VR. A term that means virtual reality.
For us, it’s often depicted as the image of wearing something on our heads and experiencing something that doesn’t actually exist.
While I don’t know the detailed mechanics, I’ve heard that if you connect some equipment to a computer and wear it on your head, it feels as if the virtual world is right in front of your eyes.
Recently, the VTubers popping up everywhere seem to be somewhat related to this VR thing. They must need VR-like equipment to project their avatars on screen and move their hands and limbs.
The news is constantly babbling about the arrival of the metaverse, so it’s not that I’m completely uninterested in VR.
The statement from a donation that playing in VR is more fun caught my attention.
[Does this support VR? What a god-game!]
[I saw Han Kang playing in VR, it was fun, lol.]
[When you play in VR, it actually feels like a real person, so shooting is no easy task and reactions are much tougher.]
[Do we really have to do it in VR…?]
[These days, VR is definitely the trend, right?]
[If you buy VR, want to play VRchat too? Hehe.]
[Kayak VTuber debut buildup, whoa.]
The viewers don’t seem completely uninterested either. If I summarize the chat, they find it amusing just watching the streamer wobble around in a surprise situation while wearing VR for the first time.
Instead of just showing the gameplay, the broadcast becomes much more colorful by allowing viewers to see the streamer directly wearing VR and moving around.
Of course, watching that streamer means the game often takes a back seat. There’s a downside that immersion in the game might drop, but honestly… it hasn’t changed much from before.
It could be considered a problem I’ve always had. My viewers have such an obsession with the camera that if I even slightly reduce its size, the chat explodes. It’s like a public protest with torches. I can’t help but wonder, are these people here to watch the game or me?
Each time I give a warning, the viewers, who are usually at each other’s throats, unite to fuel the flames. Just seeing that gives me a sigh of exasperation.
Still, it’s somewhat heartening to think, “So, you really want to see me just as much as you want to enjoy the game,” making me feel not too bad about it—if that’s a severe case, then I’m definitely in the deep end.
“Then, let’s see what VR options we have. Besides games, if we buy VR, we can do a lot of other things too.”
And so began an unexpected shopping spree.
The item on the wish list: VR equipment. The audience for this shopping extravaganza? A whopping 15,000 curious onlookers.
“That’s a whopping 15,000 people.”
[Why are VR devices so expensive?]
[That’s just how it is.]
[The prices are surprisingly high.]
[VTubers even buy tracking equipment or something.]
[Just the equipment alone would cost several hundred.]
“Hmmm.”
Indeed, as the viewers said, the prices for VR equipment were no joke. The basic models started at around 100,000 won, and the expensive ones easily surpassed a million.
There were some priced at 20,000 to 30,000 won, but those were smartphone-only models; if I wanted to use them with a PC, I’d need to spend at least 300,000 won on a product.
Honestly, 300,000 won? That was an amount I could invest easily for my broadcast.
I wanted to try it out immediately, and the viewers were showing interest too. Plus, considering that purchasing VR equipment would mean I wouldn’t have to mull over content-related issues for a few days, I was even willing to invest 1 million won if necessary.
Not to mention, I had recently been involved in Eonix’s supporter activities, raking in some nice income from it.
I just didn’t mention it, fearing it might cause discomfort among the viewers; it had long been the case that I didn’t need to worry about money anymore.
The fact that I was contemplating this at all was a sort of act. Of course, it wasn’t that I had no concerns at all; it was just that I was pondering performance and other options, rather than the price.
However, the viewers, seeing me in deep thought, seemed to think I was stressing over the price and suddenly started sending donations.
[RXomega donated 30,000 won!]
– “I recommended VR, so I’ll pitch in a little.”
[VRlovepup donated 50,000 won!]
– “I want to see Kayak doing VR.”
[SoMuchMoney donated 100,000 won!]
– “If you need money, then dance…”
…
“No, no, you guys. You really don’t have to do this. Um… Hehe. Thank you for the support. I appreciate it.”
[You say you don’t need it, but your smile says otherwise, right?]
[Gotcha! The host’s cash-collecting move has worked!]
[Honestly, Kayak could fully deck out her equipment and still have plenty left over…]
[Cash collection master!]
[So good at collecting money that it’s award-worthy!]
[Haha, if you’re comparing equipment so seriously, it’s obviously going to look like you’re short on funds!]
[The host was cute, so all is forgiven.]
[If you don’t need it, just give it back, okay?]
[Don’t give it back, do a reaction dance for the amount received!]
[Haven’t seen you dance lately.]
[Sebi said she felt sad because the host didn’t dance for her either.]
“No, no, I can’t. I can’t dance for you. You know if I do this too often, it loses its rarity, right? I shouldn’t raise the stimulation threshold too high; if I keep doing it, my brain might melt. Anyway, I’ll spend this money wisely for my selfish desires. Just kidding! I’m definitely buying VR. Yep, look at the chat—so intense! Don’t be so scary! I was planning to get VR from the start.”
“Do you know if we do this, it loses its rarity? We shouldn’t raise the threshold of stimulation too high. You have to release dopamine every now and then, or your brain will melt. Anyway, I’ll use this money wisely for my personal desires. Just kidding. I’m buying VR. Yeah. Look at the chat, it’s brutal. Don’t scare me like that. I was originally planning to buy VR anyway.”
He purchased the VR equipment he had been eyeing for about a million won, showing the purchase history to the viewers. Nowadays, the world is so advanced that he could meet the product as soon as tomorrow.
[Kayak's Foot Cleaner donated 1,000 won!]
“But hey, do you know how to set up VR, Broadcast Host? It can be tricky when you first try.”
“Setting it up?”
Right? I’m not exactly tech-savvy, but I don’t have great dexterity either, and who knows, I might end up burning the equipment during setup.
“Let’s just call someone for help.”
*
“So it’s me again? You call me first whenever there’s a problem?”
A woman with black hair and black eyes enters the room, grumbling. It’s Riri. He called her to help set up VR.
“You only call me when you need something, huh?”
Riri seemed somewhat sulky for some reason. Honestly, he didn’t quite understand why she was reacting this way. If there’s nothing to do, who would reach out on ordinary days? Women at this age can be so finicky.
But he knew well that voicing that thought wouldn’t do any good.
“So, you don’t want to come over?”
Instead, he chose a different route. If he had called someone else, she would have definitely complained about why he didn’t call her.
After being around her for over a year, he could now read Riri’s mood just by looking at her.
Then she continued with a slightly flustered expression.
“No, it’s not that I don’t want to… but the layout of your house has changed a bit.”
“Pulling the bed back seems to give more space, doesn’t it? Isn’t it better than last time?”
He successfully diverted her attention. Seizing the opportunity, he even managed to brew a perfect hand-drip coffee and then discussed today’s agenda in earnest.
“But I don’t really know either. I don’t do VR broadcasts that often.”
“I saw you doing something last time.”
“That was because I had Han Kang hyung set it up… Should I call him now? Maybe I can charm him into helping out?”
Having an expert come over would be the best scenario. Han Kang was someone he was familiar with, so it wouldn’t be awkward at all.
It would be the best thing ever if an expert showed up. Han Kang wasn’t someone I felt awkward around, so this was fine.
“Just ask him. I promised to buy him an expensive dinner.”
*
“Oh, come on, I’m a busy person. Really. I’m not someone who should be ordered around to set things up like this.”
Han Kang arrived quickly. It couldn’t have taken more than 20 minutes. I knew he was close to Kayak, but I didn’t expect him to show up this fast.
Riri felt a bit resentful as Han Kang walked in through the door.
“What’s up, oppa? You haven’t been broadcasting properly lately. The viewers have been looking for you all the time.”
“That’s that, and this is this. You really meant what you said about buying something delicious, right?”
“What do you want to eat?”
Han Kang thought for a moment and replied.
“How about sashimi? Flounder is in season in winter.”
“Let’s have a platter with flounder and a drink of soju.”
“Truly, Kayak knows how to delegate.”
Kayak took a moment to scan her mind. Was there a sushi place around here? Well, if there wasn’t, they could always order delivery.
While humming a tune, Han Kang immediately got to work, and it wasn’t long before news came in.
“It’s almost ready. Could you try moving around with this? It’s better to adjust the details while you personally experiment.”
Kayak put on the VR gear that blocked her view, flinched slightly in surprise, and then slowly settled down.
“O….”
“Pretty amazing, huh? Just move slowly back and forth for now.”
Kayak started to shift her feet cautiously, stepping out slowly and widening her stance to walk sideways.
That careful movement only lasted a moment, and soon she seemed to have adapted, her movements becoming progressively more vigorous.
“Wow, no wonder you’re a talent prodigy. You adapt quickly. You’ll have to move a bit faster if you want to play the game, so feel free to move however you like.”
“Got it.”
As if waiting for those words, Kayak started to stretch her arms and legs vigorously. With a face and body resembling Camilla’s, her movements were so refreshing they almost seemed like a dance, leaving onlookers in awe.
“Ahem….”
However, Han Kang, who was watching, could only cough awkwardly and turn his head away in surprise. Because, well, Kayak’s substantial center began to shake fiercely with her movements.
“Wow….”
On the other hand, Riri, being relatively free from societal norms as a same-gender observer, didn’t miss a single movement and enjoyed the spectacle fully. It was genuinely a sight that left one in admiration.
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