The morning sun filtered through the leaves, painting golden streaks across the forest clearing. Alex stretched his sore arms, yawning loudly. His makeshift camp still smelled faintly of charred fish from last night, though the fire had long since burned out.
Across from him, Kael sat cross-legged on a flat stone, sharpening a dagger. His movements were steady, efficient, and almost hypnotic.
"Morning," Alex muttered. "Sleep well?"
Kael didn't look up. "I do not sleep lightly. Too many enemies would take advantage."
"Cool," Alex said, rubbing his neck. "I sleep like a corpse. Guess that explains the difference."
The chat was already buzzing as Alex switched on the stream.
[Viewer1]: LET'S GOOOO STREAMER WAKE UP ARC[Viewer2]: NPC roommate reveal??[Viewer3]: Kael sharpening knives at 7 AM… mood.
Pixel chimed in cheerfully:[Pixel]: Reminder: New Sub-Quest active — 'Partnership Program.' Teach Kael how to stream.
Alex groaned. "Right. The collab."
Kael's Curiosity
Kael finally glanced up, his sharp eyes studying the faint holographic screen only Alex could see. "So. This is the power that surrounds you? This… audience?"
"Yep," Alex said, gesturing at the floating chat. "Thousands of people watching us right now. Well, mostly watching me make a fool of myself."
Kael tilted his head. "And their presence… gives you strength?"
"Something like that," Alex admitted. "The more they engage, the more buffs I get. Think of it like… battle chants in a stadium. But digital."
Kael was silent for a moment, then asked bluntly: "Can they see me?"
Alex smirked. "Wanna find out?"
Chat went wild:
[Viewer4]: NPC FACE REVEAL??[Viewer5]: OMG YES KAEL CAM[Viewer6]: Bro about to get more subs than Alex 💀
Alex angled the camera toward Kael. The older man blinked at the floating lens, expression unchanging.
"Viewers," Alex announced, "meet Kael, my… uh… mentor? Ally? Collab partner?"
Chat spammed hearts and emotes instantly.
[Viewer7]: KAEL DADDY ENERGY[Viewer8]: He's hot?? Why is the NPC hotter than the MC??[Viewer9]: NEW FAVORITE CHARACTER UNLOCKED.
Alex buried his face in his hands. "Of course. Of course you all like him more than me."
Kael raised an eyebrow. "They approve of me?"
"Oh, they more than approve," Alex muttered.
Lesson One: Swordsmanship
Kael stood suddenly, his cloak swaying. "Then let us begin. If you are to survive, you must learn to fight properly. Not flail like a drunken villager."
Alex groaned. "I was improvising."
Kael tossed him a wooden practice sword. Alex fumbled but caught it.
"First stance," Kael commanded. He demonstrated a solid, grounded position, knees bent, weight balanced. "Feet apart. Sword forward. Ready to strike or defend."
Alex tried to copy him, but his knees wobbled.
Chat exploded:
[Viewer10]: LMFAO BRO LOOKS LIKE HE'S POSING FOR A BATHROOM SELFIE[Viewer11]: That's not a stance, that's scoliosis.[Viewer12]: PE teacher Kael vs failing student Alex.
"Quiet, peanut gallery," Alex muttered, adjusting his feet. "This is harder than it looks."
Kael circled him slowly, eyes sharp. "Too stiff. You must flow. A sword is not just iron—it is an extension of yourself. Again."
They repeated the drills until Alex's arms ached and sweat dripped down his back.
Finally, Kael nodded. "Better. Now… strike."
Alex lunged forward clumsily. Kael deflected with a flick of his wrist, sending Alex stumbling.
"Pathetic," Kael said.
"Encouraging words, thanks," Alex grunted.
Chat as a Coach
Pixel suddenly projected a poll across Alex's HUD:
[Poll: Should Chat give Alex combat tips?]
Yes, help the poor man.
No, let him suffer.
Chat spammed 2 overwhelmingly.
[Viewer13]: Suffer, streamer.[Viewer14]: Content is pain.[Viewer15]: LMAOOO NO MERCY.
Alex groaned. "You guys are the worst."
Kael raised an eyebrow. "They mock you, yet you still listen?"
"That's the streamer life," Alex muttered.
Lesson Two: Focus
After another hour, Kael switched tactics. He blindfolded Alex with a strip of cloth.
"Hey, wait—what's the point of this?!"
"You rely too much on sight," Kael said. "Listen. Feel. Anticipate."
Alex stood awkwardly, sword raised. The forest air seemed louder—chirping birds, rustling leaves, the crackle of embers in their dead campfire.
Then he heard it: the faint whisper of movement.
He swung blindly.
Clack! Kael's dagger tapped his sword aside. "Too slow."
Again and again, Kael tested him, striking lightly, forcing Alex to rely on instinct.
Chat was in hysterics.
[Viewer16]: He's getting bullied by an NPC 😂[Viewer17]: Imagine paying to watch a man get smacked around.[Viewer18]: Worth every cent.
Finally, on the tenth attempt, Alex managed to block. His sword trembled against Kael's dagger, but it held.
Kael grunted approval. "Good. You begin to understand."
Alex yanked off the blindfold, panting. "That was… brutal."
Kael's expression softened, just slightly. "But necessary. Weakness will get you killed."
The Collab Stream
As they took a break, Alex grinned. "Alright, Kael. Time for your turn. You wanted to 'stream,' right?"
Kael frowned. "Explain."
Alex angled the camera at him. "Just… talk to them. Be yourself. They'll eat it up."
Chat flooded instantly:
[Viewer19]: NPC STREAMER DEBUT LET'S GOOO[Viewer20]: KAEL VTUBER ARC??[Viewer21]: THIS IS BETTER THAN TV.
Kael's voice was steady, commanding. "You who watch. Why do you follow this fool?"
Alex choked. "Hey!"
The chat spammed emojis:
[Viewer22]: BECAUSE HE'S FUNNY AF[Viewer23]: Watching him suffer = serotonin.[Viewer24]: But also… we like him.
Kael considered their responses, then nodded once. "Strange. But… perhaps there is strength in being witnessed."
Pixel chirped:[Pixel]: Sub-Quest Progress: 50% Complete.
Alex groaned. "Why do I feel like he's about to outshine me on my own channel?"
[Viewer25]: Because he already did.
The Glow Returns
Just as Alex was about to end the stream, a familiar chill rippled through the clearing. The shadows between the trees deepened unnaturally.
Kael rose instantly, hand on his dagger. His eyes narrowed. "It comes again."
Alex's stomach dropped. "The glow thing?"
Pixel's tone turned sharp:[Pixel]: Warning. High-level anomaly detected. Stronger than last night.
The chat went insane.
[Viewer26]: OHHHH BOSS FIGHT INCOMING[Viewer27]: DON'T END STREAM NOW!![Viewer28]: THIS IS IT, BOYS.
Alex tightened his grip on his sword, heart hammering. "Guess break time's over."
Kael's expression hardened. "Stay behind me. And this time—watch carefully."
From the treeline, a golden shimmer pulsed once… then eyes emerged. Dozens of them.
Alex's breath caught. "Oh, you've gotta be kidding me."