Chapter 66


    Thank you for the 1st ce! Ah Its not really something to be thankful for since I earned it myself, right? No, I still want to thank the Noeul members.


    Idols, huh, idols.


    Pros~.


    As Kim Seonghyeons first-ce interview yed on the screen, ck Calls vocalist returned with augh.


    Wow~, kids these days have such stamina~.


    Jeongwoo-hyung, youre getting old.


    Whose fault is it that I aged so quickly.


    Joo Woosung, who had been stretching his legs,ughed sheepishly.


    ck Call had a particrly gentle atmosphere. From the start, they didnt seem too eager for first ce. It was the kind ofposure that came with having high recognition even without trying to appear on camera for an extra second, like other groups.


    Whats next? Rhythmic gymnastics?


    Yep, and then archery after that.


    Since none of our members participated in rhythmic gymnastics, we quickly got up during the setup time, went to the waiting room, and got a box directly from our manager.


    It was a counterattack lunchbox we had been preparing since yesterday.


    Our fans probably havent eaten either.


    Exactly.


    Members usually have their meals prepared by their agency, but our members insisted on using their own money to prepare a modest lunchbox, just like how they treat themselves. As we approached Noeul with the boxes, the fans screamed. We smiled andid down the boxes and greeted them.


    You must be hungry. Its already 9 oclock.


    Ya!! You guys must be hungrier!


    We just grabbed something quick to eat.


    Seong Jiwon carefully opened the boxes and cautiously handed out the lunchboxes one by one. Although the breakfast was rtively light sandwiches, they were all handmade, so they looked thoughtful.


    I hope its delicious.


    The Noeul members almost cursed in awe as they received the lunchboxes. Each lunchbox had a handwritten note from the members.


    You guys probably dont have enough time to practice.


    Im sorry its not much. We should give you something better.


    I tried it earlier, and it was delicious!


    Did you eat it?!


    Seong Jiwon covered Jeong Dajuns mouth and bowed his head. Thanks to him,ughter erupted among the Noeul members.


    We chatted for quite a long time, and then one of the fans voices caught my ear.


    You dont have to get first ce today. Just dont get hurt!


    Of course!


    Jeong Dajun smiled brightly and nodded.


    As the rhythmic gymnastics event was about to begin, we quickly returned to our seats.


    An idol group of a simr age to us was performing rhythmic gymnastics, showcasing their ribbon skills. Their dazzling costumes and tension that could be felt all the way to their toes made it obvious that they were grinding their teeth during the performance.


    <em>So, I also came out here with clenched teeth</em>


    Jeong Dajun stood and pped for a while before sitting back down. The idol, with a proud expression, checked their score and went backstage.


    The next event was archery. However, there was a suddenmotion among the staff, and they began to move hastily.


    Huh? Whats going on?


    Isnt the next event archery?


    The announcer quickly checked a note handed over by the staff and managed not to panic, smiling naturally.


    Next up, everyone, is e-sports!


    Huh?


    <em>Ah, it must be because of the time distribution.</em>


    While setting up for each sport, they constantly squeezed in e-sports preliminaries. However, it seemed that the actual ytime differed from the estimated time, so they moved e-sports forward, even if it meant pushing back archery.


    As I turned around with a tsk, Kang Ichae, who was participating in thest semi-final match, chuckled.


    Ah Is it my turn now?


    With an arrogant tilt of his head, Kang Ichae, who had been obsessed with a strange concept for days, smiled. He swept his hair back, then did a high-five with each member. Even the ck Call members sitting next to him got swept up in the atmosphere and did the high-five.


    <em>Such an unthreatening guy.</em>


    The e-sports team consisted of Seong Jiwon, Jeong Dajun, Kang Ichae, and one member each from Refined and Nightmare.


    Joo Woosung, sipping some juice next to me, asked,


    Arent you participating?


    I already failed when our team chose the candidates. What about you, Woosung?


    Im bad at games from the start. What about Seonghyeon?


    I thought I was good.


    Ha, you won the gold medal in the 100m, so its fine.


    As Kim Seonghyeon spoke with a slightly disappointed tone, Joo Woosung patted his back andughed heartily. At Kim Seonghyeons genuinely happy reaction to the simplepliment, the ck Call members also snickered.


    The semi-final started with a member from Refined.


    There wasnt an interview or live broadcast for the previous e-sports rounds since they were only edited for short cuts.


    The announcer, who had brought each teams information, made a puzzled face.


    Oh! Whats this about The Dawn team? It seems like The Dawn team is the main team, but what does Nire mean at the end?


    It stands for Nightmare and Refined.[1] Only three members from The Dawn are participating, and the other two spots are filled by members from the other groups.


    Sensing that an interesting interview was about to take ce, the announcer approached and asked for the reason.


    Ichae, The Dawn has five members, so you could have participated just as a team. Why didnt the other members participate?


    Kang Ichae, with one corner of his mouth raised as if he had been expecting the question, responded.


    Thats because a member who contributes negatively isnt a member.


    Wow, thats harsh.


    As Kim Seonghyeon and I lowered our thumbs and booed, the camera didnt miss the chance to capture us.


    Yes! Kang Ichae, quick to cut his losses. Well done. Shall we listen to the interviews with other members of Refined and Nightmare?


    The remaining Refined members red at their teammate who had joined The Dawn with faces twisted in anger.


    They abandoned their teammates for the sake of victory and went over there.


    What do you think?


    The announcer shoved a microphone in the face of a Refined member who had joined The Dawn. He responded with a rxed expression.


    You know the saying, A white heron should not go where the crows y[2]


    As the Refined yer responded lightly,ughter broke out from the audience. The Refined fans didnt seem too surprised, as if the members squabbling was a daily urrence.


    Refined team, The Dawn-Nire Team, please take your seats!


    Putting a mans pride on the line Battle ON.


    Alright~!


    Despite Kang Ichaes game-nerd enthusiasm, Seong Jiwon kindly yed along and continued to smile brightly, waving his hand.


    Now, lets start the first preliminary match!


    Thementators stepped back, and the pro-gamer analysts took their seats. Their faces didnt seem to hold much expectation.


    Ah, the yers are heading toward their towers from each camp. Seong Jiwon the ADC, and Kang Ichae the Support. Are they trying to show off The Dawns teamwork?[3]


    Kang Ichaes submitted rank is quite high. But Seong Jiwon doesnt have a rank posted?


    He didnt submit it for ranked matches.


    Ah


    The analystughed. It was a dont expect much kind of statement, but the fans who knew Seong Jiwon well didnt have high expectations either, so it didnt matter.


    However, as the game progressed, the analysts eyes sparkled with excitement.


    Oh~! The opposing Refined Jungler ising down right now. Its a gank, but unfortunately, their vision is limited on the top side. This might work.


    Jiwon-hyung.


    Yeah, I saw it.


    You saw it?


    As soon as he said that, Seong Jiwon swiftly moved his mouse. His characters brown hair flew around as he dodged the grabing from the darkness and alternated between basic attacks and skills.


    Oh, oh, oh!


    Seong Jiwon dodges and exchanges damage at the same time!


    Support Kang Ichaees in simultaneously! He gives him some movement speed!


    Refined members are flustered and retreating! They shouldve boldly engaged here!


    First Blood! Seong Jiwon gets First Blood![4]


    Seong Jiwon calmly spoke, without any excitement from getting First Blood.


    Ichae, shall we dive?


    Yep.


    Diving here? Wow, theyre more aggressive than expected![5]


    Its too risky for the Support to dive; their health is too low! Theyll die quickly!


    Just before they entered the enemys turret range, Seong Jiwon killed an enemy, leveled up his skill and set it up in the iing area where the Refined members were. Kang Ichae dealt magic damage to the approaching enemies, and their health rapidly decreased.


    Refined! Refined is going under their turret!


    The Support is too weak! No, The Dawn is going in! Theyre going in!


    <em>Tadadadadak!</em>


    As soon as Seong Jiwon went in, he immediatelynded basic attacks and skills.


    [The Dawn Seong Jiwon Double Kill!]


    One enemy died instantly, and a pet lunged at the remaining yer with a sliver of health, killing them.


    [The Dawn Seong Jiwon Triple Kill!]


    As the turret started attacking, Kang Ichae cunningly applied healing and movement speed at the perfect moment. They took damage, but both survived unscathed.


    Wow! What an amazing y!


    Seong Jiwon gets his first Triple Kill!


    If Kang Ichae hadnt healed just now, they wouldve gotten a kill there! If his reaction was even 0.5 secondste, it wouldve been over! Actually, even if Kang Ichae had died here, it wouldve been a gain for them! But he survived!


    Wow, The Dawns teamwork is quite good. This game is turning out to be quite interesting~?


    Thementators got increasingly excited with the unexpectedly thrilling game. Although they were pros watching an amateur match, they were riding high.


    Bottomnepletely pushed their line. They havent even used their ultimate yet


    Want some ice cream?


    Uh, sure.


    No such thing (vor).


    Then anything.


    While Seong Jiwon and Kang Ichae were involved in a virtual life-and-death situation, we were leisurely sucking on ice cream while watching. To begin with, I didnt know much about the game Of course, the excitedmentators didnt care about other peoples reactions.


    Hyung,e this way.


    Yeah.


    It seems like yer Kang Ichae is in charge of overall management, right?


    Yes! But right now, in the topne, Refineds yer, Yeongjun, quietly got a kill! Theyre pushing the topne too!


    And here at the bottom! The Dawns bottomne doesnt care about pushing and pulling, they want to finish it quickly! They show strong determination and destroy the turret!


    Kang Ichae clicked the mouse rapidly.


    What is yer Kang Ichae doing with the minimap? Did they see everything at once?


    Gank.


    Yep!


    yer Seong Jiwon! Theyre heading to the valley! But, oh no, Refineds yers saw them! Theyre rushing over, but the physical difference is overwhelming! Kill! Kiill!


    [The Dawn Seong Jiwon is going wild!]


    yer Seong Jiwon, unbelievable!


    This is natural sense, a sense!


    Thementators jumped up. The Dawns fandom was already noisy.


    Seonghyeon and I sucked on our ice cream and shook the slogans casually.


    Fighting~.


    The wholementary team burst intoughter, except for thementators focused on the game.


    The remaining Dawn members, are they cheering or not~?


    It seems like theyre saying, Try winning without us, just try it!


    The Dawn team that swept away the whole fight destroyed the opponents base inhibitors and thest turret in just 20 minutes.


    Ah~!!! The Dawn team grabs the victory, victory~!!


    Wow~! In this game, yers Seong Jiwon and Kang Ichae really stood out.


    Despite thementators continuing words, Jeong Dajun threw off his headphones and excitedly ran out.


    Hyung! Ichae-hyung! Jiwon-hyung~!!


    Clean up, done.


    That annoying guy


    Kang Ichaes downcast head concept remained unchanged amid it all.


    You were amazing just now!


    The Dawn-Nire team huddled together, hugging each other and making a big fuss. In contrast to their hot atmosphere, Kim Seonghyeon and I continued to feel chilly.


    Finals?


    It keeps making me want to nag.


    We sat crookedly in our seats, pouting and grumbling.


    [1] es from thebined initials of two words,  (for Nightmare) and  (Refined).


    [2]       implies that someone (the white heron, a symbol of purity) should avoid badpany or negative things (the crows, often symbolizing trouble) in order to maintain their reputation and integrity.


    [3] If youre like me and havent yed <em>League of Legends</em> before, let me break down the roles for you. ADC (Attack Damage Carry) is the main damage healer. Support, well, supports the ADC. A Jungler operates in the jungle (get it?), farming jungle monsters, securing objectives, and ganking/assistingnes to provide strategic advantages for their team.


    [4] First blood refers to the first kill that urs in an <em>LoL</em> match.


    [5] Diving refers to a maneuver where one or more yers aggressively engage an enemy under their turret in order to secure a kill or force them out ofne.<hr>


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