Chapter 9: Dreams, Delusions, and Detonators

Streamer: A term originally used for people broadcasting on Twotch.

Over time, it expanded to include broadcasters on other platforms, but Twotch was the one that popularized and broadened the term.

A job where you interact with people online, play games, and make money.

Most think, “You can earn cash just by gaming?” That’s why Twotch is overflowing with broadcasters today.

But being a streamer isn’t as easy as it looks.

You have to constantly engage with viewers, create entertaining content, and, unlike regular folks, act like a public figure, always minding your words and actions.

Still, plenty of people dream of becoming streamers.

Today, Mark lies sprawled on his bed, lost in sweet thoughts.

He’s a streamer, too, with an average of around 10,000 viewers—not a small-timer, but not a big shot either.

Mark has ambitions: to break free from the 10,000-viewer bracket and become a major player.

And now, a golden opportunity has landed in his lap—a chance to boost his reputation and go viral.

“What’ll I do when I’m a big shot?”

He’s already fantasizing about fame.

It’s not entirely a delusion—his NewTube subscribers are steadily climbing.

As he indulges in these happy thoughts, his phone rings.

Ring ring ring.

“Who’s this?”

Mark’s face sours as he checks the screen.

(Editor Slave)

It’s his editor, the one who cuts his videos and uploads them to NewTube, calling him urgently at night.

‘Once I’m a big shot, this guy’s the first to go.’

Mark’s never liked his editor but hasn’t had the means to replace him.

That’ll change once he’s big-time—he’ll hire someone fitting for a major streamer.

With another fleeting fantasy, Mark reluctantly answers the call.

“Hello?”

“Mark! Big trouble! Check NewTube for that hacker right now! It’s blowing up!”

“What? Hold on.”

Mark bolts out of bed, plops into his computer chair, and hits the power button.

The computer hums to life with a blue glow.

He dives into NewTube, searching for videos about himself.

“What the hell is this?”

The search results are flooded with videos mentioning him—clips uploaded by cyber wreckers just hours ago.

“What…”

Mark frantically clicks a random video. A masked guy is talking about his upcoming showdown with the “hacker.”

“Fck, what is this??”

Click click.

Heart racing, Mark skips through the video.

When he realizes what’s happening, he bursts into laughter.

“Hahaha! This is insane! Challenging me? A hacker?”

The hacker he targeted has blown the situation wide open.

But Mark isn’t scared—on the contrary, he sees this as his ticket to going viral.

‘Dumb hacker. Even if I lose, I can just say I lost to a cheater.’

If he loses, he’ll frame it as a hacker unfairly using cheats in a 1v1.

The public will eat it up.

Who are they going to believe: a hacker or the recently likable NewTuber?

Obviously him.

The masses are just sheep.

“Should I buy a lottery ticket?”

This is pure luck.

Mark doesn’t want to let this slip. If the stage is getting bigger, he’ll make it huge. He immediately posts to his NewTube community.

—

Title: Greetings, viewers! It’s Mark.

I was chilling at home when my editor called.

Checked it out, and turns out the hacker challenged me to a duel?

As a Force of Six lover, I won’t back down.

Hackers need to be eradicated for good!

Channel deletion? I accept.

But if you use hacks in the duel… well, I’ll leave it at that lol.

Have a great day, viewers!

See you tomorrow at 6 PM!

—

“Done!”

After a few keystrokes, Mark shuts off his computer, buzzing with excitement.

By escalating the situation, he’s determined to seize this opportunity.

It’s his path to the top.

“Yo.”

He speaks to his editor, still on the phone.

“Yeah?”

“Let’s grab a drink.”

“Now?”

“What, you don’t want to?”

“No, no! I’m heading out!”

Mark wants to bask in this high.

Calling up his easygoing editor for drinks, he starts getting ready to head out.

How could he not drink on a day like this?

Wearing a white cap pulled low, Mark mutters, “Can’t let viewers spot me.”

He’s already convinced he’s a big shot.

Humming a tune, he steps out of the building with a blissful expression, oblivious to the storm awaiting him.

—

“This is so damn fun.”

Sujin, hooked on NewTube, has been binging videos for hours.

Officially, it’s to learn about trending genres and culture, but really, it’s just fun.

Who wants to be a boring normie?

While scrolling, she stumbles across a community post.

“What’s this?”

Mark’s post, riding the algorithm, pops up in front of her.

Reading it closely, Sujin scoffs at the thought of Mark gleefully burning out his happiness circuits while writing it.

“Idiot’s having a blast.”

She already blew up the stage, and now her opponent’s making it even bigger.

Mark’s trapped—he can’t back out now.

Imagining him humiliated in front of the masses sends endorphins surging through her.

“Can’t not drink to this.”

Empty beer cans are already piled up in front of her monitor, but she’s found an excuse for more.

Grabbing two more cans from the fridge, she plops into her chair.

No need for snacks—Mark’s upcoming reactions are the perfect side dish.

His community post will haunt him for life.

He probably won’t be able to show his face in public.

Gulp.

She downs a can in one go, tossing it into the trash before cracking open the last one.

Chik.

The cold beer fizzes, the sharp barley scent rising.

She brings the can to her lips.

The icy liquid slides down her throat.

Another can, gone in a flash.

“Ugh… this is the vibe.”

Sujin, quick to adopt internet slang, knows she’ll need these terms if she starts streaming.

And she’s already got her streaming plans and goals lined up.

Click.

She moves the mouse and lands on a site: Twotch, the second-most popular platform after NewTube.

A banner ad on the homepage catches her eye.

—

[Twotch Streamers! Force of Six Sniper Tournament!!!]

We’re hosting a Force of Six tournament for streamers!

Interested streamers, apply via the link below, and we’ll review your application!

You don’t have to be a Force of Six streamer—just form a team to participate!

Note: Teams of big-name streamers are not allowed. The goal is harmony among streamers!

Keep this in mind when forming teams!

The format is a tournament.

Applications close May 30!

We look forward to your participation!

—

A golden opportunity to go viral.

Beating Mark will skyrocket her recognition.

Using that as a springboard, she’d start streaming from a high ground.

“Gotta meet the chairman soon.”

She’s not streaming for money—her account’s already suspiciously overflowing.

Her goal is to meet Potato Soft’s chairman and ask why her past memories were erased.

She has a ton of questions.

“Gotta climb slowly.”

She’ll build her fame until they have to invite her.

Her first step?

“Looking forward to it.”

Taking down Mark.