Didn't I Definitely Send it for AS? (1)
Shortly after the broadcast ended.
Park Juho ca to Lee Gyeongbok's ho.
"How's your body?"
"Mm, nothing seems wrong."
As soon as he opened the door, Gyeongbok just shrugged at his friend's concern.
"You did get plenty of rest, right? You didn't go exercising just because the broadcast ended early?"
"...... What do you take for? I was lying on the bed completely still, almost fell asleep."
"Well, that's good then. You heard from Byeonghun too, right?"
"I did, but I told that jerk to just focus on editing if he was planning to co. If the viewers found out, they'd claim it was another Black Company move."
Gyeongbok said this with a playful grin. Juho gave a short laugh, then imdiately examined the brain scan.
"Can you tell sothing just by looking at that?"
"I checked the manual on the way here."
"...... You figured it out in that short ti?"
"Only the data-related part."
Park Juho didn't even look back as he worked the smart link. Gyeongbok clicked his tongue at his friend's diligence.
'Anyway, this guy's brain works best with this sort of stuff.'
If Gyeongbok and Choi Byeonghun were basically from arts and sports backgrounds, then Park Juho was definitely the traditional academic type.
"All right, I got it."
After a short while, juho stood up and went back to the living room. When he manipulated the smart link, a hologram of charts and graphs appeared.
"Uh... and what's all this?"
Seeing the sea of numbers and shapes, Gyeongbok seed overwheld and leaned back.
"This is the raw data asured by the brain scan."
"Raw?"
"Straight as it cos. If you separate this by ga, it looks like this."
With a gesture, the jumbled graphs fell neatly into order. Gyeongbok let out an impressed exclamation and patted his friend's shoulder lightly.
"Wow, that's pretty amazing."
"It's not that hard. Anyway, this is the computational load it ntioned in the ssage. See the spike in the graph here?"
"Yeah, I see it."
"If we play back the footage recorded at this point..."
With Juho's handling, the gaplay footage from that section started to play.
〈This... I might really fail this ti.〉
〈I'll focus now.〉
Gyeongbok's voice ca through clearly. Juho silently cross-referenced the sa points from different gas.
The result—
"Sotis you talk, other tis you don't."
"So you're saying the computational load increases when I focus?"
"That's right."
"Hmm..."
Gyeongbok wrinkled his nose.
'So this change happened each ti I used my spiritual energy.'
There were cases like that in other gas as well, but no warning ssage had appeared. Why did it show up this ti?
He quickly guessed the difference.
'In the boss fight against Aiden, there were a lot more graph spikes than usual.'
Because he faced an unprecedented threat, the use of spiritual energy was prolonged. As a result, a high state of computational load was maintained.
"Hmm... is there a solution for this?"
"That's the thing, nothing really ca up when I searched."
"Nothing?"
"There are literally zero reports of that ssage ever popping up. Of course, I only skimd the surface, so I can't be 100% sure."
"So you're saying you found nothing at all?"
Gyeongbok looked at his friend, dazed. But Juho's expression showed no trace of joking.
Not that he was the type to joke around anyway.
"Not only with the Reality model you're using, but even with other companies' machines, there have been no such cases."
"So... what now, then..."
"For now, I'm going to dig deeper and also look through so academic papers on the brain scan."
"Papers?"
Juho nodded as if that was only natural. Gyeongbok waved his hand.
"Hey, hey, why go as far as looking up academic papers? Why not just send it in for A/S? The manufacturer would know best, right?"
"True enough. But it's late today, so I'll call the service center when their business hours open tomorrow."
"Huh? You're going to do it?"
"A manager should handle these things."
With that, juho closed out the hologram.
"And I'll write up a notice about the break from streaming."
"A break? Why?"
"What do you an, why? We don't even have an accurate grasp on the situation yet—can't go live in this state."
"Still, wouldn't it be fine to just show the ending?"
"If we half-ass it, that's worse than not doing it at all. The viewers will understand. And even if they don't, as your manager, I won't let you do it."
Gyeongbok rolled his eyes for a mont, then nodded.
'Anyway, nothing feels ominous.'
His spiritual energy didn't sense any danger.
Maybe this was a sign that the problem would be solved quickly.
"Fine, then let's wait for the service center's reply tomorrow before deciding."
"Sounds good. I'll go look into those papers, then."
"No, you don't... Forget it, do as you please."
"Get so rest."
"Yeah. Go."
Once their business was done, juho left for ho without hesitation. If it had been Choi Byeonghun, he would've at least stayed for a beer.
Both his friends were definitely unique characters.
"Haa..."
Gyeongbok lay down on his bed and let out a short sigh.
Because the broadcast ended earlier than usual, everything felt a little off.
'Man, I've really beco a strear.'
He let out a self-mocking laugh.
He realized now that what he felt wasn't simply awkwardness.
'I want to stream.'
It was a kind of hunger.
Had he never started at all, it'd be different, but it felt like tasting food only to have it taken away.
'So... am I going to have to hold myself back from now on?'
Up until he fell asleep, Gyeongbok pondered the answer.
* * *
At the center of the Elden Soul community, elsota.
As always, after the broadcast ended, viewers flocked to the community.
[Elden's Top Sword is dead (812)]
[Is Pergalyang's Three Kingdoms Strategy Real? (671)]
[Short but Sweet Godple Broadcast, maybe Not Bad? (472)]
[What's with the Brain Scan Error? (271)]
Dominating the top posts was now a given. Those who missed the broadcast got the gist through these posts.
[The era of Elden's Top Sword is over.
Now it's the era of Elden's Only Sword!
(Clip)
(Clip)
(Clip)
(Clip)
(Clip)
(Clip)
(Clip)
...]
[-I freaked out at the title and then was even more shocked by the video, lolol]
[Lol for real, I thought even Godple was dead.]
[Title's pure clickbait, lolol]
[Aren't those stream snipers so of the well-known nas?]
[Yeah, lol, it's true]
[Everyone gathered over there, lol]
[Godple really put hardcore gars in their place]
[And Pergalyang, that was hilarious]
[But honestly, the reason for the stream snipe is kind of sad]
[Martial Arts Freshn, reflect on yourselves!]
[Wow, lol, how did he slip that up?]
[That's why he's the Only Sword!]
[Wow... That's really unique grade skill]
[What? Is the broadcast over already?]
[Yeah, it ended early today]
[Man, if I'd known, I'd have watched live]
[What about the brain scan?]
[Lol why is he angry when he didn't even watch it himself, lolol]
[How many videos are there, lolol that's insane]
[Lol, might as well just post the replay link]
[King, but... every mont was legendary, right?]
[Reported for the annoying way of speaking^^]
[-What the heck is Triple Crown!]
[Isn't it normal to challenge things one at a ti?]
[If he does what anyone else can do, he wouldn't be Elden's Only Sword, lol]
[Today's broadcast, ti to catch it on the branch channel]
[Full VOD up yet?]
[Not yet]
[Today's was short so the full VOD should be worth watching]
But what drew even more attention wasn't the gaplay. Ironically, despite being a gaming community, everyone was fixated on the 'warning' that Purple experienced.
[-Overload? What's that even an all of a sudden?]
[Lol, it's like a Rick Show or sothing]
[Did he fake it just to end the stream?]
[Stop calling everything fake!]
[Seriously, viral conspiracy guys and fake-conspiracy guys are the worst]
[Lol, is this so overload viral marketing?]
[Said not to do it, but of course they did it lolol]
[Crazy, lol, why viral with "overload"]
[-I've never seen a ssage like that, I swear as a community addict]
[Lol, look at that account level]
[Please, just leave!]
[Get a real life, old ghost...]
[Seriously though, this isn't an Elden Soul problem]
[Then is it a brain scan problem?]
[The manager outright said it was a brain scan issue]
[At this point it's not just reading comprehension, it's actual eyesight issues, lolol]
[-Looks like the brain scan can't keep up with the user]
[Lol, is that it? lol]
[No way... there IS!]
[Honestly, would be tough for the device to keep up with Godple's movents, lolol]
[-Which brand does Godple use?]
[Probably Reality, right?]
[Lol, never saw a strear who didn't use Reality]
[Poor noobs use the other brands]
[Lol why bring up being poor? Other brands doesn't make you low-class]
[Getting worked up, are you... HOXY?]
[Now they're even arguing about brain scan brands, lolol]
The Elden series has enough history that many experienced VR gars fill its community.
Still, none of them had ever seen such a ssage.
[-If it's a brain scan problem, isn't he taking another break tomorrow too?]
[Yeah, probably won't stream]
[Don't underestimate Reality. Their A/S is legendary]
[Reality hardly ever needs A/S to begin with, lol]
[Lol, never heard of anyone's Reality scan breaking]
[Does an Elden newb even have people around them?]
[Their friends are all online friends^^]
[Easy there, or the kid will cry, lol]
[Why are you laughing? Isn't that you?]
[-Why so worried? D'Artagnan isn't a joke, you know?]
[Why did D'Artagnan suddenly appear?]
[He's Reality's exclusive model, lol]
[D'Artagnan says not to flaunt it outside, but they always do]
[Check the order, lol. Reality's scans have nearly 80% of the market, so that's how they can use D'Artagnan as a model]
[Huh? It's that high?]
[I don't get how the rest fills the other 20% lol]
[Probably company staff from other manufacturers]
[Even they're probably using Reality, lol]
[-I've experienced A/S myself. Reality's service center is amazing]
[Why did it break? May I ask?]
[Don't ask for permission on the forum, that's annoying]
[Hurry up and tell the story, seriously!]
[There you go, that's proper community talk]
[Are you all nuts or what lololol]
[It wasn't a system issue. I cracked the display by accident]
[That thing's insanely solid, how hard did you have to go to break it lol]
[It was my fault but the service center repaired it for free, I was so happy I wailed to the four winds]
[-If you're a strear at Godple's level, the service center will roll out the red carpet for you]
[Lol, who are you even worrying about]
[Elden newbs should worry about their own shoddy skills!]
[Trying to act innocent, lolol]
[Want a duel?]
[Sent you the code in a dm, bring it]
[Bet it's another Elden newb code, lolol]
[Good Elden newbs should just look forward to Godple's A/S story!]
Fortunately, reviews of the 'Reality' manufacturer's service center were good. There was a reason for a company to hold the number-one spot.
* * *
The next morning, at Reality headquarters.
Unlike regular employees, departnt chiefs ca in earlier than usual.
Three people, in charge of custor managent, developnt, and marketing, gathered in a eting room after finishing up for the day.
"The CEO would like to apologize for not being able to attend the eting due to the ti difference. They've said they'll delegate full authority to us in their place."
The custor managent chief started the eting. The other two nodded along.
"I'm sure you saw the email, but I'll briefly explain the situation."
The developnt chief took over, cleared his throat with a cough, and began his explanation.
"The computational overload warning reported yesterday is a feature set in both hardware and software. But to be honest, we never thought we'd actually need to use it."
He activated the conference room's central hologram. Charts and graphs floated above the table.
"The red graph is the current average computational load among our brain scan users. The blue graph is for the custor in question."
"That's... quite a difference."
The marketing chief's eyes widened.
Even without precise figures, the difference was stark just from the height of the graphs.
"Yes, just in pure numbers, it's five tis the overall average."
"F-five tis?"
"I was pretty shocked looking this over myself. But that's not the whole story. Impressive as it is, our brain scan's specs can handle this much load."
"What? But a warning ssage was sent out, wasn't it?"
The developnt chief looked back and forth between them and nodded.
"Yes, that's correct. Overload is a very sensitive issue in our design. It's a device that stimulates the brain, so even a slight miscalculation could risk harm to the user. That's why we only trigger warnings for loads far above average spec."
He waved his hand and a new green graph appeared.
"This is the computational load when the warning ssage was triggered."
"What... is this..."
"Oh my god..."
Since the chart's scale wasn't changed, the average, the red graph, was scraping the bottom, while the green graph practically hit the ceiling.
The difference was crystal clear.
"At first, I thought it was a hardware defect. Or maybe a calculation bug in the load monitoring software."
"... But it wasn't?"
"No. I checked personally by remote, and the custor's brain scan is working fine."
"Then—what in the world..."
"It's almost ten tis the global average. Maybe even more. It exceeds the preset limit, so we can't even asure the actual number."
A mont of silence hung in the eting room. The custor managent chief shook their head.
"W-wait a second. From the graph, this isn't just today, right? There are other tis with high values. Then why did the warning only co up this ti?"
"That's... honestly, I don't get it myself."
"What?"
The developer grimaced at the two's confusion, then manipulated the smart link to display a new set of graphs.
"What you just saw was daily data, this here is more detailed, by ti. It's from days when no warning was sent."
"Huh?"
"What's..."
The developer laughed wryly, as if he'd expected this reaction.
"You feel it's strange too, right? The computational load spikes, then imdiately drops. Nothing like this was ever reported before. The system must have interpreted it as an error on its own and so didn't send a warning."
"But it wasn't an error, right?"
"No. This ti was different. The load surged and stayed high for a while, so the warning was sent."
"What does this... an?"
At that question, the developer let out a long sigh. As expected, it was an unanswered puzzle.
"It's hard to believe, but... it's as if the custor is choosing what information to process directly."
"Excuse ?"
"Choosing?"
"I have no other way to explain it. I expect this kind of data is unique to this custor."
The developer folded his arms as if to state his part was done. The other two snapped out of their daze soon enough.
They were capable, in line with their rank, and knew what priorities mattered.
Right now, chasing answers to the mystery could wait. Solving the urgent issue was the priority.
"For now, the custor has already applied for online A/S. Judging by the application, they'll reach out again once service center business hours begin. We'll need a protocol prepared for then."
"If it's not a hardware defect, sending a technician is pointless. A replacent device would be the sa."
"Ha... This is a tricky one."
The marketing chief bit their lip and pulled up Q-tube on the smart link, making the graphs disappear.
"As you can see, this strear has 600,000 subscribers. And it hasn't even been a full month since they started broadcasting."
"Six hundred thousand in under a month?"
"Yes. Plus, just like D'Artagnan, they did an interview with the taGar webzine—they're that famous. As you know, with our product line, any negative PR with influencers must be avoided."
"...... Even an unlimited refund can't settle this one."
The other two wore grim expressions at the marketing chief's words. Objectively, the company wasn't at fault, but the public wouldn't see it that way.
"More than anything else, we need a fast solution, one the custor can accept. We can ask for patience, but we need an answer by today."
"This is a headache, seriously..."
"Is even the high-end model not enough to cover this?"
The custor managent chief asked the developer, who shook his head with a stiff face.
"There's not much difference spec-wise between what the custor is using and the high-end. Like I said, the specs themselves are already over-engineered. Only convenience features change."
"Then..."
Silence once again fell upon the eting room. But giving up wasn't an option. It might only be one custor, but the company's image was at stake.
Then, the custor managent chief suddenly raised their head.
"Computational load...! As long as we can cover the computational load, that's it, right?"
"Right."
"Then can't we just customize the upper limit?"
"Customize...?"
The developer rolled his eyes. The marketing chief clapped their hands.
"If it's a manufacturing issue, there's no problem. We cleared out a factory line for the D'Artagnan limited edition—if we use that, we can build it right now!"
A sliver of hope. The two turned to the developer with earnest eyes.
He didn't get swept up, and raised his hand to signal for calm, thinking deeply.
Finally, he looked up.
"Yes. I can't be sure until we run a simulation, but if we customize a high-end unit, it could work."
"Oh, thank god."
"Wait, we can't just end this with a simple A/S."
While the custor managent chief sighed with relief, the marketing chief's eyes shone.
"A custom model, reality that cherishes even a single custor. How's that for PR? I like it! This is an opportunity!"
"What, you want to make a custom line just for them?"
"No, we'd lose too much if we set up a separate line. But we can emphasize that the company takes responsibility for unique cases like this. And, this Purple guy, he's the only one like this, right?"
The developer nodded.
"Yes, that's correct."
"But what about the contract with D'Artagnan? He's our exclusive model, isn't he?"
"There are plenty of ways to manage, even if it's not as a full model."
The marketing chief smiled.
Surprisingly, while Lee Gyeongbok just asked for an A/S,
"A custom model exclusively for strear Purple, an unboxing broadcast. I'll try negotiating a sponsorship contract with that as the concept."
—the response that ca back was an advertisent contract.
***
New nas, locations, skills and techniques introduced in this chapter:
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