Former Hero Streamer

“Alright, let’s start with the first video. Candidate number one, this is the work of the applicant ‘Bribed Dwarf.’ The title is ‘Lost Again.'”

[What’s this sound?]

[Lost again!]

[Did we just get totally wiped?]

[Oh no!]

This is some old source, but the comments are flying in right away. Looks like there are quite a few people who know it.

From this reaction… I guess there are viewers in their 50s.

I thought a virtual reality game would keep out the older crowd, but maybe it’s thanks to Stella Craft?

Well, broadening the viewer age range is a good sign. Let’s focus on the contest for now.

The edited video submitted as a portfolio began to play.

Surprisingly, the first video wasn’t from my stream, but from another streamer.

And it wasn’t even Soul Warfare, but a different game.

I thought the unfamiliar content might be off-putting, but no way. The skill kept my eyes glued to the screen.

It must be because Dae-young selected it; the quality is exceptional.

This applicant is probably a professional.

[The quality is pretty good.]

[For real, lol.]

[This seems pro-level, right?]

[Does that mean the other videos behind it must be of that quality too? They really prepared well.]

[Sis’s broadcasting contest? So far, it looks successful, hehe.]

Look at that, the audience is reacting positively.

I can’t help but feel a bit proud that these skilled people are challenging my broadcast.

[10,000 won donation from Zig Caterbelt!

—You did a great job selecting the videos. Who helped you?]

“Oh, Foming helped me. Totally carried me.”

[Foming and this sis are always collabing, lol.]

[With someone like Foming, it makes sense to collaborate frequently.]

[Thanks to the jerk, they formed sisterly love, ugh.]

After chatting about this and that, 15 minutes passed.

The first video wrapped up quite neatly.

With six more videos left, I thought this contest might go on for quite a while based on the length.

And just as I was about to play the second video, an unexpected electronic voice echoed.

「All-Consuming Doll’s mission, 10,000 won!

—Voting for candidate number one, the first video!」

Why are we voting already?

When it pops up like this in the middle of enjoying the video, it breaks the rhythm and I frowned slightly.

If I don’t sort this out quickly, subsequent mission votes will block the broadcast.

“I forgot to mention. Voting will take place after all the videos are finished, so I’ll cancel this mission that just came in.”

This could really interrupt the flow.

Though I can’t show it externally, I’m clicking my tongue internally, feeling annoyed.

[Oh, lol, don’t cut in line!]

[Change your nickname to All-Consuming Doll, damn it.]

[No etiquette from this guy.]

[Could it possibly be an editor or one of their friends? This is unusual.]

[Sharp comeback, lol.]

[For real, lololol.]

It looks like I need to quickly change the topic before things heat up.

“Okay, let’s not provoke unnecessary distractions, and move on to the next video.”

Seeing the chat calm down like a steam engine after squashing its pressure, I introduced the next video.

“Candidate number two, the applicant is ‘Heavenly Horse Riding Human,’ and there’s no title.”

The second video is Soul Warfare.

I’m glad to see the familiar game, but… the main character isn’t me.

I think during the selection process, Dae-young mentioned being a little disappointed.

Time management was good, but they said the video was rather plain.

The viewers’ reactions were also just okay; no particularly impactful moments.

It wouldn’t be unreasonable to say that candidate number one’s video had more skill, even if it was a different game.

Watching a character with all stats 2% short and getting stuck in the game felt a bit sad.

But, oh well…

‘The world of competition is merciless.’

In the end, everything is determined by the audience’s mission vote.

The third… fourth… fifth… and after looping through, the sixth video finished.

[Candidate number two is a bit ambiguous, but the others are neck and neck.]

[High caliber, huh… is this the editing contest of a major corporate streamer?]

[Everyone’s use of sources is astounding.]

[Are they all working with another major corporation too?]

[With that level of quality, they can’t be pushed aside… but they’re freelancers anyway.]

Among them, there are two videos based on my broadcast.

One is Soul Warfare, and the other is Stella Craft.

I never imagined that Stella Craft would be utilized in the streams, but it was surprisingly bold, raising my expectations.

If I had chosen without votes, I likely would have picked candidate number five’s video based on Stella Craft among those I’ve seen so far.

I wonder what the audience’s reaction will be; I couldn’t help but smile with anticipation.

“Alright, we’re finally at the last one. Candidate number seven, nickname ‘Ah Jin.'”

Oh, this person remained.

A name I remember quite well due to its impact.

Surely a dark horse aiming for victory in this contest.

I blamed my past self for hastily making conclusions and absentmindedly tapped my fingers on the desk.

The competition may be harsh, but I should keep watching until the very end.

With applicants still remaining, who was I to rush to conclusions?

[Ah Jin? lol.]

[Oh wow, it’s Ahn Jin! Please torment me, hehe.]

[Ah Jin is a little kid, isn’t he? Let’s treat him harshly.]

[These crazy kids are being blatantly open about their preferences, huh?]

[I’m getting dizzy over here, you know!]

“Don’t aim for nickname jabs. If it gets serious, I will ban you. Now, the video prepared by Ah Jin is titled ‘Friede’.”

The title is my nickname, how simple can it get?

Unlike other editors, this editor named Ah Jin included the footage of me battling with the guardian.

‘So that’s why they named it after my nickname.’

Of course, since this is footage from when I played in Soul Warfare. It can’t get more fitting than that.

Previous editors edited existing footage, but this includes content from before I started broadcasting, so it’s a noticeable difference.

[Whoa!]

[Great choice of background music! Where’s that from?]

[Sounds like Melodic Square’s OST…]

[What’s that, you dork?]

[There’s a domestic RPG game that came out 35 years ago. The story, voice acting, and OST are all top notch.]

[I’m really curious about everyone’s ages in this chat.]

The viewers’ reactions are pretty positive.

To an extent, it seemed better than the fifth and sixth videos I thought were the best.

So, this is how it felt.

‘As the person involved, I only saw that one guy.’

Seeing my past from a third person’s perspective, having it displayed on screen created a refreshing feeling.

Not recalling my past in my head, but instead having it visualized makes a subtle difference.

That’s why I understood. I was really good back then.

[Wow, it really hits.]

[Check out that parrying performance!]

[For real, the timing on that parrying and the shift in background music really elevate the mood.]

[The captions are smooth and easy to follow too.]

[Life might be third-rate for me, but my editing is top-rate…]

[Don’t forget that your views are also third-rate!]

You’re banned.

The viewer who dropped that third-rate comment got banned right away, and then I continued to enjoy the video.

Just like a hero defeating the final boss in a shonen manga, my last attack against the opponent was intensely close-up.

The duel was clearly overpowering, but packaging it like a protagonist overcoming adversity is also a skill, right?

I had skimmed through it during selection, and I was genuinely impressed.

But as I took my time to enjoy it, it revealed layers of joy much like peeling a fruit.

“Yeah, this is good.”

I let that slip out unconsciously.

It really made me think… was I this good?

* * *

“Yawn.”

Pouring freshly brewed coffee from a pod into my cup, I let out a slight yawn.

After watching all the videos, I took a moment to rest; I felt a bit mentally drained.

It’s been nearly two hours of continuous viewing.

Both I and the viewers could use a breather.

Do the editors who submitted videos from other streamers still have contracts with those streamers?

This feels somewhat like an NTR vibe…

‘What a foolish thought to have…’

Shaking my head at such thoughts, I returned to my seat.

We’re heading into the final segment now, so I need to push through for a bit longer.

[Who said tuning’s best is stock? The end point of tuning is literally tuning itself.]

[Whoa, that’s some wild nonsense… There’s a genuine flavor in this straightforward presentation of the video. You young students wouldn’t get it.]

[Why are there so many crazy oldies in here? If you like it plain, maybe eat your rice with water?]

[Do you think MSG just came about for no reason? Haha!]

While I was away for just a moment, they turned the chat into their wrestling ground.

Anyway, topics like this will settle automatically once the final winner is decided.

“I’m back. Whatever video taste you’re debating, everyone respect each other’s preferences.”

[This is right.]

[Let’s make a quick decision with votes so I can have some peace.]

“It’s time for voting soon, but before we get to that, let’s hear a word from the participants.”

[Huh? What’s this about?]

[Did they record something separately?]

“Yes, I contacted each of the selected editors to ask them to share a statement before the voting. Luckily, everyone agreed.”

I asked for a word about their resolve, in that kind of spirit.

It’s typical to have participants share a few thoughts before results are announced in a competition.

So, I reached out individually to the seven selected editors by email.

Fortunately, everyone consented, and since it was just recorded audio and not a video, I think it felt less burdensome for them.

[Oh, lol.]

[Let’s see what they had to say.]

[I’m curious now.]

[Ah Jin, I’ll show you how cringy it can get.]

[There are plenty of folks here who had no friends in school… Why the tears?]

“Alright, we’re starting with candidate number one.”

The recording was less than a minute long, so it felt relieving.

Thus, candidate number one to the next editor’s voice flowed quietly.

The content wasn’t much different; it was the standard range of, “I’m honored to participate in this contest,” or “This was a great experience,” or “I’ll definitely get picked as the editor for your channel,” all typical repertoire.

And another special point was…

[What, are they all guys?]

[Where’s that musty smell coming from?]

[Hey! Keep your flower-like voice down!]

[Right?!]

From number one to six, they were all guys.

At first, it felt calm, but as the male voices kept piling up, everyone started getting restless.

And then finally number seven.

‘Ah Jin.’

Someone who can be seen as the top among the seven editors purely on talent, a likely victor.

I wondered what kind of voice they had; I was curious too.

I thought there wouldn’t be anything special here due to my optimistic assumption, and so I didn’t bother checking.

And then….

「Ah… um….」

A hesitant, shy-sounding young girl’s voice.

My eyes widened without me realizing.

It was a girl?

[Is it a girl!?]

[Wow, after hearing those dark voices, my ears feel refreshed.]

[Let’s go champion, let’s go! ]

[Wow, Ah Jin, the editor, is actually a kawaii girl…]

While the intense chat spilled over,

「Except for me… you’re all… all worthless.」

[Wow!]

[Ah Jin-chan, you gotta cast a spell on our voting!]

[So… kawaii…]

[I want to pamper you…]

[Oh damn, these broth-loving idiots are acting like degenerates.]

[Ordinarily, broth lovers and degenerates are one and the same…]

[Please ban the broth-loving degenerates, will ya?]

[You damn idiots, can’t you relish in Friede’s voice?]

[Whoa there, students; the more the merrier!]

The chat surged with cheers, resonating loudly and silently.

* * *