A Thoughtful Misunderstanding
"Yes. To be honest, we registered, but we're mostly going to watch." The player, Kim Jun-su, laughed sheepishly. Seeing this, Chairman Yoo spoke firmly.
"You shouldn't think like that. Whatever you do, you must challenge it with a serious mindset."
"That's true, but so many formidable players are participating. We'd have to beat insane odds just to get in..."
"Is this Arena Pro League really that difficult?"
"Of course it is. First of all, it's impossible to win just by being good yourself; the team is everything. The Frika Continent Arena is a five-player team event. We'd have to gather five people and break through all the other top-tier teams to reach the main tournament... Whew, it's impossible. I'm not even getting my hopes up."
Chairman Yoo nodded at Kim Jun-su's words. He had told them to challenge it with confidence, but understanding reality was also important.
"But you boys are still going to give it a serious shot, right?"
"Huh? Yes, sir. We're going to try our best."
"Good attitude. Yes, a very good attitude. That's how the youth should be."
"...?" Kim Jun-su and Kim Jun-hyeong tilted their heads at Chairman Yoo's distinctly old-mannered attitude, but they were good-natured by default, so they didn't press the issue.
"What do you get if you win?"
"Uh... first, you get noticed by the public?"
"And you'll probably get a sponsor. That's the biggest thing, right?"
Indeed, that was one of the ultimate dreams for the teams participating in this Arena League. Drawing enough attention to secure a corporate sponsor! Successfully stepping into Pan-On's Arena League and becoming an official team funded by corporate investment was a dream shared by everyone.
"Mmm..." Hearing their words, Chairman Yoo let out a quiet groan. A painful memory slowly crept back to him!
'I spent a fortune running a team, and they did nothing but lose, causing a massive uproar...'
He remembered how the name of Yuseong Group had become synonymous with the weakest, losing-streak image in the esports scene. Just thinking about it made his stomach turn. He had been completely fooled by the project manager who had confidently declared, "Esports is much cheaper and far more effective than traditional sports marketing! Just trust me and leave it to me!"
"Well, regardless of that, we're satisfied just watching the other top players."
"Exactly. There are rumors that Kim Tae-hyun and Lee Se-yeon are coming. Don't you really want to see them? I'm curious who would win if they face foreign teams."
"Hey, foreign teams aren't even on their level. If Kim Tae-hyun or Lee Se-yeon show up, Korea wins hands down."
Twitch.
Chairman Yoo's eyebrow twitched at the sudden mention of that unexpected name.
"Is... is that Kim Tae-hyun fellow really that famous?"
"Of course he is."
"He's practically the top tier among domestic Pan-On players."
"..." Chairman Yoo was swept by a complex mix of emotions. He felt a strange sense of pride that Kim Tae-san's son was even more incredible than he had thought, but at the same time, he felt deeply annoyed that the punk who had conned him was held in such high regard.
"How is his character?"
"Pardon?"
"His personality?"
The two players were flustered by Chairman Yoo's sudden, out-of-the-blue question.
"Uh... he has a good personality, right?"
"Compared to others, Kim Tae-hyun is pretty decent. There are so many players in Pan-On who play like absolute trash."
"True, true."
Chairman Yoo, who had been hoping to tear into Tae-hyun's character, smacked his lips in disappointment. 'No matter how I look at him, he doesn't seem like a guy with a good personality...!'
"Is his personality really that good? Are there no bad rumors?"
"There are rumors that he bosses people around, but those must be fake. When you're that famous, you naturally attract weirdos."
"I don't know why Kim Tae-hyun doesn't sue those people. The other day, I saw an IP that consistently posts malicious comments. They kept claiming that Kim Tae-hyun severely blackmails and abuses Cain. What kind of nutjob is that?"
Cain's tearful pleas had been completely buried under public indifference.
"I-I see. Kim Tae-hyun is that amazing..." Chairman Yoo trailed off.
"Mister, do you want to come watch with us? It might be dangerous to go alone, but if you come with us, it'll be fine."
"No, I'll just stay here and fish some more."
"You really love fishing..."
"Won't it be hard to get from the mountain to the town without us?"
"I can avoid rabbits now, so don't worry and go on ahead." Chairman Yoo waved his hand, dismissing them. He appreciated their help, but he couldn't keep relying on them just to avoid rabbits. Honestly, it was embarrassing.
"Then we'll see you next time. We'll be on our way."
The two said their goodbyes and left. Left alone, Chairman Yoo fell into deep thought.
'An esports sponsor...'
After tasting bitter defeat once, Yuseong Group had stayed far away from the esports scene. However, experiencing Pan-On firsthand made his heart waver. A game you play yourself and grow fond of is entirely different from a game you know nothing about!
'Should I make a new team? No, I scolded them so harshly last time...'
Since he had thrown a massive fit during the previous failure, it was embarrassing to suddenly turn around and say, "Should we try esports again?"
'I'll make my son do it...'
As expected, sons were the easiest scapegoats in times like this!
"Oh? What are you doing there?"
At that moment, a familiar voice echoed from behind. Chairman Yoo's head whipped around so fast it looked like his neck might snap!
Standing there was his precious granddaughter, the apple of his eye. Even with her appearance slightly altered, there was no way Chairman Yoo wouldn't recognize her.
'!!!!!'
"You look like a beginner, and it's dangerous here. There aren't just rabbits; wolves sometimes spawn too."
Yu Ji-soo spoke kindly. Just as she had received help from Tae-hyun, she wanted to help others if she could. Of course, she had no idea this person was her grandfather!
Chairman Yoo blinked. Why was Yu Ji-soo here?
The answer was that she held the Tyrum Ranger class and was constantly clearing quests near Tyrum City, but...
'That rascal Kim Tae-hyun! Is this why he told her to start in Tyrum! What a thoughtful fellow!'
His evaluation of Tae-hyun flipped 180 degrees, from an annoying punk to a thoughtful fellow! Of course, Tae-hyun hadn't recommended it for that reason. He had simply thought, 'I suffered in Tyrum, so I hope others suffer a bit too.'
It was a classic case of mutual misunderstanding!
Chairman Yoo's mind spun rapidly. He couldn't let such a perfect opportunity slip away.
'Lately, Ji-soo hasn't been opening up to me. This is my chance...!'
A petty scheme to get close and pry into her inner thoughts!
Chairman Yoo cleared his throat and said, "Is that so? This is my first time playing a game, so I don't really know what's what..."
"Should I help you out a bit?"
Yu Ji-soo walked straight into the trap he had laid! Chairman Yoo cheered inwardly.
"I'd be very grateful!"
"Follow me. I'll guide you first."
Chairman Yoo leaped to his feet. He abandoned the fishing he had been doing so passionately in one spot with absolute swiftness! Compared to his granddaughter, fishing didn't even stand a chance.
Following behind Yu Ji-soo, Chairman Yoo casually opened his mouth.
"By the way, do you have a boyfriend?"
"????"
When Yu Ji-soo's gaze turned into one reserved for looking at a complete weirdo, Chairman Yoo quickly made an excuse.
"I-I know a bit of physiognomy. I see a lot of romantic luck written all over your face."
"Really? Seriously?"
Yu Ji-soo brightened up and asked back, flustering Chairman Yoo, who had just thrown out a random excuse.
"Wait a minute. This is my Pan-On avatar. Does face reading even work here?"
After rejoicing, Yu Ji-soo recalled the obvious fact and tilted her head.
If he backed down here, he'd be caught! Chairman Yoo said urgently, "Of course! Physiognomy transcends everything. No matter how you alter your face, it still shines through."
"Then can you read the face of someone who chose the Orc race?"
"...O-Of course!"
"That's pretty amazing."
Normally, she would have been suspicious, but the mention of good romantic luck had completely won her over.
"How is my romantic luck good? Is someone coming into my life? What should I do to make it even better?"
She poured out specific questions in an instant! Seeing this, Chairman Yoo thought to himself: 'No matter how I look at this, she definitely likes someone!'
'Which bastard is it...!' Chairman Yoo tried his best to stay calm. The identity of the guy was crucial. He had to find out!
"If you tell me what he looks like, I can divine it for you."
"R-Really? Well, first, his eyes are a bit sharp, and he has a slightly fierce look, but he's incredibly handsome."
There was one thing Chairman Yoo was overlooking: Yu Ji-soo was already wearing massive rose-tinted glasses! Anyone else who knew Tae-hyun would have stared at her with a "??????" face if they heard that description.
"Do you happen to know his name, address, or resident registration number?"
"...Why are you asking for those?"
Because he had been too obvious, Yu Ji-soo's guard instantly shot back up. Chairman Yoo coughed to divert her attention.
"Cough, cough! That's all part of the face-reading methodology."
"Hmm..."
Yu Ji-soo sent him a suspicious look. Chairman Yoo smacked his lips. Seeing her reaction, it didn't seem like she would say any more.
'Who could that guy be?'
Chairman Yoo ran through the list of people Yu Ji-soo might meet. He had background checks run on her acquaintances, so it should have been easy. But none of them fit that description.
'What is it? I feel like... I should know this... Am I missing something? Who is it?'
"It's Kim Tae-hyun!!!!" Kim Byeong-guk screamed first.
Then Choi Eun-cheol wailed, "Hey! You stupid bastards! Have you lost your minds?! Why on earth did you have to mess with him of all people?!"
A sorrowful cry! They had entered this dungeon specifically saying, "Let's not talk about Kim Tae-hyun because he's bad luck," only to find Tae-hyun right inside! It was so unlucky it felt like a hidden camera prank.
"What? Kim Tae-hyun?"
"Who said that's Kim Tae-hyun?"
Both parties were thrown into chaos by their screams. Why would Kim Tae-hyun suddenly appear here?
"What nonsense are you talking about! Why would Kim Tae-hyun be—urgh!"
One of the speaking players was struck by Tae-hyun's fierce attack and collapsed, turning into grey light before finishing his sentence.
And then, the window finally popped up! After all that suffering in the Demon Realm, completing quests, and absorbing every bit of EXP, he had finally broken through the level-up wall! Of course, he was still not level 100...
- Master! Congratulations!
Tae-hyun ignored Yong-yong's words and rained attacks on the remaining players. A true exemplar of a player who wouldn't let go of free EXP even right after leveling up!
Thud—
"??"
Tae-hyun, who was dealing raw damage with his sword, stopped in confusion as two players suddenly dropped to their knees. What were they doing in the middle of a fight?
"Surrender! Absolute surrender!"
"We didn't know it was you, Lord Tae-hyun!"
"..."
Such shamelessness that it left onlookers speechless! Seeing them instantly surrender while their comrades were being slaughtered, Lee Da-bi admired them.
"I think those people would fit right in with Power Warrior."
Regardless, Kim Byeong-guk and Choi Eun-cheol prostrated themselves on the ground. A resolute determination to avoid any more death penalties!
"We really didn't know! Please spare us just this once! If you let us go this time, we will never mess with you again!"
It was a pathetic, desperate, and submissive attitude, completely different from before.