The Clock Starts Again
“Ah, so you spent your break doing internet streams?”
“Yeah, that's right. You might not know this, but... I was streaming under the nickname Pudge Dice.”
“That's way more straightforward than I expected! If it weren't for your voice, we might've figured it out?”
“At first, my voice was super hoarse, so that wasn't an issue. Haha...”
“Actually, back when I streamed during my playing days, viewers found it super boring. I wasn't that into it either. I left all the management to our team manager. But this time, doing it myself and interacting with fans... it got addictive. Even with all the drama, I had a blast.”
“So, will you keep streaming going forward?”
“Not as often as before.”
“I plan to focus more on pro play, but streaming got me through the break, so I'm always grateful to the viewers. Hope you'll cheer for me as a pro gamer now too.”
“So, you're starting your pro career again in the 2nd division league.”
“Yes. Thanks to Yuseung—er, Jesus—I got connected to E Revolution Gaming. I passed the test, luckily. It's my old home team where I started, but things have changed a lot since then.”
Yeah, everything's changed. The world, the team, me.
“Honestly, I'm still lacking as a pro, and I might disappoint more than before. Things are different now, right?”
“But my goal as a pro has always been the same, and it still is now—even if it's farther away than ever. I'm gonna chase it again.”
Yeah, one goal.
Always just one.
“I know it's premature, but I can't hold it in. And it'd be boring not to say it here, right?”
“You've got real variety show vibes now from all that streaming. Go on, then—what's Dice's goal?”
“Worlds championship.”
And,
Topple Proud.
“That's it.”
I can't say that last part out loud.
“Yes! Even after all these massive changes, your direction hasn't wavered. You didn't lose your way! It was tough, but you stood back up and came back to us. Any final words?”
Just one thing I want to say,
“Thanks everyone, so much. I love you all.”
“That's E Revolution Gaming's 'Dice'! Thank you!”
“Thank you.”
I'm back.
Yeah, I'm back.
The clock on pro gamer 'Dice' has started ticking again.
After the broadcast wrapped, I said goodbyes to the PD and a few staff, then headed to Manager Yoo, who'd been waiting.
“Ah, watched the stream. You talk better than I thought.”
“Eh, I'm used to it now.”
Honestly, looking back, it wasn't that great, but he's being nice—can't exactly say I sucked. Where the hell was he anyway? He showed up super late.
“Where were you? You didn't show till right before the broadcast.”
“Ahaha... sorry. Work dragged on. I'll buy you something tasty on the way back.”
“This time only.”
“Thanks. No other plans? Head back now?”
“...Sure.”
I hesitated because of the people I spotted behind him.
And the moment I saw them, I knew it was too late.
Ah, damn it.
Thinking about it, of course they'd show up now. Should've bolted instead of chatting with staff—being rude would've saved time, but nah. Now this.
Starforce Gaming.
They were coming in: Slicer, Wolfdog, Cruiser, Steak, and last...
“Ah.”
Proud.
Our eyes met as Proud entered last. A sigh escaped—mine or his, who knows.
But neither of us said a word. My eyes burned with rivalry already, and Proud was his usual blank self.
Normal for us.
Starforce's schmoozer Steak—Lee Ji-cheol—broke our little world.
“Uh, hey, hi?”
I stared at him, and he gave an awkward smile, stepping back.
“Why back off? Hey. Long time.”
“Y-yeah, it has been...?”
“Congrats on the MSC win. Late, but whatever.”
“Th-thanks...?”
“Why the constant 'uh'?”
“Can't believe it.”
“...Fair.”
I glanced at the others. ADC Cruiser Park Si-on grinning like it was hilarious. Jungler Wolfdog Kim Gi-young looking bored. Top Slicer Kang Hanche sneaking peeks, dazed.
Varied reactions, but familiar faces. Only Proud left from the Starforce lineup I faced in my first Eld Cup finals, but these were the ones I scrapped with in Tundra for two years.
Back to Proud. Blank as ever, ignoring me. Infuriating as always.
A loud voice from behind me.
“Starforce Gaming team~ We'll get you set up.”
“You heard 'em?”
I nodded at Ji-cheol. He shook his head like he was snapping out of it.
“Uh, yeah. Um, see you later.”
“Yeah.”
Ji-cheol passed first, others following.
Slicer, passing by, gave me a baffled look—reminded me of my own freakout earlier, face heating up.
“What.”
“N-nothing.”
Four passed. Only Proud left.
Blank face, standing there staring. Infuriating, yet untouchable.
Just him, eyes locked on me.
If he won't move, I will.
Calming my flushed face, I strode past with a steely glare.
And as I did—
“I'll wait for you.”
Those words I'd never forget.
I whipped around, shocked. But Proud was already walking to join the others.
Goddamn, what an annoying bastard.
...Wait for me? Shit.
No reply.
No need.
It was just...
Too damn obvious.
“Done with hellos? Let's go?”
“Ah, yeah.”
While staring at Proud's back, Manager Yoo approached. I followed him out, replaying the encounter.
...But what's that stain on his uniform...?
On the way back, I hopped in Manager Yoo's car and fired up the official Idiot Games LCK stream on my phone. Total chaos.
Proud seemed extra stoic, but he was frozen. Slicer couldn't recover. Ji-cheol similar. Wolfdog and Cruiser barely holding it together.
Even chat was blowing up about me, not Starforce—who'd just won MSC.
...Mods usually clean chat, but this flood was too much. Bans flying, but limits hit. Filthy.
Soon as I stream, this mess floods my chat.
I barely moderate anyway—future's obvious.
But it cracked me up. Felt good. Realized I'm back in the game. And... Proud frozen? Kinda fun.
Grinning at rare rattled Proud, Manager Yoo spoke.
“Grab chicken on the way?”
“Chicken?”
“Said I'd buy tasty stuff. For the team too?”
“Sounds good.”
He parked at the chicken spot to order. I kept watching from the car. Caster asked Proud:
“Previous segment, Dice announced her comeback—huge news. She's the one who faced Starforce in three Worlds finals. Thoughts on her return?”
Chat exploded again. Sigh.
But I was curious too.
“I'll wait” wasn't everything. Chat hyped for Proud's take. After a pause, he spoke.
And his answer...
“Not sure yet. Hanche bumped into her earlier—his reaction was funny.”
Passed the buck. Classic midlaner toss.
“Huh?”
“Hey, don't throw me under!”
“What'd you think?”
“Super pretty, should've asked her name, idol? Stuff like that.”
“No, no—I didn't know it was Dice then! She bumped me and...”
Wait, hold up.
Don't say it.
“Screamed 'Kyaa!' How's that a guy?”
Ah, fuck.
...Haa.
Why am I still getting roasted post-segment? Kill me, Slicer. Payback later.
“I'm telling you, 100% girl. And you weren't much better, Seon-il.”
“What about Proud?”
“Me? Nothing.”
“That stain on his uniform! Spilled his drink seeing Dice on stream!”
“Shocking enough.”
“But hyung's reaction was hilarious. Total buffer freeze.”
“Park Si-on, shut it.”
“He's embarrassed lol.”
...So that's the stain.
Proud gets embarrassed too? Sure, I'm 100x more mortified right now.
Tension eased post-question. Stream sailed smoothly after. Chat calmed sans me. Car pulled into dorm.
Grabbing chicken with Manager Yoo, felt like I forgot something. Happened before today too.
Pondering as we entered—Arang barreled into me. Waiting?
Hugging tight, she yelled:
“Did you get Slicer's autograph?!”
Ah.