Chapter 34

Usogeon’s way of finding information about Hayoon was very simple.

“Many people who came from the early days of the Girl’s War gallery might have done cosplay, so there would be something left in that gallery.”

It was merely about thoroughly reading the threads.

Since the AGC was already more than two months ago, by setting the date back to December 2019 and checking the threads posted around that time one by one, it could be done.

Of course, most people wouldn’t put this much effort into figuring out a streamer’s ‘red pill.’

Because many had been hurt and trolled during that process.

However…

“I’m just curious, that’s why I’m checking. Just curious… From how confident she looks, there must be something…”

For Usogeon, who followed and watched female streamers regardless of cam or no-cam, this was a significant matter.

Given that many no-cam streamers avoided showing their faces due to lack of confidence or profile-related issues, Hayoon was already showing signs of slightly revealing her face even before two months of broadcasting had passed.

“Looking at how much she talks about it, it seems like she’s hoping someone will find out for her…”

Thus, Usogeon started to rationalize while digging into AGC-related posts on the Girl’s War gallery.

“What did she look like…?”

To him, the faces of no-cam female streamers were akin to lottery tickets.

Although it was rare, if someone from the top tier of beauties in the area popped up, the excitement was truly exhilarating.

The feeling of realizing that the identity of a streamer communicating through two monitors exceeded expectations was like an irresistible drug to him.

“It wouldn’t be weird if she showed up now…”

Drllk.

Drllk.

While continuously scrolling down with wide eyes, reviewing the heated threads posted after the December AGC, Usogeon noticed something.

“Huh?”

– ‘Haru’ Booth Visit Review (+23)

Usogeon noticed a particular thread.

Since search results were scarce, he thought of narrowing down the search terms and tried putting in the word ‘Haru,’ which was highlighted in color.

“If this is a booth run by Haru…”

Could it be the Haru he knew?

After all, even that Haru occasionally talked about her cosplay experience during broadcasts.

Swallowing dryly, he clicked on the post, and shortly after the loading screen, what greeted Usogeon was…

“Huh?”

A woman sitting on a chair covered with black cloth, hugging a gun, and a bespectacled man beside her shyly making a V…

No, the man wasn’t important.

“Is this Haru…?”

From the moment she openly showed confidence, he kind of expected something, but he hadn’t expected this level.

Of course, with a wig, lenses, and tears tattoo stickers, it was impossible to tell what her natural face looked like.

And her chest… Compared to what he’d heard, it seemed a bit underwhelming…

No, slightly lacking…

But in reality, those details didn’t matter much. If this was taken without any retouching by someone else’s camera, it was impressive…

“How amazing would her real face be…?”

Now, Hayoon’s real face was already something to look forward to.

This was practically a guaranteed lottery win.

“This is something to post…!”

Certain that this was an opportunity to stack the thread material, Usogeon immediately copied Hayoon’s cosplay photo and headed to the minor streamer gallery of Haruko.

—

Meanwhile.

Over the past few weeks, Hayoon had consistently used gaslighting in her broadcasts, making the audience curious about her ‘red pill.’ Now that Usogeon had discovered Hayoon’s real identity due to that gaslighting…

Hayoon was…

“Shouldn’t we go with stronger emotion here?”

“Stronger here?”

“Yes, this is the first time Yena introduces alcohol to the protagonist, right? Somehow, she needs to give off the confident demeanor of a rookie bartender who invited the protagonist without much thought. Can you act it like that?”

“Hmm, fair enough…”

Hayoon and Park Ji-hye were pushing hard for the recording of the demo version.

The current scene was where Yena, the heroine, invites the protagonist to their cafe, “Holic” for the first time.

This was a significant part, signaling the start of the demo, so it couldn’t be passed over with a casual performance.

“The rookie bartender’s lack of thought in inviting the protagonist should be clearly felt.”

The more innocent Yena appeared, the more the protagonist’s process of realizing their love would shine during the climax.

“Oh, I have a good one.”

Park Ji-hye then delivered a witty performance to fit Hayoon’s image, and Hayoon gave her an okay sign to the Forest Sound CEO sitting nearby.

“Let’s process the noise and refine the just-recorded version.”

“Yes, understood.”

The CEO nodded as if it were routine work, and Hayoon gave an okay sign to Park Ji-hye inside the recording booth. With this, they would continue towards wrapping up smoothly.

“Great job!”

“Thank you!”

After about an hour, once the demo recording for Ju Ye-na was completed, Hayoon and Park Ji-hye met eyes lightly, nodded, and congratulated each other on their hard work.

“Yes, I’ll send a detailed estimate after the sound processing finishes, so please check your messages. I’ll send it within two days.”

Forest Sound’s CEO assured Hayoon that he would send the estimate for the recording studio rental and subsequent sound processing costs for today’s work.

Understanding, Hayoon nodded while getting ready to leave.

“Thank you very much for the past few weeks. This was a demo version, and if we add more stories, I’ll ask for your help again.”

“Yes, of course! Professionals give value for the work they do!”

Given that this demo recording alone would earn her good money, Park Ji-hye looked particularly happy. Meanwhile, Hayoon was confident that she could continue working with Park Ji-hye as long as the payment was fair.

After all, if a top-tier voice actress like Park Ji-hye worked for hourly wages of 500,000 to 600,000 won, it wasn’t an expensive rate.

“Alright, I’ll let you know as soon as I finalize the next schedule.”

“Yes, you let me know. See you next time.”

“Right, see you next time.”

Hayoon, believing in Park Ji-hye’s potential,

Park Ji-hye, trusting in the sweet profits Hayoon could provide.

With mutual satisfaction,

These two women, who understood each other’s interests, agreed on the next steps. Hayoon then sent a brief message, “[Demo Version Recording Complete],” in the group chat.

The demo release was imminent.

—

For Hayoon, the most ideal plan still revolved around attracting attention primarily through broadcast exposure.

Some might question how many will buy the game when her follower count is just over a thousand, but…

“First, I just need to make sure 50 or 100 people buy it.”

If that happens, it’s easier to rank in the top category within the Visual Novel category on the crowdfunding platform. Once initial backers are secured, Visual Novel users will likely follow the viewers, creating secondary influxes.

“With the addition of occasional releases of SCG and background illustrations on Pixiv and employing diversion tactics on the Girl’s War gallery…”

She could ensure a reliable third and fourth influx of audiences. Plus, if her fanbase kept hyping each other up, it wouldn’t be unrealistic to reach a funding goal of 30 million won.

With the mindset of a revolutionary preparing for a great event, Hayoon sent a message to Jin Ho.

“Are we ready to release the demo?”

-It’s scheduled to be released at 6 PM as planned. Everything is set up, and the crowdfunding will be ongoing for the next month.

“Got it. Thanks for all the work putting together the demo, let’s keep pushing through to completion.”

-All right, go ahead.

Having confirmed that the demo would be posted on schedule,

Hayoon now had a clear task ahead.

[LIVE] A High School Girl’s Cosplay Broadcast [121]

Starting the broadcast…

-???

-What cosplay?

-Will there be face reveal?

“I don’t plan to reveal my face on the broadcast, but I will be doing cosplay.”

-???

-What is this?

“Don’t you remember? I make games.”

She approached the confused viewers with a gentle tone, showing familiarity.

[1,000 Won Donation]

-But what does that have to do with cosplay?

“Hey, it frustrates me so much when you guys don’t believe that I’m really cute.”

And then, she responded somewhat rudely to viewers asking for detailed situations.

“So I thought, if I only reveal my face to my most loyal viewers, it would serve as proof and be good, right? Hence, I decided to make a cosplay photo book.”

-???

-What is this?

“You don’t know what a cosplay photo book is? It’s a game merchandise I’ll create. Since I’ll be cosplaying as the heroines in the game, the real good ones will be able to buy it.”

As a finishing touch, she whispered into the microphone, speaking softly.

[1,000 Won Donation]

-Is this some kind of loyalty test? I’ve been donating regularly, you know.

“Look, if you donate and buy the game, only you will know my face, and I’ll personally autograph it for you. Plus, you’ll get to play the game and there will be other merchandise. Would you skip this opportunity?”

[1,000 Won Donation]

-Despite all the talk, it’s still weak…

“Are you saying you don’t want to know my face?”

By stimulating even those who normally donate by implying that, with just a little patience, they’ll not only get the game but also know her face?

Game Over.

Everyone will inevitably end up sponsoring.

-Ah, damn… Why is it so convincing?

-I don’t play Visual Novels, but this is crazy…

-Can’t anyone just not buy it? Why do only you guys want to reveal your face? What about people like me?

-Er, I’m buying it. Er, I’m buying. Absolutely.

‘Ah, business is easy.’

This was Hayoon’s long-held belief from several months of broadcasting…

At first, she declared that she would satisfy their sexual desires by giving them “wild pictures” and raise them like pets…

Now, frankly, she isn’t sure how that differs from the inherent training of female streamers. Starting with cosplay, it seems inevitable for one’s face to end up being traded…

“Ah, but buying the cosplay photo book doesn’t guarantee an autograph.”

-???

-What now?

“There’s a VVIP Edition on the crowdfunding site. If you purchase that, it comes with an autograph. It’s pricey, but it’s not just the autograph. It’ll include special shots exclusively for the VVIP Edition, so it’s worth it, right?”

-Oh, no. Do you think I’ll fall for Harukoyeon’s sales tactics?

“It’s fine if you don’t buy it. Then, those who do purchase it will know something about me that you won’t. That’s all there is to it. You don’t have to buy it. You really don’t have to.”

[1,000 Won Donation]

-Fuck, you bitch!

“Aww, why are you swearing? Scary…”

And so, she decided to plainly extract their money.

Honestly, at first, she didn’t think she could do this kind of thing, but since it was for making money, she didn’t feel any self-loathing.

‘Let’s enjoy this!’

Imagining her rapidly growing bank balance, Hayoon decided to enjoy this situation purely.

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