Chapter 10: Hazy’s Hosting Frenzy and Element’s Call
“Can’t you see I’m freaking out too?”
- No cam, how’d we know, Hazy-hazy…
- That’s not the point, is it?
- Explain
- Ex
- Plain
- Sia-ya? The boss your friend?
- Streamer, what’s up, something real?
- My heart’s soaring, is this the same Hazy with 100 average viewers…?
“Even if you say that…”
I don’t know what’s happening either.
Brain froze from the sudden push. What? See you later? And drop honorifics? What’s this about?
Amid the chaos, Yura-nim’s words stuck clear:
“Yo, scatter quick! Done! Goal achieved!”
The vibe shifted fast after I called Sia-nim casually. Was that the goal?
Why’s that the goal? Ugh, head hurts. Too many thoughts, and viewers are rabid for answers, so I can’t think straight.
Decided to end the stream.
“Look, I don’t know. Isn’t this just them messing with me?”
- Nah, it’s not.
- Lucia allowing casual talk? Not easy.
- Sia-nim’s one thing, but dropping honorifics is a whole other deal.
- Looks like a stream-end dodge.
“Yup, ending it.”
[1,000 won donation!] – Yo, don’t want viewer drop-off tomorrow? Spill it.
“What do I spill? I don’t know! Ask Sia-nim!”
Trying to wrap up, but viewers threaten to ditch tomorrow’s stream. Felt like younger cousins swarming me, whining. Not easy.
What do I do? Then, a hosting alert chimed.
[“Lucia” hosted with 20,247 viewers!]
“What’s this… huh?”
- ?
- ??
- Hosting?
- Refugees…?
- Take the refugees~
- Not refugees, Columbus? Getting colonized?
- 1,000 average viewers, 20,000 hosted? Lolol
“What’s this about…”
As if things weren’t bad enough, Sia-nim sent a host. Head’s throbbing. Now I get what “head exploding” means.
No clue. Gotta escape this.
“Look, I know nothing, I’m lost too, let’s sort it tomorrow.”
- But tomorrow’s your day off?
- This guy’s dodging with a day off.
- Letting you go?
- Explain now, problem solved, why not?
- This a dodge?
“Fine, I’ll stream tomorrow. I’ll stream.”
[1,000 won donation!] – Just explain now, take tomorrow off, no complaints. Why not? Really clueless?
“Yo! I’m clueless! Can’t you see my brain’s fried?”
- No cam, how we see? Lolol
- Lolol he’s legit mad.
- Real vibes lolol
- Fine, come tomorrow lol
- But why’d the boss…?
- What’s up?
- Even the stream-end’s got pro vibes.
“Got heated, my bad. See you tomorrow. Thanks for watching.”
Rushed the goodbye before viewers changed their minds. Was about to end when I saw Yura-nim live on the streamer list.
“Scratch tomorrow’s stream. I’ll host to someone, ask them.”
- ?
- ?
- Backtrack?
- A man’s word is gold, dude.
- Chickening out?
“I’m hosting to Yura-nim, ask her. Thanks for today!”
Hosted to Yura-nim, stream ended. The frantic chat stilled, only my PC’s cooling fans filled the room.
With the noise gone, I calmed a bit. Chugged cold water to cool my head.
“Ugh, no idea what’s going on.”
To simplify, I summed it up in three lines:
- Sia-nim invited me to a collab, suggested dropping honorifics.
- Turned out to be a collab with top streamers.
- Ended with casual address.
This plot would get roasted in a novel.
“Gotta message Sia-nim to figure this out.”
Sent it, waited an hour on my bed for a reply, but fell asleep.
“Morning already?”
Woke to bright sunlight. Weather said rain, but it’s always wrong.
Remembered my message. Checked my phone, opened the desktop app’s mobile version.
My message was simple: why the casual address push? Found a short reply.
[Lucia]: You’ll know when you wake. Maybe by the time you see this?
Sent at 4 a.m. What was she doing up after ending her stream? And this reply? I’ll know when I wake?
“What’s that mean?”
Puzzled, I booted my computer. Maybe check Watch café? A clip with notes? Most likely a YouTube video, but what?
Sighed, opened the internet. My default green browser loaded, and a mail notification pinged.
Checked the inbox.
[Element Network Co., Ltd. to Watch streamer ‘Hazy’]
This is what she meant by “you’ll know.”
Element Network is a top MCN with major streamers. At least two or three top platform names are with them, dominating the industry.
Since some point, getting Element’s offer became a badge of potential streaming success. Barring scandals, no one flops after joining.
“Never thought I’d get Element’s call.”
Key point: Sia-nim’s with Element.
No, not just with them—she founded it.
Element started when some of yesterday’s collab crew wanted to be under one MCN. As their streams grew, so did the company, recruiting more streamers, becoming today’s Element.
“Was the collab for this?”
Maybe the collab was a pre-recruitment test. But the honorifics? Just to get friendly? Saengsam-nim got teased over honorifics before joining Element, so maybe.
Still, Element’s offer was undeniable. The mail said they’ve watched my streams, want a management contract, and to call the listed number.
In streaming, Element promises top treatment—gear, support, everything.
No reason to refuse. Dialed the number.
Ring, click.
“Hello?”
Familiar voice. One I heard a lot yesterday…
“Sia-nim?”
Why’s she answering?
Shouldn’t it be, like, an operations manager? Never done a contract, but I heard managers usually reach out. Why Sia-nim?
“Sia-ya.”
“Huh?”
“Not Sia-nim, Sia-ya. We agreed to drop honorifics yesterday.”
Say it quick. Sia-ya.
My headache crept back. Her playful tone, like a middle school bully teasing a fun target, pushed me.
“Quick, say Sia-ya.”
“I never agreed, why’s it like this?”
“‘Cause you dropped honorifics yesterday?”
“Ugh…”
Clutched my head, sighed. Her laugh at my sigh shifted to a serious tone.
“Element Network wants to contract with Hazy-nim. Since you called, can we assume you’re interested?”
“Yes.”
“Details we’ll discuss in person. Free this week?”
“Today works, I’ll match your time and place.”
“Can you come to our office?”
Element’s office. How long’s the subway ride?
“Sure.”
“Then 12:30. Tell the front desk you’re Hazy for a contract.”
“Got it.”
12:30? Shower and prep, bit tight. Maybe a triangle kimbap for lunch.
“Oh, if you’re free, wanna eat at our cafeteria?”
“…Element has a cafeteria?”
“Yup. Tour the company, eat, then talk details.”
“Sounds good.”
“One more thing.”
Before hanging up, her voice stopped me.
“If you don’t talk casually at the office, I’ll just stare at you, no reply.”
…Should I skip the contract?