Chapter 63

〈 Chapter 63 〉 Rainbow

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It was just another day.

At first glance, a day with nothing special about it.

It certainly seemed that way...

[Defeat]

That day, a legend was born.

A legend of a different kind, separate from the one Ryu Jin-hyuk had created as Rainbow.

+

[Prisoner]

Rank 1

Solo Rank

- Challenger

- 2000 LP / 271 Wins 172 Losses

- Win Rate 61%

+

[Prisoner: To Rainbow]

[Prisoner: I have something to say]

That day's memory was one that Ryu Jin-hyuk could never forget.

[Prisoner: Well... I think it might be a bit difficult for me to play games from now on.]

Indeed, it was.

[Me: Huh?]

[Prisoner: I had a lot of fun during this time ㅎㅎ]

[Me: What... What's going on?]

[Prisoner: It's a personal matter.]

[Prisoner: Ah, I think I should go now. See you!]

That was the last.

A short, not grand, not long, farewell.

[User does not exist.]

That's how Prisoner disappeared.

Leaving behind an impossible footprint that no one could ever surpass.

“……”

After Prisoner suddenly disappeared, Ryu Jin-hyuk sat in his chair, lost in reality for a long time.

“Bro? What are you doing?”

“Ah, yeah?”

“You've been spacing out for a while.”

“...It's nothing.”

“Bro, do you know where Prisoner went? He suddenly disappeared from the rankings. You're close, right?”

Ryu Jin-hyuk, who didn't expect to hear that name from Yoo Sang-hyun, involuntarily flinched.

“...I don't really know.”

“Do you really not know anything?”

“I don't!”

Ryu Jin-hyuk, usually gentle, raised his voice. Yoo Sang-hyun, who usually joked around, was at a loss.

“Ah... I'll go now. Sorry for bothering you, bro.”

“...Sorry. I haven't been sleeping well lately, so I'm a bit sensitive. I really don't know about Prisoner.”

“Okay. Get some rest.”

Why am I like this?

My emotions are hard to control.

I know the reason.

It's because of Prisoner.

But, why?

“……”

To Ryu Jin-hyuk, or rather Rainbow, Prisoner was an old friend.

Some might say he was just an online friend whose face he didn't even know, but at least to Ryu Jin-hyuk, Prisoner was a true friend.

That friend was gone.

And Ryu Jin-hyuk had a hunch about the reason.

‘...It can't be.’

Prisoner might be dead.

Or, in a life-threatening condition.

To the point where he can't play games anymore.

‘No.’

It can't be.

No... it can't be, right?

‘It can't be.’

It just can't be.

Despite the unknown anxiety, time continued to pass.

Prisoner never showed up again.

Yes, never.

[Defeat]

For some reason, Ryu Jin-hyuk realized that he couldn't fully concentrate on the game anymore.

“Why can't I concentrate today?”

“...I'll try to focus.”

.

.

.

[Defeat]

[Defeat]

[Defeat]

Three days of consecutive losses in solo queue.

This was the first time since Rainbow joined SY.

The game isn't going well.

It feels like I'm not myself.

What if,

It's impossible,

But if,

‘Is it because of me... Did I fail, and that's why Prisoner left? Did I not stop Prisoner?’

Ryu Jin-hyuk felt himself being gradually pushed to the brink by such absurd thoughts.

The coach, perhaps noticing this, or perhaps thinking that Prisoner's disappearance might affect Ryu Jin-hyuk, said:

“Jin-hyuk, it seems like you're not in good shape. Why don't you take a few days off and rest at home?”

“But the season is almost over.”

“It won't do if you keep this up. Don't worry, take a break.”

Ryu Jin-hyuk agreed.

“Okay.”

Objectively, his current state was not suitable for the team's schedule.

‘...Pathetic.’

What's the point of being the world's best mid laner,

Or a role model for pro gamers?

If I can't even control myself over something like this.

Ryu Jin-hyuk returned home with a heavy heart.

[SY Palace]

Ryu Jin-hyuk's home was in the SY Palace, a high-end apartment complex known as one of the best in the country.

A place that not everyone could easily access, even if they had money.

Ryu Jin-hyuk, a dirt-poor player, was able to live there thanks to the team's consideration, or rather, the contract.

Of course, no family welcomed him, even in such a luxurious home.

Having gotten used to dorm life, the loneliness he felt upon returning home was peculiar.

It felt like being submerged in darkness.

Ryu Jin-hyuk's life at home was simple.

1. Buy a bento from the convenience store.

2. Eat at home.

That day was just another one of many listless days.

“Excuse me.”

“...Me?”

“Yes, you.”

Silver hair and reddish-brown eyes.

Exotic features and a beauty and mystery that were impossible to ignore.

“Drink this.”

“Huh?”

“You look dehydrated.”

She, with her unforgettable and unique appearance and aura, threw a bottle of water at Ryu Jin-hyuk and ran away.

Of course, as a successful pro gamer, receiving gifts from fans was not unusual for Ryu Jin-hyuk.

However, her sudden words left him puzzled about the meaning behind her gesture.

Was she a fan?

Or was it just a kind act from a resident?

Or...

‘Was I that bad?’

The answer was unknown, but what was certain was that Ryu Jin-hyuk gained the courage to rise again after that day.

‘...Yeah, let's go back.’

To where I belong.

To where I should be.

*

How long had he rested?

Ryu Jin-hyuk, who had unexpectedly taken a long break, returned to the dorm.

“Ah, he's coming in.”

“Ugh!!!”

The dorm was as noisy as ever.

Ryu Jin-hyuk smiled faintly at the familiar scene and headed towards the back where SY's top laner, TheOne, was enthusiastically playing.

“Hey, you're playing a carry?”

“Ah, you scared me!”

TheOne, who didn't expect to hear Ryu Jin-hyuk's voice right next to him, jumped.

“When did you come back?”

“Just now.”

“Look at your tan. I'm so jealous. Give me a break, I want to take a vacation and rest for a few days.”

If someone had asked if he had really had such a comfortable time, Ryu Jin-hyuk would have said no.

In that sense, he said with a hint of personal emotion:

“Can you tell the coach?”

“Hey, you're trying to abuse your power. Forget it.”

“Come on.”

TheOne and Ryu Jin-hyuk shared a chuckle.

TheOne, who was the same age as Ryu Jin-hyuk, was one of the few people in the team that Ryu Jin-hyuk could open up to and be comfortable with.

Of course, the team members were all friendly, but there was a certain level of understanding that only people of the same age could share.

“Hey, Jin-hyuk is back.”

As Ryu Jin-hyuk and TheOne chatted, the other team members gradually noticed his return.

“Hey, Jin-hyuk is back.”

“Yeah.”

“Right, the season is coming up, so get ready. I believe you can do it.”

“Yes, Coach.”

After the somewhat noisy welcome back, Ryu Jin-hyuk went to his seat and sat down.

Since he hadn't played much while at home, it felt like a long time.

“Looks like you didn't play much solo queue. Are you in good form?”

Ryu Jin-hyuk nodded lightly in response to the coach's question.

“Yes, I watched a lot of replays, so I should be fine.”

He didn't specify whose replays he had watched.

The coach, understanding, nodded and clapped lightly.

“Alright, now that Jin-hyuk is back, let's all work hard. Fighting! What, you're not following?”

“...Fighting.”

“Sigh, you guys are so lazy. Forget it, forget it.”

Just as the coach clicked his tongue and turned his head.

“Fighting!”

The team members were taken aback by the sudden loud voice.

“...Huh?”

“Bro Jin-hyuk?”

“What's up with him?”

The voice belonged to none other than Ryu Jin-hyuk.

The team members were surprised to see Ryu Jin-hyuk, who was usually passive in such situations, take the lead.

“Come on, follow me.”

“Ah... Fighting.”

“Loudly.”

“Fighting!”

“Fighting!”

For a while, the dorm was filled with the cheers of the team members and the staff.

“Since there's no special schedule today, just do some personal practice.”

As the coach finished speaking, the players dispersed to their seats.

“Bro Jin-hyuk.”

At that moment, Yoo Sang-hyun approached.

Their relationship had become a bit awkward due to the series of events before Ryu Jin-hyuk's leave.

“Yeah? What's up?”

But Ryu Jin-hyuk acted as if nothing was wrong.

Relieved, Yoo Sang-hyun spoke up.

“Want to play a 5-man queue?”

“Free-for-all?”

“No, just a normal game, for fun.”

A normal game, not a free-for-all, meaning the focus was on having fun rather than winning.

A proposal typical of Yoo Sang-hyun, who valued team harmony.

“Sure.”

“I'll invite you.”

Although the season was almost over, it wasn't bad to have a team-building activity like this.

[SY TheOne]

[SY YunGi]

[SY Rainbow]

[SY Longbow]

[SY GuineaPig]

It had been a very long time since the complete SY team gathered.

A scene that made one's heart swell, but their destination was not a grand stage like the Red Cup.

[SY TheOne: Let's go]

The world's strongest team.

The only team that deserved such a title, headed for a normal game.

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