NOVEL WEB Chapter 7
Meeting room of Blue Art Studio, Korea’s virtual idol company.
There, four women were seated.
The woman seated at the head of the table spoke.
“Yi Yeol, Inahi. Have you become a full-fledged broadcaster already?”
“Hehe, what do you mean, President?”
This was Inahi, who grinned and scratched her head in response to the words of Choi Seon-ha, the president of Blue Art, streamer, and member of Generation 0, with her real name being Choi Seon-ha and her broadcast name Choa.
President Choi Seon-ha continued speaking.
“Your handling was really good. Anyway, we should first confirm whether that person uses hacks or not and then issue an explanation. Wow, it’s been ten years already.”
“President, even so, we shouldn’t let our guard down if things start heating up.”
To this Choi Seon-ha, Asanagi Sana, a member of Generation 1, with Japanese nationality, who goes by the broadcast name Karin, spoke.
“Hackers these days are not to be underestimated. We cannot afford to let our guard down until this ‘ Charge Knight’ shows themselves in person.”
“Yeah, that’s true. So, when exactly is this ‘Charge Knight’ supposed to arrive?”
“Uh… they’ve said they’re on their way.”
“Oh! Then that means they’re human! Not a hacker!”
“That’s what I’ve been saying. Our ‘Charge Knight’ doesn’t use hacks.”
“Even so, Inaring, you should exercise some restraint! No matter how fun time-clicking is, isn’t doing it excessively wrong?”
“Yes, that is correct! Lady with a big brain but empty head! Isn’t it wrong to spend five months without planning any content and only playing one game?”
“Oh! Karin! You learn all the bad language since coming to Korea! President, Karin is cursing!”
“Everyone… you know you’re meant to be super close friends, right?”
And then, at that moment,
ZIIIIIING!
“AH!”
The sound of a smartphone vibrating.
Inahi quickly took out her phone to check it.
“They’ve arrived!”
At this, everyone turned their attention to Inahi.
With a serious expression,
President Choi Seon-ha spoke.
“They’ve arrived?”
“Yes!”
“Good! You know this explanation must succeed, right?”
To Choi Seon-ha, Blue Art was a company she had worked hard to establish. Initially, there were five members in the first generation, but after three of them left, she re-debuted with the remaining two. It was a gamble, but the two succeeded in this broadcasting industry.
The key player in that success was Inaring.
So, Choi Seon-ha did not want to lose Inaring. One failure was enough.
“Bring them in respectfully, but try not to pressure them too much.”
“Understood!”
***
Haram Mi blankly stared at the studio building.
“Here, huh?”
It was a small building with a clean white exterior. This was the famous Blue Art Studio she’d only heard of in rumors.
At the entrance, it read:
[No Entry for Non-Staff]
“Wow…”
Here was the place over which debates raged among viewers: “The studio exists,” “No, Choa doesn’t have the money, there’s no studio.”
But it really existed after all?
“Should I just go in?”
But was it okay to enter on her own? After all, it said “No Entry for Non-Staff”… and Inaring would be arriving soon, so she could just wait.
‘I’ll wait.’
To be honest, she didn’t know what to say if she met Inaring right away. She was quite nervous. It had been a while since she last had a real conversation with someone. She should think it through beforehand. Ideally, she’d seem as natural and normal as possible.
“Excuse me…”
“Kyaaa!”
At that moment,
a voice suddenly came from behind her, making Haram Mi snap her head around like a wooden puppet. There stood a woman, looking puzzled while staring at her.
***
When Inahi descended to the first floor and headed to the entrance, an incident occurred.
“Huh?”
Through the glass door, Inahi saw a petite girl.
“Whaaa?”
What is that adorable creature?
Even from afar, the girl with her tiny stature seemed extraordinary. Simply put, she was an incredibly cute little girl.
Inahi approached the girl.
“Excuse me….”
“Kyaaa!”
Her startled reaction was so squirrel-like.
Up close, her mask was no joke. Could she be a junior actress?
Inahi blinked, still puzzled, then asked.
“What brings you here?”
“Um, well…”
Then, it happened.
“Hmph?”
That voice… why does it sound so familiar?
Hang on…
Inahi’s mouth slowly opened. It was the same voice she had heard just hours ago!
“Could it be… Charge Knight?”
“Yes… yes.”
At the girl’s nod, Inahi was momentarily speechless.
“Goodness…”
Why was someone with such a cute face doing something so formidable?
With a mask like that, surely she could do more fulfilling work. Moreover,
“Sorry, but can I have a hug?”
“Wha… What?”
“Sorry.”
I didn’t mean to let my bias slip out.
She was so cute and petite, I just wanted to grab her and squish her cheeks endlessly!
She’s just adorable even on a second glance!
“Um, who exactly are you?”
“Really?”
At that question, Inahi awkwardly scratched her cheek. Then she spoke.
“Can’t you recognize me?”
“Me?”
At that, the girl seemed to think for a moment, then suddenly gasped and looked startled.
“Could it… be Inaring?”
“You recognize me well.”
“Wow… wow…”
And thus, the girl looked up at Inahi with admiration. Even that seemed adorable to Inahi. Smiling softly, Inahi commented.
“Wow… I didn’t expect the ‘Charge Knight’ to be such a young girl.”
“Excuse me? I’m not a child.”
“Hmm? You’re not? How old are you?”
“Twenty.”
Inahi’s jaw dropped.
“T-Twenty?”
“Yes.”
At that moment, Inahi thought to herself:
“Wow… Legal lolis.”
It was a remarkably crude thought, fitting Inaring’s personality.
***
Haram Mi followed Inaring into the conference room on the second floor of the studio. Inside, three women were already waiting.
Inaring smiled and introduced Haram Mi.
“President! President! Introduce yourself! She’s my daughter.”
“Oh, hello. My name’s Haram Mi.”
And the three women were all stunned.
The first shock was from Haram Mi’s appearance, and the second was the revelation that this child was ‘Charge Knight’.
The president, Choi Seon-ha, asked,
“Is this child ‘Charge Knight’?”
“Yes! By the way, she’s twenty years old and an adult.”
“Unbelievable.”
Choi Seon-ha thought,
Life’s full of surprises, isn’t it? Who would have thought there’d be such a massive twist.
“Woah! She’s so cute! Gomfungwa!”
“G-Gomfungwa.”
“Woah! I want to take you home and raise you!”
“Seok! Calm down, Sana.”
Having organized the situation, Choi Seon-ha began speaking.
“Ms. Charge Knight?”
“Yes.”
“Your name is…”
“Ah, Haram Mi.”
“Yes. Mi, thank you so much for coming.”
Haram Mi silently looked at Choi Seon-ha.
At the sound of her voice, it was clear.
This was Choi Seon-ha, the founder and president of Blue Art, the veteran VTuber Choa. Sensing this already, Choi Seon-ha formally introduced herself:
“I’m Choi Seon-ha, the president of Blue Art and active as Choa. Nice to meet you, Ms. Mi.”
“Yes. I… I’ve watched your broadcasts a lot.”
“Ah? You’re a fan?”
“Huh! President! Don’t steal my fans!”
“Actually, I watch Inaring’s broadcasts more.”
“Wow… how eloquently sweet.”
Then, Inaring enthusiastically patted the top of her head. As much as it was a bit weird coming from a woman—I am basically a guy—but it felt like heaven because it was Inaring.
And then,
“Ahem.”
Jin Se-yeon, who had been quietly observing the situation, spoke up.
“Everyone, haven’t we forgotten something? We called Ms. Charge Knight for a clarification broadcast, right?”
Afterwards, Jin Se-yean’s sharp gaze focused on her.
I could feel the intensity even without knowing why, and my body instinctively flinched.
Jin Se-yeon asked,
“First of all, you really don’t use hacks, right?”
Hacks?
Yes, it’s understandable to suspect that.
Honestly, even to me, my aim seemed absurd at points.
But remember, I’m a hardcore gamer and a devoted fan of Inaring.
I have gamer pride, and I would absolutely never use hacks for it.
Facing Jin Se-yeon with unusual confidence, I answered firmly.
“Yes. No, I don’t.”
Jin Se-yeon’s lips stretched into a satisfied grin. It was as if she could tell from my bold response.
And with a nod, Jin Se-yeon said,
“Oh, what a relief…”
Her tone was no longer charismatic but sounded like someone who had survived a life-or-death situation.
She collapsed onto the table in relief as if all the strength had drained from her body.
Actually, Jin Se-yeon was completely slumped over the table and said,
“Truthfully, when we learned someone with that level of skill was actually a young girl who came to us, I had immediate doubts.”
“You’re here, it can’t be hacks.”
“That’s because the gameplay was just too implausible. Plus, it’s important for my career, so I had to be cautious.”
Haram Mi thought,
Ah, this person also truly loves Blue Art.
“Now, Ms. Mi.”
“Yes?”
“Are you feeling alright?”
I immediately understood what she was going to ask.
Nodding my head, I replied,
“Yes.”
“Before we do the clarification broadcast, should we confirm things once more?”
“Yes, but…”
Hesitant muttering.
The four women stared at Haram Mi in confusion.
Inahi asked,
“Why? Is there a problem?”
“Well, could I possibly borrow an ID? My account’s been banned.”
The four women froze with astonished expressions at Haram Mi’s statement.
Then, Inahi cautiously asked with an uneasy expression,
“You’re really not using hacks, right?”