Chapter 262 : 3rd OTP, Purple Rush (7)
3rd OTP, Purple Rush (7)
Lee Gyeongbok felt the loss of control as the screen brightened.
"Oh? The ending proceeds as a cutscene."
― Is there even a cutscene in online too?
― Everyone, take a seat!
― Is this the Mexico escape ending? LOL
― Is it going out like a movie?
― Is he telling them to shoot towards the sands?
― Who would even know that classic film, a representative Western from the 1960s that even won an Academy Award? LOL
― Grandpa, it's okay to pretend you know.
― Stay strong, grandpa Wagon!
― You're even worse LOL
As the viewers chattered noisily, the screen shifted. Amid sparse trees and wasteland, cacti stood tall here and there.
Beneath them, the two from the Wild Pack and Purple were walking.
"Ah! Mexico, the land of freedom!"
"No one will know who we are here, right?"
Bunch and Sunday Kid burst out in hearty laughter. They turned to look at Purple and smiled.
"No more running from cursed Sheriffs or detectives! We can become completely new people."
"All thanks to Purple, our friend here. If it hadn't been for his help, we'd have ended up at the gallows, not Mexico."
Purple let out a bitter chuckle and asked,
"I'm glad there's no noose around our necks, but what now? Do you have a plan?"
"Of course! There's always a plan, I've been thinking."
Bunch grinned slyly and put his arm around Purple's shoulder.
"We already exchanged the money and gold bars we saved up for bonds at the bank."
"Every time I think about it, it cracks me up. We stole money from the bank, and then exchanged it at the bank again!"
Sunday Kid chuckled beside him. Bunch puffed out his chest with pride.
"We'll sell these in a Mexican bank to raise funds. We'll change our names, style our beards to look Mexican. Then—become Mexican farm owners."
"Farm?"
"Yeah. Ah, of course, the actual work will be done by Mexicans. For us, the hard life is over."
At this, Sunday Kid pulled out a cigar. Before lighting up, he waved his hand.
"I mean, there'll probably be some friction. You never know how the Mexicans'll react. You always need a good gunslinger on hand."
"What's there to worry about? We have Purple."
"That's true."
As the two laughed quietly, Purple smiled as well.
"Yeah, sounds like a good plan. I'll keep it in mind. But... I have a better plan."
"Huh?"
At that, Sunday Kid, who was about to light his cigar, turned his head.
And then—a gunshot rang out.
"Huh?"
-?
― Whoa?
― What was that?
― Did he just fire?
Both Lee Gyeongbok and the viewers were shocked as they watched the cutscene. So was Bunch, the very person involved.
"Wha...?!"
"Like I said, here, even if someone dies, no one will ever know."
Purple shrugged as he continued.
"Three's too many for one farm owner, isn't it? One is plenty."
It wasn't hard to understand from those lines alone what had happened.
― Crazy LOL Purple kick LOL
― Definitely fits the outlaw-style ending?
― He kept doing outlaw missions in this session so...
― Perfect outlaw, oMG
As the viewers laughed, Lee Gyeongbok responded jokingly,
"If you just joined, don't get the wrong idea. I'm not actually like this. It's all AI!"
― PlantWiki/Purple/controversy
-???: Actually, he's even more evil than this
― The Black Company boss doesn't kill people, he works them to the bone^^
― Seriously LOL You're supposed to die working, why just die for nothing? LOL!
― From legendary gang straight to laborer LOL
― Immediate switch-up LOL
Unlike the chat, the cutscene situation was dire. Bunch desperately forced a smile, glancing between the fallen corpse and Purple.
"W-wait. We're in Mexico, right? Huh? Americans need to stick together!"
"Did I ever need your help?"
"That..."
As Bunch rolled his eyes, lost for words, Purple scoffed.
"Try to see it in a good light. You became a legend because of me, after all."
"You...!"
Maybe Bunch thought persuasion was impossible. He scowled and started to reach for something.
But he wasn't faster than Purple's finger.
"Happy retirement."
With another gunshot and Bunch collapsed, Purple rummaged through his clothes and took out the bond certificate.
― The Black Company style ending LOL
― Snatching up the retirement funds LOL
-77,000! Thanks for the loot!
― Is this the end?
― Kind of feels like something's missing though
The screen soon faded to black, making viewers think it was over. But immediately, the background changed.
"Oh? It's a farm."
It was quite a spacious farm.
Workers were cultivating green plants in the fields, and a few were rolling leaves and lighting them right on the spot.
― Is it a cigar farm?
― Tobacco?
― LOL the shape of those leaves LOL
― Wha—
― No way LOL is that marijuana?
― Marijuana is famous in Mexico, after all LOL
Viewers quickly saw the shape of the leaves and realized what the crop was.
The camera then moved to a grand manor at the center of the farm. Inside, Purple with a thick beard sat with others.
"Can you make the deadline?"
"Yes, if there are no other issues, we'll be fine."
"Good. Try to secure more smuggling routes to the U. S."
As they spoke calmly, the door suddenly burst open and burly men dragged in a bloodied man.
"Boss, we caught the traitor."
"Hm."
As if not wanting to block his view, everyone else stood and backed away.
"S-sorry! I've lost my mind! I-I'll pay it back somehow—"
"I'm disappointed."
Purple clicked his tongue and fired his revolver before the traitor could finish making excuses.
Once the man fell, Purple casually waved his hand.
"Let this be a lesson."
The camera lingered on Purple's back.
The gunmen dragged the corpse away. Red blood trails stretched to the door like a carpet.
Purple's subordinates lined up on either side of the table, looking like vassals gathered around a king.
"The Cartel de Purple is one."
As Purple spoke, the screen slowly faded to black.
― Whoa LOL He just created a cartel
― Wow, he really settled down for good, huh?
― I thought he was a Mexican runaway, but he became the boss?
― Drug lord ending what LOL
― At this point, he's the final boss of all outlaws LOL
― Ah, I see why this is the number one ending
Lee Gyeongbok, not just the viewers, was impressed.
"Wow, if this is number one, there must be other endings too."
Multi endings—through this, Lee Gyeongbok figured out the online system.
"Players in a session cooperate or compete, gather gear and assets, and reach an ending. Once they reach it, they're out of the session, so new players join and old-timers can't overstay. It's a pretty cool system."
― Oh LOL If it's like this, each session must feel like raising an alt character?
― That makes repeated play worthwhile LOL
― Like Godple said, maybe it's to prevent the server from becoming stagnant
― You have to adjust your style depending on the ending, so there's no one right way!
― As expected of a developer obsessed with freedom
While viewers agreed with his analysis, the screen returned to the game title.
[Session Summary]
[Bounty – $10,453]
[Crime Profits – $5,794]
[...]
The following message left viewers shocked.
― Whoa?
― The bounty's over ten thousand dollars?
― Is it because he succeeded in the last mission?
― Whoa LOL That means the tournament prize must be huge?
― It's over ten million won for sure LOL
― Like, who doesn't know that
― New record for OTP prize pool, this is insane
As a summary of the session's play appeared, the chat exploded with amazement.
― Ah LOL But what's the point of a huge prize if nobody ever gets it
― Seriously LOL Nobody will win it this time either, huh?
― At this rate, it's not even a pie in the sky, it's like you could open a pie shop
― For real LOL the pie just keeps stacking up!
― Is that why OTP is called 'Going Up?' (just kidding~^^)
― Trahahahahaha!
― Tokkahahaha!
― Have you lost it? LOL
― That ^^ is so annoying LOL
― Manager, why aren't you banning that guy?
The prize pool broke all records, but still no winner. The result of the 3rd OTP tournament was, once again, Lee Gyeongbok's victory.
Seeing the chat, Lee Gyeongbok clapped his hands with a smile.
"Now that we've seen the ending, I'll wrap up the tournament. This OTP was really fun. I hope everyone who joined felt the same."
The time was just about right, so he started preparing to close the channel.
"First, my thanks go to Qdari for providing the private server, and so generously, too! Let's all give a round of applause, hoping for more help in the future."
― LOL That's right LOL
― He crushed another Qdari quest, didn't he?
― Look at him spinning this right away LOL
― Qdari who gives without holding back, so generous T. T
― Best-dari, thank you!
― Crazy LOL 'in the future' LOL
― Shouldn't we at least give him a tax deduction at this point?
― Ah LOL so it really was a pure donation?
Amused at the teasing, Lee Gyeongbok continued with a smile.
"And of course my thanks go to the participants today. Ah, as announced, the 127 viewers who joined, plus Qdari, making 128 in total, will receive individual instructions from the manager."
The chat filled with question marks. What instructions?
"It's for the participant goods we're sending out, so it won't take much of your time. The faster you reply, the sooner it'll arrive. Please check!"
The chat erupted.
― Oh! Right! The goods!
― Me too! Don't forget me!
― Whoa Godple's first official merch item!
― Turns out, we're even unluckier than Qdari?
― Hurry up and open the shop... I have money...
― Why won't you earn even more? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why?
― Hyung! This isn't the end, right? You're going to sell these, right?!
― When's the merch shop opening? I'm asking as number one...
Unlike before, the chat was now filled with envy. Lee Gyeongbok smiled gently.
"Goods are something you have to be careful about. But I am still thinking about it."
He wanted to give them to everyone, but he wasn't ready yet. He clapped his hands to refocus everyone.
"Alright, that's it for today's channel. I hope you all look forward to the next OTP!"
There was no need to drag it out. Lee Gyeongbok waved goodbye.
"See you again, trha!"
* * *
Late at night.
After finishing the channel and a quick shower, Lee Gyeongbok would usually check in on his team's progress and get ready for bed.
'It's about time.'
But tonight was different.
He checked the time. He was expecting someone to visit his house.
Right on schedule, there was a knock at the door. Lee Gyeongbok opened it and greeted his guest warmly.
"You're here, thanks for your hard work."
"No need to thank me. It's only natural for a manager."
The guest was none other than the manager, Park Juho. He came in and opened the paper bag he was holding.
Inside was purple paper, with the Purple channel logo stamped on it.
"These are the autograph sheets."
"Oh! They look even better in person!"
The sheets for the event participants were quickly designed by Lee Gyeongbok's friend, who had made them for signing.
"Why are there so many, though? We only need 128, right?"
"I printed 200, in case of mistakes."
"Ah, right. It's also the first time doing this many."
"You do realize it's a lot."
Park Juho smiled wryly.
'Just sending the figure would've been enough.'
From the fans' point of view, getting a figure alone would be great. But Lee Gyeongbok decided to add a surprise autograph card as well.
"It might be harder than you think."
"What do you mean?"
"You're not just signing—there are custom messages too."
But Lee Gyeongbok changed his mind again. In addition to the signature, he decided to write each winner's requested phrase by hand. He thought just an autograph by itself would leave too much blank space.
Park Juho showed him some replies from viewers on Smart Link.
[You'll write a message too!? That's amazing! Hyung! Please write 'Life is Purple confidence!' for me!]
[Wow, Purple himself will write it? Please write 'Junseok, everything will be alright!'
I'll look at it when I'm feeling down, thank you ㅎㅎ]
[Craziness! LOL I want to ask for something cool, but is any free request OK? I don't know, just write 'Eat well and live well!' please]
Lee Gyeongbok burst out laughing at the examples. Park Juho smiled gently beside him and said,
"Honestly, as a fellow fan, I can say for sure the fans will love this. But even idols don't usually do this. You know?"
"Huh?"
"Remember the fan signing events? Usually it's a hundred people and it ends quickly. But you aren't even an idol, you're a Q-tuber, and you're giving 128 signed gifts..."
It was possibly too much for a one-man Q-tuber event. But Lee Gyeongbok wanted to do it.
"Hey, it's my first official merch. It should be special. If I work a bit harder and it makes everyone happy, that's great."
The first time is special.
Lee Gyeongbok was not an exception.
"I won't stop you if you want to do it. But why do it in the middle of the night? You have plenty of time before the next channel."
Park Juho was honestly curious.
There wasn't any time crunch. Anyone would want to rest after a channel, so why hurry?
At that, Lee Gyeongbok laughed awkwardly.
"It's, uh... just my greed, I guess."
"Greed?"
"If I finish this ahead of time, then I can ship the figures as soon as they're ready."
"Because of the laser inscription?"
"Yeah."
Along with the figure, he could have a laser inscription on the base.
He had planned to just sign it, but after deciding to add the message, the plan changed.
Lee Gyeongbok would take his signature and handwriting, and have both separately laser-engraved.
'What an impressive guy.'
Park Juho inwardly admired the answer.
'Skill is one thing, but what really matters is this attitude.'
The rush to Lee Gyeongbok's channel came first because of his gaming skill. But keeping those fans coming back required more than skill alone.
'What's amazing is, Gyeongbok's* not even calculating all this.'
Lee Gyeongbok wasn't putting in this effort because he wanted something from the viewers. He simply wanted the channel to be fun and everyone to have a good time.
'The ones meant to make it, always do.'
It really was just his nature.
Park Juho was confident that, even if Lee Gyeongbok weren't as skilled, he would have succeeded as a streamer.
And aside from that, Park Juho was looking forward to the outcome.
'No way all those who get figures will stay quiet.'
The fans, surprised by an unexpected gift, would be moved. And with that excitement, they'd want to boast about the special treatment.
'This will absolutely spread by word of mouth.'
Once the goods arrived, news would flow out to the community. And when people heard about it, more would want to check out Lee Gyeongbok's channel.
'Anyone would want the attention of someone good.'
Not only streamers wanted attention—so did the viewers.
It was natural for them to be drawn to a streamer who made them feel valued.