It’s not that kind of malicious broadcast

A snowstorm raged over the snow-covered mountain.

The battlefield, filled with desolate ruins and tall walls of accumulated snow, exuded a chilling atmosphere. At the center of this deep, snow-drenched battleground, a knight grasping a huge greatsword in a reversed grip looked down.

It was a pose that had become Lee Yena’s trademark, a signature move seen in countless climactic scenes and widely circulated across FanTube.

However, Lee Yena herself did not particularly adopt this stance with that intention in mind. The knight’s eyes, moving slowly, took in the sight of the miserable, bloodied enemy sprawled pathetically on the ground.

The enemy, still gasping for breath, clutched a sword in their hand. Yet, from the knight’s perspective, it was nothing more than a piece of scrap metal, posing no threat. The enemy had not survived; they had merely been allowed to live momentarily.

From the beginning, it had been a laughable duel, decided in just three moves.

The only consolation for the defeated one might have been that they were not the only one subjected to such treatment.

《… Now, our dear Holy Knight. Are your worries a bit relieved? If you’re still concerned, please say so.》

A soft, gentle voice echoed across the snowy mountain. This question had been repeated countless times, too many to count. The question wasn’t asked with the expectation of an answer.

It was merely a procedure to confirm victory.

『Holy Knight: No』

『Holy Knight: Why don’t you play as a rogue』

When the resentful message finally appeared in the chat, a satisfied smile spread across her face for the first time.

“In clashes like this, there’s no reason to stick to playing as a rogue. One-on-one matches are inherently battles of hero picks and builds. Anyway, it seems that Holy Knight has conceded defeat. We’ll wrap this up with a 30-day ban. This applies to both the broadcast and the forum.”

After finishing her explanation, the sound of something being torn off was heard—

—Tear—

『Ah』

『If you’re not a master, just run and get banned permanently』

『Damn, if you’re going to get cut down in three strikes, don’t even bother showing up』

『These idiots always talk about the basics of Knights LOLOLOL』

『Just turn off the camera, damn it』

『We actually can’t see anything right now』

『Why is she even doing this』

『Harsh training session』

In the midst of the spectators’ jeers and complaints, the screen blurred once more.

It was because she wrapped the camera lens with transparent tape again.

Initially, a single layer of tape had only somewhat obscured the camera, still managing to reflect her figure, but now it struggled even to capture human silhouettes.

The tape, piled up layer after layer like trophies with each neck she severed, had now amounted to a staggering twenty layers.

-ㅇㅇ has sponsored 1,000 won!-

『No, we didn’t do anything wrong…』

《It’s joint responsibility.》

The reason was simple. There wasn’t much to boast about.

Even so, Yena read each name on the list thoroughly. Despite having already scattered about twenty corpses on the ground.

《So, next is…

‘Let’s not embarrass ourselves by participating in tournaments, just maintain our high school pro gamer image. The fate of a high school pro gamer venturing into the esports world is …uh’, as written by the cafe nickname ‘Kim Yunshik’ and the KoK ID ‘Invincible Knight Yunshik.’ However… you’re a Diamond.》

It was a disaster that unfolded in just 90 minutes.

《Now, I think you know the rules by now. But briefly, let me explain again – you are participating in a special random play. Win and receive a special prize. If you reject the random participation or lose, you get a 30-day ban.》

-Kim Yunshik sponsored 1,000 won!-

『I’m sorry.』

Some people judged that a swift apology was cheaper than suffering a humiliating defeat in front of over 20,000 people.

《Um… it’s not wrong to express your opinion. You don’t need to apologize. So, invincible Knight Yunshik, please don’t feel burdened and join the room through dam12, password dam12.》

-Kim Yunshik sponsored 1,000 won!-

『I was impulsive, I’m sorryㅠㅠ I got too carried away with my jokes.』

《Then… let’s take a look at what our Yunshik did wrong to apologize. We need to check your past behavior to determine the penalty. If you wish to stop anytime, just join dam12 and let us know.》

There was no way she would let it slide so easily.

Until the opponent entered the room, she leisurely continued with the analysis.

Thus, the chat log displayed largely on the screen was filled with traces left by ‘Kim Yunshik’ over the past few months.

‘Kim Yunshik: Go Saehwa High School Class 1-5!’

‘Kim Yunshik: Go Saehwa High School Class 1-5!’

‘Kim Yunshik: All polar bears are dying!!!’

‘Kim Yunshik: Diamond level LOL’

‘Kim Yunshik: Noonaaaaaaaa’

‘Kim Yunshik: GetDevoured has nothing to do with Americano~’

‘Kim Yunshik: I want to eat a warm baby porridge.’

《… You have a prior record. For the last chat, you’ve been temporarily banned for 14 days. Ah, you wrote a post on the cafe because you were angry during the ban period. Hmm.》

– Our country’s future is really dark.

– Average trash.

– Minors should be banned from KoK.

– How can a high school freshman already be this involved with broadcasters and praising them.

– Even the budding leaves are already yellowing.

『Disciplinary Education』

Could it have been because of the minor-like nature of the rogue? Or possibly, the recent trend against explicit chat?

The atmosphere in the chatbox wasn’t particularly pleasant.

《In consideration of your criminal record, a permanent ban is justified… Hmm. However, given the mitigating circumstances and the likelihood that you’re a minor, we’ll only impose a 30-day chat ban. But from now on, whenever you write a post on the forum, you must always include this image at the beginning.》

Thus, amidst the sharp insults and criticisms directed at ‘Kimyoonshik’, Yena slowly continued her speech.

The chat log window closed and a drawing tool window popped up. The screen captured one of the two apology donations sent by Kimyoonshik a moment ago, with the words, “I was inconsiderate, I’m sorryㅠㅠ. I got too greedy with the jokes”, written on it.

Below that caption, the phrase “I ran away from the duel” was added.

《It’s an honorary punishment. Capture this screen. We will be monitoring you from now on.》

* * * *

The process of persuading those who were overly worried turned out to be quicker than expected.

In the end, it was all about my abilities. If I drag them into the battlefield with me and deliver an all-around beating, there’s no stronger persuasion than that.

However, since the broadcast was live, there were minor issues that couldn’t be ignored. Considering there were viewers watching from the other side of the screen, it was also questionable as to how long they would keep feeling involved.

In order to alleviate any sense of alienation for the viewers, I instituted the condition, ‘add one tape for a victory, remove all tapes for a loss.’

Although the removal of tapes never happened, it might have aided in enhancing the immersion.

… I wonder if the camera is okay. It now seems foggier than a frosted glass window in a countryside home.

With these minor concerns in mind, I was about to finish up the broadcast after making a final visit to the forum.

『Author: ReformedDojil』

『Title: Honestly, even the Teacher and the Rogue are inflatedㅇㅇ Admit what needs to be admitted』

『I also want to join you, teacher

Why do the wrongdoers get rewardsㅠㅠ

We diligent citizens had our camera feeds stolen just because of those bastards who spouted nonsense and were generally awful……

It’s unfairㅠㅠ』

– It’s DoJilBrew…

– To be honest, he’s right

– He hasn’t reformed at all…!

– No, it’s time to go back to ‘DoKacola’

– No, really, it’s such crap

– Hmm…? Now that you mention it…?

The eye-catching title drew me in as if bewitched, and only then did I notice the author’s name.

… What are you doing?

“… I’ll consider including more participants next time. For today, the purpose is different.”

Since things have turned out this way, let’s keep the tape as it is… Next time, maybe I’ll practice clashing with the hardworking managers.

That could work.

For the next broadcast… hmm.

First, I need to remember. It’ll be troublesome if I forget.

* * * *

『Ark: Yena』

『Ark: You’re participating in the clash tournament too, right?』

『CravingWarmAmericano: Yes』

『Ark: 😭』

『Ark: Should I just give up early and cheer instead…』

『Ark: No』

『Ark: There are two spots, so one will be left』

『Ark: I’ll give it a shot too!!』

(CravingWarmAmericano is typing a message…)

『CravingWarmAmericano: … Fighting』

『Ark: Put a bit more sincerity into your heart』

『CravingWarmAmericano: … Korean Representative Mage Ark, fighting…?』

『Ark: It sounds even less sincere…』

『CravingWarmAmericano: Maybe it’s just your feeling. I’m really cheering for you. I think you might need it a lot.』

『Ark: … I almost asked what you meant』

『Ark: Should I just give up… the challengers will come rushing in…』

『CravingWarmAmericano: Hmm』

『CravingWarmAmericano: Still, if you participate, the fans will be happy』

『Ark: Right? I think so too…』

『CravingWarmAmericano: Yes. I know because I was Jinhee’s fan too.』

『Ark: Was…?』

『CravingWarmAmericano: 😅』

『CravingWarmAmericano: Now it feels like I’ve moved a bit forward from just being a fan』

『CravingWarmAmericano: Don’t you think so?』

(Ark is typing a message…)