Please Do Your Debauchery After You Die - Chapter 174

Episode 174 Year-End Awards Ceremony (2)

As all the invited individuals enter, the interior of the splendid award ceremony slowly flashes across the screen.

Looking at the luxurious interior and scale, it really feels like watching a year-end awards ceremony from a public broadcast.

“Wow! It’s starting.”

“Mayo has been waiting a long time. At this time, they should have queued for Ranked Solo three times.”

“Wow! This is so amazing!”

I couldn’t help but let out an exclamation.

A special stage signifying the start of Part 1 of the awards ceremony.

Surprisingly, an orchestra appeared on stage.

The names of the conductor, violinists, violists, cellists, contrabassists, flutists, trumpeters, horn players, oboists, timpanists, and pianists floated at the bottom of the screen.

Amazingly, they were all streamers broadcasting on Pangea TV.

“It’s grand.”

“It really feels like a concert you’d pay to see.”

I wondered if the song was familiar, and it turned out to be the OST from the movie Avengers.

The exhilarating sound that quickens the heartbeat.

The instruments move like waves according to the conductor’s elaborate gestures.

As I was lost in admiration for a moment, one of the chat messages brought me back to the harsh reality.

– They bring in official broadcasts like this to perform, host, and hold events all day long and only give you 200,000 won.

“……”

Is this the coldness of a capitalist society?

Anyway, leaving behind the faded emotions, Part 1 of the main event has officially begun.

The presenters for Part 1 are streamer Kim Ino and Dananyang.

Among them, Dananyang was a very welcome face as a fellow resident of Lena World.

“Then, could you please tell us about the criteria for award selection today, Nayoung?”

“Yes. I’d like to remind everyone that today’s award winners are selected based on thorough criteria including this year’s broadcast data, user votes, and content metrics.”

“Wow, I’m really looking forward to it. I wonder which winners will emerge. First up, we have the Talk category. The awards will be presented by the head of the social media department, Lee Won-soo, and streamer Park Arin.”

Nominees are announced one after another, and shortly after, the winners are revealed.

After receiving their plaques and congratulatory bouquets, the emotional acceptance speeches begin.

“Mayo expected something special, but it feels like the same scene I see every year on TV, so it’s a bit stale. If this is the case, I just want to queue for Ranked Solo.”

“Hey! Mayo, what are you talking about? Administrator, Mr. Pangea TV, I want to clarify that this statement from the streamer ‘Mayo’ is solely her own opinion and has no relation to the V-Live Crew.”

I quickly scolded Mayo for her surprising remarks, but to be honest, my inner feelings weren’t much different.

Since most of the nominees were unfamiliar streamers whose faces I didn’t know, it was hard to get immersed in it.

And I felt again.

Virtual is still a truly unfamiliar field on Pangea TV.

It’s been about 30 minutes since Part 1 started, yet there was hardly any mention of virtual content.

‘But things will be different next year. The 720p incident happened in October, so it’s only been two months… But by next year’s awards ceremony, the achievements of Lena World will be properly reflected. The virtual pie will grow much bigger as well.’

Starting from 2023, genuine virtual culture will sprout on Pangea TV.

No longer will I receive the strange gazes of an outsider.

In the meantime, many award winners in categories such as seen radio, sports commentary, travel and leisure have graced the stage.

With four to five winners selected in each category, Miho swallowed hard at the sight of the pure gold badges given along with the plaques.

“I wonder how much that’s worth.”

– lol Miho should honestly be looking for a wedding ring at her age.

[Viewer VirtualOnly has been banned for 5 minutes.]

“Miho, only I can tease you. It’s not okay to say bad things like I need to meet the partner before looking for a wedding ring.”

“Mayo, if you keep messing around, I might just lift your avatar’s skirt! You know you’re live, right? If you get penalized with Pandeul27, do you think you can become next month’s best streamer?”

“I’m completely at fault! In fact, I was told to say that by Sister Seoa secretly behind the scenes.”

“……”

As we continued to bicker, the broadcast passed through a brief break and entered the second part of the awards ceremony.

Finally, the virtual element made its debut.

The protagonist was none other than the youngest member, Hiyorii, from the Pocotin Crew.

It was a video introducing what had happened on Pangea TV in 2022.

Content boasting the highest data metrics.

Introductions for the streamer who achieved first place in viewership, and the one who ranked first in search volume, etc.

Her pronunciation was clear, and her voice was articulate without mistakes, showing just how much effort went into producing the video.

However, at that moment, various derogatory chats flooded in the official broadcast.

– Ugh; virtual… I don’t understand this sentiment at all.

– Does that mess on the screen have some sort of portrait rights? lol

– Virtual is really hard to watch; where exactly is the demand for this? Is it just a haven for otherworldly enthusiasts?

Occasionally, there were some supportive messages, but nearly 60% of the comments were negative or derogatory towards the virtual content.

I realized anew.

The deep-rooted hatred towards non-camera streamers on Pangea TV.

‘That’s why I keep saying Lena World was truly a savior.’

No matter how fast the changes and flows in the streaming community have been, it’s an astonishing achievement that over just half a year, perceptions of virtual content have changed drastically.

Had an image improvement not occurred during this time, virtual streamers contemplating transfers would have prioritized other platforms, and even in 2025, Pangea TV’s virtual sector might still be sluggish.

– Ugh, I really hate 18 otaku; what do you even do watching those graphical snippets?

– How did the world end up like this? It’s all the president’s fault.

[Viewer DogThief Jung-Young has been forcibly exited.]

– Wow, lol Pangea TV is really doomed; they thought this would work just because it’s trendy with the metaverse and all?

Following Hiyorii’s video came a congratulatory performance for the year-end awards from Mercury (formerly Lena Universe).

A large screen in front of the stage displayed the performance video prepared for today.

However, the outpouring of criticism and negative reviews remained unyielding.

Thinking of how the remaining fans of Mercury were joyously celebrating the congratulatory performance invitation, my heart ached.

‘But I have to admit. This is the harsh reality of the virtual world on Pangea TV in 2022.’

To find solutions, one must be able to face even the realities they want to ignore.

Yes, I believe this heavy reality can be changed someday.

“What a wonderful congratulatory performance video. It must have taken a lot of effort to create.”

“Right? It’s the first time a virtual performance is being showcased on an official broadcast.”

Everyone seemed to show slightly lowered energy and voices, maybe because they had seen the chats pouring in during the official broadcast.

I understand.

Knowing the changes that came after Lena World, I felt a twinge of intimidation, and how could I remain unbothered when faced with such abundant malice?

But we must stay strong for the viewers who love us.

Part 3 of the awards ceremony follows.

The presenter who had the opening talk alongside Lena Land, Choi Min, takes the stage.

It’s truly an ironic situation.

That Mercury, who adorned the end of Part 2, now shares the stage with Lena Land, who announces the start of Part 3.

“Hmm, I’ll be stepping out for a moment.”

“Sure. I need to get some water too.”

Thanks to Miho’s insightful cover, I was able to discreetly leave the Discord channel for a moment.

After about five minutes of waiting, I received a message from the operator side of Pangea TV.

“Seo-Ah-nim, are you ready?”

“Yes. I’m ready. Hoo……”

“Ahaha, are you feeling nervous? You don’t need to overthink it; just share your thoughts lightly.”

“Yep!”

A few days ago, I received a message from Pangea TV.

In addition to information regarding the MCN contract, there was another significant piece of news.

That today, at the year-end awards ceremony, I would be receiving a special award.

“It might be a more meaningful award than the grand prize. It’s an award that can only be received in the debut year. It’s the Rookie of the Year award, and Mr. Seo Soo-il, the CEO of Pangea TV, will present it.”

A powerful voice echoed through the speakers.

Soon, the five streamers selected as this year’s rookies began to be announced.

And surprisingly, I was called at the end of the list.

It was because I had debuted over a month ahead of other virtual streamers, racking up broadcast data.

The acceptance speeches began one by one in order.

And at the very end.

As the only virtual award recipient of the year, it was my turn.

What should I say?

As I looked at the acceptance speech I had prepared in advance, I slowly opened my mouth.

To those I was grateful for.

Our crew members.

The streamers I’ve been involved with in broadcasting.

At that point, I had exhausted the prepared content.

Right, I was supposed to conclude with a thank you.

“…… Everyone. Please don’t hate us too much.”

That day, I acted impulsively.

“The videos of Hiyorii and Mercury were all results of hard work and effort.”

I thought of the fans of Mercury who had joyfully welcomed this congratulatory performance, which came at a time when the crew was on the verge of disappearing.

“Virtual streamers are people too. We are not just graphic snippets. We are the same streamers sharing laughter, conversations, and pains with fans… I’m sorry. And thank you for the Rookie of the Year award. I’m Seo-Ah, a virtual streamer.”

A brief silence followed, shattered by the presenter’s urgent clapping.

Did I… mess up?