Chapter 20
GRS.
I’m familiar with the team.
No, it’s a team that anyone with even a slight interest in the Legends of League tournament would be hard-pressed not to know.
The Red Cup runner-up.
The top team in China.
I’ve received contact from a squad that is consistently ranked among the top five in the world.
“Come to think of it, there were a ton of friend requests from IDs with GRS in them.”
Since I had no intention of accepting friend requests, I ignored them all, but the reason was pretty obvious.
Just recently, I had completely wrecked the mid-jungle duo from GRS who were the Red Cup runners-up.
It wasn’t strange considering how much weight teams put on player opinions when recruiting new members.
“What should I do…”
Sleep vanished from my mind.
I had deliberately refrained from accepting friend requests thinking something like this might happen, yet here we are…
It was obvious how they found out my contact information.
I had previously exchanged messages with several pro teams, so they must have gotten my info from one of those.
If it was someone with the title of GRS coach, it wouldn’t be too difficult.
“Let me at least reply.”
Regardless, this was a team that had a favorable opinion of me. Out of respect, I couldn’t just ignore it, so I tapped away on my smartphone.
“Yes, that’s right.”
Ding—
Maybe they were prepared beforehand, as a reply came back in less than ten seconds.
From this alone, I could figure out what kind of thoughts they had about me.
“Oh, I see. Then would it be possible for a phone call?”
That was obviously a no-go.
Anyone could tell my voice sounded like that of a heavenly maiden, and it really was like that.
As someone preparing to completely end my life as a prisoner, I mustn’t leave any evidence linking me as a female prisoner, or with the person I would become afterwards.
“I’m sorry. I’m not in a situation where that’s possible.”
“Oh… I see. In that case, is it possible to communicate through text?”
I pondered for a moment and quickly sent a reply.
After all, they were someone who recognized my worth and reached out to me. It would be best to decline as politely as possible.
“Yes, it’s possible via text.”
“I’ll be direct. If you currently have no team or contract in place, would you be open to discussing joining our team?”
As expected, it was about joining the team.
A so-called scout.
Of course, my situation was in no way conducive to discussing joining a team, so there was no need to deliberate over it.
“Ah… I’m sorry, but due to personal reasons, I cannot participate with the team at this time. My apologies.”
A reasonable refusal should suffice.
If they learned about my situation directly from me, they certainly wouldn’t give up.
“I understand.”
…At least, that’s what I thought, but the next reply was completely unexpected.
“What do you mean by that?”
I feigned ignorance, but Coach Jang Seok-Hwan probably mentioned my rare disease.
It was surprising that rumors about me were even lingering in online communities, so it would be strange not to know.
“Regardless of your current condition, if you contract with us at GRS, a professional interpreter as well as on-site medical personnel will always reside in the dormitory to care for you 24/7.”
Clearly, they knew about my illness.
But… something felt off.
They tried to scout me while already being aware of my condition…?
To this extent?
“…What’s going on?”
As I stared blankly at my smartphone in confusion, messages just kept coming in.
“I believe you are already aware, but our GRS is the top prestigious club in China, boasting a good performance as runners-up in the recent Red Cup, outshining other leading teams.”
“Of course, we are not satisfied. Being the Red Cup runners-up is a notable achievement, but we at GRS always aim for victory.”
“That’s why we are confident.”
“If you join us, we believe that the next Red Cup will be in our hands.”
This wasn’t off-the-cuff writing.
It was clearly a prepared statement.
Before I could even fully grasp that fact, a lengthy message followed.
“We are considering an annual salary of up to 600 million won, acknowledging that you might feel burdened about overseas engagements.”
“This is the amount after taxes, and all taxes imposed in China will be covered by the club.”
“Additionally, depending on your performance, bonuses will be paid aside from the base salary of 600 million.”
“I can confidently say that you won’t find such an unprecedented offer anywhere, domestically or internationally.”
A pure salary of 600 million, excluding taxes.
On top of that, they were offering extraordinary care and support.
Of course, top-tier professional gamers earn hundreds of millions, but that’s only for the absolute elite.
No matter how big their expectations were of me, this was an absurd offer for a mere amateur like myself.
The reason I knew this was due to the countless pro offers I’d received in the past.
The highest salary offer I had previously received was 300 million.
Even that faded like a mirage when it was revealed that I had a rare disease.
Therefore, I initially thought this recruitment offer was just a fishing attempt.
After all, once they learned about my condition, they would likely give up like other teams did.
And yet… something felt strangely off.
“I believe you are aware, but I can’t walk due to my illness.”
“That’s okay. A professional caregiver, along with an electric wheelchair, will always be by your side.”
“I have a body where I might have a seizure at any moment.”
“As I mentioned earlier, there will be a trained physician on standby within the GRS dormitory. In case of emergencies, we can use the helicopter on the dormitory roof to immediately transport you to a hospital.”
…Why are they even bringing up a helicopter?
“I have limited time for activities each day. I won’t be able to follow the team’s schedule properly.”
“We can accommodate the team schedule as much as possible. We have plenty of excellent players who can step in for you when necessary. You need not worry about that.”
Well, if that’s the case, why not just use those guys?
The excessively obsessive attitude they displayed toward me left me feeling quite uneasy.
Eventually, I had no choice but to ask directly.
“What’s the reason for going this far?”
“Because I believe you could become a historically significant player, Prisoner. That first step towards that is with us at GRS.”
It was a flattery that almost made me swoon just hearing it.
Yet, it didn’t feel bad.
In fact, it felt good.
Whatever their motive was, in the end, they were recognizing me—Prisoner.
If it were my former self, I would have jumped at the bait without hesitation.
Is there anything as joyous as being recognized for your worth by others?
“But… I’ve already spilled the water.”
I have changed, and I would continue to change.
My life as Prisoner would have to vanish soon.
I’m sorry.
That simple phrase would do.
But for some reason.
Even though my head knew it was time to express my refusal, I found myself delaying that response.
Instead, I sent a different reply.
“By the way, does that mean you intend to make me a starter?”
“Of course, you will have to go through a fair competition process. However, I believe you can certainly secure a starting position, so you don’t need to worry about that.”
“Of course, this will remain a secret from other players ^^;”
Whether it was just flattery to lure me in or an absolute confidence in me, Coach Jang Seok-Hwan’s evaluation of me was evidently beyond normal.
“The biggest reason… would probably be my recently improved form.”
In the past, I may have thought, “Do we really need to go this far?” but now I had become someone worth bringing on regardless of any risks.
Which makes it all the more regrettable.
So very regretful.
“I’m sorry.”
Ultimately, I forced my unwilling finger to type out a response.