Click.
Nestled among the deliciously arranged dishes, two of my photo cards sat framed in floral patterns. Not one, but two.
It was the so-called “etiquette shot” that Kessler had recently learned from Jung Da-hoon, now being executed by Kessler and his mother together.
“They say this is the latest trend, right? Thanks to Juwon, I learned something new.”
“…Thank you for being so welcoming.”
I’d come expecting a semi-formal meet-and-greet, but the atmosphere was even more casual than Kessler had suggested. I’d gone out of my way to dress formally, putting real effort into my outfit.
I already knew that Kessler’s mother, a director at Kinder Games, was a fan of mine. She made appearances at major tournaments, collecting my autograph, and had mentioned twice before that she was a fan.
Still, considering my profession, I heard things like that often, and being a player for a game developed by Kinder Games, I just assumed she “thought well of me.”
But seeing her up close—she was seriously devoted. I mean… the baby Arctic Fox keychain on her phone had a tiny tag engraved with my name, Yeo Woo-rim. And on her wrist, she wore the “Baby Fox Rice Donation Bracelet.”
Even the food laid out for the etiquette shot was perfectly tailored to my tastes. I wondered if she’d thoroughly read xKiPedia, but no matter how I thought about it, I didn’t recall my food preferences being listed in such precise detail last time I checked.
“I hope the food suits your palate.”
“Of course. This arrabbiata pizza… the corn fried rice… Every single dish has been absolutely delicious. Thank you for your hospitality.”
“No, I’m the one who’s truly moved that you came all this way. I know how rare it is to see someone like you outside the season.”
“Right. I tend to sleep a lot…”
“Do you really sleep that much?”
This was a question I often got from the media, too.
From early summer to fall—the off-season—spanning about four months, I’d met Kessler during last year’s possession incident with Makgeu, but before that, I practically slept all day. I’d crawl out of bed and practice in-game synergy with teammates whose schedules aligned with mine. That was literally my entire routine during the off-season.
Still, people never believed me. There were always claims of me being spotted in Bali with a beautiful woman or lounging in resort hotel lobbies… All of which were blatant lies.
I added, a bit sheepishly.
“Yeah, it’s kind of embarrassing, but I really do sleep a lot during breaks. And once the season starts, I feel so refreshed.”
“Ah, I get it. The season’s long, and going all-in like that must be exhausting. Juwon, you’ve got to take good care of our Pro.”
“Yup.”
“Ah, Director—please feel free to speak comfortably with me.”
“Should I? I still feel a bit awkward. But would it be okay if I ease into it gradually?”
“Of course. Whatever’s most comfortable for you…”
“After we eat, would you like a tour of the company? Is this your second time visiting HQ, Woo-rim? It’s your first time at the new building, right? It would’ve been lovely if your parents could have joined us…”
I took a sip of water. If I remembered correctly, my parents had visited about three times during open tours.
Originally, this trip had been planned as a long family vacation, flying out together. But because of a promotional shoot for a new product on my parents’ channel, the overall schedule had been pushed back a bit.
Anyway… my last visit to HQ was before the expansion and relocation—around six years ago. In that time, I’d grown, and so had the company, significantly.
After finishing our meal, we got into the Director’s car and headed to HQ, which wasn’t far.
“Whoa…”
The entrance screen at the headquarters’ welcome area lit up with a burst of light. A hologram of my main champion moved swiftly across the display, then struck its signature pose. The message [Kinder Games welcomes Pro Yeo Woo-rim of weverK] appeared.
Screens surrounding the area played a nonstop loop of my highlight reels, including footage from the last championship victory. It was as if this entire reception had been carefully prepared in advance.
Through the elevator windows, I could see employees gathering, clearly having caught wind of my visit.
“If it feels overwhelming, I can ask them to tone it down.”
Kessler, catching me staring blankly, asked with a glance. Yeah, it was a little overwhelming…
“No, it’s fine. This was all prepared by our mother, after all.”
“You said ‘our mother’…!”
At the word our, the director dramatically covered her mouth in delighted shock.
“Thank you so much for the warm welcome. I’m really happy. And this HQ is… amazing.”
I threw up both thumbs to emphasize just how cool it was, and Kessler’s lips twitched.
“Cute.”
“So cute…!”
Maybe because I usually spoke in a flat tone, people tended to really enjoy it whenever I dialed up the energy even a bit.
But my praise wasn’t exaggerated—it was genuine. Space really is everything.
The HQ building was divided like a university campus, with massive sections clearly laid out. Employees seemed to move around using electric scooters or circulating mini-trains.
After the welcome reception, we moved on to the main building.
“This is my studio. That spot over there’s my husband’s desk.”
Kessler’s father, also a co-director, was currently in Macau, having been invited to the Global Game Festival. I would’ve liked to meet both of them, but I suppressed the disappointment and looked around the Director’s office.
“Wow, this is really amazing…”
That’s what I said, but for some reason, it felt awkward to express awe. The modern interior clashed with the rather eccentric decorations. Everywhere I looked, there were goods related to my team—or to me specifically. Posters of me were plastered all over the glass walls, and plush dolls depicting a chibi-fied fox version of me were scattered throughout the room.
“Thank you… for liking me this much. It really makes me want to be a better person.”
It felt like a miniaturized version of the birthday café my fans had set up last year. Seeing such tangible expressions of love from fans was always equal parts touching and overwhelming.
“…Oh my god.”
It was so flashy that I’d only just noticed the pile of approval documents stacked across her desk.
“There’s even an urgent approval form in here. Mom’s got work to do, Woo-rim. I’ll give you the tour.”
“Really?”
“It’s the end of the month, plus school’s out and all the students are jumping into games—it’s a busy time.”
Kessler, clearly prepared for this moment, smoothly took over the tour.
“So it’s peak season, huh? Where’s your office? You said you’d show me around.”
“It used to be over there… but I lost it… Someone else is sitting there now.”
Beyond the glass wall Kessler pointed to, a man in glasses was seated. Noticing our gaze, he turned around and smiled brightly, approaching us.
Seeing that, the other nearby employees also began to gather. They seemed excited to see Kessler after a while—and surprised to see me.
The real shock was that they all recognized me immediately, even before Kessler introduced me.
“foxsoup! I’ma big big fan of you!”
“Autograph? May I?”
After being warmly welcomed by the HQ staff, I took a few photos with them, signed the guestbook, and completed the official tour of the headquarters.
Finally, standing in front of the company’s main logo, Kessler took a few commemorative photos of me.
“Juwon, how are you this good at taking pictures?”
“I’m good at it?”
“You’re even lining up the angles perfectly now. Fantastic.”
“Hehe. I guess the subject is so amazing, it makes me amazing too.”
He stared at my mouth like he was waiting for more praise, so I gave him a single “Excellent” and began selecting which picture to post on Instagram.
Rumors had already spread among the fans that I’d flown to the U.S., so it was time to share a bit of what I’d done today.
At Kinder Games
A trick shot where I appeared to lift the company’s signature giant puzzle piece effortlessly with one hand.
“That building over there has the event shop.”
While riding in the character-themed car Kessler was personally driving, I checked the response to the photo I’d just uploaded. Mixed among the usual comments were a few I couldn’t quite make sense of.
└We get it, bro, you’re good at games. Now please get out of Shadow Castle.
└We know you’re handsome. Stop steaming all the players, pleaseㅠ
└Are you playing solo? Try considering other players too, man.
At first, I thought it was just some newly popular joke format or backlash from our victory in Last Shadow. But then I saw more comments, and my opinion changed.
└Down with the Fox Cult
└Yes, Yeo Woo-rim, we acknowledge you’re the original Baby Arctic Fox. But given how fox characters are trending right now, forming a separate cult and actively excluding other foxes feels inconsiderate, even in a game grounded in capitalism. We’ve heard you play altruistically in Nexus—please consider the common foxes too.
“What the hell…?”
I had no idea what was going on, so I checked my messages…
Park Gwibolle
Yo. Calm the hell down.
DealMeat
How long are you gonna devour everything?
—all attacking me in perfect unison. Friends and acquaintances who also played Last Shadow were collectively ganging up on me.
What did I even do? All I’d done was come on a friendly trip to the U.S. with Kessler.
Scrolling further down, I found a group chat with the members I played Last Shadow with. Apparently, they’d already mentioned me and Kessler several times there.
Jung Da-hoon
Someone’s going around impersonating you, Pro.
I explained it’s not you, but no one’s buying it.
Jang Bori
It looks way too similar.
Are you sure it’s not really you, Woo-rim?
Kebab
If it’s not you, sir…
youtu.com/qnrrmrdudn
I clicked the link Kebab had sent and saw the fox in the video.
—Nyang nyangnyang, ppsorry, nyang?
“What the hell? When was that recorded?”
Chills crept down my spine. The shape of the muzzle and nostrils, the way the eyes folded slightly asymmetrically when smiling, the voice, even the sound patterns—it was all exactly like me. Even Kessler, peeking from the side, was fooled.
“…Play it again.”
But then, maybe sensing something off, Kessler pulled the character car to the roadside, face serious as he replayed the video and focused hard.
This time…?
Watching the video carefully, Kessler lifted his head and looked at me with a puzzled expression.
And with a face full of confusion, he asked:
“Who is this fox?”
