MCN?
The apartnt where reporter Shin Hyerim lived.
After safely completing the interview, she exited the capsule. But the work was not yet over.
"Yes, master sergeant."
A call ca through the mont the broadcast ended. Normally, fatigue would turn to irritation, but this ti was different.
〈Reporter Shin, good job!〉
"No, it's nothing! But, this is a special scoop, right?"
The master sergeant had also been monitoring the interview. Responding to his excited tone, Shin Hyerim replied in an uplifted voice.
〈Of course! I'll push this, no matter what, to the editor. I'll ask to get this run as the main article, not just in our team's section.〉
"Really!?"
Shin Hyerim's body trembled with excitent.
taGar site covers various fields, not only virtual reality but also mobile, old-fashioned PC, and console sections.
The influencer section was one of those.
But both Shin Hyerim and the master sergeant judged that this interview was not simply an article to go into a section.
〈Ha, I thought I'd never have a main article again...〉
The main page of taGar—if it were a newspaper, the front page. Where the most important news goes.
Only once had the influencer team published a main article on the page, usually filled with mainstream virtual reality ga news.
〈This one is more than enough! It was live, and honestly, it was even more fun than the D'Artagnan interview.〉
That very article had been an interview with 'D'Artagnan,' the leading figure among successful strears. But after seeing this interview, the master sergeant was sure.
〈And with NewtonLord making an appearance...! Anyway, good work. The article is done, so it only needs to be approved. That's all!〉
"Ah, yes! Thank you!"
Even after the call ended, Shin Hyerim's excitent lingered. With anticipation, she opened taGar's main page.
'I want to see the reaction quickly...!'
* * *
The main page of the webzine 'taGar'.
[Coincidence or Omission? 〈MapleStory〉 Probability Manipulation Allegation AGAIN]
['Falling for this again, rookie?' 〈Bloodline W〉, complete Gacha with Only a Na Change]
[〈Bio Crisis〉 Announces Difficulty Downgrade Update.]
Amid major dostic and international news, a rather odd-looking thumbnail article appeared.
[〈First Live Interview!〉 eting the 'Perfect' One. With a dash of 'NewtonLord'.]
As expected of an influencer section article, the title grabbed attention. Along with it, the view count began to rise.
[-First comnt, then watching]
[-A strear article on the main?]
[-Is news that scarce now]
[-taGar's form is gone, phew]
The earliest comnts carried a negative nuance. They hadn't read the article at all; they just comnted first.
But the comnts that followed were different.
[-Who is Purple?]
[-The interview was live? Such boldness?]
[-Ah! You don't know Godple! The broadcast is se-ri-ous-ly fun.]
[-Ugh, so frustrating just reading the article, Lol]
Comnts gradually accumulated.
Though the entire interview transcript was written like a shorthand record, people began to watch the video.
[-Ah! This strear was the one who saw Bark's true ending.]
[na: Is that the one on the main article?]
[na: Yes, seems right]
[na: But why isn't the na listed on the main article?]
[na: Because people yell about "viral,"
LOL]
[na: This is Purple's viral marketing]
[na: Crazy, Lol, it's an interview, how is it viral?!]
[-The one who turned Mystic League into the Leaf Village, hul]
[na: Yeah, got tired after all the Yami ga matches, so I stopped for a while]
[na: But Perfect Yami was really insane]
[na: Admitted, Lol]
[-It's great they got NewtonLord, but putting that in the title is a bit...]
[na: Maybe because it's the influencer team, the title is serious clickbait, Lol]
[na: Why so defensive? Are you from Sagwadan?]
[na: LOL, can't resist comnting]
[na: Let watch till the end and then comnt, lol]
People watched the video in real-ti as they left comnts. Thanks to this, the comnts proliferated rapidly as ti went by.
[-The strear hasn't even been at it for a month?]
[na: For real, the growth rate is insane, Lol]
[na: Cried once and beca top-tier imdiately]
[na: What kind of fast growth!]
[na: Recruited at the scene of a dolcrete (hard-concrete) incident]
[-What's with saying all gas were easy;;;]
[na: That's a bait king of a concept, Lol]
[na: ?]
[na: That's not a concept, lmao]
[na: Fact) It really was easy.]
[-Viewers showing off in chat is hilarious LOL]
[na: For real, these people live for the quips, Lol]
[na: Ah, that's what being a Pur-View is all about.]
[na: Asking about underwear color is the sa everywhere, Lol]
Then, suddenly, comnts exploded.
There was only one reason.
[-Wait, what, is NewtonLord for real?]
[na: What, imdiately dropping 5 million won?]
[na: Waah, Lol]
[na: The title wasn't clickbait after all, Lol]
[na: So that's why it made the main page]
The appearance of NewtonLord.
Though only in text, you could feel the surge of emotion in the comnts.
[-Wow... the coaching is insane]
[na: At first, I thought it was just a money grab, but it's really worth it]
[na: At first, it seed like he was just quickly grabbing money, but it got better and better]
The comnt section soon overflowed with praise.
[-anwhile, why is his voice so nice?]
[na: If Godple were a school teacher, harvard admissions would be guaranteed]
[na: LOL, that's why I didn't get into Harvard]
[na: Even the reporter is hypnotized]
[na: But the gods are fair. If he was also good looking, damn]
[na: Just in case, I'll take my shot]
[-Paying 1 million won for coaching from Purple vs spending 1 million on gacha in MapleStory]
[na: Isn't this totally unbalanced, Lol]
[na: For real, a no-brainer]
[na: Why are you dragging MapleStory into this?]
[na: -Maple-]
[-Where can I see the NewtonLord-sponsored video?]
[na: There's always a pinkf (let others do it) guy everywhere]
[na: Dude, the Purple channel link is right above the comnts]
[na: It's bait, don't feed them]
Every ti the page was refreshed, dozens more comnts appeared.
Soon, as the interview concluded, viewers finished watching and added more comnts.
[-I was going to bash because he's not even at D'Artagnan level but I'm reflecting.]
[na: Seriously, I ca to hate but changed my mind, Lol]
[na: Even the D'Artagnan article was because of fandom, Lol]
[na: So many fun monts in this interview, Lol]
[na: Live interview—maybe it's even better?]
[-It's hard to believe he's really a new strear]
[na: If he's at this level without even a month, he'll be worth a trillion won in the future]
[na: LOL, why are you talking market cap, Lol]
[na: Can I buy Purple Coin now?]
[na: Of course, it's King Electron Asset, lol]
[-He'll get love calls like crazy]
[na: Seriously, all the MCNs are flipping out now]
[na: Where will he go?]
[na: Probably DirtBox]
Even at this late hour, the view count's growth gathered steam.
* * *
Geno read the article, smiling. At the end of his broadcast, viewers had told him that Purple's story was up.
"He really is living up to his na."
Not the strear Purple, but Lee Gyeongbok—the na aning "sergeant and blessing."
Geno felt satisfied at his cherished junior's success.
But soon, his expression hardened. It was because of a call that ca with a vibration.
"Yes, master Sergeant Byeon."
〈Ah, is this a good ti?〉
"Yes, well. I've finished my broadcast."
Geno's shows start in the evening and end at dawn. So, honestly, it wasn't the best ti for a call.
'I can guess the purpose, more or less.'
Geno slightly furrowed his glabella.
〈Yes, the reason is...〉
"If you're calling to ask to arrange a eting with Purple, I'll have to refuse."
He decided to go on the offensive.
The caller was the creator partnership master sergeant at 'Volock Korea', the MCN Geno belonged to.
This person generally handled creator recruitnt and managent.
〈I knew you'd get right to the point! Your business instincts are superb.〉
But the other side didn't give up easily. Despite the blunt rejection, he tried to switch up the mood by complinting Geno.
"No matter how much you praise , my decision won't change."
〈Hmm, is there sothing you're dissatisfied with on our end?〉
"No, nothing particular."
〈Then...〉
"That said, it's not like I'd actively recomnd you either."
It was sothing only a strear of Geno's level could say. An uncomfortable silence followed.
"To be frank, you're trying to approach Purple now so you can recruit him before his price jumps, right?"
〈Yes, that's right.〉
"I understand. Every company wants to recruit good talent at a low cost. But for to get involved, it ans sothing else."
〈Sothing else?〉
"Master sergeant, you know I keep distance from strears in the sa agency, right?"
〈Yes, I know.〉
"But Purple is different. I want to keep a personal relationship with him. I don't want to complicate it unnecessarily."
The master sergeant already knew how strictly Geno maintained his personal boundaries. He couldn't help but be surprised.
〈I understand what you an. I don't think we'd do anything disrespectful to Purple, but...〉
"I'm not so sure about that. If you're trying other routes of approach, you should prepare well."
〈Prepare?〉
"Yes. That guy's not as naive as he looks. If you try to lowball his price, you might end up burning the bridge completely."
An audible gulp ca through the phone.
〈... So what should we be aiming for?〉
"Rember my signing bonus?"
Normally, regular strears wouldn't get a bonus. But top-tier strears were different.
〈Of course! I approved it myself. You got 100 million for the first contract, and 30 million for each renewal. So we should prepare that much...?〉
"No."
Geno cut him off firmly. The master sergeant quickly added, realizing his mistake.
〈Ah, apologies. But treating him on par with you is a bit...〉
But once again, he failed to read Geno's intent.
"If that's your plan, don't even try."
〈Pardon?〉
To Geno, Lee Gyeongbok was worth far more than that.
"You'll need to prepare several tis that amount if you want to avoid problems."
* * *
The next day.
Team Perfect—the three friends—gathered in one place. But it wasn't their usual favorite cafe.
"What's with the sudden tuna?"
"Hey, hey, you gotta celebrate when sothing good happens."
In front of them was a platter of crimson tuna gilded with gold flakes.
Choi Byeonghun had reserved a table at an upscale tuna place during yesterday's broadcast.
"It's dayti, so let's skip the alcohol and toast with soda."
Choi Byeonghun grinned as he poured drinks. Once all three friends had their glasses filled, he raised his up.
"To 500K subscriptions on the Purple channel! Cheers!"
"Well done."
"Nice job, everyone."
The three clinked glasses with smiles.
After the interview broadcast and article, the Q-tube channel surpassed 500,000 subscribers.
Choi Byeonghun had noticed the trend during the broadcast and preemptively arranged a celebratory company dinner.
"Tuna paid by NewtonLord, let's try it out!"
Choi Byeonghun joked as he wrapped tuna with seaweed. The others snickered.
They started their al.
"Madman was invited, but said it was too much pressure and didn't co."
"Really? Sha, would've been nice to see him."
"He says his daily routine is similar to yours. Waking up early must be hard."
At Park Juho's words, Choi Byeonghun nodded in agreent.
"Then send him a gifticon later. He's a stakeholder, can't just forget him."
"Wow, even providing irregular worker benefits, boss."
"Whatever."
After so laughter, a touched expression appeared on Choi Byeonghun's face.
"Man, it feels like just yesterday we hit 100K and now it's already 500K."
"It wasn't really yesterday, it was about two weeks ago."
"Damn, saying it that way, it feels weirdly emotional."
"It was bound to happen with the flow."
At Lee Gyeongbok's question, Choi Byeonghun waved his hands.
"Don't be ridiculous. The growth wasn't all that smooth."
"Huh? Why?"
"I told you before. Early on, most of our subscribers were foreign."
Park Juho wiped his mouth with a napkin and chipped in.
"We haven't had a video with subtitles since Bark. That's why foreign subscribers were leaving."
"But the subscriber count still increased more than that, didn't it?"
"That's true, but it's not just simple math like that."
Choi Byeonghun grimaced as he poked his pickled radish.
"This damn algorithm does its thing. Even if total subscribers grow, if you lose people, the algorithm treats that as a variable. I don't know the details, but the channel's popularity probably drops."
"That could negatively affect video exposure."
"That, in the worst case. Or maybe it's a natural shakeout."
Lee Gyeongbok nodded at his friends' words.
"So the foreign subs left and were replaced by Korean subs, reducing dead weight?"
"Yeah."
"Then it's nothing to worry about. We aren't making the channel for foreigners anyway."
Lee Gyeongbok shrugged.
After they ate their fill, dessert arrived.
"Let's get down to the main agenda."
"Ha... Can't we rest a bit? I'm too full."
"You're just listening anyway. Gyeongbok will decide."
Park Juho glared at Choi Byeonghun, then turned to Lee Gyeongbok.
"There are a lot of collab requests, probably due to the Elden Soul announcent."
"Collaborations?"
"The collaboration with Geno was popular. Maybe they want that kind of vibe."
Lee Gyeongbok furrowed his glabella at those words.
"Not a fan. Doing spontaneous collabs with strangers feels weird."
"I feel the sa. Those are obvious straws."
Choi Byeonghun raised his hand in agreent.
"Just offer a soft rejection. Say you haven't even grasped the ga yet, so collabs are out for now."
"Got it. I'll handle that. Next is the MCN offers."
"MCN? Are those startups still being clingy?"
At Choi Byeonghun's question, Park Juho shook his head.
"No, this ti it's from bigger nas."
"Big?"
Instead of answering, Park Juho projected a hologram of the email.
"DirtBox, talent Hunter, volock..."
"Wow... Those are really big nas."
Even still digesting, Choi Byeonghun sat up in surprise.
"They're that big?"
"They don't just have Q-tubers or strears, but also celebrities."
"Celebrities?"
"These days, even celebrities are on Q-tube."
Lee Gyeongbok opened his mouth slightly, but lost interest.
"Hm, it's nice to be recognized, but nothing's appealing. Do we even need an MCN contract now?"
The friends exchanged glances. Park Juho spoke first.
"I don't think so. No matter what the signing bonus, we don't need urgent cash."
Details would be available only after a eting. Park Juho continued seriously.
"And the bigger the signing bonus, the stricter the contract will be. The agency will be eager to recoup it."
"Not to ntion, it feels a bit early."
Choi Byeonghun chid in.
"The channel's grown and the loyal audience is forming. Now we need to solidify our core. With an MCN, broadcasts might get too businesslike, and that's not great."
"With no disagreents, let's just reject and keep focusing on the channel."
Lee Gyeongbok smiled, and the others grinned too.
"Yeah, you're not lacking anything. Let them dig the well on their own."
"They're the ones getting desperate. Your value will only go up. There's plenty of ti to reconsider."
At that, Lee Gyeongbok's smile deepened.
Even without an MCN, trustworthy friends were at his side.
* * *
Strear Purple's broadcast ti approached.
― Why are there so many people, O m g.
-5,000 waiting!
― Big corporate-level broadcast, Lol
― No more small-ti Purple!
― Hands up if you ca after seeing ta!
Even before the show began, more than 5,000 viewers were waiting. The chat window was lively even on a blank screen.
But the intro soon started, and viewers focused.
"Trha!"
With Lee Gyeongbok's cheerful greeting, the chat window scrolled rapidly.
― Perha!
― Q-ha!
― Ten million coach! Ten million coach! Ten million coach!
― Million dollar strear, hul
-5252! [Per][fect] coaching is expensive!
Donations started pouring in simultaneously.
['No500,000' has donated 50,000 KRW.]
[Today, donations are definitely possible!]
['1in500K' has donated 50,000 KRW.]
[Congrats on Purple channel 500K subscription!]
['YesterdayEnlightened' has donated 10,000 KRW.]
[I'm the underwear viewer you enlightened yesterday. Oh, no panty plan?]
['MinchoDan'sRage' has donated 5,000 KRW.]
[Mint chocolate is NOT toothpaste!]
Lee Gyeongbok smiled and thanked them. After interacting with the flood of donations and chatting a bit—
Viewer count surpassed 7,000.
"Thank you everyone for the donations! At this rate, I'll spend the whole stream just thanking everyone."
― First half stream content: thanking donors, Lol
― This is karma! You should have enabled donations more often.
― Can't donate during yesterday's interview, so even more fired up today.
― If you say "don't donate," viewers will just donate more...
― If you say don't, don't!
― NA strawing! Get lost!
Lee Gyeongbok waved his hands.
"Just kidding. You can't expect soone to change overnight from one coaching session. He's probably practicing diligently. Anyway, that's enough donations, let's start the ga!"
He finished the settings and launched the ga. Instantly, the surroundings went dark.
― Oooooooooh
― It's starting!
― Godple's Kingden Soul, hul
― Q-ha!
― I'll clap the slate~
― Mr! Step into fra, you're in the shot!
― Crazy ga ets crazy strear, lol
The viewers focused, full of anticipation.
A chilly wind blew as the production logo appeared on the black screen.
[FROM STUDIO]
Brilliant white gothic text.
Simple, yet a na etched in gars' mories worldwide.
The white letters scattered like dust. A golden dawn swept away the darkness.
"Wow..."
Vast land, grand nature, and the declining kingdom in contrast.
Lee Gyeongbok gasped at the scene.
― Kyaa, gets hyped every ti
― Now that's a thrill LOL
― FromSoft is the real deal!
― Godple's just a gar at heart!
But the screen faded to black again.
〈It will break, and break again.〉
A narration followed.
― Huh?
― Ah, yeah
― Godple's got maximum imrsion settings
― Info) Protagonist uses the player's voice
― Wow, it fits him so well, dammit
― That's dope, Lol
Lee Gyeongbok was surprised but didn't overreact. He'd already been through this during Bio Crisis.
〈Though the flesh may be broken, the soul will endure.〉
Still, hearing such cheesy lines in his own voice was embarrassing.
With a deep resonance, orchestral background music began.
〈If you obtain the oldest soul—〉
A giant, a knight swirling with aura, hybrid abominations, decayed corpses—a rapid-fire slide show sped past.
'So these are my enemies.'
He quickly guessed these were so of the foes he'd face.
Vision went dark again.
〈The era of humans will co again.〉
A crack of golden light broke the darkness. Black fragnts fell away, forming the alphabet.
[Elden Soul]
That was the end of the opening.
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