[TS] Formula One Streamer - Chapter 19
The world is indeed small.
In Korea, there is a saying that everyone is a friend or family just by crossing one bridge.
It seems that this saying does not apply only in Korea.
As I was examining the usernames of users caught in the ranking match, I thought about how small the world is.
Speed Racer (All): Is that you, Mr. KING? Wow, what an encounter. Could you unban me?
The opponent who started talking loudly as soon as the race was set was none other than Speed Racer, also known as Sre.
It was his main account.
He was the streamer I had met while playing a ranking match on F5, who helped me become famous.
He didn’t leave me with particularly good memories due to his fidgety behavior, but in a way, I could say he was a benefactor.
I responded to him with a somewhat reluctant feeling.
KING (All): Hello.
Speed Racer (All): You even greet me? Hello to you too. Wow, I feel like I’m meeting a celebrity.
F1carcar (All): I’ve finally met the KING I’ve only heard about. Even if I lose this round, that’s fine~.
As I was fiddling with various settings in the pit, his voice kept coming in endlessly.
Including him, other users also expressed their admiration as if I were some great person, greeting me enthusiastically.
Listening to the loud voices coming from the cockpit, it seemed that the nickname KING had indeed gained some fame.
Today in the ranking match, most people recognized me without missing a single race.
Although I hadn’t checked the community, I heard that my name was mentioned so frequently that they suggested changing the gallery name to KING Gallery.
At this point, it wouldn’t be wrong to say I was like a celebrity.
This circuit is the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium, measuring 7.004 km with 44 laps.
It is one of the circuits preferred by F1 drivers, with a long straight and a mix of fast and sharp corners.
Due to the size of the track and the characteristics of the weather in Belgium, some parts were damp from the rain while others were dry, making it a circuit with many variables.
I, who enjoy managing and controlling many variables, also loved this track.
“What’s the weather?”
[The weather is rainy, with heavy precipitation. The weather may change randomly based on the progress of the race.]
“Change to wet tires.”
I considered briefly using intermediate tires, which are a lower grade than wet tires, but the length of the track meant there was more risk, so I had to prioritize safety.
Either way, I could just pit in and change the tires according to the weather conditions.
Well, I wasn’t the only one affected by the weather.
“I’m ready.”
[In the race waiting room, I will proceed to the grid. Mr. KING’s position is first.]
As I finished the settings and teleported to the grid, various race cars lined up, each adorned with their own emblems.
The circuit was damp and dark.
The sky was heavily overcast with rain falling steadily, and visibility was poor due to the darkness.
In such weather, an actual F1 race would have been suspended, but For One is a game.
Since there’s no actual danger in virtual reality, there’s also no cancellation of the race.
Rather, For One, devoid of life-threatening risks due to accidents, now has added fun from factors like blocked visibility and slippery surfaces, making it a dream environment for drivers who thrive on tension.
“This is going to be fun.”
I smiled and wiped the rain dripping over my helmet with my hand, feeling the cool and refreshing air.
The tires were divided, with 14 on wet and 6 on intermediate.
I was a bit surprised that 6 chose intermediates, but there is no right answer in F1.
If the weather improves, those on intermediates will have an advantage, and if the bad weather continues, the 14 with wet tires will benefit.
Yeah.
These variables create drama that is more dramatic than a drama and more cinematic than a movie.
As I waited for the formation lap to begin, Sre, who had been chatting excitedly with other users in the global voice channel, spoke to me.
Speed Racer (All): Mr. KING. You’re participating in the Kiwi Tournament, right?
KING (All): How did you know? Are you perhaps a shaman…?
Speed Racer (All): Shaman? What are you talking about? You’re a funny guy. I saw you on the list.
The thought crossed my mind that Speed Racer’s profession might actually not be a streamer, but a shaman.
Speed Racer (All): It starts tomorrow, and since you’re doing ranked matches, you must be confident.
KING (All): Of course. I’m going to be first, no doubt.
Speed Racer (All): As expected… I know you’re good, but did you know that F1 driver Yoo Seon-jin is participating too?
KING (All): A driver?
Speed Racer (All): Yes, Yoo Seon-jin. You don’t know? They also registered on the last day of sign-ups, aiming to catch you.
Yoo Seon-jin… So besides me, there’s another F1 driver in Korea.
Back when I was living as Jin Hyun-woo, there were hardly any Korean drivers in motorsports, let alone F1 drivers of the same nationality, so it felt both strange and welcoming.
By the way, they want to catch me?
Intrigued, I was about to ask Sre more about Yoo Seon-jin when the formation lap began.
The cars zigzagged following the Mercedes-Benz safety car at the front, applying brakes to start heating up their race cars.
In such heavy rain, components that need to be heated to perform at their peak can cool down quickly, so I had to stay more active during the formation lap.
Once the actual game starts, I need to drive defensively to avoid slips or accidents, but also apply aggressive driving to warm up the car and bring its performance up.
It required a delicate feeling to balance offense and defense at the right timing.
Just a slight misstep, and the tires could easily lose grip, so I had to stay on my toes.
Speed Racer (All): Let’s all finish this race without any accidents! Let’s go!
With Speed Racer’s voice ringing last, the race began.
Vroom!!
Wooosh!!
The race cars surged forward, cutting through the collected water and drops of thick raindrops.
The first corner is very sharp and bent almost like a Z shape.
Since I started in first place on the grid, there was no reason to push too hard.
As long as the tire grip remained, I maintained the maximum speed I was going and slowed down as much as possible through the corner.
After finishing the first corner, there was a straight followed by corners 2, 3, and 4, which were very shallow. Then another straight.
I securely blocked in the first corner and brought the racing line to the straight.
To exit the corner safely, I turned off the DRS early.
Click!
【DRS Deactivation】
The angle of the rear wing tilted diagonally, adding downforce to the chassis as it sank down.
Screech!!
I slammed on the brakes at the entry point of the corner, decelerating.
Thud thud thud!!!
Due to the rain falling more than expected, the car pushed forward a bit, but I regained my timing by manipulating the steering wheel to react quickly.
Looking at the mini-map at the bottom left, I noticed traffic building up behind me as those following had decelerated too much.
Given the weather, it’s understandable that they would drive passively.
Since this is F3, there’s a certain level of skill, and if an accident occurs even once, recovering will be difficult.
However, I thought I was driving safely, so it felt a bit boring that no one was following me.
Click!
【DRS Activation】
Then it makes sense that the ones behind would drive more dangerously.
Trusting myself and the race car, I turned on the DRS and pressed full throttle to rush through the circuit.
I smoothly glided through the next wide corner without braking by carefully controlling the acceleration.
Swoosh!!!
As the race car cut through the rainwater, splashing it and vibrating pleasantly, the feeling of driving in such heavy rain, with visibility in pitch darkness…
Is there anything to match the atmosphere of speeding on a damp and dark circuit?
The intense, exhilarating thrill enveloped my entire body.
KING (All): This is s*x.
Oh cr*p…
That was in the global voice channel…
*
*
*
In the principal’s office of the Formula One Academy Seoul branch.
Yoo Seon-jin was sitting on a brown sofa, having a private meeting with the principal.
“You’re looking for Mr. Yooihyun?”
“Yes, I came to recruit him for the representative team. I would like to know his contact information, address, or anything.”
“I’m afraid I can’t disclose student information unless it’s a family member. Furthermore, Mr. Lee Hyun has withdrawn today, so his information has been discarded.”
“Withdrawn?”
The principal of the academy began to recount a long story that everyone already knew.
After the event match with player Joo Hyuk, he withdrew because he couldn’t handle the immense attention received all at once.
However, for Yoo Seon-jin, all of that sounded like nonsense.
If he were unable to cope with the pressure, he wouldn’t have shown his skills in front of the public.
To him, it seemed that Mr. Yooihyun had merely left because he felt the academy was no longer useful.
With his level of talent, there was no reason to stay at the academy.
There was nothing left to learn, and only time was being controlled.
“Could you tell me the name of any student who was close with Mr. Yooihyun?”
“It would be best to talk to Mr. Yooihyun’s homeroom teacher.”
“Thank you.”
Yoo Seon-jin stood up, bowed, and left the principal’s office.
“Mr. Yooihyun? I don’t really know.”
Yoo Seon-jin was struggling due to a female student who boldly lied to his face.
“Ji-hyun. She was Mr. Lee Hyun’s roommate, so how can you say you don’t know?”
“Why wouldn’t I? Just because roommates, doesn’t mean we are all close.”
The student, Jihyun, didn’t seem like she would be easy to engage in conversation.
Next, it was Kang Ho-yun.
Kang Ho-yun was one of the few top-ranked players in Korea, and their families were intertwined, so they knew each other.
“Hey Ho-yun, you saw him quite often, right? Is there anything like a girlfriend or boyfriend there?”
“What? We weren’t close at all. I’ve only seen him a few times after helping out when he was being ostracized by some classmates.”
“…Alright. I understand.”
I hadn’t expected those who I thought would talk wouldn’t.
It seemed to Yoo Seon-jin that there was definitely something being hidden about her.
However, there was no way to forcibly find out anymore, and since no one else around could give any information about Mr. Yooihyun, he had no choice but to give up.
This would mean that the only opportunity to meet her again would be at the Kiwi 1v1 Tournament.
“I’ll see you in the finals, Mr. Yooihyun. Or rather, KING…”
He was strangely persistent.
*
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①KING 1:33:286 🏁
②Speed Racer 1:40:221 +6.935
:
:
As I led the racing with an overwhelming gap, I paused a moment on the results screen to wait for Sre as I had something to ask him.
After entering the pit and changing out of my sweat and rain-soaked clothes, I knocked on the door to his pit.
KING: Please open the door. I have something to ask.
Speed Racer: Of course, I should open it for you. By the way, I’m not broadcasting right now, so feel free to speak.
When the door opened, Sre appeared.
Despite his actions, he was tall with a good-looking face. He gave off a bit of a rough vibe, but it wasn’t off-putting.
“Hello. It’s the first time meeting you as an avatar. You look like a suspect from Conan… My real name is Woo-hyuk Kim, and my nickname is Speed Racer.”
“Nice to meet you too. I’m KING.”
Surprisingly polite indeed.
“Could I hear a bit more about what we talked about earlier?”
“Oh, about F1 driver Yoo Seon-jin? Of course, I should tell you. But there’s a condition…”
“What is it?”
Seeing Sre scratching his head shyly made me think that perhaps his broadcasting persona was just an act.
“Could you add me as a friend?”
What a cute condition.
“I’ll send it now.”
[Sent a friend request to ‘Speed Racer’.]
[You are now friends with ‘Speed Racer’!]
“Oh my gosh! I’m really friends with KING. Can I boast about it on the broadcast, Mr. KING?”
“Go ahead. By the way, I’d like to hear what you have to say now.”
“Yes, yes. Just a moment!”
He carefully closed the partly open door and sat next to me, continuing to speak in a hushed tone like a secret agent.
“Well…”
Well, what? Hurry up.
I’m not a shaman.