NOVEL WEB Chapter 164 - Autumn Night
Chapter 164 – Autumn Night
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As the Asia Preliminary Round approached, the five participating countries competed for their respective goals.
These five nations, which had been closely interacting since the past, harbored immense pride and competitive spirit stemming from the notion that they must not lose to each other. This sentiment carried over into modern society.
One of the manifestations of this was the league, which, along with the North American League and the European League, was classified as the East Asian League. The fact that it stood on equal footing with these two leagues, known for their fierce competition, was a testament to the resulting competitive psychology.
Moreover, the competition intensified each year, with players working to analyze their opponents thoroughly, even dreaming about them, to secure their spot in the finals.
This psychological warfare didn’t end with the players. The importance of the staff, who needed to see the battlefield broadly, was indescribable. It was common for the curriculum to change at the flip of a coin based on a single word.
In short, if the coaching staff devised the strategy, it was the players who drove the blade into the enemy’s neck.
Meanwhile, the escalation of this competition had raised the overall skill level of all players, but the reasons for this were not the same across the board. Different locations, cultures, and people created distinct reasons why each country excelled.
China Federation, which consistently showcased excellent skills through desperate competition among seven countries.
Japan Republic, which maintained a top position in the Asia Preliminary Round by constantly interacting with the United States.
Russia Federation, which, despite being shattered under the weight of capital, had once stood shoulder to shoulder with the U.S. as a superpower, and its experience was not lost.
South Korea, possessing a disproportionately massive military to counter the pseudo-state of North Korea, thus annually nurturing an unrivaled team that didn’t fall behind China, Russia, or Japan.
And unfortunately, Taiwan, often mentioned as the weakest due to the overwhelming infrastructure of its neighboring countries.
Despite the differences in strength, the participating countries in the Asia Preliminary Round shared common practices.
“…Here is the list of key players to watch from the participating countries in the Asia Preliminary Round. Please review it thoroughly and devise countermeasures before the match.”
Preliminary briefing.
Naturally, this event was not exclusive to Korea, and each country’s briefing contained parts that should not be disclosed lightly.
In other words, just like in Korea, one could guess what might happen in the briefings of other countries—a meticulous analysis akin to dissection to prepare countermeasures. The target, of course, was foreign players.
As soon as the preliminary briefing ended, people dispersed like the tide.
Unlike Korea, where a follow-up briefing remained even after the coaching staff or manager delivered the information, other countries’ briefings ended swiftly, conveying only the necessary parts.
In fact, Korea had not been much different until last year. This year, an unexpected storm had drawn at least a million more viewers than previously estimated, leading to this as a kind of response.
*Click.*
After returning to the dormitory, everyone greeted each other before entering their rooms. With a familiar motion, I attached the choker-shaped connector to my neck and pressed the button to connect to VR. The ruins I had seen countless times greeted us.
The separate space assigned to the Operator Room. The walls of the room, reminiscent of a briefing room, were filled with various types of information. The LED clock on the wall naturally turned into a timer, allocating 30 minutes.
The avatar had a heavy, battle-hardened exterior. Dark eyes beneath sharp brows moved softly, glancing over the room filled with intel.
The analysis data on foreign players, sent immediately after the preliminary briefing.
In other words, a challenge.
“….”
My gaze lowered.
Each file bore the names of players. Among them, one thick file, worn from frequent handling, stood out. On it were six letters.
Yoo Jin.
The more I delved into it, the more I saw. The 14 years spent honing skills to kill had inadvertently made many things possible in the game.
Moreover, in certain areas, I could even see the paths my opponents had taken—their training, their hesitations, their weaknesses.
I defined it as a kind of leftover skill acquired from long years in the military.
But today, I was particularly grateful for this leftover skill.
‘Is there a possibility?’
Interestingly, many people analyzing Yoo Jin focused on AP soloing. However, the real point of interest was not there but in the main mission played with the user named Harmony.
Her ability to read the battlefield was unparalleled. The instantaneous judgments she made were not those an ordinary person could make. Listening to her guidance during aerial bombing, one could confirm she had JTAC-level qualifications.
Not just a special forces soldier, she was likely an actual operator with multiple deployments. In other words, she was not a mere player but a national asset.
The longer I worked in this field, the sharper my intuition became.
Except for North America, the number of people with military careers and skills like mine could be counted on one hand, but the world always presented new trials just when I thought I had adapted.
[Notification: Playing video.］
“Ha.”
I did what I could.
Just because that user was the top priority didn’t mean other concerns disappeared. There was still a lot to teach the young ones, and only three weeks remained until the Asia Preliminary Round.
It was a very short time to turn raw stones into polished gems, but life rarely granted the time one wanted.
‘Looks like I’ll be living in VR for a while again.’
Night was falling.
An autumn day was still short.
“Yes, five premium ribs and five grilled pork belly, right? And four bowls of rice with two soybean paste stew? You’re not waiting for more people, are you?”
“No, that’s correct.”
“Don’t worry, this person will eat it all.”
Meanwhile.
These two were about to be registered as persons of interest at the BBQ restaurant.
───Sizzle!
“What is this?”
“Check it out.”
The meat, revealing its appetizing color to the world and spreading its fragrance everywhere, was grilling. The red flesh turned brown, embracing the grill marks. Horizontal lines, vertical lines, and then crosshatches.
Inside the BBQ restaurant, filled with the sounds of people chattering, glasses clinking, and meat grilling, an unusual tone mixed in. It was a notification only Dice could hear, signaling the arrival of a large message.
At that moment, Dice’s expression turned sour. Of all times, a large message. And considering it was from Yoo Jin, the content was roughly predictable. It would be similar to the file sent to Blooming last time.
The curriculum.
The time was approaching for me to return to my main job.
“You’ve just ruined my appetite, which was already low.”
“Think of it as returning a bit sooner.”
“…I’ll check it out.”
Half burdened, half expectant.
The training courses this person brought were always filled with insane content and quality. Should I say they were not designed just for AP but much more advanced and dry?
Even with no particular intuition, I could roughly guess what this person was giving me. Especially after a few months, as the time to face Japan’s case approached again, my suspicion turned into a slight conviction.
After a bit of hesitation, I spoke.
“…Is it really okay to tell me about this?”
“Hmm.”
She met my gaze while chewing her food. If anyone were quick-witted enough, they would immediately understand the intention behind my words.
I still couldn’t grasp her true feelings. Knowing someone well and knowing everything about them were different. It wasn’t that I found her hiding something unpleasant. Everyone lived with their own secrets.
I was just curious about the depth of what Yoo Jin was hiding—perhaps something I might never know in my lifetime. Or maybe, she’d reveal it subtly after everything was over.
And, of course, she added that there was no need to worry.
“I didn’t reveal anything truly important, so it doesn’t matter. What I send over are just the overlooked parts that one might generally not think of.”
“Well, that’s true.”
What was interesting was how she precisely pinpointed the overlooked—what could be called the blind spots.
Anyway, I opened the file and checked it one by one. This also revealed something new. Unlike before, I wouldn’t be spending all my time at the shooting range; I’d be engaging in more one-on-one sessions with Yoo Jin.
It was going to be intense.
“…What’s the goal of this curriculum?”
“You’re pretty perceptive now.”
Yoo Jin wiped her hands after popping a bite of wrapped meat into her mouth.
After a deliberately loud silence, she added after cleaning her mouth with a soda.
“Pressure.”
“Pressure?”
“There are thousands of potential combat forms. Even in the same situation, you can never perfectly predict how it will unfold. I’ve emphasized this countless times, haven’t I?”
“I’ve heard it enough to form calluses in my ears.”
“It’s that important.”
She continued.
“Once you’ve completed this schedule, you’ll be able to remain calm in any battle.”
“Wow, I’m going to be incredibly busy for the next month.”
“I’m planning to push you much harder than in previous two-person scrims, so you need to brace yourself.”
“Ugh. This is going to be a meal stuck in my throat.”
Not only had I been eating all day since around noon, but the future also seemed to worry me.
But it was like Yoo Jin to hand this over at this timing. The world never delivered what you wanted when you wanted it; it always confronted you with the most colossal ordeal at the least desirable moment.
Still, I couldn’t help but feel uneasy… I seemed to be greatly influenced by Yoo Jin.
By the way.
“…How can you eat so much and still look so delicious? I envy you in many ways.”
“Ahaha. There are advantages.”
“Of
course, my wallet will be heavily hit today… but don’t talk about splitting the bill. I said I’d treat you. I did come in second place, so I have plenty of money.”
“Oh.”
“Seriously. Who do you think helped me get here?”
Swoosh.
Two thick pieces of well-cooked meat. A layer of rice on a lettuce leaf, followed by the meat, a bit of ssamjang, some green onion salad, and pickled onions. Of course, the wrap was large. This wasn’t for me to eat. I couldn’t fit it all in my mouth.
In other words, it was made for the person in front of me.
I added to Yoo Jin, who was somewhat bewildered, trying to take the wrap.
“Why are you trying to take it with your hands? Say ‘ah.'”
“Ah, why are you trying to feed me? It’s embarrassing.”
“Everyone knows you’re shy. But today, I’m going to feed you. Open wide!”
“Why are you doing this, really?”
Her face slightly blushed amidst the flickering flames and rising smoke.
What should I say, if she had been too perfect, it would have been overwhelming. But because she had such human sides in these small parts, it was easier to accept her naturally.
With a strange expression, Yoo Jin managed to fit the wrap into her mouth and began chewing. Her expression quickly softened as food entered her mouth, making it quite amusing.
After swallowing everything, she said,
“It’s delicious.”
“Of course. Who do you think bought it?”
“That’s true.”
And then she continued.
“I’m glad there won’t be any awkwardness in real life. Your VR and real-life appearances are the same. Those with a significant gap between their avatars and real-life tend to feel very awkward when meeting in person.”
“It’s quite a coincidence. By the way, from the way you talk, it seems you’ve experienced that situation a few times.”
“Last year’s preliminary briefing was like that. It was a mess. There weren’t many established connections like this year, so there weren’t many players interacting in real life. I thought I was going to suffocate.”
“Didn’t you say it was very quiet last year? It seems the atmosphere played a part in it.”
“Of course. How could I run around in such a situation? Plus, it was mostly a field of men. If I had been an outgoing person, something might have happened, but back then… it was like that.”
After sharing my struggles, I felt a bit lighter.
The time approached 9 PM. If I went home, cleaned up, and went to bed, it would probably be around 11 PM or even midnight.
The meal was wrapping up, and it was time to pay. Today, having eaten all day since lunchtime, my stomach felt bloated. Even considering it moderately, I must have eaten over 3000 kcal.
I put on the clothes I had placed in a bag to avoid the smell of meat and stepped outside. Unlike a few months ago, the cool weather greeted us.
I would probably do some cardio again tomorrow.
In other words, it was time to part ways.
“I’m heading down to Gangnam since my dorm is there. How about you?”
“My home is near Hongje Station, so it’s a short trip up.”
“Wow, you live in a nice place. I’m jealous.”
“Oh, come on.”
We walked to the station while chatting about trivial things.
The gate came into view. One going up, the other going down. It was really time to part. Was it because her avatar and real-life appearance were the same? The familiarity built in VR extended to reality, making the farewell feel sadder.
But, whether I liked it or not, we would meet again starting tomorrow, so I added with a wish to meet under good circumstances.
“Let’s meet often in real life. Seeing you in VR is scary.”
“Haha.”
She then waved and said,
“Alright. Let’s meet again.”
Simultaneously, Yoo Jin disappeared, swaying her snake tail.
With her figure lingering in my sight, I descended to the platform to wait for the train. Since her train arrived first, I couldn’t see Yoo Jin leave.
“Ugh….”
It had been a tough day in many ways.
It was an autumn night.
[Interview Schedule Notification］
[Mon: Yoo Jin // Dice // Michael // Gambit］
[Tue: Xi // TK1］
[Wed: Arcadia Games // GEARUP］
[Thu: Veritas // BlanKK1kers］
[Fri: LegioInvicta // ClearSky // ReaperINfected］
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