Chapter 8: It’s not that much?
Most competitive game streamers feel one truth deeply: solo queue and team games are entirely different beasts.
In solo queue streams, you’ve got to keep interacting while playing. That interaction isn’t in-game—it’s with viewers through chat.
Team games? Whole different story. You’re playing with other streamers, focusing on the game itself, practicing team calls over viewer banter.
Virtual streamer Rose knew this better than anyone. A second-year gaming VTuber, she was tight with other game streamers. So, she got called up often for internal matches like this, racking up plenty of team game experience.
‘First time with Ria-nim.’
Truth be told, Rose was meeting Ria for the first time too. Until this match, she didn’t even know there was a VTuber named Ria streaming Killwatch.
‘Gotta do my best.’
In the team draft, Rose ended up on Ria’s side. The funding wasn’t massive, but it wasn’t chump change either. They had to win to meet the fans’ expectations.
The worry? The highest-tier player in this match was Ria, a total newbie to internals.
‘…This could be trouble.’
To be blunt, Rose was super worried about Ria! Solo queue skills don’t automatically translate to team games. And vice versa.
‘She’s gotta be nervous.’
Rose even doubted Ria could handle calls properly. She’d seen too many first-timers choke under pressure in matches like this. And the opponent? Rainberg, an ex-pro and a streamer Rose respected, with tons of team game experience and nerves of steel.
Ugh… And earlier, Ria didn’t even know how to get invited to D-chat!
‘Okay, that was kinda cute.’
Seeing Ria fumble reminded Rose of her own debut days, stuttering over calls and freezing up.
‘Let’s not expect too much.’
Rose decided not to pin hopes on winning this match. And if they lost because of Ria, she wouldn’t get mad. Maybe even cover for her. Everyone has those newbie days, right?
“Hey, let’s all do great!”
“Been a while since a team game~ I’m sticking with my usual tank?”
“Yup, let’s go! I’m sub-tank.”
“Ria-nim? I’m sub-dealer. Can I talk casually? We gotta crush that Rebug guy, so lead those calls well!!”
“Uh… yes! Sure, talk casually! Let’s do this!!”
Look at that. Already nervous as hell.
‘I’ll just focus on my role.’
Rose’s position was healer. She vowed to nail it, avoiding any community flak for slacking.
No getting hung up on winning or losing.
But just minutes ago, that’s what Rose thought…
‘What’s up with Ria-nim?’
Ten minutes into the match, Rose’s eyes widened at a game she never expected.
“Rose-nim, stay in a line behind and watch for enemy stuns.”
“Got it, Ria-nim!”
“Cool, keep the heals flowing like that, and this round’s in the bag.”
“Everyone else, I haven’t memorized names yet, so I’ll call by position.”
“Tank line, keep CC around the payload and ping-pong aggro.”
“Got it!”
“I’m cutting their healer and dealer, so just keep it up.”
Crisp calls. Perfect position locks. Even fine-tuned macro adjustments!
‘The game’s… too easy?’
Rose had never played such a smooth Killwatch match. All she did was heal from the back.
[Score: 2:0]
“Okay, one more round and we’re done. Prep for next game.”
Dominant. No other word for it. Rose felt like she was strolling, and the game was already over.
She wasn’t the only one feeling it.
“Game’s chill. Nice.”
“We might clock out early today~”
“Is Rainberg’s head spinning yet?”
The team vibe was great throughout. And finally:
[Score: 3:0]
[Red Team wins! Game over.]
Shockingly, a 3:0 sweep. An absolute thrashing. Flipping all predictions of an even or losing match. Even gamblers wouldn’t have bet on this!
‘That was fun.’
Rose hadn’t had such a thrilling FPS match in ages. Winning this cleanly felt amazing. Sucks for the other team, though.
And this whole carry? Pulled off by a female VTuber no one knew, against an ex-pro corporate streamer.
“Ria-nim, you’re 21, right?”
“Yes? Yes.”
“Call me Rose-unnie from now on.”
“Okay, unnie!”
Young blood’s the best.
‘Gotta get close to her.’
Looking at this innocent-faced VTuber, Rose made up her mind. A serious virtual streamer had just appeared on Forest.
I won.
I beat Rainberg!
A 3:0 sweep, no less.
‘Is this real?’
Uh… honestly, I was so nervous I barely remember how I played. After the donations came in, I just threw myself into the game.
‘Did I call properly?’
I think I talked a lot mid-game. Kinda blurry. But we won, so it’s fine, right?
‘Did I overdo it?’
One worry lingered. I forgot during the game, but this match was supposed to promote VTuber Ria. Did I just game instead of stream?
‘I might’ve screwed up…’
What if I open chat and it’s flooded with hate?
Nervously, I checked the chat I’d muted to avoid tilting.
But…
– Wow.
– That aim’s insane.
– Yo, you a dude?
– That 4:1 clutch was what?
– lol Best VTuber I’ve seen play.
– Why’s she new to me?
– Dealer’s nuts. Smoked Rebug lol.
“Huh?”
[Rebbagi_Jinsun donated 1 Berry.]
[FPSYudong donated 1 Berry.]
[Rebbagi_Hyuno donated 1 Berry.]
…
[RainbowRainberg donated 1 Berry.]
Fan joins poured in with firepower I’d never seen. And chat was praising my gameplay.
‘First time for this.’
Thump, thump.
Oh no. My heart’s racing harder than before.
And the viewer count on my monitor, clear as day. Unless I’m seeing things…
[Participants: 600]
“Huff, ha, huff, ha.”
Hyperventilation hit! When was the last time I saw numbers like this?
The fatigue from my shift and intense gaming? Gone. Nothing beats viewer count dopamine for a streamer!
“Thanks for the carry, Ria-nim~!”
“Man, rode that bus hard.”
“No, no! You all did so well, that’s why we won!”
“Oh my, humble too? Thanks to you, I nabbed 5,000 Berries.”
Our team’s vibe was pure joy. Three sets of perfect teamwork.
‘Wow, everyone’s so great.’
God, gaming’s fun!
This is why I game!
“Let’s hit the D-chat, Ria-nim, come along.”
“Yup!”
“Rebug’s definitely pushing for a rematch.”
“…?”
I didn’t catch the meaning but followed the team to the opposing team’s D-chat.
Ding!
“Great job, everyone! That was so fun.”
I thanked the other team too. Who knows when I’ll get another shot like this? Gotta leave a good impression!
‘Huh?’
But their vibe was heavy.
“Heh heh heh…”
“Sounds… like you… had fun?”
Scary. What’s this?
Instinct kicked in! Something big was about to pop off.
The vibe came from Rainberg, who hadn’t spoken but was scarier for it!
I snuck a peek at his stream. His cam and chat:
– lololol What’d he say earlier?
– Ex-pro won’t lose to a girl VTuber?
– Damn, Bug got wrecked.
– Ugh, my bad for expecting.
– Our bro’s getting old ㅠㅠ.
Zing.
Rainberg stared dead center at his cam, like a deposed king facing execution!
“No one’s leaving. No dodging.”
His voice boomed. Other streamers made faces like, “Here we go again,” or “Overtime today.”
“This ain’t my loss. Swap head tiers and run it back.”
The classic blame-game began.
“Ria-nim, you good?”
“Yes? Yeah, I’m fine…”
“Cool, let’s go.”
I had no grounds or reason to refuse. The match was fun, and it was a chance for me.
But I couldn’t just coast. I didn’t want to be just another VTuber. So, I threw in a streamer-style jab.
“You sure you’re okay with this?”
“…Best of three, what’d you say?”
Zing!
His glare shot through the screen. Rainberg, that’s actually terrifying.
But I’d started it, so I’d go pro! With the most innocent face and voice, I tossed out a concerned jab.
“You didn’t seem that good.”
“Man, what a nutcase. I’ll show you what an ex-pro is.”
And so began a high-stakes blame-game showdown. Both Rainberg and I gave it our all in a bloody battle.
The result? Not much different.
[Final Score: 3:1]
[Game Over.]
– Ahem…
– So, the culprit is…?
– Rainberg did okay this time, no?
– Didn’t the other side just suck?
– Hwayeon was worse this round.
“Wow, Hwayeon, you nutcase. Throwing ‘cause you’re on my team?”
“No, your calls sucked, oppa.”
“You moron. Calls? You’re pulling the call card!?”
“But, oppa, you’re the only one with a full loss…”
“Ugh, I’m out. Two games and you’re hitting me with full-loss talk?”
Another blame-game round, this time swapping some lower tiers!
“Ria-nim, 1,000 Berry bet.”
“Sure, Rainberg-nim. Call~.”
Looks like quitting time’s delayed. But I was having fun!
“Bug-nim, ex-pro, right?”
“What’d you say? Yacha rules later.”
“Call, no backing out. Now?”
“Fine, if I lose, I’ll admit the balance was off.”
This round became a reflection-letter bet on who’s worse! It escalated to a pride showdown!
And the result…
[Final Score: 3:2]
[Game Over.]
“Ugh, Rebug-oppa, I’m out~ Ria-nim’s the best!”
“Great job, everyone.”
“Rebug-nim, balancing with Ria-nim next time… might be tough?”
“…I wasn’t that bad.”
“Great work, Rebug-nim!”
That day, I learned how merciful big-time streamers are!
“Phew… Ria-nim, I won’t mess with you again. I admit total defeat.”
That day, Rainberg himself uploaded a clip to my channel. Word is, the community was buzzing too.
‘Not checking the community, though.’
Since the incident, it’s been too hard to look.
Instead, I sent Rainberg a DM after ending my stream.
[VTuber Ria]
– Rainberg-nim, thank you so much for the chance to join! I’d never done an internal match before, and this was so precious. You’re like a savior to me. I’d love to do more content together!!
‘Really grateful.’
Honestly, Rainberg played along great with the banter, making it fun. He even leaned into the punching-bag role for stream vibes.
Ding!
A reply came soon after.
– No problem, Ria-nim, you were awesome. First time in a match like this, I worried my jabs might’ve been too much, but you handled it great. Thanks lol. Let’s do more content!
Wow. He’s an angel!
A 180 from his stream persona. Like a tough-but-kind mentor from my past life.
You know the type—looks gruff and scary but turns out warm and reliable.
‘That was fun.’
I’d sleep like a baby tonight.
And I really needed to. After work and streaming, I’d been up over 18 hours!
With a rare happy heart, I drifted off.
*
While Ria slept that night, a post went up on the community.
[VTuber Ria Hack Usage Controversy Summary]