Chapter 37
Chapter 37
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 37
Chapter Title: It's Not a Self-Deprecating Stream Episode 37
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[Purchase complete. Equipment unlocked.]
┃
[Weapon Unlocked / RGD-5 Grenade]
[Weapon Unlocked / NR-40 Combat Knife]
┃
[Equipment Unlocked / LBT-6094A Slick Plate Carrier]
[Equipment Unlocked / Peltor ComTac 2 Headsets]
┃
[Outfit Unlocked / Ushanka]
“You’re messing with me right now...”
I narrowed my eyes and asked the fifteen squad members.
In response, the squad uncles grinned mischievously and struck weird poses.
Just moments ago, they’d been huddled together at the military gear shop, but now they were all fully equipped.
Dressed in the exact same Soviet uniforms as me, with stylish papakhas strapped to their sides and ushankas on their heads.
Their previous monstrous getups had vanished somewhere, and all fifteen had transformed into Soviet soldiers.
They’d even dressed me up in the same gear, so no one could deny they were clearly teasing me.
Still, I wasn’t mad since I actually liked the gifted equipment.
It seemed designed to balance historical accuracy with practicality—the bulletproof vest hidden naturally under the coat felt incredibly comfortable.
“Ttalgwi, you look great in a Soviet uniform too... You really resemble someone I know...”
“I-I kept telling them not to! But these guys were so stubborn...”
“Nah, it’s fine. Wear what you want. Less exposure makes it easier on the eyes.”
“You’re mad right now, aren’t you...?”
“Nope.”
Of course, regardless of their intentions, I had no intention of meddling in the squad’s attire.
It was their freedom what uniform they chose, and it even brought back fond memories.
The only thing that bothered me slightly was the red cross armbands on the squad members’ arms.
There might be some special reason I didn’t know about, but the majority had chosen the medic class.
As important as medics were, wasn’t this a bit much?
Feeling uneasy about it, I furrowed my brow, and the stream viewers helpfully cleared up the mystery.
『Those bastards' desires are so blatantly obvious lololol』
『They wanna legally grope her if she gets hurt kekeke』
『Nah, that's kinda gross tho...』
『Why Frontline Archive lacks female players』
“Ah...”
I realized the squad’s true motives and let out a sigh.
They’d apparently chosen medic just to get physical with a female player.
Even if Ttalgwi was an attractive woman, this was way too blatant.
Feeling bad for her for no reason, I decided to step in.
“Don’t we need that many medics? One per squad should be plenty.”
“Exactly. Squads only need one medic normally. They’re doing this because they’ve got the hots for Sukka.”
“Huh? Not for Ttalgwi?”
“Hehe, I tend to die instantly, so there’s no chance to heal me anyway.”
This I hadn’t expected.
To think even I was included in those uncles’ targets.
Sure, it wasn’t like I’d wear out from being touched, but I doubted the viewers would overlook it.
To avoid any misunderstandings, I decided to switch classes.
“Um... How about Ttalgwi and I take medic? If one of us gets hurt, we can heal each other...”
“Of course! Hey! Cut it out and switch classes already?!”
Fortunately, the squad members tossed their armbands aside at Ttalgwi’s command.
Just like with the outfits, they’d picked the class as a joke.
Soon after, I followed Ttalgwi to the class selection NPC.
Assault trooper, medic, supply, scout. There were also tankers and pilots, among many others, but we naturally chose the medic’s red armband.
“Will you enlist as a medic?”
“Y-Yeah...”
“Here are your supplies. Thank you for your dedication, Operator.”
“Oh, thanks.”
I took the pouch from the NPC and examined it.
The fairly large ammo belt pouch was packed with a ton of items.
Bandages and hemostatics, splints and painkillers, plus a bunch of military syringes whose purpose I couldn’t guess.
I pulled out one syringe and asked Ttalgwi what it was.
“What’s this?”
“Oh, Sukka, first time seeing one, huh? That’s a combat stimulant. You jab it near the wound.”
“What happens when you do?”
“For minor injuries, you can move right away. Like a stimpack—helps you keep fighting as the wound slowly heals. Not much use for severe injuries, though.”
“Ah...”
It seemed like a game-ified version of morphine.
I’d seen it a few times on the Eastern Front, but it wasn’t a drug with good memories attached.
I’d never used narcotic painkillers due to worries about side effects and addiction.
Supplies were scarce to begin with, so my comrades usually drowned the pain with vodka.
Still, in Frontline Archive, overuse wouldn’t cause issues.
I had no desire to use it myself, but it looked like I’d be seeing these syringes a lot.
“Anything else to explain before we start? Skip anything that requires my body, though.”
“N-No. I’ll cover the rest during combat. I’ve still got stuff to check myself. Sorry about earlier...”
“Hehe, just kidding. Ready to queue for conquest?”
“Yeah.”
We quickly finalized the squad setup and queued for conquest.
We’d coordinated while changing uniforms, forming two squads of eight each naturally.
The resulting squads were named Ttalgwi Squad and Sukka Squad.
They’d stick together, but the system required splitting them.
“Conquest queue confirmed. Proceed to the battlefield immediately.”
Soon, the matchmaking completed, and the armory doors opened.
We all started heading to the battlefield together.
Ttalgwi grabbed my shoulder, praying desperately, “Please not a chopper...”
Remembering her acrophobia, I joined in the prayer.
“Transport train arriving! Operators, board please!”
Unfortunately, the one in need of prayers was me.
“Train spawn!!”
“Ah...”
“Hm? Sukka, what’s wrong?”
“Train...”
Trauma hit me, and I froze solid.
The transport that had dumped me on the Eastern Front was a train.
But the oblivious squad started boarding.
Plus, with the karma from putting Ttalgwi on a chopper before, I couldn’t say I didn’t want to.
In the end, I had no choice but to board like a calf headed to slaughter.
I grabbed Ttalgwi’s sleeve and dragged my frozen feet.
“Sukka? Got scared all of a sudden? Wanna cancel this match?”
“N-No... Just... stay by my side...”
“You sure you’re okay? No need to push if it’s tough...”
“I-I’m fine... Probably...”
Clenching my eyes shut, I somehow boarded.
The scent of bodies and hot warmth felt overwhelmingly real.
That made keeping my eyes closed even scarier.
Cracking my eyes open slightly, I peeked through my lashes at the transport train’s interior.
“Ugh...”
The pigpen of a train had no windows.
As the doors rumbled shut, thin lines of light streaked in through wall cracks.
No matter where I looked, only squad members prepping for battle.
And since we’d all matched in Soviet uniforms, it stimulated my trauma hard.
If I let go of my tension, panic was inevitable.
Clutching Ttalgwi’s uniform sleeve with my last thread of sanity.
“Riding the train makes us feel like real Soviet soldiers, huh?”
“Right now? More like the Siberian Express.”
Then, oblivious to my plight, the squad started chatting among themselves.
Just jokes, sure, but they hit too close to home—my teeth ground together.
If they weren’t viewers, and Ttalgwi weren’t here, I’d have lost it.
In the end, I had no choice but to dive into Ttalgwi’s embrace for support.
“Wah?! S-S-Sukka?!”
“J-Just... let me stay like this a bit...”
“You were scared after all?! We’ve already left—what do we do?! It’ll be quick, just hang on!”
“Yeah...”
Thankfully, as Ttalgwi said, the train arrived soon.
Plus, the squad caught on to the severity midway, easing my fear.
I couldn’t see with my face buried in her chest, but the vibe shifted from transport train to tour bus.
It was apologetic, grateful, but ultimately embarrassing—the road to battle.
“Sukka! We’re here!”
“Let’s get off quick...”
Ttalgwi and I bolted out as soon as the doors opened.
The squad followed, jumping down like they’d been waiting.
The area grew noisy—I turned to see hordes of players disembarking from our train.
Apparently, this battle spawned everyone from a single train.
“Who’re those guys?”
“Damn... concept’s insane...”
“Huh? Russian server? Nah...”
“That okay tho?”
Soon, other players spotted us and started murmuring.
Two full squads in matching outfits and weapons—Soviet uniforms no less—naturally drew eyes.
But the reactions intensified.
Nearly a hundred people staring our way.
Reflexively, Ttalgwi and I ducked our heads to avoid gazes.
The rest of the squad, loving the attention, got hyped.
“This is the reaction we wanted. So rewarding.”
“Finally feels like blood’s pumping.”
“Shall we yell ‘Ura’?”
“Do it?”
This battle was shaping up to be a tough one.
Even my PTSD was bowing its head in shame—a mentally taxing fight ahead.
Then, as if on cue, a stream donation popped up.
Unfortunately, not welcome news from my perspective.
【User ㅇㅇ donated 1,000 coins!】
〔Yell ‘Uraaa!!’ to draw attention—50,000 won〕
“N-No way...”
【User ㅇㅇ donated 1,000 coins!】
〔If Sukka won’t, guess we’re hitting up Ttalgwi’s stream...〕
“Ah... please no...”
Moments later, Ttalgwi flinched and widened her eyes like a rabbit.
I shook my head furiously, begging her not to.
“Just once, and it’s ten million...”
A true streamer through and through.
Unable to take it, I pinched her side hard.
“Uraaaah!!”
Hoping that earned the ten million.