Chapter 88
Something, Something is Happening (1)
-“Now, this is the footage I received from my informant. There was talk about it in the community, right? The topic was, if Daeho and Meteor fought, who would win?… Surprisingly, the result is out!”
Our Kkeokjeong, who is still fervently sniping Daeho today.
Kkeokjeong, who took the footage from me, really edited and uploaded the video in just one hour.
The video title was ‘Meteor VS Daeho. Who Wins the Meho War?’.
I didn’t give any specific instructions, but Kkeokjeong bashed Daeho with more passion than anyone else.
-“Do you see it? Daeho just got utterly wrecked. Yes. Frankly, there have been controversies until now, like wasn’t Daeho just hype? A 6th-floor player got one-sidedly beaten up by Meteor, who just reached the 4th floor. Look, look at this suplex. Look at the impact point. Wow, I almost dropped my jaw while watching this.”
Meteor and Daeho.
The so-called Meho War, a long-standing topic since I appeared, seems to have truly had an impact.
ㄴDaeho just can’t do anything, right?
ㄴLook at him flailing his arms and then getting suplexed at the end lol
ㄴAt that level, he’d really be dead, wouldn’t he?
ㄴYour Daeho Protection Squad is fucking annihilated lolololol
ㄴIn the Meho War, <Me> winning is a very old tradition yep yep
ㄴThere’s no way our hyung would lose like this;; Isn’t that just video manipulation?
ㄴIt’s an AI deepfake video yep yep Kkeokjeong-ah lol No matter how desperate you are for views, this kind of manipulated video is a bit… lol
ㄴBut whether it’s manipulated or not, that suplex was really satisfying yep yep
ㄴBut why is there no sound? It seems like Daeho was shouting something before the suplex?
ㄴThrowing the first punch and then getting wrecked like that is really shameful yep yep
ㄴShame-ho, meet Daeda lol
The view count was exploding with each refresh.
It seemed word had already spread, as comments were pouring in at an incredible rate.
“It would have been a hit if we just uploaded this on our channel. A bit regrettable.”
“I did that because I thought you wouldn’t like editing that bastard’s face.”
“I actually found it quite satisfying?”
“Yeah? Later, I’ll film hyung beating him up more and bring it to you. He probably hasn’t come to his senses and will keep barking, right? It’s obvious.”
This place is the reception room of the MCN Astral Core, which I belong to.
I stopped by briefly to discuss future broadcasting plans.
The members gathered today are me, Tae-oh, and In-seop.
In-seop clicked his tongue while watching the video posted on Kkeokjeong’s channel.
“Is this physically possible? Interlocking hands around a person’s waist, jumping, and then leaning the waist backwards… Wow. I don’t think even Players would find this easy?”
“If you put in the effort, you can.”
“But didn’t he die from that? If it were me, I’d have died instantly.”
“He is a 6th-floor player, after all. Seems sturdy? He’d be perfect as a sandbag later.”
I know bastards like Daeho all too well.
That guy will probably bare his teeth at me a few more times after he regains his senses.
But it’s fine.
Every time he bares his teeth, I’ll just pull them out one by one, so he won’t be able to think like that again.
Fear is something you learn, after all.
“Tae-oh. Hyung got revenge for you. Satisfied?”
“But won’t this cause controversy?”
“Even if it does cause controversy, so what? No matter what you do, haters will appear anyway. Don’t take it to heart.”
I just hope it helps our precious editor overcome his trauma.
Still, Tae-oh’s expression brightened considerably.
“It feels like I drank cider. Thank you, hyung.”
“Yeah. If anyone bothers you, tell me anytime.”
“That’s reassuring.”
“Hyung. You know what? I heard Tae-oh has been in contact with someone lately.”
“What? A girl?”
“That’s what I heard? Seems like they’re in the ‘some’ stage.”
“In-seop hyung. Why are you mentioning that here?”
It’s only been a short while since he was afraid to go outside, but he’s improved so much.
I nodded contentedly and said.
“That’s great.”
“It’s not some ‘some’ stage, hyung, we just talk about editing and stuff…”
“I’ll cheer you on. Do you need more bonus? No, wait. I’ll give you a more generous bonus. You’ll have many places to spend money.”
“…People might think I’m getting married.”
Seeing that he doesn’t strongly deny it, he must have feelings for her.
I support you, Tae-oh.
Since you’ve come out into the world, it’s good to date and have various experiences, right?
“But hyung. Why did you suddenly want to meet today?”
In-seop said while stirring his cup with a spoon.
“While talking with the Ability Management Department yesterday, a topic came up. I called you to discuss something related to that.”
“What is it?”
“The profits generated from the Primordial Forge are ultimately in the form of Magic Stones, right? I made an exclusive contract with the Ability Management Department to convert that into cash now, and Chief Choi asked if I had any thoughts about establishing a corporation. He said it would be more beneficial since there’s a lot to handle tax-wise, from YouTube profits to various other things.”
“Ahh. A corporation.”
I already finished discussing it with Jinseong-hyung.
Incorporation.
Back in the old days when there weren’t many people watching, income was low so I never even thought about it.
But as my scale grows rapidly like this, there are more things to pay attention to.
The establishment process itself shouldn’t be difficult since hyung promised to help.
“Making a Player corporation like a guild should work. Hyung has broadcasting income, but income from the Abyss like Magic Stone revenue will also be enormous in the future.”
“Gangwoo-hyung told me to talk to you.”
“Since hyung is affiliated with our MCN for now, we’ll have to change the contract if a corporation is established. But will hyung stay with our MCN? If you establish a corporation, you could set up your own separate operation.”
Such an honest guy.
He probably gets a decent share of the profits from me, but look at him thinking about me first, even willing to give up his own benefit.
This is why I like In-seop.
The kid is kind.
“Setting up a separate team is bothersome. Since it’s bothersome, you do it for me. We’ll have to rewrite the contract, right?”
“We can terminate the existing contract and just draft a new one. It’s not difficult. But have you decided on the corporation name? That’s harder than you think.”
“Meteor Storm.”
“…Not bad. Meteor Storm?”
“I originally wanted to go with Meteor Shower, but ‘Shower’ sounds a bit weak, doesn’t it? So I decided on Storm.”
For reference, the idea was suggested by Bitna-noona.
Since Bitna-noona is a journalist, she really has a sense for naming, doesn’t she?
Hyung secretly liked it too, and Ian just laughed and said ‘Tae-oh! Tae-oh!’
“Right. Tae-oh. I’ll give you a position too. That’s why I called you. Ah, or do you prefer freelancing more?”
“A position?”
“Head of Video Content. Since it’s a small-to-medium corporation anyway, I heard I can do as I please. How about it. Interested?”
At my suggestion, Tae-oh nodded as if he had been waiting for it.
“I like it.”
“Hyung. Aren’t you giving me a position?”
“You’re the representative here.”
“At least make me an outside director. You don’t even have to pay me.”
“I’ll see how you do.”
Since Tae-oh agreed, we can probably proceed right away.
Then I can pay salaries and incentives through the corporation now, right?
“Ah, and I promised to hold a fan meeting once I surpass 1 million subscribers, right? In-seop-ah. Help me out a bit.”
“I’ll arrange the schedule. Around when do you want to do it?”
“In about a month? I have a lot to handle in the Abyss.”
“Got it. I’ll prepare with Gangwoo-hyung. Is there anything specific you want to take care of?”
At those words, I pondered for a moment, then smiled bitterly and said.
“You know back in the day when I used to do game streaming? The time when you and I lived in the basement.”
“Of course I know. Both you and I were like that back then.”
“If there are people who watched my stream back then, try to find them and invite them.”
In-seop, who quickly caught the meaning in my words, smiled and nodded.
“Not bad. Got it.”
“Ah, and I also found a manager. Someone to mainly manage the broadcast chat and fan cafe, and there’s no one better than this person. His name is Seo Han-seong, the person I saved from the 2nd floor before.”
“Who is that… Ah, from that Orc Fortress?”
“Yeah.”
He’s been acting as the president of my fan cafe, and when I asked if he’d like to be a manager too, he immediately said yes.
It seems he became my ardent fan after I saved him back then.
“We’ll meet soon to sign the contract, so I’ll…”
“Hyung.”
“Yeah.”
“That’s hyung hiring an employee as the corporation representative, so you should handle it yourself.”
“Ah, right.”
And so, I finished talking with In-seop too.
Thus, the establishment of my first corporation, Meteor Storm, was confirmed.
What a good day.
To think a guy who used to just eat ramen in his room is now establishing a corporation as a YouTuber.
“Let’s go out for lunch. My treat.”
“You’re going to have soup rice and soju again, aren’t you?”
“I think that’s fine too.”
“I’ll buy you Hanwoo, Hanwoo. Let’s eat something expensive.”
On a day like this, I should at least buy my dongsaengs a meal.
“Tae-oh. Go order something like Yukhoe Bibimbap.”
“Yes, hyung.”
“Hyung. Can I even order Naengmyeon?”
“Yeah, you make a lot of money, so buy Naengmyeon with your own money.”
“Wow, are you really doing this?”
“Are you the same as Tae-oh?”
Let’s go eat a hearty meal.
I have a lot to do today too.
After buying Hanwoo for In-seop and Tae-oh, I even had a cup of coffee.
Then I immediately entered the Abyss.
I had some things to find out about the ‘Coordinate Stone’ I received from Chief Choi yesterday.
The first place I went to was, of course, the Witch’s Forest.
I asked Egarsa, who knows how to use dimensional magic, and this is the answer I got.
-“My memory is still not complete enough to read the coordinates contained in this gem. Finding a place already connected to the Abyss is easy, but this is a completely different matter. How about seeking out another being?”
I didn’t think it would be easy to find out.
Fortunately, there was one more person I could ask. Ah, not a person, but an angel.
So the place I chose was,
[You have entered <South Korea 3rd Floor – Primordial Forge>!]
The very place where the angel who regained her name, Euriel, resides.
My second business site following the Witch’s Forest, the Primordial Forge.
But the state of the Primordial Forge was…
“Aoooooh!”
“Why does this keep failing!”
“Is it right for a 60% chance to fail 6 times in a row? Huh?”
“Isn’t this probability manipulation? Are you crazy?”
“Aaaaaaaaaah!”
…I’ll omit further explanations.
All sorts of loud shouts coming from inside the forge.
Even though it’s only been a few days since it opened, it’s already packed with customers.
Just as I was passing through the forge with my head down,
“Oppa?”
One of the customers acted like she knew me.
When I looked to see who it was,
“Ria?”
“Wow, it feels like we really haven’t seen each other in a long time. Right?”
It was Cheon Ria, the representative of the Mirage Guild, who I’m now on oppa-dongsaeng terms with.
“What brings you here?”
“Ah! We all decided to enhance our equipment here before the final quest for the 7th-floor promotion. The difficulty is a bit high, so it’s tough.”
“Is that so?”
“But oppa.”
“Yeah.”
“Is this probability correct? It seems a bit off.”
…Oh no!
A customer complaint was incoming.
This is why I was trying to pass by quickly.
“Um, maybe it’s because you don’t have enough trials, Ria? As the number of trials increases, it converges to the probability…”
“I’ve been stationed here since it opened.”
“…Don’t you farm materials?”
“I have guild members take care of that supply now.”
…Ria, you’re a forge addict.
“Oppa. Since you’re here, could you help me with my enhancement? I’ll definitely! reward you.”
“I’d like to. But… I’m too busy? Later, I’ll help you later.”
“Hmm.”
Gima-hyungnim has lost his power now.
Even if I try to enhance now, I’m just like everyone else.
“No matter how I look at it, there seems to be a problem with this probability…”
In times like this, there’s only one answer.
“Wow! Ria! Look, that person’s enhancement succeeded.”
“Eh? Where! Where is it? I need to go receive the energy!”
“See you later!”
Time to run. What else can I do?
After diverting Ria’s gaze, I immediately ran towards the inner area.
“Oppa! Where are you going!”
“See you later, Ria!”
I ran inside as fast as I could before other enhancement-crazed people swarmed in.
Once I reach the ‘Management Room’ where Euriel resides, others won’t be able to enter.
“Whew.”
Thus, I ran at full speed for 3 seconds and finally arrived at the management room.
Opening the door roughly and stepping inside,
“Ah.”
“What were you doing?”
“Ah, well… The income is more than I expected…”
I was able to meet the angel Euriel, sitting in a corner and happily counting Magic Stones.
Wow, she didn’t even make that expression when she was liberated!
“Ahem, welcome. Yuseong-woo-nim.”
Euriel, as if nothing had happened, put down the Magic Stones and stood up from her seat.
“Numerous wanderers are visiting the forge. This must also be Lady Nike’s grace.”
“They’re just dopamine-crazed people coming, what Lady Nike’s grace.”
“That’s blasphemous talk.”
“Goddess of Luck, what? Isn’t this completely the Goddess of Gambling?”
“Hey! That’s truly blasphemous talk! Although Lady Nike was frequently visited by gamblers…”
“Enough, take a look at this.”
I took out that ‘Coordinate Stone’ from my inventory.
Then Euriel let out a small exclamation and received the gem.
“Oh, a Coordinate Stone.”
“You know what it is?”
“It’s a gem that fixes and imprints the coordinates of a dimension that changes non-specifically. It’s akin to challenging the realm of gods… but this is the work of a mortal. Whoever made this is undoubtedly a genius.”
What kind of gem it is is already well explained in the description window, so that’s fine. What I’m curious about is how to use it.
“I’d like you to tell me how to use this too.”
“It’s simple. Make a relay device and put this Coordinate Stone inside. It seems to be the coordinates of a dimension called ‘Avalon’. If you activate the Coordinate Stone through the relay device, you should be able to pinpoint Avalon’s coordinates.”
“That explanation is too difficult.”
“Ah, it means you can fix coordinates that change every moment. In short, connecting dimensions becomes possible. Well, the power of the Coordinate Stone isn’t strong, so it seems you can only connect to some regions.”
“…So you can connect Avalon and the Abyss?”
“It should be possible. Originally, this Abyss is a combination of parts of numerous worlds. Actually, to be precise, it’s not ‘connecting’. You’re just summoning a part of the Avalon dimension into this Abyss.”
What.
Vellua.
Were you really planning to come find me?
“Where do I get the relay device… Ah.”
I stopped briefly while speaking.
Come to think of it, I think I had a relay device.
That one I secured through <Jin: The Immortal Army>.
<Statue of the Waiting One>.
According to Egarsa’s words, that statue can perform the role of a relay device.
Could there really be such a coincidence?
“…This might really be possible?”
