Geniuses and Nutcases
Choi Myung-sung said so, but the other team leaders avoided his gaze. Choi Myung-sung grabbed Team Leader Ronald, who was nearby, and asked.
"Ronald. Am I the kind of person who does weird things?"
"Yes."
"Right? The CEO... wait, did you say yes?"
"Yes."
"I think you misunderstood my question. Is your translator broken?"
"..."
"Team Leader Choi Myung-sung. Stop that and sit down."
"Yes, sir."
Having gotten what he wanted, Choi Myung-sung sat down quietly. Seeing this, the other team leaders shook their heads. His skills are top-notch, but the guy is a total nutcase!
"Do you want Kim Tae-hyun to look at us when we meet him and think, 'Why do the Pan-On developers look so scruffy and live like total shut-ins?'"
"I don't think he'd think that, and even if he did, it doesn't matter."
Yoon Ju-hwan yawned deeply. He couldn't believe he had to come out to the airport first thing in the morning, dressed in a full suit, just to wait.
"You idiot... You know what people think of us!" Choi Myung-sung barked.
The Pan-On development team was a legend. A masterpiece created by the brilliant minds of various fields! Before its release, there were countless worries: 'Is that even possible?' 'Can a game with those specs even run at our current technological level?' But once the game launched, all those doubts vanished. It was all thanks to the revolutionary AI managing most of Pan-On. The team leaders even joked, "The AI does all the work, and we're just spectators..."
But regardless of the reality behind the scenes, the public image of the Pan-On team leaders was close to that of geniuses. To think they made a game like that! Truly incredible! And Choi Myung-sung cherished this image deeply. Especially now, when he was about to meet Tae-hyun!
"I'm going to ask him to sign this."
I feel like he's going to get mad, though...
The photo Choi Myung-sung pulled out was from the days of Pan-On 1. There were countless legendary moments, but the absolute greatest was undoubtedly Tae-hyun vs. Lee Se-yeon! However, Yoon Ju-hwan highly doubted Tae-hyun, who had lost to Lee Se-yeon in that match, would be happy to see it.
Well, whatever. Yoon Ju-hwan didn't really care anymore.
"Do you know what this means? Do you understand the philosophy captured in this photo?"
"Huh? Is there some kind of deep meaning to it?"
"You absolute fool..."
In a way, the current tournament finals could be seen as an extension of Pan-On 1. Fans who had been watching since the first game were shedding tears of emotion. Just like Choi Myung-sung!
This guy is actually crying?! Yoon Ju-hwan was horrified to see a grown man with tears welling up in his eyes.
Flash! Flash!
"...?"
Yoon Ju-hwan turned his head. A crowd of people who looked like they were from broadcasting stations was rushing into the airport.
"Who's coming?"
"Who else? They must have heard Kim Tae-hyun is arriving."
"!!"
Yoon Ju-hwan was shocked. Rushing to the airport like this, and not even the tournament arena?
"Wow. They really came all the way out here?"
"Considering his popularity, it wouldn't be surprising if they boarded the plane with him."
Only then did Yoon Ju-hwan feel grateful to his team leader. Thank goodness I wore a suit!
"Kim Tae-hyun! Kim Tae-hyun!!"
"When is Kim Tae-hyun coming out?!"
Team KL hadn't even made their schedule public, but fans who had somehow found out were shouting from one side. What was peculiar was that many of the fans chanting Tae-hyun's name were middle-aged men. A steadfast fanbase that had endured since Pan-On 1!
"Cain! ...But why don't I see Cain?"
"The big guy is Cain... why isn't he here?"
"Jeong Su-hyeok! I'm your fan!"
"Jeong Su-hyeok! You have to use lightning right at the start! I bet my entire life savings on it!"
Not just Tae-hyun, but the other team members had also amassed quite a following.
Walking out, the team members were flustered by the unexpected crowd. Except for Tae-hyun!
"Player Kim Tae-hyun. You have a match coming up soon. How do you feel..."
"I don't have any special thoughts, but I plan to do my best, just as we've practiced."
Incredible!
Cain, who was following behind, was filled with admiration. He felt half out of his mind from the swarming crowd, yet Tae-hyun was responding calmly and fluently.
Wait, more importantly, that guy isn't even using a translator?!
He had assumed Tae-hyun would use an automatic translator, but there was nothing attached below Tae-hyun's ear. It was a bit late to realize, but the more he looked, the more talented Tae-hyun seemed! He often found it fascinating why someone like him was staying in the same gaming house and playing games with them. He felt like Tae-hyun would have succeeded in anything else he did... Whether it's using his brain, being an athlete, or whatever...
"Player Kim Tae-hyun. What is your strategy?"
"Player Kim Tae-hyun. What are your thoughts on Yuseong Gaming?"
"Player Kim Tae-hyun. Regarding the recent Pan-On trends..."
"Who do you think is the most threatening in the upcoming Arena League this year..."
The reporters jostled and shoved each other as they threw questions. At first, they were relatively productive questions. But there was no way the reporters gathered here would be satisfied with just that. Gradually, the questions became useless and pathetic.
"Player Kim Tae-hyun. Do you know Smith?"
"Player Kim Tae-hyun. Please make a finger heart!"
...Is this Korea?
Had the Hallyu wave reached even here? Tae-hyun was momentarily bewildered. This is America, right? Not Korea?
"Player Kim Tae-hyun. There are rumors that you are dating Lee Se-yeon, the captain of Yuseong Gaming. Is that true?"
In that instant, the team members saw it. Tae-hyun's fist clenching tightly!
No!
The image of him punching a reporter broadcast live to the entire world! The team members trembled in terror.
Tap.
Lee Da-bi placed her hand on Tae-hyun's shoulder. She sent him a look. You can't hit him!
...I'm not going to hit him, okay? Tae-hyun reflected on himself. To think even Lee Da-bi was worried!
"We are not dating."
"Come on, aren't you just denying it on purpose?"
"Haha. Rumors like that don't just affect me; they also cause harm to Player Lee Se-yeon, so I would appreciate it if you stopped."
"!!"
Choi Sang-yun was astonished. He had expected that even if Tae-hyun didn't throw a punch, he would definitely curse! Tae-hyun had truly grown. As the team's manager, captain, and owner!
I'm practically tearing up. Choi Sang-yun felt a lump in his throat. To see his friend grow so much.
Of course, just because Choi Sang-yun was moved didn't mean the reporter was. The reporter stared with a thoroughly bored expression, then glanced to the side. He saw Lee Da-bi, whose hand was still on Tae-hyun's shoulder.
"Ah. I see!"
"...?"
"So it wasn't Player Lee Se-yeon, but Player Lee Da-bi here?"
The reporter turned his target to Lee Da-bi. His seasoned journalistic instincts told him that poking Tae-hyun wouldn't yield much. You had to target the weaker link to get an interesting angle!
"Player Lee Da-bi! What do you think of Player Kim Tae-hyun?"
"Me? Yes?? What???? Uh???"
Indeed, when put on the spot, Lee Da-bi was flustered, not knowing what to do.
Jackpot! I picked the right target!
Thud!
It was Tae-hyun who shoved the approaching reporter away. Pretending to walk forward, Tae-hyun bumped into the reporter with his shoulder.
"...!"
In that instant, the reporter's movement froze, and as their bodies pressed together, a blind spot was created. A zone where no camera could capture what was happening!
Cain saw it then. In that close contact, Tae-hyun's fist moved in a short, swift arc, burying itself into the reporter's abdomen!
A-A one-inch punch?!
To think he would witness in real life something he had only seen in old Bruce Lee movies!
"Ugh!"
The reporter staggered from the sudden impact. Tae-hyun put on an innocent face and cried out,
"What's wrong? Are you okay?"
"N-No, you... my stomach..."
Pretending to be deeply concerned, Tae-hyun stepped in close once more.
Thud!
"Argh!"
"This gentleman doesn't seem to be feeling well. Could someone please help him out?"
Hit twice, the reporter's face turned pale, and he couldn't even breathe properly. The other reporters were deeply moved by how kindly Tae-hyun, despite his busy schedule, showed concern for the man. A world-class player truly has world-class character!
Meanwhile, Choi Myung-sung and Yoon Ju-hwan approached.
"Player Kim Tae-hyun? I'm Team Leader Choi Myung-sung."
"Ah. Hello."
Squeeze. Tae-hyun grasped Choi Myung-sung's outstretched hand and shook it.
"...?"
Why was he holding on for so long? Was this normal in America? It felt like the handshake lasted three or four times longer than usual. Choi Myung-sung maintained his composure and said,
"We have a car waiting outside. Let's go."
"And that's how Pan-On 2 was born. There was a lot of trial and error at first, but in the end, it helped the developers grow."
The atmosphere inside the limousine was warm and friendly. Choi Myung-sung shared stories about the development of Pan-On while they headed to the hotel. Watching him, Yoon Ju-hwan was filled with admiration.
He could be an actor!
Anyone looking at him would think he was a thoroughly rational and composed person. Pan-On 2, a masterpiece born from the collaboration between the original Pan-On 1 creators and external AI experts like Choi Myung-sung!
Choi Sang-yun raised his hand and asked,
"Then did you create all the detailed data inside Pan-On manually? No matter how I look at it, it doesn't seem like something human hands could do..."
"Haha. No, of course not. We merely built the framework. The AI took care of generating everything else."
"But still, shouldn't there be some kind of foundation? You can't just make it out of nothing, right?"
"Ah, of course there is a foundation. It's Pan-On 1. The data accumulated from Pan-On 1. That is the foundation."
Choi Myung-sung explained with a smile.
"Based on the data from Pan-On 1, the AI created a world it deemed appropriate. Honestly, we didn't do much. Just managing the AI if any issues arose? Hahaha."
"Ah. Is that why there are similar terrains and skills to Pan-On 1?"
"Yes, exactly. The changes are likely because the AI felt a balance patch was necessary. Player Kim Tae-hyun here was also a player during Pan-On 1, so perhaps he even influenced the creation of Pan-On 2."
"...?"
Hearing those words, something suddenly occurred to Tae-hyun.
The enhancement system in Pan-On 2 was exceptionally inconvenient and tricky compared to Pan-On 1. Because it included item destruction, most blacksmiths who had enjoyed enhancing in Pan-On 1 were struggling to find any success... Wait, could it be?
No, there's no way...
How could something so ridiculous be true! Could it be that because Tae-hyun had enhanced too much, the AI patched Pan-On 2 to prevent it...? Was that possible?
No, patching it is fine, but shouldn't they have made things a bit disadvantageous for Lee Se-yeon too? Do you know how many cities she wiped out with her undead? Tae-hyun grumbled. He was fine with taking a hit himself, but his righteous nature simply could not tolerate Lee Se-yeon getting off scot-free!
"Ah, right. Player Kim Tae-hyun. It will probably be announced during the finals event, but the official rules for the Arena League will be introduced this time."
"Are the rules different from the last tournament?"
"Well, that one was hosted by a Korean broadcasting station, whereas this one is directly organized by Pan-On, so the rules are bound to be different. And..."
"...?"
Choi Myung-sung hesitated. Should I say this? Am I just going to make myself the target of his resentment?
"...It might be slightly disadvantageous for Player Kim Tae-hyun..."
"??"
"????"
The group all tilted their heads in confusion.
"Oh my. Are they making Tae-hyun fight with his eyes closed and his right arm tied behind his back?"
"...Of course not. It's nothing like that..."
"A skill seal on Tae-hyun?"
"A stat seal???"
"Don't tell me they're banning Tae-hyun's pick?!"
"...Why on earth would we make such a crazy rule?"
"Eh, if it's not something like that, it doesn't sound very disadvantageous at all."
"Yeah, exactly."
What absurd trust! Tae-hyun stared at his teammates in disbelief. These guys...
"It's not that, but rather things like adding resurrection elements or adding monsters."
"Ah. Well, if it's just that."
"If that's all, then..."
The worried team members all breathed a sigh of relief. Yoon Ju-hwan found the sight truly fascinating. Normally, players would despair, worry, and get angry if even a single disadvantageous element was added. What was up with this team?