Chapter 10 of Season 1: The Genius Archer's Streaming

4. Who is Dotorimuk? (2)

Dotorimuk.

By the number of viewers, he can't be considered a very successful streamer. However, in terms of revenue, he is undoubtedly ranked quite high.

The reason for this bizarre and cost-effective revenue model lies in the games he plays.

He specializes in playing manic games.

"Looks like he plays a lot of different games."

Sanghyun muttered to himself as he scrolled down and read the description of Dotorimuk.

"He was a general game streamer, like bubble gum."

General game streamer.

That was the type of streamer Sanghyun wanted to be.

Even from a purely commercial perspective, it was a much more advantageous form. It meant he could play various games and wouldn't be swayed by any trends.

Of course, only a select few streamers could live such a life.

Either they had to be good at all games, or if not, they had to have excellent broadcasting skills.

'I'll try to be the former.'

When Sanghyun thought about it, he didn't know if he had excellent broadcasting skills. But he felt his innate competitiveness and focus were unmatched by anyone.

"Still... what should I reply...?"

After organizing his thoughts, Sanghyun stared at the content of the message again.

====

Hello, Almond. I'm Dotorimuk, a streamer. These days, I mainly play Kingdom Age.

I'm pretty good at games, but I was smitten at first sight with your play. Don't misunderstand, I like women.

Anyway, the point is, I'd like to do a collaboration with you to share some tips, or perhaps analyze your play in a content series.

We can discuss the details in person or through a virtual meeting.

Don't feel pressured, and feel free to contact me for any other matters.

====

Although he said not to feel pressured, it was a rather burdensome message.

"Ah... I'm not good at this kind of thing."

Sanghyun was worried. Such a collaboration could be a double-edged sword for him.

It could solidify his image as a collaborating streamer or make him look like a leech.

"If I handle it poorly, it could get weird."

Sanghyun, a former senior manager at a large corporation, had almost no social skills.

He was the type who didn't easily make friends, even with social activities.

It was a relief if he didn't get criticized.

But the friend he had somehow made was quite a good one... it seemed.

Beep.

Familiar text appeared on his phone.

Sanghyun, not knowing what it was about, answered the call.

"Hey. What's up?"

"Hey. I checked out your stream. You're Almond, right?"

"Yeah."

"Wow, kid. The reaction was good, huh?"

"Yeah, it was."

"Is a stream usually that good on the second day? I feel more excited than you do."

"Archery is all about composure. And I've been a genius since I was young, so I'm used to it."

"Hmm..."

For a moment, it sounded like he was swearing on the phone.

"Hey, that's not it."

"What?"

"I had a big fight with the department head today."

"?! "

Sanghyun was genuinely surprised and couldn't respond. It was hard to imagine Kim Joo-hyuk, who wasn't even a manager, having a conflict with a department head.

Joo-hyuk was the type who always said he was the best at holding back. That's why he had such an elite resume.

"Your voice doesn't sound like you just had a fight... it sounds like you made a real decision?"

Most importantly, the way he spoke about the fight with the department head made Sanghyun feel uneasy.

Or maybe, this was a good omen.

"Yeah, I really messed up, messed up. That bastard. I should have thrown the ashtray at him."

"Did you... quit?"

"Yeah, damn it."

Ha ha ha! The phone burst into laughter, and Sanghyun winced and pulled it away from his ear.

"What are you going to do?"

"I have to find a new job."

"Oh."

Oh... right.

Sanghyun felt a sudden drop in his spirits. Joo-hyuk's life was completely different from his.

With his resume and abilities, Joo-hyuk could work at any company. He might have already received countless offers from somewhere.

Joo-hyuk wasn't just a guy with a good resume. His work ability was real. So, he would be confident in finding a new job.

That's why Sanghyun couldn't bring himself to voice the thought that had been nagging at him.

'Should I tell him or not...?'

It was a truly absurd idea, even if he heard it.

'You, be my manager!'

When he thought about it, it sounded like the words of a madman. It was like asking him to join a company that had only made 100,000 won in sales.

But Sanghyun realized that all his worries were in vain.

Because of what Joo-hyuk said next.

"Hey, I'm going to take a break for a while. If you need any help, let me know. I'll be bored otherwise."

"Really?"

"Do you need a manager or something?"

What is he talking about? Sanghyun couldn't believe what he just heard.

"It would be nice... but you know I'm still a beginner, right?"

"Yeah, I know. 'Still' a beginner."

"..."

"You crying when you came out of the capsule."

"Ah! Don't say that!"

"No, no, it's not that. Seeing that made me think a lot."

"..."

"You really seemed to love it. Archery. I've never done something I truly loved."

"Do you like being a manager...?"

"I don't know. But it seems interesting. At least more interesting than working at a company. Honestly, working at a company is really boring."

"True."

"I can take a year off without it affecting my job search. And if it goes well, I'll tie you down with a contract and become a ruthless entertainment company CEO, so don't worry."

Sanghyun's hands trembled.

'How can this be?'

This was Joo-hyuk's pure goodwill. Even though he was a high-spec ability, a year was still precious time for him.

He could even spend that time dating.

He was offering to invest that time in Sanghyun's potential.

Considering his previous company's salary, it was an offer worth at least 50 million won.

"..."

Sensing Sanghyun's hesitation and gratitude, Joo-hyuk added in a deliberately arrogant tone.

"So, I'm going to try to groom you. What do you think?"

Sanghyun couldn't help but laugh.

This was another crazy idea.

Joo-hyuk was a great guy, but he had no experience in management, let alone being a manager. How could a junior manager like him groom someone?

But it was an incredibly attractive offer.

A manager with nothing and a streamer with nothing.

These two would leave their corporate jobs and succeed together... it was a story that made him smile just thinking about it.

"You grooming me? I'll make you sit on a pile of money, so get your resignation approved right away!"

Laughter burst out from the phone.

"Copying the department head?"

"Kim Joo-hyuk. I have something to do from tomorrow."

"What is it?"

Sanghyun told him about the message he had received earlier.

"A collaboration offer? Oh, I see. I must have picked a good one. A top-tier streamer is already offering a collaboration."

Joo-hyuk's reaction was quite positive.

"Is it a good offer?"

"Are you kidding? There's nothing to lose."

"Really? But I'm not good at making a good impression on people."

"That's true. But you should go unpaid at first and just show your skills confidently. If the collaboration goes well, you'll naturally make a good impression."

"Right, right."

Sanghyun nodded unconsciously.

He was right. It was a meeting where Sanghyun had nothing to lose. He had nothing to lose.

He didn't need to try too hard to make a good impression. Just playing hard would get a good reaction.

"Hey, and I have an idea. I'll tell you when we meet. Send me a message about where to meet tomorrow. I'll come too."

"Okay, okay."

Click.

After hanging up, Sanghyun had to take a deep breath to calm his racing heart.

"Things are moving really fast all of a sudden."

He was about to have a top 0.1% talent as his manager and had received a collaboration offer from a top-tier streamer.

Someone once said,

When you're on the path to success, the world moves faster than ever. So fast that you can't even see the scenery around you.

Maybe Sanghyun was already on that path to success.

He couldn't see anything else. The worry about leaving his job was now a distant memory.

Just eating almonds gave him energy. His eyes opened wide in the morning.

Thinking about streaming tomorrow and the day after made his heart race and wake him up.

Crunch.

He added more almonds to his mouth and started typing on the keyboard.

* * *

Dotorimuk, who had styled his hair for the occasion, checked his watch.

"Hmm."

He had arrived too early.

"Bro, but is it okay to meet a beginner in person like this?"

The manager, who was not pleased with Dotorimuk sitting 30 minutes before the scheduled time, grumbled.

"Hey, I'm meeting him because I see potential. Not everyone starts as a superstar."

"Damn, last time you got entangled with some beginner female streamer and almost got into trouble."

"Hey, this one is a guy! I'm a guy too! And you're... the manager!"

Dotorimuk silenced the manager with a stern reprimand about the previous scandal.

"Look, is my judgment right or wrong? First, his physical appearance is top-notch in the country. Meeting and discovering such a person early will make us closer in the future and benefit me."

"Hah. Is it a world where only skill matters? For a talk show collaboration, you need a good appearance too. Who knows what he looks like in real life, with all the game effects and costumes?"

"Um..."

Dotorimuk couldn't answer that. In the game, Almond was heavily modified by various effects, making him more like a game character than a real person.

There were no scenes where his real face was shown.

"And those hardcore gamers who only play games can't even speak properly when they come out, and they're so fat... wow..."

The manager stopped talking and stared at something.

Two men in neat suits had just entered the cafe.

Straight backs, well-fitted suits, neat pompadours. They looked like sophisticated professionals who could work for a major corporation.

"Wow, that's my type. I wish I looked like that..."

As if they had heard her, the two men looked at Dotorimuk and smiled brightly.

"Why, why are they coming... here...?"

They were indeed approaching Dotorimuk.

Sure enough, they even extended their hands.

"Are you Dotorimuk?"

"Yes... are you...?"

"Hello, I'm Almond, Yu Sanghyun."