[TS] Obsessed Gamer: The Ultimate Return – Chapter 361

Peaceful.

No, it’s boring.

Honestly, this time of the year is like a holiday period for professional Legends of League teams.

There’s still a decent amount of time before the season kicks off, and the biggest event of the year, the Red Cup, has already wrapped up.

Yeah, you could say this period is somewhat of a team rebuilding phase.

It’s when the transfer market really starts to heat up.

“Of course, our team still has everyone under contract, so there’s really no issue.”

Anyway, due to this, our team isn’t really setting up any scrims and has started spending tedious days in solo queue.

Every day is the same, and downright boring.

“……I’m so bored.”

Kim Jae-min said.

Under normal circumstances, I would’ve told him to play another solo queue match instead of whining, but unfortunately, I was bored too.

“Sister, since the Red Cup is over, aren’t we doing something for team bonding?”

“……Did we even compete in the Red Cup?”

“Come on, it’s boring! What? Anything at all. I’m going to die like this.”

“Just go die already.”

“Come on!”

“……”

Team bonding, huh…….

In fact, if someone were to point out a team in LCKR that is about a million light-years away from team bonding, our team would confidently be among them.

It couldn’t be helped.

Outside of gaming, it’s quite rare for all five of us to gather in one place.

‘The biggest reason behind this is our serious gym rat teacher…… but these days he’s been skipping workouts.’

After the Red Cup, Kim Ji-hoon seemed to have taken shock to heart, as he started spending way more time on individual practice.

‘Looks like there’s been some change of heart for him.’

I said.

“Well, shall we? Let’s do something?”

“Oh, are you serious?”

“You suggested it.”

“I didn’t think you’d actually want to do it.”

“You little brat.”

Though Kim Jae-min had casually thrown out the suggestion, I had indeed been thinking we should do something as a team for a while.

Apart from the Red Cup, there was just nothing to do for the time being.

‘With the team members even giving up their vacations, it feels wrong to just stick to solo queue all day…’

With Kim Jae-min’s persuasion in mind, I went over to the other team members.

“Alright, everyone, got any plans for today?”

Baek Seong-an, who was half-laying on his chair while holding a queue, replied.

“Solo queue, I guess.”

“Anything but that?”

“Not really.”

“Okay then.”

For the first time in a while, Baek Seong-an, Kim Jae-min, Seo Yeon-woo, and Kim Ji-hoon all appeared to have some free time.

So, doing some team bonding wouldn’t be a bad idea after all.

“How about a Meat Party today?”

“Meat? What kind of meat?”

“Just, well… the Red Cup is over, and it’s a good excuse to hang out together.”

“Really? Well, that sounds good. When are we eating?”

“When are you free? I’m thinking we could eat around dinner time?”

“Okay, let me check.”

True to his character of attending team events without resistance, Baek Seong-an readily declared his participation.

Now it was left to Seo Yeon-woo and Kim Ji-hoon……

“You two over there.”

“Yeah?”

“……Yes.”

“Wanna grill some meat at the dorm tonight?”

“I’m good with that.”

“…I don’t mind either.”

“Cool, let’s all gather at the restaurant for dinner then.”

Afterward, we each scattered to play a few solo queue matches until dinner time came around.

“Alright, everyone gather up.”

The team members who had just finished their solo queues began to assemble at the restaurant.

Thanks to me letting the restaurant lady know beforehand, preparations for the Meat Party were all set.

Kim Jae-min, who hadn’t seen meat in a while, was in high spirits.

“Oh, it’s not just pork belly?”

“We have pork belly too. Let’s have a variety.”

“Oh wow.”

Just as he said, we weren’t just serving pork but also various cuts of beef.

If we’re having it, why not do it right?

“Alright, let’s eat, everyone.”

The meat started sizzling on the grill.

To be honest, I had never really done this before and wasn’t sure what to do… but it felt like I had to step up and take the reins.

Watching the meat roast nicely, Kim Jae-min was getting all worked up.

“Whoa, it’s burning.”

“……Burning? What are you talking about?”

“Oops.”

As the meat feast began, each team member chimed in.

Baek Seong-an asked.

“So, what’s the plan for the All-Star match? Are you going? You seem like you’ll be the jungler this time.”

“……I don’t know.”

“Come on, at least give it a shot. I’d love to see you go. Ah, I want to go too.”

“You can go, you know.”

“How can I win against Rainbow who’s holding down mid?”

Kim Jae-min chimed in from the side.

“Facts.”

“Ugh….”

Honestly, it wasn’t far from the truth.

No matter how much OLZ’s stock had risen and how well Getback Baek Seong-an was performing, beating Rainbow in an All-Star popularity vote would be incredibly tough.

With that said, the gathering continued.

“……You really are eating well.”

Among the team members, Kim Ji-hoon was definitely the one who could put it away.

Whether it was because he was living up to his size or just plain hungry, Kim Ji-hoon was literally inhaling meat.

“Protein intake is important.”

“Yeah, yeah.”

I knew he’d say that.

“By the way, Yeon-woo, I heard you’re considered a strong candidate for the All-Star too?”

“Really? Who said that?”

“I heard it in the community.”

“No, that can’t be true…”

“Come on, don’t be shy now.”

Baek Seong-an and Kim Jae-min snickered.

As usual, they were getting a kick out of teasing Seo Yeon-woo.

“Oh, look who we have here. Our All-Star top laner.”

“Come to think of it, there are only two girls from our team going. That’s something!”

“Right? That’s a fact.”

“Stop it…”

“Huehuehue.”

Wow… these guys are real pests.

I had gathered here intending to laugh and have fun, but seeing Seo Yeon-woo get bullied felt a little sad for her.

“Everyone, cut it out.”

“Speaking of which, you’re going to the All-Star too, aren’t you? So envious.”

“Milky-skinned Yujin!”

“……Stop it.”

“Huehue.”

“……”

…I had momentarily forgotten.

These guys aren’t the type to listen to what I say.

Baek Seong-an and Kim Jae-min kept chuckling as they teased me and Seo Yeon-woo.

At least it was a relief that Kim Ji-hoon wasn’t joining in and was quietly munching on meat.

“By the way, when did they say the All-Star is happening?”

“Not sure, but probably soon.”

“Is that so?”

The gathering continued.

The main topic of conversation was naturally about the All-Star match, but other things also came up.

“By the way, isn’t it odd how SY lost this time?”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, their lineup seemed stronger. Maybe some dirty tricks were pulled from China?”

“……Don’t go spouting nonsense like that. You’ll get in trouble.”

“Come on, they even had news about GuineaPig’s stomach issues. Did someone poison him or something?”

“Shut it.”

Kim Jae-min was spilling out all kinds of rumors he’d seen in the community without filter.

It was probably because he was disappointed with SY’s loss, but for some reason, I couldn’t let those rumors slide.

‘……Certainly, both Rainbow and SY weren’t performing like their usual selves.’

But what could be done about that now? The match had already concluded.

‘Nothing can be done.’

The gathering continued.

*

A noisy day passed, and the next day arrived.

As information about the All-Star match began to spread, the community quickly filled with chatter about it as if nothing had happened.

-When’s the voting?

-This definitely looks like an Outlaw win.

-Can’t we just pick all 5 from OLZ?

Originally, SY had a dominating presence in the Legends of League scene, but maybe due to their defeat in the Red Cup finals, the rest of the SY players, except for Rainbow, had been lackluster.

And filling that gap was our team.

‘Who would have thought it would turn out like this…’

Currently, the only players in our team who could stand against SY were two.

Me and Seo Yeon-woo.

It was only natural that the mid lane wouldn’t surpass Rainbow, regardless of SY’s declining popularity, but Seo Yeon-woo and I had become strong candidates for the All-Star match.

-Win at the All-Star.

-Facts.

-Honestly, if OLZ had all 5 players, they’d just win. Feeling a bit uneasy.

-True.

Given the situation, it was only natural that discussions were popping up within our team as well.

It was an extension of the conversations from the gathering.

“Hey, look who it is! The All-Star jungler!”

“……Don’t.”

“Come on, sister, why are you shy about it? Is being All-Star jungler embarrassing?”

“……I said stop.”

“Huehuehue.”

“……”

I can’t even hit them without a second thought…

In any case, while Kim Jae-min and Baek Seong-an were laughing and teasing, the day of the All-Star voting was gradually approaching.

‘Is it soon?’

The All-Star, huh…

I’m not sure if I’ll actually make it there or not, but for some reason, my heart was pounding.