Chapter 118: Chapter 118 – Consultation with Flexy
"I am jealous…" She said those words without her noticing.
The realization only hit her a second later. Her eyes widened as she leaned down, pressing her reddened cheek with her hands.
"What am I saying?" She asked herself, feeling embarrassed.
Nina couldn\'t really understand herself lately. Everything had changed considerably since ten days ago. The friend that she had always been with suddenly felt a little away since he started streaming.
"I should be happy that he enjoyed his life now. He looked so gloomy before." She let out another sigh and cheered herself up.
Games. That was probably what made them a bit away right now. Of course, their relationship hadn\'t changed even one bit, but Nina didn\'t quite like that. She felt like she was left behind.
Back then, she refused to play together because she had no time to. But Max also helped her and the restaurant a lot. Currently, Chef Rush has hired someone to become a waitress because neither can handle it alone anymore.
That was why Nina had more time than before. Hence, she considered it.
"Maybe I should try it… game."
And so, she sat in her Lobby, looking at Punchtube to find a game she might be able to play with her friends.
***
After ending the stream, Max and the others talked for a while in Flexy\'s Lobby. They blamed him for what he did and praised him for making the stream fun.
StoneSword and Lily left first after saying goodbye. The latter thanked Max before she logged out of VR.
Thus, only two men were left in a luxurious room with walls made from gold. They sat on chairs across each other with a round table made from shiny marble.
"Hahaha, that was really fun. I didn\'t think you would do that, buddy."
"It was just a spontaneous thought." Max replied, "I thought getting revenge for interrogating me would be fun. Everything turned out alright, and our viewers seemed to like it."
"Oh, of course! I got many donations today, thanks to that. My viewers loved to see me getting squashed by that giant\'s hand. And your female fans seem to enter my stream to curse me for tying you in that basement before we played the game. Your fans are crazy."
"Ah, so that\'s where they go. I have 8K peak viewers today compared to 12K back then. I thought some viewers were disgusted by the game graphic, but they are in your livestream? That must be hard."
"Heh, you don\'t need to mention it. But if you have already been in this business as long as I do, ignoring or playing with them are easy things to do!" Flexy boasted with a prideful expression.
"Right." Max agreed with him.
Dealing with viewers was not that hard, but they still needed to be careful not to offend someone or do something that could cause a bigger problem.
In fact, even choosing the wrong game could decrease viewers, just like what Max experienced today. Not all viewers could handle watching a game with realistic blood or decayed flesh like V-Shelter Survival.
Talking about games, Max remembered Mr. Taka\'s offer that he had yet to answer.
\'It might be the best time to ask Flexy. He\'s experienced, and I can probably trust his decision.\'
"Say, Flexy." He called out to his friend with a serious expression, "Can I ask something important? I need your opinion on this because I don\'t really know what I should do."
"Hmm?" Flexy hummed and looked at him, "Is it streaming-related? Or a romance-related? Heh, anyway, do tell me. I will give you the best answer I can."
"It\'s streaming-related," Max answered while trying to hold off his sigh.
Why would he go to Flexy if he wanted romance-related advice? He could handle that by himself! He didn\'t need advice from someone like him.
"To be honest, Mr. Taka offered me something before you forced me to drink. I planned to consult you after that, but you know… a lot happened." He narrowed his eyes at the culprit behind that \'a lot happened\' that stopped him from bringing it up until now.
"That must be hard." Flexy shook his head in condolence as if he didn\'t understand that he was the main reason why that happened. "But at least now you get master Flexy, the veteran streamer! Ask me anything, junior."
"Junior?!" Max didn\'t really like how Flexy called him, but he wasn\'t wrong. He was indeed a junior compared to him. "Well, I am conflicted about two offers. Between 25 grands or a contract to be Biozone affiliated strea–"
"Contract, a hundred percent." Flexy cut Max\'s words off without hesitation; his expression was serious.
"It would be crazy if you chose the money. I mean, if you need money desperately, I am willing to lend you some. But… That contract is one in a lifetime, buddy. Biozone is famous for never giving a contract twice if you reject it, no matter how famous you are. You should accept it if it doesn\'t inconvenience you."
There was no hesitation in his voice. Flexy genuinely advised Max to take the contract. And he explained the reason.
"An indie streamer can only go that far. You certainly understand how important it is to have backing. As proof, their whim pushes you forward to more than 10K viewers in just a few days. Not to mention, they are one of the two biggest publishers in the world. You will benefit a lot from their name even if they don\'t pay you."
"I see…" Max nodded, understanding the reason Flexy had just told him.
There was a certain \'perk\' even if he wasn\'t getting paid. Using a certain brand\'s name would make one believable and prove him legit.
"There is also the fact that Biozone Entertainment only has 24 affiliated streamers, including StoneSword and me, compared to other big companies with more than 100 affiliated streamers in their name. Not anyone can sign a contract with them, you know?" Flexy grinned proudly.
\'So it\'s like getting approved by them.\' He thought. \'That would be nice. The written contract is also favorable for me, not asking me to do much. I only needed to show up in their show or play the game they released. They didn\'t stop me from playing another game too, though.\'
"Let me tell you one last thing, buddy." Flexy leaned forward and lowered his voice. "The full support they give the streamer also includes the chance to show up in their monthly segment. You can also choose free games each month, so you won\'t need to pay."
That was tempting.
\'Free games.\' Max repeated in his mind.
He had decided.
\'Well, I am already leaning toward the contract to begin with. After hearing what Flexy said, it seems there will not be a lot of drawbacks in the contract for me.\'
If he wasn\'t aiming for full-time streaming, that contract might be bad, considering that he needed to prioritize Biozone Entertainment\'s shows and ads above anything else. But for Max, that was just an extra content he could pump out.
\'They will also serve as my extra income. The money from the ads must be a lot.\'
"Thanks, Flexy. I think I will take the contract."
"Hahaha, anytime! Still, I am surprised they offered you one. I guess they aren\'t blind, eh? Mr. Taka must\'ve worked hard to convince the board directors. Signing up with a newbie like you is risky because you have no track record yet.
You must thank Mr. Taka again if you meet him. He\'s a nice guy."
"I will." Max stood up from his chair and pressed the log-out button. Before disappearing, he continued, "That will be all. See you in the monthly segment."