Chapter 75: Proposal

[YSG TaeHyeong: I am Park TaeHyeong, coach of Y So Games. If it’s okay, could we have a constructive conversation about joining the team?]

My heart is racing.

Whether it’s a “thump-thump” or “dong-dong,” my chest is definitely pounding.

“Ha…”

Deep breath, deep breath.

Honestly, I thought this time would come.

The reason I accepted the friend request this time, unlike before, was because of that.

‘Oh, could there have been other requests like this?’

I wouldn’t know.

But hey, who should I blame for not attaching my affiliation to my username?

‘How could they let such a talent slip away?’

Even though my heart is still racing and I’m still calming down, it’s a bit funny to say this, but anyway, I’m not the one losing out.

…Or am I?

[Me: What is it about?]

[YSG TaeHyeong: First, may I ask if you are currently contracted with another team or have plans to do so?]

[Me: No.]

[YSG TaeHyeong: I see, thank you.]

And then…

A moment of silence passed.

It felt like an eternity to me.

[YSG TaeHyeong: If it’s not too much trouble, may I ask if you have any experience as a pro or practice player? Or any other account you used?]

[Me: No, I don’t.]

I flinched slightly but proceeded with the answer I had prepared in my mind.

If they later ask persistently about other accounts, I’ll just say I deleted it about a year ago to avoid any issues while playing solo queue. By then, the account details would be untraceable, and it’s far better than revealing I was “Prisoner.”

[YSG TaeHyeong: Thank you for your response. In that case, would you be interested in taking our team’s trial test?]

[YSG TaeHyeong: You may not know, but Y So Games is currently part of the 1st division of the Legend of League Champions Korea. While we unfortunately didn’t make it to the Red Cup last year, we are a prestigious team with plenty of potential. We are committed to discovering new talent every year, and we are looking for excellent players like you.]

[YSG TaeHyeong: If you’re interested in joining a team with talented teammates, a coach you can trust, and a front office that always cares for you, please contact us. We look forward to hearing from you.]

The part below seemed like a copy-paste message, but it didn’t bother me.

At least they got the username right.

[Me: Yes, I’ll think about it and contact you.]

I honestly wanted to accept immediately.

But I thought it would be better to pretend to think about it, so I don’t give off the wrong impression.

[YSG TaeHyeong: Okay, we will be looking forward to the good news.]

The conversation with the person who introduced themselves as YSG Coach Park TaeHyeong ended there.

It was a simple, almost indifferent conclusion, but there was a strange sense of relaxation.

‘Right, my tier is only Diamond 3 now. It’s not quite time to compete as a potential pro yet.’

Of course, once my tier truly rises, I would naturally receive more offers.

Well… that’s a story for later.

“Heh, heh, heh…”

Now is the time to rejoice.

“──!”

I silently scream.

I am that happy.

Honestly, I wasn’t entirely free from anxiety until now.

Could I become a pro?

No, before that, could I even receive an offer?

I know it’s just unnecessary worry, but the realm of being a pro is something I’ve never stepped into before.

It felt strange not to feel anxious.

Above all, through this opportunity, I’ve confirmed something again.

I don’t have to be “Prisoner.”

Even without being “Prisoner,” I can be recognized as a pro.

‘To become a pro.’

Not as “Prisoner,” but as “Outlow.”

I will become a pro.

“Ha…”

Calm down, calm down.

No matter how happy I am, I must not lose my rationality. I need to assess the current situation with a cool head.

After taking several deep breaths, my trembling heart seemed to calm a little.

‘…By the way, they didn’t ask about my age.’

When I was active as “Prisoner,” one of the first questions most pro teams asked was my age.

Some might say that it’s irrelevant to play games at a computer, but age is incredibly important for pro gamers.

Even excluding external factors like aging curves, the younger you are, the quicker you learn, and most importantly, you’re more obedient to the coach’s and manager’s instructions.

In Korean society, and in gaming teams, which tend to prioritize hierarchical relationships over horizontal ones, age becomes a crucial factor.

‘Is it true that the older you get, the harder it is to manage?’

Anyway…

I didn’t like that culture.

But it’s inevitable.

‘The issue with age isn’t just that.’

Experience keeps accumulating.

The data of victories accumulated over a long pro career becomes a part of the pro’s growth, but sometimes it also becomes a hindrance.

For sure, I won with this method.

Or did I? No, I’ll win if I do it the same way again.

I must not be wrong.

Countless experiences, as I age, act like poison along with a weakening body.

‘…Well, maybe not.’

I don’t have professional experience.

So I might be wrong.

But at least I know how my countless solo rank results have shaped me.

“Is this the right matchup? Why are we losing?”

“Did I mess up? …No, I probably made a mistake. If I do it the same way again, I can win.”

Some changes were beneficial experiences,

and some were harmful.

As the number of games increased, the data of past victories started to hold me back, and mistakes started happening in crucial decisions.

‘Right, age isn’t my issue.’

Actually, are both issues?

There seem to be many obstacles, but I’m not worried.

‘A pro must prove themselves with skill.’

No matter what, I’m confident when it comes to Legend of League.

‘Alright, then…’

I immediately opened a search engine to learn more about YSG.

The information I had was just the basics, so I intended to learn more about them.

YSG (Y So Games).

Though the team’s name is strange and hard to interpret, YSG is undoubtedly part of the first division league.

For someone like me, who was considering debuting in the second division, this unexpected opportunity came faster than I thought.

‘If my memory serves me right, the previous YSG wasn’t a team that had good synergy despite their results.’

Like most lower-tier teams, YSG had many issues.

While individual problems existed, the biggest issue with YSG was that the overall team synergy was lacking.

There’s a saying in Legend of League:

• Even if the order is wrong, it’s right to follow it.

This is one of the key concepts in team games.

If even one or two players refuse to follow an order, it’s better to have no order at all from the start.

Of course, following a wrong order can lead to losing.

In fact, the probability of losing is high.

But even so, you have to follow it.

If you don’t follow an order, any remaining chance of victory disappears.

In reality, teams like BOQ, despite not having great individual skill, managed to make it to the playoffs by working together as one.

But YSG was a team where even this basic teamwork was broken.

‘Well… maybe this is better for me?’

If the team that made me an offer was one like BOQ, even if I performed outstandingly, there might not be room for me to join.

The balance that had been maintained might collapse.

But if it’s a team like YSG, where trust among teammates is already lacking…

‘Ah, I shouldn’t think like this.’

No matter how hard I try to be objective, my mind, full of happiness, keeps interpreting YSG in a positive light.

‘Take it slow, think it over, and it won’t be too late to contact them.’

…Or should I? What if I’m too late? What if they’ve already recruited another player, and I’m told to try again next time?

My head was filled with all sorts of thoughts.

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“I think I’ll go for the trial.”

The living room sofa, which was much bigger than at the old house.

There, sitting gracefully and leisurely enjoying tea, my mother’s mouth hung open in surprise.