Gwanjongcheonma’s Game Broadcast - Chapter 110

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 110

 

Whoosh!

 

Hae-rang exits the capsule and looks around.

 

The host, reporters, and officials all had the same expression on their faces.

 

Wonder.

 

Or awe.

 

In normal circumstances, one might feel awkward in such a situation.

 

But for Hae-rang, this was an all too familiar situation.

 

‘It’s just like going back to the past.’

 

When he had fought and won martial duels against the strong warriors of Gangho.

 

When he had single-handedly dealt with wicked groups like the Blood Cult and returned.

 

Back then, the people of Murim had worn these same expressions.

 

‘Among them…’

 

Grin.

 

Hae-rang smiled warmly while looking at one person sitting in the VIP section.

 

Though no agility could be found in his bulging belly,

 

‘He was a master. Once upon a time.’

 

Manager Jo, was it?

 

Someone who has constantly honed and polished something has a distinctive aura.

 

Though different in nature, he too seemed to have experienced fierce battlefields at one time.

 

“Yes, yes! Gwanjong Cheonma sir. You’ve shown us a literally amazing performance time! You showed us subduing a polar bear with bare hands!”

 

The host, who had been staring at the screen in a daze, finally came to his senses.

 

He too was a Survival Ground user.

 

He knew all too well how bizarre it was to catch a polar bear with bare hands.

 

“Let me have Gwanjong Cheonma sir join us for a moment to talk. That was truly unbelievable gameplay. Gwanjong Cheonma sir.”

 

“Thank you.”

 

“Your performance against the polar bear was truly shocking. I’ve encountered it a few times in Survival Ground myself, and it’s really a strong NPC. Do you often face polar bears when you usually play the game?”

 

“No. I’ve never encountered a polar bear before this. I mainly play the Shanok map, and there are no bears on Shanok.”

 

“What? No, then, are you saying this is your first time facing a Polar Bear?”

 

“Yes.”

 

The Host almost forgot his duty.

 

He barely held back from shouting “That’s a lie!”

 

To take down a Polar Bear with Bare Hands on your first encounter.

 

“Haha… That’s truly amazing. I’ve hosted numerous ambassador events, but today is the first time I’ve been this shocked. You seem like someone born for Survival Ground.”

 

“…”

 

Hae-rang staggered briefly and pressed his fingertips to his forehead.

 

He was already holding back, but the Host’s praise poured down like a flood, making him dizzy.

 

“Gw-Gwanjong Cheonma sir?”

 

“I’m fine. Just felt dizzy for a moment.”

 

“Haha. That’s understandable after showing such an extreme Performance. Now then! With this, we conclude the Survival Ground ambassador selection ceremony. To all the Game fans who watched, and to those who attended…”

 

Just then.

 

A commotion arose from the area where reporters had gathered.

 

“Wait a moment!”

 

“I’d like to ask a few things!”

 

“I’d like to ask some additional questions!”

 

Not only the Host, but all the Kraft officials widened their eyes.

 

The reporters had already been given plenty of time for questions earlier.

 

Even then, several of them seemed half-hearted and insincere.

 

It was obvious they felt forced to attend an event they didn’t want to be at.

 

But now…

 

‘Suddenly the reporting enthusiasm has heated up.’

 

Manager Jo broke into a broad smile.

 

He seemed to understand why the reporters’ behavior had changed.

 

Hae-rang’s skills shown during the Performance time earlier had been beyond expectations.

 

They felt the same thing Manager Jo did.

 

The scent of a ‘jackpot’ emanating from the Player called Gwanjong Cheonma.

 

‘He must be handsome too. With such extreme performance, becoming famous would just be a matter of time.’

 

As the press section became noisy, the host looked toward Manager Jo.

 

Asking for his opinion on what to do.

 

Manager Jo held up one finger.

 

Since they had planned to have dinner together after the event, it meant to give only one person the opportunity.

 

“Yes. Then if Gwanjong Cheonma could designate one person, we’ll take that question.”

 

“Hmm. I’ll go with that reporter in the black shirt over there.”

 

“Oh. You’re designating someone as if you were waiting for this. Is there a particular reason?”

 

“When asking questions earlier, that person was the only one who asked about my gameplay.”

 

The reporters’ gazes turned in one direction.

 

The reporter Hae-rang designated was Eun Min-seop from GameSpot.

 

He was the one who had asked about opening the parachute late.

 

Unlike the reporters who had only looked at records or simple profiles,

 

he had directly examined Hae-rang’s gameplay and prepared his questions.

 

‘He remembered?’

 

For Eun Min-seop too, Hae-rang’s designation came as a refreshing shock.

 

Most of the guys he had interviewed so far were arrogant and gave halfhearted answers.

 

It was common for them to be lost in thought and ask what question was asked again.

 

The best gamers in the world, but also the most arrogant bastards.

 

Yeah, guys like Singularity.

 

“Thank you, Gwanjong Cheonma.”

 

Eun Min-seop, who received the microphone, bowed his head slightly.

 

“You’ll be playing ranked games in Challenger Tier from now on. Are you aware that from Challenger onwards, it’s played on random maps?”

 

“Yes. Of course I know.”

 

“You’ve only played on Sanhok so far, so won’t you need an adjustment period for the new maps?”

 

As expected.

 

He had chosen the right person.

 

Hae-rang smiled like that and answered.

 

“I fully understand the necessity of map adaptation. That’s why I’ve prepared my own contingency plan.”

 

“That contingency plan being…?”

 

Hae-rang was about to answer but stopped and stared at the camera.

 

The smile on his lips grew a bit deeper.

 

“You’ll find out if you watch my broadcast.”

 

* * *

 

“Hahahaha!”

 

Manager Jo’s laughter echoes loudly through the tuna restaurant.

 

His gaze turns toward Hae-rang sitting across from him.

 

“You’re a natural. Born with the qualities of a streamer.”

 

“What do you mean?”

 

“You said it yourself. If they’re curious, come watch the broadcast. Delivering a line like that in a place where you’re getting all that attention isn’t easy. You’d need a heart twice as thick as others to pull that off.”

 

“Mm.”

 

Hae-rang flinched slightly for a moment.

 

Manager Jo then set down the liquor bottle he was holding.

 

“Oh my. The alcohol must be hitting you. Are you a light drinker?”

 

“No. I’m fine now.”

 

Gwanjong Cheonma shook his head once and held out his glass.

 

Manager Jo poured the alcohol with some doubt.

 

“Don’t push yourself too hard. I’m not the type to force drinks on people. There are plenty of people here who can drink for you.”

 

At Manager Jo’s words, the staff sitting on both sides smiled bitterly.

 

Operations team leader Lee Bi-su was on the left.

 

Sales team leader Han Seung-taek was seated on the right.

 

“Thank you for proving that my instincts weren’t wrong. I’m particularly drawn to you more than the other ambassadors.”

 

“Thank you for viewing me favorably. I’ll also do my best to fulfill my duties as an ambassador.”

 

“Hehe. You speak with such moderation and grace. I’d like to teach the section chiefs under me a thing or two.”

 

In various ways, Manager Jo seemed to have taken quite a liking to Hae-rang.

 

Choi Gang-sik, sitting next to Hae-rang, inwardly cheered with delight.

 

Whether in the entertainment industry or gaming industry.

 

Gaining favor with a company’s power player is beneficial in many ways.

 

As Choi Gang-sik cheerfully raised his drink, Han Seung-taek handed him an envelope.

 

“Manager Choi Gang-sik. This contains the contract details we sent you via email earlier. We’ve also stamped our copy, so you can keep one for your records.”

 

“Thank you. Is there anything in particular we should be careful about?”

 

“Nothing like that. As long as you broadcast Survival Ground once a week, everything else should go smoothly.”

 

“You don’t need to worry about that. Thanks to Survival Ground, our viewer count is growing rapidly. For the time being, we plan to play it more than half the time, not just once a week.”

 

“Oh my. We’d be so grateful if you did that.”

 

The ambassador selection ceremony proceeded in a consistently warm and friendly atmosphere throughout.

 

There were no difficult personalities or problematic behavior.

 

The event concluded while generating buzz beyond expectations.

 

“Do you smoke?”

 

As the meal was nearing its end.

 

Manager Jo asked Hae-rang.

 

Hae-rang stood up from his seat and replied.

 

“Shall we get some fresh air?”

 

“Let’s do that.”

 

The two men went outside the tuna restaurant and found the smoking area.

 

“What do you smoke? Cigarettes? E-cigarettes?”

 

“I don’t smoke.”

 

“What? That’s different from what you said earlier.”

 

“I never said I smoked. I only said we should get some fresh air.”

 

“Hehe. Then you don’t even smoke, so why did you come out here?”

 

“I saw Team Leader Han Seung-taek smoking before coming here. I thought there must be a reason why you asked me about cigarettes when you had a conversation partner right next to you.”

 

“….”

 

Manager Jo’s eyes flash over his flushed red cheeks.

 

“The more I see of you, the more I like you. If I could, I’d want to teach you the work under me right away.”

 

“I appreciate your words, but I like this job.”

 

“Haha. I know. It’s just my wishful thinking.”

 

His bulging eyes change to a warm expression as if nothing had happened.

 

Then he showed a playful smile.

 

“Actually, I don’t smoke either. Just like you said, I just asked to have a conversation.”

 

“Our hearts were in sync then.”

 

“Hehe. I suppose so.”

 

Manager Jo’s gaze looks up at the sky that has grown dark.

 

“As you’ve probably heard, I was once a professional gamer too. Back then, I thought only the world where I was active was a battlefield, but that wasn’t the case. The fights that happen within the company are just as bloody as those of professional gamers.”

 

“I think I understand a little. I know someone who thinks of the company as a battlefield.”

 

“Haha. Is that so?”

 

After a brief pause, a meaningful voice flowed from Manager Jo.

 

“From what I’ve observed, you have no interest in Singularity.”

 

“Did it seem that way?”

 

“Don’t pretend you don’t know. Lee Bi-su, who was sitting next to you during the last meeting, got thoroughly scolded by me. Since that day, she’s brought me a truckload of information about you. Not just your gameplay, but even important conversations you had with viewers.”

 

“And that conclusion was that I have no interest in Singularity.”

 

“Right. You had plenty of opportunities but deliberately didn’t make contact. Even when Singularity reached out to you first.”

 

“If you’ve investigated that thoroughly, there’s no need to beat around the bush.”

 

A small arc formed at the corner of Hae-rang’s expressionless lips.

 

“That’s correct. I’m not particularly interested in them.”

 

“Does saying you’re not interested mean the same as saying you won’t join?”

 

“I can’t guarantee what will happen in the future, but for now, yes.”

 

“Why?”

 

“Because I’ve tried it and I know.”

 

Hae-rang’s smile deepened even more.

 

“It’s better to lead directly than to follow those you don’t like.”

 

* * *

 

A convenience store at dawn.

 

Hae-rang sits on a plastic chair set up to one side.

 

Soon Choi Gang-sik comes out of the convenience store and hands him a hangover drink.

 

“Drink up.”

 

“Thank you.”

 

“Hey. Manager Jo even told you to stop drinking if it was too much. Why did you keep accepting drinks from everyone left and right?”

 

“Old habits die hard. I used to be fine drinking like this before.”

 

Alcohol poison could simply be burned away by gathering energy at the fingertips.

 

In Murim, this was called Samadhi True Fire.

 

It was a very easy and convenient method to remove the effects of alcohol.

 

Unfortunately, the current Hae-rang couldn’t use those martial arts.

 

“Before? You’re in your early twenties, when the hell did you start drinking?”

 

“It just happened that way.”

 

“This guy was a complete delinquent in school. You didn’t beat up other kids, did you? You know that school violence scandals are the scariest thing among streamers, right?”

 

“Don’t worry. I never hit anyone at school.”

 

“Good thing. Let’s finish the conversation we were having earlier. When you said you’d lead directly, what did Manager Jo say? Didn’t he tell you to know your place?”

 

“He just burst out laughing. Then he went inside by himself.”

 

“Ugh. I thought it was going to be some important conversation.”

 

Choi Gang-sik clicked his tongue as if disappointed.

 

Following Choi Ji-man from Gonau Soft, he had hoped to get close to another industry insider.

 

Hae-rang downed his hangover drink in one shot and spoke quietly.

 

“It probably wasn’t a completely meaningless conversation.”

 

“I hope so. When are you going to make the duo proposal?”

 

“I was planning to do it tonight, but that won’t work. I need to do it with a clear mind.”

 

“I think that’s right too. If they hear any slurred speech, it would be incredibly rude.”

 

“I know.”

 

The ‘map adaptation’ issue that Reporter Eun Min-seop had asked about.

 

Starting from the Challenge League, you can’t just choose your preferred maps.

 

So Hae-rang decided to play duo ranked for just one week.

 

The next morning.

 

“This is Cheon Hae-rang.”

 

Hae-rang called someone with his voice now back to normal.

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