[TS] Obsessed Gamer: The Ultimate Return – Chapter 155

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We’re recruiting a ranged dealer for TEAM OLZ, which is challenging in the new 2nd division league.

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Hello! TEAM OutLaw Zone is looking for team members to participate in the qualifiers for the Challengers Korea Promotion Tournament this time.

[Recruitment Target]

– Ranged dealer for TEAM OLZ (OutLaw Zone)

[Eligibility Requirements]

– Must be at least Diamond 2 tier or higher on the Legends of League Korean server this season

– Ranged dealer position

– Must be 19 years old or older (participating in May’s Challengers Korea Promotion Tournament qualifiers)

– Must not have any game usage restrictions

– Must not have any disqualifications regarding dormitory life

– Must not have any disqualifications for overseas business trips.

[Submission Documents]

– Name / Gender / Date of Birth / Phone Number

– Summoner Name / Rank Tier

– Competition and team experience

– Self-introduction letter

[Submission Related]

– Email: [email protected]

We look forward to your applications.

Thank you.

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Starting with the broadcasting station bulletin board, I posted the recruitment announcement for ranged dealers on various Legends of League-related communities.

The response wasn’t bad at all.

+

– Oh

– It’s up!

– Outlaw! Outlaw! Outlaw! Outlaw! Outlaw! Outlaw! Outlaw! Outlaw! Outlaw! Outlaw!

– I’m Platinum 1, can I apply? ㅜㅜ

– I’m Gold 2 as a bot lane, I’m really good but can’t rank up because of my teammates. Is there no test?

– Youngsters, go to school.

– For real lol

– Dg dg dg dg dg dg dg

– Is something big coming?

– Kyah

– Looks like they’re really forming a team ㄷㄷㄷ Classy.

– Are you not streaming anymore? ㅜㅜ

– Nuna, please turn on the stream… I’m dying… Nuna, please turn on the stream… I’m dying… Nuna, please turn on the stream… I’m dying… Nuna, please turn on the stream… I’m dying…

– Wow, are you really quitting streaming? ㅜㅜ That’s such a shame.

+

Of course, this recruitment announcement was different from the usual ones put out by regular teams.

Most teams prefer younger players because they see greater potential for development.

However, since I was looking for team members to play with me right now rather than promising hopefuls for future growth, the circumstances were naturally different from other teams.

After posting the announcement for ranged dealer recruitment, I finally began to feel that I was really forming a team.

So, I’m really creating a professional team…

‘Well, that’s that.’

Although I’ve posted the announcement, I have no idea how many applicants there’ll be.

Before that, there was something I needed to take care of first.

[Me: I need to start drafting contracts with Getback and Timid Person, when are you available?]

*

Thank goodness, it wasn’t too hard to coordinate schedules with Getback and Timid Person 190 this time.

[Getback: I’m free today.]

[Timid Person 190: I should be done around 6.]

To be precise, Getback was always okay with his schedule, and the only thing left was to match Timid Person 190’s timing.

‘Got lucky with this guy today.’

It was something I had known since our first meeting, but Timid Person 190’s love for sports was something else entirely.

But now that he’d decided to go pro, he needed to stick to certain standards.

‘It’s great to work out, but he needs to make sure it doesn’t interfere with team schedules and personal practice.’

In blunt terms, if he got so into working out that he neglected personal practice or got injured while working out, that would be a serious issue.

I planned to give him a good warning about that today.

‘You’re in trouble.’

Of course, I had absolutely no intention of mixing any personal feelings into it.

I have now officially become a team owner; I can’t act petty like that, can I?

Thus, I was aiming for a very straightforward and light warning.

And…

The meeting place I chose was the café in Seodaemun where I had met the 3 Min Top School Honorary Member last time.

I would’ve preferred to call them to our dormitory/practice room, but it was still undergoing interior renovations, so that was not an option.

“Ah, over here.”

As soon as I entered the café, Getback, who was waiting, waved at me.

Messy hair.

A scruffy t-shirt.

Light stubble on his face.

He looks a bit older than he is, but nonetheless has a kind impression.

Since he was already known from his days as a professional gamer and seen on broadcasts, recognizing Getback wasn’t difficult at all.

“Hello.”

“You dressed all bundled up as expected. Weren’t you hot?”

Since I had already been on somewhat friendly terms with Getback from our 5v5 match, he welcomed me with his characteristic playful demeanor.

“Yeah, well.”

“Ahaha, I guess.”

How to make my overly striking appearance look a bit more natural was one of my long-standing concerns.

Of course, I had somewhat achieved what I could call a result, and the oversized hoodie + mask + glasses + hiding my hair was one of the answers to that.

“What about Timid Person?”

“He said he’s on his way. Oh, what do you want to drink?”

“Of course, I’ll buy. What do you want?”

What a shameless team owner, getting treated by a team player from the very first meeting… that kind of behavior wouldn’t do.

While waiting for the drinks to arrive, we chatted about various topics.

Naturally, the focus was on the team.

“…So you really are serious about this.”

“You thought it was just a joke?”

“Not exactly that… it feels more serious than I expected. I was thinking we’d just huddle in one room to start.”

I’m sorry to say, but given the way things were going, that’s actually what I was thinking originally.

Well… I had no intention of ever saying that out loud, though.

“Have you changed your mind, by any chance?”

“Of course not. This is better.”

Getback, with his usual playful banter, casually checked the contract.

It might be a bit rude to discuss this, but… his playful banter did kinda make him seem like an uncle.

“The salary is… quite high. Honestly, I thought it would be less than half this.”

“I told you, we’re going to reach the top league.”

To be honest, locking in a two-year contract at this salary now will keep future expenses lower.

Well… there are salary increases on promotion to the first division or reaching the Red Cup, but that’s expected spending at this point anyway.

“You have a lot of confidence, don’t you?”

“I’m like that, but it looks like you don’t?”

“Hey, that’s not true. What do you take me for?”

Although he said that, I could see anxiety flickering in Getback’s eyes.

I understand.

A team that is just being formed.

In a situation where I not only have to start from the relegation matches going into the second division, but also having a gaping hole in team members, it would be strange if he wasn’t anxious.

Getback knows what failure is.

Probably because of that, he had been giving up on new challenges until now.

“I believe in you.”

At those words, Getback looked at me with eyes I couldn’t quite read, then nodded.

“I believe in you, team owner.”

And the signing was complete.

Great, you are now my slave.

Of course, I would never voice that thought.

Just then, while putting the completed contract into my bag…

Ding!

[Timid Person 190: I’ve arrived.]

“Ah, he says he’s here.”

And right on cue, the café door swung open as if waiting for that moment.

“Welcome—”

The moment ‘that’ stepped into the café,

the air inside froze.

“……Yes.”

What does it mean for the air to freeze?

Until now, I had no idea, but I just realized what it meant.

It was as if the few remaining patrons in the café were reacting instinctively like seeing a predator in a space filled with herbivores.

After humanity built a glorious civilization, their only enemies became their fellow humans.

Maybe because of that, people cautiously avoided eye contact and subtly shifted away as if facing a newly emerged nemesis.

And… I felt the same instinctual wariness.

Please don’t let it be who I think it is.

I prayed desperately, but the huge figure walked straight toward our table.

“Are you Getback and Outlaw?”

“……Gulp!”

Wha—how is he so big?

Could it be that Timid Person 190’s 190 was in height?

I had guessed to some extent.

He had rejected offers in pursuit of exercise and even postponed discussions about the team, so it wouldn’t be far-fetched to think he lived quite the gym rat life.

But…….

‘…This guy is no mere gym rat.’

Every sport has its natural talents.

In that sense, Timid Person 190 undeniably possessed the height and build to be called the Rainbow of the fitness world.

In simple terms, he was a fitness talent.

‘…Is he even human?’

He looked like he’d easily exceed 190cm.

His upper body was so muscular it looked like it might explode.

I could easily imagine I’d die in one hit if he swung his arms.

Compared to that, his face had a somewhat innocent look, but that didn’t mean that monstrous physique could be hidden behind his facial features.

“……”

Up until just a moment ago, I had planned to give Timid Person 190 a stern talking-to.

I admit it, I was arrogant.

How could I talk big in front of such a massive figure?

I don’t know how many days I might have left to live, but at least I don’t want to conclude that day just yet.

“Sorry for being late.”

“Ah, n-no problem… Please, sit. Ah! Uh, what, um… what drink would you like?”

“Ah… then I’d like an iced Americano, please.”

“Y-yeah, sure!”

So, as I took his order, I found myself fleeing toward the counter.

“Uh, one iced Americano, please.”

“That’ll be 4000 won.”

Trying to calm my racing heart, I grabbed the drink and returned to the table.

For some reason, my legs felt heavy.

I wanted to escape from here.

But, I couldn’t do that.

“Ah, you’re here.”

Getback, being the elder, was showing his characteristic playfulness and friendliness, and had already started a conversation with Timid Person 190.

‘…Isn’t he scared?’

I knew he had great social skills, but to this extent…

He was admirable in many ways.

“So, what about the future team…”

Maybe it’s thanks to my respect shining through, but Getback smoothly took the lead in the conversation.

Discussing what to do next.

Discussing the second division.

How to find a bot laner.

But…….

Regrettably, Getback’s lead didn’t last long.

Suddenly, without any warning, his smartphone went off.

“Ah, excuse me for a moment.”

W-Wait, what’s that about?

Don’t leave me!

“I’ll be right back.”

With that, Getback stepped away for a moment, and something strange began to fill the table’s atmosphere.

“……”

“……”

It was silent.

Amid that silence, what was making me feel even more anxious was Timid Person 190’s attitude.

He seemed not even ready to engage in conversation, blatantly ignoring me and refusing to meet my gaze.

At first, I tried to let it slide.

But as five minutes turned into ten, I couldn’t help but feel frustrated with that attitude.

It was an old grudge I had felt since our first meeting.

“Why do you keep avoiding eye contact?”

“……”

Oh, now you’re ignoring me too?

“Excuse me?”

“……Yes.”

The moment I heard that cracked voice.

Why was I feeling this way?

From this overwhelmingly unfamiliar yet titanic being, I felt an inexplicable sense of familiarity.