◈ Episode 182

There were also several events immediately after the event match ended.

Not only did they interview the two players, but they even signed autographs for spectators chosen by lottery. It seemed like they were determined to have fun since it was a large-scale event that would determine the fate of the company.

It was an uncomfortable situation for Aluminum. A top-tier player with a career that was second to none was being treated as a sidekick. It was understandable that he would have been dissatisfied, but he took on the role with a professional attitude.

"I've heard some advice in the past too. Sports are entertainment, right? If you don't have the skills, you should at least come up with some other selling point. That's probably what they were talking about."

"It was a long time ago, but I remember it well."

"Hyeon really thinks I'm an idiot."

"That's great."

Until recently, I thought it was something that a person who didn't even know his opponents would say. But there was no reason to make a fuss. It was a good day, not only because he won, but also because he enjoyed box office success.

Asterike, who had been rolling her eyes, continued speaking.

"Actually, even back then, I didn't really hate it. I felt like I was being ignored, but it wasn't something that happened just for a day or two… Rather, I think I thought, "He's a person who works really hard."

Of course, Kim Lee-hyun also agreed.

"He's a conscientious type. I heard he's been working perfectly for 7 seasons already. His grades are consistent, and there are no rumors that his personal life is messy. He seems to take great care of himself."

"Huh? How do you know so much, Hyun?"

"Because I looked into it separately?"

"Why? What's wrong?"

"I was just curious because he was your opponent."

Wouldn't it be difficult if I got caught up in the other player's scandal? I was worried because Paruparu Management seemed to be focusing only on aggro.

Of course, it wasn't an illegal background check. It was just a search for information known to the player. The results of the investigation did not reveal any particular flaws in Aluminum.

"Because he's a rare clean player…?"

Kim Lee-hyun raised one eyebrow without saying a word.

Asterike, sitting across from me, was strangely giggling.

"What? Why are you laughing?"

"Hyeon, I think you're just starting to get on my nerves. Hehe."

"How can I not care about such a precious thing…?"

"Geumjjoki? What does that mean?"

"It feels like Arya by your standards."

"...Is that all I am?"

What exactly does Arya mean?

Aren't we socialized and smarter these days?

"Both are improving. Just keep doing what you're doing now."

There's no use in looking at the reckless rankings.

There's also a weird experiment called the Praise Onion and Blame Onion.

"Anyway, back to what we were originally talking about."

Kim Lee-hyun asked a question he had during the game. He was careful with his tone because it might sound like he was criticizing them for losing one game. He did it with the mindset of growing onions with compliments.

"Aha, that?"

Soon, an unexpected answer came out of Asterike's mouth.

"About half of it was staged. You shouldn't end it too one-sidedly. The audience won't like it, and it'll affect the reputation of the opposing players. But I didn't think I'd lose…."

They intentionally created a crisis situation. Even though they didn't decide the winner in advance, there was some manipulation. If it had been a regular game, it would have been an issue that would have turned the league upside down.

'Well, it's an event match.'

Isn't that the case with modern e-sports? Events are more like entertainment than serious games. Just from the fact that Asterike didn't have a [vibranium composite sword], the audience would have guessed something.

What was surprising was that Asterike followed along obediently.

It seemed that the league also understood the premise that it was part of a capitalist business.

and.

The key was the other half.

"Why are you suddenly saying something strange?"

"What are you talking about? What are you talking about?"

"So, uh-uh."

Asterike furrowed her brow and reenacted the scene.

"How can you be so indifferent, you devilish bastards? No matter how many people die because of what you've done! Do you really care…?"

He even tried to lower his voice, but it sounded hoarse, as if his vocal cords were strained.

"This is what I remember."

Although the acting was appreciated, it was absurd for Kim Lee Hyun.

"...What the hell are you talking about?"

"I don't know. He glared at me as if he was going to kill me. I felt bad for him, so I gave him one game. Things were okay from the next game onwards, but I still don't know. I think he got into trouble with Pecatum at some point."

Asterike seemed to think of Pecatum when she was referred to as 'you'. After all, they were a race that was often criticized and looked down on. It was a natural conclusion, since their own kind had caused so many incidents.

On the other hand, Kim Lee-hyun's prediction was different.

'We've made quite a few enemies, you know.'

Neither Kim Yi-hyun nor Dustborn have only done good deeds that were praised by others. Most of their intentions may have been 'good', but weren't their methods of solving problems extreme in many ways?

For example, the previously disgraced Johanna Feltner.

I may be in prison, but what about my acquaintances? If they realize the truth, it wouldn't be strange to consider Dustborn as their mortal enemy. The same goes for the companies that were harmed right after Noface's arrest a few years ago.

'In my opinion, it seems like a groundless complaint.'

This is only Kim Yi-hyeon's position. We need to recognize that there are different perspectives on one incident. So that we can respond quickly instead of feeling wronged later.

There are some points that can be roughly grasped.

'No matter how many people die.'

You can get a feel for it by judging by the tone of speech.

It's not a direct murder, but an assisted murder. Furthermore, it implies that there are a lot of victims. Of all the cases I've worked on so far, there have only been a handful with that many casualties.

If we limit the location to Cilicia, the number of cases is further reduced.

'Metro City and Cellbrox Lab.'

The latter refers to the rumor that Cellbrox Labs is the culprit behind the catastrophe. Although the lab has not caused any incidents in Cilicia, there are conspiracy theorists here who believe the rumors about the lab.

To them, the Cellbrox Lab is the root of all evil. It has caused unprecedented genocide through biochemical terrorism and has even made the citizens of Cilicia tremble in fear.

'Dustborne, who has a contract with Rap, will also be subject to criticism.'

Of course, this is a huge leap. There is no evidence that Aluminum is a conspiracy theorist. Perhaps, regardless of the rap, he may be thinking that Dustborne is the mastermind behind the Metro City defense.

Either way, the conclusion is the same.

'There's a high probability that we've made contact with the remnants of the Legion.'

Aluminum. You should know the real face of a professional league player.

* * *

The next day, a clue rolled in.

- Mr. Hyun. We have new information.

"Is it related to larvae?"

- I'm not sure, but that's the circumstance.

This time, Kabak delivered the news. The civil servant who had suspected Kim I-hyeon of being a spy for the Legion when they first met. Now, he has become a friendlier external supporter than anyone else.

- There are suspicious rumors spreading mainly in the second division.

"You can tell just by hearing that. If you eat larvae, your skills will improve."

― Haha. I always think about it, but it's really comfortable when I talk to Mr. Hyun.

"I'm also a Cilicia person. I have players among my acquaintances."

I also have some understanding of the league's ecosystem.

The second division is closely related to the first division, but it is still a minor league. All players put in their blood and sweat with the sole goal of promotion to the first division. Players who continue to rise like Asterique are extremely rare.

Naturally, most of them are blocked by walls.

However, it is not a position that can be given up early. Usually, they remain as second-tier players for years. When their form declines, they usually retire and get a job as a manager or coach.

How strong must the thirst for power be.

The more ambiguous it is, the more you want it.

― Personally, I don't understand it. Eating bugs to become stronger? It doesn't make sense, and it's also dangerous…

Kim Yi-hyeon thought about it calmly. If he really had the confidence that he would become stronger, would he eat a suspicious bug? There had already been a similar case, so it was too late to deny it.

'Helixivir is exactly like that.'

The side effects are also ridiculously serious, and you had to inject it three times.

The first time it was administered by force, but the other two times it was voluntary.

"Isn't it like grasping at straws?"

- Hmm. Maybe so? I'm still not sure.

"It's not our problem to worry about."

- That's true.

The unfortunate circumstances of the players are honestly of no concern. The only thing that matters is that the larva that slowly turns humans into parasites is prevalent in the second division.

And one more thing.

"It's a little bit different, but I heard that Aluminum player has a younger brother."

- Yes? Oh, it's famous in the league.

"Is that so?"

― The siblings are playing in the 1st and 2nd divisions respectively. Even though the younger sibling is behind, the 2nd division league is not an easy stage. The siblings have even signed advertising contracts, so they probably earn more than me.

To summarize, it is like this.

The younger brother is likely to have an inferiority complex towards his overly outstanding older brother. Even if he touches the wicked path, it is not unnatural. It is to the point where drug doping seems cute.

'Was the person who made contact your younger sibling?'

It's a situation so obvious that you can picture it just by hearing a few words.

But the tragedy that will befall the siblings is not predictable.

I'm sorry, but I can't just leave it alone.

* * *

The league is entertainment.

Aluminum realized the truth in the first game of the first division. At that time, the officials' seats were covered with sponsor banners, and he played the game wearing the state-of-the-art equipment that he had been provided with.

I didn't feel any sense of loss. Rather, I felt a sense of responsibility. For a player, it's just one game. After that, astronomical amounts of money are exchanged in a short period of time that is recorded as a season's points.

'A better game.'

I started to think that I needed to make it a more spectacle worth watching. I became more motivated to entertain the audience than to yearn for the champion. As a professional athlete.

By now, even the longing has completely faded.

1st place? That's cool.

But the more attention you give them, the more their privacy disappears.

Why bother when you can earn enough money to live off of for the rest of your life?

In some ways, Aluminum was a more professional player than anyone else. A player who accurately understood his own skills and position, and showed sufficient respect to the audience and sponsors.

That's why I regret it.

'Damn it. I shouldn't have done that.'

He made a mistake because he couldn't overcome his emotions in the moment. How flustered must Asterique have been. The result was good, but it wasn't professional. He had been valuing Asterique highly from the beginning.

'Because I'm the type of player that wouldn't come back to life even if I died.'

A flashy spell and outstanding appearance. A star of unrivaled quality. There are stars who can captivate the audience without much calculation, and Asterique was just such a star.

But as a human, I can't like it.

- Ugh, woooweeeek…!

The sound of vomiting was heard beyond the closed bathroom door.

Aluminum is a famous person in Cilicia. He boasts a wide network of connections in many areas. He has the ability to know what is wrong with his brother and what conspiracies are lurking in the city.

The investigation was not difficult.

Asterike is a major character in Dustborn.

Dustborne has a close relationship with Cellbrox Labs.

Rap is associated with catastrophe in some way.

And my brother got infected.

I don't believe all the malicious rumors surrounding Cellbrox Labs. However, I can't deny that there are various suspicions. So, naturally, shouldn't Dustborn also be responsible?

In the end, I needed something to hate.

Suddenly.

The younger brother with a haggard face walked out. The two didn't have much conversation. As promised, the younger brother nodded, and Aluminum just held out the electronic device.

Aluminum was a separately acquired contamination meter.

Several electronic tones were played and numbers were displayed.

"...Am I still okay?"

The measured contamination level was 44p.

That's unusually low for an infected person.

Similar results were found in a quarantine conducted on league players a few days ago.

Aluminum had a vague intuition. This was by no means a common form of infection. It might even be more dangerous than a common parasite.

Still, I had no choice but to say this.

"Oh. It's lively."

That night.

Aluminum's brother attacked a man on the street.