Chapter 94
Chapter 94
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 94
Chapter Title: Frontline (12)
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Probably the sharp-eyed folks have already caught on, or rather, I've said it outright.
What I'm putting together this time is a 'family interview' video.
It was a plan I'd prepared because there's no better setup for springing a surprise on my sister by shoving our parents right in her face.
My biggest worry had been that Europe is vast, and the players' families are scattered far and wide, which could cause issues. But Heatwave graciously approved the idea.
Common sense says it's nearly impossible to slot in a new project this close to the finals—
But with the sponsorships and support my dad had been funneling their way over the years, and—
'Feels like there's some unspoken pressure here, like "We've done this much for you, so take our next freelance gig." Well, one time won't hurt.'
That's how Heatwave's devotion to me made this project possible.
Anyway, so where am I right now?
"You have to keep your eyes closed. No shaking your head~."
"Ah, sorry."
"No, no. You didn't shake it at all. I'm just reminding you every so often, so just stay still~."
Right in Heatwave's studio.
To be more precise, the makeup room just before entering the studio. I sat there with my eyes shut, feeling an unidentified brush from some nameless artist tapping away relentlessly at my face.
An interview means I'd have to do one too, of course.
Since this was a project to show 'me' to my sister, I was surrounded by three of the noonas from Myth's team, getting my face caked with makeup.
I was even wearing a suit for the first time in my life, undergoing a full makeover.
"Kyaaaaah!"
Along with Myth popping off flash after flash from behind me.
Heatwave normally doesn't allow outsiders unrelated to content, but when Myth begged to watch my makeup session, they checked with the company and approved it right away.
'Must be because I showed them a good side during this project.'
The team members I'd worked with all kept praising me, saying they really wanted to collaborate again.
...It might've been a script from the company, but I wanted to believe it was their genuine goodwill.
Luckily, the makeup artists were all fans of Myth's streams, so it was fine. Though... there was a bit of commotion.
"Whoa, whoa, no blushing now. Can't get shy. Stay calm, stay calm~."
"...Is this really okay?"
"What, it's fresh and cute. Why not? Your girlfriend's a beauty. Can't believe she's not an actress or a VTuber."
To a normal mind, it sounded like flattery, but after two grueling hours of makeup, my brain was long since melted into mush.
My fatigued mind numbed my judgment, and I nodded along without thinking.
"Yeah, I think that sometimes too."
"Huh?"
"Oho~ Instant agreement? She's got you wrapped around her finger~."
"She is pretty, after all. Great at acting, sings well too. She could debut as an actress right now without missing a beat—"
"Seol-ah, Seol-ah! No, thanks, but stop right there! I'm dying of embarrassment!"
Myth's shriek echoed alongside the makeup artists' giggles.
Hey, it was just the truth. Why the overreaction?
The studio shoot was on a green chroma key backdrop.
I'd figured they'd use that optical whatchamacallit setup from the label last time for real-time effects, but Heatwave apparently didn't have gear that advanced.
Maybe reading something in my expression, Kevin from headquarters hurriedly offered an explanation that wasn't quite one.
"Just so you know, HQ has it. Legend-ssi. The Korea branch only handles 'operations' and local events here, so we don't invest in ultra-expensive equipment like that."
"I see."
"From what I know, your girlfriend's label is the only one in Korea with that setup. They even make money renting it out. We borrow it sometimes too, but this project didn't call for it."
Aha.
I'd wondered how the label afforded to maintain such massive equipment. Turns out there's the rental side hustle.
So, wandering around the label, I might stumble on shoots in those rooms? Hearing insider info from an unexpected source felt oddly intriguing.
"Legend-ssi, take your seat!"
"Yes! Coming."
A staffer called from afar, so I hurried to my spot.
I was the last of the four to shoot.
Didn't realize it, but including Landrox and their rivals Libraria, there were four Koreans total. Two per team. Word is that's the max foreign hires from other continents, and I felt the Taegukgi fluttering in my chest.
Then someone patted my back. Only one person would do that. Turning around, there was Myth in a mask and sunglasses.
Unlike the makeup room, the studio had tons of staff and regular folks like players' families, so she'd disguised herself.
"Seol-ah, do your best out there."
Myth held out a little fist.
I smiled and bumped it.
"...Just say what I want and come back. What's 'do your best'?"
"Hey now. You gotta give your all to everything. Of course you'd nail it, Seol-ah, but what I mean is... um. You know."
Myth suddenly beckoned me closer.
And whispered in my ear.
"Your big bro's been waiting for you just like I have. Don't forget that."
"...You don't know about the four years after."
What Myth meant about my sister waiting was only up to year three.
Who knows? Maybe she'd given up on me after that.
Ugh. Myth shook her head at my doubt.
"Trust me. Your big bro's waiting for you. No doubt."
"...Got it. I'll keep it locked in my head."
I headed toward the stage and the staff.
...In a way, my sister had waited six more months for me.
She's the one who waited, but I still don't know everything about her. Myth only knew up to year three; the four-year gap after is a blank.
Still, with Myth vouching that hard, I knew what to say.
"Frontline. Time to head out."
"Got it. Olivier."
Deep down, Frontline wanted to hole up in her room forever, but her pro gamer status wouldn't allow it.
After a proper wash, meal, and donning her uniform and team jacket for the first time in ages, she stepped into the sunlight.
Her teammates were already waiting out front.
"Yo-. Frontline. Tough seeing your face off-season."
"We scrimmed and practiced together though?"
"You always scrim without us. Kinda feels off sometimes."
"Dude, you're Landrox's third-year now, and you're getting salty over that? She's just shy."
Tommy, Alex, Duke, Lisen.
FYI, Lisen's the Korean.
All four teammates grinned cheerfully as they boarded the caravan, waiting for her.
Frontline gave them a quick scan, waved once in greeting, and took the front seat.
"Hey hey. Back seat throne's wide open, and you go front?"
"Shut it. Stuck between you lot, I'd reek of sweat. I'm sleeping, so don't talk to me."
Despite her sharp tongue, the team just chuckled it off.
She talked tough, but in-game, no one was more gung-ho about winning.
Call it her looks and skills making up for her personality.
"We're off."
With Olivier's words, the vehicle rolled out.
En route, he flipped through charts, breaking down the briefing in snippets.
Opponent record like this, our strategy that, how would you handle these scenarios?
It was self-check time.
'...Korea. Korea. Never thought I'd be heading back so soon.'
Just thinking about returning to Korea made her hands and feet tremble, her head spin.
Could she pull it off?
This time, she had to go apologize, face him.
She'd sworn to grow up, but she was still stuck in that winter, seven years back.
'Idiot.'
Unlike her current gaunt face and skinny frame, she bitterly smiled at her childhood reflection in the car window.
She'd really hit rock bottom. Hallucinating now too.
"Hey, Frontline!"
Tommy calling from behind made her scowl.
Just slap on an eyemask and earbuds and sleep. She was staring out the window all moody today, and now this.
But ignoring him outright could sour the team vibe, so she creakily turned her stiff neck.
"What."
"Korean stage again, huh? Confident? You flop every time we go. Want me to take main dealer?"
Tommy. 20 years old. Freshly called up to Landrox's first team last year from trainees.
Frontline eyed the sub-dealer always eyeing her spot as the 'world's strongest team's main dealer.'
Yeah, better than those idiots always sizing her up. This guy's fired up.
"I'll think about it."
With that, Frontline pulled out her eyemask and earbuds.