Academy Scouts and Pro Whispers
Siwoo and his friends gathered at the cafe.
It was to analyze each team's players in preparation for the Series Cup.
They hadn't completely skipped studying and prep, but that had focused on the operations and engagement styles of pros active in the domestic league's first division.
So it was safe to assume they had zero info on the trainees competing in this Series Cup. They hadn't even checked the academy league.
"Where do you wanna start?"
"GZ first, right?"
"Why?"
"Kim Do-hyun's there."
"Kim Do-hyun's on Rising?"
At Park Jongsu's words, Kim Jeongin tilted his head. Han Jiyeon let out a light laugh and laid out the explanation.
"The first team we'll face is Rising, led by Kim Do-hyun, the core of GZ Academy. The other trainees are solid, but nothing too threatening."
Teams made up of trainees were usually far from polished. That was because they formed around personal connections. Sure, the goal was victory.
But teamwork stemmed from trust. That trust usually came from familiarity, and how well they knew each other's playstyles made a huge difference.
"Alright, let's start with Kim Do-hyun then. Pull up GZ Academy match footage."
The first team to analyze was set.
Han Jiyeon fiddled with her tablet, spinning the screen around.
"Match against Hanha Life Academy. Not bad—we'll get a look at their attacker duo too."
Lee Jinseong nodded vigorously.
According to the bracket, if Saseong won and Madric on the other side won too, they'd face Hanha Life's attacker duo in the round of 16.
"Looks like a bunch of famous prospects. Makes sense—they wrapped up academy league with nothing else to do, so they're here for Series Cup exposure. Gotta show off somewhere."
Prospects needed exposure. It was basically promo footage. The more people knew you were good, the wider your options.
Han Jiyeon continued.
"And amateurs always flame out in qualifiers—it's practically a national rule. Beating pros with scrim time? Not easy. Pro games are a whole different beast."
No amateurs had ever made main stage at Series Cup, as far as records went. There were a few, technically, but tiny numbers.
"Hmm, won't be a cakewalk for us either."
"Trainees are no joke. Ranked's the same."
Lee Jinseong and Kim Jeongin sobered up, stroking their chins. Faces grew serious as the talk went on.
"Let's watch first and decide. We've got Siwoo, right?"
"Yeah. Dude crushes ranked."
"Even Lee Soo-hyuk gets one-shot by Siwoo-nim..."
But spirits bounced back quick. Unlike other amateur squads, they had Lee Siwoo.
"Yeah, just trust me."
Siwoo smirked, reassuring his friends. He wouldn't normally say stuff like that, but with his confidence surging, why not?
Plus, they'd bonded queuing 5-stacks together.
"Haha, Siwoo's got our back—feels solid. Ready to go?"
Han Jiyeon tapped her touchpad, and the video rolled.
The match was straightforward. Even teams of similar caliber—no blowouts, just operation-focused engagements.
Standouts in the flow: Kim Do-hyun and Hanha Life's attacker duo, Kim Woo-hyuk and Park Jin-woo. True to their prospect hype, skills were legit.
Then a highlight reel moment hit.
In a tense exchange, Kim Woo-hyuk and Park Jin-woo tried a supported breakthrough.
Kim Do-hyun stonewalled it into nothing—but it was still prime footage.
They'd spotted a gap and exploited it.
"...They're good. Kim Do-hyun, Kim Woo-hyuk, Park Jin-woo—all of 'em."
Park Jongsu spoke up after watching intently.
His voice was parched. Tension at the thought of facing them. Trainees or not, they had pro seasoning—skill gap inevitable.
Jongsu was Grandmaster top ranks, sure, but thanks to Siwoo's carry. Amateur who'd never learned teamplay proper.
"Gotta watch Kim Do-hyun. Aggressive style. Frontline could crumble if we're not careful."
Han Jiyeon narrowed her eyes.
Defender styles boiled down to three.
Stoic frontline anchor, purely defensive.
Aggro vanguard, piercing enemy lines.
Attacker support, order-following utility.
No style inherently best—but Saseong's nightmare was number two. Trainee vs. amateur gap was stark.
And Kim Do-hyun was that type. Fierce offense, breaching plays. No wonder Jongsu's shoulders sagged.
GZ Academy top prospect, facing him head-on to hold frontline.
But...
...Doesn't seem that impressive?
Siwoo's take was nuanced.
Pro wall was high, second-string and trainees not to underestimate.
But this match? He didn't feel they'd lose.
That play just now.
Finer positioning from Woo-hyuk and Jin-woo, defender/supporter distracting at the right beat—Do-hyun folds.
Or Woo-hyuk risks closer range, freeing Jin-woo, shrinking Do-hyun's zone.
Why not?
Siwoo couldn't fathom it.
Risky, yeah—but payoff justified.
At this level, couldn't I debut first division tomorrow?
Something felt lacking.
Not team synergy—individual mechanics underwhelmed. All that prior dread felt silly.
Hed figured pros lapped him. Easy ranked wins? Them sandbagging.
They weren't slacking in ranked... I'm just good?
Were pros/trainees grinding ranked hard too?
Suddenly, going pro seemed feasible. Top tier tough, sure—but starting mattered.
Confidence swelling.
"Siwoo, what's your read?"
Kim Jeongin asked. Siwoo had gone stone-faced, silently glued to the screen. Lost in thought.
"Just... average. Not a defender main, so grain of salt, but Kim Do-hyun doesn't seem that great."
To Siwoo, Do-hyun was just another prospect.
"Overly aggressive leaves gaps. Snipers hate piercing shield defs— this guy's making it easy."
Matchup heaven. No shield to crack, more holes, sniper playground.
"Nice. Our strat fits perfect then. Siwoo sniper core, pick 'em off one by one, snowball numbers."
Han Jiyeon nailed it.
Sniper edge: isolating. Do-hyun ditching shield? Flow tilts their way.
"Kek, no need for super high school ace Lee Jinseong."
"What super? I'm beginner tier."
"Hey hey, Jeongin Kim—don't poke the bear."
"Why you talk like that? Makes me wanna hurl."
Kim Jeongin grimaced demonically at Jinseong's joke.
"Anyway, game's dragging—let's queue. More analysis later."
As talk dragged, Han Jiyeon clapped.
"OK, gotta keep sharp."
"One more win and I'm Grandmaster—possible?"
"Whoa, Mabangdan hitting Grandmaster? Siwoo bus goated."
"Bus is skill. Not flipping it—that's something."
"YourNextMabangdan."
"Agh, seriously?!"
Siwoo and the crew bantered as usual, heading to capsules.
Day before the tournament.
All leagues and tourneys wrapped.
Pros got vacation—catch up on life, game with buddies.
Most dropped out young, few real friends. Pro world from kid age.
So connections mostly fellow pros. Shoulder-to-shoulder scene—rumors flew fast.
One buzzed among them.
"Yo, heard the latest on that 5-stack?"
BBQ joint.
Sizzling meat, a guy asked. A1 first-division pro.
"What rumor?"
Responder: another first-division pro from different org. Ex-teammates, split by adult decisions.
"That 5-queue rocketing from Master to Grandmaster top. Buzz everywhere."
Sizzle.
He shoved done meat aside, slapped fresh cuts on.
"Yeah, heard—them blowing up. Sniper's insane, right? SniperSiwoo, Lee Siwoo?"
"Yup. Clips are nuts—reaction speed, mechanics unreal."
The 5-stack was pro-famous.
Smashing top ranks, win streaks. Users they crushed? Always raving about the sniper.
"SniperSiwoo Lee Siwoo, huh. Who's the guy? Too good for prospect—smurf alt? Busing lowbies."
But no fresh talent vibe. Community clips showed overwhelming skill.
"Dunno. Clips were wild though. Not just mechanics—game sense screams pro."
"Streamer?"
"Nah, streamers don't 5-queue. Controversy bait."
Had to be first-division elite for that dominance. No way a prospect.
Solo-carrying the team.
"Who is he? Tons of parked victims. Nick screams Korean."
"Beats me, but it'll leak soon. Pro scene's tiny."
Like that.
In pro circles, SniperSiwoo Lee Siwoo spread like urban legend.