Chapter 32: Streamer Server Opens

Pixel Wars Streamer Server.

A large-scale event funded by Soopjijik.

“So basically, you can think of it as a sandbox RPG. Resource gathering, crafting, building, combat… you can enjoy all of it freely.”

Zeronix began speaking in a serious tone.

Zeronix — a major streamer on Soopjijik known for his Pixel Wars content.

He was also leading the entire Pixel Wars Streamer Server project.

“The same goes for gathering. If you want to mine ores, you have to swing your pickaxe yourself, and finding veins requires you to use your VR vision and senses.”

Because of this, he was currently doing a live interview about the server.

This was the first major server hosted by the platform itself.

Soopjijik was heavily promoting it.

“Also, we’ve already pre-selected the participating streamers through a review process. Ten streamers have been chosen as the starting members.”

“Periodically, these streamers will receive invitation tickets to invite other streamers to the server.”

“Of course, there are restrictions for those invited.”

“They must meet certain conditions like having a minimum number of YouTube subscribers or Soopjijik followers.”

“However, each starting member gets one golden ticket.”

“Using the golden ticket allows them to invite one person regardless of subscriber count or any other condition.”

“And since this is a server just for streamers, there are also various hidden features—though I think it’ll be more fun to discover those on your own rather than me spoiling them.”

“The Pixel Wars Streamer Server will run for two months.”

“We hope viewers will show lots of interest!”

A large server just for streamers.

With platform support and Zeronix—one of the biggest Pixel Wars streamers—running it, it was gaining massive attention.

The initial 10 invited streamers were all big names.

The stakes were high. Zeronix and his selected admins poured their efforts into managing the server.

One week after launch—

‘This is insane.’

Zeronix clenched his fist.

The peak concurrent viewership reached 210,000 in just a week.

Not only were peak numbers high, but viewership was consistently strong from morning to night.

‘This is only the beginning.’

Currently, only the ten starting streamers were active.

More streamers would be invited soon, and viewership would continue to grow.

‘I was honestly scared it would flop.’

He talked a big game about 100% success, but truthfully, he was nervous.

Even with platform support, creating the map and maintaining the server cost a fortune. He had to dip into his own pocket.

If it failed, he’d lose money and face massive humiliation as a Pixel Wars streamer.

Fortunately, the server was running smoothly.

“Hey, did you see the new arrivals?”

A man spoke to Zeronix, who was looking at the real-time viewer count with a satisfied expression.

Frost — one of the server admins.

He was close with Zeronix, like a younger brother.

He had a long history with Pixel Wars, so Zeronix trusted him with the admin role.

“Yeah. Now that the golden tickets can be used, I figured everyone would jump on them.”

Golden tickets had usage limits. They could only be used within specific time frames and in set quantities.

Currently, each streamer could only invite one person.

‘They’ll probably stick close to their inviter.’

The ten starting streamers had all received golden tickets.

New invitees would naturally form groups around them.

‘Inviting early has its advantages. You need time to level up and gear up.’

Early invitees would lead the charge—raiding boss monsters and dominating PvP.

Being the “first invited streamer” carried a lot of weight.

Zeronix checked the newly invited names.

‘Yup, all familiar.’

As expected, most starting streamers invited those who were already good at Pixel Wars.

Inviting skilled streamers to form teams made sense—it gave an edge in both PvP and PvE.

“But don’t you think Raidel took a bit of a risk?”

Frost tilted his head.

“She used her golden ticket immediately, but the person she invited hasn’t even started streaming yet.”

The golden ticket—

Each starting member got one.

Normally, the server had restrictions to avoid risks. Only those with sufficient recognition could join—less risk of drama that way.

But the golden ticket bypassed all that. Anyone could be invited.

Starting members were trusted enough to handle that power, hence the event.

Raidel had used hers right away.

For someone known only as “Silverhair.”

It wasn’t even an official streamer name. Just a nickname used between Raidel and her viewers.

Since she hadn’t started streaming yet, she didn’t have a proper channel.

“Won’t viewers be upset?”

Normally, viewers would push back the most in such cases.

All the other starting streamers were inviting proven talents in Pixel Wars.

Instead, Raidel used her rare golden ticket on a total unknown.

Her stream could’ve easily gone up in flames.

“I checked, and surprisingly, her viewers are fine with it.”

In fact, Raidel’s viewers were excited to welcome Silverhair.

“They think she’s a famous participant from Raidel’s viewer games.”

Sometimes, regular viewers who participated in streams regularly would become known. If they had a positive impact on the stream, fans could grow attached.

“Still, it’s kind of strange.”

“Yeah.”

Neither Zeronix nor Frost had watched Raidel’s recent streams.

She’d been locked in as a starting member for a while, and they had no time to watch other streamers.

Running a mega project like the streamer server was draining. There wasn’t time to spare.

So they had no idea who Silverhair really was.

“Well, she knows what she’s doing.”

“Yeah. How they use their ticket is up to them.”

As long as there was no backlash from viewers, there was no reason to intervene.

Zeronix poured himself a coffee and resumed monitoring streamers.

“Hmm. No one’s found any hidden pieces yet, huh?”

“Yeah. Everyone knows they exist, but nobody’s found one.”

All ten starting streamers were on the hunt.

They were extra suspicious of anything strange and actively searched.

But no luck so far.

“Did we make them too hard to find? Hidden in plain sight, maybe.”

“Should we drop some hints?”

“No, not yet.”

Zeronix took a sip of his coffee.

It was only the first week. Way too soon for hints.

---

“Wow.”

Cold seawater lapped at her ankles.

She took a deep breath and tasted the sea breeze—fresh, salty, and invigorating.

Standing on the shoreline really made it feel like she was on an island.

“VR really is amazing.”

Pixel Wars—originally a sandbox-style PC game famous for its freedom.

It had simple graphics but offered deep customization and creativity, earning it huge popularity.

But when the gaming market shifted to VR, it took a hit.

Users abandoned ship for immersive VR games.

Pixel Wars, once a titan, was heading for the history books.

Until a massive investment led to a VR remake.

They retained its freedom while enhancing realism—and revived it into a global hit.

‘Still, I feel bad for Ha-yoon.’

The golden ticket from Kim Ha-yoon, aka Raidel.

Raidel used hers to invite her to the streamer server.

Not as some late addition—but as the very first invite.

Pixel Wars Streamer Server was Soopjijik’s biggest ongoing project.

Being the first invited was a monumental opportunity.

‘Even though I haven’t even started streaming yet.’

She thought going live was as easy as pushing a button.

Turns out, the process was way more complicated.

She had applied already, but hadn’t passed yet.

She’d feared she was going to miss her shot—

Until Raidel used the golden ticket.

No need for subscriber counts or platform stats.

Even a non-streamer could join.

‘That karaoke stream really paid off.’

Thanks to some unexpected positive PR during Raidel’s stream, there was zero viewer backlash.

‘Anyway, I heard there are hidden pieces.’

First, she needed to find the village.

As she turned away from the shoreline to head inland—

Skreeee!—

A bird zipped past her shoulder at incredible speed.