Chapter 82

### Chapter 82: Tryout (3)

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Thump thump.

Heart racing.

How can I describe this pounding heart?

I feel like I'm going to die from the excitement.

I'm sure countless amateurs who came here for the test must have felt the same way.

­YSG.

As I passed the entrance with "YSG" written on it, the first thing I saw was the front desk in the lobby.

Perhaps because I came in with Coach Park Tae-hyung, the front desk staff only gave a casual nod and didn't stop us.

"This way."

After passing the front desk, a corridor appeared. The corridor split into two directions from the front desk, but Coach Park Tae-hyung, as if out of habit, initially turned left before changing his mind and heading right.

"Ah, this side is for the first team... this way."

It seemed they operated the first team and second team practice rooms separately.

'Well, they're on the same floor, at least.'

In other teams where the academy system is more developed, the first and second teams sometimes even have separate accommodations. So, for the second team or trainees, being on the same floor of the same building is already a blessing.

While the physical proximity between the first and second teams has its drawbacks, the advantages are far greater.

'For the second team or trainees, the chance to participate in first team scrimmages is significant.'

Photos of players who had been part of YSG were hung along the corridor.

There was also a display case, but instead of trophies, it was filled with stuffed animals that seemed to have been sent by fans.

'Can't help it, I guess.'

YSG's performance hasn't been good, not just last season but always.

The best they achieved was making the playoffs a couple of years ago, right?

As I walked down the corridor, lost in thought, a natural silence fell.

Coach Park Tae-hyung was the first to break the silence.

"By the way, have you been playing solo queue recently?"

"Ah, yes, I reached Master 98 points."

"......What?"

Coach Park Tae-hyung was momentarily stunned.

After all, it's surprising that an account that was only at Diamond 3 three days ago suddenly reached Master.

"Did you say you didn't have a main account before? So, you've only been playing League of Legends for a short time?"

It was a question I expected.

League of Legends is a game with a long history. It's absurd for a sudden genius to appear and reach Master 98 points with a 100% win rate.

I had mentioned that I didn't have a main account before, but now that I'm here, it's obvious that it's a lie.

"Well, actually, I did have an account before, but I quit a few years ago."

The lies flowed out of me with surprising ease.

I said a few years ago to avoid any suspicion that it might be connected to Prisoner.

If I said I quit recently, it might create a gap of a few years where I didn't play League of Legends, but I could probably get away with it.

"......Is there any reason you hid the existence of your old account, such as being disqualified from professional status? Or maybe you were a smurf......"

Coach Park Tae-hyung's voice dropped, as if he was having some strange thoughts.

"Absolutely not! Smurfing? I never did that."

I vehemently denied it, never expecting such a baseless accusation.

I didn't want to be misunderstood and have my path blocked before I even started.

"Really?"

"Yes, yes."

"Then that's a relief. Excuse me, but what was the tier of your old account......?"

"I reached Challenger 1000 points."

Actually, it was more than that.

Coach Park Tae-hyung's face was once again filled with shock.

*

'......As expected!'

Coach Park Tae-hyung inwardly rejoiced, realizing his judgment was correct.

Challenger 1000 points.

It carries many meanings.

Often, for gamers aspiring to be professionals, there are different stages for each tier.

It's difficult to aim for the pros below Master, and the paths to becoming a pro differ for Master, Grandmaster, and Challenger.

Master requires proof,

Grandmaster involves competition,

and Challenger is about selection.

In that sense, reaching Challenger 1000 points is like having a pro debut fast-pass.

Even just reaching Challenger results in numerous offers, both domestically and internationally. Reaching 1000 points is even more impressive.

Considering that even some current pros haven't crossed that threshold, it was quite encouraging.

"Hmm, I see."

Coach Park Tae-hyung tried to hide his excited face.

He didn't want to risk losing a promising recruit if Outlaw changed his mind.

"Then, what was your nickname back then......?"

Prisoner.

Somehow, Coach Park Tae-hyung felt that Outlaw would say something like that.

"Just a barcode nickname."

It was just a misconception.

"Ah... I see."

A Challenger 1000 points user with a barcode nickname...

Even if he had heard of such a user, he couldn't recall the name.

After all, barcode nicknames are used to avoid being identified.

'But that's not important.'

Who Outlaw was in the past was no longer important.

What mattered was what he would show from now on.

"This way."

Whether he would become a hope for the crumbling YSG or just a false hope...

*

Perhaps because it was for the second team, the interior of the YSG dormitory and practice room was more ordinary than expected.

How should I put it... it smelled more human than I expected.

The seating arrangement in the practice room, which was supposed to be a dedicated space, was haphazard.

There were at least 10 computers, but the limited space was crammed with second team members and trainees, making the density high.

'That seat is next to the sink. Isn't that inconvenient?'

It felt like a slightly larger office apartment with a makeshift practice room.

Moreover, the bedroom I saw on the way seemed to be shared by at least four people per room...

'The entire second team practice room is smaller than my room.'

It was an honest impression.

Of course, I didn't say it out loud.

"The tryout will last about a week, consisting of team scrimmages. If you pass, you'll start as a trainee like the other players."

"Ah... Yes."

"Living together will be difficult. During the test, you'll need to be at the dorm by 9 AM every day. Is that okay?"

"Yes, no problem."

I could ask Secretary Kim for help with commuting.

Moreover, I planned to commute even if I became a pro, so I was actually glad about this.

"During the test, you can bring your own equipment or use the one over there, as one spot is available."

He was referring to the seat next to the sink.

Since there was no extra space for a new desk, I nodded.

"I'll use the one there."

"If it doesn't fit, you can take a keyboard and mouse from the supply room or bring your own next time."

After a brief explanation, Coach Park Tae-hyung clapped his hands lightly.

"Alright, everyone."

The players, who were focused on their games with headsets on, slowly turned their attention to us.

"Uh..."

"Who is it?"

"Huh."

The looks they gave me were filled with surprise and confusion.

It was understandable.

I looked... well, I looked really beautiful, even to myself.

"Remember, I said you'd be testing for a week. Oh, right, what's your name again?"

You never asked.

"Yoo Jin."

As I bowed, I heard gasps from various directions.

I understand.

"Anyway, remember that. Oh, right, how old are you?"

You never asked that either.

"23 years old."

"......What?"

Another shock.

"Ah, never mind."

It was understandable for Coach Park Tae-hyung to be surprised.

Apart from my appearance, 23 is not a young age for a League of Legends pro.

23 being a young age for a profession... it's a tough job to think about.

The fact that he only asked my age now, despite it being crucial for a pro, suggested that the test proposal process was somewhat casual. However, it wasn't a significant issue for me.

What mattered was that I was on my way to becoming a pro.

'Indeed... my heart is racing.'

The fact that I couldn't calm down despite knowing this showed how uncontrollable human emotions can be.

"The players here, Yoo Jin... can I call you by your first name?"

"Yes, please do."

"Then I'll be informal too. Everyone here is younger than you, so you can be informal with them."

"Okay."

"I'd like to introduce everyone, but it's the middle of the season, and I'm very busy. Shall we start the test right away?"

It was only natural.

I was just a test candidate, not even a trainee, and there was no time to waste during the season.

"Okay."

"Great. Hye-sung! Set up the room. Live server."

"Done."

"Typical. If you have any questions, ask him. He's the most senior here."

"Ah, yes."

This is where it starts.

Despite the rushed feeling, as I sat in front of the computer, my mind began to clear.

Of course, the calm didn't last long.

One of the trainees next to me cautiously spoke up.

"Um... your ID...? I need to send an invite."

"Ah, Outlaw. Outlaw."

"Friend request sent."

It was an awkward conversation, to say the least.

'This is... the social skills of a gaming shut-in?'

...Well, I'm not in a position to judge, honestly.

"Invited."

"Ah, I'll just change some settings in practice mode."

"Ah, yes."

After a few mouse movements in practice mode, I felt something was off.

'What is it?'

It felt a bit laggy...

'Hmm.'

...The monitor is 60Hz.

It doesn't look like it's going to be easy from the start.

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