090. A New Beginning?
'Eh...?'
What was I doing again?
For a moment, I couldn't quite remember. In my hand was a carrier stuffed with luggage, and beside me was someone whose face I couldn't make out clearly. Led by that person's hand, I'd entered what seemed like a pretty decent lodging facility.
'But the facilities are all great—what's with how pitch-black it is in here.'
It was spacious, very spacious. But the overall vibe was dim and gloomy. Like I was the only one under the lights.
Well, as long as the training facilities were intact, it didn't matter.
"You'll be using this room from now on. If you have any questions, just let me know. Since it's a private room, I don't think there'll be any inconveniences."
The door slammed shut with a bang.
It was a pretty spacious and comfortable room. There was even a personal feedback room loaded with past match replays for review.
Only then did I notice the new uniform I was wearing and the team name emblazoned on it. A familiar team.
'Right... I got promoted from the 3rd Division team to a 2nd Division one.'
I had no idea why it had taken me this long to remember. It wasn't something you'd forget.
Even with Bloom unlocked, I felt like I needed to work even harder now.
'I thought I'd gotten stronger... but the promotion match against the 2nd Division team was tougher than expected.'
You couldn't solve everything with personal strength alone. Now that I'd risen to 2nd Division, the new teammates would be better than before, but my goals weren't this modest.
With those thoughts in mind, I entered the feedback room alone to review the recent 2nd Division promotion match I'd lost.
Sitting by myself, simulating endlessly in my head, time marched on. I didn't need anyone else during this time.
In that profound silence, reviewing the previous match made the areas for improvement glaringly obvious.
First, experience. My 1v1 skills were top-notch, but I fell for the wily movements of seasoned opponents more often than I'd like. I needed to sharpen my thinking.
And to block out map variables, memorize info on various maps, mana gear usage...
By the time I emerged from the feedback room, quite a bit of time had passed.
The outside was still dim and silent, unchanged. As if they knew I was training. The only thing there was a single lunchbox on the table.
'Ah... come to think of it, it's my first day on the new team. Maybe I should've at least greeted the teammates.'
The thought came late, but it didn't matter. We'd see each other in matches if we made it to 1st Division anyway—no need to get too attached.
Besides, matches would familiarize us with faces. What mattered was skill, not that stuff.
That was the strongest lesson from my 3rd Division days. A player's value came down to their own ability.
Social skills and teamwork? Maybe just fancy words.
'Look at me. Those guys are rotting in 3rd Division while I climbed up alone.'
Memories of my old 3rd Division teammates surfaced. Good guys. But that's as far as they went.
Best not to dwell on them anymore. Same for me—even with a great skill like Bloom, I could get weeded out anytime.
So, eyes forward, no looking back.
That night, too, I spent the dawn hours training alone. Couldn't stop here.
In the pitch-black, empty room. As I was about to resume training—
'...! ...!!!'
What was that? A ringing sound echoed.
Someone calling from outside? At this hour? Dawn?
Interrupting a training player—tch. Even as a new face on the team, I wasn't in the mood for pleasantries. Time to lay down the law, I thought, as I opened the door.
Whoosh!
Suddenly, blinding light poured in.
'...'
"Hey, Lee Chang-hyun! How long you gonna sleep?!"
My eyes were too dazzled to make out who it was. But after rubbing them—
'Han Ji-su...?'
Who was Han Ji-su? I'd just been training alone in my new 2nd Division team room.
Suddenly, memories tangled confusingly. Failing promotion from 3rd Division. Then succeeding. Life changing. Yesterday's party.
All the memories flooded back.
This wasn't that place.
I hadn't been called up from 3rd to 2nd Division, newly joining a team, or freshly fired up for training after unlocking Bloom.
'I see... it was just a dream from the past.'
A chuckle escaped me.
"Ah, wasn't fully awake. Gonna be late. Let's go."
This time, for real, I opened the door with Han Ji-su.
The living room of PER's home, reminiscent of an ordinary apartment household, was packed with quite a crowd.
All of PER's team members. Plus me and the coach. Everyone bustling about.
"What's up with you sleeping in? You didn't forget we're moving today, right?"
"We got a ton of investment, yeah? Can I request custom interior for my room??"
"Dream on."
Stepping into the lively, crowded living room brought a fresh wave of sentiment. Maybe because of the restless dream last night.
Yi Gil-han, who'd been here longest, had luggage piled like a mountain. Han Ji-su, who'd joined just a season ago, hated clutter and had only a single carrier. Kim Do-jun had enough clothes to open a store...
Everyone prepping to leave.
"Moving day already...? After Leman's investment, we decided on a more professional, comfy team home... but progress was faster than expected."
'Team manager and coach hires are coming soon too.'
The team would level up, looking even cooler.
Naturally, my eyes drifted to Coach Lee Jong-gyu.
"Why? What... Chang-hyun-ah, something to say...? You don't wanna replace me too, right? We got history."
"I didn't say anything."
"Nah, your look's just so cold."
No eye for games, but sharp instincts. Still, it was good having him stick around. Not much in-game help, but he handled externals.
"Anyway, that party was a blast, huh? Kyaa. This 2nd Division life?"
"Hate that stuff. Booze just makes me dizzy and wanna puke. What's fun about it?"
Han Ji-su, who'd skipped the party on purpose, snapped at Yi Gil-han.
"Still, you missed out. Should've seen Yeon-ju after drinks, all over Chang-hyun...!"
"All over...?"
Han Ji-su's eyes widened uncharacteristically. But the story didn't continue.
Yi Yeon-ju, fed up, stomped hard on Yi Gil-han's foot.
"Ow!"
After that, Yi Gil-han didn't bring up the party again.
"Speaking of, Chang-hyun-ah. While you were out for business, know what happened?"
"Huh? What went down when I stepped away?"
Yoon Han-gyeol was holding back a grin—something definitely happened.
But what drama at a party?
"Kim Do-jun got smashed after awards, hit on some random girl, got humiliated big time."
"What?"
He was a self-esteem wreck when drunk at our table—what wind blew that?
Kim Do-jun tried excuses, but team laughter drowned him out.
Not important anyway. No need to fuss.
With the recent party and season end, the mood was light and upbeat. New home, new coach incoming. Maybe Ryu Jae-jun or Jo Yeon-hwa would drop by after the seeds I'd planted.
"Chang-hyun-ah. Car's here. Just grab personal stuff and let's go."
"Yeah. Guys, let's move."
Furniture and facilities were either new installs or prepped, so not a massive move.
'Wonder what it'll be like...'
Overseas bigwig—expectations allowed. Facilities aside, prime city location meant better transit.
Anticipation building in the car, I dozed off briefly? The car stopped at a building.
"Whoa... we're taking over the whole place?"
"Been dreaming of this since joining. Ditched other teams for this—gotta have facilities like these."
"Looks way nicer than before."
A geometric 6-story building. Cubes twisted artistically—impractical, but cool.
'Space efficiency sucks, but stylish.'
Not a plain rectangle—protrusions, twists everywhere.
Yi Yeon-ju, awed by the open 1st-floor glass, wandered off to peek inside.
Sure enough, someone came out to greet us. Friendly-looking middle-aged man in casuals.
"Ah, you've arrived. I'm Kim Seong-jun, in charge of facility management. Nice to meet you."
"Yes. Lee Chang-hyun, PER owner, director, and player. Nice to meet you."
Big building—hired help, makes sense.
"And this is a message from Mr. Leman."
Found a great property on short notice and snapped it up quick. Should suit you well. Not cheap, so make the investment pay off. No PER name on the building? Means the team's investment isn't fully locked in yet. Prove your worth.
This old fox—investing thanks to Lee Geun-taek, yet still intimidating.
Facility tour followed.
"1st floor: cafeteria and restaurant. No full menu today, but auntie starts next week."
"Can we grab whatever from here?" Kim Do-jun, ignoring the tour, eyed the snack bar stocked with chips and drinks.
"Of course."
Kim Do-jun, already thrilled, started munching.
Sigh. Not a kid... wait, is he?
"2nd floor: Hunters League Virtual Reality Stadium practice rooms for players. Options'll shock you—even 1st Division pain settings fully available."
"Nice."
Mouth said no 1st Div perks, but delivered full package. Those options alone jacked up prices exponentially. Big spender.
Quick peek at practice space, then up.
Glass display cases and a simple stage.
"What's this floor for?"