Chapter 136: You got caught!

If you were to ask when a pro gamer’s most relaxed period is… most would point to the time between the end of the regular league and the start of the preseason.

Since a new patch hasn’t been applied yet, the builds have long been established, and there’s no reason for any more league matches to be played with the current patch.

STK’s team was no exception.

Even though most of the members were gathered at the team house, strategic research and scrims had been put on hold.

Normally, they would be off on vacation or at a workshop, but for some reason, the entire team had stayed behind, fully immersed in practice.

Even if strategies and scrims were set aside, they continued grinding ranked matches.

No matter what changes might come to the game’s balance, sharpening their instincts would never be a bad thing.

They’d be able to adapt faster than anyone else.

However, the biggest reason was something the coach and manager were well aware of.

The problem was that acknowledging it out loud would be a severe blow to their pride as professionals—so, by mutual understanding, they all chose to keep quiet about it.

***

Yoonsoo stepped out for a breather during his break, glancing into the other team members’ rooms as he passed by.

They were all the same—focused entirely on solo queue, refining their mechanics.

‘Well, to put it bluntly, we got absolutely destroyed by Pride.’

It was all in unofficial events, sure, but who would’ve thought their star players would get obliterated by Pride like that? If STK hadn’t dominated every league this season, they would’ve been outright mocked for their skills as professionals.

Criticizing STK meant making every pro team below them look like fools.

Of course, some people were still gritting their teeth and calling them washed-up.

‘Ridiculous.’

And to think, all of this was because of a single player—Pride.

Where the hell had someone with that level of skill even come from? Lately, people had even started calling them “Chaebol Pride.”

They were like an onion—no matter how much you peeled away, there was always something new underneath.

***

As Yoonsoo entered the lobby, he spotted Eunha stretching ahead of him.

He sneaked over and asked, “You streaming?”

“Yeah, just finished my quota. No one’s stopping me this week.”

“Lucky. I’ve still got two days’ worth left. So jealous.”

Streaming for fun was one thing, but streaming to meet a required quota felt more like work than play, making it hard to enjoy.

Seeing Eunha already done with her share made Yoonsoo envious—it was like watching a classmate who had finished their homework early and was already having fun.

“If you’re jealous, work harder.”

Eunha replied flatly, glancing at him.

“Please, everyone knows the best way to do homework is to cram it all on the last day.”

She shook her head and decided to drop the subject.

Just the other day, Yoonsoo had gotten scolded for failing to meet his contract-mandated streaming hours.

His carefree attitude was unbelievable.

But there was no point in wasting her energy on it—getting involved would only be a loss for her.

Ignoring him, she pulled an ion drink from the fridge and took a sip.

Just then, Yoonsoo, who had been munching on snacks beside her, suddenly had an idea.

“Duo queue? Or better yet, let’s invite Pride and play together.”

He could just ask directly, but Pride had never responded to his friend requests, no matter how many times he sent them.

They acted friendly in official settings, but in private, they kept a firm distance… making it hard to find a way to communicate.

The only person in STK who had any real connection with Pride was Lotus Eunha, so Yoonsoo was trying his luck.

“She’s streaming right now. Said she already had plans, so probably not happening.”

“Really? That sucks.”

He clicked his tongue in disappointment.

The recent event had been one of Yoonsoo’s happiest moments—an experience truly worthy of the word “event.”

People could say all they wanted about STK getting stomped by a bunch of solo queue warriors—who cared? The real winners were those who attended Pride’s fan meeting and got a hug.

They were the true champions, standing above the world.

There were all sorts of popular streamers out there, including those who rose to fame thanks to their looks.

But Pride was different.

Calling them just a “face card” wouldn’t be enough—no, their looks had outright surpassed the limits of human attraction.

If Yoonsoo had to pick a universally beloved appearance, he wouldn’t hesitate to choose Pride.

Even after all the suffering STK endured at Pride’s hands, there was no lingering resentment.

That was probably thanks to that hug, which melted away even the most venomous grudges.

The memory of it was still so vivid that Yoonsoo could practically feel it.

That’s why he had tried to get Eunha to set up a game with Pride—but he had been rejected outright.

***

“Hey, by the way, have you heard anything?”

This time, it was Eunha who brought up a question.

Yoonsoo tilted his head.

“Heard what?”

‘He doesn’t know?’

Eunha clicked her tongue.

Given how well-connected Yoonsoo was, she had assumed he would already be in the loop.

Although Eunha couldn’t trace the source, a rumor circulating in online communities had been nagging at her.

Something about STK trying to recruit Pride and failing miserably.

‘Where was that nonsense coming from?’

“I heard somewhere that we tried to recruit her and got completely shut down. Something about management even getting involved.”

“Huh? First time I’m hearing about this. Who even counts as management? It’s just the coach and the director, right? Oh, and the staff at headquarters, I guess….”

‘Would they even be interested enough to get involved?’

‘Probably not, right?’

Then again, the phrase STK Pride had a nice ring to it.

Beautiful people always attract attention, no matter the industry.

Even Yoonsoo could see that Pride’s commercial value was through the roof.

Whether as a franchise player or a streamer, she would be an incredible asset for promotions.

And considering STK’s sponsors weren’t just some no-name companies… it really would be amazing if she joined.

Then they could collab all the time.

“…You’re thinking something weird about her, aren’t you?”

“No, it’s a good thought.”

“Uh-huh, sure.”

Eunha didn’t mind being the only one to receive a hug at the fan meeting.

But STK’s entire roster? Plus all the fans who attended? That was unexpected.

Thinking about it, it was an odd situation.

For Eunha, it was purely admiration—an honest, unwavering sense of reverence.

‘But could the others really say the same?’

‘And her outfit was way too revealing….’

Not that she was complaining.

Pride was mesmerizing, someone you couldn’t help but keep staring at.

But Eunha felt that she should be the only one having these thoughts.

‘Maybe that was why… when she imagined how many people had gone home and indulged in disgusting fantasies about Pride, she couldn’t help but grind her teeth.’

And that was the moment a new goal took root in Eunha’s heart.

Someday, she would reach the highest possible career as a pro gamer, amass wealth, and then—become Pride’s personal manager.

There were obstacles, of course.

The streamers Forming and Park Dayoung, as well as Pride’s editor Azzy, Ryu Ajin.

All formidable opponents.

But no one—absolutely no one—could take care of Pride, or Sehee unnie, as well as she could.

If Yoonsoo had known what she was thinking, he would’ve laughed and asked where all this baseless confidence was coming from.

But no one could read her thoughts.

And so, Eunha, lost in her own delusions, only strengthened her resolve.

“Whatever. I’m heading back now.”

“Alright. If you insist on playing solo, I won’t stop you. I’ll be ranking up with Chanhyuk-kun.”

“I need to train alone. You do realize duo queue makes pros look like they’re boosting each other, right?”

“Yeah, and? What are they gonna do about it? If they don’t like it, they should win a championship.”

Seriously, there was no dealing with him.

Then again, it was hard to argue against him, considering he actually contributed to victories—not just padded his career.

And they were on the same team, after all.

Eunha ultimately backed off, settled into her chair, and logged into the game.

***

[User: Friede777]

[Status: In Queue]

Ah, Pride was already matchmaking.

‘Maybe she should just throw caution to the wind and ask to join.’

Eunha hesitated.

But then, her own words to Yoonsoo earlier echoed in her mind.

I need to train alone.

‘I didn’t think karma would come back this fast.’

Oh well.

There would be plenty of chances in the future.

Shrugging it off, she queued up for a match.

Pride was a Challenger, and so was she.

Who knows? Maybe they’d end up on the same team.

Thunk!

The match was found, and Eunha entered the lobby.

She checked the names on her team—familiar pro players, solid teammates.

No weak links.

She felt good about this one.

At least until—

“…Huh?”

She glanced at the enemy team.

[Friede777]

[Forming222]

Her eyes locked onto two very familiar names.

Forming. Dayoung.

They were smirking at her.

Her jaw clenched on instinct.