My Glitched Streaming System: I Can Steal Sponsored Gifts

CREAK!

The door opened, making more noise than it had ever done. To a degree that the entire team woke up with smoke swirling in their hands. A second later, their weapons formed.

Min-ho was the last in the bunch to rise. Since he had managed to get some sleep, it was difficult to react as fast as the others. Which, in turn, made him slam his head into the top of his tent.

He fell back with a groan before crawling out of his tent while rubbing his head.

"Sae-wee?" Im-hee’s voice called out, putting everyone at ease. Though Min-ho had yet to fully grasp the situation, this affirmation put him at ease also.

"What are you wearing?" Jang-book asked.

Min-ho still had sleep in his eyes as he fumbled to his feet, unable to decide whether to rub his forehead or his eyes.

When his eyes finally opened, though, they stayed that way—as he was taken aback by Sae-wee’s new clothing.

She had changed into an attire antiquated in design yet rich in practicality. The clothing was a deep black adorned with golden patterns that trailed from her collar to her sleeves.

The top of the outfit came down like a tunic, yet this didn’t stop her from sporting trousers that covered the entirety of her legs while accentuating her curves.

Min-ho couldn’t help but stare for a second too long.

"You smell really nice. Did you take a shower?" Im-hee asked, stepping closer to Sae-wee with a cautiousness to her stride.

A cautiousness brought about by her apparent uncleanliness.

"I purchased a drum of water. Two actually," Sae-wee said, her voice still low.

Every brow rose upon hearing this. They didn’t question the fact that they never had such an item in their Shop menu. It wasn’t uncommon for the items in one Z-Streamer’s Shop to differ from someone else’s. What they did question was the fact that she mentioned a whole drum of water, which left them baffled.

How could she afford it?

"It was very cheap actually. Mostly because it’s poisoned, so we can’t drink it," Sae-wee said, deflating everyone’s suspicions faster than a punctured air balloon.

Snapping out of his daze, Min-ho made his way toward her. His tongue tied for a second, as she was more breathtaking up close.

"I uh... I..."

Sae-wee looked up at him.

He shook his head, then walked past her, heading outside the room.

"What time is it?" he asked, looking in all directions while forgetting this building had no windows.

"The sky just began to brighten up. I thought it would be better to get up early..."

"That’s good thinking," Min-ho said.

"You said two drums, right?" Im-hee asked Sae-wee, pulling her attention.

"Is there enough for the rest of us?" Im-hee gestured to the others.

"Mhm," Sae-wee answered with a soft smile.

She then lifted one hand. Looking at it, Im-hee found smoke forming in her palm, taking the shape of several thin long objects. Within seconds, the smoke took shape—and what she held in her hands were five small sticks.

Upon seeing them, Im-hee’s eyes lit up. She took the sticks into her hands with an almost gleeful yelp.

"Chewing sticks!" she squealed.

"Chewing what?" Jang-book asked.

"Chewing sticks," Ji-su said. "They were used during times of old before toothbrushes were invented."

Everyone seemed to be in sync. Everyone except Min-ho, Dok-su, and Jang-book. In other words, half the team.

---

Sae-wee had led the group to a bathhouse in the temple. Somehow, the plumbing was still functional—just like the floating platforms.

But this did not surprise anyone. It was common knowledge that of all the buildings in the worlds of the Z-Tower, the ones with the highest chance of being remotely intact were the Safe Zones.

Having reached the bathhouse, they each took turns cleaning themselves even though there were several bathrooms present in the building.

After they were done showering, they each purchased an outfit that best suited their style.

Im-hee had chosen clothing reminiscent of a buccaneer’s outfit, complete with a headscarf and sailor’s hat.

Upon seeing her, Jang-book found his gaze lingering a little longer than he would have liked to admit.

"You look pretty, Im-hee," Ji-su said, being the first to comment.

"Thank you, Ji-su," she said with a smile.

After they had finished commenting on her outfit, Jang-book was the next to take a bath—but not before being shown how the chewing stick worked. By Im-hee, no less, which made him more than a little embarrassed.

When he was done, he emerged in clothing similar to a 21st-century gangster wardrobe: chains, a white inner shirt, a leather jacket, and loose trousers.

Upon seeing him, Im-hee smiled, but no one said anything.

"I’ll go next!" Ji-su said, eager to try out a new outfit.

He rushed in without anyone’s permission, leaving the others to do what they had been doing since—waiting.

"This is stupid," Jang-book said, leaning against a wall.

"What is?" Im-hee asked, her hands behind her.

"This whole thing. Why are we treating this like some fashion show?" he complained.

"I think it’s fun," Im-hee said. And with a thought, her expression changed; sank. "We could do with a little fun."

Noticing her downcast demeanor, Jang-book sighed.

"I guess you’re right," he said, his words lifting her spirits a little.

Min-ho said nothing. He just waited as he sat on the steps leading up to the entrance of the bathhouse.

Sae-wee sat beside him, while Dok-su sat behind.

"Have you told him yet?" Sae-wee asked Min-ho.

He wanted to ask who, but then he realized what she meant.

"Not yet. He was fast asleep. Didn’t want to wake him," Min-ho responded.

"You should tell him now." Sae-wee fell her gaze, cradling her missing finger while hiding it away from Min-ho. "Hopefully, he’ll agree."

Min-ho paused, glancing at her hand for a moment, before returning his gaze to the steps.

"Yeah. Hopefully."