Omniscient Reader (Alternate Story)

Thanks For The Story

[Viewers: 10]

The game proceeded, drawing near to the final choice. All three options were still on the table.

[contemporary: which one will you choose, love? i say pick the blond!]

Joonghyuk hovered his mouse over a random selection. At the last moment, he considered the story being told and switched to a specific one.

[DemonAngel: Yes! Great pick!]

[contemporary: aww nooo!]

"Is this one a good bedtime story?" He scanned the chat for one user's answer.

[Viewers: 11]

[DemonAngel: Yes, a perfect ending! Well done!]

[@SupremeKing has been gifted 100 coins by @DemonAngel.]

[contemporary: no it's sad :( but still a good story i suppose]

[KimDokja: Whichever makes you happy King.]

As the credits rolled, Joonghyuk didn't end the stream or move to start a new game. He waited, still expecting a proper answer.

[KimDokja: It's a lovely story. Thanking you for helping me see it.]

Joonghyuk hummed amicably.

[Viewers: 10]

[KimDokja: You got more than 10 viewers! I think that's good for only your third stream?]

[DemonAngel: Well, it's mostly average.]

[KimDokja: Still, it's only the start! You'll be popular soon enough!]

[contemporary: well i agree, if he gets a facecam ;) ]

[@SupremeKing has been gifted 500 coins by @WarOfGods8047.]

[WarOfGods8047: Young man needs a better microphone.]

Yoo Joonghyuk didn't even comment on the donation.

[KimDokja: Oh, congrats! That's a step closer to a better headset! I'm not the only one who believes in you.]

"…. Thanks."

[WarOfGods8047: No problem. Upgrade your tech, then see how it helps!]

Joonghyuk frowned.

[KimDokja: Will you continue streaming?]

The streamer hummed. "Yes. Same time tomorrow."

[Viewers: 5]

[KimDokja: Great! I have work tomorrow after school, but I should be home in time for the stream. :) ]

[Viewers: 3]

Joonghyuk frowned. "You should focus on your studies. Sounds like you aren't a very good student."

[Viewers: 1]

[KimDokja: I know, I know, I'll get to it. Who doesn't want a little extra spending money though, eh?]

[@SupremeKing has been gifted 1,500 coins by @KimDokja.]

[KimDokja: For that better headset. Just don't expect me to donate again!]

Joonghyuk scoffed. "Keep your money, fool."

[KimDokja: Nah, you take it. It'll help you on your path to stardom! Consider it thanks.]

Joonghyuk scowled. "Thanks for what?"

[KimDokja: Goodnight King. I look forward to tomorrow! Spend your money wisely!]

[Viewers: 0]

Joonghyuk reluctantly hit [End Stream].

[SupremeKing's channel has gone silent.]

Kim Dokja reviewed his bank account. He knew he couldn't really afford it, that he should save everything he could. He'd just bring home some expired food from the convenience store he worked at on weekends; it would offset the balance.

It was too late now anyway. He couldn't ask for it back. Couldn't tell the streamer he was paying for his own food and travel at age 17. That he's only a month away from getting kicked out of the house by his 'family' as soon as he turns 18, despite not being done with high school for another 3 months. They're apathetic to his situation, and his recent incident, he already knows.

Besides, with SupremeKing maybe it would be used for something good. Something important. Kim Dokja liked to think that he might have some small, tiny part to play in a real person's story.

*

Yoo Joonghyuk checked the amount he'd made. It wasn't much, but his parents had been stingy with his and his sister's funds lately, so every bit helped. Maybe he could buy them some ingredients for a healthy meal with this….

Would his viewer be disappointed if he didn't get a better headset?

'It's an investment,' he decided. 'I'll make more in the long run if I use it as intended.' Somebody out there believed he could make it as a streamer if he got a better headset. If he used it for something else, he would betray their faith.

He couldn't do that.

Tomorrow he would go to a cheap electronics store and find a proper headset.