Click! Click!
The sound of a mouse clicked rapidly in my small studio apartment.
"Please, please…"
I muttered to myself, eyes darting across the screen. Moving the mouse continuously, a single word eventually slipped from my mouth.
"Mouse, mouse!"
As if in response to my words, messages started flooding the chat window on my secondary monitor.
―GG!
―Well played!
―ww!
―Good game!
I laughed softly at the speed of the chat—it had been a long time since I'd seen this kind of activity. Ten years into streaming, and it had been ages since I experienced this level of energy. But it didn't stop there; donations started rolling in.
['LikeWeeds' donated 100,000 won!]
[Bro, you've worked hard!]
Seeing a huge donation of 100,000 won after such a long time, my mind went blank for a moment. It had been a while since such a large sum had landed in my room.
"Guys, this isn't fake, right?"
―ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ (LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL)
―Are you seriously doubting a donation now?
―How far are you gonna go, man?
The chat was proving that the donation was real. Honestly, I had a hunch why such a large donation had come through.
'Is it because it's the last tournament…?'
I felt a little uneasy, but the fact remained: a huge donation had come in.
"LikeWeeds, 100,000 won donation! Thank you!"
I was about to give a loud reaction when a voice came from the wall next door.
"Can you be quiet?! Do you even know what time it is?!"
"Ah, sorry…"
My reaction was immediately cut off. Yet, perhaps because it was amusing, the chat exploded with 'ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ'.
"I'll react later."
I spoke calmly into the mic, and the chat went wild.
―This is your last stream today, isn't it?
―This guy's trying to sneak away, huh?
―Where's he running off to?
"Oh."
Then it hit me—today was my retirement stream. A worn-out PC game streamer like me had reached the time to step down. Honestly, lasting ten years was already impressive.
"Don't worry. I'll react soon."
Even though it was my last stream, I wasn't about to take the easy way out. I give back as much as I receive. That was my principle.
At that moment, Discord pinged. I moved the mouse and checked the message.
[You'll be coming for the interview.]
Seeing the message, I immediately switched to the call room. As soon as I joined, a booming voice hit my ears.
"Ah, the tournament winner is here!"
"Haha, thank you."
It was HimMel, the organizer of this tournament and one of my few remaining colleagues and an older brother figure. The tournament could even happen with this few people, largely thanks to him.
"First, before asking about your thoughts on winning, thank you for participating in the last tournament I'm hosting."
"No, as a PC game streamer, I couldn't miss this."
The interview went smoothly after that—discussing my feelings about the win, other topics, and finally, the prize ceremony was left.
'Maybe like 100,000 won?'
I hadn't expected much from the prize. I had joined more for the title of "last tournament," so the amount didn't really matter.
But regardless of my expectations, HimMel dropped an unbelievable line.
"A C-class capsule!"
"Huh?"
With the advent of capsules, the gaming market underwent a huge shift. No longer were games played on PCs; now, immersive capsules allowed players to fully enjoy games in reality-like environments.
With capsules entering the market, the PC game industry rapidly declined. Streamers who focused on PC games disappeared from the scene. Those who survived switched to capsule streaming, and most who didn't crashed completely. There were a few exceptions.
I was one of those exceptions.
FilGong, a major streamer.
I was famous enough that I had played almost every game out there. I could maintain my broadcast without switching to capsules entirely.
But after a series of misfortunes, it was finally time for me to end my stream. And the last thing I chose was the tournament hosted by HimMel.
I was sure about that…
"Did I just hear that wrong…? What's the prize again?"
"Hehe, a C-class capsule!"
When I froze, HimMel shouted even louder. The chat erupted in response.
―A C-class capsule?
―HimMel has that kind of wealth?
―Wow! I want that too!
―Hey, are you gonna sell it to me?
I wasn't the only one surprised. Capsules came in seven types: Standard, F-class, D-class, C-class, B-class, A-class, and S-class. Standard to D-class were common for households and capsule rooms. C-class was the next tier above that.
Naturally, higher performance meant a higher price. Last I knew, a C-class capsule cost nearly 100 million won.
'Where did he even get the money to buy a C-class capsule?!'
Knowing his finances, I couldn't wrap my head around it. This wasn't just a minor splurge—it was extreme.
"Haha! Looks like you're quite surprised."
"Of course I am! A C-class capsule!"
I quickly calmed myself and answered all his questions. After leaving the call room, I still couldn't believe it.
―Bro?
―You okay?
―You look way too shocked.
I had forgotten the camera was on. I quickly blurted out my stunned thoughts.
"Guys… this isn't a dream, right?"
―No
―Yep
―This guy lost it?
It wasn't a dream. Reading the viewers' chats, I realized the only option was to wrap up the stream. The thought that this was the last stream had long left my mind.
'I should hang up and call him.'
Spending such a huge sum without a significant reason is impossible. My mind imagined the worst-case scenarios. Fortunately, HimMel was still broadcasting, probably sharing stories about the tournament.
"Guys, I'm going to end the stream."
―?
―???
―???????
The chat filled with question marks. Of course, everyone would react like this if I ended the final stream this way. On top of that, a guilt-inducing donation came through.
['ThreeKidsGeo' donated 1,000 won!]
[Bro, what about the 100,000 won reaction?]
I had forgotten the reaction entirely. But now wasn't the time for that.
"I'll stream again later to react properly!"
―Really?
―Streaming one more time?
―I bet my 1,000 won he won't show.
―ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ Yep, scammer.
There were mixed reactions, but then a savior appeared.
['LikeWeeds' donated 1,000 won!]
[I trust you.]
The viewer who donated 100,000 won had essentially given me a free pass.
"Alright! I'll definitely stream again to react! Then, see you!"
I said this and quickly hit the "end stream" button. Seeing the "Broadcast has ended" message on my monitor, I hurriedly dressed. I played HimMel's broadcast on my phone and walked toward his house. Since we lived in the same neighborhood, it didn't take long to reach him.
"Alright! That's it for today's broadcast! Thanks for watching."
He ended his stream. Seeing that it was off, I immediately called him.
―Huh? Dongmin, what's up?
"I'm outside your place."
―Huh? All of a sudden?
He sounded startled, which made sense since I showed up unannounced.
"Let's grab a drink. Come out."
―Hey, don't start talking like that to me…
"Ah, forget it. Be out in five minutes."
I hung up. It was a bit rude, but better than leaving him alone at home. Waiting outside, he eventually opened the door.
"This guy actually came?"
"Do you think I'd fake it?"
He muttered in surprise, half-thinking it was a joke. Then, he suddenly got serious.
"Wasn't today supposed to be your last stream?"
"I told viewers I'd stream once more."
I answered his question and started walking. HimMel, standing still, called after me in confusion.
"Hey, where are you going after calling me here?"
"I said let's drink."
"Oh… Are you paying?"
"Sigh… Yes, so hurry up."
We headed to a bar together. Once there, we settled in and started talking.
"Where did you get the money to give a C-class capsule as a prize?"
"Ah, money's always somewhere."
"No, I thought you were gonna gift that and then die."
His face instantly stiffened. He hadn't expected me to think that seriously.
"What could possibly make you think I'd die…?"
"Some people donate all their wealth and die. I thought maybe you were that type."
I said it earnestly. He then explained how he actually acquired the capsule. That was how the day went.
"Phew… That's enough reaction for now."
The next day, I turned on the stream one last time to catch up on donations and chat. Nearing the end, I cautiously asked.
"Guys… do you still want to see me?"
I was a major streamer stuck in the past, playing outdated games. Many fans had already left, and PC games were shutting down one by one. Would viewers still want to see me?
'My conclusion was 'no.''
But this was an opportunity. Maybe viewers could overturn my conclusion, so I asked.
―Why are you even asking?
―Of course we want to see you if we can
―Even if you decide to quit, we won't stop you;;
―Another stream maybe?
Viewers started reacting, and I chuckled quietly. Most were positive about me streaming again. Knowing the audience's mood was enough for now.
"Alright, I'll end the stream then."
―What? Already leaving?
―If you leave now, we'll never see you again!
―No, we'll kill you if you leave now.
―Me
―Lock
―Me
―Lock
―Me
…
As soon as I said I'd end the stream, the chat erupted into chaos. Despite the negativity, it felt good—it meant viewers still wanted me.
"This isn't the last of it."
―Huh?
―What is this?
―Planning a comeback right after retiring?
The chat flooded with messages. I immediately hit the end stream button. And so, my final PC game streaming broadcast ended.
Sitting back in my chair, I stared at the ceiling. Originally, I had planned to retire from streaming and find a job at an internet broadcasting company to make a living.
But I realized many people still wanted to watch me. I was conflicted.
I'm 26. Capsules have been out for over five years.
Even if I switch to capsule streaming now, would people still like it? But HimMel had said the same thing yesterday.
"I don't care, but you still have an attachment to streaming, right?"
"No, I can't stream more if I want to survive financially."
"You can make money with capsule streaming. You're skilled, so if you switch, you'll definitely succeed!"
It had been a long time since I saw someone argue with such passion. Maybe that's why I wanted to try pursuing my dream again.
"Not even sure if it'll work…"
I chuckled quietly. Days after announcing the last stream, FilGong's streaming account, thought dead, lit up red.
Live on.