Chapter 37 of Season 1 of The Genius Archer's Streaming

14. Game Transition (2)

Next game.

These words made the hearts of most people who had been watching Almond's broadcasts race.

After all, Almond had only played Kingdom Age and had become famous for it.

-What kind of bow game is there?

-In Life is Legend, there's a character who uses a bow.

-But can he really just be good at bows? He might be good at all projectile types.

-He might be really good at gun games too.

-The bow must be the most amazing.

-He might play another package game?

When other professional streamers switch to a variety of games, it usually leads to more worry than excitement.

But Almond was different.

He had a weapon that other streamers didn't have: his archery skills.

This element would be applicable in any game.

In fact, it might shine even more in other games than in Kingdom Age.

If he were to play an online PVP game, he could showcase his archery skills in a human vs. human match.

It's a completely different feeling from showing off his skills against AI-controlled monsters.

- Almond is coming! Everyone, get ready!

- Haha.

- Wow. Electromagnetic waves, move! Almond is coming out!

- Hahaha.

- The electromagnetic wave sensei always has to move...

Not only ordinary people, but also other famous players could compete with him.

From the perspective of Almond's fans, it was impossible not to be excited about the idea of their supported streamer crushing other skilled players.

‘If I say I’m not nervous, I’d be lying.’

Of course, it was a burden for Almond. That's why he had considered trying another package game.

Package games are kind and don't confuse new players.

But online games are different.

No matter how well the tutorial is made, it's still like heading into uncharted territory.

Even Kingdom, which is considered unfriendly, is probably more friendly compared to other online games.

What could be more unfriendly and unreasonable than competing against a person who is already familiar with the game?

Experienced players who have accumulated skills and know-how will not show any mercy to a beginner like Almond and will tear him apart.

‘You can't avoid traffic accidents by not riding in a car.’

There was certainly hesitation.

But instead of playing another package game, Sanghyun turned his attention to a PVP game.

Challenge and competition.

These two elements, which he, as a sportsman, liked the most, were best embodied in PVP games, not in package games.

Now that he was somewhat familiar with virtual reality, it was worth trying.

New challenges always excited him.

“The game we’ll play in the second part of today is—”

His voice trembled slightly, which he could feel himself.

Is this fear? Or excitement?

It doesn't matter.

He enjoyed the thrill itself.

“Battle Large!”

- Wow!

- As expected!

- Oh!

- Almond's Battle Large... This is rare. Swoon.

- I'm really looking forward to it.

- Can he do it? It's a completely different game from Kingdom.

- If it's Almond, he can!

* * *

Battle Large.

A battle royale game where players drop onto a large island and fight for survival.

This game is also distributed by Punk Co. and is one of the essential games for partner streamers.

It's a completely different game from the minor game Kingdom.

The news of Almond challenging a new game began to spread in real-time across the community.

[Breaking News: Almond switches to Battle Large...]

[Almond leaves Kingdom...]

[Almond abandons Kingdom.]

Especially on Kingchi, the community site for Kingdom Age, the reaction was particularly hot. The main content revolved around the sadness of losing another Kingdom streamer, which had been rare.

[Current viewers: 1,921]

When playing the last part of Kingdom, the number of viewers was almost about to break 2,000.

[Current viewers: 1,105]

Now, it was barely maintaining a thousand.

This was an inevitable phenomenon.

‘It’s okay.’

It would be a lie to say he wasn't disappointed by the 900 viewers who left.

Sanghyun reassured himself.

He couldn't keep everyone. It was a risk that had to be taken every time he changed games.

‘It’s like a bowl of acorn jelly.’

Not only that, but it was a phenomenon that all comprehensive game streamers experienced. The number of viewers varied by game, and in some cases, it could be halved.

Still, they continued to switch games because it was more advantageous in the long run.

If he relied solely on Kingdom, he would eventually not grow and slowly lose viewers.

“The download is almost complete.”

He calmly used the downtime to chat with his viewers.

He didn't talk much when focused on the game, so he had to chat during these moments.

“This is my first time playing a virtual reality online game. I hope you can go easy on me.”

The remaining viewers were curious about how Almond would perform in other games.

- Are you downloading Battle Large now??

- You've never played this before?

- Let's see the date you created your capsule body ID. Haha.

- Oh, newbies don't know that Almond is a newbie too. Haha.

- Newbie, new Almond. Haha.

Some of them were learning for the first time that Almond was a beginner in all capsule games.

- Haha, Battle Large is intense when you play it for the first time...

- Yeah, will he do well?

- Of course, I thought he played it regularly. Haha.

- Wow, it's been a while since I saw a Battle Large newbie. Haha.

Kingdom is such a niche game that it's not unusual to have newbies.

From the perspective of gamers, a streamer playing Battle Large for the first time was refreshing. It's a major game, after all.

- I'm looking forward to it.

- Is he really a genius? Or just lucky?

While some were worried, others were excited to see how Almond would perform in Battle Large.

There was also talk about his archery skills.

- But will Almond use a bow in Battle Large? Haha.

- No way, Haha.

- He didn't pick up a bow just for the bow challenge. It doesn't seem to be a specific concept.

- Newbies don't know. Almond doesn't even know what a bow challenge is. Haha.

- Haha, he just picked a bow right away.

To Sanghyun, the bow had a special meaning, but to the viewers, especially the recent ones, Almond was just a skilled gamer.

If you hadn't watched all of Almond's videos, you wouldn't really associate him with the bow.

So, it probably started from this moment.

Almond became known to the viewers as 'the bow user.'

* * *

Ding.

[100 players have gathered.]

[The survival competition begins.]

Seeing the message in front of him, Sanghyun swallowed hard.

‘It’s starting.’

A game where 100 players parachute from a helicopter and fight for survival.

It’s starting now.

“Phew.”

He exhaled to release the tension. It’s his first game, so he didn’t have high expectations.

He just hoped to adapt well.

Whirr, whirr, whirr, whirr, whirr...!

The sound of the military helicopter's propellers filled his ears, and the dark view gradually brightened, revealing the inside of the helicopter.

And the vast, high landscape below.

“Whoa!?”

Sanghyun involuntarily cursed and stepped back.

- Haha, so cute.

- Haha, Almond is a newbie again. :(

- It’s been a while since we saw this side of Almond.

The viewers laughed at his newbie-like behavior, which they hadn't seen in a while.

But this was no laughing matter.

“What are you doing! Aren’t you preparing to jump?!”

“Are you kidding! Now?! A soldier retreating in a survival competition? You’ll die right away!?”

“If you’re going to die, say it! I’ll split you in half and kill you!”

After a brief hesitation, all kinds of curses flew.

It was a level of realism and tension far beyond Olympic games.

“Phew...”

Just the beginning of the game... but jumping out was a challenge for Sanghyun.

‘It’s so different when you actually see it...’

The reality was so different from the guide videos he had seen.

“Jump! Jump! Damn, jump!”

“Jump, jump, jump!”

His competitors started jumping out of other helicopters.

And the soldiers were shouting, trying to push people out with their voices.

Almond’s hands, gripping the safety bar, tensed up.

‘I can’t lose.’

Seeing his competitors, he regained his focus. The game was advantageous if he could quickly land and get a weapon.

There was no time to waste.

Thud!

He closed his eyes tightly and pushed off with his feet.

Whoosh!

The strong wind hit his face.

“Ooh, ooh, ooh...!”

He tried to say something, but the wind blocked his mouth.

- Haha, so cute.

- Legendary.

- Ooh, ooh, ooh!!! Haha.

- Haha.

The air resistance hit and pushed his entire body.

The cold air felt tingling on his fingertips.

The cold was numbing his jaw.

‘Wow, is this really a game?!’

It was a dynamic realism far beyond Kingdom Age.

- Whoa.

- The air is so good!

- Let’s go!

Just as he thought it was too fast.

Whoosh!

The parachute opened automatically.

“Ugh.”

The parachute lifted his body forcefully, constricting his breath.

Whoosh!

Even with the parachute open, the speed was considerable.

“!”

He hit the ground in an instant.

Thud.

“Ouch...!”

Almond rolled ungracefully, reflecting on how he had criticized other streamers for their play.

‘This isn’t easy.’

Landing is basic, but it’s hard from the start.

- Haha, he’s a newbie