Season 3: Chapter 298. A Familiar Face (2)
[After the Japan Match]
The scene showed bright white lights, a pristine floor, glass partitions neatly arranged, crisp white shirts, and carefully chosen tie colors. Every employee had a sophisticated name tag hanging from their neck, creating a notably conservative office atmosphere.
“Uh... are we actually allowed to film here?”
Even the Fake National Team crew, usually unbothered while filming, felt the need to double-check.
“Uh... yes, it seems so. It’s a bit surprising though.”
The man appearing on camera nodded. A white line appeared next to him, showing his ID.
[SeoulHomeKimManager (SeoulKim)]
He was the same corporate employee and Fake National Team participant who appeared before as an inspection team member.
— Wait, was this SeoulKim’s company?
— SeoulKim, hey there!
— That’s a fancy office!
As he walked through the office with the camera, employees who knew him either greeted him with a smile or subtly moved out of the way. There was an awkward vibe all around. Possibly feeling the tension, SeoulKim tried to show off some aspects of the company.
“We have an excellent work-life balance here. That’s why I can game so much, you know? A company that cares about its employees! People first! Hahaha!”
The camera zoomed in on a corner as if catching onto something. Under one of the desks was a self-inflating camping mat and blanket.
“Uh... there’s a blanket under that desk,” someone whispered from the filming crew.
“Quiet. Maybe they let employees sleep here too.”
Most of the workers filmed on camera had dark circles under their eyes.
— LOL
— HAHA what is this place
— Is this a black company??
— How does SeoulKim even game??
— Oh, so it’s a rule here to apply eyeliner LOL
— SeoulKim has hidden talent, no doubt
“Oh... we’re here. This is Mr. Heo’s office, the executive who kindly approved today’s filming.”
When they opened the door, a tall man with a cheerful expression stood there with his arms wide open to welcome them. For an executive, he looked rather young. Unlike the other employees, he wore a hoodie.
[WePlug Executive, Heo Won-Mu]
After all, this was a gaming company. SeoulKim was simply part of the marketing team.
“Ah! Welcome! Our proud national team!”
— Filming a historical drama, are we? LOL
— Oh? Heo Won-Mu??
— LMAO, is this WePlug??
— Look at him in a hoodie while everyone else is in business attire LOL
— What’s with his voice? LOL
“...”
SeoulKim seemed at a loss for words.
“Our deputy manager, Kim Jin-Sung, is one of our brightest stars here.”
A subtitle popped up as Mr. Heo gave a thumbs-up.
[Executive Heo says he first learned about Kim Jin-Sung through the Fake National Team.]
— LOL
— Ahahaha
— JetPumped baseball patch incoming
— This guy was responsible for the infamous JetPumped baseball patch, right?
— Wow, this is so petty LOL
Not content with his dramatic tone, Mr. Heo draped an arm around SeoulKim’s shoulder and leaned into the camera.
“We’re so close with our employees! Just yesterday, we had pork soup together and went to the sauna! Right!?”
Another subtitle appeared.
[They didn’t actually go to the sauna together. They only shared a meal in the cafeteria during the pre-filming brief.]
— LOL
— WePlug, huh?
— So this is an MZ-led company LOL
— MZ generation with power
— Is this really what they meant by company PR? LOL
Mr. Heo flashed a toothy grin without knowing what subtitles were showing.
“Heh heh!”
With a static noise, the screen changed to a scene of Mr. Heo signing a document with a decisive swipe. In a sharp motion, he tore off a sheet and handed it to SeoulKim. It was permission for a week-long paid leave.
“Thank you... I didn’t expect it to be paid.”
Heo gave a thumbs-up again and enthusiastically shouted, “You better win this!!!”
“!”
The startled SeoulKim took a step back.
— LOL
— Is this company hilarious or what?
— Is this a historical drama? LOL
— Ahaha
— LOL
— Making us do overtime but still has time for jokes... rocking an awkward business look and rebelling at the same time. Heo. Won. Mu.
“Give it your all! Got it!!”
“Uh... yes, sir!”
— LOL
— Sounds like we’re going to war for all humanity
— LOL
— Yeah, that’s the level of motivation we need for a match against China.
Heo continued to boast about the company for a while, but a large subtitle soon appeared and the sound faded out.
[SeoulKim - One week’s leave granted!]
Securing that week-long leave was really the most important point. The camera cut to the exit as SeoulKim completed his last bit of overtime, shouldered his backpack, and headed out in relief.
[Did you expect to get a week off?]
“Ah, I didn’t think it was possible. I could never have imagined something like this. Before, I always had to worry about asking for time off... Not that the company pressures us, but, um─”
A sad tune played as SeoulKim continued to ramble. The music quickly drowned out his voice.
— LOL
— “I’d rather get bitten by zombies than go to work.”
— Black company?
— Oh god LOL
— Pro tip: Did you know a zombie apocalypse might be better than the daily grind?
Another question appeared after the music and his desperate explanations ended.
[Has public opinion changed much since the Japan match?]
SeoulKim nodded vigorously.
“Yes, completely.”
The screen crackled and shifted to scenes of other players, all of whom answered the same question similarly.
“Yes, things have changed. Everyone acknowledges us now.”
Porter, who worked at a logistics company; Malatang, who was self-employed; and countless other ordinary workers all felt a distinct shift in their treatment after the Japan match. Their national recognition had significantly increased.
“My boss said he supports me and that he’s proud... hearing that, I got choked up without realizing it.”
“It felt like people were seeing me for the first time...?”
“I went home and cried. Haha... My mom told me she was proud.”
Although many voices overlapped, five faces appeared on the screen: Malatang, who owned a spicy hotpot restaurant, his assistant Moggie, Porter from the logistics company, SeoulKim from a gaming company’s marketing department, and Protein, who worked at a gym.
The screen split into five sections, each showing a close-up of the five as they answered.
[Did that help with the game against China?]
Their eyes gleamed at the mention of the China match as emotions rose up in them. Just as they were about to respond, a cloud of dust suddenly filled the screen.
Malatang, positioned in the center, shouted, “Chargeeeee!”
Dirt and blood now covered his face on the battlefield.
[Joseon vs. China]
[Game 2]
Clippity clop!
Five horses charged forward, leaving a line of allies behind as they darted ahead. The Eight Gates Formation had collapsed, China desperately defended the palace gates, and the Joseon forces had reached the palace.
To stop them, Guan Yu’s elite cavalry chased them from behind with faster horses and sharper blades. Joseon was in its third era while China was in the Ming Dynasty. In response, all but five members of the Joseon cavalry turned their horses around to intercept Guan Yu’s cavalry.
“We’ll hold them! Go ahead!”
The two vice commanders, Bread and Coffee, led the cavalry to confront Guan Yu’s troops.
The air filled with swirling dust as the horses intertwined and clashed. Amid the chaos, five horses surged forward toward the palace. Leading the charge, Malatang reached the palace first.
“Neigh!”
His horse came to a sudden halt and reared up. Malatang quickly jumped off since horses couldn’t enter the palace. The remaining four quickly followed. He glanced back to see Coffee and Bread locked in fierce combat against Guan Yu.
“...!”
Amazingly, Guan Yu managed to push back both of them on his own. They would have been evenly matched on foot, but Guan Yu was unbeatable in mounted combat. A clear difference in their skill levels existed. If they didn’t finish this quickly, the battle could truly turn around.
Thud!
Malatang’s dirt-covered feet hit the quiet palace floor, leaving bold footprints as he charged forward. Like all buildings in this game, the interior layout was simple. Even the grand Ming Dynasty palace had been designed this way to avoid dragging out gameplay unnecessarily. They only had to follow the path. That was all they focused on.
Swish.
Suddenly, doors opened on both sides of the corridor and enemies appeared.
“!”
“S-Stop them!”
Slash!
Moggie, who was on Malatang’s right, took a heavy hit and collapsed. The others halted abruptly, minimizing injuries, but the unexpected ambush stunned them.
[Huang]
Huang, the third-in-command after Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, blocked their path. Much like Honda had intercepted Almond, this was China’s final card within the palace. Considering China’s situation, placing this many forces here was borderline insane.
‘This many soldiers here?’
No fewer than eight soldiers had been stationed inside the palace. Among them, Huang, the one blocking Malatang, was no ordinary soldier.
‘A vice commander!’
The insignia he wore marked him as a vice commander. With Zhang Fei’s successor positioned in the palace, they clearly viewed this battle as their last stand.
“Wh-What do we do, boss?!” SeoulKim called out from behind.
“Are you serious? Eight of them?!”
Protein, a well-built swordsman on Joseon’s side, looked devastated. The Joseon swordsmen formed a tight circle with tense expressions. Under normal circumstances, they would wait for reinforcements. However, Malatang couldn’t shake the image of Guan Yu from his mind. It would probably take longer than expected.
‘But there are eight of them...’
Seven Ming Dynasty soldiers with fourth era armor, plus one vice commander. On their side, they only had five Joseon swordsmen equipped with third era armor.
Crack.
Malatang gritted his teeth and surveyed the surroundings. The enemy was in no rush to attack. Understandably so since they only had to defend.
Then, an interview clip played.
[Did the people’s support help with the China match?]
All five of them struggled to contain their emotions, lowering their heads to regain their composure.
— They must’ve had a hard time before
— Don’t cry...
— Oh no...
After composing themselves, they all gave the same answer.
“Yes... we really... truly, desperately... wanted to win.”
Malatang gripped his sword and shook with emotion. His voice, calm yet resonant, filled the game.
“Everyone... let’s break through.”
“Without waiting for backup?!”
“If we stall, who knows how this game will turn out.”
There was no time for other responses. China’s defenses were far stronger than they had imagined and each soldier was an elite. They had to finish this now.
Boom!
Malatang charged toward the ten enemy soldiers ahead. The other four drew their swords and followed.
“Alright, dammit! Let’s gooooo!”
“Break through!”
— Epic
— Wow
— That’s intense
— Man...
— A real fight between strong men!