APGD 23

Chapter 23

Debut 99th Year
Professional Gamer

I met Kang Ha-neul’s gaze head-on.

There was something in his eyes beyond mere passion.

“Yearning.”

A hunger that seemed to suggest that even the current victory and the joy of that victory weren’t enough. A fierce desire to prove himself on a higher, bigger, more spectacular stage flickered like a flame in his eyes.

“Want to do better?”

I didn’t dislike his yearning. On the contrary, my heart raced. I couldn’t stop the corners of my mouth from lifting naturally.

“Yeah. Honestly, even the last match was decided by a hair’s breadth. If it weren’t for Dosu-ham carrying me by the collar, we definitely wouldn’t have won.”

Kang Ha-neul clenched his fists tighter, reinforcing them with strength.

“Even though we won… I feel like we lost! I want to be on a bigger stage!”

His voice grew hotter with every word.

“And there, I want to perform properly too! Enough not to lose to Ham!”

At that moment, I realized why my heart was beating so fast. I understood where this strange thrill was coming from. I was witnessing it with my own eyes.

A definite “potential”—the kind that could sprout anew even in the desolate lineage of Korean top-laners. A seed of talent breaking through barren soil.

“Perhaps…”

To be honest, Kim Je-hyup and Byun Sang-jun lacked the talent to head toward pro-level play. They had never dreamed of becoming pros and were meant to walk their own paths quietly.

But…

“Ha-neul…”

He might become one of the key puzzle pieces for the dream team I envisioned. Of course, it was too early to conclude anything. I wasn’t going to jump to conclusions.

But one thing was clear.

He definitely possessed the potential to grow into an S-class top-laner.

“It’s amazing.”

Through countless regressions, he had never debuted as a pro. I had only just become aware of his existence in this life. Yet, his play reminded me of the shadows of the world-class top-laners I had faced countless times.

After changing his position, Kang Ha-neul had become a completely different player. Instinctively, I was certain: he would rise to Worlds-level.

“The important thing was whether he had the will to challenge the pro scene…”

That didn’t seem to be a concern. After this stage, he clearly seemed to have solidified his dream of going pro.

And then, Park Yong-won joined in, flames in his eyes, seemingly inspired by Kang Ha-neul’s energy.

“Well, honestly, I also felt uneasy winning because Dosu pulled us along! We need to get even better than now.”

Everyone’s passion was incredible. I spoke with a satisfied expression.

“Eh, not even close… everyone did well enough. The opponents were just strong.”

“No way! Honestly, I want to increase my level a bit more too. Is it because we’re playing on such a big stage? I definitely feel more fired up!”

Though the stage was different, I think I felt something similar during my first pro debut. It had been so long that only a vague impression remained, but the feeling suddenly resurfaced.

I glanced at my teammates’ faces. By now, everyone’s eyes were full of ambition.

A good sign. It was fortunate they weren’t complacent with this win.

Especially, Park Yong-won in set 1 and Kang Ha-neul in set 3 had alternately shown “crazy performances” that raised my expectations even higher.

“Alright. Shall we have a feedback session?”

“Haha, sure! There will be plenty to review.”

“But can I eat a cheeseburger while we analyze?”

“Ah, it’s punishment time!”

“Dosu-ham! Focus on the top! Give detailed feedback on the top lane—don’t miss a thing!”

Yes, this team still had room to grow.

“Let’s start by reviewing the first match replay.”

We could get stronger.

After successfully finishing the round 1 broadcast, the broadcast went into commercial time before the next round started.

The commentators, who had provided passionate commentary from the very first match, moved to a prepared waiting room. A short break before the next match began.

“Wow, the first match was amazing! Forget work, the game itself was so fun!”

The caster exclaimed, glancing at analyst Kang In-cheol. Before the live broadcast, Kang In-cheol had said:

• “I’m really curious about the match. Pay attention to mid lane carefully. You might see an incredible player today.”

At first, I didn’t understand what he meant. But after hearing the explanation on Lajan TV the previous day and watching the match broadcast, his words were no exaggeration.

I never imagined seeing a top-tier player even at an amateur tournament—or in BCK—like this.

“I told you, right? That Lee Dosu is really something!”

“Yeah, he’s debuting soon, I think. His level is completely different.”

“Haha, honestly, I was half-doubting until I saw him play, but if he continues, BCK might finally get a world-class mid.”

“Exactly. But won’t China snatch him up immediately? They won’t let this slide.”

While they were chatting, a man suddenly entered.

It was Jo Tae-san, a friend of Kang In-cheol and the judge for today’s Seoul regional finals.

“Ah~ everyone, good job. Have some sandwiches.”

Jo Tae-san placed sandwiches and drinks on the table, looking at Kang In-cheol.

“I heard the live viewers exceeded 5,000 earlier?”

Compared to professional tournaments, that viewership was low. BCK, the top-tier Korean league, had an average minute audience of over 300,000. But this was just an amateur tournament, a regional final broadcast.

Last year’s Seoul regional finals had only 1,500 viewers on average. So 5,000 was an impressive record.

“See, Tae-san? I told you yesterday. Today’s viewership can really blow up! Haha!”

Kang In-cheol proudly boasted.

“Yeah, was his name Lee Dosu? That TacticMaker guy is amazing.”

“Honestly, you could throw him on a pro stage, and it wouldn’t feel out of place.”

“But their team, by tier alone, could have been eliminated online. Yet team play is different, huh?”

“Usually, team synergy matters more than tier… but the skill gap was still big. They won the match mostly due to TacticMaker’s skill and game management.”

“Yeah, mid lane was insane. But jungle and top weren’t bad either. The top lane was especially strong for their tier.”

Kang In-cheol nodded.

“Anyway, a team that went undefeated through online qualifiers means they have a solid base.”

“Well, you almost broke your neck earlier. Tone it down a bit for the next round commentary.”

“Haha, thanks for the sandwiches. I’ll eat well.”

Jo Tae-san smiled, paused briefly before leaving, and asked:

“By the way, which match will the next broadcast cover?”

“Obviously, the match with TacticMaker’s team.”

Kang In-cheol raised an eyebrow at the caster.

“Right, senpai?”

“Yeah. Unless they get eliminated, we can keep the broadcast fixed on that team’s matches.”

After the intense round 1 matches, my team won rounds 2 and 3, securing the championship.

[7th Presidential Cup Amateur eSports Seoul Regional Finals! The winners are… Yong-won and Friends!]

Ta-da, ta-da-da!

[Yes! Yong-won and Friends will represent Seoul at the main event!]

[Today’s matches were fierce and heated, as expected for Seoul qualifiers!]

[Even I wanted to play halfway through the commentary, haha!]

[Ultimately, Lee Dosu led Yong-won and Friends to outstanding performance…]

There’s a saying: “Old masters are best.” Honestly, the team we faced in the first round was the toughest.

Rounds 2 and 3 were close 2:1 victories, meaning those opponents were no pushovers either. No team could surpass us in tier alone.

“Still, today was more fun than I expected.”

After this regression, I didn’t expect to find fun in the game anymore. But playing on stage with Park Yong-won and my now close teammates was unexpectedly enjoyable.

“I want to enjoy the bigger stage with Yong-won without regrets.”

Recalling Park Yong-won’s joyful face after each round win, I gathered my personal gear. Outside, the commentators were giving closing remarks. We followed the judges’ guidance after leaving the booth.

We received a large panel, like a presentation board, for the regional final winners. No prize money, just a ceremonial board.

“Let’s take a photo! Everyone, hold the board and look at the camera!”

The team chimed in:

“Dosu is the star, so center him!”
“Yeah, center! Dosu-ham is our ace!”
“Dosu, hurry!”
“Come to the center!”

After the photos and procedures, we finally had freedom, though the team still couldn’t shake off the excitement from the tournament.

“Look at the crowd outside! They’re all staring at us. Winning still feels unreal!!”
“Yong-won-ham, I still feel like I’m playing on stage! My heart is floating!”
“Wearing both earbuds and a headset in the booth really made it feel like a tournament. The headset even had wave sounds, it was amazing.”
“Yeah! My ears are a bit muffled, but I could feel all the outside sounds through vibration. Feels like a pro. Winning makes it even better!”

I watched my excited teammates, smiling. This scene pleased me. It was very different from past lives, where we’d argue even right after victories.

“Everyone, good job today. Let’s enjoy the main event as well.”

I patted their shoulders, encouraging them. Suddenly, they huddled together like after a match victory, putting their arms around each other.

“Yeah, Dosu’s right. Everyone worked hard today! I’m sure we all learned a lot. Let’s prepare and reach higher in the main event!”

Each teammate affirmed their resolve.

“Yong-won-ham! Not just ‘reach higher’—our goal is winning! From today, I’ll practice even harder. We’ll win till the end!”
“Honestly, I’m fine as long as we enjoy it with this team, but now I want results too. I’ll bring more cheeseburgers to the main event.”
“I was so nervous today. The main event will have even more people! I don’t care… I’ll maximize my DPM next time! Let’s reach the highest stage possible!”

At that moment, someone approached and spoke to me cautiously.

“Hello! Congratulations on today’s victory!”

It was Lajan, a former pro and current streamer.