Chapter 96

### Chapter 96: Where I Belong (3)

* * *

1 billion.

It's not a number that came from any specific calculation.

It was just a vague estimate that at least that much would be needed to do something like founding a new team.

["...Hmm?"]

Father remained silent for a while before speaking again.

["What did you say?"]

"Can't you lend me 1 billion?"

["...What do you plan to use it for?"]

As expected, I suppose.

He didn't say it was impossible or that we didn't have that kind of money.

What he asked was the purpose.

What I planned to use 1 billion for.

Of course, the answer was already decided.

"I want to found a team."

["...A team? An esports team?"]

"Yeah."

1 billion is certainly a large sum, but it's far from enough to acquire an existing club.

Although I don't know the exact value of professional gaming clubs, I don't need to know in detail. It's common for top-tier players to have annual salaries exceeding 1 billion.

That's why I chose to found a new team.

'I'll create a team and start from the second division, gradually making my way up.'

Of course, whether 1 billion is enough is a bit questionable...

Even with the minimum salary for players starting from the second division, setting up a practice facility and the necessary environment will require a significant amount of money.

'Well, I'll figure it out somehow.'

Despite recent events, my laid-back attitude hasn't really changed.

Perhaps, with time, it will gradually improve, given that I've already had a rough time.

["Eun-ji, 1 billion is a lot of money. Let's talk about it at home. Got it? What time are you coming home today? Are you going to be late again?"]

"Today... I think I'll be home early."

There's no need for me to stay here any longer.

["Is that so? Alright. I'll head home as soon as I finish work. See you at home."]

"Okay."

Click.

That was the end of the call with my father.

'Now, what should I do...'

It's been quite a while, so people will start looking for me soon...

This is a busy shooting site for an advertisement, and if I say I'm leaving the team, many people with vested interests will try to stop me.

And I'm not the type of person who can easily brush them off.

To be precise, I'm too weak.

'What can I do...'

I'll end this contract now.

'I'm sorry to everyone...'

I know how many people are involved in this shoot.

Most of them have been kind to me, and I'm about to betray them, so it's hard to take a step forward.

However,

From now on, I need to learn to be a bit more shameless.

Even if it means others might suffer a little because of me.

"Phew..."

I took a deep breath and left a long message to Director Choi Tae-dal, expressing my desire to end this contract.

I didn't have the courage to say it over the phone.

'Now, let's go.'

Just as I was about to leave, I operated my smartphone again.

There was one more person I needed to send a message to.

'Alright.'

Having taken care of all the loose ends, I left the shooting site in a hurry.

My steps, which were initially heavy, now felt incredibly light.

* * *

"No, no~"

Director Choi Tae-dal couldn't hide his excitement.

'The performance bonus from this alone... hehe.'

A total of 11 advertisement shoots.

A team promotional video shoot.

That's already impressive, but considering the string of advertisements that will follow, Outrow is like a goose that lays golden eggs.

Or rather, it feels like the main business of running the team is becoming secondary.

'It was worth the risk.'

Although the contract with Outrow had absurd conditions, it was clearly worth it.

Most importantly, Director Choi Tae-dal was confident that Outrow wouldn't leave the team.

'If Park Tae-hyung says so, his obsession with becoming a pro must be real.'

Director Choi Tae-dal knew very well how much players who dream of becoming pros are obsessed with debuting and becoming starters.

That's why he was confident that Outrow wouldn't leave the team despite the conditions.

'If things go well, a promotion to team manager won't be far off.'

While Director Choi Tae-dal was lost in his happy thoughts, the shooting director called out.

"Director Choi! Has the player arrived yet?"

"Ah, just a moment."

It was time to resume shooting, but for some reason, Eun-ji wasn't there.

He couldn't just barge into the women's restroom, so he asked a front desk staff member.

"Ji-hyun! Can you check if our player is in the restroom?"

"Ah, sure."

At the time, he didn't think it was a big deal.

Shooting is a tiring and stressful job, so it wasn't unusual for someone to need some time.

It was only after the front desk staff returned that he felt something was off.

"She's not there?"

"What do you mean? Not there?"

"Yes. All the stalls are open... She's not in the restroom."

"...The player?"

"That's right."

What's going on?

Did she go to smoke?

'No... Eun-ji is a non-smoker.'

Did she go for a walk?

While Director Choi Tae-dal was thinking, his smartphone buzzed.

Ding!

A text message arrived as if on cue.

'...What?'

Seeing the sender, Director Choi Tae-dal doubted his eyes.

It was Eun-ji.

[Hello, Director. This is Eun-ji. Due to personal reasons, I need to leave the team. Thank you for everything. I'd like to terminate the contract and request that all videos and records related to me be destroyed. Thank you.]

"..."

The moment he read the message, Director Choi Tae-dal realized.

'Ah.'

In the midst of his greed, he had unknowingly cut open the belly of the goose that laid golden eggs.

"Where is Eun-ji, Eun-ji?!"

Director Choi Tae-dal immediately looked for Coach Park Tae-hyung.

Since Coach Park is the closest to the players, he's the one Director Choi Tae-dal relies on the most in such situations.

"...Eun-ji is gone?"

"Yes. Find her quickly! If the contract is terminated, it will be a disaster!"

Director Choi Tae-dal regretted his mistake.

He was too hasty.

He should have taken more time to help her adapt to the team and build strong bonds with her teammates.

To make her feel that she needed to stay,

That she couldn't leave this team.

But he was blinded by the potential of Outrow, or rather, Eun-ji.

Director Choi Tae-dal, who had always been wary of such greed, was blinded by it.

Or... who could remain unmoved by a shining star, even from a distance?

'...I should have been more careful.'

Although the contract was absurd, Director Choi Tae-dal secretly believed in the sincerity of Outrow, or rather, Eun-ji, towards becoming a pro.

Initially, he didn't think so, but after hearing Coach Park's words and seeing the results of the scrimmages, he gradually came to believe it.

That's why he proposed the advertisement.

It seemed like the right time.

It was time to start the process of making a star.

However,

It was all an illusion.

Eun-ji, despite her innocent appearance, was carefully calculating the pros and cons in her head.

He had underestimated her.

"Director Choi! Is something wrong?"

As the shooting director and the advertising company continued to urge him, Director Choi Tae-dal felt his mind go blank.

"Um... just a moment. It seems there's a small issue."

"We don't have time! Where is the player?"

...

Damn it.

"Director!"

When Coach Park Tae-hyung found him, Director Choi Tae-dal shouted.

"...Why are you still here? Why aren't you looking for Eun-ji?"

"That's not it... Look at this."

Coach Park Tae-hyung showed him a message from Eun-ji.

[Coach Park, this is Outrow. Thank you for everything. After much thought, I don't think I can achieve the pro life I want at YSG, so I'm leaving the team. I hope we can meet again in the future.]

"So? I got the message too."

"...Since the contract is useless now, isn't it better to just let it go? It's too late if Eun-ji doesn't change her mind."

"That's not the point! I need you to change her mind!"

"Director, you know. She's too sensitive. The jealousy and other negative feelings within the team must have affected her."

"That's something you should have handled earlier—"

Coach Park Tae-hyung cut him off.

"That's why... I told you. We needed more time. This didn't happen overnight. Have you ever been to the practice room? Do you know what the atmosphere is like? That's why I kept telling you to take it slow."

Director Choi Tae-dal had no response to Coach Park's criticism.

In fact, this was a situation that had been predicted for a long time.

Coach Park had always warned him.

We need more time.

But Director Choi Tae-dal, along with the manager and the CEO, ignored all the warnings and proceeded as they saw fit.

If they had taken the time to help Outrow naturally integrate into the team, as Coach Park suggested, what would have happened?

Would Daehard have shown respect and admiration instead of hostility, and would the scattered team members have united around Outrow?

Now, it's just a futile fantasy.

"You, you!"

Numerous figures ran through Director Choi Tae-dal's mind.

Breach of contract fees, breach of contract fees, more breach of contract fees.

These were the hells he would face from now on.

Although he himself wouldn't have to pay the fees, if he were held responsible and sued, the consequences could be dire.

The opponent... the ruthless YSG.

At this point, it wouldn't end with just his resignation or retirement.

"Ah, aaaaah!!"

A desperate scream echoed.