Clearly, just three hours ago, when Yoon Seohwa had contacted him, Kim Hanseong had felt like he owned the world.
Even if there was some financial loss in terms of salary, considering the team’s popularity and elevation, it was definitely a gain.
He had thought if he could luckily include conditions like participation in the opening season events in the contract terms, he could compensate for any losses.
“…Bother?”
Kim Hanseong blankly stared at the business card handed to him by the beauty in front of him, a woman who strikingly resembled Yoon Seohwa.
Law Office Daehan, a large law firm that had recently won a lawsuit against an American company and was now known by everyone in Korea.
“Hello. I am Kim Hanseong, coach of the Korean 2nd Division pro team. Could we possibly have some connection…?”
He momentarily regained his composure, pulling out his own business card while asking about their relationship.
“I am Seoha’s mother.”
Kim Hanseong had thought they might be family due to the resemblance but never imagined she could be the mother. She looked young enough to be Seohwa’s sister.
‘Well, anyway…’
With parents who were top lawyers at a major law firm and a daughter who, once the age restriction was lifted, would be a talent coveted by top-tier teams, one couldn’t help but be curious about the family’s background.
However, the only thing that mattered now was Yoon Seohwa’s recruitment. Kim Hanseong swiftly cleared his mind of other thoughts and began speaking.
“I believe Para Seoha is an exceptionally talented player. Therefore, our team is considering offering her a salary comparable to that of mid-tier players in the top division.”
The LCK, the top league, and the CK, the second league, were leagues so different they could hardly be compared. The highest salary in the CK was about 45 million won, while the lowest salary in the LCK was 60 million won. Offering a rookie who hadn’t even debuted the starting salary of lower-tier LCK players was, indeed, an outrageous proposition.
But the woman had something even more pressing to discuss.
“I understand that you value Seoha highly, but from our side, we have minimal conditions we’d like to propose, excluding salary and other benefits.”
“What sorts of things?”
The woman pulled out a few documents from her bag and handed them to Kim Hanseong.
1. No dormitory living, we will pick up Yoon Seoha from her house in Incheon.
2. Outside of match days, we request support and accommodations for her academic pursuits.
3. Any male player on the team who approaches Yoon Seoha romantically will result in immediate termination of their contract and compensation for breach of agreement.
4. When travel outside the city is required, a separate room must be provided.
5. Personal safety must be ensured.
6. Advertising and content outside of match-related activities will only take place with Yoon Seoha’s consent.
‘All this…?’
The conditions truly seemed like poison clauses.
On the surface, it displayed confidence — an indication that such guarantees were necessary for her to sign the contract.
Frankly, most of the conditions could be met with some effort, but the real issues were clauses 3 and 6.
‘This is insane…’
Immediate termination and compensation for breach of contract for any player who approaches Seoha romantically was easier said than done. Human attraction wasn’t something one could just control. Even celebrities in the entertainment industry couldn’t avoid forming relationships behind the scenes—how could a team of guys cooped up playing games all day resist getting close to an attractive peer like Yoon Seoha?
It was hard to guarantee.
“If it’s too difficult, then there’s nothing I can do about it.”
As Kim Hanseong mulled over the document, the woman gave off an attitude of “take it or leave it.”
However, Kim Hanseong was a veteran of many years in this world, not an amateur to be swayed by atmosphere into making an unfavorable deal.
“I have a question about clause number three.”
“Which specific part?”
“Regarding the ‘romantic interest’ stipulation.”
Kim Hanseong looked at Yoon Seohwa as he spoke.
“What if there’s mutual attraction between Yoon Seoha and a player?”
A coach could potentially stop one-sided advances for the team’s sake. But mutual attraction? That was much harder to prevent.
To that question, Yoon Seohwa gave a matter-of-fact response.
“Me? Don’t worry about that. If I do, you can add a clause that I’d forfeit my entire salary and work unpaid.”
Taken aback at her reply, Kim Hanseong contemplated whether she thought the male players — even professional ones — weren’t up to her standards.
To him, her answer seemed to indicate just that.
“Understood. I also have a question about clause six.”
“Please go ahead.”
“Since esports revolve around sponsorships, there’s an annual participation in sponsor advertisements and events.”
At this, Yoon Seohwa quickly jumped in.
“What’s the main sponsor for ‘ark’ right now?”
“Air Asia.”
“Air Asia,” a low-cost airline in South Korea that had become ark’s main sponsor two years ago.
“Once a year, I’ll participate in the main sponsor ad and events. Beyond that, we’ll see.”
From Kim Hanseong’s perspective, this was already more than he expected. After all, sponsor ads came around once a year, and the events were limited to fan meetings during the off-season.
“Well, let’s try to finalize the conditions then.”
“Yes…? If I can, I can meet all the conditions you’ve proposed.”
“That’s the minimum. Now let’s discuss salary and contract duration.”
“The salary would align with the lowest level of the first division, around 60 million won.”
“Does that 60 million include bonuses?”
“Bonuses…?”
“I’m aware there are clauses related to kills and game MVP.”
This was the work of a lawyer from a top firm dealing with corporate negotiations. Kim Hanseong was truly feeling like he was facing the devil.
“So then, when’s Yoon Seoha’s birthday?”
“May 3.”
“So she won’t be able to compete in the Spring tournament and will start participating in the Summer tournament in June.”
“Is the age limit based on birthdays?”
“Yes, since it’s based on actual age, we need her birthday to have passed.”
Kim Hanseong immediately pushed forward the revised documents, seizing the moment he noticed the woman was momentarily taken aback.
“Our team is proposing a one-and-a-half-year contract.”
“One and a half years?”
“Yes, we’re aiming for promotion this year, and we’d love to continue working together with her once we reach the top league.”
“Will the salary remain frozen?”
“That’s an option—in case of promotion, we’ll offer the lowest tier salary with bonuses adjusted accordingly.”
“Hmm… While I understand that esports isn’t like baseball, this still feels a bit unusual.”
The woman took a pen and crossed out the x on the paper.
“Let’s go for an option-based contract—but for half a year plus one year. The option will be decided at the end of this season, based on the player’s choice.”
“That, that’s…”
If they promoted but Yoon Seoha chose to leave, all their efforts to promote her to the main lineup would be wasted. They could even face the worst-case scenario of being relegated immediately after promotion.
“Not all of us are bad people. If our sincerity is proven during the half year, there’s a good chance she’ll stay.”
“Really?”
“Yes, even the harsh world of contracts is still a world full of people.”
The woman took off her glasses and smiled.
“I believe ark is a good team for Seoha, Coach, what do you think?”
“…”
“Our daughter is finally becoming a professional?”
A few days later, after signing the revised contract, my mother smiled as she looked at me.
“Not yet, there’s still half a year to go.”
“Still, it’s a bit sad since I won’t be able to watch her compete as often anymore.”
“Come only on important days.”
“Important days?”
“Days like the finals.”
“Wait, you’re already thinking about the finals?”
As I took a sip of the pre-ordered chocolate frappuccino, I thought absently.
In my previous life, I’d despised anything sweet, but since I was reborn as a girl, it had become something indispensable.
‘Why does it feel like he’s seen a ghost?’
The Kim Hanseong coach I knew from my previous life was someone who fit the description of a cold-blooded person. Yet every time my mother had a meeting with him, he appeared as timid as a frightened puppy. Plus, right after the contract was signed, he rushed out as if he were escaping, clutching his documents.
‘Well, she is quite pretty.’
Of course, being male, even the coach could be affected by someone as beautiful as my mom.
However, my problem was how to spend the remaining half year.
Should I grow my streaming presence?
Or should I play with friends while I still can?
Or maybe just focus on gaming?
Nothing really stood out.
Even after coming home, I couldn’t think of anything I particularly wanted to do.
Lying in bed staring blankly at the ceiling, it struck me that at least I had someone to share the news of joining a team.
[I’ve found a team.]
[Really?]
Immediately after I sent the message to Choi Eunseo, as usual, she replied instantly.
Is she glued to her phone or what?
I do remember she was a good student, but it didn’t really matter much now.
[Where is it?]
[I can’t say where, but it’s a second-tier team.]
[Because of the age restriction, right?]
[Yes.]
[Summer league start can’t come soon enough! I’ll come watch!]
Winter had barely ended when spring came and just as quickly passed.
Before I knew it, it was June.
Today was the day of my debut match.
My first official pro league appearance — my goal was simple: to leave a lasting impression as a player on everyone.
*
