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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 16
Chapter Title: All Master's Game Broadcast 16
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"...What's a partner streamer?"
"A partner streamer?!"
Partner streamer.
The two people who heard the same words from Minwoo had completely different reactions.
Haesung, who knew nothing, tilted his head in confusion, while Hayun, who knew all about this world, freaked out.
"No way, are you trying to give oppa partner streamer status?"
"That's why I'm asking—what's a partner streamer?"
"...Ah, oppa really doesn't know anything."
Hayun, who had been grilling Minwoo in a panic, finally nodded when Haesung asked again and explained what a partner streamer was.
"To put it simply, regular streamers are like interns or contractors, while partner streamers are like full-time employees. Of course, there are streamers who make big company money without being partners. Some freelancers earn as much as top executives at major corporations. Thinking of it that way makes it easier."
"Ah, so the reason you're shocked is because it's like a clueless new intern who knows nothing about the company gets offered permanent employment on their first day?"
"...Your brain's still sharp as ever. You get it right away."
The difference between contract and permanent positions.
It was simple enough, but there was a huge gap between regular streamers and partner streamers.
"Partner streamers get a fixed monthly salary from Trica every month. Of course, that's assuming they stream for the required hours. Plus, when something urgent like a suspension happens—like right now—they can contact their assigned manager directly, not customer service."
"Special treatment, huh."
"Exactly. Special treatment. But because of that, Trica manages partner streamers very strictly. Broadcast performance, personality, incident management, and so on. They look at internal issues as well as external ones. Naturally, you don't become a partner streamer overnight."
"And you're offering that to someone who got suspended after just one day of streaming?"
"Yes."
Slurp—
Minwoo wet his parched throat with the slightly cooled tea, his gaze turning steadily toward Haesung, who was listening to the proposal without a flicker.
'He's not your average guy.'
Even as Hayun kept making a fuss beside him, Haesung didn't waver at all. He was lost in his own thoughts, deep in contemplation. He wasn't some ordinary guy in his thirties.
He was someone who had vanished from modern society for ten whole years.
Yet here he was, displaying perfect composure. Minwoo unconsciously tensed up, then lightly massaged his stiffened body to shake off the spasm before Haesung spoke.
"Tell me the reason first. I need to hear that before I can think it over."
"Oppa! You should just say yes first! I only became a partner streamer a little while ago!"
"Quiet."
"...Okay."
Haesung silenced the fidgety Hayun with a single sharp glance. Minwoo swallowed hard and answered.
"Ahem, we're not saying we'll make you a partner streamer right away. Just that we can make it easier and more convenient for you than for others."
"Not much merit there."
If something comes, something goes.
Haesung knew and understood that better than anyone. A big gift from the other side couldn't help but feel off-putting.
'Because you have to give back as much as you receive. But if it's just a little convenience, it should be fine to take.'
Still, Minwoo's offer was attractive enough to tempt, but not some massive deal.
It was more like a bet on Haesung's looks, skills, and potential.
"We can't just hand it out freely, or we'd run into fairness issues. But if you meet the conditions we set, we'll make you a partner streamer immediately, no separate process or meetings needed."
"Sounds good. As long as the conditions aren't ridiculous, it's more than fine."
Perfect.
Haesung had no intention of taking the big prize of partner streamer status without any cost. The conditions were actually something to welcome.
And the conditions Minwoo proposed weren't overly difficult or impossible.
"I heard from Elbow. You said you'd reach True: Purple within two months and do a 1-on-1 with him?"
"Yes, that's what my little sis said. She told me if I'm gonna stream, don't end events like that too easily."
"I think so too. The conditions I'm setting are three main ones."
"Let's hear them."
"The first is to officially announce your challenge against Elbow and actually pull it off."
"I was planning to do that anyway, and success is a given, so no issue there."
"...Bold as ever."
The first condition: publicize the showdown with Elbow and execute it.
Any ordinary person would tremble and refuse, but Haesung accepted it as a matter of course.
Even knowing that publicizing it would bring a massive backlash if he failed, he remained calm.
Nodding as if he'd expected that reaction, Minwoo moved to the next condition.
"The second is to hit an average of a thousand viewers within those two months and maintain it for about a week."
"...Hmm, that's outside my expertise...."
"You can discuss it with Hayun."
"Then I will."
The second condition involved streaming, so Haesung couldn't answer right away and locked eyes with Hayun.
"What do you think?"
"It's good. But a thousand in two months... that's gonna be tight."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah, but to even apply for partner streamer, you need at least three thousand average viewers minimum—and that's the bare minimum, so usually more. Factoring all that in... a thousand is basically a free pass."
"So it's tough for me, but not a bad deal."
"Exactly."
It was challenging, but still a privilege, so Haesung didn't agonize long.
"I'll accept that one too."
"Good. Honestly, if you accept up to the second, the third is basically nothing. The final third condition: allow Trica to host the 1-on-1 match between Elbow and you."
"...Hmm."
The last third condition.
If the first two were met, Trica would host the 1-on-1 with Elbow.
That would create a bigger stage than a personal stream, drawing far more attention.
"Trica-hosted events and tournaments usually pull at least ten thousand viewers minimum. Pro gamer invitees have hit over a hundred thousand. Of course, a 1-on-1 won't reach that... but a matchup between Iron Fist's top dog Elbow and the comet-like Haesung... it'd be huge. Perfect, even."
"...Yeah, can't deny that."
Defeating a master of the previous era and inheriting his honor would mean a lot to Haesung.
Even if it wasn't a real battlefield with blood and death, but Earth.
Even if it was just a game, it was no different.
'Sounds fun.'
The hidden side of that jolly, hefty uncle-like Changsu—the name Elbow—was enough to stir Haesung's competitive fire.
"Then we'll prepare the matchup on our end."
"I haven't even reached True: Purple yet."
"Preparation is better sooner. And... do you lack confidence?"
"As if."
"That's why I'm saying it."
"...Fun."
An ordinary person wouldn't dream of not just hitting True: Purple in two months, but putting up a real fight against Elbow.
Yet Minwoo seemed to take it for granted that Haesung would do both.
Watching Haesung smile faintly at that, Minwoo offered one more gift.
"Even if all those conditions fall through, I'll personally secure you at least one ad deal."
"...An ad?"
"Yes. A VR defense genre game is coming out soon. Trica's handling their streamer lineup. You've got what it takes to snag a slot."
"Isn't that too generous for a streamer who's barely started?"
Ad broadcasts.
Even mid-tier streamers often don't hear a whisper depending on the game, let alone a newbie with just one day under his belt.
But Minwoo was unfazed.
"One month left. Build a base for ads by then, easy. And the pay assigned to you won't be much."
"That's obvious, no need to apologize... but roughly how much?"
Money.
As vital as food and air to survival. Seeing Haesung's eyes light up, Minwoo gave a wry smile.
"About five hundred, at most. Sorry. The game company won't allocate more."
Five hundred.
Not five hundred won, so only one option left.
"Five million won?"
"Yes. Most streamers who land ads are mid-tier or above, pulling at least ten million... but with your broadcast experience...."
"Wow...."
"Sorry."
It was five million won.
Seeing Haesung sigh at the confirmed figure, Minwoo bowed his head apologetically again.
But he was mistaken about one thing.
"Can I call you Minwoo hyung?"
"Pardon?"
"Should I do a backflip for you?"
"...Pardon?"
"Five hundred is plenty. What more could I want?"
Five million was a hefty sum for Haesung, who'd just started streaming, and he knew it well.
Above all—
"I owed this kid something, and five hundred covers half."
"Eek! Don't touch my head!"
"Oh...."
Haesung had a debt to Hayun.
She said forget it, but he couldn't ignore making his barely twenty-year-old sister buy him ten million won worth of gear.
If he took this ad, he could pay back half, so gratitude was natural.
"Looks like we wrapped up nicely, so just sign the contract."
"Yes, I'll prepare one with everything we discussed verbatim!"
After finishing the meal and chat at Sushi Kou, they stepped outside. Minwoo headed to Trica HQ first to prepare the contract.
"I'm gonna hit Vera for a Mint Cho cone!"
"You don't get tired of it?"
"No way. Always delicious. Always thrilling! See ya!"
Not satisfied with green tea sorbet, Hayun dashed off to a nearby ice cream shop.
"...Sigh, wonder who'll take her off our hands."
"Heh heh, she'll land a good one, no doubt."
"If he's no good, I won't approve."
"Haha, wonder how many guys measure up in your eyes."
"None? Then she's not getting married."
Left alone, Changsu and Haesung walked slowly toward Trica HQ, chatting idly.
About streaming.
About Hayun.
About the hardships of raising kids.
"Get married as late as possible."
"Why?"
"Because I said so."
"...Alright, no one in mind anyway."
Even his serious face urging late marriage.
The friendly neighborhood big bro vibe made Haesung hold back bursting laughter.
"Should've thrown the match back then."
"Then we'd never speak again."
"Yeah, probably."
Over a decade ago.
Haesung lost 2-0 in crushing fashion, but if he'd thrown it on purpose, they wouldn't be here now.
Gamers hated pity wins more than anything, win being everything to their kind.
"Anyway, thanks, Elbow."
"Call me comfy."
"Then... Changsu hyung?"
"Kehahat, hyung... nice ring."
Pleased with the tentative "hyung," Changsu rubbed his slight belly and laughed heartily, waving.
"Gotta head home, check on the kid. Got a stream tomorrow. Skipped today last minute, caught some flak."
"Too bad. Was fun."
"Heh, two months from now'll be even better. And we can meet nearby when free?"
"Yeah. Next time, I'll visit."
"Beer and chicken?"
"Sounds great."
"Here's my number, save it."
"Got it."
Haesung memorized the number on Changsu's memo at a glance, pocketed it, and saw him off.
Then a sudden thought hit, stopping Changsu.
"Oh yeah, I never did that reaction last time."
"Nah, nah. Wasn't didn't—couldn't. No point dwelling on old stuff. I'm not that petty."
"Still... took ten thousand won. Not hard—wanna see a quick spin?"
Offering to do the missed reaction right there due to the suspension, Changsu grinned and waved it off.
"Streamers don't do reactions IRL. Always on stream, in cam view only."
"...Is that a rule?"
Haesung, with just one stream under his belt, tilted his head puzzled. Changsu nodded as he got in his car.
"Oh, one exception."
Recalling the forgotten exception, he poked his face over the car door, beaming.
"In front of fans. They make us who we are. You and me? Bros before fans. Just call it pocket money."
"Thanks... and streaming's fun."
"Kuhuhu, if you feel that way, you'll be a great streamer. Never seen a good one who hates the fun of it. Catch ya."
"Yeah, drive safe."
Vroom—
Watching Changsu's car fade with a light engine rumble, Haesung straightened up. His eyes sparkled brightly.
"Streaming, huh... maybe I should get serious about it."
Pushed into it by Hayun, this was the moment real interest sparked.
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