Chapter 9: Streamer Purple's Debut, II

Lee Kyungbok could confirm it based on the viewers’ reactions:

‘Ah, this is a new option not present in the previous route.’

In the original storyline, Logan being fake was revealed after some time had passed. However, now Lee Kyungbok had an immediate opportunity.

[Do you want to uncover ‘Logan’s true identity?]

[1. Yes - “Your police uniform seems different from mine.” (Discover Logan’s wanted poster in his pocket)]

[2. No - ‘He is the leader of survivors. There must be a reason for his actions’]

Lee Kyungbok smiled as he read the options.

“A wanted poster? Seems like he might be a criminal.”

As soon as he spoke, the chat window flooded with messages.

-That bastard, what a truly despicable guy!

-Literally 100% pure evil scum

-Haha! Catch him and make him do all the dirty work!

-I didn’t know he was a criminal though.

-I just thought he was a jerk, but turns out he’s a great big jerk?!

Lee Kyungbok clicked his tongue and raised a finger.

“W-well then, let’s proceed!”

As Lee Kyungbok chose option 1, ‘LMAO’ flooded the chat window repeatedly. The options disappeared, and the cutscene continued.

“Your police uniform seems different from mine.”

John’s gaze sharpened, making Logan flinch nervously.

“W-What…?”

“If you look closely, this badge on my chest is…”

John tapped near his heart, trailed off, undid one button, and reached into his inner pocket.

He then pulled out a piece of paper from his inner pocket.

“…John?” Sandra’s eyes widened as she watched him with concern.

With a grave expression, John glanced at Logan and handed the document to Sandra.

“You should see this for yourself.”

“What is it…?”

Sandra’s demeanor shifted dramatically after taking the paper. She gritted her teeth shortly thereafter.

“S-Sandra?” Sensing something was terribly wrong, Logan called to her, his voice trembling.

Her response wasn’t what he expected.

“Logan Meyers. Eight counts of fraud. Wanted by the police.” She spat out each word.

Startled, Logan reached under the desk, but before he could do anything…

“If I were you, I wouldn’t do that.”

Before Logan could even open his mouth, John swiftly aimed his gun at him.

“Get down!”

Sandra leaped over the desk and delivered a dropkick straight to Logan’s face.

“Ackkk!”

“You fucking conman piece of shit! You backstabbed us!” Sandra effortlessly mounted the fallen Logan.

“You slimy bastard! No wonder your eyes looked shifty for a cop. Son of a bitch!” The profanity spewing from her mouth left John speechless.

-LMAOLOL!

-Sandra is back!

-Haha, this is our Sandradon.

-Chilllll

-She totally beat him up LOL

“She’s so fucking cool!”

“$%&@#!”

While viewers cheered, Lee Kyungbok felt much like John.

“Wow… She really knows how to curse.” His voice grew quieter as he spoke, mindful of not interrupting the scene unfolding on screen. During filming, he usually refrained from talking to avoid distracting the audience, but there was no need now as Sandra unleashed her foul language on Logan.

“Purple caught off guard! Hahahaha!”

“Whoa! That’s the real Sandra!”

“Beware of Sandra’s true colors, everyone!”

“Are John and Purple out of sync or what? Hahahaha!”

“Ah, this is what they mean by ‘overly immersed.’”

“Wait, does this mean Sandra was just playing a role all along?”

“True nature never changes, I guess.”

In between this, John urgently grabbed Sandra’s shoulder. “Sandra! Calm down! You will die like this!”

“Let go! Let go! This bastard, it is because of him…”

“People need to know!” At John’s words, Sandra stopped resisting. The bloodied Logan was breathing shallowly.

Soon, there was darkness as the scene changed. In front of the survivors, Logan was restrained, with John and Sandra standing behind them.

-Lol

-A public execution now?

-Still more soda left? Lol

-So you won’t drink it yet?

-Of course, I have to drink it!

The viewers were enjoying themselves immensely. On the other hand, the expressions of the survivors were pure gloom.

“Logan, Logan is fake…?”

“Sandra, what is this…?!” The survivors seemed unwilling to believe it. However, when Sandra handed them the wanted poster, they passed it around hesitantly.

-Kyaah…

-Look at their changing expressions

-I would’ve bitten my tongue if I were them

Sandra took a deep breath as if trying to control her emotions. As the last survivor trembled and crumpled the wanted poster, she spoke up:

“No further explanation needed, right? If John wasn’t here, we’d still be deceived.”

All eyes of the viewers turned towards John, and his venomous expression softened momentarily.

”…Thank you.”

“We almost fell for that con artist’s tricks again.”

“I almost died for that fraud.”

“Thank you!”

In response to their gratitude, John calmly revealed, “Actually, I might not be a police officer.”

”…What?”

“Huh?”

“For some reason, my memories are unclear. The only thing I know for certain is that the police helped me obtain this uniform.” John spoke honestly.

The survivors’ expressions turned grim once more.

“T-Then what about the rescue team?”

“Did they not use the police radio…?!”

“The rescue team was also part of Logan’s deception. Now you understand, right? This bastard isn’t a real cop; he’s just a con artist.”

Amidst the confusion, Sandra stepped forward again.

-Look, this is the real route.

-It seems based on having already cleared it once before.

-Given the context provided, it appears to be content for multiple runs.

-Info: Logan lied about contacting the rescue team and police radio.

-I guess some experience is needed just to save the police early on.

-??? : Experience? It’s fine even if it’s your first try, right?

-Ah, yeah, you can just do it casually, no problem.

This cutscene offered somewhat vague explanations. Most opinions in the chat window suggested that it assumed viewers had cleared Bio Crisis at least once before.

“Then…then what happens now?”

“There’s no rescue team?”

“Oh my God…”

With their leader absent, exposed lies, and fading hope, confusion among the survivors was inevitable.

“No!” Sandra spoke firmly but softly towards them. “I will take charge instead.”

“Sandra?”

“Well, Sandra might…”

“She’s already taken on the most dangerous tasks.”

The survivors nodded as she stepped forward.

“There is no rescue team. We will have to leave this damn city on our own.”

“W-with just us?”

“I won’t stop you if you want to lie down with the corpses. However, at least for me and those who follow me, we’re not going out like that.”

The sound effect of applause animated the chat window even more.

-Sandra! Sandra! Sandra!

-Charismatic Sandra, fighting!

-Our Sandra looks best when towering over others

-WTF? Censorship?

-Press ‘X’ to express your joy

-Sandra’s words are pure gold, incredibly valuable.

For a moment, the survivors cautiously observed each other before nodding resolutely.

“Leader! What about Logan?”

“We should kill him!”

“That fraud ate so much food…!”

“Let’s cut him up and use his parts to lure zombies!”

When someone asked about Logan’s fate, the survivors erupted with anger.

-Let’s give him a taste of his own medicine?

-This is hilarious

-The cruel type of punishment…

-I’ll teach you a lesson!

The chat window buzzed with anticipation as Logan’s end changed due to the hidden route.

However, Sandra shook her head, causing the chat window to flood with question marks.

-Huh? Is she hinting at something else?

-Would our Sandra provide sweet potatoes instead?

-Eyes on fire! She’s gonna kill him!

-No way! Our Sandra isn’t like that!

Sandra glared coldly at the bound Logan. “Simply killing him won’t suffice.”

As she spoke, the scene shifted once more. It was now nighttime, and John was gazing out the window. The view below then came into focus.

Logan was wearing only his underwear and had lost his right arm. He was trembling with fear, wrapped in makeshift bandages that were now soaked with blood, dripping onto the floor below.

-SANDRA! SANDRA! SANDRA! SANDRA!

-Ah haha, this is Sandra!

-Ha ha ha ha, spraying blood in a zombie field.

-???: Dawn delivery for Market Sandra.

-I like Sandra, so first me! Ha ha!

The viewers’ reactions showed their extreme satisfaction. Then shadows appeared under the moonlight.

“A-aaaaah…!” Logan wailed hysterically. John finally turned to look at him.

Sandra sat at the desk where Logan used to be, clutching her head while staring at the map.

“Sandra.”

“…I’m sorry. It’s harder than I thought.”

At John’s call, Sandra covered her face with both hands. He slowly approached and stood behind her, placing his hands on her shoulders.

LMAO

What’s going on here?

Feeling animalistic vibes…

The chat window was abuzz with activity.

“I said it out of frustration, but…I don’t know what to do. The future seems so bleak.” When she lowered her hands and turned around, tears welled up in her eyes—rarely seen vulnerability from someone who had always been strong and confident, making it all the more impactful for viewers.

-I like Sandra even if she isn’t my type.

-Is this protective instinct kicking in…?

-SANDRAAAA!

-They say women’s tears are their secret weapon…

-Like they say, women’s tears can be a powerful weapon…

-Mommy, you don’t cry often, do you?

-Crossing the line with your chat, huh?

-Study harder, kid^^

Regardless of the viewers’ admiration or jokes, the scene continued to unfold.

“Don’t worry. I’ll help you.”

The chat window exploded again as John and Lee Kyungbok’s voices were dubbed onto these lines.

-Woooooooow

-I didn’t know their voices fit so well

-Give me that voice, bro! (Trimming his mustache)

-I’d instantly reject such lines even with my own voice

-Fact: No matter how good the voice, it won’t save this face cut-off situation.

Sandra suddenly turned around, her ears visibly flushed red.

“Firstly, we need to find another shelter. Lifenest has already sent people here, so we could be discovered at any moment.” Her speech quickened, revealing her emotional state clearly.

Her voice quickened, and anyone could guess her emotional state.

-Looking embarrassed, Sandra?

-“Embarrassed”? I won’t stand for this!

-I’m so mortified… Even if I die now, I’ll have no regrets.

-Haha! Bark is cracking the hidden route code.

-Bark’s hidden route again? Sir, you keep mentioning it. Please take your medication quickly!

As viewers chatted disappointingly, John leaned forward to examine the map. Their faces drew even closer together.

”…An outlet store?”

“Yes. It’s located on the outskirts of the city, making it easier to leave, and there should be plenty of resources available.”

Sandra consciously focused on the map, then pointed out two possible routes.

“It seems like we have to choose between the subway and the highway…but which way should we go…” Sandra bit her lip lightly and turned towards John. Their faces were mere inches apart.

”…What do you think?”

Time seemed to stand still.

[Which path will you choose?]

[1. Subway - “The shortest route would be using the subway.”]

[2. Highway - “The highway with ample cover would be safer.”]

The cutscene ended, presenting two options.

-Ooooooh! Totally unrevealed routes!

-WA! WA! WA!

-Ha ha ha ha, this is a trap

-What trap? It’s obvious, fool!

-Lots of noobs here The subway is invincible

-Cannot complete under 200 hours of playtime.

-200 hours

-In any case, these social media addicts… Haha, can’t even bark due to reality?

-Hahahaha, it should be at least 500 hours as a minimum.

-Lord Streamers! Please live in reality…!

The chat window was about to explode. The speed of messages was so fast that Lee Kyungbok’s screen started stuttering.

‘It seems viewers don’t know anything if this is undisclosed.’

Lee Kyungbok quickly thought. Here, every choice presented an unknown situation. As a result, the chat window rapidly heated up. If left unchecked, the viewers might split and start arguing fiercely.

“W-well, opinions seem divided right now. It looks like I’ll get criticized no matter which option I choose.”

When Lee Kyungbok spoke, the chat momentarily paused but didn’t improve significantly. He promptly continued:

“There is no information available, so let’s solve it democratically. I will conduct a vote!”

It was one of the features supported by the ‘Tri’ platform—a poll.

[Where should we go?]

[1. Subway]

[2. Elevated road]

Lee Kyungbok quickly set up the voting and said, “During this break, I’ll also open donations. The vote will last exactly five minutes to avoid disrupting the flow! If you have anything to say during this time…”

Before he could finish speaking:

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

[Shut up! How can there be no subway in a zombie movie?]

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

[Sandra might die otherwise, right? It’s better to choose the safer option.]

[‘BrotherNaju’ has sponsored 50,000 won.]

[I like purple, so everything is good!]

The sponsorships started pouring in, almost like a political campaign. The chat window was divided with differing opinions.

-1111111111111111111

-Yell 22! Yell EE! Yell Kongkong!

-Kongkong! Kongkong!

-The subway is dark and narrow, so it will be harder ㅋㅋㅋ We should choose No. 1

-I’ll go with Sandra 2222

-Obviously, if you’re purple, you must take the hard subway route

-Wow ㅋㅋㅋ Is this real-life voting for followers only amidst all this chaos?

-Haven’t followed yet? Are you crazy?

Lee Kyungbok read the chat and lightly clapped his hands, saying, “Ah, I didn’t mention it earlier. This vote is exclusive to my followers.”

Most people had followed him while waiting for his broadcasts, but surprisingly, there were many viewers who hadn’t followed during the live stream.

Many viewers had entered through links and were too busy watching to even think about following. Typically, they would follow at the end of the broadcast or not at all. It was better to prompt them during the stream rather than risk losing potential followers. This advice came from Choi Byunghoon.

-Lol, right!

-I just realized I haven’t followed yet.

-No wonder I couldn’t vote

-Hurry up and open the subscription option!

-I’ll…pay the friend fee…

As expected, chat messages confirming their follows started pouring in. Along with this, there was a surge in votes. Currently, around 1,900 viewers were present, and most of them participated in the poll. It seemed likely that by the end of the broadcast, the viewer count would surpass 2,000.

[Voting has ended!]

After five intense minutes, the results were announced.

[Where shall we go?]

[1. Subway - 1,174 votes]

[2. Elevated Highway - 781 votes]

The winner was option 1: subway.

This outcome could be attributed to:

[‘PhysicalMagical’ has sponsored you 30,000 won.]

[“It’s obvious with Purple on board”]

Lee Kyungbok, also known as Purple, had gained fame due to his remarkable physical prowess and gaming skills. Most viewers followed him for these reasons, leading them to logically choose the more challenging route.

“Yes, voting is complete. I’ll temporarily close sponsorships so I can focus on the game.” Lee Kyungbok smiled as he adjusted the settings. “Subway it is…because of its difficulty, just like my preference.”

It was unlikely but if the vote had been 50/50, Lee Kyungbok would’ve chosen the subway. In response to his words, the chat window filled with ‘hahaha’.

-Hahaha, this is Purple’s confidence

-What does ‘confidence’ mean here?

-It means justified self-confidence ^^

-Wordplay joke.

-Why does it sound awkward for such an obvious statement?

The viewers who chose option 2 expressed their disappointment:

-Purple will be fine even if he takes Sandra hahaha

-Our Sandra is strong, right?

-Sandra can survive anywhere.

Most people brushed it off lightly. However, there were a few exceptional individuals:

-Isn’t this decision too hasty? I don’t understand why you’re making such crucial choices through voting.

-Considering this is a world premiere, shouldn’t safety be the priority? It’s disappointing that they seem focused solely on seeking thrills.

However, Lee Kyungbok easily dismissed these minority opinions. Initially, he didn’t even need to intervene.

-Look at those long-winded comments.

-Haha, if they get tangled up, they should find their own hidden route or shut up.

-Sit comfortably if you feel uneasy.

-On day two of broadcasting, it seems like things will heat up with this bunch haha

-The funny thing is, the result will show them haha

The opposing viewers were overwhelmed by the barrage of supportive comments. Regardless of what they said, the chat window was dominated by unity, making it unnecessary for Kyungbok to worry about dissenting voices.

“Well then, let’s proceed again.”

With that, Lee Kyungbok confidently made his choice. Upon hearing John’s response, Sandra nodded thoughtfully.

“…Indeed, I had the same thoughts.”

“I’m glad we think alike.”

As John smiled, Sandra gazed deeply into his eyes. Her slightly flushed cheeks and their lingering gaze created a brief moment of silence.

-Wow!

-Yesss!

-Big things coming! Big things coming! Big things coming! Big things coming!

The chat window reflected viewers’ heightened anticipation.

”…I hope you still feel the same way now.”

“Sandra…?”

Sandra closed her eyes gently as their lips touched. The soft sensation elicited an involuntary gasp from Lee Kyungbok.

“Wow.”

But the scene didn’t end there.

”…Is that not right?” Sandra asked shyly. Instead of answering verbally, John responded with action.

Their lips met again, and Lee Kyungbok felt overwhelmed by the vivid sensations transmitted through his VR headset.

“Wait, hold on. I didn’t expect it to feel this real… Is it always like this?”

His question ignited a frenzy of responses.

-Yesss!!!

-Kissing Sandra?! You’re actually kissing her?!

-Mom! Mom! I wanna be purple too! MOM! PURPLE PLEASE!

-Find hidden routes! Find hidden routes! Find hidden routes!

-I want one too! I want to kiss someone too!

The chat window overflowed with manic excitement, but Lee Kyungbok had no intention of calming them down.

“By any chance…is there a bed scene?” His curiosity was piqued as well.