Chapter 21

### Chapter 21: Rejection

* * *

I hesitated until the very last moment before sending my reply, but the answer was already decided.

"Is there anything else you desire? If it's about the salary, we can adjust it up to 800 million won. Please think it over. This is an unprecedentedly generous offer."

...There was still room for a higher salary?

I couldn't hide my shock, but even if I had lingering thoughts, nothing would change.

"Because I don't have much time left to live. I'm sorry."

Silence followed as I played my card to reject the offer.

The rumor that Prisoner had a rare disease was already widely known, and the recent conversation confirmed it.

No matter how strong the intention to recruit me, they couldn't bring someone who was about to die.

"Oh... I was too presumptuous. I'm sorry. Are you feeling well?"

"Yes, I'm fine. Thank you for the offer."

"I'm sorry for taking up your valuable time. I sincerely hope you stay healthy."

"No, thank you. I appreciate it. Have a good day."

"Oh, and if your situation or thoughts change in the future, please contact me at this number. I'll be waiting."

Even at the end, he didn't give up, which made me feel a bit guilty.

"......"

After ringing for a while, my smartphone finally fell silent.

It was as if the conversation that had just taken place was a dream.

I went through the text messages we had exchanged for a long time, lost in the aftereffects.

­"I'll be straightforward. If you don't have a team or are not planning to sign with one, would you be open to a constructive discussion about joining a team?"

­"Regardless of your current situation, if you sign with us, GRS will provide you with a professional interpreter and a dedicated doctor, who will live in your residence and care for you 24/7."

­"As you may already know, GRS is one of the top clubs in China, and we achieved a runner-up finish in the recent Red Cup, surpassing many renowned teams."

­"Of course, we are not satisfied with that. A runner-up finish in the Red Cup is a good achievement, but GRS always aims for the championship."

­"That's why we are confident."

­"If you join us, we believe we can win the Red Cup next year."

­"Regarding the salary, out of respect for your concerns about moving abroad, we are considering offering 600 million won in Korean currency."

­"This is the net amount after tax, and all taxes in China will be covered by the club."

­"Additionally, performance bonuses will be provided on top of the base salary of 600 million won."

­"I can confidently say that you won't find such a generous offer anywhere else, both domestically and internationally."

­"Oh, and if your situation or thoughts change in the future, please contact me at this number. I'll be waiting."

Holding my smartphone, I reread the messages repeatedly before lying down on the bed again.

"...What am I doing?"

I know this feeling.

It's lingering thoughts.

The anxiety of possibly missing a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

'If only I had contacted them a little earlier...'

I felt a great sense of regret, to the point where I was making meaningless assumptions.

At the same time, I felt grateful to GRS and Coach Jang Seok-hwan for approaching me without prejudice.

I still remember how they looked when they first learned about me.

"Ah... I understand your determination, but as you know, being a pro isn't just about skill. You need basic physical fitness to participate in team schedules and tournament schedules..."

"I'm sorry, but we've already signed a new player."

"It would be nice to see you if we have the chance in the future."

That's why,

I am so grateful to GRS and Coach Jang Seok-hwan for breaking down the prejudices and approaching me first, unlike other teams.

I am grateful, and I am grateful.

'This must be fate.'

As a sort of compensation...

If we ever meet again on a big stage.

'I'll go easy on you then.'

I made that promise.

*

Beijing, China, GRS Residence.

Li Zixuan, the mid-laner of GRS, doubted his ears when he heard Coach Jang Seok-hwan's words.

"What did you say?"

"...There was nothing I could do. How can you do anything when someone doesn't have much time left to live?"

If he had wanted to, he could have pursued a more aggressive and offensive recruitment strategy, but Jang Seok-hwan wasn't ruthless enough to do that to someone who was about to die.

Most importantly, Coach Jang Seok-hwan himself had some doubts about recruiting Prisoner.

Of course, he knew that Prisoner was a skilled amateur and had recently shown exceptional form.

But was it worth taking on all the risks and spending the money that could be used to develop a few promising players?

Coach Jang Seok-hwan had fundamental doubts about this.

"Ha..."

Li Zixuan sighed deeply at Coach Jang Seok-hwan's words.

This was not part of his plan.

He had believed that he could win the next Red Cup with Prisoner.

How could they have missed such a gem?

It seemed that there were only fools in Korea.

...Thinking the same thing.

But then, something unexpected happened.

Despite offering the best conditions and the best treatment, they failed to recruit him.

It wasn't as if the person had no interest in becoming a pro.

Even though it was before Prisoner's illness was revealed, he had clearly expressed a desire to debut as a pro.

'Incompetent.'

He was starting to doubt Coach Jang Seok-hwan's abilities, which he had always trusted without question.

"Why are you so obsessed with Prisoner? He's just an amateur."

"Even Rainbow and Yunji, who brutally crushed us, were amateurs at first."

Of course, they had quickly stood out after a short time as amateurs and soon joined SY, one of the top clubs in Korean esports, becoming hot topics.

In contrast, Prisoner had been active for a long time, starting his gaming career so early that he could be considered a first-generation gamer in Korea.

There was a stark difference between these two cases, but Coach Jang Seok-hwan didn't push the issue.

"Prisoner has that much value. Don't you, as a coach of GRS, know that?"

"I understand your feelings, but there's nothing we can do now. Forget about Prisoner."

Li Zixuan fell silent for a moment, then spoke with a firm resolve.

"...I'm going to Korea."

"What? You can't be serious. You can't meet Prisoner. That's not right."

"Of course not. I'm not that desperate. The next World Championship is in Korea, so it's like a training camp."

"How much time is left before the season starts... No, I can't allow it. The manager won't approve it either."

"Don't worry about that. I'll talk to the manager separately."

Coach Jang Seok-hwan couldn't say anything in response.

Li Zixuan's statement that he would talk to the manager directly meant that he would exert pressure, not as a player but as someone with influence.

The mid-laner who had led China to a runner-up finish in the Red Cup, despite always being at a disadvantage against Korea.

The solid backing of GRS's main sponsor.

Even though he usually respected Coach Jang Seok-hwan, Li Zixuan's position within GRS was absolute.

"...Alright. But I'm going with you to Korea. And you must return a week before the season starts. Got it?"

"Don't worry."

A small smile appeared on Li Zixuan's lips.

* * *

How long had I been lying there?

"Ugh."

I felt as if a whole day had passed due to the events that happened right after I woke up, but in reality, the day had just begun.

'Let's eat something.'

When I opened the door and stepped into the living room, I saw the usual morning scene.

It was a bit empty, but still familiar.

Father and my younger brother had gone to work and school, and Mother, who had been increasingly busy lately, had gone out early.

In the past, it was rare for me to be alone at home, but recently, it had become a common sight.

After I became a woman, one of the first things Mother did was to stop hiring a housekeeper.

Although this increased her household chores, she didn't seem to mind and was more concerned about me.

"What's so hard about doing a bit of housework? You're the most important to me."

As I moved to the dining table, I saw the usual simple breakfast and a note.

­Eat the rice from the rice cooker and heat the stew in the bowl. Be careful with the stove, and soak the dishes in the sink after you're done.