Hobbyist VTuber-Chapter 250

Three days after the Illusionary Realm Baole Scrimmage,

On Saturday, the 4th episode of God and the Goblin was scheduled to air.

[ Hye-min unnie ] – Ha-eun, do you have time this weekend?

[ Hye-min unnie ] – I need to discuss something with you.

[ Lee Ha-eun ] – (curious otter emoji)

[ Hye-min unnie ] – It’s something a bit important.

[ Hye-min unnie ] – We’ll need to talk at the office.

[ Lee Ha-eun ] – (OK otter emoji)

[ Lee Ha-eun ] – I’m free this weekend.

After receiving a request from Ji Hye-min to meet, Ha-eun headed to the LUX building after a long time.

She arrived around lunchtime.

“Hello.”

“Oh, wow. Ha-eun!”

The LUX staff member who recognized Ha-eun gave a surprised expression and immediately handed her an access badge.

Then, the staff member mentioned how much they were enjoying God and the Goblin.

“The drama is really good. It’s my favorite drama!”

“Haha, thank you!”

With the badge around her neck, Ha-eun made her way to ❖ Nоvеl𝚒ght ❖ (Exclusive on Nоvеl𝚒ght) Ji Hye-min’s office, located on the top floor of the building.

Specifically, she was heading to the meeting room next to the office.

What surprised her was the familiar faces of people she knew, who were already in the meeting room.

—Screech.

“Hye-min unnie, I’m here....”

—Murmurs.

—Murmurs.

“...Huh.”

In the meeting room were Sori, the general manager of Illusionary Realm, and Lee Dong-jin, who had previously conducted Ha-eun’s interview.

There were also other staff members working on Illusionary Realm-related matters.

“Are you in the middle of a meeting...?”

“No, no. Come on in.”

Honestly, Ha-eun was a bit nervous.

After all, there were about 10 people from Illusionary Realm gathered in the room.

It was clearly a big deal.

She had been told this was “a little important,” but now she wondered if the word “little” was just a softener.

“Should I prepare myself for something...?”

“Prepare yourself? Well... maybe just a little.”

‘Did I do something wrong?’

Ha-eun recalled whether she had done anything wrong during her Diah streams.

But, as she thought, the projector in the meeting room suddenly displayed a video completely unrelated to her thoughts.

“Hmm? A love call, you ask? Well, yeah. Should I just send a video letter? I’m not sure if she’ll watch it, but...” “Honestly, I’m positive. I’ll need to discuss with others, but I think everyone will be okay with it.”

—Beep.

“...Wow, AI technology has really improved.”

“Ah, you sound just like the CEO.”

“That’s not synthesized, is it, Ha-eun?”

It turned out that Prism Live had already sent emails and faxes confirming their interest.

This was a first-time experience, so the LUX staff had invited Ha-eun in to discuss it.

“We don’t know why Prism Live is showing this much interest, but sending emails means it’s not just a joke.”

“Honestly... I think it’s a good opportunity, for Diah and for Illusionary Realm. Ha-eun, what do you think?”

Now, all eyes were on Ha-eun.

Everyone in the room, faces she recognized, waited for her answer.

Ha-eun knew the name "Lucid."

She had even bought Lucid-branded items from a Japanese convenience store.

“I think... there’s nothing wrong with it. They’re a pretty famous VTuber.”

Ha-eun was also positive about the collaboration.

After all, a 200k-subscriber VTuber from Japan reaching out first—why should she reject it?

However, there were two things that concerned her.

Her busy schedule as an actress and her lack of fluency in Japanese.

Should I start learning it in advance?

It would be okay to understand the basics, but fluently conversing like a local was another story.

She wondered if she could properly communicate during the collaboration in Japan.

“It’s not impossible. We can bring an interpreter or prepare a script.”

“Prism Live said they have solutions for that, so don’t worry too much.”

“Oh, that’s a relief.”

And so, Ha-eun’s concerns about her Japanese skills were addressed.

Now, they moved on to discuss her schedule.

“Ha-eun, you need to let them know your availability. We need to discuss confidentiality and all that.”

“God and the Goblin is really popular in Japan right now. If Prism Live finds out that you’re Diah, they’ll probably be surprised.”

“Hm....”

The meeting continued into the late afternoon.

They talked about when Ha-eun could find time, how to handle the reveal of Diah’s identity, and more about the collaboration with Lucid.

“We also need to decide on the type of content for the collaboration...”

“Lucid, like Diah, is a Battle of Legends player...”

“■■ topics are sensitive in Japan, so we should avoid those—”

By the time the meeting about the Lucid x Diah collaboration concluded,

The discussions about schedule and content were wrapped up.

“Ha-eun, let’s hug once.”

“Huh? Oh, okay...”

Ji Hye-min, who had been sitting across from Ha-eun, walked over and hugged her tightly.

Ha-eun’s face was buried in Ji Hye-min’s chest.

“How did such a blessing come into my life~.”

I—can’t breathe.

Ha-eun didn’t dislike Ji Hye-min’s affection, but she couldn’t help but feel like she was suffocating.

Her face turned slightly red for that very reason.

As Ji Hye-min patted her back, she said, “I feel like I’ve been getting all the good things from you, Ha-eun.”

“Hahaha...”

***

After meeting with Ji Hye-min, Ha-eun had to stay with her until dinner.

This was because Ji Hye-min had insisted they eat together.

So, when Ha-eun finally arrived home, it was around the time the 4th episode of God and the Goblin was airing.

Instead of heading to her room, Ha-eun made her way to the living room sofa.

—Tap-tap.

—Lick-lick.

—Lick-lick.

“Okay, okay, I’ll put you up, Seol-ah.”

As Ha-eun lifted Baek-seol from under the sofa and placed her on her lap, she noticed that, even in a house far away from hers, God and the Goblin had started airing.

The difference between watching the drama with Na-yeon and watching it alone was that Ha-eun was broadcasting at the same time.

“Did everyone tune in?”

—Yep.

—Watching live.

—In the preview, Baek-seol dies again.

—Yup.

—I can’t turn on the TV, can you give a live update?

—Watching it on air, yup.

Na-yeon’s stream was one of those “watch-together” type of broadcasts.

While God and the Goblin wasn’t shown on screen, she had set it up so people could watch it while commenting on the episode.

It was all about sharing the fun.

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

Na-yeon had been a big fan of Ha-eun since the start of her broadcast.

Her viewers had gradually become Ha-eun’s fans, whether they liked it or not.

“Alright, then... I’ll be off, Mr.!”

“Okay. Good luck!”

“...Yes.”

At the start of episode 4, comments flooded in live.

It was just like the drama community’s threads for God and the Goblin.

—Kyaaaah.

—Starting the English listening test now. For the exam takers... (more).

—Isn’t Ha-eun also in 12th grade?

—Is this a documentary?

—I heard Ha-eun aced the college entrance exam. Lol.

The fourth episode, which started with Baeksulhwa taking the college entrance exam, made the broadcast chat start filling up with mentions related to the exam.

The fact that Ha-eun, who played Baeksulhwa, had taken the exam herself a few months ago also contributed to the conversation.

Then, the scene aired showing Baeksulhwa, in the exam room, nervously filling out the OMR answer sheet.

However, Baek Jin, who had been using his invisible abilities, was standing right next to Baeksulhwa.

“Question 3... No, was it 4?”

“Question 3 is correct.”

“...Sigh. Maybe I should have just asked the old man for the answers. Why did I even try to play fair...?”

“Hmm... I'm sure you'll regret it someday.”

The strange scene unfolded with Baek Jin's invisible voice giving live advice during the exam.

Of course, Baeksulhwa couldn't hear him, but the viewers were hearing it.

"I think Baek Jin’s voice is actually audible, and Baeksulhwa’s just pretending she can't hear it.""Uncle, please tell me the lottery numbers.""This is going to cause some controversy.""When did Baek Jin take the exam again?"Baeksulhwa’s exam scene ended about a minute later.

She exited the exam hall and joined the crowd of other students pouring out of the main entrance.

However, unlike the other students chatting with their parents as they walked out...

“...Now, after all this.”

Baeksulhwa, whose parents had passed away long ago, directed a gaze full of envy, longing, and loneliness at the students around her who were chatting with their waiting parents.

A faint sigh escaped her.

Soon after,Baeksulhwa walked out of the exam hall and onto the street alone.

"ㅠㅠㅠㅠ""Where’s Baek Jin?""After the exam, if no one is waiting for you, it must feel really sad.""Where did the uncle go?"It wasn't that Baeksulhwa was now overwhelmed with longing for her parents.

She had just been momentarily shaken by seeing other students with their parents.

Maybe that was why.

Or maybe it was because she hadn’t expected anything, but...

—Tap.

“Good job.”

Baeksulhwa's eyes widened slightly when she saw Baek Jin appear behind her with a bouquet of flowers.

She took the flowers from him immediately.

“Ah... Thank you.”

Baeksulhwa blushed slightly at the unexpected appearance of Baek Jin.

She also lowered her head slightly in response.

"Oh.""Gooood.""From the old days, the Uncle & Girl dynamic was a classic. It’s even written in the Goguryeo records... (more)""Who’s the female lead, she’s gorgeous.""Shut up, don’t ask who she is. Just go to your room. (Banned user)""Hehe.""Is asking about Ha-eun’s identity trolling or what?"“Ugh, that’s so annoying. So, when are you confessing, huh~!”

The subtle tension between Baek Jin and Baeksulhwa made the viewers, as well as Nael, deeply immerse in the drama.

Nael’s offhand comment, not meant to be heard, was picked up by the broadcast mic.

However, when Baeksulhwa stopped by a nearby café after the exam,

More precisely, when Baek Jin stepped away from the table and headed to the counter...

—Screech.

—Bang.

—Bang.

A giant truck was heading towards the café from across the intersection.

It started charging straight for the table Baeksulhwa was sitting at by the window, swerving wildly.

"Huh?""What?""Is she going to die? Is she going to die? Is she going to die?""Let’s go to another world! Let’s go to another world!""Crazy.""????""Stop!"The blaring horn of the truck.

The screams of pedestrians.

Yet the truck didn’t stop.

“...Huh?”

Just as Baeksulhwa finally turned around, she came face to face with the truck speeding toward her.

—Whoosh!

Something suddenly appeared, grabbed Baeksulhwa, and took the hit from the truck for her.

—Bang!

The massive sound of impact echoed through the area.

The café’s glass windows shattered.

The truck’s turn signal was blinking.

For a brief moment, thick smoke filled the area, making it hard to understand what had just happened.

Nael’s face froze as she witnessed this.

“What... What’s going on?”

Her voice, different from usual, clearly showed signs of shock.

Luckily for Nael, once the smoke cleared, the scene revealed both Baek Jin and Baeksulhwa were unharmed.

“...Are you okay?”

“Ah... Uncle... You just... took the truck hit for me...”

While Baeksulhwa, still in Baek Jin's arms, looked up at him, both were caught off guard.

Step.Step. Step.Suddenly, time seemed to stop as someone’s footsteps echoed from afar.

A familiar face appeared in front of Baek Jin.

“I’m sure I said this.”

—Step.

“Only after Seolhwa’s story is completely over... will she be fully at peace.”

Park Chasa, the other lead of the drama, was dressed in black and was staring directly at Baeksulhwa.

At that moment, only Baek Jin could see Park Chasa, since time had stopped, but that didn’t matter.

“...Leave.”

“Don’t worry. I’ve come to collect someone else today.”

With a subtle smile, Park Chasa passed by Baek Jin and walked toward the truck driver.

Then came the stern voice.

“...Answer the call of the dead.”

As usual, Park Chasa began his duties as the reaper, taking the dead truck driver somewhere.

Only after his footsteps faded away did time start flowing again.

“Ah, Uncle, are you okay? Shouldn’t we go to the hospital?”

Baeksulhwa, who had just seen Baek Jin take the truck’s full force, was deeply concerned for him.

And Baek Jin, who was looking down at Baeksulhwa with a more serious expression.

Nael’s voice once again reflected a sense of unease at the sight of these two.

For some reason, like in The Sunshine, this episode of God and the Goblin felt like it was headed toward a sad ending.

“...If anyone dies this time, I’m really going to cry. I won’t accept it if it’s not a happy ending.”

"Who do you think you are? LOL.""Poor Baeksulhwa, T-T""Maybe we should just cry now?""Yeah~~ One of them is definitely going to die~~""Can’t someone who’s already died die again?""Rest in peace to the soon-to-be-dead."“Ugh... No! Just let them be happy, please! If it’s a happy ending, maybe I’ll catch the death disease!!”

"HAHAHAHA.""Too immersed, stop.""Watch out for Nael.""Nael got tricked again.""It’s only episode 4, but don’t say anything too bad yet."***

[ Ha-eun, just tell me one thing... ]

"Yeah? What is it?"

[ God and the Goblin, is it a happy ending or not? I'm really struggling here... ]

“Ugh, um... No comment.”

[ Ahhh! They’re dying again! Why?! ]