Chapter 205
Chapter 205
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 205
Chapter Title: 92. Debut (1)
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I first learned the terms "high school debut" and "college debut" from a short story collection by Fulcrum, who I can no longer reach.
They refer to students who weren't particularly noticeable during middle or high school suddenly shedding their old, drab selves upon entering a new environment with a fresh influx of people, transforming into vibrant, popular figures.
What happens in real life tends to play out the same way online.
A user with no traction on Board A can become a star everyone recognizes on Board B.
Granted, there's no need for someone like me—Park Gyu, a named user on Viva! Apocalypse!—to pull something like that. But honestly, I've been growing dissatisfied with Viva! Apocalypse! lately.
To put it bluntly, I'm a bit sick of it.
According to Da-jeong, the internet expert, you start feeling fed up with your home board when the number of users you dislike outgrows the ones you like.
Truth be told, there aren't many users on Viva! Apocalypse! that I actually like anymore.
I have a few close ones, but closeness and liking are different things.
John_nenon, Dragon-ssi, and that anonymous user who posted about making a sheepskin felt doll—those were the people I liked, but they're no longer of this world.
On the flip side, let's list the ones I don't like: Dongtanmom, m9, Foxgame, Rokagiji, DSirae, Melon Mask, Keystone, Berkut_Break, Dolsingman... and the list goes on; I can't even count them on my fingers.
Lately, I've been posting half-heartedly, out of obligation, probably because there are so many unpleasant faces.
In the midst of this online burnout, a hot new site makes for a perfect alternative.
For me, Park Gyu, to leave Viva! Apocalypse! and head to Blinder—the ambitious creation of General Kim Byung-chul—feels like a perfectly natural progression.
Of course, just migrating quietly wouldn't do.
I'm secretly hoping for a flashy debut worthy of a major named user like SKELTON.
*
Blinder is open to everyone.
It's even accessible via our satellite equipment.
Of course, since it runs on Legion Wave servers instead of Viva! Apocalypse!'s, I have to log out first, punch in some complex codes to connect to the different physical server, and tweak the satellite transmission settings—it's a hassle.
I set up the gear according to the manual I'd downloaded from Failnet and attempted to log in.
Being my first time, I ran into a few trial-and-error snags, but soon enough, I stepped into the new world of Blinder.
On the surface, it's a clean-looking board.
Led by a "Hot Topics" popular posts section, various themed boards are neatly organized.
With my accumulated internet experience, I could gauge the board's vibe just from a quick scan.
"Hmm."
This board...
It reminds me of a site I briefly visited before the war.
Let's check out one user's post.
The title doesn't matter.
It's just a run-of-the-mill complaint.
The key is how individuals reveal their identity to the outside world.
The workplace comes first—Samgeun Construction—and the personal nickname follows, obscured by asterisks.
Not content with just tacking it on at the end, they even censor it with those stars.
"......"
Back when I lurked on similar pre-war sites, I didn't have much passion or discernment for the internet.
I just thought, "Oh, this kind of place exists," and moved on.
Failnet tried a similar system briefly, but it was so short-lived there's nothing much to reference.
One thing's clear: this replacement site by Kim Byung-chul just doesn't vibe with me.
Take the "Newcomer Introductions" board for beginners, for starters.
...
..
All that stands out is external status like jobs.
Nicknames—the things meant to distinguish individuals—are so suppressed they barely function.
I just couldn't adapt to this Blinder site, so I readjusted the satellite gear and logged back into our board.
Even if our board's lost its appeal, it's still a place I've been active on for nearly five years.
In a way, it's like my online hometown.
Plenty of Failnet users hang out here too, so I expected some friendly replies.
I've noticed before: the number of replies to a question depends partly on the user's fame and likability, but mostly on how relatable the topic is.
Other users have to find it interesting and have their own experiences or info to share.
No need to hype Blinder's buzz as the rising sun.
Sure enough, replies poured in under my post.
I gleaned a few bits of info.
One, Blinder is the "Legion Wave Failnet" that's been around for a while.
Two, Legion Wave has long collaborated with corporations, leading to solidly operating companies even now.
Three, military personnel can't use Blinder.
And finally, "Unemployed" folks rarely get to speak up.
It's a bit deflating that Blinder isn't brand new, but with all the inflows from Incheon's massive population, it's effectively a fresh start anyway.
The problem is "occupation."
I don't have one right now.
If I were in Legion Wave territory, I could hit up an employment center for aptitude tests based on my education and past experience, and they'd place me in a job. But I'm not there, and I can't afford the trip.
So joining Blinder now means I'd be stuck as a hopeless "Unemployed."
"......"
Frustrating and regrettable.
If only I could reveal my nickname on Blinder, even the scarlet letter "Unemployed" wouldn't stop the huge ripple it'd cause.
Wait.
There's a way.
*
Unlike Failnet, Blinder requires creating an account no exceptions.
You lose the freedom to post as "ㅇㅇ," but in return, the board's quality stays cleaner.
Not that I mentioned it, but Failnet was flooded with horrific photos, salacious ones, and unholy combos of both.
People without strong stomachs hesitated to even click posts.
And there were plenty of crime plots and criminal brag posts too.
With human scum like the Pioneer Group making boards, what's impossible?
Even John_nenon lamented in life how his creation was tainted by human malice.
Honoring his legacy, I made an account.
Username: "Skeleton."
Honestly, I was surprised.
I figured someone would've snagged my nickname by now, but "Skeleton" was available.
I chalked it up to karma from all the goodwill I've spread.
Though Blinder's asterisk system on nicknames kinda nullifies it.
Still, I made the account for my own satisfaction.
Next came the crucial step.
Pre-war predecessor sites ended verification with business cards and company phone numbers, but three years and six months post-war, they handle it via site Q&A.
Chewing on the bitterness of apocalypse once more, I entered the chat with the admin.
"......"
Well, that's how it went.
Within expectations, really.
So I'd prepared countermeasures for ending up "Unemployed."
"......"
This is the technique I devised to leap over the "Unemployed" wall.
If the nickname's hidden, I reveal myself directly.
Simple as that.
How many people surfing the net in Korea right now don't know Skeleton?
Doesn't matter if I'm unemployed or not.
I am Skeleton.
The only named user on Viva! Apocalypse! to ever wear the moderator armband.
Before those three letters etched with history and achievements, the "Unemployed" tag is nothing.
Blinder doesn't rank boards by popularity like Failnet, but spotting the hottest one is easy.
It's where posts flood in real-time fastest: the "Chit-Chat" board.
True to being Failnet's successor, posts upload at breakneck speed.
I checked occupations first.
Mostly folks at factories, industrial complexes, collective farms—group labor spots. Some have legit-sounding company names like Changsu Food.
And like the pre-war predecessor sites, there are "Doctors" here too.
From replies and reactions, doctors hold the same ecological niche as pre-war—untouchable "top of the food chain."
I let out a shallow sigh.
Not my kind of atmosphere.
But I'm done with Viva! Apocalypse! as it is.
I want a fresh start somewhere new.
Five or six years by calendar, three years six months hardcore—bound to get stale.
This is that first step.
Monumental first post.
Not expecting a flood of handshakes, but hoped a couple would recognize me.
But...
My historic debut drifted downstream like a paper boat in a gutter, no replies amid the torrent of posts.
"Damn."
I tilted my head.
Not what I expected.
Let's try posting the same thing again.
Obvious pandering, but we lived in an era of short videos—short clips rule.
Ego bruise, but quick and clear self-promo ain't bad.
No replies again.
"What's going on?"
Am I missing something?
"Unemployed" doesn't have some invisibility cloak, right?
I get that Kim Byung-chul's pushing net denizens toward employment centers with the tag, but this is overkill.
As suspicions mounted, one post caught my eye like fate.
"Hunter?"
I clicked it.
"......"
No way this is Kim Daram.