An archmage from another world appeared in my basement.
She became interested in something called VTubing, and I decided to make a deal with her.
Exploring another world.
Experiencing life as a VTuber.
I agreed to support the archmage, Lasianne fon Arpios, in her life as a VTuber.
Why?
Why a VTuber?
I couldn't quite grasp it, but maybe it was a form of achievement hunting for her.
An environment where she could talk freely about magic to people who didn't know her.
A setting where, even though it was a character, she could reveal her true self without any problems.
But above all, the most stimulating part for her was probably this.
— Anonymous [fapfapfap] — Anonymous [I wanna kiss and nom nom on Yasiya-chan's cheeks] — Anonymous [Hnnngh, Siya-chan....]
It just so happened that the VTuber stream she watched as an example had that kind of atmosphere.
There were viewers who shamelessly spewed their desires at a VTuber roleplaying as a goddess from outer space.
"Are these people really saying 'sniff sniff' to a being who is an Outer God?"
"That's just how this world is."
For an archmage from another world, it was an unimaginable response to beings of similar or even higher status than herself.
— Anonymous [Why are you playing like this, Demon Lord?] — Anonymous [Demon Lord, you have to jump here.] — Anonymous [Hah lol, everyone just spam LMAO....]
Our archmage was utterly fascinated by the existence of people who, just because they were on the internet and behind a screen, would mess with everyone from alien goddesses to demon lords.
She said she was looking forward to the reaction she'd get if she told them she was an archmage, expecting them to say something like, "I don't know about that, just take off your robe."
But to get that kind of reaction, there was one crucial problem.
Viewers.
For some, VTubing is a business, and the most important thing in business is the consumer.
If the consumers, called viewers, don't buy in, the broadcast will inevitably have to shut down.
Countless people have started streaming only to quit because their viewer count never broke ten.
Especially as virtual reality technology became widespread and celebrities started creating their own broadcast channels and VR maps, the VTuber market expanded more than anyone expected.
A few years ago, when a single broadcast hit a peak of about 300,000 viewers, VTubers were even featured on the national news.
Because of this market environment, I was able to receive a substantial salary offer when I was scouted in Japan, and virtual reality itself, not just VTubing, became a promising future industry.
Even from a modern perspective, it's often described as a 'completely new market, different from anything before.' So what would it be like for someone from another world?
I thought I'd have to start by teaching her 'this is a click,' but Lasianne was already sitting in front of the computer, moving the mouse and keyboard.
"Archmage."
"Yes, Producer."
In just a few days, there had been a change.
She had started calling me 'Producer'.
And another change.
"When did you get the golden pot?"
"One must hunt for achievements."
For the past few days, our archmage from another world had been cutting back on sleep, even while I was asleep, to immerse herself in gaming.
"Here, look. An achievement just popped up."
After I created a separate account for her on a game distribution site, she bought a new game and poured all her time into earning her own achievements.
"Have you showered? Did you try the new shampoo, body wash, and lotion that arrived?"
"..."
"You did change your clothes, right?"
"I've cleaned them."
"You should be precise and say you used cleaning magic."
"Hmph."
She maintained her personal hygiene with magic and secured necessary nutrients by drawing mana from a magic stone she brought from her world, hooking herself up to it like an IV drip.
"But if I refine my build a little more, I think I can clear it 10 seconds faster...!"
All of this was to obtain the golden pot, a symbol of a master player, but also to break her own records.
That's when I realized.
Ah.
This woman has achieved every possible feat in her own world and has come to conquer the achievements of another dimension.
Our hikikomori archmage was far more proactive than I thought when it came to achieving a given goal.
Even more so.
"Why are you trying to compete with a computer's TAS record?"
"It's absurd that an artificial intelligence made of zeros and ones would try to defeat an archmage!"
Despite having a sufficient understanding of electronics, computers, and AI, as a human, she was determined to beat the record of an AI program.
"Ah...!"
Three seconds too slow.
She had long surpassed the human world record and was now trying to beat even the TAS (Tool-Assisted Speedrun) record—a record achieved using external tools or programs—with her own raw skill.
In other words.
When it came to clearing the game legitimately, she had already claimed several world records.
"A pity. But I will do better next time."
That's right.
"Somehow, this seems easier than magic."
Lasianne.
She was a gaming prodigy.
...The character concept of someone from another world who is bad at games was immediately scrapped from my mind.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
"I'm sorry, Producer. I know you want to see the other world, but I've been so focused on gaming."
"It's fine. It's not like we can't go at all. We can travel back and forth whenever we want."
Lasianne, with various types of pizza ordered for delivery laid out before her, bowed her head slightly before picking up a slice.
"I've been watching some VTuber streams while I game, and it seems I'm actually quite good at it."
"You're more than just 'quite good'."
World Number 1 in OOO.
This is a market where just the fact that a Korean took first place in the world is enough to attract viewers.
And here was Lasianne, who had already broken world records in several games in a row. Her ability was already beyond human.
"Is it because you're a different species of human?"
"Genetically, we seem to be quite similar, aside from the mana."
"I wasn't talking about fantasy stuff. I just mean you're incredibly amazing, Lasianne. A real 'perfect daughter'."
"...Ahem."
At the mention of 'perfect daughter', Lasianne cleared her throat and turned her head away.
It wasn't because she found the term ridiculous or was embarrassed—
"You've been looking at weird stuff again, haven't you?"
"I have not."
"You're not browsing VTuber communities to study lewd jokes, are you?"
"I am not."
"Tell me. What were you thinking?"
"My mom's friend I'd... ahem. A joke. It's a joke."
"The internet is the problem, I swear. Someone from another world has been here for about a week, and she's already seeing weird things associated with the term 'perfect daughter'."
"It just means people have rich imaginations. And that the Korean language is that great."
"If King Sejong knew about this, he'd line up the people who said such things in Gwanghwamun Square, strap them to Hwachas, and fire them all into the sky."
They say the internet is a sea of information, and Lasianne was currently absorbing all of it at a frightening pace.
Her progress was so similar to an AI with an organic body absorbing knowledge that it sometimes gave me chills. But then again, seeing as even AI couldn't cross dimensions, I was sometimes reminded of just how incredible a being Lasianne was.
"So, when do I get to debut?"
"...Look here, Ms. Lasianne. Debuting isn't that easy, you know."
But because of that, she sometimes came out with things like this.
"I might not have been the number one in the industry, but I was still a key figure in a pretty respectable part of the VTuber scene, you know? And someone like that told you it would take at least four months."
"Can't we speed it up?"
"You want to debut right away?"
"I want to see the raw, unfiltered reactions of the viewers."
"About you being good at games?"
"About magic, and about the stories of my world."
The reason Lasianne was in such a hurry.
"It's because I want to tell as many people as possible about my world, as quickly as I can. The same goes for magic."
Lasianne wanted to show this Earth what her world looked like.
"I get it. But, to be a VTuber, this one thing is crucial."
I understood how Lasianne felt, but there was one thing that even magic couldn't accomplish.
"Illustrations. Can you just whip them up with magic?"
"..."
The character avatar.
For a VTuber, it was the alpha and the omega—the character itself.
"Can't we just create it based on my appearance?"
"That's fine. We can just transfer your design, so we save time on creating one from scratch. But there's still the time and money it takes to produce it. Not to mention, contacting an illustrator is a job in itself."
"...Producer."
With a serious expression, Lasianne reached for the luggage she had brought from her world.
"If there are a few truths I've learned in my life, it's that some things impossible even with the power of magic can sometimes be solved with the power of this."
What she pulled out was none other than gold.
It wasn't originally in the shape of a gold bar, but she had used magic to make it look like one.
"If production costs money, I will pay for it with this. How about it?"
"..."
"If the serial number on the gold bar is an issue, I can reshape it into necklaces or rings. It might be a bit troublesome for you to sell, Producer, but it's pure gold, so even if it sells for a little less than its value, the proceeds will be more than enough."
"The money is fine."
I had enough in the bank to prepare for a top-tier VTuber debut.
"The problem is who we choose to be the Mama and Papa."
"Mama and Papa... Ah."
The illustrator and the rigger.
The Mama draws the VTuber's character design, and the rigger, the Papa, takes that character's framework and makes it move like it's 3D.
"Producer. You said you used to work in the VTuber industry. Can't you ask for help from your connections? Talented people are usually surrounded by other talented people."
"That's the problem."
"Pardon?"
"They're too talented, and I'm in a bit of a special situation right now."
I opened the green social media app on my smartphone, which I hadn't shown Lasianne before, displaying '999' notifications.
"I was active in the neighboring country, not this one. When I came back to Korea, I didn't just run away; I properly wrapped things up, so I left on good terms with everyone. Because of that, they're trying to scout me."
"Ah."
Everyone had changed their profile pictures to cats or landscapes, but the individual names I had set were all the nicknames of those VTubers.
"A few of them went indie and are trying to hire me as their manager. Offering to share their revenue with me."
Among the messages were various attempts to chat, but also professional recruitment offers.
"...Aha."
Lasianne snapped her fingers.
"Information would leak through their Mamas or Papas. That you are producing a new VTuber."
"Exactly."
I told the affiliated VTubers I was 'returning due to poor health,' but what if I immediately started producing a new one?
"The guy who said he was wrapping up his life in Japan to go back to Korea and take care of his health starts working right away? It might not be a huge problem even if it causes a misunderstanding, but it will definitely be a hassle."
"Hmm..."
My issues were mental stress, not any physical ailment.
But if I started production, word would definitely get out.
Whether in Japan or Korea.
"But even if I have to endure that hassle, some things just have to be done."
I clutched the gold.
"Are you sure? Your health..."
"I'll just say it was homesickness. That my mind cleared up once I came back home. And..."
"And?"
"Some people only feel mentally healthy when they're working."
That's how it was.
"Alright then... Ms. Lasianne. We have to do the most important thing right now. Something we have to do even if the burgers have arrived and we're eating."
"What is it?"
"That would be."
I pointed back and forth between Lasianne and the computer.
"Choosing a Mama."
"..."
"I have about five candidates I'd recommend..."
This was a critical decision.
"Who do you want for your Mama?"
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