A Swordsman's Stream

Chapter 108

A green wind began swirling in a small circle in front of the monitor.

Whoosh.

Whoosh.

The speed gradually increased, and the wind elongated vertically, forming a tornado.

And then—

Fwoosh.

A momentary effect of the wind unraveling like threads appeared, revealing something doll-sized materializing midair before the monitor.

Slowly descending onto the desk, the object resembled a hero.

No, it was the hero who had stepped into the real world, precisely as depicted on the whiteboard.

– Doppelgänger?
– Wow, it came out!
– It looks like a toy.

The hero and the other hero locked eyes.

The hero from the outside world spoke first in a lively voice.

『Hello! I’m the fairy of the game!』
『Ah, hello!』

The fairy of the game?

“In that case, I suppose it turned on the computer.”

There was no way it wasn’t.

– Obvious to anyone, haha
– It looks like a villain?
– The lively one is cute though.
– How can a fairy be a villain?

『How’s it going there?』
『Well, over here… ugh. I don’t really know. I can’t remember anything from before.』
『That’s understandable! You just came back to life!』
『Huh? I just came back to life?』
『Yes! You’re a character in the game! You know that, right?』
『Yes.』

The pixelated character nodded up and down.

The rhythm of the pixels moving felt right.

『When the game is completed, the world inside the game gains life!』
『Is that so?』
『Yes! So, normally, you wouldn’t be alive right now!』
『Pardon?』
『That’s because your world isn’t finished yet!』
『Oh…』
『Then why am I…?』
『Well, it’s because your mom and dad got divorced!』

If the game character’s mom and dad are mentioned, who else but the developers could it be?

– Wah! A runaway ninja!
– Looks like they gave up developing, lol.
– Game development is really hard, everyone.

『A divorce?』
『Yes! They ran away while creating your world!』
『Could the fairy convince them to continue making it again?』
『No! I’m not good at convincing people!』

Unnecessarily lively.

『Then what should I do…』
『I don’t know either!』

Contrary to the grinning fairy, the game character was restless, moving left and right in a pattern.

『Could the fairy finish it…?』
『Development is hard!』
『Or call someone skilled.』
『That’s not possible either.』
『Why not?』
『Games must be made by them specifically.』

A character jumped upward this time.

The urgency was palpable in the bouncing appearance.

Understandably so.

The hero squatted down for a moment, then seemed to recall something, displaying an exclamation mark above their head.

『What if! We summon them here? Upon seeing the world they’re making, mightn’t they change their minds?』
『Hmm… could they really?』
『Yes! Their hearts will surely change if they come into the world they were creating!』

Indeed, it might.

– This must be a game-developing drama! LOL
– The son is currently causing trouble.
– This is why recklessly making games is risky.
– Alright! I’ll send you into your world!

The fairy’s cut scene ended with a meaningful smile.

* * *

Sojun opened his eyes.

His vision was blurred.

After blinking several times, his sight gradually became clear.

“My body can’t move.”

Every part of his body was tied down, preventing even a slight neck movement.

His legs, waist, and arms were all secured tightly against the back panel.

‘That must be it.’

Sojun communicated his perception to the viewers.

-Oh
-Did he enter the game?
-Is the streamer an escapee developer?
-Inside the game!

He was housed in a tube that matched his body size.

To his deductions…

“Strangely, this resembles a toy packaging box.”

He was securely fixed inside something.

That was Sojun’s current position.

“Hmm.”

– Isn’t this supposed to be in 2D?, LOL
– The pixels were adorable, pfffft.

Regardless, waiting seemed the only option to break free.

Despite applying all his strength, the bindings wouldn’t snap.

“Where did Taewoo go?”

He wasn’t sure.

Then.

“What is this! Hey! Come over here.”

“Why?”

“One of the new toys seems defective.”

“Is that so? Let me have a look.”

Two toy soldier heads appeared outside the transparent window directly in front of him.

They began closely inspecting Sojun.

“This is a toy I’ve never seen! Is it even a toy?”

“This is defective!”

“Defective? Our factory hasn’t had a single defect since Her Majesty took over the kingdom!”

“Is that right?”

“What should we do? If Her Majesty hears of this defect, we’re bound to be executed!”

“Then we have no choice!”

“What is it?”

“We’ll have to dispose of it immediately!”

“Yes! Let’s dispose of it right away!”

Sojun attempted to say anything.

The toys did not hear a word.

There was no interaction. Therefore, he decided to comfortably wait.

The toy soldier heads soon disappeared, followed by a sensation of buoyancy around his body.

They had lifted the whole box containing Sojun.

“It feels like I’m riding in a sedan chair.”

Sojun relaxed and entrusted himself to their care.

– You’re about to be disposed of, though?
– The world is a toy world, lol, it’s cute.
– Where did Taewoo go?

The overall background seen through the window was dark and gloomy.

As it was mentioned to be a factory, it seemed the place he had been originally was some sort of storage.

What kind of storage?

There was no clue.

“Whew. Let’s put it in the disposal area!”

“Poor thing. Born defective.”

Hmm.

It seemed they were about to put him somewhere while still in the box.

He experienced the sensation of an amusement ride just before it drops as the box began to fall with a grinding noise.

* * *

A landfill piled with mountains of garbage.

The hole at the top opened, letting in a faint light.

And from that hole, a box fell down.

‘That must be me.’

Thud.

The contents inside the box bounced upon impact with the ground.

Then a hole opened on the opposite side.

Similarly, another box fell, this time without its contents bouncing out.

『Ugh…』

A groaning sound emanated from the box.

The person inside seemed yet to regain full consciousness.

A dark figure soon emerged, walking briskly around the surroundings before approaching the center.

『It’s awfully painful. Damn. Where is this? A dump? Why am I here? I was definitely planning a new game yesterday.』

The figure muttered softly that much, and then Taewoo’s voice was heard.

“Right. Checking for alcohol consumption is a priority. Isn’t that right, everyone?”

Truly typical for Taewoo.

“Seems like the voice connection remained intact.”

“Oh, I think so? Hi, Sojun.”

A voice oozing camaraderie.

Regardless, the cut scene continued.

The shadow would look around, seemingly feeling a growing sense of fear.

And who could blame them?

With poor visibility shrouding everything, enormous trash heaps lay all around.

“What the hell… Where am I? I distinctly remember dreaming that toys were looking down on me…”

『Ugh…』
『Oh? Is anyone there?』
『Ugh…』

The character froze.

The unknown terror seemed to overwhelm their mind.

A typical reaction.

Fortunately, the groaning person seemed to regain some sense; a faint sound of struggle was soon followed by cries for help.

『Hello! Is anyone there! Please help! I can’t move my body!』

He sighed in relief and followed the direction of the sound.

There was a box.

『Hello?』
『Ah! Is there someone there? Thank goodness! I can’t move right now. Can you please help me?』
『I’ll get you right out.』
『Thank you. But do you know why I’m like this now?』
『I have no idea either. I woke up suddenly and everything’s strange.』

The person outside the box scanned it carefully and found a lid that could be opened on top.

『Oh? But that voice… what, is it you?』

You.

The person inside the box was referred to in second person.

And obviously, the person outside, realizing whom they were referring to, froze in disbelief.

『It is you, isn’t it? What? Did you do something to me? Always interfering with everything, and now that I’m gone, you go this far? Where are we? Let me out immediately! This is a crime!』
『No…』
『What. Didn’t find another lackey to draw for you after I left? So you resort to these dirty tricks?』
『No, it’s just that…』
『Wasn’t it you who claimed to manage anything on your own? With your brilliant plans, handle it…』
『Hey! Listen up! I have no idea either!』
『…』
『Look, I’ll get you out. We need to figure out what’s happening.』
『Fine…』

The figure outside proceeded to lift the lid and pull out the panel inside.

They drew out almost a full body-sized panel, retrieving the character from within.

The restraints inside seemed to come loose naturally as the previously constrained character rose, rubbing their wrists.

And then—

The game froze.

“Seems like they’re asking for decisions now?”

Sojun commented.

“Who will assume which character?”

“Yes.”

– It’s the artist versus the programmer, I think.
– It seems like the programmer is the leader. They talked about planning.
– But who to choose to accomplish something?

Having just started, the viewers had no information whatsoever.

Then, Taewoo spoke.

“We have some information we received beforehand, right?”

Regarding role selection.

“They say the artist side supports gimmicks, while the programmer side mainly executes the gimmicks.”

After Taewoo finished speaking, Sojun added.

“Of course, whichever you choose, the balance or difficulty doesn’t change, as it’s a co-op game.”

– That’s fundamental in co-op games, lol.
– We already know that.
– There are many real gamers here!

“Why are you reading like a textbook? For whom are you saying this?”

“For you.”

“So you want me to support?”

“Yeah.”

“No.”

Indeed, they still hadn’t decided.

Perhaps Park Hyuksoo, who might be watching the stream, was a little anxious.

“Fine. I’ll handle it.”

– Isn’t Taewoo trying to troll?
– No way, lol.
– Sometimes supporting in these games is better?

Sojun and Taewoo finished selecting their characters.

The moment they did, their perspective shifted, and they regained movement.

Simultaneously, the lights turned on, brightening the area.

In the large, cracked mirror next to them, their reflections appeared.

Their avatars looked like toys.

『Amazing.』
『Why us?』

Sojun was slightly startled and examined his body.

“Oh.”

“Our look is like a toy?”

“Right.”

Reflected in the sideways mirror, their avatars resembled toys.

A perfectly crafted toy conveying their real appearance.

– Miniature versions, lol.
– Avatar is extremely cute.
– Even as a doll, the streamer is handsome? It’s annoying, honestly.
– But what’s with Taewoo, lol… some claim he’s uglier than in reality?

Sojun couldn’t let that slide.

“Hey. You’re supposedly still ugly even after becoming a toy.”

And it seemed the viewers couldn’t let it slide either.

『’ThisIsTotally’ has donated 30,000 won!』
『Piece versus broken Piece here.』