[There he is! The legend of esports is finally making his entrance! If you’re even remotely interested in esports, you should know who that is by now! Yes, that’s Mister Yu-Min Park from South Korea, AKA SS_Chaser, making his way to the stage!]

[Look at the crowd losing their minds right now!]

[Are you surprised? Cuz I’m not! I mean, this is basically the same as Jordan coming back to basketball, you know? What would you have done in that situation?]

[Isn’t it obvious? I would have bought the Bulls’ season ticket or something.]

[And to the esport fans around the world, that’s who SS_Chaser is like. He’s our Jordan, although the older, more grizzled Jordan at that. The esports scene wasn’t as active as now back then, when SS_Chaser was in his prime, after all. But now he’s here, making his triumphant return to the global stage! People not losing their minds would’ve been even more strange, honestly.]

[And we’re in America, which is basically the enemy territory, too.]

[Respect for the legends knows no national boundaries, you see? Most of the fans gathered here today probably want to see their home team walk away with the victory, but that doesn’t mean they’ll forget about their respect toward the legend of this scene.]

Sure enough, the audience members raucously chanted Park Yu-Min’s ID. Such was the intensity and loudness of their chant that the entrance of other players had to be delayed somewhat.

“Wow! I didn’t know Yu-Min hyung was this famous!”

“Yeah, I know, right? He’s super duper famous?! Maybe he’s even more famous here than back home?”

“Americans are super serious about this stuff, huh.”

Kang Jin-Ho grinned wryly while eavesdropping on the Seongsim kids’ responses. He, too, agreed that the Americans’ reactions were considerably more passionate than the fans back home in Korea. Was this the difference in culture? Or was it more the case of difference in how one displayed their respect? Kang Jin-Ho had no idea.

“Nah, these people are just enjoying themselves, that’s all,” said Choi Yeon-Ha with a chuckle. “Everyone enjoys themselves like this, right? Even Kpop concerts are like this, aren’t they?”

“Sorry, but we don’t know. We’ve never been to one before.”

“...My bad. I’ll take you guys to a concert for sure later.”

Kang Jin-Ho agreed with Choi Yeon-Ha. In Korea, people deeply cared about who won or lost. Maybe they cared about it the most above all else. But here? These people seemed more interested in enjoying this final battle between two teams of titans rather than figuring out who would win.

Of course, this didn’t mean America’s culture was better than Korea’s. But the difference still existed, and it was noticeable to an outsider like Kang Jin-Ho.

[Hahaha! That’s so true! One thing I don’t get, though, is why Yu-Min Park’s ID is SS_Chaser. Who is he chasing, though? A legend like him should be a predator, no? Shouldn’t his ID be like a lion or dragon or something like that? And do you also remember all the fan theories about what the SS in his ID could stand for? Some said it was the name of his guild, but that theory got debunked a long time ago, didn’t it?]

[That’s right, I remember that. But we can only speculate, since the man himself hasn’t clarified the meaning even now. Who knows? If he wins today, we might find out for the first time in history!]

Kang Jin-Ho grinned wryly again as he listened to the announcers. The SS in Park Yu-Min’s ID had an extremely simple explanation. It was simply “SeongSim.” He used that acronym when he debuted as a pro, and it was supposed to mean the rest of the Seongsim kids would always be in his heart.

As for the “Chaser” part, well...

“I swear, I’ll catch up to you one day, Jin-Ho.”

What an idiot Park Yu-Min was. Who was chasing who? When Kang Jin-Ho should be the one busy chasing after Park Yu-Min?

“Hey, hang on? Look at Yu-Min hyung. He looks super stressed out, no?”

“Yeah... He looks totally cramped up.”

“But he’s always cramping up, though?”

“Who said that! Turn yourself in, now! Because you’ll die later!”

“My bad...”

Kang Jin-Ho ignored the Seongsim kids’ chatter and focused his attention on Park Yu-Min. He furrowed his brow after realizing that his friend’s condition was far worse than during the Busan tournament.

The Seongsim kids must’ve also sensed that, because they all got up and energetically waved their hands at Park Yu-Min. However, he didn’t even look this way. It was as if he hadn’t spotted the Seongsim group at all.

As the only person in this group with plenty of experience in standing on stages, Choi Yeon-Ha sighed deeply. “It’s no use, everyone. With so many spotlights shining down, people on that stage can’t even see who’s in the audience. I’m pretty sure all Mister Yu-Min can see is a wall of white light right now. You can stop waving now, because he can’t see you.”

“Really, noona? We should’ve spoken to him before the match, then...”

“Jin-Ho hyung! Will Yu-Min hyung be okay during the match?”

Kang Jin-Ho gently chuckled when the kids asked him worriedly.

“It’ll be fine even if he doesn’t do well.”

“Eh? What do you mean?”

“It’s not like he must win no matter what, right?”

“But... Isn’t it better to win, though?”

Kang Jin-Ho agreed with that sentiment, of course. But he wouldn’t think any less of Park Yu-Min even if his friend lost this match. And that went for everyone here, too.

However, it was the case of “since he’s already here, might as well go all the way,” now wasn’t it?

Considering all the effort Park Yu-Min had put in to get this far, plus his career so far... Indeed, winning this tournament would be for the best.

Kang Jin-Ho stared pointedly at Park Yu-Min.

Go on. Win this.

***

I can’t see a thing out there.

Park Yu-Min dazedly stared at the front. The bright spotlight hurt his eyes, but he still felt lucky, regardless. Just from what he could hear, it was rather obvious that this final match had drawn a massive crowd. Had he confirmed the size of the crowd with his own eyes, he probably would have become too frozen with nervousness to play properly.

“Focus, Yu-Min...!”

Just as Park Yu-Min closed his eyes and tried to regulate his heavy breathing, one of the announcers shoved a mic into his face before hurling a barrage of questions in his direction.

The interpreter behind Park Yu-Min quickly sprang to action.

“The legend of the esports scene has finally entered the stage. Can you tell us how you feel? And can you also tell us what your determination and aim for this final are?”

Park Yu-Min looked around the stage in a fluster and spotted his teammates expectantly staring back at him. He forced himself to close his eyes again and sucked in a deep breath. And when he opened his eyes again, he spoke in a slightly firmer-sounding voice.

“I honestly think I’m not good enough to be called a legend yet. People only call me that because the passionate fans have been really generous with me over the years.”

That was how Park Yu-Min genuinely felt.

“However...!”

A look of determination suddenly floated up on Park Yu-Min’s face.

They should be watching him right now. His friends, all the kids in the orphanage... They must be glued to the TV, cheering him on as loudly as they could. And they all must be saying the same.

Be more assertive about yourself!

Indeed, they would want him to be more self-assured.

“I will win this tournament and earn the label of legend for real. I will become a living legend.”

When the interpreter translated what Park Yu-Min said, the arena erupted in loud cheering. The Seongsim kids also cried out in excitement alongside everyone.

“Uwaaaaaah! Yu-Min, hyuuuuuuung!”

“Since when did he learn to say cool stuff like that?! I figured he’d be polite and timid and say something like he’ll do his best!”

“Kill! Kill them all, hyung! Show them no mercy!”

“Someone stop this idiot! He’s gone mad!”

Choi Yeon-Ha whistled loudly. “I didn’t know Mister Yu-Min had it in him!”

“People are supposed to keep growing, after all,” said Kang Jin-Ho with a happy grin while looking at his friend.

Why wouldn’t Park Yu-Min be confident? When he had been steadily building himself up until now?

Kang Jin-Ho wasn’t the only one who had been fighting for a better life. The people in his life always were fighting their own battles, as well. And that included Park Yu-Min. He, too, worked and fought hard in his own battles to improve himself.

Some people might say Park Yu-Min was talented in gaming, to begin with. However, he’d still not have come this far without his desire to learn more, his attitude of staying humble, and constantly striving to improve himself.

That was why Kang Jin-Ho was so proud of his friend. He was so happy about Park Yu-Min’s achievements.

I guess... It wasn’t necessary for me to talk to him before the match, after all.

Even if Kang Jin-Ho didn’t help with improving his condition, Park Yu-Min already possessed his own strength to win. He could win on his own terms. Since that was the case, there was no need to introduce wrinkles into the story of his triumph.

When Park Yu-Min made a sheepish face after that declaration, the announcer grinned mischievously and asked the next question.

“Does that mean you’re intending to teach the other team a thing or two?”

Park Yu-Min heard the interpreter relaying that question, which was obviously meant to hype up the crowd even more, and panicked slightly. However, his expression hardened once more.

“I don’t have any intentions of doing that. However, I still want to prove that I’m still the best in the esports scene.”

The Seongsim kids applauded enthusiastically.

“Holy cow! Yu-Min hyung’s totally lost his mind today!”

“And to think he used to make us that stupid curry all the freaking time!”

“Ehh? What does that have to do with anything?”

“Because that was uncool, but he’s being totally badass right now!”

“Yup, totally agree!”

Even Kang Jin-Ho got excited. He could feel his muscles twitch in restlessness. He never imagined Park Yu-Min would say such things in this lifetime!

Choi Yeon-Ha smirked deeply. “Looks like Mister Yu-Min is feeling cocky today? That’s pretty cool, though. Don’t you agree?”

That one thing Park Yu-Min always lacked was confidence. But right now, right over there on that stage, that missing confidence was flooding out from him.

The announcer seemed to enjoy that response, judging from how excited he sounded next.

“Wow! Now there’s a confident answer we’ve been looking for, ladies and gents! Alright, moving on, this is...”

Once the interviewer moved on to the next victim, Park Yu-Min hurriedly massaged his burning face. Rather ironically, though, his complexion had improved so much compared to when he first stepped on to the stage.

Lee Hyeon-Su sitting behind Kang Jin-Ho whispered softly. “Sir? This is my first time being in a place like this, so... Does it always feel like this? Like a... coliseum for warriors? I mean, look! Look at how heightened and bloodthirsty this atmosphere is!”

Kang Jin-Ho chuckled softly. “Yeah, I thought the same thing at first.”

“...Hang on. This might be a new avenue worth exploring, sir. How about we at the Martial Assembly try something similar? Build a combat arena like this one and let combatants duke it out, while we allow the spectators to make bets! That’s going to boost our revenue by...”

“You. Keep that mouth zipped until the end of the match.”

“...”

After ably putting the brakes on Lee Hyeon-Su’s daydreaming, Kang Jin-Ho resumed staring at the stage below, his gaze getting a little softer.

Choi Yeon-Ha muttered softly. “You know, I’m kinda envious of Mister Yu-Min.”

Kang Jin-Ho tilted his head. “Sorry? Why?”

“Look around you, Mister Jin-Ho. All these people came to see Mister Yu-Min compete. And this is America, no less. I wouldn’t even dare pass my business card around in this country, you know?”

When he heard that, Kang Jin-Ho suddenly gained a renewed appreciation for his friend. Indeed, wasn’t Park Yu-Min already a global superstar?

He was a superstar before, yes, but now... His fame had risen past the stratosphere right now.

“I want to try again, Jin-Ho. Because the only thing I’m good at is video games, you see? Even if the game everyone’s playing changes, I think I’ll have to keep playing, too. Sure, I’ll have to practice like hell, and it won’t be easy, but still...”

The corners of Kang Jin-Ho’s lips kept curling up on their own. What a strange feeling this was.

He always thought that the sight of his friends doing well in life would be great. Even though he thought that way, how often did he feel genuinely happy, like right now, about his friends tasting success?

Regardless of this match’s outcome, he wanted to rush down there, lift Park Yu-Min up and proudly proclaim to the world that this was his friend.

The phrase, “So proud to be your friend,” must’ve been invented for this precise occasion.

“Hey, look! I think they are getting ready to start!”

“Where’s Yu-Min hyung? Make sure he hasn’t put the headset on the wrong way!”

“What the heck?! Which moron keeps jinxing Yu-Min hyung like this?! Show yourself!”

“Hey, who are you calling a moron?! I’m older than you, okay!”

“Oh... Jin-Seong hyung, you’re the oldest among us, you know? But you’re being so uncool right now.”

“Wha?! I haven’t done any... Ouch?! Ouuuuuch?! Stop! Save me!”

Jo Mi-Hye silently got up and began fixing Han Jin-Seong right up. Everyone watched the ruthless execution while cheering Jo Mi-Hye on in their hearts.

Even Kang Jin-Ho nodded in approval at this sight.

Yup, Jin-Seong needs to get beaten up a bit.

Once Han Jin-Seong had been sorted out, everyone dusted their hands while redirecting their attention to the stage below. A giant screen in the center of the arena displayed the faces of each competitor.

Kang Jin-Ho reflexively gripped the armrest of his seat when the match began without giving him enough time to relax.

Park Yu-Min got this far through his own efforts. And this final would be where his efforts would receive judgment. But all Kang Jin-Ho could do now was cheer on and applaud like every other audience member. No wonder he felt tense right now.

Choi Yeon-Ha sneakily asked. “Are you nervous?”

Kang Jin-Ho hurriedly nodded.

“Aaaand that’s what others feel when they are looking at you.”

“...”

Kang Jin-Ho flinched slightly at that unexpected curveball and began sweating nervously.

“I’m gonna make you sweat a lot today, Mister Jin-Ho. Prepare yourself for a day of punishment. I hope this match goes on for a long, long time.”

“...!”

Now rendered speechless, Kang Jin-Ho did his best to avoid meeting Choi Yeon-Ha’s probing gaze and fixed his attention on the giant screen.

If this was what other people felt while looking at him, then... Maybe it was time he tried to restrain himself a bit more in the future.