Chapter 24 of Season 1 of "The Genius Archer's Streaming"

9. Recruiting an Editor (2)

[First Release in 5 Minutes!]

A notice on Seo Ji-a's channel, a fan of Almond.

First Release.

This feature allows viewers to watch the video live as it opens for the first time, along with real-time chat.

-Oh wow hahaha

-How could I not come in after seeing this title hahaha

-Really hahaha

Thanks to the provocative title, a considerable number of people, about 3,000, gathered even before the video was released.

[The Archer Who Single-Handedly Razed a Castle, Almond]

The title was designed to appeal even to those who don't play Kingdom, considering the broader audience of AllTube, a much more popular platform than Trivi, which also needed to cater to non-gaming viewers.

-It's starting!

-5, 4, 3……

-Whooooo! Let's gooooo!

-Yaaah!

-Even the visuals are amazing today.

The video began with a solemn background score. It wasn't as grand as last time, but the music created a quiet yet tense atmosphere, perfectly matching the mission of ambushing the castle.

The background score was excellent, but the visual presentation was also impressive. For example, the screen split into two when Almond killed two soldiers simultaneously. When he achieved three consecutive headshots and started rapid-fire, the screen slowed down and then suddenly sped up.

With a bit of MSG added to his already incredible performance, it almost felt like watching a blockbuster action movie.

-It's amazing.

-The last part is really hard to believe even when I see it with my own eyes.

-Oh, I couldn't watch the live stream yesterday, but it's great to see it this way.

-Hahaha, it's so cool!

-I would even let you shoot an apple off my head, Mr. Almond……

-Hi, I'm Kim Joo-hyuk, the manager of the streamer Almond. We saw your video, Ms. Seo Ji-a……

The comments were overwhelmingly explosive.

In no time, over 100 comments flooded in……

#Game Category Real-Time Trending 78th

This hashtag was attached to the video, a label given only to real-time trending videos on the platform.

Once this label was attached, the number of views increased explosively from that moment.

The trend suggested that the video would reach 200,000 views within 24 hours, an unprecedented phenomenon for a game video, especially one about Kingdom.

* * *

"There are so many."

Sang-hyun, with his right hand in his pocket, dragged out the giant garbage bags.

This morning was the time to take out the trash.

"Haa."

It was good that he managed to drag his tired body out.

But seeing the long staircase stretching out before him, he couldn't help but sigh.

However, it was a staircase he climbed and descended daily.

The difficulty was only temporary.

He would get used to it soon.

He took a step, repeating the maxim he always kept in mind during his athlete days.

Holding the bags with only his left hand, his balance was off, but he could still walk. Fortunately, it wasn't cold enough for the ground to be icy.

As he slowly made his way down.

Thud.

Suddenly, his shoulder was hit by a door opening from the side.

"Uh... I'm sorry."

A flustered female voice reached his ears.

In this neighborhood, it wasn't unusual. Some houses had doors that could hit passersby.

"Oh, it's fine."

As Sang-hyun, who had staggered, regained his balance.

"Huh!"

The woman covered her mouth and took a step back.

Sang-hyun was momentarily taken aback by her reaction.

'What's going on?'

But there was no further reaction from her.

"Are you okay?"

"......"

The woman just stared at Sang-hyun without saying a word.

"Alright."

Sang-hyun nodded and continued down the stairs.

* * *

"Huff."

After 20 minutes, he finally reached the trash disposal area and threw the garbage with a mix of frustration and relief.

Thud.

'This is it.'

This was the moment when all the effort of coming here paid off. Seeing the giant garbage bag land perfectly gave him a strange sense of satisfaction.

'One more...!'

Thud!

As he threw all the garbage bags and was about to turn around.

"Hey!"

Someone called out to him, panting.

The gesture clearly indicated that they were calling him.

'Was it that woman?'

Sang-hyun realized it was the woman he had bumped into earlier.

'What's up? Did I drop something?'

Maybe he had dropped his wallet and she had chased after him... Just as he thought.

"Um..."

The woman spoke, still panting.

"Can I have an autograph...?"

Caught off guard by the unexpected request, Sang-hyun instinctively took a step back.

'Who is she?'

His eyes scanned her thoroughly.

A puffy khaki jacket that looked almost like a man's, a black hat that almost covered her entire head, and a slender build.

There was nothing particularly suspicious about her, except for the deeply pulled-down hat.

"An autograph?"

"Huff, huff... Yes."

The woman, clutching her chest as if her heart was pounding from running, extended a notebook.

"Can you sign it?"

How fast had she run down?

Sang-hyun finally accepted the strange situation.

'Ah, she's a fan.'

He realized she was a fan of Almond.

"Did you recognize me as Almond?"

The black hat nodded silently.

"I see."

It was quite a pleasant surprise. To meet a fan near his home, despite not being very famous.

'But it's a bit... near home.'

Of course, it was almost as if his address was exposed, which was a bit burdensome. However, as someone who hadn't experienced the downsides of being a celebrity, Sang-hyun was more excited.

What could a young girl like her do, anyway?

"Sure. What's your name?"

"Jia. Seo Ji-a."

Sang-hyun's hand, about to draw a line in the notebook, froze.

* * *

A little later.

A café near Hugye Station.

Joo-hyuk, dressed in a suit, burst through the door and ran in.

"Hey, you're here."

Sang-hyun, with one hand in his pocket, leaned against a high bar table and greeted him casually.

"......?"

Joo-hyuk was taken aback.

The place where Sang-hyun was standing was too cramped for discussing a contract.

"Oh, there were no seats, so I just sat here. It's crowded because it's the weekend."

"......Hello."

A small-framed woman greeted from behind Sang-hyun.

Joo-hyuk's expression brightened when he saw her.

"Hello! Are you Seo Ji-a?"

"......Yes."

Sang-hyun had found Seo Ji-a and immediately called Joo-hyuk, bringing her to the café and waiting for him.

'If you were a bit uglier, you'd be at the police station.'

'What do you mean? I'm not ugly.'

'Die.'

They whispered sarcastic remarks into each other's ears and sat down next to Jia.

"I'm Kim Joo-hyuk. I've been looking for you, Seo Ji-a."

Ha ha.

Joo-hyuk smiled warmly and extended a business card.

"Ah......"

Seo Ji-a didn't seem to be a very talkative person. She nodded and took the card with both hands but didn't react much.

Still, Joo-hyuk skillfully led the conversation.

"Ah, so you originally work in video production?"

"Yes... I majored in it, and it matches my hobby..."

"Wow, to work in video production and also create videos as a hobby, that's impressive."

"Yes, well..."

Seo Ji-a was so quiet that it was hard to imagine her running down to get an autograph from Sang-hyun.

Of course, Joo-hyuk continued to push the conversation as if it didn't matter.

"If you're interested in working with us..."

Rustle.

He pulled out a contract from his briefcase. It was surprising how quickly he had prepared it.

"Just think about it."

"......"

Seo Ji-a seemed a bit flustered.

Joo-hyuk didn't miss the opportunity.

"Actually, are you aware that there are issues with the videos you're currently posting in terms of generating revenue?"

"......What?"

Seo Ji-a was startled by the suggestion that there were problems with her videos.

"What...?"

"Legal issues, such as copyright and right of publicity..."

"Oh."

Joo-hyuk's point was this:

Since Seo Ji-a's channel is a fan channel, it can't generate revenue.

The reason she can currently make money is because we are turning a blind eye to it.

Therefore, to operate properly, she would have to sign a contract with us.

When the topic turned to money, Seo Ji-a's expression changed.

"......I've already sponsored you."

She said it with a slightly pouting tone.

Of course, she had already given more money in sponsorships than the potential revenue from the videos.

From her perspective, Joo-hyuk's words might have been disappointing.

"Revenue hasn't even started coming in yet... As you know, those videos aren't for generating revenue."

"Yes, I understand. I'm suggesting that you consider creating videos while also generating revenue."

"......"

Seo Ji-a remained silent.

At this point, Joo-hyuk realized:

'She's not really in it for the money.'

Seo Ji-a, a dedicated viewer who had generously sponsored Sang-hyun, was not from a wealthy family as Joo-hyuk had initially thought. Given her current appearance and living situation, it was unlikely that she had much financial freedom.

Yet, she had sponsored him, which meant...

She found watching Almond as a streamer more enjoyable than the money.

It was a pure fan's effort to create a mad movie.

Joo-hyuk needed to reframe his approach. Money wasn't what motivated this woman.

Then...

"Almond needs your help, Seo Ji-a."

"......!"

"You can create videos however you want. Currently, we're just struggling to make ends meet, and we need to generate revenue. Your help is really needed."

"Help......"

Seo Ji-a's eyes turned to Sang-hyun, who also had a desperate look.

'Does Almond really need me?'

The statement