Chapter 37 of Season 1 of The Genius Archer's Streaming

14. Game Switch (2)

Next game.

These words made the hearts of most people who had been watching Almond's broadcasts race.

After all, Almond had only played Kingdom Age and had become famous for it.

- What kind of bow game is there?

- In Life is Legend, there's a character who uses a bow.

- But can he really just be good at shooting arrows? He might be good at all types of projectiles.

- He might be really good at gun games too.

- His bow skills must be the most impressive.

- He might try another package game?

When other professional streamers switch to a variety of games, it usually leads to more worry than excitement.

But Almond was different.

He had a weapon that other streamers didn't have: his bow skills.

This element would be applicable in any game.

In fact, it might shine even more in other games than in Kingdom Age.

If he were to play an online PVP game, he could showcase his bow skills in a human vs. human match.

It's a completely different feeling from showing off his skills against AI-controlled monsters.

- Almond is coming! Everyone, get ready!

- Haha.

- Wow. Electromagnetic waves, move! Almond is coming!

- Hahaha.

- The electromagnetic wave sensei always has to move...

Not only ordinary people, but also other famous players could compete with him.

From the perspective of Almond's fans, it was impossible not to be excited about the prospect of their favorite streamer crushing other skilled players.

‘If I say I’m not nervous, I’d be lying.’

Of course, it was a burden for Almond. That's why he had considered trying another package game.

Package games are kind and don't confuse new players.

But online games are different.

No matter how well the tutorial is made, it's still like heading into uncharted territory.

Even Kingdom, which is considered relatively friendly compared to other online games, is still quite unfriendly.

There's nothing more unfriendly and unreasonable than competing against a person who is already familiar with the game.

Experienced players won't show any mercy to a beginner like Almond and will tear him apart.

‘You can't avoid driving because you're afraid of traffic accidents.’

There was certainly hesitation.

But instead of doing another package game, Sanghyun turned his attention to a PVP game.

Challenge and competition.

These two elements, which he loved as a sportsman, were best embodied in PVP games, not package games.

Now that he was somewhat familiar with virtual reality, it was a good time to take on a new challenge.

A new challenge always excited him.

“The game we’ll play in the second part of today is—”

His voice trembled slightly, and he could feel it himself.

Is this fear? Or excitement?

It doesn't matter.

He enjoyed the thrill itself.

“It's Battle Large!”

- Wow!

- As expected!

- Ohhh!

- Almond's Battle Large... This is rare. Swoon.

- I'm really looking forward to it.

- Can he do it? It's such a different game from Kingdom.

- If it's Almond, he can!

* * *

Battle Large.

A battle royale game where players drop onto a large island and fight for survival.

This game is also distributed by Punk Co. and is one of the major games on the list of essential games for partner streamers.

It's a completely different game from the minor game Kingdom.

The news of Almond trying a new game started to spread in real-time across the community.

Especially on Kingchi, the community site for Kingdom Age, the reaction was particularly hot. The main content revolved around the sadness of losing another Kingdom streamer, which had been rare.

When he played the last part of Kingdom, the number of viewers was almost about to break 2,000.

Now, it's barely maintaining in the 1,000s.

This is an inevitable phenomenon.

‘It’s okay.’

If he weren't disappointed by the loss of 900 viewers, he'd be lying.

Sanghyun reassured himself that it was okay.

He couldn't keep everyone. It was a risk he had to take every time he switched games.

‘It’s like a bowl of acorn jelly.’

Not only that, but it's a phenomenon that all comprehensive game streamers face. The number of viewers varies by game, and in some cases, it can be halved.

Still, they continue to switch games because it's more advantageous in the long run.

If he kept relying on Kingdom, he would eventually stop growing and slowly lose viewers.

“The download is almost complete.”

He calmly used the downtime to chat with his viewers.

He usually doesn't talk much when focused on the game, so he had to make an effort to chat during these moments.

“This is my first time playing a virtual reality online game. I hope you can go easy on me.”

The remaining viewers were curious to see how Almond would perform in a different game.

- Are you downloading Battle Large right now??

- You've never played this before?

- Let's see the date you created your capsule body ID. Haha.

- Oh, newbies don't know that Almond is a newbie too. Haha.

- Newbie, new Almond. Haha.

Some of them were learning for the first time that Almond was a beginner in all capsule games.

- Haha, Battle Large is intense when you first play it...

- Yeah, will he do well?

- Of course, I thought he played it regularly. Haha.

- Wow, it's been a while since I saw a Battle Large newbie. Haha.

Kingdom is such a niche game that it's not unusual to have newbies.

From the perspective of gamers, a streamer playing Battle Large for the first time was refreshing. It's a major game, after all.

- I'm looking forward to it.

- Is he really a genius? Or just lucky?

While some were worried, others were excited to see how Almond would perform in Battle Large.

There was also talk about his bow skills.

- But will Almond use a bow in Battle Large? Haha.

- No way, Haha.

- He didn't pick up a bow just for the bow challenge. It doesn't seem to be a specific concept.

- Newbies don't know. Almond doesn't even know what a bow challenge is. Haha.

- Haha, he just picked a bow right away.

To Sanghyun, the bow had a special meaning, but to the viewers, especially the recent ones, Almond was just a skilled gamer.

If you hadn't watched all of Almond's videos, you wouldn't really associate him with the bow.

So, it probably started from this moment.

Almond became known to the viewers as 'the bow user.'

* * *

Ding.

Sanghyun swallowed hard as he read the message that appeared before his eyes.

‘It’s starting.’

A game where 100 players parachute from a helicopter and fight for survival.

It’s starting now.

“Phew.”

He exhaled to release the tension. It’s his first game, so he doesn’t have high expectations.

He just hopes to adapt well.

Rrrrrrrr……!

The sound of the military helicopter's propellers filled his ears, and the dark view gradually brightened, revealing the inside of the helicopter.

And the vast, high landscape below.

“Whoa!?”

Sanghyun involuntarily cursed and stepped back.

- Haha, so cute.

- Haha, Almond is a newbie again. :(

- It’s been a while since we saw this side of Almond.

The viewers laughed at his newbie-like behavior, which they hadn't seen in a while.

But this wasn't a situation to laugh about.

“What are you doing! Aren’t you preparing to jump?!”

“Are you kidding! Now?! A soldier retreating in a survival competition? You’ll die right away!?”

“If you’re going to die, say it! I’ll split you in half and kill you!”

After a brief hesitation, all sorts of curses flew.

It was a different level of realism and tension compared to Olympic games.

“Phew...”

Just the beginning of the game... but jumping out of the helicopter was a challenge for Sanghyun.

‘It’s so different from what I saw in the guide videos...’

The realism was completely different.

“Jump! Jump! Damn, jump!”

“Jump!”

His competitors started jumping out of other helicopters.

And the soldiers were shouting as if trying to push people out with their voices.

The veins in Almond's hands, gripping the safety bar, stood out.

‘I can’t lose.’

Seeing his competitors, he regained his focus. The game was advantageous if he could land quickly and get a weapon.

There was no time to hesitate.

Thud!

He closed his eyes tightly and pushed off with his feet.

Whoosh!!!

The strong wind hit his face.

“Oooh...!”

He tried to say something, but the wind blocked his mouth.

- Haha, so cute.

- Legendary. Haha.

- Oooh...! Haha.

- Haha.

The air resistance hit and pushed his entire body.

The cold air felt tingling on his fingertips.

The cold was so intense it made his jaw numb.

‘Wow, is this really a game?!’

The dynamic realism was on a different level from Kingdom Age.

- Whoa.

- The air is so good!

- Let’s go!

Just as he thought it was too fast.

Swoosh!

The parachute opened automatically.

“Ugh.”

The parachute lifted his body forcefully, constricting his breath.

Whoosh...

Even with the parachute open, the speed was considerable.

“!”

He hit the ground in an instant.

Thud.

“Ouch...!”

Almond rolled ungracefully. He reflected on how he had criticized other streamers for their play.

‘This isn’t easy.’

Landing is basic, but it’s hard from the start.

- Haha, he’s a newbie.

- Almond’s cute side... This is rare.

- Haha, rolling Almond.

- Haha.

While the chat was full of teasing, Almond quickly regained his composure and looked around.

A few other players had also landed nearby.

- Ugh!

- Get away!

A fight had already started with bare fists on one side.

Sanghyun was momentarily stunned by the absurdity. Then he heard someone running towards him.

Thud, thud, thud?

It was clearly coming towards him.

“He’s a newbie!”

“Kill him!”

It wasn’t just one person; there were several. Three, it seemed.

They had noticed he was a newbie from how he rolled and fell.

“Damn, they should show some mercy to a newbie.”

Sanghyun grumbled but ran for his life.

He kicked open the door of a dilapidated house.

Thud.

He blocked the door with his back.

He looked around for