Chapter 86

Never had his condition been this razor-sharp.

Defeating a one-on-one duel with Sol not once, but twice, was a first.

Especially in the second duel, even though there was a difference in items, the victory was still achieved.

Today’s Wild was certainly in peak form.

[Today’s performance is unreal.]

[Wild fighting! Let’s win this thing!]

[Didn’t the spring event even start yet?]

[Let’s win it this year!!!]

Still, a wandering spirit who hasn’t yet ascended into victory despite so many wins.

Wild always gives it their all.

But, on the other side of the broadcast, in Sol’s stream:

“Ah, must be the flu or something. It’s just not going well. I’ll try to focus a bit more.”

The sleeping frog in the arena stretched its limbs.

Even though it was hard to focus, it was decided that they would focus even more.

Suddenly, the footwork of the swordsman on the battlefield changed.

The twin swords flowed like water,

And amidst the whirling storm of blades, Wild felt as if they had been truly pierced by a sword.

“Yikes!”

After losing a few battles like this, the war itself was lost.

[Defeat]

Sol moved from third to second place.

Wild moved from second to third.

Honestly, it was a result that could’ve led to blaming the team.

If the team had actively responded to Wild’s early orders,

They could have widened the gap from there and solidified their hold on the game to secure a victory.

But blaming the team wouldn’t change anything.

Scolding the team for poor coordination is not something even a professional should laugh off.

Feedback is meant solely for oneself and the teammates.

Blaming others doesn’t improve anything.

Wild incessantly reevaluated whether they’d really played the most correct moves possible.

Just then, Wild’s Biscode notification alarm began to ring.

Someone was calling.

Who else could it be?

It was the account of Legender-Sol.

“Feeling alright?”

The voice of an overly excited girl.

After an intense competition and securing victory, her voice carried the tone of a carefree troublemaker, which seemed to both fit and clash with her bright, clear voice.

“Sad.”

After replying, Wild realized just how sad they truly were.

[Ack!]

[Aaaaaah…]

[Please don’t cry…]

[I’m so confused!]

[Tears? What’s going on?]

[Are you crying because you lost the game?]

[You’ve become a “3-Joon”!] – [Message Deleted]

After reading the chat, Wild noticed a tear that had trickled down their cheek.

Not expecting to actually cry, they were just as shocked as everyone else.

What to do now?

Should I turn off the broadcast?

Lower the camera?

“Hmm…”

The camera feed was turned off first.

Wild looked at the Biscode call window.

For some reason, Sol was quiet.

The reason was easy to guess.

Both were live-streaming, so the chats on Sol’s side must have already been flooded with “Wild is crying” updates.

Confused, Sol had probably muted their mic and was asking the audience, “Is he really crying?”.

“Right now, I’m giving you second place, but I’ll soon take first!”

Wild lacked confidence.

I’ve tried, but wasn’t that effort just dismissed?

Still, something had to be said.

Silence would only make things progressively more awkward by the second.

So, Wild deliberately exaggerated their tone, theatrical like an evil overlord from an animation, dropping their voice low.

“Alright! Let’s meet at the top!”

The startled Sol immediately ended the call.

It must’ve been awkward for her too.

It wasn’t even an actual tournament. It was just a solo ranked game.

Though dropping from second to third place was a bit of a blow.

The chat was flooded with, “Hm, you’re crying now?”

‘To a three-month veteran newbie.’

That Sol, the legendary prodigy, who’s been laden with all sorts of descriptors.

But one fact remains clear.

After three years of effort, Wild lost to Sol, a three-month rookie.

Not long ago, it seemed Sol was still somewhat amateurish, but in the blink of an eye, had become terrifyingly refined.

It wasn’t just losing a game but rather feeling an unbreachable gap in natural talent and gaming sense.

Even among pro gamers who rely on natural talent, where Wild ranks highly,

Crying is because the top isn’t within reach.

Tears were shed because Wild truly encountered genuine genius.

When games were just games, there was no crying about it.

But now, it’s become Wild’s occupation, life, everything.

Hence the deep-seated frustration.

From the lack of talent.

“…”

[Your efforts will definitely be rewarded.]

Another message pricked Wild’s eyes.

Isn’t this kind of comment too irresponsible towards someone who’s already put in maximum effort?

What more can someone do when they’ve already poured their entire life into it?

When I’ve always given it my all?

When I’ve never backed down?

What should I do when the wall keeps standing in front of me?

[Uhh… what a trash]

[Friend-crying trash]

[Seol Seol ah! What are you gonna do now, messing around like this?]

Honestly, it seems like Seol’s conscience has snapped, and I’ll start with the potato first.

[Uhh… what trash]

[This person is truly devilish.]

“Ah, could you please be quiet? You’re making me want to cry too.”

Sure, viewers might find it funny, but the person who made Wild cry is really confused.

What exactly did I do wrong?

Is Wild depressed?

I’ve heard that not having a championship leads to dog-like harassment,

But did he cry just because he was overtaken from second place?

For Wild, was this a significant loss?

[Anonymous donated 1,000 won.]

“Now he’s in his third year as a pro, having practically been gaming for three years, but still feeling this kind of wall to a three-month-newbie? Totally reasonable to cry.”

Perhaps it’s because of talent.

“Just because someone is good at a game, what should be done?”

[This is why geniuses are geniuses.]

[You’re my opponent!]

[Watching a genius’s broadcast is fun from this standpoint.]

[Life’s achievement) Watching Sol’s stream.]

[No, you’re a fake viewer. I’ve been watching her streams since the “Strong Point” era.]

[That’s outdated now.]

[Huh! If we admit the viewers are old-school, then the truth about us all being addicts will be revealed!]

[Nope, I just watch for fun, you’re the addicts.]

[Anonymous donated 1,000 won.]

“FYI, Lee Jun is an incredible 23 years old and cried because he lost a game to Sol.”

<23 years old wow wow wow.>

[The shark YouTuber I know is about the same age? Wow!]

[Didn’t Wild’s loss surprise Seol Seol? This is a victory in its own right?]

[The Room Host actually stunned! Haha!]

“Stop it! All of it!”

[After making someone cry with tea-bagging, don’t blame the viewers now.]

[Really.]

[Hey, are you crying?]

[Doesn’t Wild exceed 185cm in height? When you place all the pros side-by-side, he always stands out visually.]

[Hahahahahah!]

[Oh, I just imagined it.]

“You guys really can’t understand if I explain!”

Wild pulled out his sword and purged every single chat with nonsense.

Finally, the chat calmed down a bit.

Of course, it may seem odd for an adult to cry over a game,

But this person has truly staked his entire life on it.

He’s truly poured his entire life into the game.

“Maybe it’s okay to cry.”

Suddenly, Empathy began to broaden.

“Heard he’s been heavily trolled.”

Famous people are bound to be trolled.

The number can vary but no one can universally be loved.

Given Wild has been heavily mocked, it wouldn’t be strange if his mind had already been shattered to dust.

“Can’t possibly continue gaming anymore.”

If he lets himself lose intentionally, they’ll accuse Wild of crying and giving up second place.

If he wins, they’ll criticize him for being heartless and merciless, anyway.

Wild doesn’t blame him for crying.

Just feels heavy inside.

“I’ll end the broadcast.”

[No, don’t go.]

[There’s still plenty of time left.]

[Shouldn’t first place King play now?????]

Gently ignoring the clinging messages, Wild ended the broadcast.

Contacting Wild or asking why they cried would all feel burdensome.

Mainly because of Wild’s pride.

If I ask him why he cried, wouldn’t it hurt his pride?

The person who can consult about things like this…

Legender-[Are you available for a call?]

Victory-[Just a moment.]

After about two minutes, a Biscode call came.

“Hello?”

“This isn’t a joke, it’s serious.”

“Hmm.”

As expected, Victory seriously listened without laughing or mocking the fact that someone cried after losing a game.

“I’m not the type who stakes my entire life into gaming.”

There’s only you who seems to understand such things and is approachable.

“Whenever others mention the ‘wall,’ jealousy, or envy, it makes my head spin.”

Because of money at home, being smart, excelling in gaming, being pretty,

For whatever trivial reasons, whenever their mental state breaks, some attack me.

I hoped Wild wouldn’t be one of them…

“Could I be doing something wrong?”

Among all the pros with a salary of a hundred billion, the pinnacle of the game, good looks, young, and possessing cheat-tier talents, could Victory understand?

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