The transfer of the Traveler was not merely an issue for Q Prime.
For a long time, the domestic league had a rigid two-power structure.
With the defection of one of the key forces, Sigma’s dominance is almost certain from now on.
Although things are a bit better this year with the arrival of Camellia, it’s not all bright and sunny skies ahead.
When there’s a uniquely strong team in the league, it generally leads to one of two outcomes.
One is that other teams analyze and adapt, raising the overall level of the league.
The other is that after securing a few championship cups, the superior team adapts in reverse, bringing everyone down to a lower level.
If the other teams step up their game, there would be nothing more to ask for.
But so far, Korea’s path mostly has led toward mutual regression.
《ACL is showing surprising resilience!》
《What about Galaxy Gaming? Could this team be capable of so much?》
《What was the turning point? Both teams’ performance has clearly improved.》
This year, the league has seen a lot of big moves.
The overseas mercenary acquisition is already well-known, and it appears there have been various changes internally as well.
Perhaps it’s a kind of crisis consciousness.
It’s because things finally reached an alarming level.
People may keep thinking, “This can’t go on,” but they don’t usually take action until it gets truly dangerous.
But the transfer of Traveler seems to have triggered a kind of trauma, reminding everyone of a “second Phantom incident.”
As a result, it appears a few teams are hurriedly making moves.
Although the specifics are unclear… one thing is certain: some kind of fundamental change has occurred.
《This semifinal match! No matter what result you expected, you must be satisfied, right?》
《Isn’t it like Dong-hae saying this? “Sigma, come on out! We’re ready!”》
《Isn’t it this element of surprise that symbolizes esports? Even though Sigma is riding high now, they need to stay on their toes.》
As evidence, unexpected potential began to burst forth in places no one anticipated.
An unexpected masterpiece match came out in the semifinal, and in the final, the team showed resilience that could not be underestimated.
It was as if there was no easy path in this world.
They say after the rain, the earth hardens.
Heavy downpours hit the league that was splitting apart.
Some were swept away, but others became stronger.
Life returned to the barren land.
《The IKL championship match! The game between Sigma and ACL has begun!》
《After a fierce battle, Sigma secured a win, but they took an unforeseen blow. Sigma’s next choice is… Luche has brought out the Lance Knight?》
《Wow! This is interesting. A Priest and a Lance Knight. Flashbacks to the nightmares of Q Prime from the previous season which are now being replayed by their fated rival Sigma!》
《And the counter from ACL is… Paladin and Priestess. Isn’t that a callout? “You guys were not wrong!”》
《A familiar combination, but from different teams. The second game of the finals is…》
Amidst all these changes,
I, too, took a major step forward.
The tall building’s glass facade reflected the clear blue sky.
In front of the large entrance, a sharp-looking woman extended her hand toward me.
Hanging over her shoulder was a bag full of complex documents.
On the day of the domestic league’s finals,
I visited the game company with the legal team assigned to me by Sigma.
Our lawyer greeted me with a friendly smile.
“Are you nervous?”
“Yes…”
“Everyone feels that way the first time. It’s intimidating, and it feels like you’re going there to get scolded. Like being called to the teacher’s office when you were younger?”
“Huh? That’s exactly right. How did you know?”
“Because I’ve seen it often. But don’t worry too much. We’re the ones holding the ruler this time.”
Reflecting on it now, that smile probably wasn’t as gentle as it seemed.
But her confidence was certainly evident.
“We’ve prepared thoroughly for this day. Come on, let’s show you the results.”
—
Notice of Temporary Measures for Brainwave-Driven Connection Devices
Hello, customer ‘Gawol.’
This is the Legal Team of Infinity Inc.
After reviewing your petition, we have come to the following decisions:
1. Validity of Safety Warnings
– Our safety advisories remain in effect until the end of the temporary measures period.
– Please exercise extra caution when using your device.
2. Risk Disclosure
– We have repeatedly informed you of the risks associated with brainwave connection devices.
– This decision respects your wishes but clarifies our position.
3. Emergency Medical Support
– Based on the contents of your petition, any brainwave-connected device linked to the game server must have a system in place to provide emergency medical support within 5 minutes.
– This requirement must be prepared under your responsibility as stated in your petition.
4. Disclaimer
– Infinity Inc. takes no legal responsibility for any accidents resulting from non-compliance with the aforementioned matters.
5. Data Collection
– During the temporary measure period, your gameplay logs and vital signs may be collected by Infinity Inc.
– The collected data will be used for safety evaluations and record-keeping purposes.
6. Final Decision
– Connection to designated brainwave devices is approved for 50 days.
– A final announcement will follow after the temporary measures conclude.
7. Temporary Approved Connection Device Identification Numbers
– 66F26BC449…
– UKN141H…
Thank you.
Infinity Inc. Legal Team
—
Near the Cradle of the Web.
Time has passed, and this place has now become a farming spot for high-level users. Here, a Great Sword warrior swung their weapon.
The motion to block the Minotaur’s axe was quite clean.
Using the back leg for support and pushing back the beastly weapon with increased strength was executed smoothly.
For a brief moment, the Great Sword retreated and gathered magical power and physical strength.
The bulky blade swept upward from below.
A vertical red line split the Minotaur into two.
A single overwhelming blow. “This is why we fight with the Great Sword,” Soobin smiled.
[Title: Minotaur Soup Farming]
[User ‘Soobin’ is live-streaming]
It has been quite some time now.
Though it’s hard to notice due to the field being cleared at the same time, the number of Minotaurs Soobin has killed is countless.
Clutching and opening his fists a few times, Soobin muttered to himself.
“It’s about time for one to drop.”
Soobin was experiencing what every RPG player knows: the grind for items.
He was putting in a lot of effort into farming for rare accessories.
This time, it’s all about capturing accessories by continuously slaying Minotaurs.
While solo farming could get lonely, turning the stream on made it less so.
After all, games are more fun when shared.
But in this game, Invul (Inbl), the presence of others isn’t always a welcome sight.
For a brief moment in a corner of the minimap,
a white dot indicating the presence of someone else appeared, making Soobin frown.
“What was that? Did I just see something?”
A hauntingly familiar feeling.
He had experienced something like this before…
This was a moment to raise his guard. Soobin tightened his grip on his Great Sword.
But nothing appeared.
Perhaps it was just his imagination.
There was no one in sight,
and the white dot did not reappear on the minimap.
It must have been a mistake or just someone passing by.
—He thought this, when suddenly,
his vision turned pitch black, and his health bar began to rapidly deplete.
“Uh, eep?”
His fingers holding the Great Sword were severed, causing him to lose his grip.
Next came the back of his knees. His Achilles tendon was cut next, leaving him immobile.
It took an instant for his tendons to be severed.
Soobin couldn’t even move the fabric that had covered his face,
as numerous warning messages appeared notifying him of various damages.
“What… what is this?”
“- hahahahahahahahaha”
Could there be many such skilled players?
A touch that was strangely familiar.
Certainly, something he had experienced before—slender legs touched his neck.
Two legs crossed, slowly choking him.
A glimpse of black clothes and stockings. Breathing, heard even without trying.
At this point, it was impossible not to know who was responsible.
“Hmph. Long time, no see.”
Unlike before when it resonated faintly, a clear female voice rang out.
It was still a voice that could melt someone, yet it didn’t feel as dangerous as before.
“Hey, you… said you wouldn’t kill me anymore…”
“That’s right. But if we just don’t kill, isn’t it fine to play a little? Can’t we?”
“Can you even call that a…”
“Joke. I’ll let you go.”
The grip around his neck finally loosened.
Instead of being kicked away as before, he was forcefully pushed aside.
Lying face down, Soobin coughed a few times, clutching his throat.
Gawol grinned as she appeared in his sight,
and the dagger that had been teasing between her fingers disappeared into her clothing.
“What is this? Are you back now?”
“Not quite done yet, but for now, yeah.”
“You came straight for me?”
“Just saying hi. That’s all.”
That day,
Gawol left her “greetings” with nearly twenty streamers.
