It’s not that kind of malicious broadcast

What is the proper way to handle a mistake?

An elementary school ethics textbook would say to apologize. However, in the adult world—especially the world of the internet—it’s not that simple.

In fact, straightforwardly apologizing often turns out to be the worst move.

The world leans more towards, “Seeing as they’re apologizing, they must have done something wrong. Should we roll them in a mat?” rather than “If you make a mistake, you should apologize.”

There’s even a saying that the first to apologize loses. The fact that this hasn’t changed from my past life to the present… brings a small sense of comfort, knowing that humans don’t change.

Anyway, with that being said, I had to stop Dodat from apologizing at all costs.

Using a few extreme measures in the process… and maybe taking a little personal, no, public advantage in the process… ought to be forgivable.

Probably.

“Oh. I meant that I wish Dodat would do things that way. Of course… I have to hold back… because I shouldn’t be gripping everything on the broadcast.”

《It already sounds like you’ve said your piece…》

“Even then, it was with the same intent. I made a mission because I wanted to see the rogue, but it wasn’t accepted… And it was fine until you played as a Holy Knight, but playing as a Warrior, that’s a bit too much.”

《Why the sudden disdain for Warriors?》

“The 281,000 won that day was not my money. It was funded by the Rogue Revival Movement, infused with the dreams and hopes of a million rogue comrades… So to see the supported broadcaster get fixated on such a filthy character… it’s quite infuriating even to think about.”

Well, in any case, it wasn’t carried out. While I quelled my anger with a few sips of cocktail, Revan interjected again.

《Come on, there aren’t even a million users… and why do you keep mentioning Warriors-》

“But that same curiosity and whimsy are the core of Dodat’s skills. Knowing your enemy and yourself means you can win a hundred battles without a loss. So… there’s no need to apologize. I’ve resolved to personally show how much better the rogue is than a measly Warrior, and someday, I believe Dodat will stand once more under the banner of the Rogue Revival Movement.”

《Hey, seriously, why do you keep-》

“Um, Revan, sorry, but wait a moment. GetDevoured, about the character selection donation, I should’ve communicated it faster… I took it too lightly, and I’ve been managing it since then. I’m really sorry, and thank you for understanding. The matter about blocking seems to be a misunderstanding… Was it my manager who blocked you on the fan cafe? Isn’t it?”

“… Yes, it was a misunderstanding.”

… I had long deleted all the posts I left behind.

Letting it remain as a misunderstanding would be best for everyone.

“Yes. To clarify for the viewers, the talk was really only about playing as the Holy Knight and Warrior. If I were to lie, I’d craft something better. I wish I were a Casanova with multiple lovers, but I’m just a guy playing games and streaming in my room. I’ll consider this as feedback from rogue enthusiasts and strive to do better on my broadcasts.”

A neat summary.

Ah, I should add one more thing.

“That’s right. It’s unfortunate that there are misunderstandings about the healthy Rogue Revival Movement, but… I’m glad those misunderstandings have been cleared up. Also, taking this opportunity, I want to clarify to everyone: an axe is a tool for chopping wood. I hope everyone avoids characters based on fundamentally wrong concepts.”

* * * *

Once the public’s attention was drawn, it did not easily let go. Suppressing the misplaced interest was nearly impossible. Just as a river’s overflow could not be returned to its original state.

However, if one could attract even greater attention, it was possible to redirect the flow. The urban legend that high-ranking figures leaked celebrity scandals whenever unwanted attention arose had some basis in reality.

Of course, shifting public interest, once ignited like wildfire, to another topic was no easy feat—

Lee Yena succeeded in siphoning off the public’s interest, which had swarmed around the “heart-pounding love and war scandal of a rookie female star and a seemingly virtuous male star”, and redirecting it to an unrelated matter.

“The war axe is a time-honored weapon… The flail and pitchfork are also historical weapons. Why not arm them with a war pitchfork instead? If we go the full comedy character route, we might ascend the Great Happy Mountain.”

– “Is she insane?”

– “Is this her actual concept or is she serious?”

– “Is this a marketplace?”

– “The broadcaster who said she was heading to the market and abandoned us LOL LOL LOL”

– “Seven million warriors will remember this.”

– “Who does she think she is to say such things?”

– “Go chop some wood LOL LOL”

– “The warrior is indeed a lumberjack.”

– “Why are primary industry workers being sent to the battlefield?”

– “Honestly… a rogue user wielding a kitchen knife shouldn’t talk.”

Revan couldn’t help but admit, despite his protest born of disbelief. Lee Yena had a natural talent for pressing people’s buttons, whether it was on individuals or the masses.

“A kitchen knife is the best weapon. It has probably shed the most blood in our country over the past ten years. Have you never cooked?

“How does that even make sense? That’s just because it’s often used in daily life. Our country isn’t at war.”

“Our country is in a state of armistice. Revan, you need to brush up on your national security education. How could you say such a thing?”

Whether her voice was intentionally calm or not, it was hard to tell.

“Now, now. Both of you, calm down. Rogues and warriors alike are excellent characters in their own right.”

Dodat had long taken on the role of mediator. His manner of soothing both, just like a proper teacher, was unmistakable.

Surely, this was meant to be a three-way meeting to mediate misunderstandings between the two.

***

He couldn’t figure out when it all went wrong, no matter how much he thought about it. Was this what it felt like for a woodcutter enchanted by a fox while crossing a mountain? The analogy involving the woodcutter was oddly annoying, but he couldn’t shake off the thought.

Unfortunately, there was no time to revisit their conversation and make a judgment. Lee Yena’s persistent, probing tactics gave no room for recovery, and seemed not to be limited to just KoK.

“Yes, dodat-nim, I agree that no profession is superior. However, having a woodcutter on a sacred battlefield is a bit…”

“No, you keep talking about woodcutters, but isn’t the least suitable on a battlefield a tomb raider?”

“… Tomb raider…? Leave the room right now.”

Her voice sounded genuinely upset. Seeing Lee Yena’s rare display of emotion ignited a strange yet familiar feeling of joy in Revan’s chest. It was akin to hitting a perfect counter while dodging an attack.

Though it was the first time he had felt such a sensation during a conversation. Well, whatever.

With that thought, he instinctively opened his mouth to fire off a rapid series of rebuttals but couldn’t continue. The chat window, displayed prominently on his sub-monitor, caught his eye.

A line of chat messages seeking to express laughter with a series of “LOLOLOL” scrawled across the screen.

While many chatted impurely about professional pride battles or intended to sow discord, discussions about romance rumors had long vanished.

“It quickly subsided because it was a baseless story to begin with… but those who gather to stir trouble don’t care about facts.”

Was it thanks to the disbanding of troublemakers who had gathered?

Not likely. Even on Tw*tter, where chats like “Isn’t this scripted?” and “He must have casted them” were uncommon, they were now seen. It meant that viewers who usually watched on other platforms were still present.

“Could it be intentional…?”

For a moment, that thought crossed his mind – In the Discourse room with three participants, a message saying “dam123/dam123″ was posted every 4-5 seconds.

Despite it not being broadcasted on anyone’s broadcast.

『CravingWarmAmericano: Are you not coming in?』

『CravingWarmAmericano: Went to chop some wood?』

『CravingWarmAmericano: dam123/dam123』

“Um, GetDevoured-nim? It may not be my place to say this since I run a duel judgment system, but you should momentarily put aside your severe habitual duel syndrome… I’ll arrange either an ultimate debate or a duel next time. Thank you for coming to explain things today.”

“Yes. As rogue users, we should help each other. Anyway… Mr. Woodcutter, don’t run into me underground next time.”

Mumbling a few more words somewhat grouchily, Lee Yena bid her viewers farewell with a curt “I’m leaving now”, and then she was gone. Naturally, out of curiosity, he checked her broadcast and found it had indeed ended.

Only viewers desperate for her to return, crying out “Ask anything”, were left behind.

.

.

.

And that night, after all three had ended their broadcasts…

The supposedly quiet Discourse chat room was lighting up.

『CravingWarmAmericano: Hello, dodat.』

『CravingWarmAmericano: I really enjoyed your broadcast!!』

『Dodat: Ah, yes!』

『Dodat: Thank you.』

『Dodat: And thank you for today.』

『CravingWarmAmericano: It’s nothing.』

『CravingWarmAmericano: So about the negotiation…』

Dodat was typing……

『Dodat: Not sure what you mean…^^;』

『CravingWarmAmericano: Ah.』

『CravingWarmAmericano: I always thought real negotiations happen behind the scenes.』

『CravingWarmAmericano: If you prefer streaming it……』

(Dodat was typing……)

(Dodat was typing……)

『Dodat: Yes, go ahead.』

『CravingWarmAmericano: Even if the Rogue Quota or announcements are difficult,』

『CravingWarmAmericano: Could you give a heads-up when there’s Rogue content?』

『CravingWarmAmericano: I used to have a flexible schedule, but… recently, it’s been tough.』

(Dodat was typing……)

『CravingWarmAmericano: Oh, please don’t misunderstand.』

『CravingWarmAmericano: I do enjoy surprises, but』

『CravingWarmAmericano: Viewers don’t seem to like sudden breaks in streams.』

『CravingWarmAmericano: I wonder why……』

(Dodat was typing……)

『Dodat: This might be a rude question, but… may I ask something out of pure curiosity…?』

『CravingWarmAmericano: Sure.』

『Revan: No need to ask if you wouldn’t understand the answer anyway.』

『CravingWarmAmericano: I’m still in the room we dug earlier; when will you finish logging, woodcutter?』

TL’s Corner:
I’m guessing, Yena, Arc, Revan and Dodat will make a team later, which would be rogue, mage, warrior, and holy knight.