A pro gamer. Someone who made a living playing games and earned money from it.
If you define it that way… then aren’t game broadcasters a type of pro gamer as well? It seemed like a reasonable argument, but that thought didn’t quite sit right.
Perhaps it was because I didn’t want to play word games with the title “pro gamer”.
In any field, the gap between a professional and an amateur was vast. When someone dedicated an extraordinary amount of effort to something that seemed trivial at first glance, there was often a sarcastic remark along the lines of “Are you trying to go pro?”
There was a reason for that.
People called someone ‘pro-level’ when praising an amateur because of the same reason. And because the common retort to that praise was, “If they were pro-level, they would’ve gone pro.”
All of this pointed to the same conclusion: the barrier to becoming a professional was high and solidly built.
Only those who had experienced it could truly understand.
Like me.
From the first season of KoK to the beginning of season 3, I aspired to be a pro gamer—failed and gave up. I could probably have cracked the dwindling talent pool of a declining league around season 5 or 6, but by then, I was too scared to go back to being a pro gamer trainee.
I thought it was even more out of reach now.
So, why hide it?
To me, the title of a pro gamer carried a slight intimidation and a bit of admiration… it was a word with that kind of power. The more it was impossible for me to attain, the more it stood out.
And when a pro gamer said they wanted to learn something from me, it naturally made my heart race.
To be honest, I was a little thrilled… so much so that I wanted to turn on my broadcast and brag to my viewers. But I held back, thinking I shouldn’t reveal any strategies if it was for a professional match.
『SYSTEM: (Revan) has invited (CravingWarmAmericano) to the group chat! Enjoy your chat 😊』
『Revan: Hello』
『CravingWarmAmericano: Hello』
『Orthodox: Good evening, I am Orthodox from GP Hustlers. Thank you very much for your time today.』
『Orthodox: We have a huge fan of yours on our team, GetDevoured-nim. We’ve heard a lot about you.』
『CravingWarmAmericano: Oh, it’s my pleasure.』
『Revan: To introduce properly, CravingWarmAmericano is a broadcaster on Tw*tch and prepared most of the strategies for our tournament. She’s quite skilled.』
『Revan: Extremely skilled.』
『CravingWarmAmericano: That’s too kind. Thank you for your compliment.』
『Revan: ??』
『Revan: Anyway』
『Revan: You two can start your discussion now』
Revan’s response seemed less than enthusiastic.
『Revan: If you feel uncomfortable, let me know.』
『Revan: You can cut it short anytime.』
『Revan: Don’t feel burdened.』
I wondered why he was sending private messages when the chat room was just fine. I responded with an emoji and shifted back to my conversation with Orthodox.
『Orthodox: Thank you once again for making time!』
『Orthodox: Honestly, I couldn’t just let it pass; GetDevoured’s strategy seemed too promising and viable, I couldn’t ignore it.』
『Orthodox: So, can we ask a few questions through voice?』
『Orthodox: Ah, our coach will mainly be asking. I’ll, of course, listen in, but our coach specializes in combinations and strategies.』
『CravingWarmAmericano: Sure.』
After a brief ringing tone, a somewhat flippant voice was heard.
<<Hello, GetDevoured-nim! Can you hear me well?>>
“Yes. I can hear you.”
So this is Orthodox, huh. A gamer I hadn’t heard of in my past life… but their image is a bit different from what I saw online.
<<Hello, GetDevoured-nim. I’m Orthodox. Thank you once again for making time to talk with us.>>
Ah, so it’s not them. Then this must be—
<<Oh, I forgot to introduce myself. I’m Bringer, the coach for GP Hustlers.>>
“Yes. Hello.”
<<First of all, just to ask, it’s difficult for you to visit our practice room, right? For security reasons… and actually, because one of our youngest players is a big fan.>>
Visit… visit, huh.
It might not be impossible. I’ve already been out for a gathering. It’s good to force myself to create opportunities to go out… and it’d be interesting to visit a pro gaming team’s practice room after such a long time.
But for some reason, I felt reluctant.
“Due to circumstances, it would be difficult.”
<<I see. Well, our player Orthodox was deeply impressed with your 2-Underground strategy in the recent tournament. He asked me to request some tips on it.>>
“Yes.”
<<First… was there a particular match you referred to?>>
“Pardon?”
<<Oh, haha. It’s a bit embarrassing for me as a coach, but although we’re a pro team, we can’t keep up with all the international matches. So I wanted to ask if it was a strategy used in an overseas league.>>
Overseas league… if I said it was, would that be right? In my past life, it was the European powerhouse V7 that used it for the first World Series and won.
But I was the first to come up with the 2-Underground strategy centered around rogues…
And the first World Series hasn’t been held yet.
“… To my knowledge, it’s not.”
<<Oh, is that so? Alright. Then… I had some questions about role distribution. While the rogue was growing, was it because of the tournament rules that the archer was handling the opponent’s interference and monster hunting? It seemed like it would be more effective with a warrior or knight.>>
Why do I feel a slight discomfort in my chest?
Is this withdrawal? I drank a lot yesterday, so I was trying to take it easy today.
Next to the Polaroid photos that StarPork handed me in a bundle, I filled a tiny espresso cup with soju and took a sip.
Ah, that’s a bit better.
“It’s because of the rules. It’s ideal for a knight or a mage to take on the farming role.”
<<Indeed. Hmm, ‘farming role’ must mean a role that focuses on farming, correct? Thoroughly dividing the roles… Ah, was that related to the rogue’s proficiency issue?>>
“Pardon?”
<<Well, it seems like the person assigned to the rogue role, was it StarPork? Perhaps that person lacked proficiency, so they were given an easier role. If the rogue is supposed to set up for player-versus-player encounters, what about letting the rogue handle some of the interference… That’s what I was thinking.>>
It’s not wrong.
Having the roamer handle some of the interference would be a big help. It depends on the composition and traits.
But, a bit.
Just a bit, isn’t it.
“Uh, coach? What I meant was whether we could adjust the ratio of roles midway, and-”
<<No worries, hyung understands. Ah, sorry for the local broadcast interruption, GetDevoured-nim. Anyway, as Juho just mentioned… If it was a rogue proficiency issue, did you try using a proper rogue to interfere with the opposing underground? In such cases, the rogue could use different traits or something.>>
“…Traits can be varied based on the composition. Yes. In extreme cases, the rogue might pick stealth.”
<<Ah, stealth. Stealth is a bit difficult at the pro level… What other traits are you talking about?>>
“Well… Stealth becomes a more favorable trait as the tier increases. And for the other traits… except for acceleration, all high-level traits can be useful depending on the composition.”
<<Ah, I see. So, the next thing is… Right. An archer or a mage can open the boxes, but considering the growth potential, I think an archer would be best. Have you tried growing an archer?>>
Ah, I understand now.
“Coach Bringer.”
<<Yes?>>
“Before explaining, it might be better if I do a demonstration.”
<<Oh, that’s a good idea. Thank you. In that case… I’ll ask our trainees to come and->>
“Orthodox-nim?”
<<…Yes, GetDevoured-nim. What I wanted to say is->>
“See you underground. I’ll create the room.”
I, can’t tolerate this anymore.
* * * *
『CravingWarmAmericano: Can I apologize in advance?』
『Revan: Oh』
『Revan: What’s it this time』
『CravingWarmAmericano: I feel a bit sorry because I might get the necks of those you introduced cut off』
『CravingWarmAmericano: I’m a bit sorry』
『Revan: ??』
『Revan: What’s going on』
『CravingWarmAmericano: No, it’s nothing in particular』
[Revan: No, your tone of voice has completely changed.]
(Revan is typing a message…)
[Revan: I’m sorry.]
[Revan: I introduced him to you because I never thought he would do anything strange.]
[Revan: I’m not sure what happened yet, but I’ll check and take care of it.]
[CravingWarmAmericano: No.]
[CravingWarmAmericano: He hasn’t done anything yet.]
[CravingWarmAmericano: Take care of it later.]
(Revan is typing a message…)
[Revan: Anyway, from the sound of it, it looks like you’re going to duel him.]
[CravingWarmAmericano: Yes.]
[Revan: Well then…]
(Revan is typing a message…)
[Revan: Go win.]
[Revan: I have a feeling you’ll win even without my support.]
[CravingWarmAmericano: Ah.]
[CravingWarmAmericano: Can I capture this and post it?]
…
[CravingWarmAmericano: Ahri.]
[StarPork: ???? Yes, yes, yes, yes.]
[CravingWarmAmericano: Are you busy?]
[StarPork: No? Not at all? I’m off today!]
[StarPork: But when are you going live?]
[StarPork: It’s too much to not give any notice about streaming…]
[CravingWarmAmericano: … I should go live soon.]
[CravingWarmAmericano: Anyway.]
[CravingWarmAmericano: If you have time, please join the Discourse screen share.]
[CravingWarmAmericano: And also]
(CravingWarmAmericano is typing a message…)
[CravingWarmAmericano: If you can play, please get ready.]