181 - The Calm Before the Storm

"[So, was there a toughest moment?]"

"[When NoName was teaching me. For real! You just die inside. She doesn't even curse but she drains your soul... Wait, hold on I wasn't done talking!]"

"[Yes! We heard that thanks to Player NoName, you were able to build team synergy!]"

"[NoName's a real devil! Not human! What you see isn't everything, remember that everyone!]"

"Fall Champ just ended? It's already 8 PM? Must've gone full 5 sets."

The man who climbed down the ladder pulled back ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the curtain and opened the window to check outside. The sun, thinly setting, scorched the final moments of the day as it sank beyond the horizon. An early evening breeze softly brushed his cheek, but rather than coolness, a stuffy, unpleasant feeling surged first. Early June's midsummer air was hot and humid.

DeLete, one of the five founding fathers of Korea's top-tier MCN Letterbox. Having handed CEO duties to a fellow co-founder to focus on personal streaming, he now served as CE (Chief Evangelist).

Letterbox hosted afterparties every June and December for players from Tagaokdae and Fall Champ, providing a space for camaraderie. Though it started with recruitment motives, it had long become a nominal tradition.

Finishing painting the wall, DeLete wiped sweat beading on his forehead and plopped down on the floor.

"Ughhhhh so hot! Can't do this anymore fr! Why's it so humid."

"Can't do more, won't! For second half, even if I pay out of pocket, hire a pro. Anyway, let's watch Tagaokdae now."

"Afterparty same as always, Sunday. Glad no big incidents this tourney. Every morning I wake up and check my phone first? Or even at dawn eyes snap open 'Please!' Whew... then deep sleep. Now I just want tourneys to end quick."

"Oh right, Kariri was there. Folks, I've said it a million times, don't go mobbing streamers' houses. Haven't felt the law's iron fist? One day in juvie will break you."

"So for Kariri, planning a separate room for no-booze folks... You think after 4 years I wouldn't consider that?"

"NoName?"

DeLete pondered. Even with a separate table, it was a booze-fueled shouting afterparty. Kariri turning adult soon was one thing, but a 14-year-old friend? Too early.

"Maybe... she won't come..."

"Anyway, I'll think about it. Wait, is that NoName on screen? Why's she there...?"

"Two tourneys? That's allowed?"

Busy with broadcast variety shows lately, DeLete's info lagged. Viewers kindly explained NoName.

"I know that much, watched VTube. But what's this Docu4 appearance? NoName?"

Mind-boggling info. He'd eaten homecooked dinner at a pro gamer's house, but never met NoName personally.

WoA set 1 ended blandly with 'The Blory' win, topic shifting to NoName. Cooling under AC, DeLete browsed her Trywiki, suddenly clapping.

"Oh yeah I remember! But super short, like 30 sec? 1 min at end. I didn't edit this one."

DeLete felt pure intrigue toward NoName. Consumed content doesn't recycle easy. That's every content creator's woe. Viewers hate repeats yet ignore big deviations—riding the line is key. Hence highlight edits, no-hit clears, speedruns always pop off.

Her streams weren't polished, but talent crushes flaws sometimes. Too old for envy, DeLete leaned on the window, lit a cig. Smoke rose endlessly, blending into quiet. Against night sky, stream broadcasted set 2. Moon shed clouds, faint stars filled voids—like fiercely denying loneliness to the moon, stars twinkled with cig ember.

On screen, young boys and girls gripped swords and wands, burning youth fiercely. Desperation beyond resolve. Victory's desperation prickled skin with goosebumps each fight. The storm from players, coaches, viewers last week would erupt in finals today, then vanish quietly.

The following calm once bored him, but age made DeLete appreciate such peace.

"Sheesh..."

Sudden gust blew DeLete's bangs. Squinting, he slammed the window shut, latched it. Typhoon coming.

"Gonna relog quick."

"Hmmm... Come back fast tho."

"10 min, no 5 ok?"

"Yeah yeah hurry."

Got staff ok, logged out.

Bolted from capsule to next room. Yunseul perched on her capsule, arms wide.

"C'mere my puppy!"

"What, you ok?"

"No...! Was in crisis. Fr."

Her flushed cheeks didn't seem like lies.

"So no hug?"

"Fine. But no pinching."

"Duh hehe!"

Burying face in her embrace, summoned golden aura.

"Don't push if tired, sis."

"I'm good! After all our prep, can't back down!"

"Yeah?"

"Duh! And Nami if you slack, I might snag MVP?"

"Gotta try hard then. Less heals for you."

"Hey you can't! We gotta win!"

Her trembling eased. Pat her back twice, shoved her into capsule.

"Eek!"

"There."

"Sudden thought: why no 2-person capsules? Would sell well no? What ya think Nami?"

"Why make capsules for two?"

"Cuz fun!"

Ignored Yunseul's nonsense.

"Sigh fr I'm shaking? Gotta win set 3. What if win win lose lose lose?"

"No jinxing. And set 3 pls follow my calls. Pls."

"Sir yes sir! Let's do this!"

"Not hard, do good."

"Hehe ok ok. I'll listen Nami."

Real babysitting. Self-doubt crept, but her bright smile softened it.

Angry wind rattled window as I shut capsule door. Sweet strawberry tickled nose, consciousness faded.