Season 4: Chapter 26. First Mission (2)
Suddenly, the stream ended.
— Gasp!
— Ending it here??
— Nooo!
— Treevy’s almost at the end too now...
— It can’t be helped. Health comes first. Bye~
Although Sang-Hyeon’s arm had significantly improved after a month of rest, he had promised not to stream for more than five hours on his first day back. He had already agreed on this with Bubblegum.
"Oh, it’s already that time?"
Bubblegum checked the clock and addressed his viewers.
"Wow, that was fun. Everyone, I’m glad I got to shine at the end. Good job, Almond."
"Yeah."
Once the stream ended, Bubblegum casually asked Almond, "Hey, have you decided on a platform yet?"
With Treevy gone, streamers would have to choose new platforms. It was total chaos.
"Ah... no, not yet. I still need to talk to Ju-Hyeok. What about you, Gum?"
"Ahaha, me? Not yet either."
"It’s still early."
"Right."
Bubblegum nodded in agreement, but internally thought, ‘Hah... Almond, when are you going to decide?’
He really wanted to know Almond’s choice first.
Right now, Almond’s value in the streaming world was skyrocketing. It wasn’t just viewer count. His influence was massive, especially after winning the Civil Empire tournament. Almond’s position had become unshakable even though he didn’t seem to realize it.
"Okay, see you tomorrow, Gum."
"Okie~"
Almond logged out of This World. As soon as he did, more streamers poured in like they’d been waiting.
Pop! Pop-pop! Pop-pop-pop!
"Whoa—?! What the—?!"
Startled, Bubblegum looked around.
"Wait, did I forget to set a password?"
"Bro, you always use the same one," Takoyaki said from behind.
Behind him stood Miho, StrawberryShooter, and other streamers from Balloon Entertainment.
"Ahem! What are you guys doing?! Planning to protest or something against the boss?!"
Bubblegum barked at them reflexively, but they suddenly appeared for another reason.
Miho stepped forward and asked, "No, that’s not it. Do you know where Almond is going?"
"Why do you want to know that?"
"Because we’ll go there too~"
Of course, they wouldn’t actually join him. It felt like Miho had a fluffy fox tail swishing behind her.
Bubblegum backed off slightly, shaking his head.
"I don’t know. He said he hasn’t decided yet!"
"Sigh."
Several streamers sighed in disappointment.
"Well, yeah... of course he hasn’t."
"He probably got amazing offers. Must be hard to choose."
"Ugh, we mid-tier streamers will get hounded if we don’t pick soon..."
They had come to sniff out news about platform choices. In the streaming world, viewers tended to follow the streamer and not the platform. Each platform had its own culture, but most fans followed their favorites. Naturally, everyone was curious about where Almond would go.
"None of you care where I’m going, huh? Huh?"
"Bro... you’re just going wherever Almond goes."
"Hey! You weren’t supposed to say that!" Bubblegum snapped at Takoyaki.
"W-Was that a secret?"
"N-No. Just... it hurts my pride."
It was understandable. Bubblegum was a fairly big streamer himself. It stung a little to be seen as just following someone else, but that only highlighted how influential Almond had become.
"Bro, honestly, everyone is just gonna follow Almond unless it’s someone like Zelo. Almond is just on a different level right now."
"That’s true. Anyway! When I hear something, I’ll let you guys know. Got it? Now scram!"
"Yes, sir~"
The streamers answered in unison and left.
***
Ssssshhk.
Sang-Hyeon emerged from the capsule.
"How was it? Getting back in the game?" Ju-Hyeok peeked in through the door and asked.
"Yeah... surprisingly okay."
As expected, a custom capsule was on another level compared to the standard capsules he used during the tournament. His condition still felt perfect after using the custom capsule.
"I think I can stream longer starting tomorrow."
"Don’t push yourself."
Ju-Hyeok gave his usual warning before heading back to his desk. On his monitor were dozens of ad inquiry emails. Reading through ad offers was one of his favorite hobbies. Even if he didn’t accept them, just reading them made him feel good.
Strangely, Ju-Hyeok wasn’t looking at them this time. He stared intently at just two emails.
[Hello! Almond, this is a transfer offer from Paprika!]
[We are Cheese, a new live streaming platform.]
***
The next morning, Sang-Hyeon woke up early and got ready to head out.
‘It’s been a while.’
Zip.
He zipped up his windbreaker and checked his reflection in the front door mirror.
‘Hmm. This will do.’
It wasn’t about looking stylish. He put on his hood and zipped his jacket all the way up to conceal his identity. He didn’t wear a mask because he was just going for a jog.
"I’m heading out!"
He shouted roughly in Ju-Hyeok’s direction, knowing that Ju-Hyeok was still asleep. Then, he headed down the familiar hillside neighborhood stairs.
"Hoo, hoo, hooph."
He exhaled dramatically as he jogged down. Getting back into his routine felt great. The fresh morning air, warm sunlight, and healthy people hustling to work... Each small detail reminded him of it.
‘I’m a streamer again.’
Almond, the streamer, had returned. During the Civil Empire tournament, Sang-Hyeon didn’t get to keep up with his personal routines. He had to move as part of the group, not because he was told to, but because that was most efficient.
That had its own appeal, but he had missed this life. He cherished this freedom in the morning, especially after working standard jobs in the past.
‘Still, I do miss it a little.’
Even so, the memories of his time in Japan warmed him. However, that was already in the past. He always told himself, ‘Almond can’t last forever.’ It was a role with an end.
"Let’s go~"
At the bottom of the stairs, he muttered to himself like a pep talk and started running.
‘This is where I first met Ji-Ah.’
Arriving at the riverside park brought back memories of when he’d just started streaming. He had randomly met Ji-Ah in the neighborhood and latched onto her to sign a contract. Looking back, it felt absurd how lucky he’d been.
"Hah... haah."
After reaching the river trail, he picked up the pace. Sang-Hyeon never wore earphones while jogging, so he could clearly hear—
"Wait... isn’t that Almond?"
"Almond?"
"Whoa, he really lives in our neighborhood?"
"Dang, you can tell it’s him just from his silhouette."
Thankfully, they didn’t approach him. Still, it felt a little embarrassing that people recognized him even with his hood up.
‘Guess that didn’t help after all.’
He figured it was useless now and decided to just take his hood off.
Sang-Hyeon simply continued running.
"Wow! It's Almond!"
A clueless middle-aged man shouted ridiculously loudly.
Sang-Hyeon sped up and ran away. Maybe it was from playing Ghostwo Busters, but even the man’s voice reeked of villain energy.
Tadadadadak!
"Ah, hey! Wait up! Smart young man~!"
The man even followed him as he ran. That voice sounded familiar.
‘No way.’
Sang-Hyeon turned around with an incredulous expression.
"Ugh. Pang."
"Ahahaha! Surprised, huh?"
Pang came over and lightly tapped his shoulder.
"Wow, fancy meeting you here, huh? I do miracle morning routines too, you know?"
"This is just a normal morning."
It was 8:45 A.M.
"Well, it’s a miracle for me, kid. Tsk."
"Did you really come out to run?"
"Of course."
"Oh..."
Still, Sang-Hyeon was glad to see Pang. Pang had never been much of a fitness guy, but he’d taken a liking to it and kept it up ever since the archery squad days. He was the type to find random things fun.
"After this, how about some ramen and a beer?"
"Ah, so that’s why it’s a miracle."
Sang-Hyeon figured out his motive and shook his head. Pang followed as he started running again.
"Hey, hey. I’m kidding."
Sang-Hyeon just kept running in silence.
"Ugh! Hey! Take it easy. Let’s not overdo it. How about just a can of coffee? My treat. Deal?"
"Deal."
Pang smirked and laughed.
"Let’s run first."
The Civil Empire tournament had ended, but friendships remained.
***
"Haa... haaack..."
Like a dying zombie, Pang collapsed onto a convenience store patio seat.
"Ugh... huh... I am never running again..."
His feet hurt as he took off his shoes and massaged them repeatedly.
"Is your stream going well?"
"Yeah... things are finally okay now, but... just as I got comfortable, the platform shut down."
"Jackpot~"
"Ugh, that’s it. I’m not giving this to you."
Pang tried to take back the canned coffee he was offering in jest, but Sang-Hyeon casually snatched it away.
Clack.
"Tch."
They chatted about fishing, camping, and ended up talking about doing a collab stream.
"Oh!? Really? I’d be honored!"
Pang got all excited and started bouncing.
"A collab with the Great Nut himself. My mom will be thrilled. Seriously, thank you!"
"We’re in the same agency anyway."
Indeed, Pang was also under Mixed Nuts. All the former national team members who became streamers were under Ju-Hyeok’s wing.
"Same agency, my butt. It’s not like working at Tesla gets you dinner with Elon Musk."
‘Fair enough.’
"By the way, have you decided?"
"About which platform?"
"Yeah."
"Nope."
Sang-Hyeon sipped his coffee and stared out at the river. He really hadn’t decided anything. Even the thought of leaving Treevy didn’t feel real yet.
‘No wonder all these memories came rushing back today.’
Bubblegum had asked where he was heading next, which probably triggered these old memories. Somehow, Treevy had started to feel like home to him.
Tap.
Pang placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Don’t stress too much. Take your time. I’ll just... follow your lead!"
His tone sounded like, "Just trust me, bro!" However, the content was the exact opposite.
***
That evening, Almond went live on his stream.
[Exorcism Stream: GOAT and Matt]
— Hey hey!
— Let’s gooo
— GOAT and Matt, lol
— Pat and Matt?!
— Ooh
He didn’t jump straight into the game due to the stream’s format. He chatted with viewers first, and of course, many asked him about his platform choice.
Ding!
[RubySword has donated 30,000 won.]
[May I ask if you’ve chosen a platform yet?]
"Ah, that... I haven’t decided yet. I’ll decide within a month."
— Most top streamers are moving to Paprika
— Cheese is similar to Treevy, I heard
— Cheese is too new, though
— Paprika is fully supporting gaming now
— Treevy is really going away...
The chat was full of speculation and rumors.
Ding!
[AK47 has donated 50,000 won!]
[I heard there will be a Platform Battle Tournament after Cheese launches. Will you participate?]
"Thank you, Ack47."
— LOL
— Bruh
— It’s pronounced A-K...
"A platform battle?"
Almond had never heard of it. He honestly hadn’t paid much attention to other platforms.
‘Is that why Bubblegum asked me?’
He had a feeling that Bubblegum just wanted another ride on the Almond bus.
"I’m hearing about this for the first time. What is it exactly?"
Ding!
[AK47 has donated 3,000 won.]
[It’s basically a showdown between platforms. Just a rumor so far, though.]
— Ohhh
— First I’m hearing about it too. Is this just Paprika propaganda?
— The donation dropped real fast LOL
— Hyped!
— I heard it too
— If Almond doesn’t know, maybe it’s not real
— They’re milking this hard rn in LIL
Almond found a showdown between platforms interesting, but it was time to start the game.
"Alright, let’s get back into Ghostwo Busters for today."
He launched the game.
[Ak47 has submitted a Mission]
[Full Playthrough Mission incoming~]
Ba-ba-bam!
A trumpet rang out as the mission box appeared.
[Ghostwo Busters Full Playthrough in one stream]
[2,000,000 won]
[Do you accept?]
— Gasp!
— Whoa
— What is this?!
— New sugar daddy unlocked?
— d-d-d-damn
— Yooo
— Haven’t seen an Almond mission in a while!
A full playthrough mission suddenly appeared.
‘A full playthrough?’
Almond had never done a mission like that before. He had avoided long streams like full playthroughs because of his arm.
‘Hmm.’
Almond hesitated to accept it or not.