Perhaps it was due to losing the second set in reverse.
The subsequent third set was a game with nothing much to say.
“Looks like the opponent just gave up.”
“They basically threw the game from the ban/pick phase.”
“If we had been overturned in front of the twins, our mentality would have crumbled too.”
“My super plays made them lose all motivation.”
“Could they already be thinking it’s over?”
Usually, in professional matches of LoL, comebacks don’t happen all that often.
However, there are no absolutes in anything, and from my previous life’s experience alone, I’ve seen countless comebacks.
After all, for what reason did the term “10,000 Gold Club” come around? Cases where even if the difference is around 5,000 gold, it’s considered a difficult comeback, but when the gap reaches 10,000 gold and yet someone still pulls it off, these instances are not that rare.
‘That’s probably just them showing a tantrum.’
Of course, receiving the opponent who’s throwing the game isn’t enough to stage a successful comeback.
Even if someone’s super play is necessary for a dramatic turnaround, what the opponent is doing now is just recklessly going into headfirst without thought.
‘…It’s aggravating.’
Watching the opposing team starting to lose motivation and just playing half-heartedly wasn’t a pleasant experience.
What does it mean to be a professional? Once the game starts, you have to deliver a satisfactory game for those watching, regardless of the outcome.
Even if there’s a skill gap resulting in a loss, you still have to show some hope to the fans who cheer for you.
No matter how ugly the defeat might turn out, you’re expected to tenaciously hold on against the other team until the very end.
‘This isn’t what pros do.’
Even if the game wasn’t fun or a sure loss, this isn’t Solo Ranked.
It’s not a game where you can just give up by pressing the quit button because you don’t feel like playing.
“Let’s take our time in this game.”
“Huh? Suddenly?”
Looking at the opponent made me think this wasn’t a game I wanted to end so easily.
“It’s better to end the game cleanly, right?”
“Yeah, makes sense. Let’s take the fourth dragon and then call it.”
“Let’s keep the vision for the next dragon while focusing on pushing on our lanes.”
This was one of those moments in professional games where someone didn’t feel like playing and just ended up messing around.
“AH, ARK! They’re doing exceptionally well.”
“Certainly, up until the second set, there were some shaky moments, but now in the third set! They’re putting on a perfect game.”
“If we ignore their name, their play style could easily match any top-tier team from LCK. They’re tightening the noose on the opponents.”
“Nowadays, we rarely hear terms like this, but it’s a classic ‘washer’ play.”
[Whoa! They won’t touch the Baron for sure]
[Guess they already won the game and don’t want to risk a steal]
[ARK is boring me out, I’m outta here gg]
[It was clear from when TH was harassed and dumped in the early game, this has been uninteresting lol]
[For real, getting harassed early and throwing straight after? Way overboard; if they lose, they’ll be relegated]
“Seems like they don’t intend to fight around the dragon timing coming up.”
“ARK is ruthless. They’re proving that their strength isn’t about brute force alone.”
“From what I’ve heard, Para is now the main order-giver, right? Am I correct?”
“That’s right. Previously, Lesser used to be the one giving orders, but with Para’s arrival, the main order-giver has changed as well.”
“Where on earth did you hear that?”
“I used to be teammates with ARK’s coach Kim Hanseong. After the promotion matches were confirmed, I casually asked him.”
[LMAO Legendary first generation bot duo]
[People who weren’t there back then, seriously stop pretending like you know anything!]
[If you’ve been watching from way back then, you’re probably like what… is this bragging?]
[Thinking about it now, that lineup actually went to Worlds Final!]
[Eh, LoL back then wasn’t ‘LoL’ as we know it. It was more of an indie game at that point.]
[LoL is still a poorly bugged indie game now!]
“But isn’t Para’s career not that long? Can a rookie be giving orders?”
“I also wondered about that so I kept asking, and they said something like even though he’s a rookie, he gives off a seasoned veteran vibe. I got a response like that.”
“A rookie giving veteran vibes… I understand the sentiment from just watching his plays. How could anyone even think he’s a rookie?”
[Wait, Para is giving orders now?]
[Although in-game, we can hear all five players talking though]
[To be fair, Lesser handles a lot of the backup orders, so the pressure is less]
[Para is giving orders, carrying the team, and even doing media appearances. Basically, he does it all.]
“The grand moment of the 4th dragon arrives! Dragon number four cannot be handed over! Here comes TH’s serious attempt!”
“Perhaps, this will be the teamfight that determines the victory or defeat.”
[Isn’t this just rehashing an already ended game?]
[If ARK gets promoted, is there a chance for playoff spots?]
[This season probably wouldn’t be easy]
[AX coming to the promotion matches says a lot already]
“Looks like if TH wants to win, they’ll need to make precise skill usages.”
“Jason and Caitlyn must push them back with their ranges.”
“Oh… Oryun is too sturdy! The damage isn’t penetrating!”
“Truly, the caster’s choice of picking a triple Oryun was justified!”
[Tank handling king]
[Is Oryun a tier 1 tank ban?]
[Since anyone can Oryun, it’s fine]
[Para will handle the carries anyway, so it’s better just to ban tank picks in top lane]
“Oryun cannot d*e!”
“Then Para! Stealing the ultimate skill from the enemy’s Arin and starts turning the tide of the battlefield!”
“Yune, Sion. There’s no thought of losing in sight whenever Para gets hold of high-tier champions.”
[All carries route through Para]
[This guy’s just plain good at LoL]
“ARK marches forward with an ace!”
“ARK’s journey is approaching its conclusion!”
“It’s interesting to consider what kind of impact this storm they’ve caused in CK will bring in the LCK next season.”
“The Nexus is shattered!”
“GG!”
[Welcome to the promotion!]
[Ah… this is the Huangbuleague]
[LPL taking Worlds, but this Huangbuleague, lol]
[Let’s call this Season 1.5]
“NA-IICE!!!”
The cheers from my teammates almost pierced my ears, but since this feeling is a privilege of the winners, I let it slide.
[ARK has declared to the LCK: Big brothers, can you handle us?]
[It’s truly going to be a bloodbath in the LCK which hasn’t had much internal competition for a while]
[What kind of performances they will show makes the fans very excited for the next season]
‘What a big commotion.’
Witnessing the victory screen, the team stood up and embraced each other without further ado.
It had been a few seasons since any team promoted from CK, so this celebration was understandable.
“Everyone did great!”
The coach, who was monitoring from the coaching booth, came in among us with a joyful leap.
Though he had said we’d win from the start, I’m sure there must have been some underlying anxiety.
‘How long are they going to keep celebrating?’
In the LCK, there’s a tradition where the winning team approaches the losing team and shakes hands.
However, the team was so drunk on triumph that they even forgot about that until I mentioned it, and then we approached the opponent.
‘Their expressions…’
The last set was not just a loss but a total self-destruction. As professionals, they probably have no excuse.
Still, if we were to meet again, I hoped that would become a reason for them to play more matured games in the future.
When I got back to my seat, the camera came toward me.
“Oi! Here’s our key player of the day.”
“Para, from sets one, two, and three, has dominated the game beyond words.”
I just took off my headset, and I could clearly hear the commentary.
If they were talking about me, it was evident that the camera was pointed at me.
“Wow, showing the valentine heart!”
“Can you believe this cute girl is ARK’s mid-laner?”
I repeated the signature pose that I did at the start, a gesture that was a good use of the team logo on my cheeks – a two-in-one celebration.
“Let’s do it once more! The name of the team joining the LCK is ARK!”
On the day after ARK’s victory, the players returned to their lodgings under the pretense of taking a break.
Kim Hanseong, standing on the balcony, was, as usual, chain-smoking.
Promotion to the top league—LCK—was the long-held ambition of every CK team.
Achieving that should have been a time of celebration, but the reality of finance blocked his joy.
‘This roster is good right now.’
Caster, Lesser, Para, Plea, Kai—this was Kim Hanseong’s ideal roster and a group of talented individuals painstakingly gathered one by one.
However, since they’re stepping up to the top league, corresponding salaries were inevitable—and that had him concerned.
‘Even matching Yoon Seohwa’s salary is tough.’
To be honest, if one of the top teams or a wealthier team targeted Yoon Seohwa, the reality was that they likely couldn’t do anything but let her go.
‘The sponsorships will probably come in large volumes…’
Due to the abnormal salary structure in esports, one big sponsor meant a lot more than securing many small ones.
However, finding another big company to sponsor esports where all the top corporations have already jumped in is no simple task.
In the midst of his frustration, he reached for another cigarette.
“Ah! Coach!”
Su Yieun, who had been working at the first floor, rushed upstairs in a hurry.
“What’s the matter?”
Could teams trying to poach our players this early?
“Ha… It’s Hansan!”
“What?”
“Hansan is willing to sponsor our team!”
*
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