Ari was on her way to meet up with her friends when her phone vibrated.
She had received a text from his cousin’s best friend.
- Heresy of the Fallen World.
It was a short message, and for a moment, it confused Ari.
She sent a message inquiring about it, but even though Hyerin usually replied quickly, she didn’t so much as read it.
"What’s going on?" Ari murmured as she opened a browser and looked up those words.
Her expression worsened.
She was planning to ignore it and continue towards the park, where her friends were waiting for her, but something came to her mind.
’Didn’t she ask something about games last time I called?’
And as if she had gained enlightenment, it struck her.
’Is... Is one of the projects she mentioned a game? This game?’
She looked up, and the game had just dropped only minutes ago.
’He was in Japan not long ago... Could it be...?’
She hurried to the park, found her friends, and yelled at them.
The girls stood up straight.
"Did you get in trouble again?"
"Who did you beat up now?"
"Whose groin did you destroy?"
"Shut up!" she shouted. "I may have an idea about my cousin’s next project!"
The girls, as if possessed, shut their mouths and positioned their ears inches away from Ari’s lips.
"It’s a game," she whispered. "Heresy of the Fallen World."
The group had an entire day of fun planned, but they abandoned all of it without a second’s thought.
The girls lifted Ari in the air and held her as one would shoulder a casket.
As if it were entirely natural, she let her body go limp.
Their hurried steps took them to the home of one of their members, whose brother had a high-end computer.
They were members of AQuinn, so such ridiculous behavior was nothing out of the ordinary to them.
Once there, they closed the door to the room, pulled the curtains, and put down Ari with utmost respect.
One of the girls massaged her shoulders. Another brought her lemonade.
Soon, they found themselves buying the game.
The only problem was that none of them had ever played a video game. So, they had to call a fellow AQuinn member who was working a part-time job.
"I’m sorry, but I can’t come. I am busy—"
"We just received Inside information that our lord and savior is acting in a game."
There was a ruckus on the other end of the phone. The sound of someone throwing things around could be heard clearly.
"I am quitting! You are ugly, and I never liked you to begin with!"
The girl was on her way.
"Bring out all of your devices. Put on every big streamer who’s streaming this game," Ari ordered. "And send passive-aggressive emails to anyone who isn’t!"
"Ari!" one of the girls squealed. "It’s your cousin! He’s streaming!"
"Alright, it’s working!" Hyerin cheered. "Hello, everyone. Can you see us?"
Averie pushed her aside. "They need to see me and Celli, not you."
"I set it up, though," she complained.
"Yeah, we don’t need you anymore. Sit behind me."
She looked upset as she grumbled under her breath.
"I am saying this for your sake," Averie said. "Do you want to be thoroughly chewed by my fans? They are unhinged."
He said all that while being streamed all over the world.
"Have you ever done this before?" Celli asked, who seemed somewhat experienced with livestreaming. "I have done a few streams, but nothing related to gaming."
"Well, I can’t say whether I have or not."
’I did livestream those two idiots in the bathroom. Can that be called a proper livestream though?’
"But do not worry. I am a charming man. They will love me nonetheless."
And Averie’s wasn’t wrong.
Soon, people logged in in droves.
- Wait, are you seriously streaming?
- This isn’t like the last time, right?
"What do you mean? When did I ever live stream before this?"
He laughed so much like a lunatic that even the commenter took back his words.
- Haha... Never mind, I am just not feeling well, that’s all.
"You should take care of yourself. We don’t want you to fall sick, right?"
- Yes, sir! I will take care of myself, sir! I will reflect like the Buddha, sir!
Celli was dumbstruck by Averie’s blatant coercion of his fan. She turned to the girls, but both of them behaved nonchalantly. It dawned on her that it was a regular occurrence.
The number of viewers increased rapidly.
- Who are those ladies with you?
"This—" He pointed at Hyerin, who was resting her chin on the headrest of his chair. "—is my lovely agent as well as my manager."
- Oh, is she? How did you two meet? Why did you hire her?
- Is she qualified, though? She doesn’t look that smart.
"Hey, man, that’s rude," Averie sternly replied.
Hyerin, feeling touched, nodded.
"Her looks have nothing to do with her lack of smarts." The good actor folded his arms. "She hit the jackpot because she is my childhood friend. We believe in favoritism here. Don’t besmirch my name by asking about qualifications."
Hyerin was so used to such abuse that she didn’t even feel hurt.
- Your agent is your childhood friend? That’s cute!
- Who’s the girl wearing so much makeup?
"That’s my personal stylist."
- Ah, that makes sense. What year did she drop out?
"I don’t think she ever went to college, man."
- Yeah, she does not look academically inclined.
Min-Ha was offended by their assumptions, but she couldn’t say much as they weren’t wrong.
- What are you streaming?
"Heresy of the Fallen World."
- Oh, really? Is it any good?
"How would I know, man? I haven’t even started playing yet."
- Why are you streaming it?
"Because I have nothing better to do, and I was looking forward to this game. Thought I could spend some time here with you guys."
"Not really. I have this constant narcissistic need to be praised. So, I am just using you filthy swines."
- Aww, that’s the nicest thing that has ever left your mouth.