Chapter 65 - The Challenge from the Veteran

The game, "Elden Soul," is famous.

This was not just a story among gamers. Due to its unique difficulty and atmosphere, it was considered a must-play game for streamers, regardless of their preference for spicy or mild content.

The number of Elden Soul communities was as large as its popularity, but if one were to pick the most active, nine out of ten would choose this one.

It was the Elden Soul Meta, operated by MetaGamer, commonly known as "EldenMeta."

Because it was a site where many Elden Soul players gathered, various types of posts, from casual chats to game strategies, tips, and PVP matches, were frequently posted.

However, that was not the case now.

[Started with GodPlay Jusuri (999+)]

[Ha ha, what's the 3-minute cooking? (999+)]

[A secret spot appeared in the cemetery! (999+)]

[Shocking! The cemetery keeper is actually **!? (999+)]

[Added the Broken Sword Challenge lol (999+)]

All the top posts were from the 'Streamer' category.

The rankings were not a coincidence. They followed the flow of the broadcast, thanks to viewers who clipped and posted them in real-time.

[-Who's this GodPlay?]

[-If it's not an Eclipse-level, tone it down a bit]

[-What kind of guts does Jusuri have on the first run lol]

[-Another aggro streamer lol]

[-But didn't this streamer do a Meta interview?]

People who didn't know Purple left negative comments. Many streamers who chose the Sorcerer background on their first run and got severely beaten ended up criticizing the game.

However, this trend quickly reversed.

[-What the hell?]

[-Really a 3-minute cut?]

[-Surviving with a 3-minute cut lol]

[-Damn... he's insane]

[-Lol, looks like the author is a noodle master]

The place called "Surviving" in the cemetery, with its 941 patterns of vicious traps, required 941 plays to clear.

A video showing a 3-minute clear of this area was enough to shock the community.

[-But... didn't this Eclipse die over 400 times?]

[-Yeah lol, it probably took almost an hour]

[-Still, it was impressive]

[-But a 3-minute cut?]

[-Is this edited? Seriously, is it fake?]

[-It's a live clip lol]

[-How much effort would it take to fake this lol]

[-Seriously lol, even the chat had to be edited]

[-It would be harder to fake it this perfectly]

No one dared to underestimate Purple anymore. Elden Soul fans knew how difficult the game was, and they respected skilled players.

[-Damn, dodging the falling rocks right away]

[-The dead must be embarrassed lol]

[-This is real skill lol]

[-I'd quit the game if I got hit by a falling rock lol]

[-But... I can't see anything no matter how many times I try]

[-It's invisible to the human eye lol]

[-There really is a secret spot...]

[-I can't find it even when I know it's there?]

From the third video onwards, the comments changed. The atmosphere became more serious as they discussed the game content.

[-Wow lol, this is definitely a veteran player lol, look at the broken longsword]

[-What?]

[-You have to use your weapon when you stick to the wall, but this will destroy your durability]

[-Yeah lol, you can't survive without the broken longsword]

[-Maybe the handaxe will break after a few uses?]

[-Who is the knight in the secret spot? Is he related to a previous game?]

[-Don't know;; not enough information]

[-But the 'Unknown' part isn't for nothing]

[-Yeah lol, in FromSoftware games, a lack of clues means it's more important]

[-Damn... this is definitely related to the game's core story]

[-The stone tablet also seems significant... damn, I'm so curious]

[-I have to watch the stream now lol]

Their deep love for the game made their analysis sharp. It was natural that they moved on to the next post.

[-Wow lol, just messing with the cemetery keeper]

[-Tearing through the sieve!]

[-Is this Elden Soul?]

[-But... can you do this in a FromSoftware game?]

[-Crazy! The cemetery keeper is a knight?]

[-Wow lol, this is insane]

[-The greatsword is amazing lol]

[-What did FromSoftware do with the tutorial boss, adding a second phase?]

[-What am I seeing? Jusuri cutting through sword beams?]

[-Crazy lol, first run with a sorcerer lol]

[-What was it? The Ember of Ash?]

[-Yeah, it's an enchantment, not a spell lol]

[-Wow... didn't Eclipse just deflect them with aura?]

[-Yeah lol, not deflecting but parrying]

[-That's impressive, but this is insane]

[-Broken Sword Challenge lol]

[-The cemetery keeper's lines are so moving ㅠㅠ]

[-Please tell us the background story!]

[-Why did he quit being a knight? Why was he guarding the cemetery?]

[-FromSoftware's storytelling is spicy, isn't it?]

[-But that's the charm lol]

[-Ah lol, so you're not going to play?]

The post about the cemetery keeper's awakening had the most comments. As expected of an Elden Soul community, a new post appeared.

[Found evidence that the cemetery keeper is a knight!]

The content was simple.

A comparison of the attack motions of the Great Knight, an enemy in the castle, and the cemetery keeper, made into a GIF.

[-Wow lol, this is it]

[-Really similar... why didn't I notice?]

[-Maybe the cemetery keeper's size helped?]

[-FromSoftware was giving hints all along lol]

[-Damn, how did you see this?]

[-Surprisingly, GodPlay didn't know the Great Knight but figured it out lol]

[-Your eyesight is amazing ㅎㄷㄷ]

[-What... did you learn swordsmanship in real life?]

[-He said in the interview that he did boxing?]

[-That's not related at all lol]

How did Purple figure out something that even multi-run players didn't notice?

Amidst the growing curiosity, one comment caught attention.

[-Wow, is this a damage test?]

[-Explain it clearly]

[-Seems like he's talking about the dummy anatomy content]

[-Yeah, there was a content where you fight a dummy with multiple weapons]

[-Remembering the dummy's movements and matching them? Is that possible?]

[-Ah lol, I'm craving a game convention]

[-He's a genius damn]

[-I have to watch the full video]

[-When I search for Purple on YouTube, everything is purple lol]

[-Just search for streamer Purple, you idiot]

[-Even the Try channel is fine lol]

[-King, are you doing this on purpose?]

[-Elbungi is considerate to newbies but merciless to PingPong lol]

Short clips weren't enough. People headed to YouTube and the Try channel.

The community, which had been in a lull, soon saw a new post.

[Original) Reaction of Japanese Elbungi to the clips lol]

[Posted the best clips on Two.CH and got immediate reactions lol

1. No separate replies!

1.

This is how the Broken One in Korea plays.

(Clip 1)

(Clip 2)

(Clip 3)

(Clip 4)

2.

What the hell is this monster?

3.

So good, I spit lol

This is god-level, man!

4.

>>3

It's disgusting lol

But if I had something to drink, I would have spit too.

5.

Damn, why is there no subtitle?

I can't understand any of the lines!

6.

>>5

Do you have a sister or an older sister?

Or is your mom a BTX fan lol

7.

>>6

This is effective lol

Asked my sister, and she translated it right away.

8.

This proves that Koreans have a game gene.

9.

What's a Pahae Cuto?

Never heard of it.

10.

>>9

Do you know Eclipsus?

But this person is better lol

11.

Why doesn't Japan have someone like this?

12.

>>11

Maybe 'Ne' hasn't come out yet?

13.

>>12

Unexpectedly moved lol

14.

Japan makes good games.

But Korea plays them well.

15.

>>14

It's like Japan is paying tribute to Korea lol

16.

Seems like a professional voice actor's play

And a very skilled one at that.

17.

>>16

If FromSoftware hired this person, sales would double lol

18.

Definitely a real fan, die!

19.

>>18

So genuine, I spit lol

20.

Impressive in every way.

This person and this thread lol

FromSoftware, the studio that created the Elden series, is a Japanese company. Japanese gamers had a sense of pride as if they were the originators.

[-This shit lol, he's keeping the English pronunciation]

[-Yeah lol, what's a Pahae Cuto?]

[-He's rolling with it lol]

[-Ah lol, Eclipsus is Eclipse?]

[-Haha, so funny lol, so good damn lol]

[-Do Japanese women speak Korean well?]

[-Yeah, they're really interested in Korean culture for some reason]

[-But virtual idols are more popular in Japan lol]

[-You know this, HOXY Elbungi?]

[-Caught you!]

[-Just games lol, Korea vs Japan]

[-Surprisingly, even Japanese know Eclipse lol]

[-Why do they spit at everything lol]

[-Koreans are good at games, it's a global consensus lol]

[-But Purple is insane lol]

[-Yeah lol, god-level]

[-King, GodPlay could represent Korea lol]

[-Korea? Could represent humanity lol]

[-Seriously, fight aliens lol]

[-GodPlay forever! ＼[+]/]

While Purple received the praise, those who read the post felt a sense of pride.

A sense of belonging as "Korea vs Japan" naturally arose, and it increased the affection for Purple.

Such "foreign reactions" posts easily spread to other communities.

Soon, a post appeared on EldenMeta.

[The Elbungi who wrote the Japanese reaction got copied lol]

[It's fine if it spreads to other communities, but I didn't expect the national pride fans to copy it lol

<Proving Korea is a game powerhouse again!

Silencing the archipelago with a single play in a globally popular game!

The Little Boy-level 'K-Streamer' who made even Japanese netizens surrender!>

Is this thumbnail completely insane?

I realized it's different from the real thing lol]

A YouTube channel specializing in national pride used the reaction post to make a video.

[-Wow lol, so intense]

[-Aggro is insane lol]

[-Who watches such channels?]

[-Little lol, Boi lol]

[-No way lol, LittlePurple?]

[-GodPlay is god-level lol]

[-The original author should take it down lol]

[-This will definitely spread in the community lol]

Thanks to the original author's complaint, the video was quickly taken down. However, the striking thumbnail image spread through the community.

The aftermath also affected Purple's fan page.

[Purple Fans! Sign the petition!]

[(Little Boy bomb image)

(Japanese surrender document image)

"I will... follow GodPlay's... every move."]

[-What is this lol]

[-Want to taste LittlePurple?]

[-Haha, so funny lol]

[-Are you serious lol]

A post by someone started a trend.

[If you're Korean, sign now!]

[(PerfectPlay logo)

"Subscribe... like... notifications..."]

[Undead! Sign now!]

"To GodPlay... I offer my... soul."]

[Newton's Throne! Sign now!]

"Coaching... 10 million won... thank you..."]

Countless parodies appeared.

Late at night, "surrender signatures" and "LittlePurple" memes were created for Purple.

* * *

The next morning.

Lee Kyungbok finished his morning exercise, one of his daily routines.

"Huff..."

As he exhaled, sweat droplets trickled down his bulging muscles. The sunlight cast shadows along the chiseled lines.

After a thorough shower, he opened the refrigerator with a forceful pull.

"Ah, not much left."

There were only a few pieces of chicken breast he had stockpiled for protein intake. He habitually turned on his smart link.

[PerfectPlay]

[532,000 subscribers]

The YouTube channel he checked before bed last night appeared.

Overnight, 30,000 more subscribers had joined, and the highlight video uploaded by Choi Byunghoon had already surpassed 200,000 views.

A satisfied smile appeared on his face, but his eyes blinked.

'This...?'

A recommended video caught his attention.

[Protein Powder Guide! Part 1]

[MuscleGallery]

He remembered starting to watch this video, uploaded about a year ago, but giving up because it was too expensive for him as a salaryman.

"Hah..."

Lee Kyungbok let out a hollow laugh.

"Habits are scary, they say."

He had spent countless hours searching for the cheapest, least tender chicken breast. The time he invested in finding a product that was just 10 won cheaper was significant.

As the memory of those days flashed through his mind, Lee Kyungbok became acutely aware of his current situation.

'That's why people who have tasted good meat eat more. Making money and not knowing how to spend it...'

A year ago, or even a month ago, he never would have thought such thoughts.

But now, things were different.

The money he had earned so far already exceeded his annual salary from his job a month ago.

He immediately opened the search bar.

However, the search term was not chicken breast.

"It's expensive, isn't it?"

The initial price of the products, which were over 300,000 won, gave him a momentary sense of rejection, but it was just a moment.

What bothered him more was the delivery time. Being foreign products, most took at least a week.

'There must be a way.'

Lee Kyungbok smiled and quickly put on some clothes.

* * *

On a weekday morning, the first floor of the department store was quiet. Occasionally, young children and housewives out for a stroll passed by, but they quickly headed for the escalators.

Thanks to this, the luxury brand employees had time to chat and pass the time.

Then a man entered.

Wearing jeans, a white T-shirt, and a black long cardigan, he was dressed casually.

However, the employees' attitudes immediately became as sharp as soldiers on high alert.

"Wasn't a VIP coming today?"

"No, I didn't hear that..."

"Wow... he's really handsome."

It's said that real rich people don't dress up when they come to the department store.

Indeed, some did, and this saying spread, leading to nouveau riche not bothering with their outfits.

Thus, the criteria for employees to judge wealthy customers changed.

"Is that a man's skin?"

"Maybe he's an idol trainee?"

"He seems to be alone, no manager in sight?"

The new standard was the customer's skin.

Under his slightly wavy hair, smooth skin was visible.

To have such skin, one must have spent a fortune at dermatologists.

Not knowing which store he would enter, the employees were on high alert.

However, he disappointed their expectations by heading straight for the escalator to the basement.

'There was definitely a separate section for imported products.'

The luxury brand Lee Kyungbok wanted to buy was not on the first floor. He found the 'Health/Food' section in the basement, where imported products were displayed separately.

The product he wanted was there.

Only the price was different.

'The price difference from direct imports is significant.'

The product that cost 300,000 won online was now 500,000 won. But Lee Kyungbok didn't hesitate.

'This is why you need to make a lot of money.'

In the past, he would have agonized over such a purchase, calculating how much more work he would need to do to make up for it or what else he could buy with the money.

But now, things were different.

'Money gives you freedom.'

Lee Kyungbok realized this.

It wasn't just about having a lot of money; wealth provided the freedom to choose.

Even if he spent this money, he wouldn't have to give up anything else, which brought him great joy.

"Thank you."

With a satisfied smile, Lee Kyungbok finished the payment and turned to leave. As he hurried back home, something caught his eye.

'...Hm?'

It was a mid-range brand, a cosmetics store popular among young students. Lee Kyungbok was only interested in basic skincare products.

What caught his eye was a small screen in front of the store, showing an advertisement.

<No worries about PE class!>

A girl in a gym uniform with her hair in a ponytail smiled brightly.

<No worries about dates!>

The scene changed to a park where a college girl on a bicycle smiled.

<'Nara' is enough with this!>

The screen changed again, showing a stage. A beauty with porcelain skin, a