Chapter 48: A person who lives with the title of “the first”

“So, what’s this guy’s name?”

I asked while poking the head of the boss that lay limply on the ground with my foot.

Something about a new experiment subject, and all that.

For all the ominous atmosphere it tried to build up, it turned out to be much less impressive than I expected.

[It’s the Plague Doctor.]

[That’s what they say.]

[Plague Doctor, huh…]

[Just the mad scientist role that’s in every game.]

[An old scientist in the middle of nowhere.]

[If you think about it, he’s basically a dark sorcerer.]

[This guy isn’t supposed to be caught so easily…]

[Even the hope for Switch games, Jongheon, caught him on the third try.]

[At first, he seemed to be taking the hits, but after a while, he just dodged everything.]

[‘Slow.’]

[Osoi ᄃᄃ]

[There are monsters living on the Switch.]

[Beware of Sergeant Molby…]

[I’m learning in real-time while I don’t even know the pattern.]

[AI-level learning ability.]

[This is the power of a human, you scrap heap.]

[??? : I lost. I’m human.]

[Can we really call this thing human?]

[A Molru beyond human.]

“The hit detection seems a bit off, and the attack ignores certain things, so it’s hard to time the damage. It takes a while, but it’s not difficult,”

I explained, as it was a strategy broadcast, giving some tips on how to handle the Plague Doctor.

[What are you saying?]

[It means it’s hard for others, but not for me.]

[If you don’t know, just clap.]

[(Clapping emoji)]

[Look at how pathetic that emoji is.]

[But does Molru not make emojis?]

[ᄅᄋ There’s no reason to subscribe.]

[He’s too lazy to even start a broadcast, there’s no way he’s making emojis.]

[This guy is definitely a P.]

[Laziness levels are high.]

“Lazy, huh? That’s a bit harsh. I’d say I’m pretty diligent. I even opened a cafe.”

[What’s the name of the cafe then? ᄏᄏᄏ]

[I left the announcement, but just closed the Switch community.]

[Ah, ᄏᄏ I knew you’d close it after you were done with all the socializing on the community.]

[When did you open it?]

[It’s already opened ᄏᄏ Can’t you join by yourself?]

[ᄅᄋ? Link, please.]

“Eh?”

I checked the announcement I had made earlier and also confirmed the cafe link that Siyoung had created.

And then it hit me.

No wonder there weren’t many members— I said I would leave the link but forgot to post it.

“Ah, I was supposed to leave the link but I forgot. I’ll post it after finishing Dragon Road.”

I realized after months of streaming that I shouldn’t give viewers something to latch onto or nitpick.

As expected, viewers started flocking like bees.

It seemed like they were excited, taking the opportunity to dig in.

[Legend.]

[ᄅᄋ It’s Legerend.]

“So, the thing that was bought, was it bought a week ago?”

[How did they find it?]

[Time billionaires can do anything.]

[What’s a time billionaire?]

[It’s someone who’s jobless.] [Ah.]

“I’ll also make a subscription emoji soon. Or maybe, I’ll just make it today? Dragon Road looks like it’s going to finish soon.”

[That statement.]

[The enthusiasm is insane ᄏᄏ]

[Info] The average clear time for Dragon Road is about 30 hours.

[But ᄅᄋ I’m about halfway through and it’s only taken 3 hours.]

[Doesn’t it take like 10 hours to kill the dragon?]

[That’s for regular players.]

[For Sensei, it’s a 1-minute clear ᄋi]

[That’s a bit much.]

[Why did you suddenly get so diligent?]

[Making a cafe and creating a subscription emoji, you’re doing everything though ᄏᄏ;]

[This is way too easy.]

[Actually, I’m just doing everything I’ve been putting off today, so I’m not really being diligent.]

[The expectations were so low that just this much feels like a lot…]

[New Molru is different.]

[I’ve decided to be a new person.]

“Average playtime is 30 hours? That’s longer than I expected. If I can’t finish today, I’ll do it tomorrow. Eh? Am I streaming tomorrow too? Yeah, probably. Unless something comes up, I’ll stream. I did say my goal was to stream every day, after all. Taking breaks for a few days is for when something happens.”

[Good talk.]

[You’re so slick.]

[Trying to de-stress ᄏᄏᄏᄏ]

[Look at how you’re shaking your hand.]

[You sly one, ᄋi]

[I’ll let it slide this time.]

[Yeah~ I’ll let it slide next time too.]

While resting to recover the warrior’s fallen health, I communicated with the viewers.

Now it was time to move forward again.

After inputting a command to get my character up, I was about to set off.

Achievement unlocked!

#Give rest to the lost souls.

You quickly defeated the Plague Doctor and freed the souls that were bound to him. A new route has been unlocked, praised for your achievement.

*Clear conditions: Defeat the Plague Doctor within 30 minutes, take less than 5 hits.

“What… what is this?”

I stopped in my tracks as the screen in front of me changed.

An achievement? I didn’t know this system existed.

I glanced at the chat to see if the viewers knew something.

[What is this ᄏᄏᄏᄏ]

[They added this too?]

[Is this an Easter egg or something?]

[The conditions are pretty tough ᄏᄏᄏᄏᄏ]

[Not many people take the Plague Doctor route, and there’s no one clearing it this easily, so it seems like no one knew.]

[First time I’m seeing this ᄅᄋ]

[Isn’t this the first time for a streamer?]

[Definitely the first ᄋᄋ It’s only been a week since it released.]

[A streamer who causes a stir every time they go live.]

[Drama streamer ᄃᄃ]

I tried to rely on the collective knowledge of the viewers, but it seemed like they were just as new to this as I was.

It seemed like this was the first time anyone had cleared this achievement since the release. It’s also a good opportunity for a YouTube highlight.

“So what now? I cleared the achievement, but does the story change?”

As soon as I said that, the window in front of me changed.

• The Path of the Holy Warrior
  Go to the Forgotten Temple, there is a path there. (Accept/Decline)

“It seems like the route changed. Ugh, do I really have to go? It’s such a hassle.”

[ᄀᄀᄀᄀᄀᄀᄀᄀᄀ]

[Of course, you have to go, what are you talking about?]

[Skipper.]

[If you want to get a YouTube clip, you have to go.]

[Since it’s a temple, it’s probably something like a paladin, right?]

[Just the name Paladin sounds so good.]

[Special class ᄃᄃ]

[Heavy armor romance, yum.]

[Paladin vibes are going to be amazing.]

[Does he use holy magic and stuff?]

From the reactions in the chat, it seemed like I couldn’t skip this.

YouTube clip, right, I need to think about the YouTube clip.

I clicked accept on the prompt in front of me, and a yellow arrow appeared on the previous map.

“It says follow the arrow, let’s go check it out.”

I followed the arrow, like a navigation guide, leading me to a partially ruined temple building.

As I entered, the screen went dark, and an event cutscene began.

Without my control, the warrior moved to the center of the temple, where an apparition appeared.

• “O one who represents the holy will, heed my command.”
  *Do you wish to proceed with the Paladin Trial Event?
  ᄂ Accept – Gain Paladin class skills.
  ᄂ Decline – Event will not proceed.

[Looks like the story isn’t branching.]

[Pause options ᄃᄃ]

[This part is similar to the previous game.]

[Let’s go for the trial, ᅡᅡᅡᅡᅡᅡ]

“Accept.”

Even if I fail, it’s worth a try.

What kind of trial could it be?

It’s probably just a fight with someone, typical of Dragon Road.

I didn’t think it would be that difficult.

Once I accepted the choice, the screen that had stopped moving resumed.

As I expected, the trial was a fight with someone.

• “You who have accepted the trial, face the hardships.”
  *Pure White Knight Helperth

“Are you new? Let me teach you a thing or two.”

An apparition appeared like a hologram, quickly taking shape.

A man, clad in solid armor, spoke solemnly and gestured.

He drew the massive greatsword from his back and assumed a combat stance.

“A lesson?”

I drew my sword as if to match the pace, ready to take on the challenge.

[Lesson? ᄏᄏᄏᄏ]

[‘Romantic’]

[Helperth? Even the name sounds serious.]

[We already know Molru will win, so there’s no tension.]

[It’s more of a physical challenge, so there’s no thrill.]

I rushed towards Helperth, who was standing still, seemingly giving me the first move.

I figured I’d just test out the patterns with some light attacks that could be canceled.

“You’re dreaming!”

Clang!

As expected, the greatsword swung with immense force, blocking my attack.

Despite his large size and weapon, his response was surprisingly quick.

There might even be some special effect, as my warrior’s hand trembled after the sword was swung.

“What is this? Stamina drain? So there’s a debuff if I’m countered. I’ll have to check it out.”

[Wow, this is tough.]

[Can’t even attack recklessly ᄏᄏ]

[How is he so fast with a greatsword?]

[He’s trying to prevent evasion or parrying by draining stamina.]

[The cruel design of the developers;]

The difficulty was no joke.

Though this was just our first exchange, it was clear that the boss was much higher level than the previous ones.

But that was exactly what I wanted.

Finally, a boss I could sink my teeth into.

[This is getting exciting.]

[This one might take more than one try.]

[ᄅᄋᄏᄏ Even Molru might not clear this on the first try.]

It seemed the viewers felt the same, all showing signs of being interested.

Without hesitation, I pointed my sword at Helperth and said:

“The first streamer event boss, Helperth, strategy begins now.”