Chapter 35 of Season 1 of The Genius Archer

13. Knight (3)

Sanghyun didn’t have high hopes for the AllTube views.

It was only natural.

Considering his live stream usually had around 1,200 viewers, a normal AllTube view count would be around 5,000 at most.

Having 5,000 live stream viewers would be quite impressive.

However, to make any significant profit from AllTube, the video views need to be at least 10,000. 5,000 views mean nothing.

In this sense, it’s a harsh reality that AllTube profits are hard to expect for a streamer of Sanghyun’s scale in the early stages.

"Probably... we need to upload at least twenty more videos to see any profit trends."

"AdSense won’t come in yet, either."

"It’s an investment for the future."

These were the opinions that came up during the Punk Co. meeting.

"Whether AllTube will succeed or not, no one knows."

"Being popular on Trivi doesn’t guarantee popularity on AllTube."

"That’s right. Trivi is more promising, but AllTube... "

"Ah, of course, if AllTube does well, the impact would be much greater."

Most of them didn’t think Almond’s AllTube would succeed properly.

It’s not that they were underestimating Sanghyun; it’s just a natural stance.

Even Balloon Gum, known as the all-time number one streamer, failed quite a bit on AllTube.

'No one knows how AllTube will turn out.'

This is a saying used like a maxim by all streamers.

However, this uncertainty seemed to work quite well for Sanghyun.

The three videos he had previously uploaded all exceeded 50,000 views, with one approaching 100,000.

Considering these numbers were reached in just one day, it was a miraculous achievement.

"......Wow."

When Sanghyun woke up in the morning and checked the AllTube views again, he kept refreshing, not believing his eyes.

'Why is this happening?'

Even his favorite streamer, Balloon Gum, had failed on AllTube, so he didn’t have high expectations.

But it seems Sanghyun is doing surprisingly well on AllTube.

"An AllTube editor really needs to be good. Editing skills account for almost 80% of AllTube’s success."

He remembered what Dotorimuk had said.

Dotorimuk also had decent AllTube views compared to his live stream viewers, thanks to Ina-young’s skills as a manager and editor.

'Is it because of the editor?'

If so, Sanghyun’s success is probably due to Se-jia.

He searched for the MadMovie videos Se-jia had posted in the past.

The number of views on the MadMovie video of an unknown streamer playing a minor game called Kingdom was unbelievable.

The impact of those videos must have influenced the current official Almond channel.

'Got lucky.'

Sanghyun thought this as he finished brushing his teeth.

Spit.

Just as he was about to rinse his mouth, Kim Joo-hyuk spoke excitedly from outside the door.

"Hey. I got a message from Lee Da-ri. Park Bu-jang had a sour face all day. He thinks you have some powerful connections."

Joo-hyuk’s excited expression could be felt even through the door.

"How can he think that? That I have connections... "

"Maybe because Punk Co. manager gave him a good talking to...?"

"Did it really work?"

"Well, that’s how that generation is."

Sanghyun smiled after rinsing his mouth. Even a high-ranking executive like Park Bu-jang seemed so trivial.

'Really, such a simple guy.'

He felt embarrassed to have worked so hard under such people.

"Oh, you’re out."

Thud.

As soon as Sanghyun came out, Joo-hyuk rushed into the bathroom. He must have been in a hurry.

"It feels like we’ve been living together for a year..."

Sanghyun muttered this as he changed his clothes. He now does jogging or some physical exercise in the morning.

When he worked at a company, he at least had some minimal exercise.

But as a streamer, he hardly moved at all.

Even Sanghyun, a former athlete, could feel his weight increasing.

'And I ate chicken and beer yesterday.'

Squeak.

He zipped up his thick hoodie and went out for a walk.

* * *

With wireless earphones in his ears, he ran along the river path, playing pleasant music.

"Huff. Huff."

The air was cold enough to make his throat hurt as winter approached.

Still, Sanghyun enjoyed physical exercise.

Ding.

The music stopped, and a ringtone sounded.

"Ah... what now?"

Sure enough, it was Joo-hyuk.

"What is it?"

"Didn’t you see the message?"

"I’m exercising right now."

Joo-hyuk might be suited to be a manager, given how he can be so annoying.

"You’re like a mother who’s come back to life."

Despite Sanghyun’s grumbling, Joo-hyuk continued.

"Your AllTube views are quite exceptional for someone of your scale."

Sanghyun already knew this, having done some research.

"That’s why the manager wants to have a meal with you. By the way, you’re going alone. Do well."

"......Is that all?"

"No."

"What else, then?"

"Shouldn’t we do something for Se-jia?"

"Hmm?"

"It’s an incredible achievement. In such cases, some kind of... expression of gratitude is needed."

Of course, since she takes 40% of the profit, there’s no real need to do anything more.

But human emotions are not that simple.

Even a small gesture, like a cookie set, would be appreciated.

"Should I bring a gift?"

"Do it. Ah, no. You don’t need to."

"Hmm?"

"I just met her, and..."

Thud.

Sanghyun ended the call there.

He saw Se-jia running the same jogging course.

"Hello."

"?"

Se-jia, who was running with her hood on, turned around and her eyes widened.

"Do you exercise often?"

* * *

The famous gourmet burger brand 'Burger Shack' had a waiting line just a week after opening.

It’s the hottest burger brand recently.

"Phew. Good thing I came early."

Sanghyun muttered as he placed the burger set he had paid for in front of Ji-a.

"Thank you."

"Will this be enough?"

Sanghyun asked Ji-a if there was anything else she wanted, given the incredible growth of AllTube.

But Ji-a said a meal would be enough.

She wanted to go to 'Burger Shack.'

"Yes."

"Even so..."

"It’s fine."

Ji-a answered and took a big bite of the burger. Her mouth was surprisingly large for her face. Sanghyun looked at her in amazement.

"It’s a bit hard to eat when you stare so intently."

"Ah, sorry."

Sanghyun quickly focused on eating his cheeseburger.

'Burger Shack... it’s delicious.'

It was his first time at this franchise, and the taste was surprisingly good.

Of course, Sanghyun didn’t just eat.

He brought up various topics to keep the conversation from getting boring.

Sanghyun was more of a silent type than a talkative one.

"Ah... yes."

"Yes."

"I see."

Se-jia’s responses were like this, and the conversation kept breaking off.

It felt like talking to someone with no social skills.

'He must have had a hard time at work.'

Sanghyun quietly ate his fries for a while. He had a rough idea of what kind of person she was, so he didn’t want to force her into a conversation.

Then, Se-jia spoke up.

"I’m not good at talking to people. Maybe if I drink, it would be different."

If it were Joo-hyuk, he might have asked, "So, do you talk well to dogs?" But Sanghyun just nodded and asked about his doubts.

"You talk well when jogging and show videos."

"That’s because it’s related to work. I don’t know what to say in everyday conversations."

"Ah."

So, she can talk about work-related topics but not everyday ones.

Sanghyun focused on his meal without trying to start more conversations.

Since the other person found everyday conversations difficult, what could he do?

But then, Se-jia started the conversation.

"Is it... strange?"

"......?"

Sanghyun just blinked.

At first, he didn’t even realize it was a question because the tone didn’t sound like one.

Se-jia nodded as if that was the answer.

"Everyone says so..."

"Do you hate your job?"

Sanghyun put down his fries and met her eyes.

Ji-a’s eyes shook widely.

"......Yes?"

"Work can be... good at times, but it can also be really tough."

Sanghyun didn’t answer, but his expression spoke volumes.

"People don’t talk to anyone. They just endure and eventually break down."

"......!"

"We all left our jobs. So, when you have some free time, tell me what happened."

Se-jia could only remain silent.

Even when it was time to part ways with Sanghyun, she couldn’t answer.

'He’s an adult...'

As Sanghyun walked up the stairs, she silently thought to herself.

* * *

That evening.

Almond’s broadcast started earlier than usual.

- Absolutely can’t stand it!

- Thought you could just turn it on whenever you want!?

- Sigh. I donated all my support for the break yesterday. Almond is done for 😂

- 😂😂😂😂😂

- Ahahaha!

Almond’s broadcast, which already had a solid fan base, saw a significant increase in viewers who quickly tuned in no matter what time he broadcast.

When he last broadcast, it started with around 200 viewers, but now it had doubled.

Partly because he took a break yesterday.

Dun dun dun. Dun!

Almond’s intro video played.

When the viewer count was quite high,

Almond appeared.

"Hey!"

From a corner of the camera, Almond waved happily.

- Big brother, I’m dying!

- Ah!

- Haha!

- Ahaha!

The viewers welcomed him warmly through the chat.

- Partner streamer ㅊㅊㅊ

- Wow. You’ve become a successful older brother...

- I heard the news!

- Partner ㅊㅊㅊ

Many of them congratulated Almond on becoming a partner streamer at Punk.

"I’m saying this for the first time on Trivi. I’ve become a partner streamer at Punk."

For those who might not have heard, Sanghyun briefly mentioned his recent news.

- Wow. So you’re giving up Kingdom!?

- Really?

- You should live happily with Emilya!

- You’re leaving your team!? You’re leaving your team!? You’re leaving your team!?

As the partner streamer contract was signed, concerns from the Kingdom fan base started to rise.

- Honestly, you should give it up 😂

- You’ve done enough with Kingdom

- But I’m curious about Emilya’s story ending 😢

Despite these concerns,

"Today’s game is Kingdom Age."

Sanghyun immediately launched Kingdom.

However, most of the viewers could tell from his tone that he would finish Kingdom’s ending today and then move on to the next game.

He had never used the phrase "today’s game" before.

In any case, the game started.

* * *

The summoned virtual world was still the uncomfortable banquet hall.

At the head of the table sat the kind-eyed lord.

The head of the Janeret family and Emilia’s father.

"What do you think about becoming a knight?"

He asked Almond again, and the choice options appeared.

Almond chose option 1.

Suddenly, the scene changed.