Chapter 48

Streaming Season 1 of the Genius Archer 48

17. Escape from Hakko (1)

The more you succeed, the more humble and calm you should be.

Although Sanghyun thought this all day, he was still no match for numbers.

He fidgeted inside the capsule, making silly faces, and eventually bumped his head hard against the lid.

Squeak──

The sudden impact caused the capsule lid to open. Naturally, the broadcast was temporarily halted.

“…Huh? What’s going on? Why did you come out?”

Juhyeok, who was just about to turn on his laptop, was startled and asked.

“Ah… No, nothing. Something went wrong while I was moving.”

“…Moving?”

There’s no need to move inside the capsule. Isn’t it a virtual reality device? Moving in virtual reality is all it takes.

“Ahem. Anyway, I’m going back in.”

Sanghyun pretended nothing had happened and went back into the capsule.

‘Did I see it wrong?’

If someone saw it, they might think he was making a fuss over nothing.

‘Clearly, the numbers…’

Ding…

He reconnected to the stream, and fortunately, the server was still running.

- Wow, what just happened?

- It suddenly cut off.

- It’s back on.

- Haha

- Ah!

- Wow, there are so many people today lol

Sanghyun’s eyes slowly read the top chat messages and then moved to the current number of viewers at the bottom.

He hadn’t seen it wrong.

Not only that, but the number had increased by about 200 from before.

‘2,000…!’

Breaking 2,000 before the game even started was a first.

Moreover, after switching to Battle Large, the average number of viewers had dropped by almost 700 to 800.

‘2,000 before it even starts.’

The intro music hadn’t even finished yet.

Juhyeok asked, seemingly teasing.

He must have seen the number of viewers too.

Juhyeok gave an inappropriate compliment and then seemed to focus on his own work.

Sanghyun, or rather, Almond, swallowed hard and composed himself.

His camera feed would soon appear.

‘Do well.’

This is an opportunity.

It’s rare for AllTube viewers to connect to a live stream.

The current phenomenon means that the Almond character has appealed to the public.

Nearly 3,000 viewers had gathered.

‘Phew…’

The image of a boy with a bow among a crowd, which he had dreamed of since childhood, overlapped with the current screen.

The expression was different, but the situation was essentially the same.

‘It’s starting.’

Dun?

The intro video ended with the final drum sound.

Ding.

Almond’s face appeared in one corner of the screen.

The broadcast had officially begun.

Almond’s expression on the screen was the same as usual.

At least, that’s how it looked to the viewers.

No one would know the storm raging inside him.

Excitement, excitement, tension, ambition…

Various emotions swirled together and burned fiercely in his throat…

Smile.

He drew a pretty bow and smiled.

“Tcha!”

- Ahhh!

- Haha

- Haha

- Ahaha!

- Amazing!

- Wow, what’s the viewer count today, bro? lol

- What happened?

- What’s the story? lol

- Did Battle Large apologize to you?!

The viewers’ chat messages popped up in response to Almond’s greeting.

People curious about the issue, those seeing Almond’s face for the first time today, and regular viewers who had always watched him…

Various types of chat messages appeared.

In the past, the chat messages were uniform, but now it felt like a diverse audience had gathered.

This is the biggest difference between AllTube and Trivi.

Trivi has a very limited age range and interests, but AllTube does not. It can be thought of as something almost everyone, regardless of age or gender, watches.

‘It’s definitely from AllTube.’

This became even more certain.

The viewers currently joining are all from AllTube.

‘Since there are people who don’t know…’

Almond felt the need to briefly explain why he took a break from streaming yesterday.

There are many viewers who have been consistently watching his stream without much interest in the issue. He couldn’t leave them out.

“I posted about the incident on the community. Something happened yesterday. Battle Large banned me.”

Ding.

Juhyeok conveniently displayed the screen with the information.

Thanks to the extension program installed by the manager.

- Wow, skills…

- Oh lol

- Is this a job interview?

- What happened?

- What a professional job lol

Almond naturally continued, taking over the screen.

He and Juhyeok had entered PTs many times before.

“As you can see, the reason for the ban is that I received many reports for being a bad player.”

* * *

After the rough explanation, those who didn’t know the incident now understood the whole story.

- Wow, so that’s why you took a break lol

- Wow… How could this happen on the first day of switching games… lol

- Wow, that’s too much

- Did you get an apology?

“Thank you, Haneul. Yes, I agree. Fortunately, Punk, where I’m a partner streamer, contacted me, and it was quickly resolved.”

Almond told the truth, and the chat reactions were significant.

- ?! ?! ?!

- Wow, so what SmallLong said is true

- Wow… lol

- So intense.

Why are they reacting like this? What did they hear?

Almond tilted his head for a moment but had to let it go.

It’s best to start the game right away.

‘Three thousand seven hundred…?’

With nearly 4,000 viewers gathered, he couldn’t waste time on the issue.

It was better to show the game and keep them engaged.

‘People who know a bit about Battle Large must have come, right?’

Even if it’s an issue, those who usually play Battle Large must have come.

It wouldn’t be an issue for those who don’t play Battle Large.

“Alright. I’ve explained enough. Let’s start the game. The game we’ll play today is──”

Suddenly, an enthusiastic voice of a sponsor interrupted.

- Perfect timing lol

- Kingdom!

- Perfect timing lol

- lol Kingdom noobs sb

- Unfollow Kingdom noobs!

- Pay attention~~

There were a few people who longed for the old game, but Almond smiled and launched Battle Large.

“It’s Battle Large!”

* * *

Dun?

Dun dun──

Almond’s avatar landed on the shore with the grand background music of Battle Large.

It was the waiting room before the survival match began.

- Bro, you picked the right solo mode this time?

- lol Another legend if you play squad again.

- I want to see squad lol

The viewers first confirmed if it was a solo match.

- It’s a solo match lol

- Oh, you did well this time.

- Wow, if you do this, you’ll sweep them all, right?

Almond had chosen the solo mode correctly, and the viewers were looking forward to his performance.

If he could dominate in squad mode, how strong would he be in solo mode?

Naturally, there was a lot of anticipation.

- I predict almost 20 kills.

- Nah, no one knows in Battle Large lol

- Even if you’re a pro, bad luck can get you out in 5 seconds lol

- If this guy can’t handle the bow, I predict top 99.

- The bow is so common, I predict top 10.

Almond’s performance was a one-off.

Naturally, there were still those who doubted him. Battle Large is a game where you can never predict how it will go.

Even the top-ranked player, whose skills are well-verified, can’t guarantee a win every time.

Almond still has a lot to prove.

- Kya

- Oh, first win.

- Wow, the scale is insane…

Meanwhile, a grateful viewer offered a 300,000 won mission.

Almond immediately accepted the mission and thanked the viewer.

“BelieveInYou. Thank you. A whopping 300,000 won… I’ll definitely win it.”

- Is he really grateful? lol

- His greeting is a bit strange?

- lol

- It’s fun to win, so it’s a good mission.

First solo match.

Winning mission.

4,000 viewers.

‘Good. Everything is set up.’

All the elements for a big moment are in place.

Now, he just needs to play the game well.

Everything depends on Almond’s fingertips.

Some might find this burdensome.

‘But this is what I wanted.’

Almond enjoyed such pressure.

The more pressure he felt, the stronger he became.

More focused, more cautious, and sharper.

Soon, the waiting room screen turned black, and he was preparing to parachute from the helicopter.

Whirr──

The propeller noise was deafening.

From behind, a shout that could make your ears bleed.

“Jump! Damn it, jump!!!”

“Ah!”

“Jump! Damn it!”

The shouting had a strong military vibe.

Almond bit his lip and looked down.

This wasn’t his first match.

‘I need to avoid overly competitive areas first.’

He had no intention of jumping just because someone was shouting from behind.

He would move according to his plan.

“Hey! You there! What are you standing around for? Damn it, jump!!!”

The instructor, who seemed ready to hit him, was spitting in his ear.

Almond remained calm and looked down.

‘Now.’

Jump…! Jump!

The instructor’s voice was hoarse and about to crack.

Thud──

Almond rolled his foot and jumped out forcefully.

Whoosh!

Piercing the strong air resistance, Almond’s figure plummeted.

* * *

Thud.

His feet landed perfectly.

This time, he didn’t roll awkwardly upon landing.

- Oh…

- Now he’s out of the newbie phase lol

- Damn, it would have been funny if he rolled.

- Wow, his skills improved after just one match. And it was two days ago lol

Almond’s appearance was clearly different from his first match.

Not only the viewers but Almond himself could feel the difference.

‘The sensation is different. Much smoother.’

Comparing it to a mouse game, it’s like when the mouse and your body become one.

Almond was in that state now.

He had perfectly adapted to the avatar’s body in Battle Large.

Thud.

He quickly ran to a house and opened the door.

Securing weapons before others enter is crucial in the early stages.

‘Am I the only one here?’

He had chosen a good spot. He was the only one in this house.

His eyes scanned the house thoroughly.

Then,

“Oh.”

He saw something that made him exclaim in surprise.

It was a weapon he had a deep connection with.

- Wow, again?

- lol Bow challenge?

- No, Almond would naturally pick it up.

If it were another player, they might have hesitated to use this weapon.

But Almond was the opposite.

He picked up the weapon without any hesitation.

At that moment, time seemed to freeze.

“…!”

He heard footsteps approaching.

‘Outside.’

He could now roughly gauge the direction and distance from the footsteps.

“I’ll take care of one and move on.”

Almond confidently spoke before taking action. He ran forcefully, pushed the door with his shoulder, and drew his bow.

The opponent, stunned by the sudden appearance.

“Wh…?”

Almond, drawing his bow, was reflected in the opponent’s wide eyes.

The draw and release happened in an instant.

The arrow flew straight at the eye?

Thud!

It hit the center of the forehead.

- Wow!

- What? I didn’t even see him shoot.

- Wow, how much has Almond improved….

- He’s even stronger ㄷㄷ

- Battle Large picked the wrong person to mess with! lol

- It’s expected, but he’s doing even better than his first match!?

- Wow, saying it before and then killing is so cool… sniff

Today’s Almond had no time for hesitation or moments of daze.

He played the game as if he knew everything in advance.

It was hard to believe, but it was clear.

He had become stronger.