APGD 36

Chapter 36

Debut: 99th Year
Professional Gamer

As I stepped into the VIP room, two men immediately greeted me.

It was COO Song Gi-hak and Director Choi Yeon-sik.

‘The last meeting room wasn’t bad, but this being a VIP room, it definitely feels more luxurious.’

Being on the top floor, the view through the glass windows was impressively lavish.

After quickly scanning the room, I politely greeted the two men.

“Hello, I’m Lee Do-su.”

“Nice to meet you. I guess this is our first time meeting, right?”

“Yes.”

“That’s right. I’m Song Gi-hak, COO of the Bears team.”

COO Song Gi-hak, with a bright smile, gestured to the seat directly across from him.

“You must have had a long journey. Please, have a seat.”

I slightly nodded and took a seat. Sitting directly across from Song Gi-hak, I assessed him.

At least for first impressions at the negotiation table, this wasn’t bad. Unlike Choi Yeon-sik, who casually spoke informally from the start, Song spoke respectfully, using honorifics.

But why…?

The weight of the intimidation I felt this time was incomparable to last time.

‘If I were a complete rookie, I would have been overwhelmed just by this atmosphere.’

A suit that looked expensive at a glance. Sharp, distinct facial features. A gentleman, slightly older than Choi Yeon-sik, with the unmistakable aura of a young adult in his prime.

Honestly, judging by appearance alone, he didn’t look like someone from the gaming industry—it was an entirely intellectual impression.

‘I’ve seen his face before in my past life, but this is the first time I’ve negotiated with him.’

I realized I needed to stay sharp. Even a brief lapse could easily let him take control of the conversation.

So.

I decided to lead the conversation instead of waiting for questions.

“First of all, I sincerely thank you for making me two offers under such favorable conditions. And… if it’s not too forward, may I ask the first question?”

I wanted to show that I wouldn’t passively answer in this meeting—an audacious expression.

Song Gi-hak responded with a relaxed smile.

“Ha ha, of course. Feel free to ask.”

“I’ve heard a rumor that negotiations in the Bears’ VIP room are a privilege given only to first-team members. That’s why the place holds such meaning.”

“That’s right. Every club has its own practices, but the Bears certainly uphold that tradition. You know your stuff.”

“Yes. That’s why I was curious. What exactly does it mean for me to be invited to this VIP room?”

Song Gi-hak’s smile broadened slightly.

“Although you are a rookie, Lee Do-su, you have ‘value.’ And that value… I believe I understand better than anyone else.”

At that moment, I recalled my previous meeting with Choi Yeon-sik.

‘I believe that a rookie who hasn’t properly proven themselves on the professional stage doesn’t yet have full value. They only have potential.’

Choi said a rookie doesn’t yet have full value, whereas Song said I do. Ironically, two people with completely opposing views were now sitting right in front of me—separated by only one seat.

‘Thankfully, Song Gi-hak is different from Choi Yeon-sik.’

If this had gone the same way as the last meeting, I would have left immediately. Negotiating with those who don’t recognize your value is a waste of time.

But the current atmosphere wasn’t bad at all. At least, I could feel Song respecting me as a player.

‘In that case, it’s worth negotiating seriously.’

After making this quick judgment, I bowed lightly.

“Thank you. I’m glad that you’re not seeing me just as a rookie.”

Unlike some others. I wanted to add that, but I held back, not wanting to waste time in a petty clash with Choi.

And then.

“In that sense… I’ll get straight to the point. What do you think? Joining the Bears under the conditions we offered? This will be a great opportunity for you.”

Song Gi-hak naturally slid the contract toward me.

I quickly scanned it with my eyes.

• Immediate first-team participation from the next Summer season.

• Three times the minimum salary typically offered to a rookie.

• Two-year contract, with the option for one-year extension at the player’s request—a 2+1 option favoring the player.

• Championship bonus and salary renegotiation options if the league is won.

Exactly the same details I received via text from Ra Yeonmok the previous day.

‘Hmm?’

Until I saw the contract with my own eyes, I had been slightly skeptical.

At the very least, the player selection and contract extension options were astonishing, even for someone with my long experience in the professional circuit.

‘I didn’t expect these terms to be explicitly listed…’

Considering my past experiences, this was unprecedentedly generous treatment for a rookie.

It clearly conveyed Song Gi-hak’s intention to recruit me decisively and boldly rather than hesitantly testing the waters.

‘This is impressive.’

Of course, even so.

I slid the contract back toward Song Gi-hak politely.

If it were my previous self, I would have been tempted. But these weren’t the options that matched my “Dream Team Plan.”

“Thank you for the generous offer… but to be honest, the ‘option’ I want most is different.”

Song Gi-hak and Choi Yeon-sik’s eyes widened in surprise at my unexpected answer.

“Hmm…? A different option?”

“Yes. I’ve actually formed a team composed of amateurs. The support role is still vacant, but… I dream of making our professional debut together with the four current members.”

“?!”

“Let me be direct. I hope to join the Bears with these four. I want to play together after joining, too. In short, I’d like to have a kind of ‘entry selection authority.’”

At that moment, Choi, who had been silently listening, interjected with visible displeasure.

“What? Entry selection authority?! Are you serious…!”

Even so, I wasn’t intimidated at all. I calmly continued to explain my request.

“Of course, I’m not saying I want to debut in the first division immediately. I understand that, as rookies and amateurs, we need to be evaluated properly.”

Naturally, I would love to debut in the first division. The stage, the fanbase, and the level of competition were incomparable to lower divisions.

But my teammates were still like untempered steel. If the heat isn’t controlled properly during forging, steel easily breaks. Tossing them onto a high stage prematurely would only lead to quick elimination.

They needed time to grow and adapt.

“From the next Spring season, the newly established ‘Academy Series’ will begin. Starting from the third division, we’ll climb step by step, with the ultimate goal being the first division.”

Choi slammed his palm on the table, unable to contain himself.

“Hey! Are you kidding me? You think this makes sense?!!”

Song raised his hand, cutting off Choi’s outburst. Narrowing his eyes, he shot a glare to calm him, then turned back to me.

“Honestly, your requested option is far beyond what I anticipated, so I’m a bit taken aback.”

“Yes, I expected as much.”

“Step by step…”

Song Gi-hak stroked his chin thoughtfully with thumb and forefinger before speaking again.

“So, your desired option… you mean that the four members, including Lee Do-su, would first join as academy players?”

“Yes. That’s how we’d start. We’d debut in the third division for the first season, then aim for the second team the next season, and finally the first team. All members together.”

All domestic leagues worldwide have two main seasons: Spring and Summer.

In one year, we would experience both the third and second divisions, aiming for first-team promotion the following year.

“Hmmm…”

Song Gi-hak squinted at me. I met his gaze without flinching.

A subtle mix of difficulty and confusion flickered in his expression. But that was fine—I had already anticipated it. No need for theatrics or sugarcoating.

Even if he’s a pro in negotiation and business, I know how to handle this.

“Of course, I’m not asking you to accept this option blindly.”

The only way to persuade him was through the value my team and I could bring to the Bears.

“And before that… we’ll prove our value through a match against the current Bears third-team rookies.”

Our greatest value now was our skill.

“Not just words, but through the results of the game.”

There’s no more straightforward, perfect, and objective way to demonstrate skill than direct competition.

Inside Song Gi-hak, various emotions were at play.

When he first sat down with me, he had assumed I was just a rookie, inexperienced in both professional debut and social dealings, someone who’d never signed a contract. He thought persuading me would be easy.

But…

‘He doesn’t look easy at all.’

How to describe it? Everything about him contradicted expectations. He carried a calm familiarity in scanning the contract, the courage to make direct demands, the confidence in his own value, and a face full of self-assuredness.

‘How is it that a rookie isn’t intimidated at all?’

Lee Do-su remained unflinching even under Choi Yeon-sik’s notorious glare. His voice didn’t waver, and his smile remained calm and confident.

It wasn’t like facing a twenty-year-old youth; it felt like dealing with a cunning adult well beyond his years.

‘Where did this kid even come from?’

After countless negotiation tables, this was a first. A young, cunning, and far from ordinary rookie. Recognizing this clearly, Song Gi-hak regarded Lee Do-su with an intrigued gaze.

“So, you want to prove yourself against our third-team members directly?”

Song Gi-hak was ready to take back the initiative in this negotiation.