108. An Unexpected Meeting
The venue was the stadium. It was right in the middle of the regular season, just like always. It was during a match between PER and a team from Division 2.
Moreover, there's a big gap in tactics and strategy between Division 3 and Division 2, so the role of the 'coach' and 'tactical analyst' is crucial. Especially for a unique position like 'Lee Chang-hyun', who's both player, owner, and coach—analysts say this is his real test...
PER's been dominating Division 2, so that talk just faded away!
That's how it looks. Even in today's match, other teams hired analysts, tactical coaches, martial arts coaches, and so on, but their results are still lagging behind PER...
'The vibe's better than I expected.'
After defeating QED, PER had racked up win after win. They'd shown superiority in practice matches against teams like HXG and others, which was expected to some extent... but they hadn't dropped a single game. No wonder everyone's confidence was soaring and the atmosphere was electric.
"Hey, who do you think gets MVP today?"
"You? Nah."
"Whoa... Kim Do-jun, really? Again? Did he bribe the interviewers or what?"
"Jealous? Go bribe 'em yourself~"
The team was buzzing with energy, but honestly, they might not fully grasp that the real games were just beginning. Next week's schedule: PER vs. Division 2 LTD, and PER vs. PSG.
Excluding second-place QED, all the teams they'd beaten in their streak were bottom-feeders.
'Even beating QED doesn't make these look like easy wins...'
If anything, PER might be exceeding expectations. Back during the promotion playoffs from Division 2, they'd been floundering visibly. But after one tough grind, their skills were shooting up fast.
Still, against PSG, victory wasn't a sure thing.
'Above all, even after several matches, they haven't shown their real hand.'
The silver lining? Facing Division 2 LTD first. They weren't bad or great in Division 2, but after recent roster changes, they'd been looking solid.
'Perfect warm-up to get in form.'
And Division 2 LTD... it was the team Lee Chang-hyun had played for before his regression. Memories flooded back fresh, even if he'd only been there one season and hadn't bonded much with the roster.
Still, facing LTD got his blood pumping.
"Next week's opponents are tough, so let's stay sharp."
"Everyone's already talking about it."
"Huh? Why? Know someone on their team?"
"You didn't hear? LTD signed super rookie Yoo Hye-ju this season—it's been all over the news."
Oh, her. Yoo Hye-ju already felt oddly familiar on a personal level by now. She'd risen fast even pre-regression, consistently landing on top teams in higher leagues each season—must have that extra edge.
Originally, she hadn't joined LTD before. Guess my changed actions shifted her path too.
"Right. Anyway, let's head out early today. Pack up right after interviews."
"Got it."
With the midweek schedule wrapped, the weekend arrived again. If PER were in Division 1, they'd be scrambling to prep for weekend games, but Division 2 matches were mostly weekdays. Saturdays had practice games, but Sundays were dead quiet—no games at all.
PER's home base was usually serene on Sundays: rest or light solo training.
In that peaceful vibe...
"Chang-hyun, someone's downstairs."
"Looking for me?"
Yoon Han-gyeol nodded. No one came to see him lately. He'd visited his parents last weekend, and Lee Geun-taek had called recently.
'Anyone who'd show up in person?'
Brainstorming yielded nothing.
"And... it's a kid."
A kid? Total mystery. Heading downstairs anyway, sure enough, a little kid was throwing a fit, just like Yoon Han-gyeol said.
"I've been a fan since Division 3, and you said at the fan signing I could come visit anytime!"
"Haha... Lee Chang-hyun looks young, but he's owner, coach, and player—super busy."
Kim Seong-jun was sweating it out, trying to handle the kid.
'Fan signing? No way a freshly promoted Division 2 team like us does those.'
Pre-regression, maybe, but post-regression PER hadn't held any.
Simple excuse to meet, probably. Kids do that.
'But why go to such lengths just to see me?'
Hard to guess. Sure, kids idolize players... but why us over Division 1 LTD or the national team?
Kim Seong-jun looked overwhelmed, so Lee Chang-hyun strolled over. Only then did they notice, turning his way.
"Coach...!"
"What's up?"
Before Kim Seong-jun could speak, the kid jumped in.
"You're Lee Chang-hyun, right? I've seen you! Last game, the audition match, all your Division 3 games."
Her eyes sparkled as she gushed—somehow burdensome, yet familiar. He'd dealt with fans before, but not yet in Division 2.
Unexpected, a bit proud. And nostalgic. Back pre-regression, when he'd first become a hunter, before unlocking Bloom. Not standing out, just fangirling over top-league aces with starry eyes.
'I crashed a Division 1 ace's fan signing alone, babbling nonstop.'
Did I look like that kid back then? Didn't feel bad.
"So, why'd you come? Little one."
He crouched to her eye level, smiling. Personal growth mattered, but fans and spectators made a player a player.
"I... watched your games."
Not as chatty with Kim Seong-jun, apparently.
"In the audition, you collapsed the building, shot guns everywhere, solo dove in dodging everything, picked 'em off with gunfire, wire-fu flying around. And syncing perfectly with Ryu Jae-jun...!!"
Words exploded out of control.
"Division 1 stars are flashier and more famous, but thanks for saying that."
Pure honesty.
"Division 2 stadium! Yeah! My first Hunters League game—vs. QED! I was blown away!"
She rambled excitedly; couldn't interrupt. He asked Kim Seong-jun for snacks and listened in the lobby.
Mostly my highlights, how cool I was, wanting to be like "hyung." Pointless yet profoundly grateful words.
"Um... that's why I came. I awakened too!"
Hoo... unexpected. Awakening must've sparked the visit. Lucky kid—figuring out your power post-awakening is tough.
'Coming to me, with Piercing Eye... fate, maybe.'
No big deal to check her out. Thought she'd just want a quick scan, but she was bold.
"Heard PER's recruiting! Here for the tryouts—possible?"
Her gutsy move cracked him up.
"Sorry, tryouts ended before Division 2 season started."
"Oh..."
Her face fell, realizing she'd missed the info.
Kids might chase rumors hoping to impress. But sending away a hopeful dreamer with platitudes? Rude.
"Still, you came all this way—I can at least take a look."
Skills, potential as a hunter. Direction. Hell, this was premium service.
She got it; her gloom vanished into a beaming smile.
"Please!"
Before heading to the practice room, he activated Piercing Eye.
'Stats... training matters more, so skills first.'
Thousand Talents: A (S+)
Talent that can develop and generate new talents through stimulation. A single skill.
His eyes widened instantly. Among all skills he'd seen—excluding Bloom—this had the highest growth potential.
Yet pre-regression, he'd never heard of this kid.
'Probably... because of this talent.'
Develop and generate talents... or fail, and you're awakened but powerless. Worse than C+ strength enhancement.
Especially without knowing how to unlock it. Pre-regression, without meeting me, he'd have dreamed big and withered.
Sad, but irrelevant now. Reality was him standing here.
'Can't do everything... but a big gift?'
"Tried moving since awakening?"
"Yeah, just getting used to it."
"Hunter-style moves?"
"A bit... Hunter Academy too... but no real powers yet..."
Mumbling, he led her to PER's second-floor practice room.
'Could be a great teammate someday.'
Or maybe just echoes of my past self. Wanted to help.