041. Bombshell Statement
When forming a team in the Hunter Club League, the most important factor wasn't anything else—it was the "synergy of superpowers."
How well those superpowers could link up to create devastating synergy. That was the key.
After that came stats, naturally. Overwhelming stats could brute-force even destructive skills, just like Lee Geun-taek.
But... this team had zero superpower synergy.
Stats were at the bare minimum, synergy was awkward... He could guess how it had been put together.
'Cheap players, ones desperate to debut. That's the gist.'
Of course, there were impressive members like Yi Gil-han, whose powers stood out on their own.
Accurately pinpoints surrounding enemies' positions.
Fires off shots in quick succession.
'Yeah... it's subtle.'
Piercing Eye was a solid power on paper, but without the firepower to hit those spots hard, it was meaningless.
And that was just the start. High mana capacity let her pinpoint more precisely and in greater detail, but there were no other powers to build on it.
Only then did he start to understand Coach Lee Jong-gyu's frustrations. What kind of battles had he been fighting with players like these...?
Still, it wasn't all hopeless.
The teammates they were calling up soon—ones they could probably recruit—had solid abilities.
Yoon Han-gyeol, who could fill any role reliably. Han Ji-su with her wide-area gravity attacks. Kim Do-jun, a beast in one-on-one fights.
The real challenge: weaving them with the current roster into the optimal strategy for maximum superpower synergy.
'No... there might be an answer.'
At the very end, seeing Yi Yeon-ju's skills—which were meh on their own—a strategy flashed in his mind.
'Maybe... we could sweep the 3rd Division league without any more recruits.'
The meeting with Lee Geun-taek was where real authority as club owner would be handed over.
"So, what do you think after checking out the team? Any good?"
Lee Chang-hyun couldn't answer right away.
This old man knew the team's state and hadn't breathed a word during their bet...
Sure, he hadn't dug deep himself, but it was still infuriating.
"Ahh—it's packed tight with solid players. Gotta be President Lee Geun-taek's keen eye, right."
He laid on the sarcasm thick, which cracked the old man up openly.
Of course. Betting big, only to end up running a failed team scrap. How hilarious for Lee Geun-taek.
'Still, I've got confidence playing to the home-team advantage...'
Mountains of challenges lay ahead—mountains upon mountains.
"Hmm... Looks like you were planning some recruits. Never imagined you'd pull funds from the Moras Workshop Seoul branch. Must be your standout skills."
"Gotta make the team we got work somehow."
"Right. So, any ideas on what kind of team to build?"
What kind of team... Meaning, what pool of superpowers for what combos and tactics?
His options were slim. No money, no players, no facilities to lure talent.
But when asked if he had a vision? No way he'd say none. Without vision, life was adrift in a vast ocean sans compass.
"If you're asking if I've got ideas... maybe two."
"I'm no slouch on tactics myself, so spill. What've you got?"
"One's probably what you figured: one-man carry setup."
The obvious choice, with a guy like him—the pre-regression champ with the most wins.
His Bloom rank had risen, and with achievements under his belt, it fit his growth perfectly.
"Too obvious... Get predictable, and they shut you down easy. You know how this game works."
"Of course. That's why the second one's key. It's still a rough sketch, but call it the 'bomber formation'?"
"......"
Lee Geun-taek couldn't hide his bafflement at the unheard-of combo.
Sniping was sniping, mana bombers were tosses—no planes in sight. What bomber formation?
He showed curiosity but didn't pry. Watching the young generation was his life's joy now; he'd save the fun for later.
"Hmph... Whatever it is, fine by me. More importantly, today's main event."
Lee Geun-taek slid over a stack of documents: formal transfer of club owner proxy rights to Lee Chang-hyun.
Nothing fishy, so he just filed them away.
No other business, so he stood to leave—till the old man's voice stopped him.
"Oh, right. Your last PER game was the other day, and tomorrow's the Hunters League 3rd Division Media Day. As proxy owner, you'll attend, yeah?"
"......"
An event he hadn't even considered.
Looks like word of his proxy role would spread sooner than planned.
'Eh, whatever. It's gotta happen anyway.'
Season over. PER's last game had been against ESP—no matches left.
But a bigger event loomed: the annual Hunters League Media Day, right after season end.
All teams out for interviews on past performance and future plans.
Lee Chang-hyun stood there as player and proxy owner, with the coach and teammates.
The team's vibe? Far from normal.
'I'm Lee Chang-hyun, taking over as proxy owner from yesterday. I'll hustle as player and manager—anyway, nice to meet you.'
Announcing his new role turned the mood awkward, surreal.
Coach Lee Jong-gyu, younger than him, looked like he'd swallowed a bug. Yi Gil-han was as shocked as after their fight. Even quiet Yi Yeon-ju stared.
No one spoke up, but everyone was stunned at him taking coach and owner duties.
'Fair enough. Basically saying I'll run the whole show...'
Positive note: no rebellion. That 3-on-1 beatdown had set discipline straight.
Slim front office helped—small scale made takeover easier.
Media Day rolled on, but PER got shockingly few questions.
Unpopular team's plight.
'Not just popularity... Zero wins. Duh.'
"Next question. LTD topped the season with killer team synergy, crushing everyone. Worried about stars jumping to 2nd Division next year?"
"Ah... We get the concern. But we'll replace any departures with top talent—we promise. Especially some super rookies lined up. Stay tuned."
'Super rookies... Who was even on the market?'
He wasn't big on gossip, so nothing came to mind.
But... that coach's face rang a bell.
'The manager...'
Up close: Lee Hyung-geun. Pre-regression antagonist, 1st Division LTD manager, now 3rd Division LTD coach.
Never imagined crossing paths with this jerk again.
'Regression made him look way younger—almost missed it.'
That guy's sweet-talk had nearly opened his Bloom early. Might've changed his life.
This one was good too, but resentment boiled anyway.
Media Day continued regardless.
"LHR's been buzzing with rookie Yoon Han-gyeol. See him in 3rd Division next season?"
"Er... Can't confirm. We're pushing, but transfer market's unpredictable till the end. That's all for now."
LHR coach sighed.
'Oh... Was that Han-gyeol's original team?'
Whatever.
A bit later: PER's turn. Question to Lee Chang-hyun.
"Uh... Big news for PER. Owner Lee Hyung-geun named player Lee Chang-hyun as proxy owner for direct ops..."
"Yes. Hello, I'm Lee Chang-hyun, PER's interim proxy owner."
"Does this mean major team shakeup...?"
The caster fumbled, stunned by the young player-coach-owner.
"Absolutely. PER went zero wins this season, but we're gearing up for radical changes."
"Radical changes... Care to hint at what's coming?"
"Roster overhaul, obviously. Me as player-coach. Plus tactical shifts, new sponsors—lots in the works."
Explosive stuff on paper, but last-place team + young kid running it? Lukewarm reaction. Half-joke?
"Got it. Major changes ahead. Next..."
"Hold up. Got more to say, if that's okay?"
No way he'd let Media Day end impact-free. First post-regression interview.
"Uh... Sure. Go ahead."
"Watched a ton of 3rd Division games... Honestly, no team's that great."
"......"
Other coaches glared, bristling.
So what? Was he wrong? That's why they were still in 3rd.
"So, step it up, everyone. We're winning it all. Oh, especially LTD's coach—you're gonna sweat most. Top team losing to dead last? Extra embarrassing."