[TS] The Return of The Gamer - Chapter 95

"Let's go with the story that there was no guaranteed starting position in the contract. Please let the starting lineup be based purely on skill."

"......What?"

What was this all of a sudden?

Coach Park Tae-hyung doubted his ears at the unexpected words from Outlaw.

"...It's already been decided. I can't change it on my own. It's clearly outside my authority."

Coach Park Tae-hyung said, but Outlaw was firm.

"Or I'll leave this team. Please do as I say."

"...I'll talk to the coach first. Even so, nothing will change in the end. From the beginning, you and Woojin have a big difference in scrim results."

"I don't care. It's important that the process is fair."

"Is that so important?"

"Just, please do it that way."

"...I'll talk about it first."

Even as he spoke, Coach Park Tae-hyung couldn't hide his bewilderment.

No matter how you look at it, Outlaw also already knew that the results would be the same.

Then why did she bring this up?

‘...Ah.’

Coach Park Tae-hyung, lost in thought for a moment, seemed to understand why Outlaw was saying this.

‘In the end...is it like this?’

What he had feared had happened.

In the absurd game set up by the adults, the young players ended up baring their fangs at each other.

Coach Park Tae-hyung had also sensed that fact implicitly, but he didn't think Outlaw would care this much.

On the surface, she...was always shining.

‘Was she worried?’

It was obvious what Outlaw was worried about.

Diehard, Choi Woojin.

YSG's starting jungler.

‘...Woojin must be feeling wronged.’

When asked where YSG needed the most reinforcement, YSG's jungler, Diehard, was the only player who was an exception to that question.

YSG's ace.

The hope of YSG, which had fallen into a rut.

Therefore, if a player change or reinforcement had occurred, it should have been done in another lane first, rather than the jungle.

But,

The player called up to the first team was the jungler.

And he's a monster rookie.

To Diehard, Outlaw's existence was like a truck that appeared out of nowhere.

Without any context, it suddenly came crashing in and abruptly ran someone over.

But what could he do?

Unlucky genius, unlucky player.

Such modifiers have appeared countless times in the history of e-sports.

Moreover, Diehard, in Coach Park Tae-hyung's view, was a player who was a little short of the modifier of an unlucky genius.

All pro gamers are born with a kind of genius, but unfortunately, Diehard wasn't outstanding among them.

He does pretty well, but that's all.

Diehard was that kind of player.

‘He was unlucky.’

If Diehard had gone to another team, he would have lived as a pro gamer, and in the last few years, he would have been able to finish smoothly overseas.

But he was unlucky, as the saying goes.

For Diehard, and for himself.

‘And for Outlaw as well.’

Coach Park Tae-hyung, shaking off his thoughts for a moment, said.

"Instead of granting your request, there's something I want you to do."

"What is it?"

"We're going to film an advertisement for our team this time. And also shoot a promotional video. I want you to do that...is that okay?"

"An advertisement...you say?"

"Yeah. It's a good story for you too. The incentives are enormous compared to what you'll be doing. I heard it's half of my annual salary...it's huge, right?"

That amount of money was an enormous amount for a fresh college graduate who had just started their social life.

But, an unexpected answer came.

"Do I have to do it?"

"Uhm...why?"

"Can't I not do it? I'm not really into that kind of thing..."

Coach Park Tae-hyung smiled wryly.

In a way, Coach Park Tae-hyung really saw people correctly.

Outlaw's desire for the game was real.

It's just that the fact was working out not so well at the moment, which was the problem.

‘I didn't want to say this.’

Coach Park Tae-hyung reluctantly blurted out the words he didn't want to say.

"Then there's no choice. I don't think I can keep my promise to you."

"...Yes?"

"The matter of your starting position is far beyond my authority. I might have to take off my clothes if things go wrong. At least you have to give the impression that you've resolved the advertising or promotional video issue, then I can speak my mind to the coach. Do you understand what I mean?"

It's a lie.

This method was no different from the methods of Coach Choi Tae-dal or the front staff, whom Coach Park Tae-hyung loathed so much.

However, it was necessary.

He was no different from a third-rate villain, but Coach Park Tae-hyung thought with a self-deprecating thought that he might have been like that from the beginning.

"Then... I'll do it. I understand."

"Yeah, you thought well. As I said before, this story is not bad for you at all. Aside from the advertisement, if the promotional video goes well, it's an opportunity for you to become the new star of our team."

Coach Park Tae-hyung said that as if he was making excuses to himself.

Because that's the only way his heart would be a little at ease.

"...Yes. I'll go now."

"Yeah. Good job today."

Coach Park Tae-hyung stared blankly at Outlaw's back as she bowed and turned away, and then went to the coach's office.

* * *

The sound of the camera shutter rings out continuously.

Her eyes sting from the strong lights and the flashes bursting here and there.

Ah, I want to play games.

"Now, shall we smile this time?"

Although she had no choice but to agree, the filming of the advertisement and promotional video was quite tough.

She had to wear the glamorous clothes that she wouldn't even dream of wearing, and do makeup as she had done before.

"...Oh my, she's like a real fairy. Is she really a Korean? Why does she speak Korean like this?"

"Why don't you just sign an exclusive contract this time? I'll definitely push you."

"Ahaha...it's okay."

"That's a shame."

"Why don't you think about it again? If it's Yujin player... I think you can definitely become a top star."

"I prefer being a pro gamer."

Yes, I wanted to be a pro gamer.

I don't know if this is the job and the area of a pro gamer.

"This time, will you pose by jumping with your arms spread?! That's right, because the model is good, it looks good even if we take it roughly. Heh heh!"

Haha, I'm like a clown.

As I awkwardly moved this way and that according to the director's words, the certainty in my thoughts gradually increased.

‘...I didn't say to do it fairly for this.’

What am I doing right now?

Did I come to the team for this?

Certainly, the past week hasn't been so bad.

I actively participated in scrims within the team as I wanted, and I fought against real pro teams.

Every day was fulfilling and enjoyable.

Of course, there were some mentally difficult things afterwards...but I think that's something you can't avoid if you want to live as a pro.

But, what is this mess?

‘I know it's inevitable. But this is….’

Receiving the hostility of others, and beyond that, I'm filming some strange promotional video that I don't want.

This is not right.

I'm not trying to become a pro for such things.

‘Are pro teams all like this?’

If I went to another team, would something be different?

For now, it would be different.

Although I haven't gone myself, the environments given to each team would be vastly different.

‘But no matter how different they are… I wouldn't have such advertising or video shooting at all.’

I slowly recalled my memories.

If I had received offers from other teams instead of YSG, would something have been different?

Yes, the prestigious teams like SY or SCV, or even if they were a little less, the prestigious teams with large companies as sponsors.

‘…Wherever I went, I would have had to do things I didn't want to do.’

Whatever it was.

I want to be a pro.

I've been running towards it until now.

‘Let's hold on a little longer.’

These things, they're not even considered as a trial.

Anyway, it's in the middle of the season now, and if I want to play as a starter, the team schedule will have to return soon.

And…….

A few more days passed.

Advertisements, advertisements, more advertisements…….

During that time, I was called to various locations without being able to participate in the team schedule.

In the end, I found Coach Choi Tae-dal with a dress and dangling accessories.

"Coach."

"Oh, yes. Our Yujin. What's up?"

"When can I get back to the scrim schedule?"

"Huh? Ah, you'll be able to get back soon. Is the shooting tough? Hang in there a little longer."

At first, I believed those words.

Yes, it won't take long.

I'll be able to get back soon.

Two more days later, I felt that something was going wrong.

The number of games I participated in the team schedule in the last week was less than three.

In fact, I hardly participated.

‘…This is not right.’

This is not the life of a pro gamer that I had ideally envisioned.

Of course, I know this is greed.

A pro must have things they must do even if they don't want to, and these advertisements and promotional videos would be in the same context at YSG.

‘Still….’

The doubts I had before gradually turned into certainty.

-Is this the place where I belong?

Even if I went to another team, not much would change.

There, too, I would feel someone's hostility, be hurt, and be swayed.

I don't want that.

‘…Rather, I want to quit everything and start over from the beginning.’

It was during that time.

"How is it? Isn't there nothing special? Just doing this and receiving three thousand in cash...you did well to come to our team, right?"

Coach Choi Tae-dal, who had approached me, said with a kind smile.

Tuduk-

I heard something snapping in my head.

"Ah."

I see.

I didn't need to worry from the beginning.

The answer was set from the start.

As the long-held doubts finally turned into certainty, I felt that further hesitation was not very meaningful.

The long-held decision came to an end.

"...Just a moment in the restroom."

"Ah, you should. Hey, Director! We need our player to rest for a moment!"

The filming director nodded at Coach Choi Tae-dal's exclamation.

"Ah, yes. Well. Let's all take a break for a moment!"

Taking off my uncomfortable shoes, the place I headed to was not the restroom, but the corner stairwell.

I needed a place to be alone.

I hesitated for a moment, holding my smartphone, and then pressed the call button.

-Turu.

The dial tone rings.

During the time of waiting, I recalled the memory.

The person I thought of was my younger brother.

「“Daddy!”」

Whenever he wanted something, my younger brother would often act cute to his father with a whiny voice.

I don't know if it worked or not, but as a result, my younger brother always got what he wanted.

Why did I think of my younger brother?

It was for a similar reason.

I want something.

-Click.

With a familiar click, a familiar voice came from the other side of the smartphone.

["Oh, Yujin."]

It was my father.

"Dad."

I cautiously utter the title that I had rarely used.

I don't know if others do, but strangely, I didn't have much resistance to calling my mother "Mom," but I've almost never called my father "Dad."

There wasn't any particular reason, and it just happened that way.

["...Oh, is that really Yujin?"]

My father's voice, full of bewilderment, came from the other end of the phone.

I understand.

I'm very awkward too.

"It's me."

After a moment of silence, my father's voice came again.

["Oh, yes. What's up?"]

Now it's important.

I took a breath and spoke slowly.

"I, lend me a billion."