All senior administrators of the Archive, employed by J. J. Russell, were identified by single-letter alphabetical nicknames, a system designed to verify the authenticity of their accounts.
Administrator V, who had been dispatched in response to a summons from the Shin Yirin channel, received a message from the channel’s head administrator (TL Note: ‘Ju-ttak’ is a Korean slang term referring to the head administrator or moderator of an online community, often implying a position of authority and responsibility.), claiming they had accidentally pressed the summon button.
Subsequently, V checked the verification video that had been uploaded to the ‘Best Posts’ (TL Note: ‘Nyeom-geul’ is a Korean slang term for popular or trending posts in an online community, often short for ‘nyeom-nyeom geul’ meaning ‘delicious post’.) section.
“…Hmm.”
Initially, V had suspected a preposterous lie, yet upon closer inspection, even they had to admit this incident was indeed an unfortunate, unprovoked attack (TL Note: ‘Eok-kka’ is a Korean slang term meaning an unprovoked or unreasonable attack/criticism, often implying bad luck or being unfairly targeted.).
However, the outcome clearly showed that the head administrator had pressed the summon button with their own hand, and there was absolutely no system error or negligence on the Archive’s part.
This meant the incident was too ambiguous to warrant a clear sanction, yet too significant to simply overlook.
‘According to regulations, even a minor sanction is appropriate. But… the users’ backlash would be quite severe.’
Being a rather flexible individual, V did not wish to impose undue repression on the channel.
Yet, they also had no intention of setting a vague precedent that would grant countless troublemakers (TL Note: ‘Bun-tang’ is a Korean slang term for someone who causes disruption or stirs up trouble in an online community.) a free pass.
****
[Subject: Judgment Result.]
[V]
[Content]
We have determined that there was no malicious intent or deliberateness regarding this incident.
However, it is true that actions violating Article 17, Paragraph 7 of the administrative regulations occurred, and regrettably, we cannot conclude this matter without any sanctions.
Therefore, the Republic of Korea (ACC-12) / Shin Yirin channel will inevitably face a 15-day deactivation.
The channel deactivation will be applied for 15 days starting from 00:00 today, and similarly, the channel will be reactivated after 00:00 on the last day of the period.
We hope this fosters a more mature Archive culture and ask for your continued patronage.
[Comments]
– Ah.
– Oh no…
– KWAHHH!
– How many people is this idiot head administrator going to kill?
– 15 days is too much.
– T_T_T_T
– What am I supposed to do for 15 days?
– Wow, the channel is really doomed.
The channel’s users could intellectually accept the judgment to that extent.
However, internalizing it emotionally was an entirely different matter.
****
Anticipating such a reaction, V soon registered a new post, sparking another ripple of activity within the channel.
[Subject: I Understand Your Feelings]
[V]
[Content]
While this is unavoidable according to regulations, I also believe there might be aspects that feel genuinely unfair to you.
Therefore, for the next 10 minutes, I will accept objections under the Yacha Rule (TL Note: A Korean slang term for a specific type of challenge or duel in online communities, often involving high stakes.).
Should you fail to convince me, the user in question will receive a 30-day suspension from the Archive.
If you’re confident, go ahead.
[Comments]
– ??
– Excuse me?
– No way, lol;
– Taking a 30-day risk just to revoke a 15-day suspension is a bit much…
– Are all the ‘real men’ wannabes dead? Someone step up quickly!
– Who would step up for this while sober? LOL.
– I’d rather just rest for 15 days; it’s too much.
The Yacha Rule.
This was a Korean slang term referring to an act where, when excessive disputes arose in the Archive, two users would stake their accounts to resolve a disagreement.
These users could, by mutual agreement, choose a witness to judge the outcome, and the losing user would be subjected to a period of activity suspension or a corresponding restrictive measure.
****
[Subject: I’ll Go First]
[Wangnyang Bread]
Wangnyang Bread, the head administrator who had boldly declared their challenge, sent a private message to V, and moments later, their nickname turned a faint gray.
At this fact, screams of terror echoed throughout the channel for a brief moment.
‘They’re a perceptive one.’
In truth, V had never even considered that anyone other than the head administrator would challenge them from the outset.
This was merely an act to establish superficial justification, a slight trick designed to neutralize any resentment towards both the head administrator, as the party responsible for the mistake, and V, as the administrator.
Perhaps the head administrator, too, would leave the Archive with a sense of relief the moment they received a 30-day suspension?
[Subject: Closing in 2 Minutes.]
[V]
[Content]
I would be grateful if you understood that I, too, sympathized with the feelings of the channel users and intended to offer the utmost leniency.
[Comments]
– Oh dear.
– Tsk.
– It’s a shame, really…
– Bye-bye, see you in 15 days.
– I’m off to rest. Good luck.
In essence, this was V extending an olive branch.
‘I know you feel wronged, but I also have a position to uphold. So, let’s wrap this up cleanly with a 15-day suspension.’
The channel users understood this intellectually, which was why they couldn’t rashly object or raise further challenges.
‘The reaction isn’t bad, and the head administrator has secured at least a partial absolution… This case is resolved.’
****
At that moment, a monotonous notification sound rang out, and a message arrived for V.
*Ding!*
– High School Grad Middle Schooler: I’m raising an objection.
– High School Grad Middle Schooler: Is a wager format okay, by any chance?
‘Oh, dear…’
Despite V’s efforts to avoid creating unnecessary casualties, a second casualty was now inevitable.
Yet, it wasn’t an illogical choice.
V held the moral high ground in this dispute, and there was virtually no chance of convincing them through mere argumentation.
– V: It depends on the content.
– V: What kind of wager would you like?
– High School Grad Middle Schooler: I’ll take a selfie and send it.
– High School Grad Middle Schooler: If you think it’s cute, then I win, okay?
‘Hmm…’
The nickname itself hinted at an unusual capacity for troublemaking, and it seemed undeniable that this opponent was utterly deranged.
Intrigued, V proceeded to examine the opponent’s activity history and soon couldn’t suppress a bewildered chuckle.
‘What in the world is the source of this absurd confidence…?’
At this point, even utter nonsense had to be regarded as a matter of conviction.
In any case, the wager’s content itself posed no disadvantage to V, and honestly, they were curious about the appearance beyond the screen.
Ultimately, V accepted the wager, and a photograph swiftly arrived before them.
*Ding!*
– High School Grad Middle Schooler: (Photo)
– High School Grad Middle Schooler: If it’s cute, give it a thumbs up (TL Note: ‘Gae-chu’ is a Korean slang term, a portmanteau of ‘gae’ (dog, used as an intensifier) and ‘chu-cheon’ (recommendation), meaning a strong recommendation or ‘super upvote’.), okay?
“…?”
V could confidently state that this was one of the most perplexing moments in their long career as an administrator.
A girl, pristine in white, held up a whiteboard with a short sentence written on it in both hands, gazing at the screen with an innocent expression.
V had never in their life encountered such a creature.
A beauty? A belle? Such trite words failed to capture the essence; the genre was entirely different.
This, for example… was already akin to a form of art.
‘She is… cute, I suppose.’
In truth, V naturally had no real intention of admitting defeat in this wager.
No, frankly, if they were to revoke a sanction for such an embarrassing reason, what would become of their standing?
V did not wish to become the laughingstock of their colleagues, and thus intended to judge the outcome of this wager with a somewhat stingy perspective.
Yet.
‘She is cute, though…’
Declaring their own victory in this wager was, frankly, something V’s personal pride could not permit.
Furthermore, J. J. Russell, who was practically their superior, would certainly not welcome such an action.
For one of Russell’s steadfast principles was never to show an unsightly appearance before the channel users.
*Ding!*
– V: Hmm.
– V: Thumbs up.
– High School Grad Middle Schooler: Thanks, thanks.
****
Thus, V upheld their conviction, and before long, a new judgment was posted on the channel.
[Subject: The channel deactivation, scheduled for 00:00 today, has been lifted.]
[V]
[Content]
Reason: High School Grad Middle Schooler’s victory in the Yacha Rule challenge.
[Comments]
– ?
– ??
– Excuse me? Lol.
– Is this real?
– Nice, yesyesyesyesyes.
– What the hell is this now?
– No, seriously, how in the world…?
The channel users were bewildered, yet simultaneously overjoyed.
A 15-day channel suspension was a cruel and vicious act, akin to depriving a heavy smoker or drinker of alcohol and cigarettes for two weeks.
Given that a truckload of users had already been agonizing over what to do for the next 15 days, High School Grad Middle Schooler’s achievement in securing this victory was undeniably monumental.
[Subject: What the Hell Did They Do?]
[Temu Mountain Sword God]
[Content]
When the head administrator ‘died’ (TL Note: ‘Died’ here is slang for being suspended or defeated in an online context.), I was like, ‘figures,’ and was already looking for games to pass the 15 days, seriously.
[Comments]
– The head administrator is a noob; I didn’t even bother watching them get crushed, lol.
– I’d already given up and was just refreshing to screenshot the channel getting suspended.
– Seriously, how did they do it?
– From today onwards, I’ll support High School Grad Middle Schooler like a dog.
[Subject: If High School Grad Middle Schooler << This Bastard Is Really a Super Genius, Thumbs Up, lol.]
[Lorenzo]
[Content]
If they don’t seem like an idiot anymore, give it a thumbs up, LOL.
[Comments]
– Bastard?
– Is High School Grad Middle Schooler your friend??
– First off, I acknowledge their guts for challenging the Yacha Rule even after seeing the head administrator ‘die,’ seriously.
– It’s been a long time since I’ve seen someone beat an administrator, wow.
– Our High School Grad Middle Schooler isn’t an idiot, they’re a super genius!
Amidst truly fervent reactions, the one who had finally orchestrated a miraculous reversal appeared, heralding their victory with a triumphant fanfare.
*Ding!*
[Subject: I Told You So]
[High School Grad Middle Schooler]
[Content]
Even the top administrator (TL Note: ‘Sang-ttak’ is a play on ‘Ju-ttak’ (head administrator), implying an even higher-ranking or ‘top’ administrator, used here somewhat boastfully.) is a one-shot if they cross me, lol.
