NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 217
Chapter 217 – Streamer Competition
[From: Kyle Laurence, Embassy of the United States of America]
[To: Jarnet Glowin Harper, United States Secretary of Defense]
[Ready to Send and Encrypt….]
[Auto Translator is now on───]
[By the authority of the U.S. Ambassador to South Korea, I am sending the following document on behalf of the Department of Defense.]
[Detached Unit Snakekeeper // Operation Code: INK-AV-338 // Kill Code for Operation Termination: ABRTMISNAV-10 // Unit Identification Key: —————–]
[………………………….]
[Task 1: Information Leakage Assessment]
[Information Investigation Results: Based on the information collected so far, the critical data leaked through Yoo Jin’s personal broadcasting activities, referred to as ‘streaming,’ is estimated to be minimal. Two individuals were influenced by the curriculum personally created by the Alpha-grade operator, and relevant information is attached below.]
-> The physical capabilities of the two individuals mentioned above are not expected to significantly exceed the average for their age and gender, resulting in a low threat capability assessment. Allocation prediction for handling list: N/A. Information leakage risk assessment grade = Acceptable.]
[Task 2: Potential for International Controversy Regarding the Operator]
[Information Investigation Results: According to various legal consultations conducted over approximately a week, there have been no public statements regarding the operator’s military career, nor are there any cases of harm due to such statements, suggesting no grounds for issues.]
Hypothesis: It is expected that the South Korean military would have no reason to contact the individual at this stage of unclear actual career authenticity -> Although it cannot be ruled out that there might be informal contact attempts, it is presumed that the benefits would be significantly lower than the associated risks.]
Conclusion: It may be necessary to preemptively implement the implicit and indirect support of the federal administration for the operator in consideration of future public statements by the individual -> Allocation prediction for handling list: A. Urgent handling recommended.]
[Task 3: Handling of Former and Current U.S. Military Personnel Attempting to Contact the Individual]
[Information Investigation Results: It is assumed that almost all personnel who contacted the operator used voluntary means to verify career authenticity, and analysis of the transcripts revealed that some methods included parts of classified information levels 3 and 2. -> All current data files have been destroyed, and it is judged that there is no possibility of exposure.]
Suggestion: It is recommended to issue appropriate warnings regarding this behavior overall. It is believed that through this method, the federal administration can indirectly present the legitimacy of the operator -> Allocation prediction for handling list: A+, top priority handling recommended.]
[………………………….]
[…………Transmission Complete.]
[Related data being automatically destroyed….]
[Loading additional mail.]
[Emergency Report from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency]
[Jordan Loythen (Research Engineer) – Network Development Division // DARPA Digital Certificate Code: DP-EMC-RP-AB-EUGANDICGER-2 // Identity Verification Key: ————–]
[Subject: (None)]
[…………(Omitted)……….]
[…The data stream from the last moment when ICARUS gear and the DARPA network were directly connected ensures that the item in question is a complete genuine article, and if the gear’s backup function is still intact, it implies that the functions and data used by the operators at the time are stored in full form.]
[This suggests that the gear likely retains designs and operating principles of nanotechnology and shield technology, as well as other skills assisting the operator in combat. Details on how this is possible are found in the periodic report ‘On Technological Gaps with Other Worlds.’]
[To quote part of that report, it can be inferred that nanotechnology, which is the foundation for maximizing operator survivability, is a technology with a technical gap of over 30 years from the present. Therefore, it can significantly enhance the survivability of the application target to an incomparable level.]
[Of course, that’s not all. The effectiveness of limited augmentation of combat skills and physical abilities linked to ICARUS gear is also presumed to have astronomical value. Therefore….]
“Hmm.”
Suddenly, the tasks I needed to do increased.
However, in the office of the Secretary of Defense, the hands moving swiftly on the mahogany table immediately responded to the brain’s judgment on how to handle these issues – but unfortunately, what was possible and what was not were clearly divided.
ICARUS International.
How the company operated the Dark Zone was still not clearly known – to be more precise, it had to be said that it was beyond the understanding of the involved party.
The feat of the world’s first partial application of AI in game operations had long proven to be a double-edged sword.
Moreover, digging into related data to find out the identities of those who contacted Yoo Jin was like a perfect prey for the mad dogs named hearings. If mishandled, everything achieved so far could be annihilated.
Thus, the matter was removed from the list.
But,
“Implicit and indirect support of the federal administration.”
That wouldn’t be too difficult.
It was simple.
Even if the Department of Defense indirectly mentioned the operator’s military career and did not impose any particular sanctions, it would be enough to plant doubts in people’s minds.
Adding a little more, if we told those who reported the individual that “there are no issues,” rumors would naturally spread. Now, it was time to think about how to convey this simple and concise method to the lower departments.
Since the methodology was decided, it would be a matter of conveying it to the deep-cover agents active in Korea later. Time generally could solve many problems, and it would be the same this time as well.
The thought of not doing that broadcasting thing or whatever momentarily crossed Secretary of Defense Janet’s mind but soon disappeared. It was a matter of personal freedom, after all.
Moreover, there was a much more tempting story right in front of her.
[Notification: Logic Analyzer Activated.]
“Check how much personnel loss there has been in deployments over the past five years, and the cost of the current important figures’ security system.”
Countless windows filled the air at the same time. But soon, they were neatly organized and transformed into numbers, graphs, and pictures, making it easy to understand at a glance.
As personal gear improved over time, the U.S. military casualty rate gradually declined. However, it never dropped below a certain level – because over time, the lethal weapons created by humans came to possess firepower that could not be defended against with armor provided to mere infantry.
However, nanotechnology.
She knew the performance best.
When fully deployed, the shield for two people could completely block incoming rockets from the front. Although the barrier was completely shattered afterward, the fact that it blocked it without a single scratch was a completely different story.
It was what she experienced herself when she was led out of the temporary Department of Defense office by two ICARUS operators.
“If implemented, it could drastically improve the mortality rate, but….”
-Applying that level of performance to everyone would be far-fetched. It was a privilege allowed only to ICARUS operators who had to survive for a long time and carry out continuous operations.
But, despite such limitations, the data was still invaluable – and everyone who knew that had the means to pay for it handsomely.
It was a story that couldn’t be publicly announced, and the problem was that there was almost no time allocated in the schedule for a conversation with Yoo Jin.
“It can’t be helped.”
Thinking so, she resolved once again to do her best with what she could do now.
It was a deep night in late October.
[From this moment, the Streamer Competition begins!]
“Do well.”
“Hehe, of course.”
Meanwhile, the person in question was busy cheering on her student.
“Nice to meet you all! It is an honor to greet the viewers through this opportunity – I am Unreal, the caster for the Streamer Competition that starts now!”
“Likewise, nice to meet you. I am Russ, a former pro gamer and current coach of a second-tier pro team, and I am honored to be part of the Streamer Competition.”
-It’s staaaaaaarting!
-Kiyawaaaaa!
-What is this? Do they mean to entertain all the bored viewers after the Asian preliminaries?
-Wow, 450,000 viewers, insane lololololololol
-I’m giving up on my diet and eating a midnight snack!!!!!!!!! How can I resist this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Chaos.
Although it was quite modest compared to the Preliminary Rank, KSM, and the Asian preliminaries, tens of thousands of people. The population equivalent to that of a military district had gathered in one broadcast.
It was not easy to consider it an ordinary event, but it was not completely incomprehensible either. Aside from the fact that 24 streamers were participating, viewers who had nothing to do after the Asian preliminaries’ hiatus had all gathered, causing the commotion.
Since it was within virtual reality, there were no constraints on internal space transformation. Twenty-four people split in half, walking in from both sides of the stage. Amid thunderous applause, Yoo Jin, sitting closest to the stage, met eyes with Harmony, who was walking at the forefront.
Exchanging a light wave that no one else saw, she looked back at the stage. The leaders of each group walked a couple of steps forward, exchanging greetings and shaking hands.
Then, the microphone was handed over.
The first turn was Manager
Kim’s.
“…Ah, it is an honor to stand here. I don’t have much to say, but I will show everything I can.”
“Thank you! That was Manager Kim’s determination. Rather than words, showing through skill is a very standard statement. Let’s hear directly from him. Do you think you can show good results in this competition?”
“Personally, I think I can. We’ve been practicing continuously for nearly 30 days, building an organic squad operation system and refining it through several operations. Although I can’t be 100% sure, I believe we can show adaptability to the opponent’s tactics.”
“Haha, that’s impressive! Those words certainly raise expectations. Then let’s pass the baton to the leader of the opposing team, Streamer Harmony!”
As she took the microphone, a sudden cheer erupted.
Even in virtual reality, the heat was intense. But she firmly received such reactions, adjusted the microphone, and spoke.
With an avatar that seemed more suited to holding a microphone and wearing a fluttery dress as an idol rather than holding a gun, she walked forward adorably. However, the emotions in her turquoise eyes were sharply honed like a dagger.
Looking at the audience filling the chairs, she spoke resolutely.
“I will act as if I die the moment I lose.”
-?????????????????????
-What???????
-Did they bring a general from the Three Kingdoms era instead of Harmony lololololololol
-Hey crazy person, stop it lololololololol
-Has Yoo Jin been giving her mental training? Excuse me?
-Look at Manager Kim being flustered lolololol
Although the hall began to stir instantly, she paid no attention. Her eyes gleamed with madness aimed at her goal. But no one realized this except Yoo Jin, sitting in the front row and watching her.
In fact, it might have been an inevitable result. What she had learned so far was only such things. She had never died once – although Yoo Jin hadn’t, Harmony had faced death several times – and pushed through the main missions, and other content was similar.
Those who knew understood, but those who didn’t could not comprehend the two months of history that had accumulated and erupted in the flames of the battlefield now shining in Harmony’s eyes.
And perhaps inevitably, the pre-game tactic briefing that followed did not deviate significantly from that context.
After her speech, map selection and rule introduction followed. The preliminary participants already knew, so the time was set aside solely to help the viewers understand.
Soon after the map introduction, the host announced with a vigorous voice that the 24 participants had just been deployed into the battlefield. The helicopter rotor blades whirled vigorously, stirring the snowy winter wind. The main timeline was summer, but it was possible as it was treated as a separate map.
───Crunch.
The moment 24 footprints were imprinted on the untouched snow, ISO’s inorganic voice announced the start of the game.
The host shouted loudly.
“Then, let’s start the first match now-!”
Cheers erupted.
And-
“Wow.”
Unfortunately, the so-called organic squad operation that Manager Kim had mentioned was shattered into dozens of pieces and evaporated into the winter sky of New York within just seven minutes of starting.
The result of attempting to block a railgun projectile with a net was disastrous.
The start of the week and the first match were indeed eventful.