If it was a photo with Elderin, it wasn’t just one or two.
It was the same when we first broadcasted, and we often took pictures whenever we went somewhere.

Personally, I rarely take photos.
But Elderin always made sure to take a few pictures as mementos whenever we went anywhere.
I usually received all the ones I appeared in, so I knew roughly which photos there were.

“Is there a particular photo you want?”
“If it’s okay… would I be able to get a few pictures with a swimsuit… the ones that haven’t been made public?”
“Oh. Hmm, just a second.”

A swimsuit, huh.
I hesitated for a moment.

It wasn’t that I felt it should be kept a secret.
But I wasn’t particularly inclined to make it public either.
After all, exposing bare skin always felt a bit embarrassing.

It could make me look like a promiscuous woman.
Now that I’ve turned pro, I should be careful not to cultivate too lewd an image.
But, since this is a sort of transaction, maybe it’s okay.

“Alright. But I can’t make the decision on my own, so I’ll have to ask Elderin.”
“Okay, I’ll wait.”

The reason Elderin hadn’t made them public was probably because they were photos taken together with me.
So, when it came to releasing them, I would need to get permission from her.
Fortunately, Elderin didn’t mind and gave me the go-ahead.

I selected a few photos from different places and sent them to Imaemangryang.
A smile full of fan affection appeared on his face, one I hadn’t expected.
I was surprised to see that he could make such an expression.
It was heartwarming, and I enjoyed seeing that love.

With a bright smile, Imaemangryang manipulated the UI a few times and then cleared his throat.

“Thank you. I’ve been a fan ever since you started streaming.”
“Isn’t it more like you’re a fan of Serin unnie?”
“True, but you two are so close. Ah, would it be okay if I bragged about it somewhere else? If not, I’ll just keep it to myself.”
“Photos with me might be a little tricky, but how about taking a few with me as well? You can brag about those as much as you like.”
“That’s great. Thank you so much!”

Though he wasn’t technically my personal fan, he claimed to be mine.
If that’s the case, I had no reason not to indulge him a little.
Besides, it wouldn’t take long to take a few photos.

Since I fulfilled my part of the deal, now it was Imaemangryang’s turn to keep his promise.
As expected of a master, his research clearly showed in the information he provided.

He shared the basic operations, of course, but also structural weaknesses and tricks.
There were even techniques to cancel delays or make effects invisible.
I recorded everything, as the opposing team could use them.

“…That’s all I can tell you about the Spirit Healer. I believe I’ve shared everything I can.”
“Thanks, I’ll keep it in mind.”
“And this is just personal, but I don’t think the Spirit Healer will be coming out through normal means. I’ve received quite a few… peculiar questions.”
“Would it be rude to ask who asked?”
“What I just told you is already quite risky. Please keep it confidential.”

He, too, had loyalty to uphold.
This was probably the maximum I could do for him, and honestly, I’d already gone beyond that.

I decided to bring the recorded video to the team.

On my way out of the connection device to give it to the coaching staff, I ran into Hekate, who was drinking water.
After hearing the story, Hekate grinned mischievously with an uneasy smile.

The crazy girl shouted.

“Guys~ Da-eun sold her photos to buy info!”
“Y-You crazy girl! Why would you say it like that?”
“Hahaha!”

Maybe because I had committed a sin?
Seoye-won quietly waited on the couch for me to get caught.
But this girl didn’t get ticklish under the armpits.

“What’s that? Aren’t you ticklish?”
“Yeah. Da-eun, do you know this?”
“What’s that?”
“Women who are sensitive are usually ticklish.”
“Shut up!”

[Written by: ㅇㅁㅁㄹ]
[Title: I made a wish come true today]

(Attached photo: Screenshot taken with Ga-wol)

I took a screenshot with Ga-wol.
I had a little favor to ask, and I requested it, and he kindly agreed to take the photo with me.

I even asked if I could brag about it, and he happily gave me permission, so here it is.
I’m so, so happy...

[Comments]

• What the hell, I want a photo too.
• Why only you?
• Is this guy lying? I’ll block him.

As always, time passed.
Exactly a week from the day we made it to the finals.
Galaxy Gaming and ACL played their match, and the opponent was decided.

The result was a 3-1 victory for Galaxy Gaming.
It was as if they had shown off the full extent of their enhanced strength, not having wasted any time.
The sisters, who had always had good synergy, had noticeably fewer gaps now.

And, as is the tradition around the finals, there had to be a bit of trash talk.
The conversation started with Crimson, the younger sister of the pair.

“An undefeated championship? I really want to stop it. I can’t just let that happen.”
“Well, then why didn’t you stop us earlier? You’ve been letting it slide until now.”
“You’ve taken everything in the league, and now you want to take the championship too? Isn’t that a bit shameless?”
“In the pro scene, I learned that skill decides integrity.”

Though it was trash talk, the conversation wasn’t that harsh.
There aren’t that many pro gamers, after all.
The players we face in the finals might be the ones we’re playing with in the same team next year, and sometimes we end up being close friends after crossing paths.

If the opponent approaches with appropriate respect, the best thing to do is return it gently.
There are many cases where we playfully tease each other or wrap things up on good terms.
It really depends on the situation.

But... I found it hard to let it end like that.
I couldn’t help but toss out a sharp remark while staying within reasonable bounds.

Next was Fiesta.
A support player for Galaxy Gaming, known for being a bard.
A regular target for assassins.

“I don’t have much to say about Fiesta. After all, she won’t be in the field long.”
“Ga-wol, have you ever been hit by a guitar? It really hurts.”
“Of course, I haven’t. This time, it’s my turn to be in trouble. I think I’ve already shown you enough of the dagger’s taste.”
“I’ll definitely show it to you this time.”
“Please don’t tell me you’re planning to hit me in real life? That’s a little scary. You wouldn’t be able to hit me in the game.”

Fiesta’s face looked a little stunned at my snark.
But she smiled a little. It seemed like she wasn’t bothered.

I didn’t usually act this aggressively on my personal streams.
Most of my viewers came because they were interested in me.
I couldn’t be cruel to those who show me affection.

My streams had been fairly popular.
But not all esports fans followed my broadcasts.
Some only watch official broadcasts.
If you count those, they’d likely make up the majority.

For those people, my image had been the same since the Arena days.

“Who? Nare? I don’t remember them. They look new to me.”
“They haven’t had many chances to play recently, so you might not have seen them often. I’m Galaxy Gaming’s secret weapon.”
“A secret weapon doesn’t always mean strong, you know.”
“...”

For them, my image was that of a cocky, confident troublemaker.
Someone who wouldn’t hesitate to crush those who lost to me, a wild dog ready to tear anyone apart.
They probably appreciated the way I’d boldly challenged Cerberus back in the day.

Some people might be waiting for me to fall.
And that moment may eventually come.
Historically, no player has maintained an eternal peak.

But I don’t think that day is coming this year.
Nor next year, or the year after.

This skill I’ve built up over my life, I’m still faithfully improving it every day.
If anyone wants to see me fail… they’ll have to wait a very long time.
Maybe they’ll wait and still not see it.

《Wow... it’s really Ga-wol, huh. His trash talk came out so sharp after a long time.》
《He never loses a word in the battlefield. That’s why people are more interested in him.》
《Such an amazing player. Has there ever been a rookie with that kind of guts?》
《That player doesn’t seem to get nervous. It’s not even the regular league; it’s the finals. Yet his courage is incredible.》

After the prepared trash talk, I could hear the voices of the commentators in the waiting room.
I was in perfect condition. I followed my routine, waking up early in the morning and even grilling salmon for breakfast.

With the long procedure finished, it was time to log into the connection device.
On the way to the arena with Hekate’s support, a strange excitement stirred within me.
The commentators said I wasn’t nervous, but technically, that wasn’t true.

I’m human too.
Of course, I’m nervous, I’m trembling, and I’m scared.
But I’ve just learned how to remain unshaken.

[Infinity Black: Launching IKL client.]
[We wish you victory.]

While the loading screen appeared, I took a deep breath.
I calmly collected myself.
Then, the familiar sensation of a dagger gripped in my hand returned.