APGD 43

Chapter 43

Debut 99th Year
Pro Gamer

While Idosu and Layeonmok were deep in a strategy meeting,
at the neighboring building, Bears Academy was also holding late-night feedback sessions.

“Hmm… well, I think the overall feedback is roughly wrapped up…”

Coach Choi Yeon-sik paused for a moment.
Crossing his arms, he scanned the faces of all the starting members.

He liked what he saw—each of them had a determined look in their own way.
Curling one corner of his mouth into a smirk, he spoke again.

“It seems like everyone understands the meaning of this Guillotine Match without me saying anything.
If you don’t want to pack up and leave here, you’ll have to give your all in the match.”

Everyone shouted in unison:

“““Yes!”””

Choi Yeon-sik was a veteran coach who had seen it all.
He had mastered the art of handling players.
He knew better than anyone that pure discipline alone could never be the ultimate motivator.

Thus:

“I heard your recent external scrim results were at the top… and your form looks pretty solid.
Seeing you after a while, a few of you have clearly improved a lot.”

He dangled a tempting carrot—something every trainee would drool over:

“Those who perform well in this Guillotine Match… I’ll personally recommend them to the second-team coach for a call-up!”

Of course, looking closely, there wasn’t much substance.
A call-up didn’t guarantee a spot on the starting roster.

But still:

“I genuinely want you to win! Don’t let all your hard work collapse because of some useless guys getting into the team!
Don’t lose to anyone… and absolutely not to that Idosu bastard!”

“““Yeesss!!!”””

It seemed enough to fire up their motivation.
The pupils of the rookies’ starting members burned with desire and determination.

Early in the morning,
a man yawned as he entered an internet café.

“Haahhh…”

It was Handochi, currently a substitute support for Bears’ second team.
He wore a cap pulled low and glanced around.

Even though it was barely 10 a.m., quite a few customers were already engrossed in their games.
The clatter of keyboards and mice, the hum of the heater, even the slurping of instant noodles—it all felt very familiar.

‘Which seat was it again…?’

At that moment, someone grabbed his shoulder from behind and whispered.

“Dochi, Dochi…!”

Handochi reflexively turned around.
It was his buddy, Shin Yun-seong.
His hands were wet, probably from the restroom.
Handochi raised his right hand lightly in greeting.

“Long time no see.”
“Yeah, it’s been about half a year, right?”

“Yep, about that.”
“It’s offseason now, so Bears must be on vacation, huh?”

Indeed, as Yun-seong said, all pro teams’ 1st and 2nd team players were currently on vacation.
Though the stove league was nearly over, there was still about a month until the season started.
For active pro players, this was the longest break of the year.

“Uh, yeah… that’s right.”
“By the way, you’ve totally turned into a celebrity! Look at you wearing that mask! Haha, ridiculous!”
“Shut up.”
“Ha! Anyway, I saved us some seats. Just follow me.”

Handochi followed Yun-seong to the farthest corner of the party room, where two computers were already on.
Yun-seong sat at one of the empty seats and spoke.

“We were planning to scrim from morning till night with the team today.”

He had recently won the Gyeonggi regional finals of the Presidential Cup amateur tournament and was selected as a regional representative.
So by ‘team’ he meant the teammates he would compete with in that tournament.

“Ha— but the team’s support suddenly got the flu or something? Had a high fever. That’s why I urgently contacted you last night.”

Handochi just nodded slightly in response.

“Also, you’re shy, right? So I told the team to just connect online. It’s just the two of us here, so let’s make it as comfortable as possible!”
“Yeah.”

Shortly after, Handochi scrimmed five matches in a marathon session with the Gyeonggi regional representative team without resting.

As the final set ended, Yun-seong reached over.

“Wow, the difference in class with active pros is real! Even your vision is on another level! Thanks, Dochi! That was great practice.”
“Good job.”

Yun-seong shrugged confidently.

“See? Honestly, our team isn’t on the same level as just random players.”
“…”
“From today’s session, you can tell each of us is a heavyweight!”

Handochi reluctantly replied:

“Yeah… you’re pretty good.”

Seeing Yun-seong so proud made him want to deny it, but…
there was no denying the fact: their skill was high.
The team’s level was beyond amateur.

‘Well, it’s natural. They were all scouted by pro teams.’

Indeed, the entire Gyeonggi regional representative team consisted of trainees affiliated with pro teams.
After the regional finals, they received team offers.
Of the five members, four, including Yun-seong, joined TG (Trade-up Gaming)—one of Korea’s top three teams.
As they were scouted as starters, their participation in the next 3rd division league was already confirmed.

‘Compared to other regional teams, their level is unmatched.’

Thinking that, Yun-seong patted him on the shoulder.

“Not just ‘pretty good’!! Honestly, at this level, no one stands a chance in the Presidential Cup!”

Yun-seong’s confidence shone in his eyes.

‘No competition, huh.’

It was true—the Gyeonggi regional team was undeniably strong.
But suddenly, one face popped into his mind.

Tactic Maker, Idosu.

He first learned about him from Rajan’s stream.
Like most viewers, he had watched out of curiosity until the Seoul regional finals.

‘He definitely had skills beyond amateur level, didn’t he?’

Even the mid-laner from the Gyeonggi team they played with today was high-level, mid-tier Challenger at least.
But compared to Idosu?
Honestly, Idosu’s movements seemed far superior.

So:

“Shouldn’t we be wary of the Seoul regional team?”

Handochi muttered quietly.
Yun-seong frowned, finding it hard to believe.

“What? The Seoul team? Nah! If we’d met them in the prelims, they’d have been eliminated already! Honestly, that Tactic Maker guy? He seemed overrated to me.”
“??”
“Come on! You watched the live broadcast, right? If I were the ADC, I wouldn’t have given Chad the angles so easily.”
“Really?”

Yun-seong answered immediately:

“Absolutely! And that team? All the rest are just average, weaklings. Our team’s class is totally different!”
“…”
“We’re TG Rookies starters, and they’re… perpetual amateurs!! The comparison is wrong.”

Handochi widened his eyes at the term ‘perpetual amateurs.’

‘Come to think of it… the Guillotine Match is tomorrow, right?’

It was confidential, so he couldn’t tell Yun-seong, but Handochi had already heard about it last night from the team manager.
Idosu and two other Seoul regional representatives were in the lineup.
If they won, the Seoul regional team would belong to one of Korea’s top three teams.
Even if their overall class was slightly lower than Yun-seong’s fully pro team, they couldn’t afford to underestimate them.

‘Hmm… but still, could Idosu’s team beat our Bears third-team starters?’

Handochi knew best how strong the Bears 3rd team was.
He had practiced against them and tested his skills firsthand.
Logically, the Bears 3rd team wasn’t likely to lose.

But…

‘Still, maybe I should watch tomorrow.’

He wanted to see how the match would go.
Would Idosu’s individual skills work even against the Bears 3rd team?

“Hey, Handochi. What’s up? Why the blank stare?”

Yun-seong’s voice brought him back.
Handochi hesitated whether to mention the Guillotine Match.
Yun-seong tended to spill secrets easily.

‘Better not say anything for now.’

Handochi shook his head and spoke:

“Ah, um… nothing.”
“I’m a bit hungry. Let’s go grab something to eat. I’ll pay since you helped with practice today!”
“Yeah, let’s.”

Handochi left the PC café with Yun-seong.

That night, I was practicing with my team late as usual.

‘Less than 24 hours to go.’

Checking the digital clock—it had passed 9 p.m.—I got up from my seat.
I spoke quietly to my team:

“Everyone, gather around for a moment.”

They gathered near the large sofa in the center of the practice room.
Over the past two days, we had tested various bans, picks, and strategies.
We had narrowed down the strategies that best fit the current meta and our team’s style.
But we hadn’t yet finalized which strategy we’d use tomorrow.

‘Time to decide.’

“Thanks for working hard today. I know the past two days were tough, but you followed along without complaints.”

I continued quickly:

“I asked you to gather because of the strategy we’ll use in tomorrow’s match. It’s decided.”
“Oh, you’ve decided?”
“Dosuham! I’m confident in any strategy!”
“I’m curious too. We tried so many different things today.”

The team’s eyes lit up.
Moon Seong-bit remained expressionless, but his eyes fixed on mine, showing curiosity.
I glanced briefly at Layeonmok.
He leaned against the wall with a smile, signaling he respected my decision.

I returned my gaze to the team:

“Of course, winning is important, but I also want to show our style and strengths. So, at least…”

I raised my index finger slightly, watching their necks bob in anticipation.

“The strategy we practiced right before dinner— we’re definitely using it. If possible, in the first set.”

The team’s eyes widened instantly, and Layeonmok’s expression brightened greatly.