Chapter 42

〈 Chapter 42 〉 Dissonance

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Incheon Airport.

Finally setting foot on Korean soil, Li Zixian took a deep breath of the cold air and quickened his pace.

“Ah, it’s been a while.”

Coach Zhang Shihuan, wrapped up like a cocoon in a long down jacket, sniffed.

Li Zixian respected Coach Zhang Shihuan as a former professional player and acknowledged his coaching abilities, but every time he saw him like this, he genuinely doubted his own judgment.

“Where to? The accommodation? Or the office?”

“Yes, I think the office would be better. After all, we’re here for a training camp.”

“Right.”

Like most Chinese teams, GRS was one of the clubs that didn’t lack in financial resources.

Therefore, considering factors such as internet speed and average solo rank levels, they had a separate office set up in Korea, which was suitable for a training camp.

A separate office in a foreign country...

If Korean clubs saw this, they would probably tut and say, “What a waste of money,” but GRS’s solid sponsors made it possible.

“You already know, but we’re here for a training camp. If we cause any unnecessary trouble, it could affect the season. Be careful. Got it?”

“Of course.”

Li Zixian smiled in response, but Coach Zhang Shihuan couldn’t shake off his uneasy expression.

He knew very well why Li Zixian had come to Korea on such a tight schedule.

‘Nothing will happen, right?’

The reason Li Zixian had come to Korea, despite the season being just around the corner.

Officially, it was for a training camp before the season officially started, but it was undoubtedly related to Prisoner.

‘Why is he so obsessed with that amateur jungler...’

Of course, if he said that to Li Zixian, he would explode, so Coach Zhang Shihuan didn’t interfere.

In any case, thanks to Li Zixian’s whims, he was able to return to his hometown after a long time, almost like a vacation.

Coach Zhang Shihuan hailed a taxi.

“Please head to Jongno 3-ga Station.”

Using Korean after a long time felt awkward.

While other coaches often coached through interpreters, Zhang Shihuan thought that might deviate from the original intent, so he had desperately learned Chinese.

Of course, it wasn’t perfect, but at least when giving game feedback, he was almost as good as a native speaker.

GRS’s office was deliberately set up as close as possible to the Korean LoL stadium for several reasons.

The first reason was to watch Korean team matches on-site if the opportunity arose during the break.

The second was to interact with other Korean teams.

Although the schedule hadn’t allowed for such interactions yet, there would be a chance someday.

‘Well, when else would we use that expensive office?’

While Coach Zhang Shihuan was lost in thought, they arrived at their destination.

“Do you want to unpack first, or eat first?”

“Let’s unpack first. We’ll eat inside the accommodation.”

“Sure, why not.”

GRS’s office was so spacious that it occupied an entire building, and it was well-equipped.

Naturally, it was designed for the GRS players and staff to stay.

Using such a large space with just the two of them... it even felt a bit open.

“It’s clean.”

“Yeah.”

Thanks to regular cleaning by a cleaning company.

After unpacking, Li Zixian immediately looked for a computer.

“Already planning to practice?”

“Why not?”

“Well, if you’re going to work hard, I’m fine with it. After all, we’re here for a training camp.”

Even though it was a training camp with just one player and one coach, and the rest of the team was left behind.

“Do you want anything to eat? Since the meal preparations aren’t ready yet, we’ll probably have to order delivery.”

“Just give me a cup of ramen.”

“Is that enough?”

“Yes.”

Li Zixian didn’t think this was the time to worry about lunch.

Prisoner.

He had to find him.

‘I will find you.’

No matter if it was 5 million yuan or 10 million yuan, he would acquire him somehow.

Prisoner was worth it.

However...

Despite using all his connections and money for several days, he couldn’t find Prisoner.

“...Does that make sense? If he took the pro test, his information should be recorded somewhere, right?”

Li Zixian’s secretary, who was investigating Prisoner, said.

Of course, he handled the matter without Coach Zhang Shihuan’s knowledge.

“The Korean pro teams refused to provide information due to privacy concerns, so I bribed the coaches... but since there was no formal contract, they only had his name and phone number, no other personal information.”

“Of course, you must have tried other methods?”

“Of course. We tried everything, legal and illegal, but there’s no trace of him. It’s as if he doesn’t exist. Unless the Korean government erased all his records, which is impossible.”

“Ha! Are you saying I’m looking for a ghost, Mr. Huang?”

“Sorry!”

Li Zixian bit his lip.

He thought it would be easy to find Prisoner in Korea.

But it was more difficult than expected.

“So, what’s his name?”

The secretary, trying to gauge Li Zixian’s mood, finally said urgently.

“His name is Lee Yujin.”

“Lee Yujin...”

Li Zixian repeated the name.

Lee Yujin.

And Prisoner.

I will find you.

During his stay in Korea, Li Zixian watched Prisoner’s replays countless times.

Each time, he was amazed.

‘How did he make such a judgment here? Did he have confidence that he could win?’

Even in a situation where even the aggressive Yunji would have backed off, Prisoner didn’t hesitate.

The result was a decisive victory.

A miracle created by Prisoner’s superplay.

‘My judgment was right. Prisoner is better than Yunji.’

At the last Red Cup, when Li Zixian faced the Rainbow duo of Yunji, he tasted true despair.

While the public praised it as a great match, in reality, it was only thanks to GRS’s destructive bottom duo that they managed to drag the game into the late game. The mid and jungle were a complete loss.

Perhaps that’s why.

The reason Li Zixian was so obsessed with Prisoner.

‘Prisoner, with you, we can win the Red Cup.’

Prisoner had ruthlessly crushed even Yunji.

Even in solo rank, the gap was so significant that it felt like a different league.

While watching Prisoner’s replays, Li Zixian played countless games to meet him again.

However, due to the irregular times he played, it was difficult to meet him.

And...

Li Zixian studied the times Prisoner played and finally succeeded in joining the same game.

───────────────

Dayou TV 015745 has joined the lobby.

Prisoner has joined the lobby.

qq7785dd55 has joined the lobby.

ChansikChansikChansik has joined the lobby.

Let’s Go There has joined the lobby.

───────────────

Prisoner.

How long I’ve searched for you...

I want to greet you warmly right now.

I missed you, come to our team and play together.

However, given the previous failed recruitment attempt, Li Zixian decided to approach cautiously.

‘First, I’ll carry this game.’

For players, teammates are as important as salary.

Good teammates directly affect performance.

In short, many players set conditions like, “I’ll join if you also recruit so-and-so.”

Therefore, Li Zixian decided to showcase his value in this game.

‘I’ll make you want to play with me.’

The game started.

‘The enemy top is... EZ, I see.’

The reason Li Zixian knew EZ, who had never participated in an international tournament, was simple.

EZ was the top pick for a top laner.

‘He’s a suitable opponent for me and Prisoner.’

A smile appeared on Li Zixian’s face.

However, it didn’t last long.

­Our team has been attacked!

­Enemy, double kill!

‘...Lost in a top lane fight?’

The allied top and jungle lost a 2v2 fight.

Was the allied top bad? No. Despite not having high expectations, he did his part.

The mistake was on the side of Rek’Sai, Prisoner.

A mistake that Li Zixian’s Prisoner would never make.

‘...A coincidence?’

Something was off.

The more he played, the more the dissonance grew.

‘This isn’t the usual Prisoner.’

Mistakes that the usual Prisoner would never make started to appear.

His judgment wasn’t as sharp.

While still very rational in major decisions, his decision-making speed was slower than before.

If it were someone else, they might think, “He’s just having a bad day,” but Li Zixian, who had watched Prisoner’s plays countless times, was certain.

Today’s Prisoner was different.

‘...Wait a moment.’

Then, a memory flashed through Li Zixian’s mind.

A crucial fact about Prisoner that he must never forget.

“...There was nothing I could do. How can you deal with a life that’s about to end?”

Terminal.

Prisoner was living a terminal life.

* * *