Chapter 10 of Season 1: The Genius Archer's Streaming

4. Who is Dotorimuk? (2)

Dotorimuk.

By the number of viewers, he can't be considered a very successful streamer. However, in terms of revenue, he was undoubtedly ranked quite high.

The reason for this peculiar and highly efficient revenue model lies in the games he plays.

He specializes in playing manic games.

"Looks like he plays a lot of different games."

Sanghyun muttered to himself as he scrolled down and read the description of Dotorimuk.

"He was a general game streamer, like bubble gum."

General game streamer.

This was the type of streamer Sanghyun wanted to be.

Even from a purely commercial perspective, it was a much more advantageous form. It meant he could ride out any trend and play a variety of games.

Of course, only a select few streamers could live such a life.

They either had to be good at all games or, if not, have an excellent sense of broadcasting.

'I'll have to try to be the former.'

When Sanghyun thought about it, he didn't know if he had an excellent broadcasting sense. But he felt his innate competitiveness and concentration were unmatched.

"Still... what should I reply with...?"

After organizing his thoughts, Sanghyun stared at the content of the note again.

==== ====

Hello, Almond. I'm Dotorimuk, a streamer. Lately, I've been playing Kingdom Age.

I'm pretty good at games, but I was instantly captivated by Almond's play. Don't misunderstand, I like women.

Anyway, the point is, I'd like to do a collaboration with Almond. You can share your expertise, or I can analyze your play in a content format.

We can discuss the details in person or through a virtual meeting.

Please don't hesitate to contact me for any other matters.

==== ====

Although he said not to worry, the content of the note was seriously worrying.

"Ah... I'm not good at this kind of thing."

Sanghyun was pondering. Such a collaboration could be a double-edged sword for him.

It could solidify his image as a collaborative streamer or make him look like a leech.

"If I handle it poorly, it could get really weird."

Sanghyun, a former senior manager at a large corporation, had almost no social skills.

He was the type who didn't easily make friends, even with social activities.

Being not harassed was a fortunate thing for him.

But the friend he somehow managed to get was quite a good one... it seemed.

Zzz.

Familiar text appeared on his phone.

[Kim Joo-hyuk]

Sanghyun answered without knowing what it was about.

"Hey. What's up?"

"Hey. I checked your stream. You're Almond, right?"

"Yeah."

"Wow, kid. The reaction was good, huh?"

"Yeah, it was."

"Is a stream usually that good after just two days? I feel more excited than you."

"Archery is about being calm. And I've been a genius since I was young, so I'm used to it."

"Huh..."

For a moment, it sounded like he was swearing on the phone.

"Hey, that's not it."

"What?"

"I had a big fight with my manager today."

"?! "

Sanghyun was genuinely surprised and couldn't respond. It was hard to imagine Kim Joo-hyuk, who wasn't even a manager, having a conflict with his boss.

Joo-hyuk was definitely not the type to do that.

He always said he was the best at holding back. That's why he could have such an elite resume.

"Your voice doesn't sound like you just had a fight... it sounds like you made a real decision."

Most importantly, the way he talked about the fight with his manager didn't sound like a simple spat. Sanghyun had a bad feeling.

Or maybe this was a good omen.

"Yeah, I really messed up, messed up. That bastard. I should have thrown the eraser at him."

"...Are you quitting?"

"Yeah, damn it."

Hahaha! The phone was about to burst from laughter, and Sanghyun winced and pulled it away from his ear.

"What are you going to do?"

"I have to find a new job."

"Oh."

Oh... right.

Sanghyun felt a sudden drop in his spirits. Joo-hyuk's life was completely different from his.

With his credentials and abilities, Joo-hyuk could go to any company. He might have already received countless offers from somewhere.

Joo-hyuk wasn't just a guy with a good resume. His work ability was real. So he would be confident in changing jobs.

That's why Sanghyun couldn't bring himself to voice the thought that had been nagging at him.

'Should I tell him, or not...?'

It was a truly absurd story, even for him.

'You, be my manager!'

When he repeated it in his mind, it sounded like the words of a madman. It was like asking him to join a company that had only made 100,000 won in sales.

But Sanghyun realized that all his worries were in vain.

Because of what Joo-hyuk said next.

"Hey, I'm going to take a break for a while. If you need any help, let me know. I'll be bored otherwise."

"…What?"

"Do you need a manager?"

What the hell is this? Sanghyun couldn't believe what he just heard.

"It would be good to have one... but you know I'm still a nobody, right?"

"Yeah, I know. 'Still' a nobody."

"..."

"Remember when you cried when you came out of the capsule?"

"Ah! Don't say that!"

"No, no. I thought a lot when I saw that."

"…?"

"You seemed to really love it. Shooting arrows. I've never done something I really loved."

"Do you like being a manager...?"

"I don't know. But it seems interesting. At least more interesting than working at a company. Honestly, working at a company is really boring."

"True."

"I can take a year off without any problem. And if it goes well, I'll tie you down with a contract and become a ruthless entertainment company CEO, so don't worry."

Sanghyun's hands were trembling.

'How can this be?'

This was Joo-hyuk's pure goodwill. Even though he was a high-achiever, a year was still a precious time for him.

It was time he could spend on a relationship.

He was willing to invest this time in Sanghyun's potential.

Considering the salary from his previous company, it was a proposal worth at least 50 million won.

"..."

Sensing Sanghyun's hesitation and sense of guilt, Joo-hyuk added, in a deliberately arrogant tone.

"So, I'm going to try to develop you. What do you think?"

Pfft.

Sanghyun couldn't help but laugh.

This was another crazy idea from a different angle.

Joo-hyuk was a great guy, but he had no experience in management, let alone being a manager. How could he develop someone?

But it was a very attractive proposal.

A manager with nothing and a streamer with nothing.

These two would leave their corporate jobs and succeed together... it was a story that made him smile just thinking about it.

"You're going to develop someone? I'll make you rich, so get your resignation approved right away!"

Laughter burst out from the phone.

"Are you imitating the manager?"

"Kim Joo-hyuk. I have something to do from tomorrow."

"What is it?"

Sanghyun mentioned the note he had received earlier.

"A collaboration offer? Oh, you really are a talent I picked. A top-tier streamer is already offering a collaboration."

Joo-hyuk's reaction was quite positive.

"Is it a good opportunity?"

"What do you mean? There's nothing to lose."

"Is that so? But I'm not good at making a good impression on people."

"That's true. But you should go without pay and just show your skills confidently. If the collaboration goes well, you'll naturally make a good impression."

"Right, right."

Sanghyun nodded unconsciously.

He was right. No matter what happened, it was a meeting with nothing to lose. Sanghyun had nothing to lose.

He didn't need to try too hard to make a good impression. Just playing hard would get a good reaction.

"Hey, and I have an idea. I'll tell you when we meet. Send me a message about where to meet tomorrow. I'll come."

"Okay, okay."

Click.

After hanging up, Sanghyun had to take a deep breath to calm his racing heart.

"...It feels like things are suddenly progressing a lot."

He was about to have a top 0.1% talent as his manager, and he had received a collaboration offer from a top-tier streamer.

Someone once said:

When you're on the path to success, the world moves faster than ever. The scenery around you is so fast that you can't see anything.

Maybe Sanghyun was already on that path to success.

He couldn't see anything else. The worry about leaving his job was now a distant memory.

Just drinking milk with Almond gave him energy. His eyes opened wide on their own in the morning.

Thinking about streaming tomorrow and the day after made his heart race and his mind clear.

Crunch.

He added more Almond to his mouth and started typing.

[Hello, Dotorimuk. This is Almond.]

* * *

Dotorimuk, who had just styled his hair, checked his watch.

"Hmm."

He arrived too early.

"Bro, but is it really okay to meet a nobody in person?"

The manager, who was already sitting 30 minutes before the scheduled time, grumbled.

"Hey, we're meeting to see potential. Not everyone starts as a superstar."

"Damn, last time you got tangled up with some nobody female streamer and almost got into trouble."

"Hey, this is a man! I'm a man! And you're... a manager!"

Dotorimuk silenced the manager with a stern reprimand about the previous scandal.

"See, is my judgment right or wrong? First, his physical appearance is top-notch in the country. Meeting and discovering such a person early will make us closer and benefit me in the long run."

"Huh. Is it a world where only good skills make you famous? For a talk show collaboration, you need a good appearance. We don't even know what he looks like in real life or how he looks without his game effects and costumes."

"Um..."

Dotorimuk couldn't properly respond to that. In the game, Almond's appearance was enhanced by various effects, making him more like a game character than a real person.

There were no scenes where his real face was shown.

"And those hardcore gamers who only play games can't even talk properly and are fat... wow..."

The manager stopped talking and stared at something.

Two men in neat suits had just entered the cafe.

Straight posture, well-fitted suits, neat pompadours. They looked like sophisticated professionals who could work for a large corporation.

"Wow, that's my type. I wish I looked like that..."

As if they heard that, the two men looked at Dotorimuk and smiled brightly.

"Why, why are they coming... here...?"

They were indeed approaching Dotorimuk.

Sure enough, they even extended their hands.

"Are you Dotorimuk?"

"Yes... by any chance..."

"Hello, I'm Almond, Yu Sanghyun."