novelraw Chapter 139 : Perfect Durante (3)
Chapter 139 : Perfect Durante (3)
Perfect Durante (3)
Purple's public "Devil Must Cry" stream was relayed through the Anglosphere and the Japanese head office's channels.
Among them, the channel responsible for the North American relay, 'CAP Company_USA,' had gathered more people than expected.
'Seriously, at this early hour...?'
The North American branch employee couldn't help but be surprised at the number of attendees.
There was a significant time difference between Korea and North America. Thanks to that massive landmass, time zones varied by state, but usually, if it was night in Korea, it was morning in America.
'Already 50,000 viewers?'
The employee swallowed dryly.
Upon checking the viewer count, his nerves went on edge.
'If I mess up, it's over.'
It wasn't only because of the 'world's first' and 'exclusive' situation. It was because his task was a bit special.
'Please, let there be no remarks that are hard to translate...!'
His duty was 'simultaneous interpretation.'
The in-game cutscene dialogues were already set, so the subtitles were prepared. But Purple's live remarks were different.
There was no separate script, so there couldn't be any pre-made subtitles.
It was his job to relay Purple's impressions and remarks to the viewers, making translation unavoidable, and he had been assigned to do it.
He already felt like he aged several years since the broadcast began, but unexpectedly, the stream was progressing smoothly.
'Wow... this is insane, seriously.'
That was thanks to Purple's gameplay overwhelming everyone, viewers and staff alike.
― Is he really playing manually?
― Do Koreans normally ride bikes like that? He's too skilled!
― But he's a Korean gamer, right? This level of skill is expected.
― My god! I thought Koreans were only good at Craft Star, mystic League, and Gunner Ground?
-lol, if you're good at all those, that's everything!
― Koreans have 'gaming skills' in their genes.
― But I've never seen a Korean push it this far.
― Right, this is insane regardless of nationality—this streamer's just unbelievable.
From the first battle with the Imp, Purple left a deep impression on the viewers.
His masterful bike handling and flashy shooting skills—these were familiar athletic feats to Korean viewers but a great shock to North Americans.
― Flashy action and a cool voice, perfect.
― Agreed. He's a 'Perfect' streamer, just like his name.
― CAP Company really brought in the right person!
― At first I thought they just picked an Asian model on head office orders.
― What? Are you racist or something?
― He's not just "Asian," he's "Korean!"
― Some idiot killing the mood over there.
― Manager! Kick that bastard out right now!
From the very beginning, Lee Gyeongbok captured the viewers' hearts. And that favorable impression surged even higher in the next battle.
― He's surfing with the bike?
― This guy's showmanship is incredible!
― Now I see why they call him 'Perfect' and 'streamer.'
― Is it really a person playing? Not AI?
― There's supposed to be system auto-assist, right? Maybe people are overreacting?
― Oh? Really? Then what about now? Surfing while dodging Imp attacks?
― Sorry, my bad.
― Look at him teasing the Imps! That's exactly Durante's personality!
― Is this really his first time playing DMC?
― He said it was at the start, and there's no reason to lie.
When Purple toyed with the rushing Imps, viewers were even more delighted.
― Now it's Imp surfing!
― I'm a Perfectplay fanboy from now on.
― I get it now. Everyone's wrong. He isn't a 'Perfect Gamer' or a 'Perfect Streamer.'
― What nonsense are you on?
― He's the 'Perfect' Durante.
― Totally agree. He's like Durante straight out of the game.
The chat window became warm with awe and excitement. Seeing this mood, the employee sweat nervously.
'If I mistranslate, I could lose my job...!'
The more the viewers liked him, the greater the pressure. He put his heart into avoiding even the slightest misunderstanding in interpreting Lee Gyeongbok's every word.
And the growing praise hit its peak during the boss fight with the Gargoyle.
― Did you see that?
― Bullet Time control is art!
― Has he played any games with skills like this before?
― No, I swear this is his first experience.
― How do you know?
― I'm a subscriber to his Q-tube channel, since Bio Crisis.
― LMFO, he really is a demon!
― Everyone's lost it over him. Me included, of course!
When Purple skillfully used the demon's strength and, even without that power, subdued the Gargoyle, the viewers became even more exhilarated.
― This is madness! He fits the game title perfectly!
― Seriously, every demon that meets him is just going to have to cry.
― This is my first time feeling sorry for the enemy while watching a stream.
― He's a real badass.
― Damn, if only he spoke English, he'd already be a streamer bigger than Goldmond!
― Goldmond? Satisfied with only three million followers?
― Then who?
― What's wrong with your eyes? If he keeps this up, he'll surpass "Huediefie" one day!
-lol, that's quite an exaggeration.
― Do you even know how many subscribers Huediefie has? One hundred million! A hundred million!
― Idiots, don't judge him by numbers. He's valuable just as he is.
― Oh, I really like that. Gotta write that down.
But as Purple started analyzing attack patterns, those excited viewers started voicing their frustration.
― Why are the subtitles so slow?
― This is killing me. Feels like watching an unsynced video.
― Is it finally time to study Korean?
― I thought only K-POP fans learned Korean.
― We're Game Nerds, so learning a foreign language for games is fine.
― He's doing what even Octopus Game and BTX couldn't!
As the remarks increased with the analysis, the translation lagged, and viewers keenly felt the difference.
Someone in chat commented:
― This is funny. Not the 'Korean Wave', but the 'Perfect Wave' is starting?
A wave started by a streamer named Purple.
That became the origin of the "Perfect Wave" meme.
* * *
Meanwhile, unaware of the relay channel's situation, Lee Gyeongbok was focused on the cutscene.
"By the way, is Divine Agency struggling financially these days?"
"Yes?"
Durante abruptly addressed Beatrice. Not just her—even the other Holy Knights were confused.
"Gag orders aren't expensive these days. You should be able to afford one for everyone."
With that follow-up, the Holy Knights' faces turned red. It was clear what he meant, given the earlier argument.
― Dang lol, he roasted them good.
-??? : Hey! Can you keep those dogs from barking!
― Lol, I can totally hear it!
― Seriously, who told them to talk like that?
― Damn Holy Knights lol, can't do anything because of the Saint, right?
Beatrice was momentarily flustered. During that moment, durante stepped past her and continued walking.
"Durante, wait!"
She hurriedly called out to him, but he didn't stop.
― The Saint's calling him, and he just ignores her?
-lol, if it were me, I'd moonwalk straight back.
― Moonwalk, I agree, lol!
― That's a real man right there.
― He's truly something else.
― Haha, nobody can stop me now!
Beatrice pressed on anxiously,
"Please cooperate with us. If you team up with the Order, we can respond to the demon invasion much more easily!"
Durante stopped in his tracks.
For a moment, beatrice's expression brightened.
"Easily? Since when does 'easy' mean the same as 'lazy'?"
He just turned his head, sneering.
Beatrice's pupils trembled. Her lips quivered but then fell still.
She had nothing more to say.
― Every single line from Durante is golden, lol!
― Is that 'golden' or 'slowly pronounced'?
― Lol, are you out of your mind?
― Feel bad for the Saint, but he's not wrong.
― Haha, freelancers and companies make decisions so differently.
― Seriously, the Order probably needs an approval stamp before going anywhere.
― This is the dark side of bureaucracy, huh?
"I don't take orders from anyone. Don't bother me further."
With those words, durante started walking again. Beatrice watched his back with a bitter expression.
Perhaps unable to hold back their anger, the other Holy Knights grumbled,
"To put personal selfishness above the greater good..."
"As expected, filthy demon blood flows through him."
"Saint, you shouldn't pay any heed to someone like that."
-?
― A Holy Knight, talking back?
― Lol, this is a real repository for unpleasantness.
― You're a Holy Knight, right!? Right!? Right!?
― Feels like they're just "genitals" instead. [t/n: playing with Korean word shortening]
― Lol, these jokes are next level!
― Ah! They really do seem like "geni(tal) knights!"
― Genital" is short for "Holy Knight," no misunderstanding please ^^
― Such a golden abbreviation ^^
― Lol, troopers flirting with the line again
― Careful! The manager's got their knife out!
Baffled viewers' chat teetered on the edge. Lee Gyeongbok paused the game and spoke up.
"Seeing your reactions, the game's really well made, isn't it?"
Immediately, the chat's focus turned. Before more question marks could pop up, Lee Gyeongbok continued,
"That just shows the game's immersion is extremely high. I can really feel the production quality."
― Lol, wrapping it up like that? -That's a 'perfect-wrap' move!
― This is what a homework pro looks like.
― Dang lol, no wonder Purple Coin is skyrocketing.
― But he's not wrong though, haha.
-lol, if it were boring, nobody would even get mad.
― Honestly, troopers are invested because of Godple's play, right?
― Shush! Don't you get the situation?
― Whatever, it just shows the game's well made.
― Is this a moving service stream or what?
― For real, even Troopers are packing it in.
Lee Gyeongbok's remarks changed the mood from anger to amusement. He smiled as well.
'You guys are so cute.'
The basics of a stream is fun—that's been his standard from the start.
"Alright, let's focus again!"
He resumed the cutscene.
Beatrice looked at the Holy Knights with a flustered expression.
"Such rudeness...!"
But she couldn't finish her sentence. Over the shoulders of the gathered Holy Knights, she saw Durante had stopped.
"Filthy demon blood, huh..."
He sneered.
Even at the knights' insulting words, he looked neither angry nor hurt, just dumbfounded.
"If not for that demon blood, your Order would be nothing, wouldn't it?"
"Durante, I—"
"At least I hunt demons."
He didn't even allow Beatrice a chance to explain. Soon, even the sneer faded from Durante's face.
"Unlike you, I don't rely on demons."
Beatrice tightly closed her eyes. The only emotion visible on Durante's face was:
Contempt.
-?????
― The Order relies on demons?
― What the heck is going on here?
The viewers were bewildered by this unexpected revelation.
Thankfully, the explanation came quickly.
"How dare you...!"
"You insult the Order!"
The Holy Knights tried to step forward indignantly, but Beatrice blocked their way.
"From now on, without my command, not a single step or word from any of you."
"Saint...!"
"She's not wrong."
She turned her head with a bitter look. Durante had already moved further away.
"The weapons of our Holy Knights... are made from demon blood."
She then shifted her gaze back to the knights.
"Collect the bodies of the victims. Extract the demon blood after that."
"Yes, Ma'am!"
The knights immediately took action.
The camera then panned up for a bird's-eye view of the highway.
The distance between crimson-coated Durante and Beatrice, who stared after him, grew steadily.
Finally, the screen faded to black.
― Dang lol, what a production!
― You need demon's strength to hunt demons, huh.
― Yeah, that's probably why the police got stomped.
― Wow lol, the Holy Knights are even more ridiculous
― Our Saint is the only normal one, it seems.
The viewers quickly pieced the situation together.
Soon, the scene changed again.
"Oh, it's the place from the teaser trailer."
Lee Gyeongbok's remark drew everyone's attention back. It was the rundown office seen at the game show.
Durante had his legs on a desk, browsing a hologram catalog alone.
― It's a bike!
― Ah, the Gargoyle smashed it to pieces.
― Is that why the office is so shabby?
― Lol, the bike blew up while demon hunting.
― No way he'll take the bus monster-hunting, right?
― Yeah, style is life.
Durante browsed through various bikes, pausing at one before scowling and closing the catalog.
Suddenly, footsteps echoed from all around.
-????
― What's this? What's being hinted at here? -Come on, just let him buy a bike already!
― Isn't this the Holy Knights back to get revenge?
― Lol, don't do the parentheses thing!
Next, a light knock at the door. Instead of answering, durante simply glared at it.
The door opened.
"Durante, I—"
The person who entered was Beatrice. She stopped short, eyes widening.
Durante's swordplay had stopped mere inches from her neck.
"If you need blood, look elsewhere."
He spoke coldly, making both Lee Gyeongbok and the viewers grasp the situation at once.
"Oh, so that's why Divine Agency wants Durante..."
― Right, they want him as a supply of demon blood!
― Oh! Makes sense! He's immortal, so it's unlimited supply.
― Seriously? They want to stick a straw in him?
― Damn, I hate mosquitoes...
― Not Holy Knights—Mosquito Knights, more like!
― What the hell are Mosquito Knights, lol
― Looking at their earlier attitude, they'll probably try to squeeze him dry, talking about great causes.
― Yeah, they probably won't even hand out movie tickets.
― Movie tickets, lol!
Beatrice's throat moved up and down. But she quickly collected herself and spoke.
"That's not what I mean by cooperation."
"Then what?"
"... I admit, some within do see you that way. They only notice your 'demon' side. But I..."
She raised her gaze, meeting Durante's eyes.
"I value your 'human' side more."
― Ah lol, she's definitely the heroine now.
― Hold on tight! Saint coin's going up!
― Wow, using the half-demon angle like this.
― The whole Devil fandom is now joining the Saint's club.
― Saint, please notice me too...!
― Maybe try looking your mother in the eyes first, trooper?
― Oops!
― He's dead...! Died standing right there!
― You killed him...
The chat was bustling, but Durante didn't react.
He looked at her for a moment, then sheathed his sword.
"... I'll hear you out."
"The request is the same. We need your cooperation."
"Then my answer's the same. I don't take orders—"
Durante was about to refuse immediately.
But Beatrice spoke faster.
"You're trying to find a way back to hell, aren't you?"
At that question, the mood completely changed. Durante's eyes turned sharp.
"... How do you know that?"
"Durante, 'how' doesn't matter. What's important is whether I 'know' the method, isn't it?"
Durante's pupils dilated.
At his disbelieving look, beatrice nodded softly.
"I've found the way. Or rather, to be precise, a way has 'appeared.'"
Durante turned around.
Beatrice flinched, but soon a faint smile formed.
Durante had put on his coat, armed himself, and left the office.
"Let's talk on the way."
"Thank you."
With relief, she followed behind. The corridor was as shabby as the office, and the door at the end shut behind them.
On the door, a neon sign fizzed ominously, shining red.
[Demon Must Cry]
The camera zoomed in on the neon sign. With a thud, the lights went out.
And in the deep darkness, a buzzing sound.
[Mission 1, 'Immortal Demon Hunter' End]
The red neon shined again.
― Niiice! The immortal demon hunter!
― This prologue mood is amazing.
― Wow, totally up Devil fans' alley.
― Haha, I can't hold myself back for this one.
― But why cut it off when it's getting good!
― He got that from Bark's team, didn't he?
― No, this is more evil. Not even a trailer like Bark does.
― Hyung! You're going to play the next one right away, right? Please?
Viewers clamored instantly.
But most of them guessed the reason.
Considering the time and situation, it was time to end the stream.
"Today, we played 'Demerc' for the first time in the world. That alone is special, but the game quality itself is amazing."
Lee Gyeongbok made the same judgment.
'As long as I clear at least one mission per day, I'm good.'
He'd already fulfilled the contract conditions.
If anything, the stream ran long because he spent so much time defeating the Gargoyle.
The chat expressed disappointment, but everyone accepted the atmosphere.
― World's first!
― That's Godple class, lol
― Lol, homework's not over yet.
― Straight model student meta.
― But it really is quality, haha
-lol, finally a game worth pre-ordering.
― Remember, today's play was 'Perfect-Durante,' got it?
― Whatever lol, I'm buying it for Saint Beatrice.
― Saint Beatrice, for the win!
Lee Gyeongbok smiled at the chat's reactions and wrapped up.
"We'll wrap up here for today. But tomorrow! Demerc experience stream will continue at the same time."
― Per-bye ㅠㅠㅠ
― Queue-bye ㅠㅠ
― If it were released, I'd buy it and play right now, haha
― This is what monopoly looks like.
― Alreay miss it...(tears emoji)
Smiling, Lee Gyeongbok waved goodbye to the viewers.
"Then everyone, have a good night! Trooper-bye!"
* * *
After the stream ended, Lee Gyeongbok came out of the capsule.
'I wonder if the relay streams went well?'
He'd been watching the main stream chat directly, so there was nothing to worry about.
But the relays were handled by the developers, so he had no way of knowing the situation. So he immediately reached for his Smart Link.
"Hm?"
He hadn't even grabbed it yet when a series of vibrations buzzed through the room.
'Did something happen?'
Was his worry becoming reality?
Yet his divine energy remained calm.
Lee Gyeongbok checked for notifications right away.
'What's this?'
The notification was from Team Perfect's group chat. He checked it at once.
[〉Holy sh*t]
[〉Yo! Park Juho! Are you watching this right now?]
It was from just before the stream ended.
Choi Byeonghun was very excited.
[〉I told you not to call me that]
[〉You think I can check chat while monitoring?]
[〉Just saw it]
[〉I agree, very impressive]
Park Juho was calm, but seemed to understand Choi Byeonghun's excitement. Given how they usually bicker, it was an unusual exchange.
Lee Gyeongbok quickly checked the latest messages.
[〉Dang! This guy's done it again, haha]
[〉Gyeongbok, check the channel as soon as you see this]
[〉Nah, I'll send the link]
He wondered what was going on, but clicked the link Choi Byeonghun had attached.
A hologram sprang up, showing his Q-tube channel.
"... What?"
Lee Gyeongbok's eyes widened in shock.
[Perfect Play]
[Subscribers: 757,000]
Something was off.
'Wasn't it in the 700k range just before the stream?'
But after finishing the stream, it had suddenly increased by fifty thousand.
Nor had any new video been uploaded. Today's stream footage was surely still being edited by Choi Byeonghun.
But the surprises didn't stop there.
[〉Did you see? DID YOU SEE?!]
Choi Byeonghun's message popped up as a hologram. Before Lee Gyeongbok could reply, more notifications stacked above it.
[〉Wow! Now it's 770,000!]
[〉It's blowing up, haha]
[〉It goes up by 10,000 every refresh!]
[〉Help, I have to edit but I can't look away]
Refresh.
At that word, Lee Gyeongbok reloaded the channel page.
"Wow."
[Subscribers: 791,000]
His friend's words were true.
---
**Newly Introduced Names/Locations/Skills/Techniques List:**