Chapter 260 – Permission to Overwhelming
“That’s quite a direct statement.”
“I’m sorry if it made you uncomfortable. Due to the nature of my job, it’s difficult to beat around the bush…”
“I understand what you mean.”
It was the straightforward manner typical of soldiers on the field. In that sense, it was hard to think of this person as an officer. Most likely, he had served as a non-commissioned officer for several years. The information I had gathered about him suggested as much.
Anyway, I also lifted the steaming green tea cup. It was hot and green. It wasn’t a tea bag but a type of matcha. As the bitter taste spread in my mouth, I felt a slightly peculiar sensation.
Even though I wasn’t familiar with the taste, it seemed quite effective in calming the mind. The bitter flavor seemed to wash away all miscellaneous thoughts.
Anyway, should I also be a bit more straightforward as he suggested?
“Is that all you have to say?”
“Strictly speaking, yes…”
A brief silence.
He glanced around before adding.
“It’s still a bit early for the place to be crowded. Besides, this room is at the deepest part of the floor, so you could say there’s no foot traffic. It’s perfect for having a sensitive conversation that shouldn’t leak out.”
“Depending on the content, the continuation of this meeting might be decided.”
“It won’t be anything too serious. In fact, given Yoo Jin’s… extensive career built in such a short time, despite only recently stepping into the Apex Predator professional scene, it should be quite an interesting story.”
Hmm.
I nodded briefly. There was a reason I didn’t get up from my seat even though it seemed like a sensitive topic was coming up—because what he said was true.
As he mentioned, objectively speaking, my coaching career was stellar. If I took this record to the North American pro team, which is practically another world, they’d welcome me with open arms.
But aside from that, it’s also true that I’ve only experienced the good parts of this field. To be more specific, instead of just experiencing the good parts, I’ve rather suppressed the shadowy areas through various means.
Originally, positions that required not only coaching skills but also corporate politics and eloquence were secured solely through skill.
It’s time to listen to the wise opinions about what I don’t know.
“In that case, I’d like to hear your thoughts on that sensitive part first.”
“I’ve been waiting for this.”
His throat moved cautiously, and he set his cup down again.
And he didn’t disappoint me.
“Have you ever thought about why North America and Europe are dominant in the Dark Zone?”
“It’s because of superior infrastructure and the fact that they operate at the forefront of the SOF world, automatically filling the market with top-tier personnel.”
“That’s an excellent answer. Then let me ask the opposite. Why do players from other countries seem to be unable to perform to their full potential in the Final Championship, as if their hands and feet are tied?”
“Hmm.”
I pondered various thoughts for a moment.
It wasn’t because of the time difference. Don’t they give players a long period of two weeks to adjust? Even if it takes a long time, half that period is enough to completely adjust to the time difference.
For the same reason, the short adaptation period to New York couldn’t be the reason either. The additional week given during the time difference adjustment period wasn’t for no reason. Icarus International adjusted each player’s condition to the best, leaving no room for the smallest complaint.
However, it wasn’t due to the fundamental difference in actual combat experience either, since players from other countries also trained through virtual reality.
So why was it?
Why could those I taught excel?
Only then did I open my mouth.
“That’s quite an interesting story.”
“I thought it might catch your interest.”
“So, what is your opinion on the matter, Mr. Case?”
“It’s due to the lack of certain elements that cannot be filled through simple and general training—response methods to extreme situations, perseverance, and mental purity… In short, it’s the absence of several factors that muscle memory alone cannot compensate for. And it’s also because of those who hinder such training.”
Then he glanced at me and added.
“…Of course, Yoo Jin and the professional gamers under her have secured competitiveness against North American and European players through extensive and technical situational training that more than makes up for such gaps. It was an unexpected conclusion.”
“This is the first time I’ve received such a compliment, and it’s quite impressive.”
“The training you conduct deserves such praise. Even in our country, there are three teams solely dedicated to analyzing what tactics Yoo Jin uses and what curriculum she implements.”
“Are you allowed to tell me that?”
“I might as well add that all three teams are struggling to make any significant progress.”
I couldn’t help but chuckle bitterly at that.
I wasn’t sure how he took it, but he carefully opened his mouth and started speaking.
Maybe those words were the reason he wanted to meet me.
“I am a former member of the Special Operations Group of the Ground Self-Defense Force. I’m sure you’re aware that former special forces members are often headhunted as coaches or players for professional teams that mainly operate in the Dark Zone, despite the high costs.”
“I’d expect so.”
“While it may seem like the fastest and most effective way to reinforce excellent forces on the surface, it doesn’t necessarily mean everything goes well.”
As if to collect his thoughts, he continued to sip his green tea.
“Humans are creatures of habit, especially when money is involved. Despite me and my peers from the Special Operations Group occasionally working as coaches and players, it’s not producing exceptionally outstanding players… because our country’s code of conduct is highly rigid.”
Case’s one-tool, and the reason such a story had to come out.
He carefully broached the subject with that nuance.
Due to the excellent results of the previous and last year, the quickly rigidified Apex Predator Japanese session focused on maintaining the status quo rather than pursuing new tactics and development, and even he couldn’t do anything about it—he was telling me such stories.
“The Special Operations Group runs joint operations with Delta every quarter. In other words, they are forces not heavily bound by the customs and traditions of one country. And currently, those of us, including myself, who come from such backgrounds… coaches and players of the same ilk, are experiencing significant and minor conflicts with Japanese professional teams.”
“It wasn’t for nothing that you mentioned sensitive topics. Do you trust me?”
“There is a reason I didn’t invite someone with mediocre skills. The Korean national team and Yoo Jin can achieve top rankings without publicizing such information, can’t they?”
“If you put it that way, I can’t argue.”
A story told selectively to people. He was right.
It was indeed a skillful conversation control. In fact, what Case said was true—there was no need to spread such information publicly since the Korean team was expected to return with remarkable results compared to last year.
Anyway, he continued speaking.
“In that sense, your arrival was almost artistically timed. In a fleeting moment, you took the lead so swiftly that even the stagnant waters in Korea, let alone Japan, couldn’t cope. It was an excellent strategy to quickly win public support through definitive results.”
“It sounds like you’re disappointed you couldn’t do the same.”
“Indeed. I couldn’t do it. So now, even if it’s late, I intend to. I need to cause a strong restructuring in the Japanese teams through the sharpest weapon—public opinion.”
Although his cup was empty, he added with a rather refreshed face.
“If it weren’t for you, our country would have slowly but surely sunk.”
“According to you, my presence will cause Japan to sink much faster this year, won’t it?”
“A swift and clean current is ideal for draining and clearing stagnant water.”
Both cups were completely empty.
As the serving robot cleared the cups, he spoke.
“So please, in this match… make sure to utterly destroy my country. So that everyone knows this cannot continue.”
And I chuckled.
My mouth opened.
“It’s my role to create momentum, but choosing to ride it is up to others, which I can’t stop.”
“So, what does that mean?”
“It means results will appear, and someone will ride those results. What Mr. Case does is irrelevant to me and none of my concern.”
“Then nothing happened in our conversation today.”
“Exactly.”
In other words, this was implicit permission.
The conversation was nearing its end. Case and I stood up, and he gave me a slight nod.
With a small smile, he added, “I hope you have good results.”
He bowed his head but couldn’t hide the faint smile at the corner of his lips.
It didn’t take long for the room to fall back into silence.
“Things seem unusually bustling around here. I heard someone very important is giving the opening speech….”
“Don’t worry about it. It’s better to practice visualizing the floor plan in your head. Consider where the security personnel will be placed, and if you guess right….”
A brief pause.
An expectant look.
“…Shall I offer you the chance to touch a tail if you get it right?”
“Wait a minute. Is there any A4 paper around here?”
“I’ll be right back, just going to the management office. There should be a blueprint somewhere.”
Don’t actually go, you idiots.
Anyway, the surroundings were noisy, and the hologram clock floating in mid-air showed only a few minutes left until the start of the orientation.
In essence, it was more of a banquet disguised as an OT. Everyone, though not in uniform, was neatly dressed. Naturally, they were all speculating who the VIP giving the opening speech would be.
Soon enough, the real Harmony and Dice joined this speculation.
“No way it’s the President.”
“Maybe the Mayor of New York will show up. Teacher Yoo Jin, do you have any guesses?”
“….”
As soon as I made a face that clearly said I knew but couldn’t tell, they gave up right away. There was only one possible person—the New York Senator who would soon take the helm of the United States in a couple of years, Henry.
More important than who would show up was what he would say when he got on stage.
Soon enough, Dice and Min Ah also got the gist.
“…Come to think of it, you’ll be going up soon.”
“Oh, what? Each country’s team gets to greet the VIP giving the opening speech?”
“Not each country, but by continent. Asia, Europe, South America, Africa, North America… so last year, Case was up there.”
“What did you talk about then?”
“Just some conventional encouragement.”
I hoped for the same.
At that moment, the ceiling speakers vibrated slightly, and the lighting in the banquet hall gradually dimmed. Conversely, the lights on the stage began to shine brightly. This was a subtle indication that the long-rumored VIP was ready to appear.
As the grand atmosphere settled and the noise completely subsided, a voice echoed from the wall.
-“We will now begin the orientation. First, there will be an opening speech. Please give a big round of applause to welcome the VIP.”
And then, there was only applause.
There wasn’t any grand music, but for now, that was enough. By the day after tomorrow, all the missing elements would be fulfilled.
In the meantime, a figure moved with the grace of age. Some knew who he was, others did not. However, unless one was entirely uninterested in American politics, it was evident that everyone widened their eyes and started watching the podium.
It was inevitable.
“Wait a minute. I think I’ve seen that person somewhere….”
“My God.”
He was not just a simple politician or senator. The person who started walking in was a leading candidate for the next presidential election, someone who frequently appeared on TV, and one of the closest individuals to the pinnacle of American power. Even if one didn’t recognize him, it didn’t matter. In just a few seconds, everyone would know.
As everyone realized who would give the opening speech, he stopped in front of the podium and adjusted the microphone. A small alarm sounded from his wristwatch, which doubled as a cell phone.
The representatives decided through the continental preliminaries stepped forward first.
Harmony and Dice quietly added, “Have a good time! Yoo Jin, we’re not worried because you never get nervous!”
“Don’t say anything weird up there.”
“…What kind of image do you have of me, exactly?”
Retribution seemed necessary upon my return.
Anyway, it didn’t take long for me and the other four users to step onto the stage – surprisingly, Logan was not the representative for North America and was waiting below.
Thus, the opening speech began, and the five of us made eye contact with Henry. He shook hands and exchanged pleasantries with each continent’s representatives, appearing quite intimate despite it being the first meeting for many of us.
While I pondered if this was an essential trait of a seasoned politician, Henry finally faced me last.
Could this pass without incident?
I shouldn’t have had such thoughts.
His expression suddenly brightened, and I sensed something was amiss.
“Yoo Jin, I’m glad to see you’ve been well.”
Ignoring the murmuring atmosphere, he spread his arms wide toward me – with a slight chuckle, I engaged in an enthusiastic greeting.
A conversation ensued that no one else could hear.
“It’s not a public broadcast event, but you’re being quite intense, Congressman.”
“Letting others know about our friendship is a negligible risk, so don’t worry. I’ve already planned everything, so there’s no need for concern.”
“Of course, you have.”
Thus, the embrace that seemed to span eternity and a fleeting moment ended.
A rather troublesome weekend was beginning.