It’s not that kind of malicious broadcast

Chapter 51 Dodat, dodat, dodat.

A pleasant morning… no, evening. Anyway, it was a refreshing wake-up.

Yesterday’s broadcast went well enough. Although it was a bit disappointing that more viewers tuned in to streams where I mostly drank. Still, beating up the warrior at the end made me feel a bit better.

A grateful opponent.

It was a bit regretful that I didn’t get even a word of praise despite my hesitation in opening the third chest, but aside from that, he was a perfect match.

His tendency was to hide his eagerness to engage in direct combat, to the point where his movement screamed it.

Against such a warrior, I absolutely, absolutely won’t fight him directly. The game is about preventing your opponent from getting what they want.

By fully utilizing the Rogue’s specialty to make him increasingly impatient, and then dragging him to the battleground he least desires at the last moment, ending the fight in a flash—

This usually leads to the thought, “Ah, this is absurd.” followed by, “Maybe I should try that character?”

Even thinking back on it now brings a bit of joy. To the point where it wipes away the pre-menstrual blues… Maybe I should send him a gift card or something.

If he comes to the broadcast next time, I’ll make him sign a pledge to switch to a Rogue and send him a gift card.

Humming lightly, I logged into the fan cafe of Dodat to check if my permanent ban had been lifted. This is my weekly Saturday routine.

Half out of curiosity, and a bit out of stubbornness—

“Huh?”

What started as a light task led to a surprising discovery. Logging in casually, I found an announcement that made me doubt my eyes.

Refreshing the page just in case, but—

『Author: Dodat (Cafe Manager)』

『Title: Announcement for today’s broadcast (Sunday).』

『Today, starting at 8 PM, there will be a duo broadcast with Revan.

See you at 8 PM.』

The content didn’t change.

Revan.

If it’s Revan, surely—that warrior from back then.

The one who created that bizarre build and filled the Holy Underground battleground with warriors. Didn’t Dodat postpone the promised Rogue broadcast last time to analyze and discuss the build Revan created?

Dodat, dodat, dodat.

Now, it’s not enough that you’re ignoring the Rogue; you’re even switching to a Warrior?

****

『ArcTube: Ark, Ark』

『ArcTube: The views on the recent duo videos are insane』

『ArcTube: I think you should give her about three ban passes』

『Ark: Don’t fall for the devil’s temptation』

『Ark: In my opinion』

『Ark: She’s someone who could do anything at any time without it being strange』

『Ark: The fact that she requested to upload the video herself after that disaster at the end is even scarier』

『ArcTube: I’m also willing to do anything for views』

『Ark: …… I’ll work harder』

『Ark: Calm down』

『ArcTube: Anyway, the composition and resolution came out well in part 2』

『ArcTube: It would be great to do the duo content at least once more』

『ArcTube: We could even plan a collaboration broadcast』

『ArcTube: Continuing the interview would be perfect timing right now』

『ArcTube: I’ve prepared everything so that I can do it at any time, so please bring it up next time』

『Ark: I’ll think about it…….』

『ArcTube: Think carefully』

『Ark: Pardon?』

『ArcTube: Watch this』

『Ark: ……?』

『ArcTube: Anyway, I’ll go back to editing now!』

Ark, who sighed deeply as she logged out of Discourse, recalled the recent events.

“Is it just my imagination…… Lately, it seems like everyone around me is making fun of me…….”

Even thinking back on it, it was definitely not just her imagination.

“Yena too. And now, Jiho is getting worse as well.”

Launching her browser, Ark accessed her G-tube channel — ArcTube: Ark’s Comprehensive Game Streaming — and stared at the featured video.

Part 1, 『Hello, this is the mentioned snipe』. 280,000 views.

Part 2, 『No point in apologizing』. 300,000 views.

Considering that her usual range was around 70,000 to 80,000 views, and a well-picked video sometimes surpassed 120,000, these videos had received unprecedented attention.

“Jiho really pulled through this time.”

Her editor, arcTube’s Seo Jiho. He who always had a quick grasp on trends seemed to have struck gold with the chemistry between ‘CravingWarmAmericano’ and Ark this time.

At some point, he must have contacted Yena and received the footage, as the two videos that were cross-edited with Yena’s screen were of high quality, even in Ark’s own eyes.

The crazed Rogue gameplay and the concept of playing with a keyboard and mouse, followed by a dramatic comeback victory and an overwhelming three consecutive wins.

Although the editing was skillfully done, the material was originally good. Additionally, a large company’s broadcaster had posted a video about winning three games with a keyboard and mouse as a punishment, which had just hit number one on trending videos, benefiting from the trickle-down effect.

It was a situation where, as they say, ‘those destined to make it will make it no matter what.’ In truth, Ark had considered scrapping the entire broadcast from that day to prevent the incident at the end from continuing to be a hot topic.

However, Yena had messaged first, asking, ‘If you’re going to upload it to G-tube, can you edit it focusing on the Rogue’s performance?’ Thus, the broadcast saw the light of day.

Even though it wasn’t an extreme exposure, a woman who had never shown her face ended up exposing her cleavage. Would she be really okay with that?

Yet, whenever she exchanged messages with Yena, Ark felt like she was the one being strange for worrying.

“Was she being considerate because she’s a fan of mine…? Even toxic fans are fans… No, I shouldn’t think like that.”

The intention to ensure that her favorite broadcaster didn’t miss the G-tube opportunity.

Or the desire for the video of them playing the game together to be uploaded to G-tube could be somewhat understandable.

Nevertheless, the reason Ark found it hard to shake off the uneasy feeling was due to a sense of owing a debt to Yena.

What would she demand in return for this G-tube video?

‘If she even requests an interview… No, since she just started streaming, isn’t it mutual help?’

But would Yena approach it within such normal constraints?

No. Could one even call that broadcast a ‘beginner’s broadcast’?

‘Who kicks out all the viewers because they want to make the viewers start streaming?’

The scene of madness Ark discovered on the KoK Forum after stumbling upon it once the broadcast ended was far too divergent from the internet broadcasts she knew.

‘It’s like a chef kicking out customers who came to the restaurant to eat, telling them to go home and cook for themselves.’

Moreover, when she asked if she could transfer that ban pass or whatever it was called, Ark was perplexed. Looking at the context, it seemed she wanted to gift it to a viewer.

What made it scarier was that she asked for permission. If someone suddenly hits you, they’re just a typical bad person, but if someone comes up politely and asks, “Would it be okay if I beat you up randomly?”…

While thinking such thoughts,

-Vwooong

『Hello, Ark, can you let me know when you are available for a call?』

As always, an unusually polite message from Yena arrived, contrasting with her actions.

‘We do need to talk,’ she thought, but she couldn’t muster the courage.

Fiddling with her phone for a moment to gather her thoughts, Ark finally let out a determined sigh and made the call about three minutes later.

《Hello.》

“Yes, hello Yena-nim!”

《Yes, hello.》

Yena’s languid voice whispered, contrasting with her own forced upbeat tone.

《I got an email from your editor, so I’m contacting you for confirmation.》

‘Ah.’

It seemed the editor, anticipating her hesitation, had already taken some steps. Placing her hand on her forehead, Ark carefully spoke.

“I didn’t get the details, but what email are you referring to?”

-Crunch.

《I sent the broadcast video from our duo session… and he mentioned an interview and other things.》

-Swish.

“Oh! Yes, yes. Thanks to you, the G-tube video turned out well. I was about to ask, but I was thinking about doing the interview we couldn’t finish last time. You remember, Yena-nim, you had to stop because of something urgent.”

After the abrupt end to the interview, a screenshot of Yena’s account watching four different broadcasts, including Ark’s, had even been uploaded to Ark’s fan cafe.

While waiting, massaging her head from the recurring thoughts,

-Gulp.

The familiar background noise that appeared at least seven or eight times during a call with Yena was followed by her unchanged tone.

《Hmm… an interview.》

“Yes. My editor has prepared some questions, and we’ll add spontaneous questions based on donations.”

-Swish.

《Then, like last time—》

“No. We won’t be playing any games.”

Ark cut her off, decisively declaring without hesitation, as if she had been waiting for her to say those exact words.

Given that it was Yena, she had prepared her lines, expecting her to bring up playing again.

《Ah…….》

-Gulp.

《You’ve lost your initial spirit.》

A voice steeped in disappointment, sounding drained.

《I am disappointed.》

It was impossible to tell if it was criticism or lament, a joke or sincere.

《Why are there so many people losing their initial spirit these days…….》

Though she had experienced this several times already, Ark still had not fully adapted. Just thinking about the future interview made him dizzy.

“……Still, no games. This time, it’s formal content, so I need to keep up with the chat…….”

《Okaaay…….》

-Gulp.

《Alright thennn…….》

Listening to her increasingly nasal and elongated speech in real-time, Ark could only guess what Yena was continuously drinking on the other end of the line—

《But, I have one condition too.》

Given Yena’s usual unconventional behavior and statements, the words “Let’s talk when you’re sober” didn’t come to mind easily.

“……What is it?”

《Shall we do a duo?》

A duo. That was easy to agree to without much thought. Having more video material would also help Ark’s own G-tube channel.

Just as she was about to agree, thinking ‘It’s a win-win!’, Yena continued.

《With viewer participation, is that okay with you?》

This too seemed reasonable. Of course, she might request a duo to have viewers participate.

“Oh, sure! Well, since you’re also a broadcaster now, I’m not sure if it counts as viewer participation. Did you mean you won’t be streaming, Yena?”

《Half-right.》

“Excuse me? Then—”

《Both of us. Non-streamed. And I’ll be the one starting the queue.》

“Oh… okay, so when…….”

《Today, you’re off-broadcast, right? Do you have anything planned at 8 PM?》

Feeling a sense of unease from somewhere in Yena’s question, Ark felt a slight discrepancy and anxiety—

She decided to interpret it positively, thinking she wanted to get to know her better in a relaxed, no-pressure environment without the broadcast.

It was Ark’s bad habit of always thinking the best of people.

TL’s Corner:

Dodat done goofed. Though it’s just the MC’s one-sided point-of-view.