It’s not that kind of malicious broadcast

《Wow – ArcTube, what’s up with this? You must really have a thing for this, haven’t you? You poured your heart and soul into it. I’ll have to question you about this next time. Collaboration content? Should we give it a go? But why a three-way face-off with GetDevoured-nim? Don’t put so much pressure on them..》

The pressure had already reached its peak.

Collaboration content… Haven’t we had enough of those? Well, it doesn’t matter much to me… but that’s not the problem.

While Arc made a fuss, my nickname on the chat window transformed into all sorts of famous boss monsters. It must have been due to the editing style of the video. It’s… really embarrassing.

Ah. The nameless queen isn’t too bad. No, I actually dislike being called that…

I might need to hide somewhere once this tournament concludes.

The production… It was over the top.

“Wow, but how did the video turn out earlier? I really felt like a medieval knight. Oh, have any viewers who saw the highlight video on the monitor come? You’ve missed half your life, so go to a VR room quickly. If you watch that in VR… it’s really… insane, truly.”

-Phew.

“…The introduction of the next mentor is up. We need to analyze the competition.”

I minimized the chat window and forced myself to open my reluctant throat to prompt.

“Ah! Oh, that’s right. Wow, it’s already the last mentor… Ah, it’s PadaPada. Wow… seriously, this is no joke. What should we do? He’s a current professional coach. His character range is so wide and optimal for this tournament… Arc, fly away. Get out.”

While Arc’s voice filled the audio, I paused to reflect.

Would the highlights look different in VR?

Perhaps, certain habits would be more apparent. When you change the viewpoint or perspective, things you couldn’t see before become visible.

For now, a counterstrategy was nowhere in sight. It might be due to the excessive editing. If someone can link combos with that kind of reaction speed in real competition… only someone like Revan could maybe stand a chance.

But the real issue wasn’t just individual skill.

PadaPada.

Current pro team coach.

I had some experience giving lectures… but I had never dealt with the coaching ability of a professional. I could only vaguely assume it must be impressive.

Fortunately, adding another coach or director wasn’t allowed by the rules. If it’s a pro coach… all his connections would be with other pro team coaches, directors, and players.

But who would know if it happened off-broadcast?

…Come to think of it, I’m curious about a lecture from a pro coach at KoK (KoK itself).

I wonder if I could switch to that team.

There’s no rule saying a mentor can’t attend a lecture.
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“Alright, shall we introduce our next mentee? It’s StarPork-nim! This time, her main position is Underground. Her tier is Bronze 3! They are within the top 40% among the mentees! Now, let’s watch the highlight video!”

It was already the ninth mentee out of the sixteen. The female broadcaster, with her large, hamster-like eyes, exuded a cute charm.

She had the demeanor of a priestess-in-training, yet specialized in Underground. A person with potential.

The screen showing her photo and introduction disappeared, replaced by the familiar first-person perspective of KoK.

A dagger was held in her outstretched hand.

“Oh! Finally, it’s a rogue highlight reel?”

“……Yes, it seems so.”

A highlight reel… usually, it’s a compilation of one’s best moments, right? I didn’t expect it to be some sophisticated ploy to induce carelessness…

But it’s fine. Even if there are a few issues… one shouldn’t blame a budding sprout for being small.

I just hoped she would grow well.

“Alright! That was fantastic. Although it was not so unbelievable as to doubt that you are Bronze… it was a splendid video! Now, shall we invite StarPork-nim for their team selection? Hello, StarPork-nim!”

“Hello! This is StarPork! I’m a broadcaster who mainly plays KoK during weekdays. Please take care of me!”

Her voice was energetic.

Given her hamster-like appearance, I expected a softer voice. Surprisingly, she had a lively tone. Due to her youthful looks and vivacious atmosphere, the chat was buzzing, enamored even by her verbal slip.

The caster, perhaps sharing similar thoughts, smiled gently as they continued.

“Nice to meet you. Now, let’s proceed directly to the team selection, StarPork-nim! Group D, the most popular, is already full, but Groups A, B, and C are still available. What’s your choice, StarPork-nim?”

“I want to join Group C!”

“Alright! StarPork-nim has chosen Group C! This confirms the fifth member for Group C. StarPork-nim, can you tell us why you chose Group C?”

StarPork, who had chosen without a moment’s hesitation, paused for a moment, her eyes shifting back and forth.

“GetDevoured-nim….”

“Sorry, what?”

“I’m a fan of GetDevoured-nim….!”

…Was this a confession? Watching her nervously stammer out the words made me feel quite empathetic.

A fan, huh.

It must have been a typical broadcast comment. If I was going to be tied to ‘Mentor’ and ‘Mentee’, calling them a fan would make the broadcast look better.

Still, this person claimed to be my fan. It was my first time seeing the face of a fan. Watching the broadcast with a somewhat complicated feeling, Arc spoke to me in a voice mixed with laughter.

“Wow, I expected it when you were a rogue… But you really are a fan of GetDevoured-nim. I guess I should be nervous, huh? Feels like I’ve lost all my female fans.”

『Goo-goo! I’m a female fan (dangling)』

『Our… high school girls…love Arc…』

『Sis, please leave and dieㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ』

“No, you guys keep chatting like this; that’s why all the female viewers are running away! Please chat nicely. Why are there no loyalists in my chat? I want some loyalists too.”

『Info: There were no females in this broadcast in the first place』

『Who wants female fans and then plays competitive ranks on KoK all day?』

『Mother, please go and die』

I stared blankly at the chat window of Arc’s broadcast. Similar things might be coming up in my chat window too. But it was reduced to the size of an index finger, so I couldn’t see anything.

I thought I saw some red dots. For some reason, I didn’t like it. I reduced the chat window to the size of a thumbnail.

“Hey, you know.”

“Yes?”

“Never mind.”

* * * *

“Alright, this concludes the team formation for the Tw*tch Untouchables! Thank you to everyone who tuned in.”

“Each team will now go through a ten-day practice period, followed by a tournament showdown. The mentors, who are the top 1%, and the mentees, who have top 1% passion, will join hands in this competition! Five days from now, next Wednesday at 7 PM, there will be a broadcast to reveal team names and conduct the bracket draw, so please look forward to it!”

After the caster’s closing remarks.

Led by Arc, the six members of Group C naturally gathered in the Discourse chat room.

“Hello, everyone! While some of us already know each other, there are also some new faces here, so let’s introduce ourselves in order according to this chat room. I’m Arc from the mentor tier, and my main character is a Mage! Nice to meet you.”

“Hello, I’m Gorabox from the mentee tier. My main character is an Archer, but I’m also learning Priest. I’ll do my best!”

A green border lit up around the icon of a character that suspiciously resembled Psyduck sitting in a box, and a low male voice came through.

『Wow, what a voice』

『Can’t we listen to a song before you go?』

– “‘Play Catch Me,’ they said.”

– “He’s not an archer; he’r a bard.”

– “Let’s use the jukebox.”

– “Let’s listen to some songs.”

– “We don’t need any dirty male voices.”

Many viewers recognized Gorabox from his usual karaoke streams. Although he smiled wryly at being treated like a jukebox, he managed to keep his composure.

“Nice to meet you, Gorabox-nim!”

“It’s an honor to finally see the person I’ve only heard about. Nice to meet you!”

“An archer and a priest, huh? Perfect! Since you’re rear-line, we can train together. Nice to meet you!”

After the initial greetings, it was time to introduce Goontak, the only broadcaster in his 30s and a 10-year veteran in the gaming scene.

“Hello, I’m Goontak. I’ve joined as a mentee, and my main character is a Holy Knight. Although I haven’t been playing KoK for long, I’ll work hard to display the vigor of age. Don’t consider my age—treat me mercilessly. Think of it like I’ve re-enlisted in the army; I’ll roll around just like that.”

“Nice to meet you!”

“Hello, Goontak-nim!”

“I’ve been watching you since I was young. I look forward to working with you!”

Was it because Goontak-nim declared he didn’t mind his age being ignored, or perhaps the comical way he emphasized ‘rolling around?’ Either way, the team atmosphere became distinctly lighter.

There was one broadcaster who hadn’t said much, simply taking note of what was being discussed about disregarding age and adding it to the mental list of ‘things to do.’

“Hello! I’m StarPork! My main characters are the Rogue and the Warrior, and I’m also a mentee. I’ll treat the mentors as my true masters and work hard! Nice to meet you all.”

“Yes, nice to meet you.”

“Wow, why are you so adorable?”

“She’s like our mascot.”

To the natural reactions and compliments, a low-pitched voice added:

“Your main characters are…a Rogue and a Warrior?”

“Oh, yes! Originally, my main was a Warrior, but after watching GetDevoured-nim’s broadcast, I started playing a Rogue too! Is it okay if I call you GetDevoured-nim?”

“Of course. ‘CravingWarmAmericano’ is a bit long anyway. Everyone calls me GetDevoured-nim. So, you haven’t quite settled on a main character yet, StarPork-nim?”

“Well…huh? Oh! I’m good at doing whatever I’m told! Hehe.”

Various comments flew in quickly, filling the audio with chatter about why he would set aside his own identity, how low-tier players usually need to rely on others’ brains, and more.

Amid this interaction, Lee Yena was quietly smiling.

TL’s Corner:
Yena got someone she could torture.