Season 5: Chapter 3. One. Not an End, but a Beginning (3)
The Treevy funeral was filled with systems designed specifically for streamers. The streamers didn’t have to carry cameras themselves thanks to the flexible displays and mini cameras.
Multiple massive broadcast cameras, like the kind used by TV stations, were also capturing the event in detail. An MC ran the proceedings as well. The broadcast from these relay cameras had separate channels under Cheese and Paprika.
[Current Viewers: 81,000]
When the funeral began, noticeably more people were watching on Cheese because Cheese was far more serious about carrying on Treevy’s legacy.
— So this is really Treevy’s farewell
— Treevy’s gone now, even the send-off is over lol
— ▶◀
— We offer our condolences to Treevy... ▶◀
New viewers all paid their respects to Treevy with black bowtie emojis. It was a kind of memorial ritual written into the announcement. Once that greeting finished, a familiar question usually followed.
— Which camera should we watch?
Even though it was the same event, switching channels allowed viewers to watch from different camera angles.
— Start with cam one, people are entering
— Lots of handsome guys and pretty girls
— Nice
— Cam one, Black Tea and Green Tea entering~
Each camera had its own number. Camera one showed the entrance of the main hall, where streamers first appeared.
— Wait, are those two still a couple?
— Why is Green Tea getting dragged in a headlock?
— Why is it Green Tea and not Lemon?
— Lemon is surprisingly here with Sweet Potato today lol
— Salt and Pepper have arrived!!
Many of them entered as pairs, trying to look stylish. Even if they weren’t actually together, they escorted one another in. It was part of the unique atmosphere at events like this. Of course, plenty of people came alone as well.
— Radish Servant, welcome~
— Why did Radish Servant come alone?
— If only Radish Servant’s squinty eyes were bigger, he’d be handsome
For example, Radish Servant arrived alone in a sharp suit. He seemed a little awkward compared to all the couples, but smiled sheepishly and blended into the crowd.
— Why is nobody calling him Sweet Radish? lol
— It’s Sweet Radish... not Radish Servant
— He’s just become Radish Servant at this point LOL
Zelo drew even more attention than any couple. He rarely attended events like this, so his appearance alone was noteworthy.
— Huh? Is that Zelo??
— Who’s next to him??
— Isn’t that Choco Shroom?? LOL
— Zelo with a woman???
On top of that, he had arrived with a female streamer, something extremely rare. Choco Shroom had roleplayed a mock marriage with him in Cheese Village. The other streamers reacted explosively.
“Waaaaaah!”
“It’s Zelo Shroom!”
“Where’s Zelu?!”
Even streamers burst into cheers.
— What is Zelo and Choco Shroom though? The vibe is kind of weird...
— Why is Choco Shroom sticking so close to Zelo? LOL
— Asking where Zelu is LMAO
— Those two already have grandchildren
They had worked as a team in Cheese Village and even ended up giving birth to Zelu. Maybe because of that, Zelo had prepared a bit of showmanship.
“Oh? Zelu is right here, though?”
He pulled out a doll he had hidden behind his back. His fans had made this Zelo doll, and he claimed it to be Zelu.
— Nice
— Fan service
— The baby is so cute ^^
— LMAO
— Zelo you bastard
— This is it~
— Taste level maxed
Even though Zelo was usually passive about offline events, the top streamer decided to show off impressive showmanship this time. Naturally, this immediately became a hot topic on the community boards.
[1. Updates from today’s Treevy funeral]
[2. Breaking! Zel Shroom + Zelu appear]
[3. Miho’s outfit today!]
[4. Zel Shroom family of three!]
[5. Breaking! Zelo arrives!]
Multiple top posts appeared.
— Zelo has been killing it at offline events lately
└ Is he feeling threatened or something? Hehe
└ Threatened by what, you nut squad bastard
└ I didn’t even say who, why are you getting defensive?
└ Zel-aous?
— Zelo, come out more often, it’s nice to see you
— Bringing Zelu was seriously perfect LOL
Comments like these piled up. Since Cheese Village, Zelo’s fans had been subtly keeping Almond in check. Maybe the instincts of these longtime fans were right. Amid the flood of Zelo related posts, another suddenly surged.
[6. Identity of the insanely handsome guy spotted near a certain university!]
While discussions about the Treevy funeral circulated, an unexpected post about a mysterious handsome man appeared.
==== ====
(Photo)
It was Almond lol
He just walks by, and a post pops up on the community...
==== ====
The attached photo had originally been posted as “Spotted an insanely handsome guy.” The poster thought Almond looked like a celebrity and asked the community.
— Wow...
— Even shot from far away, his handsomeness breaks through
— Holy shit
— That bastard...
└ LMAO
— I’m starting to get Zel-aous
— So that means he’s on his way now
└ For real
— Why is even his entrance route a trending post?
— Nut squad comment brigade is insane
└ BS
Some started claiming that Almond’s popularity was due to a comment brigade, but MixedNuts didn’t have the capital to hire anything like that. This kind of attention was just a natural phenomenon. When Almond actually appeared at the Treevy funeral venue, the reactions exploded.
— Watch cam one. Almond just arrived
— Almond appears on cam one!
— Cam three, Miho suddenly jumps up and runs lol
— Wow... he is insanely handsome...
Viewers flooded over to camera one and focused on the entrance.
Sweet Potato shouted, “My looooord~!”
Streamers swarmed in all at once. The energy felt almost on par with Zelo’s entrance. Almond’s performance in Cheese Village clearly played a major role.
— Why are streamers lining up to take pictures with him??
— Wow...
— Uh, why are they linking arms for photos? Huh?
— The worst streamer on earth...
[2. Almond’s real-time popularity...]
A photo post showcasing Almond’s popularity among other streamers quickly climbed to second place and threatened Zelo’s standing. Maybe because of that, the community boards grew noticeably heated.
[Almond’s presence definitely leveled up]
[Two vicious fandoms about to clash]
[Anyone framing Almond as Zelo’s rival is Nut Squad, FYI]
[What “presence” lol basement nobodies talking big]
[Is Almond even comparable to Zelo???]
Zelo’s fandom took great pride in being fans of the number one streamer, and they had reason to. The gap between Zelo and everyone below him was enormous. Even now, he was undeniably the top streamer.
In fact, only one streamer had ever come close to truly threatening Zelo.
‘JeonJaPa...’
Zelo still remembered him.
After retiring, JeonJaPa had streamed for a few months and rose at an absurd pace. He disappeared just as quickly, but his fandom power had been overwhelming.
‘It feels similar.’
Looking at Almond’s trajectory, Zelo couldn’t help but feel the resemblance.
***
“Wow, Almond!”
“Bro! Bro!”
Far more people gathered than Sang-Hyeon had expected, leaving him flustered.
‘They’re not even fans, but other streamers.’
He hadn’t anticipated this at an event exclusively for streamers. Somehow, he ended up trapped as if surrounded by fans.
“Uh, I need to go sit down...”
Black Tea slipped out from the crowd and asked for a photo. “Oppa! Can I get a picture too?”
She was a member of the Knight Order, so he couldn’t exactly refuse.
Click.
“M-me too!”
“Me as well!”
Just like that, Sang-Hyeon became stuck taking pictures in the middle of the crowd. He didn’t realize that someone was watching him intently from afar.
“Wow... Almond in real life... is insane.”
Jung Gi-Chan had come out with Miho. Instead of approaching, he just watched from a distance while chatting with his viewers.
“How am I supposed to start a conversation?”
— Why are you asking that here?
— Just walk over and talk to him
— Why did you even come out if you’re gonna be like this?
— Let’s just go back to the room;
“No, I’m asking how to talk to him. Why won’t you tell me?”
At this point, ForeverAlone started blaming his viewers.
— ??
— ?
— ...?
“There has to be some kind of method. Why aren’t you telling me? I don’t know!”
— He’s actually lost it
— Crazy bastard LOL
— Looks like he’s about to trip someone instead
— What kind of method is that, idiot?
— Did you not go to school?
“Haah. Figures. What would you guys know anyway? You’re all just like me.”
— Self-destruct attack
— DAMN
— This level is rare, Gi-Chan
— Oh come on
— Ugh... (you hit where it hurts)
Then, something unbelievable happened.
Sang-Hyeon spotted him and waved. “Huh? ForeverAlone!”
He smoothly slipped out of the dense crowd while waving and clearly calling for ForeverAlone.
“ForeverAlone!”
Gi-Chan froze in shock.
— Why does a handsome guy yelling ForeverAlone piss me off so much?
— LOL
— Wait, is he really calling over here?
— Saying ForeverAlone ForeverAlone sounds like an insult
— He’s just saying ForeverAlone! No offense intended
Contrary to the viewers’ guesses, Sang-Hyeon kept approaching Gi-Chan.
He actually came right up and lightly patted Gi-Chan on the shoulder. “Hey. You’re ForeverAlone, right?”
“Ah, h-hello... Y-yes... I mean, I am ForeverAlone, but... announcing that so publicly here is kind of...”
— What is this lunatic saying? LMAO
— LOL
— He means your ID, idiot
Gi-Chan continued to fumble.
“Just a moment~!”
Sensing good content, the broadcast crew rushed over. Cameras flew toward them. The MC approached with a microphone and started an interview.
“May we have a quick interview?”
Naturally, both Sang-Hyeon and Gi-Chan nodded. Facing the camera, the MC raised the energy with his signature broadcast tone.
“Ah~! The legendary Lord! And the Eternal Lord’s Sword, ForeverAlone! They’ve finally met, everyone!”
— Eternal Lord’s Sword LMAO
— LOL
— Hahaha
— Immediate demotion lmao
The MC was roaming the venue and conducting interviews guaranteed to become hot topics.
‘Huh?’
Sang-Hyeon felt like he had heard this voice somewhere before.
‘Wait?’
He looked at the MC in surprise.
‘OrangeKing?’
“Hello, Almond!”
“Ah, yes...”
‘His head is really big.’
That thought instinctively slipped into Sang-Hyeon’s mind. It couldn’t be helped. OrangeKing was famous for his huge head.
“Almond, watching Cheese Village, it felt like Gi-Chan had a lot of, um... affection? Loyalty, perhaps? Hahaha. Toward you.”
“Ah... yes.”
“Now that you’ve met Gi-Chan in person, could you share a few words?”
“How is he in real life?”
Sang-Hyeon started to speak, then suddenly stopped. “Um...”
He couldn’t find a suitable word.
— ?
— ??
— Come on
— Say something, anything
— LOL
Somehow, he forced out the words. “Well... his h-head isn’t as big as I thought.”
“Pardon?”
“His head isn’t big. His head.”
— ?
— No way
— Wow
— Holy shit
— Probably means smaller than in Survival Craft
— Why is he saying this so seriously LOL
Thinking the music was drowning him out, Sang-Hyeon shouted to be extra clear. “His head! It really isn’t as big as I expected!”
“Ah, understood! I heard you, Almond. Please calm down.”
— Is that a shot at OrangeKing? LOL
— What size were you even imagining...
— Calm down LOL
— HAHAHAHA
— Look at OrangeKing’s face lmao
— That was obviously about OrangeKing
OrangeKing had always been the one doing the interviews, never the one being interviewed at an international event.
‘This isn’t easy.’
Only now did he understand why reporters sometimes cried in the waiting rooms.