NOVEL WEB Chapter 8
There exists a reporting system.
Swear reporting, cheat reporting, intentional ally interference reporting.
Who knows what the Korean branch of Volbord, the game company that developed Time Click, was thinking when they banned Ben, but at least there’s a strong possibility that the Charge Knight was reported for cheating quite a lot.
And now.
Choi Seon-ha, Jin Se-yeon, Inahi, and Asanagi Sana were watching Hanam Mi’s gameplay from behind her.
“Wow…”
“Wow! Sugoi! Honnōni sugoi!”
While Inahi and Sana were marveling at her gameplay without much thought, Choi Seon-ha and Jin Se-yeon were breaking out in cold sweat.
“Manager, this.”
Glug-
Jin Se-yeon swallowed and answered.
“It seems like things have gotten way out of control, don’t you think?”
Choi Seon-ha couldn’t do anything but silently agree with Jin Se-yeon’s statement.
‘Madness… They thought it was a false ban…’
Is this actually happening?
Not only is the situation chaotic, but the developer has also deemed it a hack.
However, the only people who know she’s not using hacks are the four gathered here.
“What should we do, manager?”
“…..”
Choi Seon-ha thought for a moment.
This is not a trivial matter.
It’s not a situation where just one or two people die; it’s one where dozens will be wiped out.
Of course, honestly speaking, there’s not much we can do about that.
Shouldn’t streamers who claim to know everything be cautious before jumping to conclusions?
The only real concern is Volbord.
Volbord Entertainment, the company that developed Time Click.
It’s a major US game development company that has created several iconic games in the gaming world.
It’s an enterprise so incomparable that it’s even embarrassing to call our own company, Blue Art Studio, a company in comparison.
‘Uh, hmm… Could this incident create ill feelings?’
Like, for example, if Volbord’s Korean headquarters decides not to run any more ads?
Or if they socially ostracize our partnered beat streamers?
“Hmph…, hold on a moment.”
And shortly after, having collected her thoughts, Choi Seon-ha answered with a resolute expression.
“Ah, whatever! Let’s just proceed!”
“Wait, you’re serious?”
“It’s not like we’re going to die if we do this, right?”
To be blunt, it’s not even our fault.
It’s the mistake of those in Volbord who handle the reports, so any company matters should be dealt with internally.
Would a reputable big corporation really retaliate over something like this?
They made the ban first, so it’s not our, or rather her, fault.
“Still, why did they ban her? I heard they ran a program that detects hacks or something.”
“Hmm… I have a suspicion.”
It was Hanam Mi who answered.
Choi Seon-ha asked.
“What is it?”
“Since Paladin’s my main character, the aim reticle got in the way while I played.”
Paladin is a hero that uses close-range weapons.
Which means an aim reticle isn’t necessary at all.
However, in Time Click, there’s no option to turn off the reticle setting.
So…
“I got rid of the reticle using a program. I suspect that might be why I got banned…”
“….”
“….”
“….”
“….”
All four of them silently stared at Hanam Mi without a word.
They were all thinking the same thing.
That with such aim, she’s genuinely committed to playing the Paladin.
“Uh, hmm? Well, that’s not wrong per se.”
“Yeah, right.”
“Okay, let’s start the broadcast. Nahee, begin.”
“Understood!”
* * *
2:00 PM.
Ding-
Inaring turned on the live stream.
“Inaring is streaming.”
“Whoa… How ended up duoing with a nuke user?”
Everyone viewed Inaring with some measure of pity.
Professional gamers and Time Click-focused Mutubers.
And many others.
Most of them had already concluded that the Charge Knight was using hacks.
To such an extent that even professional gamers couldn’t keep up with the Charge Knight’s aim.
Because it was humanly impossible.
However…
“Huh, wait?”
Multiple professional gamers and Mutubers looked puzzled.
It was due to the stream title.
[Charge Knight Invited! Aim Hack Clarification Broadcast!]
Aim Hack Clarification Broadcast.
The moment that title was seen,
The faces of many professional gamers and broadcasters who had concluded that the Charge Knight was using hacks turned pale.
Generally, streamers, and even well-known professional gamers, don’t hastily judge someone to be using hacks.
Because it’s such a sensitive issue and putting one’s broadcasting career on the line, they won’t produce content without solid evidence.
Even though they knew this, there was an undeniable sense of hastiness this time.
Because it was such an absurd aim.
How could any user follow the small outline of a head, not even the body?
That was the absurd aim the Charge Knight had shown.
What’s more, now that concrete evidence appeared, they were able to relax.
“Isn’t the Charge Knight banned?”
When it came, it came as expected.
At first, they thought getting banned was justified.
But… Suddenly a clarification broadcast?
What’s more, they’re inviting the Charge Knight to clarify?
What if the Charge Knight came to apologize through a stream?
In any case, it’s clear that something unusual is about to happen.
Perhaps an event that will make history in streaming history.
* * *
Glug-
Inaring realized she had swallowed unconsciously.
“Umm, the viewer count is 50,000… No, it’s increasing even more.”
Normally, Inaring had an average of 300 to 500 viewers.
But the moment the stream started, it quickly surpassed 1,000, then 10,000, and now stands at 50,000.
Even that is continuously increasing.
And as expected, the chat was chaotic.
“Nuke user duoed and reached Master 1, come quick.”
“Wasn’t it fun back then?”
“Na.”
“Rak.”
“Na.”
“Rak.”
“Na.”
“Rak.”
“That was some good Oshi, you bastard!”
“Go well, bastard. I loved it.”
“Can’t these people see the title of the stream?”
Unknowingly, Inaring stared in disbelief at the chat.
To her, Choi Seon-ha said.
“First, switch the chat to subscriber-only and turn off the donation function, right?”
“Yes.”
“Good. Don’t cower. Don’t speak apologetically. We’re not here to apologize, after all.”
Inaring nodded her head in agreement with Choi Seon-ha’s words.
Indeed, we’re not here to apologize.
Speaking with a tone of guilt might make people believe you’ve committed some crime.
“Since most of them are chaos seekers from the community, just keep it moving without overthinking.”
“Understood! Are we ready? Dol?”
“Yes, yes! Jin!”
With a nervous expression, Hanam Mi replied.
Simultaneously, Inaring turned on the microphone and began.
“Hem- Hello everyone. I am Inaring, the first student of Blue Art.”
Inaring’s tone shifted completely from moments ago to one of solemnity.
Hanam Mi, who was lost in thought, couldn’t help but exclaim inwardly.
“Wow…”
Because this was a version of Inaring she’d never seen before in broadcasts.
In a situation like this, Hanam Mi was oddly calm.
Inaring continued.
“Today, we’ve turned on the broadcast to clarify the recent controversy surrounding Charge Knight. Charge Knight.”
“Hello, I’m Charge Knight.”
“?”,
“??”,
“???”,
“?”,
“What? Is this real?”,
“Is it really Charge Knight?”,
“Why does it sound like a woman instead of some old guy?”
Countless question marks flooded the chat.
Unable to resist, Inaring chuckled, understanding the reactions.
After all, she herself was surprised the first time she met Charge Knight. Who would have thought?
That infamous sniper was, in fact, a girl.
Wow, even thinking about it now is astonishing.
Anyway, that’s not important.
“Actually, our Charge Knight came directly to me to clarify. I was a little skeptical, but upon checking before turning on the broadcast, it was certainly Charge Knight. So, without further ado, let’s proceed with the clarification.”
With that statement, Inaring revealed everything required for the clarification broadcast on the live screen.
Firstly, a hand-cam, secondly, the task manager window.
And thirdly, the location.
The exposure of the location was handled by the studio manager, Choi Seon-ha.
Choi said,
“Hello, I am Manager Cho, the studio manager of Blue Art. First, this clarification broadcast is taking place in our studio. As a measure of identity protection, we kindly ask for your understanding that we won’t reveal our faces.”
With Manager Cho also actively helping with the clarification video, the chat exploded in reactions.
– Is this really true?
– Even the studio manager declared it false?
– So, there is a studio after all?
“I’ve said it multiple times in my broadcasts that we have a studio! Ah, sorry, that’s beside the point. Anyway, I’m confirming with my own eyes and proceeding with the clarification broadcast. Yes, Charge Knight is definitely not using hacks.”
– Madness…
– So, all of that was actually done by human hands?
– Does this even make sense?
– Wow…
“What? Talking too much, I think. It’ll be faster to just show it. Charge Knight?”
“Yes, yes!”
“Can you show us?”
“Yes!”
With an enthusiastic response, Hanam Mi started a quick match.
For reference, the ID used was Inaring’s.
While waiting for the game to load, Hanam Mi casually checked the chat.
– Then, why was she banned?
– It’s an unjust ban, right?
– If this is real skill and not hacks, many streamers are in trouble.
In real time, a few streamers were live-streaming the clarification broadcast.
The expression on their faces, as seen through the cam, was one of being frozen with their mouths agape.
Honestly, it was slightly pitiful.
Even to me, my aim was slightly unreasonable.
Still, you shouldn’t take chances where there’s no certainty.
Ding-
And then.
The game loaded.
At the same instant the game started, I picked the DPS hero, Soldier.
I wanted to showcase my aim, and no hero is better suited for demonstrating aim than him.
Without further delay, I headed straight to the enemy base.
-?
-??
– Haha, this playstyle is undeniably Charge Knight’s.
– Buzzer: Verified. This is Charge Knight.
– Only Charge Knight could play in a way that frustrates the enemy healer like this.
A play where I sneak into the enemy base and ambush from behind.
A method I frequently use.
However, it was my first time doing it with the Soldier hero.
Practically speaking, given Soldier’s traits and skills, I shouldn’t be doing this play.
Which speaks volumes of my confidence in my aim.
3
2
1
[The game begins.]
Along with the countdown, the game began.
The golden rule of ambushing is, at the moment the enemy team clashes with ours, attack the healer to gain the advantage.
It’s a style of play that approaches with the mindset of “I’ll die, but I’m taking at least one of you with me.”
And since I picked Soldier, this play requires spot-on aim.
I could do it.
‘Slowed down again.’
Once again, the world slowed.
In that slowed vision, my reticle was aimed precisely at the enemy team’s healer.
I pulled the trigger.
Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding!
The crisp sound heard only when continuously hitting headshots.
And the name tag that popped up.
[InaInaring] > [XDRD]
At least one cut down.
Without stopping there, my reticle quickly aimed for the next enemy’s head.
The enemy team’s ninja rushing towards me.
A hero with double-jump abilities, making its steps difficult to predict.
One of the hardest heroes to aim for, precisely because it’s a ninja.
And especially when that ninja is right in front of me.
Considering that the ninja is one of the strongest heroes in close combat.
However.
To my eyes, even the ninja right in front appears slow.
My reticle is aligned with the ninja’s head.
The ninja, trying to dodge bullets, is jumping while throwing shurikens.
Still, my bullets never miss.
Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding!
A precision so close to Aim Hack.
My reticle follows the ninja’s head, jumping and dodging.
And shortly after, the name tag popped up.
[InaInaring] > [KnightKingNewbie]
That’s an art form no one could replicate.
-!?
– Madness…
– Is this real? Is it really not a hack?
– Is it real? It’s not staged, right?
– Wow…疯了什么瞄准能力…
This isn’t human.
If anything, it’s like a machine.
Aim so close to the accuracy of a machine.
And someone else watching this scene.
“…”
Nuke-detecting Mutuber Demizu froze, mouth agape.
One short phrase escaped his lips.
“Shit’s hit the fan…”