[TS] Formula One Streamer - Chapter 14
Since it is not a KING account, wouldn’t it be okay?
Since it is being conducted as an event account, I wonder if it would be okay to be a little serious?
I was trying to convince myself, but it didn’t make sense.
My Monza circuit lap time was within one second of first place, so Han Joo-hyuk, who was in 79th place, probably had a high probability of not being my opponent.
They were For One users who were digging through my history just by my nickname, exploding the community, and trying to find my real identity.
If I ran seriously here, it wouldn’t be the community that would explode, but the academy.
“Beautiful lady, may I ask your name and age?”
The event host asked me as I appeared on stage, and I was also pondering.
When the race starts, I feel like my true self will come out; should I say my name or use a pseudonym?
While I continued to think, I found a reasonable compromise.
“Nineteen years old, Jin Hyun-woo.”
I told a half-truth in front of the many people gathered, which felt like a concert.
I am Jin Hyun-woo, but I’m Mr. Yooihyun, and I’m Yooihyun, but I’m Jin Hyun-woo.
There was no pang of conscience.
“Jin Hyun-woo? Your name doesn’t match your face at all. Is that really your name?”
“Yes, that’s correct, Jin Hyun-woo.”
Even I thought that the name Jin Hyun-woo didn’t suit Yooihyun’s face.
“I see. Then, do you usually play For One?”
“Yes, I enjoy it a bit as a hobby.”
“Oh, so you play For One?”
A smile bloomed on the host’s face at my answer.
It was indeed a good news for the host to have a woman with overwhelming outer charm playing For One.
“Excuse me, but may I ask what your rank is?”
“I’m F7.”
“F7! That’s quite impressive for a woman! Ah, I’m not underestimating you because you’re a woman, so please don’t misunderstand.”
“It’s okay. It’s true that my athleticism is lower than a man’s, though.”
In sports, it is natural that the popularity of women’s and men’s professionals differs even in the same event.
It’s not just a difference in gender; it comes from a difference in skill.
I can understand the host’s sensitive reaction.
“You’re beautiful, and you have a nice heart too. Anyway, today, with so many people here, you’ll be competing against Han Joo-hyuk, a member of the Korean national team, as a representative. How do you feel?”
“I’ve never raced against a player before, so I’m curious about how well he’ll perform. I wonder if he’ll be faster than me.”
“Wow, that’s a very provocative statement! As expected from a For One user.”
The cheers, laughter, and jeers from the onlookers were vividly heard.
To them, it probably looked like F7 was just putting on airs to lighten the mood.
However, there were only two.
Kang Ho-yun and Jihyun Lee were looking at me with expressions that seemed to say, “What are you trying to do?”
“Before we jump right into the game, please choose the circuit that you’re confident in, Jin Hyun-woo.”
I looked directly at Kang Ho-yun, smiled, and answered.
“Paul Ricard Circuit.”
*
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*
Mr. Yooihyun has gone crazy.
Before entering F2 or turning on the stream for the first time, I said I wouldn’t reveal my identity, but to reveal myself so casually here is absurd.
“Wow… Isn’t she really an attention seeker?”
Kang Ho-yun whispered to Jihyun Lee in a low voice, so Park Ha-jin wouldn’t hear.
“She seems crazy, right?”
Ever since Yooihyun shared the secret that she was KING, the two of them, who had become closer, sighed and looked at her.
“Players should have penalties, right? Han Joo-hyuk will start with a penalty of being banned from using DRS and waiting 30 seconds to launch. Since it’s only 10 laps, it’s quite a severe penalty.”
The host was raising her voice, not knowing that Yooihyun was ‘that’ user of interest, exciting the audience.
“There will be a handshake for a fair race between you two.”
“Thank you.”
“Likewise, thank you.”
When Han Joo-hyuk and Yooihyun shook hands, a thunderous cheer erupted.
“You all should envy the participants, not the players. Actually, I’m a bit envious too… Can I have a handshake as well?”
“Of course.”
After finishing the handshake with the playful host, the two could finally connect to For One.
Their view was divided on the large screen, with Han Joo-hyuk on the left and Yooihyun on the right being broadcast prominently.
Han Joo-hyuk, who connected first, created a private room and invited Yooihyun.
The circuit was the Paul Ricard Circuit chosen by Yooihyun.
The lap count was 10 laps.
Having completed the settings, the two entered the pit, put on their protective equipment, and got onto their race cars.
“Jin Hyun-woo’s race car is red, fitting her refreshing personality. Han Joo-hyuk will be in a dark purple race car!”
Yooihyun always wore the color red from head to toe, which had become the symbol of her, KING.
Soon, the race cars of the two drivers were lined up on the grid.
“After the formation lap, the race will start immediately. As mentioned before, Han Joo-hyuk will be banned from using DRS and will have a 30-second stop-and-go penalty.”
The roaring race cars began to slowly circle the circuit, warming up.
Kang Ho-yun knew the beast-like ferocity hidden in that calmness better than anyone else.
During the formation lap, she drove the race car cautiously like a lady to maintain her image, but there would be no Yooihyun when it actually turned into a real race.
Only one F1 driver would remain.
Before the race began, the screen-focused Ha-jin spoke up.
“Hyun is going to be publicly executed. She shouldn’t have said that earlier.”
“……”
“……”
“Why, what? Why are you looking at me like that?”
The two shook their heads, saying sometimes ignorance is bliss.
“Jin Hyun-woo seems to handle the car very carefully. Now, coming back to the grid. The key is how much lead Han Joo-hyuk can gain during his 30-second stop. The race is about to start!”
The red lights began to rise.
“Five, four, three, two, one, go! Race start!”
The roaring engine sounds should have erupted, but it definitely should have.
Vroom… vrooom…
Yooihyun’s vehicle stood still and did not move.
“Is there a problem with Jin Hyun-woo? Why isn’t her car moving?”
As the crowd murmured in confusion, the host went to find out the situation as if it were unexpected.
“Ji-hyun, your friend is a natural streamer. More than I am.”
“I agree. She wasn’t like that before. How did she end up like this?”
Kang Ho-yun and Jihyun Lee looked at Han Joo-hyuk’s screen with pity.
“By the way, poor Han Joo-hyuk. Losing in an event like this is quite damaging to one’s pride.”
“Truly malicious, really malicious.”
They realized that she deliberately did not start.
*
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*
Before I started, I sent a whisper to Han Joo-hyuk.
eventaccount1: Excuse me, player. If you don’t mind, could I ask one favor?
Red hare: What favor?
eventaccount1: It may be rude, but I’d like to race under the same conditions even if I lose.
I wasn’t suitable for penalties or anything like that.
Even if I lose, I want to compete fairly and justly; otherwise, there’s no point in racing.
eventaccount1: Can we do it without penalties?
It was right to ask for his opinion since he was the main character of this event.
He seemed flustered and took a moment before replying.
Red hare: I’m fine, but are you okay with that, Hyun-woo?
He thought of me as an F7-level player, so he asked back.
It was a consideration for a fan supporting him and, of course, how he should respond.
Even so, it could be perceived as an underestimation of me, but he was responding calmly, showing he’s quite considerate.
eventaccount1: I’d prefer that. I’d like to run side by side since I’m also a fan.
Red hare: Alright, then we’ll do it that way. However, the penalty cannot be changed, so DRS will not be available, and we’ll have to wait together for the first 30 seconds.
It’s unfortunate that I can’t completely remove the penalty.
I felt a bit disappointed, but it would be ungracious of me to refuse when he is offering such consideration.
eventaccount1: That’s too bad. Then we’ll wait together for the first 30 seconds before we start. Thank you, Han Joo-hyuk.
Red hare: No, I’m more grateful. Without my fans, I couldn’t be a player and make a living.
Thus, I was holding my position on the grid even after the lights had turned on.
The host’s voice seemed to indicate surprise, but anyway, I asked the player for permission and followed the rational procedure, so there was no need to be concerned.
“Ah, Jin Hyun-woo wanted to race under the same conditions, so Han Joo-hyuk has agreed.”
On top of the host’s voice, Han Joo-hyuk’s voice overlapped.
Red hare: I’ll start at the 30-second lap timer.
eventaccount1: I’ll do that.
0:25.391…
0:27:776…
Finally,
0:30:000!
Vroom!!!
Both Han Joo-hyuk and I started releasing our harsh breaths simultaneously.
Even if we say simultaneously, it was accurately and quickly initiated, me and Han Joo-hyuk.
However, I was just slightly faster, and the first corner was a 90-degree bend, and I was on the left side of the grid.
That meant I could enter the corner faster, thus taking the racing line.
Taking the racing line means I can decide whether to take an aggressive line or a defensive line.
In such situations, I was always offensive.
This time, I took the plunge again.
DRS, similarly, was not activated.
I precisely gauged the critical points for the tires and brakes and pressed the brakes.
Screeeech!!!
The carbon brakes turned red as they heated up.
Anyway, it was 10 laps, so pushing the tires wouldn’t cause a puncture.
For 10 laps, I planned to use the tires to the limit right until I got the checkered flag.
As expected, I seized the racing line.
This time, I made a right turn to enter the straight without forcing it, reducing my speed a bit more from inside to outside.
Vroom! Vroom!
It wasn’t the ideal racing line as everyone would think, but I swiftly exited the corner.
“Wait, is Jin Hyun-woo really F7? She’s doing very well.”
Minimizing the background noise of the host’s voice ringing in my ears, I focused entirely on the race.
No matter what, my opponent was a player.
If it had been Kang Ho-yun, a significant gap would have already opened from the first corner, but Han Joo-hyuk was a player representing a nation.
As soon as he realized I was diving inside to seize the racing line, he slowed down and rounded wide on the outside, minimizing speed loss and narrowing the distance.
A clean and cool judgment typical of a player.
Excitement surged.
Where else could I find someone to have this kind of brain game with in For One?
In this match, it felt like KING was about to emerge.