Chapter 10: I can’t stop worrying about the concept for my debut.

There are two main types of recordings for VTubers, and honestly, this applies to streamers in general: cover songs and original songs.

Cover songs, as the name suggests, involve taking an existing track and creating a personal rendition.

It’s quite common for VTubers to cover Japanese songs, primarily because they allow for monetization.

On the other hand, original songs refer to tracks created by streamers themselves.

These are fully original compositions and productions.

As for me, the song I was recording was, of course, a cover. I mean, I haven’t even debuted yet—how could I release an original song?

But then again, considering Märchen’s capabilities, it’s not entirely out of the question.

Being a well-resourced major company, producing an original track for a debut would definitely be possible.

That said, no VTuber has ever debuted with an original song before, and I didn’t want to set that precedent.

It’s better to play it safe and stick to a cover.

Anyway.

I put on the headset and started singing the lyrics written on the sheet in front of me.

Every now and then, I glanced up to see Tsupi give me an approving nod.

Finally, after three hours, I earned a break. My throat felt like it was on fire.

“You’ve worked hard! There’s just one last part to record, but let’s take a short break first, okay?”

“Yes…”

“You seem pretty worn out. I’ll go grab us some coffee. Take a breather until I get back!”

“Okay…”

Feeling utterly spent, I melted into the sofa in the recording studio, raising a limp hand to wave her off.

Tsupi chuckled softly and left the room.

‘She’s relentless.’

I buried my face in the sofa cushion, thinking about how I’d been at Tsupi’s mercy for three grueling hours.

Managing a VTuber debut team clearly wasn’t a job for the faint-hearted.

Stretching my sore limbs, I reached for a water bottle.

Come to think of it, my debut date had already been set.

It was scheduled for two weeks from now. It felt a bit sooner than I had expected, but it should be manageable.

Apparently, the music video for my debut song was already in production and could be completed as early as next week.

‘What kind of company pulls this off so quickly…?’

I couldn’t help but shudder. It almost felt like they were grinding people to the bone to make it happen.

Shaking off the thought, I capped the bottle and glanced around the recording studio.

Various pieces of equipment were arranged neatly in the room—fascinating but also intimidating. Should I touch them?

A twinge of curiosity tempted me, but I ultimately decided against it.

The last thing I needed was to accidentally ruin three hours of recording.

Just the thought made me shiver.

As I sat there mulling over my next steps, the door opened, and Tsupi returned.

“Phew! It’s blazing hot outside. Thank goodness for air conditioning in the recording studio.”

She handed me a cup of coffee, her expression a mix of relief and satisfaction.

The rich aroma of espresso wafted up, and I felt instantly revived. There’s nothing quite like high-caffeine drinks when you’re exhausted.

“Thanks. But seriously, how hot is it out there?”

“Don’t even get me started. I checked, and it’s up to 38 degrees! Absolutely insane.”

“Yikes. And it’s only August. At this rate, we’ll probably still be sweating through October.”

“Honestly, you’re probably right, and that’s terrifying. Anyway, feeling rested now?”

“Not really…”

“You look perfectly fine to me. Back to the recording booth, let’s go!”

Ah, this espresso addiction is going to ruin me.

The final part of my debut song took another grueling two hours to record. By the end, I was completely drained.

A week passed after the recording session. A lot happened during that time.

First, the mixing for my cover song was completed. The music video was also nearing its final stages.

By the way, the music video is animated, but neither Jiwoo nor I were involved in the process.

Märchen handled everything on their end.

Second, my avatar was fully completed. This included not just the illustration but also the rigging and other finishing touches.

Honestly, I didn’t expect such polished results in such a short time. Maybe I had underestimated Märchen’s capabilities.

[Jiwoo: I’ve drafted some maid outfit designs for Yuna and Sera from the 7th generation. Could you review them?]

[Jiwoo: Also, I sketched a few potential outfits for your avatar, Yuwol. Would you like to take a look?]

[Muil: I’ll review the 7th generation designs by this afternoon. Thank you for going out of your way to design outfits for me, too. I really appreciate it.]

[Jiwoo: It’s no trouble at all! If it helps even a little, I’m happy. From now on, I’ll do my best as your assistant, Yuwol-nim!]

[Muil: I don’t know why I’m suddenly your “nim,” but thank you nonetheless.]

Jiwoo, my assistant, was steadily progressing as she adapted to her role. At this pace, it felt like I might not even be needed soon. Or maybe not?

I decided I’d bring it up with her when the time felt right.

“One more week, huh?”

Just seven days until my debut. The music video was almost done, the streaming setup was complete, and Märchen had provided all the necessary equipment.

All that was left now was to wait.

“I never thought I’d become a VTuber, let alone the permanent rookie of the group.”

The thought of being constantly summoned by my seniors for various tasks suddenly made me feel a pang of pity for my future self.

[Tsupi: 5 minutes to go!!! Please get ready!]

[Muil: How are you managing to send these reminders every 30 seconds? Did you schedule them or something?]

[Tsupi: Aii! Please take this seriously, just a little!]

Despite my joking response, I couldn’t help but feel a little nervous.

My debut was set to begin with the release of my cover song. That meant the music video premiere was already queued on YouTube.

‘Wait… How are there already 30,000 subscribers?’

Even before the video’s release, my YouTube channel had surpassed 30,000 subscribers. This must be the power of Märchen.

I’d watched my seniors’ debut broadcasts in the past, and no matter how much hype surrounded them, the subscriber count typically maxed out at 20,000. But here I was, already at 30,000.

‘I’m getting dizzy.’

Was this sheer luck, or was it because I was part of the final generation? Either way, it was an auspicious sign for both Märchen and me.

[Yuwol Ch. Märchen Live-KR: 30,183 Subscribers]
[LIZUKA –勇者 (Hero) / Yuwol (UWAR) Cover]
[Premiere: 8/2 – Countdown Active]

[Live Chat]

• “LOL, this channel just launched today, and it’s already at 30k?!”
• “Isn’t this the fastest growth in Märchen history?”
• “Even the 5th generation started with at least 10k, but this is on another level.”
• “2 minutes left… 2 minutes… 2 minutes…!”
• “The thumbnail alone is insane.”
• “Wait, are they saying this video was made in just a week? How’s that even possible?”
• “With the kind of manpower Märchen has, anything’s possible.”
• “1 minute! ONE MINUTE!”
• “I love Korea. They make such beautiful songs!”
• “This hype is beyond anything we’ve seen from previous generations. It’s unreal!”
• “From Participant #5 to Yuwol… Ah, so that’s where the name comes from.”
• “What kind of logic connects those two things?!”
• “I can’t forget the voice I heard that day.”
• “Watching foreign fans use translation apps is hilarious.”

Thirty seconds remained. My mind was half gone by then.

[Tsupi: It’s starting!]

[Muil: I’m scared.]

But this was the path I’d chosen. Even though I’d been pushed into becoming a VTuber,

I’d come this far and couldn’t turn back now.

I took a deep breath as the music video began.

The intro started with a soft melody, showing a black forest shrouded in mystery.

In that forest, a small silver-haired girl stumbled through with an injured body, wielding a wooden sword to fend off monsters.

She fought tirelessly, enduring endless attacks, being knocked down and battered repeatedly in the process.

Eventually, she reached the center of the forest, where she found a sword.

It was a stunning, pure white blade—one that radiated a holy light capable of driving out the darkness.

However, cruelly, the girl couldn’t wield the sword.

She wasn’t a hero, so the holy sword rejected her.

Still, she decided to carry it on her back as she wandered, vowing to find a hero someday.

Even if it took an indefinite amount of time, the girl vowed to eradicate the world’s evil, even if it meant offering up her own heart.

And so, ten years passed.

The hero never appeared. The black forest remained home to the white-haired girl alone.

The girl grew weary but never lost her resolve.

One day, someday, when the hero finally arrived, this hell could end.

Even as the demon’s blade embedded in her heart stole her breath, the girl smiled.

She smiled endlessly, ignoring the tears streaming down her face.

As she approached the brink of death, a pure white light began to shine from her heart.

[One day, your sacrifice…]

The hero wasn’t someone chosen by the sword.

[…will be acknowledged by someone.]

A hero was simply someone who didn’t give up. The girl was that kind of hero.

Grasping the radiant sword, the girl stood her ground. The descending meteor shower changed the tide of the battlefield.

The black forest, formed from the bodies of the fallen, became a forest of blood. The girl fought on alone.

Alone, she persisted.

When the war’s end was finally in sight, the girl smiled once more.

She couldn’t return alive, but imagining the happy days of the lives she protected made her smile.

The girl simply smiled.

Until her eyes closed for the last time.

“Whew.”

“Right.”

That’s Märchen—a company capable of creating stories even where there are none.

My roleplay (RP) had been arbitrarily decided by Märchen. They simply told me to act as a hero.

I had no reason to refuse, so I accepted it.

‘What do I do now? Acting as a hero?’

My mind went blank.