Genius’s Godlike Game Broadcast

Chapter 174 : Destiny (2)

Destiny (2)

Yang Gyuri cocked her head from side to side at the sudden phone call.

'Baek teacher? Who was Baek teacher again?'

It was an unfamiliar number, but the name was saved in her contacts. That meant at least it was not someone she could ignore.

So, she decided to answer for now. She asked who was calling and waited for an answer.

〈Ah, I'm sorry to call so suddenly. I don't know if you remember me, but a long time ago I made a scouting offer to Gyeongbok...〉

As soon as the word 'scout' came from the other side, her eyes opened wide.

"Oh! Baek teacher!"

With that, the memories rushed in.

Yang Gyuri's first meeting with Baek Kangmin had not been at a pleasant event. They had met at the funeral of her mother-in-law, Lee Gyeongbok's grandmother.

'Why did you have to leave so soon! I haven't even repaid all your kindness...!'

Though she'd been a mother-in-law, to Yang Gyuri, she was like real family. No, rather, she was better than true blood relatives.

After all, she had saved Gyuri when she'd been trapped by Heoju and lived like a beast—she was like a parent who'd given her life.

However, wearing the black funeral garb, gyuri swallowed her sorrow. There was no way she could show such grief outwardly.

'Oh dear, how could you leave that little one all alone...!'

Because there were no children, Lee Gyeongbok, the grandson, was the chief mourner. With his parents gone and now his grandmother too, there was no blood relative left for Lee Gyeongbok.

If it had been herself, she would have lost her mind. Yet, Gyeongbok, as chief mourner, was expressing thanks to each condolence guest.

How could she show tears when the one who should be saddest wasn't even crying?

"Auntie?"

"Ah. Come, come over here."

More than that, there was little time to mourn.

Since her grandmother had been a renowned shaman, there were many condolence guests. People who had avoided calamities and received favor from her grandmother came from all over.

In truth, there weren't as many guests connected to Lee Gyeongbok himself. Because he had chosen his friends carefully, he'd had few.

'Why did it have to happen while he was in the military...'

Lee Gyeongbok was serving in the military at the time. For the loss of his last remaining family, he'd been given exactly three days of leave.

'It's a relief at least he has friends...'

Yang Gyuri's gaze turned to the young friends in the funeral hall.

"It was Byeonghun, right? Thank you so much."

"No, of course I had to help."

Choi Byeonghun replied awkwardly, scratching the back of his head. His hair was as short as Lee Gyeongbok's.

That was because they had both enlisted together.

Although Lee Gyeongbok said he was fine, when Choi Byeonghun heard the tragic news he wasted no time using his precious leave.

"Juho? You're Juho, right? Want me to bring you something to drink?"

"Ah, I'm fine."

Park Juho shook his head politely. Yang Gyuri heard the others talking behind her as she walked away.

"Hey, I thought you had finals? You're really not going?"

"Are exams really more important right now?"

"Gyeongbok told you to go, didn't he?"

"Then what about you, did someone tell you to use your leave?"

"No, you just use leave when you can. What about your scholarship?"

"... I'll take care of it, so mind your own business."

Park Juho was still a university student at the time. Although it clashed with his exam period, he stayed at the funeral without the slightest hesitation.

Both friends had visited before during their school days, so she knew them by face, but there was someone else among Lee Gyeongbok's acquaintances she didn't recognize.

"Teacher, really... Thank you."

"It's nothing. Don't mind the rest."

That was Baek Kangmin himself.

'Is he a high school teacher or something?'

At first, she thought he was a teacher from high school. But oddly enough, he only spoke to Lee Gyeongbok and didn't say a word to the other two friends.

So she quietly asked them about him.

"Oh, no. He's not a school teacher, he's an E-sports coach."

"E-sports?"

"Yeah. He once came to the school to scout Gyeongbok... and he came here, too."

At that answer, Yang Gyuri frowned.

'Don't tell me he's trying to take advantage when Gyeongbok is having a hard time?'

When people are weak, in body or mind, it's easy to falter. Let alone, Lee Gyeongbok was serving in the military and had just buried his grandmother—he was having a double hardship.

Because of that, she kept a close watch on Baek Kangmin, ready to protect Gyeongbok at the slightest hint of ill intent.

'Why is he sticking around...?'

However, as the three days of funeral rites passed, she couldn't help but change her mind.

Baek Kangmin, though he sometimes stepped out for work, came every day to help.

He even helped carry the coffin at the funeral alongside Choi Byeonghun and Park Juho.

As they wrapped up the funeral, Baek Kangmin was the first to approach her.

"Hello. Sorry for the late greeting with everything going on. You're Gyeongbok's guardian, correct?"

He handed out his business card as he spoke.

"If you ever need anything, please feel free to contact me."

"... Why are you doing all this?"

"Sorry?"

Yang Gyuri asked bluntly.

"I heard you wanted to take Gyeongbok with you? Is that why you're doing this?"

As his guardian, she couldn't entirely brush away suspicions. Rather, she thought it better to be straightforward and let him know she was being wary.

"I've seen all sorts of things working in this field."

Despite her sharp attitude, Baek Kangmin was unfazed.

"There are some truly talented kids who could bring glory to our country. But so often, they get crushed by things outside their control."

He glanced away.

She saw Gyeongbok staring blankly at the sky.

"If I may say, among all the kids I've seen, Gyeongbok is by far the best. He might even write a legend in this industry that's never been seen before."

His two friends approached him.

As if that was their cue, Lee Gyeongbok sat down at last.

"I was worried about his health, so I didn't push. Still, one day, that talent will bloom again. I just hope Gyeongbok doesn't give up."

Lee Gyeongbok bowed his head. His shoulders began to tremble.

His friends sat next to him, doing nothing but making clear he was not alone.

They simply stayed by his side.

"... And isn't this what adults should do?"

"Adults?"

"He's old enough to serve in the military, but saying farewell to family is far too soon. If you're unaware, that's one thing, but if you know, then helping is only right."

Baek Kangmin looked back at Yang Gyuri. By then, the wariness in her face had faded.

He smiled faintly.

"And actually, this isn't the first time."

"Excuse me?"

"I also helped when Gyeongbok's parents passed away. If you've helped once, it's hardly difficult to help again."

At those words, Yang Gyuri's eyes grew wide. When Gyeongbok's parents had been alive, she hadn't yet been taken in by his grandmother.

"Then, I'm really counting on you to take care of Gyeongbok."

As Baek Kangmin was about to leave, she suddenly grabbed him in a hurry.

Bowing deeply at the waist, she said,

"I apologize. And, thank you very much."

Expressing both apology and gratitude, she gave him her own number.

"If fate's on our side, we'll meet again someday."

That was her last memory of him.

'My late mother-in-law used to say, connection (因緣) can be written as people (人) and affinity (緣), and it's just like she said.'

Yang Gyuri suddenly murmured with admiration.

She listened to Baek Kangmin's explanation and replied.

"Then I'll give this number to Gyeongbok."

But the connection was not hers after all. She was just a go-between.

Whether to continue the connection or leave it at that—it was up to Lee Gyeongbok.

* * *

Meanwhile, Lee Gyeongbok and his friends were in a meeting.

"So the content for now will proceed with a PerG-Day collaboration broadcast."

To Park Juho's explanation, Lee Gyeongbok nodded.

"I think it'll end when Ecl gets his tier up to Platinum. Dragging it out too long might get boring, after all."

"As if getting to Platinum is that easy..."

Choi Byeonghun muttered beside them, shaking his head. Park Juho flicked his finger to get everyone's attention.

"In that case, let's finish up with this today."

He immediately brought up the materials he had prepared: a chart of price estimates from professional translation companies and freelance translators.

"As you can see, translation rates for stream scripts are around here."

To provide dubbed videos for Q-tube membership, they needed to hire a translator.

"When did you manage to do all this research? On our day off, did you not rest again?"

"It's the broadcast that's resting, not me."

In response to Lee Gyeongbok's question, Park Juho adjusted his glasses and answered.

"Wow, there really is a big difference in price between the companies and freelancers."

"Yes, and it varies between companies too. But mostly, it's around 20,000 to 30,000 won per minute."

"Freelancers calculate by word? Is 100 won per word considered cheap?"

"There's a per-minute price beside that too. Freelancers charge 10,000 won per minute? So about half."

Choi Byeonghun scanned the chart and clicked his tongue.

"Oh, and as Gyeongbok mentioned in the group chat, pricing isn't the only thing. Translation quality matters with this, too."

"Mm, in that sense, companies sometimes lack specialty."

"But that doesn't mean freelancers are always better, either. We're not planning the membership for the short term, right?"

Lee Gyeongbok agreed.

"Right. So if we change translators midway, the feeling might change as well."

"There's that, and this isn't something to brag about, but I've done freelance work too, you know? It's common to take on several jobs at once, not just one. Honestly, it's hard to give 100% attention in that case."

"Then, there might be issues with quality or deadlines. If we're considering responsibility and reliability, companies are better."

Neither option was perfect.

Lee Gyeongbok looked away.

"So how about the way Ecl suggested?"

"I was just about to ask you that."

Park Juho said, bringing up a new chart.

"I've put together a job posting—what do you think?"

"Ha, is it because you've had a formal education? You whip up these forms right away."

Choi Byeonghun looked satisfied with his work speed. Park Juho rolled his eyes.

"Who even says 'formal education' these days?"

"Well, electronic ink, regular ink—either way, it's still ink!"

Amused by their bickering, Lee Gyeongbok reviewed the posting. There was nothing problematic about it.

"Honestly, if they're skilled enough, recruiting from subscribers seems best. Let's leave companies and freelancers as backup plans."

Still, careful vetting was necessary.

"But since it's an outsider joining us, we need to screen them thoroughly."

The new translator would become a full-time employee. But being a stranger, they needed to select strictly.

"Come on, we have the human detector—what's there to worry about?"

"Well, there is that. Oh, and I'm also preparing the membership badge design. Should I ask the artist who did our old emoticons again?"

"Yeah, let's do that. There's no reason to change if they do good work."

Lee Gyeongbok nodded cheerfully and smiled.

"Wow... Hiring someone other than us—is this what being a real CEO feels like?"

"It does feel like a turning point."

"I can see it—the company getting bigger!"

At Choi Byeonghun's playful comment, the friends all shared a laugh.

Just then, Lee Gyeongbok's Smart Link vibrated.

"Oh, it's Auntie. One moment."

"We've covered all the important topics anyway."

"Take your call."

Lee Gyeongbok stepped out to answer.

"Yes? Teacher?"

After hearing the story from Yang Gyuri, he immediately called the number she'd given.

〈Hello?〉

It was a voice he hadn't heard in a long time.

A little deeper than before, but still familiar.

"Teacher. It's me, Gyeongbok."

〈Ah!〉

admiration echoed through the phone, along with evident joy, and a smile crept onto Gyeongbok's face.

"How have you been?"

〈Yes, yes. Have you been well?〉

"Yes, yes. Ah, sorry—I changed my number and never got in touch..."

〈No, I haven't called you either. Thanks for reaching out again.〉

"Sure. But I heard you had some business with me...?"

〈Ah, well...〉

Baek Kangmin hesitated for a moment, then continued.

〈We have a player who wants to meet someone. Do you know someone called Purple...〉

Hearing the name Purple from Baek Kangmin's mouth, Lee Gyeongbok wasn't surprised.

'I figured he'd find out eventually, but it's sooner than I expected.'

He had guessed Baek Kangmin would figure it out after talking with Elephant.

In fact, he'd half wished that he would find out.

'Even if I'm not a professional gamer, it all worked out in the end.'

Even though he'd turned down the scouting offer, Baek Kangmin had supported him. Rather than a regular teacher, Baek Kangmin was more like a mentor.

That made him want to show how well he was doing.

"Yes, that's me."

He answered honestly.

〈Wow! No way! Wow, wow!〉

Suddenly, the sound became chaotic on the other end. It was definitely Elephant.

〈Oh, sorry. That friend is beside me right now.〉

Baek Kangmin hurriedly added, sounding flustered. Lee Gyeongbok let out a slight smile.

"It's fine. But why was he looking for me...?"

〈This fellow just really wanted to meet you in person.〉

Baek Kangmin let out a wry chuckle as he continued.

〈And even if he hadn't asked, I'd still be glad to see you after so long.〉

"Ah, yes."

Lee Gyeongbok rolled his eyes for a moment.

His divine energy was perfectly calm, as if nothing was wrong.

"I'll come visit when you have time."

〈Oh, great! Thank you, really.〉

"No problem. See you soon."

He finished the call, then headed back to his friends and explained the situation.

"Oh? Really? Wow, that's amazing."

"We were so out of it back then, but he helped us a lot."

"So, you're going to see him?"

The friends remembered Baek Kangmin as well.

"Debts must be repaid."

That was simply proper conduct for people.