There’s a time for everything, they say.
Even the raid we were doing just a moment ago fits that bill. It had been a game that went on for hours.
It was progressing slowly, but the more we played, the more we were seeing that upward trajectory, and this time it really felt like we could clear it.
But then, out of nowhere, this sudden situation hit, and we failed the raid. Talk about a complete letdown!
In essence, today is a bust. After playing for such a long time, I was exhausted, and the flow got completely interrupted.
If we reschedule the raid, sure, but today? Nah, no desire to push forward any longer. So I told the party members to disperse, promising to try again next time.
Basically, the main content of the day—the raid—has wrapped up. Under normal circumstances, I would’ve been exploring the fan café and chatting with viewers before signing off. It was routine to engage a little before wrapping things up after the main event.
Sure, sometimes that routine gets thrown off. That usually happens when the broadcast is different from normal—like when I dive into some big content or when I start an informal stream.
But if it’s not one of those situations, my broadcasting routine doesn’t shift; so this current situation is indeed quite unusual.
Even after the raid ended, I was still on a call with someone.
“My Byeong-hun has always been such a good boy since he was little. He knew how hard it was for me, didn’t slack off, and studied hard… He aced his studies and won awards every time! But now this rascal just sits around gaming while I work hard to support him, and he doesn’t even come to say hello…”
“Ah, I see.”
I was currently on a call with Mr. Kim Byeong-hun’s mother via Discord.
Who is Kim Byeong-hun, you ask? He was the user raiding with me just a moment ago. He was in the groove of gaming when some “emergency” popped up, causing us to fail the raid.
Somehow, I ended up in a call with his mom. She wanted to chat, and I thought it would make for some funny content, so I began the call as a sort of a closing act. But it’s lasting longer than expected.
[Byeong-hun, Byeong-hun…]
[How did I end up listening to the life story of a 32-year-old guy?]
[His real name has been completely exposed, LOL.]
“It’s been exposed, haha!”
“But it’s more fun than I thought, lol!”
“The viewers are even giving parenting advice, oh wow!”
“Kaeun-young’s Counseling Center, haha!”
“32 years old… living off my parents… can’t even cook for myself…”
“Mom, why are you airing Byeong-hun’s life like that on the broadcast?”
“Real documentary: ‘The Life of Kayak.'”
“Where did Byeong-hun’s dignity go…”
“-Mom, that’s enough now… @Kayak, you’re also on the broadcast – Hey, I’m talking to Mom. Byeong-hun, I’m having a fun conversation with Kayak. Go fold the laundry in the living room.”
Just hearing the story paints a picture.
I could already see Kayak, 32-year-old Mr. Byeong-hun, trudging along, unable to resist my mom’s nagging.
“I’m just like the other kayaks, damn it, haha!”
“Stop whining and sit still, Byeong-hun.”
“Byeong-hun Ham, haha, go do some housework, will you?”
“That’s what a NEET should do, right? Where do you think you’re going while your mom’s talking?”
“Mom’s got a conversation partner now, and she’s getting excited, but you keep popping up, haha.”
“Seriously, if you’re going to talk, don’t just talk about Byeong-hun; talk about something else instead.”
“I’m feeling for Byeong-hun Ham, I can imagine how he feels, haha.”
“Indeed, bad sons get the Kayak treatment, haha.”
“Just being a graduate of a prestigious university makes Kayak part of the top 1%.”
“He’s a bit older, but from the stories I’ve heard, his specs aren’t bad? If he just musters some courage for job hunting, he could find a job quickly.”
“Mom surprisingly has great commentary skills.”
“Like, the audio doesn’t even cut out, haha, she’s on another level.”
“When aunties start chatting, they just go on and on, yes.”
“Dang, this feels so much like my mom it’s making me anxious too.”
The conversation with my mom kept going. It wasn’t intentional, but it felt like it happened by chance. I guess the conversation didn’t really stop, and here we are.
Even though a significant amount of time passed, I didn’t feel bored at all, showing that my mom’s talk sense is pretty remarkable.
She talks as well as any seasoned streamer, truly. Thanks to her, an unexpectedly fun scene unfolded.
In return, 32-year-old Kayak Mr. Byeong-hun’s dignity was slightly crushed, though. After the broadcast, I might as well bring some subscriptions, goods, or gift cards to make up for it.
The conversation with my mom kept flowing, and before I knew it, the topic shifted away from Byeong-hun to something else entirely.
“Is our Kayak’s family from the West, by any chance?”
“No, I believe they are pure Korean.”
“I thought she might be mixed. With how pretty she looks, just like those foreign actors in Byeong-hun’s streams.”
[For real, why isn’t the host mixed?]
[Everyone thinks she’s foreign at first, lol.]
[The natural silver hair is legendary, how does a Korean have that hair color?]
[Must have been stressed; all the hair turned white, wow.]
[Maybe there was some ancestor with silver hair that manifested later.]
The new topic of discussion was me. Mr. Byeong-hun’s mother started asking about my nationality and other things.
“How old are you? Is it rude to ask that?”
“No, it’s fine. I’m twenty-four this year. Twenty-two in Korean age.”
“Such a good age, truly. By the way, I got married at Kayak’s age. I got married at twenty-four and had our Byeong-hun when I was twenty-six.”
“Ah, that’s the peak age,” she muttered and then threw another question.
“Do you have a boyfriend? With such a pretty face, there must be a lot of guys following you around! My husband chased after me so much back then.”
[Huh? A boyfriend?]
[Whoa… ma’am, don’t cross the line!]
[I’m… my horns hurt….]
[Boyfriend? boyfriend? boyfriend? boyfriend? boyfriend? boyfriend?]
[No no no no no no no no.]
[It seems I’m the only one serious here.]
[Ah lol, with looks like the host’s, does she really not have a boyfriend?]
[The host has said a few times she’s dating Camilla.]
[The American tycoon Isabel has got her eyes on her, too.]
[Kayak is top-tier, even if she doesn’t have a boyfriend now, she could date anyone if she wanted, lol.]
It seemed that the mother had accidentally stepped on a landmine. Talk about boyfriends and dating were like a trigger for the viewers, causing chaos whenever the topic arose.
“I don’t have a boyfriend. I’ve received many confessions but just don’t feel like dating anyone. Hey everyone, can’t you ask my mom things she’s curious about without causing such a fuss? She’s watching, it’s embarrassing.”
“Oh dear, I asked something unnecessary. I’m sorry, viewers. When I was young, I used to act like that when my crushes were dating, so I know how it feels.”
“Ah, I know how you feel.”
Hearing that made me feel like I was some kind of celebrity. Some viewers might actually think that, so it’s not entirely untrue.
As we kept chatting, we gradually reached the end of our conversation.
“Your parents must be really proud of you. At such a young age, you’re managing your life so well.”
[Such a solid young man]
[Kayak is definitely a tier 0 daughter, huh?]
[If my daughter were Kayak, I’d be bragging about her all over the neighborhood.]
[What was I doing at 24? Getting hit by reality.]
“I hope they think that way.”
I took a moment to reply. It was about my parents, after all.
I didn’t mention it to the viewers or anyone around, but my parents aren’t here anymore.
My father was absent since I was little, and my mother passed away a few years ago.
I fell into the Abyss shortly after my mother’s passing.
I’m fine now, but back then, I went through a really tough time, and I needed something to dive into. That’s how I got immersed in the Abyss.
Maybe while talking with Mr. Byeong-hun’s mother, I was reminded of the past. Those days spent with my mother, chatting and living together.
“Mr. Byeong-hun should also settle down soon… But I’m glad to see him lively watching Kayak’s broadcasts these days.”
Some life blooms early, while others bloom late. There’s just a difference in timing, but I like to think that if everyone works hard, they will be rewarded.
I myself am living a life filled with excessive attention after becoming Camilla, so who knows what life has in store?
That’s why I could confidently say,
“Mr. Byeong-hun will do well too. He’s got a caring mother like you.”
With that conversation wrapped up, I concluded the call with Mr. Byeong-hun’s mother.
A few months later, I heard the news on the broadcast that Mr. Byeong-hun had successfully landed a job.
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