Master Swordsman’s Stream - Chapter 367

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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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Episode 367

“Just think about it for a moment, streamer K.”
“It’s Jay.”
“Oh, I apologize.”
Seo Jun offered a warm smile before continuing.
“In any case, what we’re all trying to do here is win the hearts of everyone who came as viewers. To entertain them. And that’s why afterward, when TrStar ends, the viewers vote for the streamer who impressed them most.”
……
“But are you confident you can draw more buzz than I can? Especially when my booth happens to be free during the first half?”
He’d naturally intended to wander around then.
If he’d known that, he should have been more careful.
Who knows what he might do while roaming freely, targeting people.
……
“I do hope your booth’s challenge becomes the talk of the event.”
“It’s Jay.”
Seo Jun approached Jay with that same disarming smile.
Then he leaned in and whispered softly.
“Because then it’s worth my while to break it. And when that happens, you should think very carefully about who the people will vote for.”
Seo Jun bid his farewell and drifted unhurriedly away from Jay’s large booth.
‘A festival is meant to be enjoyed.’
Of course, he’d do everything he could to finish first, but Seo Jun had come here to have fun.
And part of that fun included…
‘I was planning to visit all the other booths anyway, but now I’m genuinely fired up.’
Breaking through each booth without question was definitely on the agenda.
He couldn’t resist this.
He’d teach a lesson or two at the booths of people he knew as well.
Seo Jun began surveying each booth with his hands clasped behind his back.
No one noticed that every streamer who recognized him while preparing their booths suddenly broke into cold sweat all at once.

* * *

One day before TrStar begins.
Team lead Sun and the other streamers were all in the thick of preparation.
Merchandise that had been prepared was being transported, banners were being hung, and the staff assigned to inspection moved busily about.
The Management Committee overseeing TrStar was no different.
“I’m not sure how many people will show up.”
“Are you saying more people than usual will come?”
TrStar requires a ticket to attend.
But the peculiar thing is that they don’t sell tickets.
This is an event for viewers.
While significant capital is invested, it’s fully covered by sponsorships from companies seeking promotional benefits.
This was only possible because Trabol had grown so large, but in any case, they couldn’t sell tickets.
So how do people obtain TrStar tickets?
Simple.
You apply, and they give them to you.
“I believe we received applications from a similar number of viewers as last time.”
“Hmm… Looking at the number of users who received tickets, it’s actually fewer than last year.”
The TrStar application period was just before Seo Jun went to the History Book.
And all the viewers who applied back then received tickets.
“Then there’s nothing to worry about, is there?”
Typically, about 30% of viewers who receive TrStar tickets actually attend.
That’s been the pattern so far.
Since receiving a ticket costs nothing, there’s no downside, which is why 70% turn out to be no-shows.
The application process is so simple that people just click apply when a pop-up banner appears while streaming or watching.
“That’s not it.”
“Why not?”
“I have a feeling that more than 70% will actually attend this time…”
“More than double last year’s? Still, that should be manageable. We have more than enough capacity.”
TrStar is prepared generously for everything.
They know an event that looks sparse isn’t good, but their philosophy is if that happens, viewers and streamers just spend more time chatting and having fun.
All of this is thanks to the structure of the Management Committee.
The Management Committee is divided into three parts: the Game Company side, Surface, and the streamer side. Surface is a generous entrepreneur.
They’re a company that the public supports for their monopoly practices.
Precisely because of that, they know how to see the bigger picture rather than petty profit, and the streamer side naturally wants to uphold the original purpose.
So the Game Company side’s desire to scrimp a little more and conserve sponsorship funds doesn’t get approved.
One of the streamer-side committee members explained it this way.
“Yes, double would certainly be crowded, but it should be manageable.”
“Then we’re fine.”
“But what about 80%, 90%? Or if large crowds concentrate in one area?”
“… No, what are you talking about? 80%, 90%—those are just unrealistic figures from a practical standpoint.”
“Do you really think so? I got quite a shock this morning when I checked Carrot Country.”
“Why’s that?”
The Surface-side committee member showed interest.
“There are a lot of people trying to buy TrStar tickets along with Trabol IDs. And I mean a lot. Only then did I realize I should reconsider my earlier assessment and started looking into it.”
Selling tickets is a real hassle.
Because you have to log into the other person’s Trabol app—it’s needed for entry.
Of course, the Trabol ID doesn’t hold any sensitive information.
At most it’s just Points, so someone who bought a ticket would likely log out after using it for their first entry into TrStar and log back into their own account to resume viewing.
Even so, meeting up to log someone in is undeniably tedious.
And uncomfortable.
So what incentive would make people do such uncomfortable and tedious work?
A lot of money.
And for free-distributed tickets to become a lot of money, there needs to be implicit demand, and the source of that demand is…
“It can only be streamer Seo Jun.”
“No, wait—that makes sense…? They’re selling for a hundred thousand won?”
“Yes. People who thought they wouldn’t go and didn’t even apply are literally shedding tears. And there aren’t many listings available.”
Once the situation was reasonably explained, everyone started chiming in.
“It’s not that there are no listings because it’s tedious…”
“It’s that people want to go themselves, so they won’t sell, which is why there are no listings.”
“If that’s the case, then having large crowds gather, and even when they do, concentrating in one spot—it all makes sense.”
“Our venue is very spacious, though.”
“What about traffic? Surely traffic won’t be backed up? I mean, Seoul is always congested, but if this many people converge on an already-congested area…”
They’d already done all available countermeasures including crowd control, but that’s precisely the problem.
Because there’s nothing more they can prepare for.
“Oh dear, what do we do?”
“Come on, surely it won’t come to that?”
The Game Company-side member said it flatly.
“Apparently Cheonma Cosplay sold three hundred units. Kael Cosplay sold seven hundred.”
“Those people didn’t all buy them to come to TrStar.”
He countered just as flatly.
“According to rumors, a major league pitcher might even come to TrStar. Apparently they want to check Seo Jun’s shoulder.”
“Isn’t that just a rumor, though?”
“Who knows?”
“That’s right. Who knows?”
They were already growing anxious.
“Come on, surely that’s not actually going to happen!”

* * *

“It really did happen…”
The long-awaited day of TrStar’s opening.
The Game Company-side committee member who’d particularly insisted it wouldn’t happen was startled pale by the number of vehicles streaming in as dawn broke in crimson rays, and by the crowds pouring out of nearby stations.
It was visible from afar.
This event would draw a record-breaking crowd.
“This is absurd. At this hour, no less…”
“Give up. Go check where the lines are forming. Everyone’s saying the same thing.”
“The same thing about who?”
“About the person you so opposed, sir.”
“Thirty million won?”
“Yes.”
The proposal regarding Seo Jun hadn’t passed unanimously in the committee.
The Game Company side had primarily opposed it because they were putting up most of the funding.
They had to be most sensitive about budget and advertising.
If you’re spending big money to draw crowds, putting him off to the side rather than center stage is wasteful.
If Seo Jun has repeated failures, it’s wasteful.
“Looking at it now, how do you feel about it?”
“His influence is undeniable, but you know what happens if he fails anyway. My opinion hasn’t changed.”
“Don’t worry.”
“Sir?”
“A streamer who could fail at this scale wouldn’t have drawn this many people to watch him in the first place.”
“But…”
“That’s what viewers are.”
While wisdom was being dispensed from somewhere on the building’s rooftop, various conversations were also happening in the lines below.
“Excuse me. Is that outfit by any chance…?”
“Yes! The true and faithful neighbor of Astheros! The outfit of Judge Kael. Haha.”
“I knew it! I think I’ve seen that outfit on about three people. I wanted to ask if I was right. Thanks for confirming.”
“Three people? No, this shouldn’t be happening. Not already?”
Kael Cosplay enthusiasts began appearing here and there.
“Cackle cackle cackle.”
“What do you think you’re doing stepping forward before Cheonma now?”
“I’m the real Cheonma, you fool.”
And Cheonma supporters were no different.
“What are you two squid brains doing over there?”
“Um, we can hear you, so could you please keep it down?”
“We want you to hear it. We’re companions.”
“Ah.”
“A real Cheonma doesn’t wear those kinds of features anyway. The tone of voice is different too.”
“Hehe. You’re not wrong.”
Many people were clearly here because of Seo Jun.
But what about the others?
“Ah, I really want to see Master.”
“This is the first time I’ve ever been proud of hitting the apply button for TrStar.”
“I hear everyone came to meet Master. Does everyone have a challenge prepared?”
“As if? Finding something that monster can’t do is like looking for a needle in a haystack.”
“That’s true enough.”
People in the waiting lines chattered in small groups with those ahead and behind them, talking about Seo Jun.
True viewers who’d made it all the way to TrStar couldn’t possibly not know about Seo Jun.
And if someone came to TrStar without being a dedicated viewer, it was almost certainly to see Seo Jun, so it was hardly strange that most conversations centered on him.
“I heard Master isn’t available until afternoon. Should we stay long?”
“If we visit various booths, we should catch him at some point, right?”
“I just hope no weirdos cause trouble.”
“Master will Parry them, so I’m not worried.”
“Wow, that’s true. My concerns just vanished!”
But as conversations about Seo Jun continued, problems inevitably arose.
“Master is definitely Cheonma.”
“When was he Cheonma, brother? For the Sect was abandoned long ago.”
“And The League—he’s not doing that anymore either.”
“I can’t just let that comment slide, brother.”
“So there’s another Kael? Then people gather together, right?”
Kael or Cheonma.
Seo Jun wasn’t actually doing either at the moment, but a fight broke out anyway, and the surrounding onlookers couldn’t resist.
They couldn’t resist spreading the word about the fight.
“Hey, I heard some people over there are fighting about Kael and Cheonma. Shouldn’t we go help?”
“Really? I can’t resist this. Cheonma Assemble!”
“Awesome, those guys are going to fight and drop out of the line.”
And foolishly, those who broke from the line formed two factions, and everyone’s eyes widened.
Phone notifications all went off at once.

[‘Seo Jun’ has started streaming.]

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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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