Next Day After the Broadcast
The chat room for heroes registered under Alpha Code was buzzing for the first time.
It’s a monumental day since everyone is finally chatting at the same time.
“Congrats, sis. You didn’t have to, but thanks for overdoing it.”
“Hehe, is that how you express thanks, Da-young? Eek!”
Amid some rustling, the shriek of Bbaebba suddenly stopped.
Did Bbaebba… just die?
Just as I thought maybe her head got split again, Ah-jin’s quiet voice rang in my ears.
“Uh… that was really cool. Um, sister. That video… I’ll definitely edit it to perfection.”
“Yeah, thanks.”
Nade-nade really is a great thing.
As a streamer, this might be a naughty thought, but I felt more supported by their comforting words than from the viewers’ praise.
Maybe it’s the rarity of such encouragement? I mean, how many heroes can you find in this world?
“Yeah, that’s right! Unlike those annoying, whiny complaints to the author, this is totally different.”
“Hey, I’m truly grateful, you know? When did I ever complain to you? You barely know.”
“W-well then….”
Da-young quickly retreated as Ah-jin changed the subject.
“Anyway, sis.”
“Yeah?”
“I think you should tone down throwing bait for the fan base.”
“Oh, that.”
Before I could interject, Da-young posted a link in the Alpha Code chat.
Curious, I clicked on the link and was met with an avalanche of criticism aimed at me.
And… what is this community?
“Friede Gallery?”
That glaring presence at the top of the board was none other than my nickname.
“Looks like a gallery just for you came up. Since your fans were being such rabble-rousers, they decided to make a prison for it.”
What the heck?
A prison?
Is this a freaking Aoji?
My anger flared up like an erupting volcano.
A ‘prison’? Really, that’s pretty harsh.
These viewers of mine?
Whether it’s some mosaic or whatever, I should be the one dealing with this, so why are they creating a ‘prison’ on their own?
Thinking I should at least see what’s going on, I decided to check out the community.
As soon as I refreshed, a multitude of posts appeared in rapid succession.
This was a brand-new gallery that had barely existed yet, but its power level was off the charts compared to others.
Must be the hype from the recent brawl tournament, huh?
**[Host, stop fishing with that junk!]**
Written by: ZikGarterBelt
Don’t insult my pure heart!
**IstoopidGeneral:** Broth… arguing…?
**ㅇㅇ:** Can’t we remove the mosaic? This is such a tease!
**Washbasin:** Give it up… I looked it up; it’s the latest version of Moses using Friede in the MS Room. Removing the mosaic is almost impossible… and if you mess up, you’ll get sued and get dragged to the police station.
**hope5555:** What a demonic tease… but you can’t hate her!
**ㅇㅇ:** Gotta love it when Frogs get bashed!
**[Thrilled to see the epic return, Friede’s Ice-Cube Situation Report.]**
Written by: ㅇㅇ
This is ice-cold.
There’s nothing colder than this ice pose this generation through this season.
While talking, I only stated facts; I never deliberately dragged things out to draw attention.
Besides, I’m not your sister. You’re just couch potatoes…
(*random zany Friede meme*)
What the hell do you think I am?
**yaSergei:** Damn, my sister never said that, but reading this is making me mad.
**ㅇㅇ:** So you did it once, huh, lol.
**LAmpadu:** The mosaic really gets on my nerves, lol.
**KimKkaettuRaku:** I’m holding my breath until my sister reveals her actual face, ugh!
**ㅇㅇ:** Yes, next corpse!
**TheDominator:** Brother, this guy is laughing?
**Washbasin:** Just leave him be, seems he’s in dreamland.
There were also discussions about the tournament, but people were far more engrossed in the latest hot topics.
It felt oddly satisfying seeing everyone getting riled up about the ice pose controversy.
How should I even express this feeling?
Sometimes, when the urge to play pranks surges, it’s really amusing to act on it and feel proud of myself.
Is it possible someone scribbled on my screen? I wondered, and so I gave it a wipe with my finger.
—Swish, swish.
The sound of my finger sliding over the screen hit my ears somewhat vividly.
A steady stream of posts refreshed every second, layered over one another.
Excitement slowly crept into my heart. This is… kind of fun, right?
The Soul Warfare Gallery and Outven are just communities about the game.
But right now, this gallery isn’t about Soul Warfare; it’s a space dedicated to the pure streamer, Friede.
It’s not my sweet panel board or YouTube channel; it’s a community that came into being without my knowledge—speaking of my story.
“Isn’t this great?”
“This?”
Da-young’s bewildered response stirred something ominous within me.
What should I try for the next piece of content?
What if I only show one eye in an ice pose?
** *
“Wow, you really went big with this one.”
A mosaic ice pose? Da-young could only click her tongue.
Fishing like this, aren’t you at the level of a master angler?
“Honestly, it’s fun. Strange, but the content flows that way.”
Her response left me momentarily speechless, but thinking back, she’s always had this kind of personality.
It would be harmful to get flustered for no reason, so Da-young worked to keep her calm.
“Stop it already. The viewers have affection, sure, but if you keep piling up bad karma, one day you’ll plummet.”
“This is content, okay? Drawing views with that is just rotten, BidcheSehee.”
“Forming a bond with Bbaebba? Feels kind of insulting.”
Seeing how I’m being deceived to maintain popularity… I guess I’m still human.
Sometimes, since she seemed to shine so brightly, I’d even daydream about getting summoned to that world instead of her.
I don’t know how tough her situation was, but …
‘Couldn’t I do it too?’
But that doesn’t mean I have some dark desire to snatch away her place.
When you admire someone, you sometimes find yourself empathizing. Well, like right now.
“It’s okay, sis! Do whatever you want!”
“Hehe, BidcheSehee, if you keep going, you might find yourself in the horror scene getting killed too!”
Ah, if only those annoying punks weren’t around.
Da-young bitterly chewed her words.
** *
**[Preview for the Upcoming Match 8 vs. Friede vs. Bisu]**
Due to the weapon limit of two, it’s hard to give an accurate preview of the main pick.
But neither player has picked their main weapon, so based on that, let’s give this a shot.
Friede will utilize the Broken Greatsword, focusing on parrying and countering.
Her sense of distance is excellent, and her speed optimized for parrying and countering is downright incredible.
On the other hand, Bisu wields the Super Large Weapon spear-axe, making the Great Sword of Rebellion his primary pick.
Commonly regarded as an OP weapon, his style is impressive as he whirls and charges using a wide range.
Even if Friede avoids the Great Sword with her distance sense and reaction speed, Bisu will always aim for a throwback using Super Armor.
For those who have seen Bisu’s playstyle when challenging, you would know he’s a typical brawler who emphasizes strength and endurance.
While it might seem similar in solid play to Haldir, if Haldir uses item characteristics to maneuver through the game, Bisu relies on the Super Armor of Super Large Weapons for a flurry of hits and counters.
From Friede’s perspective, how she counters Bisu’s Super Armor will be key to this match.
Although if the weapon changes… who knows?
**ㅇㅇ:** Kind of sad about the two weapon limit. I really wanted to see these two going all out with their main weapons.
**RedChrysanthemum:** As someone facing Bisu’s playstyle, it can be quite troublesome. Especially that pattern of backstepping and swinging up with the spear. Friede can end up biting the dust if she charges in recklessly.
**Aajini:** Friede sister has to win! I just know it!
**ㅇㅇ:** Nah, this time Friede will get rolled over.
**ㄴLepupa:** Once she pulled something like the ice pose, she had it coming. Haha!
**ㄴAajini:** What do you mean? >:(
**ㄴUsTwo:** Just shut up and watch.
**ㄴBbaebba:** A-ha-ha-ha!
** *
In Soul Warfare, there’s supposedly no absolute matchup for any weapon.
Each weapon has unique potential, and it’s possible to turn the tide of battle depending on user skill and playstyle.
Isn’t that the case in any game?
In every game that follows the rule of ‘picking’ something and facing off with another user, there exists no 100% win option.
To put it simply, let’s assume you pick the final boss against a regular character.
Does that guarantee you’ll win?
In short, if you equipped the most powerful gun in an FPS game, does that mean you can win 100% of the time?
Of course, there would be differences in advantages and disadvantages.
But if the rules of the game are in play, it doesn’t mean there is an unfair “you can never win.”
The previously mentioned item advantage is also included within that context, and if you breach that limit, the game will take a nosedive from that point onward.
If you’re wondering why I’m even thinking this,
“Are you not going to use the Broken Greatsword?”
I had an opponent who chose the Great Sword of Rebellion, the OP weapon, without hesitation.
The match in the quarterfinals—my opponent is Bisu.
He seemed to be quite disappointed that I did not pick the Broken Greatsword.
If you feel disappointed, I’m sorry, I send my apologies in my mind.
However, I intend to keep the Broken Greatsword reserved until the very last moment.
I am Friede.
The Light Hero.
Even if it isn’t the Broken Greatsword, as I declared on my broadcast…
‘I will properly show the Hero’s Power.’
Lifting the blade in my right hand, I swear upon my sword.
The Self Sword of Lantairt.
It looked amazing and I liked it a lot.
The signal for the match to begin sounded.
Alright then…
“Let’s go.”
The delicate blade, the beautifully threaded rapier sparkles under the starlight.
The conclusion is… don’t be picky with weapons.
** * **
