The 99th Silver Promotion Match

The chat exploded the moment the match started.

Life is a tragedy when seen from afar, but a comedy up close. Or so they say. Even without that, I’m already dying from stress, and these people make it worse. Ten seconds into the game and they’re already like this? It gives me chills.

At least I wasn’t alone. Someone else was in the same boat—two wins, just like me. The phrase “end of the season, end of the world” came to mind. I had to climb before that tragic moment arrived. This is what I get for putting off my promos because of work.

I’d been hoping one of the mids would throw a skill at someone. If even one person backstabbed the rest, we’d have a perfect excuse to try-hard. But against all expectations, all eight mids actually gathered in the middle. And not a single one threw the first punch.

Fucking bastards. The only time they ever show unity is at moments like this.

This really is the end of the world. I never thought I’d have to introduce myself even here. Do I really have to go this far? Something rises in my throat, but I can’t let it out.

Today marks the 99th attempt. Goddamn it. The 99th Silver promotion match.

I’ve failed to promote 98 times. All because I ran into what they call a “gatekeeper” 98 times.

Please. Teammates. Let me escape Bronze already. How long do I have to hear people call me a permanent Bronze? Even if I get Silver, I can quit after that or whatever. Just let me have the badge.

A rope of salvation descends. The enemy promo player has used “It’s a smurf!”

The reaction is explosive. If I play this right, I might be able to shift the focus. It looks like they’re trying to kill the fun with that line.

Hope appears. Yeah, failing 99 times would be too much. With this much sincerity, even the heavens should say “this is too far” and let me through. I’m sick of being a permanent Bronze. Let me breathe the air of Silver for once.

The gatekeepers return to their daily lives. I wish they would just play the game normally.

I finally understand why Satan lost his job. Why aren’t you answering?

One death for you, one death for me. Tears almost come to my eyes at this beautiful harmony. Why does promoting feel harder than getting a job? Is this game nothing but Satan?

The enemy’s victim has chosen to block. I’m not sure if that’s wise or stupid. After that, it became a dogshit game of “you first, no you first,” killing each other nonstop. The enemy didn’t like Hari’s attitude, so the opinion to drop him came up. Everyone else seemed to agree. At least I had tried to suck up to them.

But why the hell is the game exploding like this?

Is it really an academy or is it just a concept? At least tell the truth for once.

Once again, the dream of Silver shattered into pieces.

I stared blankly at the screen for a moment before clicking game search. At this point I don’t even get angry or laugh anymore. I’ve reached enlightenment. While waiting for a new match, I might as well keep reading the novel I had open.

…Goddamn it. Even here it’s talking about Silver measurement or whatever. The 99th promotion failure. The 99th descent of the Silver Gatekeeper.

I never dreamed my one wish would become “just let me see Silver once.” Heh. Fuck. You sons of bitches.

“Goddamn it.”

I heard it’s trendy these days not to write malicious comments. So I didn’t write any. I swear. I didn’t even look at the comment section.

◎ Baek Seojin : Low-ranking civil servant

◎ Details : Happiness level increases upon leaving work.

But then… why the hell did I possess a novel?