Chapter 37
Chapter 37
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 37
Chapter Title: Victory Over the Iron Wall
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Jin-seong recalled memories from the past.
Park Young-woong was the type to silently follow the team director's instructions and faithfully carry out his assigned role.
Even if the conditions were disadvantageous to him personally—as long as it meant victory for the team.
'This won't be easy...'
Unlike Jin-seong's aggressive early pressure style, Park Young-woong read his opponent's intentions and paced the game slowly.
📢 Live Commentary 📢 "Ah, Player Park Young-woong is going for a safe Barracks Double." "Exactly. The outcome of this fourth match could swing the momentum. That's got to be a heavy burden on the players." Terran mirror match.
Map: the ever-popular Fighting Spirit.
Starting positions: 1 o'clock and 5 o'clock. Jin-seong at 5, Park Young-woong at 1.
In Terran mirrors, players typically deployed mechanized armies with Tanks and Vultures, unleashing devastating firepower to wipe out enemy forces in one go.
Jin-seong had originally been a random player who enjoyed the variety.
He leveraged the uncertainty of his race to seize an early advantage.
But the rise of Terran Emperor Im Yo-hwang changed his mind.
Mastering all races came with clear limitations compared to hyper-specializing in one.
Having scouted Park Young-woong's main with a worker, Jin-seong spotted the fast-mining "drain style" and rushed his tech tree.
📢 Live Commentary 📢 "Builds diverged early!" "Park Young-woong's safe fast expansion contrasts with Jin-seong running Vultures off main base resources." "This comes down to whether Jin-seong can inflict early Vulture damage." "Ah! Speaking of which—a Vulture pops out of the Factory even faster than expected!" Contrary to the casters' excitement, thick beads of sweat rolled down Jin-seong's forehead.
This strategy alone wouldn't bring him down.
'No way in a straight-up fight. The Park Young-woong I know will handle it.'
He'd never claimed a championship, but he'd once been dubbed the 【Iron Wall】. His defenses were so impenetrable that even "impossible" matches often ended in stunning comebacks.
Jin-seong dispatched a lone worker to the far side of the enemy base and started erecting his next building.
📢 Live Commentary 📢 "My God! Jin-seong's sneaking a building at 9 o'clock?" "What is that?" "Hang on... S-Starport!" "Jin-seong has zero interest in a long game. If Park misses that Starport, his main takes catastrophic damage!" He'd gone all-in.
Vultures streaming from the Factory laid mines around the enemy's natural expansion, sending a clear message: 'I'm pressuring you. Still not committing troops upfront?'
Park Young-woong took the bait, plotting to drown him in sheer numbers fueled by his resource advantage.
But that was exactly what Jin-seong wanted.
📢 Live Commentary 📢 "Drop Ship rolling out of the Starport!" "Those four yapping Vultures up front are bait! Dropping them into Park Young-woong's main turns this into total chaos..." Target: the enemy's workers.
Inflict crippling damage and halt their mining.
Jin-seong's hands flew faster than ever.
A blur of lightning-fast motion.
📢 Live Commentary 📢 "Whoa? Park Young-woong's moving troops forward?" "He wants the engage. 'Rampage all you want—my resource lead wins this!'" "But Jin-seong was lying in wait. The further the enemy advances, the worse the main damage... Whoa!?" The Dropship arrived right on cue, diving into Park Young-woong's main.
Far too late to react.
Vultures outsped the workers' frantic evasion.
BOOM! BOOM!
Workers detonating one after another.
The tide turned in an instant.
📢 Live Commentary 📢 "Park Young-woong's abandoning defense. Losses are devastating!" "Looks like an empty base push now?" "Can Jin-seong hold? Both sides seem to want the melee clash." Jin-seong eyed the massive enemy force on the minimap and pulled his mining workers into a cluster.
Hold this assault, and victory was his.
Fail, and it went to Park Young-woong.
Terrans could lift buildings.
Vultures hit ground targets only—no anti-air.
They had to repel that firepower onslaught to force a GG.
'Back Tanks to the hill, workers body-block, new Vultures lay mines!'
Click-click! Click-click!
Jin-seong dazzled like a virtuoso pianist.
A rock-solid defense in under ten seconds.
📢 Live Commentary 📢 "One-shot rush! Who takes it?" "Forces colliding just like you said." "Whoa? Jin-seong's pinpoint control pays off. Park Young-woong's Tanks are melting like ice cream!" Park Young-woong excelled at massing armies but lagged in micro control.
Jin-seong exploited it ruthlessly.
In the end, JNU claimed victory.
🏆 Match End 🏆 "G, GG! Jin-seong pulls JNU back from elimination single-handedly!" "Teammates rushing out for a fiery group hug! What an unpredictable thriller." "JNU seizes momentum heading into game five!" "Jin-seong! Knew you'd pull it off. Knew it! Haha!"
"Oppa, you're the best!"
"How'd you even make that call?"
"Game five next. Double-check the PC setups."
"Got it!"
Joy surged, but the match wasn't over.
Score: JNU 1, opponents 3.
Still a steep hill.
'We can win this!'
The enemy team's spirits had plummeted.
Jin-seong clenched his fists and thrust them skyward.
"The real match starts now. Let's go, everyone!"
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Han Yu-jeong had figured it for just a game match, but she reconsidered. The electric atmosphere rivaled a top idol's concert.
The stadium buzzed with life from the packed crowd.
'Fighting, Jin-seong oppa!'
Seated in prime viewing territory, she tugged her hat low over her face.
Couldn't risk being recognized.
Female cam streamers dealt with stalker headaches all too often.
'So thirsty...'
The sweltering heat had her parched.
Time to grab a drink from a nearby vending machine.
She shoved through the throngs and finally emerged, gasping for breath. Why was she here today? Friendship with Jin-seong, courtesy of the big spender Bukppudeupppu.
That little connection had sparked today's drama.
"Wooooaaah!"
No sooner had she slumped onto an empty bench than deafening cheers erupted.
No need to look—she knew it was JNU's win.
Their uniformed fans spilled out, roaring with passion.
Han Yu-jeong beamed at her acquaintance's success.
But she no longer needed to stick around.
This was their celebration; she was an outsider, cheering from afar.
Heading back to Seoul darkened her mood, but no regrets.
"You alright?"
A stranger's voice.
She turned to see a man shorter than most, eyeing her with genuine concern.
"Ah, y-yeah... I'm fine."
"Really? Your color looks awful."
"I'm just not great with crowds."
"Ah, got it. For a second, I thought it was asthma."
"Thanks for checking..."
She'd braced for an autograph hound, but no—this was pure kindness.
A curious warmth bloomed in Han Yu-jeong.
This stranger eased the tension from her body like family. How was that possible? Years of streaming, and she'd never felt this.
The man smiled softly at her reassurance and offered a steaming can of coffee.
"Warm drink. Just hold it—you'll feel better."
"..."
Casual words from him.
Yet her heart hammered wildly.
His face kept pulling her thoughts to Bukppudeupppu oppa. She preferred this solid reliability over pretty-boy looks anyway.
Didn't everyone?
Males chased beauty; females craved strength.
"President, it's time."
"Ah, right? Let's head out."
A poised woman standing quietly behind addressed him deferentially. The sight twisted Han Yu-jeong's chest sharper than before.
Why?
First time meeting him?
'Get it together, Yu-jeong!'
She murmured a soft "Take care" and shut her eyes. She missed Bukppudeupppu oppa extra today.
He hadn't shown up on her streams lately—worrisome. Big accident? Personal issues?
Clutching the can to her chest, she savored his lingering scent. Anyone watching might call her a creep.
'Want to talk to him again...'
Her heart swelled with inexplicable peace, worries dissolving away.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "President, you okay? Your lips are blue."
"I'm fine. Just surprised to see a welcome face unexpectedly."
Never dreamed he'd spot Han Yu-jeong here.
She was a female cam streamer, not into games.
Whatever brought her, one thing was clear.
She was far prettier in person than on cam.
That home setup was doing her no favors.
She looked like a fledgling fallen from the nest—heartbreaking. He'd worried about asthma, but happily, just his imagination.
'Been a while since I tuned into her stream?'
Yeah, too long.
He wasn't just some rich idler—juggling businesses across Korea and abroad. Ten bodies wouldn't cut it.
That kept him from her broadcasts.
Time for a Bubble Gifts barrage soon.
And lend an ear if she's got troubles.
Lost in thought, Im Yun-ah hurried over and whispered in his ear.
"President, report from Seol-hwa. Lou Gehrig trial starts in three days."
"Yeah? Number of subjects?"
"Rare disease, so limited—but around 42."
"Still a good number. US population helping?"
"Likely, sir."
Lou Gehrig struck 1-2 per 100,000. Bigger population didn't mean more cases outright. Mechanism unclear, but environmental triggers were fact.
US patient maps showed clusters in certain states.
Jin Seol-hwa and Selig had dug deep—clear progress.
"IRB approval?"
"Cleared a week ago."
"Great. No IRB, no trial."
Forty-two subjects.
At least thirty-five needed positive results for drug viability.
No easy feat.
FDA protocols were merciless.
He prayed fervently for success.
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