Chapter 58: Challenge
When the viewers in the stream heard what Sophie Wexler said, it dawned on them. That’s right—if Sue Shiver was being accused of plagiarism, then how exactly did she do it?
Karina faltered. A closer look revealed a flicker of evasion in her eyes. Forcing a calm expression, she said, "You’re asking me? How would I know? Maybe your platform got it for you."
[Yeah, everyone knows your platform’s entertainment section is absolute trash. I heard they’re about to shut it down. They must be jealous of our Nana’s popularity, so they used some shady methods to steal her work.]
[If it weren’t for this, an F-level Healer-class like you would never even be mentioned in the same breath as Nana.]
[Our Nana isn’t limited to just one style of music like you are.]
Seeing their comments, Karina smiled. "My fans are right. If it wasn’t plagiarism, why are all your songs in the same style?"
She was only bold enough to say this because her platform had, of course, already done its research on this Sue Shiver.
From the day she started streaming until she went viral, every single one of her songs had been in the same soothing, peaceful style.
Hearing this, Sophie Wexler let out a soft laugh. "One style?"
Then, she said unhurriedly, "I don’t believe I ever said I’m limited to just one style."
"Since you’re so sure, Miss Karina, do you dare to compete against me?"
At this, Karina raised an eyebrow. "In what?"
"The audience will suggest themes. Each round, the Light Brain will select the most popular suggestion. We’ll perform a song based on the chosen theme, and in the end, the audience will vote for a winner. What do you say?"
Karina laughed at her words. ’What an idiot. She completely overestimates herself. Not only is she a one-trick pony, but the number of paid trolls I have in this stream far exceeds whatever fans this Sue Shiver has.’
’Letting the audience vote for the winner... Is she just stupid, or *really* stupid?’
Karina agreed without a second thought. "Alright, then. How many rounds are you proposing?"
Sophie Wexler replied, "You decide. I’m fine with whatever."
Karina laughed at her response. ’She really has no idea what she’s getting into.’
[LMAO, she talks so big. Can she even sing any other style? And letting Nana decide... Just wait, you’re going to get crushed.]
"Fine," Karina agreed instantly.
She hadn’t climbed to her current position without powerful backing. In an era where entertainment in The Galaxy was in decline, her songs still topped the charts every year and were loved by the public.
How could one person possibly produce so many high-quality songs? She relied entirely on the resources her platform provided.
As long as she kept singing, the platform would supply her with an endless stream of songs to release under her name.
’This little streamer really has no idea what she’s up against. She thinks she’s challenging me, but she’s actually challenging the countless people backing me.’
[OMG, this is getting good. Sue Shiver, right? Get ready to be put in your place.]
[I’ve never seen a showdown like this before. This is intense!]
[Karina has so many fans. They’re obviously going to pick a style she’s good at. Isn’t this just setting Sue Shiver up to fail?]
[Well, she’s the one who suggested the competition. What’s that got to do with our Nana?]
[Come on, stop talking! Suggest a theme! Suggest a theme!]
[Let’s go with "Sweet"! Nana’s amazing at sweet songs, and the other girl has never sung anything like that.]
[No, I want to hear Nana sing a sultry song! It’s been so long. I can’t wait!]
[AHHH, me too! Let’s pick that one! With Nana’s looks and voice, a song like that would be enough to make you melt.]
[Soothing! Pick soothing!]
Sophie Wexler’s fans were frantic, but their numbers were no match for the paid trolls. Their comments were completely drowned out.
The stream’s chat was being spammed into a blur by Karina’s viewers.
It was as if they owned the place.
Based on the chat’s content, the Light Brain began its calculations. The final result was, unsurprisingly, exactly what everyone expected.
Karina’s viewers had won. The chosen theme was "sultry."
Seeing the result, Karina smiled smugly, as if victory was already in the bag.
Sophie Wexler simply asked in a level voice, "Who goes first?"
"I’ll go first," Karina said with an alluring smile, twirling a lock of her long hair around her finger.
[Wow, she hasn’t even started singing and I already know who’s won. Just look at Nana. Who could possibly be more sultry than her?]
[Nana’s every move is captivating, while the other girl... is just a person.]
[Can’t wait for Nana’s song!]
Spurred on by the comments, Karina confidently began. She had already picked a song, and the music started to play.
"A flash of a red skirt, a cascade of golden hair, under dim lights, my eyes beguile..."
Karina slowly closed her eyes, singing with deep emotion. This was one of her signature songs. Combined with her looks, no one could resist her charm.
Sure enough, the chat instantly filled with her admirers. [Wow, that’s our Nana! It sounds amazing!]
[Nana is the very definition of sultry. Is this even a competition? The other girl should just give up and save herself the humiliation.]
Karina watched the chat, growing even more smug as she finished the song amid a wave of adulation.
At the end, she even blew a kiss to the camera. "Love you all, my darlings!"
Her fans went wild, frantically posting that they wanted to be matched with someone just like Karina.
Karina was very satisfied with the effect she’d created. She then turned to Sophie Wexler. "Your turn."
"I can give you a little time to prepare, you know."
"Of course, it’s not like you have any other material. If you’re really stuck, you can just search for a song in the StarNet music library to sing."
[LMAO, that’s a sick burn.]
[If I were her, I’d have logged off ages ago. I wouldn’t dare stick around to embarrass myself like this.]
Sophie Wexler watched the chat with a calm expression, not the least bit angry. But just then...
Suddenly, a private message notification lit up. A name flashed across her screen.
It was a message from F.
F: Can you handle this?
F: There’s something wrong with her viewer count.
Sophie Wexler hadn’t expected him to message her. She glanced at the screen. F’s profile icon was still sitting at the very top of her viewer list.
Sophie Wexler: [I can handle it. Don’t worry.]
Seeing her reply, he didn’t say anything else, silently leaving two words: [Good luck.]
At the same time, her own viewers were cheering for her in the chat, saying they believed in her.
"I will," Sophie Wexler said, her tone firm as she looked up at the camera. Even though she knew they couldn’t see the details, the corners of her eyes slowly lifted into a smile.
Karina, now feeling certain of her victory and wanting to humiliate Sophie Wexler, asked again, "Do you need some time? I’m very generous, you know. Don’t want anyone saying I’m bullying a newcomer."
"No need."
[LMAO, she’s still trying to act tough and saying no. She’ll be crying soon enough.]
[Nana gave her an out and she didn’t take it. She’s just asking to be destroyed.]
Sophie Wexler ignored the comments. She slowly closed her eyes, and the rhythm of a song began to play in her mind.
The chat was still filled with mockery.
Just then, a voice emerged from the stream.
In the next second, the entire chat went blank for a full two seconds!