Strike 68

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After the handshake, Bark spoke.

“I’d like to pay for the shield you made for me.”

“That was a gift from me.”

“I would have happily accepted if it was just any shield. But this one isn’t ordinary, is it?”

Bark chuckled sardonically.

“Accepting it as is would make me feel indebted.”

Hyun-soo understood him and knew Bark was considering his circumstances.

“Then I’ll gladly accept it.”

Hyun-soo knew Bark preferred paying over carrying a burden of gratitude.

Bark, as Hyun-soo knew, was a real estate tycoon.

A billionaire.

Or perhaps even more than that, he speculated.

“I’ve checked the market value. I’ll transfer 400 million won to your account today.”

Hyun-soo was pleasantly surprised by the unexpected windfall.

‘That makes it 2.5 billion…’

Still, it was money owed to the hospital.

“The most important thing now is to make Hyun’s forge a big hit. What are you planning to do next?”

Nel stepped in at Bark’s question.

“We plan to accept commission requests.”

“Oh?”

Bark smiled with interest. Hyun-soo, too, was excited about this long-awaited venture.

‘The first commission request is vital for introducing Hyun’s forge to the public.’

Hyun-soo had never accepted commissions for Hyun’s forge before.

Maintaining its mystique.

“This commission is crucial for us, we need to gain a lot from it.”

Nel looked at them earnestly.

“We need to maximize publicity and profit from this request. The key is the client.”

“The client?”

Hyun-soo looked puzzled.

“Yes, the client must meet several criteria. First, they should be very favorable towards us. That way, they can widely promote the completed artifact.”

Hyun-soo nodded in understanding.

“Next, they should be a popular user, with a clean reputation. If female, being pretty would be good, and if male, handsome.”

Hyun-soo chuckled at this.

“Does such a person even exist?”

Nel smiled mysteriously at him.

“There’s someone very close. They’re currently popular, good-looking, scandal-free, and more than favorable towards making Hyun’s forge a success.”

Bark stroked his chin, looking at Hyun-soo.

“There’s one close by. About 185 cm tall, quite handsome, and recently won a competition with outstanding performance.”

Hyun-soo, faced with their gazes, looked bewildered.

It felt strangely familiar, and realizing something, he pointed at himself.

“Me?”

***

Following Ares’ global success, Blue Inc. and several broadcasters entered into agreements.

This included not only terrestrial but also internet broadcasts through ZTube.

One of them was AJ Internet Broadcasting.

Kim PD of AJ Internet Broadcasting chewed on his pen.

“If we can get the popular rookie and Hyun’s forge together, it’ll be a hit.”

Kim PD exchanged a sardonic smile with Writer Im.

The plan was this:

“The popular rookie commissions an artifact from Hyun’s forge and uses it to conquer dungeons. Sounds fun, right? The main issue is casting.”

“Yes, the forge owner is quite enigmatic.”

“That’s why we said it’s fine if they don’t show their face, just the commissioned item.”

“Right.”

“If this works out, it’ll be huge…”

A collaboration between the popular rookie and Hyun’s forge!

A perfect picture.

The challenge, as always, was casting.

‘In such cases, usually one of the two fails to be cast…’

Then:

“PD, sir!”

“Hm?”

Kim PD looked puzzled.

“A note from Hyun’s forge. They agreed to send the artifact without showing their face.”

“Does this mean we can broadcast their first commission?”

Then the writer looked shocked.

“Wow, fantastic!”

“What now?”

Kim PD looked expectant at the writer.

“The popular rookie agreed to appear too!”

“Wow!”

Kim PD clapped without realizing.

The popular rookie and blacksmith Hyun.

Their appearance on the show could be the lifeline AJ Internet Broadcasting needed.

***

“Me?”

Hyun-soo was puzzled that he was the one receiving the commission request. It felt like he was being asked to play two roles at once.

“Currently, viewers don’t think the Crazy Rookie and Blacksmith Hyun are the same person.”

Indeed, that was the case. But Hyun-soo had his concerns.

“I was suspected once before. Is this really okay?”

“Don’t worry, you’re scheduled to appear on this internet broadcast,” she reassured, handing him a file.

The first page read ‘AJ Internet Broadcasting.’

“AJ Internet Broadcasting has offered a simultaneous appearance to both Blacksmith Hyun and the Crazy Rookie. The proposed content involves conquering a dungeon.”

“Isn’t it impossible for Blacksmith Hyun and the Crazy Rookie to take on a dungeon together?”

“Fortunately, the broadcast station said it’s fine for Blacksmith Hyun to just send an artifact suitable for dungeon conquest. They respect our desire for mystery.”

It was an intriguing proposal. Hyun-soo was curious about Nel’s plan, and her meticulous and competent approach.

“If viewers raise doubts, AJ Internet Broadcasting will handle it. ‘We proposed this content to both individuals.'”

“Wow.”

Hyun-soo was impressed.

The internet broadcasting station would announce that they initiated the collaboration, providing evidence to dispel any doubts.

Nel continued.

“You might be worried about backlash when it’s revealed both personas are the same. Don’t be. The surprise will outweigh any criticism.”

Hyun-soo considered this in his mind.

Indeed, her approach seemed safe and likely to achieve the desired effect.

Now, the focus was on learning about AJ Internet Broadcasting, which would broadcast their first commission request.

“What is AJ Internet Broadcasting like?”

“It was the channel with the highest viewership in the early days of Ares, peaking at nearly 200,000 viewers.”

“Wow.”

200,000 viewers for an internet broadcast was impressive.

“But lately, they’re down to 40,000 viewers. Three years ago, AJ Internet Broadcasting focused on content with level 80-100 users. But now, viewers aren’t interested in that level range.”

It was understandable.

What used to be high-level content was now just beginner level.

“Now, viewers are interested in around level 300 content, and AJ Internet Broadcasting is still producing similar shows. That’s why ratings have dropped. But with your participation, we might create a buzz.”

Hyun-soo thought positively.

‘Do I have no choice?’

Given the Crazy Rookie’s lower level, it was inevitable. Nel added,

“Is the broadcasting station important? It’s the participants who matter.”

Her point had merit.

“I’ll send the approval note right away.”

Hyun-soo expressed his willingness to accept AJ Internet Broadcasting’s offer.

The response came quickly.

[Hello. This is Kim Min-woo, PD at AJ Internet Broadcasting. We’re thrilled to work with the Crazy Rookie. We plan a brief interview tomorrow. It can be in reality or virtual reality. In virtual reality, you’ll appear almost as in real life. This is to minimize travel and will be held in a personal space linked to Ares.]

The idea was to interview in virtual reality, appearing as in real life.

‘No scars will show.’

[I think meeting in Ares would be better.]

[Tomorrow at 1:50 PM, we’ll send an invitation. Once accepted, you’ll move to a personal styling space. Please dress in your preferred style for the 2 PM interview.]

After wrapping up as the Crazy Rookie, a note came to Hyun’s forge.

[Blacksmith Hyun, pleased to meet you. AJ…]

The content was similar.

[How should we proceed with the interview?]

Blacksmith Hyun was supposed to just send the requested item.

Hyun-soo had a clever idea.

[I have already traded with the Crazy Rookie and have a rapport. I will whisper to him and have him respond on my behalf.]

Hyun-soo smartly handled the situation.

“I’m going to test these armors.”

Bark vanished in a flash of light. Nel logged out after briefing him on things to be cautious about.

Left alone, Hyun-soo calmed his fluttering heart.

‘Can I do this?’

He was not used to broadcasting.

Additionally, Hyun-soo was worried about his participation in the broadcast and whether he could attract a significant audience. Then, the following day at 1:50 PM:

[You have received an invitation to AJ Internet Broadcasting’s virtual space.]

[You will be moved to the styling area first.]

Hyun-soo vanished in a flash of light.

***

[Preparing for the broadcast.]

On the AJ Internet Broadcasting channel, viewers who had logged in early waited for 2 PM.

– It’s about to start, the legendary AJ Broadcasting’s ‘Room of Truth.’ LOL

– The Room of Truth, where no one escapes the reality! Man, AJ really has a knack.

– For real, everyone they bring on usually looks plain.

– Isn’t the Crazy Rookie on today? Wonder if he looks as wild as his name suggests? LOL

AJ Internet Broadcasting was famous for its ‘Room of Truth.’ The show disappointed most viewers by revealing the real appearances of players, who often fell short of expectations. Players would imagine the faces of skilled and flashy users, but many failed to live up to these imaginings, especially the guests on AJ Internet Broadcasting.

– Terrible luck in the looks department, for real.

– Watch, as soon as they reveal their faces, the viewer count will drop, LOL

The interview was like a teaser, so appearances were considered important.

– How many viewers do we have now?

– 6,900.

– Bet it’ll drop to 5,000 today, LOL

– They say Blacksmith Hyun is on today too, but won’t show his face.

– What’s that about?

– Rumor has it he’s a 50-year-old guy with a beer belly, only about 5’3″.

– Makes sense. Why else would he hide his identity?

– Agreed.

As they waited:

[The broadcast will start in 5 seconds.]

– To the Room of Truth!

– Watch the ratings plummet!

Viewers flooded the chat with a countdown.

– 3!

– 2!

– 1!

Flash!

The “Preparing for the broadcast” message disappeared, and the room lit up brightly. A man stood there.

– …?

– What?

– For real?

– Is that him???

Viewers commented on the man on the screen.

– Why is he so handsome…?

– He’s good-looking enough to be locked in the Room of Truth!

The viewer count began to rise.

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