Season 4: Chapter 1. I’ll Remember (1)
The international tournament had begun in winter. Everyone assumed they would return to Korea before winter ended, but they remained in Japan well into full-blown spring. Although it wasn’t quite summer, Japan’s late spring already felt scorching.
So-Yeon once lay sprawled in the pavilion beside the schoolyard and said, "Ah... what a summer."
The present spring felt like summer, but it truly was midsummer back then. The blinding heat pierced through the vibrant green leaves like arrows. It felt like the kind of heat that seared everything.
As such, the archery club grew even busier. Summer was the season for archery when the body loosened easily and bowstrings slackened just right. Still, even the best archers couldn’t escape the summer heat. It was miserably hot.
I mumbled while stuffing my mouth full of ice cream, "What a summer? It’s still summer."
"Don’t you get it?"
"Huh?"
"It’s just something people often say."
"What a summer?"
"Yeah, it’s something you say after something big ends. Like when they realize a dreamy midsummer night is really over. But for us, it’s just beginning."
And she was right. The archery tournament hadn’t even started yet. Summer was still in full swing. Maybe it was from the sun or something else, but her face looked flushed as she changed the topic.
"In Japan, they have firework festivals in the summer. Did you know that?"
I nodded. I didn’t know much outside of archery, but I did know about Japan’s summer firework festivals. They showed up everywhere.
"I’ve never actually been to Japan. I wonder what it’s like in real life."
Even though it was right next door, she had never gone either. What did it feel like to see fireworks painting the summer night sky?
"Only after seeing them do people say... What a summer!"
Only then did I realize that the whole lead-up was just to talk about fireworks.
"Let’s go see them someday."
"!?"
“What’s up with him today?” she muttered to herself and sharply turned her head, "Who said I’d go with you?"
"Uh... then who would you go with?"
She glanced at me, eyes wavering, and laughed quietly.
"Where would we even go?"
"You just said Japan is famous for them."
"Seriously? How can we just go there?!"
"Why not? It’s right next door."
"You’re going to Greece with me, and then Japan too?"
"Well, that’s for the Olympics. Japan’s not hosting the Olympics anytime soon."
Her gaze lingered briefly on my lips as I wolfed down the rest of my ice cream.
Then, she shook her head furiously and suddenly shouted, "Nope! We’re not going! Never!"
"...?"
She bolted upright and ran off.
"Where are you going?"
"To the classroom! You’ll be late if you don’t run too!"
Now that I think about it, when did the time fly by so quickly? The haze snapped out of me, and I started running too.
Tat-tat-tat-tat!
The midday sun over a small high school field blurred and shifted into the night of a grand stadium. The adult Sang-Hyeon was still running.
BOOM!
Fireworks burst over the dark sky just like the ones she’d talked about, summer night fireworks. He sprinted ahead across grass dyed in rainbow light.
"Joseon...!" the caster’s voice echoed across the arena.
The crowd’s roar erupted loud enough to shake the world.
"Joseon has defeated the tournament favorite, Rome, and has WON the International Tournament!!!"
Sang-Hyeon kept running as his teammates gathered beside him. Without anyone saying a word, they all sprinted toward the stands.
"WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!"
Thunderous cheers and dazzling fireworks rang out.
BOOM! BANG!
Colors splattered across Sang-Hyeon’s vision. He didn’t close his eyes. He didn’t want to miss even a second.
‘Forever...’
He knew. Some moments in life stayed with you forever. And this was one of them.
‘I’ll remember this.’
***
Like all things, it started with something small.
[KimchiWarrior: Any interest in joining the international tournament?]
Someone had stumbled across Sang-Hyeon playing Civil Empire. As it turned out, Sang-Hyeon still had a lingering, half-forgotten dream of being on a national team. It wasn’t official, of course. The team wasn’t even called Korea, but Joseon. However, the idea of holding a bow and competing against other countries stirred something inside him.
The game wasn’t popular, and the process was far from easy. Practice hours were long, and Ju-Hyeok constantly pushed back.
"This is way too much. You’re doing fine as a variety streamer. Playing one game for too long is tough on you."
There wasn’t much anyone could do once Sang-Hyeon made up his mind. Knowing that, Ju-Hyeok didn’t object much after practice officially began.
All kinds of hiccups occurred along the way. Sang-Hyeon could still recall the early days. The other players felt uncomfortable around Almond, or just outright didn’t accept him. Even if it was a niche game in Korea, Civil Empire’s international tournament only brought in the best of the best. Naturally, it didn’t go over well when someone nobody had ever seen appeared on the rankings.
However, Chi-Seung and Hui-Chul knew. Even if it seemed far off, that person would someday save the team. They didn’t say it out loud right away, but Sang-Hyeon could sense their belief and trust in him.
Sang-Hyeon started standing out during scrims, and the players slowly opened up to him. Fighting the same battles side by side made it easier than expected. They became one team and charged toward one goal. It was a long, long race.
"Joseon easily crushes the French and gets their first group stage win!"
"They even beat Spain! What on earth is going on!?"
"And it’s not just that they’re winning, their gameplay is insane! Especially that fast archer rush, people see it coming and still can’t stop it!"
"Ahh! Joseon couldn’t beat Rome, but they’re moving on to the main tournament!!!"
After the group stage battles, they won a ticket to the main tournament.
"No matter how hard they chase, they can’t catch him! What’s going on!?"
"Nope, I’m not an archer~ Wait, I am an archer? Just kidding! Surprise! I am an archer! Actually, not really!"
"Valhallaaaaaaaah!!"
"JOSEON!!! PULLED OFF THAT WIN LIKE A BEAST!!!"
They won two to zero against the Vikings.
"Ahh! Kenin, this is supposed to be the strongest archer? Is this a dethroning or what!?"
"Kenin might have to go buy pastries after this match!"
"Whoa! That wall just exploded! The whole team is stunned! Joseon is basically dead already!!"
"I told you the elephants are terrifying! Everyone just dies out of nowhere!!"
"This really was the final battle, huh? It was no walk in the park!"
Then, they won against Persia: 2-1.
"Aaah! This time, Best Yi Sun-Shin took the starting position?!"
"I! AM! THE! MOTHER! OF! JOSEON!!"
"W-Wait! The Commander-in-Chief!? She’s fighting!!"
"Almond! Almond drew his bow! Finally!"
"This is all they’ve got! This is it—"
BOOM!
A single shot from Sang-Hyeon ended the match against Japan. It was a three-to-two victory. Shortly afterward, they went on to play an undefeated series against China. Then came the grand finale against Rome. A team they had never beaten once in the preliminaries. Joseon finally pulled off a three-to-one victory.
"JOSEON! DEFEATS ROME AND WINS THE INTERNATIONAL TOURNAMENT!!!"
Even the final wall, Rome, had fallen.
***
Only a long, gleaming red carpet lay before them now.
"Everyone, please give them the warmest welcome! From the preliminaries to the round of 32, 16, and quarterfinals... There wasn’t a single easy match! They’ve broken through and won it all. And now, they stand here!"
Those fierce matches, the wins, the losses, the pain, and the joy... After today, they would all become just memories.
"The proud players of the Republic of Korea!!"
And yet, for that very reason, those memories would last forever. They would be etched into the hearts of everyone watching.
"These are the athletes who achieved what seemed impossible, an international tournament victory!"
Ssssshhhhh!
White smoke revealed the podium, and the carpet stretched forward. At the end stood the players.
Thunk!
All the lights in the arena turned to shine on them.
"WAAAAAAAAAAAH!!" the crowd roared.
Colorful fireworks burst again and cameras flashed from every direction. At the front, Hui-Chul stepped forward while pushing a wheelchair.
"Cookie! Cookie! Cookie!"
They chanted his name.
"Best Yi Sun-Shin! Best Yi Sun-Shin!"
Cheers for Choi Sa-Rang erupted too. And soon after—
"Almond! Almond! Almond! Almond!"
"Almond!! Almond!!"
Voices from every direction poured onto him. Every camera lens focused on him. Sang-Hyeon felt like the whole world was watching only him. Then, the lights shifted and illuminated one spot.
Thunk!
‘It’s that.’
Every player held their breath. A massive silver cup sat on top of the podium at the end of the sparkling carpet.
‘The trophy.’
It had been waiting for them. Surrounded by mics and broadcast cameras, it glistened under the lights.
"Now, players! Please step forward and lift the trophy!"
The frontmost players reached out and placed their hands on the trophy. It was so large that at least six had to lift it together.
‘This is...’
A wave of emotion swept through Hui-Chul’s eyes.
‘This is the International Tournament trophy.’
After exchanging glances with the others, he lifted it high with all his strength.
BOOM!
Fireworks exploded and the cheers doubled.
"WAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!"
POW!
A massive Taegeukgi unfurled above the stadium.
The commentators shouted in excitement, "Wow! Just like when you win in the game and plant your flag, it’s really happening! That’s not CG or a hologram! That’s a real Taegeukgi up there!!"
"That’s right! There were so many moments where this could’ve been an Italian flag instead, but our players made sure we ended it with ours! God, it feels so good!!"
Each player looked in a different direction. Hui-Chul looked up to the sky. Sa-Rang looked at the crowd. Sang-Hyeon blankly stared at the waving Taegeukgi.
"Everyone, they used to be called the Fake National Team! But I can’t call them that anymore!"
"Exactly! At this point, who could?"
"If this isn’t a real national team, then what is?! The whole stadium is a sea of red! The podium shines under the Taegeukgi! The whole country is moved! To me, this is our national team!!"
As if perfectly timed, the Korean national anthem began to play.
‘... Huh?’
The players felt startled, including Sang-Hyeon. The anthem wasn’t supposed to be played at an international gaming awards ceremony, but he could hear it.
At first, he thought it was just his imagination. But the sound was real. And it wasn’t coming from the speakers.
‘Are they... singing it?’
The audience was singing. Thousands, maybe tens of thousands, no one could count anymore... but they all sang as one. And at that moment—
THUNK.
The screen, which had been endlessly looping highlights, suddenly changed.
[FINALS MVP]
They were about to announce the Finals MVP.