Chapter 253 : After Passing, the Interview (1)

After ‍​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌‌​‌‍Passing, the Interview (1)

Korea's largest gaming webzine, metaGamer.

Amid various categories, a new headline appeared in the "Influencer" tab.

[World #1 by Playing for Fun]

The title was short, set against the backdrop of a fading sunset. Even so, it was enough to catch people's attention.

[Streamer "PerfectPlay" (hereafter Purple) has cleared Rock'n'Roll Games' new release, "Royal Desperate Revenge" (hereafter RDR), at Master tier in the world's first and fastest time.]

The article's main point was summarized in the opening sentence, but no one left after reading just that.

The content itself was intriguing, and below, a screenshot offering a comparison had been attached.

[This record was tallied by "Howfast.com," which hosts speedrun tournaments for various games.

〈Picture〉

(Source – Howfast.com)

The above data is the ranking of entrants at the time Purple cleared the game.

Among the tournament participants, the best Master tier record stood at "17:27:43," which pales in comparison to Purple's "13:17:24."

Even if the current top participant tried again after seeing the ending, it seemed unlikely the time gap could be closed.

Consequently, the odds of another player surpassing Purple's record going forward are extremely slim; thus, Purple's record has rightfully established itself as the undisputed number one.]

It was, without a doubt, an overwhelming difference.

What's more, Lee Gyeongbok's record was his clear time, while the other contestants were still in the midst of their runs.

So, closing that gap was close to impossible.

However, the article didn't end there.

[But our investigation shows Purple's time isn't actually the fastest on record.]

That line immediately raised questions. If he was first, how could there be a faster time?

Anyone who'd read that far had no choice but to check the rest of the article.

[Here is the record of a player who saw the ending before Purple.

〈Picture〉

(Source – Howfast.com)

"13:14:57"—about 2 minutes faster than Purple's record.

The catch is that this player chose not "Master tier" but the easiest, "Rookie tier."]

These were records comparing all tiers, not just Master.

While Master and Rookie were as far apart as possible in difficulty, the clear time difference was minimal.

[What deserves attention is the player's attitude toward the game.

The record-holders shown earlier were all participants in the "speedrun tournament."

Their goal was the top rankings, but Purple's was different.

As he mentioned on his channel, Purple didn't focus on a "fast clear."

He started the game with what's called a "play for fun" mindset, yet his record outpaced all others.

Now that the gap is confirmed to be unbridgeable even by the highest-tier competitors, it's expected that even the most hardcore attempts will fail to best Purple's record.]

It looked like the article was wrapping up, but then one last line was attached.

[Separately, the time for "Yattaman," a Japanese streamer who, like Purple, promoted the game through Rock'n'Roll Games, was "74:32:11."]

Those who read to the very end immediately flocked to the comments.

[-Now *that's* world class, lololol]

[-From now on, Korea is the heartland of Westerns.]

[-Ah lol, if you head west from America, you hit Korea]

[-Got a problem, American? Free bullet for you. Thank you always, and I also "love Purple"]

[-What's going on? Isn't this just Godple as usual?]

[-Wow, damn, is the gap really this big?]

[-No way lol, even the tournament contestants are genuinely top-tier gamers, lol]

[-Well, it only makes sense even the best are below Godple, right?]

[-Yeah, legit—the one who rules the top is God. How could you hope to surpass?]

[-Breaking News: Peter Hicks—"People misunderstand my predictions. Even now, we should call him 'Purple Particle'"]

[-Ah lol, I said Godple is a god, come on!]

[-Insane lol, how small is the difference with the Rookie tier record?]

[-Wow lol, you only barely win by going all out at kiddie difficulty]

[-So for Godple, even Master tier is child's play?]

[-???: When does this get hard?]

[-Honestly, godple probably finds Rookie mode boring, lol]

[-No wonder he only looks for hard things, lol]

[-Yattaman, come on, lol]

[-Honestly, the difference is so big, there's no point comparing!]

[-King truth, yattaman cared more about seeing the ending first than playtime anyway, lol]

[-He basically just slept and played, lololol]

[-But Purple was faster, right?]

[-Where is Yattaman up to now?]

[-Oh lol, he's still streaming]

Soon, a link to Yattaman's broadcast appeared in the comment section. With the result of the Korea-Japan (?) face-off already settled, people felt at ease.

Curious about Yattaman's progress, viewers sneaked over to watch his channel.

* * *

Yattaman was currently in Chapter 5. He was facing off against Romwell's gang in the snowy mountain.

"My son! Let's go rescue Light!"

He was immersed in the game, reaching the route where he could choose to take revenge with Light.

Yattaman set out with Billy, but his outcome was different from Lee Gyeongbok's.

"Billyyyyyyyyy!"

"Ahh, there are too many outlaws!"

"I swear, I'll save him no matter what!"

Yattaman was not a bad player, but his reactions were a bit slow and Billy kept dying.

Viewers teased him playfully for it.

― Yattaman, aren't you disqualified as a dad www

― Poor Billy! ｡ﾟ(ﾟ´Д｀ﾟ)ﾟ｡

― Too much skill inheritance, lol Yattaman should kneel before Billy, lol

In response, yattaman became even more determined.

"Everyone! Billy is my son! What I want to pass on isn't just skill but perseverance! If he takes after me, he won't give up!"

― No, no, don't decide Billy's mindset on your own, lol

― Shouldn't we hear Billy's opinion too?

― Just imagining being family with Yattaman makes me tired.

Despite the mockery, he kept retrying. Because of that, he memorized even the outlaws' spawn times and locations, reaching the cabin.

Next, it was time to chase Romwell.

"Whoa?!"

But while following the blood trail, he was ambushed again by outlaws and met another death.

"Ahh, was that an ambush! This is so cheap!"

Luckily, the checkpoint was at the cabin, so he restarted there. Yattaman handled the ambush and continued to chase Romwell.

Next, dynamite was thrown, and a crucial choice arrived.

However, unlike Lee Gyeongbok, yattaman didn't have the skill to solve both problems at once.

"Billy! Chase Romwell!"

He ordered Billy, then dashed for Light.

"Lightemon! Trust me and jump!"

Light leapt toward him from the hill, and Yattaman caught her amid a thunderous explosion.

"Ugh!"

"Ah!"

Both suffered minor injuries but survived.

― Stop calling her "Lightemon" at the crucial moment, lol

― Yattaman's "yatta" has come!

― Mission accomplished?

The celebrations were brief.

With a single gunshot, yattaman's eyes swiveled around.

"Ha ha! All of you, get buried!"

Romwell burst into wild laughter, and ahead, billy had fallen. Before Yattaman could react, a deafening roar hit his ears.

"Hey, for real?! That's way too harsh!"

An avalanche poured down from the hill, burying him. The screen went black, then returned to the last checkpoint.

― Dead again, lol

― Oh dear, maybe time to give up on Lightemon?

― Yattaman! The match with Purple is already decided, so just finish the run!

At that, yattaman paused the game, fired up with renewed motivation.

"Okay, I admit I lost to Purple! But my challenge isn't over yet!"

Without a trace of discouragement, he hyped himself up.

"My original condition stands. No matter what, I'll see the same ending as Purple!"

― Yattaman burns again!

― He's burning up too much, lol; it's a wildfire, lol

― That's why we watch Yattaman!

― Ah, looks like it'll take another 10 hours at least

Viewers, in turn, continued to cheer Yattaman on.

* * *

Late at night, at Madman's home.

Madman sat watching the monitor with mouth slightly agape.

"Wow, seriously......"

He had already finished the video editing and sent it to Choi Byeonghun for review. Still, it was a video he could watch over and over and never tire of.

"That was Kemalcon right there."

The footage was a bullet deflection play, taking out the ambushing outlaws in an instant.

'It's amazing enough just to hit another bullet, but that's not all.'

Most viewers were amazed just by that, but Madman saw even more.

He had made countless videos about shooting, so he noticed the details.

'You'd have to call this a miracle...'

Ordinary viewers might just gasp and move on, but in editing, he noticed things that amazed him even more.

'Just because bullets collide doesn't mean it always works.'

Madman replayed the video in slow motion. After Lee Gyeongbok ordered Billy, he immediately fired to intercept the bullet.

'If your timing is even slightly off, the deflection doesn't happen.'

Lee Gyeongbok's High Noon Repeater and Billy's revolver had vastly different specs. Of course, most viewers or players wouldn't notice. After all, you see the result as soon as they fire.

'He definitely calculated the spec difference between the two guns.'

But Lee Gyeongbok calculated that difference exactly. Not only did he time the shot, considering the different bullet speeds, but that wasn't all.

'Plus, he had to match the angle of collision between the two bullets.'

The intersection and angle where bullets fired from different muzzles would meet was another key factor.

Even if you made two bullets collide, if they flew off in a random direction it would only be a "miraculous mishap."

Despite that, madman considered it not just a random accident, but an actual miracle.

'Just a tiny miscalculation, and it would all go wrong. But not only did he get the hit, they both landed headshots.'

After the collision, both bullets ricocheted into the outlaws' heads.

Both of them—Not just one.

No one would consider that a mere coincidence.

"That's insane. Seriously."

Madman shivered all over again.

Where in the world was there a shooter like this? No one turned gunplay into art this way.

'Truly one of a kind.'

Madman's eyes became sharper.

His mind was made up once more.

'Purple's videos are top priority, hands down.'

No matter who else requested editing, nothing would be completed before Lee Gyeongbok's.

While he reaffirmed his intention, a message popped up on the monitor.

[〉Good good, lol]

[〉This time, there's literally nothing that needs fixing]

It was Choi Byeonghun's confirmation.

Madman grinned and replied.

[〉Of course!]

[〉This shot—I put my all into it because it's a once-in-a-lifetime scene!]

What made him even prouder was that Choi Byeonghun wasn't the only one reviewing this video.

After all, Lee Gyeongbok himself had agreed to check the work—so getting his recognition was basically the same thing.

[〉Ah lolol RGRG]

[〉Thanks for all the hard work]

[〉With this, all the promo vids are done]

As Byeonghun's next message arrived, madman gazed blankly at the monitor.

"Ah, that's right......"

He'd been having so much fun, he'd forgotten reality for a moment.

She had joined this editing job as a freelancer. She didn't know when she'd next get to edit Purple's videos.

As resignation started creeping in—

[〉Hey, the manager sent an email?]

Byeonghun's message instantly drew her attention. An email, out of the blue?

Before she opened her inbox, more explanation followed.

[〉I've been mulling this over for a while, working with you]

[〉After talking to others, we'd like to formally invite you on board]

[〉Attachment is the contract. Take a look.]

As soon as she checked, madman's hands flew across the keyboard.

[〉Seriously?!]

[〉Of course I'll do it!]

Editing Purple's videos again—and permanently, from now on!

That alone made her decision.

[〉Lolol immediate answer, what is this lol]

[〉Did you even read the contract?]

[〉Hey, this is for real]

[〉Think it over seriously and answer after daylight. For now, this isn't valid until morning, lol]

[〉Good night!]

Madman scrunched her nose at Byeonghun's reply.

'Geez, this guy. I'm being serious.'

Still, he wasn't wrong.

She immediately checked her email and opened the attachment.

"What the...?"

She quickly skimmed the terms, eyes going wide.

"This is amazing!"

The contract terms were incredible.

'They'll let me keep running my channel? That's a huge win!'

She double-checked in case she'd misread, but it clearly said "permitted."

Plus, the pay was substantial.

But one clause caught her eye.

"An interview with the CEO is required...?"

If they'd sent a contract, things were basically a done deal—so why an interview?

She pondered, but only for a moment.

'Whatever!'

If she could work on Purple's videos every day, what was an interview to worry about?

'... Still, I should wear a suit, right? And maybe tidy up my hair; it's gotten a little long.'

On second thought, a few minor issues came to mind.

"All right! I'll go to bed early tonight!"

She couldn't miss this opportunity.