The OCK's Three Hegemons
In truth, Kaiserst's schedule could be seen as blessed by the gods. They faced mid-to-lower tier teams before the strong ones, allowing them to step up their game.
Thanks to that, Park Chan-seong's skills had noticeably improved, Siwoo had equipped a new weapon, and the team's synergy had grown even more solid.
And so, OCK Week 6 arrives.
The teams ahead were on a completely different level from anyone they'd faced so far.
A1, Hanhaseong Life, GZ.
These were the so-called Three Hegemons of OCK.
There was a mid-tier team sandwiched in the schedule, but compared to those three, it wasn't much of a threat—not worth worrying about right now.
Hmm.
Siwoo stroked his chin while reviewing the player notes Han Jiyeon had prepared for him.
GZ's Shin Jin-woo, A1's Ryu Jin-seok, Hanhaseong's Choi Woo-jin...
True to their status as OCK's top-tier attackers, none had glaring weaknesses.
Especially Shin Jin-woo.
As a player, he had only strengths—no real flaws. Even in the videos Jiyeon attached, Siwoo couldn't spot a single opening.
Stable, solid, and he quietly did what needed doing.
He was worthy of the title as Korea's pinnacle attacker. Nothing was lacking.
His only 'flaw' might be that he values his own life too much...
An attacker has to strike when the angle's right.
When the opportunity arises, they must create chances even at the cost of their life, focusing on setting up engagements.
As the saying goes, success is revolutionary, failure is treason. Attackers need the courage to be hated. It's high-risk, high-reward.
But judging by the notes on Shin Jin-woo's style, he stayed far from that kind of play. The attached videos showed plenty of such moments.
Of course, that wasn't necessarily bad. An attacker's safety adds team stability. But Siwoo believed it meant they couldn't reach true peaks.
Shin Jin-woo might be surprisingly easy to beat.
Attackers like that were oddly straightforward to counter. Just poke their blind spots with unpredictable plays. It matched perfectly with Siwoo's bizarre, creative strategies.
But...
A1's Ryu Jin-seok.
This guy was the complete opposite of Shin Jin-woo. He chased extreme highs, risking everything.
Jiyeon's notes even called him someone with not just the courage to be hated, but the courage to face execution.
Similar to my style.
Siwoo's eyes narrowed. Ryu Jin-seok's approach mirrored what he pursued. Lows were rock-bottom, but highs pierced the heavens.
This style was often called "dice-roller." Outcomes depended on the roll of the dice that day.
Jiyeon's notes stated that when his highs hit, he matched World Champions-winning attackers.
Even with those lows, he's on A1—a powerhouse. Means his highs come often.
Fundamentally solid.
This was the type to watch most carefully. Couldn't let guard down till the end.
Choi Woo-jin...
Extremely aggressive tendencies.
He relentlessly pushed for highs, even through failures—an aggressive style.
At a glance, similar to Ryu Jin-seok, but without bearing the same risks.
Like Shin Jin-woo and Ryu Jin-seok mixed together.
Beating Sengoku Gaming in scrims didn't mean they could slack off.
OCK might lack a World Champions title, but they were undeniably top-tier.
That's enough studying for now...
His eyes ached from staring at the screen so long.
Siwoo closed his smartphone, leaned back in his chair, and shut his eyes.
...To hit Worlds, I need to crush guys like these easily.
His dream had been to become a pro gamer.
Now that he was one, it was time to aim for World Champions victory.
That was every pro's ultimate goal, after all.
And if you're betting your youth on the challenge, you see it through to the end, right?
This'll be fun.
Siwoo pictured it in his mind.
Himself standing center stage under spotlights, victorious over pro heavyweights.
At the peak after conquering everyone.
I can do it.
It didn't feel impossible.
Scrim preparations went smoothly.
Thanks to their connection with Sengoku Gaming, they linked up with overseas teams.
They could practice without tipping their hand to GZ, A1, or Hanhaseong.
And so, Week 6.
"Almost there. How's everyone feeling? I'm in top form today."
Kim Ho-jong asked from the van heading to the venue.
"Not bad."
"I'm good too."
"Feels like I'll carry today."
Lee Soo-hyuk, Park Chan-seong, and Kim Yong-taek answered in turn.
"Nice. What about you, Siwoo?"
"Same as always—peak condition."
"Haha, kids have the advantage with recovery."
Ho-jong chuckled. Truth be told, it was from solid sleep and routine, but Siwoo didn't bother explaining.
Ho-jong was like the team elder, after all.
Anyway.
Today's opponent: Midrider.
From here on, every match was hellish—no easy ones.
Not one of the Three Hegemons yet, but...
Midrider steadily made Masters every year. No room for complacency.
"Whew, Midrider. Scary today. Actually, every day's scary..."
Chan-seong muttered.
He'd shaken off self-doubt and steadied his mentality, but he was still deflated.
Understandable. Skills built slowly, steadily, step by step.
"Chan-seong, don't be so scared. You can do it. The impossible hasn't happened yet..."
Soo-hyuk said, hand on forehead.
Flashy pose was cringy, but the line was cool. Siwoo looked at him with genuine admiration.
As Siwoo stared with sparkling eyes, Chan-seong asked,
"...Where'd that line come from?"
"My mobile game. Star Rail."
Weeb quote, huh. Siwoo cringed, eyes squeezed shut. Damn, fooled again. Should know better than to trust Soo-hyuk's lines.
"We've arrived, players."
The van stopped.
Beyond the window stood a modern building of glass and metal, capturing the light.
Sleek exterior adorned with colorful signs and screens, Kaiserst and Midrider logos at center.
"Big crowd again."
Ho-jong said as they exited.
Long lines at the entrance, small merch stalls.
"Whoa, all here for Siwoo? Debuts a month ago and already a superstar."
Yong-taek let out a hollow laugh.
Kaiserst's popularity boom was thanks to Siwoo. Super carries every match—who wouldn't love it?
"Quit teasing and let's go in."
"No autographs?"
"That'd violate rules."
He'd love to sign, but players signing pre-match was forbidden.
Safety reasons.
Crowds already chaotic; a player appearing for fan service could spark danger.
Made sense.
"Let's head in."
Siwoo and the hyungs entered via the staff door.
"Okay, everyone's here. Gear tests first."
Coach Shin Seung-hyun greeted them in the player lounge.
Gear test.
Log into capsules, check for issues. Fail this, and mid-match glitches could cost penalty points.
All good.
Siwoo logged in, hit the range, confirmed capsule connection fine.
"How's it?"
"Good."
"No issues."
Check complete.
Back from booths, coach asked,
"Okay, kids. Tests done?"
"Yes."
"Briefing time."
Coach handed over a tablet. Screen showed Midrider players' key info and exploitable weaknesses.
"Midrider's tight on team ops. Never individual fights. Even attackers main rifles."
Teams varied: some favored solos, others not. Personal strengths differ. Midrider was the latter.
"Our play: Use Siwoo's snipes for range wars. Ho-jong handles mid-range, Yong-taek—snipe with Siwoo again."
Clumped enemies? Range advantage wins. Close-range favored Midrider anyway.
"Okay, basic strat done. Review info or meditate. Regroup after Set 1."
"Got it."
Shin Seung-hyun's briefing ended.
Siwoo, prepped via Jiyeon's notes and vids, needed no more analysis. Power of homework.
But...
Lee Jeonghyeok?
Familiar name on the roster. Pro he'd met pre-Series Cup.
Got called up too.
Jiyeon called him top prospect—bound to happen. Academy League buzz too.
Hope he does well.
Siwoo closed his eyes.
They had a connection; wished him success.
Everyone thriving? Ideal.
But that thought was fleeting.
Ah, makes me feel bad for Jeonghyeok.
Jiyeon watching live post-school? No holding back.
No choice now.
Time to dominate this match too.
As always, crowds flocked in.
Midrider and Kaiserst battling for Masters spots—perfect storm of hype.
Note: Official stream only. Add personal streamers and TV? Over 500k easy.
And among them.
Midrider's attacker Lee Jeonghyeok gnawed his nails.
Damn, why today of all days?
Main attacker caught a cold; he got called up to first string.
Normally, he'd seize the chance to shine.
But like a fawn before a predator, his shoulders trembled.
Why today?!
Long-awaited first-string debut, but wrong opponent.
...Lee Siwoo.
Trauma from that ranked game—he was facing the culprit.
If it were a Hegemon team, he'd shrug it off. Uncrossable wall there.
Career gap too wide.
But Siwoo? Same-season rookie debut. No trainee period even.
Lose to him? Fans would roast: "What are you then? Wasted prodigy."
What do I do?
Lee Jeonghyeok racked his brain.
"..."
Couldn't picture it.
Himself beating Siwoo.
Damn...
Why today? So many other days. Nine other teams besides Kaiserst.
...World's cruel joke.