novelraw Chapter 108 : Is Something Big Coming?
Chapter 108 : Is Something Big Coming?
Is Something Big Coming?
Whenever there's a promotion, congratulations follow.
Lee Gyeongbok's victory was no exception.
['Uhwooper' has donated 100,000 won.]
[Anyway, the winner is Purple]
['Aren't you tired of 1st place?' has donated 50,000 won.]
[That's not true. Every moment is fun. It feels new every time.]
['TsundereListener' has subscribed for 2 months!]
[I-it's not like I wanted to watch for another month or anything!]
Manager Park Juho, not missing a beat, turned on donation and subscription alerts.
Lee Gyeongbok smiled at the flood of messages before him and gave thanks.
"Ah, thank you to everyone who donated and subscribed."
― Uhwooper is the truth, lololol
― The winner belongs to Godple, that's all I'm saying!
― Am I the only one seeing Haebeoji in those words?
― I see it, I see it!
― Is this a tsundere concept? Lol
― Lol, look at the detail already at two months
― Can we get a ban?
The viewers also got caught up in the excitement.
The flow of donations and subscriptions kept pouring in. While Lee Gyeongbok and the viewers were reveling in the festive mood, a new message popped up in front of him.
['Imprisoner' has sent you an invitation!]
An invitation from the chief developer, imprisoner.
A flurry of question marks filled the chat, and Lee Gyeongbok spoke up.
"Thank you again for the donations and subscriptions. But the event isn't over just yet. I'll read things a little quickly."
― Octa-core ON!
― Ho, your collection skills are rising?
― Wow, what are you, a Purizer? LOL
― Well, you are PRJ, lol
― So sweet reading every single one without skipping
― But is there more left?
Lee Gyeongbok expanded the message window, finished checking the donations, and accepted the invitation. Like before, the location shifted to a room filled with monitors.
"Ah! You're here!"
The monitor-headed, imprisoner, greeted him with a beaming emoji on the screen.
"First, congratulations on your victory!"
"Thank you."
"I kept wondering if you'd really take first, and you did."
The emoji changed to one resting its chin on its thumb and index finger, looking pensive.
"To be honest, this wasn't the outcome we had envisioned."
"Your plan?"
"Yes. The reason we left out the pod battery was to reverse the rankings and incite chaos. We tried to make it so you couldn't easily predict placement just by power distribution, you know?"
Laughter filled the chat at Imprisoner's explanation.
― But it totally failed, lol
― Seriously, godple tore this apart
-???: I don't want to do whatever the sponsor says!
― To be fair, it's Imprisoner who underestimated Godple, lol
― But, honestly, who saw the pod check coming first? lol
― If he'd followed Trooper's advice, it could've been bad^^
― From now on, don't question Godple's decisions
― Armchair generals get the index finger~
"But you completely exceeded my expectations and achieved a perfect victory. That's truly amazing! However, this creates a problem."
"A problem?"
Lee Gyeongbok's question, along with a flurry of question marks in chat. He won the event—so what's the problem?
"Since you escaped as first place, doesn't this make the event less meaningful?"
-?
― Oh... right
― Lol Purple Event without Purple
― And no prize money since Godple took first
― Huh? Now that you mention it
This event was supposed to have a "Purple" prize as the reward.
But since Lee Gyeongbok took first, there's no "Purple" or "prize money" left.
Meaning the remaining contestants are giving their all for no reward at all.
― We were all so happy Godple won, nobody noticed, lol
― The people still competing are going to be really disheartened
― That's kind of rough, honestly
― Won't people nitpick this?
― Is he getting nitpicked just for doing too well?!
― That nitpick is a reach, lololol
Viewers showed concern. But Lee Gyeongbok's smile was as relaxed as ever.
Maybe he was being a bit too calm.
"So you knew this would happen. A promise is a promise—we'll pay for the prize money ourselves."
At Imprisoner's words, the mood in chat instantly changed.
― Prize money? From the devs?
― What does this mean?
― What's going on here?!
― So the puzzle really isn't over!
― Are we getting some bonus?! Is that it?
― PerfectPlay ON!
At the flood of chat, Lee Gyeongbok let out a little laugh.
"This time, unlike session one, the OTP participants went through a test, right? When I tried it, it took me about ten minutes."
-...?
― Huh?
― Ten minutes?
― Huff! Move out! That cocky aura is mine!
― Was it the Earth-59 test?
― Isn't that from another world?
― I did it three times in thirty minutes and gave up, what does that make me?
― Congrats! You're in the top 10% of Troopers!
― Ten-minute test clear, lol
Reading that, Lee Gyeongbok blinked.
"The average test clear time for this group was over forty minutes."
"Ah."
Imprisoner explained quietly. Embarrassed, Lee Gyeongbok gave a small cough.
"Hem-hem, anyway, since you all invested your time, it'd be a waste not to get anything. So we had a separate agreement."
"Yes, that's right. If Purple takes first, we agreed to change the prize money condition."
Imprisoner snapped his fingers lightly. Instantly, a revised announcement popped up on the monitor.
[2. Prize Money
〈'PerfectPlay' Award〉
Escape 1st Place 'Purple' – 1,000,000 won
〈'Nearly Perfect' Award〉
The closer the gap to streamer Purple, the bigger the prize!
2nd Place – 950,000 won
3rd Place – 900,000 won
4th Place – 850,000 won
...]
― Lol even the award names changed
― The originals were "I'll Go First" and "More Than Perfect," haha
― First place is now fixed as Purple, lol
― Purple gets the Purple Award. That's only fitting (nod)
― Oh, 950k for 2nd, that's nice
― This might even be better, actually?
The viewers' worries vanished after seeing the update.
"It's an event for everyone to have fun, after all. My thanks to the devs for accepting my suggestion."
Lee Gyeongbok smiled and bowed his head lightly. Imprisoner bowed in response.
― Yes! A stream for everyone to enjoy!
― No controversy possible this way!
― Is this how a 1-month-old streamer handles it?
― Seriously, broadcast genius, lol
― What were you doing all this time not streaming?!
With everything having been prepared in advance, the audience felt reassured. With worries gone, the playful comments returned.
― But doesn't this mean he expected to win all along?
― Seriously, is Perfect-Arrogance hiding here too?
-???: Since I'll take 1st, prepare the prize money
― Lol, that's true
― A guy who doesn't know the word "retry"... A guy who doesn't know "second place"...
-???: Who's Kong*?
(*'Kong' is used to refer to someone who always comes second.)
― Hey, that's not that "second"!
Surprised by the teasing, Lee Gyeongbok popped his eyes open.
"Huh? Of course I expected to get first."
As he answered confidently, a tower of '?' marks shot up in chat. Lee Gyeongbok tilted his head, as if he didn't understand the confusion.
"Who plays a game expecting to lose?"
― Huh?
― Oh, well, that makes sense
― Hey, it's not like we lose because we want to!
― If you just play, sometimes you lose... Or, never mind
― Does this streamer even know what losing feels like?
― Yeah, you have to lose to know, "Oh, I guess I can lose."
― Is my logic breaking right now?
-???: If you play, you win. Isn't that the norm?
― Wow, his attitude is victorious from the start
― Yeah, that's the perfect-mindset
Viewers realized once again how different he was, and laughed.
* * *
After the event stream ended.
The Escapers online community, "Runiya," became more active than ever.
[Purple's judgment was insane]
[What was that penalty from hell?]
[Seriously, he's practically post-human]
[He was literally Perfect]
Veteran players who participated in the event later checked out Lee Gyeongbok's play and left reviews.
Since you couldn't observe other players in-game, their amazement was all the greater.
[I'm actually glad I lost]
[I placed 2nd in this event
To be honest, I ignored the event penalty at first, lol
I figured it was just laying the groundwork in case you lost.
I thought that was it, but I was completely wrong, lol
The fact that he didn't even turn on Highlight Mode shocked me, and then the mid-game sensory disruption? That freaked me out.
I mean, even just losing sight is enough to make you totally helpless, but then there was tinnitus, and your body stiffened up like it was numb?
Honestly, is there anyone who could win with a penalty like that?
No matter how much of a veteran, I doubt it.
But Purple did it, damn
The moment I saw it, I realized
That's what it feels like for someone on another level, lol
So even though I came in 2nd, I don't regret anything at all lol
It's just amazing to have played a game with someone like that.]
[-Wow lol so relatable]
[And he negotiated with Imprisoner to make sure we still got prizes?]
[Seriously, what a big man]
[This event was truly Perfect, lol]
[-Before watching the stream: What kind of monster is this?]
[-After watching: Oh, this is what kind of monster]
[You just accept it instantly, lol]
[To be honest, you can't help but respect it, lol]
[-He wasn't just fast at puzzles, lol]
[His judgment was crazy too]
[The way he saved suit power, I never imagined, lol]
[Seriously, everyone else left their Private Room as soon as they got the Access Key, lol]
[Some people noticed the vent, but nobody actually used it]
[Since it was a competition mode, nobody thought to go back, lol]
[-It was a match between casual and hardcore players]
[But the casual was just too strong, lol]
[Purple was so relaxed]
[Everyone else was desperate to go first, but he was just laid back, lol]
[That's why he won, lol]
[I had the same attitude the first time I played...]
[Seriously, finding clues and solving puzzles was fun]
The veterans, after seeing Lee Gyeongbok play, recalled their first days with Escapers.
[Playing only competition mode made my brain stuck in that gear]
[Should we try co-op mode for a change?]
[But isn't it pointless for veterans to play together, lol]
[Yeah, when veterans gather, it's just about speedrunning]
But even when trying to recapture that old feeling, it was impossible for veterans to do so among themselves. Just as everyone began to feel a bit down—
[How did the community name become Runiya?]
[Finished the tutorial, can someone help?]
[Teach me how to do parbababak!]
[Anyone want to play co-op mode? (No season pass)]
[Do I need to buy the season pass to play the event themes?]
Newcomers started appearing on the message board, which had previously been just the regulars.
These were people who started because of the event stream.
The veterans could hardly believe it.
[When's the last time there was a flood of people like this, even after the Sweeties ad?]
[Before helping, don't backseat!]
[Is Escapers finally getting its spring?]
[Look at that crazy Purple Coin effect, lol]
Purple Coin.
Both developers and veteran users enjoyed the benefits.
* * *
Late at night, genome's stream.
['The Power Of Full Brain Mode' has donated a video worth 20,000 won.]
During the pre-game chatting stream, a viewer donated a video.
It was a highlight reel of Lee Gyeongbok's performance in this event.
"Whoa, what the heck is this?"
― Still legendary even on replay, lol
― Hyung, you should've watched it live!
― Why bother? If people pay to show me, lol
― Can't resist the donation, lol
Genome was stunned, but most viewers already knew of Lee Gyeongbok's exploits, thanks to the overlap between Genome and Purple's audiences.
"Wow! Seriously, is there anything Purple can't do? How do you play like that with those kinds of penalties?"
― Fact) Purple did what Purple does
― Yeah, if it were hyung, he'd be cursing first, right?
― He's Trchoip, so he always opens his mouth first, lol
― He'd probably make the penalty hit other players instead, as a twist
― What a mad idea!
― You believed it? Genome, out!
Genome didn't mind the teasing.
"Wow, he picked up one million for first place too. Honestly, I've got a stake in that win. Wasn't I the one who told him to try it on my analysis stream? Admit it?"
― Huh?
― Trying to get a cut here?
― He's just an old man, isn't he?
― Well, he is our old hyung, so that checks out
― Nah, not THAT kind of "old folks home," lol
― Give it a rest, geonomy!
― Is Genome short for "geezer with nothing," lol
― So stingy, lol
― Just go plan PerG-Day Season 2 if you're gonna say that!
With the chat full of jokes, genome proudly stuck his chin out.
"Hey, don't you know me? You guys don't have to worry about event planning, the snowball effect is already rolling."
The chat filled with question marks. Genome only smiled even more.
"I can't give details yet, but soon there's going to be an event even bigger than PerG-Day. That's what I'm saying."
― Bigger? What does he mean?
― Isn't he bluffing? lol
― Whatever, genomes doesn't bluff
― If he's saying this, he's already talked with Godple, lol
― Is something big coming? x4
― So what is it?
Questions overflowed, but Genome wasn't the type to give things away so easily.
"Should I tell you? Should I just reveal it? The first reveal, right here?"
― Ah, lololol
― Here we go again, riling us up
― So he's not going to say, damn it
― Genomes! Stop, let Genome out of your body!
― He's definitely not going to say, lol
― If so, I'm not watching the stream!
He baited the viewers and they fired right back. They knew each other so well that neither would give in easily.
"Ah, I was going to say something, but oh well. If you don't want to hear it, I can't help it. Well then, today's game is..."
― He said it pissed him off, not that we don't want to hear it!
― Yeah, who are you even talking with
― Isn't this Tri's top talker Genome's stream?
― We can't resist your stories, hyung, lol
― Not watching was a ploy to train my hearing, you know ^7
The chat instantly switched, as if nothing happened, and Genome snorted softly and began speaking again.
"Really, even if I wanted to talk, there's stuff I can't reveal. Just know this: I'm prepping an event, and this time it's me and Purple as a team. There are two more spots, but we'll discuss that separately."
The chat buzzed.
― Event? What event?
― That's homework, lol
― If it's Purple and Genome, that's a major sponsor, right?
― If he's adding two more, is it a four-person team?
― If Purple's on board, it has to be a game he's tried before
― Yeah, no matter how Godple, they wouldn't trust homework to newcomers
― There aren't many multiplayer games Purple's played, right?
― It's not Mystic, since that's 5-player teams
― Lol, must be GunG
― Oh, gunner Ground 4-man squad!
― GGG would mean major sponsor confirmed, lol
― This is the power of collective intelligence?
― Hyung! Are you running with Godple and GunG together or what!
The chat broke into rapid speculation. Genome didn't answer.
"Well, it's time. Hello! I'm Genome, the man who games at the genetic level!"
― Cue-ha!
― If you're recording, at least clap the slate!
― The way he changes the subject, it's gotta be true, lol
― Something big is coming! x3
― Probably planning an event before and after GunG's next update, lol
The audience didn't press for a concrete answer. Sometimes, not answering was an answer of its own.
***
**New Names/Locations/Skills/Techniques:**