The countdown had already started.
Noa had less than nine minutes to gather at least ten viewers and keep them until the end.
It sounded easy on paper.
But for someone who had streamed a few times before and watched others, he had a good sense of how hard it was to maintain viewers even for a minute.
Thankfully, the world was interesting, allowing him to gain a bit of time.
"So…" Noa started, trying to boost their curiosity. "Do you guys like this game? It's pretty, right? Just watch if you want to see more of it, and let me tell you in advance, this world is dangerous—filled with enough content to keep us busy for years."
Viewer_1: Don't cap streamer. We can see through your lies.
Viewer_4: What danger are you talking about? You are in a field with butterflies everywhere. It looks peaceful to me.
Noa forced a laugh.
He didn't correct them. He just let the silence linger, making the atmosphere a little more mysterious. Also, the closer he got to the village, the more details he could see.
Not knowing where the camera was recording him from was tough.
But based on the chat's reaction, Noa knew they could see everything clearly. Wooden fences, tiny buildings, smoke from grilled meat, and the chatter of people in a language he couldn't recognize informed him that he was close.
Viewer_3: I know we glazed graphics already, but damn, it looks incredible. What game is it? Tell me, and I will donate 10 bucks.
Reading this, Noa shook his head.
"Let's keep it secret, shall we? What's the fun if everyone starts playing it?" he said and glanced at the timer in the corner of his vision.
[8:08 Remaining]
His fists clenched.
'Eight minutes are left, and I only have six viewers. I need four more to complete the tutorial.'
Initially, Noa had only five viewers.
However, the sixth viewer showed up the moment he reached the village. Whoever it was, they remained silent the entire time. 'I wish they had nicknames as well. It feels like I am talking to AI,' he lamented, and then grinned.
Before the chat questioned his sudden smile, he pushed energy into his voice.
"If you guys want to watch me do some dumb shit, you'd better stick around. Who knows…" he lowered his voice dramatically. "I might pick a fight with a random stranger."
Viewer_4: Fight! Fight! Fight!
Viewer_1: Blood! Blood! Blood!
Viewer_2: Now we are talking. But… I doubt you can do it. No balls.
"Pfff," Noa exhaled air through his nose. "Did you really say No Balls? That sounds like a bet to me!"
He sounded confident when he said that.
The truth?
Of course, he had no idea what awaited in the village. He didn't know whether fights were even possible.
Nor did he know a damn thing about this world.
Yet one thing was guaranteed: if he wanted to achieve something, it was better to pretend than admit that he had no content ideas.
Viewer_2: Sure. Let's do it your way. If you pick a fight with a random farmer, I will sub and donate $50.
Noa acted uninterested.
If it were his job, he would have to slave away for ten hours straight to get that amount of money.
But what the viewers didn't know was that the world before him wasn't a game. If he were to get punched, it would actually hurt like hell.
Noa might have done it before—when he was desperate for money.
But not anymore.
With the system by his side and his new identity as a Dimensional Streamer, he wanted to push for more.
"Nah. That's too little. Let me tell you something: this game doesn't just look realistic, it feels like one, too. So… we might need to raise the stakes."
Noa was wasting time. But while doing so, he was creating drama, forcing the viewers to stay if they wanted to see how the situation would turn out.
He was willing to do anything to complete the tutorial.
Especially when the system promised him $10,000 and a ticket back home.
Viewer_1: It makes sense. Viewer_2, I think you should go for at least $100. If it were me, I would gladly kiss some fists for that.
Others chimed in as well.
They all wanted to watch the show, but no one was willing to pay for themselves.
Viewer_2: …Tch. Fine. $100 if you throw hands with the first guy you meet on the street.
Noa's heart skipped a beat.
He swallowed hard, a wry smile forming on his face.
One hundred dollars—for picking a fight with a stranger. It sounded like easy money he could spend on rent, groceries, or maybe buy something for Hana.
But—
Noa wasn't doing it for the money.
He was doing it for content… for views that would ultimately earn him a hundred times that amount.
"Alright, chat," he said louder. "You have got yourself a deal."
Chat blew up instantly.
Viewer_3: Someone is going to get clapped.
Viewer_5: LET'S GOOO!
Viewer_4: This is going to be a hilarious show. And the fact that it looks so realistic makes it so much more thrilling.
Noa clenched his fist again.
Saying that he was nervous would be an understatement. He had never fought before and didn't know what to expect. That's why his every instinct screamed for him to flee and forget about this stupid bet.
However, he didn't want to play it safe just because he was scared.
So he stepped deeper into the village.
It looked normal.
Nothing suggested that he was actually in another world. The atmosphere was peaceful, filled with children's laughter and farmers bustling nearby.
Soon, one burly man appeared in front of Noa.
He looked strong, shaped from years of a demanding job.
Perfect target.
Compared with him, Noa looked short and weak—the result of the harsh life he had lived to this point.
'This is so stupid,' he thought, but smirked nonetheless.
"Our first victim spotted," he announced to the hovering chat box, approaching the man he was about to brawl with.