Chapter 14: Come and repent

“If you really aren’t going to say anything on the broadcast, you might as well give up. At least on OnTube, there are other ways, but you’ll never succeed with that approach on Lyming.”

[Inquisitor: Is that absolute?]

“Yes, it’s absolute,” Tuni asserted.

[Um, uh…]

After a moment, a woman’s voice that Tuni had never heard before quietly came through the headphones. The nickname was MissCode. The mute indicator next to “Inquisitor” had finally been turned off.

“…Huh?”

For a moment, Tuni’s thoughts froze. ‘Did I just mishear that?’

[Is it okay to say it like this?]

But the woman’s voice flowed out again, as if to shatter that illusion. Her high, sweet voice had a youthful tone. The whisper-like sound in Tuni’s ear was not uncomfortable at all; rather, it had a calming effect. It was a voice that could be described as clear and transparent.

‘Is this really her voice?’

Wearing full armor, wielding a Warhammer, never using a microphone, and smashing heads of anyone related to the Elun Order in the game—could this really be that crazy concept creator? Tuni couldn’t believe it. She had assumed “Inquisitor” was a man.

“Um, are you using a voice changer, by any chance?”

In internet broadcasting, being a woman often adds significant appeal, and there are those who use voice changers for that reason.

Using a voice changer isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Of course, deceiving people by claiming to be a woman is wrong, but there are also many who announce they are men and use voice changers, which sometimes helps them build a loyal fanbase.

Tuni wondered if this person was trying to take that route as well.

[A voice changer?]

However, in response to Tuni’s question, the “Inquisitor” asked back as if confused by the term. The voice carried pure curiosity.

“Um, so you’re a man, right…?”

[…Let’s go with that.]

She’s really a woman.

Tuni was convinced by her question. This was easily the most shocking thing she had heard recently. Is it really that surprising that I’m a woman? After all, I’ve never even heard her voice, and she’s always in full armor in the game, so there’s no way to know her gender.

It’s like Schrödinger’s gender; how did she think I was a man? Sure, I was a man in my past life, but I can’t exactly say that.

“Excuse me…? Tuni, are you there…? ”

[…Ah, yes!]

The fact that I’m a woman seemed to have shocked Tuni so much that she didn’t speak until I called her name. Half the world is female, and she herself is a woman, so why is she so surprised?

“So, what should we do now that the microphone is on?”

[Um, so… Are you planning to stream as a New Dimension specialist?]

“Yeah. I think so…”

[Considering that New Dimension streams are popular right now, just streaming them might attract some viewers.]

That’s strange. The total number of viewers when I streamed was 4.

None of them stayed for more than 5 minutes.

“That was perfect timing.”

“Hello, everyone….”

I start the conversation, remembering what Tuni said.

I feel a bit shy, but maybe it’s because I’m not talking face-to-face?

Even if my voice is a bit quiet, speaking itself isn’t that hard.

? Is it a girl?

When the first viewer asked, I confidently replied,

“Unfortunately, I’m a guy…”

-???

After thinking about Tuni’s words yesterday, I realized this must be right.

It’s a unique point that only I can show on the stream.

That’s my gender being Schrödinger’s gender.

I don’t fully understand it, but when Tuni was surprised to learn my gender, it seems there are aspects of my avatar or gameplay that make people assume I’m male.

If I challenge that assumption by saying I’m a guy while my streaming voice sounds feminine, wouldn’t that pique some interest?

Of course, this is a tactic only for newcomers, but the most important thing, as Tunie said, is to grab the interest of first-time viewers to make them regulars.

“I’m using a voice changer.”

And with that, I openly bait them.

This would definitely spark curiosity about what kind of streamer I am…

-That’s insane.

[New Dimension | 0 viewers | 0:01:33]

・Did I think wrong?

─Is it a girl?

“I’m a guy…. I’m using a voice changer.”

Luckily, it seems my strategy isn’t completely off.

By the time I scored four consecutive wins in PVP, there were a whopping four viewers on the stream.

-This guy’s a total net-kama, it’s ridiculous.

─Is that the heretical inquisitor I know?

-Ugh, this is so disgusting.

―A female high school student who served in the military.

…Well, it doesn’t seem like the reactions are great, but at least there are people watching the stream.

“I did some research, and ‘net-kama’ refers to someone who hides being male and pretends to be female. Since I’m saying I’m a guy, that means I’m not a net-kama….”

-Needlessly logical.

-Your voice is too quiet, can you speak louder?

“Uh… I’m trying to speak as loudly as possible…. I’m just not used to talking like this, so I hope you understand….”

-Ah

─I’m suddenly feeling sad…

─So, is that the heretical inquisitor I know?

“Uh… Who is this ‘heretical inquisitor’ that ‘Kappjujisamsaem’ knows?”

─A lunatic who goes crazy and breaks heads when he sees a priest.

“That’s not crazy; it’s about making heretics repent……!”

-True

Can that really be considered gathering an audience?

[Anyway, you’ll need a special point to firmly capture those viewers.]

But there was nothing logically wrong with Tuni’s words.

“Special point…”

What would that point be if I were to stream?

Well, maybe it’s about being an extremely skilled streamer?

I can easily clear the final content of New Dimension, the Cliff Fort, and the Tagerion Raid.

I’m confident in my skills in PVP and AOS modes, too.

Plus, I enjoy New Dimension in various ways, so I could introduce those aspects as well.

But since New Dimension has been open for 15 months already, can I really succeed just based on skill?

It feels like I need another differentiating factor…

[Ultimately, the most important things are using a microphone and showcasing your unique points. Aside from that… consistency? To be honest, I’m also a ‘hako,’ so… I’m sorry, haha…]

Hako.

That’s a term for streamers with a low viewer count.

When I watched earlier, there were about 60 viewers, and that was considered low?

If that’s the case, then what does that make me…?

“It’s okay. I learned a lot. Thank you…”

[I’ll be cheering for you!]

With that final conversation, I ended the call with Tuni.

Now, let’s think hard about this.

A special point. My unique point…

Oh, I’ve got a good idea.

[René]

[Interrogation Begins]

[New Dimension | 0 viewers | 0:00:02]

“Hmm.”

I clear my throat and start the stream.

Of course, I know that no one will join right when I start, but you never know when someone might pop in, so I need to prepare in advance.

I don’t want to stumble over my words out of nowhere and make it awkward.

I’ve separated the streaming mic and in-game mic like Tuni taught me, and the streaming quality… I hope this is good enough?

I still can’t tell for sure.

Maybe I should ask Tuni about it again next time.

〔Match found!〕

〔Nickname: Alrelook | Job: Priest | Level: 45 | PVP Level: 30〕 D Rank]

I got lucky.

Starting off with an opponent who’s an Heretic.

When viewers come in, I can definitely show off my skills.

[New Dimension | 1 viewer | 0:01:03]

-Hello

Oh. Someone came to watch right from the start.

[- “Oh, is this the guy? I didn’t recognize him without the avatar.”]

[- “Isn’t that guy a hacker?”]

“…A hacker? Me? I thought that controversy was already settled. Didn’t they officially confirm I’m not a hacker? What do I even need to explain anymore…?”

Why do they keep asking me to explain myself, like ‘Tuni’ did too?

[─ “Could be a hack that the company couldn’t detect.”]

“Uh, ‘Ararily,’ do you like conspiracy theories by any chance? Like, believing that taking medicine implants chips into your brain or something…?”

[─ “You’re full of crap, lol.”]

“Why do people assume that just because they can’t do something, no one else can? By that logic, all pro gamers would be hackers, and all athletes would be doping. I think that’s such a sad way to think….”

[- “Idiot, lol.”]

After calmly and logically countering him, ‘Ararily’ left the stream without saying anything more.

Did I push too much logic on him?

With every viewer being precious right now, maybe I made a huge mistake.

Hmm.

But still, wrong is wrong.

[‘Don’tMessWithMe joined’]

– “But seriously, why do you always bash priests on sight? Do you have some grudge against the class or something?”

“It’s not that I have a grudge, I told you, it’s about making heretics repent. I’m a heretic inquisitor. By the way, are you by any chance a self-proclaimed priest in ‘New D’? Repent and come back. You’re banned for 10 minutes.”

After banning ‘Don’tMessWithMe’ for 10 minutes, for some reason, they didn’t come back even after the time was up.

…Why?