A Swordsman’s Stream

Chapter 66

Day 8 of the Battlefield.

An area of the Unorthodox Faction was captured by an attack from the Orthodox Faction, but the Unorthodox seemed to have anticipated this and captured an area from the Orthodox Faction in return.

Day 9.

Both the Unorthodox and Orthodox Factions regained the areas they had lost.

It felt like a light jab was exchanged between them.

There were signs that the real Battlefield was about to commence.

Meanwhile, in the Demonic Cult, nothing had happened. Just as before, those who defended continued to defend, and those who attacked continued their assaults. Indeed, there were no changes.

The rankers of the Demonic Cult, as if following the motto “2nd Place Please”, were conserving their strength, or so they had mentioned to Sojun. The credibility of this was dubious.

It seemed like neither the Orthodox nor the Unorthodox Factions were paying much attention to the Demonic Cult.

“Wait, what? The capsule you’re using is borrowed?”

Taewoo’s eyes widened as he ran on the treadmill.

“And you’re aiming to win at LoS to get that capsule as a prize?”

“Yeah.”

“And that capsule you’re using is the latest high-end model, right?”

“That’s right.”

“Wow. That’s crazy. Can they just lend such an expensive thing to a mere streamer? It’s not like there’s a rental service! Can a company really do that? Isn’t it preferential treatment?”

“It’s the company’s decision. If you’re unhappy, don’t enter virtual reality and go protest.”

Try boycotting it.

“… It’s not that serious. I guess they could lend it.”

He thought as much.

If he was going to back down so quickly, he shouldn’t have brought it up in the first place.

“But why exactly?”

Hmm. Had he not mentioned it before?

“Because I have a unique constitution.”

Sojun stopped the treadmill.

“Yeah. What kind of unique constitution?”

Ah, right. He might not have mentioned it despite having been a streamer for quite some time.

Sojun explained the circumstances to Taewoo.

“Oh, so that’s what happened. Wait, then what you said about using a capsule before is true? Until now, I just thought it was one of those tall tales you often tell.”

Taewoo also stopped running and gulped down water.

“When have I ever told tall tales?”

“You do it all the time. So, what was your old username?”

“And what if you know?”

“I’m curious. Weren’t you exceptionally good back then as well?”

“No, I wasn’t good back then.”

“Impossible. I bet you were as consistent back in middle school or even elementary school.”

Whatever the consistency refers to, it made him feel irritated for some reason.

“Anyway, if you don’t win LoS, you’ll have to buy the capsule. Are you going to quit streaming then?”

“No.”

“Oh. Surprising. Didn’t you say you can’t do without the new model? Are you really going to spend that money?”

It was a decision he had made long ago.

“If I have to, I will. What else can I do?”

Sojun spoke without much concern.

“Wow. Is this the dignity of a streamer with 8,000 viewers? You’ve almost caught up to me.”

A mid-tier streamer’s minimum standard is having at least 10,000 regular viewers. However, Taewoo was among the top in that category. Thus, saying Sojun had caught up was a bit misleading. In terms of regular viewers, Sojun was still halfway there.

“Stop talking nonsense. Anyway, there’ll be limits coming soon. I need to think about what to do.”

LoS would begin two weeks after the Battlefield ended. He wanted to increase his viewer count as much as possible by then.

“Well, at your level, you can probably enter LoS.”

“But I still don’t have 10,000 viewers.”

Most mid-tier streamers with 10,000 viewers who apply are usually accepted. Even though they’re called mid-tier, there aren’t that many in reality.

“Yeah, I guess it would be a bit depressing if you couldn’t even attempt and ended up buying a capsule worth over 100 million.”

Failing after trying was one thing, but being deprived of the opportunity to try was something he despised.

“I need to minimize the possibility of failure.”

“That’s true.”

Sojun leaned against the front part of the treadmill and surveyed the gym interior. He noticed someone exercising with conspicuously large movements and loud grunts.

“However, why did he turn out like that?”

Taewoo also leaned against it and watched.

“Right? He really seemed to hate coming here at first.”

“Yeah, he did.”

“And that’s partly your fault. You kept calling him to the ring.”

“That’s also true.”

The person in question was No. 1 Swordsman Under Heaven he had met in reality. At some point, he had become crazily obsessed with fitness and was diligently lifting weights alongside other muscular men around him.

“One! Two! Three! Four! Five!”

“That’s it! That’s how it’s done! The young fellow has great form.”

Sojun clicked his tongue at the scene.

Martial arts, or Mu (武), isn’t something achieved through training like that.

“So, mu (武) traditionally refers to…”

“Shut it, you old geezer. I’ve heard that from you since high school.”

“… Alright.”

Had it been like this before?

Sojun did not remember, but he agreed.

“So, what are you going to do with the viewers? Even the Battlefield buff has its limits, right?”

“Well, that’s true.”

To call it a limit was ambiguous.

The viewers that had increased through the Battlefield were far more than expected. They would probably continue to increase. However, seeing ten thousand people in front of him, he was tempted to safely participate in LoS.

Who knew how it would turn out? If he had been told a year ago that he would be streaming like this now and enjoying it, would he have even believed it?

“Ah! I think I’ve got a foolproof method.”

“What?”

“Create a controversy on purpose. Snipe at a famous streamer and throw insults.”

“?”

“Then, getting 30,000 viewers is possible. Seriously.”

Of course. His friend was not in his right mind.

Sojun sighed.

“Or just quit the Battlefield and do a penalty right away. If you do that, a live stream with 50,000 viewers seems achievable. Come to think of it, what are you even worried about? Right, brother? Or sister?”

Didn’t they realize how serious that was?

* * *

Sojun had moved away from Taewoo, who was spewing nonsense.

In the ring, Lee Dongsu was facing off against another athlete.

“Why did you come this way? Shoo, shoo.”

The gym coach gestured to Sojun, who had approached, starting to show caution.

“The friend you brought and tormented for a while is exercising there now, so quickly head over there.”

Why were they trying so hard to drive him away?

Sojun displayed an expression of disbelief.

“I just came to watch.”

“Really? You’re just going to watch, right? Hmm?”

“Well, what else can I do besides watch?”

The coach’s face changed to one similar to Sojun’s, and he spoke words mixed with slight injustice and regret.

“Thrashed an athlete.”

“?”

“Then beat up a fan.”

“….”

“Called the guy you beat up and beat him again.”

“No….”

“Hung around the side giving unsolicited advice, and when they got upset, beat them again.”

Had it been like that?

“I don’t think it was that severe.”

He really did not think there was a need to put on a serious face.

“Are you even human?”

“Where would you find an ordinary person like me? When was I ever so violent?”

“Wow… Seriously. You!”

The coach grabbed Sojun by the collar.

And right then, Lee Dongsu finished sparring and came down.

“Is something going on?”

“It’s nothing. And Sojun, whatever you plan to do, please take it easy. You understand?”

A sniffling sound was heard.

Hmm. They must be going through some tough times lately.

Sojun guessed there was some story behind it and let it go, while Lee Dongsu removed his headgear and approached him.

“Hyung, did you know?”

Sojun stepped back a little, worried about getting sweat on him.

“What?”

“I’m also in the Battlefield.”

“Really? Which faction?”

“I was originally with Green Forest, but I followed you to the Demonic Cult.”

“Did you have to?”

“….”

Was that not the reaction he expected?

“What’s your nickname?”

“Bandit King.”

“Then just stay with the Unorthodox Faction.”

“Well…”

What was the reason he chose the Demonic Cult?

It must have been because of the nickname.

After all, your nickname and concept had to match.

“Well, the folks in the Demonic Cult do have some bandit traits. It might suit you?”

Indeed.

Come to think of it, in his past life, the Demonic Cult was no different from bandits. They were just stronger because of Martial Techniques and more cohesive due to the cult leader’s sway, but fundamentally they were no different from thieves.

“Haha, I see… Ah. Please keep my identity a secret. It’s my sub-character.”

“Sub-character?”

He had heard about it.

Professionals were exceptionally given an additional account with a capsule. They could even request to create up to three.

“Interesting. Got it.”

“The second account is nice because it lets me play or practice without any pressure. By the way, hyung, how many Reputation Points have you gathered?”

“I haven’t checked, so I don’t know.”

“Really? The ranker hyung I know predicted you would have the most.”

“Who knows?”

Many speculated Sojun had amassed an extraordinary amount of Reputation Points because all of his actions were exposed.

So far, he had finished most games at a higher level than simply dominating lower-skilled players, setting unprecedented records in raids.

This was enough to raise him as a subject of caution among the rankers.

“They’re saying not to be too complacent.”

“What?”

“The contribution scores are made public right after today’s Battlefield, right?”

“That’s right.”

It was a system designed to encourage rivalry among top rankers.

Such features made things exciting.

“And the next day, the game mode is a duel, so they say things could get overturned.”

“Ah, I know.”

“Oh, really? I was going to tell you in case you didn’t know, but I’m glad you’re aware.”

Up to now, he had played the game somewhat recklessly, though not entirely without preparation.

In truth, he felt a bit wronged.

“Tomorrow, only the contribution remains capped at four rounds, but you can continue to earn Reputation Points, right?”

“Yes.”

It was ruthless.

Showing how far behind one had fallen, or how far ahead others had progressed before offering a chance to overturn it.

However, effectively using the ability to continue playing was challenging.

As it was expected to match with opponents of similar skill levels.

“I am researching it all, though.”

“I suppose.”

Lee Dongsu nodded in understanding.

“It feels unpleasant.”

“No, it’s not.”

“But where did you meet that hyung?”

“Oh, I’ve become friends with some people through gaming. Why?”

“No reason, just didn’t see you in the faction chat room.”

Sojun recalled the notoriously pitiful chat room of the Demonic Cult.

‘2nd Place Please.’

In any case, it seemed like there was no user named ‘Bandit King’ there.

“Did that exist?”

He simply didn’t know about it.

“Hold on, I’ll invite you to the Demonic Cult’s faction chat room.”

“Sure.”

Sojun invited Lee Dongsu to the faction chat room.

“Hey, why is this chat room name like this? Is it really a place where rankers gather?”

Unfortunately, it was.

『2nd Place Please』

-Newcomer
-Aren’t you a ranker? Welcome.
-It’s Unorthodox? Welcome.
-You’ve never played the field before? Welcome.
-Anyway, welcome. Even if you’re a spy, welcome.

Although he hadn’t engaged much in conversation, he felt inexplicably embarrassed.

“Hmm… maybe I should just leave.”

Lee Dongsu muttered seriously.

Perhaps his affection dwindled quickly.

“Why? It’s nice that they’re welcoming.”

“Seriously?”

“No.”

Sojun curtly replied. Honestly, it looked pathetic.

Nonetheless, despite this and that, Lee Dongsu soon adapted to the atmosphere.

He was a sociable high school boy after all.

– Bandit King bows to the seniors of the Demonic Cult!
– Glad to have you here, the great Mountain!
– Why the Great Mountain? Anyway, nice to meet you.
-Why so late?
-I didn’t know such a chat room existed as it’s my first time playing this field. But I’ve been accumulating Reputation Points steadily from the outset, so don’t worry.
-Nobody is worried. As long as you enjoy the game as part of the Demonic Cult, we are satisfied.
-Sure.

It seemed he lacked mental fortitude.

-By the way, how much is the contribution score and Reputation Points of the Heavenly Demon-nim?
-I’m curious about that
-Is there anyone higher?
-It’ll be revealed today. Just wait.

It seemed that there was a lot of interest in his contribution score from various corners.

To divert the topic, Sojun sent a message in the chat.

-Are we not attacking today either?
-No.
-We must defend.
-What if the enemies attack?
-We can’t attack…
-We are conserving strength.
-Everything is for second place!
-…