Chapter 61

**Chapter 61 of The Genius Archer's Streaming Season 1**

**22. Deployment Complete (1)**

Thanks to Joo-hyuk's performance, numerous posts like these appeared on the fan cafe for Balloon Gum:

- Is this real?

- Archer? Almond? Hahaha

- I think the archer will lose. Haha

- So, haha, the archer is a stoner... You're underestimating Balloon Gum too much.

- Wow, this will be fun. Hahaha

- Oh.

- It's going to be so entertaining.

Balloon Gum fans might have heard of the user, Balloonsniper. His name alone suggests he's a Balloon Gum sniper. Naturally, he has a notorious reputation among fans.

- Is this real?

- Archer? Almond? Hahaha

- I think the archer will lose. Haha

- So, haha, the archer is a stoner... You're underestimating Balloon Gum too much.

- Wow, this will be fun. Hahaha

- Oh.

- It's going to be so entertaining.

Many people disliked Balloonsniper, but no one predicted Almond's victory. Disliking is one thing, but skill is another. However, does it matter? Regardless of who wins, it was clear that this match would be exciting, and that was important to Joo-hyuk.

'The excitement is building.'

The views were steadily increasing, and the number of comments was growing.

- Is Balloonsniper trying to get revenge by sniping and joining the queue?

└ Yeah, if Balloonsniper loses again, it'll be a disaster. Haha

└ It seems he's determined to join the queue.

└ He even knew the drop location.

- Haha, it's so intense. Balloonsniper...

- Ah, Balloonsniper, stop disgracing Balloon Gum and just die.

- I'm going to cheer for the archer. Damn it.

- This can't be boring. Haha

This match was irresistible for anyone who followed it. It was a guaranteed good time, like a dish made from a combination that can't be bad. Just as an English muffin with bacon and cheese can't be bad.

The clash between a new, talented player who appeared like a comet and a veteran villain whose skills are universally acknowledged can't be anything but exciting.

It's a guaranteed hit.

It feels like a movie that draws ten million viewers, even if they watch it while complaining.

- Haha, I came because I heard Almond is facing Balloonsniper.

- Haha, Balloonsniper

- Gum

- So, this is Almond.

- Archer, haha

Comments started appearing in Almond's stream, and the number of viewers increased by about a thousand.

Just as all the attention was focused, a thud!

Almond's knife finally pierced Balloonsniper's forehead.

Joo-hyuk, who witnessed this scene,

Bang!

He slammed his desk and jumped up.

"Wow! Yes!"

He raised his hand and shouted.

The joy was short-lived, and Joo-hyuk felt a bit awkward.

He awkwardly lowered his hand.

"Ah, ahem."

An awkward silence followed. The only sound was the whirring of the capsule's engine.

Only then did he realize,

'Was I really shouting like that?'

How much he was engrossed in the game, how much he was absorbed in Almond's stream.

If he had made such a racket at home, someone would have come in and scolded him, or even hit him when he was younger.

There was a reason he was called a "well-behaved child." Adults liked it, but Joo-hyuk didn't.

He had to live with the feeling that someone was always watching him.

'But... this isn't home, is it?'

Sang-hyun's house was different.

There was really no one else here.

It was just Sang-hyun and Joo-hyuk. Even though it was an old house in a slum, it was a standalone house with no neighbors above or below.

There was no one to bother.

"!"

A strange sense of liberation washed over him.

It was the first time he felt such freedom. It might sound silly to say this at the age of thirty, but for Joo-hyuk, who had followed a tight, elite course all his life, it was no joke.

He had never, in his entire life,

experienced true freedom.

'Really, it's true.'

A bitter realization.

For the first time in his 31 years, he felt it.

'This is freedom.'

He felt it for the first time.

That he was a free person. He had forgotten for so long.

The liberation was so intense it was almost overwhelming.

That's why,

When Almond finally killed the last enemy and the word "1st" appeared on the screen,

Joo-hyuk shouted so loudly it felt like the whole neighborhood could hear.

"Oooooooh, okay!!!"

Bang!

The unexpectedly loud shout made Joo-hyuk flinch.

It was too loud.

"Ah, ahem..."

Fortunately, it was 5 PM, and everyone was at work.

"I guess I need to practice to fully enjoy this freedom."

He adjusted his glasses and nodded.

* * *

The reaction wasn't limited to Balloon Gum's fan page. On Bella 31, many posts were also being generated.

Thanks to Almond's AllTube video, everyone knew who Balloonsniper was.

And the significance of catching him again was clear to everyone.

Naturally, such posts received many recommendations.

The video showed Balloonsniper and Almond exchanging knives in a close battle.

- Wow, hahaha

- This is a real showdown, damn it. Hahaha

- How long has it been since we saw a real showdown? Hahaha

- I didn't expect to see it in the Stones queue. Hahaha

- Yeah, it's a real battle of two geniuses. Hahaha

- Devil's talent Balloonsniper vs. devil-like talent Almond

└ Haha, it's real.

└ I didn't know this guy was good with knives. He's insane.

└ He is the best with the bow. In this match, he picked up the bow and got a lot of kills, finishing first.

└ No, if he can do that with a weapon that isn't his main one, how good is he really?

It wasn't just that Almond won against Balloonsniper.

The play they showed was spectacular.

It felt like the "mirror match" that made the classics famous.

- I don't know about the rest, but Almond definitely has star potential.

└ Agreed.

└ The classics also became famous with one video. Haha

└ That's true. Haha

└ I'm looking forward to the future.

People naturally started comparing Almond to the classics, a major star.

It was that clear to everyone.

Almond's "star potential."

- The real star quality is that he can perform like this in such an important match...

└ Yeah, especially when a Diamond 1 sniper was sniping at the end of the placement. I would have lost my mind and committed suicide. Haha

└ It wasn't just sniping. He remembered all the strategies from before and immediately ran to the armory to follow.

There are many elements that create star potential.

In the world of sports and games, where winning and losing is everything, the true star quality is "decisiveness."

The ability to perform in crucial moments.

This is the star quality.

All sports stars have shown their strength in important moments.

When everyone is crushed by the pressure, they shine. More than ever.

Almond showed this quality.

- The real reason Almond has star potential: his face.

└ Fact.

└ Haha, it's so frustrating.

└ It will cause a riot in women's forums.

└ If he appears on TV, it will be over.

└ Actually, this is true. Haha

Of course,

His face plays a significant role in his star potential.

* * *

"Phew."

1st.

Only after seeing this number did Almond let out a sigh of relief.

"This match was tough. Especially at the beginning, when the mosquito stuck to me."

Although he said it was tough, his expression didn't show it.

This was a source of amusement for the viewers.

- Haha, mosquito. Haha

- Balloonsniper mosquito

- Haha, you're so good.

- I really like it. Haha

- This is so cool. Haha

- Balloonsniper, stop it. Haha

- Public execution, indeed.

Almond smiled at the viewers' reactions.

His gaze turned to the mission window, where the numbers were already impressive.

He could immediately receive 800,000 won.

"Without a gun... I'll take the placement win and the no-gun placement win mission rewards. Thank you."

Ding.

Several sponsors' IDs appeared, and the money was deposited one by one.

- Oh no, no!

- I thought Balloonsniper couldn't win without a gun, but he did.

- No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no