Chapter 66

Infinity Gaming’s Leader, Lee Haena.

As the Defender, she was greatly relieved that the backup player blocking the data room was Jung Yunseul.

‘What a relief! It’s Jung Yunseul.’

A Flank Run at the Nicaea Research Lab.

It was a reckless strategy that involved running with all one’s Mana, so surprisingly, even pushing with a large number of people didn’t have a high success rate.

This was because a player with Mana could move like a superhuman, in ways impossible in reality, allowing them to take on multiple opponents alone.

Therefore, if the player blocking the door possessed top-tier combat ability, they could have been the ones to get wiped out instead.

If the backup Super Sylph had left behind was Seo Dami, Lee Haena would have felt depressed before even starting the operation.

A future national team pick with full Mana.

How could they, with their Mana depleted, possibly take down a player who was already receiving love calls and interest from top overseas teams?

But with Jung Yunseul, it was doable.

She was a talented player in her own right, having debuted on the professional Second Division stage at just 17, but she was no match for Seo Dami.

‘We’ll take you down! And we’ll take second place!’

The fight in the Second Division League was fierce, excluding Super Sylph, whose first-place finish was all but confirmed.

Only the top two teams could go straight to the First Division League without a Promotion-Relegation Match.

Besides Super Sylph, only one other team could claim that spot, and currently, Supernova and Infinity Gaming were the most likely candidates.

Since both were teams that had played in the First Division League until last year, they were desperate for Match Points from their showdown with Super Sylph.

They had to secure at least one more win against a strong team to increase their chances of taking second place.

And so, with glinting eyes, the Infinity Gaming players charged toward Jung Yunseul.

-Uh oh.

-This looks dangerous, doesn’t it?

The Flank Run strategy wasn’t a common occurrence.

And for Super Sylph, it was the first time they had ever faced it.

Just as the fans watching Jung Yunseul held their breath, she made the first move, and the Engagement began.

She popped a Smoke Screen.

Just like Seo Dami, Jung Yunseul threw a Smoke Screen at her feet and along her Movement Path, then immediately used Acceleration.

“It’s a Smoke Screen!”

Lee Haena activated her Red Sight, peering through the smoke.

Lee Haena looked through the smoke via the eye slit in her Defender Shield.

However, the enemy’s response was far too quick.

Popping the smoke and attacking flowed together as if it were a single motion.

With a dull thud, Lee Haena’s Shield shuddered as an onslaught of attacks poured in.

It was Jung Yunseul’s precise, rapid fire.

‘The power is a bit lacking.’

<Should we change weapons next time? To an Arclight Rifle?>

Jung Yunseul’s weapon was a lightweight Rifle called the ‘Laser Burst.’

It was light, and being an optical weapon, it had many advantages in terms of weight over a Live Round Rifle.

The Arclight Rifle was also an optical Rifle, but it had less ammo and the gun itself was quite heavy.

That was why it had so much power, but the Laser Burst was a weapon that prioritized a player’s mobility, so its power was inevitably lower.

It wasn’t enough to break the Shield, so Han Youngin decided to try to get closer.

<This is a real Pro Gamer…!>

Watching Han Youngin, who was controlling her body and rushing toward the enemy lines, Jung Yunseul couldn’t help but be impressed.

His Acceleration and movement were simply superb.

He dodged the attacks that IG rained down like a storm with nimble movements, and for the attacks he couldn’t possibly avoid, he deployed a Shield to deflect them.

Han Youngin’s play at that moment was akin to a work of art.

At the sight, Jung Yunseul became entranced, completely absorbed in the game.

Realizing her body could move like this, she felt a sense of omnipotence.

Just then, as he was pressuring the enemy with hit-and-run tactics, he suddenly stuck to a wall.

Jung Yunseul was puzzled by the sudden change in his Movement Path, but she soon understood why.

With a thud, a vibration ran through the Battlefield, and the gravity shifted.

<Wow! How did you know?>

‘A gut feeling.’

The angle was 90 degrees.

As the wall became the floor, the IG players couldn’t help but cry out and tumble, and Han Youngin did not miss this opening.

He put in Burst Fire with his Laser Burst, instantly cutting down the enemy Supporter and Sniper.

When the Attacker right next to him charged with a Bomb, he activated Gun Kata.

Jung Yunseul pulled off the feat of dodging the enemy’s attack from point-blank range with Acceleration.

She spun her gun and performed the trick of cracking the opponent’s jaw with her Gun Stock.

“An incredible Game Performance! Super Sylph!”

“Following Seo Dami, it seems another Talent has blossomed!”

“Jung Yunseul! She’s perfectly defending all by herself!”

-Wow!!!!

-Is this for real right now?

-Isn’t that Gun Kata?

-Hahahaha

-Yunseul…?

-After General Seo, Jung Yunseul is popping off too?

It was only natural that the Arena was in an uproar.

A super play from Jung Yunseul, not Seo Dami.

It was a play no one had expected, and it was just as shocking.

In the blink of an eye, Jung Yunseul had penetrated the middle of the enemy formation and decimated four of them.

-Jung Yunseul!

-Jung Yunseul!

-Jung Yunseul!

As the Spectators chanted Jung Yunseul’s name, the only IG player left on the Battlefield was Lee Haena.

On the other hand, Jung Yunseul still had Mana to spare even after taking out four people.

The depleted Lee Haena was no match for her.

Extremely anxious, Lee Haena drew her Lightsaber and charged.

A combination of a Shield and a Lightsaber.

With this, even without Mana, she could withstand the enemy’s attacks and apply pressure.

“Mm-mm. No, you don’t.”

Watching the charging Lee Haena, a relaxed Jung Yunseul wagged her index finger from side to side.

For a Second Division veteran like Lee Haena, it was a rare humiliation.

As Lee Haena’s ears turned red and she swung her sword with a grunt, Jung Yunseul kicked off the Shield and launched her body into the air.

Accelerated by her Skill, Jung Yunseul’s movements were like lightning.

In the blink of an eye, she got behind Lee Haena and drew her sidearm, which was holstered at her hip.

She drew the pistol and struck the back of her opponent’s head.

A Laser flashed, and Lee Haena’s Health Bar shattered with a crack.

“Bang-!”

-Hahahahahahaha

-Baaaang-!!!

-Bang!!!

Hoo— Jung Yunseul lightly blew on the tip of her pistol, from which no smoke emerged, and shouted toward the Spectator Seats.

“IG gets fucking cuuut-!!!”

-Kyaaaaah!!

-Hey, barkeep! Bring another future national player over here!

-The Great Yunseul.

-Her Performance today was insane!

Jung Yunseul’s 1-v-5 super save.

At that moment, the Arena began to erupt like an active volcano.

After being brutally beaten on Attack at the Nicaea Research Lab, IG became the Defending Team and put up a solid Guard.

However, the match was once again one-sided.

This time, Seo Dami, who was already a powerhouse, also started to run wild.

Seo Dami and Jung Yunseul.

Just as Kim Seunga and Seo Dami had on the combined team, this time Jung Yunseul perfectly matched Seo Dami’s pace.

It was only natural that the Spectators who saw this were greatly surprised.

-Was Jung Yunseul always this good?

-You’re saying that super save wasn’t a fluke?

-You guys aren’t on drugs, are you…?

-Doping is not allowed;;

-No, but seriously, it’s impossible for a player’s skills to improve this much in just a month, during the Break Period.

Fans engaged in a heated debate over whether Seo Dami had actually lowered her pace compared to the Event Match, or if Jung Yunseul had truly awakened.

But whatever the conclusion, the important fact was that Jung Yunseul had started to Carry the game.

In the following 2nd Set, Jung Yunseul made her presence clearly known.

The team, which had always had only the solid first option of Seo Dami, was now given the brilliant second option of Jung Yunseul.

And so, finally.

For the first time in Super Sylph, a player other than Seo Dami got to do the MVP Interview.

Jung Yunseul watched Han Youngin, full of anticipation at the news that she would be interviewed.

Sighing inwardly, Han Youngin smiled brightly as if nothing had happened and hopped toward the fans.

“Jung Yunseul~ a great victory!”

The emergence of a new Ace.

At the same time, fervent applause and roars erupted in the Arena.

“Jung Yunseul! Congratulations. This is your first MVP Interview of the year. Please share your thoughts.”

“Ah~ Well, something like this is a given. All of us at Super Sylph are players who get it done when we have to. Still, it feels good to be the MVP!”

“Now, I have to ask this question. You showed an incredible Performance today. Is there any particular reason for the sudden improvement in your Game Performance?”

“Hmm. Maybe it’s because all the effort I’ve put in is finally paying off?”

She followed up with a rather textbook answer, saying that a UA player’s skill improves in steps, and that a day will come when their efforts will shine, so all players in the League should never give up and work hard.

Meanwhile, the Broadcast Team, perhaps feeling mischievous, threw in a slightly teasing question, asking if she wasn’t nervous in the 1-v-5 situation.

But Han Youngin was a master of interviews.

He said he wasn’t nervous at all and that it was actually fun to be in the spotlight, making the audience laugh.

As a bonus, Jung Yunseul, who was sitting in his head, shouted, “Oppa, you’re so cool!”

“Then, this is the last question. Is there anything you’d like to say to your fans?”

“Ah. The Second-Half Season has just begun. Thank you all for coming out in such large numbers. I believe the reason we can show such a good Game Performance is thanks to our fans who are always with us.”

-Aww.

-Why does this team only have players with such a great mindset?

-For real, they’re a team that’s bound to succeed.

-Is this really the same Yunseuli who got flamed for her trash play last year?

-Our Yunseuli is all grown up ㅠㅠ

“Our team is already in first place. We’ll continue our Win Streak, secure first place, and show you our Promotion to the First Division League! We’ll show you a good performance in the First Division too, so please continue to cheer for us! Thank you!”

-We’ll cheer for you!

-We’ll cheer for you!

In that moment, the fans became one and cheered for her goal.

The first game with Jung Yunseul.

The impressive cooperative play ended like this.

After the match, the players logged out and came outside.

“Wow, Yunseuli, what was with you today?”

“The Spectators were asking if you were on drugs.”

“You didn’t actually do it, did you?”

“She’s been with us all day, what are you talking about, drugs?”

“If anyone did, it would be DamiDami, who goes out to play by herself on weekends…”

“I didn’t do it.”

“It’s a joke, a joke!”

Dami, who retorted that she had never done drugs, approached me.

Her strides were unusually purposeful. Was she going to ask why I stole the MVP? I wondered, but that wasn’t it.

Dami looked at me, gave me a tight hug, and whispered in my ear, “You worked hard today~ Oppa.”

And seeing that, Jung Yunseul burst with indignation.

She told her to get off our Oppa’s body.

No, as I’ve said time and again, this isn’t my body, it’s your body, okay? Yunseul?

Anyway, the fact that Dami could touch me? by me borrowing Yunseul’s body seemed to make her quite happy.

She didn’t say it, but her attitude and gaze gave it away.

Things like trying to hold my hand when no one was looking.

At that moment, I remembered what Coach Park Chaerin had said in my head. You two, don’t stick so close together. You’ll end up catching feelings.

“Okay, I get it, so let go now…”

“Why? This is just friendship between teammates. I don’t think it’s weird.”

When I tried to push her away, Seo Dami clung on even tighter.

Having to calm down the rampaging Yunseul in my head was an added bonus.

‘Aigo, my head.’

Although Dami was physically separated from me, she wanted to continue being with me.

And Jung Yunseul was shooting daggers at Dami.

I fell into thought, wondering how I could wisely navigate this situation.

An unstoppable force.

After the Second Half opened, Super Sylph didn’t drop a single game, running a five-game Win Streak in the first week.

In-Game, they were a strong team with no problems.

But there were problems in other areas.

It was because of my relationship with Yunseul in my head and Dami, who hovered around me.

<No, I’m saying the problem is that Dami Unni is trying to monopolize you without saying anything, Oppa! Look at her. She’s acting like she’s your girlfriend.>

Ever since Yunseul heard that Dami and I had been like this for over a year, she had been holding a grudge against Dami.

The reason was how Dami had managed to keep such a big secret from her.

<Isn’t that right? Oppa, you saw it too when you were in Unni’s head, right? I kept saying how much of a fan I was of you, Oppa, and how much I liked you! You must have been laughing to yourself, right? Thinking, ‘Yep~ that’s right. I’m with my Oppa~. You just keep looking at that picture on your wall~.’>

I told her Dami probably didn’t think that, but Yunseul chided me, saying Oppa doesn’t understand a woman’s heart.

It was obvious that Seo Dami was trying to monopolize me.

‘Still, you should try to understand. Is this any ordinary secret?’

Who on earth could I tell such an enormous secret to—that I was living with someone as a Soul, and that I was even helping them with the game to improve their skills?

I told Yunseul that I would take the fact that I had spent time with her to my grave, and after hearing my explanation, Yunseul nodded, saying she could understand that part.

<But Oppa. There’s something I want to ask you…>

‘What is it?’

<Oppa, do you have, um, feelings for Dami Unni?>

Yunseul was indirectly asking if I liked Dami too.

I told her that Dami and I had a teacher-student relationship.

That we weren’t dating or anything like that.

<I see… Then that Energy? You said when it runs out, you have to go back to your original body, Oppa.>

‘That’s right.’

<Can’t you come back to me then?>

‘Huh? That’s…’

It was an unexpected variable.

I mean, who would have thought another person would appear who wanted to live with someone else’s Soul?

But the problem was that Dami would probably want me to return to her too.

I felt my head spin a little.

<Why…? You said you spent over a year with Dami Unni. You say you don’t have feelings for her, but aren’t you actually in love with her?>

If I said I had to go to Dami, it would mean I liked Dami.

If I said I would come to Yunseul, I didn’t know what kind of problem would erupt on the other side.

It was a difficult problem to answer right away, so I decided to buy some time with a vague response, saying I would think about it.

No matter how I looked at it, this was the best I could do for now…

August ended, and September arrived.

As the autumn mood slowly approached, a month and a half had already passed since I started living with Yunseul.

Super Sylph continued their string of victories, solidifying their overwhelming first-place position.

「Super Sylph shows off overwhelming skill, racing to a 26-game win streak in the Second-Half Season.」

「Jung Yunseul. A green light for the next national team pick after Seo Dami?」

「European Women’s First Division League team, Highlander, interviews that they have an interest in a Korean player.」

During this period, I did my best to pass on all my Skills to Yunseul.

Acceleration, and how to read the game.

The knowledge and mindset an Attacker should naturally be equipped with, and so on.

Of course, there wasn’t enough time.

A month and a half was far too short to impart everything I had.

After all, it took Dami a much longer time to be able to go toe-to-toe with the Upper Bracket players of the First Division purely with her own skills.

Furthermore, Stamina was also a problem.

While living with me, Dami had built up her Physical through intense training.

Even so, Seo Dami had Stamina issues when compared to a national Starter like Kim Seunga.

So how would it be for Yunseul, who had even less time to build up her body?

Jung Yunseul, who was a year younger, inevitably had less Endurance than Seo Dami, and this acted as a fatal weakness in a Prolonged Battle.

Of course, if she played the game casually, there would be no problem.

But her Stamina was hopeless for her to pull off my Performance for a Full Set.

Thus, I taught Yunseul how to run as little as possible and only make plays at crucial points.

After all, Super Sylph was a team that could end the game with Seo Dami alone.

Yunseul just had to deliciously finish off the enemies that Dami had seasoned.

Sometimes, Yunseul couldn’t hold back and got jealous of Dami.

It was because our synergy was too good.

The time I spent with Dami was by no means short.

One might say a little over a year isn’t that long, but for us, who spent every waking and sleeping moment together, there was a strong bond.

Some people say they can read each other’s thoughts just by looking into their eyes, but my relationship with Dami had surpassed that level.

Even when Seo Dami was out of my Vision, I knew what play she would make, where, and at what Timing, and the same was true for Dami.

With our perfect synergy, we blitzed the Second Division League.

And so, after spending a hot summer, when we finally greeted the autumn.

The expected thing happened.

“Huh? Oppa?”

September 13th. Early morning.

Waking from sleep, Jung Yunseul regained control of her body once again.