Weighing the Offers
After Pajukjuk's persuasion finally won over his big sister, all that remained was sorting out the contract.
Siwoo sought out the most trustworthy person who also knew the E-sports scene inside and out.
It was Pajukjuk.
"Hmm, right now it's either Red Force or Kaiserst."
Pajukjuk said, looking over Siwoo's contract documents.
"Red Force has strong defenders, supporters, and healers, but their attackers are lacking. Joining this team would let you learn a ton. It's probably the best option overall."
Red Force.
The team backed by the famous ramen company's parent group was the second-best among the offers Siwoo had received.
"But the lack of a guaranteed first-team spot is a big drawback. It says you'll start in the second team. Sure, you can compete for a starting role, but it's better to have a place that guarantees first-team from the get-go."
Siwoo nodded and kept reading the contract.
Red Force's offer boiled down to this:
Start as a second-team sixth man and compete with the existing attackers for a first-team spot.
Salary around 80 million won.
This team must have deep pockets too—they were boldly investing in a rookie whose only notable performance was the Series Cup.
"Their overall roster is mid-table. They hover around 5th or 6th out of ten teams, so even with competition, you could probably snag a starting spot pretty quick."
Pajukjuk confidently claimed he could walk into Red Force and take a starting role right away.
Well, Siwoo still wasn't sure exactly where his own skill level stood.
"Next up is MidRider. Salary's meh, playtime's meh—nothing great here. You'd start as a trainee. They're playing it super safe."
Next were MidRider's terms.
Start as a core trainee, show well in scrims, and earn a shot at second team.
Salary: 50 million won.
"Even just looking at the salary, you should pass. Red Force offered 80 million—why the hell 50? You're not some capsule room tournament prospect. These guys have no clue."
Pajukjuk snorted.
"Isn't 50 million still a lot of money?"
Siwoo tilted his head and asked.
"Of course it is. But these idiots have zero sense. You're a top prospect right now—50 million? You could start as a regular immediately, and they want you as a trainee? This is bullshit."
Pajukjuk was firm.
"Well, they do have one plus. MidRider's a strong team. If you break into first team there, you could even hit international tournaments. That's appealing."
MidRider was one of the powerhouses that qualified for Asia Masters. It'd definitely be valuable experience.
"But they're rude as hell."
Pajukjuk still wasn't satisfied.
"Yeah, true."
Siwoo let out a light, wry chuckle in agreement.
Red Force and Kaiserst had already offered blockbuster salaries and guaranteed starting playtime.
With the industry's top deals in hand, there was zero reason to sign with a lesser offer like MidRider's.
What Siwoo wanted was clear: not just as lineup filler, but as a core member who'd shoulder the team's fate—a club that treated him that way.
That's where he wanted to prove his worth.
"Exactly. You've gotta secure your own rice bowl. No one's handing it to you. This is the real world."
Pajukjuk nodded with a casual grin.
"Anyway, next is EG's offer. At least they have some conscience. Second-team sixth man start, 60 million salary. Not bad, but... hmm."
Pajukjuk continued.
"They're known as a selling club. Perform well here, and you could head overseas—or join top teams like A1, GZ, or Hanhaseong with a fat deal. Lots of transfers happen."
It was tempting, no doubt. Connections to league toppers meant more than good terms—it opened doors to championship stages.
Joining a team that contended for glory was an irresistible lure for any player.
"But pass on this too. Red Force is way better."
Still, no team topped Red Force yet.
Paths to contenders were nice, but the actual terms weren't great.
"GZ's offer isn't bad either... but breaking into the starting lineup won't be easy. Salary's only 50 million. I'd pass on GZ."
Pajukjuk went on.
"GZ is dominating OCK with four straight wins. They're gunning for the title. With Shin Jin-woo and Heo Jae-hyeok, the top attacker duo in OCK right now. No guarantee you could displace them."
Siwoo nodded.
"I don't want to join a powerhouse for my first team either. No experience yet, and I need to grow."
GZ.
Great team if he could make it, but he hadn't gauged his level precisely.
What if he couldn't adapt and got stuck as a trainee?
Better to avoid powerhouses if possible.
"Yeah, on paper Kaiserst's the best. Full 100 million guarantee, immediate first-team slot. The catch? Their roster's empty right now."
Pajukjuk stroked his chin.
"Best terms among the offers, but joining a blank slate needs caution. Wrong teammates could tank your form."
"They guarantee first team right away, and highest salary, though?"
"True. If you're cool with it, I'd recommend Kaiserst top. They clearly see you as a cornerstone."
Pajukjuk asked,
"What do you think?"
"Let's talk to Red Force and Kaiserst first. Feels like they want me bad."
"Yeah, it's your call. Go with what pulls you most."
Red Force and Kaiserst.
Both solid choices. High pay, decent positioning.
"I'll chat with Red Force first. See if I can start as first-team regular."
"Smart move. If they match Kaiserst, no reason not to go."
Pajukjuk agreed.
"Thanks for the help."
Siwoo bowed politely in gratitude. Everything had been unfamiliar, but Pajukjuk's expertise eased his worries.
"No biggie."
Pajukjuk wiped his nose and continued.
"Don't pretend you don't know me after you win it all, okay?"
"No way I'd do that."
"Haha, good enough."
Siwoo chuckled, and with that, the consultation with Pajukjuk wrapped up.
He spoke with Red Force's director.
Unfortunately, the terms didn't budge much.
They said 80 million was already maxed out, couldn't go higher.
On first-team placement: starting competition was mandatory, no way around it.
At best, they could sweeten with a signing bonus—around 10 million won.
He'd have preferred guaranteed first team without competition over bonuses, but oh well.
It made sense.
All he'd shown was massacring trainees in the Series Cup—impressive, but still Master-Grandmaster level at best.
Of course, he believed in himself.
As Pajukjuk said, he was confident he'd beat Red Force's attackers in any competition.
But he didn't want to join a team that didn't see him as core from the start.
The treatment was good, but... ambiguous.
Anyway.
Negotiations with Red Force ended there.
A few days later.
Siwoo contacted Kaiserst coach Shin Seung-hyun to set a meeting.
Their offer was the best so far.
Thus, Siwoo arrived at Kaiserst HQ with his big sister.
"I-is this the team building?"
"Yeah. Big organization, heavy investment."
"Wow..."
His big sister gawked around the interior like a country bumpkin in the big city, eyes wide with curiosity.
They were killing time at the first-floor cafe, waiting for Coach Shin Seung-hyun, when someone approached with soft footsteps.
"Lee Siwoo, right?"
"Yes."
"Hello, I'm Shin Seung-hyun, Kaiserst coach. Shall we head to the office?"
"Sure."
Siwoo and Siyeon followed upstairs to the front office.
"Make yourselves comfortable."
"Thanks."
Siwoo and Siyeon sank into the offered sofa. The plush, enveloping softness was no joke.
Even a single chair here felt worlds apart from home furniture—luxury you could feel in your bones.
"Here's the contract from our side. Take a look."
"Okay."
"And, Siwoo. Any other offers from teams?"
"Oh, yeah, plenty. Red Force, EG, A1, GZ."
"I see."
Coach Shin Seung-hyun smiled smoothly.
"We expected other offers, so we prepared a new contract."
He handed over fresh papers.
"Term and minor details same as before. This version ups the salary and options."
Siwoo and Siyeon checked it out.
But...
"...Guaranteed 200 million?"
The salary had doubled.
"Take it as our way of saying we don't want to lose you."
Coach Shin grinned.
"One year plus one-year mutual option. Salary 200 million, fully guaranteed. Options for league win, MVP, international qualifiers. We get priority negotiation rights on renewal."
Mutual Option.
Extendable by one year if both sides agree.
League win, MVP, and international bonuses were industry standard.
The surest way to motivate peak performance.
Priority rights meant pre-stove league talks with Siwoo, no market interference.
"What do you say?"
Coach Shin Seung-hyun smiled softly.