The Sweet Taste of Capitalism

"Whoa. They were on drugs?!" Tae-hyun was shocked. No wonder they played so well!

And here I was, nagging Cain because I thought those guys had just practiced their hearts out...

Tae-hyun had been genuinely surprised after the match. Winning was winning, but if his team hadn't shaved off those extra seconds, it could have been a dangerously close call.

I actually felt bad and thought to myself, "Ah, if only I'd whipped Cain a bit harder..." He felt a tiny, fleeting pang of guilt.

"I don't know what kind of drug it is, but the effects are certainly impressive."

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

"It's, uh, some kind of drug that boosts your reaction time, concentration, and a bunch of other stats."

"Does it boost Intelligence too?"

"Intelligence... probably not?"

"What about Luck?"

"...Do you think this is some in-game potion?!" Cain was utterly dumbfounded. What kind of questions were those?

"Sounds pretty mediocre if it only boosts those two things."

"..."

Considering the kind of performance a team achieved with just those two boosts, "mediocre" was the last word anyone should use. Among professionals who already possessed top-tier skills and high levels, a single dose of that drug could elevate their play to an entirely different level. It was only natural to be tempted.

Except for this guy.

Honestly, Cain highly doubted Tae-hyun's reaction speed would improve even if he did take the drug. Was it even physically possible for him to get any faster?

"Because of this scandal, it looks like the LK Lions are going to disband. They were a team with quite a bit of history, too..."

With their parent company already cutting back on funding, failing to produce results, and now getting hit with such a devastating scandal... Pandemonium Online was flooded with countless esports teams, and one by one, they were starting to drop out of the race.

Even Korea, a traditional powerhouse in esports, was no exception. In fact, Korea was at a distinct disadvantage. Lacking the sheer financial backing and scale of American or Chinese organizations, many of Korea's most talented players were constantly being scouted abroad.

It was rare to find a famous foreign team without at least one Korean player on its roster. However, domestic fans weren't lenient enough to accept excuses like, "We couldn't help it because we were outfunded and outscaled." Fans naturally gravitated toward outstanding players and dominant teams. Consequently, even historic organizations were struggling to adapt to the changing times.

Ironically, the only domestic teams currently recognized as having successfully established themselves in Pan-On were Yuseong Gaming and Team KL.

Yuseong Gaming had once been the ultimate icon of defeat, to the point where "pulling a Yuseong" was used as a mockery. But after receiving unprecedented financial backing—sparking rumors that the group's chairman was personally watching their matches—they were now delivering stellar results under Lee Se-yeon's leadership.

Then there was Team KL. At its inception, critics had scoffed, asking, "Can a team run entirely by players actually function?" or predicting, "They'll run out of funds and collapse in no time," and "There's a reason pro teams have separate managers and coaches." Yet, they had firmly established an image as a small but mighty powerhouse, racking up victory after victory.

This left other major gaming organizations in absolute agony.

From the perspective of corporate sponsors, a team like Team KL was the ultimate dream. Of course, for the managers getting chewed out by upper management, nothing could be more unfair.

You motherfuckers... then go recruit a player like Kim Tae-hyun for me first...!

Tae-hyun was the anomaly here; they weren't the ones doing anything wrong!

"What about the players?"

"They'll probably find a way to get by. They're all high-level, so they could start streaming or something... Oh, you've got a call."

Tae-hyun pulled out his phone.

"Ah, yes. An ad? For the time being, I'd just like to focus on the game. Money? No, I have plenty."

"..."

Listening to Tae-hyun's conversation, Cain felt a deep wave of envy. Man, I wish I could be that cool when answering calls! How could anyone react like that to a literal sponsorship offer?

But as the call continued, a look of hesitation crossed Tae-hyun's face.

"?"

"Uh... well. I'll have to think about that one."

What's going on?

"Yes. Understood."

Tae-hyun hung up and looked at Cain with a deeply troubled expression. Cain instantly felt a cold sweat break out.

"Gasp... Why? What's wrong?"

"Well... uh..."

"I-Is it because of me?! Are the fans telling you to kick me out? I-I'll work really hard starting next match, I swear!"

Cain's guilty conscience had gotten the better of him! While Tae-hyun had been tearing up the battlefield like a madman in the last match, Cain had done nothing but carry a spear and a launcher in the back. He had already been secretly worrying, I feel like I didn't actually do anything...

In fact, there had been a few comments on the community boards saying, "Cain's just getting a free ride without doing anything." Even though they were a tiny minority, such comments always cut deep for a pro player.

"No, it's not that... Wait, were you not working hard?"

Flinch!

"..."

"We got a sponsorship offer, but this time, it wasn't just for me. It's for the entire team."

"!!!!"

An ad offer targeted not just at Tae-hyun, but at all of Team KL!

Cain practically wept as he clung to Tae-hyun.

Naturally, everyone else was completely on board.

"A... An ad! Me?!"

"Well, it was about time."

Jeong Su-hyeok and Choi Sang-yun had vastly different reactions.

"Haven't you already run quite a few ads yourself?"

"Those were just banners on my stream, not an actual commercial..."

Choi Sang-yun had indeed run ads on his personal stream before. In fact, excluding Tae-hyun, Sang-yun was the most popular streamer among them.

"An ad? I'm a bit embarrassed..." Lee Da-bi hesitated slightly.

Tae-hyun sent her a quick text message.

"What is this?"

"The appearance fee."

"A-Are we... splitting this amount among us?"

"No. That's per person."

"...!!!"

This was easily equivalent to half a year's worth of revenue from the Power Warrior guild's official ad accounts!

"I'm in!"

"Sure, if you want to."

"I want to give my share to you, Leader!"

"No, absolutely not. Why would you do that? If anyone hears about this, rumors will spread that the team leader is extorting his members."

"I... I can't give you mine, okay?" Cain said hesitantly. What if Tae-hyun actually ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠demanded it? Would he have to give it up?

"I have zero intention of taking your money, you idiot... More importantly, I'm surprised you agreed so easily. I thought you'd reject it."

"?"

"Did you not hear what kind of ad it is? Ah, right. I haven't told you yet."

"What kind of ad is it?" Choi Sang-yun asked, curious. But Cain was too busy celebrating to even listen.

"I... I look forward to working with you!"

"No, the pleasure is all mine. I'm signing the hottest players in the esports scene right now."

CEO Lee Dong-pal smiled warmly as he shook hands with Cain. The players of Team KL had realized the need to sign with an agency to prepare for future opportunities. They needed professional management not just for advertisements, but also for various broadcast appearances. In this regard, SI Entertainment was undoubtedly the best in the business.

Lee Dong-pal looked at Tae-hyun with immense pride. He grows bigger every single time I see him! I had no idea he'd blow up this much when we first signed him!

Isn't his attitude a bit different from how he treats me? Tae-hyun thought. The greasy, overconfident CEO was nowhere to be seen; instead, he was being incredibly polite and gentle with Cain.

Lee Dong-pal leaned in and whispered to Tae-hyun.

"Well, that fellow looks like he'd get terrified if I treated him too harshly."

"!" Did he just read my mind?!

"Anyway, you're truly the best, Tae-hyun. You'll keep doing plenty of ads in the future, right?"

"No. Do you know how many tournaments we have lined up right now...?"

"Ah, right. The league is starting soon. By the way, did you see what my niece wrote on her social media profile?"

"Huh? She actually wrote that on her profile?"

"Ah, oops. That was ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠her private account shared only with family."

"..." Lee Se-yeon, you petty little brat! Tae-hyun cursed her inwardly.

Lee Dong-pal turned back to Cain and said,

"That friend of yours... accepting such a hilarious concept for his very first commercial. He truly has a broad mind and a generous heart. Most other players only want to shoot cool, stylish ads."

"Hmm... I suppose so..." Tae-hyun stared blankly at Cain. I'm pretty sure he signed the contract without even reading the ad's concept...

Cain finished signing with a flourish and asked excitedly,

"Can I go get my makeup done now?"

"Huh? Our commercial is being shot inside Pan-On."

"What?"

"Did you not know we're filming it using your in-game character?"

"Ah, I see." Cain was surprised, but he quickly accepted it. An ad was an ad, after all. My game character will probably look even cooler!

"Mr. Cain, I was deeply moved by the video of you transforming into a giant and taking down that demon."

"Ah, yes. That was quite the legendary scene, wasn't it? Hehe." Cain beamed with pride in front of the commercial director. Ah! So you've seen that masterpiece!

The Demon Duke that had invaded the Capital. Cain had transformed into the Amalgam Giant to face him! Of course, the reality was that Tae-hyun had practically force-fed him monster essences over and over again, but the public didn't know that.

"The moment I saw you roaring and devouring those essences right before the battle, it hit me. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠This is it!"

"?"

"Besides, what do you and Mr. Kim Tae-hyun ride around on in Pan-On? Motorcycles, right?"

"...Yes?"

"You were practically born for our commercial!"

Feeling a sudden wave of anxiety, Cain sent a whisper to Tae-hyun.

Cain turned pale as he finally began reading the ad concept.

"..." He was the main star, but something about this... doesn't look cool at all!

"Do you not like it?"

"I-It's not that I don't like it..."

"...I absolutely love it!" Cain realized at that exact moment. This was the power of capitalism!

"Bravo! Bravo! Outstanding, Mr. Cain! That didn't even feel like acting!"

The director was satisfied, the sponsor was satisfied, the players were satisfied, and the fans were satisfied. The commercial was a resounding success! Yet, Cain could only shake his head.

So this is why Kim Tae-hyun hates shooting commercials! Of course, their reasons were entirely different...

Cain checked his bank account. The moment he saw the deposit, his heavy heart melted away instantly.

Whew. On second thought, commercials are actually great. What did it matter if it was a bit silly? If it made people laugh, that was a good thing!

Vrrr— Just then, Cain's phone vibrated.

Cain froze for a moment. In the past, he would have rejected it on the spot, but Cain was a changed man now.

Upon hearing the figure, Cain fell silent. Then, he answered.

"Hehehe. Money is the best. Money is king."

"What's wrong with him?"

"He's been acting a bit strange ever since we shot that commercial."

Tae-hyun's party had left Alexeos's dungeon and was on the move. They were heading toward the location of the map containing the Authority, just as Alexeos had told them!

"U-Uh... can we tag along too?" the Beijing Fighters players asked cautiously. In their hearts, they desperately wanted to keep traveling with him, but they wondered if Tae-hyun would actually allow it.

"Of course. Having you guys around makes me feel so much safer... I mean, you're like a reliable shield."

"Mr. Kim Tae-hyun!"

"Sob! We will respect you for the rest of our lives!"

"By the way, where did Do Dong-su go?"

"Huh? Where is Do Dong-su?"

"Yeah, where is he?"

"...Did we leave him behind in the dungeon?" Cain asked hesitantly. The players' faces instantly lit up with realization. "Ah!"