Chapter 95

### Chapter 95: Where I Belong (2)

* * *

"I'll pretend that the guarantee of a starting position wasn't part of the contract. Please select the starters based purely on merit."

"…What?"

What is this sudden talk about?

Coach Park Tae-hyung was skeptical of Outro's unexpected words.

"…It's already decided. I can't change it arbitrarily. It's clearly beyond my authority."

Coach Park Tae-hyung said, but Outro remained steadfast.

"Otherwise, I'll leave the team. Please do as I say."

"…I'll talk to the coach. But the result won't change. After all, there's a big difference in performance between you and Woojin."

"It doesn't matter. What's important is that the process is fair."

"Is that really so important?"

"Just, please do it."

"…I'll talk to him."

Coach Park Tae-hyung couldn't hide his confusion as he spoke.

Outro must have already guessed that the result would be the same no matter what.

But why bring this up now?

'…Ah.'

After a moment of thought, Coach Park Tae-hyung understood why Outro was saying this.

'In the end… it's come to this.'

The worst-case scenario he had feared had come to pass.

In the petty schemes set up by the adults, the young players were now baring their teeth at each other.

Coach Park Tae-hyung had noticed this fact subconsciously, but he hadn't expected Outro to be so concerned.

On the surface, she had always been shining.

'Was she worried?'

It was obvious what Outro was worried about.

Diehard, Choi Woojin.

YSG's starting jungler.

'…It must be frustrating for Woojin.'

If asked which line needed the most reinforcement in YSG, Diehard was the only player who would be an exception.

YSG's ace.

The hope for the struggling YSG.

Therefore, if there were any player changes or reinforcements, they should have been made in other lines first, not the jungle.

However,

the player called up to the first team was a jungler.

And not just any jungler, but a monstrous rookie.

To Diehard, Outro's presence was like a truck that suddenly appeared out of nowhere.

Without any context, it suddenly arrived and hit someone before driving away.

But what could be done?

Tragic geniuses, tragic players.

Such players have appeared countless times in the history of esports.

Moreover, Diehard, in Coach Park Tae-hyung's view, was a player who fell short of the label of a tragic genius.

All pro gamers are born with a certain genius, but unfortunately, Diehard wasn't outstanding among them.

He was quite good, but that was all.

Diehard was such a player.

'He just had bad luck.'

If Diehard had joined another team, he might have continued his career as a pro, and in his later years, he could have had a smooth retirement abroad.

But he had bad luck.

For Diehard, and for himself.

'And for Outro as well.'

Shaking off his thoughts, Coach Park Tae-hyung said,

"In exchange for granting your request, there's something I want you to do."

"What is it?"

"We're shooting an ad for the team. We'll also be making a promotional video. I'd like you to do it… Is that okay?"

"An ad…?"

"Yes. It's a good deal for you too. The incentive is enormous compared to the work. I heard it's half of my annual salary… Isn't that amazing?"

For a young professional just starting out, that amount of money was indeed enormous.

However, an unexpected answer came.

"Do I have to?"

"Hmm… Why not?"

"Can I not do it? I'm not really into that kind of thing…"

Coach Park Tae-hyung smiled bitterly.

In a way, he had read people well.

Outro's passion for the game was genuine.

The problem was that it wasn't currently working in her favor.

'I didn't want to say this.'

Coach Park Tae-hyung reluctantly said what he didn't want to say.

"Then I have no choice. I won't be able to keep my promise to you."

"…What?"

"Your starting position is way beyond my authority. It's to the point where I might have to quit. At the very least, I need to give the impression that I've resolved the ad and promotional video issues to have something to say to the coach. Do you understand?"

It was a lie.

This method was no different from the one Coach Park Tae-hyung despised, used by Coach Choi Tae-dal and the front office staff.

But it was necessary.

Even if it made him no better than a third-rate villain, Coach Park Tae-hyung thought he might have been like this from the beginning.

"Then… I'll do it. I understand."

"Good, you made the right decision. As I said, this is a win-win situation for you. Even if we set aside the ad, a good promotional video could give you the chance to become the team's new star."

Coach Park Tae-hyung said this as if justifying it to himself.

He needed to feel a little better about it.

"…Okay. I'll go now."

"Sure. Good work today."

Coach Park Tae-hyung watched Outro bow and leave, then headed to the coach's office.

* * *

The camera shutter sounds continuously.

The bright lights and flashes from all directions make my eyes hurt.

Ah, I want to play the game.

"Okay, let's try a smile this time?"

Although I reluctantly agreed, the ad and promotional video shoots were quite exhausting.

I had to wear flashy clothes that I would never normally consider, and get makeup done as I had before.

"…Wow, you look like a fairy. Are you really from Korea? Why do you speak Korean so well?"

"Shouldn't you sign an exclusive contract now? I'll push you hard."

"Ahaha… No, thank you."

"That's a shame."

"Why don't you think about it again? If you're a player like Yujin… you could definitely become a top star."

"I prefer being a pro gamer."

Yes, I wanted to be a pro gamer.

I'm not sure if this is really part of a pro gamer's job and domain.

"Can you spread your arms and run this time? Right, this model is so good that even a rough shot looks great. Hehe!"

Haha, I feel like a clown.

Following the director's instructions, I moved awkwardly, and my thoughts became more certain.

'…I didn't ask for fairness for this.'

What am I doing?

Did I join the team for this?

Certainly, the past week wasn't bad.

I participated actively in team scrimmages as I wanted, and we faced real pro teams.

Each day was fulfilling and enjoyable.

Of course, there were some mentally challenging moments afterward, but I thought that was an inevitable part of being a pro.

But what is this?

'I know it's inevitable, but this…'

Receiving others' hostility and shooting strange promotional videos I don't want to.

This isn't right.

I didn't become a pro for this.

'Are all pro teams like this?'

Would it be different if I joined another team?

It would be different, of course.

Although I haven't been to other teams, the environments vary widely.

'But even if it's different… there would still be ads and video shoots, right?'

I slowly recalled.

Would it have been different if I had received an offer from another team?

Yes, teams like SY or SCV, or even slightly less prestigious but well-sponsored teams.

'…I would have had to do things I didn't want to, no matter where I went.'

Whatever it was.

I want to be a pro.

I've been working toward that goal.

'Just a little more patience.'

These things are not even worth considering as trials.

Since it's the middle of the season, I'll have to return to the team schedule soon if I want to play as a starter.

And…

A few more days passed.

Ads, ads, more ads…

During this time, I barely participated in the team's schedule and was called to various locations.

Finally, I found Coach Choi Tae-dal, dressed in a dress and adorned with long accessories.

"Coach."

"Oh, Yujin. What is it?"

"When can I return to the scrimmage schedule?"

"Huh? Oh, you'll be back soon. The shoot is tough, right? Just a little more patience."

At first, I believed him.

Yes, it won't take long.

I'll be back soon.

Two more days passed, and I felt something was wrong.

In the past week, I had participated in fewer than three team games.

I was practically not participating at all.

'…This isn't right.'

This isn't the ideal life of a pro gamer I imagined.

Of course, I know it's greedy.

Pro gamers have to do things they don't like, and these ad shoots and promotional videos are part of it in YSG.

'But still…'

My doubts gradually turned into certainty.

Is this the place where I belong?

Even if I joined another team, it wouldn't be much different.

I would still feel others' hostility, get hurt, and be manipulated.

I don't want that.

'…I'd rather start all over again.'

Just then,

"How's it going? It's just this, and you get three million… Wasn't joining our team a good choice?"

Coach Choi Tae-dal, who had approached, laughed good-naturedly.

Click

I heard something snap in my head.

"Ah."

I understand.

I didn't need to agonize from the beginning.

The answer was already decided.

As my long-held doubts turned into certainty, I felt that further deliberation was meaningless.

My long deliberation had come to an end.

"…I need to use the restroom for a moment."

"Ah, that's right. Coach! Our player needs a break!"

The director nodded at Coach Choi Tae-dal's call.

"Ah, sure. Everyone, take a short break!"

I threw off my uncomfortable shoes and headed not to the restroom but to a secluded stairwell.

I needed a place to be alone.

Holding my smartphone, I hesitated for a moment before pressing the call button.

Ring

The call tone sounded.

During the wait, I recalled my memories.

The person I thought of was my younger brother.

"Da-da!"

My brother would always use a whiny voice to beg our father for things he wanted.

I don't know if it worked, but he always got what he wanted in the end.

Why did I think of my brother?

For a similar reason.

I wanted something.

Click

The familiar click was followed by a familiar voice from the other end of the smartphone.

"Hey, Yujin."

It was my father.

"Dad."

I cautiously said a word I rarely used.

I don't know about others, but I had no problem calling my mother "Mom," but I almost never called my father "Dad."

There was no particular reason; it just happened that way.

"…Is that really you, Yujin?"

My father's voice on the other end of the phone was clearly flustered.

I understand.

I feel the same way.

"It's me."

A moment of silence passed, and then my father's voice came.

"Hey, what's up?"

This is the important part.

I took a deep breath and slowly spoke.

"Can you lend me ten billion?"