Chapter 132: Can You Even Livestream in a Group?
A faint chime echoed in the quiet room, confirming the successful binding. Haruto finally let out a long, slow breath, the tension draining from his shoulders. The spectral card in his hand, wreathed in an eerie light, dissolved into nothingness.
His Ghost Phone was already buzzing incessantly. A quick glance revealed that many in the group chat were still tagging him, most of them clamoring to know if he would be running another instance soon. Several were offering to pay far more than the standard rate for a spot on his team.
The group had swelled to nearly three hundred members, and a good number of them were clearly well-off. To them, spending a little extra money was trivial; what truly mattered was surviving the horrors that awaited them. Haruto's power was a proven commodity, a guarantee of security that was impossible to put a price on. Even if the so-called 'Destined Players' were available, these people would choose Haruto without a moment's hesitation.
Sure, the Destined Players were powerful. Rumor had it they could go toe-to-toe with ghosts, even kill them. But… could they kill a god? Could they bring the entire world to a dead stop?
The answer was obvious. They couldn't, at least not any of the ones currently known.
So what if someone was a Destined Player? In this game, following the true titans was the only winning strategy.
Haruto scrolled through the flood of messages, his thumb hovering over the screen for a moment before he tapped out a few replies. His previous comment about someone helping him clean had sparked a new wave of speculation.
[Is the big shot he's talking about Lady Kaguya?]
[Isn't it obvious? The only person Haruto-sama would talk about like that has to be Lady Kaguya.]
[Exactly, bro. What kind of dumb question is that?]
The consensus was immediate and overwhelming. Most of the members hadn't personally run an instance with both Haruto and Kaguya, but from the snippets of conversation they'd witnessed, it was clear their relationship was something special.
However—
The Most Handsome Realm Demon: [Huh? Kaguya is still at her own place. Why would she come over here to help me tidy up?]
His message landed like a bomb. The chat, once a chaotic waterfall of text, fell utterly silent.
'This is… another top-tier player?'
The same two words echoed in everyone's mind: Holy. Crap.
Just then, a new message popped up, sending a jolt of fear through the group.
Her Highness the Princess of Eientei: [???]
Seeing those three simple question marks, everyone's heart clenched. A nervous sweat broke out on more than a few foreheads. 'Sir, it's one thing to think it, but is it really okay to say something like that so openly? Lady Kaguya is right here in the chat!'
Just as they braced for a storm of princely fury, another message appeared.
Her Highness the Princess of Eientei: [Who says? You didn't even ask. How do you know this princess wouldn't deign to help?]
She… wasn't angry?
The group members stared, completely baffled.
The Most Handsome Realm Demon: [When you say that, does your conscience not hurt even a little?]
Her Highness the Princess of Eientei: [Hurt my foot. Just because this princess won't help doesn't mean you can't summon me over. I can at least sit there and offer some moral support.]
The Most Handsome Realm Demon: [...]
The Most Handsome Realm Demon: [Your conscience must have been eaten by a rabbit.]
Watching the two bicker back and forth, the entire group was left scratching their heads. While the exact situation remained a mystery, it was clear that a fight wasn't about to break out. More, it seemed Lady Kaguya was already aware of the unknown powerhouse at Haruto's side.
A collective sigh of relief rippled through the chat. They had been worrying for nothing; the top players all knew each other.
[Sir, sir, is the big shot with you as strong as you and Lady Kaguya?]
[Isn't that obvious? They have to be on the same level as Sir Haruto and Lady Kaguya.]
[Exactly. Someone Sir Haruto personally invited over can't possibly be ordinary.]
[A friend of a top player is obviously another top player.]
Haruto didn't answer the questions. Instead, a moment later, a new system notification appeared in the chat.
[Konpaku Youmu has joined the group chat.]
Everyone had assumed the mysterious guest's identity was being kept under wraps, but it turned out Haruto was just pulling them into the group.
[Welcome, new big shot!]
[All hail the new big shot! Please carry me through an instance!]
[Another legend joins the ranks!]
[Group Status -1.]
[New big shot, if you don't mind me asking, what's your relationship with Sir Haruto? (curious emoji)]
The chat instantly exploded with messages.
Youmu stared at the screen, her expression one of pure bewilderment. She glanced over at Haruto, but his attention was fixed on his own Ghost Phone. After a moment of hesitation, she carefully typed out two lines and sent them.
Konpaku Youmu: [Hello, everyone.]
Konpaku Youmu: [I am the gardener of Hakugyokurou, serving under Lady Yuyuko.]
Her introduction brought a brief, confused pause. The term 'gardener' was rather unfamiliar to a group of modern city-dwellers, though they could vaguely guess it was a profession related to maintaining a courtyard. A few quick online searches followed, and the information they found left them with strange expressions.
A gardener, as the name suggested, was a master in charge of a garden. Their primary duties involved the complete planting, maintenance, and management of the plants within.
Just… a gardener?
Although the position seemed a bit underwhelming, no one dared to doubt Konpaku Youmu's strength. The logic was simple: anyone personally recruited by Haruto had to be a monster in their own right.
The Most Handsome Realm Demon: [Don't just think of Youmu as a gardener. She also serves as a guard, responsible for the security of Hakugyokurou. Her daily routine involves not only garden maintenance and sword practice, but also staying vigilant for any intruders.]
Haruto's explanation made everyone nod in understanding. 'Just as we thought.'
"Youmu, would you like to start a video call with me?"
Seeing that the group was intensely curious about Youmu's identity and strength—with some even brazenly asking for photos—Haruto figured he might as well start a group livestream. It would also be a good chance to give everyone a tour of his new secret cabin.
Youmu didn't answer. She was staring at her screen, her youthful face flushed a delicate pink. Her eyes were fixed on a particular question, one asking if she and Haruto were particularly close… or even if they were boyfriend and girlfriend.
"Youmu?" Haruto walked over and waved a hand in front of her face. "Want to do a livestream with me?"
"...Ah? I... I can do that." Youmu finally snapped out of her daze. Though she hadn't quite heard the question clearly, she nodded subconsciously.
Haruto didn't press further. He reached out, straightening the collar of her simple tunic and gently wiping a smudge of dust from her cheek with a wet wipe before tapping the button to start the group livestream.
The moment the notification appeared, nearly every member of the group clicked to join instinctively.
The first thing that came into view was a handsome, clean-cut young man with black hair and black eyes, dressed in a simple Daoist robe. Everyone immediately recognized him.
[Hello, Sir Haruto!]
[The big shot is so handsome!]
[Sir, do you need any accessories? I can make you anything!]
[Does the big shot need a girlfriend? This little sister is willing to be a concubine!]
[+1]
[To the person above, what do you mean +1? I remember you're a guy, aren't you?]
[What's wrong with being a guy? The big shot is strong and handsome. If I get isekai'd by a truck, I'll definitely choose to be a girl and chase him.]
[Forget it, the big shot doesn't lack for girls. Besides, you'd probably just reincarnate as a goblin anyway.]
[(heartbreak emoji)]
Haruto chuckled at the antics of his silly group members. He then turned the camera toward Youmu.
Youmu, who had been a bundle of nerves just a moment ago, immediately straightened her back, her expression turning serious as she faced the camera. She gave a slight, formal bow, her voice crisp and clear.
"Hello everyone, my name is Konpaku Youmu. I currently serve as the gardener and guard for Lady Yuyuko and Haruto-sama. I look forward to your guidance in the future."
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