Chapter 15: You’re grinding

Bulramyeon.

I was slightly flustered by the familiar name.

To think the person I had looked up yesterday would visit my broadcast.

And with a hefty sum of 1 million won, no less.

Thanks to that, my steps, which were heading towards the outpost, had to stop.

‘Why did he come?’

I slowly thought about the reason, but I couldn’t figure anything out.

‘The only thing I can guess is that he might have come through the gallery.’

Even that, I couldn’t be sure of.

As I stood there quietly, the chat window, perhaps thinking I was stunned by the donation, started teasing me one by one.

-The streamer looks dazed hahaha

-Anyone would be dazed if someone suddenly donated 1 million won hahaha

That wasn’t really the reason.

I was just dumbfounded by the sheer coincidence.

As I casually checked the chat window, it seemed some of them knew why he had donated to me.

-But why did he really donate 1 million won?

-Hahahahaha the reason is hilarious.

-What is it?

-Can I say it? Hahahahaha

-Tell us, please.

‘There seems to be a definite reason.’

Curious, I waited for the next chat along with the other viewers.

[Bulramyeon has donated 10,000 won.]
[Tsk, ahem, don’t say it. I’ll remember your nicknames, okay?]

Bulramyeon himself silenced the viewers with a donation.

-Ah, sorry.

-Loyalty, loyalty ^^

-Thumbs up if Bulramyeon is pathetic hahaha

-Seriously a loser shthead.

-He’s controlling the media.

-Boo, Bulramyeon, guarantee us freedom of speech!

Perhaps because he had been broadcasting for quite a long time, he showed a rather adept attitude in handling viewers.

However.

‘I need to stop this.’

I was curious why he had suddenly donated 1 million won.

But something else was more important.

‘This is my broadcast.’

Even I, who had only recently started broadcasting, could tell.

This was problematic.

I could understand the chat window buzzing for a moment due to the appearance of a famous person.

But the broadcast shouldn’t proceed as if the main focus had shifted like this.

Especially, I didn’t like how the chat window reacted to every single one of Bulramyeon’s donations.

Because I don’t like my territory being invaded.

Just as I was about to speak to Bulramyeon to regain control of the broadcast—

-But have you decided on your reaction yet?

-Since it’s only her second day, she probably doesn’t have one.

-True.

-What would a 1 million won reaction be? hahaha

‘Ah, a reaction.’

Only then did I realize I had to give a reaction.

Regardless of whether I liked it or not, I had received the money.

‘A 1 million won reaction, huh…’

Until now, most donations had been for 1,000 won, so I hadn’t prepared a separate reaction for 1 million won.

I never thought such a donation would come in so soon.

‘Hmm… should I do a backflip or something?’

I could probably do about three in a row, but that seemed a bit cliché.

As I pondered for a moment, I remembered how the viewers had cheered every time I showed my appearance at the start of the broadcast.

‘This should do it.’

Having made a decision, I nodded.

“You’re talking about a 1 million won reaction, right? I haven’t been broadcasting for long, so I don’t have a specific one prepared, but…”

-But?

With a hand gesture, I had Nyua turn the broadcasting camera it controlled to face me directly.

And slowly placing my hand on my stomach, I gently lifted my shirt.

Precisely so that only my abs would be visible.

“Just this once, I’ll do this specially.”

Clearly defined abs appeared on the broadcast screen.

And the chat window froze as if it had broken.

But soon, the viewers started going absolutely wild.

-?

-???

-?!?!?!?!

-Ooh-la-la, ooh-la-la

-I’m the winner for watching this stream right now.

-Wow fck… crazy.

-What’s with those abs??

-No way hahahahaha

-Seriously fcking crazy…

-Wow, look at those 11-line abs.

-Bulramyeon, you are a hero!!

-Fck, Ramyeon, I love you!!!

-You know Hyung likes you, right?

-I must worship Bulramyeon!!!

“That’s all for the reaction.”

I lowered my shirt again, but the viewers showed no signs of calming down.

It seemed none of them had expected such a reaction.

Judging by the response, well.

[Cheonhyehyangijoah has donated 10,000 won.]
[D*mn it, Bulramyeon, I like you!!!!!]

It didn’t seem bad.

But, of course, the opinion of the person who spent 1 million won was important.

“Bulramyeon-nim, were you satisfied?”

[Bulramyeon has donated 10,000 won.]
[Wow, I never thought I’d get a reaction like this… If I wasn’t satisfied after receiving this, wouldn’t I be crazy?]

Fortunately, the person himself seemed satisfied.

Then, now it was time to take back control.

It seemed I had already regained some, but I needed to secure it completely.

Looking at his earlier reactions, it seemed there was something he wanted to hide.

I planned to use that.

“That’s a relief. Then, if possible, could you tell us why you donated 1 million won?”

-Ah!

-You’re asking this at this timing? Hahahaha

-Bulramyeon is getting owned hahaha

-Ramyeon, you’ve served your purpose with that last one. Farewell.

[Bulramyeon has donated 10,000 won.]
[Ah, well, that’s…]

To summarize the situation, it was roughly like this.

Because I caught two Domagirius in the tutorial, a new route was created, which led to something called the Haerang Challenge.

Bulramyeon, upon seeing this, boldly bet 1 million won that it was fake, and that was the beginning of this problem.

Even though he didn’t know, it seemed he was bothered by the fact that he had called a fellow streamer’s content fake.

-Boo, trash.

-Ramyeon, just go die.

-Boo, I’m disappointed.

-Bulramyeon accused of spreading false rumors about a fellow streamer’s content being f*ke, archived.

-Shudder.

-Reflect on your actions.

-We’re sorry our hyung is like this.

[Bulramyeon has donated 10,000 won.]
[I’m sorry! And it seems I unintentionally disrupted the broadcast again… I’m truly sorry.]

“It’s alright.”

Having roughly understood the situation, I nodded and started walking towards the outpost again.

I wasn’t particularly bothered by his remarks.

‘If you can’t do it, you might think that way.’

Originally, when someone else achieves what they can’t, people don’t want to believe it.

I knew that psychology better than anyone.

Because I had experienced it a lot.

Of course, being disrupted during the broadcast was annoying, but I received an apology, and it wasn’t intentional.

Above all, he had already donated 1 million won, so there was nothing more to say.

“Then, I’ll proceed with the broadcast now. I hope Bulramyeon-nim will also enjoy watching as a viewer.”

-Bulramyeon: Yes!

-Everyone, please be seated.

-Seated.

-Yes!

Seated!

---

I was able to reach the outpost surprisingly quickly.

Unlike having to follow traces with the Pathfinding Bug, the outpost was easily recognizable even from a distance.

Passing by a guard who looked as if to say, “You’re here already?”, I went inside and saw Reina pacing near the entrance, looking slightly anxious.

It seemed she had been guarding this place ever since we parted ways.

-It’s Ppatppat-i hyung!!

-I missed you.

‘I just went to catch a single monster, why is she worrying so much.’

Finding her behavior absurd, I shook my head slightly, but a faint smile played on my lips.

It wasn’t a bad feeling.

Even though it was a game, it felt like it had been a really long time since someone had waited for me, worrying like this.

At the end of my previous world, I was always alone.

‘At this rate, I should forgive her for hitting my head at the beginning.’

I had been planning to hit her on the back of the head when I got the chance, but well.

It seemed I’d have to let it go.

‘At first, I thought she was a rude senior, but it seems she’s more affectionate than I thought.’

As I slowly walked towards where she was, she soon sensed my presence and looked up.

She had a surprised expression.

“Sunbae, what are you doing here?”

“What! You’re already here!?”

“So, were you hoping I’d come later?”

“No, that’s not what I meant!!”

At her sudden outburst, I let out a chuckle.

‘Is this what they call being charmed by Ppatppat-i?’

When I first saw chats saying “Ppa-myeodeul-eotda” (charmed by Ppatppat-i), I wondered what it meant.

Now, I thought I understood.

Reina’s flustered appearance felt surprisingly cute.

And it seemed I wasn’t the only one who thought so.

Among the viewers, people were falling for her charm one after another.

-What is this, why does Ppatppat-i hyung look cute?

-Perhaps if you wipe your glasses…?

-Me too, she’s kinda cute, right?

-You’ve been Ppa-myeodeul-eotda.

-They’ve all gone crazy.

-Everyone’s been Ppa-myeodeul-eotda!!

-Our Ppa-hyung is a little cute.

‘Come to think of it, did she say there was a separate mod?’

I heard there was a mod that made Reina look prettier.

I was fine with her current appearance since I was used to it, but I became curious about how she would look with the mod.

‘I should try installing it before starting the broadcast next time.’

Having made up my mind, I nodded.

Then, I heard a sigh from in front of me.

“Sigh…”

When I looked up, Reina was taking light, deep breaths, perhaps to calm herself.

“Hoo, hoo…”

-At this rate, Ppatppat-i 2 will get high blood pressure haha

-I agree hahaha

Having calmed down a bit, she let out a long breath.

“You’re not hurt anywhere, are you?”

“No, I’m not.”

“Then that’s good.”

Even as she said that, Reina still slowly scanned me up and down.

Finally, seeing my dust-free appearance, Reina nodded.

“You must have caught the Kukridyaa, of course. Did you carve it?”

“Yes. I did.”

“Are you planning to go to Grandpa right away?”

“I suppose I should. Do you know where he is?”

“Follow me.”

With those words, Reina turned and started walking.

As I followed her, the bustling center of the outpost gradually receded, and we entered a quiet corner unfrequented by people.

After walking a bit further, a shabby, run-down house came into view.

In front of that unusually quiet place, by a tranquil stream—

An old man sat quietly, his fishing rod cast.

It was Dante.

-He has the vibe of a secluded master.

-Isn’t it more like a lonely old man vibe?

-Hahahahaha

As we slowly approached, Dante, perhaps sensing our presence, looked up.

His gaze was directed precisely towards us, despite his eyes being covered by a blindfold.

“Grandpa. We’re here.”

“Oh? You’re here already? What about the Kukridyaa?”

“The newbie already caught it.”

“Hoh…”

At those words, Dante let out an exclamation of surprise.

“I knew she was a good fighter, but I didn’t expect this much. I predicted it would take at least two days.”

He stroked his beard and shook his head.

“You’ve passed the test.”

“Don’t you need to check the materials?”

“Reina, this old man knows that you’re not a child who would lie.”

At those words, Reina blushed as if embarrassed.

“No, that’s…”

Dante, who had been looking at her with a fond expression, now turned his head to look at me.

“I’ll prepare a Hunter’s Pass for you separately. Seeing your skills, I’d like to give you a higher-grade pass, but that’s beyond my authority. I have no choice but to give you the lowest-grade pass. Well, I’m sure you’ll climb up quickly. Instead, I’d like to give you something else. Is there anything you particularly desire?”

-Too bad, even on a new route, she can’t get a higher pass.

-It can’t be helped; it’s the game company’s motto to make players climb from the bottom.

It seemed that due to the game developer’s policy, a higher-grade pass couldn’t be obtained.

However, while the viewers were disappointed, there was also an atmosphere of subtle anticipation for the separate reward Dante mentioned.

-Still, Dante said he’d give her something separately.

-It seems like that’s the real reward.

-Agreed.

-Actually, that alone is a sufficient gain.

-Is it that good?

-Yup, I don’t know the upper limit, but it’s awesome.

-What will you get?

Actually, from the moment I heard Dante would give me something separately, there was only one thing I desired.

I didn’t know if it would be possible, but I intended to at least bring it up.

“How about a match with me? It seems like it would be fun.”

-??????

-Streamer, streamer?

-Crazy bstard, crazy bstard.

[Capybara has donated 1,000 won.]
[Oh sh*t.]