I Can See a VTuber’s Red Pills - Chapter 24

The day of the final interviews.

At the appointed time, I greeted the first candidate in the small study within the penthouse, a room I had furnished but never used until now.

He was a middle-aged man who, at a glance, exuded the confidence of someone who had run a successful career.

He had a glamorous resume, having worked in renowned consulting firms and corporate strategy departments of large conglomerates.

“Good morning, CEO. I was deeply impressed by your company’s innovative vision and bold proposal.”

He skillfully initiated conversation while offering a handshake.

However, his eyes betrayed not vision or impressiveness, but rather, meticulous calculation.

He seemed to be assessing how to manipulate this unidentified wealthy young man to reach the pinnacle of his own career, or perhaps how to bring a portion of that immense wealth under his influence.

“First of all, the VTuber entertainment market your company is targeting currently holds explosive growth potential. Utilizing my experience and network, we can establish an industry-leading profit structure and secure market dominance in a short period. A detailed roadmap and……”

He was about to take out presentation materials he seemed to have prepared, but I stopped him with a gesture.

“That won’t be necessary.”

“…Pardon?”

“I have no interest in profit or market dominance.”

At my firm words, the man’s expression momentarily stiffened.

It must have been an unexpected reaction.

“What I want is simple. Someone who will perfectly, without complaint, and most efficiently execute my instructions. Someone who will establish the company’s external form, handle all miscellaneous tasks like legal, tax, and administrative matters, and manage everything perfectly so I don’t have to worry about it. Nothing more, nothing less.”

The man’s face flushed with bewilderment.

He briefly tried to argue, but after meeting my cold gaze, he quickly fell silent.

He seemed to have realized that this was a completely different kind of position than the ‘opportunity’ he had envisioned.

“Thank you for your time. You may leave.”

I ended the interview concisely.

He stood there blankly for a moment, then quietly left the study with a bitter expression.

His glamorous career and ambition did not suit my ‘playground.’

A little later, the second candidate entered.

He had a distinctly different atmosphere from the first.

He appeared to be in his early fifties, a former partner lawyer at a famous law firm, well-versed in corporate law and M&A.

His name was Yoon Taesoo.

He introduced himself calmly, without exaggerated greetings or flowery language.

“Let’s get straight to the point.”

I conveyed to him similar requirements as I had to the first candidate.

Absolute adherence to my instructions, perfect management, and no unnecessary questions or interventions.

Yoon Taesoo’s expression barely changed as he listened to me.

He seemed to be lost in thought for a moment, then calmly opened his mouth.

“I clearly understand what you desire, CEO. To summarize, it is to establish and operate an efficient management system with minimized legal and business risks, operating under your final decisions.”

“…You could say that.”

“Understood. Are there any stock options or other incentive conditions besides the 2 billion won annual salary?”

“None. Only the annual salary. If performance is satisfactory, I will take care of it further, but that is entirely my judgment.”

“What are the contract period and termination conditions?”

“The period is indefinite. Termination conditions are by mutual agreement, but the final decision is mine. Of course, the penalty for breach of contract will be guaranteed at the highest industry level.”

Yoon Taesoo didn’t even bat an eye at my unconventional, almost one-sided conditions.

Rather, his eyes seemed to hold a hint of intellectual curiosity about this strange ‘deal.’

He might have been the type to be more attracted to the ‘challenge’ of controlling and managing this unpredictable situation than to money itself.

“Very well. I accept.”

He answered without hesitation.

I smiled with satisfaction.

It seemed I had finally found the right person.

A cold, competent manager suited my playground better than a flashy ambitious type.

“I’ll give Jungyeon-ssi your contact information, so coordinate the contract details with her. Start the handover immediately from tomorrow and report on necessary matters.”

“Understood. Then I will see you tomorrow, CEO.”

Yoon Taesoo gave a concise greeting and stood up.

Watching his retreating back, I thought.

It was truly taking the form of a ‘company’ now.

Even if its inner workings were merely for my personal collection management.

---

Once the CEO recruitment was finalized, showcase preparations gained further momentum.

Jungyeon handed over a significant portion of legal and administrative tasks to the newly joined Yoon Taesoo, allowing her to focus more on showcase production and promotion.

Yoon Taesoo adapted to his work with astonishing speed.

He accurately grasped my desired direction without unnecessary questions and neatly resolved outstanding legal and contractual issues.

The company and group names were also finalized from a few candidates he proposed, settling on the most innocuous and simple ‘Xelnaga Entertainment’ and ‘Starlight Project.’

The community contest winner was duly paid ten million won each as promised.

The showcase date was confirmed for exactly one week later.

‘Starlight Project D-7’

Teaser videos and images announcing Ajung’s new beginning started to be released on communities and various platforms.

The promotional materials, overseen by Jungyeon and finally reviewed by me, raised people’s anticipation to its peak.

---

[Ggizzik VTuber Gallery]
Title: [D-7] Xelnaga Entertainment Ajung Showcase Teaser is Up LOL
(High-quality teaser video link)

• What’s with the video quality? LMAO

• Naga-hyung really poured a sh*t ton of money into this LOL

• But damn, even just showing the avatar silhouette, she’s gorgeous LOL

• Group name Xelnaga Entertainment? SSS-tier, I agree.
  ㄴ Did you really get ten million won?
  ㄴ Yup, Naga-hyung even took care of the taxes, so I got exactly 1000.
  ㄴ Wow, that’s f*cking insane.

• She’s singing too, really looking forward to it.

• Rinne is re-debuting with her, right?
  ㄴ Yup yup yup.

• Heard they hired a management expert for 2 billion won annual salary, seriously what kind of person is this Zelnaga guy?

• How many viewers do you predict for the showcase day?
  ㄴ All the VTuber locusts will probably swarm in.

---

Everything was proceeding smoothly according to plan.

Like a director watching a stage being completed, I waited for the showcase day with a satisfied heart.

---

Showcase D-1.

“Haa… Haa….”

Jeonga panted in the empty practice room Jungyeon had hastily prepared.

The vocal trainer’s voice coming through her headset was still strict, but much gentler than before.

[“Good, Jeonga-ssi! Your breathing is much more stable, and your pitch is far more accurate! At this rate, you’ll be able to do great on stage tomorrow!”]
“R-Really? Thank you, teacher!”

Jeonga, her face brightening at the praise, bowed deeply.

For the past two weeks, she had poured almost all her time, excluding her broadcast hours, into singing practice.

At first, even going outside was difficult, but now even that had become familiar.

In her first practice, she had struggled even to keep time, but her naturally good voice and her desperate desire to do well had allowed her to grow at an astonishing speed.

After finishing practice and returning to her lodging, Jeonga flopped onto her bed.

A pleasant fatigue washed over her entire body.

Tomorrow… was finally the day she would stand before people with her new look.

She picked up her phone to calm her trembling heart.

The fan cafe was already full of posts cheering for tomorrow’s showcase.

And… Zelnaga’s community activities also occasionally caught her eye.

He was still giving people attention and enjoyment in his own way.

‘Tomorrow… I must do well, and convey my gratitude to Zelnaga-nim too.’

Jeonga went to sleep with a pounding heart, dreaming of the new beginning that would unfold tomorrow.

---

The day of the showcase.

I woke up a little earlier than usual and finished all preparations.

Ajung’s showcase broadcast screen was displayed on the largest screen in the living room, while smaller monitors on either side showed community reactions, real-time viewer counts, and emergency contact channels with Jungyeon and Yoon Taesoo.

A situation where everything was perfectly controlled and monitored.

I sat quietly at the center of it all, waiting for the showcase to begin.

[Starlight Project – Ajung RE:Debut Showcase D-DAY]

10 minutes before the broadcast started.

Over ten thousand viewers had already flocked to the waiting screen.

The chat window was exploding with anticipation and excitement.

– Today is finally the day ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ Ajung-ah ㅠㅠㅠ

– Naga-hyung, I’m counting on you.

– Seriously, if the quality isn’t as good as all the promotion, I’m gonna sht myself immediately.

– Clay Ajung, now really goodbye ㅠㅠ (laughs)

– Rinne is coming out too, right? So fcking excited for both LOL.

– Man, there are so many VTuber locusts, it hasn’t even started and there are 15,000 people zzzz.

Exactly at the promised time, the screen faded to black, and a countdown began.

10, 9, 8…….

I felt my heart beating subtly faster.

A tension I felt even though I wasn’t the one on stage.

Perhaps this was anticipation for my ‘first masterpiece.’

…3, 2, 1, 0!

The screen brightened, and an intro video played with grand BGM.

A shooting star traversing the night sky, an aurora blooming at its end.

And the group name ‘Starlight Project’ logo appeared.

In the following scene, the silhouette of Ajung’s new avatar slowly revealed itself.

The sensual editing and overwhelming visual beauty were enough to draw gasps from people.

And… after the video ended, the stage finally lit up.

At its center…

“……”

The new avatar, Ajung in the very form I had chosen, stood there.

The avatar on the monitor was not merely a pretty picture or a 3D model.

She was breathing, and her eyes, trembling slightly as if nervous, looked out at the viewers beyond the screen.

In my eyes, the perfectly realized avatar and the ‘real Ajung’ within it overlapped perfectly as one.

– Wow, what the fck is this?

– HUH????

– Wow

– Mom, when I grow up, I’m going to be Zelnaga’s son!! Mom, when I grow up, I’m going to be Zelnaga’s son!! Mom, when I grow up, I’m going to be Zelnaga’s son!!

– This is fcking legendary, isn’t it??

– What the hell, how is the movement so natural??

– Is this real??

– Ajung is finally.. finally pretty ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ

– No no, what is this, for real?

The chat window was overwhelmed with shock and praise.

In this moment, ‘Clay Ajung’ had completely vanished, and a new star was being born.

I smiled with satisfaction, my eyes fixed on Ajung on the screen.

My first collection.

It was a perfect beginning.