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The STK Gaming Team was in a flurry of activity. Was there ever a time when they weren’t busy? With the preseason for the next league just launched, things were even more hectic.

The data from the preseason often carried over to the next regular season, meaning they had to rethink builds and strategies in a breathless routine.

So, the STK practice room buzzed with an unusual level of noise. Although it was individual practice time after finishing scrims, the players paired off in twos and threes for ranked matches, then rewatched their replays to discuss and dissect their recent gameplay.

Yunsoo clicked his tongue while staring at the score screen. Even after moving from a drab labyrinth to a flashy shrine, his expression became more and more grim.

“Damn, it’s trickier than I thought, Wizard.”

Was it really this hard? He had thoroughly reviewed the patch notes and felt well-practiced through videos and the training mode.

But when he tried to implement it in actual play, something felt oddly off…

“I see the guided magic missile is key, but I can’t seem to nail down the timing.”

He had expected the guided magic missile to be a mainstay skill in his magical arsenal.

Once cast, it generated five magic orbs around the caster, which would automatically target enemies within range.

Sure, he could prepare the spell in advance, but the inability to use it precisely when he wanted was beyond frustrating.

Was he supposed to just use it for long-range harassment?

“Wizards can roll or backstep, but if you do it this way, you’d just get caught anyway.”

Maybe in the labyrinth, but in the shrine, was magic truly limited to close-range Magic Swordmasters?

Scratching the back of his head in disappointment, Yunsoo glanced at his friend list and spotted something unusual.

“What? Eunha is solo queuing?”

“Yep, couldn’t get the timing right, so she’s off playing her own game.”

He had heard that while he was ranking with Chanhyuk, the rest of the team assembled on their own. At Chanhyuk’s comment, Yunsoo reacted dramatically.

“Whoa, why is Eunha getting left out?”

What if the rumor mills churned out tales of STK bullying?

Seeing Yunsoo’s commotion, Chanhyuk shrugged and returned to configuring his character.

It felt like ages since they had streamed or participated in an event, and the shock of defeat was but a distant memory now.

“By the way, how was it? Dual wands with a staff…?”

“If she plays it right, it could be tough for close-range encounters. Just harass from afar and when the time is right, go in for the kill, like before. Sure, holding one wand means she’ll have some drawbacks in close combat, but it’s manageable.”

“Hmm…”

Though it’s all a guessing game now, there might be skills or controls that haven’t developed yet.

These things require meticulous practice and testing; it wouldn’t be easy to uncover them in just a day or two.

Suddenly, Chanhyuk stole a glance at Yunsoo, whose dedication to research and practice, preparing for the next regular season, showed the honest determination of a professional gamer.

Watching Yunsoo, Chanhyuk couldn’t help but feel misplaced in comparison. It hadn’t been long since he’d felt that way. Yes, he could mark this moment as a turning point…

‘It all started from that time…’

At some point, he found himself more focused on catching up to her than winning the league.

Chanhyuk reminisced about the moment he fought Friede in the event.

He had poured all his combat skill, control, and know-how into his favorite weapon pick, yet he hadn’t lasted more than a few minutes before getting knocked out without showing any signs of that day—the strongest impact in his gaming life. So maybe, in this preseason, he could find a breakthrough against Friede.

He had planned to make the most of the magic properties, combining them with his play style, but…

‘I need to practice more.’

No need to rush. No matter how distant and treacherous the goal seemed, he would surely reach it in due time.

“Whoa, Chanhyuk! You gotta listen! Major event just happened!”

Just as Chanhyuk’s thoughts were wrapping up, Yunsoo’s shocked shout echoed through the team lobby.

This virtual reality was almost too real, sending Yunsoo’s voice echoing far enough that it almost made Chanhyuk’s ears tingle.

But what could be such a big deal?

“What’s up?”

“Eunha! She’s teamed up with Friede again and is playing! You should see her sticking to Friede like a leech!”

“What?”

Mention of her name stirred his heart, which had only just settled down before.

“Should we, like, watch it? It might be fun.”

“Fun? But what’s the point? Friede’s using a Holy Sword and a Broken Greatsword…”

“Come on! You’re being prejudiced! Who knows? Friede might show off some new moves in the preseason.”

“You’re sounding suspiciously hopeful here, aren’t you?”

“Hehe, a little awkward, huh? So, wanna watch or not?”

Yunsoo’s suggestion felt utterly pointless. Even without saying it…

“Guess we’re watching then.”

Chanhyuk and Yunsoo plopped down in the team lobby chairs and tuned into the game on the big screen.

Their target? Naturally, the gameplay of Friede and the Lotus duo. What first caught their eyes was…

“Huh?”

“?!”

Friede’s bizarre appearance as she dashed backward with her back facing the enemy was quite the sight.

 

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