novelraw Chapter 111 : Autograph Session? (1)
Chapter 111 : Autograph Session? (1)
Autograph Session? (1)
The headquarters of GGG, developer of Gunner Ground.
The employees were usually busy, but lately they'd been even more overwhelmed due to preparations for the fall update and event mode.
However, the atmosphere in the development room and the business room was completely different. With preparations wrapping up, the development team was regaining a bit of leisure, but the business department's mood was grim.
And the darkest of all was the marketing team.
"The Serengeti BJs' misconduct has been confirmed."
"Damn, this is driving me nuts......"
There was now a scheduling snag with recruiting the Serengeti BJs. It wasn't really the marketing team's fault, but as the person in charge, responsibility had to be taken.
"How many empty spots have been filled?"
"Not even half yet......"
The marketing team leader's expression was worn by stress.
"Whew...... For now, press the team leader-level streamers again. Since we need time to verify them on our end, tell them to send the list as soon as possible."
"Yes, sir."
"Do it politely! No room for problems!"
"Yup!"
The moment the staff member left, the team leader took out some indigestion medicine. But he couldn't even finish it.
He heard a knock and put down the half-eaten medicine, replying,
"Come in."
"Team leader, contact from Genome's team regarding recruiting members."
At the name Genome, the team leader's face instantly relaxed and nodded.
'If it's Genome, it can be trusted.'
There were few potential problems and he even drummed up attention through in-house issues. For the marketing team, that was a burden off their shoulders.
There's always a reason streamers can hold on for the long run.
"For Genome's team, just check the basics and pass them."
To keep accidents like the Serengeti BJs from repeating, the team leader personally checked each recruited streamer.
He waved his hand, dismissively, but the staff member didn't leave. Sensing something up, the staff member rolled their eyes and spoke up.
"Uh, but, I think you should double-check this time."
"Check? Why? Who is it?"
"Well... it's Eclipse."
"Eclipse?"
The team leader blinked in surprise.
There was no streamer called Eclipse in Gunner Ground that he knew of.
But as someone in marketing, being aware of community trends was essential.
"...... Elden Soul's Eclipse?"
Of course, both he and the other marketers knew exactly who Eclipse was.
"I double-checked too, and it's the same Eclipse."
"Wait, Eclipse? The guy who's played only Fromme games for 15 years?"
"Yes, I confirmed with him and he said he joined upon Purple's recommendation... that's all..."
The staff trailed off, also flustered by the situation.
At the sudden mention of the name Purple, the team leader involuntarily flinched.
'Ugh, bad memories......'
He remembered almost tanking a contract with Purple during the prior data licensing negotiations, just to save costs.
He'd even been scolded by the development manager back then. As a result, Purple was not a fond memory for him.
'Purple? That person recruited Eclipse?'
But the situation was different now.
'A streamer who's stuck to one game for 15 years chose Gunner Ground as his new game?'
That alone was guaranteed to create buzz. The situation Purple created was a golden opportunity.
The team leader's mind was racing.
"We need to change how we announce the schedule."
"What?"
"Instead of a batch notification, switch to a sequential reveal."
He jumped up from his seat. The staff stared at him, bewildered.
"Sequential reveal? The lineup isn't even completely set yet."
"That's why we need to do it."
The team leader straightened his rumpled outfit as he answered.
"With a sequential reveal there's a deadline. That'll make the team leader streamers more proactive in recruitment."
They could press for recruits without seeming pushy, and it would create more community buzz before the event went live.
Previously the effect was uncertain, but now it was different.
"I'll report to the manager myself, so get ready."
Life returned to his previously dead face.
'Is there really such a thing as a Purple Coin?'
He chuckled, recalling the meme from the community.
* * *
Lee Gyeongbok's house.
Before the Team Perfect meeting, Choi Byeonghun arrived first.
"What the? Why'd you get here so early?"
Lee Gyeongbok couldn't hide his surprise—he knew this friend was never the diligent type.
"Come on, man. At least take this first."
Choi Byeonghun offered a box he'd brought—it was filled with Monitor Head merch.
Lee Gyeongbok gave a short laugh.
"Ah, right. I totally forgot about this."
"Just put it in the capsule room. So it'll show up when you reveal the room, like in your last unboxing video."
"Got it, I'll put it there after the meeting."
"And I have another little favor to ask."
Choi Byeonghun coughed awkwardly and handed over three small pieces of paper. Lee Gyeongbok took them, curious.
"...... Sweeties autograph session raffle tickets?"
They were raffle tickets for an autograph session included in the album.
Lee Gyeongbok averted his eyes.
'What does he want me to do with these?'
'Just look at that poker face.'
Seeing Lee Gyeongbok's blunt expression, Choi Byeonghun smiled inside—he thought Lee Gyeongbok was trying to hide his own fandom.
Choi Byeonghun coughed and nodded.
"You know they're drawing on your day off, right? I wanted to go for once, but I felt I'd get picked if you put my name in. Share your good luck."
"Nah, stuff like this doesn't matter to me."
Lee Gyeongbok waved his hand.
His divine energy didn't work that way.
"Doesn't matter, just do it for me. It's not a big ask, right? You just have to scribble your info."
Still, Choi Byeonghun insisted. This made Lee Gyeongbok a bit suspicious.
'Since when was this guy a Sweeties fan?'
Just like Choi Byeonghun, Lee Gyeongbok had similar thoughts.
'He said he's just been watching Netflix at home. If he wants to go out for once, I should help him.'
Resigned, Lee Gyeongbok sighed briefly and filled out the tickets.
"If you don't get picked, don't blame me."
"I never would."
"Here."
"Okay! Thanks!"
Choi Byeonghun grinned as he collected the tickets.
"Something good happen to you or what?"
At that moment, a new voice made them both flinch and look over—it was Park Juho who'd come in quietly.
Choi Byeonghun and Lee Gyeongbok glanced at each other nervously.
'He'd freak out if he found out I was a closet-fan. Better keep it secret.'
'He doesn't want Juho to know? Well, I'd get an earful if he found out.'
Despite the mutual misunderstandings, the two reached silent agreement.
They both waved their hands, replying quickly.
"Nah, it's nothing."
"Yeah, just talking about where to put this merch."
To divert attention, Lee Gyeongbok pointed to the box. Park Juho finally checked the box's contents.
"Everything's here, huh."
"Of course."
Then Park Juho opened the Sweeties album—and his eyes widened.
"Choi Byeonghun."
"What?"
"There should be raffle tickets for the autograph session inside the album. Why are they missing?"
Caught by his stare, Choi Byeonghun quickly rolled his eyes.
"Don't tell me you sold them?"
"Why would I sell them?"
"Then?"
"Uh... I threw them out during yesterday's big clean up."
"You threw them away?"
"I accidentally knocked over the box."
Park Juho watched him for a moment, then sighed.
"If that's the case, it's fine."
"Come on, we're not that desperate to sell this stuff."
"...... It's better to avoid anything that could haunt you later."
As Park Juho took off his coat, the remaining two exchanged glances of relief.
Reassured by their mutual misunderstandings, they became even more convinced.
"GGG got in touch."
With the meeting starting, Park Juho spoke up.
"They've switched to revealing the schedule sequentially. Each team's leader and first member get revealed today. That means Genome and Gyeongbok will go public for us."
"Oh? So it's not a secret outside anymore?"
"It'll be revealed before the stream, so it's fine during broadcast."
At that, Choi Byeonghun grinned.
"Perfect. Once the event notice goes up, we'll get more attention and more viewers. It's awesome."
"Viewers will all want GunG then,"
Lee Gyeongbok said, happy at the news.
"I was planning on playing a short game before the event, but now I can just focus on GunG for a while."
"Actually, there's been buzz about GunG returning in the community. A lot of requests for GunG have been piling up on the Tnight fan page too."
Park Juho, who'd kept up on community trends, agreed.
"But unfortunately, joint streams with Ecl aren't possible. If you collab now, it'll be a spoiler after the event goes live."
"Well, can't help that. We'll just have to practice separately."
"Hey, I'm sure Ecl will take care of himself just fine."
Choi Byeonghun shrugged it off. Their real concern was elsewhere.
"The last member isn't decided yet, right?"
"Yeah, hyung is still recruiting."
"Wonder who it'll be."
Who would be the final teammate for this event?
"Hopefully it'll be someone interesting."
Lee Gyeongbok smiled, looking forward to the event.
* * *
That evening.
The Sweeties dorm.
Yoon Nara was inside the capsule.
The game she was playing was none other than Escapers.
〈You have safely left the space colony. A new planet and a new life await you. But you probably won't want to venture into space again.〉
[You Are Escaper!]
She'd just cleared the newly updated theme. And came in first in competitive mode, no less.
It was already her seventh first place.
But Yoon Nara wasn't satisfied.
"...... How did he do it?"
Compared to Purple's skills in Q-tube videos, she was still lacking. She hadn't even applied for the event because of her own schedule, but even if she had, she was sure she'd have lost.
Her own skills were solid, but she knew best that she couldn't surpass Purple.
'Again......!'
Still, she wouldn't give up.
She was about to start matching again, burning with competitiveness, when—
[〉20 minutes until broadcast!]
A message came in—not from the game, but from outside. Sweeties' manager was calling her.
'Is it that time already?'
Regretfully, she closed the game and returned to reality, opening the capsule.
Soon, she heard a knock and a voice.
"Unni! You saw the message, right?"
"Yeah, I'm coming out. Don't worry."
Peeking in, a member's face appeared in the slightly opened door.
"Were you in the capsule again?"
"Yeah."
"Hmm... We should fix your hair, though."
"Really? Looked fine to me."
Yoon Nara glanced in the mirror. Her hair was a bit messy from lying in the capsule, but nothing drastic.
"Well, with your face, it doesn't matter. Seriously, you're the definition of hair-completion-face."
"You mean, not even fashion-completion-face but hair-completion-face?"
"Oh? So you admit to the fashion thing too?"
"What are you talking about?"
Yoon Nara chuckled at her member's mischief.
"With your face, hair does it all! Anyway, get changed and come right out. I'll let the stylist know."
"Thanks."
"You've got the golden touch, so pick some lucky winners! Okay?"
Her member gave a playful grin and disappeared. Yoon Nara smiled too.
"It's just luck, not golden touch or anything."
The next broadcast was for the autograph session raffle.
To prove fairness, sweeties was doing the raffle live on air.
As she changed into her outfit, yoon Nara composed herself.
'The chance to face Purple will come someday.'
Not many people know that Sweeties' leader, yoon Nara, is actually the famous sniper 'NewtonLord' in personal broadcasting.
She thoroughly kept those two sides apart.
'I should focus on my main role.'
She gave herself a bright smile in the mirror.
It was time to show the face her fans wanted.
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