The adaptation to weverK, the new team after my job change, was going smoothly in every way.
Although this was the first time the company had created a pro team, their welfare and systems weren’t inferior to my previous company’s standards.
The professional team’s area was situated inside the entertainment company’s building. There were separate lounges and gyms specifically set up for the players’ comfort, but the best part was undoubtedly the meals. The cafeteria stayed open until late, offering a diverse menu that you could freely choose from by scanning your employee ID.
My previous team had always insisted on everyone eating together to build camaraderie… Yet there was something strangely satisfying about feeling more like a regular office worker now.
A pre-match took place ahead of the qualifiers, marking our fresh start in this new nest. And here, we received quite a bit of criticism.
Since it was a newly established team without any history, there weren’t yet fans for the team itself, only the individual fanbases of the players, who had gathered together. However, this also meant there were issues adjusting each player’s roles during training.
To be blunt… rather than considering how well the players could synergize, the priority had clearly been on recruiting star players first, resulting in compatibility problems during team coordination.
Even for a neutral player like myself, since I adopted an aggressive, attack-oriented neutral playstyle, our defensive synergy naturally felt awkward.
“Everyone’s just pushing forward too much.”
To complicate things further, during the balancing process, our only support-role player sustained a wrist injury. Although we quickly brought in a substitute, negative articles and analyses about potential failures poured out after our pre-match.
***
Title: Has Poksup’s individual skill dropped? (13)
It’s so clunky, feels like he’s totally lost out there.
└ Should’ve just let him free-roam like usual. They’re forcing him into support too hard.
└ He’s always been an attacking midfielder. Use the right tools.
└ Not sure if he’s changing positions himself or if it’s the coach’s idea, but seriously, what kind of scouting was this? They clearly don’t know jack.
Title: Player roles and coach roles are different—they picked a rookie with zero experience (31)
It’s all just a coach’s game anyway.
Title: Trust and wait—it’s just lack of synergy (45)
Just wait. Their attack routes are varied. If they patch up defense, these guys could make the championship.
└ But there’s zero sign of that getting patched.
└ No way they’re making it.
└ Clueless fans should shut it.
└ Reality: They barely scraped into the regular season.
└ This team has no foundation.
Title: They just grabbed popular players to sell merch—that’s the real issue (57)
They’re pumping out merch like crazy. How about dropping those ridiculous prices, you soulless bastards?
***
Because we had made the most significant investment during this season’s transfer window, mockery followed even more intensely.
“Let’s go deliver a strong hit. Just watch our backs.”
Yet, contrary to appearances, this scene rewards outcomes proportional to the money invested.
“We’re going to focus solely on maximizing our offensive synergy first. We’ll enhance defense afterward.”
We gradually synchronized through repeated team training.
Having numerous offensive-minded players naturally weakened our defense somewhat, but it also gave us the advantage of unpredictable attack routes.
Thus, based on the absurd strategy that if we got hit three times, we’d just strike back five times, we slowly strengthened our defensive formation. Personally, I practiced relentlessly to master a newly added defensive champion from the summer update.
“This is our first regular season. Let’s make it count. They might predict our offensive build-up and try to rush in for a quick win. Poksup, gather resources and stay hidden. Killbill and Choki, your only job this round is to defend to the death. We’re ditching the main lane and funneling our DPS through the sewer route.”
The coaching team’s strategies consistently succeeded in these mind games.
All our efforts ultimately paid off.
“We made it to the quarter-finals as second in the group.”
“It’s a pity we lost first place to Flag, but we can still do well going forward.”
“Great, let’s aim for the championship and secure our spot in the World Championship main event.”
Our immediate goal was to achieve good results domestically and claim a ticket to the Nexus World Champions global event.
Thus, our team’s odds of winning, initially shaky at the season’s outset, steadily rose as we advanced through the quarter-finals, semi-finals, and ultimately to the finals.
***
Title: Why did they lose to Flag again? (441)
Title: Looks like they’re making Worlds (114)
Title: Of course they’re going—look how much money’s been thrown in lol (43)
Title: Is this even the same team from preseason? (52)
Title: Poksup’s synergy with the DPS core clearly boosted their tactics (134)
***
Our daily average training time throughout the season was ten hours, but it wasn’t like we practiced ourselves to death. It seemed unfair to come all the way to the host city just to play games, so we squeezed in sightseeing whenever we had free time.
“Whew, definitely tastes better when you eat it fresh on-site.”
“True that.”
“You’re saying that while eating candied fruit in Daejeon? You damn clout-chasing weirdos.”
Happily munching on my tanghulu and praising it enthusiastically, I got a clicking tongue and scolding from DealMeat, who was holding a huge bundle of bread from a famous bakery. Ignoring him, I crunched the last strawberry off the stick and checked my piled-up messages.
Jung Da-hoon
Take it easy.
Jung Da-hoon
You’re already amazing just as you are.
Bori
He’s right!! Poksup is the best.
Haru
Fighting fighting~
Seong Juwon
♡.♡
The supportive messages made me smile and truly energized me. Especially heartwarming was the cheering selfie Kessler had sent me, radiating cuteness at its peak.
Initially, Kessler planned to accompany me, but the official launch of [Last Shadow], a game he had worked on, had been scheduled, making him busier than even me lately.
Seong Juwon
No matter the outcome, you’re the champion in my heart—you know that, right?
Seong Juwon
Do your best out there.
Seong Juwon
Give me some of that “cheer up for me!” energy I like~
Seong Juwon
Hyung, hang in there!
I giggled at Kessler’s adorable antics.
Winning domestic competitions was practically a routine for me—like eating meals. Yes, just like eating. But due to recent underperformance and entering the knockout stage as second in our group, people around me were full of comforting encouragement.
Finally, the day of the finals dawned.
***
Title: Unless there’s a surprise, weverK should win (153)
Title: Both teams are in incredible form (22)
Title: This finals match has 2 former champs vs 1 from last year lol (42)
Title: Just merge your damn teams already (132)
Title: Team 2’s got this—Poksup DPS let’s gooo (11)
Title: No player is greater than the team—go weverK! (134)
Title: Congrats Poksup-hyung, you’re the real deal (43)
***
The match unfolded in a blur. Frantic voices of teammates overlapped through my headset, mixing with the ambient sounds of the stadium. Unlike my usual self, I stood up slowly, two beats delayed.
The stadium filled with cheers from countless fans, confetti clinging to my hair, and then… the trophy, handed first to me as captain.
Our team gathered in a circle, gripping the trophy and lifting it high together.
“weverK takes home their first championship trophy alongside their new start!”
Cheers erupted at the host’s announcement.
“Could we hear some words about this victory?”
As my teammates tried to hold back tears of joy, the microphone was passed to me. Cameras spun around, capturing our moment, and I spoke once they settled at an appropriate distance.
“Yes, it seems our hard work finally paid off. I believe the domestic league can be just as tough as the global championship, making this victory all the more meaningful. I’m immensely proud of our players, and I want them to know they were absolutely the best today.”
“Many of your teammates are crying. What kind of tears are these?”
I passed the microphone to our youngest, Choki, who was trembling and openly sobbing.
“We worked incredibly hard this season. We received a lot of criticism at the start, which made us even more determined. I want to thank our fans who supported us during tough times. And to our team’s older brothers, who guided us so well… We’ll show even better performances next season and at Worlds. I want to keep experiencing this feeling! Thank you, fans! You’re the foundation of our success!”
After expressing gratitude to our fans, we stepped off the stage, where company representatives congratulated us, and someone asked me a question.
“Player Poksup! Congratulations on your championship! weverK earned a ticket to the World Champions tournament after winning your first domestic league title. What would you like to do during your short vacation?!”
I gazed into the live broadcast camera and answered sincerely about my plans.
“Well… when I get back home, I’ll sip some lemonade and play a newly launched game.”
***
It was an early spring night when the sky felt especially clear and blue.
After the long league season, followed by team victory interviews and an all-night celebration, I finally arrived back home the next day, utterly exhausted. Standing before my door, I felt as if I’d reached heaven.
Just past this door lock would be Kessler, and my inviting bed, promising sweet sleep.
And when the door opened…
“Wahhh!! Woo-rim, congratulations!!”
“You were amazing!! Truly incredible. That match was legendary—absolutely moving, Pro.”
No wonder the group chat had been unusually quiet—they’d been planning this surprise all along.
Standing in the living room, Bori Noona and Jung Da-hoon wore party hats and popped confetti cannons, while beyond them, Kessler sat smugly on the sofa, blowing a celebratory horn a few times. Everyone was wearing the official weverK team hoodies.
“The rest couldn’t make it ‘cause of work. But here, we’ve got a video message for you instead.”
“What’s all this… Seriously, thank you.”
We quickly watched the video messages and cut into a cake. Eating slices of my favorite sweet potato mousse cake, we chatted cozily.
“We were at the finals in person—did you see us? Who were you waving to when you waved at the crowd?”
“Wait, you came all the way to Daejeon? You should’ve said something. Also, don’t buy this hoodie—I get a few for free. No need to spend your own money.”
“Sniff… so you didn’t see us. Juwon and Da-hoon told me not to say anything ‘cause you might get distracted. And this hoodie? Juwon bought it for me! They said uniform sales are tracked by player, so getting it for free wouldn’t count. And this celebration cake—it’s from that local bakery! We picked it up after the match last night!”
“Oh, so it is from that bakery. Seriously, thanks. But how’d you even get tickets…?”
“That’s Da-hoon’s specialty. So does this mean you’re free now until that World whatever big tournament?” Bori Noona asked, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.
“No, that part’s locked in already, but there are still seasonal competitions in the meantime. For now, though, I’ve got a bit of breathing room.”
“Great! Then let’s play tons! Wanna do squad mode? I just quit my job recently, so I’ve got loads of free time. Oh, and Kebab is quitting next week too—how about the four of us plus Kebab as a five-man squad?”
“If it’s just us, wouldn’t the Turbos feel left out?”
“Pfft. Those guys are full-time office drones anyway—we’ll never sync up schedules. They can go play their post-work dual mode or whatever. If they’re salty, they should just quit too.”
Our group of five, who tended to survive until the late game and had a high Shadow Index from beta-server performance, would likely have an easier time than most players. Forming alliances among ourselves would be practical.
“…Honestly, I’m still not over it. I didn’t want to worry you, so I didn’t say anything, but we really didn’t sleep a wink. We got together and watched… Kessler even teared up a little during the replay.”
Jung Da-hoon waved a tissue from the table, presumably evidence of Kessler’s emotions.
“Alright, enough yapping. You two, scram.”
Embarrassed, Kessler quickly interjected. Bori Noona wasn’t about to let that slide.
“Oh-ho~ our developer boy pulling rank again?”
“No, I just… Woo-rim’s tired. I want him to get some rest.”
“Oh, Woo-rim… yeah, those dark circles dropped hard. You’re exhausted, right? Yesterday, it really hit me how popular you’ve gotten—so many reporters, so many fans.”
“I feel like I’ll pass out the second I touch a pillow, but this atmosphere’s too fun to leave just yet.”
At my words, Da-hoon and Bori hastily gathered their things, standing up abruptly.
“Then we’ll see you in-game! The day after tomorrow at 7 PM!”
“Pro, congrats again!”
“Huh… you came all this way and you’re leaving already?”
“They’ve got an event at the exhibition center or something.”
“We’re going to the World Chocolate Festival today!”
“Oh, have fun.”
After quickly seeing off the two rushing away, I turned back, and Kessler, who had been waiting, lifted me up princess-style.
“C’mere, baby fox.”
“Seriously? You cried watching my match?”
“I did get a little choked up, yeah. But they exaggerated—I didn’t actually cry.”
Kessler placed me on the bed, quickly slipping in beside me. He grabbed my legs, setting them comfortably on his lap. He knew exactly what posture I liked best.
“Even though it’s only been a few days, I missed you like crazy.”
“We literally video called every single day.”
“A phone’s warmth doesn’t compare to your belly. And it’s totally different being together in person. Now close your eyes. Time for lullabies.”
Kessler gently covered my eyes with his hand. When I obediently closed them, he removed his hand and softly kissed my eyelids. Smiling happily, I hugged him tightly, shifting into the perfect sleeping position.
For the first time in ages, I felt completely at ease. Sleep came swiftly.
