Black and White Trash Talk
Having heard Lee Chang-hyun's words during the black-and-white trash talk, Han Ji-su couldn't help but be dumbfounded. Sure, New Star was a team that had been on a roll since 3rd Division, climbing the ranks like a rising sun, but her own team wasn't all that different from 1st Division players. Against her, of all people...? He thought he was several levels above her?
Ha...
His arrogance pierced the heavens. Even if Lee Geun-taek had acknowledged him, that was just about future potential. She'd watched his matches herself and didn't for a second think he was ahead of her.
Which was why.
She felt she had to show him his place in this match, no matter what. With those words, the trash talk wrapped up, and the players began dispersing to prepare for the match.
It was time for the decisive battle.
Meanwhile, after the trash talk filming ended on the PER side...
"But shouldn't we have prepared some special tactic just for this match? You said yourself this one's tough," Han Ji-su muttered in the waiting room before the game started. She was half right.
"We can't whip up something special every time. We can't change our abilities, and with our small roster, it's all much of a muchness anyway."
That might work for some teams, but it was impossible for theirs.
Of course, that's just strategically speaking...
He did have something in mind.
Though honestly, even that might not be enough to beat PSG...
That's how life worked—how matches worked. You lived in uncertainty. All you could do was trust yourself and your teammates who'd given their all up to game time.
"And all the strategies we've used so far aren't wasted. Let's stick to the basics."
"Got it."
With that, the players lined up and entered the arena, and the map for the long-awaited PER vs. PSG match was revealed.
Palace of Illusions...
It felt like it would be a chaotic game. Whether this map would be a boon or a bane remained to be seen.
And so, that day's match began.
Watching this lively 2nd Division broadcast was none other than Leman, who'd decided to invest in Lee Chang-hyun.
"Hm... What do you think?"
"Well... Interesting map, sure. But it's just rookies scrapping. Honestly, I don't get why you're bothering to watch this."
"Is that so? They're green on paper, yeah. But check that guy out this match. Might spot some unexpected potential."
"The one in black with the sniper rifle?"
"Yeah. Might be subtle, but Lee Geun-taek picked him."
"A gun user, of all things... Reminds me of that annoying Ethan, but no way he measures up. Never been impressed by other ranged dealers anyway."
The massive black man scratched his head, making the giant screen TV look small.
"Tch... Fair enough. If not for Lee Geun-taek, I wouldn't bother either. But you know him—doesn't that pique your interest?"
"True. When he came to the States to teach, he never praised anyone, let alone named a successor. So hearing him mention a Korean 2nd Division player? Players were stunned."
Leman chuckled softly at the giant's regretful look.
"Must've been something. I checked his matches after hearing the hype, but still don't get it. Spot anything this game, tell me."
"Sure... Doesn't seem like much so far, but okay."
Unexpected heavyweights were tuning into Korea's Hunters League 2nd Division—a backwater internationally.
The palace stretched endlessly in purple hues, impossible to tell if you could even exit. Inside were bizarre decorations and antique medieval-style furnishings.
Palace of Illusions... Been a while.
It was familiar to him. He knew the gimmicks and quirks, had played it pre-regression. PSG likely knew it too—not just him.
Featured a few times in international leagues... with those vicious gimmicks.
Not easy to trap foes intuitively with gimmicks here. This match would get messy.
Then Han Ji-su's voice came through his earpiece.
"Chang-hyun, this '3rd floor lobby sector'... We can find it from here, right?"
"Yeon-ju's guiding you one-on-one."
"But it feels like we're looping the same spots. No clue what floor we're on or direction... Oh? Do-jun found it."
Good amid the anxiety... Kim Do-jun less directionally challenged?
Merging post-start was tougher than expected. Similar areas, vast size—hard to navigate. With Yi Yeon-ju, it'd be quick... but even her directions weren't helping.
"Can't find it? Just hole up in a nearby room."
"Huh? Not merge—just hole up?"
Aigoo... Hadn't they watched international matches here?
One gimmick of Palace of Illusions: Randomly copies entrants' traits and forms to spawn doppelgangers.
And they attack intruders...
Bad luck, and you could die to map-spawned doppelgangers—not even PSG.
At least rooms are safe from them...
But no retreat if foes show. Priority now: Merge PER before PSG.
That eased doppelganger and PSG threats. So far, so good—everyone but Han Ji-su and Kim Do-jun linked via Yi Yeon-ju.
"This purple... Starting to feel creepy."
"What, with five of us? Chang-hyun's here. Think of it as courage training."
Yoon Han-gyeol was upbeat, unlike timid Yi Yeon-ju.
Feels like ghost-hunting in a haunted mansion for courage training...
"Courage training... Guess so. Hate scary stuff."
Ryu Jae-jun piled on Yi Yeon-ju's words.
Ryu Jae-jun hates scary things? Doesn't match his tough-guy look. Surprising...
Novel, since pre-regression he'd never heard it.
No more chatter; silence fell. Purple mansion, footsteps only—no signs of life. Prolonged quiet, rhythmic steps... Unbearable?
"Ugh..."
Yi Yeon-ju groaned.
"Hey... Ji-su and Do-jun are basically isolated. Shouldn't we hurry and run to them? Why stroll so casually?"
Ryu Jae-jun suddenly asked.
...?
What? Really clueless? Uneasy feeling hit.
"Yeah, Chang-hyun. I don't get it either. Probably 'cause I skipped international league matches—don't know this map well..."
Yi Gil-han scratched his head, agreeing.
Yi Gil-han might've skipped internationals...
But Ryu Jae-jun not knowing? Odd...
Sudden chill. Thinking deeper, his words had holes.
'Hurry and run to merge'? Nonsense.
Even 'running to merge' was off. Like zero map knowledge—or Hunters League tactics.
Yi Gil-han, Yi Yeon-ju, Yoon Han-gyeol oblivious, but...
Wait... could this be...?