Unstoppable Carry
The timer ticks down, and the game ends.
Ah, time's up! Saseong High School class tournament quarterfinals are over! GG! Class 2 takes another win and advances to the semifinals!
Final score: 2-0. Thanks to sniper Siwoo's performance, the class match ends in overwhelming victory.
The viewers watching the stream couldn't contain their excitement over the unexpected substitute player's performance.
"Insane, we won overwhelmingly! SIUUUU!!"
"Lee Siwoo! Lee Siwoo! Lee Siwoo!"
"Siwoo just hard-carried us."
"Crazy, crazy, Lee Siwoo!!"
His teammates reacted the same way.
"Didn't expect to beat Class 1 this easily."
"We'd have been screwed without Siwoo, right?"
"Yeah. Class 1's average tier is higher than ours."
"Class 1 has Park Jongsu. He's a Grandmaster."
In truth, Class 2 had been a bit intimidated by Class 1's lineup. Their average tier was higher, and they had a famous skilled player from school.
"Grandmaster? So what? He got wrecked by our Siwoo."
"For real, Park Jongsu the Grandmaster couldn't do shit."
"As expected of thisSIU, inheriting the primate GOAT's celebration as a dealer."
But Siwoo had shattered their strategy from the start, making tiers irrelevant.
Without Siwoo's performance, they wouldn't have won.
"Siwoo, you could hit Challenger, right?!"
Han Jiyeon shouted at Siwoo, her eyes wide with excitement, nostrils flaring.
"No, Challenger? That was pro level! How the hell do you grapple up to the sky and land a headshot?! I thought I was watching performance art!"
"...Haha."
"I've been to pro games with my dad at his agency, met pros, watched tons of tournaments. I don't know about other Operators, but your aim and searching mechanics are way better!"
"R-Really?"
"Yeah! Not just hyping you up—this is real! You gotta go pro!"
Siwoo smiled awkwardly. It was the first time he'd seen Han Jiyeon this fired up, machine-gunning words. She always seemed so composed.
...Definitely.
Siwoo was convinced.
He might actually have talent.
Just running ranked games proved it, right? Not only did he start in the top 0.4%, he was toying with them.
Then, Han Cheolmin's words echoed in his mind.
'My talent assessment is real—try a pro tryout.'
It would be a lie to say he wasn't tempted.
It was a chance to test his talent.
Success there meant a nine-figure salary and recognition from countless people.
Just imagining it sent shivers down his spine. Thousands, tens of thousands chanting his name. Nine-figure pay, fan cheers, legendary career. But reality crushed the dream instantly.
The hospital's white lights, his exhausted sister's back. He didn't deserve it. The family burden was too heavy for dreams. His eyelids trembled as he shook his head, suppressing himself.
I need to go to college.
The pro scene was where geniuses fought geniuses. It'd be full of players who steamrolled from the start like him.
Reaching Diamond in 32 games? 87% headshot rate and 11.7 KDA? Child's play to them. Baseline stuff.
His target prestigious university was the same—full of geniuses, requiring insane effort.
But stability? No comparison.
Pro spots were limited; you couldn't just dive in.
I need to ease the burden on Noona and Mom.
That's why college over pro. Higher odds.
That was it.
"Siwoo?"
"Huh?"
Lost in thought, Han Jiyeon called with a smile. Siwoo looked at her blankly.
"We won thanks to you, so wanna stick with us to the end? Up for next round too?"
"..."
"Not forcing you! Skip if you don't want. We just wanna game with you."
Han Jiyeon smiled slyly.
Before answering, his chest tightened. Did he belong here? People looking at him like it was natural, trusting him. Sweet, yet scary.
"Yeah, let's do next round too. Call me."
"For real? Thanks!"
In the end, he nodded, drawn to the sweetness—like a starving man tasting honey.
A little longer wouldn't hurt.
It was just a casual event, not ongoing.
The next day, Saseong High School buzzed with one rumor.
"Yo, did Class 2 really wreck Class 1 in the tournament? Missed it at academy."
"Real. Class 1 couldn't breathe."
"How? Park Jongsu's in Class 1. Got pro offers, right?"
"Dunno, Lee Siwoo carried hard?"
One student gapes.
"Lee Siwoo? School rank 2? He plays Overlant?"
"Yeah, but his record's insane. 90% win rate Diamond. Headshots and KDA off the charts."
"...90%? Dude's a monster?"
Then, a mix of awe and head-tilt.
"Total monster. Solo forward sniper wiped them. Class 1 couldn't even exit spawn."
"How the...?"
The questioner trails off in shock.
Class 1 was packed with school's top players. One forward sniper shutting them down? Unbelievable.
Thus, the class tournament was Saseong High's hottest topic.
Han Jiyeon hosted it with prizes as a school event.
Post-finals, pre-vacation—teachers approved. Natural chatter among students.
"Lee Siwoo everywhere. Whole world's Lee Siwoo. Damn, SIUUUUUUU!!"
Break time.
Staring out the window blankly, Han Cheolmin spouts nonsense again.
Siwoo glares.
"What bullshit now."
Han Cheolmin smirks oddly.
"You really clueless or playing dumb?"
"Spit it out."
"Everyone's talking you after yesterday's match. Forward sniper carry!"
He strikes a sniper pose, aiming at air—ridiculous.
"Even Park Jongsu, school's best freshman Grandmaster, got nothing. You gotta go pro! Ate a Grandmaster for breakfast!"
Siwoo's achievement, but Han Cheolmin's more hyped.
"Overreacting."
Siwoo sighs, turns away.
Corridors, cafeteria, fields—his name everywhere. Cheers mixed with jokes stabbed his chest. Pride mixed with anxiety, like a secret exposed.
Clueless to Siwoo's feelings, Han Cheolmin rambles.
"For real! Your talent's nuts!"
Then—
"Siwoo!"
Familiar voice startles him. Class prez Han Jiyeon watching.
Siwoo meets her eyes awkwardly.
"...Yeah, what?"
"Don't forget today—class tournament!"
"Oh, right."
Siwoo smiles awkwardly.
"Same as yesterday, please! Trusting the carry!"
"With Siwoo we win everything!"
"Ready for the bus ride lol!"
Han Jiyeon and friends wave wildly. Burdensome, but trusted—feels good.
"Got it."
Siwoo waves awkwardly.
"Yesterday was the legend's start."
"More bullshit?"
"Your class debut's history, Lee Siwoo."
Han Cheolmin grins slyly.
"When you're the GOAT pro looking back, my name comes up first. I got you into it! Ahahaha!"
He slaps his chest laughing—annoying as hell.
"..."
Well, true—Han Cheolmin's meddling led here. Finally connected with Han Jiyeon properly. Couldn't even talk before.
"Anyway, crush it! Win it all!"
"You just want pizza from the prize?"
"Busted?"
"Obviously."
Siwoo chuckles.
Previous matches: Semis a breeze with Siwoo's carry. Now finals.
But.
Sniper Siwoo Lee Siwoo goes forward sniper again! Class 5 raises shields to push out?! But he grapples up on recoil! Angle's open! Headshot!
Rifles trying to check him, but Siwoo's got shield support and healer! Can't kill without chaining heads! Sniper's low HP but body shots won't drop him!
The finals felt one-sided, unworthy of the name.
Class 2's support around Siwoo Lee left Class 5 unable to attack properly.
Every aim collapsed foes. Too easy—Siwoo wondered. Was he this good? Fingers lightening.
Excitement surged with momentum, but a chill hit too. Like he was machine, not man.
That moment I mentioned! Cargo activates! But Class 5 still can't catch Siwoo! He's running?! What Force Enhancement is this!
Class 5's shields meant nothing.
Siwoo grappled skyward on recoil, forcing angles to pick them off.
Couldn't catch him.
Ghostly Force Enhancement control—wall-running escapes.
"This is bullshit!"
"Lee Siwoo you maniac!!"
"How do we even...?"
Class 5 lost all will.
Master-tier students couldn't stop forward sniper Siwoo.
Cargo stolen! Time ticking! Class 5 attacker and healer respawning! Finals end in stomp?!
Time dwindled. No counter. Siwoo repositioned, slicing them.
Class 5 dives cargo, scrambling! But headcount gap huge! They stick but get wiped?! Ace! Class 5 full team wipe!
Pajukjuk screams, spit flying.
What is this, sniper Siwoo Lee Siwoo! Sub for absent academy attacker, solo carrying! Not bus—jet plane!
Time runs out.
5, 4, 3, 2, 1! Done! Class 2 crushes Class 5 for the win! GG!
Game over.
Right after the match.
"Nice!! Siwoo, total nice!"
"Praise GreatSiwoo!!"
"GreatSiwoo! GreatSiwoo!"
Friends scream in joy.
"This ain't normal person level! Stomped finals too!"
Han Jiyeon loved this most.
Siwoo's mind blanks. Cheers hit—takes seconds to register his name. Heart drops.
Thrilling.
Teammate cheers, Jiyeon's sparkling eyes, chat frenzy—all filling his chest.
Achy fullness.
Wants this thrill again.
No—keep it forever.
"Praise Han Jiyeon who brought GreatSiwoo!!"
"Not praising GreatSiwoo?"
Dopamine lingering, friends giggle and chat.
Han Jiyeon says,
"Guys, good work! Interview soon. Be right back! Dinner after!"
Even class tourney streamed—interviews essential. School event, but players' stories matter.
But Han Jiyeon grabs Siwoo's hand instead of prepping.
"Siwoo!"
"Uh, yeah?"
Heart drops again. Siwoo hides panic, meets her eyes straight.
"Ever thought of other tournaments?"
"...Other ones?"
Siwoo tilts head.
"Yeah! Game company hosting during break. Series Cup—national tourney. Class event was to scout teammates too."
Han Jiyeon smiles, continuing.
"Wanna join?"