NOVEL NEXT Chapter 42
Chapter 42
『Han Jimin』: Boss, I think you need to see this.
Han Jimin had sent a message early in the morning.
“What is it?”
Sojun checked the content sent by Han Jimin and felt his thoughts becoming complex. Han Jimin had captured a screen and sent it to Sojun. It was a screen analyzing the channel’s viewers on iTube.
The first thing that caught attention was the influx of viewers that was trending upward, even though it hadn’t even been a month since the channel started. It was clear why some described it as having been chosen by the algorithm because of its noticeable growth.
However,
『Sojun』: It is quite strange.
『Han Jimin』: Right? What is this really?
Sojun closely examined the problematic picture. On the viewer analysis chart in the bottom right corner, the proportion of foreign viewers entering the channel was not just high—it was exceptionally high.
‘It’s uncertain whether this is good or bad.’
It’s often said that iTube’s algorithm is beyond anyone’s understanding. This is true even for veteran streamers. The mysterious iTube algorithm seemed to lead people to this video today. It wasn’t the viewers who found the video; it was the video that found them. No one searched for this video.
These were all catchphrases showing how unpredictable the algorithm was. Simplifying it to the extreme, it might seem like it recommends videos that people like and continue to watch, but the core principle behind iTube’s operation wasn’t that straightforward.
『Lee Gunyung』: What’s going on? I just woke up, and why are there so many foreigners?
『Han Jimin』: Boss, I think we need to figure out the exact reason for this.
『Sojun』: If the algorithm is starting to recommend more towards foreign viewers, isn’t that problematic?
『Han Jimin』: Probably. But I doubt we have enough influence to disrupt the algorithm, so there must be another reason.
『Lee Gunyung』: Maybe one of the viewers is promoting it? Lots of foreign viewers came to yesterday’s stream because of the sparring ground, didn’t they?
“Is that so?”
Fortunately, it didn’t seem to be a serious issue. In fact, there might even be an opportunity here. Sojun also began to ponder along with them. He hadn’t planned to completely disengage just because he left everything to them.
『Han Jimin』: A community, maybe?
『Lee Gunyung』: The influx is too great to be just some community promotion. It’s almost like when we posted collaboration videos with Alpaca.
Ah.
Sojun thought he might know the reason. There was only one place that had recently started promoting his channel.
Sojun accessed MubiSoft’s official account and played the teaser video he had checked yesterday.
“It was this.”
As he scrolled down to the comment section, there was a pinned comment linking Sojun’s video prominently.
Sojun informed them of this fact.
『Lee Gunyung』: Whoa, amazing! Haha.
『Lee Gunyung』: Is this the standard of our channel? For the official account to do that much for us.
『Han Jimin』: The overseas market on iTube is huge, so this is definitely a good thing. We should consider getting English subtitles.
They seemed excited. Sojun watched their capable channel management, chiming in occasionally. When it came to iTube, they were more knowledgeable than he was.
However, he received an email from MubiSoft. The email proposed rewriting the contract and included subtitle files for the iTube videos.
“Huh.”
The slightly amusing part was that MubiSoft explained this gesture of goodwill in detail, and it all arose from a misunderstanding.
“But it’s all good.”
Even if unintended, the outcome was a win-win.
“They even provided contacts for subtitle production… and they’ll cover all the costs?”
Though the amount wasn’t large, it was still a generous gesture. They also increased the advertising revenue by 50%.
Sojun shared the good news with the editors. He spent a long time chatting before Han Jimin brought up a surprising topic in a private message.
『Han Jimin』: Boss, you’re likely to receive advertisement offers soon. Wouldn’t you need a manager?
『Jin Sojun』: A manager?
As he pondered, it dawned on Sojun that he hadn’t given any thought to having a manager. Until now, the household chores and various advice from Taewoo had sufficed.
‘I suppose I will need one in the future.’
Especially for filtering out or negotiating advertisements.
『Han Jimin』: Yes. I’ve had some experience as a manager. Since BrickRobber-nim is busy creating thumbnails, I wanted to help in whatever way I could.
‘Ownership, indeed. But a thumbnail?’ Ah. Sojun realized he hadn’t paid Gunyung separately for designing thumbnails while entrusting him with everything on iTube.
Why did Lee Gunyung take on additional work without a word? After telling Han Jimin they’d discuss it later, Sojun called Lee Gunyung.
“BrickRobberKing-nim.”
“Yes, hyung.”
“About the thumbnails.”
“Ah, hyung!”
“Yes.”
Lee Gunyung interrupted him urgently and spoke enthusiastically.
“I’ll just do the thumbnails free of charge!”
“Why?”
“Because I’m not as skilled as nuna, and I just want to contribute, even with small things. Plus, I enjoy making them.”
“Ah.”
Hearing that made Sojun appreciate how well he had chosen his people. Generally, some would become complacent or slack off when given a good position. But Han Jimin and Lee Gunyung were different.
They demonstrated willingness to help with unnecessary tasks, showing their eagerness to work with Sojun.
‘I was lucky.’
Even though he made sure to confirm they were good people before making contracts, understanding a person truly was not easy. He chose well.
“And I’m worried that paying me might cause bankruptcy, hehe.”
“Don’t worry about that.”
“Just kidding. Anyway, aren’t we the So Labor Department?”
So Labor Department? What’s that?
“Anyway, if you need payment for the thumbnails, feel free to let me know.”
“Yes, goodbye.”
“Goodbye, BrickRobberKing-nim.”
“Ah, really, hyung…”
*Click.*
Sojun ended the call and searched online for the meaning of So Labor Department. It turned out to be a newly coined term with ‘Labor Department’ attached to a streamer’s name, referring to those who work as video editors or thumbnail creators.
It seemed that combining his name with the Labor Department resulted in the So Labor Department.
“That’s what it means!”
Indeed, new words were tricky. “Well then, let’s head out!”
Today was the day for additional tests.
***
“It’s always amazing to watch those movements,” said Oh Jihye, the head of the Surface Research Institute, as she peered at the screen.
“It really is impressive!”
Oh Jihye glanced at the new researcher who had approached her side.
“I told you.”
“Please don’t look at it that way. Anyone would have a hard time understanding the Boss at first. I mean, who would accept someone suddenly lending such an expensive thing for the streaming competition for free?”
True enough.
Oh Jihye nodded in agreement.
Then she turned her head back to the screen.
“Well, with skills like that, if he has the will, he should be able to earn money one way or another in virtual reality. Don’t you think so?”
The free lending for the streaming competition was a bait.
A lure to draw people back into this world.
But she hadn’t anticipated that the streamer would be such a good fit.
“Indeed. I’ve watched him a few times, and it’s entertaining. It feels like a new concept of skill streaming. You do know what that person did in the past, don’t you? Even Lee Dongsu was asking about that streamer earlier, and Shin Hayun seemed curious too.”
“Stop being interested. You can’t see customer information anyway, nor should you disclose it. If you act like you know them again, I’ll stop you midway. You were about to spill everything, weren’t you?”
“I’m sorry!”
“You get excited just because you saw a famous athlete.”
“Ha ha, well then, I’ll be off.”
Sensing that his superior’s nagging was about to worsen, he hurried out of the lab.
With indifference, Oh Jihye turned back to operate the screen, beginning Sojun’s next test.
Sojun was now facing all sorts of situations.
The surrounding environment suddenly changed from a blazing desert to being buried in arctic glaciers within a blink, feeling strong gravitational acceleration or being tossed into space.
The test, which threw him into extreme situations, primarily aimed to assess the test subject’s physical reactions under stress.
Mostly, people who wanted to reduce virtual reality access restrictions, particularly athletes, came to this lab for the test.
Surface increased the access times for those who passed this test.
Of course, this wasn’t relevant to Sojun.
‘It’s something unavoidable.’
As he floated in space, Sojun thought.
Soon, the surrounding space, like descending tectonic plates, seemed to pull Sojun in.
The immense pressure crushed Sojun.
*Paahh*
As bright lights shone, releasing him from the pressure, Sojun found himself standing in a stark white room.
『Ah, Sojun-nim, your test is now over. Please come out.』
‘It’s over.’
‘That was dull.’
After coming out of the capsule, Sojun opened the door and crossed over to the room where Oh Jihye was.
Standing beside her, Sojun patiently waited while she examined the data.
Oh Jihye spoke up.
“Fortunately, your responses haven’t changed compared to before. In fact, they seem to have improved. You’re really calm, aren’t you?”
“Having experienced it once, it has to improve.”
“That applies only to you, Sojun-nim. Since there were no issues in the other tests, just come once a month for a check-up, okay?”
“If there’s an issue, the capsule will block it and send a message, right?”
“Yes, but please come.”
*Sigh.*
“Understood. Thank you.”
“Is the same date next month possible?”
“Yes.”
“Great. See you next month then.”
Sojun bid farewell and left the lab.
He had to head home, which he found bothersome.
‘Damn it.’
‘Should I just skip the stream today… as if.’
Skipping the stream just because he was feeling lazy was a difficult thing for someone as diligent as him, with memories from his past life.
If something critically important awaited his viewers, he might consider taking a break.
With a smile, Sojun stepped out of the lab.
However, someone was waiting for him at the entrance.
“Seeing you again in the morning, and now at a different place than the gym, it’s nice.”
It was the pro-gamer, Lee Dongsu.
“Why are you here?”
“It’s our team’s regular check-up day.”
‘Ah.’
This was a lab, after all.
It wasn’t a customer service center or a hospital.
Yet, with top-notch facilities and technicians, regular check-ups for pro athletes took place here.
Naturally, they tried to accommodate people at once during check-ups, and since Sojun came on the day Oh Jihye had called him, it wasn’t surprising that their schedules overlapped.
“Right after hearing from the instructor that you were coming, I was waiting to have lunch together. By the way, Hayun-nuna wanted me to say hello on her behalf—have you two met before?”
“No.”
“Really? That’s odd. She seemed very happy to hear about you.”
“No, we haven’t.”