Chapter 91
Chapter 91
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 91
Chapter Title: It's Not a Self-Deprecating Broadcast
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"Here! Please sign here too for the last one!"
"Ah, sure."
"Okay! Now you're officially a Universe-affiliated VTuber! Ah, but since you only customized 1%, are you really a VTuber? Anyway, welcome aboard! Let's aim to get that Silver Button before this update cycle ends!"
"Um, please go easy on me...."
And so, my RP was set as 'a Soviet girl soldier who got isekai'd into a World War II game and returned to reality.'
Since Universe had been preparing an exclusive streamer project, the contract paperwork flew through without a hitch.
Naturally, we planned to draw up a contract for the 'Sergei Migration Plan' as well, but since that wasn't ready yet, we decided to hash it out later.
Of course, I held the reins on the contract, so I wasn't worried even though it was a major corporation on the other side.
Either way, I was now officially in the same boat with Universe.
We'd be sailing through rough storms ahead, and I could only hope no one got seasick.
"Then we need to scout some other VTubers too. If only Sukka gets all the spotlight, it'll throw the game's balance off. Got any streamers in mind from the PR team?"
As we chatted, the planning team leader—who'd been conferring with others—chimed in.
The moment her time to shine arrived, she slipped right back into her cool career woman mode.
The PR team leader, who was gathering the digital contracts, flashed a meaningful smile.
In her hand was now a thick stack of other files.
"Of course! We've even got someone right on the verge of signing! Want to check the list?"
"You secured diversity, right? We can't lean too hard one way. Need reps from America, UK, China, Germany, Japan. If it's just Sukka streaming, the Soviet faction will be overpowered."
"You bet! We've even got an Italian streamer in the running. Got chewed out during the interview for offering iced Americano."
"That'll give viewers something to roast. But no German streamer? Germany is the most urgent need right now."
True to form for game company employees, they never overlooked balance issues.
It was a natural, reasonable call—couldn't let the perception stick that Universe favored Soviet players.
But the word 'Germany' instantly conjured up one annoying face in my mind.
Katzenjäger probably wouldn't stream anyway, but I had to nip even minor issues in the bud.
"Uncle Han Jin-tae, don't we need to worry about the other tester players too? If the NPCs recognize them, it'll look like a bug."
"Ah, the other testers should be fine. They weren't in Eastern Battlefield long enough for the NPCs to remember. I even reached out just in case, so no worries."
"You mentioned there was another tester who lasted a long time. That one ignored contact and was waging total war, right?"
"Huh?"
At my point, Han Jin-tae quietly furrowed his brow.
He was clearly recalling his exchange with Katzenjäger.
As he sank into thought, the room naturally fell silent.
He finally spoke after a brief pause.
"Victoria, is that guy the stalker you mentioned earlier? You said the stalker was an Eastern Battlefield tester."
His observation hit sharp.
He'd pieced together what I'd said and deduced Katzenjäger's identity.
I'd figured it'd come out eventually, but not this fast.
I gave a faint smile and nodded.
"Yeah, that's right. The stalker I mentioned is probably him. He mistook me for Sergei and tried to kill me."
"So that's how it was. If you want, I can help with a lawsuit. We can easily dig up his personal info from the data."
"Thanks. But really, don't worry about it. I've got some unfinished business with the stalker. Just check if he's streaming or not. If he isn't, I'll turn him into content."
"Huh? Content?"
"Yeah, he's the perfect villain for my RP. Give the stalker an RP like 'a German soldier who got isekai'd into a World War II game, died to Sukka, and returned to reality.' No need to fret—I can act my way through it."
"Alright, if you're okay with it, I'll trust you. We'll just monitor for now. If he starts streaming, I'll let you know right away."
"Thanks for believing me. But why the sudden speech change?"
"Uh... weird? I always talked like this when working with you, Victoria...."
"Hmm... no, it's fine. Way better than before."
I smiled at Han Jin-tae, who'd regained his confidence.
Definitely looked a lot better than his earlier vibe.
No matter who it was, partners deserved responsibility over guilt.
Now it finally felt like our collab content with Universe could get rolling properly.
As we talked, the PR team leader—who'd been listening—let out an impressed sigh.
She even clapped, so my pitch must've landed well.
"Whoa! The boldness to turn a stalker into content! We just learned a thing or two! Sukka's six times better at content planning than our team lead!"
"W-What?"
"But it's too personal to promote, so it'll have to be one-off content. We'll trust your acting chops, Sukka."
"Hey! Oh Chae-hee!"
I nodded vaguely and glanced at Hwarang beside me.
No way was I jumping into that fox fight—I'd end up with fur flying.
Luckily, the planning team leader drew the PR lead's fire for me.
So I decided to look after the underling Hwarang instead.
"Mr. Hwarang, didn't you say you owed me an apology?"
"Ah, yes. I did."
"Let's clear the air this time. What happened?"
"Well... it's been bothering me a bit."
Hwarang had definitely said he needed to apologize to me.
No idea how bad it was, but he'd sent high-dollar donations and told me to eat tasty food with Shin Ara.
Now that we were partners, better to bury old hatchets.
I made an encouraging face, and he whispered just for me.
"Sukka's data was so unique. It was like you were actually there in reality. All the sensory data was hyper-detailed, and you even felt pain."
"Ah, yeah. Even in-game, pain hurt for real."
"Yes, but shamefully, instead of worrying about your pain, I coveted the data. It was prime stuff for making the game more realistic. That's why I nudged you toward Frontline Archive. Mentioning Tactical Papasha and all."
"Ah...."
"I'm truly sorry. I had no idea you had PTSD back then. I figured if the pain got bad, you'd log out. I was just a data-blinded lunatic."
"Hmm...."
I gave an awkward smile to the bowed Hwarang.
Maybe because I'm not a dev, I couldn't grasp what was wrong.
Hwarang had only suggested Frontline Archive—he never forced it.
Plus, the Easter egg he shared was legit, and he backed the Nangnang Tanya bust with big donations.
Seemed like not considering my PTSD bugged him, but ignorance isn't exactly a crime.
So he didn't really owe me an apology.
"Was me feeling pain a bug, by chance?"
"Afraid not. Sometimes deep immersion tricks the brain into phantom pain. Probably your PTSD recreating it."
"Hmm... Can you fix it so it doesn't hurt?"
"Sadly, no. It's not the game or VR gear...."
"Ah... Then you don't need to beat yourself up, Mr. Hwarang. I don't mind, so no need to apologize."
"Th-Thank you...."
I patted his shoulder lightly.
He really hadn't done anything wrong.
But with an apology like that, I kinda wanted a little reward.
Grinning mischievously, I handed him my bill.
"In exchange, don't forget to make Frontline NPCs invincible."
"Ah, yes. Of course. Irina and Yelena, right? I'll set them as essential NPCs the second the meeting ends."
"Not just Irina and Yelena—there's Ivan, Alexei, Sergei, Yuri, Anastasia, Olga, Darya, Andrei—"
"—W-Wait. How many are you planning?"
"Huh? 214 for starters."
"Ah, even for you, Sukka, that's too many... We asked you to roleplay to avoid bugs. That many essential NPCs will inevitably cause glitches."
"Ah...."
"To execute the Sergei Migration Plan, we need minimal bugs. Sorry, but could you settle for Irina and Yelena? Even if they die, the data persists—you can meet them again."
"......."
Too greedy, unfortunately.
I nodded in acceptance, and Hwarang looked relieved.
Still, I'd secured invincibility for the Morozova sisters.
For the other comrades, I'd rescue them with my own power—no system crutches.
Sure, it'd mean PTSD pain, but the thought of saving them fired me up.
As I steeled myself, Hwarang—who'd been pondering—whispered.
"But Sukka, mind if I ask one thing?"
"Sure, go ahead."
"Before the meeting, I checked Sergei's data. It was a dead ringer for yours."
"I-It was?"
"And how do you know those NPC names? You were just a character model in Eastern Battlefield, not a tester. How'd you know NPCs you haven't met? And why care so much for ones you've just encountered?"
"......."
I had no choice but to go silent at Hwarang's questions.
Cold sweat was probably beading on my forehead.
Hwarang really had shaman-level insight.
Put him under sunny skies with a mat, and he'd rake in fortune-telling cash.
I wished he'd let it slide, but he pressed on like a detective cornering the perp.
"'A Soviet girl soldier isekai'd into a World War II game and returned to reality'... That's just RP, right?"
"......."
"And polite Sukka casually calling Sergei by name feels off...."
"......."
"Could it be Sukka is...."
"Nyaack!! I'm logging out now! See you all later!"
In the end, I chose flight.
I didn't want my identity exposed by someone else, and lies were pointless in a corner.
Thankfully, Hwarang dropped the suspicion when I panicked.
He apologized and scratched his head, mistaking my distress for sheer absurdity.
Fair enough—to an outsider, it'd sound ridiculous.
Good thing Hwarang was a code-writing STEM guy.
"Huh? Leaving already? We've got a bit more meeting left?"
"Uh, Mom! I mean, sis wants me for dinner!"
"Aw, okay. I'll contact you with details by tomorrow."
"Yessir! Happy holidays—you're all working too hard! Take care!"
"Oh, such a good girl."
I shot Hwarang one last glare before logging out.
For some reason, a human shape flickered behind his shoulder.
I hate ghosts, but he keeps looking possessed.
Thank goodness I'd be sleeping with Shin Ara tonight too.