Chapter 379

I have been walking on the road. Without a destination. Like a ghost that cannot accept its own death, he continues to wander, not knowing who he is.

Discovery of a useful ability. It turns out that the Life Force covering the girl's entire body can be controlled to a certain extent. If you try to withdraw it into your body as much as possible, the biological presence becomes very faint.

With this ability, even if I walk in the city, no one will talk to me. No animals approach. It seems not to be ignored, nor does it have any Collision with pedestrians ahead.

"Existence" seems to have disappeared. I can see it, but I am not interested. Whether it exists or not does not matter. It looks non-existent to that degree. I feel that this unnatural way of being recognized has become stranger than a Ghost.

In this state of indifference, physical ability seems to decline. Although I cannot exert strength as usual, I still spend most of the day in this state. This girl's appearance is conspicuous. I was almost reported for looking like a vagrant or an orphan. I don't want to get into trouble with the police.

Most importantly, it is fun. You can enter the city without worrying about the public eye. You can pass through the crowd like everyone else. I feel like I have become a normal person. I feel like I am part of the human flock.

Although the gap between ideal and reality is growing.

I walked day and night until I reached a big city. It is a city that can be called a city in scale. Buildings are lined up, the roads are crowded with cars, and people are coming and going. I never tire of watching it.

"Where!? If I remember correctly, I must have seen you around here... Where did you go!?"

I just discovered a strange person. A conspicuous man, wearing a black jacket that looks like a motorcycle rider's, wearing sunglasses, silver accessories, and fingerless gloves, is making noise on the sidewalk. He seems to be looking for something, constantly looking around.

Just as I was about to pass by, my wallet fell out of the man's pocket. I didn't seem to notice that my wallet had fallen, perhaps because I was too focused on what I was looking for.

Should I pick it up? But I don't want to get too involved. Just as I was wondering what to do, a passerby approached me. I was trying to pick up my wallet. However, this behavior is suspicious. He glanced at the man in sunglasses while secretly trying to quickly grab his wallet.

This is clearly not the attitude of a kind person trying to accept it. I hurriedly picked up the wallet from the side. The black leather wallet was Heavy and filled with banknotes. A passerby who was about to reach out was surprised to find that he could not see the object in front of him. But his gaze turned to me.

Bad. The indifferent mode where existence disappears is not perfect. It doesn't mean you can't recognize your appearance like an invisible man. For example, if someone has a Collision with their body, they will notice it. Any action that draws your attention will halve the effect of the mode.

The passerby was startled by my gaze. Then, my gaze shifted to the wallet in my hand.

"That... thief!"

A passerby shouted. Grabbing the girl's neck. Due to the sudden situation, I could not understand the situation and was easily arrested.

"You're there! This guy picked up your wallet! I was watching!"

A passerby shouted to the man in sunglasses. When I came here, I finally realized that I was trapped. I wanted to steal it, but I didn't expect someone to blame it on someone else. However, in some cases, the man's testimony becomes credible. Actually, I have a wallet.

A man in sunglasses looks at me. You will receive the notification as is. If you want to run away, there is nothing you cannot do, but this will only get you into trouble with the police. I want to claim that I am innocent in some way, but I don't know if they will believe me.

"Say! Big Brother! I owe you a favor!"

The man in sunglasses said things he didn't quite understand while posing. The atmosphere engulfed both me and the passerby, and I froze for a moment.

"Ah, ah... So, what are you going to do? You are a child, you can't steal things."

"Hey! This is far from it, brother. I don't care about that kind of money."

"Hmm? You are looking for this wallet, aren't you?"

"That's not right... What I'm looking for is this cute little kitten."

The man lifted his sunglasses to his forehead. Those eyes were like a gaze evaluating a young girl.

Could it be that you came looking for me? So you know me. Perhaps it is because I was able to see through the indifferent mode that allowed me to get close to this distance.

Memories I didn't want to recall returned to my mind. Hanmok and Peggio, who aimed at this girl on White Sparrow Island, aren't they the same? Hanmok's purpose is still unknown, but that is why I cannot say there is no possibility.

If that is the case, it is not right to do nothing. I am not sure if it is an enemy, but if it is, it is dangerous. I immediately tried to leave. I pushed away the passerby who was holding me and escaped from the restraint.

"Wait! Wait, Beauty Kitty!"

When I heard the voice chasing me, I ran away with all my might.

His name is Pomerni. A contemporary artist and creator. He is popular among young people. During the limousine pickup, I asked the manager about today's schedule.

"After this, I have a lecture at Campanareg University starting at ten o'clock."

"Surname"

"After the luncheon, there will be a press conference video shoot for the new product 'jumpinghopper-kun' of plusrunner at 3 PM."

"Surname"

"Actually, the head office contacted me a while ago, and the shooting location changed suddenly."

"s... on the bridge? Wearing a swimsuit?"

"Yes"

"It's snowing... it's snowing."

"Is that so"

"Okay, brother. What, this is the trembling of a warrior."

He trembled his hands and held a cigar, and the manager immediately lit it from the side.

His name is Pomerni. A big star with the momentum of a falling bird. There is nothing truly scary. A man in his 20s who has gained the wealth and fame that everyone envies.

However, he also has problems. People standing at the highest level bear corresponding heavy responsibilities. He looked at the hustle and bustle of the city listlessly. Smog shrouded the windows. A person who wouldn't really think about things like "I don't want to go to work today." That is Pomerni.

I watched the city pass by outside the window. In his field of vision, a silver light reflected for only a moment.

"Hey driver! Stop."

"Is it the restroom?"

Wrong. Before he could correct the manager's concerns, he jumped out of the car. Seeing this, the driver was also worried about him, thinking that if he had told him earlier, he could have made time to take him to the restroom.

He ran. I could only catch a glimpse of it, but it was undoubtedly rough. It was different from the crowds coming and going. There was a person who could instinctively say that it was an uncut gem.

But I ignored it. When I returned to the place where I met her, there was no one there. Time is running out. I'm going to look around for what should be nearby.

"He is a thief!"

When he suddenly turned to a passerby who started making a fuss beside him, he finally saw the rough stone he was looking for. The passerby said something, but I didn't feel like I was bothering them.

Her silver hair seemed to have Snowflake floating on it, shining brightly. He had never seen such hair color. I don't think artificial pigments can reproduce this luster. It has a mysterious color.

She wore shabby clothes but had an undeniable beauty. It is said that beautiful women look good in anything, but I even feel that if it is from the perspective of evoking a desire for protection, it enhances her charm even more. There is a fleeting quality that makes you unconsciously want to reach out, such as a pair of eyes looking up at you anxiously.

Like an abandoned kitten. However, it still exudes an elegant atmosphere, and you can strongly feel the wildness of trying to live. A sweet harmony, as if milk and the best black tea were mixed in a perfect balance.

Facing the oversized rough stone, I smiled in my heart, this is more than I imagined. However, perhaps sensing that his attitude was a bit wrong, the girl ran away at full speed. It was just like a kitten's eyes. Pomerni chased him, but with his recently chubby belly, he seemed unlikely to catch up.

"Shh, no way. Like this now... Come on!"

He sang of a guerrilla life starting from the streets. Gradually, people began to gather, and the heat of the melting snow subsided along with it.

What is that guy doing?

I had escaped safely, erasing my existence once again in a cold, detached manner. I had intended to move somewhere far away, but I stopped my steps when I saw that man's eccentric behavior.

For some reason, the moment he suddenly started singing, people swarmed in. The surroundings became lively. I don't know what was good about his song, but judging by his strange popularity, he must be famous.

Between songs, he said, "Don't hide, come out, Kitty!" or "I won't hurt you!", but I wondered if those words were directed at me.

I had a man's wallet. I had inadvertently brought along something I should have thrown away at that place. Looking at the cards inside the wallet, the man's name seemed to be Pomerni.

I don't know what happened. He didn't look dangerous, but he still wasn't someone I wanted to actively involve myself with. However, I didn't intend to run away with the wallet. It's not that I have a problem with money right now, and more importantly, it would be troublesome if I had to file a damage report.

But I hesitated to walk into that crowd. In such a short time, countless people had gathered. It seemed difficult to push through that person's lines to find Pomerni, who was playing the lead role.

I feel like I live in a different world. He must be "special." It has the power to move people. He is not the type of person I want to associate with.

After a while, a man in a suit walked over and pulled Pomerni out of the crowd. Boos erupted. A luxury car waiting to pick him up stopped by the side of the road. As Pomerni walked toward the car, fans scrambled to chase him, but the man in the suit desperately stopped them.

Opportunity knocks but once. I walked to the side of the limousine and left the wallet inside the car. This will make you notice. Keep the cold mode and walk away without anyone noticing.

"Kitty."

When I turned around hearing a voice behind me, something was being thrown at me. I caught it reflexively.

"A bit early, but it's a Christmas present, take it."

It was a Smart Phone. I don't know why he gave me this thing. I said it was a gift, but it would be troublesome if someone suddenly handed me a phone.

But before I could say anything, the car he sat in had already started. In my hands, as I stared blankly at the departing car, my Smart Phone rang. The name Pomerni was displayed on the screen. For now, I decided to leave.

"Speak! Long time no see, my little cutie, missed you! It seems like Ore-sama's voice has reached you. I thought you would definitely appear before Ore-sama!!"

... Is it okay to throw it away?

"Vivi! Wait. I think it's not too late to decide the value of the Smart Phone after hearing this story. Oh, about the way you talk, can I go back to the way I was before? I'm tired of playing this character."

Do what you want. First, I want to know what the purpose is.

"First, let me introduce myself. I am Pomerni. I am doing an i-tuber."

An i-tuber is someone who posts videos on the main video-sharing site "i-tube" and makes a living from advertising revenue. When a video is played, ads are displayed there, and the publisher receives a small amount of advertising fees. However, it seems the dust has settled, and some people can not only live on this advertising fee but even become millionaires.

"Let me be blunt. Do you want to become an i-tuber?"

I don't understand how you reached this conclusion, but this is not a question you can answer "yes" to. I certainly refused.

"Really. Yes, that is a fair decision. On the contrary, it is wiser than simply skipping such a story."

If you start talking about yourself and exit easily, I don't know what you really want to do.

"Shoot a video and post it. This is an era where even a child can easily do it. And in this era, more and more people simply think that as long as they can earn views, they can make money. There must be 'good stories' in the world. And I blindly believe that I can master it too."

I don't know much about i-tubers, but I think this is not a system where everyone can easily make money. No, at first glance it seems so, but the actual situation is different.

"Only a few people can earn enough money to make a living. I will tell you what it takes to climb to the top of the mountain. That is luck."

This is an open statement. This might be true, but isn't it because you have the ability and can make interesting videos that people will notice you?

"Well. If you can only make videos that don't stick, it's useless. However, it is not uncommon for a video of someone working hard day after day to go unappreciated, and on the other hand, there are videos that make viewers wonder why viewers would swarm to such nonsense. Only those who 'have it' from the beginning can aim and produce results. The views of popular contributors increase like a snowball. Where there is money, there is money, just like how the economy works."

According to Pomerni, luck is what is needed to be "someone who has it."

"I am a pop musician now, but at first, I was just a struggling musician. Have you ever seen a live broadcast on the street before? Creating a stupid a cappella character and singing passionately... a few years ago, no one would have noticed me. I might have been scolded."

It is now a big star with great appeal. He said he has no musical talent. It's not like I'm in good physical condition. I am not educated. I have nothing to be proud of. I just think I am lucky.

"Of course there is innate talent. But conversely, I, who originally didn't have such a thing, have turned into a big YouTuber. After all, popularity and charm are not the person's own qualities. Luck, those who don't have luck, the factor of just relying on luck is too big."

He said so himself, but he is who he is now because he has been working hard and not giving up. Perhaps that is his talent. Anyway, this is a story that has nothing to do with me.

Finally, I don't understand why I was encouraged to become an i-tuber. From his words, success depends on luck. I don't even know if I want to invite you.

"Why did you persuade me? There are many reasons, but the main reason is that your eyes are like my old self."

By his old self, he seems to refer to the early days before he became popular as an i-tuber. I feel disconnected from my current situation.

"The band members who played with me since my student days have quit. I am the only one who chased the dream and stuck to music forever. Even if you perform on the street, you won't even look at it. No one heard my voice. I wonder what I have done so far. I feel like I am going to die, and no one knows, and nothing remains in anyone's heart."

Stinging and chest pain. If you say they look alike, then you might be right. When I leave every day, sometimes I don't know if I am there. I feel like it doesn't matter if I am there or not.

"However, sometimes, really sometimes, some people stop to listen. There was a person who told me to do my best. I was so happy I could cry. Without these people, I wouldn't be who I am today."

That is....

"So when I found you, I thought I shouldn't take my eyes off you. It really felt like an illusion of disappearing beyond the snow. That is why I want to teach you. Someone is watching you. I instinctively knew that I couldn't ignore it here."

"I will say it again. Do you want to become an i-tuber? It's not all good people, it has a lot of shit, but someone should notice you. Fortunately, you are lucky. Because you met someone like me in this vast world! Check it!"

The voice on the other end of the phone got louder, as if he were lying.

"That Smart Phone is special. By registering to i-tube from that device, you can call yourself an 'Official Pomerni Child'."

His videos have a great influence on YouTube, and many other contributors have uploaded videos with popularity similar to his. To put it badly, this is a second brew. Those contributors are called "children" as a semi-derogatory expression.

However, the "official child" mentioned here seems completely different. As the official name implies, this is a title granted only to those whose abilities are recognized by Pomerni himself.

It seems that the contributor who obtains this title will be able to pick up videos on the i-tube homepage in the official child frame, and from the beginning, it promises a view count several steps higher than a general member. Apparently. It seems this person is not an ordinary i-tuber, capable of projects that far exceed the permissions of a single user.

But we cannot rest on our laurels. Posters who do not obtain the specified number of views will be immediately removed from general membership. In addition, a percentage of the child's advertising revenue goes to Pomerni as a top-level manager. It doesn't look like a charity.

The Smart Phone is contracted in Pomerni's name, and the usage fee for this month is paid by him, but the usage fee for next month will be settled with electronic money earned from advertising revenue. If you cannot get enough views to cover that, your contract will be automatically canceled, and you will not be able to use it.

Currently, there are only about 10 official children. So far, they have all been active as contributors, and it is said that this is the first attempt to appoint a completely unknown newcomer like me. I don't know why, but there are disproportionate expectations.

"Run. To the height of an i-tuber, na."

I haven't agreed yet, but Pomerni seemed convinced and hung up the phone when he finished his request.

Leaving behind a black Smart Phone. The young girl held her head, not knowing what had happened.