Genius Archer’s Streaming - Chapter 937

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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 4 Episode 068
23. Cheese vs Paprika (2)
A few days ago.
[Ghostu Busters, Indie Game Legend “Marketing Like Never Before” Kim Kim Duo Interview]
Around the time such retrospective interviews were appearing on portal news sites.
The most prominent news at the top was this.
[Tribby Korea Withdrawal Imminent—What’s Next for Major Streamers?]
Tribby was finally reaching its withdrawal deadline.
And then, a new platform called Cheese emerged.
[Domestic Live Platform ‘Cheese’ Begins Beta Testing Today. Grand Opening Event Included!?]
The moment Cheese’s opening was announced.
Public opinion was unfavorable.
-Korea’s about kimchi, so where does cheese come from?
└lol for real
-Wow the timing lol
-The timing really seems orchestrated lol
└Oh…
└lol
-They’re really kicking out cheese and pretending kimchi is cheese lolol
└lmao
└lololol what is this
Many internet users encountered the platform Cheese for the first time through the news.
Public opinion was naturally unfavorable.
Cheese’s opening clearly seemed to target this timing, and it had taken the form of a domestic joint venture pushing out a foreign company with a favorable 10-to-0 revenue split ratio and replacing it with a domestic alternative.
The backlash was fiercer than expected.
Because Paprika was also participating in creating this public sentiment.
[Pressuring foreign companies to leave and monopolizing with domestic companies—is this China?]
[Paprika, Which Had Been Paying Network Fees, Experts Praise “Remarkable Revenue Structure”]
[Tribby’s Withdrawal—What’s the Secret Behind Paprika, the Original Hotspot, Maintaining Its Live Platform for Decades?]
Aggressive articles attacking Cheese poured out, and Paprika received continuous reevaluation.
Some of it wasn’t factual, and some facts were exaggerated.
Cheese had many legitimate grievances.
But a newly launched platform had few options available to it.
Fewer streamers than Paprika, fewer viewers. Even its public image was poor.
The worst situation.
Here, Cheese created one big deal.
“You think you’re so great? Then let’s compete.”
It was a proposal brought up by someone in a meeting.
This was the beginning of the platform rivalry.
“…Will, will Paprika actually accept the challenge?”
Fighting an opponent with a lower tier is foolish to begin with.
“That’s what I expect.”
Cheese was certain that Paprika would commit that foolish act.
“They’re desperate to completely confirm-kill us. If we provoke them hard enough, they’ll bite, right?”
He knew well that Paprika’s executives were relatively emotional.
Why?
“Because I’ve worked there before.”
A significant number of Cheese’s members had come from Paprika.
“Ah, right… They’re not the type to reject incoming challenges… but isn’t this risky for us too?”
However, even if Paprika accepted, this kind of content was a double-edged sword.
There was even a saying that when streamers did collaborations, viewers could get sucked toward one side if done poorly.
A collaboration with mediocre synergy simply shifted viewers to whoever had greater appeal—it was far from a win-win situation.
So what about a cross-platform battle between individual streamers?
Depending on what appeal, skill, and narrative they displayed, countless viewers would relocate.
The previous Tribby versus Paprika platform tournament was a perfect example.
Back then, Paprika’s overwhelming game skill and cool demeanor caused many viewers to migrate to Paprika.
-The chat is cleaner than I expected, actually better
-Paprika feels like they’re easygoing old guys lol
-These guys are just straight-up good at games
-Something something but anyway it was pretty good lol
From that point on, even Tribby began to show a tier gap compared to Paprika.
So Paprika had already profited quite a bit from this kind of thing.
Cheese’s management’s prediction was spot-on.
A few days later.
“Paprika said yes! They actually said yes!”
“Wooow…”
Everyone cheered, then their expressions turned ambiguous for a moment.
‘Something…’
‘Now that they’ve agreed, it actually feels like a trap.’
This wasn’t necessarily something Cheese should be unconditionally happy about.
“This is risky for us too.”
So one of the employees raised their hand and said this.
“Paprika’s streamers have a more provocative edge… and when we’re right next to them, the matchup might not be favorable… like how you can’t taste anything when you eat something spicy.”
But the CEO shook his head.
“So we just sit still and lose everything?”
“…”
“If we were getting 100% pure profit, Paprika wouldn’t have agreed in the first place.”
That was true.
Cheese had to take risks for Paprika to agree.
In return, Paprika would agree even if Cheese faced 3 parts risk and they faced 7 parts.
If successful, I could completely establish dominance over a platform that’s just beginning to take off.
“Just proceed with it.”

* * *
Ding.
And so a message arrives for Juhyeok.
[Hello! We’re notifying all contracted streamers. Our platform is planning a major tournament as part of our launch event….]
While detailed coordination is still pending, we’re giving our affiliated streamers advance notice.
[The event tournament is tentatively named ‘Platform Championship,’ and the event format is….]
“!”
Juhyeok’s eyes widened.
Jia, who had been lying on his lap, blinked her eyes open.
“What? Why?”
“We’re doing it. For real.”
“…Platform Championship?”
Jia sprang up and smacked Juhyeok’s chin with the top of her head.
Thwack.
“Ugh…!”
“Oh no. What, what do I do!”
“Anyway! The format is….”
Juhyeok continued reading the message despite everything.
[…With sponsorship from Pollis, it’s been decided as Life is Legend (Ril). The main mode is survival matches.]
“It’s Ril. Ril survival matches!”
Ril survival matches.
This is the format for the Platform Championship.
They sent this message first even though not all details have been precisely coordinated.
The meaning was clear.
Jia murmured in surprise.
“This… they didn’t even announce the date yet? They just said roughly a month from now. Sending it early means we should start practicing.”
“Right.”
Whether winning would attract viewers was uncertain.
But if I’m going to do this, I’m going to win.
The odds of success are higher than losing anyway.
“It’s not just Sanghyeon who’s burning with passion right now.”
Both sides are fired up.
This is essentially a battle where the platforms’ pride is on the line.
“But what about the team?”
“Ha….”
At Jia’s question, Juhyeok held his head in his hands.
“That’s why I told you to go to Tribby’s funeral….”
“He’s not going?”
Jia asks in startled surprise.
“I don’t know. I didn’t hear his answer. When I enter player mode, I don’t really see people.”
“But it’s a team game… The team should be important….”
Jia murmurs worriedly as well.

* * *
Today was the day for Sanghyeon’s hospital checkup.
As always, Doctor Hana Song was peering at the monitor.
“Sanghyeon. Hmm. All your numbers have stabilized, haven’t they? Though not quite before the international tournament….”
She shot him a pointed look at the mention of the international tournament.
She does this every time I come for a checkup these days.
I’m used to it now, so I just look elsewhere.
“Well, um. You rested well during that month of hiatus. Ghost Busters isn’t really a game that puts such excessive strain either. If you continue using the dedicated capsule, you should be able to stay at this level.”
“Yes. Then….”
I try to stand up.
Snap.
The doctor suddenly grabs my hoodie’s drawstring.
“Ack, ack…!”
“Keonwang.”
“…!”
“Did you think I wouldn’t know?”
Your numbers are all normal.
Why are you like this?
“You’re thinking why I’m doing this when your numbers are normal right now. That’s true for now, but this is ultimately a marathon.”
Tap.
The doctor sits back down.
Though I’m already free from the leash, I somehow just sit back down alongside her.
“Listen carefully. Sanghyeon. There’s a problem developing with the wavelength-modulation drive in Legend Tale.”
Wavelength-modulation drive.
It’s one of the ways the capsule transmits images. They said this could potentially improve my condition.
But there’s a problem now?
“Well… Someone impatient tested it first. But….”
I immediately figured out who that impatient person was.
After all, there’s only one person in the country besides me who would want to test this.
“I clearly told them it was dangerous. Using wavelength-modulation to create large-scale entry games like MMORPGs in the first place… I said it requires extreme caution.”
The doctor spoke almost tearfully, beyond mere lamentation.
“Think about it. How much neural interference would it take for your arm to potentially recover? How could it possibly ‘change’ like that?”
At first, I didn’t understand what she meant.
But I quickly grasped it.
‘So that’s how it is.’
This might be a positive change for Sanghyeon, but it could become a deterioration for someone else. The very concept that things could ‘change’ just from playing a game was itself a frightening element.
“Really, really, I need to think this through carefully, carefully, and test even the most obvious things… Sigh. So, Sanghyeon?”
“Yes?”
“Your condition isn’t getting worse right now, so you can’t let your guard down. Never again! Don’t participate in anything like international tournaments! Even if Keonwang offers you a billion won, don’t do it!”
“A billion is a bit….”
“Then, what about ten million won?”
“Yes. I won’t do it for ten million won….”
“…I knew you’d say that!?”
Keok! Keok!
Sanghyeon’s hat was grabbed again.
“Don’t ever do that again! Even if they offer you a billion won, don’t do it!”
A billion really isn’t happening.

* * *
“Sigh.”
Sanghyeon decided never to wear a hoodie again and hurried out of the hospital.
At the reception desk, I was scheduling my next visit.
Zing.
A message came through on my phone.
[Juhyeok: The platform tournament event is Ril Survival Mode.]
[Juhyeok: (photo)]
[Juhyeok: You seemed like you wanted to prepare anyway.]
The photo showed a message I’d received from the organizer.
‘So it’s Ril Survival Mode….’
I’d never played Survival Mode before.
‘Let me see how it works.’
I casually searched for related videos on AllTube.
‘…Huh?’
[Genius Ex-Pro’s Strategy Guide: Survival Mode Challenger Clear]
[Orange]
Orange’s channel appeared.
Entering the channel, I saw that Ril Survival Mode also had a Challenger rank.
‘If it’s Challenger….’
In the old Nanteu Tournament, there was the ADC Hong-cha, the mid-laner Danmuji, and others.
Only truly memorable skilled players had been Challengers. And they weren’t current Challengers either.
Orange is a current Challenger.
She doesn’t seem like an easy opponent.
Looking at it, all the matching streamers were either peak amateurs or former pros.
Zing.
A message arrives.
[Juhyeok: We need to find a team too. Five people. Move quickly.]
This is getting quite serious.
‘Do I really need to find a team?’
Walking with that thought, I encountered a familiar face.
Thud.
Someone bumped into me.
It was Choi Sa-rang.
“Oh, hello.”
“Hmm? Our schedules must have overlapped. Nice to see you.”
Sarang turned her wheelchair and approached me.
She usually had a somewhat intimidating expression, but now she looked genuinely pleased.
“Ah, I wanted to ask you something.”
She came forward first and asked the question.
“Did you really decide to go with Cheese?”
Why would she be curious about that when she’s not even in the industry? Was this just small talk?
Sanghyeon thought it was quite an unexpected question, but he nodded anyway.
“Uh… yes.”
“That’s surprising.”
“Surprising?”
“Paprika is good too, you know.”
“Why? I prefer Cheese.”
“You’re not talking about food… are you?”
“??”
Pfft.
Sarang let out a hollow laugh.
“I see. Then that’s what it is. Either way, I’m fine with it.”
“…?”
My eyes widened.
‘Why would she be fine with it?’
In situations like this, it helps to put yourself in the other person’s shoes.
I recalled my own reason for going with Cheese.
The conditions were similar anyway, but I wanted Cheese to beat Paprika.
Sarang might feel the same way.
But Choi Sa-rang can’t even play games.
And she doesn’t stream either.
In the first place, Cheese and Paprika meant nothing to her.
‘What is this?’
I couldn’t figure it out.
I studied Sarang’s expression carefully.
‘In times like this, I should read their face.’
The clue revealed itself quickly.
Choi Sa-rang’s eyes.
‘Huh?’
They were gleaming intensely.
A powerful yearning burned within them.
‘Could she be able to play games again? Is she making a comeback?’
It seemed like she might say it at any moment.
Want to play a match with me?
This was trouble.
If Choi Sa-rang also joined Paprika and participated in the inter-platform tournament, there would be far too many formidable opponents.
She opened her mouth.
“Did you find a 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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