A Basement-Dwelling Loser, the Inquisitor – Chapter 14

“If you’re not going to say anything on the broadcast, you might as well give up. If it were OnTube, there might be other ways, but with Lining, you’ll never succeed like that.”

[Inquisition Officer: Really?]

“Yes. Absolutely.”

Tuni asserted.

[Uh, um….]

Then, a quiet voice I had never heard before came through my headphones a moment later.

The nickname Miscode.

The mute indicator next to ‘Inquisition Officer’ had miraculously been turned off.

“…Huh?”

Thanks to that, Tuni’s thoughts momentarily halted.

‘Did I just mishear?’

[Is this how I should be speaking?]

But shortly after, as if to shatter such delusions, the woman’s voice flowed out again.

Her high, clear voice had a youthful feel to it.

The whisper-like voice in my ear caused no discomfort whatsoever. In fact, it felt soothing to my mind and body.

A voice that could only be described as crystal clear and pristine.

‘Is this… this person’s voice?’

The crazy concept of someone wielding a Warhammer while clad in Full Body Armor, never using a microphone, and head-bashing anyone related to the Elun Cult in the game?

It was unbelievable.

Tuni had naturally assumed the ‘Inquisition Officer’ was a man.

“Um, are you perhaps using a Voice Changer?”

In internet broadcasting, being a woman often gave an unexpected advantage, and there were those who cleverly used Voice Changers for just that reason.

Using a ‘Voice Changer’ isn’t inherently bad.

Of course, deceiving people into thinking you’re a woman would be wrong, but there are also many who announce they are men yet still stream using just a Voice Changer.

In some cases, it even helps them build a dedicated fan base.

And Tuni wondered if this person was possibly aiming for something like that.

[A Voice Changer?]

But Tuni’s question prompted the ‘Inquisition Officer’ to ask in return what that even meant.

The voice conveyed pure curiosity.

“Um, so… you’re a man, right…?”

[…Well, let’s just go with that.]

So she’s really a woman.

Tuni was convinced by her question.

Of course, this was the biggest shock Tuni had heard in a while.

★

Is it really that shocking that I’m a woman?

I mean, I never even heard my voice, and I always wear Full Body Armor in-game, so there’s no way to know my gender.

It means I’ve got a Schrödinger’s gender situation, so why did they think I was a man?

Sure, I was a man in my past life, but I can’t just say that.

“Excuse me…? Tuni?”

[…Ah, yes!]

It seemed the fact that I was a woman was quite shocking, as Tuni didn’t say a word until I called her.

Half the world’s population is female, and she’s a woman too. What’s the big deal?

“So, what should I do once I turn on the microphone?”

[Um, well… first, is the ‘Inquisition Officer’ planning to specialize in New Dimension streaming?]

“Yes, I think so… maybe.”

[Considering the popularity of New Dimension broadcasts in Lining right now, just streaming that might attract some viewers.]

That’s strange. The total number of viewers who tuned into my stream was 4.

None of them stayed for more than 5 minutes.

Can that even be considered attracting viewers?

[You’ll definitely need a special hook to keep those people engaged.]

But Tuni’s words were logically sound.

“A special hook…”

What kind of hook would I have if I were to stream?

Perhaps extreme skill as a broadcaster?

I could easily clear the final content of New Dimension, Castle of Clipport, and Tagirion Raid.

I’ve also got confidence in my PVP and AOS modes.

And I enjoy New Dimension in various ways, so I could introduce those aspects too.

But now that New Dimension has been open for 15 months, could I really succeed with just skill?

I feel like another differentiating factor might be necessary…

[Anyway, the most important thing is mic usage. And of course, highlighting your unique traits as an ‘Inquisition Officer.’ Besides that… consistency? To be honest, I’m a low-tier streamer too… Sorry, haha…]

Low-tier.

That term refers to streamers with a small number of viewers.

When I saw the broadcast earlier, there were around 60 viewers, and that was considered small?

Then what does that make me…?

“It’s okay. I’ve learned a lot. Thank you…”

[I’ll be rooting for you!]

With that final conversation, I ended the call with Tuni.

Now, it’s time to think hard about this.

A special point. My unique point…

Oh, I just thought of something good.

★

[Rene]

[Inquisition Begins]

[New Dimension | 0 viewers | 0:00:02]

“Hmm.”

I cleared my throat as I began my broadcast.

I knew no one would come in as soon as the stream started, but I had to be prepared because you never know when someone might join.

I didn’t want to stutter or mess up just because I spoke without thinking.

I’ve finished separating the streaming mic from the in-game mic, just like Tuni taught me, and I wonder if the streaming quality is… okay for now?

I should probably ask Tuni about that later, just in case.

[Match Found!]

[Nickname: Alreluc | Class: Priest | Level: 45 | PVP Level: 30 | D-Rank]

Lucky me.

Starting off with a heretic as my opponent.

If viewers tune in, I can show off my amazing skills for sure.

[New Dimension | 1 viewer | 0:01:03]

─Hello.

Oh, one person is actually here right from the start!

What perfect timing.

“Hello…”

I made sure not to forget my greeting, beginning the interaction just like Tuni said.

I felt a tad shy as expected, but since I wasn’t talking face-to-face, maybe that’s why it wasn’t too hard to speak?

My voice might be a bit soft, but it wasn’t particularly difficult to say anything.

─? Are you a girl?

And to the first viewer’s question, I confidently replied.

“Unfortunately, I’m a guy…”

─???

After mulling over Tuni’s words from yesterday, I felt this was indeed the right approach.

My special point that I can showcase on stream.

That’s the fact that my gender is Schrödinger’s gender.

I don’t quite understand it, but seeing how surprised Tuni was when she found out my gender suggests there is an assumption about my avatar or play style being masculine.

What if I jab at that assumption, claiming to be male while using a female voice?

I think that could be intriguing.

Of course, it’s a method that only works for first-time viewers, but the important thing is, as Tuni said, to grab the interest of newcomers and turn them into regular viewers.

“I’m using a Voice Changer.”

Plus, throwing in a bit of bait by openly mentioning the Voice Changer.

What kind of streamer is this guy, anyway? I can definitely see curiosity brewing…

─No way.

[New Dimension | 0 viewers | 0:01:33]

…Did I miscalculate it?

★

─Are you a girl?

“I’m a guy… I’m using a Voice Changer.”

Fortunately, it didn’t seem like a completely misguided strategy.

By around the fourth PVP win, the broadcast had attracted a total of 4 viewers.

─No way, a netkama, seriously?

─Is that the Inquisition Officer I know?

─Eww, that’s really gross.

─A veteran female high school student, whoa.

…Well, it doesn’t seem like the reactions are particularly positive, but hey, at least there are people watching.

“I did some research, and, um, a netkama refers to someone who hides being a man and pretends to be a woman. But I’m stating clearly that I’m a guy, so I can’t be a netkama, right…?”

─You’re so unnecessarily logical.

─Your voice is too soft; can you speak up?

“Uh… I’m trying my best to talk louder, but I’m just not used to it, so I hope you understand…”

─Ah, haha!

─Suddenly, I feel sad…

─So, is that really the Inquisition Officer I know?

“Uh… who’s the ‘Don’t mess with me’ person you know from being an Inquisition Officer?”

─Yeah, why do you freak out just seeing a Priest?

“It’s not freaking out; I’m just trying to bring heretics to repentance!”

─True, lol.

─Wait, is this the guy? I couldn’t tell since I can’t see the avatar.

─Is that guy a hacker?

“…Hacker? Me? I thought that controversy was already put to rest. It was officially stated that I’m not a hacker, right?… Do I need to explain anything?”

Seriously, what do Tuni and everyone want me to keep explaining for?

─It could be a hacker that the company can’t find.

“Um, ‘Arailie,’ do you perhaps enjoy conspiracy theories…? Do you believe in things like chips being implanted in the brain when you take medication?”

─Shut up, lol.

“Why do people think that just because they can’t do something, nobody else can either…? By that logic, pro gamers must all be hackers, and athletes are all doping offenders, right? That’d be such a sad way to think…”

─You idiot, haha.

As I calmly rebutted logically, ‘Arailie’ left the broadcast with that final message.

Did I perhaps raise a major red flag?

With each viewer being so precious right now, I might’ve made an enormous mistake.

Hmm.

But it is what it is.

─Seriously, why do you freak out just at seeing Priests?

“There’s no grudge against Priests; I told you, it’s about bringing heretics to repentance, as befits my class! By the way, do you happen to pretend to be a Priest in New Dimension…?”

─Yep.

“Then repent and come back. I’ll give you a 10-minute ban.”

After handing out the 10-minute ban, for some reason, ‘Don’t mess with me’ didn’t show up even after the time was up.

…I wonder why?