LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 21
I hesitated until the last moment before sending my reply, but the answer had already been decided.
“Is there anything specific you desire? If it’s the salary, we can raise it up to 800 million. Think carefully. These are unprecedented terms.”
…There’s still room for a higher salary?
I couldn’t hide my astonishment, but regretting wouldn’t change anything.
“I’m sorry, but I don’t have much time left to live.”
A silence filled the air as I pulled out my card to decline.
The rumor that the Prisoner had a rare disease was widespread, and our earlier conversation had only confirmed that.
Even if their desire to recruit me was intense, they couldn’t possibly pursue someone who might be dead soon.
“Ah… I must have been too presumptuous. I apologize. Are you feeling well?”
“Yes, I’m fine. Thank you for the generous offer.”
“I’m sorry to have taken your valuable time. I sincerely wish you good health.”
“No, I should be the one thanking you. Take care.”
“And, if your situation or thoughts change in the future, please feel free to contact me at this number. I’ll be waiting.”
Seeing their reluctance to give up till the end made me feel a tinge of guilt.
“……”
After a while of my smartphone ringing, it finally fell silent.
As if the conversation that just took place was a dream.
In that lingering moment, I scoured through the messages exchanged before.
– “To be direct, may I ask if you currently have a team you are affiliated with or plan to sign with? I’d like to discuss potential entry into a team.”
– “Regardless of your current situation, if you sign with us at GRS, we will have a professional interpreter and a specialized medical staff residing in the dormitory to care for you 24/7.”
– “I’m sure you know, but GRS is the top-tier club in China, having achieved a fantastic runner-up finish in this recent Red Cup, surpassing renowned teams.”
– “However, we aren’t satisfied. The Red Cup runner-up. While it is a good outcome, GRS is always aiming for victory.”
– “That is why we are certain.”
– “If you were to join us, we believe next year’s Red Cup will be within our grasp.”
– “As for the most important salary, to respect your concerns regarding overseas endeavors, we are considering a salary of 600 million Won.”
– “This is after-tax income, and all taxes imposed in China will be covered by the club.”
– “Additionally, depending on performance, bonuses beyond the base salary of 600 million will also be provided separately.”
– “I can confidently say that you won’t find such outrageous treatment anywhere else, whether at home or abroad.”
– “And again, if your situation or thoughts change in the future, please feel free to contact me at this number. I’ll be waiting.”
Continuously reading the messages on my smartphone, I eventually lay back on my bed.
“…What am I doing right now?”
I understand this emotion.
This is yearning.
A hope stemming from the anxiety of potentially missing a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that might never come again.
“If only they had contacted me a bit sooner…”
I found myself fostering such meaningless hypotheses, overwhelmed by regret.
At the same time, I felt gratitude towards GRS and Coach Jang Seok-Hwan, who approached me without any prejudice for the first time.
I still remember.
When they learned about me, what expressions they had.
“Ah… I understand your determination, Yujin, but as you know, pro gaming isn’t just about skill. You need basic stamina to participate in team scrims, and there are tournament schedules…”
“I’m sorry. We’ve already signed a new player.”
“I hope we can meet again if fate allows.”
Therefore,
Unlike other teams I’ve encountered so far, I am so grateful for breaking prejudices and coming to me first.
Thank you, and thank you again.
“This must be fate.”
Though it’s a poor substitute…
If someday we meet again on a grand stage…
“I’ll take it easy on you then.”
I made that promise.
*
Beijing, GRS Dormitory.
GRS’ Mid Laner, Li Zhi-Xuan, couldn’t believe his ears at Coach Jang Seok-Hwan’s words.
“What did you say?”
“…There’s nothing we could do. They said they don’t have much time left.”
Had he been more aggressive in pursuing them, he would have pushed harder for the recruitment, but Jang couldn’t bring himself to go that far for someone nearing death.
More so, Jang Seok-Hwan himself harbored some doubts regarding the recruitment of the Prisoner.
Of course, he knew that the Prisoner was a talented amateur whose skills had recently skyrocketed.
But was it really worth the risk to bring in someone at the expense of nurturing a few promising players?
Jang Seok-Hwan questioned that essence.
“Sigh…”
Li Zhi-Xuan let out a deep sigh at Jang’s words.
This wasn’t part of his plan.
He thought they could win the next Red Cup with the Prisoner by their side.
How could they not recognize such a gem?
It seems there are only fools in Korea.
…he thought as such.
But then, an unexpected turn of events occurred.
To offer the best treatment and conditions, and still fail to recruit?
The other party was not someone completely disinterested in going pro.
Even though it was before the Prisoner’s illness was revealed, he surely had intentions to debut as a professional.
“Utterly incompetent.”
The level of trust he had in Jang Seok-Hwan was now beginning to waver.
“Why are you so obsessed with the Prisoner? He’s just an amateur after all.”
“Rainbow and Yoon-ki, who had stomped on us mercilessly, were all amateurs at first.”
Of course, in their cases, they quickly gained recognition after a short period as amateurs and ended up joining SY, then the top club in Korean esports—it was a big deal.
In contrast, regarding the time the Prisoner started playing games, one could say he was a first-generation gamer in Korea.
The stark differences made the comparisons far too disparate, yet Jang Seok-Hwan decided not to quibble over it.
“The Prisoner has value. Doesn’t a GRS coach know that?”
“I understand your feelings, but there’s nothing we can do now. Forget the Prisoner.”
Li Zhi-Xuan pondered for a moment, then seemingly settled on a firm resolution.
“I’ll go to Korea.”
“What? You plan to meet the Prisoner? No way, that’s not happening.”
“Of course not. I’m not that unreasonable. The next World Championship is being held in Korea, so it’s like a training camp for us.”
“How could the season start if it’s only a week away? No. The coach will say no.”
“You don’t need to worry about that. I’ll speak to the coach separately.”
At that, Jang Seok-Hwan found himself at a loss for words.
Li Zhi-Xuan saying he would speak to the coach directly implied he would impose his influence, not as a player.
The Mid Laner, who had led China to the Red Cup runner-up finish, despite always being trampled by Korea.
With the backing of GRS’s main sponsor.
Even though he respected the coach normally, Li Zhi-Xuan’s position was absolute within GRS.
“…Alright. But I’m coming with you to Korea. And you need to be back at least a week before the season begins. Understand?”
“Don’t worry.”
A small smile appeared on Li Zhi-Xuan’s lips.
*
How long had I been lying down?
“Ugh.”
I felt so disoriented after waking up, it felt like the day had nearly passed, but technically, it had just begun.
“Let’s eat something.”
As I opened the door and stepped into the living room, the usual morning scene greeted me.
A little sparse, yet still familiar.
My father and younger sibling had gone to work and school, and my mother, who had been busier than ever lately, left early.
There had been a time when it was rare to be home alone, but lately, it had become quite common.
After I became a girl, one of the first things my mother did was to stop hiring a cleaning lady.
Although that increased the burden of housework on her, my mother seemed completely unconcerned and only worried about me.
“Why should doing housework matter? Your well-being is what matters most.”
As I moved to the dining table, a simple breakfast and a note awaited me once again.
– “Scoop out rice from the rice cooker and heat up the stew in the earthen pot. Be careful with the fire, and put the finished dishes in the sink.”