Unexpected Guest (2)
Lee Gyeongbok was lying down leisurely, watching Geno's broadcast.
〈Shouldn't you try to get a grip?〉
A face that would be hard to believe belonged to soone who was laughing just monts ago.
'Wow, the mont he sensed trouble, he just turned things around.'
Watching Geno's hosting, Lee Gyeongbok was quietly impressed. As expected from soone with experience, there was a lot to learn.
The serious mood lasted only a mont before Geno regained control of his stream. Lee Gyeongbok smiled, focusing on the broadcast.
"Calling small-minded, huh. He really only wants to tease ."
As Geno voiced his grievance, the chat window sped up even more. Lee Gyeongbok chuckled quietly and nodded.
It felt different watching the chat as a spectator, not as the host.
'The more I watch, the more I want to join in.'
The chat was full of laughter. Everyone seed to be having a good ti. Occasionally, when Geno read out a comnt and reacted, other viewers would instantly respond.
It was fun just to watch, but actually participating in the chat would make the fun even more vivid.
"No, what's this 'Perfect Vision' again? This hyung is really..."
Lee Gyeongbok let out a small laugh as he placed his hand on the hologram. The chat was moving at breakneck speed.
He thought a single emoji would go unnoticed. Or so he thought.
'He actually caught that?'
That simple emoji drew the attention of not only the viewers, but also Geno and Eclipse.
It would be even stranger to stay silent now. Lee Gyeongbok greeted them using the hologram keyboard.
- Target for analysis ㄷㄷㄷㅈ!
- Since when have you been watching?
- Godple turning into a viewer? That's truly rare.
- Does Kingple save up channel points like us?
- Isn't it only natural for a god to briefly look down at the mortal realm?
- The mortal realm, lol
The reaction was fiercer than expected. While Lee Gyeongbok felt good about the warm welco, he also had his concerns.
'Wait, could this be a mistake on my part?'
After all, the owner of this broadcast was Geno. Even if he was centering the stream around the guest, wasn't it a problem if Lee Gyeongbok took away the viewers' attention without prior agreent?
But the worry disappeared instantly.
〈Alright, everyone, surprise! This is NOT staged! Seriously, I had no idea!〉
Geno was a pro.
No one in the chat doubted it was staged. Yet he naturally redirected the viewers' attention.
- Of course, he only cares about broadcast!
- Lol, is he a tiger or sothing now?
- You showed up as soon as you heard , didn't you?
- Well, our hyung's acting isn't exactly top-tier, huh, lol
- Seriously, if I'd known you were watching, would I have said all that so blatantly?
- Right, that ans he heard everything, didn't he?
- Oh man, why am I getting embarrassed?
- Is this what you call relatable cringe?
Thanks to that, Lee Gyeongbok could breathe easier. But the conversation wasn't over.
〈But Purple-nim, weren't you on break? Weren't you supposed to be resting?〉
Was it because he was participating in the broadcast, that he'd beco a guest? Geno redirected the focus back to Lee Gyeongbok.
Lee Gyeongbok quickly typed in the chat.
- PerfectPlay: I am taking a break.
- PerfectPlay: I'm just relaxing watching streams like everyone else, lol
- That's our guy.
- Like 'everyone else'? Was Godple ever human?
- This proves that watching streams really is a 'perfect-rest'.
- Lol, why are you putting 'perfect' in front of everything?
- From now on, call not a viewer but a Perfect Rest-er.
- Ahh, you did it, viewer.
- Grit your teeth and don't do it, lol
The viewers imdiately responded. While Lee Gyeongbok was letting out an awkward laugh, another voice chid in.
〈Purple Sir, I didn't know you were watching. This is rather embarrassing.〉
〈Huh? Embarrassing, how?〉
At Eclipse's words, geno turned to look at him.
〈Isn't it like showing off in front of a pro? I acted as if I knew everything, so I'm embarrassed.〉
At those words, Lee Gyeongbok quickly typed.
- PerfectPlay: Oh no, not at all, lol
- PerfectPlay: It was interesting hearing how others see , actually, haha
With that, the viewers started flooding the chat as if they'd been waiting.
- How about you co and hear it in person?
- If you're up for it, co over!
- Ah, lol, if you don't stream, it's officially a break~
- If you're going to watch anyway, isn't joining better? Just saying.
- The studio setup works better with three people, anyway.
Geno glanced over and then purposefully raised his voice.
〈Hey, don't you know tone and manners? Don't pressure Purple-nim to co when he's resting! ... But honestly, making space for one more isn't hard.〉
Was he scolding them? The mont he switched his tone, the chat exploded with laughter.
- That's our hyung!
- Looking to straw in properly, huh?
- Look at him setting it up, lol
- A live analysis stream by himself? Oh, that's a fast track to stardom!
- Is today Perfect Day or sothing?
Lee Gyeongbok couldn't help but laugh too.
'I'd love to join if I could.'
It sounded like it'd be fun to hang out. But even so, it wasn't so easy to just say yes.
'It'd feel wrong to just go while they're trying to take a break...'
If he recklessly went out during a break and made a fuss, resting wouldn't really be resting.
It was just then.
[〉Ya? You joining the collab?]
[〉Choi Byeonghun, you were watching too?]
A ssage popped up next to the broadcast screen.
It was a group chat with Choi Byeonghun, Park Juho, and Team Perfect.
Lee Gyeongbok's eyes widened as he reached for the chat.
[〉What the? How'd you know?]
[〉Of course I knew. I'm watching the stream, lol]
[〉 too, obviously]
[〉Eh? I get why for , but I thought you were at a family gathering?]
[〉Just because it's a family gathering doesn't an I'm with them all the ti.]
[〉I'm resting in my room right now]
Both friends were watching Geno's stream as well. Lee Gyeongbok let out a bitter laugh.
[〉Seriously, are you guys Black Company employees?]
[〉It's a holiday and you can't even rest, what are you doing, lol]
To his question, the friends responded:
[〉When you grind hard for a month like this, lol, resting feels weird]
[〉Yeah, sa for , but you should get so rest]
[〉Is this about your condition again? I slept like crazy today so no nagging, please]
[〉Tsk tsk, your lifestyle is a ss]
Just like Lee Gyeongbok, the two also found it awkward to rest.
[〉Anyway, are you joining the collab?]
Chitchat faded and they returned to the main topic. After a beat, Lee Gyeongbok sent a ssage.
[〉Yeah, I want to.]
[〉Broadcasting is work, but for , it's also a form of rest, lol]
[〉But let's not upload today's collab to Q-tube.]
[〉Okay?]
His two friends replied as if they'd been waiting.
[〉So that's why you didn't answer right away, huh.]
[〉I knew it, lol]
[〉We appreciate the thought, but right now, you're the leader of Team Perfect.]
[〉Yeah, it's most important you do what you want.]
[〉Have fun and enjoy it, lol]
[〉We're here to support your decisions, not block them. But you should answer on stream before it drags on.]
At Park Juho's comnt, Lee Gyeongbok glanced back. Though not much ti had passed, it seed that the mood in the chat window had grown gloomy since he hadn't replied.
- Godple hyung? Did he leave? Is that it?
- Suddenly, silence...
- Is he Aiden or sothing, lol
- Did the viewers put too much pressure on him?!
- With over 10k viewers, even going through the viewer list is tough, lol
- We're sorry! Don't leave! Just watch!
〈It's tough to respond to impromptu invites. Okay, if a ssage cos in later, we'll talk again then.〉
Geno was about to wrap up since he couldn't keep the broadcast stalled.
- Tang, now I feel guilty
- Feels like we drove Godple away
- This is why Reality offers VIP service
- Lol, you can't even watch the stream in peace
- Looking at this, having multiple accounts isn't always a bad thing
- Pretty sure famous people have to use them
Lee Gyeongbok typed lightly as he watched the chat.
- PerfectPlay: I didn't leave, haha
- PerfectPlay: I just turned on the brain scan capsule, should I turn it off?
Only two ssages, but they were enough.
- I knew it!
- It was us viewers at fault! No patience!
- Hehe, you can't turn it off! You never can!
- Hooray! Perfect Party!
- This kind of act is so cliché, lol
- A true broadcast genius, lol
- The ultimate in viewer taming!
- Thank you...! Overwhelming thanks!
- Is this a funeral? No, it's a festival!
The mood instantly flipped.
* * *
As soon as he logged in, Lee Gyeongbok was invited to the studio.
"Trha!"
He greeted everyone with a bright smile. Matching the studio's concept, he wore heavy armor just like the other two.
- Wow, lol, I've only seen him in light armor in Elden Soul, but heavy armor's a whole new look
- Dude had broad shoulders already, but in heavy armor, his physical presence is insane, lol
- Is there anything that doesn't suit him?!
- This is the dignity of Elden's Only Sword!
- Heavy armor makes him look even more like a knight, lol
The viewers marveled at the outfit, different from Elden Soul. Lee Gyeongbok greeted Geno and Eclipse as well.
"Thank you for the invitation."
"Of course! Of course we had to invite you!"
"Purple Sir! Good to see you!"
Eclipse greeted him especially enthusiastically.
"I expressed my gratitude in a letter, but I wanted to et and thank you in person. Thanks to you, wonderful news has spread far and wide!"
"Huh? Oh, I just played a ga, that's all."
"But to you, it was a aningful event. I'll always cherish the emotion of that mont."
Eclipse even clenched his fist in greeting. With the ceremony finished, the three of them sat back down.
The center seat belonged to Lee Gyeongbok.
"Now, as you've allowed us to analyze your play, thank you again for coming in person, Purple-nim. So, we have to ask the subject directly, right? How did you block Aiden's greatsword?"
Geno smoothly took control as host. As the question was predictable, Lee Gyeongbok wasn't fazed.
Instead, he calmly looked straight ahead.
"Well, if I just said 'I just did it,' I'd get roasted, wouldn't I?"
- Perfect double-absurdity, locked and loaded!
- A chef's own dish is better than al kits, after all
- What's with the consistent al kit joke, lol
- Are you an expert double-absurdity chef or sothing, lol
- ???: Is this really sothing that needs explaining?
- Honestly, geniuses, tsk tsk
Geno grinned and said,
"If you just say you did it, that's really all there is to say, because you can obviously do it. But please, for our sake, try to lower yourself to our level as much as possible."
"In fact, watching the broadcast, I did wonder how I'd explain it if I were you."
"Oh! That's great to hear! Everyone, this is a rare opportunity. A special lecture from Elden's Only Sword! You can't buy this even if you want to!"
Geno chid in at just the right mont, raising the tension. The chat was buzzing with laughter and excitent.
Even Eclipse leaned forward, eager for the answer.
"But I'm not great at explaining things, so I'll borrow a bit from Eclipse Sir's explanation."
"Your own explanation?"
"Oh, isn't this actually better? Eclipse Sir tailored his to our level, after all."
Both sides reacted at once, and Lee Gyeongbok gave a slight smile.
"First, Eclipse Sir said you have to find the optimal point where the swords et, right?"
"Yes, that's right. The optimal point, angle, and speed control are key."
"But, honestly, you don't actually need all that."
At that line, both were frozen. The chat filled with question marks.
Geno, blinking in panic, asked,
"Wait, are you saying Eclipse Sir's explanation was wrong?"
"Huh? No, that's not it. It wasn't wrong at all. I just ant, I personally didn't have to find the 'optimal point'."
Eclipse visibly relaxed, and Geno furrowed his glabella.
"You didn't need it? Could you explain a bit more about what you an?"
"Eclipse Sir's explanation implied it was impossible without the optimal point. But 'optimal' just ans 'the easiest conditions'—it doesn't an you can't do it any other way."
"...'Easiest conditions?'"
- Already feeling dizzy
- His signature double-absurdity really is exceptional!
- This rich aroma of double-absurdity...
- I'm suffocating from the absurdity, is that normal?
- ㅔ
- Geno's face = my face
Lee Gyeongbok scratched his chin at the reactions.
"That's why I ntioned on stream you could do it on the second or third try, too. As long as you parry, you can deflect it. For force control, just keep it sliding. Uh, maybe I didn't explain that well enough?"
"No, no! That was enough! So much that I feel like I'm losing my mind!"
Geno waved his hand as if shuddering and turned away. The chat was already bubbling with laughter.
"As you can see, even thinking it's 'easy' shows his point of view is completely different. Eclipse Sir, what do you think about this explanation?"
"It really makes feel the difference in level. It only strengthens my resolve to train further."
- Even Eclipse is at his wits' end, lol
- The professor suddenly turned into a potato, huh?
- Is this that whole 'student surpasses the teacher' or whatever?
- Teacher vs. grad student world turned upside down, lol
- When did Godple beco a grad student, lol
- At least both of them aren't even human, right?
- You... really are sothing, lol
The chat exploded. Geno clapped to grab everyone's attention.
"Okay, here's the analysis result! Who's Elden's Only Sword? Right here, Purple-nim, and nobody else!"
- Give the 3-line summary, lol
- Our hyung really knows how to wrap things up
- Oh, this is first-class teaching
- So this is why private lessons are a thing
- Why are private lessons even coming up, lol
Viewers wholeheartedly agreed. Geno glanced at Lee Gyeongbok with a laugh.
"So, not planned, but since Purple-nim is here, we're doing a surprise segnt! The 'Elden Soul review session' begins!"
"Review session?"
"Yup. Lots of Elden Soul fans ca today, right? Aren't you curious how Purple-nim enjoyed the ga?"
- Look at him trying to get as much out of Godple as possible, lol
- Lol, how many straws is he using, seriously!
- But honestly, I am curious
- Is there a new Purple Critic show?
- From now on, it's not GOTY, it's POTY: Purple Of The Year.
- Oh, honestly, not bad!
- If you compile these as a bracket on Q-tube later, easy content, lol
There was both teasing and anticipation. As Geno said, there were a lot of Elden Soul fans among the viewers.
Eclipse was no exception. He also leaned forward, hanging on Lee Gyeongbok's reply.
"Honestly?"
"Yes, of course! Be completely honest, no filters!"
"I've never felt such a thrill in any ga before. The combat and tactile feedback are outstanding."
Lee Gyeongbok offered his genuine impressions.
― Kr! That's a perfect review!
- Seriously, from's gas have that tense combat
- But with Godple's skills, doesn't every ga feel great in the hand? lol
- In other words, fighting Geno in the Mystic League was... I'll stop there
- You already said it, why stop there, lol
- But he did get beat perfectly, lol
Geno ignored the teasing and asked with a twinkle in his eye.
"There's no such thing as a perfect ga, though. Was there anything you found disappointing?"
"Disappointing, hmm... ah, there was one thing."
"What was it?"
"What was it, indeed?"
The other two questioned as Lee Gyeongbok looked around.
"The Elden series is a trilogy, right? But I haven't played the previous ones — not even Dark Rune. So I think I had a bit less imrsion in the story."
"Yeah, I get that, that happens."
"Compared to my first package ga, bio Crisis, the story didn't feel as satisfying for ."
At Lee Gyeongbok's answer, the chat went wild.
- He hasn't forgotten!
- Hyung! You rembered our Honeydra!
- John of the Wixxi family is a legend!
- He... is the Bark President!
- Bark President! Bark President! Bark President!
- Lol, look at the baboons making a coback!
- So are you going to play the other Elden series entries now?
- Please play Elden Knights and Elden Kingdom too!
- Elden's Only Sword is greater than Bark President, though!
The early Bio Crisis fans and Elden Soul fans filled the chat in rivalry.
"Of course, I'll always vote for the Elden series."
"Haha, we're not here to decide which is better, are we? Purple-nim, you enjoyed both gas, right?"
When Eclipse agreed, geno quickly wrapped up the topic. It was ti to move on while everyone was still laughing.
"Alright! Since we're on the subject, let's ask: Do you have plans to play more of the Elden series?"
"Hmm... Honestly, it'd be tough for now. I'm only a month into streaming, and rather than focus on one genre, I want to try a variety of things."
At Lee Gyeongbok's answer, Eclipse flinched. The chat had a similar mood.
- Well, of the trilogy, elden Soul is the most fun
- He's a variety ga strear, you can't really argue, lol
- Ah, but it is kind of a sha. Elden series is best played straight through
- Still, he'll play Dark Rune Remaster, for sure, lol
- Welco, you're the first Purple to leave after only seeing the ending, right?
- It's not even encore ti, but you're leaving just when we'd cheer more!
- There are so many fun freeplays in Bark, too
- You'll play Bark 2 when it cos out, right? Promise?
- The baboons giving advice because they've been through this is hilarious, lol
- Elden newbs and baboons end up in the sa boat — too funny, lol
Kindred spirits.
Contrary to Geno's concerns, the chat, which had split in two, soon rged again. Relieved, he kept going.
"Then next stream, we'll see you play a new ga? Have you picked what to play?"
"Ah, not yet. I'm going to discuss it with my friends now."
"Oh, really?"
A mischievous grin appeared on Geno's face.
Lee Gyeongbok opened his eyes wide, sensing sothing was coming.
What was he about to say?
"Honestly, sotis it's fun to see a strear struggle, not just show off their skills, you know?"
- Lol, that's the truth!
- Honestly, watching people suffer is maximum entertainnt, lol
- This is why strears end up playing trash gas
- Are Genos overwhelmingly in the latter group?
Geno prompted, and the viewers agreed. He bead and looked at Lee Gyeongbok.
"So, I'm curious about sothing: Could Purple-nim be just as good at this ga? If you're willing, maybe you could try it?"
"What ga?"
"That would be...!"
Geno paused for effect and gestured.
On screen, a new ga appeared.
"The escape room ga, 'Escapers'!"
A green ergency exit pictogram and the ga title.
[Escapers]
'An escape room?'
A totally different, puzzle-focused ga from what he'd played before. Geno and the viewers waited for Lee Gyeongbok's reaction.
'Maybe...'
But Lee Gyeongbok wasn't troubled.
'I might even figure out a new way to use spiritual energy in this.'
Since it was a completely different ga, the solution would have to be different too.
"This looks fun!"
Contrary to everyone's expectations, a faint smile ford on his lips.
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