Chapter 26
Chapter 26
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 26
Chapter Title: Historic Genius Rookie
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My Master League debut match wrapped up successfully.
"Well done! You guys did amazing!"
As the five of us returned to the waiting room, Coach An Jae-hoon greeted us in the hallway with a beaming smile.
He'd clearly suffered a lot watching ST3's results last season, so the victory today had him tearing up in感動.
"Especially Eun-seol! You really worked hard."
"If they're fair, they'll give POM even at the analyst desk, right?"
"If we snag even one vote, that'd be the weird part."
"I-I went no deaths too..."
"Shut it."
"......"
Spoons are best managed by tools, as expected.
"ADC with top damage but kills and assists like that? Isn't it just trash?"
"To survive there, you gotta hang back, right?"
"From what I see, ditching you to save Eun-seol is the long-term win."
Even as they bicker, they're dying to praise each other.
Whatever.
Anyway, seeing the warm bot duo bonding over today's win made me wonder about top-mids hanging out too, so I glanced at the others.
"Why didn't you gank top today, hyung Chang-hyun?"
Hmm.
Plook's top-god worship—obsession—self-delusion has progressed quite a bit.
Of course, he still nailed the first init and backstab assassinations today, and in set 2 tanked solidly with a tank champ while holding lane lead—his skill's intact. But it felt like I'd derailed his life big time.
"A-alright, enough fighting. Build some independence up top."
"What independence?"
"Tops live by the mindset that surviving lane phase wins half the game."
"Who said that?"
"Someone did."
Current ST's top and two-time LOC World Cup winner.
One of the four who made my LOCK debut a loss.
By the way, yeah, four. As I said.
Right after Proud retired, everyone except me tanked hard.
Thinking back still grinds my teeth.
Especially the top—lots of bad blood there.
"But seriously, once I tried top, calling Hunter first seemed best."
"Finally you get it. Time to learn the Oxen Summon spell."
Know this, and even if Hunter's eating well, he'll rush my lane.
"...That only works 'cause it's you."
Plook gave a hollow laugh, but I added,
"Trust is key. Even in teamfights, if it looks bad but you dive, they follow—and something happens."
Dribbling in one by one gets you strung up like sausage. Dive all at once, and either their mouth rips, throat chokes them out, or indigestion hits—something gives.
If not, Nexus explodes, next game.
"So, to strengthen top-mid bonds, wanna grab food?"
"Ditch bot?"
"Top-mids once, full team once—same spot."
The coach, who'd overheard, chimed in.
"Mood's right. First win of the season—gotta have meat, yeah?"
Coach excels at team bonding.
"Beef?"
"Nah, all-you-can-eat pork."
"...No corp card?"
"We got one, but if it was loaded, I'd have used it first. I buy you cafe drinks sometimes—learn contentment."
"Bring Eun-seol to all-you-can-eat too?"
"Obviously the MVP—wait, who else... uh."
I get it—not money or bonding, but she's inherently hard to include.
I know.
What happens when guys grill meat, booze up, and party.
So I spoke casually.
"Head to that alley across from the office building. Good BBQ spot there."
A place I hit when I could afford it, salary be damned.
"...That hidden gem in the corner—how'd you know, Eun-seol?"
"SNS has all the food spots now."
Coach looked puzzled, but I played dumb.
Practically ST's team BBQ joint—they cater to us players big time. No way I didn't know.
Anyway, after chit-chat and review in the waiting room, a staffer called from outside.
"True player, POM interview prep! Back on stage soon!"
I replied casually, fixing my hair mussed from the egg chair.
Time to learn proper long-hair management.
"Eun-seol deserves it."
"Who else?"
"Maybe between me and her."
Well, Strike did fine.
No deaths on ADC is solid.
"Makes no sense. And even setting that aside, you getting it? Riot."
"Why?"
"Saw the 'True fans' in the crowd from stage?"
"......"
Our support and Strike suppressor, Bell—Min Ji-seok—reminded us of the stands' vibe.
'True! True! True!'
'Take me already, hyung!'
'True saw me! Chosen one—viewers bow!'
'One more eyepatch, please!'
Post-game chants dwarfed pre-game.
Nothing weird, though.
Half the thousand were my stream fans for sure. Of the rest, two-thirds ST fans.
So ST wins, my name—biggest share—chants naturally.
"One thing I'm curious about."
"What?"
"Anyone here watches my stream? Obviously not, right?"
"......"
Why no answer.
"Hello?"
Look at me and answer, at least.
"...You're not all watching, are you?"
Still silent.
In the quiet waiting room, I pushed through the silence and returned to the bright stage.
"Give it up for today's Player of the Match, ST's True!"
Back in the cheers, breathing felt easier.
Three with guilty faces, plus ambiguous Plook.
Someday I'll hunt stream alts and ban 'em myself.
"True, seemed pretty nervous out there?"
"No, yes. Uh, yeah. A bit..."
Thoughts tangled my words, but the caster—pro at handling gamer comms—flowed smoothly.
"Debut match, yet you snag POM with stellar play. Any secrets?"
"Uh... nothing special. Game flowed as prepped, so not much to say. Opponents did well, but we edged 'em."
Good thing I've done these interviews—not my first rodeo. Snapped back quick.
"You stream too—kinda like a fan meet. Words for personal fans?"
"Cheer ST lots. Stream tonight—see ya then."
Arena nearly shook with cheers.
Better keep 'em online forever than loose here.
"Finally, season goals!"
"We'll win it all—Proud, clear your schedule."
If Master League win's a ticket to fight Proud, I'd grab it repeatedly.
My words unleashed unmatched roars.
"Watching Master League?"
"Our team's debuters playing today."
"Caring enough to watch lowers? Invested, hyung?"
ST1's top laner Tor questioned Proud unusually tuned into lower leagues.
"Others need more watch, but two might hit first team."
"Who?"
"Top and mid."
Plain answer, heavy weight known.
"Through me? Wait, who benches you?"
"Compete once—anything possible."
"......Hyung's serious."
[So Proud, clear your schedule.]
—Pfft!
Tor, parched from talk, spat his drink.
No.
Practice room first-teamers all eyed Proud.
True, oblivious, notched two wins that day.