TGAT 04

Chapter 04

The morning after drinking with Joo Young-seok.

“Accessing Talent Sharing Network.”

He reconnected to the network he had hastily exited the day before due to pain. This time, a different kind of excitement stirred in him, unlike when he first logged in without knowing anything.

[What talent would you like to search for?]

Instead of answering the prompt that appeared immediately, he carefully surveyed his surroundings.

Last time, he had been too flustered to notice much.

The mysterious background remained unchanged.
Beyond the display cabinet stacked with countless talents, other things began to catch his eye.
A translucent curtain stood like a wall behind, and the only path available led forward.

“Of course. I knew there had to be something.”

Following the path ahead, he turned a corner and discovered a space he hadn’t seen before.

A lavishly decorated chair and a large antique wooden desk.
On the desk lay a single scroll.

[Talent Sharing Network]

1. Each of the three slots can equip one talent.

2. Talents being learned are completed once the proficiency reaches 100, after which a new talent can be equipped.

3. The more you use a talent, the faster its proficiency increases, and the higher the proficiency, the stronger the talent’s effects.

A simple set of three explanations—but enough to understand the Talent Sharing Network.

“Use the talents you’ve acquired actively and in various ways. Got it.”

He liked its simplicity.

[Talent: -]
[Learning (1/3): Gaming (29)]

“Gaming too… probably leveling up fast because I cleared it on hard mode.”

It had already risen to 29 from 14.

“Second talent…”

On the way home in a taxi, he read every comment on his videos and shorts and finally identified a few problems with his current video.

“There’s nothing eye-catching.”

If viewers were satisfied with just watching the screen, it might be fine—but there had to be something special.

“Voice.”

After considering what would truly captivate YouTube viewers, he decided on his voice.

He couldn’t run a channel indefinitely without speaking, especially since he wouldn’t reveal his face. This talent was essential.

[Talent: -]
[Learning (2/3): Gaming (29), Voice (2)]

“Third… I’ll hold off for now.”

He decided to save it just in case. Something essential might appear later, whether on YouTube or during a broadcast.

“Ha… when will I get proficiency to 100… still a long way to go…”

Deciding to exit, the world around him shattered like broken glass and scattered, and he returned to his one-room apartment.

“Ah… interesting. My voice does feel a little different.”

After acquiring the voice talent, his diction seemed cleaner. Even his tone had slightly deepened.

“I guess I’m ready.”

The video comments reflected a mix of reactions:

• “Isn’t this clearly targeting the Kim Game Pack? So disrespectful.”

• “Honestly, I haven’t even watched the live video. How can I trust it?”

• “Who knows if it’s just clever editing or a timer attached?”

• “Wow, the Kim Game Pack guards are so many. Just trust what you see.”

• “Trust? YouTube fakes aren’t rare, lol.”

• “Crazy. This isn’t even in foreign videos, and it’s supposedly the first record in the game, yet they call it fake?”

It felt like the Kim Game Pack defenders and their opponents were split, arguing through comment chains.

“Now’s the timing.”

Song Jun grinned and posted a live broadcast announcement on YouTube’s community tab.

Within less than an hour, the internet buzzed with news of his upcoming live stream.

• “Hello?”
  “Uh, hey.”

• “Who…? Isn’t this Song Jun’s phone?”

Song Jun lowered his voice in response to Joo Young-seok’s ridiculous comment.

“What nonsense.”

• “No, your voice… Did you practice for the broadcast? I thought I dialed the wrong number.”
  “Has it changed a bit?”

• “Changed? It’s much better. You could be a voice actor.”
  “Will it work for the broadcast?”

• “Of course. Clear diction, mid-to-low tone. I was worried with just hand cam, but this is perfect.”

Voice is always clearer when others hear it.

• “By the way, I saw your broadcast announcement. Perfect timing. I’ll help after work, just give me manager access. There will be trolls for sure.”
  “Okay. I’ll give you the ID when you join.”

Tap tap tap—

Kim Geun-taek was gnawing his lips, trolling all over the comments on the boss-beating video.

Claiming the video was edited, or not believing it before the live stream.
It seemed necessary for him to vent this way.

To tear down his opponent and elevate himself.
To continuously stoke competitive fire.
To ultimately break barriers.
This was how he had succeeded in a world of survival of the fittest, and he had the physical skills to back it up.

People only saw him in front of the camera.
No one knew the “behind the scenes” Kim Geun-taek.

• “What?! A live stream?”

Hearing news of his opponent’s broadcast, Kim Geun-taek immediately joined the boss-beating live stream.

“Let’s see what this guy looks like.”

After his failed challenge, donations had dropped. Even the Kim Game Pack physical prowess legend was being disputed in comments now.

• “Let’s see if he’s real.”

• “Really live? Hope he’s not lying.”

• “Will he fail and be exposed as fake?”

• “Of course, lol. Even Kim Game Pack had doubts until verified.”

• “He couldn’t beat Kim Game Pack, some nobody?”

Judging players’ skill through one game online was strange, but nothing was more entertaining than online rankings.

“Ha… what if it’s real.”

He never expected a live stream. That was why he was trolling in the first place.

Even before the broadcast began, viewers had already exceeded a thousand.

• “Pfft. Boss beating? Kim Game Pack is old news.”

• “Exactly. Kim Game Pack has to beat Forgetting King Hard Mode in 4:30 to be credible.”

• “Lol. But he hasn’t proven anything yet. Live stream is needed for recognition.”

• “Kim Game Pack defenders, I know exactly what you’ll do when he goes live.”

The comment section was filled with anticipation.

“Please fail. Please. Please.”

Even a small slip could be their opportunity. Shaking the atmosphere was easy.

With some static, the screen turned on.

<Ah… Hello…?>

The microphone wasn’t great, so static mixed in, but his clear diction and low, resonant voice were immediately noticeable.

<Ah… just a moment. The screen…>

Rustling sounds followed, showing his mouse and keyboard fullscreen.

[Newbie Lick] donated 1,000 KRW.

• “He really is a beginner.”

<Ah, thanks for the 1,000 KRW donation. This is my first broadcast.>

After a few adjustments, the hand cam was in a corner, and the Fallen Kingdom title screen filled the rest of the screen.

<Hello. I’m SJ, who uploaded the video. Comments claimed the video was edited, taken from foreign videos, lots of arguments. So I’m doing a live stream to prove it myself.>

He waved at the camera, greeting viewers.

<They say the hand cam is best for proving skill.>

[Proof! Proof!] donated 10,000 KRW.

• “When do you play the game?”

<Ah, thanks for the 10,000 KRW. Before attempting Forgetting King Hard Mode, I’ll warm up with a game first. Any boss you want? I’ll attempt whatever you like.>

Mistakes were forgiven due to his voice and being a first broadcast.
The chat speed doubled when he offered to play the requested boss.

[Nayo Nayo!] donated 100,000 KRW.

• “Knights! Please fight the Knights!”

<Thanks for the 100,000 KRW. Before Forgetting King, I’ll clear the Knights for warm-up.>

• “Wow… feels like ASMR, not a stream.”

• “Seriously, his voice is amazing.”

• “Why is everyone commenting on the voice instead of the game?”

• “The voice is just too good.”

<As you can see, I’ve never played anything besides Forgetting King. I’ll watch one strategy video of the Knights on YouTube. Just once.>

“Seriously… only once and then straight into the game? He must have analyzed it off-camera.”

Kim Geun-taek ignored other possibilities and tried to rationalize the outcome he feared.

There are over ten bosses in challenge mode.
He selected the boss via donations.

<It’s a bit tedious with many numbers: 10 elite knights and one leader.>

Kim Geun-taek shivered when he saw SJ discard a potion immediately after starting.

<Not too hard once you know the method.>

The character rolled and spammed attacks.

Within moments, the farthest knight was down.

<The key is hunting down each isolated knight. Stronger than regular mobs, but blockable and parryable.>

Perfectly clean.

No mistakes allowed, and five regular knights were already down.
Not even close to a near-miss.

<Watch the attack motions. Elite knights have three patterns. Sword overhead: dodge or parry. Middle: block and counter. Thrust: dodge.>

[Clear!]
[Record: 2 min 59 sec [Perfect Play!]]
[Enter name.]

SJ replaced KGF at #1.

<That’s how you do it. Easy, right?>

• “So clean… insane.”

• “Perfect play again.”

• “And his voice… this looks easy. Wasn’t it hard mode?”

• “Warm-up game, remember!”

• “Kim Game Pack defenders, see this? No more talking.”

Three minutes—barely enough to cook a cup of noodles.

<Warm-up confirmed. Perfect boss for it.>

“Damn… it’s real.”

Kim Geun-taek instinctively wiped sweat from his temples.
The skill on screen was flawless, with no room for criticism.