Chapter 21: Rejection

Before sending the reply, I hesitated until the very last moment, but the answer had already been decided.

「Is there something specific you’re asking for? If it’s about the salary, we can increase it to 800 million won. Please consider carefully. This is an unprecedented offer.」

…There was still room for the salary to increase?

I couldn’t hide my astonishment, but holding onto regrets wouldn’t change anything.

「I don’t have much time left to live. I’m sorry.」

The silence that followed my rejection card was palpable.

The rumors about Eugene being a rare disease patient were already widespread, and with this conversation, I had made it certain.

No matter how strong their desire to recruit me was, they couldn’t take someone who was about to die.

「Ah… I must have been overstepping. I’m sorry. Are you feeling okay?」

「Yes, I’m fine. Thank you for the generous offer.」

「I apologize for taking up your precious time. I sincerely wish you good health.」

「No, thank you. Take care.」

「Oh, and if your circumstances or thoughts change later, please feel free to contact this number anytime. I’ll be waiting.」

Even until the end, they couldn’t let go of their lingering attachment, which made me feel a little guilty.

The smartphone that had been buzzing incessantly finally fell silent.

It felt as though the conversation just now had been a dream.

Caught in the lingering emotion, I scrolled through the text messages exchanged earlier for a long time.

***

「Let me get straight to the point. If you are not currently affiliated with or planning to join a team, could we have a constructive conversation about joining ours?」

「No matter your current circumstances, if you sign with GRS, we will provide a professional translator and a dedicated team of specialists, including a physician, who will reside at the team’s accommodation and care for you 24/7.」

「As you probably already know, GRS is one of China’s premier organizations, achieving the remarkable feat of securing second place in the recent Red Cup by outperforming top-tier teams.」

「Of course, we are not satisfied with this result. While second place in the Red Cup is undoubtedly a great achievement, GRS is always aiming for the championship.」

***

「Therefore, we are confident.」

***

「If you join us, we believe we can claim the Red Cup championship next year.」

「As for the salary, considering your potential concerns about working abroad, we are willing to offer up to 600 million won.」

***

「This amount is post-tax, and all taxes incurred in China will be borne by the organization.」

「Additionally, performance bonuses will be paid separately from the base salary of 600 million won, depending on results.」

「We can confidently say that such exceptional conditions cannot be found anywhere domestically or internationally.」

「Oh, and if your situation or thoughts change later, please don’t hesitate to contact this number. I’ll be waiting.」

As I kept reading the messages repeatedly, I lay back down on the bed.

“…What am I doing right now?”

I recognized this feeling.

It was regret.

A lingering feeling born from the fear that I might have just let go of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that might never come again.

“If only you had contacted me a little earlier…”

I couldn’t help but make such a meaningless assumption, feeling a deep sense of regret.

At the same time, I felt gratitude toward the GRS team and Coach Jang Seokhwan, who approached me without prejudice for the first time.

I still remember.

When they first learned about me, I remember the way they reacted.

“Ah. We understand Eugene’s will, but as you know, being a pro isn’t just about skill. You need to have basic stamina to participate in team scrims, there are competition schedules to follow…”

“I’m sorry, but we’ve already signed with a new player.”

“I hope we’ll meet again if fate allows.”

That’s why,

Unlike the other teams I had been with, GRS broke the prejudice and came to me first. I am so grateful.

Thank you, thank you again.

‘This must be fate.’

But instead of that…

If one day, by chance, we meet again on a big stage.

“At that time, I’ll go easy on you.”

I made that promise to myself.

In Beijing, China, at the GRS accommodation.

GRS’s mid-laner, Li Zhixuan, questioned his ears upon hearing Coach Jang Seokhwan’s words.

“What did you say?”

“…There was no choice. He’s got little time left, what could I do?”

If Jang Seokhwan had really wanted to, he would have made a more aggressive and assertive move to recruit him, but he wasn’t the kind of person to push that far, especially not for someone who was soon to die.

Above all, Coach Jang Seokhwan himself had some doubts about recruiting Eugene.

Of course, he knew Eugene was a talented amateur and that his recent form had been exceptional.

But was it worth carrying all this risk and spending the money it would take to develop a few promising young players?

Coach Jang Seokhwan had fundamental doubts about that part.

Li Zhixuan sighed deeply at Coach Jang Seokhwan’s words.

This wasn’t part of his plan.

Li Zhixuan had thought that, with Eugene, they could win the next Red Cup.

How could they not recognize such a gem?

It seemed that there were only fools in Korea.

…He thought to himself.

But then, something unexpected happened.

The best treatment, the best conditions.

To fail to recruit despite offering all of that?

The person they were dealing with wasn’t someone who had no intention of turning professional.

Even though Eugene’s illness was discovered later, he had definitely shown an intention to debut as a professional.

‘How incompetent.’

Now, he was beginning to doubt Coach Jang Seokhwan’s abilities, someone he had always trusted without question.

“Why are you so obsessed with Eugene? He’s just an amateur.”

“Rainbow, Yoon Ki Doo, they were all amateurs at first too.”

Of course, in the case of those two, they stood out shortly after starting their careers as amateurs and quickly joined SY, the best esports team in Korea at the time.

They were players who became a hot topic in the Korean esports scene.

In contrast, Eugene had been active in the game for such a long time that, considering when he started, he could be considered a first-generation gamer in Korea.

There was a stark difference between the two cases, making them hard to compare, but Coach Jang Seokhwan didn’t argue.

“Eugene has that kind of value. Do you think a GRS coach wouldn’t know that?”

“I understand your feelings, but it’s too late now. Forget about Eugene.”

Li Zhixuan fell silent for a moment, then spoke with a firm resolve.

“…I’m going to Korea.”

“What? Are you planning to meet Eugene? No, that’s not right.”

“Of course not. I’m not that extreme. The next World Championship will be held in Korea, right? It’s more like a training camp.”

“The season’s about to start… It’s impossible. The coach won’t allow it either.”

“You don’t have to worry about that. I’ll speak to the coach myself.”

At those words, Coach Jang Seokhwan was left speechless.

Li Zhixuan saying he would talk to the coach himself meant he was going to use outside influence, not as a player.

Li Zhixuan, the mid-laner who led China to a Red Cup runner-up finish despite always being outplayed by Korea.

With the solid backing of the prestigious GRS sponsor.

No matter how much they respected him by calling him “coach” every day, Li Zhixuan’s standing in GRS was absolute.

“…Alright. But I’ll go with you to Korea. And you need to be back a week before the season starts. Understand?”

“Don’t worry about it.”

A small smile appeared on Li Zhixuan’s face.

How long had I been lying down?

“Ugh.”

I felt like the day was already over due to everything that happened right after I woke up, but technically, the day had just begun.

‘Let’s eat something.’

I opened the door and walked into the living room, where the familiar morning scene unfolded.

It was a bit empty, but still comforting.

My father and brother had gone to work and school, and my mother, who had become much busier recently, left early.

In the past, it was rare to be alone at home, but lately, it had become quite common.

After I became a woman, one of the first things my mother did was stop hiring a housekeeper.

Although this increased her burden with housework, my mother didn’t seem to care and only worried about me.

“What’s wrong with doing a little housework? You’re the most important to me.”

As I moved to the dining table, there was the usual simple breakfast and a note attached.

• The rice is in the rice cooker, and the stew is in the stone pot; heat it up before eating. Be careful with the stove, and put the dishes in the sink when you’re done.