Chapter 971

EP.971 Part 2 Chapter 9 Section 27 Seoyea’s Phoenix

Virtuber.

Virtual YouTuber.

A broadcaster who uses augmented reality characters instead of live-action to stream or perform other activities.

I already had a vague idea of what this was through Seok Harang and Yuna, and I roughly knew about it from Shin-ra’s recorded broadcasts too, but the idea that it would somehow center around me—and us—was genuinely incomprehensible.

“Is that bald guy out of his mind?”

While Seok Harang was taking a break in the room, I slipped out to make a call.

[Yes, this is Ha Sun-tae speaking.]

To Ha Sun-tae.

There was no way I wanted to directly call *that* man, and for matters like these, consulting Ha Sun-tae was definitely the right move.

“What’s all this nonsense about being a Virtuber?”

[It’s one of the various expansion strategies our company is considering.]

“But why a Virtuber?”

[They’re the trend these days.]

The trend.

As annoying as it was, there was no denying it was true. Shin-ra, Harang, and Yuna—all their recent conversations revolved around Virtubers. They were engaging with people as a kind of Virtuber themselves, holding discussions.

Shin-ra by uploading Deathdinass recordings.


Seok Harang by promoting Deathdinass content or other announcements as an operational Virtuber.


– Ground Zero!

…And Yuna was active as an all-around gaming Virtuber.

Each of them broadcasted in different fields, connecting with the people on this planet. Their efforts deserved applause.

But why did it have to involve me?

“I haven’t even said yes.”

[That’s why we’re trying to persuade you with some materials.]

“Send them over.”

[Here they are.]

When I saw the documents Ha Sun-tae sent, my jaw dropped.

“Super Chat earnings of 100 million on the first day…?”

[Her debut broadcast made headlines, but since then, she’s earned quite a fortune. Yes, your wife, Yuna, has been doing well. She ranks seventh overall in OTube Super Chat earnings.]

Yuna had already been active as a Virtuber.

This was news to me—she never mentioned it. I just assumed she was doing regular 3D editing work.

But unexpectedly, Yuna had become incredibly popular.

‘Why?’

Sure, Yuna was beautiful, but the world treated her differently.

-In-game, I totally romanced you!

Both Yuna and I found such comments unpleasant, but she handled them with grace.

-I’m Reason Yoo-nah. Our legal team will be contacting you soon, and a lawsuit will follow shortly. Don’t go far.

Yuna’s mental fortitude was unshakable.

Contrary to her past tendencies to falter mentally in games or show dependency, ‘my Yuna’ had grown into a fully realized goddess.

-You think I’m not Yuna? Characters like Reason Yoo-nah and me are entirely different people. Saying I’ve slept with everyone who played Deathdinass means I’ve only ever known one person, so I wouldn’t know much about it.

…Clearly, the influence of Hydra within her was significant.

Currently, Yuna runs a spicy 19+ broadcast that attracts cult-like devotion.

Something resembling Yuna.

Ah, so that’s what a Virtuber is?

‘Still, something feels off.’

I understand Virtubers to some extent.

Most of the time, the person inside isn’t the same as the character outside, using software to manipulate appearances…

‘But Yuna is still Yuna.’

Under the ID “MyPantiesArePurple,” which she renamed to “YourPantiesArePurple,” Yuna operates not as another character but remains simply “Yoo-nah.”

Blonde-haired Yuna.

Thus, her audience distinguishes between the game version of Yuna and real-life Yuna by calling the latter “Gal-Yuna.”

Same goes for Seok Harang.

Though different from the in-game Ro-harang, many viewers tune in to Seok Harang’s streams to reminisce about her past self.

Gal-Yuna.

(Big)Harang.

In that sense, both their broadcasts could already qualify as Virtubers, but no matter how I thought about it, the “project” Harang mentioned felt like something else entirely—especially since it involved me.

“What scheme are you cooking up?”

[Do you need more milk money for raising three kids?]

“…Explain it properly.”

Triple the milk money.

Even though there’s plenty left in the bank account, I want to set a good example for the children coming into this world.

I’ve impregnated three goddesses.

The offspring of these goddesses will grow up as half-human, half-spirit beings, making ordinary parenting impossible. Still, as a first-time father, there’s one thing I can say for sure:

If all a father does is have sex and play around, how can any child respect him?

Showing nothing but work, play, and indulgence won’t help in raising children…

…even if it’s related to broadcasting.

-My dad is Blazing Phoenix!

…Saying something like that might feel embarrassing, but I want to be a father my children can respect.

“Please explain thoroughly.”

[A simple story. You…]

According to Ha Sun-tae,

“So, you’re saying I should be the one revealing Deathdinass’ hidden lore as ‘Blazing Phoenix’?”

[Exactly. While the main story and DLCs are progressing well, there are still many secrets people haven’t uncovered.]

“That makes sense.”

I’m the only one who’s 100% cleared the main story.

I’ve heard I’m the sole person who entered the Phoenix route, so as long as this data represents even 0.01%, my save file is effectively 99.99% complete.

Just talking about the Phoenix route alone will satisfy many fans.

“Satisfaction aside, I doubt people will like behind-the-scenes lore dumps.”

[We have content for that.]

“…Like reading a wiki aloud?”

[All information about heroines, from backgrounds to personalities and relationships, is already meticulously organized on the wiki.]

Is this the power of a globally acclaimed dating sim game?

I was amazed by the depth of information on heroines in the wiki I’d never seen before.

“Why do people write dissertations about heroines?”

[Can’t you write something similar about Shin-ra?]

“Hmm…”

Though it’s lengthy, with about 130 footnotes, writing something based on Shin-ra isn’t impossible.

But…

“Why do other heroines have their faces on the page while mine shows a monster?”

[Because you’re also a heroine.]

“Are you serious? Are you saying Shin-ra is the protagonist and I’m just one of the heroines?”

[If there were a novel called ‘Blazing Phoenix,’ you might be the protagonist, but if Shin-ra is the protagonist, wouldn’t it make sense to build a harem around her? Haha.]

“So, I’m part of Shin-ra’s male harem?”

[Not exactly wrong…]

“No, I’m Shin-ra’s husband.”

[What about Seok Harang and Yoo-nah?]

Suddenly, I was at a loss for words.

[What are they to you?]

“……”

[Take some time to think about it.]

Click.

Ha Sun-tae abruptly ended the call.

“Why am I hearing all this when I just wanted to ask about Virtubers?”

Apparently, Ha Sun-tae avoided discussing Virtubers because if this project was pushed by the bald guy, he could offer minimal input but couldn’t halt or cancel the project.

While I understand the manager’s position is awkward, it’s still unsettling for me as the party involved.

And simultaneously…

“I guess I do need to confirm this.”

Beeep.

I called Shin-ra.

Though I’d resolved, there was something I needed to clarify with her.

[Hello? Is that you? Aren’t you supposed to be on a date?]

“I need to talk.”

[…Ah, I see where this is going.]

Shin-ra gave a faint smile, as if saying, “Finally.”

[Are you asking for permission, or forgiveness?]

“This is a unilateral announcement. There’s no room for compromise here.”

[Hmm… This feels like digging my own grave, doesn’t it?]

This situation was created by Shin-ra.

Unable to restrain herself, this was the outcome, and she must have anticipated such a scenario arising from her choices.

No matter who I am, responsibility must be taken.

[Alright. Do you have ‘it’ ready?]

“……”

[Heh. Thinking about it, huh? You can’t proceed without this. Instead, promise me one thing.]

Shin-ra continued earnestly.

[You’ll combine my power with Yuna’s.]

“Hey, that’ll expose Yuna!”

[I’ll claim it’s mine. Though she probably won’t fall for it, at least until you tell her, she’ll pretend not to notice. That’s Yuna for you.]

Because it’s Yuna.

I shuddered at those words.

Yuna would likely act that way.

[The item will arrive shortly. It’ll be with you in thirty minutes. Good luck.]

Click.

Shin-ra ended the call first.

She wasn’t angry at me, but rather blaming herself for succumbing to a fleeting moment of temptation, leading to this situation.

‘Who told her to start a harem anyway?’

This was Shin-ra’s doing.

Perhaps I should’ve decided this long ago, but maybe I’ve been procrastinating until now.

So.

‘I’m doing it.’

Whoosh.

Something descended from the sky and landed in front of me.

Clutching the container that hit the floor, I briefly bowed my head in gratitude toward the heavens.

Ding Dong.

Riding the elevator back to our reserved room, I found Seok Harang lying on the bed in her nightgown, watching tablet footage of her recorded and edited broadcasts.

“Ah, big brother’s here.”

“Harang.”

“Yeah?”

“I’ve come to propose.”

Starting as the mother of my child…

But now, I aim to make her my wife.