Chapter 268 : Namdon Namsan After-party (6)

Namdon ‍​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​‍‍​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌‌​‌‍Namsan After-party (6)

When Lee Gyeongbok brought up the topic, everyone's eyes turned to him. He began to speak calmly.

"To be honest, I've received a lot of compliments about my appearance."

At that first sentence, everyone's eyes widened. But even if partially concealed by his mask, it was clear Lee Gyeongbok didn't feel much emotion about it.

"Of course, I know they're compliments, so I'm grateful. But, although this might sound strange, it just doesn't feel real to me."

For Lee Gyeongbok, who could sense instantly what kind of person someone was through divine energy, looks weren't an important factor in judging people.

And he had seen many people who, despite their proper appearance, exuded a disagreeable aura.

Those unaware of that fact couldn't help but be confused.

"I once said this on my channel, too: geniuses don't know they're geniuses."

Genome interjected with a laugh.

"It's the same with face geniuses. Purple confidence comes out like this again."

― That's true, face geniuses have two kinds of reaction, lol. Either they enjoy it or they don't even know, lol.

-???: "Isn't this about average for me?"

― A sentence that changes depending on who says it, huh?

― They said it was dessert, but that's a whole heap of Purple confidence, huh?

The viewers all resonated with Genome's words. Lee Gyeongbok chuckled and waved his hand.

"No, I'm really not trying to be deceitful. And honestly, my school days weren't filled with good friendships, either."

"Purple? You?"

"You seem like you'd be a total social butterfly!"

Everyone drew mental question marks at those words. The chat was just as puzzled.

Lee Gyeongbok scratched his head awkwardly and laughed.

"I was actually very shy until I got older. Very much unlike now."

In truth, he was selective with friends because of the feelings he sensed through divine energy, but that was something he couldn't explain.

"In school, I was one of the really quiet ones. I didn't really fit in with other students. Because of that, a lot of classmates ended up forming their own assumptions about me."

"Oh, that's kind of like me."

Nodding sympathetically, Genome encouraged him to continue, and Lee Gyeongbok looked slightly apologetic.

"But... even then, I always exercised steadily, so I was never bullied directly."

"Ahem, please edit this part out."

Genome's words brought laughter. The viewers joined in, too.

― Trying to piggyback, then withdrawing immediately, lol!

― Hey, know when to chime in and when not to!

― That's getting clipped and archived~

― Should've exercised yourself, lol

Lee Gyeongbok caught on quickly.

'He's trying to keep the mood from getting too heavy.'

Genome was sharp. There was no way he would step in for no reason.

Thanks to him, the conversation stayed light, unlike when Genome had talked about his own past.

"Ah, but as far as I know, your manager and editor are your real-life friends?"

Seyoung's Dad brought the conversation back on track. Lee Gyeongbok nodded.

"Yes, that's right. Both of them treated me without prejudice. If it hadn't been for those friends, school would have been a lot harder."

― Wow, as expected from Team Perfect!

― True friends are the real deal, lol

― You took such good friends to the Black Company?

― Whoa

― Is this why they say never do business with friends?

― Hey, stop, people will think it's real!

Lee Gyeongbok laughed at the chat and returned to the main topic.

"Anyway, my point is this. I'm not saying looks can't be an advantage. But I wanted viewers to see me as 'a streamer who makes games fun.'"

"Oh, you wanted to be evaluated purely for your channel."

"Yes, that's right."

Everyone chuckled and nodded at his answer.

"I think you're the absolute best."

"Really, you see things here you never see on other channels! Not everyone can do this!"

"Has there ever been a boring Purple stream?"

"Honestly, I don't think anyone can argue that Purple's channel isn't entertaining."

The members' and viewers' responses were practically the same.

― If he wanted to cash in on looks, he'd go full male cam, lol!

-lol, just looking at him, he could rock Serengeti visuals!

― We're not watching Godple for the face anyway, lol

― What we want is literally 'Perfect Play,' that's it

― That's S-tier Smurf-level nick!

― If you play like Godple, even a 2D avatar is enough, lol

― Tbh that's a bit much;;

― Niche comment, defense up!

After checking the chat, seyoung's Dad clapped with a satisfied look.

"Alright then. Thank you again for answering, even though that question could've been uncomfortable. Now, let's go back to the tournament stories."

He wrapped things up smoothly and shifted the topic.

* * *

Seyoung's Dad gave a genuinely impressed sigh.

"Wow, I was a little worried about taking up too much time, so I didn't prepare any highlight clips. But just listening to you all, I can rewatch the tournament's heroic moments in my head automatically."

-lol, just hearing it, it plays out in my mind!

― That's how strong those moments were!

-lol, how could anyone forget Mastery Duke's solo play?

― Diego's five ultimates in a row was all-time legendary!

― I got chills watching it live, lol

― I'd buy a brain that hasn't watched CrazySmurf!

The viewers expressed the same feelings.

"As expected, it's PerG-Day! That's all I can say. No wonder you get immortalized on the official Mystic League channel."

Smiling broadly, seyoung's Dad suddenly stood and opened the door.

The other members' eyes widened in surprise as large envelopes were brought in through the open door.

"Alright, it's almost time to wrap up. I can't just send such special guests home empty-handed!"

Seyoung's Dad laughed at their surprised faces and handed each one an envelope.

"What's this?"

"A real luxury gift!"

"A meal kit?"

"Oh!? Isn't this a dish from your restaurant menu?"

"You don't even sell these meal kits, do you?"

What he had prepared was a meal kit version of dishes from his own restaurant, intended for making at home. But in the restaurant itself, the meal kits weren't for sale.

"Ah, these aren't sponsored by Cheoeumjedang. I just made them myself for the guests. It sounds like a big deal, but I just had the packaging made up for it. There's also a gift card for our restaurant included."

― Wow! Not for sale!

― Dad's really good at this kind of stuff, lol!

― Can't buy that with money, wow!

― Dad's restaurant is reservation-only, you really have to wait for months

― So jealous, honestly

While the viewers marveled, seyoung's Dad brought in something else.

"Ah, but of course, nothing is free. Whenever I do a Shared Table, there's one thing I ask from my guests, after all: an autograph! I've got a hobby of collecting them."

What he brought was a page for autographs and a small frame to put them in. The members gratefully signed and returned them.

"Wow, thank you so much. I'll enjoy this meal!"

"This is the most valuable autograph I've ever signed in my life."

"Never thought my autograph would be on display with such big names."

Seyoung's Dad replied playfully.

"No need to worry! Just keep getting more successful and boost the value of that signature for me."

― Plot twist, it was an investment product!

― Lol, turns out it was like trading coins!

― Ha, my retirement fund is secure, lol!

― Ah, seeing the autographs means it's almost time to sign off...

― Just a little more, please!

The chat overflowed with laughter and tears, because the autograph exchange and gifts were always the last part of the show.

"Today's Shared Table with Team PerG-Day was truly a pleasure. I hope we can meet again if the opportunity arises!"

"That was an amazing meal! Thank you!"

"No need to worry about starving for a while!"

"This was the ultimate feast."

"Cheoeumjedang is simply the best!"

"Really enjoyed it. Tra-ba!"

All five, except Eclipse, looked into the camera and gave a farewell. When the red light on the camera turned off, voices sprang up from all directions.

"Thank you for your hard work!"

"Thank you so much!"

The staff bowed deeply.

At last, filming had ended. Everyone exhaled lightly at the realization.

"That was really great work."

"Thank you for inviting us!"

"The shoot isn't that long, but I feel totally drained for some reason."

Both Seyoung's Dad and the PerG-Day members exchanged thanks. Normally, for an offline broadcast, they would have had an afterparty, but since they'd already eaten, everyone went their own way.

"Ah, Purple."

"Yes?"

In the middle, seyoung's Dad called out to Lee Gyeongbok.

"This is just a personal request."

"Oh, sure, please go ahead."

"I'm a big TierOne fan. So if you end up meeting with TierOne again, could you possibly..."

Hearing that, Lee Gyeongbok laughed, a little puzzled.

"You went to the TierOne team house and even cooked for them, didn't you?"

"Ha, that was different. I requested that, so I could just go. But you're someone they request, Purple."

"Haha, sure. If I get the chance, I'll remember to mention it."

"Normally, I wouldn't want to be a burden, but it just seemed special this time."

"It's really not a burden at all. I'll enjoy the meal kit."

"Great, thank you! Take care!"

Escorted by Seyoung's Dad, Lee Gyeongbok left the studio. In the parking lot, he saw Park Juho, who had come to pick him up.

'Hmm?'

But Park Juho wasn't alone. A pair of Cheoeumjedang representatives spotted Lee Gyeongbok and smiled warmly.

"Ah, Purple, you're here!"

"Today's channel was really great!"

The two were Cheoeumjedang staff. Lee Gyeongbok thanked them, and they continued.

"We also spoke with your manager. When you're ready to go public with your face, please let us know."

"We have a lot of products focused on dieting and health. If you're interested, we'd love to send you some samples."

"Ah, sure. Thank you. I'll contact you separately."

Lee Gyeongbok smiled and nodded. The two smiled and left.

"Looks like the sponsors were really satisfied. I even got their business card."

"Yeah? That's a relief."

Lee Gyeongbok laughed and got into the car. As they drove off, he spoke.

"Today really showed me that offline broadcasts are on a different level."

"What do you mean?"

Lee Gyeongbok had some experience with offline streaming during the Capsule unboxing.

"The scale is just totally different—from staff to equipment."

But this was his first proper offline broadcast. He recalled the busy staff working behind the scenes.

"With Team Perfect getting more staff, I thought we'd grown a lot, but now I realize there's still a long way to go."

"That's true. But we're still growing steadily. We're doing more than enough, don't you think?"

Park Juho gave a small laugh and naturally shifted to work topics.

"The Japan emoticons—I already emailed the artist about it. No reply yet, though."

"Well, the emoticon artist isn't our staff. He has his own schedule."

"Yeah, it's not on a deadline. As for today's footage, Choi Byeonghun started editing it as soon as filming ended. So Madman and Mr. Daehan are working on the OTP video."

That made Lee Gyeongbok smile.

"Having more staff really lets us get so much more done. We're definitely growing."

"Exactly."

With that, a brief silence settled in. Lee Gyeongbok gazed out at the night scenery and then spoke.

"Hey."

"What."

"If I did like Genome hyung, could I block people trying to take advantage of my fame?"

Lee Gyeongbok and Genome had similar, yet different school days. Perhaps their ways of dealing with issues could be similar too.

Park Juho's answer was firm.

"No, it'd be difficult."

He adjusted his glasses and explained.

"With Genome, the perpetrator was clearly at fault. If it went as far as a school violence committee, there was plenty of evidence. But your case is different."

"Is that so..."

"I know it for sure—me and Choi Byeonghun both do. But the bad-mouthing and rumors those guys spread could be interpreted differently by a third party."

Unless you recorded it, words just vanish once spoken. In the end, bringing up old stories meant relying on memory.

"Of course those guys will say: 'That wasn't my intention,' or 'You misunderstood,' and just gaslight you."

"Mmm... I guess if it had been a clear-cut case, it wouldn't even be a problem."

"Yeah, it would just be a mudslinging match. Of course, your fans wouldn't fall for their words, but there'd still be some noise around your channel."

Lee Gyeongbok nodded.

"Honestly, watching Genome hyung reveal his face recently, I felt kind of envious."

"Envious?"

"I don't know, it just feels like he got a step closer to his viewers."

Park Juho laughed at that.

"No need to rush. You can learn what to do post-face reveal by watching how Genome's activities unfold."

"That's true. I've learned so much from him during joint streams, too. I feel like it'll be the same this time."

Lee Gyeongbok reflected on their first joint stream. There was a lot he'd learned from Genome.

"Later on, if both I and Ecl reveal our faces, we can do offline joint streams too."

A smile broke across his face.

"This time, I'd better watch and learn well."

Hoping for the future didn't come from mere wishful thinking.

Lee Gyeongbok knew that all too well.