Chapter 72: That can’t be happening

A building in Gangnam, surrounded by a stylish glass exterior.

It was the headquarters of Titan Strike, one of the world’s strongest teams in the AOS VR game ‘Origin Rift’.

After winning the Season 3 World Championship last year, the first Korean team to do so.

A new space secured with the sponsorship of a large corporation.

Including Zerok, a key player and considered the world’s strongest player, all of Titan Strike’s starting players and coaching staff were based here.

Haa…

Zerok’, Kang Siyun, let out a light sigh as he left the practice room.

He had been immersed in personal practice until late at night and felt the need for a short break.

Many people praise him as a talent of the highest caliber, but that was also supported by a lot of effort.

He always stayed in the practice room until the latest.

Even now, he was planning to rest for a bit, play a few more solo queue games, and then go to sleep.

Maintaining the top position.

And thus living up to the expectations of the fans.

Ahead of the Summer League, that goal was becoming a considerable burden.

He came to the break room to fill his water bottle.

The sound of a video was coming from a sofa on one side.

Without even wearing earphones, focused on his phone screen, was ‘Barex’ Yoon Taegeon, a hyung who was 3 years older.

If it was about the game, he could tell just by the sound.

It was definitely a video related to Ori.

What video is he so immersed in that he doesn’t even know I came in?

I approached out of curiosity.

I could vaguely see the elite monster of the Dimensional Jungle, the Rift Predator.

But what caught my eye more than that was the Vtuber model located at the bottom.

Long blonde hair and purple eyes.

It looked quite natural and pretty, as if a lot of effort had been put into it, but that wasn’t the important thing.

What are you doing?

Yoon Taegeon was startled and barely caught his phone, which he had dropped.

Yah. You scared the f*ck out of me.

Are you some kind of rogue? Using stealth to approach?

I was surprised too.

That you’re watching something like a Vtuber.

To stay at the top, Kang Siyun focused on his own play more than anyone else.

If there was a slump in other teammates, it was his role to coordinate it within the game.

If I do better.

If I do everything, even the team’s weaknesses will disappear.

That was the mindset that the best player should have.

So, he didn’t touch other people’s practice.

Their play is their responsibility, and I just need to focus on my own play.

In the end, it was he who led the team to victory in the game.

However, that simple and powerful belief.

This time, it was not easily maintained.

North America and Europe dismissed Titan Strike’s victory in the last World Championship as a one-time fluke.

They were preparing for revenge.

The growth rate of Chinese and domestic teams was also unusual.

Especially in the domestic league, the Spring Season finals were already a close match that went to the full set.

Titan Strike barely won.

He hated the expression ‘barely’.

There was no word that made the position of being the best more precarious than that.

That impatience made Siyun add a word.

Hyung. Is that helpful for game preparation?

Yeah. I’m watching it over and over again.

The first game of summer is just around the corner… You say it’s helpful?

Yoon Taegeon chuckled and handed over his phone.

It was a Shorts video with over a million views.

[Is this difficult? Elite Mob Challenge that anyone can do!]

“…….”

I watch the Shorts silently.

Judging by the damage dealt to the elite mob and the items worn, it was an early game situation.

The character reflecting the Vtuber’s movements avoided all the patterns and attacks of the elite mob, and succeeded in soloing with a play close to artistry.

This won’t work. It can’t be applied to the game.

Siyun immediately judges.

This is close to an extremely gambling play.

A single mistake could ruin the entire game.

Taegeon shrugged with a strange expression.

Do you think so?

Yeah. You must have tried it after watching this, right?

I tried it.

After practicing, I think it’s possible up to one out of two times.

It was a higher success rate than expected, but Siyun’s thoughts did not change.

It might not work well in the actual game.

We’re not a weak team to the point where we have to gamble fifty-fifty, are we?

Glancing at the Vtuber avatar on the paused screen, he continued.

I don’t know why you’re so fixated on this, but this is a YouTube video.

They edit only the dramatic scenes for views.

You have a 50% success rate, but how many times do you think this Vtuber tried?

100% success rate.

…What?

Siyun reacted a little late.

This person has never failed to kill an elite mob in the early game on broadcast.

Shorts are edited from broadcast videos.

There are a few other Shorts besides this one.

Siyun frowned slightly.

She’s never failed on broadcast?

That means that this play was not a simple gamble, but a routine refined through thorough practice and repetition.

At least he knew that Taegeon wasn’t obsessed with Vtubers ahead of the game.

He was checking whether a particular play was reproducible.

And whether it was a strategy worth applying in actual combat.

Anyway, you’re not going to apply it to the game right away, right?

Yeah. I can only use it after I find out how she achieved 100 percent.

Taegeon let out a sigh.

There’s definitely a pattern or technique that I haven’t grasped.

I keep watching it, but I can’t find it.

There’s no way I’m physically inferior to a Vtuber, no matter how much this friend’s main account is Challenger

That’s probably true.

Siyun, who lightly agreed, asked

But you said the Vtuber’s main account is Challenger?

Ah, it’s not official.

But there’s such speculation.

I saw her playing Ori on broadcast, and I think she’s at that level.

A Vtuber with Challenger skills, showing a performance that Taegeon hyung couldn’t analyze…

He didn’t have time to watch it, but Siyun felt a slight curiosity.

What’s the name of that Vtuber?

Siyun asked casually, and Taegeon sat up straight as if he had been waiting.

Esmi Leah.

Then, suddenly, more information poured out.

Blooming Core 3rd generation who debuted a few weeks ago.

Her RP is a half-elf who came from another world.

But the crazy thing is, she tries to maintain the RP as if it’s real.

Ah, you don’t know much about Vtubers, right

RP is like character acting…

Hyung.

…If you look at her Ori play, she’s very bold.

She rushes in like a crazy b*tch, but she doesn’t die easily?

Aggressive but stable?

I wish she would come up quickly and meet her in ranked.

One thing I regret is that she has really big breasts and a*s, but she doesn’t do full-body avatar broadcasts often.

So…

Taegeon hyung.

Huh?

I didn’t ask.

…Right.

Slightly dejected, Taegeon fiddled with his phone and started playing the Shorts repeatedly.

Is it okay to just leave that as ‘analysis’?

…Siyun was not sure.

※※※

Free-flowing emotions and free-flowing broadcasts are different.

I know, but I just wanted to let it go for once.

In the past, ‘just’ would not have been the basis for action.

Maybe that alone can be seen as something changing.

It was an unprepared broadcast, but it was a pretty good experience.

We talked, looked at recommended games, and watched clips and videos that viewers wanted.

It was a bit disappointing that I had to go into the fan cafe and see high-exposure fan art so quickly again.

Among the videos I watched on the broadcast, there was one that remained clearly in my memory.

While watching that video, I also made a new resolution.

I felt like I should share this resolution with my manager.

It was late at night, so I waited for the next day and called.

Leah, the RP-related story development was impressive this time too.

You showed a completeness close to a play.

Yes. It’s an experience, though.

As I mentioned before, the company is currently reviewing the possibility of media and MD expansion based on Leah’s RP-related story.

I’ll share it with you as soon as the specific direction is decided.

Yes. It’s an experience, though.

So, what was the reason for contacting me?

I saw the trailer video for the new Ori champion on yesterday’s broadcast for the first time.

Yes.

I’m going to try it on the broadcast as soon as the new character comes out this week.

I see…?

Sera-nim didn’t seem to understand, so I explained further.

The new character is a ranged character.

An executioner. That means…

…If you maintain the same play style as before, there is a risk that the connection with ‘past life’ will be exposed, right?

That’s right.

Sera-nim, who was silent for a moment, said in a cautious tone.

Then, how about showing a management-oriented play centered on ranged characters on the broadcast?

If you emphasize a play that is differentiated from the existing one, it can help to block unnecessary connections.

I can’t do that.

I answered immediately

From the beginning, the character was made to do exactly what I did.