119. Hidden Power
While Yi Yeon-ju mustered her courage for her first MVP interview, the PER team lounge was in absolute chaos.
"LTD came prepared, but you guys weren't fazed at all, right?"
"Mm. Not easy-peasy at all. But we're even tougher~."
"Pfft... heeheeheeheehee... khk... ngh... kh..."
Yi Gil-han and Kim Do-jun watched Yi Yeon-ju's interview and mimicked her right back, sending the rest of the team into hysterics. Kim Do-jun's exaggerated imitation made him seem like a born clown. He even covered half his face with one hand, acting all prim and proper while rolling his Rs... Yoon Han-gyeol couldn't hold back his laughter either; it was that ridiculous.
They were tearing into each other's interviews, having a grand old time, when Yi Yeon-ju finally wrapped up and walked in on the scene.
"......"
She stared at Kim Do-jun, who was so absorbed in his goofy act that he hadn't noticed her yet. The mood turned awkward in an instant. Everyone wanted to laugh at his antics, but with her standing right there, it felt too conspicuous.
And then things took an unexpected turn.
Yi Yeon-ju's face flushed bright red as she sneaked up behind Kim Do-jun—who was still oblivious—and yanked him by the collar, shaking him like a ragdoll.
"I'll bind you so you can't see and slam you down... kkh... kkh..."
"......"
Yi Yeon-ju didn't say much, as usual, but her silence said it all.
Man, Yeon-ju's changed a lot since the beginning...
She seemed more proactive and outgoing now. Or maybe it was just the situation. Either way, the ride home was anything but quiet for PER that day.
LTD's coaching staff: "The team's condition wasn't great on match day."
"Preparation was fine, but we lost due to bad luck with the artifact variable."
"Pure performance-wise, LTD is still superior. We won't make the same mistakes next time."
Kang Jun-hyuk scrolled through the online news, then shut off his screen with a sigh.
"Aigoo... even after that thrashing, they still don't get it. Right, Chairman?"
Lee Geun-taek just chuckled at Kang Jun-hyuk's question.
"It's never easy for a powerhouse to admit defeat."
"True, but..."
Kang Jun-hyuk trailed off, as if he had more to say.
"You're Korea's top player, yet you're watching 2nd Division games? No international match analysis? Tsk tsk."
Lee Geun-taek's words sounded scolding, but his grinning face betrayed his good mood.
This old man's terrible at hiding his feelings...
Still, Kang Jun-hyuk couldn't ignore it either. After that party fiasco...
'Climbing to 1st Division in a year? Yeah, right.'
He knew how absurd that was—he'd risen from 3rd himself. Solo? Sure. But with a whole team? And now, beating LTD put PER in real contention for 2nd place in the league, maybe higher.
Since that party, Lee Chang-hyun had outpaced him, keeping even the top dog on edge.
'Of course, promotion matches against 1st Division won't be a cakewalk...'
But his adaptability, shown against LTD, was limitless. He might even dominate international leagues like Lee Min-seok someday.
'Though dragging the whole PER team to that level? Unlikely.'
"Anyway, that's not why I'm here. What about that item, Chairman? You're not saying you couldn't get it again?"
"Sheesh. Why stick with LTD's useless front office? Fine. It's confirmed for preseason after this season ends."
"This preseason?"
This year? He'd expected delays of a year or two after the announcement. This sly old fox... timing it perfectly to back that kid.
Excuses before, but now? Fine—it benefited the whole Korean league, not just him.
"Good. Front office nudged me to ask you casually since we're close. Got afternoon practice—gotta head out."
"Tch, so heartless. Drop your news and run."
Unlike his usual self. Something on his mind?
"What? Something good happen? You're not acting like yourself."
It was obvious what'd make him chatty. Big mistake—Lee Geun-taek latched on, and Kang Jun-hyuk endured two hours of rambling.
"Good is good... You ever see Ethan in person?"
"Ethan Hawke?"
"Yeah, that American brawler."
Top-tier: hot, popular, flashy.
"Our Chang-hyun holds his own. Ethan's just brute-forcing with mana bullets, but Chang-hyun controls his freely."
Lee Geun-taek, usually reserved, gushed nonstop: Chang-hyun's skills, potential, training the team—he'd lead Korea's league.
What's gotten into this geezer?
Meanwhile, PSG was swamped—especially the front office.
Even mid-season, 1st Division teams were whispering sweet nothings to PSG players: great offers, casual hints. Not overt yet—preseason rules—but "just gauging interest."
Gauging my ass. They'd sign on the spot if we said yes.
Made sense. PSG dominated 2nd Division this season—no rivals.
Comparing us to LTD or QED is an insult.
LTD had Lee Jun-seo, but one star in seven. PSG? Most could play 1st Division—or had, and stayed loyal.
They could beat average 1st Division teams under 2nd Division rules. This match? Crushed before it started.
Expectations? Bullshit.
LTD barely beat them—threw everything at it.
Guts and ideas acknowledged. Gun guy's growth potential higher than expected. But raw stats? PSG wins.
Clunk.
"Good work~."
"Nice game."
PSG players filed in: Han Ji-hu, Oh Si-hwan, Lee Gyu-jin... No tension, no excitement.
Of course—they treat this like a 9-to-5.
"Oh, Coach, Mom said the deposit hasn't hit yet."
"Got it... I'll check with front office."
Like office workers farming paychecks by smashing noobs. Online game vibes—monsters drop cash.
Opponents were just that to them. Results speak, though.
I'm the one sucking the most honey here. Which coach has it this easy?
Post-game cleanup for lounging stars. Strategies and notes existed, but...
Amid idle thoughts, Oh Si-hwan spoke up.
"Life's gotten boring lately..."
"Yeah? Go to 1st Division then. Heh."
"1st? Hell no."
"Don't you want the big bucks?"
"Ugh, don't even... Hey, you guys see this?"
Over his shoulder: hot 2nd Division interview thread.
"Not easy for us either... Pfft... heeheehee. Cute, right? Why don't we have anyone like that?"
Oh Si-hwan and Lee Gyu-jin bantered; Han Ji-hu cut in.
"That's their girl."
"Who?"
"The one Lee Geun-taek backed at the party."
"Oh... the one who wrecked that party crasher..."
Han Ji-hu glared at Oh Si-hwan's slip.
"Not you—Lee Joo-han stepped up and got owned~."
Quick pivot, but she still looked pissed.
Pro gamer, tough fighter, but oddly naive and childish.
Even if they top 2nd and promote, she'd never go. Fusses over titles: 2nd Division kings, skipping 1st on purpose. Kids gonna kid.
"Mess up against them next game, and you're done."
Han Ji-hu laid down the law.
"Sure, sure~ But us lose? Pfft."
Oh Si-hwan's usual cocky shrug. Normally it'd slide, but...
"Eek!"
Neck grabbed, animal yelp. Han Ji-hu, ice-cold.
"Doesn't matter the weight class—don't get complacent."
Acting like PER wrecked them big-time.
"Get ready."
"......Yeah."
Still, a relief. That fire meant no losses.