Genius’s Godlike Game Broadcast

Recruitment for PerG-Day Interns (3)

Those who applied for the audition were each connected in the lobby. People who applied as duos as well as those who applied alone were randomly teamed up and waiting.

The streamer, 'Hatukill,' was one of those people.

'Damn, how did I end up being treated like this...?'

Hatukill, as the name made by shortening 'How to Kill,' was a streamer who ran a game strategy broadcast.

Based on his rather impressive mechanics and game sense, he developed his own strategies and attracted people's attention with that content.

As a result, he achieved as many as 200,000 Q-tube subscribers, but that momentum did not last.

'At this rate, I'm just going to wash out.'

A slump arrived sooner than expected. Developing original strategies was not easy.

Even if he showcased similar methods in other games, viewers' reactions were lukewarm. Accordingly, the research period to find new strategies grew longer and longer.

Naturally, the interval between his live broadcasts and Q-tube video uploads grew. The channel continued to grow, but inevitably, the growth slowed.

However, there was a more important problem.

'Damn it, my luck is trash, too.'

Hatukill didn't think the problem lay with himself.

'Hey! Why are the video views like this? Is this how you're going to edit?'

Though views dropped because he recycled similar strategies, he instead blamed the editor for poor editing.

'Am I the only one broadcasting? Am I the only one who benefits if the stream goes well? Huh?! Come up with some decent ideas!'

He demanded idea meetings never mentioned in the original contract, but when suggestions came, he ignored them and just complained.

'Whether it's a mukbang, drinking stream, or outdoor stream, something needs to be uploaded! To hell with the algorithm, other Q-tubers manage just fine! Are you sure you're an editor?'

The editor strongly tried to dissuade him, saying he'd ruin the Q-tube algorithm, but Hatukill started meddling with other content anyway.

But those videos didn't bring in new viewers—if anything, they disappointed the loyal fanbase who waited for him.

'Money? Hey, you... you know the channel situation, right? And now you're asking for money?'

Eventually, dissension broke out internally.

'It's not like I don't want to pay! There needs to be some profit to pay you! Making such a big deal over just two months' arrears.'

The previous editor demanded the overdue payment, leading to arguments.

'What? You swore just now? Ah, you bastard. Do you think you're the only one who can edit for me?'

It could not end well. Hatukill settled things with the previous editor and looked for a new one.

He found an industry newbie, someone with less skill, cheaper, and easier to boss around.

As a result, even the quality of his videos, which had been struggling, dropped, and his channel not only stopped growing but started to decline.

'If it weren't for Choi Byeonghun, I wouldn't have to wait around pathetically in a place like this.'

He still didn't see himself as the problem. If only Choi Byeonghun had come up with better ideas, if only Choi Byeonghun had endured a little longer, if only Choi Byeonghun hadn't demanded his overdue payment, and so on.

He decided to blame others to save his pride.

'If I had a good editor like Purple, things would be different.'

Hatukill never imagined that Purple's editor was his former editor, Choi Byeonghun.

Even if the editing style was similar, the difference in quality came from the skill of the video source provider in the first place.

'Still, if I get in this round, I can turn things around. If I get some Purple Coins too, recovery will be quick.'

He primped his face and managed his expression.

'If I just match the mood beside them, milking viewers for money is nothing.'

Most streamers were different on camera than off, but Hatukill's on- and off-air personalities were completely separate.

'Teaming up with a really small streamer like this is really embarrassing, though...'

He glanced over his assigned Support teammate. A newbie whose name he'd never heard, who seemed extremely tense.

A smile crept over Hatukill's lips.

'This is actually great for image-building.'

He lightly cleared his throat and spoke to the Support.

"This is oddly nerve-racking."

"Huh? Oh, yes, it really is."

"Now that we're on the same team, let's do well together."

With a friendly smile and encouraging words, the Support also smiled back.

Brief introductions were exchanged, and the Support's eyes widened.

"Wow, two hundred thousand?"

"The views fall a bit short of that. Ah, since we've met, let's collab sometime later."

"C-collab?"

As the Support's eyes went wide, hatukill's smile grew wider.

'Oh, you simple fool.'

But what came out of his mouth was completely different from his thoughts.

"Yes. I've experienced it myself—gathering viewers at first is really tough."

"Ah... yeah, it really is hard."

"Right? So I always thought, if things get better for me later, I'll definitely help talented but overlooked people."

On hearing that, the Support's eyes sparkled.

'Waiting isn't so bad if I'm not broadcasting, at least.'

He had absolutely no intention of keeping that promise.

Hanging around with a newbie like this had no benefit for him. If there was no evidence, he could always play dumb later.

"Still, the best result would be to pass (the test) this time, don't you think?"

"Yes, that's true."

"So, actually—since you're a Support, you know Support damage isn't that efficient, right?"

"That's true."

"Exactly. See, this is a team evaluation, right?"

"Ah, yes."

There was no mention of a team evaluation, but the other person nodded as if entranced.

"I think it'd be best to clearly show the difference between an AD Carry and a Support, so maybe play a utility support? Ah, you know how to play utility supports, right?"

"Huh? Ah, it's not my main pick, but..."

"That's fine. Just use your skills as I order, all right? Using skills is actually easier, isn't it?"

"Mm... okay, got it."

At that answer, hatukill finally smiled sincerely.

'This will make me stand out.'

But that sincerity was only for himself.

['Eclipse' has invited you to practice mode.]

Just then, their turn came.

Hatukill and the Support accepted the invite and entered the battlefield.

"Don't forget we're live."

"Ah, yes...!"

Both picked their champions and headed bot lane. Just like the briefing, Eclipse was standing on the opposing side.

Soon, the test began.

'What the hell...?! What kind of monster is this?!'

Hatukill attacked with confidence, but Eclipse's stamina bar didn't budge.

Even with the Support's help, the result didn't change.

'This can't be happening.'

He was certainly making an impression—but it was for looking bad, not good. At this rate, he was the one at risk of failing.

So he changed strategy.

"Support, what are you doing?!"

"Huh?"

"Don't just use your skills, do some auto-attacks too! Let's try for a pincer!"

He tried to make it look like the Support was failing to follow up, rather than him playing poorly.

The Support was bewildered by words so different from their earlier agreement.

"Huh? But in the lobby you said..."

"I know you're nervous! Don't give up, let's try harder!"

Hatukill quickly cut him off, making it look more like encouragement than blame.

"Uh, sorry..."

The hesitant Support moved forward.

Just then, a flag fell from the sky.

"Eek!"

"What...?!"

Unlike previous tests, the flag landed on Hatukill, not the Support.

A spear flew right after, with Lee Gyeongbok appearing next to him.

"Purple?"

Hatukill's mind went blank at the totally unexpected gank. More shocking was Lee Gyeongbok's cold expression.

His body was knocked up as he collided with an afterimage.

"Well played."

A spear thrust flew up with a flat voice from below. His screen instantly turned gray and he was teleported back to base.

[〉Well played. Please leave the game.]

A message appeared before his eyes.

"What the...?"

Hatukill's eyes went round as he hurriedly replied to the message.

[〉There was no mention of a gank, was there?]

[〉And the Support was such a newbie, I couldn't play properly.]

He tried to appeal his frustration, citing the surprise gank and the difference in Support experience.

But the reply was not what he hoped for.

[〉The next participants are waiting.]

[〉Regretfully, we ask for your understanding as you are forcefully removed.]

With a reply from the manager, Park Juho.

['Forcefully removed.']

[You cannot rejoin this game.]

A system message greeted him.

Hatukill stared at it for a moment, then his face twisted.

"Does this make any sense at alllll?!"

He exploded in frustration and quit the game.

* * *

"Well done."

Lee Gyeongbok gave his farewell and dismissed the Support too.

'I wondered if he'd changed at all...'

He already knew Hatukill had applied for the audition. When Choi Byeonghun made his contract, he had evaluated their compatibility.

'He's gotten even worse.'

From the moment Hatukill appeared, a vile stench drifted from him. Especially when he was coaxing the Support, it was almost unbearable.

― Godple has never ended an audition this fast, lol

― To be honest, he really wasn't good, lol

― I looked him up, really has two hundred thousand subs?

― But only gets eight thousand views, lol

― Am I the only one who noticed him blaming Support?

― No, I felt it too

― But Godple cut him right away!

Viewers welcomed his elimination. He'd tried to hide it, but his tendency to blame others was obvious.

As Lee Gyeongbok returned to his seat, new applicants arrived.

― Oh? Skullkim?

― No way lol, came as a duo with Bakjapcho

― Wow lol, this should be interesting

― Are these people famous?

― Never heard of them

Lee Gyeongbok also smiled as he confirmed their identities.

'These are the ones Genome told me about.'

The streamers 'Skullkim' and 'Bakjapcho' had originally been sought by Genome for recruitment.

Skullkim was in the same agency as Genome, and Bakjapcho, though unaffiliated, was a close friend of Skullkim.

― Wait, you don't know Golcho duo?

― What the heck?

― Well, it's possible not to know lol

― They only have fifty thousand subs

― But their collabs are really fun lol

― The funny thing is both are non-smokers lol

As the viewers gave positive reviews, Lee Gyeongbok sensed good vibes from them too.

'Hyung really has a good eye.'

But that didn't mean they got bonus points. With so many viewers watching, skill was all that mattered.

The test began soon after.

"Ready, Chu?"

"Of course. Gol!"

Unlike the other nervous participants, the two chatted casually and moved without tension.

Skullkim skillfully drew his dual pistols and began firing at Eclipse.

"Oh."

Lee Gyeongbok let out a low exclamation.

Eclipse, who had so far blocked every projectile standing still, was forced to take a few steps—their crosshair coordination was that good.

'They planned for the bullets to miss. That means they researched the supervisor.'

Both Lee Gyeongbok and Eclipse were skilled enough to deflect bullets. They had clearly practiced for that.

Bakjapcho, as if predicting Eclipse's retreat, activated an AoE slow effect exactly where Eclipse moved.

-555555!

― Wow, that combo is nuts lol

― First time seeing Eclipse lose health?

― Wow, crazy

The sudden slow caused Eclipse to react a beat late. Skullkim didn't miss, and his bullets landed.

But Eclipse soon adapted and prevented further damage.

Still, everyone was deeply impressed. The difference between 'zero and one' symbolizes the gulf between nothing and being.

But the real test was about to begin.

"Now I'm curious how they'll respond."

With that, Lee Gyeongbok grabbed the flag.

― Perfect gank ON!

― They're probably letting their guard down now lol

― Right, they succeeded in the attack, so they must be totally relaxed

― If anything, the response will get more intense

― Golcho: Hyung, why are you here?

The chat was a mix of concern and anticipation.

As soon as he threw the flag, Lee Gyeongbok grinned.

'Oh?'

Thanks to information collected using divine energy, he was able to predict Skullkim's reaction.

"Gol!"

Bakjapcho spotted the arcing flag and shouted briefly.

No other explanation was given, but Skullkim immediately reacted.

He spun and aimed his pistols, firing upward. With a string of gunshots, a bullet hit the flagpole and knocked it off course.

Excellent reflexes and accuracy. Viewers were stunned.

But that wasn't all because of the participant's skill.

-???

― What was that?

― How did he hit that?

-(Kemalcon)(Kemalcon)(Kemalcon)

― Don't tell me you predicted Skullkim would pull that off?

― You analyzed his skills in that short time?

― Wow, that's insane

The diverted flag landed next to Bakjapcho. But then the following spear hit the flag perfectly.

"Impressive skills."

A short review, as Lee Gyeongbok rushed forward.

"What...?"

"How?"

Both Skullkim and Bakjapcho were stunned.

They had expected the spear to miss and had attacked the brush accordingly.

But it wasn't Lee Gyeongbok they hit—it was his afterimage.

"Damn!"

Seeing the afterimage fly at him, bakjapcho threw himself aside in panic.

Skullkim was pushed aside by the collision and escaped the trajectory of the afterimage.

― How did he save there?

― What kind of Support sacrifices himself like that?!

― This is real Support play!

-???: Ma! This is Support!

― Lol, is this Support or a superhero?

Only Bakjapcho was knocked up as a result. Lee Gyeongbok was satisfied with their reaction, but the outcome wasn't different.

He quickly thrust his spear at Bakjapcho.

"Wow!"

― WA!

― Scary, skullkim is genuinely freaked out

-???: I gotta get out of here!

-???: This can't be happening!

-???: I had a feeling this would go wrong

― And it actually did lol

― What a feeling lol

Skullkim shouted in surprise, hurriedly retreating toward the tower. But he didn't just run—he returned fire at Lee Gyeongbok.

"Good choice."

But the attack did nothing. As Lee Gyeongbok spun his spear, sparks and clanging noises rang out as he parried the bullets.

Questions filled the chat. Lee Gyeongbok wasn't done and continued to chase Skullkim.

"Uwaah! Don't come any closer!"

― Is Skullkim doing a punishment game?

― Lol, is this a horror game?

― Lol, why are you begging the enemy?

― Insane, this is hilarious

Skullkim stood beside the tower, repeatedly pulling the trigger at Lee Gyeongbok. He figured that combined with the tower, Lee Gyeongbok would back off.

But that expectation crumbled.

'Good sense.'

Lee Gyeongbok dodged the tower's shells and parried the flying bullets. Skullkim had anticipated him to dodge and started shooting at escape routes in advance.

But Skullkim hadn't considered Lee Gyeongbok could predict even that.

"Wow."

As Lee Gyeongbok arrived in front of him, skullkim couldn't help but exclaim. Lee Gyeongbok smiled back.

"Well played."

After finishing Skullkim, Lee Gyeongbok returned with a smile.

"That was the best performance from all applicants so far."

― Seriously lol

― Godple's gank, but no one lasted as long

― Golcho duo really did great

― Anyone going to do better than this?

― I doubt it lol

― If Godple says it was good, it's basically decided

All the viewers sensed the result of this audition.

Unlike those who tried tricks or excuses due to lack of skill—

― Knew the Golcho duo would win

― Really lol, could feel it from their application

― When you're meant to make it, you make it!

Genuine talent always came out in the end.

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