Former Hero Streamer – Chapter 4

I wasn’t the type to contemplate deeply about myself. The reason? I was half too lazy to do so.

It sounds shameless to say I lacked self-love, but thanks to that, I could organize my current state without deep anguish.

I became an attention-seeker.

When people glanced at me on the street, or when I caught the creepy gaze of a convenience store clerk, I had no aversion to it—that was part of the reason.

Naturally, this led me to think about how to fulfill such a troublesome fetish…

Of course, I didn’t mean to attract attention mindlessly.

Could I really perform a tearful loser’s performance in broad daylight, or shout “I’m bald!” in the street?

‘What’s this…’

For the viewers, it wouldn’t be much fun, though.

Still, as a hero, I had my pride.

No way could I resort to methods even I couldn’t accept.

‘There are different types of attention…’

Rather than being treated as a mindless weirdo, I wanted to be worshiped and loved.

Posts about me displayed on screens.

I was sure this would fulfill my desire for attention.

Maybe that’s why I wanted to find ways related to Soul Warfare.

Of course, there might be better, more certain methods.

But right now, at this moment, the desire to choose better over best was overwhelming.

The reflection of me in the mirror.

Considering the attention I’d received so far, and judging by my aesthetic standards, this body was certainly within the “acceptable” category.

What methods could I use to gain attention while playing a game like Soul Warfare?

The answer came quickly.

‘Streamer.’

It’s already been 30 years since gaming culture firmly established itself.

Without necessarily using the powers of a hero, this enhanced body had the talent to effortlessly manage what’s known as “Umpican.”

You could say I was being a bit arrogant with just three normal game matches, but many agreed in trending posts.

A woman,

With skills superior to anyone,

Active in the top tiers of streaming?

‘I can’t stand it.’

Had I encountered such streams before being summoned to this other world, I might’ve joined in too.

Sure, the results might show that a professional gamer has a flashier path.

But the schedule management compared to being a streamer posed a problem.

Especially in pro gaming where various interests intertwine, it simply wasn’t my pace.

‘Offline just won’t work.’

Feeling drowsy, I sank deeper into my chair.

If I could gather viewers, their endless variety of attention would focus on me—how exhilarating would that be?

When I thought this far, I snapped back to attention.

“Crazy…”

Could this be a side effect of my job change from hero to unemployed?

Maybe my head got a bit weird…

At this point, I might easily fall for the devil’s temptations and go corrupt.

It feels like I’m overthinking it, so I try to reassure myself to stop.

Yeah, there’s no need to get all worked up. It’s not like being ignored means I’m immediately out of the game.

For now, let’s just… keep playing.

I hadn’t even properly started the game yet, so wasn’t it unnecessary to entertain thoughts of being a streamer or professional gamer?

Suppressing the rising desire, I launched Soul Warfare.

The goal is… right. I need to reach master tier.

After all, I’m a hero who defeated the Demon King and saved the world. Setting that goal is the least I should do for appearances.

Of course, it’s not the final goal. It’s merely a gateway to pass through.

Whether as a streamer or professional gamer, I’d think again when the time comes.

With a hearty meal behind me.

“First, let’s clear the story mode.”

I stepped into the capsule.

* * *

Considering how grandly it began, the strategy for story mode was nothing special.

The strategies were already widely known, and most cleared it on their first try, so there was no reason it should take a long time.

After achieving the ending, looking at the newly unlocked gear, I found myself facing a new dilemma.

To be honest, the stats weren’t difficult.

Just matching the general stats according to the chosen weapon type would deal more than decent damage. The problem was what came next.

“First, I need to redefine my customization.”

Even though I covered my eyes with a visor, I received this much attention.

This appearance… clearly catches too much eye.

I donned a helmet with a knight set acquired from the story mode.

I mixed echoes into my voice through settings. Just in case, I disabled ID display in audience mode.

“I’m really being sneaky.”

Seeing how I’m doing all this with vague concepts of maintaining mystery regarding my face…

Ah, how did my heart get so dark like this?

But…

“What a fine thing to do.”

After roughly resetting my character, I turned my gaze to the remaining tasks.

I chose close-range weapons.

They were divided into small, medium, large, and super-large categories, intricately branching into each weapon class.

Of course, even if there were many weapons, there must be OP picks within the game.

But for some reason…

Even though many tailored strategies related to preferred weapons were abundant, my hands wouldn’t reach them.

There are often those who value romance over efficiency, and perhaps I was one of them.

I thought, Is there no weapon that could capture my heart, rummaging here and there for a while?

As boredom started to gnaw at me while scrolling through the weapon list, an eye-catching weapon surfaced.

Unlike completed other weapons, it was scruffy and worn-out—a piece of junk.

The blade was split at an angle, losing its tip.

The hilt added to the imbalance compared to the broken blade.

This weapon was called…

“Broken Greatsword.”

Finding it to be such a unique weapon, I searched for its description, and it was truly comical.

Broken Greatsword, also known as Broken Club.

Even from the nickname, I could feel the disdain from many gamers.

Moreover, the weapon description was even worse.

“It’s unlikely that a normal hero would use such a weapon…”

After logging onto YouTube to search for this weapon, it seemed indeed that it was a trash weapon worthy of a laugh.

Despite being a super-large weapon, its broken blade’s effective range was comparable to that of a long sword, which is a medium weapon.

Plus, it forced a two-handed status, making it impossible to combine with other equipment.

Its attack power was similar to that of a long sword, but it felt as slow as other super-large weapons in terms of attack speed and response.

At least the super armor property typical to super-large weapons remained intact.

‘The performance is dreadful?’

In public perception, many would agree that it would be far better to have an ordinary sword-and-shield combo than to wield that weapon.

With the developers focusing on maintaining balance between weapons, it’s said that it’s technically usable.

But considering the performance of this weapon, it almost feels like it contains malicious deception.

Anyway, the reality was that there were hardly any users who would choose this when better weapons existed.

Truly, it must be a concept play or a weapon to humiliate opponents.

But still…

As a hero rescuing the abandoned, the broken weapon in front of me kept catching my eye.

Born as a piece of junk, if it were to receive resentment and mockery from all players enjoying this game, could it truly be the weapon’s fault?

Surely not, I nodded to myself.

Consumed by attention, it might be an unnecessary emotional investment…

But my hardened heart as a hero tells me.

Choose this weapon.

When I came to my senses, I found myself queuing for matches while holding the Broken Greatsword.

It was the first placement test.

* * *

The atmosphere of group battles in Soul Warfare is quite unique. The loading screen displayed the entire landscape of the battlefield.

Even though it was a scene output to the monitor, the massive castle built atop a lofty mountain evokes both vastness and grandeur.

Peering down from the cliff or castle wall, I felt dizzy at the prospect of an endless abyss below.

While glimpsing the scale of the battlefield on the loading screen, the image switched.

As each player selected weapons and characters were summoned to the main base, a wave of chat messages flooded in.

[Apibelnio: ?? Broken Greatsword ?? What’s wrong with your weapon?]

[GolbodaTwaejangniManhaneunTim: What’s with this loser’s weapon?]

[ConceptIsToAmerica: Why are you fighting with your dildo, you loser ^^]

[GrandmaAndSideDish: Change it immediately if you don’t want to be obliterated.]

The intensity of reactions was on a completely different level from when wielding a long sword in unranked matches.

‘So this is… ranked?’

Since it was not a normal game but a ranked one, the responses were extraordinarily intense.

In a team game, this was a typical repertoire to be unwelcome, but I decided to keep my focus on the game.

Allies began summoning soldiers at the center lane, and fortunately, none were running mid while complaining about my weapon from the start.

I thought to myself, “What nice people,” while surveying the flow of the game.

[GolbodaTwaejangniManhaneunTim: Let’s leave the dildo user alone and focus on the left lane.]

[Apibelnio: For real.]

Everyone concentrated on the central lane and the left flank, leaving me behind alone.

To live up to my teammates’ hopes that I could at least serve as a human detector, I boldly proceeded into the right lane.

The opposing team must be controlling their objectives on their side by now.

The jungle creatures generated at the beginning weren’t too difficult.

They were mere minions I’d encountered countless times while clearing the story mode.

Once the larger objectives emerged after some time, the story would change, but

I had to hurry. The strategy suggested turning right here once more to engage in the jungle route.

Recalling that information, I was about to enter the right alley when—

Whoosh—!

“…!”

With a sharp sound slicing through the air, I instinctively rolled backward.

In front of me, a heavy armored knight was poised for combat, his stance ready.

Was my quick retreat surprising?

It wasn’t long before he didn’t immediately follow up with consecutive strikes, maintaining his cautious stance as methodical as the heavy armor he wore.

‘I’ve already made it this far.’

If the enemy team has penetrated our flank at this time, they likely sprinted here right from the start.

This was certainly unexpected behavior that wouldn’t typically be seen.

Watching videos of strategies, I’d seen such situations before.

[You underestimated me.]

The Broken Greatsword in my hand—not only me, it seemed I was perceived as someone to be looked down upon.

It’s not hard to see why. A newbie wielding a trash weapon about to take on my placement test.

Even my teammates had been asking why I brought such a weapon.

‘It’s inevitable for them to underestimate me.’

Should I lose here, I’d create a gap, and the controls over the objectives would widen.

With our team’s already dreadful atmosphere, my first placement game would certainly blow up too.

Then…

‘I’ve got to show my skills.’

The enemy claymore knight appeared to measure the distance while I was lost in thought, stepping in as if to gauge my reaction.

And then, openly moving forward.

His motions seemed aimed more at testing my reaction than an actual attack.

I too stepped forward just half a beat.

He seemed to decide my movement was off, launching into his skill [Sword Posture] to strike.

It was an extremely robust and powerful horizontal slash cutting across a peculiar diagonal line.

At first glance, it looked like a straightforward attack motion, but the enemy’s movement aimed to throw me off was quite smooth.

If I stayed dazed, my health would plummet in an instant.

These types of attacks would be typically countered by dodging and looking for a chance to retaliate.

Because such attacks were linear and simple.

However, against an opponent attacking with [Sword Posture], I boldly charged forward instead.

My earlier half-step forward was now proving it wasn’t just a misstep.

As the opponent’s sword rushed toward my abdomen, I swung my Broken Greatsword as if letting it flow.

Clang—!

When the complete sword and broken blade collided, a clear metallic sound resonated beautifully through the alleyway.

The one that bounced off was the ‘complete blade,’ and as [Sword Posture] shattered, the fragments of my ‘broken blade’ surged into the gaps of his armor.

The blade pierced through his abdomen and out his back, and the broken form of the sword appeared oddly distinctive.

A perfect parry.

My hands trembled slightly at that sensation.

The satisfaction felt from a well-executed parry is genuinely something special.

Perhaps it’s the distinctive sense of reality found in virtual reality.

The intense sound effect that jolted my heart vividly illuminated my realization that I couldn’t help but be charmed by this technique.

To finish off, I launched an attack, and the opponent drastically retreated, rolling away in a panic.

Was it the astonishment at me parrying while wielding such a weapon, or the diminished health?

I dashed toward the retreating enemy, leaping into the air as I quickly narrowed the gap and delivered two swift slashes to finish him off.

Light Hero Friede 🗡️ Joseon Dynasty Cool

In an instant, the match was decided.

I found a small smile creeping onto my face without me noticing.

It was the same yesterday, but don’t you think it’s quite refreshing?

Till now, I had crushed foes under the overwhelming strength of a hero, yet look at my current self.

Even with agility, reflexes, and quick responses, fighting with a frail human body was no different.

“Hahaha…”

Was it surprise, or joy? I couldn’t tell as laughter erupted from my lips.

Something, a sense of exhilarating thrill was bubbling up inside me like a volcano, causing my tongue to lick my lips.

Now, it’s only the beginning.

The claymore knight I just downed would respawn with time.

But from here on out, the tables would turn.

I dashed toward the enemy’s flank, neglecting the objective inside our base.

Now… it’s my time to attack.