Chapter 35 of Season 1 of The Genius Archer

13. Knight (3)

Sanghyun didn’t have high hopes for the AllTube views.

It was only natural.

Considering his live stream usually had around 1,200 viewers, it would be normal for AllTube views to max out at 5,000.

Having 5,000 live stream viewers would be quite impressive.

However, AllTube videos need at least 10,000 views to generate any significant revenue. 5,000 views mean nothing.

For a streamer of Sanghyun’s scale, it’s a harsh reality that AllTube revenue is hard to expect in the early stages.

"Probably... we need to upload at least twenty more videos to see any trend in revenue."

"AdSense won’t come in yet, either."

"It’s an investment for the future."

These were the opinions expressed at the Punk Co. meeting.

"Nobody knows if AllTube will succeed."

"Being popular on Trivi doesn’t guarantee popularity on AllTube."

"That’s right. Trivi is more promising, but AllTube..."

"Of course, AllTube has a much greater impact, so it would be great if it succeeds."

Most of them didn’t think Almond’s AllTube would succeed properly.

It wasn’t so much that they underestimated Sanghyun, but it was a natural stance.

Even Balloon Gum, known as the all-time number one streamer, failed quite a bit on AllTube.

"Nobody knows how things will turn out on AllTube."

This was a maxim used by all streamers.

However, this uncertainty seemed to work in Sanghyun’s favor.

[53,000 views]

[98,000 views]

[60,000 views]

The three videos he had previously uploaded all had over 50,000 views, with one approaching 100,000.

Considering these numbers were reached in just one day, it was a miraculous achievement.

"Hmm."

When Sanghyun woke up in the morning and checked the AllTube views again, he kept refreshing the page, unable to believe it.

"Why is this happening?"

He didn’t expect much, knowing that even his favorite streamer, Balloon Gum, had struggled on AllTube.

But it seemed Sanghyun was doing surprisingly well on AllTube.

"An AllTube editor is really important. Editing skills account for about 80% of AllTube’s success."

He remembered what Dotorimuk had said.

Dotorimuk also had decent AllTube views compared to his live stream viewers, thanks to Ina Young, who managed and edited his content.

"Is it because of the editor?"

If so, Sanghyun’s success was probably due to Seo Ji-a.

He searched for the Mad Movie videos Seo Ji-a had posted in the past.

[708,000 views]

[452,000 views]

It was unbelievable that these Mad Movie videos, made by an unknown streamer playing a minor game like Kingdom, had such high views.

The impact of these videos was likely affecting the current official Almond channel.

"Got lucky."

Sanghyun thought to himself as he finished brushing his teeth.

Spit.

Just as he was about to rinse his mouth, Kim Joo-hyuk spoke excitedly from outside the door.

"Hey. I got a message from Lee Da-ri. Park Bu-jang had a sour face all day. He thinks you have some powerful connections."

Joo-hyuk’s excited expression was palpable even through the door.

"How can he think that? That I have connections..."

"Maybe because Punk Co. Manager gave him a good talking to..."

"Did it really work?"

"Well, that’s how that generation is."

Sanghyun chuckled after rinsing his mouth. Even a high-ranking executive like Park Bu-jang seemed so trivial.

"Really, such a simple guy."

He felt embarrassed to have worked so hard under such people.

"Oh, you’re out."

Thud.

As soon as Sanghyun came out, Joo-hyuk rushed into the bathroom. He must have been in a hurry.

"It feels like we’ve been living together for a year..."

Sanghyun muttered to himself as he changed his clothes. He now does jogging or some physical exercise in the morning.

When he worked at a company, he at least maintained a minimum level of exercise.

But as a streamer, he hardly moved at all.

Even Sanghyun, a former athlete, could feel his weight increasing.

"Especially since I ate chicken and beer yesterday."

Squeak.

He zipped up his thick hoodie and went out for a walk.

* * *

With wireless earphones in his ears, he ran along the river path, enjoying pleasant music.

"Huff. Huff."

The air was cold enough to make his throat hurt as winter approached.

Still, Sanghyun enjoyed physical exercise.

Ding.

The music stopped, and a ringtone sounded.

"Ah... what now?"

It was Joo-hyuk, as expected.

"What is it?"

"Didn’t you see the message?"

"I’m exercising right now."

Joo-hyuk might be suited to be a manager, given how he can be so annoying.

"It feels like my mom has come back to life."

Despite Sanghyun’s grumbling, Joo-hyuk continued.

"Your AllTube views are quite exceptional for someone of your scale."

Sanghyun already knew this, having done some research.

"That’s why the manager wants to have dinner with you. By the way, you’re going alone. Do well."

"Is that all?"

"No."

"What else?"

"Shouldn’t we do something for Seo Ji-a?"

"Hmm?"

"It’s an incredible achievement. In such cases, some kind of expression of gratitude is necessary."

Of course, since she takes 40% of the revenue, there’s no real need to do more.

But human emotions are complex.

Even a small gesture like a cookie set can make a difference.

"Should I bring a gift?"

"Sure. No, wait. You don’t need to."

"Hmm?"

"I just met her."

"What?"

Thud.

Sanghyun ended the call there, having seen Seo Ji-a running on the same jogging course.

"Hello."

"?"

Seo Ji-a, who had been running with a hoodie on, turned around and her eyes widened.

"Do you exercise often?"

* * *

The famous gourmet burger brand 'Burger Shack' had a waiting line just a week after opening.

It was the hottest burger brand recently.

"Phew. Good thing I came early."

Sanghyun muttered as he placed the burger set he had paid for in front of Ji-a.

"Thank you."

"Will this really do?"

Sanghyun asked Ji-a if there was anything else she wanted, given the incredible growth of AllTube.

But Ji-a said a meal would be enough.

She wanted to go to 'Burger Shack.'

"Yes."

"Even so..."

"It’s fine."

Ji-a answered and took a big bite of the burger. Her mouth was surprisingly large for her face. Sanghyun looked at her in amazement.

"It’s a bit hard to eat with you staring so intently."

"Ah, sorry."

Sanghyun quickly focused on eating his cheeseburger.

'Burger Shack... it’s delicious.'

It was his first time at this franchise, and he was surprised by how good it was.

Of course, Sanghyun didn’t just eat.

He brought up various topics to keep the conversation from getting boring.

Sanghyun was more of a silent type than a talkative one.

"Ah... yes."

"Yes."

"I see."

Seo Ji-a’s responses were so brief that the conversation kept breaking off.

It felt like talking to someone with no social skills.

'He must have had a tough time at work.'

Sanghyun quietly ate his fries for a while. He had a good idea of what kind of person she was and didn’t want to force her into a conversation.

Then, Seo Ji-a spoke up.

"I’m not good at talking to people. Maybe if I drink, it would be different."

If it were Joo-hyuk, he might have asked, "So, do you talk well to dogs?" But Sanghyun just nodded and asked about his doubts.

"You talk well when jogging and show videos."

"That’s because it’s related to work. I don’t know what to say in everyday conversations."

"Ah."

So, she could talk about work-related topics but not everyday ones.

Sanghyun focused on his meal without trying to start more conversations.

Since she found everyday conversations difficult, what could he do?

But then, Seo Ji-a initiated the conversation.

"Is it... strange?"

"..."

Sanghyun just blinked.

He didn’t even realize it was a question at first because the tone didn’t sound like one.

But Seo Ji-a nodded as if his silence was an answer.

"Everyone says that—"

"Is work frustrating?"

Sanghyun put down his fries and met her eyes.

Ji-a’s eyes widened.

"..."

"Work can be... good at times, but it can also be really frustrating."

Sanghyun didn’t answer, but his expression spoke volumes.

"People don’t talk about their problems. They just endure and eventually break down."

"!"

"We all left our jobs for a reason. So, if you ever have the chance, tell me what happened."

Seo Ji-a could only remain silent.

Even when they parted ways, she didn’t answer