The Shocking Return of Dice

"Alright, we have a truly special guest with us today. We were dying to reveal the name right away, but the PD insisted on ironclad secrecy. Everyone's dying to know who it is, right? Can we get a hint?"

"Of course. The chat's already exploding with guesses like 'No way, is it that person?' How about just one hint?"

"Sure. Too direct would spoil the fun... Hmm, once! This person has stood at the top of ECK!"

"And! They've always exceeded expectations on the world stage with insane results. Three times! They've reached the top. But every single time, they had to kneel there!"

"This player's retirement announcement was shocking in so many ways, right? Such a sudden declaration. We weren't prepared at all and had to say a heartbreaking goodbye to this great player."

"It was a total shock back then. Honestly, it's still full of mysteries. They said it was due to health issues making pro play impossible, but no exact reason was given."

"But today! Here on Elkay! They're revealing the reason for the first time. Go ahead and tell us."

Then, a modulated voice flows out from behind the veiled curtain.

"Hello. Long time no see."

"I can't see the chat right now, but I bet a lot of you are calling my name. I'm worth that much, right? Do a lot of people still remember me?"

"Oh, haven't revealed my name yet? Ah, haha... I thought it was obvious."

"Me...? Ah, reveal it when I come out? More fun that way? Don't say it? Ah, ah, sorry. Slipped 'cause I'm nervous."

"Hmm, can I talk a bit about myself first? When I decided to retire, I was in a really tough spot personally. Hit with a disease I never expected, suffering hard, and couldn't play at my level at all. My solo queue footage got shared everywhere and stirred up some controversy... haha, right?"

"The retirement was kinda impulsive. At the time, I couldn't imagine recovering. And honestly... that's still kinda true. My condition hasn't recovered, and probably never will."

"But I couldn't forget it. Games, people treat 'em lightly, but for me, it was my whole life, everything I bet on. Pro play taught me so much. Joy, sorrow, jealousy, pain, happiness—all from this game. League of Eternity."

"I cried buckets the day I decided to retire. Didn't wanna, but felt like I couldn't continue, so impulsively did it. If I went back? Hmm, since I'm back now 'cause I judged my skills recovered, back then without knowing, I'd probably decide the same."

"What sparked the comeback? Well... finals day, I went to watch live."

"Cheering Tundra? Haha... nah. Actually hoped neither won. Why? Starforce, y'know. Tundra beat Starforce right after I left, felt petty, heh."

"After the match, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠heading home, um, how to say it. I cried. Sobbed like retirement day. It was a masterpiece match. Felt so much again. Realized—or admitted what I knew: I want to be pro. Even if it kills me."

I said,

"I want to be pro. Die trying."

"Yes, such a cool, touching story. Everyone knows who by now, right?"

"E Revolution Gaming, player 'Dice'! Give it up!"

"Hello, Dice, Seo Yeonwoo here."

And,

the chat froze for a moment.

~

In the silence, the two casters eyed me, exchanging glances. The chat I couldn't see was probably flooded with question marks.

"Everyone shocked, right? Haha... First time stepping out like this, super nervous. Yeah, shocked. Random girl claims she's Dice—sounds insane, right?"

"Exactly! Not insane girl, but yeah, huge shock. Can you explain?"

At the same time, info on my disease appeared on the screen behind the casters.

I continued while they looked.

"As you see, that's my disease. Super rare, so many haven't heard. Switches gender. Extremely rare even in Korea, right?"

The screen then showed hospital docs proving I was Seo Yeonwoo.

"After Worlds, I showed that embarrassing solo queue, right? Haha... Then secluded at home, suddenly insane pain, collapsed. Thought I was dying. Prayed to god if there was one."

"Thought then too: Can't die before beating that guy. Or I'd haunt him. Um, this gets edited? Live? Oh right, live..."

"Anyway, woke up like this. Haha, no joke. Initial feeling? Not super despairing. Why? Didn't expect skills to tank. Or did I? Bit anxious. First words after ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠waking: Bring computer, play."

"Wow, must've been hell. Hard to imagine. So glad you're back."

"Thanks."

"Not speaking for all ECK, but everyone thinks it! Welcome back, Dice! We waited."

"I don't say this lightly... touching."

Not empty words. Up to here, genuine感動.

"But ending here'd be boring, right?"

"Chat's hyped already. Rumor Jesus, your jungler teammate, has a girlfriend? Know it?"

Ah, that... here it comes.

Pre-notified question, content I agreed to. Initially refused, but knew it'd leak after crying reveal. Better me explode the bomb.

"Finals day, posts like: Girl bawling on street post-match, bf comforting—turns out Jesus! No one knew till now."

...Yeah. Me clinging to Yuseung, sobbing.

"This photo, mosaicked, but is this girl you, Dice?"

"...Yes."

Face public now, pro return meant it'd dig up. Agreed to reveal, but embarrassing. Face burned.

"Jesus—Yuseung—same team, childhood friends, most know. Kept secret at first, but told him eventually. He got Steak—Lee Jicheol—ticket, ended up going together..."

"You two close."

"Bad blood. But grateful. When I cried wanting pro, he reached out."

"What'd he say?"

"'I'll take you to Proud.'"

Yeah, that sealed my pro return.

"Said that."

My choice now thanks to Yuseung.

"Let's go to world's peak again. If you want, do it."

Thinking back... truly grateful for that.

Lost in memory, snapped back—atmosphere weird. Especially female caster.

"Ah... r-really?"

"Yeah? Honestly cool then."

"S-so cool. Check chat...?"

Questioning her reaction, chat popped on screen. Censored bad stuff, but gist:

"Ah..."

Face lit up instantly. Way hotter than before.

...What the hell are they thinking? Both guys! Just cool touching story, not that!

Didn't show chat, but knew. Male caster stifling laugh, female awkward smile.

Couldn't help but mumble denial.

"N-not like that..."

Unexpected reaction, just bowed head.

~

Meanwhile, Starforce Gaming lounge,

"Hyung, wipe drink."

"What?"

"Wipe what spilled from mouth."

Proud, Choi Seonil, drink dribbling from mouth.