Chapter 257 – The World Where She Doesn’t Exist
“The weather keeps getting colder, but the New Yorkers’ outfits stay the same.”
“And there are more people too. I guess the nickname of being the busiest city in the world isn’t just for show.”
The next day dawned, and the day after that as well.
The fame of the two characters ‘New York’, more renowned than many countries’ capitals, was built by the countless people ceaselessly walking through the streets of Manhattan. This winter, notorious for its unprecedented cold, was no different.
However, this year was showing a slightly different picture.
Regardless of the outside weather, thousands to tens of thousands of people passed through Times Square every hour – in other words, past the billboards thriving due to the Final Championship.
Advertisements for the Dark Zone, players, high-end brand accessories worn or used by the players, and even game advertisements featuring certain players flooded the area like a tsunami. Occasionally, public service announcements related to the Final Championship, urging people to maintain order, were shown every ten minutes.
The advertising budget that Camp Henry, backed by the surprisingly apolitical super PAC Icarus International, poured into New York, the city with the highest land prices in the world, was astronomical.
However, there was perhaps one person who found the situation less than pleasant.
“Oh my, Yoo Jin! It’s great to see you!”
“I’ve recently started supporting the Korean team. Is it true that all the tactics used by the team come from your own ideas?”
“…Oh dear.”
The logic that politicians gain more the more they are exposed to the media was the worst match for Yoo Jin, who preferred quiet and understated.
This fact was made evident whenever she stepped out of the hotel for a walk and was recognized by countless people. Therefore, the path Yoo Jin chose wasn’t complicated.
Henry received a text message that day asking if he wanted to become the second President Roosevelt. By Tuesday evening, Yoo Jin’s advertisement exposure had drastically plummeted.
And thus, Wednesday came.
Every team except Korea was in trouble, and the tension began to rise.
However, it was hard to say that this was necessarily hopeful.
“…I don’t think it’s going to be easy for the Korean team to maintain their momentum from Monday.”
“Why is that?”
“There hasn’t been a significant counter to the skill usage patterns that Yoo Jin has spread so far. Even if there were, they are extremely inadequate. The fact that their momentum has been checked despite this indicates that the opponents are skilled enough to handle such asymmetrical strategies.”
Everyone nodded, even Yoo Jin.
Normally, Yoo Jin would have to come up with a solution at this point, but no sharp answers emerged – of course, Yoo Jin’s thoughts were entirely elsewhere.
Considering the infinite versatility of the skills designed to potentially replace the firepower of firearms, it was natural not to fall behind. Yet, the fact that they were being pushed back was simple.
‘…Korean combat skills are still lacking.’
In terms of skills or conventional combat.
And some of the people gathered here had received enough education from Yoo Jin to freely point this out.
However, the conclusion they reached wasn’t very hopeful.
“I think maintaining the status quo is the most realistic option.”
“I agree.”
It wasn’t a particularly good thing coming from Yoo Jin.
But unless the current feedback led to good results, it was unlikely. The game had already started, and everyone was driving at full speed. Excessive advice could lead to power loss or major accidents.
Rather, it was strange that Yoo Jin could guide with delicate feedback even in such a situation.
But in the midst of this,
“Could it be the Final Championship…?”
“You’ve got it right. Nice to meet you.”
“Oh, I recognized you at first sight. Am I intruding?”
“It’s fine.”
“In that case, may I ask for your autograph…?”
Another fan handed over a small autograph book and pen. Yoo Jin signed it gracefully, and he accepted it, bowing politely before quickly leaving.
Fortunately, there were countless people nearby, and the action was naturally buried among the crowd – it was fortunate that it didn’t lead to a larger fan meeting.
Was this what it meant to hide a tree in a forest? Yoo Jin laughed with a subtle expression, and Dice didn’t miss the opportunity to add.
“Yoo Jin, you’re already this popular. Is this the fate of a celebrity?”
“…By next week, you all will experience this feeling too.”
“Oh, how could a domestic one-trick like me feel that in America?”
For some reason, Dice’s comment was particularly annoying.
In any case, they were walking in Central Park. Despite staying in a hotel less than a few hundred meters from one of the most famous parks in New York, the team hadn’t walked through Central Park even once in almost ten days, which was the first reason for their insistence.
The second reason was, similarly, to hide in a forest.
No one was eavesdropping on their conversation as they walked through the park.
“…Anyway, the skill or trap configuration between squad, duo, and solo play is distinctly different. The former emphasizes TTK (time-to-kill) to decisively disrupt or inflict corresponding damage on the enemy squad. What do you think is important for solo play?”
“Uh, individual skill, perhaps. Since there are fewer constraints compared to squad games, one’s judgment can quickly escape from pre-installed traps.”
“Close enough.”
After taking a short breath, Yoo Jin continued.
“It’s not about the importance of skill. It’s about not getting too immersed in the flow of squad games. It’s easy to get confused if not mentioned frequently.”
“Anyway, we’ll get beaten up again when we get back, right? Before we get too immersed, there’s someone who breaks us down, so there’s no need to worry.”
…Am I an over-immersion speed bump?
But before Yoo Jin could ponder further, her sensitive senses caught something cautiously. A suspicious movement in the vast Central Park was caught by her keen eyes.
This made it difficult to walk around leisurely in the future, but there was no time for regret.
Many people were looking for Yoo Jin from afar. Luckily, none of them were the ones who had just asked for her autograph.
“What’s the next schedule?”
“Oh… it’s a personal interview, but there’s still some time, right?”
“We’d better go early and wait.”
As expected of professional gamers, Yoo Jin and her team were exceptionally perceptive.
Yoo Jin discreetly activated the optical camouflage function of the Icarus Gear, and Dice and the others quickly utilized the tactical maneuvers they learned in VR to escape the area.
How much time had passed since then?
“…What the? Where did they go?”
“Wow, they disappeared just like that? Impressive.”
This was New York.
It was a labyrinth where the slow-witted couldn’t survive.
“Ha ha, nice to meet you. From the looks on your faces, today’s interview seems to be off to a good start. Have you enjoyed the food in New York?”
“Oh, not really. We’ve actually been going to Korea Town quite often.”
“Oops, shouldn’t have asked. It’s natural to crave home food when eating foreign cuisine.”
The broadcast began.
Four pro gamers exchanged brief greetings, sitting on the right side of the screen, facing the MC on the left. This preliminary interview was to prepare for the Final Championship solo international matches starting next week.
However, there was something peculiar. Only four users sat on the sofa facing the camera.
Dice, Michael, Gambit, and Ink.
Only the four of them, excluding Yoo Jin, were at the center of the interview.
“Anyway, I’m sure there are many questions. For example, why isn’t that hot topic person joining the interview today?”
“Maybe she’s too busy.”
“That could be true. Yoo Jin has the busiest schedule right now. Of course, I’m not saying you guys are free, ha ha.”
And the main topic began.
Perhaps an inevitable question followed.
“Anyway, the reason we’ve gathered these esteemed players here today is simple. If she were present, we wouldn’t be able to have an honest conversation.”
“An honest conversation… about how we view Yoo Jin, perhaps?”
“Exactly. As expected of players, you’re quick-witted.”
The paper in the MC’s hand turned, signaling the start of the real interview.
“Many are curious about how Yoo Jin’s curriculum impacts you… how you evaluate her as a coach. But as a Dark Zone user before being an MC, I think the answer is obvious. Isn’t it?”
“Right. If she weren’t good or capable, she wouldn’t be coaching us, and she wouldn’t be a global sensation. She’s just extraordinary.”
“Ha ha, a fearful expression. That’s precisely what I mean. So, my question is a bit different.”
How is Yoo Jin in private?
It was a question that naturally arose, but it didn’t take long to answer.
The response came from Michael.
“Anyone who has watched her streams knows she’s incredibly fun. And definitely four-dimensional… maybe even beyond.”
“She’s much cuter than you think.”
“Ha ha! I didn’t expect that answer. I’d love to ask what led to such a statement, but I’ll hold back to continue working as an Esports MC.”
“You might already be her target after that comment.”
“Oh no, I’m in trouble.”
With a joke about her possibly watching already, various stories followed.
There were surprising behind-the-scenes stories and many ordinary ones. Notably, curiosity about Logan, known to be close with Yoo Jin, remained unresolved.
As the interview continued smoothly, one seemingly ordinary comment intrigued the four sitting there.
“Hmm, the next question is simple. Many have asked about your goals for this year or next.”
“….”
“Hmm, was it a more difficult question than expected?”
But at that moment, their minds raced.
A simulation unfolded. This year wasn’t that important. Next year was. It wasn’t about where they would place next year but what Yoo Jin would be doing next year.
Realizing this, everyone’s faces turned a bit grim.
The reason was simple.
‘…Should we be happy about the guide named Yoo Jin?’
A thought Dice had once.
She had answered indifferently when Yoo Jin asked before fighting Keith – Japan is a one-trick with Keith.
There was no guarantee that it wouldn’t apply to them.
Currently, the presence of Yoo Jin was so strong that almost everyone didn’t care – but Yoo Jin, just by existing, would cause various ripples.
Whether she stayed or left after making her legendary mark in a year and retired, Korea might once again fall, yearning for the glory that might never return.
The moment this thought crossed everyone’s minds, Dice’s mouth opened first, unconsciously.
“…When this year ends, we must prepare for the next. To create valuable and precious results with our hands that won’t lose to this year… We must become an unwavering light.”
“A light, that’s a wonderful sentiment!”
Unfortunately, it wasn’t just to sound cool.
Dice, Ink, Michael, Gambit… and probably many others who would watch this in Korea would have to change their mindset.
Even if Yoo Jin disappeared someday, her curriculum must be developed as a legacy – and those standing here for the interview had to take the lead on this.
In that sense…
‘…Yoo Jin teaching us might not be just out of kindness.’
But one thing was certain.
They still had a lot to learn, and knowing Yoo Jin, she wouldn’t give up until everything was finished – or until they quit.
With that in mind, maybe not much time was left. It didn’t take long for the four pro gamers to reach the same conclusion.
As the interview concluded, more words followed.
“Thank you so much for your time, all four of you.”
“No, we’re really…”
“Ha ha. Then, one personal question. What’s your schedule after this interview? Is it conditioning?”
There was no hesitation.
In a surprisingly united tone, they added.
“…Originally, but something urgent came up. We’ll probably run straight to Yoo Jin.”
“Wow, your passion is impressive.”
“…Ha ha.”
Of course, except for themselves, no one knew that their passion was actually a frantic firefighting effort for the fire they just noticed on their heels.
It was only three minutes before Dice, Michael, Ink, and Gambit barged into Yoo Jin’s room.