Chapter 64

Ga Joon-sik has received many favors from me.

What kind of favors, you ask?

Considering the spike in sales after he uploaded a video to MiTube, even treating him to omakase 10 times wouldn’t be enough.

Of course, Ga Joon-sik and I had a mutually beneficial relationship, but there’s such a thing as loyalty, right?

Inviting him to a guest spot wasn’t a big deal, so I accepted the offer right away.

I also enjoy talking to users who play my game.

That’s why the last collaboration stream with Akane was so fun.

I recalled the conversation I had with Akane.

“This game was made for you, Akane. I set the difficulty just right because I know you never give up.”

“Huh? No, this is just a taste. The real treat for you is coming later.”

Akane loved hearing that. Specifically, she reacted by trembling uncontrollably, clearly showing how excited she was.

“Your order of BLT sandwich, French omelet, blueberry pancake, avocado toast, hash browns, bacon set, mint cookie, and lemonade is ready.”

After having a light snack at the café, I glanced at the luxury wristwatch I received as a gift from a part-time coworker.

It was time.

I got up and headed to the meeting spot.

Ga Joon-sik is a live-streaming guest star.

He earns income befitting his status and owns a studio to match.

Is this it?

I looked up at the building owned by Ga Joon-sik, where his studio is located, and slipped inside.

“What brings you here?”

An employee guarding the lobby greeted me.

Their tone was oddly gentle.

It felt like they were welcoming a lost middle school kid.

“Hello.”

“Are you here to see someone?”

“I have a meeting with Ga Joon-sik today.”

“…Hold on.”

The employee gave me a suspicious look before contacting someone upstairs.

‘A girl who looks like a middle schooler is here. Is she expected?’ Seriously?

Why do I look like a middle schooler?

I’m clearly an adult.

The employee finished the call and approached me with a smile.

“Sorry. He says he doesn’t recall such an appointment.”

“I’m Han Yoorim.”

“Huh?”

“I’m Han Yoorim.”

I quickly revealed my real name, fearing I’d be kicked out.

This puts me at a disadvantage in battle, but it’s unavoidable.

“…Oh.”

The employee’s expression changed.

They must’ve noticed how much my real appearance resembles my avatar.

I knew exactly what they were going to say next.

Come on, say it: “Your avatar looks exactly like your real self?!”

One, two, shoot!

“Why are you wearing a school uniform?”

The employee asked.

Their tone was full of confusion.

Hmm. Weird.

Isn’t this the wrong timing for that question?

“Is that important?”

“It seems very important.”

Anyone can wear a school uniform, but no VTuber makes their avatar look exactly like their real self.

Why are you fixating on something as trivial as a school uniform?

Are you targeting me?

“It’s cosplay.”

“Huh?”

“It’s a cosplay of ‘Han Yoorim.’ I’m here today as the creator of <Resurrected Students Also Need Love>, so I’m wearing combat gear that fits the theme.”

“Understood.”

The employee hurriedly ended the conversation and started guiding me.

We took the elevator to the 4th floor, where a spacious studio awaited.

As employees stared, someone pointed at me with their mouth agape.

“‘Han Yoorim’ was modeled after you, not Thierry?!”

It was Ga Joon-sik.

I nodded.

This is the right reaction.

It’s been a while since I enjoyed something this much.

*

Ga Joon-sik double-checked the broadcast setup.

He’s collaborated with VTubers before, but this was the first time doing it in real life, using AR filters.

Though not a VTuber himself, Ga Joon-sik had a long broadcasting career. He knew all about AR filters and why they’re often avoided.

It’s a problematic technology. So, he made every effort to minimize the chances of something going wrong…

Effort…

‘Is this even necessary?’

Ga Joon-sik glanced at Han Yoorim.

Wearing a school uniform (very similar to the one in <Resurrected Students Also Need Love>), Han Yoorim sat in a chair, swinging her legs, and her appearance overlapped with her avatar.

What does this mean?

It means Han Yoorim’s avatar was modeled after her real self, not Thierry.

If the AR filter glitches, viewers will be shocked for a completely different reason.

Ga Joon-sik recalled their earlier conversation.

“Wouldn’t it be better to just turn on the camera?”

“You’re so Ga Joon-sik. I’ve been feeling down because no one asks that anymore.”

“Huh?”

“If I turn on the camera, I’ll have less content to use later.”

After that answer, she added that revealing her face was her ultimate move, and honestly, with that face, it definitely was. In many ways.

After thoroughly checking the setup, Ga Joon-sik signaled the staff.

“Let’s start the broadcast.”

3, 2, 1.

A little earlier than the scheduled time.

The broadcast went live.

The viewer count skyrocketed at an insane speed.

30,000, 50,000, 70,000…

Ga Joon-sik already had a large following, but this far exceeded expectations.

He had already surpassed the viewer count he usually hits only when he’s fully committed.

‘This level of attention…’

“I didn’t know you had so much.”

“I knew Han Yoorim was rising lately, but not to this extent.”

“It seems more happened than I thought while I was trapped in <Resurrected Students Also Need Love>.”

The camera turns on.

Ga Joon-sik appears on the right side of the split screen.

After a light greeting, Ga Joon-sik introduces today’s main character.

“The game developer who’s taking the world by storm beyond Korea. It’s Han Yoorim!”

“‘I’m not a game developer, I’m an actress.'”

Tap. Han Yoorim appears on the left screen.

Wearing black Gothloli clothes, in her ‘Han Yoorim’ avatar.

“…Uh.”

“‘You’ve lost your mind. How can you make me the best actress like this?'”

“Well…”

Ga Joon-sik is at a loss for words.

The god of immersion. The king of immersion. Ga Joon-sik, the GOAT of immersion.

He’s been playing <Resurrected Students Also Need Love> for over a month, even averaging 15 hours a day. The memories engraved in his mind were on a different level from ordinary people.

The moment someone who looks exactly like the grown-up ‘Han Yoorim’ and even speaks with the same voice, it’s only natural to lose your mind.

—

Was the solo production including the voice actor too? LOL

Losing your mind just from hearing a voice. How hard did you play the game?

—

Ga Joon-sik wanted to argue that it wasn’t just the voice, but he held back and spoke up.

“Wow, you’re really skilled.”

“I’m good at everything I do physically.”

“You’re famous for your physical abilities.”

Though now more recognized as a game developer, Han Yoorim was previously known as the master of ‘Thierry.’

A monster who managed to take first place with the difficult Thierry. That was the general public’s perception.

‘Could it be because Thierry, the main character, is similar to her?’

Intuitively hitting the mark, Ga Joon-sik stared at Han Yoorim’s face.

Han Yoorim tilted her head.

“Is there something on my face?”

“I was searching for the secret of your physical abilities.”

“The secret to my physical abilities is in my brain.”

—

Bro, snap out of it.

Bro, your daughter became an actress and left for Hollywood. She’s not here.

—

While viewers laughed at Ga Joon-sik’s reaction, a donation came in.

<ㅇㅇ님이 1000원 기부>

-Are you really doing all the game development by yourself?

“They’re asking, what do you think?”

“If I get help from someone, it’s not solo development but duo development.”

“So you’re saying you do everything by yourself, like composing, coding, and drawing?”

“Of course.”

“Wow.”

Ga Joon-sik was impressed.

Humans love talent.

It’s not for nothing that someone who sings well looks attractive.

For example, even if someone says ○○○ looks a bit off, once they see his outstanding game development skills, they’ll start complimenting him. Like, if you just fix your eyes and nose, you’d look just like that actor from <The Slaughterer>.

Talent has the power to twist human perception.

But what if the talented person is also beautiful?

It’s the birth of an attention black hole.

Our super developer Han Yoorim, absorbing all the world’s attention, spoke with her chest out.

“Especially, story and AI are my specialties. They’re deeply connected to what I wanted to do in games.”

“Specifically, what did you want to do?”

“That’s a secret.”

“I was curious, what a shame.”

“Good restaurants don’t reveal all their recipes.”

Ga Joon-sik, who had been smiling at Han Yoorim’s words, soon furrowed his brow.

<ㅇㅇ님이 1000원 기부>

-Can you show us a little? ㅜㅜ I want to see your skills.

The consecutive donations were slightly annoying.

As mentioned, Ga Joon-sik has a long broadcasting career.

Just by the tone and word choice, he could tell if it was trolling or not.

Ga Joon-sik wasn’t unaware of Han Yoorim’s controversies.

The quality is too high for solo development.

The speed is too fast for solo development.

No.

Even if it’s solo development, the development speed is incomprehensible.

People doubted, “That can’t be solo development, are you lying to stir up controversy?”

And, “Did you even know how to develop games in the first place?”

Ga Joon-sik slowly opened his mouth.

He planned to smoothly move on by saying there’s pre-planned content to show later, or not mention it at all.

“Of course, it’s possible.”

Han Yoorim answered before he could.

…Really?

Slightly surprised, Ga Joon-sik asked Han Yoorim.

“Do you have something prepared?”

“Just wait a moment.”