It’s not that kind of malicious broadcast

Chapter 4 – That’s not how it’s done.

Could there be a more fitting pièce de résistance than the grand announcement of the notorious villain sniper, GetDevoured, finally being captured?

Ark, almost done donning the VR gear as per the demands of the terrorist they had apprehended, forced a smile through trembling lips and spoke, “I’m almost ready to start the game, so please turn on your mic.”

Of course, the response remained unchanged.

『CravingWarmAmericano: Queue.』

『Neutral.』

『Queue.』

『4 dollars.』

『Queue.』

『Hey, Kim~ Shut your trap and queue already~』

“Oh, come on! I’m about to queue, so turn on your mic!” Ark exploded in frustration that even her viewers, who should have been on her side, only replied with countless ‘LOLOLOL’s – clearly, the situation had long spiraled out of her control.

But now, there was no turning back.

Having come this far, she had to somehow secure an interview with that person. Not only had she invested time, rewriting the material later would prove difficult. If she didn’t upload it to G-tube this time, the comments and chats next time were sure to be flooded with remarks like ‘There was a reshoot~’ or ‘Huh..this feels like déjà vu..?’

With a determination to resurrect this dying scene at all costs, Ark turned the queue, and with a voice full of venom, she opened her mouth, “Okay. I’ve queued as requested. Now turn on your mic.”

『CravingWarmAmericano: It’s not there.』

“No way! The VR device has a built-in mic, how can it not be there, for crying out loud…!”

『LOLOLOLLOLOLOLLOL 』

『Oh well, it’s really not there LOLOLOLLOLOLOLLOL 』

『It’s a VR device without a mic LOLOLOLLOLOLOLLOLOLOL 』

『CravingWarmAmericano: There’s no VR device either.』

“This guy is seriously out of his mind…!”

Naturally, even with outdated VR devices, microphones and speakers are standard features. And nearly 99% – no, 99.99% of gamers operate VR devices to play games. So, this is the level of nonsense you’d hear from a League of Legends player using a gamepad and saying, “I can’t chat because I’m using a controller without a keyboard ^_^”.

『Sniff sniff, it’s so sad that I don’t have a VR deviceㅠㅠ』

『Do I need to buy a VR device for Ark?』

『Poor Ark, I feel sorry for youㅠㅠ』

While viewers enjoyed teasing Ark whose mental state had collapsed, they didn’t hold back in mocking him even more.

“No, seriously, what are you doing at your age? Please get yourself together. No, I’ll send you a VR device, so give me your address. Now.”

『Pilot going in for an education.』

『Sniper took out the target.』

『Terrorist, please negotiate with us ㅠㅠ』

『Terrorist: There’s no negotiation with terrorists.』

Ark’s grand dream of overcoming the bastard with eloquent words, educating them, receiving an apology (preferably appearing on camera with their face covered) had turned into a nightmare.

Yet, despite everything falling apart, there was a glimmer of light in Ark’s efforts to salvage the situation. The atmosphere of the broadcast wasn’t bad, except for the fact that his mental state was rapidly deteriorating.

With things as they were, there was no way to hit the brakes. The chatroom was scrolling twice as fast as usual, filled with ‘ruin’ or 🔥, happy emoticons, and ‘LOLOLOL ‘. Though the occasional question mark appeared, it was nothing out of the ordinary. If the viewers’ energy was high, then Ark only had to step on the gas pedal.

Thus, with renewed determination and a deep breath, as Ark tried to continue with the next comment—familiar yet dreadful noise reached his ears.

*Bzzzzz*

All characters had been selected, signaling that the game was about to begin.

『??』

『?』

『Haha finally..!』

『Haha!』

『Ark, aren’t you picking? 3rd round』

Despite some delay, the chat was still urging her to pick quickly. Of course, Ark, who was completely oblivious to such messages, couldn’t select a character in time—

『Rogue fail pick LOLOLOL』

『DwuckLOLOLOL fraud LOLOLOL』

『Is this a tribute game? Maybe… I’ll get jealous? Is this a tribute game? Maybe… I’ll get jealous? Is this a tribute game? Maybe… I’ll get jealous? Is this a tribute game? Maybe… I’ll get jealous?』

『???: Picking a rogue is already trolling』

On the screen of Ark, a sharp-looking man with a black cloak was swinging a dagger fiercely. It was a random pick due to a time-out.

『Ah ah ah ah hold on! Dodge! Dodge!』

Hastily shifting his gaze to the game end, Ark realized that she was in the promotion match. And dodging in the promotion match was treated just like a defeat. Slowly, the Discourse chat popped up in Ark’s eyes filled with frustration.

『CravingWarmAmericano: Oh, a rogue』

『CravingWarmAmericano: I’ll be going to game』

『CravingWarmAmericano has left the chat room.』

* * * *

It was delicious. The chicken was delicious, the beer was delicious, but the game was the most delicious. As they say, practice makes perfect. Having played many games with the rogue, Ark succeeded with a decent play of 0.7 victories, but-

Narrowly suffering losses at every team fight due to a slight difference, she ultimately fell short in firepower in the final moments, concluding the 40-minute battle with a defeat. Even trying to look at it from a biased perspective as Ark’s fan…this, unfortunately, can only be blamed on Ark.

That’s not typical of a rogue. Ah. I should let them know…yeah. Right. Because she might play the rogue again next round.

-User ○○ has donated $1!-

『That’s not how you play a rogue.』

After taking the last bite of chicken, having a sip of beer- the broadcast had already ended. It ended right after the donation. I was worried if it was delivered correctly, but…it didn’t seem to be too late.

Deciding to think positively. Thinking back, she broke the promise of playing two games…but it was a round crammed with double the fun of two rounds.

With a satisfied smile, I shut down the computer, wrapped myself up in the bedcovers, checked my phone- it was 3 a.m. It was a bit early to go to sleep, but today was fulfilling enough. Maybe it’s okay to start wrapping up the day’s tasks now.

Humming a light tune, I lay down on the bed and clicked on the ‘Post’ button on my smartphone, accessing my forum.

『Writer: xx』

『Title: Rogues are Not Bad, are They?』

『I think rogues are not that bad, considering what Ark is doing today. Rogues, reflect on your actions.』

– ??

– ???

– Is that about quitting the game right after it ends?

– Did we watch the same game?

– It would’ve been a 10-minute surrender game if it weren’t for the rogue, right?

Hmm.

Hatred towards rogues still prevails in the world.

* * *

Convenience stores at night are either free or painful. If given a choice, anyone would choose a quiet convenience store, but having that choice is extremely rare.

Kim Taeho, a third-month part-time night worker, unfortunately found himself enduring the pain from drunk customers and shoplifters in one of the few convenience stores near the busy downtown area, repeating his desire to die.

After a man demanded to exchange cigarettes eight times due to not liking the picture on the pack and left the store, it was already 4AM.

For the first time during his shift that day, peace finally found its way to the convenience store. Kim Taeho plopped down on the counter chair with a feeling of exhaustion throughout his body.

Tired of scraping together allowance money to play at the VR room, he had finally decided four months ago to buy a VR device with the money he earned from his night job.

Feeling like he couldn’t endure it any longer, he closed his eyes firmly.

If a drunk customer trying to give him a life lesson were to come in again, he might seriously smash his head with a bottle of soju.

“Can I pay here?”

Suddenly, a whispering, soft, yet seductive voice was heard. Startled back to attention, he quickly stood up. How come he didn’t even hear the customer coming in? Maybe he had dozed off without realizing it.

‘Gosh, the boss didn’t see it on CCTV, right…?’

Unintentionally furrowing his brows, Kim Taeho instinctively grabbed the items in front of him and scanned them with the barcode scanner. Three bottles of soju and one Choco Pie.

“Sorry, but could I see your ID…?”

As he mechanically started to raise his head somewhat reluctantly to verify if the customer was an adult, he experienced firsthand what it meant for someone’s speech to trail off.

Not even when he saw an idol filming a variety show by chance on the street had he encountered anything like this.

Skin so white and translucent it seemed unreal. Extraordinarily large pupils that seemed to shine even when half-closed. Hair cascading down just past the shoulders as if drawn in a painting, gleaming with a radiant sheen. Features so beautiful and diverse as if they belonged to a different race, filling the petite face.

And above all, a size one could hardly see even in visual media…

“Ah, I-I’m sorry.”

Realizing he had been rudely staring, Kim Taeho quickly bowed his head. Fortunately, the woman in front of him simply handed over her ID with a blank expression.

“T-That’ll be 9,000 won. I’ll take your card.”

Humbly accepting the card and completing the payment, he swiftly placed the bottles of soju into a bag and handed them over. He was certain that if he raised his head even slightly, he wouldn’t be able to control his own eyes.

“Goodbye.”

Once again a whisper-like voice reached his ears, followed by the sound of the convenience store door opening and closing.

Finally relaxing, Taeho exhaled the breath he had unknowingly held back. A lingering scent of body wash, somewhat reminiscent of a human scent, still hung in the air.

‘Wow… Is she a model? An idol trainee, perhaps?’

As he belatedly regained his composure, he realized that the outfit from earlier—track pants and a hoodie—was too casual for someone simply out for a stroll in the bustling neighborhood. She must have just briefly stopped by the convenience store. Which meant there was a high chance she would visit the store again.

‘Maybe I’ll work here for just one more month.’

TL’s Corner:

Okay, another character other than Ark and MC.