“If there’s anything you’re uncomfortable with, please let us know.”
This was a staff member assisting with the progress of the match. If there was a bug or equipment problem causing lag, they would likely come running right away.
I never expected to be hearing these kinds of words from a staff member like real pro players do.
The event match was on the last day of the Ed Cup, scheduled as the final event.
Once this match ends, it’ll be followed by the closing ceremony, meaning the event will truly be over.
I was adjusting my headset to fit my head, setting up keyboard shortcuts, tweaking mouse sensitivity — the usual basic settings.
“Can you speak English?”
Seated next to me was an international player, Michael from the North American league’s VIX7. I’ve met him before, though not in person, but in the game.
He asked if I spoke English, and he was beaming with excitement that was almost overwhelming. He already seemed to have a character in mind for me.
My level of English is just enough for basic communication, which is typical for most Koreans who’ve completed higher education.
“Hi.”
When I offered a brief greeting, he lit up and started saying something in English that was too fast for me to catch.
If I had to guess, he threw around the word ‘nice’ in there somewhere. Nice – alright, roughly a compliment. I appreciate that, buddy.
I nodded affirmatively, and Michael smiled contentedly, turning his gaze back to his screen.
Before I could settle, someone from the seat next to Michael, the one further from me, began speaking.
“I am too! I am too! %!$@#$^%?”
Who’s this… wasn’t this one of Li Chao’s teammates, Bbingbing? That was probably his name.
He, too, kept talking to me while staring in my direction, but unlike the previous instance, I couldn’t understand a word of it this time.
Sorry, I took Japanese lessons in school, not Chinese. To be honest, I don’t know a single bit of Chinese.
Even if I did study Chinese, I wouldn’t have been able to engage in direct conversation with a foreigner at this level. Still, I figured I should be able to say something simple like “I don’t know Chinese.”
Bbingbing turned his head away with a disappointed look upon realizing I couldn’t speak Chinese.
Honestly, with the game not even started yet, I’m already overwhelmed. I tried to catch my breath, but someone spoke up again.
“Busy, huh?”
Ah, this one I know. It’s Max from the Korean team, XBD, who came in second this time.
“Kind of a lot going on. Wonder how we’re supposed to play like this.”
Our six-member team consists of two Koreans, two Americans, and two Chinese.
Apparently, they wanted to create a global harmony by bringing together players from Korea, China, and the USA. After all, anything is possible when you put effort into it.
Since a lot of players signed up for this event match, this can’t be helped. It’s probably lucky the countries involved stopped at three.
Theoretically, it could have been a team of six nations. Imagine a single game played in six different languages… that would be quite a spectacle.
“Well, we’re all pros, so we’ll manage somehow. Think of it like ranked games. The conditions are even better than rank under these terms.”
That’s true. The team setup itself is luxurious. Just look at my team, or even Li Chao’s. It’s a lineup of elites from each country.
“Maybe we can use team chants to somehow pull through?”
“Team chants?”
“Like focusing techniques. You know, shouting ‘Ah! Yeah!'”, everyone would look and understand.”
“Couldn’t we just call out the agents’ names?”
“Hmm, yeah. True. Even though the languages are different, the pronunciations of the agents’ names should be somewhat similar.”
Max tilted his head, seemingly more absent-minded than I thought. From the recorded footage, I imagined him barking orders during the competition, and with his sharp appearance, I thought he might be abrasive by nature.
While I contemplated that, Max suddenly remembered something and spoke up again.
“I almost forgot to say this. I’m a fan of Mollu. I’ve been watching the broadcasts.”
“Out of the blue?”
“We agreed that whoever from our team got the chance would bring this up.”
“Our team?”
“Our team, XBD. Everyone’s a fan of Mollu. I was chosen by rock-paper-scissors.”
He pointed behind him. Sure enough, the rest of the XBD team was glaring daggers at him.
“My back feels hot.”
“Did you do something wrong?”
“They’re jealous. Jealous because I got chosen to play against Mollu. They’re upset that I won rock-paper-scissors.”
“Ah…”
So these people are fans of mine. I didn’t expect that pros would actually watch my streams.
Max’s words weren’t just empty compliments. After hearing his explanation, the team’s fierce expressions started to look different to me — they overlaid with images of the ‘Mol Yuksu Ticon.jpg’, full of fiery admiration.
Then, one member caught my gaze, and they all immediately switched their grimaces into bright smiles, directed at me.
Max chuckled after seeing this.
“Our guys are pretty fun, huh? The team atmosphere’s great.”
“Yeah, it shows. I didn’t know pro players watched my broadcasts.”
“Everyone watches Mollu’s streams. Even other teams likely do. Your tier is so high that it helps in understanding the meta, and since you often meet pros, it makes sense.”
So my broadcasts have such a reputation in professional circles.
“Besides the practical tips, you’ve got a great voice, play well, and you’re cute too. There’s no reason not to watch if you like streamers.”
“Do you often watch Switch?”
“Almost always, unless I’m out when I’m supposed to be relaxing.”
“Besides me, do your teammates watch other streams?”
“Yes, you know her too. Initially, we watched her, then we started alternating between her and Mollu.”
So it’s someone I know. A streamer that pros might regularly tune into… probably someone who primarily streams ‘Eo War’, right? No, if you’re a pro, watching someone less skilled would likely upset you, wouldn’t it?
Or not? One could watch for laughs, like a fun variety show featuring fools. Fools who bring joy simply by seeing their faces would likely be entertaining even to pros.
Hmm, still unsure. The list of candidates is too broad, so I’m abandoning the guessing.
A moment later, a streamer name came out of Max’s mouth that I didn’t expect at all.
“Oh Dae-sik. I watch his broadcasts.”
“…The Oh Dae-sik I know?”
“Yes, I’m a Big Fish too. I’ve been subscribing for 10 months.”
“What’s a Big Fish?”
“A fan nickname for Dae-sik. Many don’t even know he has one.”
“I just learned myself.”
Dae-sik’s broadcast is closer to the underground than the mainstream. I’ve heard that lately it’s been somewhat more in the public eye, but it’s still underground.
Because of this, when someone unfamiliar says “I watch Dae-sik’s broadcasts,” people tend to think, “Is this person a weirdo?” — though, mind you, not me, because I’m unbiased.
I wouldn’t have anticipated a pro watching Dae-sik’s streams. If we ever talk, I’ll have to mention this.
“In a short while, the match will begin. Please, players, get ready.”
According to the staff’s announcement in the game, I put my headset back on.
Meanwhile, Max, chatting and laughing with me earlier, had already geared up in the pro-style, wearing his headset and prepared for the game.
We waited a moment, and with a message prompt, the game began.
*
The first game ended in our team’s victory. The process wasn’t exactly smooth. With both teams comprised of pro gamers with evenly matched skills, the battle was fierce.
We managed to barely win by a single point.
And so, our victory improved the team’s mood considerably.
“Choo, ChunMuGong…?”
“Yes. Chun. Mu. Gong. KingGotEmporerMajestyChunMuGong Mollu. Okay?”
Max had already befriended Michael and was using the downtime to teach him Korean. Even though their languages didn’t align, somehow they worked well together within the game.
Max’s claim about using team chants as focus triggers turned out to be true. It all started because Michael injected some strange team chants. Max excitedly followed suit, shouting along.
“KingGotEmporerMajestyChun…Mu. Gong Mollu Okay. I got it.”
“Good, good. Michael, you’re a genius.”
“Am I a genius? KingGotEmporerChunMuGong?”
“Yes, you are. KingGotEmporerChunMuGon! Wow, for someone who just started learning, your learning ability is insane.”
Max was impressed, and Michael looked proud as he turned toward me.
The Korean Max taught was far from standard, rather an improvised pirate version, but as long as it was comprehensible, it would suffice. Michael would figure out the oddities eventually when observing the reactions of other Koreans around him. Considering his own team has Korean players, that realization wouldn’t take long.
When witnessing that, it was clear he was indeed a fan of Dae-sik.
I glanced up at the opposing team. Li Chao’s group wasn’t hostile, but because they narrowly lost the previous round, they seemed to be having a discussion led by Li Chao.
The current score is 1-0. Since it’s a best-of-three, we just need to win one more match.
To whom will the victory be awarded?
