An Offer Too Good to Refuse
Shin Seung-hyun continued.
"The conditions I mentioned are exceptionally generous by industry standards. They're the kind of salary and terms offered only to the top academy league phenoms who shatter records on their way up."
A one-year short-term contract. 100 million won fully guaranteed.
Skipping trainee and second-team stints entirely for an immediate first-team debut.
From what Han Jiyeon had told him, the norm was 30 to 40 million won. But Kaiserst's offer was more than double that.
Even without deep knowledge of pro gaming, one thing was clear: refusing Kaiserst's terms on the spot would be bizarre.
For a moment, Siwoo wondered if it was a scam.
The conditions were that extraordinary.
There has to be a reason for it.
There was surely some rationale behind such an offer.
"Honestly, I don't get it."
"What part, exactly?"
Siwoo met Shin Seung-hyun's eyes calmly and pressed on.
"I haven't shown much yet. We've only played one Series Cup match."
His doubt was valid. The Series Cup tournament had just completed its first game, and his personal rank had only recently hit Grandmaster.
"What do you mean, you haven't shown anything?"
Shin Seung-hyun replied with a gentle smile.
"Reaching Grandmaster in under 100 games, with a flawless personal record. You didn't just hold your own against top prospects like Kim Do-hyun in the Series Cup—you dominated them. And that's not all."
Siwoo's exploits in personal ranked and the Series Cup were beyond reproach. They were impeccable.
"We believe your value is at its lowest right now. We've factored in the offers you'll get after the tournament and tailored this deal accordingly. I'm that confident. My eye for talent never misses."
That was why Shin Seung-hyun had gone all-in.
To keep Siwoo from other teams.
Siwoo was the centerpiece of Shin Seung-hyun's vision. Skimping on capital for a player like that would be the dumbest, most foolish mistake imaginable.
The most expensive player is always the cheapest in the end.
"Does that make sense?"
"...Yes."
Siwoo nodded once.
"I'll think it over positively."
"Excellent."
A soft smile played on Shin Seung-hyun's lips.
"That wraps up the meeting, then. Next time, bring your guardian."
He was certain. Siwoo would sign with Kaiserst. The offer left no other choice.
"Got it."
Siwoo rose from his seat.
On the way home from the team HQ meeting, Siwoo pulled out his smartphone right away.
But team contract details weren't public online. Hiring an agent wasn't feasible either—money issues, and he wasn't a trainee anyway.
Guess I'll have to ask Jiyeon about this too.
Siwoo opened KakaoTalk.
The conclusion was "not bad."
Siwoo replied to Han Jiyeon and gazed out the subway window. Blurring walls rushed by. His reflection stared back, dazed and full of disbelief.
"Hmm..."
It was a day heavy with deliberation.
Back home, Siwoo flopped onto his bed and stared blankly at the ceiling.
What's the best move?
To Siwoo, the ideal team was one that could win. Pros aimed for championships, after all. Money came second.
Win titles, and the salary follows. That's sports.
But he couldn't ignore immediate cash either.
His family ran on his big sister's sacrifices.
Cancer patients got national medical aid, keeping hospital bills low. But as the sole breadwinner, his sister was stretched thin.
She was the only one working in this house.
Ring~!
The door lock chimed. Siwoo got up and headed to the living room.
Mom was back from her chemo infusion.
"You're home?"
"Yeah, you too? Eaten yet?"
"Just got in. Not yet."
Mom shed her coat and asked.
"Siwoo, I heard you're in gaming tournaments lately?"
"Oh, yeah. With friends."
"Going well?"
"So far."
Getting this far was a miracle. Against trainees trained by pro teams.
But Siwoo had no plans to let the miracle end. He wanted to win.
"Haha, tournaments at your age? Impressive. Gonna go pro?"
Mom joked lightly. Seizing the moment, Siwoo asked.
"Mom, what if I said I wanted to be a pro gamer?"
"Hmm, pro gamer. Tough path—not one I'd recommend. Plenty've derailed their lives chasing it back in the day."
Figured as much.
Back in the 'Laker' era, droves of kids ruined themselves dreaming of pro. Mom's wariness made sense.
"But Siwoo, if you want it, go for it. That's life—opportunities and desires align sometimes. Grab 'em right."
Siwoo looked up, a bitter smile fading. Mom smiled softly and went on.
"Miss it, hit reality's wall, and regret forever. 'Shoulda tried back then.' So if you want it, do it. Don't worry about money. Once chemo's done and I'm healthy, I'll work again."
Mom planned to dive back into work right after beating cancer. Fresh from battling illness, yet ready to throw her fragile body into the grind again.
Siwoo bit his lip.
Just imagining it choked him up.
Why am I still a minor?
Too young to earn, to ease the family's load.
A rising high school sophomore, powerless.
Outside the game, he was the weak one needing protection. The fact stung to his bones.
"It's fine, Mom. I'll make it big—you'll golf all day on my dime."
"Haha, gotta get healthy to mooch off you. Sure, sure."
"For real."
Siwoo nodded, voice trembling.
His overworked big sister. His mom, broken by the fight to hold the family together, struck down by cancer.
He'd protect them.
The next day.
Siwoo rode the subway to Overlant Championship Park with his friends.
"Crowd's showing up today. Line out front."
Han Jiyeon noted.
Entering the park, they saw fans waiting to get in.
"You guys tense at all?"
Park Jongsu smirked.
"Who we look like? Piece of cake."
"Cheers make me stronger."
Lee Jinseong and Kim Jeongin puffed up proudly. A crowd could've rattled anyone, but not them.
Park Jongsu matched their vibe. Aspiring streamer, thriving on attention.
"Siwoo, how's your condition today?"
Han Jiyeon asked.
"Peak, as always."
Siwoo grinned.
"Knew it. Winner's decided—us, obviously?"
"Duh."
"No doubt. Your peak form is victory."
"Let's go!"
Morale soared. Han Jiyeon smiled and opened the capsule booth.
"Log in, then. Briefing while warming up."
"Roger."
"Check."
Siwoo and the crew slipped into capsules, diving into VR.
"Hear me okay?"
"Loud and clear."
"Sound good."
"Settings solid."
As friends checked setups, Siwoo hit the shooting range and gripped the Operator.
"Grabbing my feel. You guys warm up."
"Gotcha."
Siwoo scoped in, breath steady.
And—
Bang! Bang...!
Shots rang out. Practice dummies toppled, heads vaporized.
Hitting perfect today.
Peak condition, naturally.
"Briefing time. Warm up while you listen."
Han Jiyeon's briefing kicked off.
"Madric's attackers are their core. Tank and support are average."
Madric intel, revisited.
"Attackers are Kim Woo-hyuk and Park Jin-woo. Handle close-range and rifles equally well—no predicting their strategy yet. React to picks in-game."
Madric's attackers were famed trainee all-rounders. Unpredictable.
"But cut those two, and Madric's done. They'll target Siwoo hard. We protect him."
Who they'd target was obvious.
Lee Siwoo, always.
After his last showing.
"Shield support mandatory."
"Shield defender for pushes."
"Rifle attacker to block harass."
Practice and tourney experience honed their instincts. Picks locked.
"Okay, warm up! Match soon!"
At Han Jiyeon's cue, the crew focused, breaths held.
Streaming platform, Jijik.
A solid crowd tuned in.
Fans flocked to see Lee Siwoo, the talk of Pixy's Overlant boards.
All eyes on him.
His clips flooded the forums.
"Yes, it's the second qualifier of the Overlant Series Cup! Saseong High vs. Madric!"
The match prepped.
Arena center, casters on cam.
"Right! Both teams' stars are attackers? Blade-on-blade—should be fun!"
"Yep! Siwoo's sniper play was unreal, and Madric's Kim Woo-hyuk & Park Jin-woo are Hanhaseong Life's prized academy prospects!"
"Both top academy DPS over 1,100. Elite attackers?"
"Yes, next-gen Hanhaseong attackers. Huge expectations!"
Hanhaseong Life E-Sports.
One of OCK's big three.
Their prospects shone in academy leagues too.
"But Saseong's Siwoo matches 'em! One qualifier game, yet DPS 3,341!"
"Insane! Sniper specialty, but equals three attackers' output!"
Siwoo's record held its own.
Average attacker DPS around 1,000. Siwoo soloed 3,341.
Three attackers' worth.
Caster nailed it.
"Match ready! Pick phase—let's see!"
Screen shifted.
"Set 1: Solras Base! Point capture. Balanced, attacker-friendly with structures and chokepoints!"
Solras Base, point capture.
Siwoo's favorite map and mode.
"Saseong first pick: Siwoo's Operator!"
"Obvious! That gun pumped 3,341 DPS!"
Saseong took Siwoo's weapon first, naturally.
"Madric counters with smoke support! Checking Siwoo!"
"Attacker weapons too—halberd & katana! Cutting the sniper clean!"
Madric's counterpicks.
Rests were set.
Saseong: Shield support & defender to guard Siwoo.
Madric: Charge defender, close attacker, high-ground smoke support to isolate him.
"Picks locked! Saseong shield sturdy or Madric spear sharp? Time to find out!"
"Can't wait! Prospects clash—dive in!"
The match began.