Chapter 75 - It's All Because of Purple

Late at night, an article was posted on the main page of MetaGamer.

[‘Elden’s Greatest Swordsman’ Generation Change! (With the Secret of Newtonza)]

A special feature on the showdown between the rising new streamer Purple and the veteran of From Software games, Eclipse.

With Newtonza even being mentioned, the article’s views skyrocketed.

[-Huh? Wasn’t Purple a Zerg streamer?]

[LOL, isn’t Purple an FPS one-trick?]

[No, one-trick? Don’t you know about Perfect Yami?]

[Yeah, but Elden is on a whole different level.]

Those who were not interested in this match expressed their surprise at the gap between the two streamers. But that was a very short-lived thought.

[-It’s already up!]

[-You have to watch the full video to get the real deal.]

[-The clash of the world’s best is awe-inspiring.]

[-The title already says ‘generation change,’ what’s with the people ignoring Godfl?]

[-This is why articles about declining literacy keep popping up.]

[-Yeah, please watch the video before commenting.]

[-Those who comment first and watch later, now it’s time to delete your comments, right?]

Those who already knew the outcome mocked such comments. In contrast, the comments from those who had watched the video first were added a bit later.

[-Wow, is this what EldenSouls is supposed to be like?]

[Yeah, that’s right! (Or not)]

[Even an Elin can do it!]

[An Elin (1200 hours of exploration)]

[Stop spreading fake news, please.]

[-EldenSouls is really impressive.]

[-Godfl’s play is flashy, too.]

[-There’s something similar called ‘Choreographed Combat’]

[LOL, that’s right.]

[When Kingbans do it, it’s just ridiculous.]

[-Eclipse’s skills are insane.]

[Oh! Add the honorific ‘Gyeong’ at the end!]

[This really makes me respect him.]

[-Eclipse Gyeong is truly great.]

[-No wonder he’s called ‘Elden’s Greatest Swordsman.’]

[-I thought the commentary was all jokes, but it’s serious?]

[-LOL, you grow through battles!]

[-Ah, this is what a ‘genius’ is.]

[-Eclipse is a recognized genius.]

[-Godfl is just Godfl, you know.]

[-But, Purple doesn’t seem tired at all.]

[LOL, even if his body isn’t tired, he must be exhausted after such a fight.]

[The way he just breathes at the end is so cool.]

[That’s what makes him ‘Perfect’ (nod)]

The comments on the match between Purple and Eclipse were overwhelmingly positive. Of course, the majority of the praise was directed at the winner, Purple.

However, the atmosphere in the comment section wasn’t entirely warm.

[-Newtonza is a woman?]

[-What the f***!]

[-LOL, her body is insane.]

[-I’m starting a fan club today.]

[-I want to be targeted too!]

[-If she was a woman, it would be a huge gain, right?]

[-Why hide it? She’d be super popular with a cam show.]

Some comments even crossed the line into sexual harassment.

[-Damn, these perverts are at it again.]

[-Go to your Serengeti, you perverts!]

[-Only those with nothing to do stir up trouble.]

[-Camping is a science, you know.]

[-It’s so annoying when you get targeted and have to turn off the stream.]

[-LOL, go to a female cam show and donate a thousand yen.]

[-Just in case, I saved the archive.]

Of course, such comments were quickly met with backlash. Many were blinded or deleted by their authors.

[-Newtonza is really skilled.]

[-Godfl coached her, too.]

[-One-on-one lesson for 1 million won!]

[-If you have the money, I’d like to try it.]

[-Can’t you just hold back on the loot?]

[-LOL, I can’t resist the limited pickups.]

[-Wow, 200 appraisal? It’s doubled!]

[-But watching the fight, it doesn’t seem like he’s lacking.]

[-Is there anyone who hasn’t bought Purple Coins yet?]

[-I bought Purple Coins, but why is my stock window still blue?]

[-Ah, don’t you know? This is OolBlue.]

[-All the treasures are there, apparently.]

The competition between Purple and Newtonza also had its share of attention, despite the main focus being on the match with Eclipse.

As the comments grew, something new happened.

[-Crazy, Elden’s Greatest Swordsman is making the Elden meta go wild.]

[-Elden fans are collectively losing it.]

[-Everyone! After reading the article, go to the Elden meta!]

Suddenly, comments about the EldenSouls community started to increase.

[“Waiter, take my order.”]

[A swordsman entered the inn and said,

“My body is weak, bring me something to recover.”

The yellow-haired waiter bowed deeply and replied,

“Yes, sir! Here’s a bottle of Aetaelu (愛太淚)!]

[-Ethereal Aetaelu, LOL.]

[-The Chinese characters are so cool.]

[-What’s with the yellow-haired waiter?]

[-Where’s the inn in EldenSouls?]

[Please tell me how to defeat the Ghoul Shaman.]

[I’ve just escaped the Tomb of the Broken and am meeting a senior.

I’ve reached the Ashen Forest, but the Ghoul Shaman is too difficult to handle.

Please share your insights.]

[-Ghoul Shaman, LOL. Are you talking about the Spirit Golem?]

[-What’s the Tomb of the Broken? LOL, it’s the tomb of the broken.]

[-So the Ashen Forest is the Fog Forest, right?]

[-How dare a rogue make a deal with a witch! You are clearly a villain!]

[-LOL, the comments are slowly turning into a martial arts style.]

The posts in the EldenSouls community were so strange that they made you doubt your eyes. There were many posts that didn’t fit the community’s nature.

[Using magic and sorcery is the work of villains!]

[The title of Elden’s Greatest Swordsman is decided, but the title of Elden’s Greatest Spearman is vacant. I will stand in that place!]

[Do not be ashamed of Naraetaigon! Even rolling in a dung field is better than this!]

[<Tournament Announcement> Who will be the Elden’s Greatest Palace? We look forward to the participation of many martial artists!]

[Is EldenSouls not a martial arts game? Nonsense! As long as there is ‘wu’ (武) and ‘xia’ (俠), it is a martial arts game!]

The titles that filled the board were the kind you’d see in a martial arts game, or even in a martial arts game community, but rarely used.

The impact of the title ‘Elden’s Greatest Swordsman’ used in the article was the reason.

Amidst the martial arts wind sweeping through the community, new news was shared.

[Reactions of Western Elden’s Greatest Swordsman]

[LOL, I was trying to write a concept, but I don’t have martial arts knowledge, so I just wrote the title.

I translated the reactions from Reddit about this match.

Thanks to the subtitles on the article, it was exported quickly.

I did it in a hurry, but it should be roughly correct.

I’m not going to argue, it’s too much trouble.

(God, Eclipse is no longer the champion!)

(What the f***? Who is this guy? Purple?)

(I can’t believe this crap. Eclipse is a master of swordsmanship!)

(Oh my. Everyone, this is really ugly. Just accept it and welcome the new champion.)

(Really. He’s the new champion and has proven it. Why are you denying it?)

(Huh? Perfect Play is the name of this winner. He’s quite arrogant, isn’t he?)

(He’s amazing!)

(He’s so cool, LOL.)

(Oh! I know this person! He’s the one who showed the Bark ending!)

(That’s right! It’s him!)

(Can you give me a link?)

(I found it on YouTube. I could watch it all day! LOL.)

(What does ‘Elden’s Greatest Swordsman’ even mean?)

(It means the best swordsman in EldenSouls. It’s a perfect fit, LOL.)

(He’s a real Korean, LOL.)

It seems that even those who denied reality have been convinced after watching the video. If you want to see more reactions, search for Eclipse on Reddit, LOL.]

Eclipse, the winner of a tournament hosted by the developer, was known not only in Japan but also in the Western world. The news of his defeat shocked overseas gamers.

As a result, the name PerfectPlay became known to overseas gamers.

[-GG, LOL.]

[-LOL is better than LoL, after all.]

[-Watch the perverts deny it, LOL.]

[-Probably the members who lost to Eclipse in the tournament, LOL.]

[-Escaping reality after watching the video, LOL.]

[-Godfl’s Bark achievement is back, LOL.]

[-I’m proud even though I’m just an Elden fan and a Bak fan.]

[-Not all Koreans are good at games, but this stereotype is firmly in place, LOL.]

[-Godfl is on another level among Koreans, you guys!]

[-If this is the case, he’s the Greatest Swordsman of Korea, LOL.]

For fans, it was quite satisfying to see Purple’s name rise among overseas gamers.

* * *

Meanwhile, at the dorm of the girl group ‘Sweeties.’

“Girls, the aesthetician is here.”

The manager went around the members’ rooms to deliver the news. She had called for aesthetic services to help the tired members after their mobile concert.

“Ugh… I was in the middle of eating chicken.”

“I was having tteokbokki.”

“Aren’t we supposed to eat both together?”

The members came out of their rooms, laughing. In the virtual world, eating food didn’t make you gain weight; you could only taste it, so they often used it to relieve stress.

“Hey, where’s Nara?”

Sweeties was a four-member girl group, and the oldest member was ‘Yoon Nara.’ She was also the most popular.

“Is she still connected to the capsule?”

“I’ll go get her.”

One member went to Yoon Nara’s room. She knocked lightly and opened the door cautiously.

“Nara?”

To her surprise, Yoon Nara was lying on the bed.

“What’s up?”

“The aesthetician is here.”

“Ah.”

Yoon Nara rolled her eyes for a moment and waved her hand.

“I’ll just rest today. I’ll talk to her myself, so don’t worry.”

“Again? Well… it’s good that you don’t need to be managed.”

She glanced at Yoon Nara from head to toe. In a casual t-shirt and dolphin shorts, she still looked stunning.

Even as an idol, she felt like a celebrity.

“Hey, I manage myself pretty strictly, you know?”

“Yeah, of course. Rest well!”

Yoon Nara sighed as her younger member left the room. She then sat up and straightened her posture.

She sat cross-legged and slowly closed her eyes. As she meditated, her senses dulled, and she entered a state of inner calm. However, it wasn’t for peace of mind.

‘Let’s see how this goes.’

She wasn’t Yoon Nara but Newtonza. The match with Purple had started, and she heard his voice.

She had reviewed this battle several times after the broadcast.

‘I didn’t make any mistakes.’

Her attacks and defenses were optimal at every moment. Therefore, the reason for her defeat in each review was always the same.

‘The opponent was just stronger than me.’

As Newtonza, she hunted targets who boasted of their ‘talent.’ Most of them were just pretentious, and the worst were those who used proxies. Conquering such people was a great way to relieve the stress from her entertainment career.

‘I can beat Purple too.’

She slowly opened her eyes.

The match was over, but it didn’t mean a permanent defeat.

‘The last one to win laughs.’

If her mentality could be shattered by a single setback, she wouldn’t have made it in the entertainment industry. Yoon Nara reassured herself.

‘Besides, this time it wasn’t on my home ground. Away matches always start with a penalty.’

The review of the battle was over, but the scene lingered in her mind.

Yoon Nara manipulated her smart link. The main page of MetaGamer appeared in front of her.

“This, is this more popular than me?”

She pursed her lips at the article’s views and the pile of comments. She considered the notoriety she had gained as Newtonza as part of her fame.

She scanned the comments and clicked her tongue.

“Really, so disgusting…”

As a person, she couldn’t help but notice the comments about her. The comments that received the most criticism made her frown.

She hoped there were no such people among Sweeties’ fans. She then focused on the match between Eclipse and Purple again.

‘I can’t imitate it, but I need to understand it to counter it.’

She carefully analyzed every move Purple made. She felt anew.

‘It’s art, indeed.’

As the name suggested, it was ‘perfect.’

The more she realized this, the more her fighting spirit burned. She was so engrossed in the video that she lost track of time.

“Nara?”

“Huh? Oh!”

She was startled by the sudden voice and quickly dismissed the hologram. The member who had come to find her earlier was looking at her intently.

“What are you so engrossed in?”

“Oh, um, it’s, it’s a dance video.”

Fortunately, she had been in private mode, so the content wasn’t visible from a different angle.

The member looked at her intently and then nodded.

“Dance? Hmm… okay.”

“Um, why?”

“I came to tell you that we’ve all been managed. The aesthetician is leaving, and she wants to check on you last.”

Yoon Nara’s eyes widened.

So much time had passed already?

“Ah, I’ll tell her myself.”

“Got it.”

The member simply replied and closed the door. As she let out a sigh of relief, the door opened slightly again.

“But, Nara.”

“Huh?”

“You know, your lying is so obvious.”

“Huh…?”

“Who watches dance videos with the sound off?”

“Oh, um…”

She was at a loss for words.

She had good reflexes, but not in this situation.

“I get that we’re not allowed to date….”

“No, it’s not that!”

“Okay, okay. Good night!”

The member left with a mischievous smile. Yoon Nara, left behind, touched her slightly red face.

“Damn…”

Maybe because she hadn’t relieved her stress well today, she suddenly craved something sweet. She opened the mini-fridge in her room.

In her hand was a slice of tomato she had been saving. Sprinkling sugar on it would be perfect, but as an idol, she couldn’t do that.

Usually, she could resist.

“…Today, I’m just going to eat it!”

But today, she had to cross that line. She bit into a slice of tomato sprinkled with white sugar.

“Mmm…!”

The sweetness in the virtual world was different. Having cut out sweets for a while, the sensation was amplified.

In no time, she finished a plate.

“Ah…”

She looked at the empty plate with a sense of futility and stood up. She then got on the cycle in her room.

There was no such thing as guilt-free pleasure.

“I have to… I’m an idol….”

She gritted her teeth and started pedaling. She had to burn off the calories from what she had just eaten.

“It’s all because of Purple!”