Chapter 96 – Game (2)

The algorithm was not a god.

Henry chewed over the conclusion he had just obtained.

‘As if it is not that grand… yet they said if you get help from the algorithm, the possibility of the channel doing well goes up.’

The algorithm’s influence on the channel was significant.

However, it was not that ‘grand of an existence,’ and it was far from a divine existence.

‘Then is it like a tool?’

It was also an assumption that could fully be thought of.

What if it was an extremely precious and useful tool?

‘It would be possible. A tool.’

If so, the Archmage might have used a figurative expression. In the sense of a high-performing tool that leads to correct results.

‘If it is as the manager said, the effect would also be substantial.’

Although he did not know exactly how much performance could be raised, since it was a gift from the Archmage, it was clear it would be of great help to Henry at present.

The algorithm issue was settled.

Henry moved on to the next thought.

‘What do the viewers think this place is?’

It was a more fundamental question. It was also a question he had always harbored deep in his thoughts.

Between the viewers and Henry, there was a wall.

A wall that made them feel as if they sympathized with Henry, yet prevented them from truly sympathizing.

For Henry, it was impossible to know its identity.

‘Just where does the difference arise from?’

For a while, Henry thought of the viewers as ‘wizards.’

Those whose way of thinking was different from ordinary humans, and who gradually developed eccentric temperaments as their skills increased.

In fact, a significant portion of the doubts he felt while hosting the broadcast was sufficiently resolved by that alone.

Because they were wizards.

Because they were people of a world Henry did not know well.

Because they were users of the same mana, but even among them, wizards were those who received the evaluation of being particularly detached.

However, going through this incident, Henry felt a sense of incongruity so intense that it was utterly unacceptable.

‘It was not a reaction that could be explained simply because they were wizards.’

If it was one or two, it didn’t matter.

If it was a small number of people, it was possible they held values completely opposite to Henry’s.

However, the moment he clashed swords with the assassins.

The viewers watching that scene surely reached thousands.

‘It is impossible for all those people to show the same reaction simply because they are wizards.’

If all wizards thought that way?

By now, it would not be strange for wizards to be treated as public enemies of the continent.

Wizards were those who devoted their lives to obtaining magical achievements.

Also, among magic, there were types that used humans as research materials or as mediums.

‘That is black magic. Black mages are existences executed immediately upon discovery in all nations.’

Was that all?

Among wizards, there were also a significant number who used their power solely for the development of humanity.

Besides its use simply as combat skills.

For instance, how many wizards were there who developed magic helpful to agriculture, or researched the structure and utility of magical buildings?

‘There is no way such people would regard human life lightly.’

Henry was still looking outside the carriage. Only a few clouds floated in the clear sky, and the widely spread plains looked peaceful beyond measure.

Until Vallaran reached its present state.

The wizards surely offered support in countless ways.

‘If so.’

He gulped.

With an expression serious beyond measure, Henry brought up the thought he had kept deep in his subconscious.

‘What if the viewers are not wizards?’

It was a thought he had had a few times. However, he quickly folded it. Since Henry’s imagination was poor to establish other assumptions.

‘Then what should I think they are?’

Citizens of Vallaran?

That made no sense. For the viewers’ tone of voice or reactions did not match.

For similar reasons, the possibility of them being people of other countries was also low.

Henry felt as if his head was throbbing. Starting with the battle with the assassins, he gradually traced his memory back.

He recalled the incidents that took place around Henry himself, and the viewers’ reactions accordingly.

The viewers sympathized with Henry. They thought and spoke on Henry’s side.

However, there was certainly some mismatched content mixed in between.

[What game is this?? Is it a new release?]

Henry returned to the beginning. It was the day he swung his sword in despair and resignation.

[What is the path of magic?]

Henry’s first viewer spoke in that manner.

They referred to Henry’s world as a game.

To the question of whether he walked the path of magic, they rather asked back what that was.

[You’ve taken on a no-fun concept strictly lol]

With that word, the first viewer left the broadcast.

Although he did not understand at the time, it was content the current Henry could understand.

‘They did not feel any interest in the broadcast, and it was like watching a clumsy clown trying hard… That’s what it meant.’

In fact, he still did not know the exact meaning of ‘concept.’ However, deducing up to that content was fully possible.

Henry’s memory went forward a bit more.

It was the moment he sent the first viewer away and welcomed the second viewer.

‘Long Live Kimbap Heaven. It was such a name.’

Long Live Kimbap Heaven was a kind viewer. They taught many things to Henry, who still knew nothing about broadcasting.

Naturally, Henry remembered the conversation of that moment.

[Anyone can come as long as they know how to use a computer lol]

Anyone could watch the broadcast.

If only they had a [computer].

In fact, they said even if one did not have a computer, it could fully be watched if they had a [cell phone].

Naturally, Henry did not understand.

‘I didn’t even wonder about it. Because the opponent was a mage, and I thought all expressions I didn’t understand were magical.’

The second viewer ‘Long Live Kimbap Heaven’ also left the broadcast before long.

Henry had focused on training, having given up.

And when he came to his senses, seven viewers were waiting for such Henry.

‘What did they say.’

The memory from then was not intact. There were too many chats to remember, and Henry too was in a state of utter confusion.

Of course, the fact he remembered even in the midst of that was.

‘They called it a game.’

The fact that all seven viewers used the expression ‘game.’

[lol What game is this? Did you exercise?]

[What is the name of the game? This is my first time seeing it.]

[Academy?? Is that the game name??]

[Vallaran? First time hearing it?? Is it a closed beta??]

That was not a magical expression. That was as far as Henry could be sure of right now. Henry had misunderstood on his own, and it was just that the misunderstanding had continued until now.

“…”

Henry opened his mouth. He let out a short breath that was hard to even call a sigh, and closed it again. He felt as if he had no idea what he should do.

After sitting like that for a long time, Henry ran the broadcast.

[Private broadcast is in progress.]

It was the means by which he had conversed with Fire Solo until a moment ago. Although he said he was leaving since he was busy with work, now Henry felt as if he absolutely had to ask this question.

[Viewers: 0]

Henry waited quietly. After staring at the number written as 0, he looked outside the window. And staring at the chat window again for a long time.

[‘Popori-jjang’ has entered.]

[M: Uh???? Knight????]

Another manager had entered.

Although she could not give help in ‘technical’ parts as much as Fire Solo, she was a manager whose heart for Henry was stronger than anyone else’s.

“Manager Popori-jjang.”

[M: Yes!!!! No, what’s going on!!!]

“Ah, it is nothing other than…”

[M: You look super depressed!! Did something really happen?? Today’s broadcast was also super good, though!!!]

“It is not for that reason. Thanks to the help of both managers, I was able to continue the broadcast smoothly. I am only always grateful.”

[M: Oh, my!! Don’t mention it!! Then what is it??? By any chance, did you wait for me???]

“Yes. There is content I would like to ask…”

[M: Just speak!!!]

Although he could not see her face, the enthusiasm to solve Henry’s curiosity without fail was felt all the way here.

To be able to reveal such emotion simply through text.

Facing that unconditional goodwill, Henry also felt his tension loosen slightly.

“Among the expressions the viewers use.”

[M: Among the expressions!]

“That is, what exactly does ‘game’ mean?”

[M: Well, of course… Game? That game? You mean that expression we know, right?]

“Yes.”

[M: Uh… so… what a game is is!]

This time she was in a flustered state.

Henry did not rush and waited calmly.

[M: Play! Play! The kind of play that is fun, exciting, and makes you immersed!]

“Play…”

Content that could be bewildering popped out.

However, Henry was in a surprisingly calm state.

Rather than the fact that his life was regarded as a play, he was only glad to be able to understand the viewers’ reactions.

‘If I think of it that way, it makes sense.’

If it was a play.

Clashing swords with assassins, cutting the skin of monsters, until this very moment of going to meet Viscount Camilton.

It meant that this entire process was reflected as ‘play’ to the viewers, and if so, was that light reaction also fully understandable?

“I see. That was it.”

Speaking as if murmuring, Henry asked again.

“To the viewers, the appearance I show must have felt like fun play. I think I know. You must be in the same position too, Manager Popori-jjang.”

[M: No, well, I, also, did I make some mistake by any chance…??? If so, I absolutely didn’t mean to…]

“It is not so. May I ask a few more things?”

Henry asked rather cheerfully.

Only then did Popori-jjang catch his words as if relieved.

As naturally as possible, Henry asked.

“By any chance, are you a dragon?”

It was a way of thinking a dragon would harbor. Since to them, human life was nothing but mere amusement.

However, it was not.

They were the same humans.

“Do you reside in Vallaran?”

To the question of whether she was a fellow citizen of the kingdom, Popori-jjang also put forth an answer that she was not.

She was not a human living on this continent either.

[M: I live in Seoul…]

A geographical name he had never heard in his life popped out.

Although he planned to look it up as soon as he returned to the academy, Henry was already sure that he would not be able to obtain any records.

Henry asked additionally.

Where Seoul was, what kind of place it was, and how one could go there.

However, the returning answer was not satisfying.

For it was only content Henry could not understand at all.

‘A hidden ancient kingdom, or a continent not yet discovered… Or it might be a nation. Perhaps it could be a land above the clouds.’

Although it was still uncertain, it became clearer than before.

The viewers were humans, and were those who lived in a place detached from Henry.

They were not wizards.

***

Henry arrived at Redwood Viscounty.

Since he did not contact them in advance, there were not many welcoming him.

The guard protecting the entrance recognized Henry and approached him gladly.

“Henry!”

“Mayhen. Have you been well?”

“What brings you here? I heard you were busy?”

“A matter came up for a moment. Is the Lord here?”

“Ah, he happens to be away… What a pity, what should we do?”

“It cannot be helped. What about my father?”

“Fortunately, Viscount Camilton is here. Wow, Henry, you seem to have grown even more than when I saw you last time? Your muscles have become completely plump?”

Henry giggled at the familiar expression.

For he had been in a position of always hearing professional expressions like how his mana amount was, or how his swordsmanship was.

Having conversed moderately, Henry made a gesture of writing something with his hand in the air.

“What about the entry control record?”

“What are you… just go in.”

“Still, what needs to be done must be done. Mayhen might get scolded later for no reason.”

“No way. What kind of person is our Lord?”

“He is a peerless, wonderful Lord, but isn’t he also strict in rewards and punishments?”

“…I’ll bring it right away.”

The guard Mayhen brought the entry control ledger.

He wrote his name and signed beside it. Henry, who completed the humble and formal procedure, passed through the entrance.

A warm scenery welcomed Henry.

The hometown he had seen every day before entering the academy, which had not changed at all, then or now.

It was at that moment that a message popped up.

[An unexpected quest has appeared!]

Unexpected quest.

At the message, which was the first of its kind he had seen since starting the broadcast, Henry hardened his expression.

BJ Swordmaster