“Hyung, I’m sorry…”
Kim Shihyuk bowed his head apologetically.
With a sigh, Kim Shimun turned his head slightly, glancing at Lee Yujeong and Go Malsuk, who were quietly clearing up the drinking party.
“No matter how much you console him, isn’t drinking 120 bottles in broad daylight a bit excessive?”
“Hey, it’s not 120 bottles, it’s 127 bottles… geez.”
Go Malsuk’s voice dwindled under Kim Shimun’s teasing remarks as she quietly put the bottles into a bag.
It was because she had already endured Kim Shimun’s nagging once before.
“By the way, hyung, is it true?”
“What is?”
Kim Shimun turned his head to look at his younger brother.
“What you said earlier about participating in a special tournament.”
“Yes, I’ve decided to participate.”
“Really?”
Though he was still a little drunk.
“Why? There’s nothing to gain for you from it, right?”
Kim Shihyuk chuckled with clear eyes.
“It’s not like you’re the type to seek popularity. But it’s not like there’s much significance in rewards for you either, right?”
Like a ranker. Kim Shihyuk quickly grasped Kim Shimun’s stance on the special tournament. Kim Shimun nodded lightly.
“Indeed. But I received a call. They really want me to participate.”
“A call?”
Kim Shihyuk chuckled once again. He seemed to have a hunch.
“No way… or is it?”
His eyes flickered faintly. To which Kim Shimun smirked and replied.
“That’s right.”
“Unbelievable!”
Now Kim Shihyuk’s mouth was agape in disbelief. With a look that still expressed incredulity, he said.
“No way, did uncle really ask you to participate in the special tournament?”
“That’s what happened.”
“Damn… that’s insane.”
Kim Shihyuk laughed wryly, pressing his forehead against his hand. It seemed like he wasn’t the only one surprised.
“Oh, orabeoni, is that really true?”
Lee Yujeong, who had been quietly clearing the bottles, also asked with wide eyes. It couldn’t be helped. They knew well what kind of person President Kim Muyeol was. And they were aware of the relationship between him and Kim Shimun. It was as if the alcohol had completely sobered them up.
“But why did you agree to participate? If you don’t want to, you don’t have to, right?”With his completely healed eyes, Kim Shihyuk adjusted his posture and asked, “That’s true. But… Well, there was a bit of a deal.”
“A deal?”
One of Kim Shihyuk’s eyebrows raised at the word ‘deal.’
It wasn’t surprising. Hadn’t he witnessed his elder brother, Kim Shimun, negotiating a ‘deal’ with his uncle Kim Muyeol before?
Confirming his younger brother’s speculation as if to bolster his certainty, Kim Shihyuk continued, “Yeah. Since there are tests to take before entering the next arena anyway, we negotiated some terms here and there.”
Pausing to consider just how irrational those terms might be, Kim Shihyuk chuckled and shook his head.
“Whatever the terms are, uncle Muyeol must be fuming. His teeth must have been grinding since he was contacted first.”
He jiggled his head with a sly smile, saying, “Shihyuk, anyone who hears you will think I’m a real villain.”
“I can only act as I am.”
“Oh really?”
“Hehe!”
Kim Shihyuk laughed playfully, and his brother Shimun chuckled in response.
“By the way, hyung, how do you plan to participate? The participants have all been decided already.”
The national team selection would take place between mid-January and February. At that time, Shimun had just returned and started at the arena, with minimal contact with the national team. How could he participate?
Shimun shrugged in response.
“We haven’t discussed that far yet. I’ll probably use additional recruitment rights.”
“Oh, so you’ll use the option to add reserve members?”
“Exactly.”
“Well, in that case, you’ll have to face the opponents with their additional options fully… Are you sure you’re okay with that, hyung?”
It was a question implying a lot.
“Hyung, I don’t want you to experience the same pain as I do.”
Shimun smiled wryly at his brother’s sincere concern.
“Shihyuk.”
“Yeah?”
“Hyung is already familiar with carrying.”
It was a loaded response.
“As expected, we must share the same blood.”
Kim Shihyuk grinned.
The next day,
『”National Buff Disappears?! The Importance of the Special Match”』
『”‘This special match will be different from before’ – The Association is confident of victory, sending a confidential relief pitcher?!”』
『The Identity of the reserve members yet to be revealed, does everyone already know the truth?』
『Platinum representatives showing mixed reactions, ‘Using additional recruitment rights hastily is rather counterproductive!’』
『Ongoing concerns about the risks of reserve member additional options』
News from various portal sites once again soared. The number of views also drastically increased.
The reason was simple. After three days of uproar, he had been eliminated from the national preliminaries. The association suggested ways to resolve it.
– A secret savior tactic, lol.
– True lol. Can’t tell who it is?
– 5252! Our hyung! I had faith in him!
– 22 Finally breaking free from the losing streak in the special league march?
– Nah, they once won during the Star Generation with Kim Simhyuk and Lee Yujeong leading.
– Still, it’s just 1 win. Currently, it’s a matter of maintaining national buffs.
– Finally shedding the false reputation of being a sub-Diamond country!
– It’s not a false reputation. Honestly, the Platinum national teams have been playing at the Platinum rank for years…
– Stop it! Don’t mention it anymore!
Moving beyond the arena community, all Korean communities’ attention was certainly focused.
It was natural.
Considering they were practically confirmed to be out of the preliminaries. But now, a pitcher has appeared to save them. Of course.
“We’ll crush them!”
However, some were not pleased with such a relief pitcher.
A man with a short sports haircut roughly threw his phone while watching the news.
“An option to add more players! Whoever thought of that!”
Option to add players. An item used in various tournament-like arenas such as the National Arena Battle special match. Of course, it wasn’t mandatory and was seldom used. The reason was simple.
“If you add players first, do you even know how to counter it!”
If they get countered, it becomes a disadvantage not to use it.
If one side uses the player addition option, the other side also receives the option for free. Naturally, observing the first side’s player addition allowed for countering it. This made the player addition option almost useless unless there was a predetermined strategy.
“Just adding one more person with the reserve player option? They should have some decency!”
Unfortunately, for the Korean team to have a non-starter like Kim Shimun participate, they had to use the player addition option first. And it was the most useless option among them, the reserve player option.
“Exactly. We’ll have to bear all the risks!”
As a woman began to advocate with a troubled voice.
“No matter how good Kim Simhyun is, he’s still just one person in the end.”
“This is not a regular arena, it’s a team match right after the preliminary games!”
“I mean! Suddenly adding one person disrupts the prepared strategies!”
People around also expressed their discontent. Of course.
“But, positions are flexible for a mage class.”
“I saw his debut match… He was amazing… Honestly, if a top player from another class comes here, they might be in the top ranks.”
“I saw him on TV handling crises. He might deal with the opponent’s additional options well.”
There were also those who welcomed Kim Shimun’s addition. Even if it was just an additional player option with no actual effect other than increasing numbers. Given the overwhelming performance that Kim Shimun had shown so far.
Hana.
“How many months have we trained together, and now we’re being treated like beginners?”
“I watched the broadcast too and acknowledged their skills, but the National Championship is different. It’s not just an ordinary arena!”
“If we continue like this, we’ll be the only ones criticized. If we win, it’s all thanks to Kim Shimun, but if we lose, it’s our fault?!”
With fewer angry players than expected, no one raised their voice in the end. The players who were welcoming Kim Shimun naturally gathered on one side. And that gathering became the center of attention.
“Enough, everyone.”
A man of small stature but with a firm voice spoke. Was it because he was over 40 years old?
The shouts quickly died down.
“It’s a done deal. The option to add him was approved by the executive ranks. No matter how much we argue, nothing will change. Instead of complaining, let’s focus on the future…”
He spoke calmly.
“Oh, it’s lecture time by Lee Sangmin-ssi again.”
A mocking voice interrupted him.
It was the man who threw his phone after reading the article about Kim Shimun and the reactions.
“Excuse me, Lee Sangmin-ssi.”
Brushing his short sports hair, he approached the man of small stature.
“Don’t you get the situation? If we continue like this, whether we win or lose, we’ll be the ones taking all the blame. Huh?”
“Chung Hajun, we are considered an underdog team anyway. We will be criticized no matter what.”
“You must be kidding. Who said we are an underdog team?”
Was it because he was irritated by Sangmin’s response?
Chung Hajun’s eyes became sharp.
“You are in your 5th special match event, right? The National Championship is not a place where underdog teams can thrive. Even lower-tier countries struggle with its level of competition.”
“Stop saying the same stuff. Hey, sir, let’s not complicate things. I’ve only been in the scene for 5 years, but you’ve been here for 10 years.”
A mix of disdain appeared in Chung Hajun’s eyes.
“You started in the first generation and played in the arena for 12 years, right? Why are you still playing at your age and picking a fight now?”
“That’s you, Chung Hajun. You’ve been playing for 6 years and stuck in Platinum for 5 years.”
“Hah! This old man is something else.”
Suddenly, a loud sound rang out. Although a powerful punch barely missed his face and left a dent in the wall, Lee Sangmin showed no reaction. Whether he was angry or not.
“Why do you keep picking fights with a first-generation player like me? Are you out of your mind?”
Chung Hajun’s voice grew louder, even showing a hint of hostility. However, none of the players present tried to stop him. It was natural.
“I ranked first in the qualifiers. What about you, old man?”
“… I came third.”
“Right, just third. After playing in the arena for 12 years and participating in the National Championship for 10 years, you only managed to get third place. What does that tell you?”
“…”
Sangmin remained silent.
“Because incapable losers like you keep challenging the National Championship, that’s why people see us as an underdog team. Do you get it?”
“Chung Hajun, I’ve participated in every qualifier, played in the National Championship, and rightfully earned my spot in the national team.”
As Sangmin’s momentum waned, Chung Hajun’s aggressiveness also gradually subsided.
Of course.
“I mean, is that really the skill of a middle-aged man? Just because you’re experienced, the association keeps accepting applications for the national team from the middle-aged guys for mental care for the younger players.”
His eyes and the corners of his mouth brightened.
“Well, I guess seeing middle-aged guys sucking up to the association like this makes sense. Is this what social life in your forties is like?”
“Pfft!”
Another laughter joined their conversation. She had short hair. But no one dared to mock her laughter. It was natural.
“Hey, even our second-place Hyoyun is laughing at you.”
“I’m not laughing at you. It’s just… a bit pitiful.”
Choi Hyoyun, who was selected as the runner-up in the pre-selection match. Who could dare to tease her, next to Chung Hajun, a skilled player?
“Hajun oppa? Stop there. After all, Lee Sangmin-ajussi does have some skills, right?”
“So, after eating arena leftovers for twelve years, you still don’t have anything?”
“You’ll make ajussi cry. Isn’t the match tomorrow? Don’t mess with the emotions of the middle-aged. After all, he’s the third place here.”
Kick! Hyoyun finished with a mocking tone.
And then, including her, others chimed in.
“After all, participating in the national team pre-selection match for ten years and still getting third place here.”
“No wonder he’s a perennial battler, right? Wasn’t our oldest member here in his seventh year?”
“Oh, truly scary~ Battling for more than ten years. I hope I don’t age like that.”
Players who supported Chung Hajun also let out a steady mocking laughter. Lee Sangmin and the players around him quickly wilted.
Was this the end of it?
Chung Hajun chuckled satisfactorily and said, “Anyway, I won’t stop the middle-aged folks from listening to the association, so don’t interfere.”
“What are you trying to do?”
“Well, we should just boycott.”
“What?”
Shock filled Lee Sangmin’s eyes.
“You want to boycott now when we have a special match tomorrow?”
“Just in case anyone feels like they’re middle-aged. It’s the right time to do it.”
Chung Hajun laughed at Lee Sangmin, who was full of concerns.
“Most people here have participated in the special match for years. We know the special match better than the association that talks behind closed doors.”
“That’s right. Kim Shimun may be skilled, but the special match is different. Sangmin-ajussi knows, right? The special match isn’t like competing in the arena alone.”
Choi Hyoyun nodded in agreement.
She wasn’t wrong. After the pre-selection matches, didn’t players from different countries go straight into joint training? That’s how teams faced off against each other.
“But adding reserve members? Using an additional option to draw a solo player for a tough match is just foolish. I have no intention of becoming the scapegoat of public opinion.”
As Choi Hyoyun finished speaking, the national team representatives silently nodded in agreement.
Feeling he couldn’t stop them anymore, Lee Lee Sangmin let out a deep sigh.
“… Fine, do as you wish.”
“Hey, middle-aged man. It’s pointless to secretly complain to the coach, you know? Do you understand who’s behind me?”
Chung Hajun taunted Lee Sangmin, who had his tail between his legs.
Then…
“Listening to this is making me dizzy? No wonder we hear about the team being weak.”
“Wh-who’s there?”
A clear young voice suddenly interrupted.