Chapter 3: Avatar

As expected, I was able to complete all quests in less than a day.

It was probably because it was the first mission, but it was annoying yet easy, reminiscent of the level-up conditions for a herb cafe.

“Still, I got a feel for the atmosphere.”

How internet broadcasting flowed in this era.
Even though it felt a bit raw, honestly, it wasn’t much different from the future.

But there was still more to learn.
Anyway, this was what mattered.
I smiled faintly and looked at the mission completion reward.

[Reward]
·2D Illustration Skill Lv.1

Everyone would have commonly encountered the word “illustration.” Although 3D technology was gradually developing, 2D still formed its basis.

“At this point in time, it goes without saying.”

To me, who was preparing to be a VTuber, original art skills would be a great help. However, there was only talk of a reward being given, but no change was felt.

“What, no cards or chips? It’s not given that way?”

It seemed to be invisible to the eye.
Confirmation was simple.
I immediately launched Paint, the national standard program. Originally, I had no artistic sense whatsoever.

My school art evaluations were always in the lower ranks, and if I drew a dragon for fun, my friends would tease me, asking if it was a snack.

So, if there was no change, a bizarre result like alien script should have appeared.
My eyes widened after drawing a few lines.

“That’s plausible?”

It was different.
I had only drawn lines, but the sensation was different.
I could feel it.

If the old me wouldn’t have even had expectations, now, an anticipation of what the finished product would be like welled up.

Anyone could see it was the work of a trained person.
Come to think of it, hadn’t my art friend said you could tell skill just by looking at lines? I finally understood those words.

“Interesting.”

The eternal truth.
If you’re good at it, it’s fun.
Feeling good, I whistled and busily moved my hands.

Before, even if a good scene came to mind, it remained a fantasy. Now, it felt like I could draw it.

And after about ten minutes passed.
Seeing the completed drawing, admiration naturally flowed out.

“…Wow.”

This was drawn with Paint?
Though I drew it, it was astonishing.

The completed drawing was a VTuber I had watched in the past… in my previous life. A VTuber idol I had even saved as a wallpaper.

Although I couldn’t see them anymore, they remained in my memory.
The reproduced appearance was exactly like my memory.

“So, it’s the only drawing of its kind in the world.”

It felt good to see it again, even like this.
With this, the proof was complete.
This status window was real.
Excited, I fiddled with the drawing for a while longer.

Only after being thoroughly satisfied did I come to my senses and realize there was something else I needed to do.

What is the most important element of a VTuber? There might be many opinions, but most would say it’s the avatar.

“No matter how good the voice is, if the avatar isn’t good, the effect is halved. And without an avatar, it’s just a no-cam stream.”

The avatar was the VTuber’s appearance.
It was a part I could never compromise on.
Of course, in reality, compromise was commonplace.
A difference in quality meant a difference in money.

Many VTubers compromised with reality due to difficult circumstances.

However, in the future, the quality itself became standardized at a higher level, somewhat offsetting this.

I couldn’t compromise.
More precisely, I absolutely shouldn’t.

“If I start with a low-quality avatar when VTubers don’t even exist yet…”

I would be beaten and disappear.
Or not even get any attention.

I knew how many twists and turns the virtual industry of my original world had gone through. Many people openly disliked VTubers.

“In the early days of the VTuber boom, it was truly wild.”

Recalling that time, I shook my head repeatedly.
I couldn’t fall onto that battlefield naked.
The better the weapon, the better.
That was true for me, and considering the future as well.

How could I cause trouble for them, who would appear in the future? Therefore, I put my heart and soul into creating my character.

“Is this enough, I wonder?”

The character, which I had invested the most time in, boasted unparalleled quality. Especially because this time, I used a proper program instead of Paint.

The ability I gained as a reward wasn’t all-powerful.
I couldn’t draw as well as a top-tier illustrator, and above all, I would struggle without an original reference, but this time it was no problem.

Because if I didn’t know, I just had to look in the mirror.
That’s right.
The motif of my character was myself.

“A VTuber whose ‘red pill’ is identical to their avatar.”

I wonder if I’m the first.
But I couldn’t help it.
It would be impossible not to copy such an excellent replica.
Red eyes blinked beyond the mirror.

Ruby-like eyes and silver hair flowing like the Milky Way.

There was no objection.
It was a perfect VTuber.

“It’s good? Better than I thought.”

I smiled contentedly, looking at the completed illustration. A result even better than I initially expected.

This was clearly superior to early VTubers, but I couldn’t use it as it was.
Usually, the ideal for VTubers is said to be an original 3D avatar.

“But due to circumstances, there weren’t many such VTubers.”

The price of a high-quality 3D avatar was enough to make one’s hands and feet tremble. When even companies found it burdensome, it was impossible for an individual streamer.

So generally, VTubers starting out begin with a template-based 3D model, and those serious about it start with Live 2D.

Someone hearing this might ask why 2D is harder than 3D, but that’s because 3D also has levels of quality.

“Because for original 3D, there’s a lot to create, including modeling and parts.”

By the same logic, Live 2D, which implements movement, also requires additional work, even if it’s not as much as a 3D avatar.

On the other hand, a non-original, template-based 3D model doesn’t cost much because it involves assembling already-made parts to complete a hybrid.

So, my first start would also be with Live 2D.

“To do that, I need a worker.”

All I could do was the original artwork.
To breathe life into it, professional skill was needed.
I had already thought about it.
I accessed a site where technicians were mainly active in my previous life.

“It’ll cost quite a bit, though.”

Fortunately, I had that much money.
Of course, if I spent it all, I wouldn’t have living expenses. But couldn’t I just earn it through broadcasting?
Having the same thought as countless seniors who had previously quit broadcasting, I set out to find a worker.

“Before, I could have just searched with the VTuber keyword.”

Now, it was impossible.
Reluctantly going through a tedious search, I found someone who seemed suitable.
Though their experience wasn’t long, they met the conditions I wanted. I immediately sent a message and received a reply shortly after.

–Hello. I’m contacting you about your message.

–Yes. Is it possible?

–It’s possible, but… I don’t quite understand. So, you want rigging, right? What exactly are you trying to create?

–A VTuber.

–…Huh? What’s that?

–Hmm. So, what I need is…

I explained in as much detail as possible to him, who didn’t understand. Honestly, I didn’t know much about this area either, but he seemed to have understood somehow.

–I don’t know much about it, but… the parts you requested aren’t very difficult. I also don’t have any pending work, so it seems it will be completed quickly.

–Ah, then I’ll send you the illustration right away.

–Okay… Oh. This is incredibly pretty. Did you draw it yourself?

–Yes.

–So, although the field is different, you’re in the same industry.

It seemed he had misunderstood something, but the outsourcing request was successfully completed.

–But as you know, the price for this is quite high. Especially since the part you requested is quite specialized.

–How much?

–Approximately…

In exchange, my wallet went beyond dieting and became utterly emaciated.
It was a necessary sacrifice.

“Then, until then, perhaps I’ll prepare for the broadcast.”

About two weeks later, I received a message from the worker that it was complete.
At that time, I had already equipped all the necessary broadcasting equipment, so I immediately applied the avatar.

“Oh.”

I appeared on the screen.
Expressions were reflected, and though not perfectly, I could move my hands around.
It was just like the VTubers I used to enjoy watching.
To think I would be doing that.
It was fascinating.
I tried a few things, and there were no problems. Nodding, I immediately went to CastOn.

“Strike while the iron is hot.”

Ah, I also didn’t forget to check the webcam and microphone. I had chosen them as cost-effective products, and their performance was quite good.
I ran the essential program, and a signal appeared indicating that the broadcast was being transmitted properly.

“Ah, the broadcast title.”

I had already turned it on, but only thought of it belatedly.
The broadcast title was like a product’s slogan.
For someone in a position to attract attention, it was essential.
Since my thumbnail itself was a barrier to entry, I needed to do something special, unlike other streamers.
After pondering for a moment, I snapped my fingers.

“This is it.”

The broadcast title decided upon was as follows.

▶Lucy
[Doesn’t the word ‘VTuber’ sound somehow splendid?]

It was a phrase that had caused a sensation in my previous life.
There couldn’t be a more perfect title for a first broadcast than this. All preparations were complete, but I didn’t have very high expectations.
You can’t get full on the first spoonful.

“They say that even having 10 viewers at first is a lot.”

Although I’d watched a lot of internet broadcasts, this was my first time broadcasting, wasn’t it? I planned to be satisfied even with just a few viewers on the first day.
If viewers really didn’t gather, I’d just self-promote.
I thought so.
For a short while.

–…??
–???
–Huh?

I hadn’t realized how unfamiliar VTubers were in this era.

–What is this?
–Is it anime?
–Is there some event happening here??
–I think I opened the wrong stream.
–No way, is that the streamer??

The number of viewers began to increase rapidly.