Genius Archer’s Streaming - Chapter 157

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com

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The Genius Archer’s Streaming Season 1 Episode 157
55. A Proposal (2)
Juhyeok pondered the matter.
‘How is someone who hasn’t even tried ranked play supposed to compete in a tournament?’
He trusted Almond, certainly, but he wasn’t a fanatic about it.
He believed in him while maintaining sound judgment.
Almond was still clearly a beginner in Reel. If he went in this state, he wouldn’t be able to demonstrate his true skill.
‘The damage to his image could be significant.’
If Almond, who had maintained the image of a skilled streamer, went out there and suffered a humiliating defeat?
I couldn’t guarantee what his image would become after that.
I’d seen numerous streamers who upheld an elegant, skill-focused broadcast, only to crash several times in tournaments and pivot to comedy content.
If that transition went well, it was fortunate, but usually it ended in collapse.
It was rare for someone with genuine skill to have talent for comedy content as well.
That’s why Department Manager Oh had called this bad news.
“How much time is left until the tournament?”
“There’s plenty of time. Three weeks.”
Three weeks.
Considering that Almond had demolished Battle Large’s Diamond rank in just one week, it might be sufficient time… but.
‘The situation is different from Battle Large.’
Battle Large was a game with simple rules and a low entry barrier. There was no particularly complex strategy, and no real adaptation period needed.
But Reel was different.
Especially siege warfare was different.
One had to become accustomed to teamplay, and master countless operational movements to play properly.
“…Why Almond specifically?”
Juhyeok asked somewhat defensively.
It seemed better not to participate if possible.
“Well… this streamer tournament assigns tier officers by rank for fairness. We currently have Balloon Gum in Silver, Miho in Platinum, Strawberry Shooter in Master, and Takoyaki in Diamond.”
“Ah… so Almond would fill the Bronze position?”
“Yes. Bronze allows anyone Bronze or below. But to participate, they need to be at least a mid-tier streamer to match the prestige. Currently, in my division, Almond is the perfect fit. The viewers’ expectations are quite high as well.”
Department Manager Oh wasn’t wrong.
‘There would certainly be expectations.’
He’d probably have the strongest physical abilities among Bronze and below. Naturally, expectations would be high.
But for expectations to be used positively, they ultimately had to be met, didn’t they?
If he responded with failure, the disappointment would be as great as the expectations.
“…I’ll discuss it with him.”
“Thank you.”
I’d only said I’d think about it, yet Department Manager Oh bowed his head in gratitude.
It seemed saving one person was more urgent than I’d thought.
‘Why insist on choosing from Department Manager Oh’s division specifically?’
Reel streamers were abundant.
Among them were many broadcasters ranked Bronze or below.
But why was he choosing from among those managed by Department Manager Oh?
What was the relationship between Balloon Gum Company and Department Manager Oh?
It wasn’t a question I could ask carelessly yet. Maintaining boundaries was quite important in business.
“Is that all you need to ask of me?”
“No. There’s one more thing.”
“…More?”
“This isn’t a request, it’s a proposal. What I mean is….”
Department Manager Oh continued speaking.
It was quite a serious and lengthy explanation.
To the point where I wondered if this was actually what Department Manager Oh had wanted to say all along, rather than the competition.
He wanted to go to Sanghyeon directly, but decided to send Jia instead.
There was the matter of distance too….
But more than anything, this moment felt far too crucial for his future ahead.
“…Me as that person’s manager?”
Juhyeok’s eyes widened considerably after hearing the full explanation.
“When we spoke before, it seemed like you mentioned wanting to take on more than just Sanghyeon, so I’m proposing this first.”
This was certainly an opportunity. But like most opportunities, it was also a great risk.
However….
‘It’s something that will happen eventually anyway.’
For Juhyeok’s goals, it was something that had to happen.
I couldn’t be satisfied with just the share I received from Sanghyeon’s earnings. I jumped into this game with the intention of taking on many more streamers from the start.
I had ambition.
Just as Sanghyeon had his dreams.
“I’ll think about it carefully.”
“Yes. Thank you, Juhyeok.”
The conversation ended there.
After exchanging brief greetings with Department Manager Oh, Juhyeok quickly made a phone call.
-Juhyeok. Hi.
“Yeah. Jia? How’s Sanghyeon?”
-Almond’s on his way in the car right now. He’s fine. He just seems a bit weak.
“Ah… That’s a relief. I’ll head over soon too.”
-Okay.
His condition seemed better than I’d worried.
Juhyeok quickly caught a taxi and headed to Daldongne.
To that place that had now become his home.

* * *
Hugyeok could be described as consisting of one large urban area that might be called downtown, along with several underdeveloped districts.
These underdeveloped areas were mostly single-family homes built along steep hillsides.
By appearance alone, it could have become an affluent neighborhood.
However, since life tends to swing between extremes over the smallest differences, this place had become what was commonly called Daldongne.
It had become a habit among apartment mothers in the downtown area to say their children shouldn’t play with kids from here, and Sanghyeon, who had once been that “child they shouldn’t play with,” now understood them.
I understood them with a bitterness that was almost painful.
The scenery visible through the window stopped with the sound of the engine.
“We’re here.”
Only when I heard Yeonju’s voice did I snap out of my thoughts.
After a long time riding in a car and looking around the neighborhood, old memories came flooding back.
“You’re still feeling dizzy, aren’t you?”
Yeonju’s eyes in the rearview mirror were smiling. She was the type of person whose entire face smiled when she smiled.
Whether real friends were like this or not, she was a woman who seemed to have professional kindness ingrained in her. You could tell she had extensive experience in social life.
“A little, but it’s fine. I think I’ve rested long enough at this point.”
“Just in case. Should Jia walk you to your place?”
“Sure.”
Yeonju went to park the car behind Jia’s house, and since the car couldn’t drive up to my place, the rest of us got out and walked.
There was no particular need for Jia to support me.
Though slow, I could manage the stairs on my own.
After finally arriving home.
I spoke while placing my hand on Jia’s shoulder.
“Jia. Please tell your friend how grateful I am.”
“I will.”
“And thank you too. You worked hard.”
“…Yes.”
I ended with those words and went inside. Then I collapsed into sleep.
How much time had passed like that.
When I opened my eyes at the savory aroma, night had already fallen.
‘Ah…’
I rushed into Tribee thinking I needed to post a broadcast notice, but the notice was already up.
It was a notice saying I was taking a break due to poor condition after hospital treatment. It seemed Juhyeok had written it.
I pushed the blanket aside roughly and went to the living room. It seemed Juhyeok was preparing dinner.
“Oh. You wake up when it’s time to eat? Sorry about yesterday. It was unclear whether to go.”
I nodded and sat at the table.
“It’s fine. Jia called me anyway. But what were you talking about with Department Manager Oh?”
“Ah. He said they’re preparing a tournament but hit a snag. You know, that tournament streamers do for fun. Nanteu-jeon or something like that.”
“Ah, yeah.”
I know what that is too. Balloon Gum participates in it every time.
“He asked you to participate.”
“…?”
But now it seemed I would be participating in that tournament.
“The tournament is being held at Punk?”
“No, the tournament itself is being held at Tribee….”
“But why is Department Manager Oh telling you about it?”
“I’m not sure about that either. It seems like Balloon Gum Company has some kind of close relationship with them. It seemed pretty urgent.”
“Hmm.”
Regardless of the circumstances, it wasn’t a bad proposal.
If I participated in such a tournament, the attention I’d receive would definitely be on a completely different level.
“But what kind of tournament? Battle Large?”
“No, Reel. Castle Siege.”
“…?”
Sanghyeon couldn’t hide his bewilderment.
“I’ve only played one match so far?”
Because I’d only properly played a single match.
“That’s the problem. Think about it for a second. In the end, it’s your decision to make. You know if you go and get destroyed, your image is completely ruined, right?”
Juhyeok chuckled as if it were someone else’s problem and brought over the finished dish. Curious about what could be the source of that savory aroma, I peeked into the pot and found it was soft tofu stew.
Gulp.
Now that I thought about it, I was hungry.
“Why don’t you just eat some almond flakes instead.”
Juhyeok said decisively after catching on, but I answered with an “okay~” and had already scooped a full bowl of rice.
Besides, the stew clearly wasn’t just one serving.
Thanks to that, I ate the broth without much guilt.
Slurp.
The intensely hot red oil swept across the roof of my mouth, delivering a sharp, spicy kick. Then came the rich broth and oil that enveloped that spiciness, along with the egg yolk.
When the pure white subtlety and soft texture of the soft tofu were added to that, the rice naturally soaked it all up.
“Hey. But when do the results come out?”
After eating the stew for a while, Juhyeok casually asked.
“Hmm. Next week again. Come to think of it, something strange happened at the hospital today.”
“Something strange?”
I told Juhyeok about the woman I’d encountered today.
“Hmm… it’s not really strange, isn’t it something to be grateful for?”
“I suppose….”
But it was strange, you know.
I scratched my head and put the spoon in my mouth.
The red broth and white soft tofu warmed my mouth.
‘This is delicious.’
It’s the kind of dish that naturally makes you think this.
“By the way, your cooking has become quite impressive.”
“The power of Ollytube, I guess. These days I watch other cooking channels too.”
“Phew… that hits the spot.”
Sanghyeon exhaled hot steam as he answered.
Gulp.
After swallowing everything in his mouth, Sanghyeon spoke as casually as if mentioning something in passing.
“The tournament. I’ll do it.”
“…?”
Cough!
Juhyeok’s throat seized up for a moment.
“Hey, why don’t you think about it a bit more?”
“What’s there to think about?”
“I’m serious—if you bomb out there, it could really damage your image.”
Sanghyeon chuckled at that.
“That won’t happen.”
Juhyeok’s expression turned dumbfounded, but he soon nodded.
‘This guy’s always been like this.’
He doesn’t fear anything.
While others weigh their options and calculate risks, this guy charges forward seeing only the opportunity.
And he pulls it off.
‘As for me…’
Juhyeok, on the other hand, reflects on himself.
Under the guise of being intelligent, he calculates and predicts the bleakness of the future beforehand, seeing danger as greater than opportunity, doesn’t he?
Even if I fail, that wouldn’t be my lifelong failure.
Aren’t I just being too afraid?
“Anyway, let’s do it. I want to try.”
Meanwhile, this guy’s blood boils at times like these rather than fear.
People like him are the ones who succeed.
“Yeah. Let’s just do it.”
After the meal.
He gave Sanghyeon the basic information about the tournament. He also informed Department Manager Oh.
-Really? This quickly? Wow. You’re so cool. Thank you.
Department Manager Oh expressed his gratitude multiple times and was delighted.
Juhyeok and Sanghyeon studied reel strategy and the tournament’s characteristics in preparation.
And the next day arrived.

* * *
A gloomy morning.
Sunlight pierced through the curtains, and Sanghyeon squinted as his phone buzzed loudly in his field of vision.
He opened it thinking it was a call.
They were all messages.
Why were there so many messages?
The answer lay in the topmost message.
[‘Balloon Gum’ has invited you to a group chat.]
“…A group chat?”
He’d been invited to a group chat, and every conversation between those members had been coming through as notifications.
It was the team chat for the tournament I would be participating in.
Besides Balloon Gum, three other team members were in the chat.
[Balloon Gum : Wow! Almond is participating, everyone!]
[Miho : Wooooow]
[Taco : Nice.]
[Strawberry Shooter : Hahahaha!]
And so on.
After that, all sorts of casual chatter ensued.
For streamers, they seemed to wake up quite early.
Almond greeted them late.
[Almond : Hello everyone. Looking forward to working with you! (_ _)]
[Miho : Wow Almond! Hi there>~_<]
He was what you'd call a ruthless ADC specialist.
A case of climbing rank with only a single position.
There would likely be competition over the position, but my opponent happened to be the highest tier Master on this team.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com

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