Chapter 45: The Genius’ Clarification Broadcast (Part 4)

Not long after Shihyun started the broadcast…

[Oh.]
[What, it started.]
[Goddess-like Shihyun hi]

Viewers began trickling into the stream.

Although she had announced the broadcast, she hadn’t publicly shared the link. She had just set up the stream, after all. It was puzzling how they found it.

‘Well, it doesn’t matter.’

What mattered was that the broadcast had started and viewers were coming in. As Shihyun stared at the chat, she received a message from Ji-eun.

[Shihyun! You have to say something!]

Ah. Right. Shihyun cleared her throat and chose her words. The viewer count was still low, but she had to say something now that the stream had begun.

A moment later, she spoke.

“Hello everyone, I’m Shihyun.”

[Hi]
[Shihyun hi]
[Are you streaming alone? Where’s Euning?]

“This is my explanatory broadcast, so Ji-eun isn’t joining me. I’m on my own today.”

[Too bad]
[I liked your chemistry with Euning.]
[Still, congrats on your first stream lol]

“I’m not sure if it’s something to celebrate.”

Shihyun scratched her cheek.

Right. This was a hacking accusation explanation broadcast.

It didn’t feel like something to celebrate. Many viewers seemed to agree, as comments pointing this out appeared in the chat.

[It’s a hack explanation, so not really something to celebrate]
[For real lol]
[So what? Shihyun will clear things up anyway]
[But how did she even convince Arfellium Corp? They’re totally stubborn lol]

“I didn’t convince them, so I don’t know. But thankfully, Arfellium Corporation agreed to help with my explanation. They even created this program.”

Shihyun gestured with her hand, and the camera panned to show her surroundings. Observant viewers noticed and agreed with her statement.

[Oh? It’s not Arfellium Saga]
[Arfellium hack explanation, but not in Arfellium?]
[Oh lol a HQ-made explanation program lol]

“This is my first time using this program, so I don’t know how it works. But I believe Arfellium Corporation, as the number one company in the gaming industry, made a good program.”

[Oh lol, Arfellium Corp is the best]
[Mentioning number one in the gaming industry ㄷㄷㄷㄷ Is she a PR ambassador?]
[Honestly, using Shihyun as a PR ambassador is worth more than any hack explanation lol]

Around this time, the viewer count began to increase. At the same time, more pointed and aggressive comments appeared. Judging by the polite tone of the earlier messages, they were probably Ji-eun’s subscribers. The newcomers were less friendly.

[Hacker’s here]
[Oh lol, she says she’ll explain]
[But if HQ is involved, isn’t it real?]
[If she can explain lol, but it’ll be exposed soon lol]

Shihyun skimmed through the aggressive comments. None of them bothered her. How could they? She was the one who had slain the Demon King in ‘that world’ and endured all sorts of insults. This level of criticism didn’t even faze her.

But her supporters felt differently.

[All these people acting tough will shut up when Shihyun clears her name lol]
[Yeah, she can’t explain]
[For real lol]
[Do you think being Grandmaster in a group is a joke? Why are all these Silver-Gold scrubs running their mouths?]
[Who can’t reach Grandmaster with hacks? The fact that she’s only Grandmaster and not higher proves she’s skilled lol]

The chat quickly devolved into a chaotic mess of supporters and attackers. Shihyun watched, and seeing things getting heated, she spoke.

“Now, now, everyone, please don’t fight. There won’t be a problem once I prove my innocence.”

At that moment, she received a message from Assistant Manager Kim.

[Shihyun13, you can begin now.]

Shihyun checked the message and snapped her fingers.

A long window appeared, displaying several profiles and their test scores. Choi Sangcheol’s face was at the top. Shihyun displayed the window for the viewers to see.

“These are the professional players who helped with the test. The numbers next to their names are their test scores. I’ll be taking the same test.”

[Really? All these players took the test?]
[Wow, even Choi Sangcheol is there; he must be busy preparing for the tournament]
[Choi Sangcheol lol, 99% synchronization rate what the lol]
[What if the device has built-in hacks? Isn’t that meaningless then?]

“I’m currently at the Korean branch, using a VR device provided by them.”

Shihyun took a deep breath.

“Also, the engineers from Arfellium Corporation HQ have taken my original VR device. They will be checking it for unauthorized programs.”

[Can we trust HQ?]
[lol, now they don’t even trust HQ]
[This witch hunt is getting ridiculous lol]
[Let’s just wait for the results]
[It’ll be legendary if she fails lol]

Shihyun chuckled at the last comment.

There was no way she would fail.

Her skills in Arfellium Saga were entirely her own. Honed through countless battles in ‘that world’. And with those skills, she reached Grandmaster rank in group matches.

There was no way she would do poorly on a test created by the same company, unless they were deliberately manipulating the program to disadvantage her.

‘Of course, I don’t know what Arfellium Corporation HQ is thinking…’

However, Shihyun had a gut feeling.

She didn’t think they would try to sabotage her. It was just a feeling, but her intuition was usually right.

So, there was no way she would fail this test.

“Now, let’s begin the test.”

She announced and manipulated the program interface. A variety of weapons appeared before her.

“I need to choose a weapon. What should I use?”

[Two-handed for sure!!!!!]
[Nothing suits Shihyun more than a two-hander]
[A beautiful girl sword master with a greatsword ]
[She used a two-hander before, so use it again]

“A two-handed sword? Alright.”

Even without their input, she was planning to choose the two-handed sword. It was the weapon she was most comfortable with and allowed her to use her full power.

Shihyun selected the two-handed sword.

A long greatsword materialized in the air. She grasped it lightly and examined the blade. The long, straight blade, the perfect grip and crossguard. Perhaps because it was for a test, it seemed even better made than usual. It was a perfect sword.

“Oh.”

After admiring the sword for a moment, she collected herself and moved on to the next step. Tapping a button, she looked at the camera with a slightly awkward expression.

“I’m not sure how this test will work.”

She had heard about a separate test program, but she didn’t know the specifics.

[Isn’t it monster hunting?]
[Or maybe fighting an AI]
[An AI made by Arfellium HQ would be super strong]
[I hope it’s not hitting a scarecrow]

“No way. It can’t be hitting a scarecrow.”

Shihyun said, looking at the ‘Start’ button that had appeared. She lightly touched it.

The world changed. She stood in the middle of a vast grassland. A timer appeared, set for 10 minutes.

“10 minutes?”

At the same time, some text appeared next to it.

[Physical: 0 points]
[Technique: 0 points]
[Synchronization Rate: 0%]

‘What’s this?’

As she hesitated, the timer started counting down.

Simultaneously, she felt the ground vibrate. Shihyun turned towards the source of the vibration. In the distance, something was stirring beyond the grassland.

‘This is…’

She instantly recognized the situation. Even if her mind wanted to forget, her body remembered clearly. Her grip on the sword tightened. She had experienced this countless times in ‘that world’.

‘…It’s like being surrounded by the Demon King’s army.’

Her face hardened.

“Ha, haha.”

Arfellium Corporation, those…

Triggering her trauma like this.

It made her grind her teeth.

But…

“Still…”

She raised her sword.

By then, she could clearly see the vast demonic forces approaching from afar. Hideous monsters and demonically corrupted demi-humans. Their disgusting faces were clearly visible even from here.

Then…

Whoosh!

A volley of arrows rained down from among the demonic army.

Arrows like falling rain.

Nowhere to hide.

But…

Clang!

Shihyun lightly swung her two-handed sword, deflecting every arrow. They scattered in all directions.

‘As if this could kill me.’

She was a Hero.

She wouldn’t fall to such a paltry attack.

As if anticipating her defense, the demon army’s advance accelerated. They were closing in fast, their pace changing from a brisk walk to a full sprint.

Enemies filled with the intent to kill.

The bloodlust in their eyes sent shivers down her spine. Shihyun smiled faintly and aimed her sword at the oncoming enemies.

Then…

Slice!

She swung.

The head of the first orc warrior to reach her flew through the air. The next, a goblin, was cleaved in two. A massive minotaur swung its axe at her. Shihyun dodged effortlessly, then kicked off the axe and leaped upwards, plunging her greatsword into the minotaur’s eye. She laughed.

This wasn’t a test anymore. She couldn’t see the chat.

It was just her against the Demon King’s army.

Shihyun swung her sword in a trance.

Thrusting, slashing, stabbing, cutting.

Blood splattered, spraying like a mist. Flesh flew, bone fragments scattered.

She focused entirely on the fight.

So, she didn’t notice.

The chat exploding.

And…

The three numbers she had seen earlier…

[Physical: 19402 points]
[Technique: 22386 points]
[Synchronization Rate: 100%]

…skyrocketing.