Ch.376371 – Winner Takes All

[V-tube]

<Trending Shorts – Broadcast>

[#1 Life According to a 9-Year-Old]

[#2 NoName Accidentally Thinks She’s Off-Stream lol (30 Seconds of Non-Stop Aegyo)]

[#3 Try Not to Laugh Challenge EPIC FAIL (feat. NoName’s Aegyo)]

[#4 NoName Channels Her Inner Magic Battle Expert]

[#5 “Katsuhata Emika vs Cécilia Nieto De Sampaio” Match 60 Highlights]

NoName’s broadcast has completely dominated the Korean VTube platform.

At this point, the algorithm itself was practically committing murder.

[Look at NoName’s related search terms lmao]

[NoName: NoName

NoName aegyo

NoName VTube

NoName championship

NoName genius

NoName interview

NoName terror]

Why is “NoName aegyo” at the very top lol

How did this even get so popular?

[Comments]

-LMAO

-First documented aegyo in broadcast history hahaha

-But is that even considered aegyo?

-If puffing your cheeks isn’t aegyo, then what is it?!

-If it’s cute, it’s aegyo, duh lolol

-I can’t believe I missed the live stream FML!!!!!

Most people who watched NoName’s livestream for the first time were disappointed for similar reasons.

“A broadcast run by a 9-year-old? That must be super cute!”

These expectations were thoroughly shattered as NoName maintained a completely expressionless face from start to finish.

“This isn’t what I wanted! How can a 9-year-old be so cold!”

But humans always find ways to enjoy things.

“She smiled with her eyes three times? Today’s stream was amazing!”

Viewers who had fallen into the NoName rabbit hole.

On days when she sneezed or gave a slight chuckle, they would clip it to relieve their daily stress.

For people whose aegyo threshold had been lowered to rock bottom, the triple combo of “puffing cheeks, making lip sounds, and rubbing eyes while yawning” was an earth-shattering event.

This natural disaster on the internet created countless victims.

A major streamer who was doing a 3-million-won Try Not to Laugh Challenge hopelessly crumbled at the final stage when faced with NoName’s aegyo.

This incident earned the nickname “3-million-won aegyo” and was widely shared and reproduced.

Interest in magic duels and national exchange competitions, which had cooled down for a while, also surged again.

At the same time, videos of NoName seriously discussing life philosophy surfaced.

[If possible, living in a way that realizes your potential is what makes life fun and happy. That’s what I think.]

Age-appropriate aegyo, age-inappropriate mental maturity.

People whose minds were blown by this sweet-and-salty combination began binge-watching NoName’s broadcasts.

And this wasn’t just limited to Korean society.

“Master, bringing in outsiders without consulting the Council is…”

“Come now, this is a friend who trained with us. What’s wrong with watching a match with a friend?”

“…”

“Victory celebrations can easily have their intentions misinterpreted. Whether our successor wins or loses in the finals, Katsuhata must show proper gratitude to those who helped. If there are no objections, I’ll order the video to be uploaded as is.”

The Katsuhata School officially tagged NoName on their social media.

It was only a one-minute video, but the sincerity it contained was impossible to ignore.

The elite mages of the Katsuhata School stood in two rows wearing white uniforms.

Master Katsuhata Akitaro walked forward with purposeful steps, his long hair flowing.

Thud-!

He thrust his katana, still in its scabbard, into the center of the floor and placed both hands neatly on the handle.

[We Katsuhata never betray our trust.]

His eyes flashed like a tiger’s, filled with gratitude.

For opening new horizons in aura swordsmanship with Adela’s invention.

For broadening the successor’s perspective during joint training.

And above all, for spreading the greatness of the Katsuhata style throughout the world.

Master Akitaro expressed his gratitude and respect for all of NoName’s achievements, and at the end of the video, he said:

[So it would bring me immense joy if you became a member of our family! Oh, and I’ve reserved the seat next to me for the finals, so I hope you’ll come. That’s all!]

Master Katsuhata’s influence on Japanese politics is immense.

Even second and third-term representatives can’t even get a meeting with him, and it takes at least a fifth-term representative to barely raise their head in his presence.

And this master had invited NoName to sit beside him.

The question of why has already been answered above.

Join the Katsuhata School.

If NoName accepts this offer, she could acquire Japanese citizenship without needing approval from the Ministry of Justice.

The Japanese government was shocked by this unexpected news,

American foundations and major Korean clans who had already set their sights on NoName were furious,

And the Korean government, suddenly finding itself in a crisis, hurriedly began preparing countermeasures.

Before any of these institutions could even issue statements, NoName appeared on the national exchange competition broadcast cameras.

In the VVIP Sky Lounge seats at Tokyo Dome.

Sitting right next to Master Katsuhata Akitaro.

* * *

“I enjoyed watching your broadcast.”

“Oh, you watched that…”

“You should learn to acknowledge your strengths. Cuteness has been an excellent survival strategy since prehistoric times.”

“Yes, I understand.”

I fanned my burning face to cool it down.

How did that video suddenly blow up and make me endure this embarrassment?

People always seem to fixate on the strangest things while ignoring what actually needs attention.

‘I don’t get it, I really don’t.’

Through the glass window, the opening ceremony performance was in full swing.

Fireworks painting the night sky in vibrant colors combined with singers’ passionate performances to heighten the atmosphere.

Japan and Russia.

Mages representing each side in the finals approached from opposite directions, demonstrating beautiful magic and sword dances.

“Does Miss NoName know why the opening ceremony is held so grandly?”

Master Akitaro asked elegantly, swirling his wine glass.

When I met him in Seoul before, he looked like a complete bandit, but now that he’s shaved, he’s putting on all sorts of airs.

I understand it’s his position, so it’s not incomprehensible.

“I think it’s to raise the stakes. Like going all-in in poker. The more that’s at stake, the greater the sense of achievement and joy when you win. For both the players and the audience.”

“Yes, winner takes all. The players are in the waiting room now, so they can’t see the performance at all. The more magnificent the opening ceremony, the deeper their desire for victory becomes. Because if they lose, none of this becomes theirs. They probably won’t even look at today’s performance for the rest of their lives.”

“I hope that won’t be Emika.”

“That’s what I desperately wish for too.”

Master Akitaro clenched his fist on the armrest, indirectly revealing his anxiety.

While I was glancing at him, I made eye contact with people sitting on the opposite side.

Unlike Master Akitaro with his long ponytail, they were a couple with ordinary appearances.

They smiled at me and greeted me, so I slightly bowed my head in response.

“Hello…?”

“You’re NoName, right? Nice to meet you, haha.”

“Oh my, you’re as cute as they say…! I know we just met, but would it be okay if we shook hands?”

“Oh yes, of course.”

“It’s nice to meet you. Thank you so much for becoming our Emika-chan’s precious friend.”

As I stood there with a bewildered expression, Master Akitaro added an explanation.

“They are our successor’s biological parents.”

“Ah, I see.”

Japan really has a unique system.

Legally adopting someone else’s child who has perfectly good parents just to make them the family successor.

I returned to my seat.

“Joining the Katsuhata School doesn’t mean cutting ties with your parents. If anything, relationships become even stronger. We have various social programs prepared.”

“Ah.”

“And in my opinion, NoName, you have a natural talent for the sword. Even Mr. Koizumi and the Council members all agree on this fact. If you come to the Katsuhata School, we’ll provide unlimited support. What do you think?”

Master Akitaro laughed while exaggerating.

Now we’re getting to the main point, I guess.

He showed the confidence of a strong person, fearless even though Professor Cheon was sitting right behind me.

“I understand that the Katsuhata School really wants to recruit me. As it happens, I’ve been thinking along similar lines.”

“Does that mean I can take that as a positive response?”

“No, I meant I’ve been thinking similarly to you, Master. Just as you want me, I want Katsuhata Emika.”

Master Akitaro narrowed his brow.

The word “want” has dozens of possible interpretations.

I sat with my back straight against the chair.

My feet didn’t reach the ground, so they swung back and forth naturally.

I explained specifically how I wanted Emika.

“When I return to Korea next week, I’m going to establish a clan. Personally, I’d like Katsuhata Emika to be a founding member.”

“A clan? Founding member? Emika?”

“Yes. She can continue her activities in the school just the same. But during the moments she’s in Korea, she would be my clan member.”

Akitaro groaned briefly as he considered this.

“Has the definition of a clan changed without my knowledge?”

“No. This isn’t a game, it’s reality.”

“But how could you possibly…”

“High Mage.”

Professor Cheon interrupted from behind.

“Recently, NoName entered the High Mage qualification assessment, and she’ll likely pass with high probability.”

“Is that true?”

Professor Cheon reluctantly nodded.

“Let me tell you about the benefits too. If Emika joins my clan, I’ll grant her access to the original source of the Demon King’s Horn. If she wants, Adela can come as a package deal.”

The atmosphere in the room suddenly became tense.

Especially Emika’s master, Koizumi Yoshihiro, who severely distorted his face.

“That’s absurd, Miss NoName. The successor position isn’t some light role that can be split between multiple affiliations.”

“Is that a codified regulation?”

“It’s common sense.”

“Relying on common sense prevents innovation. Well, think it over. Before, I sold the Demon King’s Horn through a company which made things easier, but lately it’s been difficult to operate alone.”

That’s not entirely a lie.

The machine connected to the magic power plant network is still working hard in the storage room of my house.

“You’ll need to participate in next year’s competition too, right? In France.”

Emika is 15 years old this year.

Therefore, if she participates in next year’s national exchange competition and secures victory, she could set the record of winning twice consecutively.

The smile disappeared completely from Master Akitaro’s face.

“Hmm, you wouldn’t hesitate to resort to blackmail? Haha, should I take this as a child’s prank? Perhaps it’s because I’m getting older that I can’t distinguish between jokes and serious talk.”

“If you don’t like being blackmailed, would you like to make a bet with me? It would be boring to just watch.”

[Finals Match 63]

[Mikhail Balabanov] [100% | 100%]

[Katsuhata Emika] [100% | 100%]

Finally, the scoreboard lit up.

“Which foot will Katsuhata Emika step with first when entering the arena? I’ll choose left. What about you, Master?”

“…”

“Oh, she’s already entered. It was the left foot indeed. Anyway, if I win like this, it’s a win; if we both get it right or wrong, it’s a draw; if I lose, it’s a loss. Let’s take turns making one prediction per minute. Whoever gets more right wins this bet.”

“…Hahaha! To think I’d be tested on my eye for matches by someone like you. Fine, I accept! You have more humor than I thought, Miss NoName? So what happens if I lose the bet? Do I just give something up without getting anything in return?”

“No, Master!”

“Hush now.”

“Winner takes all.”

With those words, I turned my head toward the arena.

Katsuhata Emika drew her katana from its scabbard.

Russia’s nightmare, Mikhail Balabanov, raised his monstrous battle axe, the bardiche, high into the air.

Who has the superior sword technique?

“The loser gets nothing.”