Chapter 79 - 80: Year-End Performance
"You want me to do a live performance?" Sophie Wexler looked up, surprised, at the platform’s supervisor.
During a break after the recording session, Sophie Wexler was sitting there when she saw the supervisor staring at her, his eyes gleaming.
"Yes, a live performance!" the supervisor said excitedly. "Miss Wexler, the soothing effect you have in person far surpasses what comes through on a stream. If you performed live, the results would be astonishing!"
"And as it happens, the unified year-end show for all the major platforms is coming up soon. This is a perfect opportunity."
"A year-end show?" Sophie Wexler raised her eyes, looking puzzled.
’This sounds a lot like an annual company gala.’
"That’s right." The supervisor nodded and began to explain in detail.
"This event happens every year. It’s officially hosted by Karath, and all the major platforms have to participate."
"There are requirements for participants, too. Each platform has numerous divisions, but they can only send the top three performers from each one. The platforms submit their nominees, and then the public votes to decide the final three."
"For the past few years, our platform’s Arts and Entertainment division has always lost to the others. We’ve never once made it into the top three, so we’ve never attended."
As he spoke, the supervisor’s mood soured with a mix of anger and dejection.
Because of this, their division had been suppressed by other platforms for so long that it was almost shut down due to low traffic.
Thankfully, Sophie Wexler’s arrival had changed everything.
"With you this time, Miss Wexler, I’m confident our Arts and Entertainment division can definitely take first place!" The supervisor was practically vibrating with excitement as he spoke.
He remembered the sneers and taunts from the others. The thought of finally getting to slap them in the face made the supervisor feel instantly refreshed and invigorated.
Since no one from their division had ever made it into the top three before, he had almost forgotten about the event entirely.
It was only when he thought about Miss Wexler performing live that he suddenly remembered it.
’A live performance... this is the perfect chance.’
Plus, it was hosted by the official governing body, so all the procedures were well-established. It generated a ton of hype, and everyone would be watching.
Having Miss Wexler perform offline was undoubtedly an excellent choice.
"The overall first-place winner also receives a generous reward from the officials."
"Besides all that, there will be fans in attendance. I’m sure a lot of them would love to see you in person."
As he went on, the supervisor noticed Sophie Wexler’s expression was rather placid. Thinking she didn’t want to go, his tone instantly dropped. He asked hesitantly, "Miss Wexler, you... don’t want to go?"
In his excitement, he had completely forgotten to ask if Miss Wexler was even willing.
"It’s fine. If you don’t want to, that’s okay. We’ve never gone before anyway, so it’s not a big deal if we don’t go this time either." The supervisor lowered his gaze, hiding his expression.
’That makes sense. Miss Wexler’s first offline performance should probably be more formal.’
The supervisor thought to himself, completely unaware of how obvious the disappointment was in his voice.
"I’ll go." The woman’s voice came from beside him.
"Huh?" The supervisor looked up, stunned. He had just been mentally preparing himself for Sophie Wexler’s refusal.
"I’ll have to trouble you to sign me up, then," Sophie Wexler said with a faint smile.
She could tell that Stellara’s Arts and Entertainment division had been severely suppressed in the past and that the supervisor was carrying a lot of pent-up frustration.
She wasn’t particularly interested in this kind of event, but seeing the supervisor’s disappointed face, she suddenly felt that going wouldn’t be so bad.
Stellara was her first job since coming to this world. It was her starting point. It was fair to say that without this supervisor, her subsequent success wouldn’t have been possible.
When she was accused of plagiarism, everyone else had sent notices refusing to work with her. Amidst the chorus of condemnation and negativity, he and the platform had believed in and defended her.
So, she was willing to do him this favor.
The supervisor’s excitement burst forth. "Really?!"
Sophie Wexler smiled and nodded. "Didn’t you say fans would be invited? I’d like to meet my fans, too."
"Besides, you mentioned a generous reward for first place. I’m quite interested in that."
"Great!" The supervisor immediately stood up. "I’ll go sign you up right now!"
「 」
Meanwhile, the hype for the event was already starting to build on StarNet. It began long in advance every year.
This year was no different. The officials had already released an announcement, confirming the date for the beginning of next month and telling the public to look forward to it.
StarNet instantly lit up with activity as everyone started guessing which personalities from which platforms would be participating.
[I knew things would get exciting around the end of the year. I hope they go all out this time and bring on more of the streamers I like.]
[Who do you think will participate this time?]
[It’s usually people from the top few platforms, with a few outstanding ones from smaller platforms.]
[The big platforms have the resources, after all. They’ll have someone selected from every division.]
[You can’t say that for sure. Stellara’s Arts and Entertainment division has never gone, not even once.]
[The arts and entertainment industry isn’t that hot to begin with. It’s the same for other platforms. Hollis is only doing better because they have Karina.]
[Hold on, that might not be true this year. Did you forget who Stellara has now?]
As soon as this comment appeared, it was like a jolt to everyone’s brain, and they all realized.
That’s right, Stellara has Sue Shiver now!
[Holy crap, I almost forgot! Sue Shiver is in Stellara’s Arts and Entertainment division!]
Sue Shiver’s popularity on Karath was now second to none. Everyone knew about the Healer-class streamer who could not only soothe the Spiritual Sea but had also fought alongside the Seventh Legion against the Swarm and even cleared their toxins.
[Doesn’t that mean I can see Sue in person?!]
In an instant, the fans went wild.
No fan doesn’t want to see their idol, and they were no exception.
From the moment they saw the news, they were all pumped full of adrenaline, unbelievably excited.
One by one, they flocked to Stellara’s official page to leave comments.
[Stellara, hurry up and tell us who’s participating this year! Release the list already!]
[Who is it from the Arts and Entertainment division? Is my precious Sue participating? Tell us, hurry up and tell us!]
[The other platforms have already released their lists! What are you guys doing? Get a move on!]
[I just want to know if I can see my wifey Sue in person?!]
The official list from Stellara was also released one division at a time. They started with the most popular—the Military division, then the Gaming division, and so on. Because the Arts and Entertainment division had been unpopular before, it was scheduled to be announced last.
The streamers and fans from other divisions watched the massive commotion in the official comment section.
’My god, that’s some serious firepower. The Arts and Entertainment people are insane!’
They weren’t in the same division, and their impression of the Arts and Entertainment division was stuck in the past. This was the first time they had truly felt its current popularity!
One person had single-handedly carried an entire division. They, too, were now curious about this Sue Shiver.
Finally, as everyone watched with bated breath, the list for the Arts and Entertainment division was released.
One ID was displayed proudly at the very top: Sue Shiver!