I Have Returned, but I Cannot Lay down My Gun

Chapter 116 - End of Preliminary Rank



Chapter 116 – End of Preliminary Rank

* * *

[General] Today’s Yoo Jin… Gambit Analysis Collection.gif

< Yoo Jin sitting down, running all sorts of simulations and extracting information.gif >

< Gambit’s automated algorithm error.gif >

< Gambit looking at Yoo Jin with sparkling eyes even when being criticized.gif >

.

.

.

.

From today, I will call light “Yoo Jin.”

[All Comments] [By registration]

– Damn it, this isn’t an article; it’s a flashbang.

ㄴIt’s a flash ‘Yoo Jin’ bang. Please correct it properly~~^^

ㄴYou bastardsㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

– Unlike the pretentious assholes who stay on this board and analyze half-heartedlyㅋㅋ

ㄴAgreed

ㄴFor real, those who watch clips and say “This is how it should be done~ Judgment is trash~” are all getting their heads smashed in

ㄴWatched it live and almost pissed myself

ㄴPiss high-class ㅅㅅㅅ

ㄴOh, my godㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

– Never imagined talking about the single-shot firing speed algorithm, you crazy woman

– Cyber Yoo Jin 2077 is on… no, it has come

ㄴAlready here ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

ㄴWhoa, don’t come here

ㄴDoes it come equipped with titanium alloy super-vibration heating function tail onahole?

ㄴDon’t talk nonsense

– What’s more amazing is that she explains extremely difficult concepts so easily

– How can she make this stuff real-time, you crazy womanㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

– Look at Gambit’s dumbfounded faceㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

ㄴNot dumbfounded but receiving feedback and losing his mind ㅋㅋ

ㄴDumbfounded (wry smile)

ㄴIt’s not like there’s no joy at allㅋㅋ

– [LegioInvicta//Dobermann]: I’m so jealous of Gambit I could die

ㄴㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

ㄴDobermann, you gayㅋㅋ

ㄴEven Gambit didn’t expect to be reviewed this thoroughlyㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

ㄴPredicted it would be like winning first prize in a lottery, but it was like the US Powerball ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

ㄴ[ReaperInfected//Michael]: I wanted to get that instead of grappling

ㄴMichaelㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

ㄴThe man who picked a fight with a human tank has come ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

ㄴWhen did this place become a pro-gamer meeting place????

ㄴㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

<[Xi impressive Whale] has donated 50,000 won.>

– Wow, Gambit hit the jackpotㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

<[TK1 Eraser] has donated 40,000 won.>

– It was three times more useful than I expected, Yoo Jin^^ It’s small, but please accept this

“…Thank you very much to Whale of Xi and Eraser of TK1 for the donations of 50,000 won and 40,000 won respectively. I hope this was helpful not only to you but to everyone watching.”

Somehow….

I had done too much.

Professional users who had been lurking in the chat started popping up. The reactions fell into two main categories. Either they were insanely jealous of Gambit, or they felt they had learned something from the public feedback. Those who were now donating considerable amounts fell into the latter category.

Moreover, that was not all. Since the broadcast rooms are created for specific sessions, they disappear naturally once the game ends and the interview is over. Hence, the numerous viewers in the room receive a prompt to choose whether to move to another room or return to the lobby just before the room vanishes.

This led to one result.

– [ON AIR // Harmony & Yoo Jin’s Dark Zone Broadcast – 72,551 viewers]

“Wow! We are now the number one Dark Zone broadcast in Korea!”

“…We shouldn’t have this many viewers at the end of the broadcast.”

– You’re going to abandon 70,000 people!? Are you really going to abandon 70,000!?

– Fact) Even if Harmony might not, Yoo Jin could actually abandon them

– Guys, we’re closing! Everyone get out!!!!!

– What’s this? I just came in for the first time todayㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

– Yoo Jin is the one you chose. Be ready for the consequences!!!

Dark Zone.

A virtual reality game. In other words, a game that requires physical movement. Although there are various adjustments to compensate for physical movement, the person moving is still real, and fatigue accumulates gradually.

Furthermore, since the beginning of this week, I have been working hard to improve Harmony’s skills, which has slightly shortened the broadcast time. It was inevitable for someone who had rolled around for six hours to become exhausted when thrown into the main mission immediately.

In short, what I meant to say was that our usual joint broadcast time of around nine to eleven hours had been halved. This was mainly due to Harmony’s mental fatigue.

The current time in real life was 8:30 PM. Considering that Harmony and I usually started broadcasting at 6 PM, today’s broadcast time was about six hours.

Even for someone like Harmony, who was used to crappy games, it was enough time to be exhausted.

“I was about to go in and rest, but things are not going as planned.”

– Hey, teacher, where are you going!!!!!!!!!!!!!

– This doesn’t seem normal? This doesn’t seem normal? This doesn’t seem normal?

– [Veritas//OFFLINE]: There’s something about this broadcast that drives viewers crazyㅋㅋ

– Yoo Jin, are you seriously going to do this???

– No, I’m not running a business~ If you don’t like it, go elsewhere~ Is this place anaconda sinew or what~

<[ReadyforCompany] has donated 10,000 won.>

– Tie Yoo Jin up in a duel!!!

“You all know better than I do that I’m a realist.”

“Wow, realist. The legendary one said to be stronger than a duelist….”

“…Don’t say weird things.”

Even here, there were duelist memes.

I glanced over at Harmony. Her eyes had lost focus, clearly showing she was reaching her limit. It meant she could no longer run the main mission. If she tried now, she probably wouldn’t be able to aim properly.

I’d have to reconsider the curriculum I made specifically for Harmony once we finished this broadcast.

I gently patted Harmony’s back as she slumped beside me, using my tail to create a circular loop and tilt it slightly. It wasn’t perfect, but it made a makeshift backrest she could rest on.

Leaving her to lean back with a sigh, I checked the number of viewers next to the ON AIR sign.

The count was nearing 80,000.

Taking a small breath, I sent a private message to Harmony.

– [Yoo Jin: Should we call it a day here?]

– [Harmony: Leave me behind… Yoo Jin, you need to grow more….]

– [Yoo Jin: That’s a bit much;;]

It seemed time to send her off.

I carefully spoke up.

“…Harmony will stop here for today. I will take over and continue the broadcast. We’ll skip the main mission.”

“Goodbye, everyone… see you tomorrow….”

Swoosh.

As Harmony faded away, almost melting into the air, the chat became increasingly noisy. Curious about the sudden flood of “Oh” and “Oh no,” I postponed moving to the private room for chatting.

The answer came quickly.

“…Is this really that great?”

– Oh no, oh no, oh noㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

– But what’s that thing’s real identityㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

– As long as it tastes good~~~~

– Teacher, you’ve awakened a strange… strange… ideal taste in me

“Ah, I’m really curious about how it feels.”

“If you’re curious about the texture, you should go to a zoo or a cafe that handles reptiles.”

The tail that had been supporting Harmony’s back was now curled into the shape of a chair after Harmony had disappeared, catching the viewers’ attention.

Of course.

Anyway, it was unfortunate but true that there was no longer any business left in the Dark Zone. Even if there had been some extra time left after the chatter, there was no guarantee that I would have dabbled in some unexpected mission or other.

Thinking as much, I opened my eyes and found that my surroundings had already transformed into my personal studio, a somewhat deformed version of my room. The people who had been expecting Dark Zone gameplay were leaving in droves, but what could I do? They weren’t my original viewers to begin with.

I simply said a brief goodbye in my heart.

The viewer count fluctuated, with thousands coming and going, unable to maintain a fixed number. Nevertheless, I didn’t care and sank into my chair.

The real-time movements and emotional expressions of a crowd of about 150,000 were, as expected, enormous.

“Then, before deciding today’s content… I suppose I’ll share some behind-the-scenes stories that you might have been curious about. Don’t get too excited; there’s not much to tell. I’m not very good with words.”

– Teacher, please don’t talk nonsense.
– Not good with words (can captivate 150,000 people).
– This person has a subtle tendency to self-deprecate, lol.

– At this point, I can’t tell if it’s a formality or if he’s serious.
– As long as I’m sincere!!!!

It seemed like I wouldn’t have much to say.

Where should I start? Honestly, if I had been more ambitious about broadcasting, I would have thought about what to say to draw the viewers’ attention rather than what to say. But what would be the point?

After all, this broadcast was a hobby.

So, rather than saying what the viewers wanted to hear, I would just say what I wanted to say, as usual. I wouldn’t stop those who came and wouldn’t stop those who left.

Let’s start like this.

“…Regarding today’s feedback, well, as expected, I felt that broadcasting wasn’t something I should get involved in. Casters Liquid and Meerkat were very considerate. If I had just listed dry facts, it wouldn’t have been very interesting to watch.”

Most people have a similar image of broadcasting: casters raising their voices to enhance the excitement of the game, to increase accessibility and liven up the atmosphere.

Considering that modern broadcasting has that direction, today’s broadcast, well, it wouldn’t be right to say it was successful. The viewers and the two casters probably understood that, but it was still a bit disappointing.

However, disappointment stems from the gap between my direction and modern broadcasting. I had no intention of narrowing that gap.

There was no need to say that.

“After ending last night’s broadcast, I made a considerable effort late into the night to get accustomed to the concept of broadcasting, but it was inevitably difficult. The one-day preparation period seems to have both pros and cons. The advantage, I suppose, is that there’s no need to prolong the effort required for such parts.”

For example, if the special broadcast had been dragged out for a week, that would have been quite horrible. Of course, I could have done a more in-depth broadcast than now. Perhaps I might have even matched my rhythm with the casters through rehearsals.

But now was a time for choice and focus. Even if it could have been a good experience, it was meaningless if it didn’t align with my desired direction.

Considering the current point in time, when the lock of secrets was gradually opening without my knowing, even more so.

“To go back, the feedback was as successful as you expected. It was my first time analyzing someone other than SSM, and there were quite a few points to address, so it was a rewarding time.”

– Just Yoo Jin the light…
– Fact: ancient sailors used to navigate by the Yoo Jin in the sky.
– I can see you’re not sane, at least.
– What are these crazy people doing, lololol.
– For something done in a day, it was top-notch, lol.

And so, we chatted about various things.

As always, expectations and reality differed. Words, unlike thoughts, had practical resonance and stimulated the senses. Hence, things that had just been thoughts moved forward the moment they took the form of language.

In short, the more I talked, the more topics came to mind.

Before I knew it, viewers were gradually leaving. There could be many reasons beyond my imagination, but what could I do? There was no reason to regret sand slipping through my fingers.

It wasn’t mine to begin with, so there was no need to be tied to the number of 80,000.

It wasn’t even 9 AM in reality yet, but as I continued talking and the broadcast went on, and as both approached their end, everyone started to feel it.

The day was coming to an end.

And so was the Preliminary Rank.

I had reached the end a day earlier than others, but now, everything was winding down comprehensively.

On the way to waiting for the larger event, KSM, and the start of a new week.

“…It was indeed a long week.”

As time passed, some things ended, and new things began.

Judging from that, a lot had happened this week. Facing pros for the first time since the scrim. Realizing that my capabilities worked even among them, and receiving many offers accordingly. Of course, there were many other things too.

But I didn’t dwell on them all. More things would happen in the future.

Taking a small breath, I looked outside. The sky, synchronized with reality, was dark. But the stars scattered across it were each drawing their trajectories.

It was quiet.

I spoke softly.

“One week is ending, and a new week is approaching. I hope you all have a better week next week than this one. So, let’s see each other again tomorrow.”

I stood up.

Dragging out the broadcast wasn’t my style.

I took one last look at the still-buzzing chat. The time to let go silently was approaching. After a brilliant burn, what remains are ashes.

Therefore, I simply looked forward to the next, to tomorrow.

“Goodbye.”

Click.

And so, the broadcast ended.

And the Preliminary Rank ended.

Without any noise, quietly.

– ???????????????????????

– Are you seriously ending it like this??????????????

– Crazy! Crazy! Crazy! Crazy! Crazy! Crazy! Crazy!

– Look at him blocking donations from the middle to go offline, lololol.
– Are you abandoning 80,000 people?! Are you abandoning 80,000 people?! Are you abandoning 80,000 people?! Are you abandoning 80,000 people?!

– Yeah, go away~ The broadcast is over, so I’ll eat chicken and sleep at home.

– You damn crazy guy, lololol.

– Sis, my head is spinning, and my chest feels tight!

– I think I’m going crazy, I think I’m going crazy, I think I’m going crazy.

– Get the manager out hereeeeeee.

– The manager left, so why are you looking for him, lololol.

– I want to be wrapped in Yoo Jin’s tail and slurped down, lolololol.

– Is this where people just say anything?

Of course, only Yoo Jin felt that way.

* * *


Tip: You can use left, right, A and D keyboard keys to browse between chapters.