“Did he say he would start today?”
ARK’s jungler, Lesser Kim Dojin, loosened his wrist as he spoke.
“Should be here today, it’s the opening match.”
At that, Caster Park Jinhwan, who has been holding ARK’s top lane for two years, casually replied while setting up the equipment.
“How pretty can she possibly be to make our contract like this?”
“I looked up a few videos on YouTube, and she really is quite attractive.”
“It’s not like we hire someone just for their looks, right? Because of her arrival, Jinsoo hyung was let go.”
“Jinsoo hyung was planning to retire anyway. He only played the spring season at the coach’s request.”
“That’s true.”
Simultaneously conversing were Plea Jin Yuseong and KAI Lee Yuchan, the newly recruited bottom duo this year.
‘What kind of level does she have to be?’
Lesser Kim Dojin looked at the still-empty central seat, the question persistently lingering in his mind.
In the e-sports scene, verbal contracts carry significant weight. Typically, contracts are concluded under predefined conditions.
However, an absurd clause was added regarding the acquisition of one player.
‘If any player shows romantic interest, immediate contract termination and compensation for breach of contract.’
What vision could have led to such a clause being added to ARK’s players and coaching staff?
True, the coach mentioned that as long as there’s no confession or persistent contact, they could reach an agreement.
Regardless, it still seemed absurd.
“At least it’s a relief that her debut match is online.”
Jin Yuseong snidely commented, but Kim Dojin somewhat considered it fortunate.
While CK’s game venue had only around 150 seats, the pressure of professional matches was unimaginable.
From Kim Dojin’s perspective, who had suffered through his debut match in an offline setting, it was almost enviable.
“Are you ready?”
In the midst of casual talk about the upcoming match, a man entered the practice room.
It was ARK’s coach, Kim Hanseong.
“Yoon Seoha hasn’t arrived yet?”
“Yes.”
“That’s right. Though the game is online, we’ve already synchronized in the scrim, so there shouldn’t be any issues.”
After clearing his throat once, Kim Hanseong continued in a solemn tone.
“Although Jinsoo filled in for us during the spring split, I’m sure everyone felt we left something on the table.”
ARK’s overall rank for the Spring split was third.
Under the system where the top regular-season team and the playoff champion advance to the promotion-playoff, it was disappointing.
“But, I firmly believe we will definitely be promoted in the Summer Split. And once in the LCK, I think our team is more than capable.”
Kim Hanseong continued, somewhat overly ambitious, discussing plans to target MSI and Worlds—goals that might sound like dreams to some.
And shortly after,
“Hello.”
As a girl entered the room, the four players including Kim Dojin were rendered speechless.
‘Today’s match was online.’
Unlike the LCK, which almost always runs as on-site events, CK, being the second-tier league, sometimes held games online from the team’s home.
There were two games per week, one online and the other offline.
‘Will the dorm look the same?’
This was her first time visiting the dorms this life.
Her mother mentioned the contract would start from the first Summer match, so she rested thoroughly at home during the interim and practiced scrims there.
Would it look the same as in her previous life?
“Did you do any special makeup today?”
“No.”
“Though it’s none of my business, that doesn’t look like a face ready for gaming.”
Inside the moving car, the woman holding the steering wheel smiled and spoke. Her name was Seo Yieun, affectionately known as Manager Seo.
Though her official role was as the finance officer, she was essentially a jack-of-all-trades manager.
“Our uniform being white, I thought a bit of dust might show, but it appears there’s no one who could rival you as a model.”
Her current outfit consisted of a simple short-sleeved uniform over a school blouse. Due to the early dismissal after the third period to prepare for the 2 PM game, she hurriedly changed into this.
Indeed, the saying “beauty completes fashion” wasn’t false.
“With the blouse tucked inside, it looks even better. Next year, maybe I’ll suggest adding collars to the uniforms.”
…
‘The same.’
Upon arriving at the dorm, her feelings mirrored those from her previous life—everything was unchanged.
Located in Seoul, though not in the center, was a sleek three-story building.
True to its name “Gaming House,” the design was sharp and angular.
“Shall we enter?”
Manager Seo parked the van in the garage and led her inside.
“It’s already 1 PM, so we’d better not delay. Can you show me around the office building after the game?”
“Yes, it’ll be too late if we wait any longer.”
“You speak as well as you look.”
Manager Seo then led her to the practice room on the second floor, the battleground for today’s match.
“Then, the player and the coach should be inside. Go in and greet them.”
With that, Manager Seo went back down to the office on the first floor.
Taking a deep breath at the door, she turned the handle.
“Hello.”
As she entered and greeted them,
“…”
The coach was nowhere to be seen, but the four players sat silently, staring at her.
Isn’t it common courtesy to respond to a greeting?
An uncomfortable silence hung in the air.
“Finally, you’ve arrived.”
Turning at the voice from behind, she saw Coach Kim Hanseong standing there.
“The uniform suits you well. Your seat is right there in the middle—it’s clearly the mid lane, right? Just set up the equipment you brought.”
Following the coach’s words with a smile that lightened the mood, she went to her spot and set up the keyboard and mouse she had brought.
She connected everything and used the practice mode to finalize her settings. Confirming there were no issues, she exited the practice mode.
“Hi.”
A boy next to her greeted her expressionlessly.
Lesser, Kim Dojin.
A stalwart jungler who had stayed with ARK even in their transition to the first division, having played alongside her in the previous life.
After exchanging a proper greeting, she stretched a bit.
Lately, her neck and shoulders have been aching frequently.
Did I overwork by playing too much?
She then rotated her wrists, just as the referee entered the practice room.
“Five minutes until the match starts; please prepare.”
Following the referee’s instruction, she started the tournament client and logged in with her player ID.
“How do you want to go for the comp today?”
“I figure we’ll go for bottom support-style play? We’ve seen plenty of buffs in this patch for critical-strike items.”
“Maybe Nyar for top isn’t a bad idea?”
“If they take Ezreal, champions like Kai’Sa or Aphelios would work well.”
“Support will probably end up with some utility.”
By her side, the coach and teammates discussed the ban-pick strategies.
This Summer season’s patch favored ADC carry meta due to significant buffs to critical-strike items.
However,
“There’s a champion I would like to play.”
Critical-strike items weren’t exclusive to ADCs.
“Hello, everyone, welcome to the LCK Challengers Korea Summer Split! This is caster Yoo Seungchan.”
“Greetings, this is commentator Shin Hamaram.”
[Will Para be playing today?]
[Can you ban Ping Fruh? If you check the team’s SNS, lineup is always revealed.]
[Still, BU is a team that topped the regular season even though they lost the promotion match. This debutant will have a tough day.]
[What’s tough about 2nd division?]
[Why are 4,000 people watching today’s CK match?]
[That’s Para, baby!]
“Feels like more people are tuning in to watch today’s CK games.”
“I agree. Let’s take a look at today’s rosters.”
TEAM – ARK
Top: Caster
Jungle: Lesser
Mid: Para
ADC: Plea
Support: KAI
vs
TEAM – BU
Top: Row
Jungle: Route
Mid: Poll
ADC: Hamin
Support: Rama
“Even in their promotion defeat, BU remains a formidable force, and their roster remains unchanged.”
“But there’s a change on ARK, specifically in the mid lane.”
“Indeed, this is her debut—Para, the rookie who entered this Summer Split upon the lifting of the age restrictions.”
“She may be a rookie, but she is also not entirely one. Remember the fan anticipation she drew during the vLL finals alongside LCK?”
“That could likely be why so many have joined us today for her debut.”
“Indeed, how this ARK roster, which narrowly missed promotion, will fare after this signing. Let’s see it unfold from the ban-pick phase onwards!”
[Today, Para will carry.]
[You’re stating the obvious.]
[Still, it is an online game, right?]
[Oh, CK venues are rented, so they’re only available three times a week.]
[ROIT special, probably.]
[Do 2nd league games even have live venues? LCS and LEC are entirely online. Ha!]
“Para is undoubtedly strong, but the current meta definitely leans heavy on ADCs.”
“Overall buffs on critical-strike items and tank items too. This meta is about tanking up and letting your ADC deal the damage.”
“Right off the bat, Oryun and Xanthuss stabilize the frontlines in both top lanes.”
“ADCs? Expectedly, Aphelios and Jinx lead the hyper-carry choices.”
“Wait… ARK, Lesser picked Lillia? A favorite of Lesser, though safe, it implies no mage in the mid lane?”
“What sort of pick is this?! Para showing confidence from her debut!”
[Death flows like the wind… Death flows like the wind…]
[There’s but one purpose in my blade… There’s but one purpose in my blade…]
[This is Para, folks.]
[Such an arrogant pick.]
[Oh yeah, with her stage buffs, Q-auto is an ADC killer!]
*
