Chapter 150

Chapter 150

Raise Three Idols Well And They’ll Launch a Confession Attack.

Episode 150: Heroes Emerge From Crises

I headed to the PR office with Oh Yoori and found Seo Eun-byeol, who was struggling to prepare for Gyeoul’s broadcast, while drinking her fourth energy drink.

“Are you okay, Eun-byeol? Don’t push yourself too hard.”

“Ah! Team Leader Seon! I’m totally fine. I’m not overworking myself at all!”

“From what I see, though, there are a lot of empty energy drink cans. Those have high caffeine, so it’s not good to drink too many. How about taking a break?”

“…Ah.”

Then Seo Eun-byeol hastily shoved the energy drink cans into the trash and said.

“This… Ah. It’s just a concept. I wanted to look like I’m working hard, just like Miso unnie and Narae unnie.”

…With such severe dark circles under her eyes, does she really expect me to believe that?

Perhaps thinking the same, Oh Yoori turned her head away as if embarrassed and pretended not to see it.

“Then, are there any other difficulties? If there’s anything inconvenient about the broadcast, I’ll do my best to improve it.”

She was startled and quickly responded.

“I don’t have any difficulties. I’m just grateful for being given this opportunity!”

Then, Oh Yoori, who was standing next to her, spoke up.

“Unnie, just be honest. You know that Team Leader Seon says these things out of genuine concern, right? If you ignore the problem here, it might grow into something much bigger, and it could disappoint him.”

“…You’re right.”

Seo Eun-byeol sighed softly and said.

“Everything else is really fine, but it’s been really tough dealing with weird chats like sexual harassment or malicious insults, or people sending dirty messages by email. No matter how many times I block them, they keep coming back. Especially those who send photos…”

Oh dear.

“You’ve worked hard. Please emphasize more often that the agency will be taking legal action. And also, please send me those records before they’re deleted. We need to make examples out of a few people to reduce this kind of thing.”

“I’d really appreciate that if you can do it.”

…Come to think of it, this seems pretty urgent.

“Hmm… Shall we check it now while we’re at it?”

“Really? You don’t have to go that far…”

“Considering the issues you might face while I handle this, I think it’s better to deal with it as quickly as possible.”

“…Ah, yes! I’ll step aside.”

I sat down in Seo Eun-byeol’s seat and checked the emails.

And I found a title at the top that stood out immediately.

[Witches Streamer Battle Game Tournament Invitation]

Huh?

“Witches Streamer Battle Game Tournament?”

As I tilted my head in confusion, Seo Eun-byeol, who was watching from behind, brightened and spoke.

“This is an enormous streamer tournament sponsored by a big corporation. It’s never failed to be a hit, and most streamers want to participate. Plus, it’s not some obscure game; it’s one of the major league games that Gyeoul plays, so only those with a solid fanbase get invited. The fact that they called Gyeoul, who doesn’t have much experience as a streamer, is seen as very positive. The structure involves gathering participants based on those who are neither in the lowest nor highest score range, and they appoint former pros as mentors. It’s not without its pressures since you have to participate in the practices, but if she joins, the merits are huge…”

Seeing Seo Eun-byeol bombarding me with information like a machine gun rap, I calmed her down.

“Eun-byeol, calm down. It’s fine, just speak slowly.”

“Sorry…”

Oh Yoori, who was looking at it with a strange gaze, asked.

“By the way, I’ve been wondering for a while, how do you know so much about streaming broadcasts?”

“Ah, because my trainee life didn’t leave me with much time, and other hobbies were expensive, so watching broadcasts was my only hobby. Also, I really like that tournament… Sorry, I think I got a bit too excited.”

Watching broadcasts is a good hobby, huh?

“So, you’re positive about participating in that tournament, Eun-byeol?”

“Yes, as long as it doesn’t interfere with the schedule.”

Album activities were over, and we were half-boycotted by the broadcast network. There shouldn’t be a schedule.

“Let’s just give it a try.”

The method of selecting team members in the tournament was an auction system, where each pro gamer had a limited number of points to spend in order to gather members.

And at that place, Gyeoul was rated as an S-tier player, someone worth the highest price.

This was likely because she possessed both the top-tier skills and the level required to participate in this tournament.

That part was good. The chances of Gyeoul grabbing the spotlight were high. The problem was that in the recently held auction, the pro gamer, “First,” who recruited Gyeoul, spent almost all of his points to acquire her.

As her manager, watching the auction, I took the opportunity during a break to approach him.

“First, thank you for giving Gyeoul such a high evaluation, but don’t you think it’s excessive to pay such a high price for her? You won’t have any points left to spend on other players, right?”

“Haha… If I think about it logically, it’s definitely something I shouldn’t have done, but I’m a fan of Girl Revolution. It’s not official, but I’ve even joined their fan cafe.”

…What can I say? People can’t help being fans of the kids.

“Still, don’t worry too much. There are plenty of undervalued players right now. We can build a strategy focusing on Gyeoul’s top position, buy value-for-money players for jungle and mid, and focus on upper-body games. We can still come up with a good strategy with the remaining points.”

“What about the bottom?”

“We’ll have to let go of the bottom, even if it’s with a heavy heart.”

“…”

Although I was feeling uneasy, it seemed that First, being a former pro gamer, had his own plan, so I decided to trust him.

“Yes, the main character this time is the supporter, Sarang.”

“Ugh, but the directors are all hesitating, trying to figure out what to do.”

“Apparently, Sarang is considered the weakest player in this tournament…”

“First! I bid!”

Everyone stared at First, who suddenly made his bid.

Despite the attention, First nodded as if he already knew the answer.

“Fu-Neng is very active as a VTuber. She has what’s called a ‘honey voice,’ which is used in ASMR productions.”

“Caster, it’s a game tournament; shouldn’t you explain it from a gamer’s perspective?”

“She’s a gamer with strong will and perseverance.”

“First! I bid!”

“…”

“Focapo is one of our top three beauties in Witches Streamers…”

“First! I bid!”

“…”

“Oh Harim is a famous former cosplayer…”

“First! I bid!”

Is this right?

As doubt arose in my mind, I approached him to ask a question, but he was admiring the completed list.

“…I’ve completed it.”

“Oh, have you finished the picture you had in mind?”

Is this what he meant by undervalued players earlier?

Wow, I thought they were just picked for their looks, but I guess pro gamers really see things differently from the rest of us.

“Yes, it’s complete!”

Pro gamer First clenched his fist and said,

“The ultimate fantasy! A team of beautiful girls in a game!”

What the hell, you crazy bastard.

“…We screwed up.”

“Sarang unnie, we’re live!”

“It’s true, we screwed up.”

“…Gyeoul, I’m sorry.”

The so-called ‘Beautiful Girl Game Team’ lost terribly.

In fact, this outcome had been expected.

From the practice rounds, except for Gyeoul, everyone showed such poor skills that it seemed unbelievable they were participating in the tournament.

The undervalued value-for-money players First mentioned didn’t exist.

…No, there were such players, but they weren’t from this team.

However, there was still one last chance left.

If they won against the designated opponent team in the final round, they would advance to the next stage.

Right before the match, pro gamer First emphasized the strategy once again to the team.

“Fu-Neng, don’t just use your ult to protect yourself; try using it to bind the enemy as well.”

“…But I’ll die if I do that.”

“It’s okay if Fu-Neng dies.”

“…”

“Focapo, don’t change the movement we’ve already planned.”

“Don’t we need some flexibility considering the enemy’s movements and psychology?”

“That’s a valid point, but Focapo, don’t try to mix in psychological warfare. Just stick to the plan. If you go into that area, you’ll never beat their diamond jungler. Accept the difference.”

“…Yes.”

“Harim and Sarang, focus on holding out. And Gyeoul…”

Finally, when it was Gyeoul’s turn for feedback, First hesitated slightly, then spoke seriously.

“I understand the burden you feel, but you have to show us. If you don’t, there won’t be any surprises for this team. Can you do it?”

Gyeoul, seemingly uncomfortable with his gaze, turned her head away, avoiding his eyes, and looked at me from the corner.

Since it seemed like she couldn’t hear me, I mouthed the words “Hang in there.”

Seeing me, Gyeoul gave a small smile and said with shining eyes.

“I can do it.”

And so, the game began.

Han Gyeoul Saranghae – Genius vocalist of Girl Revolution, No. 1 of Girl 100, the best axe killer in Jeonnam, fighting Gyeoul!!!!!!

Ming Ming Soo – Go!

Male Mosquito – This…

MIX Pluto – Ting.

Dorjak Seonghyangjom – Wow, look at the real-time viewers. This is the highest ever.

Haru Sekki Maratang – This is the current form of the best axe killer in Jeonnam 3. T_T

sese001010 – Every time I see it, I wonder, is that really okay for an active girl group’s nickname?

Zero Point Break – I don’t know either?

Bangkuseok Challenger – Gyeoul, overcome the hate! That’s what’s on top!

Suddenly, as the viewers surged, Focapo, the jungler, spoke to Gyeoul.

“Gyeoul, I think the enemy’s jungle is near the bottom camp. Do you want to push aggressively?”

“Confirmed.”

After she confirmed, six seconds later, the enemy jungler unexpectedly appeared from the bush.

One of Gyeoul’s spells disappeared uselessly.

“…It was top.”

“Confirmed…”

It feels like we’ve already lost, doesn’t it?