Chapter 56 of Season 1 of The Genius Archer's Streaming

Episode 20: Bombshell Statement (1)

Park Sung-tae stroked his impressive beard and tilted his head.

He has been a balloon gum manager for five years.

Faced with a situation that has rarely occurred in all this time, it was understandable for him to be a bit flustered.

‘Usually, just meeting someone once doesn’t become an issue...’

Park Sung-tae, a five-year veteran, manages a streamer with over ten years of experience.

During those ten years, except for scheduled holidays, the streamer has never missed a broadcast.

Once he sits down, he plays games for nearly eight hours straight. Naturally, he frequently encounters other streamers.

It’s hard to count how many times he meets them, so meeting someone once or twice isn’t usually an issue.

‘But why this person...’

But why does just one encounter with Almond cause such a stir?

Is there some special reason?

“Uncertainty is part of the charm of this job.”

Park Sung-tae started searching for information about Almond on the community forums.

He quickly obtained the basic profile.

‘In his 30s... good-looking, skilled, and...’

Huh?

Below the impressive specs, there was one item that raised a question mark.

‘He’s only been playing virtual reality games for... three weeks now?’

And he’s only on his second match of Battle Royale.

‘Wait. Didn’t this guy deflect a bullet with an arrow?’

Park Sung-tae replayed the controversial video where Balloon Gum and Almond met.

Fortunately, a new video had just been uploaded to AllTube.

It was a well-edited video.

“Great editing.”

The video looked much cooler thanks to the editing, but it was still based on real events.

Clang.

Arrows and bullets colliding in mid-air. What Park Sung-tae saw was indeed correct.

Hitting a bullet with an arrow.

It was an incredible display of skill and nerve.

Who could make such a play when they’re about to win?

The comments were mostly in agreement.

-???

-What just happened?

-Is that even possible?

-This is fake. Seriously, is this real? 😂

-But it’s Balloon Gum, so it can’t be fake, right?

-Does Balloon Gum fake things?

-Gum doesn’t do that... he just can’t.

-Not fake!? Then it’s CG. This is an edited video.

-Oh my god, it’s real 😂

-If he did it three times in a row, it’s definitely fake. I wouldn’t believe a movie either!

Everyone suspected it was staged or used CG.

‘No way.’

Park Sung-tae slowly shook his head.

It’s not like that.

First, Balloon Gum wouldn’t stage something like this. If anyone suspected that, it would be insulting to a streamer who has never caused any issues in ten years.

Is it CG? No, it’s not.

There’s no reason for the editor to create such a play with CG.

If they tried to hide it on the Trivi platform, it would be exposed immediately. That’s a one-way ticket to hell.

It’s not staged, and it’s not CG.

But it’s still hard to believe.

‘He’s... on his second match?’

The fact that Almond is only on his second match of Battle Royale is what makes it unbelievable.

“Wow...”

Park Sung-tae whistled.

He wanted to deny it. Comparing it to the skills of the streamer he manages, it’s mind-boggling.

This is the gap between people born in the same human category.

The heavens are truly indifferent.

“This is something special.”

Tap. Tap.

Park Sung-tae tapped his head with a shiny, high-end fountain pen, a habit he has when he’s thinking.

‘An idea for content is forming.’

He didn’t want to miss this opportunity. The justification was also good.

The format of the broadcast was already forming in his mind.

‘Who is this “archer”?’ would be a natural starting point.

But it feels a bit lacking, even though it’s natural.

It’s not that he’s curious.

It’s a bit deflating.

“Lack of kick.”

He started stroking his well-maintained beard as if tearing it out.

“Ah...!”

A moment later, he seemed to have an idea and started writing quickly in his notebook.

* * *

Scrolling through the community reactions, Sang-hyun smiled.

‘The reactions are really coming in.’

Not only on Balloon Gum’s fan page, but also on other community forums, the mentions were starting to come in.

‘I’m being mentioned alongside Balloon Gum.’

Balloon Gum, a ten-year veteran streamer.

Currently the top streamer on Trivi and one of the highest-paid in the country.

He wasn’t always successful. Like everyone else.

No, he was even less successful than most.

He wasn’t good at anything.

He wasn’t good at any games, despite playing many.

All he had was a bit of humor and a friendly image, which anyone could have.

Even that wasn’t unique.

If he had one unique trait, it was his ‘persistence.’

Without any skills or outstanding talents, the reason he survived in this market was solely due to his persistence, diligence, and responsibility.

A neighborhood big brother who never disappoints.

Even if he seems silly, he’s the kind of person who would rush to your aid if you were in trouble.

That’s who Balloon Gum truly is.

So what if he’s not good at games?

After school, he’s always there at the playground, a friendly neighborhood big brother.

He brings back the nostalgic scent of a happy childhood.

That’s the kind of big brother he is.

If such a big brother is there to cheer you on when you’re struggling and laugh with you when you’re happy, that’s enough to make you happy.

No, maybe that’s the true joy of life.

Sang-hyun respected Balloon Gum for that. (Of course, not for his skills.) And he enjoyed his broadcasts.

Being mentioned alongside him was significant to Sang-hyun.

“Wow, that’s amazing. You really like this celebrity.”

Joo-hyuk, who was eating next to him, casually commented.

“Celebrity... not really. Honestly.”

“He’s a celebrity. With 50,000 live viewers, how much do you think he makes? Wow, how much?”

“He lives frugally. He has two kids, and he invests a lot in them.”

“...”

Joo-hyuk was momentarily taken aback by the information.

“Anyway, the video is really well-made. That’s why it’s becoming an issue again.”

It seems Seo-ja’s AllTube video also impressed him. He was repeatedly watching one scene.

The scene where Balloon Gum and Almond meet.

“Seo-ja is top-notch. Absolutely!”

Joo-hyuk nodded strongly.

He immediately started talking about the views, thinking this was the right time.

“The views have already surpassed 80,000. It’s only been about 5 hours, so it might break a record.”

“What record?”

“The record is 200,000 views in 24 hours. For our channel, it will likely reach 300,000.”

“Really?”

Sang-hyun gave a casual response and continued looking at the community reactions. But as he watched, his face gradually hardened.

His initially cheerful smile slowly faded.

Of course, not all community reactions are positive.

.

.

.

Swish.

Joo-hyuk’s hand appeared on the screen.

“Hey, why are you looking at all that? They’re just trying to bring you down.”

Joo-hyuk had already seen all the reactions related to Almond and knew what kind of comments were being posted.

“I know.”

“Then why are you looking?”

“This is all part of my battle strength.”

“...?”

“I don’t have a family, so even if they insult my family, it’s just whatever.”

Joo-hyuk finally realized the mental fortitude of a former professional archer.

Honestly, it was a bit scary.

It made sense why Manager Park disliked Yu Sang-hyun so much.

Simple criticism and hostility had no effect on him.

Maybe Manager Park was actually afraid of Yu Sang-hyun!

“Anyway, the problem is that I don’t have a rank yet.”

“Of course not. You’ve only played two matches.”

“I need to increase my broadcast time. Even if it’s a frustrating concept.”

“How many matches a day?”

Virtual reality games are incredibly draining, especially for Sang-hyun. Joo-hyuk had even looked into hospitals because of this issue.

He didn’t really want to suggest it.

“Isn’t that too much?”

“Too much is Stones’ concept of being a genius that’s too much.”

“Hmm... I agree.”

Sang-hyun finished his kimchi stew and got up.

He immediately sat at his computer and started watching strategy videos.

“At least until I reach Diamond, I’ll increase the number of matches.”

Despite his calm appearance, Sang-hyun was burning inside.

Quietly burning.

All the insults and dismissals had ignited his competitive spirit.

And then an event poured fuel on the fire.

“Hey? I got an email on my account!”

Joo-hyuk, who was checking his emails as usual, exclaimed.

“What kind of email?”

“From Balloon Gum’s manager.”

“!”

Thud—

Sang-hyun’s chair wobbled as he turned around sharply.

“What does it say?”

“It’s a content proposal.”

The email, titled “Extreme Talent Showdown... Balloon Gum Rescue Project...,” contained the following content:

An extreme talent gap.

A content where one side, favored by the gods, teaches and rescues the other, who is despised by the gods.

In simpler terms, a “tutoring content.”

“So, you’ll be teaching Balloon Gum?”

“Yeah?”

Sang-hyun’s face lit up.

But Joo-hyuk held up his palm, as if to say it was too early to get excited.

“Ah, but there’s a condition. If you’re okay with it, they want to start after you reach Diamond rank.”

“Diamond?”

Sang-hyun hesitated for a moment.

The Diamond rank is not easy.

“Of course, if you don’t want to...”

“No! I’ll do it.”

Sang-hyun quickly changed his mind.

Just because it’s not easy doesn’t mean he won’t do it.

Absolutely not.

He felt a burning passion he hadn’t felt in a long time.

“I’m going to Diamond anyway. What’s the point of waiting?”

* * *

3:00 PM.

Just as Seo-ja’s video was breaking 130,000 views.

Suddenly, a Trivi live broadcast notification rang out.

Ding.

An alert that any viewer who had set up notifications for Almond’s channel would receive.

-??

-3:00 PM?

-It’s been a while since a broadcast at this time.

-What’s up?

Most viewers came in, puzzled.

The number of people who entered was naturally less than 1,000.

Most of his audience were working or studying, so only the so-called “0-gun” people could spare the time at this awkward hour.

Still, the fact that nearly 1,000 people gathered shows how solid Almond’s fan base is.

-Is this an accident?

-LOL, Almond could do that.

-Please change the capsule, sir.

-Support him.

While everyone was chatting, wondering if it was a broadcast accident,

Static.

The screen filled with noise, and the intro music started.

-Really?

-OMG

-Unexpected time! OMG

-Oh, sweet!

-This is why I didn’t get a job, LOL

Ping!

Almond’s face appeared in a corner of the screen, smiling.

“Hello!”

As he greeted everyone, the chat window flooded with messages.

-Hi!

-Hello!

-Hi!

-Bro, why are you here so early?

-Nice to see you 😭

-Wow, I’m watching this instead of school, LOL

-What’s up? Hello!

-Crazy deal.

-No loss in life.

-Forbes’ most valuable 3:00 PM.

-Why are you here so early? What’s up today? 😄

Amidst the greetings, there were questions about why he was broadcasting so early.

The answer came quickly, with a bit of a bombshell.

“I’m going for Diamond from today.”

-????

-What?

-LOL, bombshell!

-OMG, unexpected goal!

-Is Almond dying?

-Finally dying?!

“Not Almond, Diamond rank. I’m thinking it will take... about two weeks.”

Two weeks.

The record set by Electromagnetic, one of the best players, was one month.

Almond, a rookie who has only played two matches, was declaring he would break that record in half.