Chapter 270 : The Effects of the Offline Channel (2)

The ‍​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍‍​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌‌​‌‍Effects of the Offline Channel (2)

Genome's channel.

He greeted the viewers with his original face, without any privacy features.

"Hey guys, I'm here."

Genome gave a light greeting and let out a small chuckle. Normally, he would've chatted idly and waited for viewers to gather.

But this time, it was different.

― Geha!

― Hyung! What's with that reaction speed?!

― Today, our hyung is the Twitch MVP

― Hyung! You're not mad, right?!

― Didn't you start streaming too early?

There was no need for that.

As soon as he started the stream, the viewer count skyrocketed as if everyone had been waiting.

Watching the rapidly rising chat, Genome smiled leisurely.

"I wrote the title like this but was actually planning to stream again anyway. It's the first day of face reveal, and it feels like a waste to just end here. The after-party stream was nice, but since it was sponsored, I couldn't talk as comfortably as I wanted."

He didn't start this channel just to respond to the posts. Shortly after, he cleared his throat before continuing.

"But a post I didn't expect came up. I thought I needed to answer that first so I could stream comfortably. Sorry to those who have no idea what I'm talking about, but just open up Tnight and watch in parallel or something. Explaining separately will only take up more time."

― Yeah, matjji knows what to do

― I was pissed off as soon as I saw it, F***

― The hyung hasn't even replied yet, don't cross the line

― Just spam lmao and move on

― Don't act out, listen to our hyung first, damn kids

Genome grinned reading the messages, then spoke in a serious tone.

"First thing we need to do is verify if that post is even real, right?"

Even if it was 'proof,' there was just an album with the name hidden. For all he knew, it could be some troll just fishing for attention.

So Genome checked it out first.

"It's the right album. To be precise, it's one of the schools I went to, and the graduation year matches."

― Damn, I actually wished it was just a troll, F***...

― So shameless, for real lolol

― No, wasn't the person there to apologize?

-lol Genomes crossing the line again?

― Those punks are trolls, aren't they?

― Can you all just shut up and listen!

Once authenticity was confirmed, the chat grew even more heated. Genome clicked his tongue and moved his hands.

"I really appreciate you guys having my back, but cool your heads a bit. I'll set chat to emojis only, so listen to what I say first."

When he changed the settings, only emojis started appearing in the chat. It was still chaotic with different emojis, but better than direct chatting.

"Let's get one thing clear first: that person isn't a bad person."

Genome continued in a calm voice.

"Honestly, no one here hasn't been to school, right? If you think from the other side, you could understand. If you mess up, you could get involved yourself, and when you're young, that's scary. I probably would've pretended not to know too. Most of you'd be the same. So, no blaming. Got it?"

Some viewers used angry emojis, but the majority responded positively.

Then Genome moved his fingers again.

"I'll take the setting off, but if you want to criticize, do it somewhere else. Do it here and you're banned. Not joking."

With that warning, the chat calmed down, a stark contrast to the start. The regulars caught on to Genome's different mood.

― Can't deny what you said...

― But the school's response was also whack, F***

― Hard to step up since you see them every day

― Are you accepting the apology, hyung?

― Today you're not middling, but the bigger man!

The viewers took it to mean Genome would accept and forgive. But he shook his head.

"No. I won't accept the apology."

The chat was suddenly filled with question marks. Wasn't that different from what he just said?

"Let's be clear; understanding and forgiveness aren't the same thing. Just because I understand that person, it doesn't change what I felt. Just like I understood that person, I think they need to understand my side, too."

Genome's previously calm voice grew more forceful.

"There are probably others in the same circumstances as me. And some might think differently. Honestly, it doesn't matter. What I'm saying right now is just my story."

He pointed at the camera with his index finger.

"What I want is just one thing. Whoever gets cut off from me until now? Then just stay out of my life. Heartfelt apology? Wanting forgiveness? None of those things mean anything to me anymore."

-lol this is Matjji

― Our hyung makes sense, apology only matters if the person cares

― One-sided apologies are just for lessening guilt, huh?

― I was finally forgetting and living well, why butt in now, seriously

Genome showed no reaction even to the viewers' support. He quietly conveyed his thoughts.

"I'll say this to everyone who already knew me in the past. Whatever you do, it doesn't reward me. Whether you apologize to me or confess your faults to the world, it doesn't change my past."

Still, some emotions couldn't be suppressed. Genome took a breath and steadied his voice.

"You all have no more influence in my life now. Every change in me was due to my own efforts and the help of viewers who made happy memories with me."

― Wow! That's it!

― Genome! Genome! Genome! Genome!

-lol what a touching gank

― Our hyung really knows how to talk, lol

― When he's serious, he's really serious, I swear lol

― He's a real grown-up!

The viewers were satisfied with his words. Only then did Genome smile again.

"You guys, seriously. Try acting like this more often. Anyway, I didn't do a face reveal just to get apologies, so that's the end of this talk!"

Genome clapped his hands loudly.

"I'll make this clear so this won't happen again. Whatever gets posted in the community, whether you do a deep bow or a written apology, I'm not responding, period. Live with your guilt, brag shamelessly, whatever you want, just don't show up in front of me."

-lol he doesn't care

― Get out of my life!

― This is the best, lololol

― For real, not worth spending time on

The chat agreed even more strongly with his conclusion.

* * *

Lee Gyeongbok let out a small exclamation.

"Wow, so that's how you do it......"

He mulled over Genome's words, comparing them to his own situation.

'Yeah, I guess I'd feel the same.'

There was no reason to get tangled up with old bad blood anymore. Their lives didn't matter to Lee Gyeongbok now.

'Actually, maybe...'

He chuckled quietly.

Maybe it had always been that way, not just now.

'Byeonghun and Juho.'

Friends who had been his source of strength since their school days, and had even given him a reason to build his current life.

'Aunt Yang Gyuri.'

Someone who cared about him in her own way but didn't approach him too easily, thinking about his standpoint—a person not blood-related, but closer than family.

'Director Baek Kangmin.'

An adult who recognized his talent and, despite having no stake in it, helped him as if it were his own business.

'And Daehan and Madman too.'

Connections formed through direct interviews. Thanks to using divine energy to discern people, only good ones now remained beside him.

'There's no need to worry about ties I've already cut off.'

It was always possible they could change and become good people. But that was just a possibility.

'It's better to look after those who are truly mine.'

There was no reason to spend time on them when he already had people he could count on.

Plus, since starting the channel, he'd also been figuring out ways to use his divine energy.

'And it's more certain to focus on the new connections I'll make in the future.'

Using this divine energy to pick good people—like Genome and Eclipse—would be the better use of energy.

'Thanks to Hyung Genome, I've got my thoughts organized right away.'

Lee Gyeongbok smiled.

Once again, he learned something from Genome's approach. He happily lay down to sleep.

'I'll only care about the people who care for me, and whom I care for.'

He closed his eyes.

Faces of those he needed to look after came to mind, one by one. He also imagined the viewers who cheered him on, even if he didn't know their faces.

'I really have to have fun.'

Making a fun channel.

That hadn't changed as his life's question.

'That's how to be happy.'

Life was too busy just being happy.

* * *

The next afternoon.

Before the Team Perfect meeting, Park Juho placed an envelope on the table.

When everyone looked at it curiously, he smiled and pushed the envelope towards Madman and Jo Daehan.

"It's the Kemalcon figure."

At those words, both of their eyes lit up and they immediately pulled out the envelopes.

"Wow! This really turned out great!"

"It looks even better than in the photos!"

Lee Gyeongbok and Choi Byeonghun also agreed.

"Oh, you're right. I was worried the speech bubble joint was thin and would break."

"The Trooper character's surprised look is spot on. Other viewers will really love this too."

The Trooper—the so-called 'Tru-soo'—was a character in a mask with a big 'T' on it, with an exclamation mark, and next to it, in the speech bubble, there was a crab, a horse, and a question mark.

Even with all the intricate details, the craftsmanship was excellent.

With a slight smile, Park Juho nodded.

"I finished checking the final products and addresses this morning. For your two, I thought it'd be best to hand them to you directly. No point paying extra for shipping."

"Oh?! So we're the first to get them!?"

"Thank you, manager!"

The two cheerfully thanked him, but Park Juho waved their gratitude off.

"It was nothing. Oh, all shipping should be done within two days."

"That's soon."

Lee Gyeongbok's smile widened. Then, as if an idea had popped into his head, his eyes went wide.

"Oh, when I'm all done with revealing my face, I should hand-deliver some merch myself. Wouldn't viewers really love that?"

"Oh? That's a great idea! You really only think about your channel!"

Choi Byeonghun gave a big laugh at that.

"Do quick interviews and it'll make great content, too! Kinda like pop-up fan meetings? Plenty of footage."

"But by then, won't we need international shipping, too?"

"International shipping?"

As Lee Gyeongbok asked back, Jo Daehan grinned wide, clear that even the thought made him happy.

"The OTP video that went up on membership got a fantastic response! They say they wish they could participate, but it's sad they don't know Korean—they're really eager students. They say if they study Korean, they could join."

"If this keeps up, the subscribers will actually become Korean, not just a meme, huh?"

Madman joked, making everyone laugh.

"Oh, speaking of comments, we should check something first."

Then Park Juho moved his hand.

The hologram he pulled up was Purple Q-tube. Among the recent uploads was the joint stream with Seyoung's Dad.

[-What?! Come on our channel too!]

[How many times have you tried now? lol]

[That's some serious persistence, damn]

[It's funnier because you're so desperate, lolol]

It wasn't a pinned comment, but it had so many thumbs up it was at the top.

Lee Gyeongbok burst out laughing when he saw the account that wrote it.

"Oh, I get why they'd feel left out."

That account was—

[Muscle Gallery]

A Q-tube channel specializing in fitness—Muscle Gallery.

And the first place to ever request to do an offline joint stream with Lee Gyeongbok.

"Muscle Gallery is trying to book you?"

"Such persistence, seriously."

"It seems after watching Seyoung's Dad's channel, they've made another proposal."

Jo Daehan and Madman's eyes went round in surprise—Muscle Gallery had seen Lee Gyeongbok's offline appearance and re-invited him.

Park Juho turned to Lee Gyeongbok and asked,

"Your decision's the same as before, right?"

The joint stream invitation came before the Muscle Gallery comment.

"Of course."

And Lee Gyeongbok had already made up his mind about it.