novelraw Chapter 75 : This Is All Because of Purple
Chapter 75 : This Is All Because of Purple
This Is All Because of Purple
Late at night, an article was posted on MetaGamer's main page.
[The Changing of the Guard: 'Elden's Greatest Sword'! (With NewtonLord's Secret)]
It was a special feature covering a face-off between the rising star streamer Purple and Eclipse, the veteran of From Studio games.
With even NewtonLord mentioned, the article's view count shot up with no ceiling in sight.
[-Huh? Wasn't Purple a GunG streamer?]
[na fr, lol, wasn't Purple only about FPS games?]
[na what do you mean only FPS, don't you know about Perfect Yami?]
[na haha, but still, elden is on a whole other level]
Those who hadn't been interested in this showdown expressed disbelief at the gap between the two streamers. But that was such shortsighted thinking.
[-WTF it's already up]
[-This needs to be watched as a full video to get the real deal]
[-A clash of world champions... my heart swells]
[-The title's about a generational change, who the hell are these guys dissing Godple?]
[-Isn't this why there are so many articles complaining about declining literacy?]
[-Haha, please, just watch the video before writing!]
[-Those who comment first and watch later are going to stealth-delete their posts, huh?]
Those who already knew the result mocked such comments. The reactions from those who checked out the video first started to pile in a bit later.
[-Wow, F**k, was Elden Soul always this kind of game?]
[na, yes that's right! (not really)]
[na, even newbies can play!]
[na, newbie (who's crossed 1,200 hours of playtime)]
[na, stop spreading fake news haha]
[-Elden Soul truly has some crazy style points, lol]
[na, godple's play is flashy, no doubt]
[na, there's something called 'staged cuisine' that's like this]
[na, so true, haha]
[na, when average joes play, they're just fumbling around, lol]
[-Eclipse's years of experience are unreal, wow]
[na, hey! Put 'Sir' at the end!]
[na, watching this, I gained real respect, lol]
[na, sir Eclipse is amazing]
[na, he's called 'Elden's Greatest Sword' for a reason, haha]
[-Thought the commentary was all jokes, why is it actually legit?]
[na, for real, they grow by fighting!]
[na, ah, this is what 'genius' truly means.]
[na, Eclipse is a certified genius, lol]
[na, godple did it again, that's what I'm saying.]
[-Wait, Purple doesn't even look tired, huh.]
[na, seriously, even if the body doesn't tire, fighting like that will totally wipe you out]
[na, that last breath at the end was so badass, lol]
[na, that's what makes him 'Perfect' (nods)]
Comments on Purple and Eclipse's duel were full of praise for both, but especially for the winner, Purple.
But the mood in the comments wasn't entirely wholesome.
[-NewtonLord was a woman?]
[-Noonaaaaaaa!]
[-Whoa, that body is insane]
[-I'm joining Sagwadan from today, lol]
[-Man, I wish I could get stream sniped too!]
[-Honestly, wouldn't getting stream sniped by her be totally worth it, even if you die?]
[-Why hide? If she did a cam broadcast, she'd be insanely popular, lol]
These were comments bringing up NewtonLord's gender. If it had just stopped at mentions, it could be overlooked, but some crossed the line into sexual harassment.
[-Ugh, these broth guys are losing it again]
[-Youguys, just get lost to the Serengeti you love so much!]
[-People who have nothing always muddy the waters, lol]
[-Broth is science, lol]
[-When you're watching a broadcast and get stream sniped, it's so annoying, how is that a win, lol]
[-Seriously, just go to a cam channel and mess around with 1,000 won donations]
[-Just in case, I've archived this^^]
Of course, such comments were instantly downvoted. Many were blinded, or deleted by their authors after community backlash.
[-NewtonLord is still really skilled though]
[na, plus Godple coached her, lol]
[na, one point lesson, 1 million won!]
[na, honestly, if I had the money, I'd want to get coached too, lol]
[na, guys, can't you just resist pulling gachas?]
[na, haha, but who could ever resist limited pickups?]
[-Whoa, prize money 200? The value's doubled, this is next level]
[na, but when you see how they fought, there's still some rough edges, lol]
[na, hasn't everyone here already bought PurpleCoin?]
[na, I bought PurpleCoin, so why is my stocks page all red?]
[na, oh, don't you know? This is what's called All Blue]
[na, they say all the treasure's in there, but turns out that's where my money's buried, lol]
Although the main focus was Purple's duel against Eclipse, Purple's match with NewtonLord also got a fair share of attention.
Amidst the growing flood of comments—
[-Crazy, elden's Greatest Sword has made the Elden Soul meta go wild]
[-The game fans have all lost it, lol]
[-Guys! If you've read the article, time to check the Elden Soul meta!]
Suddenly, comments mentioning the Elden Soul community increased.
Those who read the article couldn't quell their curiosity and logged into the community.
["Server, please take my order."]
[A swordsman entered the inn and said,
"I'm feeling weak, bring me something handy for recovery."
The blonde server bowed deeply in reply.
"Yes, sir! Here, a bottle of Aitaeru (愛太淚)!"]
[-Aether is called Aitaeru, F**k lol]
[-That Chinese character naming, I can't, lol]
[-What's with the blonde server, haha]
[-Since when do inns exist in Elden Soul!]
[Please tell me how to conquer Jiangshi Clay Dolls]
[I've just escaped from Haeja Cemetery (Cemetery of the Broken). I've made it to Misty Forest, but fighting Jiangshi Clay Dolls is too tricky.
Seniors, I'd appreciate your advice.]
[-Jiangshi Clay Dolls, aren't they the Wraith Golem?]
[-I was wondering what Haeja Cemetery was, F**k lol, turns out 'haeja' means broken one, haha]
[-Then Misty Forest is Huiwulin, lol]
[-Rebuke! How could a hero do business with a witch from the Evil Faction! Clearly, you are with the Evil Faction!]
[-Crazy lol, the comments are turning wuxia-style now]
It was hard to believe it was an Elden Soul community post. Many posts clashed in tone with the usual community style.
[Using sorcery and magic is just for the Evil Faction!]
[Elden's Greatest Sword is crowned, but the spot of Elden's Greatest Spear is still open. I shall stand there!]
[Do not be embarrassed of low-rank martial arts! Even rolling in filth, this life is better than the next!]
[〈Duel Tournament Announcement〉 Who is Elden's Greatest Archer? We hope for the participation of many martial friends!]
[Elden Soul isn't a wuxia game? Wrong! If there's only martial arts and chivalry, everywhere is wuxia!]
The board was filled with titles rarely used even in martial arts game communities, let alone ones like these. The impact of 'Elden's Greatest Sword,' as it had appeared in the article, was immense.
As the wind of martial arts swept through the community like a storm, new word arrived.
[Overseas Reaction to Elden's Greatest Sword]
[Aaah, I was gonna try writing in-character but I don't know enough about wuxia, so just used the fantasy title.
Saw some Reddit reactions to the duel, so I translated them.
The article that went up this time had subtitles, maybe that's why it was exported so fast?
Did it in a rush, but should be mostly right.
Don't bother correcting me, I won't respond.
("Holy shit, Eclipse is no longer the champion!")
("What the f*ck, who is this guy? Purple?")
("I can't believe this bullshit. Eclipse is a master swordsman!")
("Geez, you guys are pathetic. Just accept it and welcome the new champion.")
("It's true. He's the new champion and already proved it. Why are you all denying this?")
("Huh? Perfect Play is the winner's nickname? That's kinda cocky but he's right.")
("That's awesome!")
("So damn lit, lol")
("Oh! I know this person! They showed Bark's true ending!")
("Right! That was him!")
("Can you drop a link?")
("Found him on Q-tube. I could watch all day! lol")
("What does 'Elden's Greatest Sword' even mean?")
("It means the best swordsman in Elden Soul. Makes total sense, lol.")
("A real Korean, lol")
A lot of people wanted to deny reality, but after watching the video, they all shut up, lol.
If you want to see more reactions, search for Eclipse on Reddit, haha]
Since Eclipse was the champion of the studio-hosted tournament, he was well known not only in Japan but across the West as well. News of his defeat shocked overseas gamers.
Thanks to that, the name PerfectPlay also became known to gamers worldwide.
[-Rip to the translator, lol]
[-'ㅋㅋㅋ' beats 'lol' any day]
[-Look at these Western guys trying so hard to deny reality haha]
[-They must be the ones who lost to Eclipse in the tournament, lol]
[-They're all coping with Heaven Beyond Heaven, running from reality]
[-Godple's Bark achievement is coming up again]
[-As an Elden Soul and Baboong fan, I'm proud]
[-Not every Korean is good at games, but still, the stereotype's set in, haha]
[-Godple is another level, even among Koreans!]
[-At this point, he's the best in Korea, right? lol]
For the fans, seeing Purple's name circulating among international gamers was quite a satisfying thing.
* * *
Meanwhile, at the Sweeties girl group dorm.
"Hey guys, the beautician is here."
The manager went room to room, sharing the news. To help the members relax after a tiring mobile concert, they had called in aesthetic services.
"Ugh... We were right in the middle of eating chicken."
"I was having tteokbokki."
"Shouldn't both be eaten together? That's the rule."
The members laughed as they left their rooms. In virtual reality, you could eat without getting fat and only taste the 'flavor,' so this was often their way to relieve stress.
"Huh? But where's Nara unni?"
Sweeties was a four-member girl group, and the oldest was 'Yun Nara'. But she was also the most popular member.
"Is she still logged into the capsule?"
"I'll go get her."
One member went to Yun Nara's room. She knocked gently and carefully opened the door.
"Unni?"
Contrary to her expectation, Yun Nara was lying in bed.
"Huh? What's up?"
"The beautician is here."
"Oh."
Yun Nara rolled her eyes for a moment, then waved her hand.
"I'll just rest today. I'll tell her myself, so don't worry."
"Again? Well... it must be nice not to need maintenance."
She gave Yun Nara a once-over. Sweatshirt and dolphin shorts, yet her looks still sparkled even in such casual clothes.
She was an idol herself, but sometimes Nara felt like a real celebrity.
"Hey, I work hard at maintenance too, you know?"
"I know, I know. Get some rest!"
Watching her younger member leave and close the door, Yun Nara let out a sigh. She slowly sat up, assumed a lotus position, and closed her eyes.
With meditative breathing, her senses dulled and she sank inward. Not to seek inner peace, though.
'Let's have a proper rematch.'
She was no longer 'Yun Nara,' but 'NewtonLord.' With Purple's voice as her opponent, the battle began again.
She had replayed the battle over and over since the broadcast ended.
'There wasn't a single mistake.'
Attack, defense—she made the best possible choices every moment. Every time she replayed it, only one reason for her loss came to mind.
'My opponent was simply stronger.'
As NewtonLord, she hunted targets who flaunted their so-called 'talent.'
But as she'd learned, most were bluffing, and the worst even relied on deputies. Defeating such people was her way of stress relief after work in the entertainment scene.
'I can beat Purple too.'
She slowly opened her eyes.
She had lost, but that didn't mean she was defeated forever.
'The one who laughs last is the real winner.'
If her mentality broke from a single failure, she would never have survived the entertainment industry. Yun Nara reassured herself.
'Besides, this wasn't my home ground, right? When you're away, you always start with a penalty.'
The battle replay ended, but the memory of that match lingered in her mind.
Yun Nara operated her smart link. MetaGamer's main page opened before her.
"Am I actually more popular than I thought?"
She pouted at the article's view count and the flood of comments. She considered the infamy she'd built as NewtonLord as just another kind of fame.
She skimmed through the comments first and clicked her tongue.
"So f***ing disgusting..."
As a person, her eyes naturally went to the comments mentioning her. The heavily criticized ones made her beautiful expression wrinkle in distaste.
She hoped there were no Sweeties fans like that. Soon after, she immersed herself in the video of Eclipse vs Purple once more.
'Maybe I can't copy it, but I need to learn how to counter it.'
She studied every move by Purple in detail, and it hit her anew.
'That's art.'
It really was 'perfect,' true to the name.
But the more she felt that way, the more her fighting spirit burned. As she got absorbed in the videos and lost track of time—
"Unni?"
"Huh? Uh?"
Suddenly startled by a voice, she quickly shut down the hologram. The member who'd come earlier was quietly watching her.
"What are you watching so intently?"
"Oh, uh, it's just a dance practice video."
Thankfully, since she was in private mode, nothing was visible from the outside even if it was a hologram.
Looking at her for a moment, the member tilted her head.
"Dance practice? Hm... well, okay."
"Oh, so how come you're here?"
"We finished all our treatments. The beautician's about to leave, and they wanted you to confirm one last time."
Yun Nara's eyes widened.
Had that much time really passed already?
"Oh, I'll go tell her myself."
"All right."
The member gave a simple answer and closed the door. As soon as Yun Nara sighed in relief—
The door cracked open again, and in a small voice, the member asked,
"But, unni."
"Huh?"
"You know you're a terrible liar, right?"
"Uh...?"
"Who watches a dance practice video on mute?"
"Oh, that..."
She was lost for words.
She had quick reflexes, but improvising like this wasn't her strength.
"I know we're banned from dating but..."
"That's not it!"
"Okay, okay. Good night!"
With a sly smile, the member shut the door. Yun Nara, left alone with her now slightly flushed cheeks, pressed her palm to her forehead.
"Seriously, geez..."
Maybe it was because she hadn't managed her stress well today, but she suddenly craved sweetness. She opened her room's mini fridge.
She grabbed her precious stash of tomato slices. Adding sugar would have made it perfect, but as an idol, she just couldn't bring herself to do it.
If it were her usual self, she could easily have refrained.
"... Just for today!"
But today was the day she had to break the rule. She took a bite of a tomato slice sprinkled with white sugar.
"Mmm...!"
The sweetness was unlike any virtual flavor. Having gone so long without it, the stimulation was doubled.
After clearing the whole plate—
"Ah..."
She gazed blankly at the empty plate, then stood up and got on her stationary bike.
There's no pleasure without consequences.
"Let's do this... I'm an idol after all..."
She clenched her teeth and began pedaling hard. To burn off the calories she'd just consumed, she would have to go all out.
"This is all Purple's fault!"
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