[TS] Obsessed Gamer: The Ultimate Return – Chapter 96

10 billion.

It’s not a number that came from any specific calculation.

Rather, it was just a vague thought that at least that much would be needed to do something like forming a new team.

[“……Huh?”]

My father maintained his silence for a while before finally speaking up again.

[“What did you say?”]

“Can you lend me just 10 billion?”

[“…What for?”]

As expected, he didn’t respond with a “no” or “where would we even get that kind of money?”

What he wanted to know was the purpose behind the 10 billion.

The answer was already determined.

“I want to form a team.”

[“……A team? An esports team?”]

“Yeah.”

10 billion is certainly a large amount, but it’s woefully inadequate for acquiring an existing team.

Although I didn’t have exact knowledge of the value of a professional gamer team, it was common knowledge that the base salary for an S-tier player often exceeds 10 billion.

That’s why I opted for the route of forming a new team.

‘I’ll create a team and gradually work my way up from the second division.’

Of course, I was a bit doubtful if 10 billion would really be enough…

Since I planned to start salaries from the second division, even the minimum salary would require a substantial amount to set up a practice room and the appropriate environment.

‘Well, somehow it should work out.’

Despite everything that had happened recently, my innate easygoing attitude hadn’t changed much.

Perhaps eventually, or rather, since I’ve already been through it, I hope I can slowly start to change.

[“Yujin, 10 billion is a lot of money. So let’s talk about it at home, okay? What time are you coming in? Are you coming home late again?”]

“I think I’ll be going home early today.”

I no longer had any reason to stay there.

[“Really? Alright. I’ll go straight home once I finish work, so I’ll see you at home later.”]

“Okay.”

Thud

That was the end of the call with my father.

‘So, what now…’

It had been a while, and people were probably starting to look for me…

Right now, I was on a film set for a commercial, and if I were to step out of the team, it was obvious that various people entangled in interests would try to hold me back.

And I was not tough enough to brush them off right in front of me.

To be precise, I was far too weak.

‘It can’t be helped…’

Let’s wrap up this contract now.

‘I’m sorry to everyone…’

I knew how many people were involved with this shoot.

Most of them had been kind to me, and the fact that I was about to betray them made it hard for me to move.

However,

From now on, I’d learn to be a bit more shameless.

Even if someone else suffers a little because of me.

“Whew…”

I took a deep breath and carefully left a long message for Director Choi Tae-Dal.

I wanted to end this contract.

I just didn’t have the courage to say it over the phone.

‘Let’s go now.’

Just as I was about to step out, I fiddled with my smartphone again.

There was one more person I needed to message.

‘Done.’

Having tidied everything up, I left the filming set hurriedly.

At first, my steps felt heavy, but they became incredibly light.

*

“Let’s go, let’s go~”

Director Choi Tae-Dal couldn’t hide his excitement, swaying unconsciously.

‘Just the bonuses from this deal… hehehe.’

A total of 11 commercial shoots.

Team promotional video shooting.

Just that alone was huge, but considering the advertisements that would follow, Outlaw was practically a goose that lays golden eggs.

At this point, it felt like the actual team management was a mere side job.

‘It was worth the risk.’

Although the contract with Outlaw had absurd conditions attached, it now seemed to be entirely justified.

Most importantly, Director Choi Tae-Dal was confident that Outlaw wouldn’t leave the team.

‘If Park Tae-Hyung says that, the obsession with professionalism must be real.’

Director Choi Tae-Dal knew very well how much aspiring players obsess over their pro debut and starting positions.

That’s why he was sure that despite the conditions set, Outlaw would not leave the team.

‘If things keep going like this, the offer for the manager position shouldn’t be far off.’

Just as Director Choi Tae-Dal was lost in happy dreams, a shout from the shooting director broke through.

“Director Choi! Has the player not arrived yet?”

“Oh, just a moment.”

Even though it was time to resume shooting, for some reason, Yujin was nowhere to be seen.

But since he was a guy, there was no way Director Choi could just walk into the women’s restroom, so he sought out one of the front staff.

“Ji-Hyun! Can you check if our player is in the restroom?”

“Oh, sure!”

At that point, he thought little of it.

Filming was so demanding and nerve-wracking that it wasn’t unusual for someone to need a little extra time.

The strange feeling came after the front staff returned.

“She’s not here.”

“What do you mean? She’s not there?”

“No. All the restroom stalls are open… She’s not in there.”

“…The player?”

“I’m telling you, she’s not.”

What the heck?

Did she go out for a smoke or something?

‘No… Yujin probably doesn’t smoke, right?’

Maybe she just went outside for some fresh air?

Just as Director Choi Tae-Dal was mulling over these thoughts and looked at his phone…

Ding!

As if it had been waiting for this moment, a message arrived.

‘…Huh?’

The moment he saw the sender, Director Choi Tae-Dal couldn’t believe his eyes.

It was Yujin.

[Hello, Director. This is Yujin. It seems I will have to leave the team due to personal reasons. Thank you for everything so far. Please destroy all videos or records related to me as per the contract upon termination.]

“…Huh?”

The moment he read that text, Director Choi Tae-Dal realized.

‘Oh.’

In the blur of his desires, he had unknowingly been cutting open the belly of the goose that laid golden eggs.

“…Yujin, where are you right now?!”

Director Choi Tae-Dal immediately sought out Coach Park Tae-Hyung.

Since Coach Park was the one closest to the players, he was the person Director Choi relied on in situations like this.

“…Yujin is… missing?”

“Yeah. Hurry and find her! If the contract is terminated like this, we’ll be in big trouble!”

Director Choi Tae-Dal regretted his rash decision.

He had been too impatient.

He should have taken more time to help the team adjust and create a strong bond among the members.

To make them stay with this team,

That they couldn’t do without this team.

But he had become blind to the potential of Outlaw, or rather Yujin.

His own desires—those he had warned himself about—had blinded him.

No… who wouldn’t waver when seeing a star that sparkles merely by being observed from afar?

‘…I should have been more careful.’

Even though he had made a ridiculous contract, Director Choi Tae-Dal still believed in the authenticity of Outlaw, or rather Yujin’s professionalism.

He hadn’t thought much of it at first, but gradually began to lean in that direction after hearing Coach Park’s words and observing the upcoming scrim results.

That’s why he made the advertisement proposal too.

This should be enough.

It was about time to start the serious work of creating a star.

However,

All that was an illusion.

Yujin was calculating the pros and cons in her mind, contrary to her seemingly innocent appearance.

She had underestimated her opponent… too much.

“Director! Is something wrong?”

Feeling his mind go blank with the continued urgings of the filming director and the advertisers, Director Choi Tae-Dal could only respond helplessly.

“Uh… Sorry. There seems to be a minor issue.”

“We don’t have time! Where is the player?”

Huh…

Damn it.

“Director!”

As Coach Park called out to Director Choi Tae-Dal, he snapped.

“…Why are you still here? Why aren’t you looking for Yujin right now?!”

“It’s not that… Look at this.”

Coach Park handed over a message from Yujin.

[Coach Park, this is Outlaw. Thank you for everything. After considering a lot, it seems I won’t be able to pursue the professional career I want at YSG, so I’m leaving the team. I hope we can meet again as good acquaintances in the future.]

“So what? I got the same message.”

“…At this point, it’s useless to hold onto the contract anymore. Wouldn’t it make sense to just let her go? Unless Yujin changes her mind, it’s already too late.”

“Then I’m saying to change that mind!”

“Director, you know. She’s so fragile. The jealousy from within the team must have definitely affected her.”

“That’s something you should have handled sooner—”

Coach Park cut off Director Choi Tae-Dal’s words.

“So… I told you. We need more time. This isn’t something that just came up overnight for her. Director, have you ever been into the practice room? Do you know what the atmosphere there is like? That’s why I suggested taking a little longer.”

Despite Coach Park’s admonishments, Director Choi Tae-Dal had no words left to say.

In truth, all of this had been a situation that had long been anticipated.

Coach Park had always warned him.

That they needed time.

But ignoring all those warnings, it was Director Choi, along with the manager and the representatives, who had pushed ahead recklessly.

What if, following Coach Park’s advice, they had taken their time to let Outlaw naturally blend into the team?

Wouldn’t DieHard have shown admiration, not animosity, and wouldn’t the scattered team members have united around Outlaw?

Now, it was all meaningless daydreaming.

“You, you!”

A multitude of numbers raced through Director Choi Tae-Dal’s mind.

Liquidated damages, liquidated damages, more liquidated damages.

These were the hells that Director Choi would have to face starting now.

Even though it wasn’t an immediate payment he had to make, if he faced accountability and ended up in a lawsuit, who knew how things would turn out.

The opponent was… that vicious YSG.

At this point, it was no longer just a matter of resigning as a director or retiring.

“Ugh, Aaaaaa!!”

A desperate scream echoed through the air.