Chapter 25 : Reactions

The collaboration between Curry and Barcode drew a tremendous amount of attention.

In fact, when the opening began, the response was explosive.

However, once the full-fledged collaboration between Barcode and Curry started, the viewers’ reactions were split into two groups.

[So freaking rude.]

[Isn’t this their first time meeting? Isn’t this a bit too rude?]

[Anyone would think they’re best friends, lol.]

[This is why unknown streamers never make it.]

[They don’t know where to draw the line.]

[This is only the first day of the stream, and the newbie needs to know their place.]

[If you’re collabing with a major company, shouldn’t you at least show some basic respect?]

The so-called “discomfort crowd” was criticizing Curry and tearing into Barcode.

It was almost inevitable that such an atmosphere would form.

Curry’s stream had created content about the notorious hater ‘Nayeon Queen’, and those videos, selected by the YouTube algorithm, caused her to rapidly rise in popularity.

Of course, even before her sudden rise, Curry was already a massive figure in the streaming world, so her streams had consistently attracted new viewers.

Most of these new viewers were relatively ordinary people who were unaware of Curry’s past or the atmosphere of ‘Yellow City’.

Naturally, for these new viewers, seeing their favorite streamer being insulted by an unknown first-day streamer wasn’t a pleasant experience.

However, where there’s criticism, there’s also support.

[What are these new viewers saying, lol.]

[This is the real Curry-style stream.]

[From what I can tell, Barcode is probably from 0th division.]

[Lol, there’s no one else who could take down Curry like that, unless they’re from 0th division.]

[Ah, the familiar Yellow City vibe… this is rare.]

[Barcode totally roasting Curry, if you’re into that, hit the like button.]

[Alright, I’ll do it first, lol.]

[Like button pressed.]

Viewers who had been following Curry since the Yellow City days defended Barcode.

For those who had been watching Curry for a long time, the chemistry between Barcode and Curry was insanely fun.

Especially since, if Curry had really felt like Barcode crossed the line, the mood of the stream would’ve gone downhill much earlier.

Curry was someone who would get angry at anyone, regardless of who they were or whether the stream was live or not.

[Remember that time when Curry collabed with that Producer PD guy and he crossed the line?]

[Compared to that, Barcode’s actions are nothing—just cute, lol.]

[Don’t even mention ‘that’ guy.]

[Back then, Curry was so pissed, he ended the stream right away.]

[Barcode’s level of crossing the line is nothing compared to that, lol.]

[Looking back, she actually seems like an angel… no, she really looks like one.]

[Please study up if you don’t know, new viewers.]

[New viewers, if you watch the ‘Kwon Tae Park’ broadcast from 2015, you’ll be shocked.]

[Back then, Kwon Tae Park PD was a total…]

[How could someone’s name be Kwon Tae Park, lol.]

[Everyone, focus on the stream, please.]

The firepower of the viewers from Yellow City, often referred to as “internet spirits,” was incredible.

Even though the new viewers may have been more numerous, the quality of the long-time fans proved that quality was more important than quantity.

Of course, the moderators quickly deleted any chat messages that might escalate the conflict, preventing the situation from spiraling out of control.

They set the chat delay to one minute and blindfolded any viewers trying to stir trouble with inflammatory comments. After controlling the chat for about 30 minutes, the atmosphere slowly began to cool down. It would have been strange if the mood didn’t settle, given that they had cut off any potential sparks for further conflict.

Thanks to the hidden efforts of the moderators, the collaboration went on without any problems.

Though there were still those who felt uncomfortable with Barcode’s presence,
most viewers were enjoying the situation of Barcode roasting Curry.

Curry had always been a bit cocky with the viewers, so it wasn’t a surprise.

More than that, despite being an unknown streamer, Barcode was definitely showcasing her own charm.

She might not have seen it that way herself, but from the viewers’ perspective, it was clearly noticeable.

[But she’s really good, though.]

[Curry couldn’t even focus, and Barcode’s taking care of everything, even when Curry’s messing up.]

[Barcode is like changing the dirty diapers… ugh…]

[Ugh.]

[The way she speaks with so much disdain is driving me crazy.]

[Is this the stream of Barcode, the streamer?]

[Huh.]

[Did the screen break? Why is everything only in black and white?]

[That’s a bug caused by Curry.]

[So the bug was actually a ‘bug’?]

[Rhyme, lol.]

Even though Curry refused to get on the bus and smashed the window,

Barcode’s Yone grabbed Curry by the collar and drove the bus.

Even though Curry’s Jayce kept dying, receiving countless ganks and roaming attacks,

Yone soloed the game, doing the work of four people and completely blowing up the game.

In the end, Barcode’s Yone destroyed the Nexus, finishing the game,

and the atmosphere in the chat room heated up once again.

[Is she a goddess? Is she a goddess? Is she a goddess Barcode?]

[How did she carry that?]

“Same team as Jayce this game? I finished my swear jar in no time and enjoyed some webtoons.”

“You must’ve.”

“Insane… insane… insane…”

“Seriously, he’s ridiculously good. Even if you played Yone all day, you couldn’t do that.”

“Barcode’s main account has a 98% win rate, lol.”

“Wait, isn’t his main in Challenger?”

“Makes no sense.”

“FYI, Barcode’s main Yone account has a 60-59-1 record.”

“How the hell did you, a wandering samurai, defeat such a monster who can’t even win a 1v1?”

“Can we please not mention the guy with a 1-29 record?”

“Only a 3% win rate, lol.”

[Barcode’s smurf account has a 100% win rate, lol.]

[That’s a lie.]

[At this point, it’s just unbelievable.]

[Isn’t she a helper?]

Even with Curry’s Jayce dragging them down like a sandbag, when Barcode carried, the mood in the chat completely shifted.

The viewers who had been uncomfortable disappeared, and only supportive messages for Barcode remained.

From then on, Barcode’s tips for playing Yone and hidden pro moves were shared,
and everything Barcode did earned positive reactions, completely different from the start of the stream.

Especially the hidden tricks, like Yone’s ultimate move crossing two walls or the tip that when the E symbol turns black, it’s a kill angle.

Viewers who learnt these useful, lesser-known tips expressed their feelings by spamming thumbs-up emojis in the chat.

After the tips and tricks segment, Curry and Barcode played a few more duo-ranked matches.

Time passed quickly, and they soon reached the end of the “Meeting with a Master” segment,
which meant the end of the collaboration was near.

“Thank you so much for your hard work today. I can’t believe time passed so quickly… it’s really a shame.”

[End of broadcast.]

[Ah, today was satisfying.]

[But wait, if this is a collaboration, why isn’t Barcode streaming?]

[Curry acting all sad is so funny, lol.]

[Curry, if you’re holding back a laugh, raise your hand.]

[Holding back laughter Lv.99.]

[End of broadcast.]

[Could it be that Barcode isn’t streaming because…]

[Is it what I think it is?]

[Yeah, it’s probably that.]

[What the heck are you nerds talking about?]

Just as Curry finished his sign-off message, thinking the stream was wrapping up,
he was interrupted.

“Huh? What are you talking about? We still have the ‘Part 2′ stream left, right?”

“…Huh?”

[?]

[?]

“There was supposed to be a part 2, right?”

“Curry looks so caught off guard, lol.”

“Yeah, there was supposed to be a part 2!”

“Lol”

“I knew something was up when Barcode didn’t start streaming.”

“Why wouldn’t Barcode start streaming during a collab?”

“I figured it out right away.”

“As bad as Curry’s reputation is, I didn’t think he’d no-show.”

“If you end the stream now, I’m out.”

“If you bail, that’s a corporate abuse of power.”

“If you end the stream early, I’m reporting you for labor exploitation.”

“This is a surprise. I thought you were going to end the stream.”

Barcode’s sudden announcement of a second part made Curry glance nervously at the chat.

“We agreed that you’d play Yone in solo queue and I’d give you real-time feedback, right?”

“When did I…”

“[Dodging the question]”

“You’re throwing this away?”

“Are you trash?”

“You were already trash, but if you bail now, you’ll evolve into food waste.”

“After all this, you’re not going to do a second part?”

“Barcode is such a jerk…”

“Isn’t this all just so dizzying?”

The viewers’ opinion of him was at an all-time low.

Of course, it wasn’t like they were truly angry, but if Curry ended the stream here, the playful animosity would turn into genuine resentment.

“I didn’t even start streaming and I helped you with your stream, and now you’re just going to throw me away after taking everything?”

Barcode’s voice trembled as he said that.

The half-joking animosity in the chat instantly turned into genuine anger.

[laugh]

[cry]

[laugh]

[cry]

[laugh]

“Are you even a man?”

“This is corporate bullying.”

[cry]

“If you no-show, you’re a total jerk.”

“If you end the stream, your whole family will go bald.”

[laugh]

[cry]

“I’ll unsubscribe if you don’t do the second part.”

“This is making me so angry.”

“Damn it, this is infuriating.”

“Stop donating, let’s see how you like it.”

“If you click the end stream button now, I’m reporting you.”

[laugh]

[cry]

[‘If you don’t want to get reported, you better behave.’]

It was a classic case of being surrounded on all sides.

Curry stayed silent for a while before finally, with great effort, opening his mouth.

“Alright. Fine. Let’s do the Part 2 broadcast…”

Once Curry gave the green light for the Part 2 stream, the public opinion, which had been sinking to rock bottom, began to rise again.

[Peak]

[Peak]

[Peak]

[Trusting you…]

[Peak]

[Peak]

[Peak]

[Stream started…]

[Ugh, I was trying to resist ordering late-night food, but I gave in and ordered chicken.]

[Peak]

[Peak]

[The true broadcaster of this era.]

[This is why I don’t watch TV anymore, lol.]

[Now this is real variety entertainment.]

“Once Barcode starts his stream, I’ll begin Part 2 by hosting…”

As Curry watched the rising public opinion, he let out a quiet sigh inwardly.

[Live]

[Current viewers – 0]

[Followers-only mode (7 days)]

I immediately activated the followers-only mode as soon as the stream started.

Among the large influx of viewers, I was sure there would be spammers.

Controlling a massive number of viewers with threats like banning or ending the stream would be impossible.

And they weren’t just any random viewers; they were the notorious ‘refugees’ from Curry’s channel.

So, it was crucial to be prepared properly for the benefit of both myself and the broadcast.

Having finished my preparations, I waited for Curry to host the stream.

[Curry has hosted 32,846 viewers.]

About 30 seconds after the stream started, Curry hosted me, and thanks to the thorough preparations, I managed to prevent the chatroom from being flooded with spam.

The chatroom erupted with an intense flood of messages. The influx of viewers — the “refugees” from Curry’s channel — began to dominate the space. Their messages ranged from repetitive chants to fanboy/girl expressions.

“Accept them….Accept the refugees…. Accept the refugees… Accept the refugees…”

“Go ahead, let’s go….Go ahead, let’s go….Go ahead, let’s go…. Go ahead, let’s go…”

“Hello, Barcode! First time here, hello! Hello, Barcode! Second time, hello! Hello, Barcode! Third time, hello!”

The chaotic rhythm of repeated messages continued unabated. The refugees, now flooding the chat, made it clear that their presence was undeniable, much like the flood of viewers that had arrived through Curry’s hosting. The atmosphere, while chaotic, had taken on a more lively tone, as fans eagerly engaged in the fun of the stream.

[Spamming the chat with mindless messages! Spamming the chat with mindless messages! Spamming the chat with mindless messages! Spamming the chat with mindless messages! Spamming the chat with mindless messages! Spamming the chat with mindless messages! Spamming the chat with mindless messages! Spamming the chat with mindless messages! Spamming the chat with mindless messages! Spamming the chat with mindless messages! Spamming the chat with mindless messages! Spamming the chat with mindless messages! Spamming the chat!]

[Ding dong ding…. Good morning….Ding dong ding…. Bapapapapapapapapa Good morning….. Ding dong ding….. Good morning….. Ding dong ding… Bapapapapapapapapa Good morning…Ding dong ding…. Good morning…Ding dong ding… Bapapapapapapapa Good morning…Ding dong ding…Good morning…Ding dong ding…Bapapapapapapapa Good morning…Ding dong ding…Good
Ding dong ding… Bapapapapapapapa… Good morning… Ding dong ding…. Good morning…Ding dong ding… Bapapapapapapapa Good morning…]

And then

Seeing the chat room turn into a complete mess, I was about to lose my mind. How on earth did Curry manage to stream with these kinds of toxic people?

The spam from these toxic fans was so overwhelming, I started to feel dizzy.

Ding-

Ding-

Ding-

How can I fix this mess?

As I was pondering, I heard a series of Discord notifications.

I maximized the minimized Discord window and checked the incoming messages.

As the chaos in the chat room continued, the host, after receiving instructions from Curry , quickly delegated moderator powers to two trusted IDs. With their swift action, the rampant spamming in the chat room began to subside, as messages indicating that certain users had been blocked started popping up. This brought a sense of calm to the situation.

Now that the chat was under control, the host, eager to proceed with the second part of the broadcast, announced the start of Part 2. However, there was a problem. The host needed to watch Curry’s gameplay to provide feedback, but since the stream was hosted on Curry’s channel, the host couldn’t directly share or view Curry’s screen due to technical limitations.

Unable to share the screen through Discord due to poor quality, the host made a quick decision to adjust the broadcast content. Instead of giving direct feedback on Curry’s gameplay, the host suggested that they team up and play a duo ranked match together, which Curry begrudgingly agreed to after a pause.

Despite Curry’s unenthusiastic response and low energy, which contrasted with his usual charisma, the host carried on with setting up the game. The preparation was straightforward: Curry chose mid-lane as his first priority, and the host set jungle as their primary position, ready to swap if necessary.

With their match queued up, the duo was soon placed in a game. As the countdown to the game started, the stage was set for the Part 2 to proceed, and the audience was likely in for a more relaxed, yet entertaining segment. The chat, now calm, eagerly awaited the next steps in the show.

NOTE :

This text appears to be a segment from a fan-fiction or fictional narrative about a stream or online interaction, possibly focusing on gaming culture and the dynamic between streamers and their audience. The style includes chat interactions, jokes, and a focus on the social dynamics within the streaming community.