Chapter 260 (1/2)
“...It is a big problem.”
“We’re ruined—!”
The Korean team’s waiting room was filled with desperate cries. They held their heads with various expressions and sighed as they denied the present situation.
“...This is ridiculous.”
“Am I dreaming right now? Yes, It must be a dream, right?”
“Do you want me to hit you once?”
“Yes, hit me hard one time.”
“In the name of the Father, the son, and the Holy Spirit...”
Kim Haeil was a priest so he briefly made the sign of the cross and struck Park Jangsoo in the back of the head. By the way, the two people had been quite close since yesterday’s meeting. Of course, it was a secret that Kim Haeil drank yesterday. Come to think of it, he was a bad priest. Tsk.
“Ack. You crazy guy, why did you hit me so hard?”
“You told me to hit you hard.”
“Ah. Still, did you have to hit me in the head? Keuk...”
There was no time to sigh. The door of the waiting room opened and a familiar Union employee entered.
“The South Korean team, come out in five minutes. Please be prepared.”
The Union employee left after giving the short message that detonated the ‘silence’ bomb. Silence filled the waiting room. No one had a way to deal with the situation. It was the same for me.
“Hmm.”
Muyeol wasn’t present today because he was in poor health. I originally wanted to visit him after this game, but then this complication happened. Park Muyeol wouldn’t feel good if he saw us now.
“...Get ready to go out.”
First, as the oldest, I led the young people in front of me. I had to do as much as possible today. The word ‘give up’ was only used in Choi Chuntaek’s dictionary when it came to preparing pickled vegetables.
* * *
In the United States’ team’s waiting room in Union Square...
“...South Korea. We are having a finals match in the very first game.”
Damian smiled when he saw the words ‘South Korea’ on the ball held by the TV host. Perhaps he thought it was good. The unexpected emergence of Choi Chuntaek and Park Muyeol meant many plans were ruined. South Korea’s combat effectiveness rose and the United States and South Korea launched a fierce battle. Sometimes the United States won, but sometimes they lost due to unexpected variables.
South Korea was strong. Damian acknowledged this fact. It was only this way that he could defeat the enemy.
‘So this strategy...’
Then again, Damian thought there was no reason for the US to be defeated by South Korea. Strategy, tactics, skills, stats, and items. If there were no unexpected variables, the United States would never fall behind South Korea in any of this. Therefore, Damian chose the method of a frontal attack.
“James.”
“Yes.”
“...I understand.”
James looked around and nodded. However, the gazes of those around him weren’t great. He was an Asian man wearing the American flag and playing as a representative, but racism remained. They thought it was too much for an Asian man to stand alongside the best American player...
“I’m counting on you.”
“Ahh, t-thank you. I am also asking you, Brother.”
Michael walked out to shake hands. James was both surprised and respectful. Thus, James bowed to him. It was a typical Korean greeting that was still ingrained in his body. In fact, there were times when he was depressed by the isolation of his fellow teammates. However, Michael looked at James and saw something different. “...You are polite.”
“Huh?”
“You are bowing at 90 degrees. A Korean person I met not long again said I wasn’t polite and taught me some Korean greetings.”
“Ah, i-is that so?”
Michael had a brief look of reminiscence before shaking his head. The person he thought about was Park Muyeol. They fought not long ago but Michael still respected him. Technically, he still had a lot to learn even if he won that day.
“In any case, let's get along well in the future.”
Michael returned to his seat and folded his arms casually again. The jealous gazes of the other players seemed to lighten a little bit. James was impressed and thankful to Michael.
”Let's go.”
Once it was time to go to the stage, the US players headed to the stage in a triangular formation, led by Damian and Michael. James stood at Michael’s right side. For James, it was a sign of respect that he could be Michael’s right arm.
Wahhhhhhh!
There were loud roars from the audience as always. James heard it and felt a surge of emotion again. The flag of another country was worn on his chest, but surprisingly, he had many Korean fans. It was because he awakened as a Star Fruit ability user in the last game. Additionally, there was the exposure of the Korean Gaming Federation’s corruption and this led to a strange misunderstanding that he had to leave his homeland.
‘Well, it isn’t a bad thing for me. I don’t need to make excuses for public opinion.’
James waved as he responded to the cheers from the audience. He met the eyes of Choi Mido, who was coming up from the other side. Oops, if they fought now...
“......”
“......”
However, it was Choi Mido who avoided his eyes first. Choi Mido only made only contact for a short moment before she bit her lips and entered the capsule. Somehow, it seemed she still had feelings for him. Well, that was that and...
“This is this,” James spoke in a small voice before stepping into the capsule. As stated earlier, James was going to thoroughly target South Korea. It was the frontal attack method that Damian mentioned.
* * *
[Welcome to the Golem Siege.]
[Approximately one minute will be given for an operational meeting.]
[1:00]
The moment we entered, the hourglass in the air flipped over and the countdown started. Before entering, the host told them there was one minute of operational time and it would be private.
“Everyone, gather here!”
Lim Changyong shouted loudly and pulled the South Korean national team together. Time was short so the operational meeting started at a rapid pace.