Former Hero Streamer – Chapter 129

“Come join STK. We promise the best treatment.”

What on earth is this about?

“Excuse me? What did you say?”

It was such an absurd story that I reflexively asked a question back.

Maybe it’s because it was so random, especially since it was said at a changed location.

The event was over, and just as I was about to leave with a light heart, I was hit with this bombshell.

“Actually, I wanted to suggest your debut as an STK professional gamer, but I know you’ve said numerous times that you have no interest in being a pro gamer, Friede. So….”

The person in front of me, the team leader, seemed a bit too excited.

His cheeks were flushed like a ripe persimmon, clearly a sign of adrenaline running high.

His enthusiasm was so intense that it put me in a really awkward position.

“We want to recruit you as an STK content creator, Friede. We promise the best treatment.”

Well, I get that he feels that way, but isn’t this a bit sudden?

This isn’t even an official conversation, and with the team leader just coming over to drop this bomb, all I could do was smile awkwardly.

I’ve heard a lot about the prestige of the STK Gaming Team.

Including the world’s best gaming teams, someone I have personal ties with, Lotus-Eunha, is also a part of this team.

To be honest, they’re my only favorite team because I’ve had the most interactions with them.

I’ve never been involved in any bad incidents with them, and getting to know Eunha has left nothing but a good impression.

However, this kind of sudden recruitment could definitely be a bit unsettling.

Thinking I might as well hear him out, I decided to stay quiet and listen.

“I don’t really see why you’re trying to pull me into STK. Did Eunha perhaps ask you to?”

I didn’t think she would ever do something like that, but considering how attached she is to me, I couldn’t help but wonder.

If that’s the case… it might just put me in a tricky spot.

Of course, even if Eunha did ask, being affiliated with a team is a completely different issue.

I sure as heck didn’t want to get awkward over nothing with a little sister I have a good relationship with.

Fortunately, the team leader shook his head and denied it.

“No, no. Player Lotus has nothing to do with this. Of course, if you decide to join STK, we’d welcome you with open arms, but she’s just a player and not involved in the team operations.”

“Hmm, does that mean STK really wants me that much…? But you said you were the marketing planner; do you really have the authority and responsibility for this?”

The team leader showed a slightly strange demeanor at my question.

He glanced around, as if he were afraid someone might overhear him, acting very cautious and secretive.

What’s going on with him?

I felt a slight pinch on the back of my hand, and when I turned to look, Dayoung was signaling me with her eyes.

‘Doesn’t this seem suspicious?’

Well, I guess so.

I certainly didn’t expect them to approach me like this out of nowhere.

In the awkward silence, it seemed like he finally felt relieved, wiping away the sweat on his forehead as he continued explaining.

“Of course, it might seem odd that I, the team leader related to marketing planning, am here. Normally, such matters are handled by other teams. But for the purpose of contacting you, we were told not to draw those distinctions.”

“Wow… I didn’t think you’d be so hung up on me.”

“W-Was that so?”

“Yeah, no matter how popular I am as a streamer, I didn’t think I was valuable enough for STK to approach me like this.”

I’d understand if they were approaching me to recruit me as a player.

I might be a bit overly self-conscious, but after all, I’m Friede, the solo queue warrior who took down Warden and Lotus.

From the team’s perspective, it could make sense to seek a promising new ace.

‘But that’s not the case, right?’

They clearly said I’m a streamer, not a player.

Freaking out over such a thing seemed quite an extravagant move.

Whether it’s the STK Gaming Team or that team leader in front of me.

It feels like they’re obsessing over me as a person, beyond my gaming abilities or status as a streamer…or something like that.

Maybe I’m reading too much into this, but if they were really trying to recruit me out of personal affection because of my streams, it feels like things are getting a bit too weird.

If they ever found out I was thinking this way, it would really blow up in my face.

“That…”

Just as I was thinking that I should make my escape, the team leader, fumbling for a clear response, finally spoke up.

“There’s a reason.”

A whisper came from behind, almost like a secretive support coming in during a crisis.

The change in his expression as he saw someone approaching was quite remarkable.

Two figures slowly walked toward us.

One was a middle-aged man in neat attire, and the other was someone entirely unexpected.

“Warden?”

Dayoung’s voice echoed in shock as the one approaching us was none other than STK franchise star, Warden.

What’s he doing here?

Maybe it’s just such a shocking appearance.

Both Dayoung and I were stunned and watched, while Warden rubbed his cheek, clearly trying to hide his embarrassment.

I had thought he was the type to maintain a calm and cool poker face, but now he was showing an unexpected side of himself.

“And who is this beside you…?”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Han Min-seok, the head of STK.”

Oh, that’s the guy I saw in the world’s best gaming wiki. Well, in theory.

It’s a funny situation to think of someone as a fictional character, but what can I do?

I’m just a mere streamer, a gamer who’s holed up in my room playing games.

Naturally, it’s expected to remember popular figures like him as fictional characters.

Anyway, it’s quite refreshing to see the head of the gaming team himself rather than just the team leader.

Instead of feeling nervous, I was filled with curiosity about this unfamiliar situation.

The team leader, the head, and now a franchise star player.

What on Earth are they doing here?

Now I was compelled to really understand what was going on because of sheer curiosity.

It was quite amusing seeing such high-ranking members gathered just to talk to little old me, an unexpected sight that I surely wouldn’t see every day.

The absurdity of this unexpected appearance made for an awkward silence, leaving us all standing there dumbfounded.

“Ahem, ahem! So, uh, Team Leader Hong, the Head, and I….”

Warden stepped forward to summarize the situation.

The next thing out of his mouth was something quite shocking.

“We’re members of the Friede Fan Cafe. You could say we’re the Four Heavenly Kings.”

Wait, what?