Big Sister's Permission
Lee Siyeon couldn't believe it. Sure, the pro gaming industry had grown, but to this extent?
She'd figured maybe 30 million won at best. No, even less than that.
"...This isn't a scam, is it?"
Her big sister asked cautiously, her eyes wide in bewilderment. It was only natural. They'd offered tens of millions—no, over 100 million won—to someone like him who had just started playing the game.
"It's not a scam. It's an official contract from the franchise, and the team really exists. I've even been to their headquarters."
"Whoa...."
Her big sister still looked incredulous, her eyes round as she pored over the contracts. Her mouth hung open wide.
"What do you think? Does this make it okay?"
"......"
"If I work, you can rest, Sis."
Siwoo continued lightly with a smile.
"You wanted to do design work, right? Study for that. Go back to university. I'll earn the money. You quit the factory. Stay home with Mom."
It was nothing but guilt and gratitude toward his big sister. She'd been shouldering the family alone.
Of course, he understood her opposition to him becoming a pro gamer.
The world wasn't that kind.
Most people who'd dreamed of making it big after watching Laker ended up drifting from one part-time job to another into their thirties, with no career or education to show for it.
From her position, she must have been terrified of her precious little brother failing.
Of course, he might end up the same as them. But Siwoo wanted to take the challenge. He wanted to earn money for his big sister and mom.
"...Okay, for now."
His big sister handed him her smartphone, pressing her fingers to her temple as if her head throbbed.
"We'll talk more later."
After dinner.
Once Siwoo had gone to his room, Lee Siyeon sighed heavily as she cleared the dishes.
'If they're offering this much, it really means he has talent....'
The salary was far bigger than she'd imagined. An amount a fresh graduate like her couldn't even dream of.
Even if he tried it for a year and it didn't work out, it was worth a shot. That money would give Siwoo a solid foundation.
"Why not let him give it a try? Studying isn't the only path. If it doesn't suit him, he can always go back to school. These days, plenty of kids drop out of high school to prep for the SAT or civil service exams."
Park Yeji, the mother of Lee Siyeon and Lee Siwoo, spoke carefully. With Lee Siyeon as the family's breadwinner, even their mom had to tread lightly.
"I think you should let Siwoo do what he wants. The salary the franchise offered is huge, isn't it?"
Siwoo's situation was favorable.
He wasn't blindly quitting school to game full-time; he was responding to a franchise's offer. It was different from the kids she'd seen in her school days.
"...I'll look into it more first. It could be a scam or something shady. Offering 100 million to a total rookie? Come on."
Lee Siyeon was cautious.
That's how society worked.
You couldn't trust anyone easily; you had to suspect the suspicions. Offering over 100 million as a first-year salary to a high schooler? Something smelled off.
"I'll search it up first. And consult an agency."
Lee Siyeon turned on her smartphone and looked up the most reputable agency.
"—And that's how it went."
In Pajukjuk's capsule room.
Siwoo sat at the table, sipping the soda Pajukjuk had given him.
"Hmm, convincing big sis, huh? Yeah, that won't be easy. From what you've said, she's the head of the household right now. Her word carries the most weight."
Pajukjuk stroked his chin thoughtfully, his face deepening with concern.
"Man, why'd you have to be second in your whole school? Such a waste of grades. If you'd been some delinquent skipping class to goof off, she'd probably let you do it."
"It just kinda happened...."
"Nah, kidding. Don't take it so seriously."
Even for serious talk, he cracked jokes. Was it his way of lightening the mood? Siwoo suddenly understood why Pajukjuk was such a popular streamer.
"Anyway. To convince her, you need some real ammo. Does she play games?"
"No, no time. She watches highlights on Inbyul sometimes, I think...."
"Then showing her your stats won't help. Did you tell her about the contract?"
"I showed her the contract, but she didn't buy it easily. Thinks it might be a scam, wants to investigate more."
"Yeah, fair enough. Offering that much to an undebuted prospect does smell fishy."
Pajukjuk nodded slowly.
"Big sis off today?"
"Yeah, today and tomorrow."
"Alright, let's go."
Pajukjuk grabbed his coat and stood. Siwoo tilted his head.
"Where to?"
"Where else? To meet your big sis."
Pajukjuk grinned.
"I'll handle the talking. A player who could redefine the pro scene needs hurdles like this."
Was it his imagination, or did Pajukjuk's usually cheeky face look earnest today? Siwoo felt a surge of trust in him.
"Okay."
Siwoo stood and followed him out.
It was winter.
Downtown café.
Siwoo stared blankly out the window, smoothie straw in his mouth—the one Pajukjuk had bought.
Cars streamed endlessly down the road.
In the old days, he'd kill time imagining jumping along the lanes.
A habit since he'd started thinking for himself.
Time flew by then. But not now. His mind was full of his big sister.
'...I hope she says yes.'
Her heart had probably softened a bit already. 100 million was peanuts yet absurdly huge.
'Who knows.'
Siwoo bit down hard on the straw.
He let out a small sigh, likening himself to a cow being led to slaughter.
His heart pounded more from fear than excitement.
Still, Pajukjuk stepping up meant he was committed. Maybe he could trust him.
Sure, he got childish about esports, but an adult was an adult.
Moments later.
Ding-a-ling—.
The café door opened, and Siwoo's gaze snapped there. His big sister entered, glancing around for a seat.
"Sis."
Lee Siyeon turned at his voice.
Her eyes shifted sideways—to Pajukjuk. She tilted her head curiously and walked to their table.
"Hello."
Pajukjuk stood and bowed politely.
"Hi. Sorry, who might you be...?"
Doubt flickered in Lee Siyeon's eyes. Pajukjuk spoke right away.
"I'm Pajukjuk, or Lee Jung-gyu, a streamer specializing in the VR game Overlant. I focus on esports content."
"Ah, okay...."
Her voice dripped with reluctance.
"Please, sit. I ordered an iced Americano—hope that's fine?"
"Yes, thank you."
"Good."
Lee Siyeon sat. No need for small talk—Pajukjuk cut straight to it.
"Siwoo's sister, to be blunt: Siwoo must become a pro gamer."
He continued.
"Burying his potential would be a crime. In terms of studying, he's beyond Seoul University level."
Lee Siyeon nodded, listening intently.
"I've streamed Overlant, watched countless tournaments, even commentated, and have a bit of pro experience myself. So I can say this with confidence: Siwoo's talent is the real deal."
In any sport, a trained eye spots growth potential. Games were no different.
"Siwoo's habits, style, mindset—they're all perfected. Join a franchise, learn team play, and he'll grow. He can reach the top tier."
The truly gifted shone from the start. Look at Siwoo—he was already standing out.
"Please, let him become a pro gamer."
Pajukjuk bowed his head.
"......"
Lee Siyeon was at a loss. A stranger demanding she approve her brother's dream—and bowing, no less.
After much thought, she sipped her iced Americano and spoke.
"...I don't want Siwoo rushing into society like I did."
It was her wish as a big sister.
"I jumped into a job unprepared, without making the most of my good college."
Lee Siyeon had rushed into work to support the family, picking the first available spot.
"Can't change it now, but I regret it. I keep thinking: if I'd prepared more, just had a little time, I could've landed somewhere better."
She'd tasted society's bitterness—a classic black company. Poor welfare, low pay, expecting silent cogs.
"I worried Siwoo was doing the same for money. Rushing into pro gaming and messing up his path."
She was worried. Afraid he'd end up like her, entering society early for family.
"I don't know why a kid who studied hard suddenly wants to be a pro. But I don't want him jumping in early for family. I want him to prepare properly, unlike me."
That's why she opposed it.
The reason seemed more about money than passion.
She knew pro gaming differed from regular society.
But if he failed and returned to normal life? Who'd take responsibility?
That worried her.
"......"
Pajukjuk had no rebuttal. This wasn't mere opposition—it was family matters.
He glanced sideways. Siwoo's face wasn't great either.
She was right.
Many reasons drew him to pro gaming, but earning for sis and mom wasn't zero.
"Siwoo, let me ask again. Among your reasons, can you say family weighs nothing?"
His big sister asked.
"...Honestly, it does."
Siwoo answered calmly.
"I thought about earning for you and Mom, and picking the team with the highest pay."
"Then—"
"Choosing the team is for you and Mom. But wanting to be a pro? That's all me."
Reasons to be a pro gamer? Crystal clear.
The cheers for his plays sounded good. Earning to support family felt right.
Growing through what he excelled at thrilled him. Battling nationwide legends excited him.
Too many to sum up in one.
"I knew at the school tournament, then the nationals my friend dragged me to. I have to be a pro. The attention felt great. The cheers for my plays were awesome."
Siwoo looked straight at his big sister. His expression didn't waver.
"Sis, I want to be a pro gamer."
"......"
"And earn money for you and Mom too."
Lee Siyeon bit her lip, pressing her temple. It hurt. How could she deny her brother's sincerity...?
He wasn't a kid leaning on adults. He thought about the future, ready to support family anytime—an adult.
With their tough home and uncertain future, was her protectiveness just obsession? She wondered.
"...You'll have to drop out of school?"
"They said I can balance school life."
"How? With team duties?"
Lee Siyeon sighed.
"Fine, be a pro gamer. Mom supports it too."
"Sis...!"
"But if it's too hard and you can't take it, don't suffer alone—come back."
"It's not like I'm enlisting. What's hard about it...?"
"Living with others isn't easy. Especially strangers."
Lee Siyeon pushed aside her empty iced Americano and looked away.
"Pajukjuk... sir? Jung-gyu?"
"Call me whatever's comfy."
"Okay. Pajukjuk, sorry, but can you help with the team contract? I don't know this stuff."
"Of course."
Pajukjuk nodded readily. Lee Siyeon turned back to Siwoo.
"But can we really trust this contract? The amount's insane... He's not some veteran pro."
"These days, minimum salary clauses guarantee 30-40 million base. Siwoo's exceptional, so 100 million. The team's investing."
Pajukjuk smiled softly.
"Same reason I support his dream. Franchise scouts see his overwhelming talent too."
"Isn't it unfair? Even with talent, 100 million upfront...?"
"You know pros aren't charity. They saw the potential, didn't want rivals snatching him, so they offered that."
Sports franchises were ruthless, any sport. Even legends got pay frozen or cut if they slipped.
Let alone a youth with little proven? They'd cut, not raise.
But Siwoo was different.
Worth the investment, endless potential.
In a world of skill and promise, he was a golden ticket.
"He showed me the contract—no red flags. AI checks are solid now; reference that."
"Okay...."
"I'll share insider info on franchises, rumors, situations. Got connections."
"Okay...."
Lee Siyeon was dazed. Hands shaking, heart racing. 100 million? Not pocket change.
"Anyway, count on me. I'll help with everything I can."
"Okay...."
With that, the convincing was done.
Just handle the contract now.