Chapter 12

2 Star Stream System. Simply put, Star Stream is a broadcast system aimed at the entire universe. Constellations sitting atop faraway galaxies are its audience. Humans like me are the actors. And connecting the two as the storytellers are the goblins just like the one before my eyes. Ha…ha-ha-ha-ha-ha! You’re crazy! Completely insane! I should’ve realized when you turned down all the offers during Sponsor Selection! Bihyeong laughed for a while, then continued. I’m not sure how you know about Star Stream, but I can’t accept your proposal. You see, I’m a goblin, not a constellation, so I can’t become your sponsor. “I think you misunderstood. I’m not asking you to sponsor me.” Huh? “I know you’re nothing but a weak, bottom-level goblin. I don’t need your power. I just need your channel.” My channel? “Do you not understand? Is your Korean language patch not complete?” Look here, you— “I’ll make it simple. I want to sign an exclusive contract with your channel.” Bihyeong’s face went blank, as if he couldn’t process what I’d just said. Then he blinked. Wait. Are you saying you want to make a stream contract with me? “That’s right.” Normally, a stream contract is an agreement between goblins and constellations. The constellations have their incarnations appear on the goblin’s channel. In return, the goblin receives a share of the coins earned by the incarnation as a commission. Normally, the incarnation doesn’t get a say in any of this. After all, they’re little more than slaves to their sponsors. Ha-ha. That’s rich. Bihyeong covered his eyes with his tiny hands and laughed. The air around him began to change. I don’t know where you heard about all this, but learn your place. A human proposing a stream contract? You’re nothing but an insect who doesn’t even have a sponsor! A simple change in the goblin’s tone was enough to fill the surrounding atmosphere with murderous intent. Even a low-grade goblin is incomparably more powerful than a human, after all. But if something like that was enough to make me back down, I wouldn’t have started this in the first place. “It’s precisely because I don’t have a sponsor that this is a good deal for you.” ……Huh? “Why do you think constellations watch these channels in the first place?” Bihyeong was caught off guard by my unexpected question. He floated there with his mouth agape, like a bad student who had been called on by the professor. Time for a special lecture for this low-grade goblin. “Relax, you already know all this. But it can’t hurt to review, right?” With that, I was in the driver’s seat. Bihyeong was actually nodding along to my words without realizing. “The subscribers of Star Stream can be divided into two broad categories. First, ‘thrill seekers’ who flip through channels to pass the time. And second, ‘incarnation seekers’ who are searching for people to sponsor.” Yes, that’s right. “For your channel to succeed, you need to satisfy at least one of those groups. You either provide good entertainment or suitable candidates to sponsor.” You know your stuff, I admit, but what does any of this have to do with you? “You still don’t get it? No wonder your subscriber count is stuck at three digits.” …Shaddup. Just get to the point! Bihyeong pointed his little horns at me in frustration. I found it hard to believe this cute ball of fur had been blowing up people’s heads just a short while ago. Anyway, I’d better stop teasing him and get to the point. “What if there was a channel that satisfied both ‘thrill seekers’ and ‘incarnation seekers’?” Nonsense! That’s not possible. Well, maybe it is, but not for long. Bihyeong was correct. The very nature of “incarnation seekers” meant it was impossible to keep them interested on a long-term basis. Constellations who only wanted to find incarnations would change the channel once Sponsor Selection was over, even if there were interesting humans. In other words, their viewership was temporary. However… “That’s only if Sponsor Selection plays out as it typically does.” Huh? “But what if there’s an incarnation who won’t select a sponsor? And that incarnation far surpasses others despite not having a sponsor?” Strong incarnations drew attention from constellations simply by existing. But if that incarnation didn’t select a sponsor, “incarnation seekers” would find it hard to leave the channel. N-no way. That’s why you didn’t choose a sponsor…? “That’s right.” Haah… How interesting. Bihyeong laughed as if this was the most ridiculous thing he’d ever heard. The most powerful incarnation, without a sponsoring constellation… If there was such a being, the channel featuring them would indeed shoot up to the top of Star Stream. But that’s simply not possible. “Do you really think so?” ……I admit you’re no average human. You grabbed the constellations’ attention from the very start, and I made bank thanks to that. But now you’re being delusional. Haven’t the recent events taught you anything? An ordinary human can never beat an incarnation with a sponsor. That’s the law of this world. “You don’t know that yet.” You had your chance, and you lost it. Just look at yourself. You failed a scenario. A sub scenario, not even a main one. And now, you’re about to die. No constellation would be interested in a failure like y— “Are you sure about that?” ……? “Your viewers are throwing a fit right now, aren’t they? They’re clamoring for you to open the channel back up.” Bihyeong was silent. “I bet they’re dying to know. ‘Who’s the crazy bastard who went up against the Regressor himself?’ ‘Can he really see the future?’ ‘If he can, then why did he get eaten by the angler dragon?’” St-stop! What are you…? “I’m telling you it’s possible, and I’ll show you. All you need to do is shut up and do as I say. And I’ll make you the Goblin King!” Bihyeong was looking at me differently. He gulped audibly. I could almost hear the gears turning in his head. He had nothing to lose by trusting me. His eyes darted around rapidly. First things first, pay up for failing the scenario. If you give me 5,100 coins— “What’re you talking about? I didn’t fail.” ……Huh? “I’m sure that by now, the conditions have been met…” I stood up and stretched. Joints all over my body cracked in protest. Bihyeong still had a dumbfounded expression on his face. “Just open the channel. It’s about to start.” Start? What’s—? Then a message rang out from thin air. [A hidden scenario has been unlocked!] <Hidden Scenario - Commander Slayer> Category: Hidden Difficulty: A+ Mission: Slay the angler dragon “sea commander,” and escape from its stomach. Time Limit: 10 days Reward: 9,000 coins Penalty for Failure: Death “I told you to get ready.” There are three kinds of scenarios in TWSA. Main scenarios progress the overarching story. Sub scenarios are about small events that fill in the gaps in the narrative. And hidden scenarios are only unlocked when special conditions are met. What? I can’t… How do you know things even I haven’t heard about…? Bihyeong’s face was contorted in astonishment. His lips quivered. Unlike main and sub scenarios, hidden scenarios only activate when specific conditions are met. “It’s not surprising that you didn’t know. You’re a low-grade goblin, after all.” Wh-what are you? “Anyway, if I clear this, that should be enough proof I have what it takes to make a contract with you, right?” For some reason, Bihyeong looked glum as he stared at the scenario message. He then turned to me with a look of concern. This scenario’s difficulty is A+, you know? Do you really believe you can clear this? “That’s right.” River water sloshed into the angler dragon’s stomach lining. When the waves calmed, Bihyeong spoke again. …Fine. If you can pull this off, we have a deal. “We’ll discuss the terms after I clear the scenario.” You cocky piece of— Well, I’m gonna open the channel again, so good luck. “Oh, wait.” I couldn’t have him leave yet. I had something to check. “There’s one more thing I need from you.” ……What now? Bihyeong sounded annoyed. “Fix the system error I keep getting.” System error? “I can’t open my attribute menu.” No way. The system doesn’t make errors. The scenario system is perfect. “Look at it and tell me that again.” Bihyeong stared at me incredulously, then began mumbling to the air. [Goblin Bihyeong is attempting to use “System Interference” on you.] “System Interference.” An absolute interference skill only goblins can use. To be honest, it wasn’t clear if an error was the cause of my inability to see my own attribute menu. But I was sure a goblin would figure something out. And even if it couldn’t, that in itself could be a clue. [Exclusive skill “The Fourth Wall” has been activated!] Sparks flew through the air, and Bihyeong yelped in surprise.