Ji-Woo did a double-take as he walked into Jein’s room. Clothing and makeup littered the floor. Posters and motivational quotes were pounded into the walls. And the faint aroma of a flower swept through him. But even if he could ignore the mess, he had to blink a dozen times before he registered the strange sight before him. Confronting him was a girl holding a book in one hand and writing words down with the other. Something uncommon and fear-inducing even to his highly trained mind.

Jein was studying.

Ji-Woo felt a wry smile as he thought about what would happen if her fans caught sight of her reading while she chewed on a pen. This wasn’t the Jein that a global audience adored on the big screen. This was the totally unashamed and messy ball of gluttony that threatened to absorb his team’s entire budget with her food costs.

Of course, he wouldn’t trade in his gaming partner for any other in the world.

“Jein.” Ji-Woo approached her cautiously, eyeing the book she held in her hands and spotting a French title. “Did you hit your head recently?”

Jein jolted at his words and he grinned guiltily. It was rare for Jein to get so deeply stuck into a book that she lost track of her surroundings. In fact, she was prided on her naturally high perception even in real life. So he felt bad at interrupting her.

“Dummy~” Jein stuck her tongue out at him at his words. “You just don’t know about the many hidden talents I have.”

She moved the book away from him as she noticed him eyeing it hungrily. He couldn’t help but wonder what kind of book had absorbed her so deeply. As he got closer she tried to move it behind her but he went for a different tactic. With a well-practiced motion, he sat down next to her and shot her an adorable puppy-eyed look.

‘Two can play at this game.’ Ji-Woo’s inner self grinned evilly as he used Jein’s own tactics against her.

She pulled this move on him all the time, now it was his turn.

“Fine, fine,” Jein lifted her hands and the book in defeat. “It’s a book on how to speak French.”

“You want to- Oh?” Ji-Woo looked at Jein with a mischievous smile.

Clearly fighting with Claire had gotten to her. She always acted strangely after fighting against the French player, and now was no different. He felt a chill crawl down his spine as he recalled the last time those two fought, he was scarfing down burnt food for a week as Jein tried to learn to cook French cuisine. Luckily she’d gotten a lot better at it, just like she always did when she puts her mind to something.

“Or are you planning on going to France?” Ji-Woo leaned against Jein’s wall with a smile. “I haven’t seen Yanti in a while, it could be fun to meet up.”

Jein flicked through the pages absent-mindedly. “I don’t want to go to France… I just thought it would be nice to learn some of this stuff. The translators are fine but it’s always nice to speak to someone face to face.”

Ji-Woo leaned back on the bed. He could see where she was coming from. Jein and Claire had known each other for years online. They had fought so many battles against each other that they’d become steadfast friends, even if neither was willing to admit it. This time had been different from their usual battles.

Claire had lost to another player.

Ji-Woo knew the pressure Jein and Claire faced every day. As female gamers their fans were ardent and their detractors even more so. A single loss to an unknown player would lead to a lot of pressure for Claire, and this was Jein’s way of trying to make her friend feel better. Of course, knowing Jein, she probably planned to turn off the translating function of the capsule and speak terrible French instead of actually meeting Claire.

God, he hoped she at least brought a translation device if she wanted to meet Claire face to face.

“I like it,” Ji-Woo poked the book and hooked it downwards so that he could read what was written on there. “I’m sure you’ll be having a fun conversation in no time.”

“Heh~” Jein’s face lit up at the praise and she shuffled back. “You know we have a lot of free time today before going online right?”

“Right, nothing planned for the afternoon or morning,” Ji-Woo nodded, it wasn’t often that they got free time, then his back stiffened as he caught an underlying tone of excitement in her voice. “Wait. Why?”

Jein put the book down, flipped over and turned to face him with a wide smile. “Rock climbing! Sprinting!”

“Oh gosh,” Ji-Woo twirled his fingers in the air as though trying to recall something. “Did I forget to tell you abou-”

“Nuh uh.” Jein nudged his shoulder and shook her head. “You said it yourself, completely free today.”

“Urgh.” Ji-Woo collapsed back onto the bed with a sigh.

He’d walked right into that one.

****

“Get up Ji-Woo, you lazy bum.”

Ji-Woo squinted as the dazzling rays of sunlight flitted through the cracks of his closed eyelids, the giant glowing orb was almost as bright as Jein’s eyes. The girl was leaning over his head and staring down at him expectantly. He cracked an eye open and his sweating intensified as he recognised her terrifying smile. She was having fun.

That meant he was going to suffer horribly.

“Come on. You can do one more pitch.” Jein lifted herself up off the ground and with a sharp pull she brought Ji-Woo up with her.

“Ugh.” Ji-Woo prided himself on persisting in all activities, completing even those that others said were impossible. He was known for tackling challenges that others feared to think of, and his legendary ventures were known throughout the world.

Of course, that was all online.

“Just go on without me.”

Jein was too wild for him. She was on another rock climbing binge and once she got into the mood it would take an avalanche to stop her. He was dying of exhaustion and she was just getting started. It was a cycle he was familiar with by now.

“Nice one.” Jein grinned at his words, and then her hands wrapped around his wrists as she gave him a meaningful smile. “You’re telling me the completely unstoppable man is going to let a little pebble beat him?”

Ji-Woo looked up at the mountain peak that Jein was pointing to. “If that thing if a pebble then the ocean is a pond.” He brought his arms to his sides and shook off the loose dirt that clung to his sweat. “Fine. Let’s get this over with.”

“Yeah!” Jein punched the air lightly and let out a cheer. “Besides, the manager said you need to be healthier. You’re going to be fighting more challenging opponents now.”

Ji-Woo grimaced. On the one hand Jein was right. If he was going to be undergoing intense battles in the virtual reality capsule then his body needed to be able to cope with the stress. Being watched by tens of thousands of people while fighting professionally in a highly realistic scenario had its downsides. The pressure was enough to break some people, and there had been some very highly publicised freakouts in other teams. So to stay on the team his general fitness had to be on point or else the Zodiac Online program might kick him out if it sensed him becoming too panicked.

On the other hand, he could taste the salt and cracks of his skin as the sun and exercise wore him out. His fingers were covered in a thick layer of dust and dirt taped onto them and his tongue longed for a juicy meal. He heavily suspected Jein just had a warped view of what ‘healthy’ is

She was already one of the fittest girls he knew, and that included the ones that photoshopped themselves to look better. Just following her had kept him sporting a six pack. He remembered the good times in middle school when his stomach and limbs had been a globular mass of fat. Now he could tap his hand against his flesh and feel the muscle. His fans had definitely grown because of it, but sometimes he just wanted to lay back, relax, and eat his heart out. Not that Jein or the team manager would let him pig out if he wanted to.

“Oh man.” Ji-Woo took one final look up before deciding to just follow Jeins lead, hoping she got bored before he died. “We’re going for a nice ice cream after this right?”

“The best!” Jein laughed as she saw Ji-Woo’s expression. “And then we’ll go kick some of those challengers asses in Zodiac Online.”

Ji-Woo smiled as he thought of the various players that would be lining up to fight him when he logged back on.

They alone were worth this torture.

****

“These guys...”

Ji-Woo sighed as the challenger’s body turned gray and disappeared. Yet another opponent that had been killed in one hit. This one hadn’t even been skilled enough to defend against him even if they were trying, but they’d had their camera ready to record his moves for a nice forum video.

He hoped they’d at least get a few views for their troubles.

“Ah, yeah.” Jein looked guilty as she stepped away from three other disappearing bodies. “They weren’t the challenge I thought they’d be.”

Ji-Woo looked enviously at the flecks of ice scattered around the platform. Jein and he had dibs on different kinds of opponents. If they were magi or magic-users then Jein had the right to fight them, and melee weapon users were Ji-Woo’s to kill.

Usually these players were fans of theirs so it all worked out. Most of the magi crowded around Jein and the warriors ran from Ji-Woo. Other times it ended up with Jein taking on more opponents than necessary.

“I can’t believe magic is so popular in this game.” Jein sniffed as she picked up the gold they’d dropped. “You’d think they’d at least have a decent frontline.”

“It can work.” Ji-Woo didn’t think the players were skilled enough to pull off a loaded backline, but he wasn’t willing to discount their strategy. “They just need a really good frontliner if they’re by themselves.”

“Like that TidalWave guy?” Jein smirked as a blue teleportation light surrounded their bodies and they were returned to the grassy fields they’d been hunting in. “Or maybe Violet?”

“Yes.” Ji-Woo frowned as Jein tried to get a rise out of him.

His little burst of emotions during the placement matches had made her hungry for more. And he was willing to admit he’d definitely felt more… competitive since watching their match. He had definitely experienced an increase in adrenaline, and a rush of productivity.

“Competitive?” Jein could see his thoughts written on his expressionless face, a talent that had taken her years of practice to hone. “You actually finished exercising with me today. I almost thought you were going to die! Especially when I added those extra laps.”

“Hey-” Ji-Woo frowned as he suddenly realised why today had felt like more than the usual training. “I have been taking things a little further lately.”

“Because you’re jealous~” Jein grinned and with her hands clasped behind her back she walked around Ji-Woo teasingly. “You want that special someone too~”

“Or anyone that can at least handle a hit or two would be nice.” Ji-Woo let out a small arc of electricity that startled the nearby mobs.

Not a single one of his challengers had been able to block a single hit. He didn’t believe in holding back when it comes to requested duels, and he hadn’t even had his passive or abilities activated. He’d simply used his raw skill to overpower them.

“Brighten up.” Jein’s staff flashed with light as she swept up the mobs in a hail of ice shards that obliterated the pitiful creatures. “The real challengers are going to come to us later. These are all small fries.”

Ji-Woo was silent as he pictured the kinds of opponents he’d fought before. He knew there was a professional playing for Game Masters that could give him a fun time, but that guy was a coward when push came to shove. Then there was TidalWave and Violet.

Ji-Woo ran their fight through his head over and over like a pleasant video. Neither had revealed a single in-game skill. Only relying on raw talent and combat mastery to try and best each other. He just knew that if he met them, they wouldn’t hesitate to fight him in a duel. They would fight him until he was satisfied and then they would continue to fight him until they won or he truly broke their spirit.

He could feel it instinctively.

“The problem is that they’re cowards.” Jein was blunt as she collected the loot. “Anyone with talent doesn’t want to fight you because they’re afraid that you’ll make them reveal all of their skills. They know they won’t be able to beat you with just sword skills.”

“Well, let’s not be too mean to them.” Ji-Woo murmured to her.

But he couldn’t help but agree with her. Each one of the professionals capable of fighting him hadn’t appeared. He could understand that they had things to do, and skills to keep hidden, but ultimately he wanted to have fun playing the game.

Only one week had passed since the placement matches had ended. In that time they were the city that received the least challenges. Almost all of those were people who wanted to record him fighting so that they could grab their fifteen seconds of fame on the forums. The requirements to fight were only limited by level and wealth. It was rare that such a famous professional player was duelable by the general public. But not a single one was skilled enough to actually get him to reveal a single skill. Even today that had been the only challenge they’d received.

[You are being challenged to an inter-city competition duel. Would you like to accept? Y / N]

“Oh?” Just as Ji-Woo and Jein were about to head into the next area a system message popped up in front of him.

“What’s up?” Jein swerved around as she heard Ji-Woo. “Someone message you?”

“You didn’t get that?” Ji-Woo looked at her in confusion. “We were just challenged for the city spot.”

“What?” Jein looked through her messages and then back to him. “I didn’t get challenged to anything.”

‘Hmm?’ Ji-Woo looked at the message in confusion, and then his eyes lit up. ‘It’s a personal challenge.’

He’d never received one of those before. The five-man city team had to accept the challenges of the first four teams to request them each day. But if they wanted to, players could also challenge any number of city team players as individuals or smaller groups. These were optional but they cost the challenging player even more gold and experience compared to the normal team matches. It was enough to deter even the wealthiest and highly leveled players.

Considering Ji-Woo’s skill nobody had bothered to challenge him so far. Nobody was interested in recording a match that was guaranteed to go for a split second. At least when they challenged the team as a whole they could try to gang up on him and kill him before Jein got to them.

‘I wonder if they’re another dud.’ Ji-Woo smiled as he accepted the challenge.

Technically he could leave the request there for a while to make the other party worry, but he was aching to get a good fight in. He wasn’t even going to check their information beforehand. Jein had him cooped up outside all day and now that he was back inside the capsule he just wanted to relax and fight a solid battle.

Jein giggled as she saw Ji-Woo’s eyes light up. “Go get them. I hope it’s a good one.”

Ji-Woo waved goodbye to her as the space around him lit up from the teleportation spell. One moment he’d been farming mobs in grassland and the next he was back in the arena. This time it was just a solid stone platform, devoid of any features. Sitting down in the middle of the arena was an individual waiting patiently with his sword drawn.

It was someone familiar.

“Ah, um. Hey.” The man got up in a hurry as he saw Ji-Woo teleporting in. “Oh cool, I didn’t think you’d actually accept. Damn I’m… no wait.” The man took a deep breath and composed himself. “Hi. We met about a week ago. I’d like to fight with you.”

He raised his sword defensively and Ji-Woo looked at him in appreciation.

Despite Ji-Woo’s clear lack of killing intent the man hadn’t let down his guard even once.

“Cheshire.” Ji-Woo grinned and with a flick of his wrist a sword appeared in his hands. “I remember you.”

[Cheshire: Level 50.]

“And yes.”

Ji-Woo’s body blurred and he sprung at his opponent. Before the words had even left his mouth he had disappeared from his spot and in the next second he was landing the killing blow on the enemy warrior. A stab straight to the heart. He didn’t want to give the other opponent a chance to launch any skills.

-Blocked.

Ji-Woo’s grin widened as Cheshire’s blade held the end of his sword in place. “I wanted to fight you too.”

“Oh damn.” Chieshire’s eyes widened. “You don’t waste time do you.”

-Dodged.

Ji-Woo dodged the retaliatory strike that Cheshire threw at him and with calm precision he struck out at the warrior’s side with three blows, each aimed to slice through a different vital area.

-Blocked.

-Blocked.

-Dodged.

His eyes widened as Cheshire’s blade reached all of his attacks. These were strikes that had struck every single challenger until now. And Ji-Woo wasn’t holding back at all. This opponent had improved almost immeasurably since they’d fought a week ago.

Ji-Woo’s hands clasped firmly around his sword’s hilt as he pelted the warrior with blows. It had been so long since he’d had a good fight. He could feel his muscles jumping with robustness. His mind thinking of a buffet of attacks to counter his enemy. More than just delightful, the feeling of a worthy opponent was delicious.

“Heh.” Cheshire’s own eyes looked like they couldn’t believe what they were seeing. “I knew it.”

“Mm?” Ji-Woo sliced at Cheshire while the warrior was distracted but with a swift movement Cheshire dodged his attack and brought his blade around to cut up Ji-Woo’s chest.

‘Impressive.’ Ji-Woo was starting to seriously warm up as he dodged the strikes.

A single wrong move and both of them would be cut into ribbons. Ji-Woo continued to dodge the onslaught with a grin, his blood rushing through his body. This was the kind of pressure he could thrive off of.

“It’s been a rough week.” Cheshire wasn’t ashamed to admit it as he stabbed forward with his sword at Ji-Woo, only to hit thin air. “I needed to let off some steam, and prove something to myself as well.”

“Prove something?” Ji-Woo leaped back and with a spring in his step he shifted Cheshire’s blade away from his face and swiped at his fingers.

Even if he nicked Cheshire’s body he’d be happy.

Cheshire brought his hand and sword back as though his fingers were getting close to lava. The blade missed him by a mile but he wasn’t taking any chances in this fight.

He jumped back as far as he could and stared Ji-Woo in the eyes. “Actually, I got completely smashed in the competition. So I wanted to show myself that I didn’t completely suck.”

“Oh?” lightning surged through Ji-Woo’s eyes as he registered what Cheshire was telling him. “You’re telling me you were feeling down on your luck and your first thought was to come and challenge me?”

Ji-Woo laughed darkly and with a gesture arcs of lightning spread out of his body, forcing Cheshire to step back further as they threatened to electrocute him. Ji-Woo could see panic rushing into his opponent’s eyes as the lightning began to overwhelm him before he even got near Ji-Woo.

“Well then.”

Ji-Woo brought his lightning-covered sword up to his front.

“I guess I’d just be insulting you if I held back.”

****

“Heh,” Jein’s smug grin was the first thing to enter Ji-Woo’s vision as he was teleported back into the grassy plain. “I see someone had a good time.”

Ji-Woo was sporting his usual elegant and graceful stance as he appeared. All of the tension and simmering anger had left his body and all that was left was a very relaxed Korean.

“Yeah,” Ji-Woo nodded and his lips tugged into a smile. “So what have we got here?”

He scanned the surroundings and saw that several mobs had surrounded Jein and were closing in. Each one a snarling turtle-like monstrosity with quills that seemed to quiver dangerously in Jein’s direction. Each one was dangerously high level even for them. Together they seemed like an unstoppable wave of shells and claws.

“Why fight the mobs one at a time when you can kill two turtles with one stone?” Jein nervously shuffled from side to side and Ji-Woo sighed.

She’d clearly overestimated herself and gotten into a mess.

“Oh?” Ji-Woo checked out the situation and wisely retreated. “Well, good luck with that.”

“Hey!” Jein’s fingers snatched up his wrist with ease. “You’re going to help me here.”

“Fine, fine,” Ji-Woo chuckled, he hadn’t been serious about abandoning her. “I’ll take the ones on the right.”

Without even waiting for confirmation Ji-Woo lunged into action, carving out flesh and scales with a barrage of sudden blows, and puncturing their shells for good measure.

“So, what were you trying to do here?” Ji-Woo dodged a series of quills that were shot out of the turtles backs as they fought.

His adrenaline still hadn’t died down from his previous battle, and his body danced and weaved through the quills with ease. Then turtles were definitely strong, but they weren’t so fast that Jein would have trouble running away if she wanted to.

“Um.” Jein rose into the air with air step and sent magic raining down on the enemies.

She was hesitant to say why she’d gathered the monsters together.

‘Ha. I see.’ Ji-Woo recalled the last battle Jein had against that quick moving magi.

That player had been able to curve her shots into a completely different direction. One second they were flying past Jein and the next they were returning and threatening to kill her from her blind spot. It was something he knew Jein hadn’t experienced before. She could move her own magic but completely shifting its direction at a sharp angle with the same momentum was impossible for her at the moment. Clearly Jein had seen the turtles’ ability to shoot out quills and had decided to do a little training to try and see if she could dodge attacks from all directions.

She’d just gathered way too many turtles by accident.

-Hey. Are you guys busy?- A new party messaged Ji-Woo and he raised his eyebrow.

[Mountain: Level 51]

It was one of his teammates. They were supposed to be taking a rest day today to visit their parents.

Ji-Woo dodged a clawed swipe and bashed his sword into a turtle’s side. -Not busy. What’s up?-

-Something urgent has come up. The manager wants us all to log out and have a group meeting.-

-Alright let me check with Jein.- Ji-Woo looked up in time to see turtles riving in pain as a river of ice shards tore them apart from all angles.

Apparently Jein had some steam to let off as well.

“Alright,” Ji-Woo grinned as the final turtle turned gray and disappeared. “Let’s see what’s going on.”

****

“Guys!”

A large figure bounded over to Ji-Woo as he walked down towards the kitchen.

“Oh no.” Ji-Woo tried to step back as the newcomer spotted him.

He knew the big man well and unfortunately this person’s kindness could accidentally end up killing you. But even his keen reflexes couldn’t save him from being swept into a hug.

“Ah gosh. It’s been too long. How have you been brother?” The man’s bulging muscles threatened to stretch Ji-Woo’s stomach apart as he continued his bear hug.

Ji-Woo let out gasping sounds in response to the throttling he was receiving. He could feel every inch of his body being overpowered as the man lifted him off the ground.

“Hey Choi~” Jein walked up close and planted a firm kick on the man’s thigh and with a yelp he let go of Ji-Woo, sending him sprawling into the ground. “Get off of him you big lug.”

“Man, why’d you have to go and do that,” Choi massaged his thigh with a pained expression as Jein helped Ji-Woo up. “It’s not my fault you guys never call.”

Ji-Woo breathed deeply in relief as he tried to fill his lungs with much needed oxygen. He should have known the man would be here. He’d probably entered Zodiac Online from one of the capsules downstairs.

“Good to see you too Big Mountain.” Ji-Woo smiled and hugged the man back, trying his hardest to squeeze the large frame as a payback for the lung-emptying hug he’d received.

Choi just laughed it off as though Ji-Woo was a fly trying to press down on a rock.

Han Choi. Otherwise known as the ‘Big Mountain’ by his team and his friends. Ji-Woo had known him the least amount of time compared to the three others on the team but he was definitely one of the friendliest people that Ji-Woo had ever encountered. The man wouldn’t hurt a puppy but he’d sure as heck squish one by accident.

It was a weird reunion. Even though they were all part of the same team Choi had been staying in an apartment nearby for the past few weeks. Apparently he’d made a lot more use of his payslips than any of the others.

“So how were your parents?” Jein pulled up a chair and began snacking on chocolates.

Ji-Woo hadn’t even seen her get them.

“Good, good,” Choi fanned his hand around as he emphasized his words. “Little surprised about me having to leave early. But that’s all good.” He turned to Ji-Woo with a twinkle in his eyes. “I saw that fight between that Violet girl and TidalWave fella you sent me. I was transfixed! Mesmerised! Did it invigorate you as much as it did me?”

“I wonder.” Ji-Woo turned to the fridge to see what Jein hadn’t eaten yet.

Her appetite was only matched by her ability to exercise. It made a surprisingly good balance for her body. In the end, he settled on a left-over brownie they’d put to the side of the kitchen bench.

Choi laughed heartily as he saw Ji-Woo’s calm expression.

“That’s the big brother I know. Nothing will faze you.” Choi slapped at Ji-Woo’s back, only to hit thin air as Ji-Woo twirled out of his reach with a smile.

“Oh stop swaggering around,” Jein poked her tongue out at Ji-Woo and then turned to face Choi. “He was all temperamental until a few minutes ago.”

“You’ve got chocolate on your teeth.” Ji-Woo shot back at her and was satisfied to see Jein blush and quickly close her mouth. “So,” His voice came out smooth and strong as he grew serious. “What brings you back here so soon?”

The team house was only a space for the team in name. Most of the time, especially when the team was just getting started in a game, they all split up and spent time with their respective families. It was only when things started getting serious that they all moved in together. And because Choi lived by himself it was only Jein and Ji-Woo living under the same roof.

Neither of them had any desire to go back and visit their families.

Thankfully Ji-Woo had long ago learned the sacred art of cooking. He also cultivated an indomitable will to survive whatever food Jein whipped up. The early days had been harsh. But now both were proficient enough that they could easily manage on their own. The manager didn’t even have to check in most times, as long as they didn’t let the press catch on to the two of them being alone in the one house they were free from any pressure.

‘The big man loves the team but he loves his parents more.’ Ji-Woo’s fingers could feel the brownie crumbling underneath them.

He also wasn’t under any impression that Han Choi had come back for the sake of friendship. The only reason he could think of for Choi’s return was that the manager had asked him to come back urgently.

“The manager asked me to come back,” Choi confirmed Ji-Woo’s suspicions. “I need to hold the challengers down while you two go off and this place has better interfacing speeds.”

‘Oh?’ Ji-Woo sat down next to Jein, and deftly blocked her attempts to steal a part of his brownie.

“Off where?”

“Here.” Choi slapped down a piece of paper that seemed to appear out of nowhere and Ji-Woo stared down at it.

It was an invitation to the ‘Grand Thunder Team’ as a whole to a party. The paper also had a few other details outlined, like who the big names were and which other teams had also been invited. It looked like some sort of get together for elite players, but he couldn’t see who was behind it.

“A new sponsor?” Ji-Woo’s eyes skimmed the paper. “We already have sponsors.”

Choi grinned and pointed to the name written at the bottom of the paper. Quiet, unassuming and yet powerful in its presence. Ji-Woo’s eyes widened as he realised who was organising this ‘party’. It was definitely one of the biggest fish in the sea.

“Ah,” Jein leaned in from Ji-Woo’s side and she couldn’t help but gasp as she saw their name. “That’s a really big player.”

“I’ll say, and they’re hosting a party. A gathering. A soiree.” Choi nodded. “I was bamboozled, confounded-”

“Let’s backtrack a bit,” Ji-Woo interrupted Choi before the man could work himself into a fit, lifted the paper into the air and scanned it thoroughly. “Who’s going?”

“You and Jein.” Choi grinned.

“What about you Big Mountain?” Ji-Woo passed the paper back to Choi with a frown. “I thought you’d be one of the best choices for this.”

The large man’s natural affinity for getting on people’s good sides was something none of the team doubted. He could charm the shrewdest of sponsors with his genuine honesty and natural charm.

“Holding the fort,” Choi sat down with them and placed the paper in the middle of the table. “The others will be back soon too, since you’ll be gone all day we’ll be defending against the challengers for the city spot. Not that it will be too hard if you and Jein managed to hold your own with just the two of you.”

“And?” Ji-Woo pressed him further.

He and Jein could easily continue to defend the city team spots if the organisation wanted them to. That wasn’t a reason to suddenly send them off.

“Jein’s fight, and your little” *ahem*, Choi coughed delicately, “demonstration against those poor players convinced the manager that you both would be the best candidates to go. They also think that this company is big enough that we should be sending our stars. You know, I don’t have that much of a…. Pretty face.”

“Heh~ The team manager thinks Ji-Woo’s got a pretty face.” Jein let out a short giggle that slowly devolved into a burst of laughter.

“Ha. Ha.” Ji-Woo decided to let Jein have her fun.

If they could net this corporation’s money then they would all get a huge boost in funds. It wasn’t a joke to say that this could become their single biggest sponsor and focus if things worked out well. He put his elbows onto the table and rested his chin in his hands as he stared at the name printed out onto the paper.

Grieche Financial.