[TS] Obsessed Gamer: The Ultimate Return – Chapter 193

According to Baek Seong-an’s explanation, the promotion and relegation qualifiers start with each group playing a single match with 3 teams, and the teams that finish first in their groups will face off in a best of three series to determine the winning team of each group.

Thus, the two teams that ultimately win from Group A and Group B will advance to the main promotion and relegation playoffs.

In other words, the matchup schedule is as follows.

Originally, according to staff and Baek Seong-an, it should have followed a tournament format as usual. However, due to the number of teams registering for the qualifiers far exceeding expectations, changes were made.

To think only 2 teams will be chosen out of 12 participating in a single day…

It’s no surprise the schedule is tight.

“What? Is it a single match in the group stage?”

“Looks like it! Each team plays a total of 2 matches, and if you get 2 wins, you’re through. If it’s 1 win and 1 loss and there’s a tie among three teams, the team that finishes their matches the fastest advances.”

“…So, if you’re not careful, you could be out with just one loss?”

“Ha…”

Is that why?

Shadows hovered over the faces of the players participating in the promotional qualifiers.

If all games were played in a best of three or best of five format, there wouldn’t be any complaints about the fairness. But a single match format means even teams confident in their skills have a pretty high chance of getting knocked out.

‘…Hmm.’

To be honest, it feels a bit unfair, but it is what it is.

Time is limited, and it’s not easy to invest many resources in the promotional qualifiers.

Naturally, this is the limit.

‘What matters more is…’

The concerns Baek Seong-an mentioned earlier.

What other teams are worried about is no exception for us as well.

In the group qualifiers, only one team out of three will advance to the next stage, and then they’ll have to go through another best of three to finally make it to the main event.

The issue lies in the group qualifiers.

Three teams will play against each other once, resulting in a total of 2 matches for each team.

Getting 2 wins is not a problem.

If you beat the other two teams, it’s only natural to advance as the top team in the group.

Even 2 losses aren’t a problem.

Losers tend to be silent anyway.

The problem comes with a 1 win and 1 loss situation.

Losing one game out of two isn’t that rare.

But if three teams end up in a 1 win and 1 loss deadlock?

Instead of a rematch, the team that finishes their matches the fastest out of those with 1 win and 1 loss advances.

In other words, this qualifier is not just about winning or losing; you have to finish the game quickly when you’re winning and take your time when you’re losing.

“…We should really focus on the ban/pick from the start.”

“Right. Ideally, we shouldn’t even be thinking about losing, but you never know.”

Now it sinks in.

That I’m standing at the edge of a cliff and one misstep could send me tumbling down.

No, anyone with aspirations of going pro has to tread this cliff.

“We won’t fall, right?”

“We haven’t even started yet, what are you talking about?”

I said that, but I knew what Kim Jae-min was feeling.

“Don’t worry. We are going to make it.”

Still, I say it.

We will be the winners today.

As someone who wears the hat of a club owner, how can I show any sign of worry?

“…Then, I guess we need to catch the bus.”

“Yeah. I’ll carry us.”

The tension among the team members eased significantly.

Then it happened.

“OLZ? Is there anyone from OLZ here?”

“Ah, here!”

“You’re in Group A1. Please prepare.”

“Ah, yes!”

The preliminary round officially began.

*

Group A1.

The teams in our group are QS Ulsan and TBW (Team Blood Warriors).

All of them have experience in various competitions, like amateur tournaments and the Presidential Esports Cup.

In other words, among amateur teams, they belong to the mid-tier category.

“Hah, damn…”

“What a mess.”

Despite that, the teams that ended up in the same group as us sat there with expressions like they just ate something sour.

It feels a bit awkward for me to say this, but our team, beyond the promo qualifiers, has been receiving quite a bit of attention, so we had some level of recognition.

However,

Sadly, the fact that the opponents are wary of us isn’t necessarily good news.

Depending on the situation, the opposing team might adopt tactics like “let them take the game slow” to conserve time when facing us.

‘If we win both games, we won’t have to worry…’

I’m not lacking in confidence.

Still, it’s unavoidable to feel tense.

“Uh, sister.”

“What is it?”

Watching the situation unfold, Kim Jae-min approached me, his innocent face curious.

“Is our team strong?”

I almost laughed in disbelief for a moment.

‘Still, at this point…’

It would be appropriate to say something that boosts confidence.

“Our team is definitely on the stronger side. You know who we’ve scrimmed against.”

“Really? Is that so?”

“We’re good. Believe in yourself.”

“So… okay!”

I turned my attention to the other team members.

Baek Seong-an looked a bit tired but wasn’t overly anxious.

It seemed like he was starting to warm up as the qualifiers were finally getting underway.

And Kim Ji-hoon was just as unexpressive as usual.

Even for Kim Ji-hoon, this qualifier wouldn’t fail to make him feel nervous, yet maybe he just struggles with expressing emotions…

Lastly, Seo Yeon-woo seemed somewhat peculiar.

‘Hmm.’

She looked the same on the surface.

Though she occasionally yawned, which made her seem a bit tired, that was understandable.

However…

“Seo Yeon-woo.”

“…Yes?”

“Don’t worry too much.”

I wanted to say more, but that’s all that was coming out.

‘Seriously… I can’t handle this.’

I felt a cringey sensation crawling over me.

“…Okay.”

Her reply wasn’t particularly enthusiastic.

But it was enough.

“Right.”

I do know that there’s something off with Seo Yeon-woo lately.

Still, she’s a teammate I chose.

I believe in her.

If I can’t believe in my teammates, who else can I trust?

And…

“Everyone, please prepare.”

The qualifiers officially began.

*

Due to the tight schedule, the qualifiers progress simultaneously across groups.

Soon, our team will also be stepping onto the battlefield.

“Please prepare within 5 minutes.”

The equipment we brought consisted of just a keyboard, mouse, and mouse pad.

Of course, the same goes for the other teams, so there’s no dissatisfaction to be found.

Some players even use the equipment provided at the PC bang.

“Wow, this guy actually didn’t bring a mouse. Are you serious? Planning to use the one here?”

“I usually come to this PC bang, you know.”

“No way, even so…”

“Whatever.”

Some might say there’s a lack of professionalism, but there are players who genuinely don’t care too much about their equipment…

‘Still, I can’t understand it.’

Our first opponents are QS Ulsan.

Since it’s a single match, the teams must determine the sides through a coin toss for fairness.

“OLZ is heads, QS Ulsan is tails. Everyone, take a look. Heads is the picture side and tails is the number side. Please verify.”

“Yes, verified.”

“Me too.”

“Then I’ll toss it.”

The 500 won coin spun in the air and landed on the PC bang floor.

“Picture, heads.”

Heads it is.

At least luck is on our side.

“…Nice.”

“Good luck.”

“Then let’s go with what we prepared.”

“Okay.”

We chose the blue side.

The lower side.

“Then, we shall begin immediately.”

OLZ vs QS Ulsan.

The ban/pick phase commenced.

[“…What should we ban?”]


[“Well, I checked their records earlier, and it seems their mid and jungle are strong. Should we start with banning Jui?”]


“Sounds good.”


[“That’s fine by me.”]


And…

The ban/pick was completed.

+

[OLZ / QS Ulsan]


Top: Graves / Renekton

Jungle: Lee Sin / Elise

Mid: Twisted Fate / Sylas

ADC: Miss Fortune / Jhin

Support: Thresh / Leona

+

[“As you all know, game time is also quite important. But don’t rush it too much. Stay calm. Got it?”]


[“Yes, yes.”]


[“Understood.”]


[“…Yes.”]


I addressed my team members.

“Don’t worry. I’ll carry us.”

[“I believe in you, sister.”]


“Yeah, just trust me.”


[“Wow, look at Yujin’s confidence.”]


“…Don’t tease me.”


[“I wasn’t teasing.”]


I said it out loud, but now that I did, my face feels all hot.

-Welcome to Summoner’s Rift!

The start was smooth.

Early invasions can give you a chance to finish games quickly, but they also carry the risk of ending them prematurely.

With both teams standing on the brink, both QS Ulsan and we spent the initial phase just fending off invasions.

It was at this moment, when everyone expected a smooth beginning.

[“Got one!”]


Seo Yeon-woo’s calm voice echoed briefly,

-First Blood!

-Enemy slain!

The lawless zone’s top came to life.