Tanking the Public Interview and Slave for Hire
Island dogs, get out. [Streamer Hyeon-baek, please enter channel 1.] After the teaser screening wrapped up, we're doing a public interview? On the same day, with no prior notice? 'They're really going all out.' Is this how a big corporation operates? But still.
'If I just do decently...'
The Nomad Server pulls in at least 100,000 viewers. Making a good impression here means siphoning off some of that audience right away. Sure, it might just be a temporary spike.
'So what?'
A temporary boost is still growth. 'Points to watch out for...'
This wasn't jotted down specifically for this moment. But for when I eventually collab with big streamers or guest on their broadcasts, I had some ironclad rules prepared:
1. Don't spew random crap just to grab attention.
2. Let the big shots dictate my speaking turns.
3. Deal damage well and tank properly.
Abstract, but from everything I'd seen so far, that was the winning formula. Bide your time quietly, then nail the moment they hand you the mic.
'Just pass the bare minimum.'
Don't aim to shatter expectations and shine. Hit exactly what they expect as the baseline. That's ideal.
"Min-bon set us up with a prime spot."
It was prime, but recklessly so. Anyone skipping today's interview was doomed to lag behind.
"I'll do my best, folks."
A few mouse clicks brought up the temp deco room's channel 1. Ding! With the signature upbeat deco alert sound.
"Hello, this is streamer Hyeon-baek. Looking forward to it."
I stepped into the interview arena.
Having struck big as a second-gen broadcaster, he'd launched a whopping seven MC servers. Now he was realizing the value of new faces.
Every MC server launch meant the same old streamers on Dwichi, the same old content, the same old screens dominating. Other streamers loved the familiar routine, but not him.
So he'd inject fresh blood and milk their novelty until it turned routine.
'Not like I'm the only one benefiting.'
Putting hakko on his stream introduced them to his main audience. Mutual aid, right?
"TAS bashing means permanent ban. No mercy, so move along wisely."
He glanced at chat and issued the warning. Then responded to Hyeon-baek's greeting.
"Hey, Hyeon-baek! Saw you on Eundo recently, and now here—a famous face!"
"My clip on Eundo... Oh, the Hardcore Run?"
"Yeah! Holder of the Hardcore Run world record. With your skills, you'll blaze through once the server starts, right?"
Min-bon subtly checked the vibe. It was icebreaker material, but dragging it out would kill the momentum fast.
"Time for questions!"
And he knew more than just the MC Hardcore Run. Over the past three days, he'd scoured applicants' streams with the team. He'd already picked his top 10.
Hyeon-baek was one of them in his mind.
'Hyeon-baek, just swing for average, please.'
Min-bon cheered inwardly.
"Your resume says you're good at most games. So... how about Lumeria Island?"
Lumeria Island. Never quite major, but top-tier among minors—a quarter-view battle royale. Most streamers avoid it because viewers drop off hard, but Min-bon was one of the few who stuck with it.
Thus...
His viewers mostly had no beef with Lumeria Island.
"...Min-bon."
Hyeon-baek's voice dropped a notch.
"Yeah, speak freely..."
"...Do Island dogs have to shill Island even here...?"
A voice laced with fear and bewilderment, like he'd encountered something bizarre.
His Island tribe viewers bristled at the remark.
'Pass.'
Min-bon's lips curled up. He'd orchestrated this exact spot.
Lumeria Island was eternally minor, forever trashed wherever it popped up. This was routine.
Viewers throwing shade at Hyeon-baek. Min-bon unable to speak. Hyeon-baek's sneak Island dog diss. All high-level WWE theater.
"If you pull a sneak protest like that, Hyeon-baek, I'll have to strike your name off."
No intention of cutting him. Just testing his tanking chops.
"Truth be told... I'm an Island tribe too, Min-bon."
Hyeon-baek started the buildup.
"Oh? For real?"
He knew it was BS. Island tribe my ass—not a minute played in three days.
Still, Min-bon had to play along. That's what this stage was for.
"Then Most..."
"Nah, I'm a Depma master!"
"Oh, Depma?"
"Yup! Yunne one-trick in the Rift too!"
"True, their ults are pretty similar..."
Min-bon caught on. 'He's begging for hits.'
A hakko claiming tank? His eye for talent was spot-on.
"Right! I've been comfy with it from the start..."
"Hold up, Hyeon-baek."
"...Yup?"
"Describe Depma's W skill."
"......"
"Sigh... This ain't working, Hyeon-baek."
"......Yup."
"Resume says Rift tier Master?"
"...Yes."
"We got something similar: Misril."
"......"
"Hit Misril on Depma one-trick, and you're in the server."
Hyeon-baek went silent.
'Not tanking?'
Min-bon felt a twinge of disappointment.
"...Sorry, Island tribe folks. Oh, and I'm on my knees now too."
Hyeon-baek's mouth twitched. 'Oho.'
Climax time. Apology drops, WWE ends, interview wraps.
'How's he close it?'
"Sigh... Island tribe, truth is... I... I've never even touched Lumeria Island."
A heartfelt plea followed.
"Forgive me just once, Island tribe. We'll play Lumeria Island together later. Promise."
"...That's it."
Public interview: basically vetting hakkos for entertainment value.
First up, Hyeon-baek.
'This guy's gold.'
He nailed it for Min-bon.
With my turn over, I was barely dodging the boulders from chat.
"Calm down, folks."
I had zero plans to become Island tribe. That was just damage control. Prime WWE.
"Okay, I am Island tribe? But y'know, like Whitebeard Pirates—not everyone fights. I'm like your pet dog for the Island tribe. Stays on the ship, never hits Lumeria Island."
"...I don't even know what I'm saying. Why do I gotta be Island dog! Hate it, no Island!"
Doing it on Min-bon's stream drew real Island tribe into my chat—not fakes.
Best play: quick ant purge.
"Sorry, Island tribe. Quitting the tribe. Island dogs, mass exodus from my room please."
I slapped "No Island" on the top of my screen and kept streaming.
"Finishing up pre-interview Sliders now."
"Okay, folks, let's read this."
One hour before Nomad Server launch, its wiki dropped.
Most broadcasters skip wikis. But I believe in prepping thoroughly, so I dove in early.
And.
'No way I'm the protagonist anyway.'
I scrapped dreams of starring in Nomad. A hakko with under 100 consistent viewers as Nomad lead? Unrealistic. Even if, couldn't handle the backlash.
"Whoa, base resources are huge."
Mining ores were key.
"Just mine and sell?"
Chat sentiment's rougher than expected. Ditch pro miner?
"Or... what about this, folks?"
"Leech off a big bro or sis. Farm, build houses, mine for 'em. I become the kingmaker."
As Nomad Server opened, a young man yelled in the spawn plaza.
"Slaves for sale!"
A pure-white avatar reacted. Its owner, Yu Seol-hwa, whipped her mouse toward the voice, confirming it was who she thought.
"Everyone, shall we snag a slave?"
She smiled at her viewers.