Chapter 85

### Chapter 85: Tryout (6)

* * *

Victory after victory.

The second day of the tryout proceeded similarly to the first.

If there was any difference from the first day, it was that starting from the second game, the team members were shuffled around for each match.

["Hi there."]

["I'll do my best."]

"Ahaha..."

Thanks to this process, I became a bit closer to the trainees.

...Or maybe it's just me thinking that.

"Hmm, let's try this today."

When I had achieved about 11 consecutive victories, Coach Park Tae-hyung made a suggestion.

So far, the internal scrimmages had mixed the 2nd team and the trainees, but this time, he decided to separate them into a 2nd team and a trainee team.

Clearly, the 2nd team players were more skilled and experienced than the trainees.

By putting all the trainees on my amateur team, it was clear that he wanted to test me.

Can you still win like this?

Coach Park Tae-hyung was saying that.

Of course, I willingly accepted the challenge.

'No problem.'

The game started.

[Victory]

[Victory]

...

[Victory]

Winning, winning, and winning again.

Even though it was always the same victory, the wins in the tryout felt different to me.

"Huff..."

The unfamiliar and terrifying practice room life is gradually becoming more familiar.

["He can win this."]

["Outro, is he a rookie?"]

["No, it's her."]

["Oops, sorry."]

Of course, I still can't remember the trainees' names or nicknames, but I do remember their playing styles.

However, there was one thing I could never get used to...

["Sis, be careful over there!"]

["Sis, help!"]

["Nuna!"]

...To be honest, I still can't get used to those terms of address.

I've gotten used to being called "sister" because of my younger brother, but when rough guys call me "nuna," I can't help but shiver.

'I can't really say anything about it, though.'

Should I ask them to call me "hyung" instead?

After all, in a relationship where there's no romantic interest, some people deliberately use such terms.

'...No, that's not it.'

To suddenly ask someone whose name I don't even know to call me "hyung" would be ridiculous.

It would feel like I'm creating unnecessary barriers when the other party doesn't even think about it.

'Sigh.'

It's frustrating, so frustrating.

What makes it even more frustrating is the environment.

It's too poor, really.

No exaggeration, the treatment of the 2nd team and trainees by YSG is the worst by my standards.

'It's really uncomfortable.'

A craftsman doesn't argue with his tools.

...But that saying doesn't apply to League of Legends.

At least, not according to what I know.

The difference between 60FPS and 144FPS is extreme, to the point where you can see the champion's skill motion in one and not in the other.

Especially for me, who has always insisted on the best equipment, the difference is even more pronounced.

'Should I just change it all?'

I've had this thought a few times, no, dozens of times, but I always stopped.

The tryout is conducted strictly as an internal scrimmage between the 2nd team and the trainees, without any external interference.

If I brought in my own computer and equipment just to make it easier for myself, it wouldn't be fair.

'...Or should I change everyone else's equipment too?'

Wouldn't that be fair?

Yeah, should I do that?

'...Probably not.'

After much back-and-forth, I shook my head.

League of Legends is a well-optimized game, and equipping devices that can deliver a certain level of performance doesn't cost much.

But if I suddenly provided such equipment to the team, the others would feel burdened.

'It would also seem like I'm showing off.'

I already stand out enough, and I don't want to draw more attention unintentionally.

The second day passed,

and the third day ended.

During this time, another rule I couldn't adapt to was added.

It was about food.

"Sis! There's leftover chicken over there. Do you want to go eat it?"

"...No. I'm not hungry. You guys go ahead."

"Come on, don't be like that. Let's go together."

"It's okay."

The club, which doesn't even provide gaming equipment, naturally didn't give the 2nd team players and trainees separate snacks. The food was leftovers from what the 1st team players had eaten.

This club, despite its poor treatment, at least takes care of the 1st team players.

The 2nd team players and trainees rushed to get the leftovers, but honestly, it was a pitiful sight.

'...This is really too much.'

Maybe I've adapted to this place.

The rose-colored glasses I had about YSG as a professional gaming team are gradually falling off.

'I'd like to treat them to something...'

Unfortunately, I didn't have the courage to say, "Don't eat that, I'll treat you to something else."

'The people are good, though.'

The 2nd team players, trainees, and Coach Park Tae-hyung are all good people.

Perhaps this harsh environment is what makes the 2nd team players and trainees so tightly knit.

After all, it's said that camaraderie among men explodes during boot camp.

'But that doesn't mean the treatment is good.'

At least the 1st team players are treated well, as I saw earlier.

Actually, compared to other professional teams, there isn't much of a difference.

'But the discrimination is so blatant...'

Maybe this is a way to stimulate the competitive spirit of the 2nd team players and trainees, but I don't really care about the club's intentions.

I just don't like it.

The tryout is now almost halfway through.

My win rate has been perfect.

Literally 100%.

Given the situation, the atmosphere within the team and Coach Park Tae-hyung's reactions, I can safely assume I've passed.

'I'll have to see the contract, but... as Mom said, I shouldn't sign anything carelessly.'

As a trainee going through the tryout, it's a thought I shouldn't have, but being cautious can't hurt.

And today's tryout has ended.

"You did well today. You'll do your personal practice at home, right?"

"Yes."

"Good. Go on in."

"Thank you."

The first unusual event happened on the fourth morning.

"Huh?"

"Ah, hello."

As usual, I got on the elevator and met someone who was already there.

A middle-aged man with an authoritative presence.

A face I recognized.

'YSG's head coach, Choi Tae-dal.'

The person in the elevator was none other than YSG's head coach.

"Are you here for something?"

It was the fourth day of the tryout, but this was the first time I had seen the head coach.

According to rumors among the trainees, he almost entirely delegates to Coach Park Tae-hyung and goes out to play... It seems the rumors were true.

"Ah... I'm a trainee taking the tryout."

Coach Choi Tae-dal's expression changed strangely.

"Ah, right. I've been so busy, I didn't realize. I didn't expect a trainee to be such a beautiful lady. Hehehe..."

"Ha ha..."

"Sorry, I've kept you too long. Go on in."

"Yes... I'll go in first, then."

"Good luck."

I hurriedly left the elevator and rushed to the 2nd team practice room.

* * *

'Hmm...'

YSG's head coach, Choi Tae-dal, couldn't get the image of the trainee he had just seen out of his mind.

Female professional gamers are rare in the League of Legends pro scene.

Even in overseas leagues, they are few and far between, and there are none in the domestic league.

But now, a female gamer had joined YSG as a trainee.

And she was incredibly beautiful!

'No, it's not just that she's beautiful. Her appearance... She has the potential to be a star.'

This was an opportunity.

Not just for YSG, but for Coach Choi Tae-dal as well.

"Bring Coach Park Tae-hyung here."

"Yes."

Coach Choi Tae-dal immediately took action.

"Did you call for me?"

"Is there a new trainee who just joined? What's her name?"

"Her name is Lee Yoo-jin. Her nickname is Outro."

"How is her skill?"

"The tryout is still ongoing, but... so far, she's doing very well. Surprisingly well."

"Is that so? That's great."

To be honest, they weren't particularly close, but Coach Choi Tae-dal had a lot of trust in Coach Park Tae-hyung.

One of the reasons Coach Choi Tae-dal could step back and let things run smoothly within the team was because of Coach Park Tae-hyung.

Since Coach Park Tae-hyung himself said she was good, her skill was undoubtedly solid.

Coach Choi Tae-dal's mind raced, and he quickly made a decision, putting on his coat.

"I'll be back in a bit. Keep an eye on the team, especially the new trainee."

"Yes."

From the atmosphere, it was clear he was going to meet the general manager and the CEO.

Well, it was better for Coach Park Tae-hyung if he focused on external matters and not the internal team dynamics.

If he started making baseless suggestions about the game, the already chaotic team would become a complete mess.

'Something's up.'

Coach Park Tae-hyung felt a vague unease but didn't show it.

After all, what he could do was so limited...

*

The next day, when Coach Park Tae-hyung was called to Coach Choi Tae-dal, he was asked the expected question.

"About the new trainee you mentioned yesterday, the one taking the tryout."

"Lee Yoo-jin?"

"Yes, her. Since the tryout is still ongoing, you haven't signed a contract with her yet, right?"

"Right, but..."

Up to this point, it was as expected.

Up to this point.

"Write up a formal contract immediately, and call her up to the 1st team in a week. Register her on the roster for the second round and make her a starter."

Coach Park Tae-hyung's face turned to shock at this unprecedented and bold move.

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