Chapter 9

"Finally, I've started the stream."

"Aa, aa, test test"

The next day. In the starting town where I logged in again, I was about to challenge my first stream. As I waved to the floating gemstone used for filming in front of me and did a microphone test, text started to appear on the comment board I had left open.

'First-time viewer'

'First-time viewer'

'First-time viewer'

"Ah, welcome, first-time viewers. This is my first stream, so I'm not sure if I'm doing it right, but can you hear me clearly?"

'Yes, I can hear you'

'Crystal clear'

'First-time viewer'

'Your audio quality is as good as a high-end microphone'

'↑That's a feature of the game'

'Subscribed'

Seeing the comments pop up one after another made me feel a bit happy, and I was relieved that my voice was reaching them.

"That's great. Thanks, first-time viewers. I'm Skuna. If you watched Rinne's broadcast yesterday, you might know me?"

Yesterday, Rinne and I ended our broadcast after leveling up by one. During that time, she had advertised my broadcast for the next day.

Titled 'Skuna's First Stream.' It was a simple yet clear title for the stream.

It was just past 6 in the morning. To be honest, I was still a bit sleepy due to the early hour.

'Saw it'

'Know Rinne?'

'Remembered Skuna'

'Subscribed to the official account'

'↑New member of HEROES'

'Love calling Rinne'

'Fuu, a pro gamer?'

Thanks to Rinne's promotion during her broadcast yesterday, it was nice to have people watching from the start.

The number of viewers was increasing at a steady pace, and the comment section was bustling with activity.

Not to mention, the official account follows... seriously? I just created it yesterday, so it shouldn't have many followers...

By the way, 'Livars' is a well-known video site that partners with WLO.

Live streams can be viewed from here, and it also has features like time-shift storage and regular video uploads.

It's a great tool that allows for a bit of publicity, and you can receive notifications for streams by following your favorite streamers.

"Um, I'm technically a VR division player for 'HEROES,' so I guess that makes me a pro gamer? I don't really feel like one, but I think I'll be taking on such projects in the future. Ah, this channel is a Livars certified account, so please follow if you can. I'll post announcements for streams here too."

'Mmm, mmm'

'Subscribed'

'Subscribed'

'Subscribed to Rinne before the official HEROES account, lol'

'Love... I guess?'

Since the account itself was set up by Rinne...

Anyway, with people starting to gather, I should get moving.

"Today, I'm thinking of heading through the Southern Plains to the 'Endless Forest' for leveling. Wolves just don't give enough experience points."

'Already in the South?'

'Already from the start'

'Rinne's Spartan leveling course'

'↑Spartan, that's how I felt at the time (ry'

'Was mostly grinding at the end'

'Smiling demon who kills wolves'

'Demon girl, can't help it'

"Ah, demon... they're monsters, so it's safe, right?"

I think it's the paper armor of the wolves that's to blame.

When I said that, the viewers laughed through their noses. I couldn't understand why.

"Anyway, let's head through the Southern Plains! Let's aim for the Endless Forest!"

Despite it being my first stream, the viewers felt like familiar friends, and I tried to manage and move the conversation forward.

I had my gold bar, which I had repaired at the NPC blacksmith before starting the stream, on my back as I set off into the early morning grasslands.

☆

"Yohosseriya!"

Without using any special skills, I made a simple comic-like thud, and three wolves exploded.

"The gold bar is supposed to have high durability, but it's hard to tell how much it's decreasing."

While quickly checking the not-so-helpful results, I muttered to myself.

I think this is a common issue for streamers, where the balance between formal and informal speech gets confusing.

I hope you can overlook the messiness in that area.

It might be easier to go with informal speech like Rinne, but I do feel more comfortable using formal speech when talking to strangers.

I was halfway through the plains, having taken down three packs of wolves.

In the midst of this, I was talking about the durability of weapons, which sometimes decreases and sometimes doesn't.

I thought it would decrease by one for each attack, but it seemed to decrease only about once every two attacks.

'Teach me, knowledgeable person'

'If you hit vital points, like headshots or neck strikes, it doesn't decrease durability'

'Last time it took just five seconds'

'Typing too fast'

Everyone was praising the knowledgeable viewer for the quick response.

I see, I've been hitting softer parts and getting one-hit kills, so I haven't been aiming for the head or jaw.

This means my sloppy play has been putting a strain on the gold bar.

"So, the durability is decreasing because I'm taking shortcuts...?"

'Muscle brain'

'If you don't take shortcuts, you can aim for vital points?'

'Demon of vital points'

'Would kick the gold spot without mercy in PvP'

'↑Too demonic, lol'

'Not funny... felt a chill in my crotch'

"I'm not aiming for the gold spot! It's hard to hit unless it's a surprise attack. In PvP, I'd start by breaking the legs, or maybe blinding the opponent?"

'Hee!'

'Hee!'

'Hee!'

'Hee!'

"Huh?"

I thought the basic strategy was to take away mobility and then take them down carefully, but it seems that's not the case.

Unlike the torso, which can move freely, the legs, which support the body, are harder to dodge. You have to step or jump with your whole body.

If you can get close and attack the lower body effectively, the opponent will be down in no time. Good job.

Aiming for the eyes is difficult, but if you can blind the opponent, it gives you an advantage that might be even better than breaking the legs.

However, I don't know if this game has a setting for losing eyes, so breaking limbs is probably the standard.

"Why am I thinking about human destruction?"

'Human... destruction'

'Fuu... stop saying scary things'

'Sure, you're a demon girl!'

'The era of killing girls...?'

The viewers were gradually losing their inhibitions.

Well, if the comments are lively, that's a good thing.

"Hmm?"

'What happened?'

'Something happened?'

'You made a weird sound, lol'

"No, the map... or did I make such a weird sound!?"

While walking and occasionally chatting with the comments, I suddenly felt a chill.

Just kidding, a ripple appeared on the map displayed by the 'Detection' skill.

I tilted my head at the unfamiliar phenomenon and tried to fiddle with it, but there was no response.

"What is... that red wolf?"

Since the map wasn't helpful, I scanned my surroundings with my eyes and saw a clear anomaly.

It was a wolf with a slightly dull red fur, which I had never seen in this plain.

It was definitely looking at me. No, it was waiting for me.

Seeing that I had noticed, the red wolf approached me with a slow gait.

'What's going on?'

'Something is approaching'

'First time seeing a red wolf'

"Is it a monster? It's big."

From a distance, I couldn't tell the exact size, but it was at least three times the size of a regular wolf.

Seeing the distance closing, I braced myself for a surprise attack, just in case it was a monster.

'Aria'

In the midst of this, a comment caught my eye.

"Aria?"

The rapid typing that conveyed a sense of urgency was from the knowledgeable brother who explained the durability earlier! The response came back at a speed that didn't even allow for teasing.

The content was clear and contained information that left me in shock.

'Boss monster of the Southern Plains!'

"No way!"

By the time I read that comment, the red wolf was already in front of me.

With a fierce eye, the lone wolf let out a proud roar, filled with fighting spirit.

-- 'Lone Red Wolf Aria'

-- Level 28.