Newbie Lover (2)
Crash! Something toppled over on the other side of the screen, but the VTuber avatar just froze, like it couldn't process it.
Pretty dramatic.
Should I have announced the donation first? Nah, I went for the cool, manly surprise drop. It should be fine, though. Unless there's some sharp blade in her room, she's not gonna get seriously hurt.
"Hah... hah... Is this for real?"
After a short pause, O Cheol-deuk spoke up, her breathing ragged.
Yeah... ten million won is a huge sum. Even though I've been rich for a while now, my sense of money hasn't dulled yet. Unlike those chaebol heirs who treat cash like a tool, I'm just experimenting with it one splurge at a time. Not like I'm running a company or anything.
Basically, it's a hobby.
-Unemployed Guy: Any problems?
Her VTuber avatar shook again, the speaker blasting her voice.
"How could this not be a problem? This is a major incident. Refund... I'll cover the exchange fees, so take it back."
Whoa. A VTuber turning down donations? The streamers I knew were all money-grubbers. Guess that's what being a hakko does to you.
-Unemployed Guy: Keep it, no worries. Not taking it back.
"..."
I thought that came off pretty cool, but her face kept morphing. Fancy features these days. Definitely a new world. I was still rocking a prepaid 2G flip phone until I finally upgraded to a foldable recently.
"You're really... giving it to me...?"
Her voice was like a mouse squeaking into a hole.
If the speakers sucked, I wouldn't have caught that. Expensive gear really does make a difference.
-Unemployed Guy: Yeah. Take it. It's pocket change for me. Bank interest alone stacks up millions a month. Peanuts compared to my tax bill. Honestly, even 100 billion feels like enough sometimes. Maybe I should start a foundation? Not a bad idea.
"Eeeeeek!"
She screamed again. See? Money tastes sweet, right? Though my ears are ringing thanks to you. The reactions are gold, but I might need to see a doc.
"Okay, okay! Stop. Stop. Please stop sending more...!"
Her avatar started shuddering violently.
Does it have that level of detail...? Looks almost human.
-Unemployed Guy: Bye. Good luck with the stream.
I logged out right after. Heard something, but the tab was already closed.
300 million won.
That's how much I'd donated to hakko streamers over the past month. Excluding that weirdo O Cheol-deuk, the max was a million each, spread across about 50 of them.
And that's why I'd become a celebrity on the Internet Broadcasting Gallery.
[Newbie Lover.]
How'd "Newbie Lover" catch on when my viewer nick was obviously Unemployed Guy? Probably this post that lit the fuse.
Why's he donating to my hakko? But why not here?
It had been bubbling under before, but after this post, more digs into my past popped up. Soon, stalkers memorized my old chats and followed me around. Some even settled on streams I liked and stayed.
These bastards. Wouldn't shill when I asked, but now...
Luckily, no copycats mimicking me.
True, it'd be messed up for randos to ape a regular guy's antics.
I wasn't out to stir aggro. It started as fun reactions turning into casual donations. Pure boredom killer.
But what's this?
Fuck. A bounty on me?
Clicking in, it was worse than expected—a wanted poster like in some pirate manga, square paper and all. Bounty: 300,000 won. Not chump change.
What the hell?
Couldn't figure it. Hadn't done anything bounty-worthy. Past week? Just donations and casual gaming.
Digging deeper, it wasn't "capture alive"—more like "report location." Weird, but not yandere-level creepy.
Wonder if they'd pay up if I turned myself in?
Where to report? A familiar name.
"Cheol-deuk?"
Why's she hunting me? Fired up the app and hopped into her stream.
What? Manager? Hell no. I just want aggro, not this.
-Unemployed Guy: Why me? You put the bounty?
Seconds later, her virtual eyes went saucer-wide. Avatar looked different—upgraded hard in a month. Ditched the clay look for a cute girl model.
"Uh...!"
What? Chat's exploding. Viewer count: 300.
Hakko my ass... Where's the otaku dump I knew? It's only been a month.
"Ah... uh. Eh."
Mic upgraded too—no cheap static. Did she dump all my cash into gear?
I ruined one girl's life. Her streaming talent was disastrous; should've given advice. But seemed nosy, so I dipped.
"Hello, Unemployed Guy!"
She finally greeted me specifically after a bit.
Still no talent. Buddying up. I'd binged anime instead of streaming for a month, so I knew the drill: don't single out viewers. Unless it's the boss, it pisses people off. Basic rule—don't flirt in a communal space.
Most avoid it, but I hated it.
Virgin otaku here.
Anyway, finger hovered over keyboard, debating a reply. How's the chat reacting?
Why the defense squad? Chat's super friendly. Weird—guys usually hate that stuff. Most wouldn't even know about my first donation.
How deep did they dig? Scary internet.
"Reason for the bounty...? You haven't come to my stream since day one."
I tilted my head at Cheol-deuk's words.
Can't a guy ghost? Viewers dip in and out. Migratory birds, or "floaters." Common for hakko—part of building an audience.
Almost typed "Cuz your stream sucks" but deleted. No fun, but felt a kinship, so I donated. Now...
No hakko vibe anymore.
Month of lessons: I dig hakko.
Especially ones with potential and grit.
Effort regardless of numbers. O Cheol-deuk had it, and so did my 50. Could be me showing up sparked it, or newbie desperation to cling to every viewer—but they showed best effort. Not talent, just hustle.
-Unemployed Guy: OK. Thanks. Cancel the bounty. I'm here.
Scanned more chat, scratched my head, and closed the stream.
Why so many gay dudes? No food giveaways in Gallery—just cash in hakko streams.
Sighed, then posted in Gallery.
Just came from Cheol-deuk's stream—why so many gays here?
Anyway, don't pretend to know me in streams. Just eat and dip. (20 burger set gift icons)
I scratched my head again.