Reincarnator’s Stream

Chapter 207

New stars were always born after Counter-Fight.

Existing stars shined brighter or relatively unknown rankers suddenly surged in popularity.

This time, the two biggest names were attracting attention: Heavenly Demon and Lee Suhyuk.

These names had often been mentioned together in the past.

However, after Lee Suhyuk’s death and Heavenly Demon’s retirement, the two names gradually stopped appearing in the same context.

But this Counter-Fight was different.

People were abuzz.

“Crazy…”

“Pure nostalgia!”

“Reminds me of the old days ㅠㅠ”

The match between Lee Suhyuk and Heavenly Demon.

Though it wasn’t the real Lee Suhyuk, the fight generated immense buzz across communities and among many rankers.

Lee Suhyuk’s performance, even momentarily trading blows with Heavenly Demon while unleashing lightning, was reminiscent of his former glory.

Falcon Eye, starting his stream with highlights of Lee Suhyuk’s performance, greeted his viewers.

“Long wait, right, folks? Fal-hi!”

-Fal-hi
-Fal-hi~
-First to hop on the Suhyuk train, lol
-To the moon!

The atmosphere was electric from the start.

Numerous streams and videos about Lee Suhyuk had already been released, but Falcon Eye’s content about him was considered the original.

110,000 viewers.

Falcon Eye’s viewership had grown tenfold since he met Lee Suhyuk, compared to his earlier struggle to attract even 10,000.

“Did everyone enjoy the intro? Ah, I knew this would happen… Sorry. Honestly, I didn’t expect it to be this big. Shall we all shout together? Suhyuk up!”

-ㅅㅎㅇ
-ㅅㅎㅇ
-God Suhyuk! Our Suhyuk!

The stream’s atmosphere heated up quickly.

It wasn’t hard; the viewers were already primed for excitement.

“Today is a Counter-Fight compilation. Oh, and as announced, it’s a Lee Suhyuk special.”

-Yes, we know.
-Was there ever a non-special? lol
-He’s constantly updating his special, he’s our moral compass.

A Lee Suhyuk special.

This was something Falcon Eye did regularly. This fixed content had become the most anticipated by viewers.

“Well, it seems like we’re all ready to start….”

There was a brief pause in his voice.

“…Before we begin! We have a special guest today.”

-The suspense…
-Stop teasing, seriously.

At the viewers’ clamoring, Falcon Eye hastily introduced the guest.

“Today’s guest, Big Mouth!”

This was Big Mouth’s second appearance on Falcon Eye’s stream.

Despite a brief hiatus, Big Mouth remained a heavyweight streamer. Wherever he moved, major issues followed.

“Hello, I’m Big Mouth.”

-Falcon Eye’s been close with Big Mouth lately.
-Falcon Eye, you’ve grown so much!

Falcon Eye proceeded with the stream alongside Big Mouth.

“I heard you recently conducted an interview with Lee Suhyuk. Do you have any connections with him?”

“Connections? I just chased him down for the interview.”

“As expected. Did you foresee Lee Suhyuk’s rise?”

“Spotting talent is your specialty, Falcon Eye. Care to share your secrets?”

Their talk flowed smoothly.

The conversation centered around Lee Suhyuk and soon shifted to the background of his meteoric rise.

“So, what aspects of Lee Suhyuk do you find noteworthy?”

“Many things, I suppose. Talent, star quality. But most notably, his growth trajectory.”

“Growth trajectory… What do you think is the biggest factor behind it?”

“If you mean external factors, Lee Suhyuk’s swift rise can be attributed to his manager’s support.”

Falcon Eye showed a puzzled expression.

“How does a manager influence his skill improvement?”

“It’s significant when the manager is who they are.”

“Big Mouth, Falcon Eye, I have a request.”

“……Lee Suhyuk’s manager is the martial arts genius who disappeared a few years ago.”

“Genius? For real?”

“Who’s that?”

“Isn’t it her? Un Cheon-guk’s daughter?”

“Some people don’t know about the genius? Haha, it was a big deal back then.”

Lee Suhyuk nodded as he read the comments displayed on the screen.

Fortunately, the responses were as he had anticipated.

The long-forgotten name of Un Hyang had resurfaced. This was the purpose of today’s stream.

‘The groundwork is laid.’

As Suhyuk checked the kit in line with the stream schedule, Jinwoon asked him, “What are you doing, coming here at such a late hour?”

“I came because I need to ask you a favor.”

“Suddenly?”

Jinwoon frowned.

Although it was good to see Suhyuk after such a long time, their relationship wasn’t so close as to request personal favors easily.

“Yes. I need your help.”

“Oh dear. What kind of help can I possibly give?”

“I know you have enough power. Though it’s limited.”

Jinwoon’s frown deepened at Suhyuk’s words.

Seeing him not denying it, Suhyuk continued, feeling a sense of relief.

“I might have to fight with the Divine Dragon Group.”

“The Divine Dragon Group?”

The request was even more surprising.

Why on Earth would a successful streamer suddenly need to fight with such a dominant guild?

“Is this for content?”

“Do you think I’m insane?”

“Still, you’re aware it sounds crazy.”

Seeing Jinwoon nodding as if reassured, Suhyuk explained further.

“It’s because of my manager.”

“Your manager?”

After contemplating, Suhyuk confided what he knew about her.

The relationship between the Divine Dragon Group and Un Hyang.

After listening to everything, Jinwoon murmured into his teacup.

“This is strange.”

His doubts were no different from Suhyuk’s own.

“No matter how talented she is, is there really a need to covet her that much?”

“It’s not fatherly love.”

“Un Cheon-guk isn’t the type for that.”

Jinwoon, a seasoned player in the Murim world, had met Un Cheon-guk a few times.

Each time, Un Cheon-guk seemed the farthest from embodying the word ‘fatherly love’.

“She’s still a girl with many secrets.”

Muttering this, Jinwoon looked at Suhyuk.

His gaze seemed to ask, ‘Will you still help her?’ and Suhyuk nodded.

“I still have to help her.”

“Why? She’s just your manager.”

“The relationship may not be significant now. But every relationship starts from such humble beginnings.”

Having already emptied his teacup, Suhyuk bowed his head towards Jinwoon.

“Please. She needs your help, sir.”

“Do you really think I will help?”

Jinwoon sharply eyed Suhyuk.

“Do you think we’re close enough to risk our lives together just because of a few treatments?”

“I do. Because I’m willing to do the same.”

“If I don’t help, I’ll be worse than you?”

“That’s one way to put it.”

At Suhyuk’s sly reply, Jinwoon groaned. Though he had spoken sharply, Suhyuk wasn’t swayed at all.

After a moment of silence, Jinwoon finally spoke.

* * *

“Who’s here?”

Baek Lidan frowned.

Of all times, the name of the visitor was familiar to his ears.

“It’s Lee Suhyuk.”

“That damned bastard. He planned this.”

On the screen of the kit in his hand was a video played on the Players’ channel.

A video titled, ‘The Identity of the Manager That Will Shock the Murim World.’

It was a video posted on Lee Suhyuk’s channel.

“What should we do?”

Baek Lidan pondered over his subordinate’s question.

Originally, it would have been appropriate not to accept. Having successfully brought Un Hyang, there was no advantage in creating unnecessary variables now.

However, rejecting without any reason was also not an option.

‘If this was anticipated…’

The moment a refusal was given, surely some kind of action would follow.

Un Cheon-guk was outside. Causing more trouble unnecessarily would not be beneficial.

Moreover, ‘Considering they came all the way here, their relationship must be quite good.’

A good idea flickered in Baek Lidan’s mind as he pondered briefly.

A sinister smile formed at the corner of his lips.

Soon, he had made his decision.

“Let them in.”

* * *

Lee Suhyuk, searching for the Divine Dragon Group, went directly to find Cheon Ryang.

He didn’t think they would guide him immediately if he said he wanted to see Un Hyang. So he sought Cheon Ryang instead.

After all, the reason Un Hyang had returned to the Divine Dragon Group in the first place was Cheon Ryang. He was also the one who needed immediate safety.

“This way.”

With guidance from two individuals, Lee Suhyuk found himself in a dark, foul-smelling underground dungeon.

As he descended the stairs, he clenched his fists.

He hadn’t expected great treatment, but to think it would be such a place.

Entering through the dungeon door, guided to the designated spot, he saw Cheon Ryang crouched and sitting.

If they had treated another’s companion like this, the proper thing to do would be to either shut him out or hide him tightly. That would be normal.

Yet, they had guided him here for one reason only.

‘To show me this scene.’

They wanted to display it.

What they hadn’t predicted was what that powerless man, driven to the brink, would choose in the end.

“What are you doing?”

“To die… Suhyuk… nim…”

Cheon Ryang lifted his head.

Seeing Lee Suhyuk, his eyes lit up as if he had discovered a small candle in the darkness.

“Please, help me. Please, please…”

His desperate plea, with hands clasped together, showed how earnest he was. A man who had just decided to die now pleaded for his friend’s sake.

“You don’t need to beg so earnestly.”

They probably weren’t aware of it.

“You are already one of my comrades.”

The significance of these words for Lee Suhyuk was profound.

He had recently experienced losing Hwang Gyuseong due to a delayed decision. The regret he felt then was immense.

He still didn’t know what he regretted—was it not trying harder? Being one step too late?

In any case, he wouldn’t have had those regrets if Hwang Gyuseong hadn’t died.

‘Once was enough.’

He couldn’t let it happen a third time today.

*Zap.*

*Ping.*

He flicked the needle from Cheon Ryang’s hand with a lightning bolt from his fingertip.

At that moment, Cheon Ryang collapsed as if all strength had left him.

It was then that Lee Suhyuk made eye contact with the Divine Dragon Group’s fighters who were watching him.

Lee Suhyuk stared at the martial artists monitoring him from the Divine Dragon Group.

Or rather, it was more accurate to say he glared at them. His gaze was nothing but hostile.

The fighters of the Divine Dragon Group did not cower; instead, they stood tall, as if to say, “What will you do by glaring like that?”

“Time’s up.”

One of them approached Lee Suhyuk and declared the end.

“If you could release him, I’d appreciate it.”

“That’s beyond my authority.”

“He has not committed any crime, has he?”

“As I said, it’s beyond my authority.”

*Creak.*

The old iron door to the dungeon opened, a silent pressure telling him his time was up and he needed to leave.

As much as he wanted to upend everything here and now, “Let’s go.”

Now was not the time.

“To the one with that authority.”

There was one more person left for him to meet.