Master’s Invitation.
This is a weekly content series hosted by Hanbyeori every Saturday, where guests from various fields are invited for a broadcast.
Of course, as it was her broadcast, most of the guests were LOL users.
[para: Me, over there?]
[Hanbyeori: Yes! Are you interested in joining us?]
[para: I’m neither a one-champ player nor have I topped the ranking.]
The types of people who appear on Master’s Invitation can generally be divided into three categories:
Ranking No. 1 or users who have come very close in the high-tier rankings.
Users who play a single champion extensively—so-called one-champ players.
And finally, the users who reside in the deep end of the reverse celestial realm.
‘Back then, I appeared as a former POG No. 1.’
In a past life, after securing the Season Player of the Game (POG) 1st place, participating in Master’s Invitation left a positive memory.
But that was when I had the title of a pro-gamer and the achievement of being POG No. 1.
Why would I be offered a seat now?
[Hanbyeori: Is it difficult for you…?]
She began persuading me, her tone growing urgent when I hesitated to respond.
She offered twice the normal payment or even an online appearance if I preferred.
[para: I’m still a student, so I’ll discuss this with my parents first.]
[Hanbyeori: Oh, okay!!]
‘It might be fun to see the older sister again after a long time.’
Since there were tasks I needed to accomplish, I mulled over what I had just said while waiting in queue.
‘I should probably ask.’
Since being reborn, there was one thing I’ve consistently upheld: never going against my parents’ wishes, save for becoming a pro-gamer.
After experiencing how hard it was to earn money in my previous life, I’ve taken extra care not to do anything they dislike since I’m living off what they’ve earned.
‘What if they oppose me becoming a pro-player?’
My mom once strongly disapproved of me joining a training camp unless I had dirt in my eyes. Although I’ve reincarnated as a girl, which might change things, there was no guarantee she wouldn’t oppose.
…What can’t be helped must be faced. I’ll settle accounts later.
“Mom.”
Family dinner, everyone reunited after a long time.
Startled by Yoon Seohwa’s sudden address, Choi Hyunseo, her mother, was curious. Though the daughter ate little, she silently focused on her meals and rarely talked.
“Huh? What is it?”
“I want to go to Seoul next weekend.”
“Why Seoul?”
“To appear on a show.”
Shows? Her daughter occasionally had eccentric ideas, like the time she begged for a computer, but this was an unexpected request.
“It’s not that kind of show.”
Yoon Seohwa stood up, pulled out her mobile phone, and showed a YouTube channel.
“Someone who streams games asked me for an interview and stuff.”
“But it’s sudden…”
Choi Hyunseo turned to her husband, Yoon Jinseong, seated beside her, a bewildered look on her face. Yet, her husband’s eyes gleamed with excitement.
“Wow, our daughter already ranks 400?”
“Yep, I reached Grandmaster this Monday.”
“Seriously, she might become a pro.”
While Choi Hyunseo didn’t particularly enjoy games, her husband’s gaming passion was something she’d known since they met. Still, it irked her when they discussed gaming without her.
“Is this person really that famous?”
“Eh, it sounds like you don’t know. This Youtuber has…what, 400,000 subscribers now?”
Yoon Jinseong’s statement was affirmed as Yoon Seohwa nodded while holding her spoon.
“Does 400,000 subscribers mean something special?”
“The channel’s barely a year old? It’s quite impressive.”
“If that’s the case, what exactly will Seohwa do there?”
“She started gaming this break.”
Initially, Choi Hyunseo had worried when her daughter spent all her free time gaming instead of socializing. But maintaining top scores on academic tests and sleeping on time reassured her.
“The show reached out because she hit the upper tier, recognizing her as exceptional.”
“How high?”
“It’s…about…Grandmaster, which makes it the top 0.05%, akin to receiving a top-grade on the College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT).”
At a different household, this would’ve been the perfect time to suggest she use her gaming time for studying to achieve that grade. However, Yoon Seohwa had consistently ranked no worse than second grade in mock tests, leaving no room for complaints.
“Then, is the game really that interesting? It seems like all she does after academy is play at home.”
“It’s fun.”
“More fun than shopping with Mom?”
“Um…no, it’s more fun shopping with Mom.”
Although there was a brief hesitation, Choi Hyunseo smiled at the satisfactory answer.
“You’re asking because you want to go?”
“Yes.”
“In that case, go ahead, but with Dad.”
At this, Yoon Jinseong raised his glass of water, his eyes expressing disappointment.
“I was planning full overtime next week though…?”
“Would you send a middle schooler on her own to Seoul?”
“That does make sense…”
“Then should I, with an upcoming business trip, go?”
“It should be me…”
“In case something weird happens, bring Seohwa out immediately. Got it?”
“Of course.”
‘Looks like I’m going to need to host this segment alone.’
In a well-known apartment complex located in Seochodistrict of Seoul, Hanbyeori was busy preparing for her broadcast. It had been two weeks since she extended the invitation to the mysterious female user named ‘para’, and now it was finally broadcast day.
“Ah, should I offer her a mask?”
Having already confirmed with her guest’s parents just in case, she hurriedly rose to search for masks.
“Are all mask designs this way?”
Upon finally finding masks in a drawer, they all bore the logos of professional gaming teams. She realized why normal designs weren’t among them as she contemplated presenting these to the guest and then purchasing new ones should her guest dislike them.
At that moment:
“Ding-dong…”
A call came from the parking lot entrance. Upon checking, it was the car number she’d been sent earlier.
After opening the gate, she slipped on a hooded sweatshirt lying on a chair. Given the parking lot’s complex structure, first-time visitors often got lost, so she planned to guide the guest.
“Hi, just come to apartment number 108.”
Not long after communicating, a tall man and a young girl appeared from the opposite side.
“Hello!”
She greeted in her typical energetic broadcasting tone. However, upon seeing the approaching girl, her words faltered.
“…Madness.”
Hanbyeori, who came from a wealthy family and often heard comments about her elegance, was left wondering about her guest.
“Is this really 15?”
The black hair reaching down to her waist was impeccably maintained, without a single strand out of place. Her extremely pale skin seemed almost translucent. The red eyes complemented an innate sense of aristocracy.
‘In a few years, she’ll…’
Even now, it was unfair to call her anything but already accomplished. Could someone be this perfect?
“Hello. I’m Hanbyeori, Kim Hanbyeol.”
Realizing she had momentarily zoned out on a first encounter, she quickly recomposed herself and greeted again.
“Hello. Yoon Seohwa. Thank you for inviting me today.”
Though her sharp features might have projected a cutting impression, her voice was soft. The air of maturity surrounding her added a mysterious allure.
“I’m Yoon Seohwa’s father. Thank you for the invitation.”
“Not at all! I’m rather grateful that you’ve come.”
Hanbyeori warmly took the hand extended by Yoon Jinseong.
“Let’s go inside and talk.”
.
.
.
“Today’s broadcast will primarily involve playing a round or two of Solo Rank, and I’d appreciate any feedback on my gameplay.”
“Got it.”
Hanbyeori began to doubt if the impassive girl before her was the same person bombarding Grandmaster and Challenger queues.
Could someone with that face play League all day?
In a strange way, it was impressive.
“Would you be comfortable with this format?”
“I have no problem.”
“I’m fine as long as my daughter is.”
After explaining the broadcast plan, Hanbyeori passed a mask resting on the desk to Yoon Seohwa.
“Just in case, but feel free to use it if you need.”
“Ah…”
Upon receiving the mask, Yoon Seohwa stared at it intently as if she had something to say.
‘Did I do something wrong?’
But only momentarily. Yoon Seohwa then naturally donned the mask, placing it over her mouth and spoke.
“Let’s start the broadcast.”
The ark logo emblazoned on the mask she chose caught Hanbyeori’s eye.
‘Ark…fits perfectly.’
Though uncertain why, Hanbyeori felt Ark suited Yoon Seohwa remarkably while initiating the broadcast.
