Chapter 74: Media Day

Today was the day for filming the tournament teaser and media day.

We had just finished a short scrim against a Japanese team, using the remaining time.

“No way, the person you met yesterday was Ray?”
“Apparently so.”
“…Insane.”

While reviewing the scrim and giving feedback, Kim Do-jin brought up the sudden increase in my followers.

That led to the revelation that the girl I met yesterday was the singer performing the MSI theme song.

Upon hearing this, Lee Yoo-chan looked utterly devastated.

“Is she that famous?”

“She’s incredibly famous. 100 million views at 17. And honestly, even though she hides her face, you can tell she’s beautiful.”

To Lee Yoo-chan’s passionate explanation, Park Jin-hwan added, “She was pretty.”

“I should have taken a picture with her when I had the chance.”
“We didn’t know who she was back then. Imagine randomly asking a Japanese student for a picture? You’d get arrested.”
“That’s true… But it’s a shame.”

‘She is amazing.’

It’s not difficult to inflate viewership on YouTube, especially with music.

Even so, 100 million views is a clear indicator of a top-tier artist.

Thinking about that, I suddenly became curious.

“Who’s more famous, me or her?”

“Who’s more famous…?”

Lee Yoo-chan, taken aback by the question, paused, then began to seriously consider it.

His answer:

“It depends on preference.”

“Preference?”

“Even if Ray is famous, it’s only among people who listen to Japanese music. Similarly, you’re only known to people who play League, right?”

He had a point.

“But to be precise, more people probably know Ray at this point.”

As Lee Yoo-chan said, anyone who likes Japanese music probably knows Ray, but not all League players know me.

‘There are people who play the game but don’t watch competitive matches.’

To make myself known to them…

‘Winning an international tournament.’

There was no better way.

Even though it’s a club competition, the current trend is to build teams with homegrown talent, rarely using foreign players.

This gives it a national team dynamic, and winning would be an opportunity to make myself known not only to gamers but also to the general public.

“On a slightly different note, is VXG the most famous team in the League scene right now?”

Kim Do-jin’s question created a strange tension in the room.

Since our MSI participation was confirmed, no one had mentioned them.

‘Because they are our strongest opponent.’

VXG from the LPL.

The powerhouse team that systematically crushed the LCK teams and sent them home in the previous Worlds.

Although they missed last year’s MSI, they are a superteam that has won two LPL titles and Worlds.

‘And they’ll maintain that roster for years to come.’

How many times did VXG block my path to an international championship in my past life?

They were memories I didn’t want to relive.

“Among them, Hoon must be the most famous, right?”

After a brief silence, as if trying to lighten the mood, Park Jin-hwan answered casually.

“Probably. He practically single-handedly dragged the LPL out of the gutter after they lost to the LEC and were on the verge of collapse.”

“But Hoon’s playstyle is kind of similar to Seo-ha’s, isn’t it?”

“That’s true. Dodging all the skill shots, making selfish trades to destroy mid lane, then roaming to wreak havoc on other lanes.”

‘…I’ll beat him this time.’

VXG, the team I could never overcome in my past life.

It’s time to show them that things are different now.

---

“We will now take questions for ARK.”

After the teaser shoot, media day began.

As our team’s turn approached, the eyes of the numerous reporters sharpened.

“When asking questions, please clearly address a specific player, coach, or manager.”

Usually, Riot provides professional interpreters for these press conferences, but our manager took on the role.

I heard it was better this way since she was proficient and knew the players well.

“A question for ARK’s coach. ARK, which can be considered a rookie team, is participating in this MSI. How do you feel?”

The first question went to the coach.

“While we are challengers, I don’t believe our players’ individual skills are inferior to other teams, so we aim to win the championship.”

Usually, first-time participants try to be humble, but the coach confidently declared our intention to win.

The reporter who asked the question seemed slightly surprised and followed up,

“So, you believe you can defeat VXG as well?”

“I believe it is entirely possible.”

“Thank you for your answer.”

The next question, from a Western reporter, was directed at Park Jin-hwan.

“Most of the top laners participating in this MSI have aggressive tendencies. I’m curious to hear Caster’s thoughts, as a player who mainly plays tank champions.”

“While the current meta requires top lane to create advantages, in matches between top-tier teams, situations arise where top lane needs to provide stability. I consider this our strength.”

Indeed, while meta picks are important in high-level matches, fundamentals often make the difference.

As high-tier picks get banned and sets progress, champion priority shifts, and ultimately, champions that rely on fundamental skills become valuable.

“A question for Para. What is your mindset going into this tournament?”

The person who asked me the question was a Korean reporter.

“I aim to win every tournament I participate in.”

“A follow-up question. Para, you haven’t even been playing professionally for a full year, and this is your first international competition. Do you feel any nervousness or pressure?”

I could sense the nervousness in my teammates, though not as much as on their LCK debut day.

But I…

‘Even though I only achieved runner-up finishes…’

…had participated in over eight international tournaments in my past life.

Honestly, it felt no different from a domestic league.

Still, given my rookie status, I answered that I felt a little nervous.

“Lastly, LCK fans have been hoping for an international championship victory for a long time. Could you say a few words to them?”

“Thank you to everyone who always supports us. As a representative of the LCK, I will do my best to make you proud.”

---

‘Amazing.’

Osaka Castle is a famous tourist spot.

Seino had visited a few times on school field trips when she was younger, but this was her first time at the arena next to it.

Pop-up stores selling merchandise and team uniforms.

And, as expected of a country proud of its subculture, many people were cosplaying various champions.

Looking around the arena, she thought…

‘This is so embarrassing…!’

Her voice could be heard everywhere, and she had even composed the music, so it was impossible not to feel embarrassed.

Composing herself, she headed to the ticket booth and collected the tickets she had requested.

‘I can’t believe I’m actually watching an ARK match live.’

Today’s first match was ARK versus a Japanese team that had emerged from the brutal minor league gauntlet.

ARK was favored, but most of the live audience desperately wanted the home team to win.

Of course, Seino wasn’t against the Japanese team winning, but…

‘I also want to see Para happy…’

She was conflicted about who to root for.

As the match time approached, she entered the arena.

‘Here? Me?’

On the day of the finals, the singer who performs the theme song traditionally gives a live performance.

For Seino, who had never performed a formal concert, the prospect of performing in front of over 10,000 people was incredibly daunting.

As she stood at the entrance, staring blankly at the arena, someone tapped her on the shoulder.

“Eek! I’m so sorry!”

She reflexively turned around and apologized.

‘…Beautiful.’

She was as beautiful as Para from ARK.

The woman reassured her it was fine and said,

“If you don’t know where your seat is, I can help you find it.”

Seino already knew where her seat was.

But, unable to refuse someone’s offer, she handed over her ticket.

“Oh? Our seats are close! Let’s go together.”

“O-Okay…”

As they made their way to their seats, the woman sat right next to Seino.

‘This is uncomfortable… Please don’t talk to me…’

Unaware of Seino’s inner plea, the woman next to her, as if trying to pass the time, started a conversation.

“Which team are you rooting for?”

“I, um…”

With most people hoping for the Japanese team’s victory, was it okay to say she wanted to see ARK win?

After some deliberation, Seino answered honestly.

“I came here hoping to see ARK win today.”

“Really!? I’m an ARK fan too!”

As they talked, Seino learned that the woman was from Korea and a big fan of ARK.

“Your Japanese is really good.”

“I’m learning several languages because I might need them in the future.”

“ARK will probably win today, right?”

“They’ll definitely win. ARK has Para.”

“I love Para too.”

After discovering they were supporting the same team, they chatted excitedly while waiting for the match to begin.

And then, the match started.

And then…

[Everyone! Who said Japan was weak! TXG takes the first victory, crushing the LCK champions!]

“Huh…?”