Chapter 55: “Uh… Who Are You?”

The next day arrived.

Finally, it was the day to start the Finding Cup.

I took the day off for this.

It feels like I’ve been taking a lot of days off recently, but… I do work really hard when I’m on the job.

I’m sure my boss will forgive me.

‘After all, they gave me permission to take the day off.’

I don’t think there’s anything to worry about.

I trust my boss.

And I trust myself for trusting my boss.

Thinking this, I started the stream.

[The stream has started!]

It was 12 PM.

Considering I usually start my stream at around 4 to 5 PM, this was extremely early.

I was starting the stream 4 hours earlier than usual.

[Omniscient Cthulhu: Haha]

Jeongyeoul, who I had contacted in advance, was the first to enter the stream.

One thing I realized while streaming is that having a manager enter first is a huge help to the stream.

They really make a big difference in organizing a chaotic broadcast.

“Hey everyone, hi.”

[Hahahaha]

[Duha]

[Hello, Dugong-nim]

[Omniscient Cthulhu: It’s not Dugong, it’s Dama]

[I’m doing it on purpose, haha]

[Hwanhee: Hahaha]

[Kang Hoomin: Are we finally starting the Finding Cup today?]

There was a lot of buzz about the ‘Finding Cup’ starting today.

Many streamers were participating, so a lot of people were interested.

“I saw that everyone’s starting their streams now.”

Since the matchups for the Finding Cup hadn’t been decided yet, people who didn’t usually stream started their broadcasts now. That’s probably why Twitch felt so lively.

[Omniscient Cthulhu: Twitch is really crowded, haha]

[Even the ones who don’t usually stream are all streaming now]

[Ugh, these idiots should stream more regularly]

[Dugong would be great if he looked like half of me]

[If only the people who don’t stream regularly streamed more]

[Kang Hoomin: The fact is, they don’t stream regularly because they get money easily without doing it]

[As expected, Kang’s right, haha]

[But it’s true]

[When they run out of money, they start streaming again, so it’s not wrong]

[In that sense, I feel like Dugong is amazing…]

[Worship him]

It had been a while since Twitch had felt so lively, and it was kind of amazing. I joined the “Finding” stream.

• Ah, everyone has started their streams. Seeing even those who don’t usually stream starting today, I’m really glad I set such a high prize for this.

[The rest of the message is censored due to inappropriate language, but it involves trash-talking and a suggestion to calm down and watch the game.]

[How can you watch a game without playing it?]

[It’s the lottery draw, everyone, calm down.]

[Anyway, this is so exciting, hahaha.]

The speed at which the chat in Pine’s stream moves is incredibly fast.

I always thought my stream’s chat moved quickly, but seeing the chat of a streamer called a ‘big company,’ it’s on a whole different level.

It passes by so quickly.

‘How do you even read this?’

Even with disruptive comments, it seems like it would be hard to find them.

Is this even possible?

I continued watching the stream while thinking about this.

• A lot of people must be waiting for the lottery, so please hold on for just a bit, it’ll start soon.

The host’s ability to manage the stream was obvious.

It must be thanks to years of experience.

I thought it was impressive and kept waiting.

• Now it’s almost time, so let’s start the draw.

The lottery began.

“The draw makes me nervous.”

Although I was confident I could win against anyone, it would still be easier to face a weaker opponent.

It’s always more comfortable when the opponent is not too strong.

I didn’t want to face a difficult opponent that would require more preparation.

Thinking this, I kept watching as the matchups were drawn.

[Harin – Fabru]

“Harin’s matchup is decided.”

I had thought about what I would do if I faced Harin.

I was a bit disappointed, but continued watching the lottery.

After some time, the next matchup came up.

[Pine – Dama]

“Huh?”

I was caught off guard by this unexpected matchup.

Honestly, I was a bit surprised.

I only knew that Pine was hosting, but I didn’t realize Pine was participating.

[What? Why is Pine participating?]

[Pine is participating?]

[Seriously, so greedy, hahaha.]

[Why is the host participating?]

[You should be commentating, not participating.]

The chat in Pine’s stream was also reacting to this.

Then Pine responded.

• I never said I wasn’t participating. I’m hosting, but I should have some fun too.

Pine explained logically.

When I thought about it, that made sense.

If you’re hosting, it’s fine to enjoy the game too.

[Omniscient Cthulhu: That’s true.]

[Haha.]

[You put up a prize of ten million won and are hosting, of course, you should have fun playing the game.]

[As expected, Pine is honest, hahaha.]

[Pine is really straightforward.]

[Kang Hoomin: But isn’t Pine playing Leore? Is there a chance of winning?]

[Pine will go between Master and Grandmaster.]

Wait a minute.

Did I hear that right?

“Pine goes between Master and Grandmaster?”

I wasn’t sure if I had heard correctly.

I had never heard of Pine’s tier being that high.

[Omniscient Cthulhu: Oh.]

[Pine’s tier is famous.]

[Pine is good at Leore, hahaha.]

[But Pine has good management skills, not great physical skills.]

[Kang Hoomin: Pine’s broadcast is fun to watch for the management skills, haha.]

“Eh, in that case, it should be winnable.”

Saying that, I continued watching Pine’s stream.

• By the way, um… Sorry, but I’m seeing this person for the first time. Does anyone know them?

As soon as I started watching, Pine made a shocking comment.

[Omniscient Cthulhu: Hahahahaha.]

[Who… who are you? Who… who are you? Who… who are you? Who… who are you? Who… who are you?]

[Shit, hahaha.]

[Who is this person? Who is this person? Who is this person?]

[Who are you?]

[This is hilarious, hahaha.]

[Isn’t this a little rude? Can you really say this? Personally, I’m a bit offended.]

[It’s just playful banter, why are you getting so mad? Hahaha.]

The fact that they didn’t know me…

I thought it was possible they didn’t know, but hearing it directly made me a little sad.

Although there were only 200 to 300 viewers, I thought they would know me since I was the one who invited them.

“Maybe it’s okay, I’ll just become more famous.”

I decided to think positively.

If I become more famous, Pine will naturally get to know me.

Thinking that, I continued watching Pine’s stream.

• Oh, the male streamer playing Leore? You’re friends with Mangming? Oh, okay.

[Hahahahaha.]

[Omniscient Cthulhu: What’s wrong with Mangming, you bastard?]

[That’s too much, that bastard.]

[Pine, do you want to die? Pine, do you want to die? Pine, do you want to die? Pine, do you want to die? Pine, do you want to die?]

[Hah… I think Pine forgot my personality.]

[Mangming was pretty harsh in the past, but it’s good he didn’t get banned.]

I thought to myself, “I’ll make sure to crush Pine at the Finding Cup,” as I kept watching the lottery.

Before I knew it, the first match was starting.

“The match is in the evening, so anyone coming should come then. Don’t wait for no reason.”

Since the lottery took longer, the match was scheduled for the evening.

That meant there was still a lot of time left.

[Omniscient Cthulhu: Eh, there’s nothing else to do anyway.]

[Let’s just play solo queue during the free time.]

[I started the stream early, so let’s just play solo queue, haha.]

[Hwanhee: It would be funny if you can’t participate in the tournament because you’re playing solo queue, haha.]

Hmm.

Based on the viewers’ comments, playing solo queue seems like a good idea.

It’s also a good way to practice handling champions.

“Then, I’ll play solo queue for a bit.”

Saying that, I started solo queue.

“Ugh, barely won. That was tough.”

This game was really difficult.

I almost lost, to be honest.

Relieved, I checked the chat.

However,

[Breaking news) Harin gets eliminated, hahaha.]

[Harin got eliminated.]

[Omniscient Cthulhu: That was so bad…]

[It’s not even about being bad, how do you win when that champion came out?]

[How is the random pick support Ummi? Hahaha.]

I heard the news that Harin was eliminated.

It was a bit surprising.

Although Harin isn’t particularly good, they shouldn’t have lost that badly.

I thought it was unfortunate and stopped the game.

“Well, looks like it’s about time to start.”

Harin being eliminated was in the past.

Now, it was time for a fun rebellion to begin.