22) Coach (1)

‘I feel good.’

Lee Shin thought while sipping water.

A thrilling come from behind victory!

He used strength and speed to turn around the situation so his mood was back better compared to a typical victory.

But Lee Shin still made a cool judgement even while enjoying the victory.

Shin Ji-ho didn’t know who the opponent was.

Shin Ji-ho had tried a containment strategy to deprive him of resources. This gave Lee Shin time to gather resources for a come from behind strategy.

If Shin Ji-ho knew that his opponent was Lee Shin then he absolutely wouldn’t give him that time.

In the end, he received victory due to Shin Ji-ho’s absentmindedness.

‘By the way, there is a new build.’

Lee Shin watched the replay and closely studied Shin Ji-ho’s play.

Lee Shin was surprised to see a barrack built at the extension base. But a pre-emptive attack from the 2 armoured build could stop the building.

‘The 2 armoured build isn’t used. I had no idea this was the trend these days.’

Last time he went to the stadium, he didn’t get a chance to see the new build because it wasn’t humans vs humans.

He could check it now.

‘I should try it.’

Lee Shin started a new game and used Shin Ji-ho’s play.

He could certainly start with rich resources. Lee Shin’s style was to be aggressive from the beginning.

‘Humans vs humans would be boring for fans to watch.’

This was because humans specialized in defense.

If both of them started off rich then the attacks would become bigger and bigger until someone lost. A long war would build up and turn into a power struggle.

‘I should look at the build a little more.’

He started studying the human vs human games that occurred after he retired.

But then his old 3G flip phone started vibrating. The person contacting him was Director Bang Jin-ho.

“h.e.l.lo?”

-Are you?

“What?”

-Earlier with Shin Ji-ho!

“Why are you talking about Shin Ji-ho?”

-Player Sin, you are that person.

“Who is that?”

-I won’t blow up if you tell me honestly. Weren’t you the one who defeated Shin Ji-ho?

“There was such a player? Then you should recruit them.

-You’re right. He said he was a retired player and aren’t you retired?

“How do you know it isn’t an active player lying? Anyway, don’t bother me because it isn’t me.”

Then I closed my flip phone.

Moments later, Director Bang Ji-ho called back.

-Why did you hang up?

“I knew the conversation was finished.”

-That is nasty. Do you really want to coach?

“I do. Do you have something for me to sign?”

-There is but the contract is a little delayed.

“Why?”

-Shin Ji-ho has to re-sign with us first. Anyway, we don’t need a coach for this season.

“Then I will wait until the end of the summer transfer market.”

-Yes, but…is it really not you?

“No. Do you think my wrist is capable of playing a game against Shin Ji-ho?”

-Oh, okay.

Then he roughly ended the call.

Shortly after the call, he received a message while playing the game.

-A message has arrived. Do you want to check it?

Lee Shin pressed OK.

The contents of the message were as followed.

[h.e.l.lo. I am Director Bang Jin-ho of MBS. I admired Player_SIN’s skills and wanted to send you a message.

I would like to talk to you directly so please contact me.]

Lee Shin laughed. He lightly wrote back.

[Is this funny? Enjoy the scamㅗㅗ]

*     *     *

June 2020, the World SC Grand Prix began.

The world’s e-sports festival.

Last year, the top 3 players from South Korea’s professional league competed in the singles. The team that won in the pro league competed in the group matches.

And the rest of the teams that didn’t partic.i.p.ate were given a break.

But there was another event other than the SC Grand Prix that gathered the attention of the e-sports fans.

June was the transfer season.

They took note of any players signing to the team they cheered for.

The biggest fish in this year’s transfer market was MBS’s ace, Shin Ji-ho. Last year, he won 4th place in the pro league. Apart from Lee Shin, there was no other who was the best at the human species.

They hadn’t heard any news of a contract at the end of the season so the MBS fans were restless.

This year he was the target of several different teams. If this situation continued then there was a chance the team would be deprived of their ace.

The MBS team management was also worried.

Due to the nature of e-sport teams, the majority of people were fans of individuals. If Shin Ji-ho left then the fans would follow him to the other team.

Park Sang-hyuk suggested a higher salary to the MBS management but they didn’t give permission.

Many e-sports management stations were conservative and considered it a waste to invest a lot in what was considered by many a child’s game.

In the end……

“I’m sorry, Director-nim.”

Shin Ji-ho bowed.

“Yes, it can’t be helped. You are a pro.”

Director Bang Jin-ho said calmly. It was an inconvenience but in the professional world, he had no choice but to let them go calmly.

Even if it was a player he raised since the trainee day.

“I will not forget Director-nim’s grace.”

It was like that.

Shin Ji-ho was taken away by the team that won last year’s pro league.

A salary of 800 million for 2 years!

It was a huge lineup for e-sports, similar to Real Madrid so Shin Ji-ho’s sign up brought a lot of coverage.

Other teams coveted Shin Ji-ho so MBS’s proposed 500 million for 2 years was considered low.

Thus Shin Ji-ho grabbed his luggage and abandoned the team. Now Shin Ji-ho’s seat in the practice room was empty.

‘I can bring in Lee Shin now.’

Shin Ji-ho who opposed MBS bringing on Lee Shin was gone.

Now that Shin Ji-ho was gone, they needed something to grab the attention of the fans. Even if that person was a coach, not a player.

Now that Shin Ji-ho’s salary wasn’t needed, they could afford Lee Shin’s proposal of 100 million. Park Sang-hyuk agreed and Lee Shin finally signed the contract.

‘Is he really not?’

Director Bang Ji-ho recalled Player_SIN.

A player who obviously overwhelmed Shin Ji-ho.

Shin Ji-ho lost in power to that player.

But Player_SIN didn’t respond well to his message.

No matter how much Bang Ji-ho tried, he just received curse filled replies about a scammer.

“If he is an active pro player then I absolutely won’t leave him alone.”

Bang Ji-ho’s fist trembled.