The Massive Collab for the Former Sub-Sub Noob (1)
I can't believe it... The rules changed. They weren't like this before. It happened out of nowhere. You used to be able to join solo. Now it's groups only.
"So... I can't do it?"
No, these people... They're happy about someone else's misery. This pisses me off so much I'm definitely doing it now. For real. If they'd been sympathetic, I'd have been bummed but given up. But this? No way. Isn't there some way? I'm doing it. I hate you guys. Isn't there any way? I don't wanna give up like this!
"Ah, where do I find it?"
I asked because I really wanna do it. No ulterior motive to fish for donations. I genuinely didn't know.
"Thank you."
Are you really that into Rust? Throwing money around like crazy. I caught myself thinking bad thoughts again. Should I ask one more time? I don't really get it... Maybe?
I shook my head to snap out of it. No, that's not right. Gotta stay pure.
"Got it."
Phew... My conscience was killing me, so I looked it up myself. It was right there on the broadcast station page, big as day. Asking was kinda rude.
I clicked the form link, selected solo entry, and filled out every single field.
"All done! Everyone... I'll make it fun. I'll do my absolute best to make it fun! Please watch!"
I was desperate to calm the savage chat, so I made a ton of promises I couldn't keep. Truth is, I suck at being fun. I'm a total noob. I gather wood and stones like crazy, then hand 'em over to the big leagues. That's the noob life.
If you keep dying, the nice ones remember you, maybe mention you a few times. The really nice ones give you a chance to speak. The super nice ones even set up roleplay for you—but I can't handle that.
The reaction's brutal. Maybe I shouldn't? As I'm agonizing...
Salvation arrives.
"Huh... For real?"
What is this? Outta nowhere? Why me?
I have no idea if Maru-nim's in or not.
"I... dunno! Maru-nim's not joining?"
Why ask me? I don't know either.
"Uh... I have no idea...?"
I'm telling you, I don't know! How would I?
"Thank you! Thank you! I'll work super hard! Thanks for picking me!"
My original plan was to wander like a stray cat and luck into a good team. This is perfect! Starting as an employee at a solid mid-tier subcontractor?!
"Ehehehe. Awesome. So good."
Couldn't hide my joy. Laughter just leaked out.
"I'll work super hard! Oh, right. Lemme show you my Rust skills! I mine wood and stone like a pro. Total beast. Give me a chainsaw and drill, and I'll farm infinitely!"
And then...
Donating his ramen money cuz he hates my gameplay... Tears welling up. Am I that bad? That boring?
"Am... Am I that bad at games? So bad you can't watch...? Bad enough to give up ramen money?"
I wasn't fishing for cash, just felt hurt. I legit got emotional.
"Th-thank you! So... Can I play the game now?"
Three days already gone. Today's the Rust server launch. About 180 streamers applied... The massive collab server's about to go live.
What'd I do? Day before yesterday? Nonstop Rust. Yesterday? Uh... Also just Rust.
Today, Moteok-nim invited me to the Discord. Seven of us total, including me. Two guys, five girls.
I background-checked all six. The two guys are FPS pros. The four girls are Moteok-nim's crew... members? From the Geometric Kingdom, dispatched together or something. That was their lore.
I took deep breaths. Nervous. We're here in voice for strategy meeting.
Why go this hard...? Their passion's intense.
No one in Discord yet, so I waited politely. Staring... Then Koseu-nim joined. Followed by Moteok-nim, Donggeuraming-nim, Naemo-nim... I hopped in quick.
"Hi everyone~"
First a guy's voice, then the girls chimed in all at once. I greeted back.
"Hello!" "Ah~ Seona-nim, hi! Watched your stream. You're so cute!"
A husky voice I don't recognize. No clue who...
"Thank you!"
Couldn't name-drop thanks.
As time passed, I felt left out. Everyone else super comfy, small talk flowing. Someone already calling Koseu-nim "oppa"... Cringe overload. No way I'd do that. How do you mix nicknames with oppa/unnie? Feels so awkward I'd die.
That's why I use my real name for streaming. Nicknames feel gross and cringy. Especially with "nim" or whatever, but oppa/noona/unnie? Hard to say, worse to hear. Titles are my biggest trial.
"No oppa, I wanna keep it casual~ So let's go easy~" "Gotta be easy. I'll map a route." "Route's not the issue... Broadcast angles too. You good?"
Silence. Code for "can't handle angles." Before awkwardness settled, Moteok-nim jumped in.
"Psh~ We'll see then. You're our roleplay one-shot guy. That's why we called the pro. Prep your skit." "I freestyle, you do it." "Hmm... Another window?"
Moteok-nim's scary. Didn't expect her to push. Choking here... Pls. I hate tension like this.
Thirty minutes of meeting... One thing clear: They're not close. Lots of rivalry.
Idea drops, instant power struggle. Doesn't work? "We did that before. Stale." Mood chills, Koseu-nim mediates, back to square one. Repeat. Someone: "Similar to last time?" Chill again.
Listening made me suffocate. Felt bad for Koseu-nim. How does she trash-bin emotions without complaint? Subcontractor leader's got her own pains. I could never lead subs. Never.
They see rivals more than teammates. Even I could tell, and I'm clueless at relationships. Heck, maybe me and Moteok-nim are closer than the rest? Bold guess. Ehehe.
Meeting over. Loose plans on meetup and strategy. Was it my imagination? Power plays during meeting, but small talk now? All sweet. Passion for streams causing clashes? Anyway, breathing easy now.
"Anyway, we gotta meet IRL soon. When? When where?"
Husky voice: Donggeuraming-nim. Her unique tone was hypnotic. Bet her ASMR blows up.
Curious, I checked. Yup, ASMR... But titles wild? Delinquent school sis roleplay. Sis's thug training... Healing ear cleaning by maid sis... Baby...? 19+!!! Scary. This world's terrifying. Gotta do this to survive? No way. I'd die first. Even for big bucks. Degrades human dignity.
Shoulda banned it all!!! Daydreamed that. Swallowed hard instead.
"When? Meet later if times work." "You dodging? Who you meeting?" "Heh, nothing~" "Don't get caught. I can't handle it." "No really~ Don't worry!~"
Aegyo voice: Naemo-nim... Power struggle queen. Chilly drawl triggered my long-dormant simp radar. Suffocating.
After Moteok-nim and Maru-nim, this feels like noob Discord. Seen it tons.
How to put it...? Queen bee vibe. Controls drones till they go nuts.
I ignored girls with fence rule defense, but simp noobs loved it.
Dumped when useless... Thought they were dumb at first. Like me, enlightened.
Nope. Everyone had stories.
Some blunt: For booze... Can do what normies can't. Superiority high. Proud slaves.
Others cool: Smells good, right? Just wanna chat girls? Heard it all, didn't ask.
"Okay okay. Streams in 30, do your thing. Meet at Snow Mountain as planned. Sending coords. See ya."
Koseu-nim summed up. Key: Snow Mountain. Iconic Rust spot.
Claim it and grind hard = aiming #1... Server kings.
Gotta hustle. But for #1 goal, team's light. Max 8, why only 7?
Quick goodbyes, all left. Touching. Always sub-sub, now sub? Kyaa. Real growth, Seona!! Hihi.