Episode 81 [Iron Fist] – Always consistent
Incheon Airport departure gate.
“Hyung, look here! We’re starting the shoot.”
Kim Yoonseong started capturing Lee Dohyuk coming out after completing the departure inspection.
“Hello. Greetings to all the viewers.”
Lee Dohyuk greeted naturally.
He appeared quite professional, like a seasoned broadcaster.
“This? Oh, I just got this newly.”
Lee Dohyuk replied to the chat window appearing through his smart glasses.
A translucent form of smart glasses.
A fresh new product purchased on the way for outdoor broadcasts.
– hahahaha
– He’s spending some money.
– Whoa, what’s going on?
– Did Dohyuk-sensei… spend money?
“Oh, come on. What are you saying? Just because I don’t spend money like water. I even paid for the flight to YouTube with my own funds.”
– Oh, really?
– hahahaha, did you make some good money?
– Lately, the sponsorships are flowing in nicely.
“Yes! Hyung got us a business class seat!”
“Alright, alright.”
Kim Yoonseong mentioned the business class seat that Lee Dohyuk had booked at the right moment.
Lee Dohyuk gave him a thumbs-up.
They needed someone to handle the filming during outdoor broadcasts like now, and besides streaming, they also planned to produce a few videos separately for YouTube, so they were going together with Kim Yoonseong.
– But seriously, what’s with the physique? He didn’t even touch a finger of the avatar.
– Seriously, he has everything.
– Ugh, seriously.
A full-dive avatar using a scanned version of the real body.
However, it wasn’t entirely the same as reality.
Although there couldn’t be major changes in the full-dive policy, some minor adjustments were possible.
Adjusting skin tones, slightly tweaking facial features, improving body proportions, and such modifications.
Not only for ordinary people but also for internet broadcasters who needed to pay attention to their visuals, most of them made maximum adjustments within the allowable range.
Of course, the laws of nature remained unchanged… but still, it was better than doing nothing.
After some adjustments, sometimes they looked much better than in real life.
However, Lee Dohyuk didn’t go through any of that process, looking exactly the same in the full-dive and on the outdoor camera.
– He’s good at games, tall, handsome face…
– Damn, even his body is great.
– Ugh… Suddenly getting pissed off for real.
– Please, be nice…
Lee Dohyuk casually accepted the compliments on his appearance in the chat box.
“Hmm… Do you really think so?”
It wasn’t his creation, but it had become his catchphrase at some point.
– F**k.
– Is that what you think, huh?
– Liars will die.
Anyway.
Heading towards the boarding gate, Dohyuk continued to communicate with his viewers.
Of course, the main topic was about EVO.
“A random draw? Hmm… I hope Anatol and Beyond meet late. The reason… You know without me saying, right?”
-hahahaha
-Oh, if we send you home quickly, sorry in advance.
-Show some spirit hahahaha
-But seriously, it’s true.
Dohyuk didn’t hide his confidence in winning.
Not only did he genuinely think so, but also because of his broadcasting style, humility would have been counterproductive.
It had been about a month since he started his internet broadcast.
During this time, Lee Dohyuk had gained quite a bit of popularity.
In the world of Daejeon fighting games, everyone knew Lee Dohyuk, and even in other fields, if you liked games, you had probably heard of him.
Not everyone remembered his name, but even if not, they knew things like, “Didn’t you get wrecked by that Ape guy?”
Thanks to the news that a streamer suddenly appeared and dominated the domestic gaming community, all sorts of game communities were buzzing.
And those who came to know Dohyuk had a common image of him.
‘A genius.’
A monster who took down the existing top players one by one in his first game.
Owner of a monstrous physique.
In other words, humility didn’t suit Lee Dohyuk.
What viewers expected from him wasn’t that, but rather the opposite.
“Quab? Hmm… It would be better to see him in the finals. I’m not a pro like Ape, but I was invited as a streamer participant… It would be a bit regrettable to meet and eliminate them in the round of 16 or 32.”
– No way hahahaha, you’re not even considering the possibility of losing?
– Seriously, having that kind of spirit is the best hahahaha.
– Wow, but Dohyuk Sensei vs. Quab in the finals? It would be so exciting.
– Quab was exactly like this in our first conversation.
– If they meet in the finals and have a pre-match interview, it would be hilarious hahahaha. Even before starting, hmm… Will I lose? It seems very likely.
“Royal Road? I’ll take it.”
– Oh
From Noble mtl dot com
– Are you really going for that now?
– Stop eating so much! You’re eating everything even the bones!
-hahahaha
Winning the major tournament on its first entry, the meaning of a Royal Road.
Boldly declaring that, Ido-hyuk.
“Moreover, with a consecutive victory.”
It was a sight that precisely met the viewers’ expectations.
Of course, it was also purely 100% sincere.
-Kya
-This is it ㅋㅋㅋ
-Wow, it’s been a while, looking forward to seeing some Evo action
* * *
“Hello, fighting game enthusiasts from around the world. Finally! The festival of fighting gamers, EVO, has returned. And this time, it’s on a bigger scale than ever before! I am Raviness, who has taken charge of this year’s EVO Iron Fist division following last year. Nice to meet you!”
Finally, the opening of the fighting game world’s Olympics, EVO.
“I am Tasty, in charge of the commentary. Nice to see you all again this year after last year. Hello!”
“I’m Asus. Unlike the other two, I wasn’t here last year. The damn organizers even called me a motherf*****!”
Veteran commentators familiar to fighting game fans introduced themselves along with opening the doors to the tournament.
They were well-known figures in the gaming world, possessing not only analytical skills in various fighting games but also a way with words that garnered love from fans.
Especially Asus, who attracted popularity with his unique mix of high energy and profanity in his commentary style, was not only a former pro in Iron Fist but also a famous streamer.
When Asus streamed Iron Fist, tens of thousands of viewers would easily tune in.
Although Asus’ pro experience dated back to the early days, propelled by his popularity, he debuted strongly, showcasing exceptional understanding of Iron Fist.
“hahahaha, what do the organizers think? Asus, do you plan on not being invited again next year?”
“That’s right! Even Kwarb is retiring, what’s left to watch. Isn’t that right, everyone?”
-yaaayyyyyy
-SO TRUE
-Kwarb is just a legend. No one can replace him.
-Don’t want to agree, but he’s kind of the strongest at the moment…
Asus was also famous for being a huge fan of Kwarb.
[“Oh, insane play! Insane play! Remember this name! Kwarb! The man who will be at the top of this era!”]
When Kwarb first entered the world championship.
His overwhelming victory in the quarterfinals, showing a significant difference from his opponent, was still being talked about due to Asus’ praise.
Known for having a keen eye for players, Asus, who was nicknamed “Ajzal-al” for his expertise, had never praised anyone as much as he did with Kwarb, even when others were skeptical about Kwarb’s abilities.
Therefore, when Kwarb eventually reached the top as Asus predicted, he became an ardent fan, leading to his selection as a commentator for this tournament.
“Other players need to step up their game. To put it bluntly, even top players can’t match even half of what Kwarb can do, right?”
Since Kwarb declared a change of discipline after this tournament, the EVO organizers planned to focus the tournament’s climax on Kwarb’s finale.
If there were candidates capable of defeating Kwarb, they would have shifted the focus to create a grand ceremony-like atmosphere, but as that seemed unlikely, they made this decision.
Just a month ago, Kwarb had swept through the world championship, winning the semifinals and finals with a score of 3-0 against all opponents.
As the commentators engaged in various conversations to kick off the tournament and build up the atmosphere, at that moment.
Swoosh-
Player waiting room.
In the place where warriors from all over the world gathered, Idohyuk set foot.
Except for him, the other participants seemed to have already taken their places.
The delay was due to a mishap at the airport where Kim Yoonseong’s luggage got lost, causing them to spend a long time there.
Of course, even if the competition didn’t start immediately, with the opening ceremony, performance, and the draw for matches to go through, there wouldn’t be a big problem if things got delayed.
“Hmm….”
As if making a grand entrance, all eyes turned to him.
Idohyuk faced the gazes coming his way and spoke up.
“I, have arrived.”
-ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ Insane guy
-ㅅㅂㅋㅋㅋHow can the last one to show up say ‘I have arrived’
-ㄹㅇ I am who I am
The personal broadcast that was still on.
Since Kim Yoonseong couldn’t join, there was no video, but his voice was being transmitted through his smart glasses.
“Typically, the main character arrives last. I will leave it at that. Please watch the official broadcast. Bye.”
However, it wasn’t possible to continue the broadcast in the waiting room.
Idohyuk bid farewell with a greeting.
-Doba
-Bbb
“Master Dohyuk!”
“We thought you’d be late.”
Anatol and Beyond approached to greet Idohyuk.
Looking in their direction, there were other Korean pro gamers.
People he had become familiar with through ranked games.
Idohyuk exchanged light nods with them.
‘That person… is a 3-dan, over there is a 2-dan, um… Akuma? Was he a 7-dan.’
For some reason, when their eyes met, they seemed to gulp nervously.
“Is this the first time meeting in person? Nice to meet you all.”
Idohyuk extended his hand for a handshake to Anatol and Beyond.
Starting from Elfpa, they had grown quite close.
But seeing them in person for the first time, Anatol and Beyond seemed slightly awkward.
“I’m glad to meet you too. Well, but… Wow… I already knew you were handsome but…”
“Suddenly feeling more unjust. Did you have to have it all?”
But soon, they returned to their usual selves.
Idohyuk chatted with them and looked around.
Then, his gaze met a few people.
“…Eek!”
One person was startled for no apparent reason.
From their appearance, they seemed Chinese or Japanese.
“…Do, Dohyoku-san. Hajime mash*te.”
Since Tzuki, who came a bit late, was quite far from Idohyuk, he was probably Chinese.
While thinking such thoughts, Ido Hyuk exchanged greetings with Tsuki.
“…….”
Besides, there were more than a few gazes directed at Ido Hyuk.
It was different from when he appeared earlier.
The current gazes were quite persistent… Most of them filled with considerable curiosity.
‘They seem like foreigners.’
Although nationality couldn’t be determined by skin color,
I couldn’t help but think that Ido Hyuk’s reputation might have spread to countries other than Korea and Japan.
RanK #1
Omega GOD
[Hm, Interesting]
Not a pro, but ranked 1st on the Asia server.
Achieving such a rank with a 100% win rate was no small feat.
However, there weren’t many gazes fixed on Ido Hyuk.
Except for him, most were active pros.
Pros are pros, and amateurs are amateurs, that belief was deeply ingrained.
‘Well, it’s not important.’
At that moment.
“Hm?”
Ido Hyuk’s and Kwabna’s gazes met.
Kwabna wasn’t scrutinizing Ido Hyuk, but as Ido Hyuk looked at him first, he felt the gaze and turned to look.
“…Tsk.”
But the eye contact was very brief.
It lasted barely a second.
Kwabna shifted his gaze without showing even a hint of interest in Ido Hyuk.
The tongue-clicking gesture that seemed to question the subject was an added bonus.
Snick-
A smirk appeared on Ido Hyuk’s lips as he observed that.
‘He’s truly consistent.’
Just like their first encounter in the previous life.
And in this life too…
‘Always buying the horse and boasting about it.’
Shudder.
A sudden chill ran through him.
Kwabna shivered slightly.
“……?”
Why did thoughts of his late great-grandmother suddenly cross his mind…?
The words she said back then briefly passed through Kwabna’s mind.