Due to a good seat assignment, there were no harsh obstacles in the camcorder’s line of sight.
As expected, the name Friede proved powerful even in a place like this, as a satisfied smile crept onto A-Jin’s face.
“I like it quite a bit.”
“Ugh, yeah. Well, that… that’s right.”
Maybe it was because she was separated from her sister.
A-Jin’s stuttering returned, now feeling awkward.
Thinking back on it now, wasn’t it true that we all had grown accustomed to our sister’s rescue?
Whether it was before the event or whatever, it was really something I didn’t care about.
Being here together was all thanks to the connection called Friede.
At that moment, with the announcer’s declaration, members of the Streamer Team began to reveal themselves one by one.
“Here they come.”
“Oh… oh.”
“You really can’t do anything without your sister, huh? Give me the camcorder; if it’s hard, I’ll film.”
“N-n-no! My sister… I have to film everything….”
A-Jin clung desperately to the camcorder, and I shook my head as if exhausted.
We both seemed to be tied to such guilty people.
“Lots of guilt… sounds dreadful for someone who saved us as heroes.”
We were like bees buzzing around a flower, desperately craving something from our sister, who outright refused us.
Is the flower the problem, or is it the bees?
“The flower’s the problem.”
It was a cowardly self-justification, but Dayoung understood it herself.
Well, who cares? That’s guilty enough.
“Uh?”
From the side, A-Jin’s gasp reached my ears. Her trembling arm looked precarious to see from beside her.
Yet, she clung to it fiercely, trying to steady the screen—could that be the desperate professionalism of a Vlog editor?
Of course, Dayoung’s feelings watching were the same.
Even if she didn’t voice it, her surprise wasn’t all that different.
Given Friede’s appearance and her outfit, it was obvious everyone’s eyes would be drawn to her.
Yet, what was this emotion now?
Looking around hastily, it was no surprise that everyone was staring blankly.
In a once noisy crowd, a sudden silence fell, but it wasn’t due to them simply becoming mute.
Originally, people should have buzzed about Friede’s looks and outfit, but instead, they were drawn to her like iron filings to a magnet.
The chat had quieted down, the camera operators needed to catch various scenes, the directing staff coordinating the broadcast, and even the players on stage—everyone was captivated.
‘My heart… has been stolen.’
Could this also be categorized as theft?
It wasn’t just Friede’s stimulating and outward appearance that drew them in.
It was her looks and her clothes, but more so the inner emotional depth she offered, impossible to neglect.
Right now, she emanated a force that attracted people’s attention.
It transcended whether one was a man or a woman, beauty or ugliness, but drew the heart inexplicably.
People referred to this as a magical charm.
In the brief moment from when Friede appeared to when she strode to the center of the stage.
The atmosphere of the competition returned to normal, yet in everyone’s hearts, that moment was deeply etched.
*
*
*
If the impact of the first appearance is strong, nothing else catches the eye.
If a strong sexual appeal is felt from looks and attire, it might as well feel justified, striding confidently.
“Sorry, everyone. Please bear with me.”
I thought it might be a disaster if everyone waddled on stage like penguins, but…
If something like that were to happen, as long as I was at the center of it, does it really matter?
It didn’t seem too bad, after all.
Well, just like now.
[Wh-who…?]
[Is this… Offline Friede?]
[Friede Godride, Queenride, Kingride!!!]
[All Black Sex Appeal Concept Friede… it’s truly divine, right?]
[Today, it’s this.]
[Who are we? Tier 1 looks, Tier 1 body, Tier 1 skills, Friede’s broth! Who are we? Tier 1 looks, Tier 1 body, Tier 1 skills, Friede’s broth! Who are we? Tier 1 looks, Tier 1 body, Tier 1 skills, Friede’s broth!]
[Hey, take a good look, newbie. That’s true sexual appeal.]
[Ah, lol, is adult content really that special?]
[A line that reminds me of a jar filled with fermented soybeans. Quite appetizing ^^ Ah, but I won’t mention whose it is ^o^]
[I can’t help but admit. We’re all just lowly broth.]
[Mommy, give me your breast milk!]
[There are no sane people in this broadcast.]
As if to reward the brief silence, merciless chat bombardment struck the channel.
Among them, some poor remarks were mercilessly banned, but it felt laughable against the massive tide.
[“Ah, yes. It seems there are quite a few ardent fans. As expected from Friede, she’s drawn much interest so far.”]
[“Yes, given that Friede has built her reputation through her stunning skills and looks, the fans’ attention is on fire.”]
The broadcaster’s effort to maintain a calm atmosphere felt desperately strained.
Surely they could roughly read the flow, including the chat, but what might they be thinking, witnessing such vulgar jokes in the chat?
Friede felt an inexplicable urge to use mind-reading powers, but ultimately shook her head and abandoned the idea.
[“Alright, next, we’ll have player interviews before the match. Jiyoung, please come out.”]
Like a general giving up under unbearable pressure, the eyes passing the baton glimmered with a subtle urgency.
Fortunately, the screen quickly shifted, allowing us to avoid the excessive focus on Friede’s face like before.
“Hello, I’m Jiyoung.”
[Oh! Jiyoung, the one we trust!]
[Now, I can’t imagine a place without Jiyoung among interviewers.]
[Look at how tightly her makeup is done offline.]
[Still, she’s so charming @@]
[Anyway, in front of Friede, everyone seems like a squid pupa, so no need to feel self-conscious ㅇㅇ.]
[Jiyoung, Ganbatte!]
Jiyoung’s presence had become a familiar figure, showing up at nearly every event.
Now, an interview without her felt like a steamed bun without red beans.
The resolute determination in her eyes to secure the interview position starting next season was palpable.
“Today, the STK team and the Streamer Team’s match has an incredibly heated atmosphere from the start. Let’s begin interviews with the STK players leading the plays in this game.”
The free talk among the STK participants was conducted briefly.
“I’ll do my best,” “We will show you an enjoyable game,” “I’ll give an amazing performance,”—similar uninspired lines repeated.
Given that STK was notoriously dull among professional teams, their public interviews were mind-numbingly boring.
Even so, Jiyoung led the atmosphere with a proactive and cheerful demeanor.
“Then, Player Yeonkkot, this time you’ll be facing Friede in a match-up between teams. If you have any message for Friede about this battle?”
Holding the microphone, Yeonkkot briefly glanced at Friede at the other end and whispered.
“Sis, take it easy on me.”
Her head dropped low, twisting her body cutely.
Yeonkkot’s appearance seemed unfamiliar even to Jiyoung.
Shifting from other players, Jiyoung quickly turned to Friede, asking her with intrigue.
“So, Friede. How will you respond to Yeonkkot’s feelings?”
“All I wish is for the STK team to do well. And… Eunha, come here for a moment.”
“Okay!”
“Eh?”
Had there been instances where players from opposing teams shared the stage like this before?
Even experienced Jiyoung was taken aback at such an unprecedented sight, while Eunha trotted over, her eyes sparkling as Friede patted her cheeks.
“Work well with your teammates. And don’t get hurt. Got it?”
“Okay!”
Watching Eunha nod her head vigorously like a daughter obeying her mom, Friede smiled gently.
Hello, this is an event, and you guys are each other’s enemies.
Ignoring Jiyoung’s unfulfilled murmurings, the chat was heated enough.
[That streamer is ridiculously obsessed with beauty ㄷㄷㄷ]
[Why is it that Friede has only girls around her?]
[Better than squawking with dark guys every day.]
[Sisterly love is beautiful to see.]
[Poor Foming is crying lol.]
Eunha’s often icy image starkly contrasted, leaving even other STK teammates confused.
“Yes, I’ve seen how you two have grown closer since that duel. Now it seems it’s time to hand over the mic to Warden.”
Having wrapped up the little incident between Friede and Yeonkkot during pre-match interviews, Jiyoung turned the microphone toward Warden one last time.
“I’d like to hear your thoughts on participating in this tournament and facing off against the Streamer Team.”
Even Friede still had the wall called Warden to overcome; this gamer could undoubtedly be called the strongest of the event.
Regardless of it being an event, it was rumored he gave his all in every game—could Friede truly surpass him?
This was likely a common point of interest for everyone watching.
Warden, holding the microphone, gazed straight ahead with an emotionless stare and spoke.
“This isn’t something to ponder over. I simply wish for the best for the Streamer Team.”
His words carried a solid, immovable determination, free of hesitation.
Thus concluded the interviews.
As they returned to their seats, a camera followed their backs, capturing the serious demeanor of the players headed to compete.
[“Yes! STK vs. Streamer! The event is about to start… Huh?”]
Just as the broadcaster’s strong declaration signaled the match’s beginning, a perplexed gasp escaped their lips.
In contrast to his usual calm demeanor, his expression froze upon receiving news from the staff, resulting in an awkward smile.
The message relayed through connected earphones from the staff was something any experienced person in this industry would find difficult to accept.
[“Ah, we apologize for the delay. Due to abnormal blood pressure levels in multiple players, we’ll be waiting around ten minutes before starting the game.”]
[Ah… oh….]
[Moment of silence…]
[….]
[Ping….]
Without singling out the cause, the chat sighed with recognition of the problem.
And no one dared to mock this happening, choosing instead to remain silent.
