Chapter 267 : Namdon Namsan After-party (5)

Namdon ‍​‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍‍​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌‌​‌‍Namsan After-party (5)

With the guest introductions finished, seyoung's Dad immediately continued with the proceedings.

"Alright, let's do the main talk during our meal, and now it's time to start cooking. As for the guest kitchen, I don't really have anything special to say."

He smiled and held up a pre-prepared product to the camera.

"If you look at the product, there's an explanation attached to the packaging, right? Just follow it as it is and you'll end up with an excellent dish. So please! Don't disregard the hard work of the tremendous researchers and master's and doctoral staff members at Cheoeumjedang!"

― Seriously, people who can't cook just totally ignore recipes, lol

― For real, lol They always substitute something however they want and then blame the product

-???: Add soup soy sauce? Eh, regular soy sauce will work, whatever

― Meal kits at least, fine, if you mess up the heat it's understandable lol

― But if you ruin retort products that's honestly a brainpower issue lmao

Viewers poured chat messages in agreement with his words. Meanwhile, people in the guest kitchen bustled about.

"Whoa, what? Even steak comes as a meal kit now?"

"Steak? Are you confident about it?"

"I shall challenge Gambas myself."

Amidst them, Genome quietly grabbed a retort product and spoke to Skullkim and Bakjapcho.

"I'll take care of the hardest— the frying. You two interns should do one of the soupy ones, I'd appreciate it."

― The true Black Company nature comes out immediately lmao

― Hardest, my foot, lmao All he's gonna do is turn on the air fryer!

― He's seeking the easiest path even among the easy choices

― Am I seeing the same Chu as I know?

― What? That's just how Chu always is!

Viewers burst out laughing at this act. Seyoung's Dad was no exception.

"Wait, you don't know what you're talking about, Genome. The soup's actually the easier one! You just throw everything in and boil it."

He said with a laugh, and Genome feigned a cough.

"*Ahem!* But I should at least be responsible for one dish, right? So I'll prepare the soup."

― Showing off, oN!

― But it's already too late!

― Just go spin the air fryer, lmao

― It's even more obvious with Ecl doing heavy prep work right beside him lmao

― Even behind the mask, golcho combo's contemptuous gaze is unmistakable lol

― Seriously hilarious, lmao

Seyoung's Dad checked the chat scrolling up and laughed. The guest kitchen was lively enough not to need any extra worrying.

"Alright, Purple. First, you'll need to prep spring onions— have you ever used a knife before?"

The viewers tuned in to this question as well.

-5252, asking Unique Sword if he knows how to use a blade?

― Do you mean that blade? kekekeke

― Is he gonna chop the whole cutting board or what?

― But honestly, doesn't he already have the aura of a chef with 30 years' experience?

-30 years, that's insane, lol

― He was chopping before Godple was even born?

Unlike expectations, Lee Gyeongbok gave an embarrassed laugh and shook his head.

"No, I don't really cook at home."

"Oh, really?"

"Usually, with my diet, I just eat out. Chicken breast or shakes, things like that."

But he had no intention of just making excuses. Lee Gyeongbok stepped aside a little and continued.

"If you show me once, I'll try to learn."

"Oh, that's great. For some reason, I feel like you'll pick it up quickly, Purple."

Seyoung's Dad wasn't caught off guard. When asking for kitchen assistants, he had already confirmed this ahead of time. The question was for the viewers' sake.

"What we're making now is my signature dish, golden Fried Rice. You have to start with spring onion oil, so just slice the onions nice and thin like this."

He skillfully trimmed the end of the spring onion and sliced it up. Lee Gyeongbok nodded lightly.

"Got it."

"Let me know when you're done. In the meantime, I'll beat the eggs."

Seyoung's Dad promptly handed over the cutting board and pulled out some eggs. But then he opened his eyes wide and turned his head in surprise.

"Huh?"

Repeated chopping sounds caught his ear. Surprised, he looked at the broadcast feed and saw the spring onion being shredded at extraordinary speed.

-???

― No, lol, what's with that speed, lmao

― He said it was his first time! His first time! His first time!

― Is he a blender or what?

― But the spacing is super exact, lmao

― He's made multiple playthroughs from the start, isn't that normal?

― You gotta maintain perfect standards, lmao!

― Does that skill follow to offline streams as well?

The audience was stunned.

Meanwhile, Lee Gyeongbok finished prepping and gathered the sliced spring onions.

"Would this be enough?"

"Wow, that's more than perfect! Excellent! Could you also hand over the Cheoeumjedang cooking oil next to you?"

Lee Gyeongbok obediently followed his instruction. But instead, seyoung's Dad himself approached Lee Gyeongbok's side.

"No need to turn my way. I'll take it myself. What matters here is Purple holding the product! This scene's gotta be captured on camera!"

― Wow, check out Dad's homework skills, lol

― Even with the same product, who holds it changes the vibe

― Seriously, everything looks higher quality when Godple is holding it!

― Ah yes, that's the 'Perfect-Premium' effect

― That's why the ad model is so important, lmao

Viewers enjoyed his openly promotional manner.

"What should I prepare next?"

"Oh, I'll season the eggs first. Today I'm using chicken stock..."

"Cheoeumjedang low-sodium chicken stock, right? They took out the sodium but kept the deep meat flavor, so it'll be tasty."

Picking up the cue, Lee Gyeongbok angled the product to show it to the camera.

Seyoung's Dad burst into a genuinely appreciative laugh at that gesture.

"Oh, very good! That sense is top notch! You're hitting all the key points. Your work as an assistant is perfect, too!"

― Ha, low-sodium is a must for chicken stock, lmao

― I'm only ever gonna use that for chicken stock from now on

― Chicken stock chosen by Godple? I can't resist, lmao

― Cheoeumjedang: beaming with pride^^

― Genius at homework, 5252!

― It's even funnier because it's so blatant, lol

Smiles spread across the chat window.

* * *

Once the dishes were finished, the camera shifted to the table. The long table was filled with prepared foods.

― This is a real feast, lmao

― Dad's plating skills are nothing to scoff at

― Seriously, good food needs good dishes too

― Wow, how come my tangsuyuk just looks like a lump of batter when I cook the same one, lmao

― I already ate dinner but now I'm hungry again, lol

― That's just you, dude...

― Wanna get punched?

― HamHuman punch!

While viewers admired the spread, the members each took their seats. They all looked toward the camera, but Eclipse, who refused to show his face, sat in the corner with only his arms visible.

"Thank you all for coming today."

"No, thank you for inviting us."

"And thanks to the Cheoeumjedang staff who helped arrange this!"

Starting with Seyoung's Dad, each member expressed their thanks.

"Alright, you must all be hungry, so let's start the meal first, then continue the talk."

"Bon appétit!"

"Wow, looks delicious."

"Bon appétit to me as well."

Each person picked up their chopsticks and started tasting the food they wanted. Seyoung's Dad watched them with a satisfied smile.

"Of course, we can't just eat. I'd appreciate it if you could give a quick review."

Given their basic advertising duty, every member agreed.

"No, seriously, I'm not just saying this for the ad, it's really good."

"You have to listen to the sound, too. The crispiness is alive, I tell you."

"I can't believe I made this Gambas."

"Wow, this new menu is genuinely a hit."

"Honestly, doesn't everyone already know Cheoeumjedang's products taste great?"

Their reviews were immediately echoed in the chat window.

― Objectively, hubigomen is world-class, lmao

― No wonder it's such a strong seller

― Come on, staff members! Please give us more discounts!

― All else aside, no one can beat HaeBan, lmao

While most were in agreement, the members also sampled Seyoung's Dad's own dishes.

"Wow, this is delicious."

"The rice grains are perfectly intact."

"Mmm, the canapés are excellent."

"Wow, this is strange. The texture is exactly the same."

Alongside the Golden Fried Rice, canapés were served as appetizers. Seyoung's Dad held up a thumb with a broad smile.

"Oh, that's a great observation—texture! You noticed the right thing. But you know, that credit goes more to Purple than to me."

"Me?"

When Lee Gyeongbok blinked in surprise, seyoung's Dad laughed even more heartily.

"Come on, how can you not notice when you've made it yourself? Normally, when beginners prep ingredients, everything turns out all over the place, right? The texture's a mess. But Purple prepped as if he were a machine."

Like he wanted to prove it, seyoung's Dad fished out the spring onions from the fried rice and showed them to the camera.

"See? This is a perfect copy-and-paste. You can only do it if you're used to knife work, but Purple just nailed it."

― No way;;; why is this really endgame-gamer play?

― As expected from Unique Sword class, intimidating stuff

― See, I told you, even a chef's knife is still a sword!

― Chef's knife? From now on, it's a chef-sword!

― Perfect at cooking, too, lmao

-5252, is Perfect-Chef your next job?

― Breaking news) Ramdon Gojji pledges to promote "Speak nicely, speak kindly" after meeting Purple

― So Godple made them unable to swear anymore, lmao

― What a crazy thing to say, lol

Viewers shared in the joy as if it were their own achievement. Lee Gyeongbok waved his hands modestly.

"No, it's all thanks to following Seyoung's Dad's directions well. If the input is clear, the output comes out well too, right?"

Other members laughed and admired his answer.

"Aah, the comments—I'm learning so much from you!"

"At this rate, shouldn't you voluntarily hand over the Trchoip spot... I'll stop right here."

"Hey now, don't bring that up!"

Genome playfully feigned indignation, and laughter broke out. The meal continued in a lively atmosphere.

Once the reviews were done and they'd filled their stomachs,

"Alright, now that we're no longer hungry, let's start the main talk. But before that, does anyone need to use the bathroom?"

"Ah, I'll be right back."

"No rush. Let's all take about 10 minutes? Just a free break."

Seyoung's Dad smoothly marked a natural edit point. The members cleared away their empty dishes, and soon dessert was set back on the table.

"Okay, today's a commercial broadcast, yes, but it's also the PerG-Day afterparty. We can't not talk about CrazySmurf."

He gently raised the topic and glanced around at the members.

"Honestly, this whole tournament was special from the beginning, right? What impressed me the most was the PerG-Day audition. I mean, picking members by audition? Can anyone tell us whose idea that was?"

There was no reason to hide it.

All eyes turned to one spot.

"I came up with it. I just thought it would be fun to try doing it that way."

Lee Gyeongbok raised his hand with a grin.

"Wow, you really think only about the broadcast. Incredible creativity."

― Idiot! All they care about is the broadcast!

― The auditions alone were so much fun, lmao

― The start of a legend, intimidating stuff

-lol, seriously, who picks tournament members by audition!

― Besides, wasn't the competition rate insane?

While checking the chat, seyoung's Dad quickly secured a talking point.

"A bunch of people applied for those auditions, right? If I hadn't already been busy, I would've applied too, but honestly, looking back, I probably would've gotten dropped immediately."

He turned his gaze to Skullkim and Bakjapcho.

"The final audition winners were Skullkim and Bakjapcho, aka the so-called Golcho combo—how was that for you both?"

Skullkim answered first.

"I gave a short impression back then, but now, my thoughts are totally different. I don't just feel happy, it's honestly a complete turning point."

"I totally agree. My life changed completely before and after that audition."

Bakjapcho also spoke, his voice bright.

"There are way more people reaching out, my number of subscribers has been rising, and my income's become more comfortable thanks to it. So I'm able to focus more on streaming—it's a positive cycle."

"Really, I'm not just saying this because it's a broadcast, but I'll always be grateful. Truly."

Viewers felt proud on hearing the heartfelt words of the two. Seyoung's Dad smiled and shifted his gaze.

"Speaking of turning points, there's actually someone here who went through an even bigger change. I couldn't believe Eclipse was playing another game! And you're still enjoying Mystic League lately too."

Attention shifted to Eclipse. Only his arm was on camera, but he answered with lively gestures.

"That's right. Thanks to Sir Purple, I realized the world is vast and worth exploring. But even so, I won't forget my roots."

"By roots, you mean?"

"The duty of a knight is to correct injustice. The battlefield of Mystic League, too, is filled with injustice."

His answer drew laughter from viewers.

― Ecl always has to play top, lmao

-must bring justice to top-lane maniacs!

― Gotta police those Mystic demons with chivalry, lol

― Back to basics, gotta agree

Seyoung's Dad laughed in agreement, then turned again.

"Speaking of basics, PerG-Day didn't start as a crew, right? You came up with the name after doing a joint stream with Genome?"

"Yeah, that's right. It came to me while streaming together with GunG."

Genome nodded at the attention.

"Right. But as far as I know, Genome, you had a pretty long streaming history but never formed a crew, right? I think a lot of people must be curious—was there a specific reason you formed a crew?"

Genome didn't answer immediately.

With a faint smile, he took a deep breath.

"To be honest, there's a connection with why I revealed my face today."

A flood of question marks filled the chat. What did forming a crew have to do with showing his face?

Genome smiled brightly.

But what he said was at odds with that expression.

"Honestly, my school days weren't very pleasant. I manage myself fine now, but back then, I was small and timid—basically a punching bag."

The other members had heard bits of this story before.

"I had to go to a lot of school bullying committees, moved schools a lot, and didn't have anyone I could call a friend. The same things just kept repeating. Even the ones I was close with turned cold instantly. Experiencing that made me think..."

Genome wrinkled his nose and gave a slight shrug.

"That relationships are all like that. They can change any time, depending on circumstances."

"Ah..."

The mood grew somber at his words. Genome quickly waved a hand and put on a smile.

"No, it's all old news. I think differently now."

He looked between Lee Gyeongbok and Eclipse and continued.

"It all changed with PerG-Day. Spending time with everyone, I realized—if I don't disappoint these people, they won't change either."

― Honestly, a lot of streamers are two-faced, lol

― But Godple and Ecl are totally genuine

― Both of them are real ones, lol

― Perfect even off stream, I agree

Viewers sent messages in agreement. Genome's confidence grew as he spoke.

"When I think about it, avoiding face reveals was like a trauma for me."

"Trauma?"

"I worried that if people saw how I was back in my school days, they'd see me differently. But lately, since I'm sure of these relationships, it doesn't bother me anymore."

Everyone let out soft sighs at his honest reflections. Genome seemed embarrassed and cleared his throat, shifting the mood.

"Who knows, maybe people were just jealous of how good-looking I am."

― Eh?

― Chu mode, oN!

― Wow, way to ruin the touching mood, lmao

― How can you say that with Godple sitting next to you?

― What, are you blind or something?

As viewers joshed him in the usual way, Genome snorted.

"Hey, if anyone's got a problem with my face, why don't you go verify yourself in the fan café before you talk trash, okay?"

"Wait—why are you picking fights with the viewers?"

Seyoung's Dad chuckled and mediated. Everyone laughed and the mood lightened.

"Ah, right—one more thing."

Genome added, as if remembering.

"If anyone suddenly says they were close with me from now on, ignore it. Like I said, I had no friends."

-lol absolute facts

― It's always like that—whenever you reveal your face, randoms come out saying they went to school with you

― Trying to milk your fame, ridiculous

― Shutting down leeches at the source, brilliant

― Classic hyung with that streaming experience, lol

The viewers showed strong agreement, having witnessed similar situations themselves.

Seyoung's Dad nodded and shifted his gaze.

"Alright. To be honest, whenever there's a face reveal, you can't help but be curious about Purple, right? There's just this aura that you can feel even with the mask on."

"Haha, you flatter me."

"It's not flattery, it's sincere. And honestly, even for my own curiosity, could you share your reasons for not showing your face, Purple?"

Seyoung's Dad pointed towards the camera as he spoke.

"This is partly for the audience too, but you know, once the broadcast ends—even now—crazy rumors can spread. I think it'd be best if you cleared it up, even just briefly."

Lee Gyeongbok wasn't fazed by the request. He'd already heard in advance about questions to expect during the broadcast talk time.

'As expected.'

Park Juho and Choi Byeonghun had also anticipated something like this. When deciding to do the group stream, both had sensed that attention would be focused on Lee Gyeongbok's appearance.

'I'm glad I prepared.'

So Lee Gyeongbok had plenty of time to organize his thoughts.

"Well, if I had to say my reason——"

He began his prepared answer.

.