The first feeling I experienced was discomfort. It seemed like the nuance was questioning, “Did you really think of this strategy by yourself?”
But voicing it out loud felt paranoid. Even so, I could feel a subtly condescending tone from the person. The sensation of being jabbed in the heart filled my body with an irritating feeling, making it quite distressing.
However, as the conversation continued, the person, who turned out to be a coach, started mocking and belittling rogues one by one… Should I say thanks to that? That small irritation was completely overshadowed. A surge of infuriation welled up within me.
No matter how many times I experienced it, I never got used to it. In my past life, rogues were so popular; why were they being treated like this now? Why, just why?
At least, the few commonalities left were something like KoK. Even from KoK, why did the fact that it was ultimately a different world constantly smack me in the face whenever there was a chance?
Why was it similar yet twisted in such different ways?
As something fiery brewed inside me from the struggle to endure this, the coach had the audacity to dismiss StarPork… the fuse was lit.
Infuriated, I couldn’t hold back and challenged him on the spot.
At that moment… I really saw nothing else.
Why was that?
Suddenly, the starless sky from the night before came to my mind.
The pleasantly cool air, the weariness after a loud night of drinking. The lingering tipsiness slowly dissipating while sprawling with comrades… lying there feeling drowsy, seeing the night sky.
Conscience, which showed itself again, made me check how Revan, who introduced me, and StarPork, who was the actual target of the insult, felt.
Talking with Revan, who believed in me and cheered me on, and StarPork, who said she wanted to watch the broadcast… my anger dissipated like bubbles.
The coach did speak in a condescending tone. Sure. It could make me feel bad. But still…
Getting this angry might ultimately be due to my own stubbornness.
Getting mad because a lower-tier friend was insulted… isn’t even hypocritical. Who was it that joked about speaking English if they were below Diamond?
Most importantly… what sin did Orthodox have in all this? A person who recognized the strategy’s value, respectfully asked for teachings from beginning to end.
As I continued to think, the boiling anger dissipated, leaving behind a mixed-up feeling.
It was hard to pin down what it was exactly.
Yet, though emotions twisted and turned inside, my mind cooled down. Considering calmly, what I needed to do was clear.
For me and for Orthodox.
First, I needed to strike them down.
And then, I would properly pass on the strategy.
The first match… as a sign of gratitude to Orthodox, who understood the value.
From the second match onwards… I needed to assist Orthodox to make it easier for him to convince the coach, director, and teammates.
And incidentally, I would avenge my student. As a very secondary goal, to clear any lingering feelings.
I wasn’t angry anymore, but I still had things to do.
* * * *
《Damn- Juho! Need help here!》
『GP Bringer has been defeated!』
『GetDevoured(Archer) → GP Bringer(Holy Knight)』
『GetDevoured(Archer): Hmm…』
『GetDevoured(Archer): Should we try again?』
『GetDevoured(Archer): The core of this strategy is how the rogue benefits during a standoff, but it seems like the coach died too quickly to get the feel of it…』
* * *
《Kill them, StarPork.》
《Wait– done! I killed them!》
『GP Bringer has been killed!』
『StarPork(Rogue) → GP Bringer(Holy Knight)』
《Ah, that’s a good picture. Do you think we can use this on G-tube? Maybe we can ask if it’s okay to release it after the World Series ends.》
《No matter what, I don’t think that’s a good idea… It’s a video of a current coach playing. Losing to me one-on-one would be a bit…》
《If we release it anonymously, no one would know which one of us did it… According to the presumption of innocence, we’d both be innocent, right?》
《Wouldn’t we both just be guilty as accomplices?》
* * *
《The knight is low on health. Just pretend to chase and jump into the box.》
《Okay!》
『GetDevoured(Holy Knight): Three boxes opened』
『GP Orthodox(Warrior): Yep, let’s reset』
『GP Bringer(Holy Knight): Thank you so much for your help today, but we have a scrim soon so we need to wrap this up.』
『GP Orthodox(Warrior): Ah… right. Shall we do one last round then?』
* * * *
『GP Bringer has been killed!』
『StarPork(Rogue) → GP Bringer(Holy Knight)』
“Thank you! We really appreciate you taking the time today.”
《Not at all. Oh, I didn’t get to explain the last round. It’s a route to catch poorly hidden ambushers.》
“Did StarPork rush to the center first and then brief using sound cues?”
《Yes, if the rogue uses all their stamina, they barely reach the center. But I’m not sure if it will work at the pro level. The ambush spot might be too obvious… It’s better to just keep this route in mind for reference.》
A golden lecture had been going on for a whole hour and a half. Throughout that time, the face of the coach, Bringer, who had made nothing but golden dung, was turning redder and redder.
Especially for the last round, where he tried to reverse ambush but wasted time camping… and as a result, ended up giving a kill to StarPork, not even Yena.
There couldn’t have been a greater humiliation. Since he had been huffing and puffing, determined to show his prowess after first giving a kill to StarPork, it was all the more humiliating.
However, in Orthodox’s eyes, such a minor change in the coach’s expression did not register at all. In the past 90 minutes, there were a total of 12 practice matches and pinpoint Q&A sessions. None of them could be taken lightly.
“It seems roughly organized. Although more practice is needed. There’s a lot to delve into if we dig deeper… Haha. The more I think about it, doing this alone is really—”
“It wasn’t done alone.”
Listening to Lee Yena’s firm denial, Orthodox unconsciously let out a slight smile. Isn’t this kind of person truly fit to be a coach?
As a woman, she would probably face stamina issues to play as an athlete. But in short-term matches, she could easily outplay most active players and possessed an astonishing degree of knowledge. On top of that, she was humble…
For a brief moment, Orthodox glanced at Coach Bringer, who had been keeping his mouth shut for some time, and suppressed a sigh attempting to escape before continuing to speak.
“I knew GetDevoured-nim did well, but StarPork-nim is amazing too. She doesn’t seem to belong in the Gold tier.”
“Th-Thank you! It’s all thanks to my mentor!”
“Oh, GetDevoured-nim?”
“Yes.”
“Would it be okay if I add you as a friend? I might have some questions while practicing rogue skills. If it’s a burden, I can ask through Revan-nim.”
“Hmm… I’ll add you myself, so you can ask through Revan as well. If you could give reasons like, ‘why the warrior wouldn’t work in the world stage’, that would be great. How does that sound?”
“Haha… sure. Thank you. I’ll ask you from time to time.”
Orthodox tried to turn my bafflement into a laugh, shaking his head lightly.
‘Guess she won’t become a coach after all.’
It was a quick judgment befitting a former pro gamer who was once called the king without a crown.
* * * *
『Revan: It seemed like everything went well.』
『Revan: Are you okay?』
『CravingWarmAmericano: 🙂
『CravingWarmAmericano: Yes.』
『Revan: It’s almost terrifying to say it’s a relief.』
『Revan: Wait a minute, what are you saying?』
Revan: Are you streaming?』
『CravingWarmAmericano: Yes.』
『CravingWarmAmericano: I haven’t turned on the screen yet.』
『Revan: Oh.』
『Revan: You said you wouldn’t until Tuesday.』
『Revan: Please, if you’re streaming, just tell me.』
『Revan: No, never mind. I’ll check from now on.』
『CravingWarmAmericano: I felt like doing it suddenly…』
『CravingWarmAmericano: And I do tell you of course once it starts broadcasting.』
『CravingWarmAmericano: Even when Revan doubted me three times, I turned off the broadcast to talk. 🙁』
『Revan: Just go and start the broadcast』
『Revan: Please, don’t talk about that matter…….』
『CravingWarmAmericano: Oh, by the way』
『CravingWarmAmericano: It seems like you haven’t tried The Rogue yet』
『CravingWarmAmericano: If you endure until the 30th day, it becomes a really intense game』
『CravingWarmAmericano: Hurry up and play』
『Revan: ……Was it that kind of game?』
『Revan: Anyway, you seem fine』
『Revan: Hurry up, the viewers are waiting』
『CravingWarmAmericano: 😕』
『What’s that keyboard sound』
『What are you doing』
『Turn on the screen, please』
『Open the door, you 10-year old! Open the door, you 10-year old! Open the door, you 10-year old! Open the door, you 10-year old! Open the door, you 10-year old! Open the door, you 10-year old! Open the door, you 10-year old! Open the door, you 10-year old!』
『Why did you start the broadcast with just a black screen』
『Is there a story after the get-together?』
『Today’s plan is wild boar farming, right?』
『Posted the fishing mode on WeTogether!!!』
『Surprise broadcast, love you, sis』
After attending the get-together, there was no intention to broadcast for a while. The sight of the forum clamoring for the broadcast to start quickly and share the stories was rather satisfying. But above all, it was because of a sense of fulfillment from somewhere.
Perhaps it could be described as feeling full.
However……
In a sudden realization, I thought that all this fulfillment ultimately was thanks to these people. Ignoring their desperate requests didn’t seem right. It was also an opportunity to dispel the notion of lacking communication, so streaming was unavoidable.
-ㅇㅇ donated 1,000 won!-
【How was the get-together】
Moreover, the inquiries about the get-together were a topic I wanted to discuss. Like wanting to talk about an interesting movie you just watched with a friend.
“It was good. Fun……it was fun in its own way.”
Answering as I tried to hold back the smile sneaking onto my face, I heard the dragging donation voice again.
-ㅇㅇ donated 1,000 won!-
【Was there anything uncomfortableㅠㅠ】
Uncomfortable…….
Hmm. Not really……I don’t think so. The drinks were delicious. The food was good……oh.
Just before going, I took a strange nap, so it was a bit tough at the seated Izakaya.
“Right. My back and hips were quite stiff……in the end it was a bit tough. But well, that was because of my strange sleeping posture. The get-together wasn’t to blame.”
Oh, right.
“Oh, I took a lot of pictures thanks to StarPork at the get-together. Want to see?”