Is It Possible?
The day after Media Day, the Hunters League-related internet communities were ablaze.
Seeing those community reactions, Yi Gil-han's first thought was pure astonishment.
Our team is getting this much attention...?
Of course, it wasn't all positive, and most of the focus was on Lee Chang-hyun for stirring up controversy with his bold words... But it was the first time the team had drawn this level of interest.
He couldn't help but wonder what Lee Chang-hyun had been thinking. Even if it was just the 3rd Division...
Yi Gil-han knew better.
It's no pushover league...
From proficiency with mana gear to understanding one's own abilities, and even mastery of weaponless combat. The 3rd Division was known to be on a whole different level from academy trainees.
Sure, he'd beaten Yi Gil-han and the other two PER members at once, but that was only possible because they were the winless Team PER's trio. Against any other team? No chance.
And yet, the guy had said it anyway.
"That's why you all need to stay sharp. Because we're going to win them all."
Words that could only be seen as rookie bravado. Words no one could believe.
But Yi Gil-han found himself thinking:
Maybe... just maybe? We could hit mid-table at least...
It seemed possible. He'd glimpsed fragments of that skill, and Lee Chang-hyun had the vessel for it.
Whatever. Yi Gil-han just wanted to win even one more if he could.
After his losses, he'd begged to stay on the team—not for pride, but money. He still hadn't covered the hunter exam fees, weapon purchase, mana gear rental. He couldn't face his parents like that.
Even in defeat, grit it out. If victory came, seize it. Earn more cash.
That was Yi Gil-han's goal.
And this new guy, Lee Chang-hyun... First impressions weren't great. But he had a hunch they'd post better results next season because of him.
The next day, the new team members Lee Chang-hyun had called arrived: Yoon Han-gyeol, Kim Do-jun, and even Han Ji-su.
Their reactions weren't great, naturally. Since they'd trained at Seoul Hunter Academy facilities,
"This is the dorm? It's just a house."
"Small teams are all like this."
"Hmm, Chang-hyun. You said it was a new team, but this is worse than I imagined."
Even Yoon Han-gyeol saying it hit home.
The team really is broke...
Meanwhile, Han Ji-su was fixated on something else entirely.
"So. I came because of you. There's a surefire way to win and get noticed, right? Let me remind you—I joined because you promised starting lineup spots, hype my value, and a transfer."
Han Ji-su grumbled.
At that, Kim Do-jun and Yoon Han-gyeol's eyes lit up with interest, staring at him.
Hmm... Fair enough.
Without him, these kids never would've linked up with PER. She was right.
...Time to give them confidence.
"Obviously. You think I'd call you without a plan? No need to worry about last season's winless record. With you here, over half the roster's new anyway."
It was true. Out of seven players, two left, four new including him—basically a fresh team.
And that wasn't all.
Bringing Yoon Han-gyeol and the others was deliberate: Which superpowers to combine for strategies?
"So. Get excited."
They looked a bit relieved, then headed to unpack.
No other worries really. These skilled guys fit the team; show results, earn respect quick.
More importantly...
Even with me, that's just four. Without more recruits, the original three have to step up...
The biggest issue: Winless streak had them defeat-scarred. Blind charges from Yi Gil-han aside, the rest couldn't take initiative.
Couldn't just demand blind trust from veterans either. To them, he was still an outsider; suspicion natural.
Did I overdo the flashy interview?
Plus kicking out members, Media Day antics. They probably saw him as some arrogant punk.
Best fix? Forge unity against an external enemy.
"Coach Lee Jong-gyu. Any practice games lined up?"
"Off-season, we usually skip 'em. Why? Team vibe's still settling. New guys need time to adjust..."
"We're under 14 anyway—no full 7v7 internals."
"True, but..."
Lee Jong-gyu averted his eyes.
He knew. Ending winless, practice games sound like more losses, confidence killers.
"It's... off-season. Do we have to?"
"Because it's off-season."
No real risk in losses yet. Wins spark hope. Plus, data on our team and others.
Other teams resting makes it tough, but necessary.
"We need team synergy, but practicing solo won't mesh us. We need an external enemy."
"With our losing streak kids... think it'll work?"
"People... grasp hope when they see possibility."
"Possibility?"
Yes. Their apathy, passive play to avoid blame—all from failures etching "We can't win" into their bones.
Pros like them? Show "We can win" possibility. Demonstrate "A bit more and we had it." They'd ignite.
No one wants to rot quietly on a winless 3rd Division team.
Everyone craves protagonist status, recognition. Not fading into obscurity.
"And I'll show it. First outing, but with me, we're different. You're no longer losers. Follow my orders, and we win."
Lee Jong-gyu blinked wide-eyed, stunned.
No more endless listless days for Team PER.
My team, after all.
First target: Team ESP.
That was it.
Lately, Team ESP's director Choi Han-gyu was deep in thought.
Last match—a clean win over PER—but that was it. Still 9th place; front office dissatisfied.
Our kids aren't bad. But... feels like we've lost the knack for winning lately...
Winning ways. Their unique victory patterns, that winning instinct—crucial, he believed.
ESP's talent pool could hang with top 3rd Division.
Problem is reigniting that instinct...
Then, a text from his coach.
Yeah... best way is winning to reclaim that victory sense.
Even if opponents were punching bags, it'd boost confidence.
Choi Han-gyu accepted the practice game.
Team ESP buzzed with amusing rumors from Media Day.
"PER got owned by some academy rookie?"
"Team morale must be wrecked."
"What's PER even like? Rookie doing director and owner? Parachute hire or not, this normal?"
But the real hot topic:
"How's a newbie trash-talk 3rd Division level? Unbelievable."
One ESP member scoffed in disbelief.
Makes sense—Lee Chang-hyun was a total greenhorn, no real league experience. Puppy barking at a tiger.
His aggressive stance toward near-perfect LTD? Same vibe.
Topic oblivious, picking fights with LTD. Regular season? They'd get crushed. Hilarious foresight.
"Total self-destruct."
"Won some nothing show, thinks he's the best."
Rare to flame out this bad, but rookies always delusionally think they're prodigies.
ESP hunters figured Lee Chang-hyun for that type.
And that day, even funnier news: Off-season practice game with PER—for "maintaining senses."
Team burst laughing.
"Can't beat us, let alone LTD... Time to show 'em."
Smashing clueless newbies ignorant of real leagues? Sounded good.
Team ESP headed to the practice venue like heading to a clown show.