Even If Our Kids Suck, Only I Get to Say It Worst
This was the perfect phrase for a director in his current situation. The team ranked second from the bottom, forcing them into the 2-3 Division promotion/relegation matches. The ace players were already scouting contract offers from other teams.
Overall, it's a total mess.
Even if promotion/relegation matches were usually a breeze for 2nd Division teams—cases of them losing were rare—things looked grim for next season.
"Oh, right. Director, have you seen this?"
The file the coach handed over was none other than yesterday's 1st Division LTD match footage. It had blown up on NutTube highlights. He knew the gist without watching.
"Kinda... yeah. But why? You suggesting we use that in our promotion match? The kids' morale is in the gutter. Good luck getting them to try something new."
"No, Director, it's not that. LTD's director mentioned in an interview that the origin of that tactic came from our promotion opponents—the 3rd Division team."
"...?"
A 3rd Division team? Fresh noobs just stepping into the Hunters League? And they came up with that tactic?
The confusion didn't last. A familiar headache throbbed.
Ah... this is bad...
The team was a disaster overall, but 3rd Division was fundamentally different from 2nd. They needed to half-ass the promotion matches, wrap up the season, manage contracts, scout prospects, and study tactics for next year.
If the opponents brought fresh tactics to promotion matches, it'd be exhausting.
"Which team? They just stumble into it messing around?"
One tactic like that? They could counter it. Surprise plays only scared on debut. With prep, it was manageable.
"Nah... doesn't seem random. I dug up their footage just in case. They pull a lot of weird stuff."
The coach handed over a prepared opponent analysis file and videos, like he'd been waiting.
"Hmm... yeah, definitely quirky."
The tactical variety in teamfights was impressive, honestly. But nothing matched the NutTube-famous shining sword and Invisible Cloak combo in potency.
Phew... relief.
One more lethal tactic, and promotion prep would've eaten their time. But this footage erased those worries.
"Still, this level? It'll wake the kids up just enough. We can play our usual game."
"Yeah...? Maybe I'm overthinking. Can't skip prep, though. I'll round up the kids for some practice matches."
"Yeah, do that."
After the coach left, silence fell. He replayed that 3rd Division team's footage—PER, was it?
Eh... they're decent.
But no video made them seem threatening in promotion. In 3rd Division, fights were all they had, so smart teamfight tactics made sense.
2nd Division—the real start of Hunters League—added map and terrain variables, farming phases, neutral monster threats. Totally different game.
No wonder in five years, no 3rd-to-2nd promotions via matches. This year, focus on wrangling the kids over promotion.
Falling to 9th had players rioting for better teams. Exhausting.
Promotion schedule was set.
Two weeks...
Not much different from usual, but too short for the prep needed.
"What's wrong? Two weeks is plenty. Don't 2nd Division kids play four times a week?"
"Sure, but..."
The volume of prep differed hugely. 2nd and 3rd were like different games.
Teamfights were key in 3rd, but 2nd piled on variables. 2nd players were seasoned; 3rd weren't. Gap was massive.
Come to think of it, even pre-regression, I'd never seen lower leagues win 1-2 or 2-3 promotions.
My old 3rd Division team lost theirs too. I got called up to higher leagues without it.
Now, whole teams climbing via promotion seemed impossible.
Unaware of his thoughts, the team was chaotic, almost lively.
"Hey, Kim Do-jun, I got a shiny one like yours."
"Tch... think spamming it mindlessly works?"
"Yup, way better than yours~."
They flashed gear nonstop—not even practicing, just showing off. Zero focus.
Some had brains, at least.
"Aren't you over-worrying? Study the map, play normal... fights decide it anyway."
Yi Gil-han, once crushed by defeat, was cocky after 3rd Division wins.
How many map types did he think there were? Hunters League maps weren't cram-session material.
"Yeah, Chang-hyun. You're stressing too much. Prep hard like always—no issue."
Yoon Han-gyeol chimed in, infinite faith in victory.
Made sense—no 2nd Division or promotion experience, no worries.
One taste, and it'd shatter them. Even Kim Do-jun, Yoon Han-gyeol, Han Ji-su seemed confident from audition maps and tactics.
Can't compare auditions to real Hunters League...
One-sided optimism needed a harsh lesson.
"Fine... you wouldn't get it no matter what I say. Let's go. Get beat in the arena, then you'll wake up."
Even as he spoke, Kim Do-jun and others flashed and brawled playfully. Did it even register?
Could he remake them in two weeks...?
Back at Hunter Union Training Facility after ages.
During season, they stuck to arenas for same-league scrims. Personal practice, ranking matches, or special drills were rare.
Facilities stayed routine.
Today, he led PER to the vast hall's waiting room.
Hunter Survival... first post-regression.
Popular with civilians, not in regular Hunters League, so pros rarely played. No solos in league—Survival was 3-man teams. Most skipped solos.
"Huh...? Thought we were team practicing? Why Hunter Survival?"
"Yeah, we need map and tactic work, right?"
Valid questions from some.
But they'd feel it soon—no need for words.
"Dunno. Feel it with your body."
First, humble the cocky 3rd Division winners.
All PER members except him spawned into the waiting room's Hunter Survival field.
Basic rules are simple...
Pick start point, last survivor wins. Intuitive.
But variables: Map shrinks to force fights. Relics hidden for combat edges. Encourages farming while surviving to the end.
Other vars like Tower maps, neutrals—secondary to core.
Let's see how they handle it.
Key was adapting to situations. No pre-planned strategies per map like 2nd Division. Survival, unknown maps, relic grabs, neutrals—all needed basic response skills.
As he scanned them, a voice nearby.
"Huh...? Aren't those the guys?"
"Who?"
"Our promotion opponents—the 3rd Division kids."
"You scouted that far? Lucky. Kids are already negotiating salaries elsewhere."
A yellow-haired thug-lookalike chuckled.
"Nah, not me. NutTube buzz. LTD's viral tactic? They copied it. Saw on recs."
"Oh, that? 3rd Division—no need to care. Director handles it."
"True. But damn, they suck."
On screen, Yi Gil-han charged, ignored, got flanked and sliced by a nimble foe—like a matador.
Hunter Survival mixed 1st/2nd/3rd Division, so skill gaps inevitable. Unlike league.
But...
Trash-talking my kids right in front of me?
Even if they sucked dogshit, they were his—kids he'd made history with in Korean Hunters League.
"Yeah, they suck hard."
The sudden voice made the oblivious 2nd Division guys turn.
"...?"
Blank stares—who's this?
"...?"
Faces soured, then recognition hit.
"But."
"Even sucking that bad, don't you think they'd still beat you lot?"