A Blast from the Past
"..." Lee Dong-pal shook his head. He felt almost sorry for the New York Lions negotiators, who were probably agonizing over what kind of offer to make a player of Kim Tae-hyun's caliber.
Does he even realize what kind of position he's in right now? No, never mind. Lee Dong-pal stopped himself before the words could leave his mouth. He didn't want to sound like he was nagging.
Tae-hyun's current standing in Pan-On was a peculiar one. Having demonstrated overwhelming dominance in the first tournament, he was now treated as a guaranteed golden ticket for the upcoming Pan-On Pro League.
However, unlike the general public, the people running the esports organizations had to make colder, more precise calculations.
Can Kim Tae-hyun really replicate his performance from the first tournament in future events?
He's amazing, sure, but is he truly a proven asset? We should at least wait until he goes through a few more league tournaments...
Of course, any team would welcome him with open arms if they could sign him. But the real issue was the terms! The problem lay in exactly how much they would have to offer.
Standard terms for an average Pan-On player were out of the question; he would immediately be snatched up by another team. Yet, investing an astronomical sum was also a risky gamble. If they poured that much money in and he failed to deliver results... From the organizations' perspective, anxiety was inevitable.
We want Kim Tae-hyun. But to get him, we'll have to make an unprecedented offer. Is it worth the risk, or should we hold back? This was the dilemma plaguing the teams eyeing Tae-hyun.
Unbeknownst to Lee Dong-pal, some of the wealthier organizations were even suggesting, "Let's just wait for a few more tournaments, and once he's fully proven, we'll buy him out with raw cash." A strategy only possible with massive financial backing!
Everyone making offers right now must be secretly sweating. Shouldn't he step up and give them some reassurance? He needed to show those anxious team owners exactly who Kim Tae-hyun was! That was only natural. Even in broadcasting or film production, the best way to inspire confidence was to show them what a person was truly made of.
"Well, fine. Set up a meeting, and I'll see them."
Tae-hyun spoke as if he were doing them a massive favor by begrudgingly agreeing to meet! Lee Dong-pal suddenly felt a wave of anxiety wash over him.
He's not going to cause a scene, is he?
In that instant, hypothetical headlines from future American news articles flashed before Dong-pal's eyes!
"You're not going to say anything weird when you meet them, right? Promise me!"
Anxious, Lee Dong-pal tried to extract a promise. Tae-hyun, however, looked genuinely offended.
"What do you take me for? What do you think I'm going to do?"
"No... it's not that... haha. Just making conversation."
Lee Dong-pal trailed off. Even if Tae-hyun made him nervous, it didn't change the fact that he was the hottest prospect on the market. Once he officially started broadcasting, his star would undoubtedly rise even higher. Dong-pal was absolutely sure of it.
"You're not mad, right?"
"I'm not mad. But if you keep asking, I might actually get mad. Anyway, you said there were two things. What's the other one?"
"Ah, right. This."
Lee Dong-pal rummaged through his desk and pulled out a document. For a split second, Tae-hyun thought he caught a glimpse of another folder, but he dismissed it as a trick of the light.
Law of Survival: How About a Kim Tae-hyun on a Deserted Island Combo?
I must have misread it.
"Found it. Yusung Planning... well, Yusung Group is hosting a charity tournament for Pan-On pro gamers." Lee Dong-pal tapped the folder and tilted his head in confusion.
"It's a bit strange, though. Yusung Group has hosted charity events for other sports, but they've never done anything for esports. There was even a rumor that the group's chairman personally ordered everyone to stay far away from esports. I have no idea why they're suddenly hosting this."
"...Well, it's the trend these days, isn't it?"
"No, even if Pan-On is the biggest thing right now, these kinds of projects don't just happen because some young employee had an idea. They have to be approved by the very top. Why do you think charity golf tournaments are so common? It's incredibly bizarre... but whatever the reason, it's a fantastic opportunity for our Player Kim Tae-hyun!" Lee Dong-pal's voice brightened again as he patted Tae-hyun on the back.
"It's just a charity tournament, though..."
"...is what I figured you'd say. But even for a charity tournament, because it's hosted by Yusung Group, the scale is completely different. They've already locked down the broadcasting stations and started heavy promotions... Man, it's crazy how much noise they're making over this. Even for a charity event, is all this really necessary?" As he spoke, Lee Dong-pal found himself getting puzzled all over again, lost in his own thoughts. What on earth is going on inside Yusung Group?
Tae-hyun suppressed a smirk and asked, "So, do I just need to participate?"
"Exactly. You're not planning to skip it, are you? Every other player is dying to get in."
"Well, as for me..."
"Don't tell me..."
"Of course I want to go."
"I knew it! I knew you would." Tae-hyun was only agreeing because of his prior arrangement with Chairman Yoo, but Lee Dong-pal completely misunderstood. He grumbles about everything else, yet he's so eager to participate in a charity tournament. He might act indifferent, but he's got a heart of gold. A total, hilarious misinterpretation!
"The prize money is great, and the exposure is massive. It's a golden opportunity for players before the Pro League officially kicks off. Go out there and steal the spotlight!"
"Oh, by the way, what's the game we're playing?"
"It was a real headache," Chairman Yoo said, nodding with a solemn expression. He hadn't even been able to log into Pan-On recently due to the sheer volume of matters he had to handle. He was personally overseeing the Pan-On charity tournament while simultaneously orchestrating the behind-the-scenes preparations for the Yusung Group esports team. His schedule was packed to the brim!
Though he felt a slight twinge of unease, Chairman Yoo remained confident. The curse and everything else aren't issues that can be resolved overnight. There's no way another source of supply will pop up to disrupt our hoarding! It was an intuition honed by decades of business experience!
Of course, while he was thinking this, Tae-hyun was busy harvesting crops at a breakneck pace in the territory of Archisus, but Chairman Yoo couldn't possibly have imagined that.
"I am in awe of your insight, Chairman."
"No need to flatter me. Though, I must admit, I was rather impressed with myself as well." Chairman Yoo was highly satisfied. He had only been agonizing over one thing: what kind of tournament should they host for the Pan-On players? He had immediately ruled out any events held within Pan-On itself. He felt that anything in-game would give Tae-hyun too much of an advantage.
An arena tournament? That bastard Kim Tae-hyun would probably win. An in-game race? He'd win that too. Honestly, that punk would probably win no matter what we did!
Chairman Yoo's goals for this tournament were simple:
- Leverage the massive popularity of Pan-On to run a successful charity tournament, boosting the group's corporate image with maximum efficiency.
- Secure the Engineering mount that the punk Kim Tae-hyun was going to craft and put up for auction!
While most of the players were blinded by the astronomical prize money—unbelievable for a mere charity event—Chairman Yoo was completely blinded by the mount. Seeing Tae-hyun break through a 1-versus-100 player onslaught and escape had only fueled his desire. He had to have it, no matter what!
The problem was that since this was a tournament, if they chose the wrong event, Tae-hyun might end up winning his own crafted mount back. That was the one outcome Chairman Yoo wanted to avoid at all costs.
"If in-game events are out of the question, how about we take it outside of Pan-On? We could have the players participate in a real-life competition."
Viewers loved in-game content, but they were also incredibly curious about the real-life appearances of famous players. It was a solid idea.
"That is a good approach... but what kind of event are you thinking of?"
"Well, if we go with standard physical sports... how about running, archery, or some kind of ball game? We have some young employees with athletic backgrounds. Since almost all young people play Pan-On anyway, we could secretly slip them into the tournament, and victory would be guaranteed..."
Secretary General Jung Ji-yong's plan was devious yet highly effective. Since they were the mighty Yusung Group, the credentials of their employees were nothing to scoff at. They had quite a few employees who had won medals in various ball games or track events. However, Chairman Yoo flatly refused.
"Absolutely not!"
"Ah, of course. You wouldn't want to resort to such underhanded tactics for a mere tournament. My apologies, Chairman. I spoke without thinking."
"..."
Chairman Yoo stared at Jung Ji-yong with a bewildered expression. What on earth is this fellow talking about?
"No, your intention itself is fine."
"Pardon?"
"You're only saying that because you don't know that punk. If it's a physical sport, he will absolutely win!"
In Chairman Yoo's mind, there was no way their employees could match Tae-hyun.
"To even stand a chance, we'd have to bring in an Olympic medalist. But even if we tried to disguise them as an ordinary participant, a medalist would be recognized instantly, wouldn't they?"
Jung Ji-yong looked utterly dazed. For a moment, he thought Chairman Yoo was joking.
"...You're... not joking, are you?"
"Do I look like I'm joking?"
"Chairman... are you sure we're talking about a Pan-On player here?"
"Yes. That punk, Kim Tae-hyun."
"????"
Jung Ji-yong couldn't comprehend it at all, but since the Chairman insisted, he accepted it immediately. This unwavering loyalty was precisely why he was so deeply trusted.
"Chairman. In that case, how about this?"
"Hmm?"
"We choose a game that was popular in the past."
"...?"
"Since Player Kim Tae-hyun is young, he likely won't be skilled in a game from a previous generation. Furthermore, using a classic game fits perfectly with the concept of a charity tournament gathering pro gamers. Besides, wouldn't it be highly entertaining?"
"Hmm..."
Chairman Yoo nodded. Jung Ji-yong's suggestion was indeed persuasive. It fit the concept perfectly, and the theme was highly engaging. After all, retro-themed broadcasts revisiting past trends were incredibly popular lately!
"It all sounds great. But there's one problem. What if that punk Kim Tae-hyun wins that as well?"
Chairman Yoo's concern was entirely valid. Jung Ji-yong nodded in agreement. While he didn't believe Tae-hyun could beat their athletic employees in physical sports, this was a video game. Pro gamers like Tae-hyun possessed innate gaming reflexes and instincts! He might adapt rapidly and display unbelievable skill.
"That is why I have prepared a countermeasure."
"Oh?"
"We invite pro gamers who actually competed in that era. I am thinking of the commentators Bae Joong-hwan and Bae Joong-yeol."
Jung Ji-yong's plan was truly diabolical. The Bae brothers, Joong-hwan and Joong-yeol. Currently active as Pan-On commentators, they had been active pro gamers before transitioning to broadcasting! Since they were connected to Pan-On, there was a perfect excuse to invite them as special guests, and they were the only ones among the Pan-On players who had actual competitive experience in that classic game's pro league. The gap in experience would be insurmountable!
"That is... an excellent idea!"
Chairman Yoo slapped his knee. If Tae-hyun had seen this, he would have scoffed, Why are these people working so hard on such useless nonsense? But Chairman Yoo was dead serious.
"Proceed with that plan!"
"Yes, Chairman!"
"Fantasy Craft? Exactly how many years ago did that game come out...?"
"Retro is all the rage these days. Doesn't it sound fun?"
"Well, it was a massive hit back in the day... People will definitely love it."
Tae-hyun thought of his father, Kim Tae-san. Come to think of it, his father had witnessed the golden age of Fantasy Craft firsthand. If he found out the charity tournament's game was Fantasy Craft, he would surely jump for joy.
I should let him know about this.