Chapter 8: Audience: Did I Come Here Just to Eat Dog Food?

Chapter 8: Audience: Did I Come Here Just to Eat Dog Food?

[Ding—!]

[The Host has summoned a Servant.]

[The system is unlocking related functions.]

[Livestream now allows camera angles to be switched to get closer to certain Servants, offering free camera movement or split-screen options.]

Hearing the system notification, Ethan immediately tested it out.

Sure enough, upon switching the camera angle, the screen displayed an image of Emiya Kiritsugu hiding on a nearby rooftop, maintaining high vigilance.

'System, is the Servant summoning process random?'

[Yes, but priority is given to summoning Servants with deep connections to the current location, and they will appear in Classes that have not been occupied yet.]

"A deep connection..."

Ethan suddenly understood.

So that's how it is.

Emiya Kiritsugu participated in the Holy Grail War in Fuyuki and also passed away here.

Even until his death, he never got to witness Emiya Shirou inheriting his ideals and truly becoming an Ally of Justice.

Furthermore, Hassan—the one who originally occupied the Assassin Class—was eliminated by Artoria Alter, leaving the position vacant.

Thus, Emiya Kiritsugu was summoned as an Assassin.

While it was random, it wasn't entirely random.

'System, how many points have I accumulated so far?'

[Beep beep——Query successful. The Host currently has 4,233 points.]

[You can perform four draws. Would you like to proceed?]

"No."

Ethan waved his hand.

With only four draws, if he ended up pulling some useless Magic Crystals, it wouldn't be worth it.

[The Host is encouraged to continue accumulating Live Stream Points. Once another Servant is summoned, the Live Stream Donation system will be unlocked, converting donation money into Live Stream Points.]

"Oh? That's not bad at all."

After all, on the PTron app, only contracted streamers could receive donations. If the system could handle that issue while also increasing his Live Stream Points, then it was a win-win situation.

"Senpai, so you're here."

Mash's voice came from behind.

"Fou Fou~~~"

Fou, who was with Mash, immediately jumped onto Ethan's shoulder.

"Mash, what's the matter?"

"The Director is discussing tomorrow's battle with Caster Cu Chulainn. I heard that the one guarding this place is a Saber, and an Archer is assisting her."

She explained.

"Umu, that bottomless stomach needs a chef, after all."

Ethan replied instinctively.

"Eh? What do you mean, Senpai?"

Mash looked puzzled.

"Ah, it's nothing. That Saber must be really strong, so tomorrow's fight will be tough on you again."

"It's okay. I am Senpai's Servant, so I must fight to the end."

But soon, Mash fell silent.

"However… the Director said that I still can't unleash my Noble Phantasm, so she's very worried about tomorrow's battle…"

Mash lifted her head, as if she had made up her mind, and looked straight at Ethan.

"Senpai, if tomorrow's battle is too dangerous, please find an opportunity to escape."

"I won't run."

Ethan interrupted her firmly.

"I won't leave Mash behind and run away alone."

Seeing Mash stunned, Ethan emphasized once again.

"Abandoning my own Servant on the battlefield to flee? I don't think I'd still be qualified to be a Master. So, let's find a way to fight to the end. Even if you can't activate your Noble Phantasm, just doing your best in battle is enough."

After all, against Alter Artoria, if they didn't resolve this Singularity, there was nowhere to run anyway.

Instead, it was better to take advantage of the livestream, summon another Servant tomorrow, and create a solid 3v1 situation with Mash.

Mash listened to Ethan's words, and after a long pause, she slowly nodded.

"Senpai, thank you..."

Then, the two of them gazed out through the shattered glass window.

The desolate ruins of the city stretched before them. In this lifeless city, a silver moon still hung in the sky.

Silvery light cascaded down.

It illuminated the window ledge, Ethan, and Mash's face, where a pure and innocent smile bloomed.

Seeing Mash smile so peacefully, Ethan suddenly had an urge—he wanted to reach out and pat her head.

Mash's hair was probably as soft as her fingers, right?

Just as Ethan unconsciously raised his hand, a crisp notification sound rang in his ears.

[Ding———!]

[Congratulations, Host! The live stream has exceeded 3,000 concurrent viewers!]

Three thousand people?

Are audiences into handsome middle-aged men now?

Well, to be fair, Emiya Kiritsugu was indeed a good-looking guy.

But thankfully, he and Ethan weren't heading in the same direction, so there was no need to worry too much.

Thinking that, Ethan glanced at the transparent live stream interface.

MotherF———!!!

On the live stream screen, it was him and Mash?!

Crap, didn't he just set the camera angle on Emiya Kiritsugu?!

When the hell did it switch back?!

[The system is currently using Smart Camera Mode, which automatically shifts to the most engaging scene.]

Who gave you permission to change it on your own?!!!

Ethan cried out in despair internally and then turned to check the live stream chat—only to see the comments flooding in like a tidal wave.

[I can't take this anymore! Did you lure a lonely single soul like me in just to torture me?!]

[Yakamashi!!! I came here for an apocalypse survival stream, not to eat dog food!!! (Jotaro.gif)]

[The Coke in my hand suddenly lost its sweetness...]

[Someone, quick! Kill me! At least let my death add to their romantic ambiance!]

[Warning! This live stream contains excessive dog food! Warning!!]

[This stream is NOT safe for diabetics. Extremely dangerous!]

[Hic… my right hand… hic… you're my only companion in this life.]

[(It should've been me, not him!.gif)]

[Do it. Kiss her. What are you waiting for. JUST DO ITTTT!!]

[Yeah, yeah!! Don't turn into a typical Japanese MC!!!]

[I beg you, Host, stop acting! I just wanted to relax and watch a stream, but now watching you is more painful than dying!]

Seeing the chat explode, Ethan quickly tried to explain.

"No, no! It's not what you guys think! This is just preparation for tomorrow's content, just testing things out!"

But the moment he said that, the stream chat became even more chaotic.

[So you're saying this will continue tomorrow?! I refuse to watch this anymore!!]

[Mashu-chan, this Host is shamelessly feeding us dog food! I conclude that he's not a good person! You need to be careful!!]

[Host, don't overwork yourself. It's late, go to sleep already! Give me your location, and I'll come watch the moon with Mashu-chan!]

While Ethan was staring at his wristband and mumbling to himself, Mash curiously leaned in closer.

"Senpai, who are you talking to? Is it Dr. Romani?"

"Oh, right! Mash, say a few words to everyone."

"Eh?!"

Mash hadn't even processed what was happening before she was met with Ethan's eager gaze.

With how the live stream was going, he probably couldn't control it alone anymore—his only option was to let Mash step in front of the camera.

After all, as long as a beautiful girl appeared on screen, the viewers would miraculously unite in a single opinion.

No matter how fiercely they had been arguing before, the very next second, they would all transform into devoted "Simp" soldiers, flooding the chat with praises.

"Senpai… don't look at me like that..."

Mash blushed, lowered her head, and tugged at the hem of her non-existent skirt.

And just like that, on the night before the decisive battle, Ethan personally witnessed the live stream viewership surge past 4,000.