I Can See a VTuber’s Red Pills - Chapter 21

There was only a single day of respite. Jeong-yeon, who had caught her breath with me during Ajeong's day off, plunged back into the storm of work the very next day.

Drafts pouring in from artists, legal and administrative procedures for establishing the corporate tax, and reporting all of this to me for directives—

Time flew by as if on wings. Despite the promised hefty compensation and my exacting demands, the artists delivered results with astonishing speed and quality.

A mere two weeks after the initial draft reviews and feedback exchanges, avatars nearing final completion began arriving one after another.

"President! Finally! The final candidates are here!"

That day, Jeong-yeon, bustling about as usual, suddenly let out a cheer and stood before me with a tablet in hand. On the screen were the final selections of 2D and 3D avatars.

Five sets for Ajeong, and three for Jeong-yeon. Though they were called "final candidates," they were practically finished products.

Choosing the best among them was a happy dilemma, but I already had my answer.

I silently stared at the screen. The avatars, born from the hands of countless experts, were each so flawless they could be called works of art.

But my criteria were different. Every detail, movement, and subtle shift in expression—how closely did they resemble the "real Ajeong" I knew?

"For Ajeong... let's go with this one. For the 3D, refine the movements and facial details based on this, and make this the main 2D."

My choice wasn’t the most glamorous or trend-following design. Rather, it was one that might even seem relatively plain—but it was the design that could most perfectly synchronize with Ajeong’s real essence: her pure yet somehow fragile aura, the seriousness when focused on games, and the radiant brightness when she smiled.

To my eyes, that avatar looked like a living Ajeong. The subtly trembling corners of her lips and the faint shadows under her eyes were particularly masterful.

"Huh? Oh... understood! This design is excellent, of course, but there are so many more glamorous drafts..."

Jeong-yeon briefly wore a puzzled expression, but seeing my unwavering confidence, she didn’t press further. By now, she had grown somewhat accustomed to my unique aesthetic sense.

Perhaps she had vaguely realized that I wasn’t just judging by appearances.

"And for Jeong-yeon... this one. A concept of反差魅力 (contrasting charm). Usually the respectful secretary, but with occasional bursts of endearing clumsiness in her expressions."

The avatar I chose for Jeong-yeon retained Rinne’s cuteness while exuding a more mature and intellectual vibe.

But it was designed to perfectly embody the "clumsy secretary" I had requested in certain expression options.

The gap between her professional work demeanor and her usual liveliness would be amusing.

"Wha—?! You’re really going with this concept?!"

Jeong-yeon flushed and protested, but I smirked and firmly sealed the decision. Teasing her was endlessly entertaining.

With the avatars selected, work progressed even faster. As final tweaks and optimizations were underway, I instructed Jeong-yeon to coordinate Ajeong’s debut broadcast schedule.

This wouldn’t just be a simple avatar reveal—it would be a spectacular showcase heralding the prelude to the "Zelnaga Corporate Tax."

Han Jeong-ah... Ajeong had been enjoying her streams lately. Thanks to the new computer gifted by Zelnaga-nim, she could finally play the games she’d wanted to without restraint, and seeing her character move smoothly without lag made her viewers noticeably happier too.

Her viewer count had steadily risen, often surpassing 500.

This was unimaginable in the past. The girl who had shut herself in her room, closing the door to the world while enduring malicious rumors, was now laughing, chatting, and connecting with so many people.

All of it was thanks to Zelnaga-nim. Had he not suddenly appeared and offered unconditional support, she might still be crying alone in that dark room.

Of course, there was one regret: her avatar. The so-called "clay doll" avatar, cobbled together in her early streaming days by scraping together every last penny.

Now that her computer could handle it, its shoddiness stood out even more. Viewers occasionally joked, "Urgent need for a glow-up," and though she laughed it off, it always nagged at her.

Zelnaga-nim had promised to create "the best avatar" for her, but she had no idea how it was progressing.

She could only wait vaguely. Then, one afternoon, as anxiety crept in—what if he’d forgotten?—

[Knock knock]

A messenger notification sounded. An unfamiliar ID. Cautiously checking, she saw it was "Rinne," the VTuber she’d seen on Zelnaga-nim’s stream a few days ago—no, now his secretary, Yoo Jeong-yeon.

[Rinne (Yoo Jeong-yeon)]: Hello, Ajeong-nim! This is Yoo Jeong-yeon, Secretary to President Zelnaga. I’m reaching out because we have news about your avatar!

[Ajeong]: Huh? Oh, hello!

Her heart pounded at the sudden contact. Was this finally news about the avatar?

[Rinne (Yoo Jeong-yeon)]: Yes! The final avatars for you are complete! A 2D and 3D set, personally selected by the President! Would now be a good time to receive the files and get some quick setup help? I can assist remotely!

Her hands trembled, making typing difficult. Already finished? And a 2D and 3D set at that.

"Personally selected by the President." Her chest swelled at those words. Zelnaga-nim had chosen them for her himself.

[Ajeong]: Yes! Yes, now’s perfect!! Thank you! Thank you so much!

Soon, the files Jeong-yeon sent began downloading. They were quite large. The moment she unzipped them and clicked the preview image, Jeong-ah held her breath.

On the screen was not "Ajeong," but "Jeong-ah."

A face she’d never seen before, yet it felt strangely familiar. The emotions she felt when looking in the mirror, the sides of herself others didn’t know—they were all preserved in that character.

Was this what Zelnaga-nim had meant by "the inside must be beautiful"?

The delicately drawn eyes seemed to carry the anxiety and sadness she sometimes felt, while the slightly upturned corners of the lips radiated the brightness she strived to show on stream.

The 3D modeling was even more astonishing. Smooth movements, expressions that perfectly mirrored her own in real time. This wasn’t just an avatar. It was a new pair of wings given to Ajeong—no, to Jeong-ah.

"Ugh... sniff..."

Tears spilled out before she realized it. It felt as if warm comfort had settled over her past wounds, loneliness, and the anxiety of an uncertain future.

[Ajeong]: Jeong-yeon-ssi... this is... really... thank you so much... Please tell Zelnaga-nim... I’m so, so grateful!

Jeong-yeon remotely accessed her computer, skillfully installed the files, and set up the tracking program.

Thanks to her kind guidance, what seemed like a complicated process was over in no time.

[Rinne (Yoo Jeong-yeon)]: Ta-da! Now try turning on your webcam and running the program!

With trembling hands, she launched the program and turned on the webcam. The new avatar on the screen perfectly mirrored Jeong-ah’s movements and expressions in real time.

When she tilted her head, the avatar did the same. When she smiled widely, the avatar’s eyes curved beautifully.

This... was a miracle.

[Rinne (Yoo Jeong-yeon)]: Wow! It suits you so well, Ajeong-nim! The President’s eye is truly extraordinary! Oh, and he’d like the avatar reveal to be a special debut broadcast format...

A debut broadcast. The thought of standing before her viewers in this new form made her nervous, but her heart also raced with excitement.

[Rinne (Yoo Jeong-yeon)]: So, the President would like to formally extend an offer to you.

[Ajeong]: Huh? An offer?

[Rinne (Yoo Jeong-yeon)]: Yes. We’re... well, the name isn’t finalized yet, but he’d like you to join as the first member of the "Zelnaga Corporate Tax."

Her mind went blank. Zelnaga Corporate Tax? Member? What did that even mean?

[Rinne (Yoo Jeong-yeon)]: Ah, surprised? Simply put... the President is planning to create a company to support talented VTubers like you and grow together. Just as he’s provided you with the best streaming environment and avatar, he’ll systematically support all aspects of your activities moving forward. Of course, your streaming autonomy will be maximally respected. Wouldn’t you like to step onto a bigger stage with us?

Jeong-yeon’s explanation was tempting. Stable support, systematic management, a bigger stage... but fear also surged.

Belonging to a company. Becoming part of a "group" again. Past trauma faintly reared its head.

What if strange rumors started about her again? What if she faced inexplicable pressure within the group?

But... Zelnaga-nim was different. He had pulled her from the darkness and given her wings without conditions.

His ways were sometimes hard to understand, but he had always approached her with sincerity. If it was a company he was building... maybe she could trust it?

[Ajeong]: Would I... have to sign a contract? Could I see the specific terms?

At Jeong-ah’s slightly hesitant reply, Jeong-yeon responded quickly.

[Rinne (Yoo Jeong-yeon)]: Of course! The formal contract isn’t ready yet, but the basic direction will be as favorable to you as possible. Top-tier activity support, and as for profit sharing... given the President’s style, you’ll likely keep almost all of it? The company would just clearly retain ownership rights to the avatar. We’ll share the details once they’re finalized.

Avatar ownership. That part gave her slight pause, but it was something Zelnaga-nim had created for her anyway.

It was fine to think of it as borrowing his creation. More importantly, Zelnaga-nim needed her.

Being invited as the first member of his "group" made her heart race again.

[Ajeong]: Okay. I’ll do it. I want to join the Zelnaga group.

At Jeong-ah’s firm answer, Jeong-yeon’s bright voice came through the phone.

[Rinne (Yoo Jeong-yeon)]: Wow! Really? Thank you, Ajeong-nim! The President will be so happy! Welcome! The first member of the Zelnaga group!

Even after hanging up, her heart raced for a long time.

A new avatar, and a new beginning. It was finally time to leave the past behind and move forward.

With Zelnaga-nim by her side, this time, it really felt like everything would be okay. Anticipation far outweighed the fear.