Chapter 13: Not Easy

[The Inquisitor has requested a 1-on-1 chat.]

It was obvious that Tuni had no good feelings toward this user, “The Inquisitor.” There was no need to explain why. Just because Tuni had chosen the role of a priest in the game, she had been killed several times.

Even when Tuni had stepped up to help clear up the controversy around hacking accusations, what she received in return was criticism and death.

To expect her to have any positive feelings toward such a person? Not even a Buddha could manage that.

And now, the controversy surrounding “The Inquisitor’s” hacking allegations had largely settled.

If the game company itself said he wasn’t using illegal programs, who could argue otherwise?

Of course, there were still a few malicious players causing trouble, claiming things like, “He’s using a hack the game company can’t detect!” or “They’re in cahoots with each other!” but unless they could provide solid proof, it was like shouting into the void.

In other words, from a community standpoint, the topic of “The Inquisitor” was mostly over.

And from Tuni’s perspective as a streamer, there was no benefit in maintaining any relationship with him.

“Should I accept this or not…”

Yet, despite all that, Tuni was undeniably curious about “The Inquisitor” as a player. Having seen countless stream snipers and trolls, Tuni had never encountered someone quite like him.

A 1-on-1 chat request from such an intriguing individual.

Even though she knew that curiosity killed the cat, it wasn’t an easy offer to turn down.

In the end, Tuni decided to dip her hand into the abyss.

[The Inquisitor: Hello]

[Tuni: Hello]

Matching his habit of not using voice chat, Tuni greeted him plainly in text.

[The Inquisitor: I have a question for you. Are you the streamer Tuni who broadcasts on Lyming?]

And with that follow-up message, Tuni’s mind went blank.

She couldn’t understand why he would ask such a question.

Especially since the last time they met, the conversation had ended before she even mentioned being a streamer.

And yet, he knew she was a streamer.

‘Is this really a stream sniper?’

For a brief moment, the thought crossed her mind, but she quickly shook her head. If he were really a stream sniper, his behavior during their last conversation wouldn’t make sense.

‘Or is this related to the clarification I offered last time?’

Sure, the hacking controversy was already over.

But even if the issue had been resolved, the person involved might still have unresolved feelings.

‘If that’s the case, maybe he found out I’m a streamer while looking for a way to reach me since I did offer to help him clear things up last time.’

And if he really wanted help clearing things up… Tuni was willing to assist.

Despite the bad feelings, he had reached out after she had extended a helping hand.

Plus, having been falsely accused of hacking, he must have been mentally cornered, so she could somewhat understand the sharp reaction he had shown back then.

Tuni’s heart wasn’t cold enough to reject someone like that without a second thought.

And it wouldn’t hurt to gain a few more viewers from this as well.

[Tuni: Yes, that’s me.]

[The Inquisitor: In that case, could you teach me how to stream?]

“…Is this guy out of his mind?”

Tuni involuntarily muttered a curse at the response.

[Tuni: So you’re saying you need to make money.]

[Tuni: So, you’re thinking about starting an internet broadcast because you can’t find a part-time job right now?]

[Inquisitor: Yes.]

[Tuni: It’s not that you’re trying to explain the cheating controversy or anything like that?]

[Inquisitor: Huh?]

[Inquisitor: What do I need to explain?]

“…He’s crazy.”

It didn’t take long for Tuni’s suspicion to turn into certainty.

[Tuni: Then, if you have any videos of when you broadcasted alone, could you send them to me?]

[Tuni: I’ll give you some advice if there’s anything I can help with.]

[Inquisitor: Sure.]

This person… is kind.

I felt my affection for the streamer, Tunii, rising in my heart.

It must have been an abrupt and unexpected request, but she was so kind about it.

Come to think of it, she offered to help me explain the cheating controversy last time, too, didn’t she?

She seems like the type of person who can’t just walk away when they see someone in trouble, like me.

It’s just a shame that she’s an heretic.

[Tunii: Please send the video to [email protected]]

[Inquisitor: Okay.]

Bang!

Anyway, after that conversation, I logged out of NewD.

[Tuni here.]

[Sender: Tuni<[email protected]>]

Sorry to ask, but you’re seriously planning to start streaming, right?

You’re not messing with me, are you…?

Two hours later, for some reason, I got that email.

To think she’d mock me like that, not recognizing my sincerity.

How typical of a heretic.

Sighing at the pathetic situation, I naturally replied that I was serious.

[Sorry, but could we talk on MissCode?]

I don’t even know where to start explaining this in text…

That was the reply I got this time.

Hmm, is it really that bad…?

Honestly, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with my broadcast.

But if an expert is saying so, there must be a reason. I guess it’s better to hear her out.

Having reached that conclusion, I signed up for the program called MissCode, as Tuni mentioned, and sent her my ID.

[Incoming call from Tuni]

[X]

A few minutes later, she called.

[Hello?]

The refreshing voice I heard through my headphones was exactly the same as the one from Tuni’s broadcast earlier.

[Inquisitor: Hello.]

And after confirming my greeting, Tuni cleared her throat and shared her screen with me.

What played on the shared screen was the broadcast I had done today, the one I had sent her.

[…First, did you notice anything strange here?]

After about 5 minutes of watching…

Tuni asked me a question.

[Inquisitor: Did anything seem strange?]

Why did they ask that?

I really don’t know.

I just thought it was an ordinary NewD gameplay video.

[…Why aren’t you saying anything? Sure, there’s no need to talk when no one’s around. But if a viewer is present, you should at least greet them, right? It would also be better to have a topic ready to continue the conversation with that viewer.]

Oh. That sounds like a reasonable guideline.

But unfortunately, it was a policy I couldn’t accept.

[Inquisitor: My broadcast concept is that it’s a highly skilled show.]

[Inquisitor: I’ve decided to cut out all unnecessary chatter.]

[But where are there streamers who don’t talk at all?!!! Saying the streamer’s voice is unnecessary doesn’t make sense!]

Ugh, it’s painful to listen to.

[Inquisitor: I’ve seen some mad movies on Ontube, though.]

[Inquisitor: They don’t use mics there.]

[But that’s because they’re just editing and uploading the best moments! Your broadcast is live! If the streamer doesn’t communicate, there’s no reason to watch the broadcast! So if you’re going to stream, you absolutely must turn on the mic!]

I realized that internet broadcasting seemed harder than I thought.

Still, I wanted to avoid turning on the mic as much as possible…

[Inquisitor: Is there no way?]

[No! Ditch the weird concept!]

A firm response came back. It hurt my heart…

[Or is there some special reason you can’t use the mic?]

[Inquisitor: Yes.]

[Can you tell me why?]

[Inquisitor: Because I’m shy.]

Why ask such an obvious question?

I started to doubt whether they were a professional internet broadcaster.

[…What?]

[Inquisitor: Talking to someone I don’t know is embarrassing.]

[Inquisitor: If someone else sees me, it just looks like I’m talking to myself.]

[Inquisitor: It’s not easy.]

If they listened to my communication skills, no one would find it interesting.

So I concluded that saying nothing from the start would be the solution.

My goal was to be known for a completely skill-based broadcast without talking.

But that seemed ridiculous from the perspective of a professional internet broadcaster.

[If that’s embarrassing, then you shouldn’t be broadcasting….]

[Inquisitor: Huh.]

Is this person a genius?

What on earth are they doing?

Tuni couldn’t understand the thoughts of the “Inquisitor.”

Not talking, and not showing anything special in the video.

He was just playing NewD normally.

I even began to suspect they were making fun of me.

“If you feel that embarrassed, you shouldn’t be streaming…”

[Inquisitor: Huh?]

The reason they hadn’t said anything at all was embarrassment.

…Of course, it wasn’t completely incomprehensible.

Tuni always thought her voice was pleasant to listen to, and that confidence was partly why she decided to become a streamer.

However, she had also heard from fans that there were streamers who thought their own voices were unpleasant to listen to.

So, she could understand the feeling of embarrassment.

But that was a separate issue.

Unless under special circumstances, it’s impossible not to say anything while streaming.

Even if someone feels embarrassed about their voice, they still have to keep talking as an internet broadcaster.

“If you really can’t say anything on stream, you might as well give up. At least on OnTube, there might be other ways, but you absolutely cannot succeed on Lyming that way.”

Of course, Tuni herself was an unsuccessful amateur, but she was confident that the way he was thinking was wrong.

[Inquisitor: Absolutely?]

“Yes, absolutely.”

Tuni said firmly.

Seeing how much he hated it, she wondered if there was something wrong with his voice.

But she thought it was better to be clear rather than give ambiguous hope.

And at Tuni’s assertion,

[Uh, um…]

“…Huh?”

A quiet voice she had never heard came through the headphones.

The mute icon next to ‘Inquisitor’ had been turned off.