DCRBG 16

Chapter 16

Increasing Followers (1)

1.

What is “gukppong”?
When a Korean plays well in a famous soccer league, or wins a world-class esports tournament, or takes an Olympic gold medal—those are the moments when we get gukppong.
To be precise: it’s national prestige being elevated, and the euphoric feeling that comes with it. That, essentially, is the nature of gukppong. And it works in any era.
Put simply: if someone with Korean nationality sets a world-class record—

<Breaking News> Meteor Shower? A comet-like appearance — Korea’s new hope
<Fastest promotion to Floor 2! A full week faster than the previous record?>
<The player is revealed to be a streamer on MiTube under the name “Meteo”>
<Ability Management Bureau: ‘We congratulate Meteor Shower for this overwhelming record! His performance shows the strength of the Republic of Korea.’>
<Who is Meteor Shower?>

—an enormous amount of attention pours in. Especially now, when Korea has been setting terrible records in the Abyss, that kind of attention is magnified. Seeing my name mentioned in most of the portal-site headlines felt strange. Most of the comments under the articles sent congratulations and expectations, but as always there were nasty comments too.

• It’s the Ability Management Bureau’s handiwork. Not fooled.

• lol this kid’s gonna go to the U.S.? They never stay in Korea anyway.

• Heard it’s just a big guild staging a debut?

• What’s so important about lower floors? Those who bragged about lower floors all crashed when they hit higher ones.

• Korean type: overreacts.

• Another “record-breaking rookie”? How many times can you be record-breaking? lol I’m not getting my hopes up.

The nastier the comment, the more it stands out.

“How much proof do these people need before they’re satisfied?”
“That’s the internet for you. Even if you keep proving it, those people don’t go away easily. If it gets really bad I’ll help you sue…”
“Inseop, forget suing — can you find my home address instead?”
“That’s… a bit—”
“The Ability Management Bureau would probably tell us.”
“…that’d be abuse of power.”

Anyway, netizens are as usual. Still, hate is attention, so I’ll be generous and let it slide. If they cross a line, I’ll go after them then. I finished my iced americano in one gulp and smiled at the person in front of me.

A small, slight young man in a hoodie was cautiously touching his coffee cup. Inseop had brought a hopeful who wanted to be my editor. His name was Shin Tae-oh. According to Inseop, he’d taken a break from work for a while; I didn’t hear the details. Supposedly he’d been bullied by a MiTuber he used to work with?

“Um—Tae-oh?”
“Yes, yes?”
“Nice name. Meteor, Shin Tae-oh. That’s got a nice rhyme. You into hip-hop by any chance?”
“Ah… no.”

Oh — was that too forced as an icebreaker? I thought I was being casual.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Yoo Sung-woo.”
“Shin, Shin Tae-oh.”
“I happen to be looking for an editor. Inseop contacted me and suggested we meet today.”

I think first impressions matter a lot when people meet. Looking at this Shin Tae-oh… he doesn’t look like he’d stab someone in the back. Physiognomy is a science. Especially with my “intuition” skill-boosted interest sense, I’m pretty scientific about reading people. I’m definitely better at reading people than some fortune-tellers.

“Inseop said you edited my replay videos — could I see them?”
Tae-oh carefully pulled a tablet PC from his bag. It was an older model, worn from handling, with some cracks in the screen.

“I… didn’t prepare a portfolio separately.”
“Well, let’s see then.”
“…okay.”

I took the tablet and skimmed the videos: one five-minute video and six thirty-second short-form clips. The five-minute clip condensed my dungeon clear, highlighting trap breakthroughs and boss fights. The shorts were extracted, punchy segments from that full video.

‘Oh.’

Clean editing. Not just clean — the way he trimmed the fat from my trap-break expressions, and the audience reactions, everything was mixed together very tasty and neat. I’d thought the full video felt a little over-the-top, but seeing it edited like this made me really like it. The shorts hit hard too. Totally different from the stuff I used to edit myself… Is this the wall of talent? Wow.

“Um… I’m… still lacking a lot. I’ve been off work lately…”
His voice lacked confidence. Tae-oh peered at me from under his hood.

“Hmm.” I’d finished watching in no time. I handed back the tablet and got straight to the point.

“Shin Tae-oh?”
“…yes?”
“You get 95 out of 100.”
“Th-thank you…”
“There’s one flaw. Ninety-five. Inseop had reason to want you! Want to be my editor? No, that’s not the important part!”

I could see greed in Inseop’s eyes beside me. He clearly wanted to snatch my editor away, so I’d come prepared.

Clack.

I pulled an envelope from my pocket and set it in front of Tae-oh.

“I had a sudden feeling yesterday and made some money, so I thought today’s the day to catch a lucky person.”
“You’re giving this to me…?”
“Think of it as a deposit. Hah. I’ve finally met someone of value in my life.”

You could tell from the start of the video—Inseop was right: we had to get this guy. If he refused, I might play the patient suitor card a la Liu Bei and keep trying.

“I’ll work hard.”
Until now he’d kept his head down avoiding my gaze, but he summoned courage and looked me in the eye. His voice still trembled.

“What should I call you from now on? Meteo? Sungwoo-nim?”
“You’re twenty-four this year, Tae-oh.”
“…yes.”
“Call me hyung if you want. I prefer that. If you’re hyung-sibling with Inseop, be hyung-sibling with me too. I get a little jealous sometimes.”

Did that encourage him? Tae-oh — no, Tae-o — spoke carefully.

“The videos were fun. Honestly, if a video’s not fun… editing can’t make it fun. I just… enjoyed watching your videos. So…”

Tae-oh stopped himself from saying more, shook his head slightly, then awkwardly smiled and said, “…I’ll do my best! Thank you.”

We’ll hear the rest once we get closer. I could ask Inseop later, but for now I liked this kid. I smiled and reached out my hand.

“You know? One of my old dreams was to hire an editor. In case you didn’t know, I had no viewers for a while so I edited all my videos myself. I couldn’t afford to hire an editor from part-time jobs back then.”

He’s my first editor. Feels good. I have a feeling I’ll be seeing this guy for a long time.

“Thanks, Tae-oh. You made my dream come true. Let’s do well together.”
Tae-oh still smiled awkwardly and took my hand.

“I should be the one thanking you.”

And so I signed a contract with my first editor.

2.

After formally signing the contract with Tae-oh with Inseop’s help, I rode in Inseop’s car back home.

“Ah, hyungsu-nim! Long time no see! How have you been?”
“Has it been two months?”
“I couldn’t come empty-handed… here, a fruit set.”
“Oh my, you shouldn’t have. I’ll gladly accept it, Inseop.”
“Inseop!”
“Oh my, Ian has grown. Ian, do you remember my name?”
“Yup!”

Originally Inseop was just going to drop me off, but Bitna nuna told him to bring Inseop along. Tsk. I was excited to hog Ian’s attention, but it got split.

“Uncle Sam. Heh heh.”
“Ian likes uncle more, right?”
“Mmm… everything good!”

Smart kid. His social skills are prodigy level. I picked Ian up and glared at Inseop.

“Next time you’ll answer that I’m the only one you like.”
Inseop shook his head in disbelief.

“I saw him longer than you did.”
“We live together.”
“You haven’t even lived here for a week, come on.”
“Stop being childish, Sungwoo. Inseop, make yourself comfortable. I’ll get us something to drink.”

Luckily Bitna nuna was home today. I sat on the couch with Ian on my lap. The TV was on; they must have been watching the news before we came.

<…The Ability Management Bureau has announced there is no manipulation in the video. Reporters asked questions, but for now they say they can’t provide more…>

“Uncle!” Ian pointed at the TV calling me. The news clip—of course—was about me. The source watermark in the lower-right of the video read <MiTube Channel – Meteo>.

“That’s right. That’s uncle.”
“Daddy’s on too! Uncle’s on so cool.”
“Really? If Ian likes it, will I be on more often?”
“Yup!”

If I’m on the news that often, I’ll have to really turn things up. Seeing Ian enjoy it made me want to work even harder. Right, I had something to ask Inseop.

“Inseop.”
“Yes?”
“Do you have an MCN?”

MCN: basically a management company that handles influencers. I didn’t strictly need one yet, but as the channel grows they’d be useful — for promotions, events, and more. My ultimate goal is to be the world’s greatest internet broadcaster. I can’t focus only on the Abyss streams — I want to try everything a streamer can do. And to strengthen my abilities I need more subscribers. Those activities would help. Inseop shrugged.

“I run a one-man MCN. I started it with a hyung who helped me when I used to stream. Lately I’ve been thinking about recruiting new members.”

Oh, good.

“How about I join you?”
“…are you serious?”
“Since I’ll need your help looking into MCNs anyway, I might as well work with you. Isn’t that loyalty?”
“…we’re just about to expand, though? I’d love that!”

Honestly, it’s easier to work with him. Inseop frowned slightly at my suggestion but looked thoughtful. He stroked his chin — that’s what he does when he’s seriously considering something.

“I’ll talk to the rep.”
“Aren’t you the rep?”
“Formally we’re co-reps, but that hyung’s the actual rep. He was asking about you actually, like whether I’d bring you on.”

Good. MCN sorted. I flew Ian around in a little airplane game and smiled contentedly. Things fall into place when I return to Earth. I hope they keep going this smoothly.

“You skipping streaming today?”
“I need to let the rice steam a bit. I’ll take today off. I want to play with Ian.”

The media also asked about me. Interest is rising fast. I could stream today, but I kind of want viewers to be eager.

“Hey, since you’re here let’s party tonight.”
“Party? What party?”

Heh — you didn’t hear? Such an important thing missed.

“You hit 100k subscribers.”
“That’s right.”
“We should party.”

「Meteo」
Explosive Abyss stream! I’ll show you everything I’ve got.
Subscribers: 101,222

Today’s my first-ever 100k-subscriber celebration party. And,

$Ameaningfulchangehappenedtotheuniquetrait<InterestDisorder>!$
$Currentsealreleaserate:10$
$Theeffectof<SkillArchive>increases!$

A little of my power has returned. I grinned wickedly and said to Inseop:

“Hey, want to do a joint stream with me tomorrow, Inseop? Joint streams are more fun when they’re spontaneous.”
“I’m free, sure. What content?”
“Wait and see.”

I should post a stream notice ahead of time.

$Title:Tomorrow’sBroadcastNotice.HolderoftheshortesttimetoreachFloor2.$
Content: I got a vibe yesterday and secretly backstalked; somehow I reached Floor 2;; I’ll take questions on tomorrow’s live.

Comments went off instantly:

• Why are you back-Abyssing??

• This dude’s crazy

• If you don’t want to die, turn the stream on right now

• Came for pilgrimage to a sacred streaming spot

Floor-2 smashing. It starts tomorrow…!