The Draw Ceremony
Monday.
The house was a battlefield from morning, full of nervous energy.
“You’ll be late if you keep this up. Just rough it out.”
“No, they’re filming too. Your husband, your tie is crooked.”
“What? Ah. It’s been a while, so it’s not going smoothly.”
Mother adjusting her hair in front of the mirror.
Father tying his tie on the new shirt.
If it had been a usual day, I would have thought a relative’s wedding was happening.
I sat quietly at the table drinking water and said,
“You have to go down now. Otherwise you’ll be late.”
It felt a bit too much, but I swallowed it anyway.
‘Well, this much is fine.’
To the two people who had raised this unremarkable son through so much hardship, I bought them new clothes and shoes.
This was the first event my son was officially invited to.
I wanted them to enjoy it with high spirits.
“It’s ready, In-ha. Let’s go.”
With parents hurriedly putting on their shoes, we left the house together.
“Go slowly. You might fall.”
“You were waiting, so hurry up.”
Just as we were rushing out the door,
“Kim Joom.”
A Mercedes S-Class was parked right in front of the door.
Through the rear window, a familiar face appeared.
“Branch Manager? How did you come up here?”
“Since your parents’ knees aren’t good, there was no need to come down. I could come instead.”
I was momentarily at a loss for words.
It was true, but I felt guilty that he had driven this big car all the way up this narrow alley.
“Aigo, Branch Manager. Coming all the way to this humble neighborhood…”
“Kim Joom, is this your father? Nice to meet you.”
The branch manager opened the car door and greeted politely.
“Apologize for the trouble from the morning.”
“No need to say that. You’ve raised Kim Joom so well that I’ve been benefiting lately.”
The branch manager’s pleasant smile made father look at me with a happy face.
“Come on, get in. I’ll escort you to the venue.”
The branch manager personally opened the rear door.
I got in the passenger seat, and my parents sat in the back with bewildered expressions.
The car slowly began to move.
The familiar neighborhood scenery passed slowly outside the window.
When we entered the main road, the branch manager said casually,
“Kim Joom, thanks for inviting me.”
“No need to say that. Compared to what the branch manager has done for me, it’s nothing.”
Today was the day of the Ciel Bank Cup World Masters 32nd round draw ceremony.
There were two official invitations, but I had asked team leader Jeong Soo-yeon to get one more and given it to the branch manager.
The place where the world’s top professional Go players gathered.
For the branch manager, it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
I wanted to invite him.
The branch manager looked at the back seat in the rearview mirror.
“I’m relieved that the two of you are taking good care of your son.”
“No, we… haven’t done much.”
Mother said humbly, and father gave a slightly embarrassed smile.
The atmosphere inside the car was surprisingly warm and gentle.
For today, I hoped that some of the small grievances the parents had endured would be erased.
After driving for a while, we arrived at Seoul Mok-dong.
Ciel Bank International Campus.
We parked underground and went up to the main building where the draw was held.
After checking our IDs, we entered the lobby, and Go specialist journalists along with Korean, Chinese, and Japanese professional players were visible.
“Kim Joom… uh, I’ll leave my seat for a bit. See you at the draw.”
The branch manager couldn’t hide his excitement and hurried somewhere.
As expected.
He was going to meet players from various countries for autographs or photo requests.
That aside,
‘Somehow I’m nervous too.’
The top pros I had only heard about.
This was the first time facing them.
‘There, that person…’
A man being interviewed surrounded by Korean-Chinese-Japanese Go journalists.
Tall, in a suit.
Sharp face with glasses.
Reporters nodded and took notes to his words.
Jeong Si-hoo 9-dan.
The monster who had held the world #1 ranking for seven years.
Just being on the same main stage as someone with different weight made the reality a bit hazy.
“In-ha.”
Turning around, it was Jeong Soo-yeon team leader and the filming team.
By the way, the reaction to the uploaded episode one video had been lukewarm as expected.
It was mentioned in the community but not big enough to become a topic for the general public.
Views were just so-so.
It seemed like more time was needed.
“I’m looking forward to the interview today.”
Jeong Soo-yeon team leader said with a meaningful smile.
I nodded shortly.
“Just as I feel, I’ll speak honestly.”
As always.
Without grand words or pretense.
“Yes. That’s enough.”
The team leader stepped back and started filming.
I entered the main building with my parents.
The first thing that caught my eye was the stage.
- 30th Ciel Bank Cup World Masters
A huge banner.
Ciel Bank logo on the background wall below it.
On the stage, the draw cards neatly placed for the draw.
“Those who have been invited, please use the upper seats. Thank you.”
Following the guide’s explanation, parents nodded and moved to their seats.
I received the tournament rules, regulations, and participant list booklet and headed to the participant seat.
“…”
Sat in the designated seat and looked around.
Not all pros had arrived yet, but just sitting there changed the air.
Few words, cautious greetings and expressions.
A mix of rivalry and tension, the unique atmosphere of the main stage.
I quietly opened the booklet and scanned the participant list.
Names of top pros sorted by nationality and dan level.
Among them, my name was there.
Name: Kim In-ha
Nationality: South Korea
Dan level: Amateur 7-dan
‘Amateur.’
If it had been before, those three letters would have made me feel small.
But now it was different.
The place I had climbed to with my Go.
I had already proven that I had enough qualification to stand on this stage.
So.
‘This feels a bit flashy too.’
I smiled unconsciously.
Some tension eased.
At that moment, Yuzuha, who had entered alone, met my eyes.
First time seeing her in a suit.
She greeted with her eyes since she had just arrived, and soon sat in the designated seat.
“After a short while, we will begin the 30th Ciel Bank Cup World Masters main round 32nd draw ceremony. Please take your seats.”
The MC’s voice echoed, and empty seats began to be filled one by one.
Pros in suits quietly sat down.
The hall was now filled with subtle tension.
Soon, the formal draw ceremony began.
“We will proceed with the opening ceremony. We have the Ciel Bank vice president…”
A standard but unavoidable procedure, the opening ceremony.
Applause.
Short congratulatory remarks.
And after the host’s commemorative photo, it continued to the formal draw.
“We will start the 30th Ciel Bank Cup World Masters 32nd round draw. The introduced player, please come up on stage to draw. Some of you will also have a short interview.”
The hall lights dimmed, spotlight focused on the stage with draw cards.
All eyes turned to the stage.
“The first player to introduce is Lu Quanyi 9-dan from China, the winner of last year.”
With applause, a tall silhouette in a gray suit walked onto the stage.
He silently picked and unfolded the draw card.
“Lu Quanyi 9-dan is number 7.”
The MC attached a name tag to the 7th spot on the tournament bracket.
“Current world #2 and last year’s winner. How do you feel about this tournament?”
To the MC’s question, he answered briefly in Chinese.
“As always, I’ll win quietly and return.”
Following the interpreter’s words, light applause followed.
Lu Quanyi 9-dan greeted lightly and left.
The draw method was somewhat understood.
And my turn.
‘31st.’
Almost last.
“Next, the player to introduce is Fujisaki 9-dan from Japan.”
Followed by.
Korean Kim Eun-woo 9-dan.
Chinese Zhou Xiwan 9-dan.
Players representing each country came up on stage one by one.
As names were attached one by one to the bracket, tension increased.
“Next is Liu Cheng 8-dan from China.”
Early twenties.
Sharp glasses, all-back hair.
Confident posture.
A player known for provocative speech and demeanor.
“Number 25. Liu Cheng 8-dan is being watched as the next generation Chinese representative. Do you have a player you want to face or avoid?”
He immediately opened his mouth.
Simultaneous interpretation.
“No one to avoid. Instead, there are players I want to face.”
A moment of silence.
And an unexpected name.
“Nameless.”
An unexpected name.
I was surprised too.
No connection with him.
Rumors about who Nameless is spread everywhere.
Soon the hall fell into momentary silence, and multiple gazes turned towards me.
“If it’s Nameless… is it referring to player Kim In-ha?”
The MC asked, and Liu Cheng 8-dan nodded and looked straight at me.
“There is a saying that Chinese pros are worse than Korean amateurs. I want to erase this stigma in this tournament.”
And at the end, added one more word.
“I’d like to teach you the etiquette of a major game directly.”
As simultaneous interpretation ended, murmurs rose from various places in the hall.
High-level provocation.
After Jang Yu-na revealed through her that Nameless is amateur, I had heard that Chinese public opinion was not good.
But I never imagined being publicly targeted here.
‘…Interesting.’
I quietly breathed in and smiled softly.
Not excited, not agitated.
The discomfort of them towards Nameless, or me, rather, made me calmer.
No reason to be upset.
In the end, everything is about results.
The MC calmed the overheated atmosphere.
“Next is Kang Seo-jun 9-dan from Korea.”
Kang Seo-jun 9-dan slowly walked onto the stage with slow steps.
Short stature but sharp eyes.
Hawk-like eyes that seemed to see opponent’s weaknesses.
“Having won two domestic tournaments this year, you’re in good form. Please give your resolve or impressions.”
Kang Seo-jun said leisurely.
“I saw an interesting game recently.”
To the unexpected introduction, the MC tilted his head.
Without caring, he continued.
“It was an amateur tournament interview. He said he’d climb until he loses. There was a guy who introduced himself as undefeated.”
Before the words ended, his gaze reached me.
Concise, obvious.
‘Again me.’
Second public shot.
“I’d like to tell you what the pro world is like.”
I smiled inside.
Not forced smile, not mockery.
Just that the words resonated differently.
‘He’s aware of me.’
Surprising yet thrilling.
Two top Korean-Chinese players.
Pointing at me, a mere unknown amateur.
After the interview, Kang Seo-jun 9-dan moved to the back photo wall with a relaxed smile.
“Next player introduction. Jeong Si-hoo 9-dan, runner-up of last tournament.”
Reporters’ shutter sounds.
Moving cameras.
Close-up of Jeong Si-hoo 9-dan on screen.
But what he said, what aspirations he revealed, didn’t come into my ears.
Only vaguely remained the words about beating last year’s Lu Quanyi 9-dan.
Only one thing filled my mind.
‘How to respond.’
At that moment, the MC called my name.
“Next to introduce is player Kim In-ha. The only amateur player who advanced to the main round through the integrated preliminaries.”
I stood up and slowly walked onto the stage.
In the center of the stage, two remaining draw cards.
3rd.
Seed with winner candidate Jeong Si-hoo 9-dan and Lu Quanyi 9-dan.
And 26th.
Seed with Liu Cheng 8-dan who shot me and Kang Seo-jun.
No matter who, doesn’t matter.
But if I have to choose one place, if possible…
I reached out and unfolded the draw card.
“26th!”
The MC’s excited voice echoed.
Gazes turned to me again.
“Please give your impressions.”
I received the microphone, took a breath, and raised my head.
Standing here, it felt grand anew.
The stage watched and focused by the whole world.
‘Not a place to be arrogant.’
But.
Since I can stay silent even when hit, my personality isn’t good.
I spoke calmly.
“… I drew the number I wanted and I’m happy.”
A short but clear sentence.
Not polite, not provocative.
But the meaning was clear.
I turned my head and looked at Liu Cheng 8-dan.
“I’m not here to learn. I’m going to win.”
As simultaneous interpretation ended, a light sigh flowed in the hall.
At the same time, Liu Cheng 8-dan’s expression hardened.
I took in his appearance, then turned my head to the opposite side.
Kang Seo-jun 9-dan.
In his expression looking at me, interest and ridicule crossed.
Finally, I added calmly as if speaking to myself.
“And I’ll keep climbing. Until I lose.”
The hall fell into murmurs again.
Surprise.
Amusement.
Awe.
And at that moment, I unconsciously slightly upturned the corners of my mouth.
Yes, I smiled.
Leisure.
And a bit of arrogance mixed with confidence.
The heart was quiet, but somewhere on my back, a faint current flowed.
This situation.
This moment.
This trembling.
… I was enjoying it.