novelraw Chapter 153 : Money Reigns Supreme, Caution (3)
Chapter 153 : Money Reigns Supreme, Caution (3)
Money Reigns Supreme, Caution (3)
With the explanation finished, it was time for the main strategy. Lee Gyeongbok tensed up his senses that had loosened.
'Simple enough.'
The time it took for divine energy to manifest according to his will did not take very long.
There wasn't just one path between the countless clones leading to the main body, so there was no need to select one specific route.
All Lee Gyeongbok had to do was choose any among those paths to reach the desired result.
So, he did just that.
― What is this speed?
― Professor mode ON!
― Ah lol, lectures and personal research are totally different
― Switching from normie-level explanations to showing real skills, lol
― There's just a lot of those Midas goons, huh?
Lee Gyeongbok shot through the clones in an instant. Of course, they didn't just stand by.
They reached out to grab him the moment he got close, but what greeted them was a sharp metallic sound.
― He did it! Perfect-style deflect!
― Insane;; deflecting while running?
― There's no point wasting time on clones anyway!
― Honestly, can Midas even compare to Aiden? lol
― Good Purple viewers know not to mention other games~
Many clones blocked his way, but they couldn't reduce his pace or even make him take an extra step.
Instead, Lee Gyeongbok only gained more momentum, blasting through the encirclement like a bullet.
"Fools! Everything in this place belongs to me!"
As the distance closed, all the Midases shouted together. Their clone bodies began collapsing and merging into each other.
― What's this?
― Is he trying to make a wall?
― Just like a devil, fighting dirty, huh?
The ceiling and floor joined together as the space between filled up with clones.
Even if the number of clones decreased, midas intended to protect the main body while fighting.
But Lee Gyeongbok was not so easily fooled. Instead, a broad smile spread on his lips.
"The path just opened up for me."
With those words, Lee Gyeongbok whipped out his whip. It snaked precisely through the moving clones, wrapping tightly around the main body's waist.
― Whoa?
― He's rope-walking here?
― How did he not hit even one?
― Seriously insane control
Gripping the whip, Lee Gyeongbok hurled himself forward. Sliding right through the closing golden wall, he immediately seized the main body.
"Huh?"
And suddenly, control vanished.
He'd thought he was about to defeat the boss, but the cutscene started instead.
"So it wasn't about just taking him down?"
― What, lol, was it just about grabbing him?
― Execution scene ON!
― Such an anticlimactic boss battle ending
― Could any of you really end it this boringly?
― Really lol, immersion is nice, but you gotta distinguish segments
― Repeat after me! 'Trooper is'! 'Not Perante'!
The viewers reacted similarly. For a boss battle, the clear condition felt way too simple this time.
['CAP Company_kor' has donated '10,000' won.]
[Originally, the Midas boss fight had a Phase 2! I'm sure it did... but Purple just skipped it mid-fight;;;]
A clarification came from the developers.
Both Lee Gyeongbok and the viewers' eyes went wide.
― What's that supposed to mean?
― He skipped Phase 2?
― LOL, so you weren't supposed to get through that golden wall?
― Ah haha, another legend moment?
The viewers soon understood and burst out laughing. Lee Gyeongbok let out a wry chuckle.
"I just saw that I could get through, so I did. Guess that's what happened."
-???: There was a Phase 2? Not anymore.
― The advertiser is panicking, lol
― Explain the Midas pass!
― Calling it a pass, lol
― But won't you have to do it over again?
― Come on;; Why go back and kill the flow?
― Still, it is a homework stream
Among the excited chat, some expressed concern.
"There's no real need to do it over. Since a cutscene is playing, even if you continued Phase 2, the clear condition would still be to grab the main body, right?"
Lee Gyeongbok didn't miss their point.
"I'm actually surprised. I skipped a whole phase, but it transitioned smoothly to the cutscene. And there were no bugs, right? That seriously means this is a well-made game."
His remark triggered a burst of laughter in the chat.
― Is Purple wrapping things up again, lol
― Wrapping is just a habit now!
― The smurf that's even perfect on cost-performance, coming soon!?
― But honestly, that's not wrong
― Over-packaging? Not 'perfect' at all
― Perfect-packaging with no nitrogen?
― You watching, snack companies?
― K-snack companies, learn from Godple!
Lee Gyeongbok's remark instantly softened the mood. The developers seized the chance.
['CAP Company_kor' has donated '10,000' won.]
[That's absolutely correct! Here at CAP Company, we always strive to ensure player freedom!]
― Ah haha, this company knows how to play it
― For real, Purple Coin secured again
― It's definitely a test build, but I've never seen it freeze
Lee Gyeongbok clapped his hands to draw attention.
"All right, then. I'll leave Phase 2 of Midas to all of you and go back to the cutscene!"
― LOL, leaving it to the King and Godple
― But he's not wrong
― Continuing perfectly without breaking flow~
― Haha, if you're curious, go buy the game!
― Hey! Gotta buy it to play it!
The screen, paused for the developer donation, resumed.
Durante stripped the gold off the main body with the gauntlet and aimed his muzzle at its head.
"Come, come, please kill me! Judge that devil!"
Even in that grim situation, midas instead urged Durante onward.
"W-wait! Wait!"
Then, golden Midas, the devil of greed, raised both hands in a panic. He was obviously trying to show he had no intention of fighting.
"Negotiation, let's negotiate! I'll give you anything you want!"
"Don't fall for the demon's tricks!"
The two Midases raised their voices against each other. But Durante didn't answer either side.
"Both of you, shut up."
With that one line, both Midases flinched.
― Mm! Manly aura!
― Lol, demon or not, just shut them up
― Midas can't do anything about it, lol
Durante clicked his tongue.
Staring down at the main body, he spoke.
"I'm a devil hunter. My rule is never to kill humans."
It was a dilemma.
To eliminate the devil of greed, he'd have to kill the main body. A sly grin appeared on Midas's face for a moment.
"In that case, it's even easier...!"
The main body suddenly raised its voice.
"I, I am not human. Because of my mistakes, I corrupted everyone and brought death upon them. How could someone like me be called human?"
"Nonsense...! What a mad thing to say!"
The devil of greed was appalled, quickly denying it.
"That mass is right."
Surprisingly, durante agreed with him. As question marks filled the chat, he continued.
"Because demons don't cry."
The main body, calling himself a devil, was shedding repentant tears. With that alone, durante made his decision.
"I'm taking you out of hell. Then, what was born from you won't be able to survive."
The viewers were moved.
― Nice! Demon Never Cry!
― Oh... so that's the solution?
― Wow, so that's why the cutscene zoomed in on the tears
― Developers really thought this out
― I honestly thought he'd just kill Midas
― So that's why it's a cutscene, lol
Everyone thought the situation was resolved, but things played out differently.
"... That is not possible."
Midas refused with a mournful voice. Countless question marks rose in chat.
"Trapped in this gold, I have constantly seen the outcomes my mistakes and greed brought. Through all that time, I truly repented and sought forgiveness."
Tears streamed down his cheeks.
"But everyone who could forgive me has already become puppet demons. A sinner cannot forgive himself, and the sin I bear won't disappear even if I leave this place."
"Foolish...! They only gave themselves to greed! It's not your fault!"
Even the devil of greed cut in frantically, ironically trying to defend him.
But Midas's resolve was unwavering.
"There's only one way to save my soul and everyone else's."
By now, the gold covering his torso was gone. Midas reached up and grabbed Durante's pistol.
The devil of greed dove desperately, trying to take over the body.
"Oblivion is the only way."
With a single gunshot, midas's body collapsed. The devil of greed instantly shattered and crumbled onto the floor.
The bright gold slowly began turning black like stone.
"Wow."
Lee Gyeongbok let out a quiet sigh of admiration. The viewers shared similar reactions.
― Whoa, that plot twist is wild
― For an action game, the story hits hard
― The devs really gave it their all
― But it all makes sense
― Yeah, this is real repentance
― I like this better than just a redemption arc lol
Even with the surprise twist, there was no rejection. But the cutscene still wasn't over.
Durante watched the powder that had once been Midas's body.
After a moment, he clicked his tongue and reholstered his gun.
"... Demonheart."
He then spotted the Demonheart lying in the dust. Unlike the first one, it now gave off a golden glow.
"It resonates too."
When Durante grabbed it with the Celestial Cube, the gauntlet began to change form. Its shape barely altered.
― Feels like I've seen that design before
― Most likely inspired by Midas's hand, lol
― Looks like a repulsor from Ironman?
― LOL, totally similar
It was a smooth glove with a mirror-like small circle on the palm. Viewers immediately thought of a popular hero's gear.
Durante turned the changed equipment over, examining it, and extended his arm.
A condensed golden beam shot straight from his palm. The rock at the end turned to gold.
But when the beam faded, the rock reverted to its original form.
"I'll need to take more jobs if I want a new bike."
Durante clicked his tongue and stood. The screen slowly faded to black.
― Powers that turn things to gold temporarily?
― Why just temporarily!
― Hey! Give me my gold back!
― So what are we supposed to use this for, lol
― Sounds like it's for puzzles? Light-reflecting puzzles, maybe
― Yep, definitely possible
― Or maybe it's for getting past some areas in hell?
― Oh lol, I thought the same. –Yeah, like crossing lava or rivers by turning them to gold
― Could work for combat too
― Maybe you can immobilize monsters immune to stuns with the beam
― But then you lose use of one hand?
― That's the penalty, lol
The chat was filled with speculation on how to use the new equipment.
But soon, as the screen brightened, the viewers refocused on the cutscene.
"We're back in."
Lee Gyeongbok commented, assessing the situation.
After opening the hell gate and returning to Limbo, durante was greeted by Andro with a slight bow.
"You returned safely."
And then his gaze fell on the changed gauntlet Durante wore.
"That is the Hand of Midas, correct? I knew you would succeed, sir Durante."
Despite the congratulation, durante's expression didn't change. If anything, he looked even more rigid as he approached Andro.
"You knew?"
"Knew what...?"
"Don't pretend you didn't."
Durante's eyes sharpened. Staring directly at Andro, he continued.
"You knew the lord of greed wasn't a demon but a human, and you still sent me on this job?"
Despite the cold tone, andro wasn't fazed at all. It was as if he'd anticipated the question.
"I know. Not just me—every devil in hell knows."
He answered calmly.
But Durante couldn't get angry.
"Because it's only humans who can be domain lord of hell."
"... What did you say?"
Durante and the viewers alike were surprised.
― Whoa?
― What's that supposed to mean!
― Damned, so there was meaning in Andro's lines yesterday
― Foreshadowing? There was that?
― Oh! Right, lol
― So what's the explanation then?!
― Devil fandom, hurry and explain!
Before chat could get chaotic, andro continued.
"As I mentioned, it's not a lie that one can't become lord. The vessels of humans and devils are fundamentally different."
Lee Gyeongbok and viewers were reminded of the previous stream when this was brought up—when Durante pressed Andro for his motives.
"They are not ordinary humans. After all, what kind of mere human would end up in hell?"
Durante's face stiffened.
The viewers guessed why without much trouble.
― Didn't Durante say something similar?
― Yeah, just like when he paralyzed the Saint nun
― What a neat connection
― But it's true, though lol
― Yeah, entering hell requires strict screening
― What's with the immigration check, lol
― But Troopers get in for free, right?
― Hey, let's get a lord of Sloth while we're at it
― Stop relating it to real life!
― The detail of someone wanting Sloth because they're lazy, haha
In the meantime, durante turned his back to Andro.
"Whether they still count as 'human' depends on your judgment, sir Durante."
He didn't reply to the words from behind.
Durante paused in front of the hell gate to the next area, wrath.
"... That means the one behind you is a human too?"
A question about who stood behind Andro.
Viewers immediately perked up, curious.
"Tsk, gone already."
When Durante turned his head, andro had already disappeared.
But he didn't mind.
"That's answer enough."
As if that alone was an answer, durante pushed open the hell gate. The screen followed his figure, as if swallowed whole by the darkness, until it was pitch black.
Then, a neon sign suddenly flickered on above, buzzing and flashing.
[Mission 4. 'Demon Never Cry' End]
The line signaling the end stirred up the chat.
― Dropping lore while serving even more
― So is Andro incapable of lying?
― Yeah, looks more likely since he just left
― Whoa, so is the true villain actually a human?
― Saint mastermind theory confirmed?!
― No way! Our nun would never!
― New negative for the Saint's club incoming?
― This is just a stock shaking, right?
― Stock shaking, lol
― The devil that contracted with Midas still seems suspicious
― Oh lol, did it deliberately trick him into becoming greedy domain lord?
While watching the wild chat, Lee Gyeongbok drifted into another thought.
'I've got more time left than I expected.'
The domain of Greed was shorter than anticipated. For normal players, it would take a while, but not for Lee Gyeongbok.
After all, he not only blazed through but even skipped a boss phase.
'Should I keep going a bit more?'
The viewers would have cheered if they knew this thought. Too bad they couldn't read minds.
So they just took Lee Gyeongbok's silence as par for the course.
― This silence... Is it story time?
― How inhuman is his stream ending timing?
― It's because he's not human, lol
― Even his ending vibes are beyond mortal comprehension lol
― Come on! Shouldn't he play a bit more today?
― Yeah, today was way too short!
― Still short on Purple withdrawal! Gotta go on!
― Play just a little more!
But even the loyal fans noticed today's stream was ending earlier than usual.
So Lee Gyeongbok made his decision.
'Yeah, let's keep going. But...'
A smile crept across his face.
He'd thought of something better than just continuing.
"I feel the same way you all do. It's a bit unsatisfying, right?"
He started casually to draw everyone's attention.
"To be honest, clearing one mission a day is better for marketing. But if I go further now, the advertiser basically loses out."
― Ah...
― He's right, though ㅠ
― I'd love to stretch out the promo, haha
― It can't be helped!
― No amount of whining will fix that
Chat instantly dropped in mood, just as Lee Gyeongbok wanted.
"But today, just today, couldn't we make an exception? CAP Company understands the heart of gamers, doesn't it? You all agree, right?"
Instead of just continuing, he'd chosen to hype up the developers in the process.
His next remarks completely flipped the chat mood.
― Ah haha, a world-class game studio like CAP Company is something else
― That's why we call them KingGodCompany
― Lol, look at Trooper's sudden shift in attitude
― Do you know CAP Company? They're world-class, top-tier developers^^
― Just look at the Demerc test build, everything's flawless!
-??? : Weren't people calling them trash a minute ago?
― Keep quiet!(bonk)
― What's next... a purge! Time for a purge!
― Why are the chats all red, is this normal?
― All hail! You too!
― LOL, even the broadcast channels are in a frenzy
Grinning at the praise flooding the chat, Lee Gyeongbok was pleased.
'They're all adorable.'
He could have just kept going, but there was value in giving the developers some credit.
Naturally, the developers joined in on the momentum.
['CAP Company_kor' has donated '50,000' won.]
[Here at CAP Company, we always strive to fulfill gamers' wishes! We should really be the ones thanking Purple! The experience stream will continue!]
"See? The advertiser is wonderfully generous. Thank you for your decision!"
With the new donation and Lee Gyeongbok's comment, the chat exploded with excitement.
― WA! Part 2 stream!
― Breaking news) Double Purple withdrawal event underway! As hot as KongKong Day
― I can't resist a double event
― Double chance for late-night snacks!
― That's just overeating though?
― Hot! Who needs snacks anymore?!
― What we really need is Godple!
― Hehe! Trash devs out! We're playing with Godple now!
― Classic corrupted Troopers, lol
― You believed that? Trooper kick!
In that festive atmosphere, Lee Gyeongbok resumed the game.
'Even ads should be fun.'
Everything proceeded just as he planned.