Chapter 100
Let’s imagine I’m a firefighter.
Somewhere, a fire broke out, and I was desperately trying to put it out.
The flames didn’t easily subside, and I tried numerous times to extinguish them until I had nearly snuffed out the embers.
But then, some fool over there started tossing firewood onto the dwindling embers.
Thanks to that, the flames, which had been settling down, blazed up fiercely again, and you can bet the firefighter was understandably furious.
-“This was carried out simultaneously by a number of unidentified individuals.”
Si-young’s voice, who was the first to grasp the situation and begin the investigation, rang out.
-“It only appears to be something done intentionally.”
It’s a kind of terrorist act. Although there was no concrete evidence to pinpoint exactly who the perpetrator was, some things are just known without having to taste the dung or the soybean paste.
Just like right now.
“It must be Titan Underlock. It’s obvious to anyone.”
I rejected the contract, and out of spite, that must have been the work of that nameless club owner Park… whatever his last name was.
He was the kind of person whose looks and actions I didn’t like at all, and to think he would pull such a stunt just because I turned down a contract—how petty!
I want to live quietly, but the world won’t leave me alone.
-…”The photo is quite blurry, and without clear evidence that it was done from that side, it seems difficult to legally punish them.”
“It’s okay.”
They must have by now taken enough care of the aftermath since they went through all this trouble just to mess with one person.
But saying it’s okay doesn’t mean I’ll do nothing.
“I can win without even going to court.”
-“Are you saying it’s a battle of public opinion?”
“Yes.”
I gave it a grand name, but it wasn’t anything special.
I just needed to borrow the power of people. The target was primarily the viewers watching my broadcast.
Those who often joked around about a ‘Mollru Call’ or a locust swarm had considerable power.
And in addition, the cyber trolls and community drifters always hunting for prey were expected to join me.
-But boss, if it goes that way…
Si-young trailed off.
I knew exactly what she was getting at.
There was one prerequisite for this plan.
“Yes, I’ll have to reveal my face. I have to create an opinion that the club has unlawfully distributed my photo.”
That means my real face would be exposed.
Si-young probably thought about this option but chose not to bring it up first because of it.
Honestly, I wouldn’t normally consider a choice that involves taking risks myself.
But what can I do? They played dirty first.
I have no intention of shrinking back when I haven’t done anything wrong.
If it were in the past, I would hide away in a place where no one could find me, locking myself in my own world.
But not anymore.
“I’ll return the favor.”
In a situation where I was dealt the first blow, I wasn’t about to just sit back.
I was prepared to use everything available to me.
And this appearance would only help when it’s revealed.
-Ha…
A worried sigh escaped from Si-young.
“Don’t worry too much. This was bound to happen eventually.”
While broadcasting, I had a strange premonition that I would eventually have to show my face.
Every time there was a controversy about my face, the people around me would be flustered, which was uncomfortable.
I had vaguely thought that when this discomfort peaked, I’d have to reveal my face when it became truly tedious.
It’s frustrating that this didn’t arise purely from my own will.
Yet, when it comes down to it, it wasn’t much different from a predetermined future.
“What’s so special about this face…”
-What do you mean ‘this face?’!
I could hear the surprised sound from beyond the headset.
Well, it is a bit excessive to say ‘this face.’
I look into the mirror.
A familiar white-faced woman greets me.
What a face, indeed. I somewhat agreed with what the club owner said.
It’s a face that met the wrong owner.
There surely could’ve been someone who would utilize it better.
But for now, let’s work together. I need you.
“Heh.”
I let out a small laugh.
Talking to the person in the mirror.
Honestly, who could blame me for sounding crazy?
The overly perfect face in the mirror seemed to be blooming with anticipation for what was about to happen.
*
[So when is Mollru going live?]
It’s because of you guys that Galju isn’t streaming.
Normally, I would have started by now at this hour. Ah…
ㅇㅇ: Usually, after incidents like this, I take a few days off and come back.
ㅇㅇ: Considering the trolls flocking together, it makes sense to take a break.
ㄴ ㅇㅇ: For real, coming back once things cool down is better.
ㄴ ㅇㅇ: But it looks like things are not calming down?
ㅇㅇ: Mollru is about to go live! Yay!
ㄴ ㅇㅇ: Attention-seeker, go away.
ㄴ ㅇㅇ: No, wait, is this for real?
Against the expectations of the majority in the community, Mollru’s stream had gone live.
This would be the third controversy regarding her face.
It was a completely different scene compared to when she was evading the broadcast and waiting for the craze to die down.
Mollru is live!
-zz
The broadcast title was like mocking something, described as keke, but translated into English nonetheless.
Is she trying a head-on approach?
Viewers started flooding in as they sensed something was off.
[What? She went live]
[MollruMollruMollruMollruMollruMollruMollruMollruMollru]
[Is the community Titan girl Mollru? Is the community Titan girl Mollru? Is the community Titan girl Mollru?]
As the number of viewers increased, the chat naturally picked up speed.
People crowded in from all sorts of communities, including her cafe, eager to see the hot topic Mollru. As such, the chatroom was filled with diverse comments.
Are you going pro, is that you in the photos circulating in the community, wouldn’t it be better to take a break if you’re attracting so much attention, and those inexplicable emojis flying around.
The rapidly rising chat would only pause for a second, giving a brief glimpse of its contents.
Everyone desperately trying to say something.
Unlike the usual streams, there was no background music, making the collective monologue feel even more bizarre.
In contrast, Mollru, who turned on the broadcast without yet saying a word, was merely heard rustling something as she clicked on her mouse from time to time.
Each time that sound was made, the chat would begin to quake.
Just as the motion in the chat peaked and buffering occurred, Mollru finally spoke.
“Hello.”
A remarkably calm voice.
This was also a far cry from what the viewers had anticipated.
“I have something to talk about.”
The viewers had swelled to several tens of thousands.
Yet, Mollru didn’t control the chat.
Even her manager merely lingered in the chat, only moderating overtly inappropriate comments without attempting to put a stop to the crowd.
“That’s right, there are many rumors about me that you all are curious about.”
Her serene voice resonated.
Interestingly, as Mollru continued speaking, the speed of the chat noticeably slowed down.
“The donations… I’ve paused them for today because I have something to say. But before that, there are some from earlier. I’ll just read them briefly. Kim Mi-eum, ‘Are you going pro?’ No, I’m not going pro.”
Mollru calmly read through the donation questions, as if hosting a radio show, regardless of the chat’s response.
“Last donation. ‘Is that you in the photo with someone taken at Titan Underlock that got posted in the community?’ Oh, that photo. I saw it too. The person looked beautiful. I don’t know who they are.”
The chat swayed again.
See, I told you. It’s not the Galju. Isn’t that wrong? Anyone can see it’s clearly Mollru. Reactions of the same nature followed.
It was just then, as viewers were excitedly debating among themselves based on Mollru’s words, that the broadcast screen displaying her computer wallpaper drastically flipped.
The newly revealed broadcast screen showed an unfamiliar scene to the viewers.
Someone’s home—still daytime, yet the atmosphere of the room was dark, as if the curtains were drawn.
A woman sat on a chair. The soft sunlight streamed down upon her.
It was an extremely alien sight compared to what Mollru usually broadcasted.
The woman centered in that scene began to mumble.
“Is it working…? It is showing, right?”
With black hair and white skin, her gaze directed straight to the center of the screen, blinking incessantly as she seemed awkward having her face exposed.
Every time she blinked her large eyes, her long eyelashes fluttered.
Yet, to confirm that the camera was properly functioning, she frowned lightly at the screen.
She was a beautiful woman.
The subtly entering sunlight in the dim room seemed to create a backlight, accentuating her appearance as if it were a spotlight.
After confirming that the camera was functioning, the woman maneuvered her mouse to bring something onto the screen.
It was the photo in question that a viewer had asked about earlier.
Overall, the silhouette was blurred, with no detailed distinction of her face.
The woman, with an awkward smile, said while pointing at the photo next to her,
“This… that’s me.”
Delicate, slender wrists that matched her appearance, along with long, thin fingers.
She alternately pointed at the screen’s photo and herself, as if to prove to everyone that it was indeed her.
And simultaneously, the chat which had briefly stilled now began to flood like a tsunami.