Chapter 28

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Translator: Wjin

Chapter: 28

Chapter Title: Recruiting Team Members! (1)

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This announcement sparked a massive reaction across all sectors.

Netmarble immediately contacted Midas Corporation to verify if the tournament was real.

Kangyul had been on the phone with a Netmarble employee since morning.

"Yes, it's true."

—...I see. First off, thank you for hosting such a massive tournament with our game.

The Netmarble employee continued, sounding a bit tense.

—I'm calling because we'd like to promote the 'Midas Cup Sudden Attack Supreme Tournament!' in-game and run some press ads alongside it.

"Hmm. So, you're saying you want to be included in the tournament name in exchange for the promotion and ads?"

Kangyul cut straight to the point, picking up on the implication.

—Haha, yes, exactly. Is that possible?

Truth be told, slapping their name on a tournament with nearly 300 million won in prizes just for in-game promo and press ads was basically freeloading.

"Absolutely not, unless you're covering half the prize money. But if ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠you handle sign-ups in-game and set up a dedicated tournament server, we can list you as a sponsor."

—As a sponsor? Can I check with my team and get back to you?

"Sure."

It wasn't a bad deal for Netmarble either.

They didn't have the cash for prize money, but they had the manpower and servers. They'd likely accept this easily. With the tournament's outcome uncertain, settling for sponsor status was a smart move.

'Of course, this tournament is going to be legendary.'

He intended to make the event unforgettable, even if the game itself faded.

"Kim Min-a, have you talked to Team Leader Park Gyusu?"

"Yes, the studio space is available."

"Great. Tell him to get started right away."

Kangyul planned to build a full gaming arena. Luckily, he had plenty of unused studio space at his disposal.

'The studio's in a lousy location traffic-wise, so only players will show up, but hey, that's something.'

Before afternoon hit, Netmarble called back with their approval.

Full-blown ads, in-game sign-ups, a dedicated server, and sponsor cred? Solid perks for the role.

'This time, What's Up Man is doing a PC bang experience, right?'

He planned to slip in indirect ads for the Sudden Attack tournament on What's Up Man and Meerkat's While We're At It, To The King.

That alone should generate decent buzz. But the ripple effect far exceeded what Kangyul or the company anticipated.

What he hadn't factored in was the prize pool's size and Sudden Attack's popularity at the time.

In 2011, Sudden Attack was a national phenomenon.

It dominated PC bangs with over 11% market share, holding the top spot.

Anyone who gamed even casually was buzzing about the 'Midas Cup Sudden Attack Supreme Tournament!' whenever they gathered.

Online communities saw hobbyists turn into full-blown tournament grinders, entering wastepaper-immolation training mode. And this fever hit Kangyul's circle too.

"Boss! We gotta enter too!"

"Obviously. Let's grab a proper five-man squad and do the 5v5 team event while we're at it."

"Five people? Know anyone?"

A face flashed in Kangyul's mind: Jang Seongtae, future pro in Sudden Attack and Battlegrounds, "K2's Demon."

'The issue is what Vice President Jang thinks.'

Jang Deokcheol, who generally disapproved of gaming, would surely balk.

"I've got one in mind. What about you, Min-a?"

"I have a gaming buddy... A broadcasting BJ cool?"

"Of course. Hell, even better."

The ex-AfreecaTV game BJ Kim Min-a mentioned turned out to be 'Ttuttuttut,' whom Kangyul knew well.

'Did this guy stream on AfreecaTV too?'

As Kangyul ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠recalled, he blew up on Twitch right after it launched.

His signature taunting banter was hilarious.

'Skill's a bit lacking, though.'

"Let's test the skills first?"

"Sure."

Kangyul logged into Sudden Attack and created a room.

Ttuttuttut soon joined the room.

'...Man with a Burning Heart. Cringe ID.'

His rank was Colonel—pretty high.

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

Kim Min-a must've briefed him, as Ttuttuttut was overly polite. But his Sudden skills were just as polite.

He barely scraped one round against her in 1v1, losing 4-1.

'Hmm. Still, finding even this level ain't easy.'

After brief deliberation, Kangyul gave the green light.

'Just one more spot to fill, then?'

Surprisingly, the last slot filled fast.

Kangyul spotted Im Honggyu popping in and out of the VP's office and tossed a casual question.

"Im Honggyu, good with guns?"

"...Guns, sir?"

Im Honggyu startled at the sight of Kangyul and straightened up.

He'd crossed paths with him multiple times during the Mun Seyun and Mun Segwang corruption audit, so faces were familiar.

"...Discharged from the military as top marksman. Confident my shooting beats anyone."

"Nice. You're in. Hand off the audit to someone else and report to HQ tomorrow."

"...Yes, sir!"

'Even if he's rough, a month of hellish grind should get him decent.'

Kangyul had high hopes for Im Honggyu.

Kangyul was in the car heading home after work, still mulling over Jang Seongtae and when to broach it with Jang Deokcheol.

Then Jiyul poked his arm and asked,

"Big bro, what's Sudden Attack?"

"Huh? Where'd you hear that?"

"Friends talked about nothing else today. Said it gives tons of money and is super fun."

Deokyul nodded along.

"Yeah. Everyone in my class has played but us. You shoot and kill people and stuff."

The Kang household had zero computers. Park Jeong-a and Im Myeonghan didn't ban games outright, but the setup wasn't there either.

"Young Masters, games with killing are too violent for your age. Wait till you're older, or you might turn violent later."

"No way. All my classmates play."

The triplets eyed each other, itching to try what everyone else was doing.

Jiyul glanced around slyly and asked Kangyul,

"Bro, we can't play games?"

"Uh? When you're older. We don't even have a PC at home."

Not the best from someone who'd just gamed his ass off at the office.

The brothers sulked but stayed quiet. Later that day, during study time with Jang Seongtae, Sudden Attack talk erupted again.

Jang Seongtae, hooked on the game, had been ditching cram school for PC bangs.

Not long sessions, but consistent enough for Captain rank.

"I'm definitely entering this tourney."

"Your dad cool with that?"

Jang Seongtae shuddered, thinking of his father.

"...Gotta keep it from Dad."

"Alright. Seongtae, what's your K/D?"

"Me? 60%."

Not overwhelming compared to Kangyul's 68%.

'If not for Jang Deokcheol, I'd slot him on the team now.'

Prelims to finals? Sneaking him in would be tough.

'Gotta drop Seongtae and find someone else.'

Kangyul regretfully decided to bench him and scout elsewhere.