Crowned Among OCK's Four Great Attackers
At that moment, it wasn't just the Kaiserst forums buzzing with excitement over today's match.
Honestly, after getting wrecked by China and North America, can any attacker in OCK pull off this form?
The Overlant forums, where fans from every team gathered, were exploding with reactions too.
It was only natural. Siwoo's performance today went beyond shocking—it was terrifying.
Overlant's numerical disadvantage is absolute. Sure, individual skill can overcome odds sometimes, but in pro tournaments, it's damn near impossible.
Within OCK, skill gaps aren't that wide. Pros win on tiny details.
And yet, he'd beaten three opponents solo. Not even as a close-range attacker who thrives against groups, but as the most disadvantaged sniper.
Thanks to that.
Siwoo had been recognized as one of OCK's four great attackers. Not that it meant much—it was just fans picking favorites.
But as the hottest topic among fans, a flame war was inevitable.
Fans clashed hard, keyboards blazing in a heated battle.
Korea's Overlant league, OCK, isn't the top anymore like in the old days. Never won Worlds once since launch.
Not even Masters—Asia-only tourney—best was semis. Japan and China pushed 'em out.
Still, OCK ranks top globally thanks to monster prospects popping up nonstop.
Korean teams never win, but Korean players do—plenty.
Ironic: Champs always got Koreans, but Korea never wins.
Reasons abound.
North America and China's cash hoards steal talent inevitably.
Bottomless pits of money.
Used to be language/adjustment issues kept outflow low.
But nah—that was just lack of cash.
Domestic top dog Shin Jinwoo's at 5 billion won. Mid-tier overseas? 7 billion.
Environment sucks too, but they hire Korean chefs, crash language tutors.
No wonder talent leaks.
Homesickness exists, but overwhelming money cures it.
So Korea's top-tier, not peak. Prospects snatched before blooming.
Then someone dropped the truth bomb in the flame war.
In the remaining three matches.
Siwoo's true worth would show.
Lately, the vibe at Kaiserst HQ had been great.
Gaia Land pro team on top, now Overlant pros leading the league too.
Even the gloomy manager, always scowling with dark aura, was smiling now. No need to say how different it felt.
Siwoo took a sip of iced Americano at the first-floor cafe. Off day after the match.
"Ugh, this sucks. Why do people drink this?"
Siwoo scrunched his nose, pulling his head back. Modern folks' IV drip, they say—but nasty. What do adults taste in this?
"You're too young to get it. One day you'll understand iced Americano's charm......"
"True. Can't focus without it anymore."
Ho-jong hyung said with enlightened bliss. Soo-hyuk hyung nodded vigorously beside him.
"Nah. Ordering lemonade instead."
"Don't want it? Gimme."
"Here."
Siwoo handed over the barely touched iced Americano. Then stood and headed to the counter.
The HQ vibe was peak like this. Unlike the old depressing days, players laughed heartily, staff enjoyed work.
"Siwoo player!"
Right then, as Siwoo ordered lemonade, someone called out.
"Oh, Manager?"
Kaiserst's manager, Kim Sung-wook.
Timing off usually, but days like today? Bound to bump into him. Off day.
"Watched yesterday's match. You were amazing."
"Haha......"
Kim Sung-wook patted Siwoo's shoulder, showering praise.
"Haha. Been running Overlant team for years, never dreamed this day'd come. Thanks to you, coming to work's fun now. No heat from upstairs."
Upstairs from the manager? Isn't he top dog? Curious Siwoo asked.
"Someone above you, Manager?"
"Yep."
Kim Sung-wook smiled warmly, continuing.
"Kaiserst's corporate. CEO, COO exist. I'm below, handling team ops."
Summary: CEO/COO run whole company.
Manager handles sports ops for specific team (Kaiserst Overlant).
Team leader, but not above execs.
"So what do you do, Manager?"
Siwoo pressed.
"Hmm, player signings, trades, contracts, coaching staff, team direction, on-site fixes, player management."
More than expected. But wasn't at my contract.
"Coach came for my contract? Club manager for signing."
Siwoo asked what bugged him.
"Busy with others then. Whole staff to players were FA."
Kim Sung-wook chuckled.
"And you? Coach Shin Seung-hyun scouted personally, so handed it off."
"Aha."
Siwoo slurped lemonade, nodding. Special pick by Coach Shin.
"Get it now?"
"Yeah, crystal clear."
"Haha, good."
Kim Sung-wook patted his back.
"Expecting big from you, Siwoo. Upstairs loves you. Good news coming soon maybe."
Siwoo tilted his head.
"Good news?"
"Yes, but secret."
"Aha, re-signing."
"Hey! Can't say!"
"Hahaha."
Siwoo burst laughing at the frantic stop.
Kaiserst prepping re-sign early? Don't want overseas poach.
Me wrecking OCK? China/NA drooling now.
Kim Sung-wook offered hand.
"Anyway, keep it up."
"You too."
"Gotta go. Sorry to bug your rest. Fighting!"
"Yep, you too, Manager."
Handshake ended it.
Grabbed lemonade, back to table.
"What'd Manager say?"
Ho-jong hyung asked.
"Just club stuff."
"Club stuff?"
"Yeah. Mentioned upstairs, so asked if they exist."
"Aha, corporate clubs are messy."
Siwoo sipped lemonade.
"And good news coming."
"Good news? What?"
"Re-signing, probably?"
"Whoa, already?"
Soo-hyuk hyung's eyes widened.
"Makes sense. Your level? NA/China watching. They'll pull strings. Stay or go?"
"Too early for that. Round 1 ain't done."
"Early my ass. Round 1 ends, transfer window opens. Why Korea loses prospects? This timing."
"......Really?"
Half year in, might leave already?
Ho-jong hyung said.
"Plans? Overseas, tell early."
"Why?"
"Shake off the rest now."
"What? I'm not a pet."
"That's how it is."
Soo-hyuk hyung, phone out mid-otaku game, chimed in.
"Leaving? Say early. Delete our anime watchlist."
Watching separately for joint sessions? Explains dodging calls.
"Wha, good chance—go overseas. Double salary? Nah, ten times."
Ho-jong hyung said.
Ten times now? 2 billion.
'That huge cash possible?'
Unreal.
Never thought that far.
But.
"Not leaving."
Leave family and Jiyeon? Stay Korea.
Overseas no thanks. Inconvenient despite cash. Repay Kaiserst who found me.
"I like Kaiserst."