Chapter 31

Chapter 31

John Dale watched the screen while resting his chin on his hand. Right after the trial ended, Suhyuk passed out. The chat exploded with comments at the sight of the unconscious streamer.

– LOLOLOL LOLOLOL

– He’s passed out again

– Wonder how long it’ll take him to wake up this time

– Here he goes again, damn it

– This was already the second time.

The first time it happened, Suhyuk had pushed himself too hard in the trial to obtain the lightning. Back then, he had remained unconscious for almost half a day.

‘He’s reckless.’

John frowned slightly.

‘This isn’t good at all...’

There’s no doubt he’s an outstanding player. In terms of potential, he’s arguably comparable to the real Lee Suhyuk.

But John was the head of streamer management.

‘He’s more of a player than a streamer.’

Professional streamers never took such reckless actions during streams. If they passed out like this, it would ruin the ongoing stream.

Viewers hated boredom, and not many were willing to wait for an unconscious player. In such situations, a streamer’s rating naturally dropped.

Focusing on trial achievements while neglecting the entertainment aspect of the stream was not the behavior of professional streamers John knew.

“Ugh...”

Just then, Suhyuk woke up from his unconscious state.

It was a relief.

He wondered what they would have done if he had taken a long time to wake up again.

“Hm-.”

Tap, tap-

While watching the stream, John tapped his fingers on the desk out of habit.

‘This person is definitely not cut out for streaming.’

He thought deeply. He couldn’t gauge how valuable this streamer was. As a player, he was 100 points.

As a streamer, 0 points.

Suhyuk was taking on trials recklessly without any concern for the stream.

Yet...

‘Still, I have a feeling he’ll make it.’

His manager intuition was telling him. This guy will make it. Despite scoring zero in streaming skills, he would eventually succeed.

He would become a radiant star representing the industry. A major streamer, one among the few that even Balhae Entertainment could boast of.

Buzz-

The kit vibrated.

『Caller: Falcon Eye』

It was a call from Falcon Eye.

“Hey, what’s up?”

-“Hyung. Can you talk?”

“Yeah, I can. I was just watching Suhyuk’s stream.”

Recently, John Dale and Falcon Eye had a mutual interest: Suhyuk. On his second day of streaming, and a novice player who had obtained the lightning.

They were keen to see how far he could go as a streamer.

-“You saw it, right? What? Damn it.”

“What do you mean? Passing the trial? Why are you so worked up over that?”

A question mark appeared in John Dale’s mind. He had just watched Suhyuk’s trial on the stream.

The Hidden Stage, legend. A trial of passing through a space filled with lightning, which seemed somewhat dull to watch.

The saving grace was Suhyuk’s realistic reactions during the trial. With his lips bleeding and his steps faltering under his mask, Suhyuk’s struggle looked excruciatingly real.

But.

‘Is it really that amazing?’

The trial seemed harder than it looked, but that was about it. Viewers who didn’t actually undertake the trial felt no deeper meaning beyond that.

“So you saw it that way too? Of course, right? That’s what most would think.”

“Calm down and explain it to me so I can understand.”

“Forget it. What’s the point of talking to a blind person like you?”

Crack-

Veins bulged on John Dale’s forehead. Calling first and then saying there’s no point in talking? He was stunned speechless by the absurdity.

“Then why did you even call?”

“You were right. This guy is going to become a star. Whether as a player or a streamer.”

“Really? I was thinking he might be lacking in some areas though.”

John Dale shared his thoughts.

Then.

“You know, do you?”

“Yes!”

“Who killed Faidal?”

Faidal.

It was the first time hearing the name, but it was clear who it referred to. The giant chief killed by the stranger.

That’s who it meant.

“That would be...”

“It was me, you damned giant!”

Buzz-

Someone jumped onto the giant’s body and leapt upwards. A knight with one arm crushed and covered in blood.

Dale aimed for the back of the giant’s neck.

Thrust-

The sword, glowing with blue magic, stabbed into the back of the giant’s neck. It was the final strike of an old knight who had wielded a sword all his life.

A decisive blow filled with the resolve to pierce through no matter what. The moment the sword seemed to penetrate the giant’s neck.

Crunch-

The giant swatted at his neck as if swatting a mosquito, grabbing Dale along with it. With his eyes rolled back, dale fell to the ground. With a splat, the giant scratched at the back of his neck as if it were itching.

“That’s impossible.”

Swish-

The giant turned, picking Dale up between his thumb and forefinger.

“A bug like you couldn’t have killed Faidal.”

The giant muttered with certainty, then turned his gaze back to Ferius.

“Tell me. Who killed my son?”

Despite Dale’s sudden interruption, Ferius had his answer ready.

“Over there!”

Swish-

He pointed with his sword. The direction Ferius indicated was the exact opposite of where Suhyuk had gone, towards the mountain.

“The human who killed your son went that way! To gather strength to kill you all!”

‘Please be fooled. Just go that way.’

The giant who had been invisible until now had suddenly appeared seeking vengeance for his son. If that was the case, then this lie would certainly work. It had to.

This was their last hope.

But.

“You’re lying.”

Snicker-

The corners of the giant’s mouth curled up. A slight smile leaked out. The giant glanced once in the direction Ferius pointed before losing interest.

“What part of your story is a lie? That the human who killed my son isn’t here? Or the direction you pointed with that pitiful blade?”

The giant was certain that Ferius was lying. Ferius had hoped the giant wouldn’t believe, or at least be shaken, but now he stumbled back with a confused expression.

‘How did he...’

They needed to stall for time. To hold the giant’s attention so others could flee the village. Even if just one person could escape and continue the resistance elsewhere, it had to be done.

But.

Even the lie about the benefactor had failed.

Thud-

The giant dropped Dale to the ground. Like losing interest in a broken toy. The giant’s eyes, now fixed on Ferius, glimmered menacingly.

“It doesn’t matter. You’ll soon be forced to...”

Flash-

At that moment. From the opposite direction Ferius had pointed. The sun began to rise over Millennium Mountain, illuminating the village devastated by the giants.

‘Morning? Already?’

That couldn’t be. The sun had just set. No matter how disoriented he was, there was no way it could be daylight already.

Ferius turned his head. When he looked towards the peak of Millennium Mountain.

“What, what is that?”

In disbelief, Ferius staggered back, his eyes widening.

Buzz, crackle-!

A yellow pillar of lightning shot skyward. Illuminating the village as if the sun was rising.

At the same moment. The giant, witnessing the same sight, curled his lips into a smile.

“So, it’s you.”

Boom-!

Thunder roared from the sky.

Thud-

The giant moved his foot.

“You’re the one who killed my son.”