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When a goal I want to achieve arises, it injects new energy into both my body and mind.

Maybe it’s because of the sense of purpose, but it really boosts my motivation.

If I had just returned and repeated the cycle of eating, pooping, and sleeping without any sense of purpose, I think my mind would have slowly rotted away.

The human body and mind can be quite the nuisance. Overworking is an issue, but too much rest is toxic too.

Either way, life needs some stimulation.

So, even though my current goal might seem trivial to others, it’s a small but precious blessing to me.

It’s been three weeks since I returned to Earth.

In this marathon run aiming for Master Tier, after a long time, the fruits of my efforts are starting to take shape.

Seeing my ranked match record exposed on the leaderboard, a proud smile unconsciously broke out.

The dazzling golden wings and crown emblazoned on the screen.

It was proof of the shining victories I’ve achieved so far.

‘This is Master Rank.’

If I can just get promoted to Grand Master and finally to the last stage, Challenger, I would have accomplished my goal to some extent.

Thanks to the sense of achievement filling my heart, I stretched with all my might to loosen the tension in my muscles from gaming.

“Ahh!”

With a drowsiness that buzzed through my prefrontal cortex, a strange exclamation slipped between my lips.

As if my blocked circulation was suddenly released, a pleasant warmth rushed through my body.

What can I say, even virtual reality can give you this kind of feeling.

Ah, it’s so addictive.

If I just stayed home, wouldn’t the energy inside of me fester and rot?

I glanced at the time on the screen. It was still 1 PM.

It wasn’t too late to go out and get active.

Logging off and stepping out of the capsule device, I took a shower and opened my closet.

Even though I didn’t know outfits suited for a woman….

Well, why should I have to follow any formalities for just getting dressed? If it looks good, just wear it.

After picking a few that seemed decent, I had a vague semblance of an outfit.

Wearing glasses with an awful color and standing in front of the mirror, I thought,

“Yeah, no problem.”

So began my aimless outing without any set destination.

Just 10 minutes after stepping out confidently, I fell into a slight panic.

‘Where should I go?’

I hadn’t come out just to take a stroll around the neighborhood like an old man.

Naturally, I took out my smartphone to check my friend list, but oh no.

There were no friends I could contact.

Well, having spent the last ten years in this alternate world, it’s only natural that I’d lost touch.

Even if I did meet someone, my identity and appearance had changed, so they probably wouldn’t recognize me anyway.

There were friends I used to keep in touch with before I was summoned to the alternate world.

“Too bad.”

Looking at my now empty friend list clearly showed just how poor my current social life was.

There are many ways to enjoy the world, but I thought that relationships are also an important aspect.

In that regard, I guess I’m not prepared at all to enjoy this world.

Perhaps this is a new childhood for me.

Anyway, here’s the conclusion.

Wah, I’m a baby hero.

Where should I go?

***

The building’s interior was filled with a crowd.

So packed that it looked like it could spill over like a carbonated drink after shaking.

This bustling place had a reason to be as such.

Warfare Mark.

This place, constructed by Trom Games, the creators of Soul Warfare, in Grand Seoul of Jongno.

‘Soul Warfare Champions League Korea (SCK) exclusive E-sports venue.’

South Korea’s standing in the Soul Warfare e-sports scene was as powerful as other game sports before.

Effectively the number one, the first division, one could say.

It was a league with the most championships and the richest history, hosting the world’s top teams.

To maintain its status as the next generation e-sports powerhouse, and so-called ‘first division,’ bold investments kept being made, and this gaming venue was one of them.

If you were to ask why I came here, well, it’s simply because it’s the closest connection to the world of Soul Warfare.

Though it’s somewhat embarrassing to call it an algorithmic connection.

I ended up here aimlessly, only to find out this match was a big one.

‘STK vs. TK…’

Given today’s match-up and the crowd that gathered, it seems the rivalry between these two teams is still alive.

A rivalry match dating back to Stella Craft and Legendary Battle. Of course, it could also be due to the opening match.

If they were a lower-tier team, there probably wouldn’t be as many people here from the start.

‘Good thing I bought my tickets in advance.’

Watching the audience fighting to get tickets, I downed my coffee.

It was a perfect spot for people-watching.

Was it because the café was themed around games? The atmosphere was quite vintage.

The aftertaste of the coffee lingered heavily, like a crayon stain.

On the other hand, I felt intrigued about how e-sports had changed in the years I was gone.

Ah, it’s about time. Should I head in?

I tried to calm my excitement as I entered the stadium.

A blink of my eyes was all it took to be dazzled by the overwhelming scale, different from the last time I saw a Legendary Battle e-sports venue.

‘They said they set up four floors for this venue…’

Was it really to this extent?

If someone I knew was next to me, I’d probably ask if it was overkill.

Hastily, I took my designated seat, worried about blocking the people pushing behind me.

With the time to leisurely enjoy the arena, my heart began to race.

In the central area beneath the stadium, a stage was set up for the players to compete.

Especially, the thick glass booth was intriguing, and the virtual reality devices looked slightly different from mine.

Mine was designed to lay back like a bed in a capsule, while the ones here resemble chairs you sit down in.

I mean, if the players lay down while playing in the stadium, it might lessen the immersion a bit.

Behind that, the audience seated around in a coliseum-like arrangement were elevated higher than the stage, making it convenient to watch.

Especially during climactic moments, the entire seating area was graced by a 270-degree covered screen.

A massive screen that encompassed my entire viewpoint above me.

‘For each seating area to have one screen, with three in total? What a waste of space.’

Or perhaps it’s only possible due to the four-story scale being utilized as one arena.

Leaving efficiency aside, at least for an audience this grand spectacle is quite rare.

‘The e-sports arena I attended ten years ago wasn’t even close to this.’

I could feel the world had changed quite a bit.

Finally, the league opening began.

Perhaps due to decades of experience and advanced technology, the video production and effects were pretty impressive.

What was amazing was how the sound resonated throughout the arena with the players’ actions.

It felt like I was part of that opening, with wind and vibrations swirling around.

What can I say, 4DX? 3D content?

Wow!

In the midst of that, the players coming out for the opening, and the cheers erupting as they came in one by one.

A more overwhelming impact than a movie theater.

While virtual reality was astonishing, I was slightly awestruck by the new sense of depth in reality compared to before.

This is…

‘This must be incredible to watch live!’

After the team introductions, the players gradually entered.

They looked unfamiliar to me, but hearing the crowd’s cheers, I realized they were definitely well-known players in the SCK league.

Especially the fierce roars for STK were quite deafening.

Of course, there was a reason for that.

STK.

A historic team that overwhelmingly dominates other competitive teams. The highest salaries and benefits in the professional gamer industry.

And…

“Warden! Warden! Warden!”

“Let’s hard carry this match!”

From the previous e-sports dominant games like Stella Craft and Legendary Battle to now, Soul Warfare….

They have continuously produced world-class franchise stars of number one status.

The overwhelming cheers from an electrified audience filling the stadium, regardless of gender, is only natural.

That player Warden is a name even I, who hadn’t been really interested in the league, had heard countless times.

He’s the current star of STK, following in the footsteps of Berkeley and Baker, who were world stars in the previous games.

Anti-Phoenix, the igniter of the Gold Cup.

Fan-Phoenix, the avatar of kings.

With curiosity blooming about the gaming skills of the pros, I focused on the screen.

Finally, the game began.

***

It just happened to be a non-broadcasting day, so Dayoung turned on her Switch channel to watch the SCK opening match.

If you ask why she took a day off, it’s really a sad reason.

Only a streamer of a certain caliber could make a broadcast meaningful; a low-competitive one like hers wouldn’t make a difference.

The SCK opening match, especially a rivalry match between STK and TK.

At this moment, with all the viewers’ attention focused, even if she broadcasted, no one would watch it.

Even if she did something as a low-tier streamer, she’d prefer to avoid the embarrassment of scoring zero live viewers.

[Hello, gaming fans across the nation.

Finally, SCK Spring Season opening match starts now!]

As the seasoned game caster declared the opening of the league, cheers erupted from the audience once again.

[How do you view this year’s newly started season opening?]

[Yes, the biggest topic for this Spring season is definitely the direction of the patches.

In Soul Warfare’s unique battle of wits, I expect there will be more variables added to the gameplay.]

With the patch and the opening match’s topic covered, the player introductions were wrapped up, and the game pick and ban began.

[STK Warden’s katana, facing TK Schneider’s scimitar. Last season, they both made what could be called mad movies, leaving quite the impression. But this time, both weapon classes have received an overall nerf. The point to watch this match will be whether they continue utilizing these signature picks or switch to other weapon classes.]

The commentary from the booth continued, with the audience’s cheers for their teams being unending.

It felt like the cheers were more fervent for STK.

Well, they are the super team that won every league from the previous season, and they even have a world star on their roster.

‘Ah, I wanna commentate for STK matches.’

Dayoung, being a typical fan of strong teams, cheered for STK while watching their matches every day.

The commentary for a favorite team is always more special compared to the others.

For now, let’s grab some snacks.

She went to the kitchen and grabbed some cola and snacks. After all, sports are best enjoyed while eating.

Mocking her thoughts, her smartphone buzzed with a notification about a live broadcast from a major streamer she had previously subscribed to.

It was probably about the live coverage of the SCK opening match.

She had done commentaries before she was summoned.

It’s an unattainable dream, but someday, she might face such a moment.

Still… it feels a bit disheartening right now.

“Phew….”

A deep sigh escaped, thick with emotions.

Isn’t it fair for a hero to have a somewhat happy ending? This dreary vibe is just unbearable….

While she was deeply lamenting her situation, a cute yet mischievous voice echoed in her ear.

“What are you doing, gamer?”

That little…

“Don’t go making a mess since the family isn’t around. What are you gonna do if you get caught?”

With a cute appearance but a smirk that added to its filthiness, the frog doll spoke.

“What’s there for an assassin to fear? If there’s a witness, you just take them out as well. That’s real assassination… hehehe!”

“Who the heck are you trying to assassinate! You wanna die?”

I gripped the frog doll tightly, ready to crush it completely, before throwing it into the trash can.

 

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