Emojis
ForTestingPurpose[Calm down! This is a trap by the host!]
EmojisForTestingPurpose[Everyone, RUN FOR COVER!]
EmojisForTestingPurpose[You answer the question, and then get banned? Is this even fair? My nerves are shaking, seriously]
EmojisForTestingPurpose[Is this… a dictatorship in the style of a hero of light?]
EmojisForTestingPurposeWhen one person was banned, the chat became lively and chaotic.
EmojisForTestingPurposeThe trembling, baby bird-like behavior was surprisingly endearing.
EmojisForTestingPurposeFor the first time, I realized that mere letters could seem so cute.
EmojisForTestingPurposeWell, the uncomfortable truth was that most of the viewers typing out these cute messages were probably gruff men.
EmojisForTestingPurposeNot that it was something worth paying attention to.
EmojisForTestingPurpose***
EmojisForTestingPurpose[ChiliConCane has completed the mission! ₩105,000 deposited!
EmojisForTestingPurposeI can’t believe you took down more than 100 of them, Sensei.]
EmojisForTestingPurpose[Spending over ₩100,000 on one mission?]
EmojisForTestingPurpose[Earning money is so easy, isn’t it?]
EmojisForTestingPurpose[Catch 100 underlings, and you make a decent day’s wage.]
EmojisForTestingPurpose[Cost-effectiveness off the charts.]
EmojisForTestingPurpose‘More than 100,000 won, huh…’
EmojisForTestingPurposeCompleting a mission gives a streamer an enormous sense of accomplishment.
EmojisForTestingPurposeIt proved they had the skills to complete a game-related challenge.
EmojisForTestingPurposeWith pride swelling to the top of my head, it felt like my nose was piercing the sky.
EmojisForTestingPurposeBesides, while I wasn’t desperate for money, extra cash is always welcome.
EmojisForTestingPurposeAfter quickly cleaning up the battlefield, I entered the public room to sever the lifeline of a “Noob Lord” with 30,000 matches under their belt.
EmojisForTestingPurposeScrolling through the list of rooms, I came across one titled “Your Mom.”
EmojisForTestingPurposeWhen I clicked it, a password entry screen popped up.
EmojisForTestingPurpose“What’s the password again?”
EmojisForTestingPurpose[If we tell you, you’ll kick us out, you jerk.]
EmojisForTestingPurpose[Hey, do we look like suckers to you?]
EmojisForTestingPurpose[Not a chance! Never!]
EmojisForTestingPurposeThe chat exploded with indignant reactions.
EmojisForTestingPurpose“I’m kidding; I know the password. 6974.”
EmojisForTestingPurpose[That… that jerk… why even ask if you know it?]
EmojisForTestingPurpose[Hearing you say 6974, though… priceless.]
EmojisForTestingPurpose[From now on, this is my alarm sound.]
EmojisForTestingPurpose[Amazing morning inspiration, huh?]
EmojisForTestingPurpose[Shh! No one touches the host!]
EmojisForTestingPurposeIgnoring the barrage of messages, I entered the password.
EmojisForTestingPurposeA familiar ID appeared before me.
EmojisForTestingPurposeThe map was the same as the previous round: Fighting Spirit.
EmojisForTestingPurposeSince the map loaded immediately without a download, it didn’t seem like the host was pulling any shady tricks.
EmojisForTestingPurposeNo scam maps, for example.
EmojisForTestingPurpose***
EmojisForTestingPurposeyaSergei: “You’re here, you little brat. ^^”
EmojisForTestingPurposeHe welcomed me with an unusually aggressive greeting.
EmojisForTestingPurposeyaSergei: “I’m pulling out my main race.”
EmojisForTestingPurposeyaSergei: “I was once known as the Legend of Autumn.”
EmojisForTestingPurposeyaSergei: “Admit defeat now.”
EmojisForTestingPurposeHis chosen race was Protoss.
EmojisForTestingPurposeA PC café league winner and self-proclaimed legend of autumn?
EmojisForTestingPurposeQuite a fancy title.
EmojisForTestingPurposeIn that case, I needed to switch things up too.
EmojisForTestingPurposeI chose Zerg.
EmojisForTestingPurposeWe ended up swapping our usual races.
EmojisForTestingPurposeFriede777: “GG.”
EmojisForTestingPurposeyaSergei: “Look at this brat, switching races.”
EmojisForTestingPurposeyaSergei: “If you hadn’t fallen behind early, you’d be done in 10 minutes, you noob.”
EmojisForTestingPurposeFriede777: “^^”
EmojisForTestingPurposeFriede777: “Next up, 100 underling deaths for you.”
EmojisForTestingPurposeyaSergei: “If I lose here, I’ll delete my ID, I swear.”
EmojisForTestingPurposeA bold declaration.
EmojisForTestingPurposeEven I was impressed by his audacity, so the chat’s reactions were predictable.
EmojisForTestingPurpose[Another character deletion match?]
EmojisForTestingPurpose[This is giving me a headache… deja vu?]
EmojisForTestingPurpose[Sis, don’t play around this time; just crush him.]
EmojisForTestingPurpose[A character with 30,000 matches on the line? This is rare.]
EmojisForTestingPurpose[If he loses here, isn’t he just gonna rage quit?]
EmojisForTestingPurpose[Does a 30,000-match noob think he’s invincible?]
EmojisForTestingPurpose[Let’s be real, 30,000 matches still makes him a noob.]
EmojisForTestingPurpose***
EmojisForTestingPurposeThe game began quickly.
EmojisForTestingPurposeThis time, I spawned at the 1 o’clock position.
EmojisForTestingPurposeUnfortunately, my color was yellow.
EmojisForTestingPurposeA yellow Zerg.
EmojisForTestingPurposeThis felt meaningful since it was the signature color of a famous professional Zerg player.
EmojisForTestingPurpose‘Was it a deliberate setup?’
EmojisForTestingPurposeNo need to overthink it.
EmojisForTestingPurpose‘For now, I’ll match the fierce reputation of yellow Zergs by ending this game quickly.’
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Let’s try to wrap this up early.”
EmojisForTestingPurpose[Oh, Friede’s calling for an early rush.]
EmojisForTestingPurpose[The rush queen Friede, here we go!]
EmojisForTestingPurpose[Will you go for a 4-drone rush?]
EmojisForTestingPurpose[Can you even pull off a 6-drone rush now?]
EmojisForTestingPurpose[Sis doesn’t seem like the type to regret or dwell on things.]
EmojisForTestingPurposeSince I had switched races, I decided to play the same strategy as the previous match.
EmojisForTestingPurposeThat way, I could give him a proper lesson.
EmojisForTestingPurposeLuck seemed to be on my side because I found his main base on my first scout attempt.
EmojisForTestingPurposeI was at the 11 o’clock position; he was at 7 o’clock.
EmojisForTestingPurposeSame positions as the last match, vertically aligned.
EmojisForTestingPurposeI began with the same 9-drone spawning pool build as before.
EmojisForTestingPurposeTo truly ignite an opponent’s rage gauge, there’s nothing better than using the exact same build they failed to execute against you.
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Oh? This feels a bit strange,” I said.
EmojisForTestingPurposeAs my Zerglings sprinted toward the enemy’s main base, my Overlord positioned behind their natural expansion revealed something peculiar.
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Building a Forge first for Photon Cannons?”
EmojisForTestingPurpose‘Without even a Gateway?’
EmojisForTestingPurposeI tilted my head in slight confusion.
EmojisForTestingPurpose‘This is supposed to be the Legend of Autumn?’
EmojisForTestingPurposeDelaying the Gateway widens the entrance, leaving only workers as a barrier since there’s no Zealot to block the path.
EmojisForTestingPurposeWhen my Zerglings reached the natural expansion, I saw six workers pathetically clustered together.
EmojisForTestingPurpose“I was going to upgrade speed, but I’ve changed my mind, everyone. I’ll go for Burrow instead.”
EmojisForTestingPurpose[Does that mean you’re going to bury the opponent?]
EmojisForTestingPurpose[Why Burrow?]
EmojisForTestingPurpose[Are you planning to plant them before they build a Nexus at their natural? Will it work in time?]
EmojisForTestingPurpose[Isn’t this a reckless move by the host?]
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Reckless? Come on, don’t say such hurtful things,” I replied playfully.
EmojisForTestingPurposeWith reinforcements, I now had a total of eight Zerglings.
EmojisForTestingPurposeRealizing the situation wasn’t normal, my opponent finally started building a Gateway, but it was too late.
EmojisForTestingPurposeWith only one Photon Cannon at the entrance…
EmojisForTestingPurpose“I’ll try breaking through here,” I declared.
EmojisForTestingPurposeI sent my Zerglings into a forced attack.
EmojisForTestingPurposeWith precise control, I targeted the workers blocking the entrance one by one.
EmojisForTestingPurposeThe scenario mirrored the last match—this time, I was the one breaching the Protoss’s natural expansion.
EmojisForTestingPurposeAnd then…
EmojisForTestingPurposeBOOM!
EmojisForTestingPurposeWorkers scattered helplessly as four Zerglings stormed into the main base.
EmojisForTestingPurposeFriede777: “Welcome~”
EmojisForTestingPurposeyaSergei: “???”
EmojisForTestingPurpose[Wow, she broke through!]
EmojisForTestingPurpose[That guy couldn’t breach last game, but now he’s the one getting overrun.]
EmojisForTestingPurpose[Truly a master of offense and defense, what a spectacle.]
EmojisForTestingPurposeFriede777: “Should I go? Should I help you out?”
EmojisForTestingPurposeyaSergei: “Shut up, you jerk. I’ll crush you.”
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Too bad. He’s not falling for it.”
EmojisForTestingPurposeNot that I actually intended to help, but I thought teasing him would be fun.
EmojisForTestingPurposeA little disappointing.
EmojisForTestingPurposeI continued upgrading Zergling speed after completing Burrow, then sent all my workers to harvest minerals.
EmojisForTestingPurposeTime to end this match.
EmojisForTestingPurposeThe four Zerglings already in his main base harassed his workers and drew attention.
EmojisForTestingPurposeMeanwhile, eight more Zerglings destroyed the Photon Cannon at the natural.
EmojisForTestingPurposeAlthough his Zealots arrived late, I didn’t bother fighting them.
EmojisForTestingPurposeInstead, I sent my Zerglings straight into his main base.
EmojisForTestingPurposeThe swarm split—half perched above his Nexus, the rest below it, burrowing into the ground.
EmojisForTestingPurposeThe Zealots, unable to find a target, stood there uselessly.
EmojisForTestingPurposeyaSergei: “What the hell?”
EmojisForTestingPurpose‘What do you mean? This is a game of Whack-a-Mole.’
EmojisForTestingPurposeWith his natural breached, more Zerglings poured into his base unopposed.
EmojisForTestingPurposeNow burrowed around his Nexus, the tide of battle was sealed.
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Watch this. When the Zerglings above attack, the Zealots move in. Then they burrow again….”
EmojisForTestingPurposeI unburrowed the Zerglings below and attacked the Nexus.
EmojisForTestingPurpose“When they come down, I burrow again and wake up the ones above.
EmojisForTestingPurposeThat’s Whack-a-Mole for you.”
EmojisForTestingPurposeReinforcements destroyed workers or interrupted Photon Cannon construction, while the burrowed Zerglings kept whittling down his Nexus.
EmojisForTestingPurposeThis was the perfect strategy to grind down someone’s mental state.
EmojisForTestingPurpose[Man, this is infuriating!]
EmojisForTestingPurpose[The 30,000-match veteran is now a slave to Whack-a-Mole training.]
EmojisForTestingPurpose[Is this really… a hero?]
EmojisForTestingPurpose[Heroes these days prefer bold plays, right?]
EmojisForTestingPurpose[If I were on the receiving end, I’d rage quit immediately.]
EmojisForTestingPurposeyaSergei: “This… Is this something a human would do?”
EmojisForTestingPurposeFriede777: “Well, it’s definitely something a Zerg would do.”
EmojisForTestingPurposePersistently, I kept gnawing at the Nexus.
EmojisForTestingPurposeBy now, the shields were depleted, and smoke began rising—a pitiful sight, like an elderly man shedding tears.
EmojisForTestingPurposeyaSergei: “Is this what your parents taught you? Where do you get off… Acting like this to an elder?”
EmojisForTestingPurposeThe palpable anger seemed to pierce through the screen.
EmojisForTestingPurpose‘But what could I do?’
EmojisForTestingPurposeThat rage only fueled the joy swelling in my chest.
EmojisForTestingPurposeFor every gamer, this was both a curse and a destiny to bear.
EmojisForTestingPurposeyaSergei: “I’m 50 years old this year, And I can’t even breathe properly because of you!”
EmojisForTestingPurposeSmiling slightly, I gave him a polite response.
EmojisForTestingPurposeFriede777: “Then don’t bother breathing ^^.”
EmojisForTestingPurposeyaSergei: “I… I’m so angry!!!!!!!!!!!!! Join my room again! This time, I’ll play seriously!”
EmojisForTestingPurpose[We’re doomed!!!]
EmojisForTestingPurpose[LOL]
EmojisForTestingPurpose[His reactions are priceless.]
EmojisForTestingPurpose[See? Friede’s skills are unstoppable.]
EmojisForTestingPurposeyaSergei: “Come on! I won’t obsess anymore.”
EmojisForTestingPurpose‘But wasn’t he already obsessing?’
EmojisForTestingPurposeFriede777: “^^ I hope you lose sleep over this tonight.”
EmojisForTestingPurposeFinally, his Nexus exploded, unable to hold out any longer.
EmojisForTestingPurposeyaSergei: “You jerk.”
EmojisForTestingPurposeyaSergei has left the game.
EmojisForTestingPurposeThe match ended with his resignation.
EmojisForTestingPurpose‘Join his room again?’
EmojisForTestingPurposeThis was already the second time…
EmojisForTestingPurposeNo need to waste my time on a third.
EmojisForTestingPurposeThe number three holds special meaning for gamers, after all.
EmojisForTestingPurposeWhether he cooled off or deleted his ID, that was his problem to deal with now.
EmojisForTestingPurpose***
EmojisForTestingPurpose[Will you play against viewers?]
EmojisForTestingPurpose“I don’t do viewer matches. I’ll stick to public games.”
EmojisForTestingPurposeViewer matches or ranked games come with a high chance of being sniped.
EmojisForTestingPurposePublic rooms are much less stressful.
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Is there anyone fresher out there? Someone not as washed up as a 30,000-match fossil?”
EmojisForTestingPurpose[A hunter’s sharp gaze targeting the prey… Friede-sensei strikes again.]
EmojisForTestingPurpose[Feels like she’s hunting on a dating app.]
EmojisForTestingPurpose[Sis, you’re amazing~]
EmojisForTestingPurposeI dove back into the public room list to find my next target.
EmojisForTestingPurposeIn a dark room, pink-haired locks bounced as someone flinched at the monitor’s images.
EmojisForTestingPurposeWhat I was watching now was StellaCraft, a game I’d vaguely heard of.
EmojisForTestingPurposeAn ancient esports title, once loved by older generations, now treated like a traditional pastime.
EmojisForTestingPurposeNormally, I wouldn’t have paid attention to such a game.
EmojisForTestingPurposeBut today, I had a reason.
EmojisForTestingPurpose[Did the 30,000-match fossil get stomped? No morning wood for him tomorrow, huh?]
EmojisForTestingPurpose[Winning like this makes the game way more fun to watch.]
EmojisForTestingPurposeOne particular comment caught my eye.
EmojisForTestingPurposeIt perfectly reflected my feelings, and I nodded unconsciously in agreement.
EmojisForTestingPurposeFriede, the Hero of Light… I thought she only shined in VR games like Soul Warfare, but she handled this game just as well.]
EmojisForTestingPurposeMore than just skill, her ability to make it entertaining was her real strength.
EmojisForTestingPurposeWith someone like her, even rhythm games or Tetris would make for an engaging broadcast.
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Should I add effects and sound cues here to make things more fun?”
EmojisForTestingPurposeFeeling a bit unsure of myself, I refocused.
EmojisForTestingPurposeI was analyzing Friede’s stream to prepare a portfolio video for a contest.
EmojisForTestingPurposeThe Galactic Supreme Editor Contest, declared by Friede herself.
EmojisForTestingPurposeThis was my chance to be selected as her editor.
EmojisForTestingPurposeIt would be grueling, but I had to endure it.
EmojisForTestingPurposeFor my future…
EmojisForTestingPurposeFor my starving bank account…
EmojisForTestingPurposeBecause I was, I was…
EmojisForTestingPurpose“A… hiccup!”
EmojisForTestingPurposeSuddenly, a hiccup burst out, making my tiny frame jolt.
EmojisForTestingPurposeAnd so, the contest drew closer day by day.