[TS] Obsessed Gamer: The Ultimate Return – Chapter 329

“Alright, I’m not dead. No accidents here.”

I wrapped up the broadcast smoothly, knowing that keeping it going wouldn’t bring any benefit, according to the Challenger’s judgment.

“Okay, that’s it for today’s stream. See you next time!”

-?

-Already?

-Me

-Lock

-Don’t go

-This is too much

-Me

-ㄴ

-Lock

“Yeah, that’s not working.”

-Sis, don’t go

-ㅜㅜㅜㅜ

-No way

-ㄴㄴ

-Bring in the Jaem-min!

It’s not like I only stream for a day or two; I’ve moved past the days of being scared into ending the stream.

[Broadcast End]

“Phew…….”

As I ended the stream, Kim Jae-min, who had been in a groggy state, suddenly perked up.

“Hey, no! What are you doing? I was just getting the hype going!”

“You’re loud.”

“…It’s my stream, though.”

“Ji-hoon.”

“I was just about to turn it off. Haha.”

Only after I called Kim Ji-hoon did Jae-min back down.

And…….

Anyway, my vacation, which was somewhat long yet brief, just kind of ended like that.

Of course, just because the vacation was over didn’t mean we would practice like crazy in the practice room, as if it were the season.

“When is Seong-an coming back?”

“He said he’d come after the vacation period ends.”

“Wow, that’s lazy.”

Kim Jae-min, who usually got along well with Baek Seong-an, seemed a little bored.

He probably bugged Seo Yeon-woo for that reason too.

“It’s almost Red Cup season.”

Seo Yeon-woo said.

As her words suggested, the main events of the Red Cup were about to start.

It’ll take a little longer for the Group Stage matches involving the Korean teams to begin, but the important part is that it’s starting.

This time, there are three teams from Korea participating.

SY, SCV, and MAX.

Since the Korean league, LCKR, performed well in last year’s international events, all three teams are set to go straight to the Group Stage without going through the Play-In Stage.

“But what’s this Play-In Stage, and what’s the Group Stage?”

I sighed in response to Jae-min’s question.

“Don’t tell me you don’t know that now that you’re a pro?”

“I can learn from now on.”

“…The Play-In Stage is like a preliminary round, and you can think of the Group Stage as the main event.”

“Aha. When do the Korean team matches start?”

“Because of last year’s results, all three of our teams start from the Group Stage, while other countries… major regions will probably have their 3 seeds participating in the Play-In Stage.”

“Oh.”

Jae-min nodded.

“Who do you think will win?”

“Don’t call me that.”

“I’m dying here.”

“Really want to die?”

“So, who do you think will win?”

“Hmm…….”

Well, the strongest candidates for victory are, as expected, Korea’s SY and China’s GRS.

Rainbow and Nightmare.

Yoon-ki and MaBing.

Longbow and MobyDick.

There isn’t a matchup where anyone is falling behind; it’s expected to be a tight competition.

“I don’t really know. I haven’t watched many overseas matches lately.”

“You’ve at least scrimmed against them.”

“When was that?”

And while I only mentioned SY and GRS, the second and third seed teams from Korea and China shouldn’t be underestimated, nor should the European teams.

It wouldn’t be strange at all if any of those teams won the Red Cup.

‘And the other teams participating in the Play-In Stage are pretty strong too. They’ll certainly act as wild cards.’

Sure, it might be a bit difficult to mention winning outright, but there’s a great chance they’ll make an impact as wild card regions.

On the other hand, North America, which can be seen as a major league like Korea, China, and Europe, doesn’t really spark much expectation, boasting of its history and tradition.

Well, they could break my predictions and show good results, but… who knows.

“Are you going to watch the Play-In Stage?”

“I wasn’t planning on it originally… but I’ll see how the first day goes and decide.”

“Oh, then let’s watch it together.”

“……No.”

“Why not?”

“’Cause you’re probably going to try and stream it.”

“Huh? Wasn’t that obvious?”

“……”

Damn it.

“I’m not streaming.”

“Why not?”

“Why should I?”

“Well… because I have to?”

“Not a chance.”

Kim Jae-min pouted.

That was his way of saying he was sulking.

“Maybe I will if I see you doing well.”

“Really?”

“Depends on what you do.”

“What should I do? Cleaning? Laundry?”

Seriously, how can a so-called professional gamer be acting like a housekeeper?

“Of course, practice! Get some solo queue in. Raise your score by 100 points today. Got it?”

“That’s a bit…… it’s really hard for a bot lane in solo queue, you know?”

“No excuses.”

“Seriously, this is why Baek Jeong—… huh? Aah! Baek Jeong is coming after me!”

Jae-min shrieked.

“Don’t come near me! I’ll jump if you get closer!”

“…Just jump already.”

“Huh? That’s not what I meant.”

“Just die!”

A fiery smash hit Jae-min on the back.

Another day passes.

“Aah!”

A somewhat noisy day.

*

If I had to categorize it, it was a noisy day, but on the flip side, it was remarkably peaceful.

Anyway, finally, the day of the Red Cup opening ceremony arrived.

Baek Seong-an, who had filled his vacation, also returned to the practice room.

“Wow, look at how late he’s coming back after his vacation. Someone tell the team owner to look at him.”

Kim Jae-min nagged, slouching.

Seeing him so oddly fitting in that way, it seemed like he had done it more than once.

“Seriously, if it’s a vacation, why is everyone in the practice room but me?”

“That just shows how passionate we are.”

“You’ve barely played ranked.”

“Hey, there are things more important than solo queue. Don’t you know that?”

“What’s that?”

“Just… things.”

When Baek Seong-an arrived, Jae-min started chattering away like a fish out of water.

No matter what happens, those two seemed to get along the best in our team.

And…….

It was finally time for the opening ceremony of the Red Cup.

I sat on the couch, which also served as the feedback room, and turned on the large TV, while Jae-min rushed over to sit beside me.

“Are you really not streaming?”

“I’ll see later.”

“I’m curious about the chat.”

“There’s a chat box right here anyway.”

Since the broadcast of Legends of League is done through an internet broadcasting platform, real-time chat is, of course, available.

So even without starting a separate broadcast, we could see viewer reactions anytime.

“If you keep being noisy, you can just go see it by yourself.”

“Don’t be petty….”

“Then go be the team owner.”

The power of authority was overwhelming.

I enjoyed the long-awaited silence and watched the opening ceremony that was finally beginning.

『“We will now begin the opening ceremony!”』

On day one of the Play-In Stage Round 1, six matches would take place.

‘Let’s see…….’

Day one features three matches for the Play-In Stage Groups C and D respectively.

The first match is between North America’s third seed team, Yacht Gaming, and Brazil’s losers, Acai berry Esports.

“Who do you think will win, noona?”

“Hmm… I don’t really know either team, but I guess the North American team might win?”

No matter how many jokes there are about North America, it’s still considered a major region.

With how much capital is invested, it’s strange if no success comes out of that region.

‘Though it is odd that not much success actually comes out.’

As the game began, I realized just how much had changed with the new patch version.

This Red Cup was held in a patch version with a lot of changes and additions.

Among those, the most noticeable were the new champions, of course.

Jelly and Renata Glasc.

Plus, there were reworks for existing champions.

Changes substantial enough to flip the meta upside down were in play.

That’s why it was even more compelling.

“Whoa, it’s starting.”

The ban/pick phase for both teams featured a lot of entertaining picks, fitting for the opening match, and maybe because it was North America vs. Brazil.

Since the Play-In Stage is a single elimination, the chances for wild cards to shine were significantly boosted.

“Whoa, they’re picking Lee Sin.”

Lee Sin vs. Fiora.

It was a real bloodbath in the top lane, and the other lanes were just as intense.

-Welcome to Summoner’s Rift!

As the match kicked off and time went by, I couldn’t help but be slightly surprised.

‘…They’re playing better than I expected.’

To be honest, I thought our team would do well enough to compete in the Red Cup.

But after watching the skills of the teams participating in the Play-In Stage, I dismissed that thought.

‘This level isn’t enough.’

Of course, our team has indeed done quite well so far.

We’ve managed to be promoted smoothly to the first division and held our own against teams like SY and SCV in scrims.

‘That said, that doesn’t mean I can’t see our team beating those teams in the Play-In….’

But ultimately, our goal is to win the Red Cup.

Naturally, we need to improve far beyond how we are now.

“Who’s winning?”

“Gah!”

At that moment, I let out a yelp upon hearing Baek Seong-an’s voice behind me, as if I had seen a ghost.

“…You could’ve at least turned on your blinker!”

“What’s going on? How’s the game?”

“Still seems pretty even.”

“Really? Let me take a look.”

Once Baek Seong-an settled in, Seo Yeon-woo, who just finished her solo queue, slyly joined in as well.

“Where’s Ji-hoon?”

“I saw him take his phone and go to the gym earlier.”

“Maybe he plans to watch there.”

We gathered together in a cozy circle, focusing on the opening match of the Red Cup.

And I saw it.

At some moment, a certain excitement ignited in the eyes of our teammates.