A Basement-Dwelling Loser, the Inquisitor – Chapter 13

〔Inquisition Officer has requested a 1-on-1 conversation.〕

It was obvious that Tuni had no good feelings toward this ‘Inquisition Officer’ user, and there was no need to explain why.

How many times had people died just for choosing the profession of Priest?

Even when controversy over hacking arose and she stepped up to help clarify, all she got in return was criticism and death.

Having good feelings toward such a person was something even Buddha couldn’t manage.

Moreover, the hacking controversy involving ‘Inquisition Officer’ had already somewhat died down.

The game company directly stated that they hadn’t used any illegal programs, so who could argue with that?

Of course, a small number of malicious players, aiming to stir trouble, still claimed things like, “They’re using hacks that the company can’t find!” or “There’s some connection between them!” but without a way to prove it, it was no different from shouting into the void.

In other words, in terms of community buzz, ‘Inquisition Officer’ was almost a dead topic now.

Stated differently, this was an association that brought no benefit whatsoever to the streamer Tuni.

“Should I accept this or not…?”

But aside from that, it was true that Tuni found the player ‘Inquisition Officer’ interesting.

As someone who had witnessed countless snipes and malicious behavior, she had never seen a player with that particular style.

So, when the request for a 1-on-1 conversation came first from such an intriguing opponent, it was a proposal she could hardly refuse, even knowing that curiosity killed the cat.

In the end, Tuni dipped her hand into the abyss.

[Inquisition Officer: Hello]

[Tuni: Hello]

Adjusting to the fact that he still didn’t use voice chat, Tuni greeted him normally.

[Inquisition Officer: I have a question, is it true that you’re the streamer Tuni who broadcasts on Rhyming?]

At his question, Tuni’s head went blank for a moment.

She couldn’t understand why he was asking such a question.

Even during their last meeting, the conversation had gone south before Tuni even introduced herself as a streamer.

Yet here he was, aware that she was a streamer.

‘Could it really be that he’s a sniper?’

For a moment, that possibility crossed her mind, but Tuni shook her head because that couldn’t be the case.

If he were a true sniper, the things that happened during their previous 1-on-1 conversation would make no sense.

‘Or maybe it’s about the clarification I mentioned last time?’

Of course, that hacking controversy had already been resolved.

But separate from the end of that issue, there could still be uncomfortable points left for the individuals involved.

‘If that’s the case, then I did offer to help clarify last time, so he might have found out I was a streamer while looking for a way to contact me.’

And if he genuinely sought clarification… then Tuni was willing to help.

Despite not having good feelings toward him, he was someone who had reached out first in the past.

And considering he had probably been mentally cornered from being accused of hacking, she could somewhat understand the sharp reactions he had shown at that time.

Tuni’s heart was not so cold as to casually dismiss that person.

Plus, if her viewers increased even a little thanks to this opportunity, that wouldn’t be a bad thing.

[Tuni: Yes, that’s me]

[Inquisition Officer: Then could you teach me how to stream?]

“…Is he crazy?”

At the reply from ‘Inquisition Officer’, Tuni couldn’t help but curse under her breath.

[Tuni: So you’re saying you want to earn money?]

[Tuni: You’re thinking of doing internet broadcasting because you can’t find a part-time job right now?]

[Inquisition Officer: Yes]

[Tuni: So it’s not about clarifying the hacking controversy?]

[Inquisition Officer: Huh?]

[Inquisition Officer: What would I need to clarify?]

“…He really is crazy.”

It didn’t take long for Tuni’s suspicion to turn into certainty.

★

[Tuni: If you have any videos from when you streamed alone, could you send those over?]

[Tuni: I can watch them and tell you if there are any points I can advise on.]

[Inquisition Officer: Understood]

This person must be kind.

I felt the favorability of Tuni as a streamer rising in my heart.

Even though it was a sudden and unexpected request, he reacted with such kindness.

Come to think of it, last time he did offer to help with the hack clarification, right?

He resembled someone like me who couldn’t turn away from someone in need.

It was just a pity he was a heretic.

[Tuni: Please send videos to this address: [email protected]]

[Inquisition Officer: Yes]

Kkang!

Anyway, after wrapping up that conversation, I logged out of New Dimension.

【This is Tuni】

【Sender: Tuni<[email protected]>】

I’m really sorry, but you are serious about starting to stream, right?

You’re not just messing with me…?

Two hours later, for some reason, I received a reply like that.

To not recognize someone’s sincerity and make sarcastic remarks—truly, such was the nature of a heretic.

Sighing in despair over such a reality, I naturally sent a reply affirming my sincerity.

【I’m sorry, but could we have a conversation through Miscode?】

【Sender: Tuni<[email protected]>】

I can’t figure out where to start explaining this in writing…

This time a reply like that came back.

Hmm, I guess that’s fair…

To be honest, I think there isn’t any problem with my stream.

But if an expert says there’s a reason, then it’s worth listening to. I reached that conclusion, joined the program called Miscode as Tuni suggested, and sent her my ID.

[Incoming Call from Tuni]

[📞 | ❌]

Then a few minutes later, she called me.

[Hello?]

The refreshing voice coming through the headphones sounded just like Tuni’s voice from earlier in the stream.

[Inquisition Officer: Hello]

Once she seemed to confirm my greeting, Tuni cleared her throat and shared her screen with me.

What played on the shared screen was the stream I had done today, the one I had sent her.

[…First of all, did you notice anything strange here?]

Had I watched for about five minutes or so?

Tuni asked me that.

[Inquisition Officer: Was there something strange?]

Why would she be asking such a question?

I genuinely had no clue.

I thought it was just an ordinary New Dimension gameplay video.

[…Why aren’t you saying anything? Of course, there’s no need to talk when nobody’s around. But once a viewer enters, you should greet them, right? It would also be better to have a topic ready to continue the conversation with that viewer.]

Oh. It sounded like she was giving some plausible advice.

But unfortunately, that was a policy I could not accept.

[Inquisition Officer: My broadcast concept is all about pure skill, so]

[Inquisition Officer: I decided to cut out all unnecessary chatter.]

[But there’s no streamer who doesn’t say anything at all!!! For a streamer to say that their voice is unnecessary sounds ridiculous!]

Oh, my ears hurt.

[Inquisition Officer: No, but there are Mad Movies on OnTube]

[Inquisition Officer: They don’t use mikes there, do they?]

[Well, that’s just because they edit together only the good scenes! In your case, it’s a live broadcast! If a streamer doesn’t communicate, there’s no reason for viewers to watch! So if you’re going to stream, you must turn on the mic at all times!]

Doing internet broadcasting seemed harder than I thought.

Still, I wanted to avoid turning on the mic as much as possible…

[Inquisition Officer: Is there no way around it?]

[Nope! Drop the silly concept!]

A firm reply came back. It hurt my heart…

[Or is there some special reason you can’t use a mic?]

[Inquisition Officer: Yes.]

[Can you tell me why?]

[Inquisition Officer: Because I’m shy.]

What a seriously obvious response to question.

I started to doubt whether he was really a professional internet streamer.

[…Huh?]

[Inquisition Officer: Talking to someone I don’t know is embarrassing.]

[Inquisition Officer: If others see it, it looks like I’m just talking to myself.]

[Inquisition Officer: Not easy.]

Besides, anyone who listened to my communications skills would find it amusing.

So, wouldn’t it be better to just not say anything at all? That was my conclusion.

My goal was to become known for my complete skill-focused broadcasts without any words.

But from a professional internet streamer’s perspective, that probably sounded ludicrous.

[If that’s embarrassing, then you shouldn’t stream…]

[Inquisition Officer: Huh?]

Is this person a genius?

★

What kind of person is this really?

Tuni couldn’t understand the thoughts of ‘Inquisition Officer’.

Not saying anything and not showing anything special in the video—he was just playing New Dimension normally.

She was beginning to suspect that he might be mocking her.

[Inquisition Officer: Talking to someone I don’t know is embarrassing.]

[Inquisition Officer: If others see it, it looks like I’m just talking to myself.]

[Inquisition Officer: Not easy.]

“If that’s embarrassing, then you shouldn’t stream…”

[Inquisition Officer: Huh?]

Furthermore, the reason for not saying anything was that he was embarrassed.

…Of course, it wasn’t entirely incomprehensible.

Tuni always thought her voice sounded nice, and partly because of that confidence, she had chosen to become a streamer.

But on the flip side, she had heard from her fans multiple times that some streamers found their voices uncomfortable to listen to.

So, she could understand the statement about being embarrassed to an extent.

However, this was a separate matter.

Aside from special circumstances, it was impossible to have a completely silent stream.

Even if one found their own voice embarrassing, a streamer’s job requires them to talk consistently.

“If you really don’t plan to say anything at all on your stream, it’s probably best to give up. On OnTube, there might be other ways, but in Rhyming, you’ll never succeed like that.”

Of course, Tuni was also a failed hardcore streamer, but she was confident that his way of doing things was wrong.

[Inquisition Officer: Is it absolute?]

“Yes. Absolutely.”

Tuni said firmly.

Seeing him dislike it that much made her wonder if there was something wrong with his voice.

That thought crossed her mind, but she believed it was better to give a clear answer rather than vaguely hope.

To her direct assertion:

[Ah, um…]

“…Huh?”

A female voice she had never heard before quietly came through her headphones.

It was the Miscode nickname.

The mute symbol next to ‘Inquisition Officer’ was now off.