Season 2: Chapter 77. Proof (2)

Season 2: Chapter 77. Proof (2)

Ji-Ah, Sang-Hyeon, and Ju-Hyeok each grew significantly in their respective fields during Sang-Hyeon’s streaming career. For example, Sang-Hyeon developed a mentality to handle any situation calmly even if an issue arose. Ju-Hyeok accumulated know-how on finding solutions and Ji-Ah mastered the art of turning any issue into views. She could literally turn rumors into gold.

[Ji-Ah: So exciting~]

[Ji-Ah: I'll prepare a video by tomorrow!]

Despite the frustrating situation, she felt thrilled because she knew how to turn it into gold. Sang-Hyeon found her reaction quite reliable.

"Sounds good."

Crunch.

He finished snacking on almonds and declared to the assigned officer.

[My stream will start at 3 P.M. today. Please send an observer then.]

[Okay, understood. Please contact us again when you connect to the capsule. You need to start by sharing your screen.]

[Understood.]

Sang-Hyeon seemed a bit sulky as he headed toward the room with his capsule. In reality, it was just because he was munching on almonds.

Click.

As he approached, the capsule’s [Almond] welcome sign lit up as it prepared to accept him.

'They said three times.'

They would observe and evaluate three matches.

Sang-Hyeon decided to prove himself beyond any doubt in these three games.

[Streaming now.]

[Title: Hello, I'm the Cheater.]

***

"Yeah~ Yeah~ The point is whether the same suspicious performance will appear in these three games."

A seemingly irritated man responded into a microphone. The large mic attached to his headset was often used by those who frequently made calls. This indicated that his job involved a lot of communication.

"A user in Korea receiving so many reports in such a short time is rare. We need to handle this properly. Yes, I know. He's a famous streamer, right? Yes~ Yes~ If he's innocent, there won't be any issue. I have to observe now. I’m going."

Click.

He ended the third complaint call of the day. How did they even get this internal phone number?

"Ah, geez. Just because of one streamer. What is this?"

His usual job was server management. Since Civil Empire wasn’t very popular in Korea, he was also tasked with handling such issues.

"Streamers don't use hacks? If anything, they'd want to use them more."

He was quite experienced and even capable of detecting cheaters by sight. To him, there was a 98% chance that the user Aalmmond was using hacks.

Ring-ring.

"Yes, hello? Ah... No, you shouldn't call this number. How did you even get this? Ah..."

Almond’s fans called to say that they should watch recordings of Almond's personal stream.

"Of course, I've seen his personal stream. Raina? No, I already explained to the person who called earlier... Yes? King~ what? No, I'm not trying to beat anyone... Hello?"

Click.

The call disconnected.

"Why are his fans all nuts? And why do they keep telling me to watch Raina's gameplay?"

The fans suggested other games as evidence, but each game had different modifiers and mechanics. Such references couldn’t be used according to their internal rules.

Therefore, the observer hadn’t watched Almond play any other games because it was pointless.

"He’s almost certainly using a hack."

At least to the observer's eyes, this Aalmmond user was using hacks 90% of the time.

"He doesn't even aim properly and just shoots."

The observer recalled scenes of Almond quickly aiming and shooting. To ordinary eyes, it looked like he shot without even looking. Such an act would be possible in a fantasy action game with high correction values like LIL, but that was impossible in Civil Empire.

Of course, Almond wasn’t shooting without looking. His high VNS allowed him to focus for just a moment, but it felt like several seconds to him.

The observer wouldn't know this. In fact, no ordinary person could truly understand this.

Regardless, the observer was almost certain that he was a cheater.

"He should have some conscience. Tsk..."

The observer hadn’t issued an immediate suspension because he didn't know what hack Almond was using. This situation was akin to having circumstantial evidence of a crime, but not having found the murder weapon yet. The observer’s mission was to find this evidence and determine the murder weapon. In other words, he had to find out what hack Almond was using and not whether Almond was using a hack or not.

Ring-ring.

Another call came in.

"Sigh."

After a deep breath, he answered the call feeling quite irritated.

"No, he’s a hacker. Alright!? Yeah! Your oppa is a hacker! This damn... Ah, yes. Okay, I'll connect now. I got the link. Alright..."

***

[Screen sharing has started.]

[Please start.]

Finally, the message arrived.

Almond looked at the camera and spoke to his viewers, "I'll only play three games."

— Hacker Almond lol

Even one gold seemed expensive for a disposable item.

Peeeeanuuut sensed Almond's hesitation and came over to explain, "Ah, Almond! Bows are generally more expensive than basic weapons! They require more skill to make and shoot! Why don't you consider a beginner friendly spear?"

"No, I already have a spear."

"But, but that's just a basic training..."

"No, I said no."

— He's so firm lol

— Too harsh lol

— lol

“Ah... You don't like it? Well, can't help it then!” Peeeeanuuut stammered and decided to help with his bow purchase.

“You have to buy the bow with a quiver and arrows as a set!”

A quiver and arrows cost five silvers each, which totaled one gold. Everything including the bow would total two gold. That was quite an expensive price for beginner items. The rationale for ranged weapons demanding higher prices was possibly because they could reduce the risk of death.

— The prices are insane

— Why is it like this?

— Archers are being ripped off...

'I don’t have a choice.'

After all, the bow was synonymous with Almond.

"Give me both."

Peeeeanuuut spoke as he made his decision, “Ah, are you sure? There are different types of arrows. Some have deadly power!”

She pointed to a section with an array of arrows from broad ones that did heavy damage to tiny lethal ones with poison for assassinations. However...

[Viper] [16G]

[Screw Nail] [10G]

[ExCrash] [7G]

[Broadhead] [7G]

The better arrows were as expensive as the bows.

“The prices are even more lethal.”

“Hehe... Is, is that so?”

— lol

— A straight shooter lol

— lol

Almond chose the most basic arrow.

[Bodkin] [0.5G]

“I'll take these.”

The arrows cost five silvers.

— He’s extremely frugal

— Just buy something better

— Exactly 2 gold for equipment?

Later, Almond picked the cheapest armor available for five silvers at the armor shop.

“Are, are you sure? For just thirty gold, you could buy the cheapest horse... If a horse doesn't die, it returns to its owner.”

“... No.”

— So resolute lol

— He’s just about money

— Peeeeanuuut is flustered lol

— That's just how he is

— The art of refusal

“Okay, then...”

Back at the tavern, the other mercenaries warmly greeted Almond.

"Hey there, hero! We heard about your exploits!"

“I heard you were amazing last time!”

He ignored their greetings and immediately wrote his name on the board.

[C Rank]

Aalmmond

Ftype

DamageDealt

Coi

Almond gazed at the board and murmured, "I hope I get assigned as an archer."

Soon, a request came in.

Ding!

[Commander nodukan requests your assistance!]