Season 3: Chapter 263. Spring (1)
“Ah, yes! We heard some interesting trash talk from both teams!”
After the interview ended, the commentators began their closing remarks. The commentators and the audience needed some time to cool down since the match had gone a full five games.
“That's right. Trash talk is an essential part of sports, isn't it?”
They talked about the culture of trash talk in the national competition to lighten the mood.
“Yes, especially since this national competition is an RTS game with historical background. The trash talk tends to hit harder. This is actually a longstanding tradition in Civil Empire, right?”
“Exactly. Actually, the Korea-Japan match was relatively tame. If you look at the trash talk between Scotland and England, it's really no joke.”
— LOL, so true
— "Gentleman's country" LOL
— The gentleman's dignity LOL
— Just listen to Oasis and you know the quality of the English LOL
— They go straight for the mother jokes
“Ah, even though they live in the same land?”
“Yes. There were some things I can't even repeat. Honestly, the Persian team we faced also had quite the temper. They didn't know much about Korea, so they held back.”
“Ah, right. Was it Kenin...?”
“Yes, that's right.”
“I remember that player squeezing Almond's hand extra hard during the handshake. Ah... Even in sports, there's no holding back when it's for your country, right!?”
The caster subtly gave OrangeKing a cue, who nodded and prepared to talk about Joseon's next opponent.
“Indeed! There's no room for retreat! Joseon's next opponent is China! They’re ranked third in the power rankings. It’s another mountain to climb!”
— Wow
— Shit
— Korea, Japan, and now China
— At least it's not Mongolia
— I wish it was Mali...
“Ah, so now it's China after Persia and Japan. They’re definitely... the third strongest.”
“Yes.”
“Many people consider them the strongest in the human realm.”
“Yes! There's a meme in the Civil Empire national competition. Mongolia is a natural disaster, Egypt is an alien civilization, and Rome swallowed up Egypt.”
— LOL
— Exactly, Mongolia is like a natural disaster LOL
— And Rome swallowed them up LOL
— Natural disaster Mongolia, China is a man-made disaster ^^
— Like a python
— Invincible Rome LOL
“Unfortunately, Egypt's esports industry hasn't developed enough for them to make it to the national competition finals. They’re a pretty strong civilization though, right?”
“Yes, they’re quite strong and their civilization has a high pick rate in matches. It's not just about Ancient Egypt. What if Egypt continued to develop? It's a balanced civilization.”
“Ah, that's why Rome is strong too?”
“Yes. In reality, the timeline wouldn't match up for Rome.”
“Interesting. So with those three civilizations aside, China is the strongest?”
“That's right. China's esports industry is so huge that it boosts their rating. Asian dust money is scary.”
— Asian dust money, LOL
— I'd be more scared of Asian dust money
— Fact. The actual Asian dust is actually scarier
“Yes. Where there’s money, there’s talent. The quality of their players is bound to be high. The factional gap in civilizations might not be as significant as it seems.”
“Exactly. If you think it's just about bad balance, you'll lose even when you could win! Joseon has defeated civilizations thought unbeatable up till now!”
“That's right. They beat the French in the preliminaries, which was considered a complete mismatch. Persia was also considered superior. Even Japan was seen as an insurmountable wall! But Joseon seems to have researched and found the proper answer on how to play their civilization!”
“Indeed. In LIL as well, the matchups can shift based on mastery! A fire Pokémon can suddenly beat a water Pokémon!”
— LOL
— Indeed, the world of masters...
— Human limits;
— There are some divine champions whose matchups change with mastery
— But why is the LIL Cup...
“Yes! In LIL and other games, masters can do extraordinary things! And Team Joseon!”
“Yes!”
“I believe they can avenge us by taking the championship from China who took the LIL World Championship! Alright~ This has been Caster Kim Sang-Hoon!”
“And commentator OrangeKing!”
“We'll return next week with the semifinal match between Korea and China! Thank you!”
“Thank you!”
The broadcast of the Korea-Japan quarterfinal match finally came to an end.
— Clap clap clap
— That was so much fun!!
— Ha... I'm still feeling the excitement...
— I want more!
— Wow, the next match against China...
— Bye~
— Good job everyone
The viewers lingered in the chat for a while, still buzzing with excitement. Many spectators remained in the stadium as well, but gradually left as time passed. The chat in the broadcast room quieted down.
The intense energy that had filled the space slowly faded as the lights in the stadium dimmed and night quietly settled over the area. Only the distant city lights and the large moon in the sky illuminated the grass.
Bzzz.
Amid the electric hum, a lone wheelchair appeared in the empty stadium. It was Sa-Rang. She moved to a certain spot and leaned back, staring blankly at the stadium.
Just hours ago, the area had been filled with heat and excitement. Her eyes scanned the stands and the field as if looking for the remnants of that intensity. Sometimes, after a fierce match ended, she could almost see the outlines of the people who had been sitting there.
“Can't ignore old habits~” a voice called from behind, “Watching the stadium alone so desolately.”
Sa-Rang didn’t turn toward the voice, but accurately called out his name.
“Why are you here, Co Woo-Joo?”
His name was Han Woo-Joo, but his nickname was Cosmic or Co Woo-Joo among his teammates. He didn’t like the nickname much because it sounded childish.
“It’s Han Woo-Joo, not Co Woo-Joo.”
“Why are you here?”
“Can’t I come? The LIL Cup is over, so I came. Why didn’t you answer my calls?”
“Calls?”
“... Yeah. I sent you a message. Let's have a drink today.”
“...”
Sa-Rang looked back at the sky as if feeling guilty about something.
“Did you block me?”
“No.”
She hurriedly moved her hand into her pocket.
“You just unblocked me, didn't you?”
“...”
“Seriously. Blocking me and all.”
“I didn't. Why would I go through the trouble of blocking someone like you?”
“Fine. Let’s go have a drink.”
Sa-Rang nodded. Before turning her wheelchair, she took one last look at the stadium.
“What are you looking at?”
“It feels like today will be the last time.”
“... What?”
“I don't think I can go on anymore.”
“...”
“I'm just someone stuck in this body.”
She tapped her thigh lightly.
Woo-Joo fell silent for a moment before exclaiming with sudden understanding, “So... you really were trapped in a woman's body!? No wonder. There's no way JeonJaPa could be a woman! My mid-laner couldn’t be this cute—”
Whack!
Sa-Rang struck his shin with all her might and left the stadium.
“Ugh...! Hey! I said let’s go for a drink!”
***
As the national competition progressed to the quarterfinals, the weather changed from the bitter cold winter to early spring. Despite the many events that occurred during this short period, none were as eventful as the quarterfinal match.
Hui-Chul, who had overseen everything as the head commander, completely disappeared. A new commander, who had only practiced briefly during the Persia match, led the team through five grueling games in the quarterfinals.
The Korean team had struggled to find a practice space since Japan was the home team. They pretended to be tourists on vacation to rent capsule rooms. Members who had jobs worked the weekdays and practiced online scrims after work, returning to Japan on weekends for intensive practice. They endured a punishing schedule.
The team celebrated thrilling victories in the first two games, but suffered crushing defeats in the following two games. They felt the highs and lows of heaven and hell. Then, they confirmed their place in heaven after a final, nail-biting fifth game. All the members felt as if they were ascending from the immense joy.
This was when the Korean national team gained widespread recognition. Members with jobs received overwhelming attention from colleagues and even executives while those who stayed in Japan, especially the think tank team, were swarmed by reporters.
Chi-Seung, who was used to interviewing with foreign media, now faced microphones from top Korean news outlets. He tried to hide his delighted expression as he enjoyed the sudden surge of interest.
Meanwhile, the Fake National Team’s viewership doubled after the Korea-Japan match. Almond's YouTube channel finally reached one million subscribers and earned a gold plaque.
Amid these celebrations, the national team members temporarily forgot about an issue.
“... You can’t do it anymore?”
Chi-Seung’s eyes widened in shock. Sa-Rang had confirmed that she could no longer participate in the game.
“The doctor said they wouldn't allow it unless someone ran them over with a car.”
Sa-Rang laughed lightly and tried to brush it off. She was clearly deeply affected. Chi-Seung understood and didn’t say anything. He just gave a sad smile to match the mood.
Although spring had just begun, it felt like Joseon’s unusually bright spring was already ending too soon.
***
While the think tank felt that Joseon’s spring ended quickly, Ju-Hyeok felt the exact opposite. For him, the team’s spring was just beginning. The fireworks signaling this beginning came through a phone call.
“Yes, this is Kim Ju-Hyeok. Oh, Manager Koo? Is there a problem? I haven't been in the marketing team for a while...”
A call suddenly came from his old workplace.