[This turn, we must stop them!]
[WQ, you can’t let a whole year’s efforts end here in the qualifiers, can you!?]
[However, RG advances boldly, sweeping the opponent aside.]
[They are truly formidable. The demon of the qualifiers, making it to Worlds for three consecutive years!]
[And with that, the Nexus is destroyed…]
The game ended in a one-sided victory for RG. WQ, having been outplayed from the very ban-pick phase, ended up losing all three games.
‘Did they just take the exact strategy we’ve been using?’
Today, the ban-pick strategy set by RG was designed to force a tank ADC on the opponent and pick a high-value AD champion in mid to seize teamfights—essentially the same strategy our team frequently used in screems.
But there is one problem with this combination.
‘Mid should at least split 50-50 for it to be a good strategy.’
WQ was expected to be a strong top-side team, but RG countered from the start by splitting the jungle and used an unused ban card in mid to define the early game setup.
“Even though it was a 3-0, it was still fun.”
“Yeah, WQ also put up a good fight until the end.”
Despite the 3-0 score, all three games lasted over 50 minutes. If WQ had managed to win even one game, they could have turned the momentum around. For the losing players, it was a regrettable match.
“Are you going to watch the interview until the end?”
“Doesn’t matter to me.”
“Then let’s go after watching.”
As the interview time approached after the game, the spectator seats began to empty. There were still some people remaining in the RG side and central seats, but WQ’s side was completely empty. Soon after, the players from RG and the announcer stepped out to the center of the arena.
[We’re going to have an interview with the RG players who secured the 4th seed in the LCK Worlds Qualifiers!]
The sound of applause from the fans filled the arena.
—
After the interview ended, Choi Eunseo stretched her neck. “Sitting for too long makes it sore.”
“We’re lucky our seats are in the back. If we were in the front, our necks would have been a lot worse.”
True, in the stadium’s design, screens were mounted on the ceiling, so sitting in the front required you to keep your neck craned for hours. She recalled sitting in the front a few times in her previous life, and it wasn’t a pleasant memory.
“Is that so? Anyway, I had a lot of fun watching the game today, thanks.”
“Yeah, see you at school.”
“Lately, you’ve been missing a lot. Could you show up?”
“It’s not that I’m missing. I’m leaving class early.”
“Well, I know, but since I’m not in the same class, I don’t see you if you leave after the first or second period.”
—
That’s true. Upon reflection, she hadn’t met Choi Eunseo at school recently.
‘Since she usually leaves before lunch.’
“Then, let’s have dinner together come Monday. It’s been a while.”
“Really!?”
“Yeah, anyway, since there’s a screem right before the match, everyone will be sleeping if we go too early.”
With that, they made their promise. Choi Eunseo was then handed over to the driver—or maybe a bodyguard?—that had come for her. It was surprising to learn that she even had a personal driver, something known to be a luxury.
—
*
“Finally, today’s the day.”
In the training room, the coach tapped the whiteboard opposite the arranged desktops.
“Our opponents are TH. Their strength, as I’ve always said, is their distinct mid-lane carry potential—high and low ends.”
The whiteboard was filled with numerous ban-pick strategies and plays.
“If it were other CK teams, it’d be hard for them to defeat TH, since they can’t counter the capabilities of the opposing jungler.”
The coach pointed at the section with our players’ nicknames.
“But we’re different. Seo Ha will at least split the game in mid, and if possible, even triumph. That way, our game plan will naturally fall into place.”
In essence, our strategy against TH boiled down to dominating the laning phase in mid and crushing them in teamfights.
Their ace player is in mid, but our other lanes were stronger. So, if I win the laning phase, this game should be an easy win.
“And bottom lane?”
“Yes.”
The bot lane duo answered confidently.
“There might be a situation where we try a surprise pick for a sitting ADC in one of the games.”
“What? A sitting ADC in this meta?”
“Since their bot lane is weak, we can pressure them right from lane, which makes the game easier.”
Frankly, it was more of a consideration for the bot lane duo. Given our high baseline in the bottom lane, a slightly underperforming champion but easier lane could help them play comfortably.
“Alright, let’s head out.”
Following the coach, everyone climbed into the familiar van. Instead of heading down the usual roads, it took the highway this time.
“Are we heading to the LoL Park?”
“I’ve never been there.”
“You’re a pro and you’ve never been to a live game?”
“Well, I only had the chance to look at it from home before joining the trainee program.”
“Same here.”
Ordinarily, the ride to work involved everyone fiddling with their mobile phones, but today was different. Everyone was giddy, just like children on a field trip. We eventually arrived, heading through the staff-exclusive corridors toward the waiting room.
“Wow, this is completely different from the CK venue.”
“There’s this sofa I’ve been wanting to try.”
“Me too.”
“It’s really soft!”
Everyone was amazed at their first glimpse inside LoL Park. It was true that the CK venue was somewhat lackluster.
‘It was definitely worth visiting once.’
The LoL Park waiting room also frequently appeared in various contents, including team documentaries. Whether it was a pro player or a fan, anyone who watched LCK would likely want to visit here at least once.
“I want to check out the arena.”
“Yeah, are our booth settings finished yet?”
“What? We have a booth too?”
“Do you want to check it out?”
With more time to spare than expected, everyone was engrossed in their phones when Lee Yuchan suddenly voiced his interest, piquing the others’ curiosity.
“If you’re interested, go check it out. Just make sure to come back before the crowd gathers.”
The coach, considering it okay to venture out briefly, gave his approval. As soon as he did, everyone rushed out of the waiting room.
“Aren’t you coming?”
Lost in thoughts about today’s match, I looked up upon hearing a voice from my side. Sure enough, Kim Dojin, the team captain, was checking in on me. After briefly reflecting, I responded.
“I’ll go with you.”
I figured rejecting after the thoughtful gesture would make me look too antisocial, so I got up from my seat.
“We’re at the end?”
“It’s because we’re the away team.”
The team booths were placed at the entrance and the very end. Since we were the away team, our booth was at the furthest spot. As we approached the booth, our manager greeted us amidst the hustle and bustle of preparations.
“What are you guys doing here?”
“We just came to check things out.”
“Our team also has a booth in LoL Park, how moving.”
“Anyway, starting from next year, we’ll have to set it up every week.”
“Is that so?”
Upon hearing my remark, the manager nodded in agreement.
“Oh yeah, that’s true.”
Suddenly recalling something, the manager rummaged through the prepared items.
“Take this and stick them everywhere.”
“This?”
“Yeah, we need to promote our team as much as possible.”
“But maybe this is a bit…”
—
The manager had handed us temporary stickers with our team’s logo, perfectly sized for sticking on the cheek. Although many initially found it a little excessive, considering the effort put in, it was agreed that at least one person should do it.
“Rock, paper, scissors!”
“Nice!”
Using rock-paper-scissors to decide the one person, I ended up being the chosen one. It was a fair process, and as such, I adhered the sticker to my cheek in front of a mirror.
‘Not bad, is it?’
After applying, it didn’t look that strange. Based on my teammates’ reactions, it seemed I wasn’t the only one thinking so.
“It looks pretty.”
“Definitely, it complements your good skin.”
“If we had done it, it might have turned out terrible.”
“I agree.”
After some time, the staff instructed us to prepare for entrance. We moved from the waiting room to the entrance preparation area.
‘Most of them look gloomy.’
This was a common waiting space for both teams, so we could see the TH players who had arrived earlier. Their faces revealed a range of emotions:
The fear of being demoted to the second division upon defeat.
The determination to carry the team to victory.
The anxiousness about facing second division teams.
Anger at themselves for having to go through the promotion matches.
Irritation at not being chosen by the #9 team.
There was so much to see.
After an uncertain amount of waiting in silence,
[And now, let’s meet today’s stars!]
The stage lights, dazzling enough to hurt the eyes, illuminated each player.
[Even though they dropped to the Promotion Matches, still the CK butchers! Three-time consecutive survivors—TH!]
After introducing the team, the camera panned to the TH players. The generally somber expressions didn’t evoke much cheers from the crowd.
Then it was our turn.
[The CK sensation! An undefeated champion with perfect sets! Many are already calling them the breakout team…]
[That’s right. Internationally acclaimed as one of the teams to watch. And this is ARK!]
As the camera, recording from the front, reached me, it lingered longer than usual.
Since the cameraperson was the same from my previous life, I understood the situation.
‘Wants me to pose?’
But in this life, I didn’t have any signature poses, so I opted for the simplest option.
