Former Hero Streamer – Chapter 55

Split Sword.

It was one of the weapons commonly picked among users who favored the katana weapon class.

While there are numerous weapons in the already popular katana category, ‘Split Sword’ always made it to the top tier.

Perhaps due to its immense popularity, users showing up with a katana among lower-tier players are mocked with terms like ‘katana nerd’ or ‘nitpongo nerd.’

In this game, being popular basically means it meets the requirements for style and effectiveness beyond the necessary level.

In other words, it’s a highly cost-effective weapon that makes it hard to go wrong with your choice.

In fact, it had even appeared in the STK Professional Team.

Well, the reason I’m rambling on about this weapon is…

[Wait, I brought up swimsuits and look at this mess!]

[Teacher, the kunoichi concept isn’t showing enough skin.]

[Seriously, just wearing a mask makes you a ninja? Ha ha ha!]

[Is it okay if the outfit is just a log rolled around?]

[What the hell… a ninja?]

[Isn’t the national rule for ninja outfits a bikini?]

[Nope, that’s straight-up naked.]

As the chat exploded with intense reactions, it was because I had decided to go with a ninja concept for this broadcast.

Whether it’s a hunter story, a chaebol tale, or a sports show—just the name ‘ninja’ captivates interest out of nowhere.

The katana is indeed the national weapon of a ninja. It would have been nice to have shurikens, but since Soul Warfare only has throwing daggers available, I had to make do with that.

After purchasing the ninja character and equipping the weapon, I felt quite the noir assassin vibe.

It was quite different from the Islam Warrior I showcased earlier—more on the Oriental side, I’d say.

“It feels awesome. The blend of an Oriental ninja in a Western castle….”

[Can you tone it down, Teacher?]

[Demanding the Beach Warrior’s return, 40 times.]

[The idea of a ninja being in a Western castle is historically inaccurate.]

Sadly, there was not a single person who resonated with my thoughts.

The whole thing started when I was reading community threads related to the STK brawl tournament during my broadcast.

* * *

Again, I decided to carry on with Soul Warfare.

Well, I figured I wouldn’t be able to look at other games until I reached the pinnacle of Soul Warfare.

If I had to put it, it felt like seizing the kingdom while I was at it.

Stella Craft feels like a reflash; it’s not really a game you can hold onto for hours like Soul Warfare.

Before logging into Soul Warfare inside the MS Room, I casually mentioned.

“How about we check out Outben?”

[Why suddenly Outben?]

[No sense of awareness lol, the host applied for a brawl yesterday, remember?]

[Being this blatant about ego searching… you really have no shame, do you, Teacher?]

[Is having tough skin a perk of the helmet?]

“Why, are you embarrassed, Friede?”

[Nope, not at all. Do whatever you want, Sis.]

[I’ve seen it all already.]

[I literally refreshed every 30 minutes and noted every reaction.]

[You crazy people lol.]

The chat was an equal mix of laughter and admiration at my comment.

Ego searching.

What a wonderful phrase.

I thought I’d become somewhat of a minor celebrity by now, so I decided to ditch any self-deprecating or modest talk.

You can’t help but notice when you see videos exploding with views.

“There are quite a few.”

Soul Warfare Outben, trending topics in the event category.

When searching for my name Friede, there were hundreds of posts, but I didn’t make a fuss about it.

Was I just so used to it that it felt normal? What a pity!

I didn’t think it was a good change. Without stimulation, entertainment and vitality fade.

‘I need more attention.’

To what extent, you ask….

Yes, it wouldn’t be bad to conquer the news board at the very top of the Outben main screen.

In that sense, this tournament could be a great opportunity.

STK Brawl Tournament.

People are shortening it to ‘brawl.’

It’s not an overstatement to say that all users of Soul Warfare have their eyes fixed on this tournament; winning it would be something else.

The winner can unofficially be considered the best among amateurs, and more than that, facing off against current professional gamers is quite the enticing bait.

It would command mad attention, devouring the spotlight completely.

For a streamer, getting this amount of attention is no small feat.

「antiruru donated 5,000 won!


―Let’s check the 5th post above, Sis.」

“5th from the top?”

Did I miss it? What could the title be?

Curious, I scrolled through the screen.

Among the many trending posts, one caught my eye.

Looking at the title, I just thought… it was a bit odd.

[Let’s not fight with swords, but with something else.]

If we don’t fight with swords in the Soul Warfare tournament, then what will we fight with?

The viewers’ reactions were curious hooks, and I clicked to find out what it was about.

Then….

[Let’s not fight with swords, but with something else.]

Let’s have a contest with Sis taking off the helmet and swimming suits along with a lotus.


Nobody has to fight.


With great joy, we can cheer for both sides’ victories.

ㄴBanana Egg: Facts) It’s a fact.

ㄴApivelnon: For real.

ㄴGarlic Knight: I would eagerly support Friede exposing her face, oh my.

ㄴSunlight Sword: Friede… the lotus… should just be admired and not fought.

ㄴStreet Girl: Get lost; write that nonsense in your notepad!

A swimsuit contest, huh?

I seriously wanted to crack open someone’s skull to see which genius thought of that.

Maybe it was because the subject was me and the lotus? I couldn’t say it didn’t make sense.

Due to the tournament’s influence, I finally got a glimpse of the real-life photo of the gamer ‘Lotus.’

Well, she looked pretty cute.

Given that viewers’ fantasies and mysteries about me were likely 90% dependent on looks.

So, people would be linking me and Lotus to talk like this.

Naturally, a handsome and beautiful pair garners attention wherever they go.

I still remember the ripples caused after I took off my helmet to show my back of the head.

But…

[Lotus x Friede, praise them!]

[Oh my, it’s coming together!]

[I feel like Friede would look amazing just in a swimsuit with a helmet on.]

[For real, lol.]

[If the two of them came out in swimsuits, we’d all freak out!]

[Is that what’s needed?]

「Gomtang Ingredients Puu donated 20,000 won!

―How about Sis’s character in a swimsuit?」

I couldn’t ignore these responses.

Without engaging with any support or chat response, I just placed my finger on the keypad panel.

Quietly crafting a quick string of characters. And when a single sentence was completed… I hit Enter triumphantly.

It was bound to be…

[Friede777: Dear viewers, remember the Islam Warrior who fossilized your emotions?]

It seems that needing guidance isn’t just for the underlings.

[????]

[Get together? What does the host mean?]

[No way?]

[Host, we messed up! Please stop!]

[Stop it… what the heck is that skin?]

… I can sway the viewers’ emotions.

* * *

Now back to the Ninja Warrior… what a charming combination, isn’t it?

Furthermore, it was something I had considered beforehand, unlike the Islam Warrior, it wasn’t a concept I locked in impulsively.

I checked myself in the mirror camera, and everything seemed fine.

The thick black uniform layered decisively emphasized its sturdiness.

It was a pricey item I bought at the store, so it certainly felt like it was worth the money.

“Today, I’m going for an assassination play.”

[But didn’t you already do that as an Islam?]

[Are you messing with me, ugh?]

[Shut up, please. You already derailed last time; don’t do it again!]

[Today’s my day off so I’m tuning in directly; these annoying idiots are making me fume!]

[All you’re doing is drooling over swimsuits, how disgusting!]

“Calm down, everyone. This is a play I’ve wanted to try, so let’s just go with it. After all, it’s often best to take the first hit?”

[Please save that kind of content for when I can’t watch your live stream!]

[What a selfish jerk; I watch your stream every time!]

[Does that person even have a life?]

[Teacher, you’ve done assassination before; are you doing it again?]

Regardless of which side you were on, the focus remains on assassination, but let’s see. I’m trying to adjust the play a bit.

“It’s not the same old assassination. This time, I’m looking to rearrange things a little.”

Indeed, when you talk assassination, it doesn’t necessarily mean you always have to kill the other player.

“Today, the person I’m looking to assassinate isn’t a player.”

[????????]

[What the heck are you talking about?]

[If you’re not going to assassinate the opponent, then what exactly will you be assassinating?]

[Didn’t you already assassinate us, damn you?]

[For real, the ‘Light Hero’ has already been assassinated.]

[Don’t you expect too much in a game where team kills aren’t even allowed?]

[Are you saying this Sis is trolling?]

[Hey, don’t insult Friede, you idiots.]

The responses were fiery amid the countless hooks, but I couldn’t help but sigh in disappointment.

I couldn’t understand why assassination was so strictly defined around opposing team users.

Then the game began.

Once again, entering the side route.

More stealthy than during my Islam Warrior phase, this felt like true infiltration action.

However, the difference this time? The change in stats.

Minimizing health and dramatically boosting stamina, my abilities seemed somewhat mismatched for a ninja.

But this was still a step taken for gameplay. The reason being….

—Creeping, creeping.

This entire game’s movement was about wall climbing.

Creeping along the wall really embodied the essence of a ninja.

To ensure that no keen-eyed users were lurking, I had set all my attire to deep rebel black for camouflaged concealment.

As long as I was cautious, I shouldn’t get caught easily.

Just then, I sensed a presence ahead.

“You’ve come.”

I made sure to say a word toward the chat, and I quietly waited for the right moment.

Perhaps sensing my presence, the opposing team sent three of their members from the start.

Were they intending to maintain their numerical advantage and not let the side-route object slip?

This just might amplify the effectiveness even further.

[Blades of Steel: Friede isn’t here. Did she go to another side route?]

[Damduk: They’re not there either.]

[Sun King: Damn it, doesn’t that mean we’ve wasted a route?]

[Blades of Steel: Let’s quickly get high-tier objects up and capture them!]

Just like before, it seems unusual that I wasn’t blatantly invading the side route to cause a ruckus.

While the chat urged me to assassinate them quickly, this concept was ‘a different kind’ of assassination.

Staunchly waiting, they eventually set out to hunt for the objects.

After defeating the trio of small fry, a medium-tier object is summoned immediately.

The giant clad in heavy armor swinging a katana was quite an intimidating sight.

If it weren’t virtual, anyone would probably pee their pants. Well, anyone besides me and Dayoung.

But still, a game is a game.

Seeing three grandmasters huddled, I couldn’t help but sigh at the rapid draining of the object’s health.

Compared to the immense pressure exerted from this scene, we were taking it down way too easily.

Well….

‘At least I’ve avoided wasting time…’

With my right hand, I pulled out a throwing dagger.

If it hits a vital spot, it can deal a critical hit whether it’s against an object or a player, making it surprisingly effective.

With my left hand and both legs wedging into the gaps between bricks for support,

I slowly… raised my right hand.

The alluring moonlight spilled through a gaping hole in the ceiling.

When the tip of the dagger held in my right hand pointed at the moon,

—Gooooo!

The object’s scream echoed in all directions.

With the whole castle trembling in accompaniment…


I hurled the dagger with all my might.

Truly, this was not just any throw; it was infused with the essence of a lethal strike.

As it sliced through the air, tearing space itself, the dagger’s tip reflected the moonlight… like a divine meteor of the sky.

—Thud!

Falling where the spirit penetrated, everyone froze in silence.

Even the chat…


only quietly recorded a little bump as our team’s score gradually increased due to the final hit on the object.

“Do you realize? This is….”

I turned to the chat, grinning silently behind the mask as I whispered.

“Assassinating the object… is what this means.”

This… is my assassination.