Chapter 19: It Didn’t Exist Before? But Now It Does (2)

Lee Kyungbok’s declaration immediately resonated with viewers.

-Lol, this is why I can’t stop watching Purple broadcasts!

-LOL, Purple is unstoppable!

-Not only physically strong but mentally tough too!

-I wish other streamers who boast about their physical prowess would learn from him…

-Hey! Don’t start trouble here.

-LOL, why bring up TAS suddenly?

-Things are getting heated now.

Although there were some minor disagreements, overall, his statement was well-received.

[‘CapCompany_kor’ has sponsored you 50,000 won.]

[Wait, don’t break it yet. Once Overlord’s restraints are released, Phase 2 begins immediately. You should focus on farming equipment before that happens. Oh, hold on.]

At that moment, there was a lengthy sponsorship message.

The developer’s comment flooded the chat with question marks.

-Huh? Phase two?!

-Nah… Why didn’t you tell us earlier???

-I’ve already broken it!

-LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL Staff, pls explain

-Like, is this a broadcasting accident or what? LOL LOL LOL

-Still following the rule of sponsoring 50,000 won though LOL

[‘CapCompany_kor’ has sponsored you 10,000 won.]

-Wow… Too late. Hic! Sorry, boss.

The next sponsorship announcement silenced the chat room.

-I guess it really was an accident. 😅

-Does the staff not get paid for this mistake…?

-Well, at least Gumdrop isn’t affected.

-Is Purple disadvantaged somehow?

-I-it seems like a staff error

-Then click ‘X’ to show your joy.

–Seriously though…

Meanwhile, Overlord underwent the transformation as per the sponsored message. It let out an animalistic wail, and its body convulsed violently. Bones pierced through its skin, proliferated, and formed armor to protect its core. Sharp hook-like appendages sprouted from its back.

“Ohhh…” Lee Kyungbok inadvertently gasped at the sight. The ominous energy emanating from Overlord had intensified significantly.

I’m starting to feel threatened.

As soon as Overlord’s mutation was complete, control returned to Kyungbok. He immediately raised his shotgun and fired. Pellets erupted with a thunderous boom, but Overlord effortlessly shielded its core with one arm.

The pellets pierced his arm but failed to damage the bone armor.

-WTF how do we beat this thing?!

-Who was that? Who fired the shotgun?

-Quick, let’s farm! Let’s go farming!

-Rocket launcher—we need a rocket launcher!

Viewers immediately recognized what weapon the developer was referring to. Various Overlords had appeared as final bosses throughout the series, and most were defeated using rocket launchers.

-???: No need for running or farming.

-Oh boy, more trolls stirring things up again?

-What? Did Purple not say it themselves?

Perhaps sensing their opportunity, some troublemakers lurking among the viewers subtly attempted to cause chaos.

-Ignore them, don’t engage.

-LMAO, just starve ‘em out

—If you said it, then stick to your word, right?

—I’m just saying what I heard. You’re gross, traitors! LOL

The trolls’ sole purpose was to grab attention, and they were adept at avoiding censorship by moderators. Ironically, viewers who expressed their anger often ended up getting warned instead.

“I won’t resort to farming,” Lee Kyungbok declared after reading the chat window.

While well-meaning viewers worried for him, this only seemed to aggravate the troublemakers further.

—According to the developer, just farm, no?

—Can’t he just apologize already? LOL

—Trying too hard to save face will be his downfall.

—He’s bluffing, lololol.

Their intent to rattle Lee Kyungbok’s confidence was clear, but he responded with a smile.

“You’ll see soon enough.”

As if on cue, Overlord, whose arm had fully healed, lunged at him. Its sharp claws and hooked forearm whirred toward its target.

The sound of whistling air filled his ears as hooks and claws sliced through it, but Lee Kyungbok narrowly avoided each attack by mere inches.

-Looked too fast…!

-Ha-ha! He’s all over the place.

-Wow! That was Purple rank!

Unfortunately, Lee Kyungbok didn’t have time to read the chat. His focus intensified, making it feel like the world around him was shrinking. It seemed as if only he and Overlord existed, with all his senses honing in on them.

Now.

In that brief moment, Lee Kyungbok spotted an opening amidst the flurry of attacks. Without missing a beat, he pulled the trigger.

Bullets lodged into the bone armor with audible thuds.

Was that not enough?

Despite firing at close range, the armor sustained only cracks. Even then, the fractures quickly healed, expelling the bullets.

Lee Kyungbok regulated his breathing as he put some distance between them.

-Saw that? It even retaliated just now!

-How dare it use my body against me?!

-Too bad… Still ineffective.

-The Overlord is too powerful…

The viewers expressed both amazement and disappointment. However, Lee Kyungbok’s expression remained unchanged.

In that case…

His gaze shifted to the wall behind the Overlord. The continuous barrage of projectiles had weakened it significantly, making it look like it could collapse at any moment. Beyond the widening crack lay a room similar to where John and Sandra had first arrived.

Meanwhile, the Overlord finished its recovery phase and leaped toward him, aiming to crush Lee Kyungbok underfoot. Lee Kyungbok swiftly rolled on the ground away from the wall, then immediately got back up and fired his shotgun.

LMAO it’s not working

LOL is it learning anything?!

ROFLMAO getting pwned LOL

The trolls considered this Overlord’s last-ditch effort. Regardless of what other viewers might say, they were thoroughly enjoying themselves.

Just as before, the Overlord charged at Lee Kyungbok with one arm shielding the core.

I can do this.

Lee Kyungbok didn’t run away. Instead, he faced his opponent head-on and sprinted toward him. The Overlord swung its bladelike arm wide, aiming to cleave Kyungbok’s body apart for sustenance. But Lee Kyungbok slid under the attack without missing a beat. However, that wasn’t the end of his troubles.

A hook shot out from the creature’s back, targeting him. Having anticipated this move, Lee Kyungbok raised his shotgun and blocked it.

-LMAO wtf? What kind of physical skill was that?!

-I told you guys, play the game instead of making movies! ROFL

-Is that even possible?

While viewers were astonished…

The Overlord couldn’t overcome its momentum and crashed through the wall, bringing down debris with it. Lee Kyungbok immediately got up and raised his shotgun toward the ceiling.

“Do you know where we are?” He asked cheerfully but didn’t wait for a response. There was no way he’d let the creature escape after cornering it so successfully. As soon as he fired, pellets ripped through pipes hanging from the ceiling.

“It’s where they dispose of animal carcasses,” Jessica explained.

This place was indeed used to get rid of animals experimented on, just as she had said. Strangely, though, there were no separate disposal facilities here. The reason why was simple:

Because they simply melt them away.

As Lee Kyungbok spoke, clear liquid poured out of the pipes onto the Overlord. Its body began melting upon contact with the substance.

-Right, of course!

-Yikes! What keen observation skills!

-LOL! Who knew you could use it like this?

-I didn’t miss that, LOL!

-Muscle is all he needs! No brain required!

The viewers were amazed by Lee Kyungbok’s insight.

However, Lee Kyungbok wasn’t taking anything for granted. Despite its body melting away, the Overlord still possessed impressive regenerative abilities. It repeatedly cycled through oxidation and regeneration as it struggled to stand upright.

“Oh no, not on my watch.” Lee Kyungbok couldn’t just sit idly by. He got up and shot at the creature’s knees, forcing it back down.

-Yuckkkk… Disobedient… Yuckkk…

-How dare you raise your head here?!

-This dude knows how to make you kneel!

-Education (by force) 101

Lee Kyungbok didn’t stop there. Knowing the Overlord was capable of ranged attacks, he swiftly aimed his gun at its shoulder.

With each shot, Lee Kyungbok’s shoulder, already corroded by acid, was torn apart further. He quickly ejected the spent shell and reloaded his rifle.

“Now we’re at just about the right height.”

The viewers were initially puzzled but understood once the Overlord rose to its full height using its hooklike appendages. Its core was now perfectly positioned for Lee Kyungbok’s aim.

Even the bone armor had holes from the acidic liquid. With a gentle pull of the trigger, shards of bone flew everywhere along with the shattered core, spraying dark red blood as it did so. The impact caused the Overlord to topple over. As the acid seeped into the ruptured core, the creature deflated like a balloon losing air.

The Overlord couldn’t recover and began melting away.

-LMAOLOLLOL

-Woooo…this is truly legendary.

-ROFLMAO This legend keeps getting crazier every time.

-OMG…; Shouldn’t this be on national TV by now?

-Why bring up Cha Muncheol? LOL

Breaking News: President Joe Biden declares ‘Perfect’ to be an actual Korean word.

Perfect Punch! Perfect Punch! Perfect Punch!

Viewers were ecstatic. They had found someone else they could rally behind just as passionately as Purple.

-Weren’t you trolls saying he couldn’t do it?

-Honor? You call that honor?

-Weren’t you yapping your mouths off earlier?

-Gone like rats scurrying back to their holes.

-Trolls, you’re like those zombie rats.

-Suddenly so quiet after all that bravado, huh?

-Detachable trolls LMAOLOLLOL

Once Lee Kyungbok succeeded, all the trolls vanished like ghosts, and the remaining viewers gleefully mocked them.

No need for me to say anything.

There were plenty of people who would roast them on his behalf. Choi Byunghoon could easily edit this part, so there was no reason to make things harder by adding more commentary.

Soon, filming resumed.

“So…Lifenem has been researching something like this.” John looked down at the dead Overlord. Something strange caught his eye.

–John, why do you have a rocket launcher?

–What? When did I get that?

–How’d it happen?

–Idk

A rocket launcher had suddenly appeared in John’s hand.

Lee Kyungbok was equally bewildered.

“Huh? Is there a bug?”

Just to be sure, Kyungbok paused the clip. He would’ve continued if this were just any broadcast, but he suspected that the developer might have been monitoring it. Sure enough, there was an immediate clarification via sponsorship message.

[User CapCompany_kor sponsored 50,000 won.]

The cutscene shown is due to an oversight by the development team. The issue arose because we did not anticipate the possibility of freeing the chains without using the rocket launcher. We plan to address this with future updates. Please accept our apologies.

This lengthy sponsorship message had a different tone than usual.

-Literally never imagined clearing it like this!

-The devs must be freaking out!

-Haha, this is hilarious for real!

-I mean, they even made a cutscene for it! LOL

-But where’d he get the rocket launcher from?

-He always had one.

–Purple is truly legendary…

–Gumdrop giving Purple homework was a stroke of genius LOL

–LOL if it wasn’t for Purple, everyone would’ve screamed about a bug

–But can you defeat the Overlord without Purple’s help?

–Ha! Clever move!

–So the employee had to write another apology letter? LOL

The viewers were in a festive mood. Lee Kyungbok chuckled lightly and said, “Oh boy… I only tried using the pistol because I thought it might work. Should’ve gone with the rocket launcher instead.”

–He’s deflecting LOL

–There goes that killer smile again.

–That’s literally murderous LOL

–His pile of apology letters keeps growing!

–Honestly, this one’s on Purple LOL

–Ah, LOL who tries tackling that thing with just a gun?!

–You’re worse than the troll!

-Lol, is this how they deflect blame?

-LOLZ

Lee Kyungbok’s comment shifted the mood once again. Although it sounded like he was blaming himself, he knew that provoking him was part of the viewers’ enjoyment of the stream. Besides, he’d already encountered much worse trolls online.

“Well then, I’ll be back before my break ends.”

The audience eagerly awaited his return as they focused on the cutscene unfolding on their screens.

John, armed with a rocket launcher, looked toward the collapsed entrance to the stairs. He fired, and the debris blocking the way crumbled. John immediately descended while shouting:

“Sandra! Jessica! Are you okay?!”

His voice echoed down the staircase, but there was no response.

“Have they gone deeper inside?”

Had they reached safety and simply not heard him? With mixed emotions, John descended the stairs quickly.

The perspective then shifted to looking down from above, like on a map, showing John winding his way down the spiral staircase. Gradually, the scene receded until it faded to black.

[Chapter 4: ‘Elixir’ - End]

This indicated the end of Chapter 4, followed immediately by a trailer for Chapter 5.

At the bottom of the stairs, John flung open a door.

“Sandra?”

The laboratory was incredibly spacious, as if occupying an entire floor without any interior walls. It was filled with various scientific equipment.

-Wow… I didn’t know this place existed!

-Since we never went underground in previous routes.

-The lab…I have a bad feeling about this.

It seemed the viewers were quite impressed by the setting. Soon, John abruptly turned around.

“Sandra?”

However, it was Jessica who appeared. Initially looking somewhat shaken, she brightened upon spotting John and rushed toward him.

“John! I’m glad you’re safe!”

“Jessica? Where’s Sandra…?”

“She went upstairs to help you, but you didn’t meet her?”

“Me? But…”

“We might have crossed paths at different times. Didn’t these stairs used to be blocked?”

John frowned at Jessica’s words. As he made to move immediately, Jessica held him back.

“The vaccine should be our priority, John.”

“No, we must find Sandra first,” John stubbornly insisted, turning away from Jessica.

-Coo… How noble of him.

-That’s true love.

-Very touching.

-Ha ha ha, watch how quickly those polygamous fools change their tune!

-Shh! Can’t you feel the mood here?

At that moment, Jessica wrapped her arms around him from behind.

“John, you’ve changed.”

“Jessica?”

“I won’t let you go this time.”

John’s expression grew even more anguished as he shook off Jessica’s hands and turned around.

The wall of the laboratory suddenly started to open with a rumble. The camera zoomed in on John’s face, which was now filled with confusion.

“What is this…?”

With that line, the trailer abruptly ended.

-WTF?!

-It just cut off there?!

-Hey, what happened?! What did I miss?!

-Ahahaha, my head’s spinning from all the twists!

-Where’d Sandra go?

-Could it be…

-Give us the next episode already! No, give us ALL the episodes!

-Wow… Doesn’t Jessica seem like a villainous character?

-Huh… She totally stabbed him in the back.

-The Sika Squad has officially disbanded today.

-Scenario writer? Could you please open the door? Wait, can we talk?!

This was completely different from the previous storyline. Naturally, the viewers’ reactions were intense.

-Go! Go! Go!

-Sandra, hang on! I’m coming to save you!

-Hyung? Let’s get started quickly!

-The ending is near! Let’s go!!!

Despite this enthusiasm for continuing gameplay, there were fewer viewers overall.

-Ah, Trsu, your dreams were futile…

-Haha, many fairies still haven’t been sliced yet.

-Want a taste of my sword dance?

-It’s unfortunate, but it can’t be helped…

-Ha, how will we wait until tomorrow?

-Sob…I’ll miss you… (tear emoji)

The regular viewers knew from experience that Lee Kyungbok would end the broadcast regardless of what he said.

[‘CapCompany_kor’ has sponsored you 50,000 won.]

[Thank you to all the viewers who stayed late to watch! Please continue supporting Cap Company and Purple’s broadcasts!]

The continuous sponsorship from the developer finally put viewers at ease.

-Lol, did you write an apology letter before coming back?

-I welcome this kind of homework in the future!

-Ha ha ha, seems like he’s determined to bounce back after that tough time!

-Felt the difference in ‘physical’ strength, didn’t you?

-Great job, employee!

It was a heartwarming conclusion to their interaction.

‘Hmm… Should I end the broadcast now?’

Lee Kyungbok had different thoughts than usual. He discreetly checked the time and viewer count. It was already nearing midnight, and approximately 2,800 viewers had stayed with him until this late hour.

‘According to my routine, it should be bedtime by now, but…’

With his schedule disrupted due to the changed broadcast times, Lee Kyungbok felt open to new experiences. A strong desire, unlike anything he’d ever experienced before, stirred within him.

I want to see how it ends.

He genuinely desired to witness the conclusion of this game. However, that was merely a means to an end.

With my viewers by my side.

He wanted to share this joy with them—that was his true motivation. He didn’t want to disappoint those who had stayed up late with him. His wish was for everyone to part ways happily and reunite in high spirits later on. This desire stemmed not from Lee Kyungbok but from Purple, the streamer.

I think it’ll be more fun this way.

Lee Kyungbok smiled broadly.

-Let’s go! Let’s go!

-Cuba~

-Why is Purple so quiet though?

-HOXY…?

-Is he planning some cruel torture?

-Aha…he’s got that killer smile again, right?

As the delay stretched, anticipation grew among the viewers.

It was then that Lee Kyungbok made his decision.

[Broadcast title has been changed.]

[Bark: Unleashing the Hidden Route]

The title of his broadcast had changed accordingly.

-Look?!

-The King has awakened! The King has declared it!

-Purple is different now!

-Ha-ha-ha-ha! Wasn’t waiting worth it?

-Sucks for those who left early; they missed out on their first defeat

-W-wait, I was about to switch streams but came back when I saw the new title

The chat window exploded with messages.

Lee Kyungbok felt immense satisfaction as he watched the reaction unfold.

“I’m just speculating here, but I think the next chapter might be the last one. It’s better to end things neatly rather than drag them out.”

-That’s it! That’s Purple!

-This is ‘perfect’!

-Thank you…! Overwhelmingly grateful…

-[Message deleted by moderator (Warning #1)]

-No, ha-ha-ha! I did swear, but it’s because I’m so happy!

The chat window was filled with jubilant comments.

And then…

[‘JuMoOOOO!’ has sponsored you 10,000 won.]

[Let’s party! No going home tonight!]

[‘SponserOn!’ has sponsored 30,000 won.]

[Ahaha! Make sure to claim your overtime pay!]

[‘PurpleGotIt’ has sponsored 5,000 won.]

[Purple = violet haha Keep up the broadcast haha]

Suddenly, personal sponsorships were opened.

Lee Kyungbok was initially taken aback but quickly surmised the situation.

Byunghoon must have done it.

As they didn’t have an official manager yet, Choi Byunghoon, the editor, was handling managerial duties alongside his editing work for swift Youtube uploads while monitoring the stream intermittently.

That crafty editor strikes again.

He undoubtedly recognized the opportunity and adjusted the broadcasting settings accordingly.

Once the floodgates opened, sponsorships poured in like a dam bursting. Lee Kyungbok joyfully expressed his gratitude.

[‘CapCompany_kor’ has sponsored 10,000 won.]

[Wow! Even a king’s ransom! I’ll stick with this stream till the end! Thank you, Purple! Loyal to the core ^^7]

Among them were sponsorships from the developer:

–Lollll Extra work hours out of nowhere

–Hhhh Using both editor and advertiser now

–Purple Inc., the epitome of toxic workplaces… Is this for real?

–Why do tears keep rolling down his face when he laughs?

–Ah hahaha If you can’t handle it, just leave already

–Forced room supervision (ironic)

Viewers seized the opportunity to tease the developer. Lee Kyungbok chuckled along, lightly clapping his hands.

“Well, let me wrap things up before we lose momentum. I truly appreciate everyone’s support!”

–Take your seats! The broadcast will start soon!

–I ordered late-night snacks since it’s extended broadcasting time~

–Aw man, why didn’t I get chicken too?

–Ha ha, ran out of frozen dumplings.

–A Purple broadcast sponsored by fried chicken and beer? Yes, please! Haha

–Just don’t overeat, professor.

–Gotcha, fellow student ^^

–Hey, settle down! Settle down!

The chat window was filled with lively chatter.

Lee Kyungbok enjoyed this atmosphere.

“Then let’s begin Chapter 5.”

He started speaking with a genuine smile on his face.