Chapter 70
Chapter 70
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 70
Chapter Title: It's Not a Self-Deprecating Stream
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For the first time since starting my streams, I set up a "banned words" filter.
Now, "145" had become a number that could never be mentioned in my channel.
But the viewers found all sorts of ways to dodge the ban.
Starting from "4.35 ships" all the way to "12²," they teased me with the most outlandish euphemisms imaginable.
I even stomped my foot and threw a fit to threaten them.
But having already lost all dignity as a streamer, I just ended up being treated like a whiny kid.
In the end, I had no choice but to give up on my desperate struggles and lift the ban.
The viewers, who were dead serious about messing with me, only got more rowdy the more I told them not to.
With my stream's ranking shooting up, it seemed the rumors had spread to the communities too.
I couldn't help but curse my past self for half-assing the customization.
"Kid, I'm heading to bed. You sure you don't need rest?"
"Yeah, if I log out, Sutzka stops. I slept like a rock, so I'm fine."
Even amid all that, we kept moving without a break.
Wardaddy, Bible, and Gord could all drive tanks, so the three of them took turns piloting Sutzka.
Thanks to them, I was able to declare that I wouldn't end the stream until we reached Odessa.
And right on cue, they slapped a "King of Streams" mission on me—looks like the viewers weren't ready to say goodbye either.
It was about 500 km from Sevastopol to Odessa.
Luckily, the roads were better than expected, so we'd arrive in around 20 hours of driving.
Man, I really owed the squad a ton.
I had PTSD that made going out terrifying, but once this was over, I'd treat everyone.
"But Ttalgwi, don't you need sleep?"
"Huh? With the honorific?"
"Oh, Ttalgwi unnie."
"Hehe, my stream got a King of Streams mission too. And as a capsuleer, I'm not tired at all? Ghost said he'd keep the drivers company too."
"Really?"
Surprisingly, Ttalgwi and Ghost were staying up with me too.
Ttalgwi made sense with the mission, but I never expected Ghost to skip sleep.
Thanks to them, the viewers didn't get bored.
If it were just me, I'd have been staring blankly from lack of content, but Ttalgwi kept the stories coming endlessly.
We spent hours chatting lightly with viewers, and she even tempted me into ordering late-night chicken, boosting the local economy.
I'd forgotten amid her signature airheaded charm, but Ttalgwi was a popular streamer.
"Sukka, how about customizing Sutzka's exterior? Viewers keep asking to paint 'that number' on it..."
"No way."
And so, we enjoyed our Siberian road trip aboard Sutzka to our hearts' content.
It was so peaceful that even Shin Ara went to bed without a worry.
We leisurely admired the night sky brimming with stars, huddled together against the dawn chill, then warmed our bodies under the morning sun.
It was the same scenery and cold I'd grown sick of on the Eastern Front, but with a relaxed mind, it felt fresh to me.
And as my comrades woke one by one, our destination finally came into view.
The beautiful port city of Odessa, reached after departing Sevastopol, passing through Kherson and Mykolaiv.
"You young bucks sure are lively even after pulling an all-nighter. Alright, where to from here?"
"Oh, to the beach with the yellow rock. I'll go ask someone about the location."
Irina had said she lived near the landmark called "Zholtiy Kamin."
Just as the name suggested—"yellow stone"—it was a spot with a massive yellow rock jutting up from the beach.
Recalling that, I ran over to an old man who was eyeing Sutzka.
It was a major hub with plenty of users, but for NPC info, better to ask an NPC.
"Privet, dedushka. Do you understand me?"
"Huh? Yeah, what business you got dragging that tank here?"
"Oh, I wanted to know where the 'Yellow Stone' landmark is."
"Yellow Stone? Follow the road to the beach straight on, you'll see it. Won't take long in that tank."
Good, the Yellow Stone really existed.
Relieved, I let out a small smile and patted my chest.
But even with the rock, no guarantee Irina was there.
With a sliver of hope, I asked the old man.
"Grandpa, do you know a woman named 'Irina Morozova'? She kinda looks like the one sitting on that tank."
"Heh heh, Irina? 'Course I do. But she's got similar hair color, that's all."
"Really? Irina's still around here?"
"Yeah, lives near the Yellow Stone."
"Th-thank you! I'll be off!"
I bowed repeatedly and hurried back to Sutzka.
Then, with Ttalgwi's help, I clambered aboard with grunts.
Just a little further, and I'd meet Irina.
The thought made my heart race.
"Wardaddy uncle! Head down that road!"
"You happy right now? Or anxious?"
"F-faster!"
"Sheesh, got it."
We followed the old man's directions slowly.
I wanted to floor it, but people were milling about the roadside.
Soon, a massive rock appeared atop the endless sandy beach.
Glinting in the sunlight, it was unmistakably yellow.
But there were more houses around the Yellow Stone than I'd expected.
I'd have to ask someone where exactly Irina lived.
Just then, the road narrowed, and Sutzka ground to a halt.
In my haste, I leaped off and dashed toward the stairs linking to the beach.
"Hah!"
"Kyaa!"
Suddenly, I collided with someone who popped out.
I caught my balance reflexively, but the other person flew back and tumbled.
If they fell from bumping me, they had to be bottom-tier among the runts.
Worried, I looked down—and sure enough, a little girl was rolling on the ground.
"Nooo! My lunch!"
"Ah! S-sorry! You okay?"
"What's your name! Why'd you barrel out and shove a hungry, pitiful girl like me!"
"I-I'm Sukka..."
"Sukka? Where'd you get a name like that? Who names someone that!"
"......."
She was a bold, pretty girl with bright blonde hair.
Smaller than me, she couldn't be more than 10.
Around her were seaweeds typical of the beach, scattered.
From her cry of "My lunch!", she'd gathered them for today's meal.
Feeling terrible, I tried to brush the dirt off her.
But she slapped my hand away and yelled fiercely.
"What are you gonna do about this! My food fell on the ground!"
"Huh? Just wash it and—"
"—What? You telling me to eat stuff that's hit the dirt?"
"N-no, I mean... it's from the sea anyway..."
"Do you know how hard I worked to pick them! I almost got swept away by the waves and died!"
"S-sorry..."
Her barrage overwhelmed me.
Of course, it was mostly my fault for charging ahead thoughtlessly, so I couldn't argue.
Meanwhile, the chat—filled with anticipation for meeting Irina—exploded in laughter.
Teasing me for cowering before a little girl, as expected.
『lololol what are they doing?』
『Dwarf vs. Dwarf』
『She says she's a hungry, pitiful girl ㅜㅜ Seaweed for lunch I guess ㅜㅜ』
『Dwarf getting scolded by another dwarf lololol』
『NPC acting up in front of a player!!!!』
『She's super cute too lol Where exactly are you now?』
『They look like friends lololol』
『What does illegal dwarf stick say? Our Sukka's more pitiful?』
"I-I'm not pitiful..."
"Hey! I'm talking, don't mumble to yourself!"
"Ah, sorry..."
"Just pay up for my lunch! Go pick more at the Yellow Stone over there!"
"Okay... but first, let's brush off the sand. Gotta check if you're hurt..."
Promising compensation, I eyed the chihuahua-like girl.
Then carefully dusted the sand from her clothes.
Luckily no injuries, but she was soaked through with seawater.
Her body temp was ice-cold; she really looked like a hungry, pitiful girl.
But sadly, I had no time to gather seaweed.
So I'd make it up with the food I had.
"Sand's off. No injuries, good. Can I pay with something other than seaweed?"
"What? Like what?"
"We have tasty stuff. I'm in a rush right now—would you forgive me with that?"
"Tasty? Okay! Forgiven!"
I took her hand and trudged back to Sutzka.
My comrades leering from atop felt annoyingly smug.
『Whoa? Don't cook for her?』
『Sukka! Just hand it over!』
『Dwarf getting shaken down by a kid lolol』
The viewers were even more infuriating.
What's wrong with my cooking?
"Ttalgwi, a few tushonka please."
I asked Ttalgwi and got some tushonka cans.
The girl beside me started stomping, swallowing hard.
Chuckling softly, I handed them to her.
She looked malnourished, so I wanted to give plenty, even at a loss.
"Here. Beef canned instead of seaweed."
"Ooh! Awesome! Forgiven!"
"And this one's an apology. Sorry you got hurt falling."
"Huh? Another one?"
"This one's for being glad to meet you. Hope you don't remember this badly."
"Th-three... really?"
"Last, one more question, so another one. Answer well, and one extra. Deal?"
"Gasp!"
Might as well ask her about Irina now.
Same hair color—maybe a connection.
The girl's jaw dropped as she stared, eyes welling up.
Confused why, I shrugged.
"Um... you don't have to give so much... sorry..."
"Huh? Why the sudden change? No pressure."
"A-actually, I bumped you on purpose... Tank crew have food..."
"Oh."
She switched to polite speech, then burst into tears.
She'd planned to mooch off a soldier, but my kindness pricked her conscience.
I told her no need to apologize, stroking her head.
Scared? Cold? Her soaked body trembled.
"Worried we'll mess you up?"
"J-just... this got too big..."
"No worries. That won't happen."
"Uu... really?"
"Yeah, promise. Here, wear this if you're cold. You'll catch a cold."
"Th-thank you..."
I draped my coat over her.
Spotting the medal on my chest, she gasped.
Wiping her tears, she looked at me with shining eyes.
Now convinced I was a kind soldier.
"Unnie, you really giving all this?"
"Unnie? Me?"
"Yeah! Medal on your chest—you're the greatest soldier here! So even if we're same height, you're unnie!"
"......."
"So what'd you wanna ask? I'll tell anything I know! Oh! I'm Yelena! What's your real name, unnie?"
"What?"
But then, a name slipped from her lips I couldn't ignore.
One Irina only mumbled drunk. Her little sister, who supposedly died in Odessa.
I grabbed her shoulders, locking eyes.
Voice trembling, I whispered.
"What did you just say?"
"Huh? D-did I mess up?"
"No, just... wanna hear your name clearly again."
"Yes, Yelena... Yelena Morozova..."
Yelena Morozova.
Incredibly, the cute girl before me was
"Know an Irina by any chance?"
"Huh? Irina? My big sis?"
Irina's little sister.