## Chapter 63: A Player with Maxed-Out Talent

The phenomenon appeared as if everything was on pause.

‘It didn’t just appear to be paused…’

It was genuinely paused.

‘This isn’t during dungeon play, we’re in a non-field state right now.’

It’s uncommon for a pause to occur during everyday life. I know that this ‘pause’ ability is quite expensive. Even Guardians and BJ’s don’t misuse it. Yet why use such ability to create a ‘PAUSE’ state?

“Senia, what’s happening?”

Turning around, I saw Senia standing there.

‘If only she had a bit more gift of gab, she could’ve been even more successful.’

Though I thought I had become accustomed to her beauty from seeing her multiple times, that’s not quite it. I have yet to see anyone as beautiful as Senia. Her elegance and aura seem like they couldn’t possibly belong to this world. She is an angel-type BJ, more ‘beautiful’ than anyone I’ve ever seen before.

‘Well, it’s not really my business though.’

I know she’s pretty, but that has nothing to do with me. Whether the BJ broadcasting me is beautiful or not is irrelevant. The reason I contracted with Senia is because she is easy to work with. And naturally, she must have recognized the quality content I provide.

“Player Kim Hyukjin.”

I already knew what Senia was going to say. She will ask if I’ve chosen my Guardian.

‘The channel is currently closed.’

I’m not broadcasting my presence to any Guardians.

‘She must be nervous, worrying if I’ve already decided on a Guardian.’

But it’s likely I’m the most attention-getting player in the beginner zone. Having reached level 30, the time to select a Guardian has arrived. It’s no surprise that the Guardians are focusing intensely on me.

“Have you chosen your Guardian?”

“I have, of course.”

Of course, I haven’t.

“……”

Senia’s wingtips quivered.

“Why did you choose your Guardian without a middle manager?”

“There was no notification that a middle manager had to be present for choosing a Guardian.”

Senia’s face reddened slightly. She seemed a bit angry.

‘I just wanted to see her reaction.’

Predictable as always.

‘Is she getting mad?’

For a BJ who rarely shows emotions, the fact that she’s showing this much means she’s quite upset.

“Player Kim Hyukjin, you are extremely clever. But why did you go ahead with your play without me broadcasting? Why did you even choose a Guardian?”

“……”

I could feel the pressure. An intangible force weighed me down, reminiscent of the ‘fear’ used by boss monsters. Senia was excited.

“Please answer. Depending on your response, this middle manager may need to take drastic measures.”

Technically, there’s no reason for Senia to be angry. If I’ve reached level 30 and chosen a Guardian, it’s just the natural course.

‘But the fact that she can get this angry without a valid reason implies…’

Is it because she’s taking me lightly?

I have ten years of experience that others don’t, an experience that’s currently priceless. I know very well how most middle managers view and treat players.

‘At least Senia is relatively reasonable.’

Senia, being who she is, says, “I must inform you that I might have to make a drastic choice.” If she were a more rude middle manager, threats and cursing could’ve been involved. And indeed, there are many like that.

‘In any case, they see me as a means to an end.’

Thus, their reactions. I’m not opposed to that. My relationship with Senia is one of mutual use, based on necessity. Therefore, I need to affirm my stance and establish the relationship with her clearly. At this point, I made that decision.

I smirked, a deliberate one.

“Using your words, I’m indeed very clever.”

I’ve overcome many difficulties. The contention with another BJ, Neptune, was also resolved with ease. Senia has seen it all.

“But I don’t quite understand what you mean by ‘drastic choice.’”

“Player Kim Hyukjin, you have a exclusive contract with me. I gave up many benefits to broadcast you exclusively.”

“That’s because every bit of my life turns into money. Don’t try to sugarcoat it as if you’re making sacrifices for me.”

“……”

Oh, Senia. This novice BJ. I felt a twinge of pity for her, as staring at this pretty lady rendered speechless, I realized she could easily fall out of the brutal competition amongst BJs.

“And speak correctly. You’ve given up many benefits, you say?”

I smirked once more, mockingly this time. Don’t talk nonsense.

“Remember when your channel crashed?”

“……”

“An influx of Guardians rushed in and your personal server couldn’t handle it.”

“That’s because…”

“Was it because you’re a good speaker? Because you run things interestingly? Because you create good content on your own?”

No, that’s not it. The answer is set. It’s because I am quality content.

“You know that’s not the case. Your personal server couldn’t handle the guardian surge. So, are you saying you’ve given up benefits? Do you even have a conscience?”

“……”

I never thought I’d start training a ‘middle manager’ at least five years in advance. Some high-rankers say it’s a necessary task. Without establishing clear hierarchy with middle managers early on, you’ll end up being dragged around by them later.

‘That happened a lot.’

The goal of a middle manager is one thing: COIN. That’s their ultimate aim. They have little interest in the players’ well-being. It’s all about whether the players can make them money or not. As time goes on, especially when the competition for broadcasting rights among middle managers intensifies, this tendency only worsens.

“We are tied through an exclusive contract and it’s a business relationship, right?”

“……I acknowledge it.”

Senia, at least, is kind and naive. There are many others who would just be blatantly uncooperative. At least with Senia, there’s room for dialogue.

“In that context, you sounded like you were threatening me.”

Till now, most beginner-level players are afraid of middle managers. The middle managers have far more power than current players. Since they don’t fully understand the system, they can’t properly object to the middle managers.

‘But I’m different.’

I said with a serious face.

“If once more, you employ coercive force against me or show unjust anger.”

I returned the favor.

“Remember, I can also take drastic measures.”

“……”

I drove the point home.

“There may be no replacement for me as a player, but there are lots of middle managers who could replace you. And who would be willing to pay the hefty penalty in your stead.”

* * *

[Channel #19207 has been opened.]

Channel #19207. It’s the personal channel run by the angel-type middle manager, Senia. It was live again, focusing on a single player.

Senia spoke.

“We are currently in a PAUSE state. My sincere gratitude to the Guardian who kindly sponsored this pause ability.”

The identity of ‘that Guardian’ was not disclosed.

“Player Kim Hyukjin will now begin choosing a Guardian.”

Guardian selection. A crucial turning point in play, a first job change that happens at level 30. Kim Hyukjin received a notification.

[Your level has increased.]

[Current level: 30]

All notifications Kim Hyukjin was already familiar with.

[Direct messages from Guardians are limited to five.]

[Please select the Guardians you will allow to send direct messages.]

‘It’s taking a bit of time…’

Unknown to me, the Guardians must be competing right now. Competing to send me their ‘contact.’ In other words, to reach out to me directly.

[Messages from Guardians will be delivered as ‘notes’.]

[A note has arrived.]

[A note has arrived.]

……

[A note has arrived.]

Kim Hyukjin involuntarily shivered.

‘Five notes were delivered in an instant.’

Can this really be chalked up to luck?

‘No. It’s definitely not just luck.’

Luck, effort, and tremendous talent combined. Kim Hyukjin now clearly knows that his talent could dwarf even the regular geniuses out there.

Only time will tell how long this will last, where the limits of his growth lie.

‘Five of them…’

It was beyond what he had imagined.

‘There are countless players who don’t even receive contact from a single Guardian.’

Yet here he was with five messages.

‘As far as I know…’

He tried hard to recollect. Information that wasn’t deeply covered in the public announcement. Since it depended solely on facts disclosed by the players themselves, there was no way to be certain.

‘As far as it’s known, the maximum was four.’

There was no known player who received notes from five Guardians, at least based on what Kim Hyukjin knew.

‘Check the notes.’

The names of the Guardians who managed to outcompete the others and send notes to Kim Hyukjin were revealed.

[You have received a note from ‘Pearl of Mount Cheonma’.]

[You have received a note from ‘Cowboy of Las Vegas’.]

[You have received a note from ‘Wife of the Scales’.]

[You have received a note from ‘Whispering Devil’.]

[You have received a note from ‘Merchant of Venice’.]

Two very famous guardians from the Korean server. One immensely famous guardian from the Italian server. Then, a very well-known guardian from the USA. And finally, one whose identity Kim Hyukjin didn’t quite grasp.

‘Five?’

Yet, there was a surprise.

‘Something’s not right.’

There was one guardian Kim Hyukjin expected a message from, but it didn’t come.

‘The picture I had in mind… didn’t include this option.’

I can’t believe that this guardian would falter in the competition. The guardian Kim Hyukjin was contemplating is none other than the ‘Nameless Observer’.

‘The Nameless Observer… didn’t choose me?’

Perhaps that’s the case. If the Nameless Observer hadn’t chosen Kim Hyukjin, he wouldn’t have received any notification of that.

‘For now… let’s check each message one by one.’

Every single one of these guardians is famous. No matter which one he chooses, Kim Hyukjin believes he could walk the path of roses.

‘As long as I’m not a flash-in-the-pan genius.’

If he’s truly a genius without limits, that is. Kim Hyukjin pondered for a long time. There were five guardians who sent messages. He struggled to decide who would be most beneficial.

After a considerable time passed, Senia asked,

“Which Guardian do you wish to set as your Contract Guardian?”

Kim Hyukjin opened his mouth to speak.