I Have a Reason to Hate Streamers

It’s a well-known fact, but tteokbokki is one of the worst foods nutritionally.

A massive amount of carbohydrates with spicy seasonings and sugar.

If you want to manage your body effectively, it’s wise to avoid it.

Of course, it was food I didn’t even glance at during my player days.

But the worse the food is for you, the more people seem to love it.

Street food videos always have tteokbokki on the menu.

After trying it, I can’t deny it’s delicious.

The problem is… my body really can’t handle spicy food.

“Ugh, heeek. Huhuh, huff. Hic….”

– hahaha
– How spicy did you order?
– Oh, the tongue!
– Looking at him makes me want to tease him!
– Let’s not say anything mean about torturing that pathetic tongue!
– His neck is white but his face is red, hahaha!

After a few bites, I was hit with the realization, “Oh? Why is this so good?” But that was my doom.

Tteokbokki-induced aftershocks started rising up.

The sweet flavor hid the devil that came to find me.

The attack of the devil was vicious.

“Water. No, milk? Juice? Anything?”
“Is it that spicy? I didn’t order anything that hot.”
“Aaahh… haah…”
“Wait. I’ll get it soon.”

I’m suffering.
Tears are about to trickle down.

Clear saliva keeps bubbling in my mouth, and my head is spinning.
I want to cool my tongue in the cold air, heeek, heeek.
I barely wiped away the drool that almost dripped with my wrist.

“Here. Just drink some milk for now.”
“Thank you.”

Even after drinking the milk that Elderin gave me, my tongue still hurt.
I fanned my mouth and drank some apricot juice before I started to calm down a bit.
The bright red seasoning of the tteokbokki looked like venom to me.

“I’ll just eat some fried food.”
“Okay.”
“This is good too…”

Why is this greasy food so delicious?
Although I thought my palate would be very sensitive, it slid into my stomach as if it didn’t care.
I might not be that hungry, though.

Let’s only challenge tteokbokki very occasionally.
Once the spicy feeling completely fades, I’ll have just one at a time.
It’d be a shame to not eat any at all.

This might just be the fear of spiciness.
Even after experiencing this, there’s a certain addictive quality that’s hard to give up.

“So, what were we talking about?”

– Oh, his tongue turned white!
– What do you think about the upcoming international match?
– Was the tteokbokki that spicy?
– It did look really spicy, hahaha!
– Thanks to you, we got a good show!

“International match… Right, we were talking about that.”

I got so engrossed in the tteokbokki that I forgot the topic.

The championship of this playoff will likely go to Sigma.
The Traveler is strong, but the skill gaps among other team members are too big.
So predicting things in the domestic league doesn’t make much sense.

The important part comes after the postseason ends.
The winner will qualify for the international match in the first half of the year.
It’s about time people’s attention starts to turn towards that.

“Everyone is probably curious about how Korea will perform?”

Traditionally, there are three regions that show strength in international matches.
Europe, China, and North America. Generally, these three are often mentioned as championship contenders.
Countries like Japan, India, and West Asia often come up as mid-level contenders.

Korea used to be mentioned as a potential champion region once upon a time.
In fact, the Korean League’s career high included a second place finish in an international match before.
However, after tasting the power of population and international capital, we naturally fell from grace.

Now, it doesn’t seem like Korea is seen as a top-tier region even among mid-level countries.
Especially after constantly battling with Japan, a rivalry has been established.
Could it be the rich tradition of sports?

“I think… you can expect a little bit. At least better visuals than previous years, right?”

Because I’m here, you know.

I still don’t know if I’ll be able to join the Pro League.
First, I need to get the brainwave connection method approved, and then I have to get recognition for use in the Pro League.
Since I have to follow through with the procedures step by step, it’s not something I’m sure about for now.

However, Sigma is growing around me now.
When facing the enemy, they will naturally recall their memories of me.
I’ve somewhat supplemented the longstanding issue of the weakness of the Assassin line in Korea.

In the international league, Sigma might be criticized for the ‘lack of Assassin power.’
However, the quality of the grand Assassin battles has definitely improved.
At least we won’t crumble helplessly like last year.

The Ripper from England, the Phantom from North America, and the Hashashin from West Asia.
Unless we’re talking about world-class Assassins, it definitely won’t be easy.

– How are you so sure?
– ???: Look forward to this international match.
– Ah, hahaha, was the rumor true?

“I don’t really have much to say yet. I’m just taking a break for health reasons…”

– Okay, I believe you.
– So, you’re going to appear as Sigma Gawol then? I’ll hold my breath and wait!
– Is it AT Gawol?
– Would you stay in Korea over an overseas team that’s treating you well, hahaha?
– Declares he’ll wipe everyone out himself.

“It’s speculation. Sigma’s skill this year is different from last year’s.”

– But Sigma’s looking the best he ever has so far.
– Sigma’s good form = The beginning of this rest period.
– Now that you mention it, it does make sense.
– After Camelian joined, it seems like the flavor is definitely coming back.

Seems like some sharp kids are picking up on this.

Despite that, if I don’t give a definite answer, it’ll just remain in the realm of speculation.
Naturally, I had no intention of revealing anything at all.
If I become unable to return to the game in any way, then the contract itself will be nullified.

Luce seems to hope I’d join as a coaching staff or something, but… who knows.
It doesn’t seem like what I want to prove is in that direction.
Well, I guess there’s no need to think about it now.

Anyway, right now is broadcasting time.
A faint smile crept up.

“Since we’re thinking about Camelian, how about we take a look at the last match?”

One of the most amusing things in the world is critiquing someone else’s game.
Especially in a situation like this where it feels like my opponent is watching me.
And if they’re in a position where they can’t dispute me, the thrill is even better.

“Surely, Camelian isn’t watching, right? No way she would.”

Knowing her personality, she’d probably pretend like she isn’t if she is.

*

[Author: FireDog]

[Title: Gawol is such a wimp!]

(Attached video: Gawol suffering from the heat)
(Attached photo: Gawol with a milk-stained white tongue)
(Attached video: Gawol heeek, heeek)

Thanks

[Comments]
– hahaha

*

[Author: SigmaFighting]

[Title: Does Gawol have feelings for Camelian?]

(Attached video: Gawol, Camelian match review)

I know it’s not wrong, but why does it feel so annoying?
Is she doing this just because she obstructed during the siege?

[Comments]
– Gawol: That’s not the case tho.
└ What the heck is this?
└ Why is this real?
└ What’s the reason for popping up only in these moments?

*

I believe I’m doing everything I can.
Consistently fighting against active pro gamers, accumulating combat data.

At Sigma, I’ve steadily been upgrading the equipment while gradually reducing the synchronization rate.

The first synchronization rate for the equipment used at Sigma was 65.8%.

At most, it only decreased by about 0.1% every few weeks.
Still, it’s much better than during the research phase when it was stuck at 70%.

[Current Synchronization Rate: 65.42%]

Building recognition through streaming is also going smoothly.
Slowly but surely, people are starting to notice me.
Elderin has even asked if I should start creating an account for streaming.

Yeah, I should probably make one.
I’ve become so comfortable just hitching a ride on other people’s streams that I keep stalling.

At the same time, I’ve been gaining reliable experience in pro league team matches.
After all, the team battles I’ve dealt with so far are mostly from competitive matches or sieges.
There’s a significant difference to professional team games.

The more capital invested in a game, the more active the strategic research becomes.
Naturally, the difference between random matchmaking and professional league is hard to put into words.
Siege battles might as well be a completely different game, so discussing that would be meaningless.

Yeah. I’m steadily sharpening my sword.
Over the weeks, I’ve fought enough not to feel ashamed of myself.
I received a lot of help during that process.

However, there is one assignment left that no one can assist with.

[Training Mode – Free Practice]

[Battlefield: Bamboo Forest]

[Participant: Gawol (Sword Master)]

The sword.

My lingering resentment that I still can’t overcome.
The beloved weapon imbued with all my regrets and pain—now too heavy to lift.
It’s time to properly face the one I’ve been evading.

[6 high-level training dummies have been generated.]

The sword in my hand let out a chilling cry.
That hauntingly familiar grip.
The hilt weaving through my fingers feels light as a feather, and the sensation of the black training uniform is more comfortable than any clothing.
The breeze entering through the V-shaped gap feels exceptionally cold.

“Haah…”

I need to put a bit more strength into my hands than before.
My physical condition has changed, after all.
To not drop the sword in a woman’s body, I needed at least my forearms securely locked.

And… what was it again?
Before my mind could recall, my body started reacting first.
As the generated dummies approached, a disgusting sensation of stickiness began to rise from my right hand.

I shut my eyes for a moment—
And when I opened them again,

All the training dummies were sprawled on the ground.

A glimpse of the blade was visible under my kneeling body.
In the posture of pressing the blade against my own neck with one hand,
Before I could do anything, a harsh, sharp sensation overwhelmed me, and my vision faded to black.

[Gawol died.]
[You will not receive a death penalty due to ‘Training Mode.’]
[You will respawn in the ‘Player Waiting Room.’]

…Not yet.
But I’ll have to fight.

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