Season 3: Chapter 179: Inspiration (2)
While the Fake National Team episode aired, Ju-Hyeok took a break from his merchandise work and leaned back in his chair to rest. Of course, the Fake National Team episode kept playing on one of his monitors. Originally, he watched it to manage the chat and to add to the viewer count. However, he genuinely grew curious about the content now. During his break, he relaxed and watched the episode.
“Everyone is not gathered here because they are incapable.”
In the video, Almond held a megaphone and made people run.
‘It reminds me of school life.’
At first, Ju-Hyeok chuckled at the amusing thought of whether Almond acted like this in the archery club too.
“You all are just more talented at running than at curve shots.”
This statement made Ju-Hyeok instinctively straighten up from his reclining position.
“!?”
Seeing himself adjust his posture so naturally brought back a memory.
“It's not that you guys are bad at work. It's just that you seem to have more talent in cleaning.”
Ju-Hyeok often heard this during his early days at Ah-Sung. The supervisor's way of speaking still gave him PTSD.
‘That guy…’
Ju-Hyeok shook his head as he watched Sang-Hyeon use that phrase.
‘He's serious.’
Sang-Hyeon was serious about teaching them the curve shot. He was so committed that he would even use the villain's tactics if it helped teach the members curve shots.
‘But why running?’
However, Ju-Hyeok didn’t understand why Almond made them run.
***
Cookie sat in the interview studio.
[Was the training method intentional?]
First, Cookie tilted his head. Then, he chuckled when he realized the question had to do with the curve shot training.
“No, I entrusted everything about the curve shot to Almond. I don’t know anything about it and neither do the other archers... I just left it entirely to him.”
— The root of the problem lol
— Indeed, power changes people
— "Position changes a person"
These words appeared above Cookie’s head.
[That was the beginning of the problem...]
— The beginning of the problem lol
— LMAO
— The awakening moment lol
— From the devil of interviews to the devil of training
Cookie nodded and added, “Well... I’m satisfied with the curve shot training results.”
For some reason, Cookie had a wicked smile on his face.
— He seems to like it lol
— He likes making others do the hard work lol
— ??? Is this... power?
The screen changed and showed the exhausted members after their run. Sang-Hyeon looked relatively fine and those who usually ran with him only looked moderately tired. However, those who usually avoided exercise were practically crawling.
“Huuh... huff...”
“Crazy...”
“Huuh... Does my back need to curve to shoot a curve shot? Huh? Why is this happening?”
The training continued. If someone couldn’t shoot a proper curve shot, they were put on the running list. Eventually, the members started studying the curve shot back at their lodgings.
They preferred learning about the curve shot over running with a sturdy athletic guy in the cold weather. They had to master it quickly to avoid running the next day. They even started dreaming about curve shots.
“I-It’s real... You know how they say if you’re too focused on something, you do it in your dreams? I was really doing it in my dreams,” a person complained with their face obscured and their voice altered.
— LMAO
— What is this, a criminal?
— Suspicious voice
The voice sounded like a criminal or a whistleblower confessing to a judge.
“It felt like... I had to do it because it was killing me. Oh, this guy... if he’s a leader... shouldn’t he set an example? Be a role model? But doing this on the broadcast—”
Beeeep.
The voice mosaic effect interrupted again.
Boom!
[Fake National Team]
[Fake Athlete]
The title appeared and the intro ended.
— What’s going on? lol
— Already excited lol
— Fake National Team is killing it~
[Joseon vs Vikings Game 1]
The new scene came from the competition. Everyone stood in their designated positions, shooting perfect curve shots. Numerous arrows intertwined like threads, finding their way to the enemies.
“Woooooowwwwwww!”
Cheers from the crowd and scenes of people jumping excitedly followed.
In contrast, the Viking audience looked bewildered.
— This was legendary
— Wow
— Still amazing
— <3
After showing Joseon's victory, the screen changed again.
Almond sat in the interview seat.
[Is running the secret to the training?]
He confidently nodded.
[Can you explain the principle?]
He confidently shook his head.
— What?? lol
— You have the right to remain silent lol
— What’s this lol
[You just bullied them, right?]
Almond didn’t answer the question.
— Why won’t he answer this? lol
— Pang: This is evil editing, right? Please say it is!
— LOL
The screen gradually darkened.
Thump...
[Game 2]
The atmosphere of the video changed.
Buzz.
“They’re killing the axe-wielding soldiers as they come!! This is the terror of long-range combat! Only picking off the necessary enemies!!!”
“Almond! Almond is shooting faster! Pang’s shooting speed has also increased...”
The highlights of the second game against the Vikings quickly flew by.
“... The Joseon soldiers! They didn’t even revive and just stayed waiting as souls! For this...”
“Everyone! Everyone believed...”
After various twists and turns, the scene slowed as all of Joseon's soldiers were revived.
“A full army!”
Wooooooong!
As white light descended and the entire army revived, Bread drew her sword and shouted.
“Attackkkkkk!”
All the troops charged forward.
The voices of the players could be heard.
It was Bread’s voice.
“At first, I didn’t think we could all revive. We hadn’t prepared such a strategy... but I saw the flying hawk.”
“Wheeeee!”
The scene showed a close-up of the hawk flying.
“Because of that, I knew Do-Joon was doing something. It must be to protect the scouts.”
Rumble...
Numerous soldiers clashed. Malatang led the charge as they fought.
“I thought this must be what a miracle looks like. I thought it was really over, but we revived. When Bread shouted, ‘Attack!’ I snapped back to reality.”
The camera focused on the person fighting next to Malatang as Viking blood splattered in slow motion. It was Moggie.
“When Bread yelled ‘Attack!’ in such a loud voice, I knew we had won.”
The Joseon army continued with their momentum and won.
“After winning, I only thought I needed to get out and shout.”
As the capsule opened, Latte sprang out and cheered, “Waaaaaaahhhh!!”
Others also came out cheering while some sat down and cried.
Then, Almond’s voice came on.
“Ah. My thoughts…”
In the video, Almond emerged from the capsule with his sweat-soaked hair pushed back. The word [KOREA] was boldly written on his back.
People rushed toward him.
“That moment... was the first time…”
The scene played slowly and showed the vivid expressions of everyone running toward him: Latte, Pang, Carrot, Spam, etc. All of them smiled widely, cheered, and ran toward him as if they couldn’t contain their joy.
“It was the first time I felt it.”
Thud.
Almond and the other players collided, embracing each other with big smiles.
“I didn’t want to turn back time.”
Almond probably received the least attention in the second match against the Vikings. However, he experienced a certain emotion in that match for the first time.
“It was the first time I ever thought that even if it was just for a moment.”
As if all the steps he had taken and all the footprints he had left shone and burned beautifully all at once.
“Maybe because my arm ended up like this, I get to experience this.”
At some point, the screen slowly transitioned to Almond in the interview. He looked up at the ceiling and swallowed his words.
“It felt… that good...”
Even after his answer, the screen stayed on him for a long time.
— Awww
— So relieved!!
— Truly thankful
After a moment, the screen darkened.
Boom!
[Fake National Team]
[Fake Athlete]
The title appeared and the Fake National Team episode concluded.
— Damn, I cried so hard
— So, the running continues?
— I hope Almond finds peace after this match
— Crying...
— People who knew Almond as an archery prospect must be heartbroken
— But wouldn’t other players not want to turn back time either? They’d have to run again
***
The tournament’s live broadcast took place about an hour after the Fake National Team episode premiered.
[National Competition Round of 16: Joseon vs Persia]
“Hello! Wandering mercenaries! This is your caster Kim Sang-hoon for today’s round of sixteen in the national competition.”
“This is OrangeKing, the commentator.”
“Nice to meet you all!”
— Hello hello
— Let’s go~~
— The lag...
— Look at all the people lol
— The match hasn’t even started lol
— Excited excited
The caster reminisced about Joseon’s journey.
“It was a tough and hard fight. But! Our Joseon! They made it to the round of sixteen! This is a big deal not just for our country! It’s a global sensation!”
“Yes, exactly. Civil Empire isn’t just popular in our country. It’s a globally popular game! There’s been a significant increase in fans supporting Joseon in North America!”
“Ah, that’s right. With the Aztecs from North America eliminated, they’ve turned their attention to Joseon!”
— For real lol
— North American brothers lol
— They got eliminated lol
— Cool
— Supported by a superpower lol
— ??? TSM! TSM! TSM!
The commentators weren’t exaggerating. Underdogs in most sports commonly received support from abroad. It just wasn’t often seen because a rising underdog was so rare.
“Ah, hearing that North America is also supporting Joseon is very encouraging. Honestly, there aren’t many Korean fans in the stands today!”
Even fewer Koreans came to watch than in the previous match due to the ticketing system.
“Yes! Many didn’t expect Joseon to reach the round of sixteen and the tickets were sold during the preliminaries! Our fans probably didn’t expect us to make it to the main tournament! And even fewer expected us to reach this far!”
“Yes, it’s bittersweet! But our players! They have the support of many online Korean fans! Let’s cheer them on!”
“And! If they win today and make it to the quarter-finals!? That will be a different story!”
OrangeKing smiled broadly and showed his desire for them to win.
— LOL
— Persia is really tough though
— quarter-finals lol
— That would be legendary lol
— It would be crazy lol
— Just thinking about it is thrilling
The caster nodded repeatedly in agreement.
“Ah! It would be crazy! Tickets for the quarter-finals haven’t been sold yet!”
Many didn’t buy the thirty-second and sixteenth round tickets because they considered Joseon’s chances of making it to the main tournament so low. However, the quarter-finals would be different.
Tickets for the quarter-finals would be sold after the sixteenth round match.
— If they make it to the quarter-finals, I’ll definitely buy tickets
— If they make it to the quarter-finals, I have to go to Japan~
— LOL I’ll definitely buy them
— If they make it to the quarter-finals, I’ll buy tickets all the way to the semi-finals
The caster looked at the chat and added enthusiastically, “Yes! Tickets for the quarter-finals will go on sale after today’s sixteenth round! Many Koreans will participate! Everyone in the chat is saying they’ll buy tickets if Korea makes it to the quarter-finals!!”
“I’ve noted down all the usernames! You have to come! Really!”
— LOL
— Do we get banned if we don’t? lol
— LOL
— What’s this? lol
Meanwhile, highlights from each country played on the screen.
“Great. We’re already looking forward to the quarter-finals. This isn’t just wishful thinking! It’s because of Joseon’s momentum! Their so-called form is at its peak!”
“Exactly. As you can see from the highlights, they’ve been amazing since the preliminaries!”
“Ah. Speaking of which!”
Bang!
The stadium lights suddenly dimmed and the entrance lit up dramatically.
“The players are entering! Please welcome them with cheers and applause!!!”
The teams started walking into the stadium.
[Current Viewers: 435,000]
The game would soon begin.