike me is to succeed and show off my flourishing self.

It’s quite a satisfying life attitude.

It might not be the healthiest, but…

If my quitting broadcasting would make those people happy, and my success and dominance would make them unhappy, then so be it.

“Yeah, let me succeed big time.”

“You guys enjoy your disappointment, and let me give you side effects of your hate.”

“Alright, let’s just broadcast.”

“No explanation needed.”

“Bragging?”

“Ignore it.”

“Why should I step onto a stage that you randomly set up?”

“I’ll decide where I belong.”

“That day, I hung out with Brother Jun. Yes, we ate something delicious.”

Since So Ah refused to respond to controversies, Victory and Lee Jun agreed to claim they spent time together alone. Victory generally believed that lying was bad in almost any situation, but in this case, it was a rare, justified exception. They needed to protect the female streamer, the enigmatic Sol, who would bear the brunt of this kind of controversy.

Victory’s explanation quickly spread across the internet.

Everyone who used the internet knew that Victor was definitely not a toxic aggro. The noise came from a vocal minority with no substantial basis, and many people were already tired of looking at this forced controversy. Consequently, the naysayers were swiftly silenced.

As a bonus, when news spread that the enigmatic Sol had earned 30 million won within just 5 minutes, the stomachs of the haters hurt.

At a glance, it seemed as if everything went smoothly. However, Victory encountered a small personal issue.

He flinched.

On his phone’s background was an illustration of an anime character. It was an illustration of Noksu distributed as a commemorative item when the theatrical version of “Magical Girls Chronicle” was released.

Every time he opened his phone and saw it, someone resembling Noksu came to mind, causing him to flinch repeatedly. Not that he wanted to, but curiosity got the better of him when he opened Kakao Talk to check So Ah’s profile from their last encounter.

People who are confident in their appearance tend to proudly use their own face as a profile picture, but, regrettably, So Ah left hers empty. She didn’t want unnecessary complications.

“You must not fall in love.”

“You must not show if you do.”

“If you show it, you must not confess.”

Now I understand why she seemed so confident before. Victory knew So Ah wasn’t just a woman whose face he’d recently seen. They had shared a lot of memories over a significant amount of time, just hadn’t met in real life until now.

“Did I do something foolish?”

I had no ulterior motives until I saw her face in person.

It was just that I wanted to console close friend Lee Jun, and I tried to look after So Ah, who always seemed lonely. Should I have refrained from acting?

Had I opened Pandora’s box when I shouldn’t have?

Wild, Lee Jun, doesn’t bother looking into the community forums anymore. After all, the rumors about himself are always predictable—”Oh, another day, another fail for 2Jun”—and to seek them out would be self-sabotage.

What if he goes to a forum and makes a scene, gets mad, or even threatens legal action? Lee Jun knows all those actions would be meaningless. How should a pro athlete prove themselves? By winning.

Nothing matters but proving it through victories. Winning is the only way pro players can demonstrate their worth.

But this time, he had to take a peek at the communities because the girl he’d spent a night under the same roof with (strictly factual) was embroiled in controversy. Although it’s not serious, he needed to understand what was being said, considering her broadcasts were getting sabotaged.

After investigating the foul-smelling sewage of those forums where regular people wouldn’t dare step, it turned out there was no mention of Lee Jun. Same day, same time; their game records were paused yet none of the forums noticed him!

Why was the world only focusing on Victory and Sol’s records? Why didn’t anyone look at Wild’s records?

Sure, controversies are better left unattached, but having been mentioned as one among them, it was strange that he was the one missing.

Yeah, connecting two people, especially a man and woman, is always more effective.

Even if he found other professional players who went offline at the same time during that period, why was he omitted?

A call from Victory.

Victory and Lee Jun agreed their story: they were the only two who spent time together that evening. (Not a kiss!) Lee Jun was fired up.

Rankers and tournaments? I’ll devour them all.

I’ll make sure my presence is unforgettable.

Revealing dominance is the only effective retaliation a pro player’s capable of.

Every morning, I have the habit of checking the bulletin board for my fans.

The posts there will feel lonely if I don’t look at them, right?

First news discovered there;

[Writer: Najokseol] [Breaking) Sol Claims Rank 1]

[(Ranking Page Screenshot)

While our esteemed Host slept, Victory stumbled, leaving you, Sol, at rank 1.

(Victory’s Ranked Record Screenshot)

13 consecutive losses, something’s off???

(Very Confused)

(Sol’s Jellyfish Avatar Screenshot)

Big Match Seol.

This rank 1 status is no surprise.

We will now begin the time of praising Big Match Seol.]

-[We worship you.]

-[Suddenly struck by admiration.]

-[I was born too late to explore the new continent and too early to explore the universe, but I was born at the right time to witness the myth of Sol.]

-[Divine Sol…]

-[Nick fits 100%.]

-[She’s a goddess!]

I had intended to climb hard today, aiming for the top rank, but Victory fell on his own during my sleep, leaving me at rank 1.

…What is that guy doing?

Of course, since he fell, I, who rank highest after him, naturally became number one. Games always have ups and downs, and someone will fall, but isn’t it more satisfying to put up a fight on live streams, raising my score like planting a flag on the summit of a mountain?

When I wake up and find I’m number one, it’s like the thrill is gone. Show us the struggle again, come back and lose fairly!

That’s probably too strong.

“My broadcast theme for today is ruined.”

First of all, the highlight of losing my crown, then the difference in flavor between climbing to number one and staying there at the top—it’s different.

And anyway, Victory lost too many times, didn’t he?

After he dropped to 3rd place, Wild took the 2nd rank.

13 consecutive losses? What happened?

It feels a little suspicious…

No, I’m not accusing him of cheating, of course not.

Still…

“Hmm?”

Again, Hmm?

Did the Witch of Destruction take down another professional gamer?

Is this just an overactive imagination?

No, it’s too suspicious timing. Why lose 13 straight games and crash after meeting me?

Other rankers, if they were impacted by my gameplay and got ruined, that’s one thing.

But if this guy was affected by something outside of the game after meeting me…

Isn’t this too shocking for just surprise?

This pattern is definitely…

‘That must not happen!’

Desperately hoping it’s not the worst-case scenario, I dialed Victory’s number.

-“Hello?”

That’s quick!

Why’d you answer the phone in a second?

“Victory.”

-“What’s going on?”

“I want to ask you something.”

-“What?”

“Did you… happen to fall for me?”

-“What?”

What came out wasn’t a typical “What nonsense?” or “What are you talking about?” but a flat “No,” which made it suspicious.

Let’s probe a little more.

“Good thing. Actually, I started liking Jun. Could you help me?”

-“What!?”

“See, tall, muscular, and the right age, don’t you agree? We’re made for each other, don’t you think?”

-“Wait, you’re… actually… saying you like Jun?”

“Of course, am I lying?”

-“…”

The silence is stretching too long. Definitely suspicious.

Please, don’t fall for me.

Really please.

-“I’ll support you.”

“Actually helping?”

-“What do I need to help with?”

“I’ll contact you if I need anything. Still planning.”

For now, I’ve thrown down the bait.

What should I do with the broadcast?

Should I do a highlight replay of me becoming number one?

How about running the old Sol Mad Movie again?

It works well.

The edited video made with effort by the editors would be a waste not to use.

And then, a money-raising stream.

If those who criticize Victory for his 13 consecutive losses come, wouldn’t showing them how well I earn money irritate them?

Wouldn’t that be fun?