A Basement-Dwelling Loser, the Inquisitor – Chapter 277

[It doesn’t seem to be a quality issue. There’s nothing wrong with the Silver Button itself. But it looks like you dropped it from quite a height, huh? It’s true that the Silver Button is made of pretty sturdy material, but that doesn’t mean it won’t break at all. We do see people experiencing this kind of thing from time to time.]

“Is that so…”

[Then, if you go to the website I told you about and apply for a new one, it should arrive within a week. Should we dispose of this broken button on our end?]

“Ah, please send it back to me…”

[Understood. Have a nice day then.]

“Yes, thank you…”

Is this person perhaps a Rebungi?

Are they doing this just to say I broke it because they’re a Rebungi?

“Sigh…”

After finishing the call, which was filled with such thoughts, I let out a deep sigh.

To get a new OnTube Silver Button, I’d have to pay around 200,000 won. How should I explain this?

That amount of money made me think about what else I could do with it.

Honestly, it’s ridiculously expensive…

But the Silver Button is proof that so many people love my OnTube channel!

Refusing to buy it just because it’s expensive felt a bit off.

Even if it was defective, I’m the one who broke the original Silver Button after all…

In the end, after applying for a new Silver Button, I spent some time browsing communities like Newdi Gallery and Remagal.

[Incoming call from Jaehoon]

[📞 | ❌]

Then, I got a call from Jaehoon, the head of the Sirius Team, who could be considered my boss.

…What’s this?

He usually only contacts me when something’s up.

Did I do something wrong?

Is it about me breaking the Silver Button?

Sure, I recently hit 100,000 subscribers and received congratulations, but thinking about it now… I did cause an accident related to that.

Suddenly, I’m feeling more anxious.

But I couldn’t just not answer, so I took a deep breath and picked up the call.

“H-Hello…?”

[Ah, Rene. It’s Jaehoon.]

“Yes…”

[There’s something I need to discuss with you. Do you have a moment?]

Ah. So it is about that.

“I-I’m sorry… I really didn’t mean to do it… I just sneezed…”

[Huh? Did something happen?]

…Huh?

“Um, isn’t it about me breaking the Silver Button…?”

[Oh, that? It’s fine. I actually found it amusing. I’ve told you several times, haven’t I? We’re here to protect you from various issues, not to interfere with your broadcasts. So just relax and do what you want.]

“Thank you…?”

…It’s true that Jaehoon usually contacts me when there’s a problem.

But thinking back, none of those problems were ever my fault…?

What the heck.

I worried for nothing.

But why did the Sirius Team offer me such a… one-sidedly favorable contract?

Even Harum, who helped me back then, said it was like the Sirius Team was taking a loss to sign me.

…Was it because my work as a play coach was that helpful?

If so, it really makes me think that being kind pays off.

[Rene?]

“Ah, yes… I’m a good person…”

[…Huh? Uh, yeah. Of course, I know that. Anyway, as I mentioned, there’s something I need to discuss. Though it’s a bit hard to call it work…]

Jaehoon seemed to be struggling to get to the point.

What could it be?

Thinking about it, the last time Jaehoon brought me something for an ad… it was the Akashic Project.

It’s a game I’ve been enjoying, and there was nothing unpleasant about the ad.

From the start, they said I could refuse if I didn’t want to do it.

So, recalling that experience, it’s highly unlikely that what Jaehoon wants to talk about now is a game ad.

After all, after finishing the Akashic Project ad, they said I could do similar things anytime.

Then what is it…?

[This time, Raiming is hosting a streamer party. It’s nothing special, just a gathering of streamers to talk about what’s happened in the first half of the year and to look forward to the future. It’s more like a content event hosted by Raiming, but in reality, it’s a chance for streamers to bond.]

“I see.”

[Participation is, of course, voluntary, and there’s absolutely no disadvantage if you don’t attend. But in Rene’s case, you don’t really like going out…]

Jaehoon started explaining various details about the streamer party.

From Tuni attending to the fact that the offline event would happen first, followed by an online party later.

But that’s not what I’m curious about right now.

“But you said there’s no disadvantage if I don’t attend… So why did you call it work earlier? Is there something special for me…?”

[…No, that’s not it. The reason I called it work was, well, a mistake on my part. It’s just that, personally, I’d really like it if you attended…]

“Personal reasons…?”


[Rene. When we were proceeding with the contract with our team, you told me. You’re scared of people. It’s hard for you to go to places with many people. It must have been tough, but you were honest about everything, and I still feel really grateful for that.]

Yes.

I had already told Jaehoon about my situation to some extent.

Not about what happened, but about my feelings and such.

When he said he wanted someone who knew all that to participate in the streamer party, honestly, I couldn’t understand the situation at all.

[I won’t say I empathize with Rene’s pain. I think it would be rude to even suggest that I could empathize with something like that. So, up until now, I’ve taken the stance of protecting Rene when problems arise rather than supporting her. If we interfere under the guise of support, Rene might lose interest in broadcasting.]

“Thank you….”

[No need. It’s something I should do. Anyway, to continue the story… Do you remember? When there was a problem and Rene had trouble participating in the New World offline event. I suggested that I could participate directly on the condition of repairing Rene’s reverse capsule.]

“That’s right….”

Of course, I remember.

I really wanted to participate in that event, but I didn’t want to go to the venue in person.

When I mentioned that, Jaehoon made that suggestion.

In a way, it’s a bit similar to the current situation.

Jaehoon is suggesting that I participate directly in the event.

But the clear difference is, the New World offline event was a problem caused by my mistake, and I was looking forward to that event.

However, I have no desire to attend this streamer event at all.

[To be honest, from the beginning, I thought it would be good if Rene participated in the event offline rather than online. So when I heard that, I thought it was an opportunity.]

“…Huh?”

So, it wasn’t just out of goodwill?

[Rene. I think you know by now. How important human relationships are in this streamer industry. Of course, where isn’t that the case… but still.]

“So now, you’re telling me to participate there to expand my human relationships…? The reason you suggested I participate offline in the New World event was also because of that…?”

[Yes.]

It was shocking.

It felt like my trust was crumbling.

The fact that someone who knew exactly how I felt was thinking like that.

“Why… did you do that…?”

[Because I thought it was for Rene’s sake.]

Jaehoon’s voice as he said that was eerily calm.

“You said you wouldn’t interfere with my broadcast….”

[Yes. I didn’t interfere with the broadcast. And now, talking about this is ultimately for my personal reasons.]

“Are those personal reasons more important than what I told you…?”

[I don’t know about that. So let me ask you one thing. Do you regret participating in the offline event that day?]

“…No.”

Of course, it was fun.

I was invited as a special guest for my favorite game, so how could I regret it?

[Then, do you dislike Ede? I heard you became friends with Ede there.]

“…No.”

When talking about PVP, Ede always had surprisingly similar thoughts to mine.

Even if it’s hard to talk to someone like that, I couldn’t possibly dislike them.

[Then, there might be a similar encounter at this party, right?]

“That, that’s a different story…!”

[Yes. It’s a different story. But I think Rene knows by now. That people aren’t scary. And how precious connections made through certain opportunities are.]

Jaehoon continued with a slightly smiling voice.

[Rene is an amazing person. You don’t need to be scared of others. I wanted to tell you that.]

“Is that… the personal reason you mentioned…?”

[…I’ll say it’s one of the reasons.]

After that, Jaehoon said if it was unnecessary meddling, he sincerely apologized, and even if I didn’t participate, there would be no problem at all, so not to worry, and then hung up.

“Sigh….”

What should I do?

Honestly, I think it’s unnecessary meddling.

But Jaehoon’s words were all true nonetheless.

From Tuni to Eri.

The connections I made since starting broadcasting have always helped me.

People aren’t scary.

Even though I know that, the reason I’m hesitating like this is because I’m still trapped in the past.

Then, what should I do?

I already knew the answer.

[Inquisitor: I’ll participate.]

[Jaehoon: Understood. Thank you.]