I May Be a Virtual Youtuber, but I Still Go to Work - Chapter 138

As someone who frequently recommends games to the members, I take pride in knowing at least one game well within the company. Honestly, it’s one of the few bragging rights I have.

Thus, it was my responsibility to explain the new mode added with Black Warning to everyone during this collaboration.

The main difference this time? Instead of chatting through the TokCode, we were actually meeting up face-to-face.

Usually, I would call everyone to the 9th floor, but since it’s occupied by the second generation, today we all gathered at Dora’s place.

Since I live alone and it’s obvious I’ll fumble if I had to set everything up alone tomorrow, I thought it would be a good idea to set up the mods on her computer in advance while we gathered to chat.

…Oh, wait, there’s one more difference I just realized.

While sitting in a chair talking about games, I had two hands on top of my head, four on my shoulders, and two hugging my waist.

For some reason, I’ve been feeling a bit troubled lately as they keep petting and fussing over me like I’m a pet.

They used to be a bit more reserved, but ever since I suggested we collaborate, it feels like any remaining barriers have completely vanished.

Anyway, even in that situation, I had to get my work done, so I started explaining the changes related to the modes. Our ultimate coward duo, Rain and Komari, were already whining about the damage being doubled.

“Can we really do this?!”

“I’m already scared… I’ve watched so many videos…”

Rain and Komari accused me of being a traitor.

They thought I would help carry, but here I am just a pack mule.

“I mean, honestly, Jia should be carrying the logs instead. What’s the point of just being a pack mule?”

“That’s right. It’s ‘Jing Mu Yuk’ (like a log).”

“It’s about balancing. Even though it’s my first time playing this game, if I stack up the attack power, I’ll end up taking down all the monsters. You saw me play Pandemic Village with Dora before.”

“True, but that would make it so I’m carrying the whole log myself. Rain’s not going to help properly, is she?”

“Me? Why? I totally do my part!”

“When the donations start running low, then you’ll actually get serious, won’t you? I’ve known you for almost two years now.”

“Oh. Chill! Are you a genius?”

“Sigh. So I’m left carrying the whole log by myself.”

Maru snapped back.

“Hey, at least I’m not as bad as Dora! I’ll do my part and d*e!”

“Wow. How mean. It’s like I’m the only burden here~.”

“Honestly, under your gaming skills, you’re a burden. Accept it.”

“Too sad.”

“Look at you, struggling to find something to say, so you act all sad.”

“Don’t pick on Dora too much. Once we enter the field, Maru will be just the same.”

“No way!”

It was another harmonious day among Parallel Another.

However, the four of us who had been bickering suddenly stopped fighting when the boombox started playing our song, and we focused instead.

Without anyone suggesting it, we suddenly launched into a surround live performance.

The members loved to sing, so this was a pretty routine occurrence.

But it turned out the boombox dropped bombs at certain times, so it wasn’t long before—boom!

Maru and Komari revealed their disbelief.

“What the heck is this…?”

“It feels like we’re seeing our new song getting ruined.”

“Hey, Komari. Is that all you can say?”

They joined in with Rain and Dora, who were already excitedly shaking their bodies at the prospect of recording a new song.

“Everyone, did you not run away? Then let’s sing a song right here!”

“Majia, even if it’s a funeral, it should be done beautifully~.”

At first, I thought it was a good idea when I received compliments at the office yesterday, but seeing the members enjoy it this much naturally brought a smile to my face.

Never in my wildest dreams did I think that the promo mod I had thrown together would be this popular.

It felt like I was guaranteed to receive bonus rewards, but how to use those was a matter for later.

Of course, amid all the excited anticipation for tomorrow, our fact-checking officer, Komari, chimed in without hesitation.

“By the way, Jia. This boombox comes from the mid-tier planet, right? Can we go to the mid-tier with this team?”

Dora and Maru, who had been grumbling about me being too naive, could not immediately refute this point.

To reach the mid-tier, we need to purchase a license, which requires anywhere between 3 to 6 in-game days to secure from the lower-tier, as one day is allotted per planet.

Even if we manage to get the license, if we get completely game over, that would reset everything, meaning we’d have to start from the lower tier again.

But who, I ask, is Majia? I had already considered this and reported it to Cheon Dohui.

“That’s why we included it. Round guys, hatchlings, leaves, mud puddles. Their appearance rates are low, but just finding two out of those four fan characters gives us enough money to buy a license.

Honestly, rolling around in the mid and high planets is much more fun than just baking in the lower-tier.”

The members who had been dancing excitedly during the boombox’s performance now leaned closer to the monitor, bursting into laughter.

“Honestly, it would be super nice to find our fan characters in that dark abyss…”

“The hatchlings are so cute~!”

“Wow! The mud puddles’ modeling is a total mess! I feel like kicking them!”

And that concluded the explanation.

However, as I prepared my ears, there was something unsettling about Komari’s odd gaze fixed on me amid the celebratory atmosphere.

Soon, she leaned in close and whispered into my ear.

“Be honest with me. You have more prepared, don’t you?”

“What do you mean?”

“This game is perfect for your pranking, so there’s no way you’d just skip over it. You prepared something else, right?”

I understand why she’d be suspicious, considering all the mischief I’ve pulled in the past.

As Komari pointed out, I do have something prepared, but I really have no strong reason to use it.

“I intentionally modded the difficulty parameter lower so you four wouldn’t become ghouls. Anything more would just negate the balancing I’ve set.”

“Is that so…?”

I nodded my head seriously, my expression unchanged.

Komari seemed unable to push further, pouting her lips and retreating.

Immediately after, the members quickly busied themselves with each other’s conversations, and I could sense the timing to sneak out was now.

But it looked like my side work, dealing with the second generation’s training management starting this morning, wasn’t over yet.

Maru suddenly flew in with a grip on my arm.

“Wait a sec! Where are you going? You have to eat dinner. Aren’t you hungry?”

I shook my head vigorously, indicating I wasn’t hungry at all, but soon found my remaining arms and legs sealed by three people.

“Have dinner with us. We’ll buy for you.”

“Come on, tomorrow we’ll all be gaming at home, so we won’t have this chance again~.”

When I tried to mention ‘that menu’ because I wanted to go home, Rain’s finger swiftly pinched my lips like a clothespin.

“Pineapple Pizza is a no-go. You know that, Jia.”

“Ugh-heh-heh-heh…”

“What’s that?”

“She says she’s hungry, let’s hurry and get some food.”

“Eek-heh!”

“All right, all right. Let’s eat something delicious.”

“Let’s go~!”

“B—!”

* * *

<Black Warning>

The goal of the game is refreshingly simple.

You enter the lair of various dangerous monsters from different planets.

You pick up the trash (scrap metal) scattered inside.

Transport it back on a spaceship and hand it over to headquarters. Done!

However, these monster lairs are packed with all sorts of traps.

The monsters are bizarre and downright absurd.

The corporation sending players for research is curious about the ecosystem, and if you bring back photos or videos, they’ll pay for it too.

Most of the members, whether they wanted to or not, have likely watched various related videos on YouTube, so I decided to omit descriptions of the monsters except for the boombox from yesterday.

It’s one of the anticipations from their end to see how they’d react when they encountered what they’d seen in the videos.

Thus, our first game will feel like a tutorial.

We decided to take some time to experience what the game is about, each exploring independently.

Since I would be trailing behind as a pack mule, the broadcast was led by the members.

“Alright, let’s split up and explore the first planet. It’s scary, but we need some time to adjust to the game.”

“Right. We need to mess around and figure things out properly.”

“Ugh… I’m scared… Can I go with Jia?”

“Dora is a major coward; have Jia pull you along.”

Even though I made it clear I’d only be trailing behind the members as a pack mule, the viewers were anticipating that I might do something crazy.

— Today Majia’s going to have a field day with the Doppleganger.

— Honestly, looks like you’d jump around more than the real Doppleganger, lol.

— Can’t wait to see the first generation freak out.

— You must have prepared something really outrageous again, huh?

:: Anonymous Donor donated 10,000 Clouds! ::

:: Majia as a mule: Gotta have fun with the Jangsanbeom. ::

— For real, haha.

— That’s true lol.

— So malicious!

— Oh no, did you stick to Dora like that, haha?

— Haha lol.

— Dora… is doomed!

The Jangsanbeom they referred to is a creature called the Doppleganger.

It wears protective gear and a gas mask just like the player.

In the game, it records the player’s voice, then replays it while creeping up stealthily.

If you can’t recognize that it’s a monster, the second you turn your back, you’ll be bitten to d*ath.

In some ways, it resembled me imitating the members’ voices, so the crowd expected that I would crank up the fear factor by mimicking it around the others.

But then that would put me in the spotlight among the members.

It never crossed my mind.

Yet, just because I didn’t think so didn’t mean everyone else didn’t either.

Just like yesterday when Komari brought it up, as soon as Dora saw the chat, she immediately asked me.

“What? Were you planning a Jangsanbeom prank? You’re so mean, Jia.”

“I’m not doing that.”

— Hahaha.

— Dora doesn’t even believe you, haha.

— How can we trust you? Haha.

— You guys forgot the Magia story from the Demon King Castle?

— No one can make a maze like that except for them, haha!

After a while, the situation repeated itself.

[Dora! Where are you? I’m here! Can you hear my voice?]

Calling out to Dora out of nowhere to find her location sounded exactly like the Doppleganger.

Dora immediately turned and glared at me.

Bam!

In the dimly lit room.

A flashlight beam hit me right in the eyes.

“That was Jia, wasn’t it?”

“Not me. I can’t see ahead, so move the flashlight away. If you get bitten, it’s not my problem!”

— That wasn’t it?

— Wasn’t that Majia?

— ??

— That wasn’t even Majia?

— What a lie!

:: Anonymous Donor donated 10,000 Clouds! ::

:: But doubting like this is pointless because we can’t differentiate between what Majia mimics and what’s a real Doppleganger, haha! ::

— OMG!

— So scary ㅠㅠ

— I’m going to sleep with my mom tonight.

After several rounds of suspicion against me, I simply followed behind Dora, gathering the items she discovered and stashing them in the inventory.

But the inventory space was limited, so at some point, I had to go back.

Boom! At just the right moment, a monster locked eyes with Dora.

Startled, she ran but slipped in a narrow area and fell down into the dark abyss, nowhere to be seen.

“Haaaaaa—…”

— The fade-out sound, hahaha!

— Oh man, that’s hilarious, haha!

— Did she really fall, lol?

Left alone, I hurried toward the exit, but as soon as I heard monster sounds, I turned my head, and snap! My head was turned around.

It turned out to be a Stalker.

It followed me around eerily, letting out a creepy ‘heh-heh’ sound. The very moment I looked back out of surprise, we locked eyes, and it was game over.

The funny part was that I, along with Dora, were the last survivors to d*e in the game, falling unexpectedly.

As soon as we died, everyone’s mic turned back on, and we revived on the spaceship. Meanwhile, everyone was busy crying.

“I hate this. I hate this. I really hate this. This game really sucks.”

“Seriously, I was gonna lose my mind. Why are there so many jump scares?!”

“This game truly is garbage. It’s freaking trash. Why were there landmines planted there?”

— Hahahaha!

— These cowards! Haha!

— Dying this fast should place you in the rankings, right? Haha!

— This is just incredibly funny! Haha!

However, the overall reaction was exceptionally good.

It’s a horror game, but it doesn’t act like one.

Typically in horror games, viewers get scared and tremble, but in this game, because the d*ath scenes are so funny, they couldn’t help but laugh.

Afterwards, we continued experiencing the game separately.

We played three rounds leading up to the first milestone, but we didn’t achieve even a single accomplishment and left the space station like garbage.

Drifting around in the black space, the four of us found ourselves busily blaming each other.

— This is killing me, haha.

— Wow, zero won is truly legendary.

— How is it even possible to not earn a single penny?

— Seems like we shouldn’t wander off alone at all, haha.

— We already set the record for flopping so… Let’s try to play calmly from now on?

— My stomach really hurts.

— This is Black Warning, lol.

— Why didn’t we at least take a picture of a monster? Haha!

— I was too scared to take the camera out, lol!

Through it all, suspicion about me didn’t let up.

“This is all Jia’s fault for messing around.”

“I swear I heard a voice just like yours earlier.”

“That was totally Jia!”

I hadn’t done anything, so I felt unjustly blamed.

…Well, it’s not like I was actually mad about it.

After brushing off their comments, I proposed we actually play the game.

“Let’s all just stick together from now on, yeah? At this rate, whether we wander off or stick together, we’ll all end up dead, unable to earn anything.”

But the response I got back was…

“Jia. You’re trying to prank us by sneaking around, huh? I know, you’re the rat in our palms.”

“No way! For real?”

The endless suspicion persisted.

…But I really wasn’t messing around today!

I had no intention of going for pranks since I knew tons of monsters would be waiting to scare the members once we ventured into the mid and upper planets.

So why would I bother?

“Honestly, I’m not pulling any pranks today… So, are we going to stick together or not?”

* * *

Turns out, these cowards moving together is the way to go.

Since Komari is first to notice if monsters suddenly appear, the two who take double damage could step up to wield their weapons courageously.

At least this way, they could take down the weaker monsters.

Be it those that charge at us in a straight line down narrow corridors, or bugs that dropped down from the ceiling and stuck to our faces.

While members were born to avoid giant spiders, some stalkers would sneak in from outside their vision, but it was inevitable we’d lose life points.

Yet still, while moving together, the members started being more daring and began accumulating items as I diligently transported them back to the spaceship, we managed to cross the deadline.

We successfully entered the second week.

Although we hadn’t earned enough to buy a mid-tier planet license yet, it felt like we were adapting to the game at a rather brisk pace.

However, as we started to get the hang of the game, the peak of our stupidity crowned itself.

We hadn’t even encountered proper monsters from the lower-tier planets, some continued to get lost along the way, while slips and landmine deaths were occurring in nearly every round. One member was only capturing the monster they were supposed to nab with half-closed eyes, yet the overconfident members declared,

“Still, if Jia wanted to prank us today, she could have pulled it off!”

“For real! You’re surprisingly capable of doing it!”

Feeling increasingly less motivated to reply, I just stayed silent.

It seemed like the people watching the official channel were getting angrier on my behalf.

— Isn’t this outright territorial provocation?

— Let’s teach them a lesson, shall we?

— It feels like they’re purposely letting it pass at a baby-level difficulty.

— Jangsanbeom Majia, coming in hot!

— When will Majia become the Jangsanbeom? When will Majia become the Jangsanbeom? When will Majia become the Jangsanbeom? When will Majia become the Jangsanbeom?

— Now?

— Let’s goooooo!

— Jia, holding back is going to make you sick. Just sweep that under the rug!

Honestly, I wanted to keep pranking them.

I could easily create opportunities whenever I wanted to.

The reason being, when I explained the modes to the president, I deliberately skipped addressing one thing.

A secret weapon I had prepared to use once I felt the game’s balance was way too easy would definitely turn the members into a panic.

However, pulling it out would force me to leave the game for a moment.

And today was a significant collaboration where the members and I were supposed to game together.

So I had tried hard not to use it.

Meanwhile, the members kept provoking me about when I would start pranking, and the viewers were getting increasingly upset on my behalf.

The game was flowing just fine— not frustrating or repeating itself at all.

In fact, ever since finishing the tutorial, it had been so smooth sailing that it almost felt wrong.

…So, if it’s time to prank, what’s stopping me?

“Everyone, a call just came in from the President; I’ll be stepping out for a moment. You carry on without me.”

— Huh?

— You’re leaving now?

— Seriously, where are you going? Haha!

[Magia has exited the game.]

— ?

— What? For real?