Starting as a Manga Chapter 221: Something's Off

"Hey everyone, what's up with that livestream? Anyone know the details?"

"I was wondering the sa... Is Rin Tohsaka's streaming avatar newly designed? She seems to be wearing an idol-stage outfit, right? Looks great."

"Heh, definitely gorgeous. A tsundere aristocrat becoming an idol! When will this design beco an in-ga card? I'll definitely whale if they release it!"

"What are you guys talking about? Shouldn't we focus on the livestream and ga footage? Why are you all obsessing over 2D beauties? Are you really paying attention to the design? Or just thirsting over virtual girls?"

"Right, we should focus on the stream and ga... So will this avatar appear during the broadcast? I wanna see."

"Really curious what Avalon's cooking up this ti. Speaking of which, that Rin Tohsaka account hasn't updated since the last video, right? I thought Avalon had forgotten about it, but surprise - sudden revival!"

"ANF can livestream now???"

"..."

The promotional page had just gone live.

At least within the site, discussions were heating up as ANF users were intensely curious... about many, many things.

Rin Tohsaka's completely new design different from the ga version, the promised livestream ntioned on the promo page, along with the disclosed ga screenshots...

These elents genuinely captured attention.

Though currently limited to ANF's platform, external attention remained minimal.

But recently, ANF's user base had grown substantially through their money power purchasing ani series and similar operations.

At least they wouldn't need to worry about lacking viewers for the stream.

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

As ti progressed...

Within the site.

While not quite reaching "universal anticipation" levels, the upcoming livestream event had certainly beco common knowledge.

After all, it occupied the most prominent spot on the hopage - users would click regardless of initial interest.

Thus, at exactly 8 PM on May 7th...

When the livestream page appeared even before starting, flocks of users imdiately sward in.

Since ANF lacked dedicated streaming infrastructure, they implented an external page solution.

But this external page... was ticulously prepared.

Tang Yao had exhausted her creativity, thoroughly studying past virtual strear techniques. Before the broadcast began, the webpage prominently displayed the gorgeously dressed virtual idol in her idol-stage outfit...

So upon page loading...

Viewers first collectively "wowed," then started chatting in the still-dark stream room - discussing both this ga-originated virtual idol and the nature of this mysterious livestream.

Judging by chat activity alone, this stream's popularity already surpassed many established streaming platforms' top broadcasters.

One could only say ANF's user demographics spoke for themselves.

And Avalon truly understood these users.

Simultaneously...

At Avalon.

"Everyone's so excited."

Li Xue glanced sideways at the screen before gently nudging Tang Yao's shoulder with her own, softly saying: "And they're all praising your outfit design."

Indeed.

That idol-stage outfit was Tang Yao's creation.

Since she drew the original artwork... As soone deeply imrsed in ani culture from her past life, she understood ANF's target audience better than anyone.

Because she shared their tastes...

Of course.

Currently being complinted by Li Xue didn't particularly please Tang Yao.

She was too busy feeling anxious...

Tang Yao turned her head towards the cheerful Li Xue, murmuring gloomily: "You seem more excited than anyone."

"Not at all."

Li Xue's face radiated happiness: "Where do I seem excited?"

"Everywhere."

Releasing her mouse, Tang Yao pressed her cheek against the desk, flopping limply across the surface while weakly responding.

"Relax."

Seeing her like this, Li Xue stopped teasing and instead gently combed through her ponytail, softly reassuring: "I believe in you... You definitely won't ss up, and the response absolutely won't be bad."

"..."

With her soft cheek still glued to the desk, Tang Yao shifted her gaze sideways towards the older woman: "But what if I slip up, the facial capture glitches, or viewers ask tricky questions..."

"Won't happen."

"What if?"

"..."

After brief silence, Li Xue suddenly bent down, cupping Tang Yao's face with both hands to forcibly straighten her posture, making direct eye contact: "Impossible! Even if those issues occur, I wouldn't consider them serious. As long as you're here, nothing could be a real problem - because my Tang Yao can absolutely handle anything."

"..."

With her face still held, Tang Yao's eyelashes fluttered slightly as she prepared to speak.

Then the office door suddenly burst open—

"Both of you, the streaming equipnt is rea...dy..."

A young woman carrying gear froze in the doorway, her eyes behind glasses slowly widening.

Currently, Li Xue was holding Tang Yao's face while Tang Yao gripped her wrists - creating quite... an unusual pose.

Hearing the noise, Tang Yao and Li Xue simultaneously turned their heads, three gazes colliding midair.

Dead silence.

The young woman adjusted her glasses, then slowly but firmly retreated one step: "My apologies, please continue."

SLAM! The door closed.

Tang Yao turned back: "...Did we just get misunderstood?"

After two seconds of contemplation, Li Xue suddenly released her face: "Where were we? The livestream?"

Tang Yao: "Don't change the subject, damn it!"

...

Approaching 8 PM.

At Jiuxiao.

Headquarters.

Shen Lun also saw ANF's promotional page... Indeed, he only noticed it on the actual streaming day!

After his conversation with Yan Yun, he'd completely dismissed Avalon from his mind, paying no further attention to Tang Yao's subsequent moves.

Until today.

Just before leaving work, he suddenly rembered the livestream and opened ANF to check.

Then... he saw the three-day-old promotional page.

Naturally, he completely ignored aspects like idol costus or virtual idol Rin Tohsaka.

His entire focus locked onto the ga screenshots above the reservation button.

...Not FGO.

One screenshot appeared to be the card ga Yan Yun ntioned, but... it differed significantly from his expectations, drastically so.

What is this?

Sothing's off.

No, very off!

Shen Lun suddenly felt vague unease, sensing so critical miscalculation, yet couldn't imdiately pinpoint his mistake.

Regardless.

He no longer wanted to leave work... instead directly clicking the reservation button.

Imdiately after, a notification appeared - the stream would begin shortly.

Following prompts, Shen Lun jumped to the livestream page.

He arrived precisely at 8 PM.

ANF's official livestream comnced.

The screen brightened just then—

Shen Lun froze montarily before staring intently at the screen.

However.

Contrary to expectations of so suit-clad host properly introducing gas to players...

Instead, an appealing ani-style twin-tailed girl illustration appeared center-screen.

Vividly animated, swaying playfully...

"Good evening."

Then instantly, the ani girl onscreen blinked, slightly parting her lips to greet viewers.

Shen Lun blanked out.

Having never witnessed such spectacle in his life, he slowly ford a question mark in his mind.

...What fresh hell is this?