Showdown at Championship Park
Tournament day.
Siwoo and his friends took the bus to Overlant Championship Park, the venue for the competition.
“This place is huge.”
“Overlant tournaments are on a massive scale.”
“We're playing here? Kinda scary.”
“What do you mean, getting cold feet all of a sudden?”
The friends entering Championship Park were too busy gawking around, heads swiveling every which way.
It was originally the venue for the second-division league—the academies of franchise teams—but with the off-season now, they were hosting the tournament here.
“Overlant really invests a ton in their events.”
Siwoo, taking in the surroundings, couldn't help but voice his impression.
It was hard to believe this was a second-division venue; no wonder his friends suddenly felt intimidated. Rumor had it, it could hold up to 3,000 spectators.
For a place where minor academy teams played, that was an impressive capacity.
“They say a game's lifespan is tied to its tournaments too, right? It has to evolve into a proper sport for more people to get into it—builds a sense of belonging and all that.”
Han Jiyeon replied.
E-sports evolution.
It meant transforming games from mere consumable content into a competitive ecosystem fueled by rivalry and fandom.
Formation of fanbases and communities.
Ongoing events like leagues and tournaments.
Secondary creators like players and streamers.
And so on.
In essence.
Shifting from passive consumption to a culture of competition and cheering extended the game's life—that was the core reason.
“Makes sense. I thought they just made tournaments 'cause it was popular.”
“That's part of it, but really, it's to make it more popular.”
“You know your stuff.”
“Haha, my dad's running an e-sports team. Though things aren't looking great lately.”
Siwoo nodded. As expected, Han Jiyeon knew everything about e-sports.
“Anyway, let's head to check-in. Opponent's no joke—we gotta be fully prepped.”
Team Saseong's first matchup was a team called 'Rising'.
“Rising's made up of top prospects from various teams, so it won't be easy. Especially their defender, Kim Do-hyun—he's a rising star in the industry.”
Han Jiyeon added the details.
“...That's a big class gap for us. A strong defender makes the game a real slog.”
Kim Jeongin, Saseong's supporter, said.
“Class gap? Our defender's Jongsu. He got pro offers right before hitting Challenger—you think we're outclassed?”
“Yeah, yeah, just trust me. I'll clean up the front line.”
Park Jongsu, the team's defender, brimmed with confidence. Fair enough—he'd climbed ranks hard in 5-man queues.
Click.
Siwoo and the crew entered the capsule booths. Inside, a referee was inspecting the capsules.
“Players, log in, check your settings, and if there's any issues, hop into Rescode and let us know. We'll sort it right away.”
“Got it.”
They logged into the capsules, and Siwoo signed into Overlant. Rescode linked automatically, and team chat flowed seamlessly.
“Everyone, warm up. Don't overthink it.”
“You're the one who looks tense saying that.”
“...I'm not tense.”
Maybe because the tournament loomed so close, but even the usually cool-headed Han Jiyeon showed signs of nerves.
“We got Siwoo sniping—what's to worry?”
“Facts. Siwoo's gonna wreck 'em.”
“That mad movie maker Lee Jeonghyeok couldn't touch him.”
Meanwhile, Siwoo entered the shooting range and raised his barrel.
He held his breath, focused every nerve. Aiming dead-center at the target, he pulled the trigger.
Bang!Bang, bang!
Gunfire echoed as bullets flew—only the targets' heads exploded.
Perfect shots, zero deviation.
“Siwoo, how's your condition today?”
Han Jiyeon asked.
Siwoo gazed at the targets and smiled quietly.
“Better than it could ever be.”
“Alright, victory's ours then.”
“Let's go massacre these trainees, daSIU style.”
Siwoo's condition was Team Saseong's condition.
'Core' didn't even cover it. He was the team itself—and as long as he held steady, Saseong wouldn't crumble.
Team morale boiled over naturally.
Siwoo clenched his fist tight.
Sorry, Team Rising—but they weren't winning today.
The Overlant Series Cup streams on the 'ZziZig' platform, with official casters and commentators calling the action.
You might wonder why bother streaming an amateur cup.
Surprisingly, people were tuning in.
Overlant was the hottest game right now, riding high since VR launch.
And for e-sports fans, checking prospects from their favorite teams was a must.
The commentator on camera kept going.
Defenders rarely match attacker DPS—it's role-limited, focused on protection.
Kim Do-hyun.
GZ's next charge captain, hyped by his team—and fans.
The commentator continued.
Commentary wrapped, screen shifted.
Game on.
Pick phase.
Locking in weapons and traits—essential to Overlant.
“Siwoo, what sniper you taking?”
Park Jongsu asked.
Four sniper types, each with pros/cons. But universally, two ruled.
The devastating Operator—one-shot kills, but slow fire rate and reload.
And Martial—fast fire and reload, but less punch than Operator.
The rest were DMRs for designated marksmen—niche use only.
Siwoo asked back.
“What're you picking for defender?”
“Shield first, test the waters.”
“Then Operator. Safe play.”
“Cool, Operator it is.”
Saseong's first pick: Siwoo's signature Operator.
But.
“Wait, they're taking Operator too?”
Rising's attacker mirrored it.
“Mirror match, huh?”
“Against Siwoo?”
“They're nuts.”
The friends chuckled. The guy who made 'mad movies,' Lee Jeonghyeok, couldn't handle Siwoo's sniper—and now a head-on duel? Hilarious.
“Cocky bunch.”
Siwoo grinned.
Exciting. Toppling an industry-recognized trainee on this stage—what would it feel like?
He'd know post-game.
“Rest as practiced. Siwoo on Operator, shield def—so shield supp, sniper healer. Attacker rifle, standard.”
Han Jiyeon said.
“Roger.”
“Locked in.”
No objections.
First tourney—time to test their drilled comp.
Amateurs without connections couldn't scrim.
“Strategy same?”
Siwoo checked; Jiyeon nodded.
“Yeah. Siwoo leads early skirmishes, cap point fast, then defend.”
First map: Eternal Base—structure-heavy, sniper heaven with key chokepoints.
Picks done.
⊳ Shield Defender
⊳ Rifle Attacker
⊳ Sniper
⊳ Sniper Healer
⊳ Shield Supporter
⊳ Charge Defender
⊳ Rifle Attacker
⊳ Sniper
⊳ Standard Healer
⊳ Shield Supporter
Skill matchup—who executes better wins.
“Whew, heart's racing.”
“Ugh, so tense.”
“...Guys, stay calm.”
“You look the most nervous.”
Tension gripped Jiyeon and the crew.
Siwoo's fingers trembled faintly.
Heart pounding.
Not gladiator dread before battle, nor actor's stage fright.
More like overwhelming anticipation for this moment.
Something bubbled inside.
Chest tingling, breaths shallow.
No anxiety.
A strangely pleasant shiver.
Pure urge to charge forward.
Yearning for it to begin.
Yeah. They call this feeling.
Excitement.
Sniper's paradise. High ground galore, sluggish movement from gravity.
Siwoo was certain.
No way they lost set one.
[5...]
[4...]
[3...]
[2...]
[...1.]
Timer hits zero. Barrier to the point vanishes.
“Let's go—!”
“Roger! Charge, charge!!”
“Saseong fighting!!”