Chapter 96

Level Up IlDanSimPanGwan – Episode 96 (96/227)

Episode 96: Connections Are Also Skills (4)

Tick tick!

WooJin was seated in front of his ancient computer, busily moving the mouse.

In a world where even the 2020s are long gone, this relic with its two 768GB RAM sticks was practically antique, often being called junk. But it was the cheapest second-hand option for someone living paycheck to paycheck, and still managed decent internet browsing.

It had also been instrumental in his previous video editing and uploads.

“Wow, the reaction is incredible…” WooJin muttered as he checked the comments.

The moment he received the video via email, he knew it was going to be a hit, and sure enough, it was blowing up. Despite being uploaded only recently, it had already surged into the top 20 trending videos on WarTube, with subscriptions rapidly increasing into the hundreds of thousands for a channel that only had two videos.

Thanks to the buzz spreading across communities, there was no need for any initial promotion.

This overwhelming response even caught the attention of multiple guilds through his WarTube account, including some mid-level ones and even a few from the Top 12 guilds. Two names stood out: Naidus and Red Moon Guild.

Naidus, known for having the largest number of direct members among the Top 12, wasn’t surprising in their approach. While they didn’t accept just anyone, they were known for being relatively lenient compared to other top guilds.

Red Moon Guild, however, was different. They didn’t extend invitations lightly.

But the reason was easy to guess. After suffering a major setback during the Angios Raid due to interference by Slaughter Guild, they seemed to be working on revamping their image through various means, including recruitment.

‘Guilds…’

Neither of these two guilds intended to recruit him as a regular member. Instead, they proposed a sponsorship deal where he would retain full independence while sporting their guild emblem, in exchange for support.

Given that both sides were aware of his current low level and affiliation with the Light Church making guild activities difficult, this arrangement made sense. From Ail’s perspective, who couldn’t abandon the church now, it was an acceptable offer.

As one of the Top 12 guilds in WarLord, their contract terms wouldn’t be subpar.

Still, WooJin rejected both offers without hesitation. At this early stage, when his value was still relatively low, tying himself down to any specific affiliation felt unnecessary.

However, just receiving proposals from such prestigious guilds carried significant meaning. Outside of the untouchable Six Great Guilds, the Top 12 represented the most powerful forces within WarLord, wielding considerable influence over the continent’s power dynamics.

The fact that these guilds reached out so quickly after his video was uploaded indicated how highly they valued him.

Even without considering the general player base, the interest shown by top-tier guilds confirmed that Ail’s initial plan was working effectively.

Of course, the Six Great Guilds barely paid attention to such minor developments, but that was expected.

For now, it was important to steadily build momentum without rushing things.

Still, there were immediate benefits.

Due to WarLord’s massive global market, such topics rarely remained mere curiosities.

A player’s fame translated directly into money.

Through ad revenue and view counts, WooJin had already earned a substantial amount from just two videos.

“This video alone has already surpassed a million views… If this trend continues, it’ll be incredible.” The payout system on WarTube typically amounted to about 1 won per view, though it varied depending on several factors.

Even with just two videos, the potential earnings were impressive. Additionally, fan donations had started accumulating.

The income generated so far was more than enough to cover this month’s expenses, providing much-needed financial relief that allowed him to focus more on the game.

There was, however, one nagging issue.

“It’s come across like I completely dominated…” WooJin scratched his head awkwardly after reviewing the reactions.

During the editing process, certain details about their respective strengths were omitted, leading most viewers to believe it was a complete victory for the IlDanSimPanGwan.

While having fans praise him was fine, the problem arose when some began unfairly criticizing Roden’s skills.

Though he’d obtained permission to use the battle footage, this particular outcome was unexpected. When WooJin attempted to apologize via messenger, Roden simply laughed it off, saying he’d anticipated this and encouraged WooJin to enjoy his victory.

Having experience as a high-ranking player in Armenia, Roden was used to such situations. He knew that those currently criticizing him would eventually become his biggest supporters once they saw his true abilities.

“Definitely something to learn from his mindset…”

Considering the inevitable fame that came with being a ranker, maintaining a strong mental fortitude was essential.

“Still, he’s truly remarkable.”

WooJin replayed the previously uploaded video.

It began with Ail entering the underground dungeon beneath the abandoned temple, showcasing the new dungeon in a way that captivated users. The video combined stunning combat scenes with flawless editing and production.

Despite not specifically requesting it, the sensitive parts were expertly edited out, creating a seamless viewing experience.

Living up to their reputation, Bloody Dick Studio had done an impeccable job.

Dexter, renowned as the world’s best video editor, was famously picky, readily rejecting projects or clients that didn’t meet his standards.

Which made it all the more puzzling why he’d taken on WooJin’s project without hesitation.

Especially since hiring Dexter would normally cost a fortune, and this wasn’t a one-time deal.

However, after receiving the finished product, Dexter unexpectedly proposed a revolutionary incentive-based payment model, taking a percentage of ad revenue and views instead of a flat fee.

Not only was this unprecedented for Dexter, but the percentage he took was also reasonable.

WooJin naturally accepted the offer. Compared to the usual commission costs, this arrangement was far more beneficial. It seemed Dexter was thinking long-term rather than short-term profits.

Additionally, since the revenue stream involved both parties’ interests, Dexter would remain committed to producing quality content throughout their partnership.

At that moment, his phone rang, and Ail quickly answered Lisa’s call.

“Congratulations! The response is great!”

“Great? This is amazing. And it’s all thanks to you, Lisa-san. Who would’ve thought you’d introduce me to Bloody Dick Studio? I heard they’re notoriously difficult to work with, so how exactly did you manage to persuade them?”

“Persuade? Not at all.”

Lisa firmly shook her head at WooJin’s question.

“I merely introduced you. Do you really think they’d take on a project just because I asked?”

“That means…”

“Dexter doesn’t budge unless something catches his interest. No amount of pleading from me would change that. He accepted the contract because he saw potential in your videos, Eil-san.”

True to her words, the introduction was just that – an introduction. The incentive model was initially suggested by Lisa, who knew about WooJin’s situation, but Dexter only agreed after reviewing the gameplay footage.

It was impossible that Dexter would have accepted solely based on her request. He must have seen promise in the original footage.

Still, despite hearing this, Eil remained skeptical.

“Still… I doubt that’s the entire story.”

Admittedly, his own footage was solid. Coupled with his unique concept, perfect timing, and featuring a former high-ranker from the Big Three games, it certainly had appeal.

Especially from Dexter’s perspective, who was eager for fresh faces and concepts, Eil’s videos seemed promising.

However, Dexter wasn’t just any editor. He was the best, sitting atop the industry.

Could it really be that the woman’s influence held no weight in convincing such a top-tier editor to enter a long-term incentive-based contract with someone who only had two videos?

Moreover, it was thanks to her connections that he’d even gotten this incredible opportunity. She clearly had a personal relationship with Dexter, someone even top rankers struggled to contact, and had even proactively made the suggestion.

What exactly had she done to make this happen? Unfortunately, Lisa gave no answers, skillfully steering the conversation away whenever he tried to press further.

“There’s no need to pry further…” WooJin decided, remembering their first meeting where she’d similarly kept certain things to herself.