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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 9
Chapter Title: All Master's Game Broadcast 9
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Haesung looked at Hayun with a face tinged with guilt after emptying her bank account to buy the computers.
"...Looks like we blew almost ten million. You sure that's okay?"
"It's f...fine... Just think of it as a gift for my oppa who's finally back after ten years...."
Ten million won.
Two computer towers and two monitors.
Plus keyboards, mice, cams, mics, and all the other gear needed for streaming.
That was the result of buying it all at once.
And even that was at a discount from a place Hayun frequented regularly, including some freebies, but Haesung still couldn't help clicking his tongue.
"What were you thinking buying all that? If my stream flops, most of it'll just go to waste."
"You needed a computer anyway. Aside from the cams, you can use everything else for daily life, so that's why."
"...Tch, whether the stream succeeds or not, I'll pay you back as fast as I can."
No matter how well the stream did, she was still a freelancer.
She'd shelled out ten million won right away for her own brother, with no guarantee her income wouldn't tank anytime.
And that decision came down to just one comment from Elbow, a big-league streamer at a major company, saying he recognized Haesung and wanted to fight him.
That tugged at Haesung's heart.
"Pfft, no matter how much you make, it won't impress me. Don't worry about paying it back—just think of it as a cute gift from your little sis. Just make my wedding loaded with gifts later~"
"Not a chance."
"Huh? Why not?"
"Because anyone who wants to marry you needs my permission first."
Of course, that didn't extend to actually approving whoever she ended up marrying.
Hayun recoiled at the sight of Haesung boldly crossing his arms and demanding his approval.
"...Total boomer mindset...."
"What?"
"Nothing, hehe."
"...You've got no filter with oppa."
"Ow! You heard that and pretended not to?!"
"My call."
After his superhuman hearing picked up "boomer," he flicked her on the forehead.
"Better tell Mom and Dad first, right?"
"Yeah, but it won't be hard."
"Why?"
"Because I'm already the precedent. They'll get it."
"...Fair point."
Hayun had been streaming since before she was an adult.
The moment they'd allowed that, they wouldn't object much to Haesung doing the same.
"Plus, if they know oppa's trying something, they might even be happy about it."
"Yeah, let's tell them at dinner tonight."
"What about the gear?"
"...Keep it secret for now."
"Got it. I'm off to shower then. Once the gear arrives, it's stream time, so think it over~"
Slam—
As soon as she finished speaking, Hayun waved and vanished into the bathroom.
Watching her back, Haesung stepped away with a face full of worries.
"Streaming, huh... No half-assing it now that I've decided."
Internet streaming.
He hadn't planned on it or had any interest, but once he committed to something, Haesung's temperament was to see it through to the end—and that fire was reigniting.
And that temperament had never once failed him, which was why he was here now.
Pondering the stream ahead, Haesung returned to his room.
* * *
That night.
Haesung spilled most of what happened that morning when his parents got home from work.
Everything except Hayun buying the gear and Elbow mentioning him.
In short: he was thinking of trying internet streaming.
Haesung's father, Park Jinwoon, and mother, Lee Misun, just nodded lightly.
"Doing something is what matters."
"You could rest more, honestly... But they say humans are animals that need purpose to be satisfied. Give it a shot."
"Yeah! My son can do anything."
"Oh, you. He takes after me more than you, so he's my son."
"...I'm heading to bed first."
Misun smirked as Jinwoon slunk off to the master bedroom with a sulky face.
"Isn't your dad's pout just the cutest?"
"Uh... Yeah. Super cute."
"I fell for him back when we dated because of that. Anyway, I'll go cheer up your grumpy dad, so fighting, my boy!"
"Yes, ma'am."
After confirming Misun wink and trot after Jinwoon into the bedroom, Haesung got up.
"What'd they say?"
Hayun poked her head out the door, having waited for the talk to end.
"What's to say? They approved, obviously. And those two are still like newlyweds."
"...I get surprised sometimes too. But it's nice to see, right?"
"Yeah, it is."
Seeing them all lovey-dovey was way better than fights.
Haesung nodded at the undeniable truth and laid out his thoughts to Hayun.
"I've been thinking it over... You know this Elbow guy, right?"
"Kinda. But you do too."
"My connection's over ten years old. Just emails or contacts?"
"Yeah."
"Then let's get his permission first. We're riding his name for fame, so basic courtesy."
"Oh, true. I'll handle contacting him."
Using Elbow's name to boost recognition made it essential.
Unless they wanted backlash or to piss off his fandom.
"And you said to fight him later."
"Yeah."
"I thought it through... Let's do it when I hit True: Purple."
"...True: Purple? That's endgame... Even pros struggle to reach it, let alone hold it."
Iron Fist had many ranks, but the top tier boiled down to four.
Blue, Purple, Gold, True: Purple.
Blue was packed with decent players, Purple had pro hopefuls, Gold mixed semi-pros and full pros.
True: Purple sat at the absolute peak—not really a rank, more an honorary title.
So tough that even pros rarely achieved or maintained it.
"I know. But Elbow's True: Purple too, right? For a fair 1v1, I need it as well."
"But...."
Still, Elbow, Iron Fist's undisputed number one, held it permanently.
Tough for some, easy for others.
Hayun started to object hesitantly.
"Placement 10 Consecutive Wins gets you top MMR into Blue, they say."
"Placement 10 Consecutive Wins? For real?"
"Yeah. And if you go undefeated in best-of-threes—two straight wins each time—you can aim higher. Plus, that's—"
"...Something even Elbow hasn't done. You've researched a ton, oppa."
"If I'm doing it, I do it right. That's my motto."
Haesung had his plan.
Placement 10 Consecutive Wins.
Two straight wins in best-of-threes for ten in a row—even Elbow, the top authority, hadn't pulled it off.
Do that, and no one could question a 1v1 with him.
"What do you think? Solid strategy, right?"
"...Borrows Elbow's fame and gives haters no ammo to trash you."
"And 'Placement 10 Consecutive Wins' is clickbait title gold."
"...Like 'Elbow-Endorsed Comet's Placement 10 Consecutive Wins Challenge' or something."
"Nah, drop the front and just 'Comet's Placement 10 Consecutive Wins.' Fans will know, and they'll spread it."
"Hmm, not bad. No Elbow mention means no hater fodder...."
"Downside is less initial buzz."
Hayun nodded along, then gave her answer.
"I'll handle the buzz. Let's go with your plan."
"You?"
"Yeah, boosting recognition ties into something I had in mind. It'll fill the gap perfectly."
"...If so, I'm counting on you."
"Talk's done! Hope the gear gets here soon~"
Watching Hayun flap around excitedly, Haesung thought she was cute for a moment—
"Like a flying fish."
"...What'd you say?!"
But he burst out laughing, saying the opposite.
Watching Hayun pout and flee to her room at "flying fish" was the funniest thing ever.
And with that, prep wrapped—now the gear arrived to kick things off.
* * *
"Delivery's fast. This much gear in two days?"
"Paid extra for quick service."
"...Ah, got it."
Haesung marveled at the ten-million-won haul arriving in just two days, then nodded at "quick."
'Korea through and through. Money buys anything.'
In the land of speed, cash bought time too.
Haesung dove into setup right away.
Pre-assembled, so just plug in internet, mouse, and keyboard USBs.
He bundled and tidied cables in a flash, then eyed Hayun tweaking stream settings.
"Whoa... Fast."
"Few years in, this is basic."
Her skills proved the years weren't wasted.
In a blink, settings done—she pointed at the cam, satisfied.
"How's it look? Good?"
"...Is that my face? Looks off."
"Cam magic's like that. Handsomer's not bad, right?"
"Hmm, fair enough."
No clue how she tweaked it, but his already fair skin went flour-white.
Why look less handsome when you could look more?
"When you start, black screen till viewers trickle in, then cam on and greet."
"...Like you?"
"Nah, that's my signature. Oppa can go normal. Or make your own."
"Normal it is."
"Your call. I'm out—start the stream."
"Got it."
With prep done and Hayun waving goodbye, Haesung alone in his room hovered the cursor over "Start Stream" with resolve.
And—
Click!
Haesung's first stream began.