The moment Moogun heard those words, he felt a stark sense of dissonance.
“This person… is so strange.”
In Moogun’s perception, three words defined Jikwondi:
malicious, sniper, attention-seeker.
From targeting Moogun without consulting their boss, Momo, to outright telling Moogun not to hold them back because they wanted to win first place, and even throwing metaphorical grenades by badmouthing the boss—all of it was extraordinary.
Their actions were far from what a normal person would dare do in front of someone as famous as Moogun.
And now, this person, who had been acting all day as if today were their debut showcase, suddenly wanted to hold a Parallel Song World Cup?
“At first, I thought their debut took priority over promoting the first-gen talents… Was I wrong?”
But no, that wasn’t it. Even viewers found Magia bizarre.
Like a corporate worker who had just been belting out trot songs with a necktie wrapped around their head, their face red from exertion, only to suddenly straighten up and earnestly pitch products they had hidden in their bag—leaving everyone bewildered.
– A Song World Cup?
– So random lolol
– Ah, it’s just a sneaky way to promote the new song, isn’t it?
– Oh wait, it’s Jikwondi after all.
:: An anonymous donor has sent 1,000 clouds! ::
:: I forgot they were here for promotion until just now::
– Same here.
– Wait, aren’t they just enjoying the in-house tournament? Am I the only one feeling this? lol
– Tbh, they could just keep streaming like this, and it’d still work.
But Jikwondi wasn’t just a malicious attention-seeker.
They had gaming skills that held their ground even against former professionals.
They could mimic voices and rap at a high level.
They spoke bluntly and confidently even among strangers.
They were already brimming with broadcasting talent, and they regularly showcased it while simultaneously drawing a line by saying, “I’m not that kind of person.”
It was the kind of behavior that inexplicably annoyed viewers, much like when privileged people with plenty complain about why they “just can’t make it.”
If their refusal to debut stemmed from personal stubbornness, it was odd. If it was a company decision to hold them back, then there had to be a reason.
Either way, Moogun was growing curious. Would this dedicated employee always remain outside the letterbox? Or would they ever consider stepping into the screen themselves?
As if growing impatient waiting for an answer, Magia asked in a thorny voice,
[So, are you going to do the Parallel Song World Cup or not?]
Anyway, back to the main point:
Moogun liked Jikwondi’s chaotic antics. He liked the huge ripple they caused in the calm in-house tournament.
But this thrilling vibe could only continue with their presence. That’s how unique Jikwondi’s character was.
Even though Moogun had never watched VTuber streams or even heard any of their cover songs, despite being friends with Momo.
– Would he really accept this?
– He might be friends with Momo, but he doesn’t watch VTubers, right? lol
– If he accepts, this is going to be legendary.
The proposal was something Moogun couldn’t turn down.
Not when it gave him a reason to bring Magia back to the tournament.
“Alright. Fine. Let’s open the club tonight and make it happen.”
* * *
To users in the upper echelon of gaming, diamonds are nothing more than pebbles.
They’re plentiful, scattered about, and often kicked around without a second thought.
So, when Magia first appeared as a member of the in-house tournament, everyone thought:
“They’re just here for a free ride.”
“A VTuber? From Parallel? Must be just for promotion. Nothing to see here.”
However, after the warm-up match, everyone had a new thought:
“Don’t go near the smoke.
It’s dangerous if you get close.
This one isn’t a pebble; they’re the size of a bowling ball.
Kick them, and you’ll break your ankle.”
Thus, the teams’ strategies underwent a drastic change.
Instead of targeting Magia, who was the forward player, they reverted to the old approach: going after Moogun first.
The logic was simple—if they could take down Moogun, who was often isolated, they could overwhelm the other two using sheer numbers.
However, as mentioned earlier, Moogun’s team was like a twin trawler. Magia charged ahead while the supporter and Moogun followed closely behind.
If Moogun was isolated, the sound of gunfire would summon Magia, who would come rushing back at full speed to take the kills.
If Moogun managed to hold out? Smoke grenades would start flying, and inevitably, one of the three opposing players would end up floored by a double-barrel shotgun.
In a ranked game, retreating to fight another day might have been the right call.
But this was an in-house tournament.
And losing again to the same opponent was a matter of pride for players at the top level.
When they stood their ground, the outcome was always the same:
Inside the smoke, it was Magia’s game.
Outside the smoke, Magia might fall surprisingly easily, but once inside, it was as if the smoke was some kind of combat enhancer—Magia became a monster.
By the time the first main game ended, perceptions of Magia had changed yet again:
“Do not enter the smoke.
If you see smoke, retreat immediately.
This isn’t a bowling ball—inside that smoke, they’re SCP-level or cosmic horror-tier.”
The assumption that Magia was simply lucky was thoroughly debunked.
In the smoke, they were unbeatable, even at the highest level.
As a result, all the teams adopted the same strategy: retreat whenever smoke was spotted.
Despite this, Moogun’s team placed 1st in the first main game, 2nd in the second game, and 4th in the third, gradually dropping in performance.
Still, their overall score was enough to secure 1st place, earning them the championship prize of 1 million won.
Yet, as always, Moogun chose to forgo the prize money. Magia, too, declined, saying the opportunity to promote their song was reward enough.
In the end, the supporter, Park Wonhyuk, who had spent the entire day tirelessly backing Magia with insane care, received the combined prize pool of 2 million won, including Moogun’s kill bounty.
[Thank you so much! I’ll play Parallel’s 1st-anniversary song on stream ten times. You said it’s on November 5th, right?]
[Yes, thank you for your support.]
[No, no, I should be the one thanking you. Please drop by our in-house games again! Your double-barrel play today was incredible!]
[Not at all, your care was amazing too, Deunggol-nim.]
[Thank you!]
With that, supporter Park Wonhyuk also exited the TokCord.
Once all the in-house tournament members had logged off, Magia remained the sole occupant.
Moogun, as if speaking for her to hear, muttered under his breath:
“…My one million won.”
Despite the intense back-and-forth until the very end, Moogun, who prioritized victory over the kill bounty, ultimately lost by just one kill, crowning Magia as the winner.
Some might call it the difference between a former pro and an amateur who stakes everything on a kill competition.
But a bet was a bet.
[Under Jikwondi, Moogun. Do you accept this?]
– Jikwondi supremacy lololol
– What a noob, noob, noob
– LOL
“Yes, until the next kill competition, I’ll accept it.”
[There won’t be another kill competition.]
“Huh? Why not?”
[For any future tournaments or collabs, you’ll need to consult my boss. Now, can I start my promotion?]
“Ugh… Fine.”
– Earlier, they told us not to bother them, lolol
– Leave Jikwondi alone!!
– Enough already, just show us the first-gen video!
– Bro, you’re being a bit clingy today.
– Promotion time~~
Though it was a shame for Moogun, now was the perfect time for Magia to start promoting.
[(🔴Live) A Non-Fan Reacts to the Parallel Song World Cup] 👪35,654
Even after the in-house tournament ended, the viewership barely dropped from its peak of 38,000. It was a clear sign: the viewers’ attention had shifted from Magia to the first-gen anniversary song.
The mood shifted dramatically after Magia’s request for a song World Cup.
After all, viewers who donate or chat in streams do so hoping for the streamer’s response.
And today’s influx of viewers? Most were here out of curiosity about Jikwondi.
Realizing this, they began strategizing:
“How can we get her to respond while she’s busy gaming?”
“Oh? Mentioning this gets a reaction?”
“Then what if we donate like this? Or send this kind of message?”
:: An anonymous donor has sent 1,000 clouds! ::
:: Wow, it’s already the first-gen anniversary? ::
[Yes, it’s already been a year. Time really flies, doesn’t it?]
:: An anonymous donor has sent 1,000 clouds! ::
:: When’s the new song dropping? I’ve been waiting! ::
[It’ll be revealed after the in-house tournament and before Moogun’s Parallel Song World Cup. Just a little longer, please.]
This created a chain reaction of questions and answers. Even those who were initially uninterested found themselves becoming curious, while Magia’s tone grew increasingly cheerful.
As a result, right before the video reveal, Moogun’s stream had transformed into a full-fledged Parallel celebration.
The viewers were delighted to get her attention.
Magia was happy to see everyone showing interest in the first-gen anniversary.
[Now, it’s time to share some news from Parallel. Judging by my nickname, I’m sure many of you already have a clue. But first, I’ve prepared a video for you. Let’s watch it together before we discuss further.]
—Eh?
– I’ve been waiting~
– Let’s go, let’s go!
– *Buzzing sounds*
– Another! Another! Another! Another! Another!
– Wishing the new song a huge success!
The lights dim, and a one-minute video begins to play.
Thump, thump, thump, thump—
A powerful kick drum is accompanied by the sound of a synthesizer.
What follows is the pre-chorus, just before the song’s chorus.
The build-up grows more intense, a symphony of sounds rushing in.
For viewers who know their music, this is the moment where the chorus is expected to explode.
Even those unfamiliar are already waving glow sticks, caught up in the festive atmosphere.
Adding his opinion with a slight nod, Moogun commented:
“Not bad.”
– (Glow stick concert)(Glow stick concert)(Glow stick concert)(Glow stick concert)(Glow stick concert)
– (Dance concert)(Dance concert)(Dance concert)(Dance concert)
– Ohhhhhh!
– (Wave your glow stick!)
“What the heck, this is amazing.”
Amid the sea of glow sticks, there are plenty of direct reactions:
“Awesome,” “The vibe is insane,” “This is so much fun,” and so on.
And then, the quintessential K-pop melody and beat strike with a resounding “boom.”
A tidal wave of addictive hooks and the main vocal takes over.
This pull is addictive, I’m falling in deeper
This love is so real, it’s taking me high
Our world, you and I, endlessly connected
Together we shine, like stars in the sky.
Dora and Maru take turns showing off their vocals,
While Komari and Rain smoothly transition into their rap.
– Kyaaaaahhhhh!
– Let’s goooooo~!
– Oh, that hits the spot!
Just as everyone is deeply focused,
A brief glimpse of a 3D silhouette dance video, quickly created from today’s motion captures, flashes on the screen.
– ?
– *Gasp*
– Is that 3D?
– Did 3D just drop?!
– Woohoo, lololol!
– Is this 3D? Insane.
– What the heck is this?
– Kyaaaaahhhhh!
– It’s 3D!
– Darn it, the staff really brought 3D to us!!!!
– Kyaaahoooo!
– What is this!
– Is this a 3D concert as well? Whoa.
– Dang, I trusted Manager Mo!!!
Marketing success? Probably.
* * *
···— Moogun (Internet Streamer) Gallery — — — — — ···
[Wow, there are so many good songs.]
I wasn’t really into VTubers,
but their songs are actually pretty good.
Thanks to Moogun-hyung, I’ve been adding a lot of their songs to my playlist. 😂
[Comments]
– Moogun835: Caught a closet otaku red-handed at home.
ᄂ Moogun213 (OP): Come on, join us in this joy! lololol
ᄂ Moogun835: Honestly, my algorithm’s already infected. 😂
ᄂ Moogun213 (OP): Hahaha!
– Moogun909: What killed me was Moogun’s algorithm slowly getting wrecked while hosting the World Cup stream. 😂
ᄂ Moogun251: Bro, I played one good song, and my algorithm went to shreds.
ᄂ Moogun251: But man, it’s worth it, though.
ᄂ Moogun213 (OP): That’s how you fall into the rabbit hole. 😂
···— — — — — — — — — ···
···— Parallel (VTuber) Gallery — — — — — ···
[Wait, but isn’t Staff-D a VTuber?]
Don’t they have a channel or something?
I’m ready to subscribe and support.
[Comments]
– Parallel849: People like you are already in a queue of 1 million.
ᄂ Parallel242 (OP): LOL, really?
– Parallel348: They’re currently locked up by Momo. 🤔
ᄂ Parallel242 (OP): Oh no.
ᄂ Parallel348: Are you perhaps interested in the Staff-D Liberation Movement?
ᄂ Parallel242 (OP): “Liberation Movement” sounds so funny, though.
ᄂ Parallel242 (OP): If there’s something I can help with, I’m in.
ᄂ Parallel348: Perfect. Come to the Staff-D mini gallery.
···— — — — — — — — — ···