Hunter, Thank You For Your Blood - Vol. 1 Chapter 1.3 - The Monster Born From Capitalism (3)

Si-wol, who was staring at the monitor, furrowed one eyebrow and twisted the corner of his mouth. He even raised his hand holding the mouse to cover his eyes.

‘Ugh. It’s so bright….’

The light emanating from the monitor was too strong, causing his eyes to sting. He spends about five hours a day broadcasting games, but with this discomfort, it seems like he won’t be able to fill up the time today either.

≫ Why are you like that, Vampi-nim?

≫ Are you sleepy?

≫ Since you’re rubbing your eyes, do you have an eye infection?

≫ You seem to be in pain somewhere…

Due to his bloodshot eyes, Si-wol had teary eyes, and the viewers recognized it first and expressed their concern. Si-wol momentarily stopped his character’s movement and grumbled.

“It’s because I can’t drink blood. I’ve already starved for three weeks. Tomorrow is a chat broadcast, but there are no volunteers for blood donation… Are you all intentionally starving me to death?”

His weak body condition made his voice quiver involuntarily. He never imagined he would starve for this long. Of course, blood donors didn’t appear every week, but still, going beyond three weeks was quite rare.

‘See? What’s the point of appearing on the main page of Green Window? The viewers who actually give real profits don’t even come to watch the broadcast.’

In truth, upon seeing the appearance on the portal site’s main page, Si-wol had hoped that for a while, he wouldn’t have to starve and could drink blood. So he was even more disappointed.

The number of viewers increased due to an unexpected promotional interview incident, but when it came to the most important volunteering for blood donation, no one showed up. Thanks to that, he was unexpectedly starving and feeling anxious.

‘It’s slowly getting dangerous…’

Si-wol anxiously bit his lip. As the days of starvation prolonged, his energy gradually declined. Just like aging humans, Si-wol also withered away in the same manner.

Initially, all energy was drained from his body, followed by a heavy sensation in his eyes and stiffness in his head. Even the physical abilities that he would willingly manifest under normal circumstances seem locked away, tied up as if by a padlock, and he became frail without a moment to spare. And as this condition persisted, eternal slumber awaited him. In other words, he would slip into eternal rest.

While pure-blooded vampires might have a different experience, unfortunately, Si-wol was a half-blood vampire. Consequently, he naturally had diminished abilities compared to them.

“Do you have any idea that due to the lack of volunteers of blood donation, just like this time, I couldn’t broadcast for a whole month and had to recuperate? Your precious blood saves poor unfortunate vampires! Normally, I only accept applications through email, but today, I’ll also accept applications through chat as a special offer. Hnngh? I’m really thirsty, I’m telling you….”

Look at this. It’s real-time rumbling ASMR, Si-wol said, bringing the microphone closer to his abdomen. His rumbling stomach, deprived of blood for three weeks, made a genuine rumbling sound, stirring the hearts of the viewers.

[Thank you for the 30,000 won donation, ‘Nectar’-nim!

ㅠㅠ Vampi-nim, please don’t starve and order something quickly!]

[Thank you for the 2,000 won donation, ‘JinseongVampiOtaku’-nim!

Your throat is dry! Please buy some drinks!]

[Thank you for the 1,000 won donation, ‘^ㅅ^’-nim!

You should have some snacks too~!]

Donations filled with concern poured in at the mention of starvation, but what Si-wol truly needed was fresh blood, not food.

“Thank you, thank you so much─. No, but seriously, there are no blood donation volunteers? Even with so many viewers?”

Despite poking at the viewer count, which approached 300, Si-wol did not hear the answer he desired. In response, Si-wol’s eyes narrowed, and he pursed his lips.

Well, come to think of it, the regular donors who were eligible for blood donation had already donated blood recently, so it would take about two months before they can donate again. Therefore, there was nothing he could ask of them.

In addition, new viewers who supported him without knowing anything have already been kicked out of his channel. There was a time when he was in a hurry and invited new viewers into his home, but almost got in trouble because of them. After that incident, he only accepted support from viewers who were somewhat recognized. By excluding individuals for various reasons like this, the pool of potential blood donation volunteers has dried up.

‘Haa… I don’t want to owe Ryu Je-mun again…’

Si-wol felt embarrassed as he thought of the only vampire he knew. If the blood supply were to be disrupted, he would have no choice but to rely on him for blood packs.

However, Si-wol had a reason for hesitating about that course of action.

‘Last time, I ended up owing him because I couldn’t pay the electricity bill after buying blood, and I couldn’t broadcast for a month…’

Although Si-wol lied to the viewers, saying that he was recuperating due to not being able to drink blood, the truth was that it was because of money. The price of the blood packs offered by Ryu Je-mun was exorbitantly high. To afford that amount, Si-wol, who was not a very well-known streamer, had to scrape together every penny he had earned so far. Naturally, he couldn’t help but hesitate.

That’s when it happened. Above Si-wol, who had lowered his head deeply, a cheerful donation melody sound resonated.

“You even prepared snacks for me, and what else are you going to give me─.”

Si-wol, who was glancing quickly to check the donation messages, suddenly jerked his head up in surprise at an unexpected message.

[Thank you for the 100,000 won donation, ‘Hunter’- nim!

I would like to volunteer for blood donation.]

Startled by the English username, Si-wol stumbled over his words.

“Uh… H, U, N─. Ah! Hunter-nim?! Wow, thank you so much for the 100,000 won!”

Up until now, even when donations were frequent, they rarely exceeded a few tens of thousands of won, so this amount was truly astonishing. However, what truly surprised Si-wol was not the amount but the message that followed.

“Oh, but wait. You’re saying you want to volunteer for blood donation?”

Perhaps due to the long period without drinking blood, Si-wol’s eyes felt heavy and tired. He rubbed his eyes vigorously, doubting his own vision.

≫ Lololol Wow, 100,000 won, really Lol

≫ Does a generous heart come from a deep pocket lololol Going as far as volunteering for blood donation, too lol

≫ I’m curious who it is.

≫ Let’s accept their support! I’m curious about their face!

The previously sluggish chat suddenly accelerated. Si-wol finally checked the chat window and realized that the message he had seen earlier was indeed true.

Oh my, not only offering to volunteer for blood donation, but also donating 100,000 won. It’s so suspicious that it’s hard to believe. He has never been this suspicious of anything before.

“Uh… But, I’m truly grateful for the gesture. However, I don’t accept support from first-time donors.”

The nickname ‘Hunter’ was one that Si-wol had never seen before in all his broadcasts.

Si-wol, being a horror game streamer who wasn’t particularly famous, usually had a viewer base consisting of loyal viewers who frequently watched his broadcasts. Thanks to that, he had a somewhat good grasp of the familiar nicknames that often appeared. Whether it was through chatting or donations, he only accepted blood donation support from those who he had become somewhat familiar with after a few interactions.

However, encountering a viewer with a completely unfamiliar nickname? It meant that this person had never chatted or donated before, or they were a newly joined viewer this time.

Calling such a person to his home without any reason would have been risky. It could jeopardize the collaborative broadcasts with his viewers, or worse, he could become his stalker. There were various potential dangers and concerns.

“After you visit my broadcasts more often, then officially support me at that time─.”

As he was stumbling through his words to decline, another donation came in, as if cutting off his sentence.

[Thank you for the 1,000,000 won donation, ‘Hunter’-nim!

I have to leave Korea soon. So I’m asking you, think of it as my last chance.]

≫ Wow, one million won!

≫ Wow~~~~!!

≫ Vampi-nim, what are you doing? Isn’t it urgent to bring this person over even if they don’t donate blood?

≫ One million won, are you kidding me? Hahaha

≫ Is there a viewer who’s willing to donate one million won just to get their blood drawn?!

≫ Looks like you should offer a signed item worth one million won to that person LOLOLOL

≫ Vampi-nim is making money hahahahaha

“Ah…”

Si-wol stared at the monitor with a dazed expression. With unbelievable events happening one after another, it became unclear whether the current situation was reality or a dream.

No, it must be a dream. Look at the number of zeros after that 1. How can my donation have six zeros? It must be a dream. It’s only possible in a dream. Ouch! But why does my cheek hurt like this?

≫ Hahaha, look at Vampi-nim pinching his cheek, hahaha, can’t believe it, huh?

≫ So adorable hahaha

≫ Vampi-nim, it’s real! Wake up! LOL

“Oh, no, everyone. Are you saying this isn’t a dream? That’s strange. If it’s reality, it’s even more bizarre. Where can you find someone who would donate a hundred thousand won for blood donation… Oh. Right here.”

It wasn’t meant to be funny, but after Si-wol’s statement, the chat window was filled with waves of laughter from the viewers. At this point, Si-wol himself started to lose his sense of reality. It was something he would never have said under normal circumstances, yet he kept adding disclaimers to that statement.

Well, considering the effort put into it, even if it’s virtual, it might be appropriate to call out, right? They’re leaving Korea soon. They could have been someone who watched without chatting or donating due to feeling embarrassed. I should really be careful about manipulating people like that. Prejudice is a sin, indeed. Since I’m really in need of blood this time, just this once! After this, they don’t have to do it again. Yeah, that’ll work. They donated a hundred thousand won, so maybe they won’t cause any trouble, just maybe?

While his confused eyes rolled around, Si-wol was once again startled by a donation that would leave him in shock.

[Thank you for the 5,000,000 won donation, ‘Hunter’-nim!

Is it really not possible?]

He could hear ringing in his ears from the financial onslaught that poured out, which was worth several months of his earnings. In a daze, Si-wol could only utter the predetermined words.

“Yes… Come. I mean, please come.”

With that, Si-wol willingly invited the unfamiliar viewer in.