[TS] Obsessed Gamer: The Ultimate Return – Chapter 212

The interview for the 2nd division promotion match was different from what I had expected with the announcer.

What should I say? Wild? Raw? There was just something about it that felt like that.

“It’s like an internet broadcast.”

It had that so-called feel of a stream.

Yeah, exactly that vibe.

“Over here.”

“Oh, yes.”

Following the staff’s guidance, I sat down next to the commentators and awkwardly exchanged glances before the interview kicked off.

“Outlaw player! I’ve been wanting to meet you and here you are!”

“Hahaha… Hi there.”

“Shall we get started right away?”

“Uh, yes?”

“There’s not much time, so let’s dive in.”

“Ah… okay.”

The pace was lightning fast.

“Now, the star of the show—let’s welcome Outlaw!”

“Whoa!”

“Welcome!”

“Outlaw! Outlaw! Outlaw!”

Amidst the thunderous cheers of the commentators, I barely managed to speak up.

“Ah, hello….”

Awkward.

I felt so awkward I could die.

I didn’t think it was this bad when I first went on air… It must have been the direct face-to-face encounter that did it.

“Outlaw player! It’s rare to see someone like you drawing attention even before debut… Are you aware of your popularity?”

“Hahaha… Well, I don’t know.”

“C’mon, you know.”

“Haha.”

The commentators, being veterans, continued the interview nonchalantly even as I stiffened up.

“You showed incredible performance today; we must discuss today’s match.”

“Exactly. First off, in the initial match, they attempted an invade, and you responded very smoothly. Did you predict that?”

“Not really, I just played it as it came.”

“Oh, I see! After that, you gained a significant advantage in the mid lane skirmish. Your synergy with Getback was really impressive! Who came up with that play?”

“There wasn’t anyone specific; we just worked together.”

Is it because this is my first interview?

Every word feels like it’s spilling out without passing through my brain.

“Haha! Speaking of which, in the second match, you pulled off the incredible strategy of 5 demolitions. Was that pre-planned?”

“Uh… It wasn’t really prepared in advance. We just did it.”

“So, it was spontaneous?”

“Ah, yes….”

“Got it! That’s really amazing!”

“Hahaha….”

Before the interview, I had decent answers in my mind, but once we started, my brain went blank.

And then…

With the commentators’ kind considerations, the interview continued.

“In the third match, GKG attempted a lane swap—did that catch you off guard? We were surprised watching it.”

“Ah, yes. But I thought the opponent was just overreaching…”

“Your confidence is impressive!”

“No, not really…”

“Indeed, Outlaw player! The confidence of a rank 1 player is no joke!”

Wait, is that actually kind?

Are they deliberately trying to throw me off?

Right? That’s what it is?

Just as I had those thoughts, the interview finally shifted away from game details.

“Alright, that’s enough about the match. In a way, you can be seen as the first female professional gamer in the Legends of League in this country. How do you feel about that?”

Something in me felt a twinge of conscience, but I made sure not to show it.

“I suppose… I didn’t think much about it.”

“I see, you’re not bound by outdated notions; you want to prove yourself with skill, right?”

“No, I don’t think so….”

“Haha! But your skills were proven in today’s match, right? I’m really looking forward to your future, Outlaw player!”

“Hahaha….”

Until just before the interview, I was feeling pretty decent about it all, but once we started, it turned into a blank slate.

Finally, after all the kind questions from the commentators…

“Great job!”

“Thanks, everyone!”

Honestly, that interview, which lasted barely five minutes, was tougher than today’s match.

“Ha….”

Dragging my feet back to the waiting room where my teammates were, I could see their faces were flushed like they were about to burst.

It was obvious—they were forcing themselves to hold back laughter.

“…What.”

“Oh, I didn’t say anything.”

Kim Jae-min, feeling awkward, gasped and hugged his stomach.

“…Alright, laugh it out.”

If sacrificing myself can amuse you, then maybe that’s not so bad after all.

“It’s okay. Everyone starts somewhere.”

Baek Seong-an, who’s only a year younger than me, nodded maturity while trying to act all grown-up.

“…Enough.”

Seo Yeon-woo, who had been cautiously watching, piped up.

“U-unnie! I still think you did well! Right, Ji-hoon oppa?”

“….”

Kim Ji-hoon, the epitome of diligence with his looks, shook his head without a word.

Damn these guys.

*

The community buzzed with excitement at OLZ’s news of promotion.

– Live coverage) Outlaw’s team promotion to the 2nd division.

– Wow, lol.

– They really dominated.

– Live coverage) Interview thread, lol.

– Oh, Outlaw’s interview, haha.

– What’s up with the interview?

– It’s so cute, haha.

– The commentators are awesome.

– Hahaha.

– Madman, that guy, lol.

OLZ’s promotion sparked endless discussions in the community.

If I had known they would make it up, I would have upvoted like crazy, haha.

– Honestly, it was a bit predictable, yeah.

– It was obvious they were going to wipe the floor with OLZ, but they went even beyond that, haha.

– Everyone did well; the ADC was supposedly a rookie, but they were stellar!

– But the opponents were a no-name team. OFC it’s expected for OLZ to win.

– Every single match was thrilling.

– Totally agree.

– If we keep seeing plays like today, they could easily go all the way to first division, right?

– Seriously, haha.

– Is Outlaw a god? Is Outlaw a god? Is Outlaw a god? Is Outlaw a god? Is Outlaw a god?

– Come out, the guy who said Outlaw was just riding on the team’s coattails, haha.

Even though it was a community full of rivalries and competition, it burned brightly with enthusiasm.

*

At the SY Practice Room.

Even before the season had properly begun, the atmosphere in the SY practice room was charged with intensity.

The lost throne.

The humiliation of spring.

All of that had left deep scars in the hearts of SY players, who had once taken pride in being the world’s best team.

Of course, to be precise, the summer season is far more important than the spring season.

It directly leads to the Red Cup.

That’s why the SY players dedicated even their few precious breaks to practice.

“Go, go, go!”

“That’s it!”

While everyone was deep into individual practice, GuineaPig Yoo Sang-hyun spotted Rainbow Ryu Jin-hyuk who was scanning the community.

“Hey, Jin-hyuk, did you hear?”

“Hear what?”

“OLZ is up this time in the promo to Challengers Korea. You know, the team with Outlaw.”

“…Really?”

He didn’t need Yoo Sang-hyun to elaborate; he already knew.

OLZ (Outlaw Zone).

A team featuring the jungler Outlaw, who always gave Ryu Jin-hyuk a strange sense of déjà vu, and also one of the reasons they had experienced humiliation in the last finals against SY.

Just recently, SY had even discussed whether to schedule scrims with OLZ.

Up until now, the team had hesitated to suggest scrims to a team that wasn’t even a professional one, but with OLZ now officially joining the Challengers Korea, things changed completely.

They finally had a reason to do it.

‘OLZ got promoted, huh…’

Although he’d tried not to show it, Ryu Jin-hyuk had been paying a lot of attention to OLZ.

It couldn’t be helped.

The existence of Outlaw always reminded Ryu Jin-hyuk of Prisoner.

‘Though it’s definitely not the case… it’s just too similar.’

Ryu Jin-hyuk felt a strong premonition.

He had a feeling he would soon meet Outlaw on a stage where he belonged.

And for that moment, Ryu Jin-hyuk had something he needed to do.

He had to reclaim the throne.

‘Come at me.’

When Ryu Jin-hyuk finally faced Outlaw, that moment would give him the certainty he needed.

He would know who Outlaw really was.