← I can't win without sponsorshipThe moment the phone screen switched from black to the live stream interface, Junho let out a sigh. 2:47 PM. The deadest time slot in Korean time.
"So, what are you up to?"
Junho was smiling, but it was a self-deprecating smile. His face in front of the camera looked tired. He hadn't slept properly last night. VR streaming required a lot of mental energy, and even more so when there was no revenue.
"Today we're clearing an F-rank dungeon too. Let's give it a shot."
He checked the chat window.
**[Viewer 1]**: Hi Junho
**[Viewer 2]**: Real talk this game difficulty is insane
**[Viewer 3]**: You showing up today too?
Three people. The same three people every day. Junho knew all their IDs. [CosmicDust], [LateNightBear], [RamenKing]. The fact that all three had appeared was a good sign.
"CosmicDust, nice to see you. LateNightBear, hello. RamenKing, you're here again today. Thank you."
There was sincerity in Junho's voice. It was probably the same for the three of them. People who found this channel at this time either liked Junho or were just bored. He was grateful for both.
**[CosmicDust]**: What are you doing today? Same dungeon again?
**[LateNightBear]**: A new game came out recently, aren't you going to play it?
**[RamenKing]**: lol the algorithm abandoned us so it doesn't matter what we do the ranking won't show lol
Junho burst out laughing at RamenKing's comment.
"Lol RamenKing's right. Our channel has been abandoned by the algorithm. A new game came out, but I think I need to tackle a dungeon with a bit more story. My tactics have improved lately."
It was a lie. His tactics hadn't improved—he'd just been repeating the same dungeon. But he always had to stay positive in front of viewers. That was a streamer's professional ethics.
Junho picked up the VR headset. It wasn't the latest model. It had the basic brain wave interface technology built in, but the sensitivity was poor. He'd bought it used for about half the price of a high-end product.
"Entering now."
**[CosmicDust]**: Fighting!
**[LateNightBear]**: Please stream safely
**[RamenKing]**: lol let's make it cooler this time Junho
Junho put on the VR headset. The moment his brain waves were detected by the sensors, the world changed.
---
Dungeon lobby.
Junho thought about it here. This place was a game, but it was also reality. The brain wave interface directly receives neural signals. Your senses are perfectly reproduced. If you get hit in the game, your brain feels actual pain too. Of course, in a weakened form.
F-rank dungeons were for beginners. The monsters were weak, and the traps were simple. Junho had already cleared this dungeon over 200 times. But that didn't make it fun. Repetition was actually boring.
"I'm reading the chat. CosmicDust, LateNightBear, RamenKing. Let's try something different today."
Junho stood at the dungeon entrance.
"This F-rank dungeon actually has a lot of interesting things if you look closely. For example..."
He placed his hand on the wall next to the entrance.
"This wall is actually weak. Want to try breaking it?"
Fire ignited in Junho's hand. A low-level Fire skill. The wall would break after hitting it five or six times. But this was a secret not mentioned in the game guide.
**[RamenKing]**: Oh what are you doing? lol
**[CosmicDust]**: Breaking the wall?
**[LateNightBear]**: First time seeing this
Junho hit the wall. Once, twice, three times.
On the fourth hit, the wall crumbled.
**[RamenKing]**: Ooooh what is this lol
**[CosmicDust]**: There was something like this??
**[LateNightBear]**: Is this a hidden path?
"Yes, it's a hidden path. There are some items and experience points inside. And..."
Junho peered into the broken wall.
"Wait a moment."
He reached his hand inside. There was a small metal box. Junho pulled it out. Inside the box were recovery potions.
"This is useful later."
There was confidence in Junho's voice. Even though there were only three viewers, he was enjoying this moment. Just the fact that someone was watching his gameplay.
**[RamenKing]**: Isn't this good enough? lol
**[CosmicDust]**: That's right, Junho you're doing well
**[LateNightBear]**: I hit subscribe
Junho looked up. He smiled toward the camera.
"Thank you. Really, thank you so much. Comments like these give me so much strength."
Those words were sincere too. With daily earnings under 5,000 won, these three viewers were his only support.
Junho continued through the dungeon. The first monster was a goblin. A weak monster that even beginners could defeat. Junho drew his sword. It was a cheap product, but it had weight to it. Thanks to the brain wave interface.
"Now we defeat the monster. This goblin has a pattern where it dodges to the left."
Junho attacked. The goblin counterattacked. Junho rolled to the left. The goblin's claw cut through the air past him.
**[RamenKing]**: Oh you see that? That dodge? lol
**[CosmicDust]**: Junho you're doing great
**[LateNightBear]**: That's cool!
Junho counterattacked. His sword struck the goblin's side. The goblin shrieked. Junho attacked again. The goblin couldn't dodge anymore.
It fell.
**[RamenKing]**: lololol now I get why you come here every day
**[CosmicDust]**: Junho but what's our channel subscriber count?
**[LateNightBear]**: Huh? Subscriber count?
Junho fell silent for a moment.
"It's 470 right now."
It wasn't a lie. But it wasn't the truth either. Out of 470 subscribers, only these three were actually active.
**[RamenKing]**: Ah really... the algorithm really screwed us lol
**[CosmicDust]**: You must have a lot on your mind
**[LateNightBear]**: But we're here for you!
A smile appeared on Junho's lips.
"Yes, thank you. Really."
He continued through the dungeon. Floor 2, floor 3. The F-rank dungeon had five floors. His progress was fast. He'd cleared it 200 times after all.
But it wasn't boring. Because there were three viewers.
**[RamenKing]**: I watched while eating ramen today lol that's why my ID is RamenKing
**[CosmicDust]**: lol oh that's what it meant
**[LateNightBear]**: I've been having insomnia lately...
The viewers started sharing their stories. Junho listened to them. He didn't miss the chat even as he progressed through the game.
"Ah, insomnia is tough. I get it sometimes too. When that happens, streaming like this helps. It feels like I'm doing something."
Junho stood before the floor 5 boss. A slime boss. Weak. Junho drew his sword.
"Boss time. Let me clear it quickly this time."
The battle took less than a minute.
**[RamenKing]**: Oh it's done?
**[CosmicDust]**: Really cleared it fast
**[LateNightBear]**: Wow that's amazing!
Dungeon clear. Junho received his reward. 100 experience points, 500 won worth of gold. His daily earnings were now 5,500 won.
"Cleared it today too. Thank you."
Junho took off the VR headset. He returned to reality. His room was small. A desk, a bed, a monitor. That was all.
The chat window was still active.
**[RamenKing]**: You coming back tomorrow?
**[CosmicDust]**: Thanks Junho
**[LateNightBear]**: See you tomorrow!
Junho smiled.
"Yes, I'll be back tomorrow. Same time. See you then."
The stream ended.
Junho thought about what had just happened. An F-rank dungeon, three viewers, 5,500 won in daily earnings. This was his reality.
He lay down on his bed. He stared at the ceiling.
Tomorrow the same thing would repeat. And the day after that. And...
Junho let out a sigh.
But at least someone was watching him.
That was enough.
For now.
Junho got out of bed. The time was 3:15 PM. It was his routine to reboot the brainwave interface for tomorrow's F-rank dungeon.
He put on the headset and closed his eyes.
"Luna, system check."
The voice of Luna, the brainwave interface AI, came through. It was dry and mechanical in tone.
**[Luna]**: "Starting check. Brainwave signal normal. Neural synchronization rate 98.7%. All systems operational."
Junho nodded. It was a routine confirmation.
But then three seconds of silence passed. Luna seemed to have something more to say.
**[Luna]**: "Junho... An abnormal signal has been detected."
Junho's eyes opened.
"An abnormal signal? What is it?"
**[Luna]**: "Abnormal access has been recorded in the platform's central matching system. A matching query has occurred for your account."
Junho got up. He got out of bed and sat down at his desk. He turned on the monitor.
"What kind of matching?"
**[Luna]**: "Analyzing data... Junho, this is rather unusual."
"What's unusual about it?"
**[Luna]**: "Your player rank is F. However, the system attempted to match you with an S-rank dungeon."
Silence.
Junho heard those words again. He wondered if he had misunderstood something.
"...What?"
**[Luna]**: "An S-rank dungeon. A dungeon that is inaccessible at your current level."
Junho's fingers stopped over the mouse. S-rank dungeons were places where only the top 1% professional streamers dared to challenge. A single boss there was worth the lives of a hundred ordinary players.
"That... right now?"
**[Luna]**: "Yes. Approximately two minutes ago. The matching attempt has already been canceled and recorded as a system error. However..."
"However?"
**[Luna]**: "Just before cancellation, the matching was partially confirmed. Your biometric data is in the entry queue for the S-rank dungeon."
Junho stared at the screen. Something felt wrong. Had his account been hacked? Or was it a platform bug?
"What's the problem with that? Can't you just cancel it?"
**[Luna]**: "Normally, yes. But in your case..."
Luna paused. Three seconds.
"...Luna?"
**[Luna]**: "Junho, the access authority to the matching system exceeds general administrator level. This is something only the highest-level authority holder of the platform can do."
Junho's back went cold.
"The highest-level authority holder... tried to send me to an S-rank dungeon?"
**[Luna]**: "In conclusion, yes. I cannot confirm whether it was intentional or an error."
Junho took a deep breath. He tried to organize his thoughts. Something felt off. Why would an unknown streamer like him be a matching target for an S-rank dungeon?
"So... what's my status right now?"
**[Luna]**: "You are still in the entry queue for the S-rank dungeon."
"Can you remove me from it?"
**[Luna]**: "I do not have that authority. Approval from the highest-level authority holder is required."
Junho leaned back in his chair. This felt very wrong. He would need to contact the platform operators. But that process would take days.
Then a notification appeared on the monitor.
**[System Notice]**: VR Platform Operator Kim Seoyeon has requested to connect with you.
Junho blinked.
An operator? Right now?
"Luna, what is this?"
**[Luna]**: "A direct connection request from a platform operator. This is a very rare occurrence."
Junho hesitated for a moment. But this person might be the only one who could explain this situation. He clicked the accept button.
The screen went dark, then a woman's face appeared. Early thirties, sharp eyes. It was Kim Seoyeon.
"Hello, Junho."
Her voice was surprisingly calm. Junho greeted her.
"H-hello."
"I think something strange must have happened to you."
Junho nodded.
"Yes, Luna told me that my account was placed in the S-rank dungeon matching queue."
Kim Seoyeon looked at Junho's face for a moment. Her expression seemed calculating.
"That's correct. It's a system error."
"I see..."
"However, Junho." Kim Seoyeon leaned forward. "We cannot correct that error right now."
Junho's eyebrows rose.
"Why not?"
"For technical reasons. In a state where the matching is partially confirmed, canceling it would require a system reboot... and in that process, your brainwave data could be damaged."
Junho was at a loss for words.
"Damaged? What do you mean?"
"Memory loss, neural dysfunction, or in the worst case, permanent inability to use the brainwave interface." Kim Seoyeon spoke calmly. "Can you maintain your livelihood without the brainwave interface?"
Junho couldn't answer. All his income came from brainwave interface VR streaming.
"So... what should I do?"
Kim Seoyeon typed something on her end. A new window appeared on Junho's monitor.
**[Emergency Matching Options]**
- 1. Enter S-rank Dungeon (No Risk)
- 2. Maintain Matching Queue and Wait (Risk: Automatic Entry within 72 hours)
- 3. Request System Reboot (Risk: Possible Brainwave Data Damage)
Junho read the three options.
"What is this...?"
"According to regulations, when a matching is partially confirmed, the player must have the right to choose. This is your choice."
Junho's breathing quickened.
"I've only done F-rank dungeons. S-rank is..."
"I know. Statistically, your survival is impossible."
Kim Seoyeon's words were too direct. Junho couldn't close his mouth.
"But why are you giving me a choice? You could just reboot..."
"We cannot escape legal responsibility for brainwave data damage." Kim Seoyeon said. "If you choose it, the responsibility lies with you."
Junho slowly exhaled. This felt like a deal with the devil. All three options were worst-case scenarios.
Option 1 was death.
Option 2 was death after 72 hours.
Option 3 was brainwave damage.
Kim Seoyeon spoke from the other side of the screen.
"Decide within 72 hours. After that, option 1 will be executed automatically."
"Wait, is this really an error?"
Kim Seoyeon paused. Three seconds.
Then she slowly smiled.
"That's... something you'll have to find out inside the dungeon."
The screen turned black.
The connection was cut off.
Junho was left there. In front of the monitor, staring at the three options.
And Luna's voice came again.
**[Luna]**: "Junho... I will follow you no matter what you choose."
Junho couldn't answer.
But his fingers were already moving.
The mouse cursor slowly moved toward the first option.
S-rank Dungeon.
His finger stopped at the click position.
Junho closed his eyes.
"Luna."
**[Luna]**: "Yes."
"If I... die?"
**[Luna]**: "You will return to the respawn point. The dungeon will continue."
Junho's finger trembled.
Click.