Chapter 28: Contract and poison clause

Three hours ago, when Yoon Seo-ha had contacted him, Kim Hanseong felt like he was on top of the world.

Even if he took a slight loss on salary, considering the team’s popularity and potential, it was definitely a profit.

He thought that if he was lucky, he could make up for the loss by including conditions like participation in open season events in the contract.

‘…Is this a bug?’

Kim Hanseong stared blankly at the beautiful woman in front of him, or more precisely, at the woman who looked incredibly similar to Yoon Seo-ha, and the business card she handed him.

Daehan Law Firm, a large law firm that recently won a lawsuit against an American company, was known to everyone in Korea.

“Hello. I’m Kim Hanseong, the coach of a Korean second division pro team. May I ask your relationship…?”

He regained his composure, took out his business card, and asked about their relationship.

“I’m Seo-ha’s mother.”

Kim Hanseong had guessed they were related because of their resemblance, but he hadn’t imagined she was her parent.

She looked so young that he had thought they were sisters.

‘Anyway…’

Her parent is a lawyer at a large law firm, and her daughter is a talent that first division teams would covet once her age restriction is lifted.

He couldn’t help but wonder what kind of family this was.

But right now, the only important thing was recruiting Yoon Seo-ha.
Kim Hanseong pushed the other thoughts to the back of his mind and spoke.

“I think Para, Seo-ha, is an exceptionally talented player. That’s why our team is willing to offer her a salary comparable to a lower-tier first division player.”

The first division LCK and the second division CK were practically different leagues.

The highest salary in the second division was around 45 million won, while the lowest salary in the first division was 60 million won.

Offering a rookie who hadn’t even debuted a lower-tier first division salary was practically insane, but.

The woman brought up something more important.

“I understand that you highly value Seo-ha. However, aside from the salary and other matters, we have some minimum requirements.”

“What would those be?”

The woman took out a few sheets of paper from her bag and handed them to Kim Hanseong.

1. No dormitory living; Yoon Seo-ha must be picked up from her home in Incheon.

2. Except for match days, she must be able to focus on her studies.

3. If any player on the team approaches Yoon Seo-ha with romantic interest, that player’s contract will be immediately terminated with a penalty for breach of contract.

4. If there are days when she needs to travel to other regions, separate accommodation must be provided.

5. Personal security.

6. Yoon Seo-ha can opt out of advertisements and content, excluding matches, if she does not wish to participate.

‘All of this…?’

These were truly toxic clauses.

In a way, it showed confidence, a sense that she wouldn’t sign unless these rights were guaranteed.

Honestly, most of the clauses could be met with some effort, but the problem was clauses 3 and 6.

‘This is crazy…’

If any player on the team approaches Yoon Seo-ha with romantic interest, that player’s contract will be immediately terminated with a penalty for breach of contract.

It sounded easy on paper, but people’s hearts didn’t always listen to control.

Even celebrities dated secretly.
So, what about guys who were cooped up in a room playing games all day, living with a pretty girl their age?

It was hard to guarantee.

“If it’s too difficult, that’s fine.”

As Kim Hanseong reviewed the document with a sigh, the woman acted as if she didn’t care if he refused.

But Kim Hanseong was a veteran who had been in this field for decades; he wasn’t a rookie who would be overwhelmed by the atmosphere and sign an unfavorable contract.

“I have a question about clause 3.”

“What is it?”

“It says ‘approaches with romantic interest’.”

Kim Hanseong looked at Yoon Seo-ha and said.

“What if Seo-ha and the player have mutual feelings for each other?”

If it was one-sided, he could stop it as a coach for the sake of the team.

But if their feelings were mutual, it couldn’t be stopped.

To that question, Yoon Seo-ha answered as if it were obvious.

“Me? Don’t worry about that. If that happens, you can include a clause that I’ll forfeit my entire salary and play for free.”

Kim Hanseong was momentarily stunned by her answer.

Did she think that men in the pro gaming scene, especially in the second division, were beneath her?

At least, that’s how it sounded to Kim Hanseong.

“Alright. Then I also have a question about clause 6.”

“Please, go ahead.”

“As esports largely relies on sponsorships, there are sponsor advertisements and events throughout the year.”

As if she had been waiting for this, Yoon Seo-ha spoke.

“Who is Ark’s main sponsor right now?”

“Air Asia.”

Air Asia, a low-cost airline in South Korea, had been Ark’s main sponsor for two years.

“I’ll participate in the main sponsor’s advertisement and event once a year. For the rest, we’ll see.”

From Kim Hanseong’s perspective, that was a relief.

After all, advertisements with sponsors were only once a year, and events were just fan meetings during the off-season.

“Then let’s adjust the conditions.”

“Huh…? I can agree to all the conditions you presented here.”

“Those are the minimum requirements. Now, shall we discuss the salary and contract period?”

“As I mentioned, we can match the first division minimum salary of 60 million won.”

“Is the 60 million inclusive of incentives?”

“Incentives…?”

“I believe there are clauses regarding kill counts and game MVPs, are there not?”

This was a lawyer from a large law firm who did business with corporations; Kim Hanseong felt like he was looking at the devil.

“Then, may I ask when Seo-ha’s birthday is?”

“May 3rd.”

“Then…she can’t play in the Spring season, but she can play in the Summer season starting in June.”

“Is the age restriction based on the birthday?”

“Yes, it’s based on the legal age, so it has to be after the birthday.”

Kim Hanseong seized the moment when the woman was momentarily taken aback and presented the documents he had brought.

“The contract our team wants is a one-and-a-half-year contract.”

“One and a half years?”

“Yes, we are aiming for promotion this year. And we want Seo-ha to be with us in the first division as well.”

“Will the salary be frozen?”

“We can add an option for that, upon promotion, we will apply the first division minimum salary with incentives.”

“Hmm…I know esports is different from baseball, but this is a bit strange.”

The woman took out a pen and crossed out parts of the document.

“Let’s go with an option contract, but for half a year plus one year. The option will be exercised at the end of this season, at the player’s discretion.”

“Th-That’s…”

If they succeeded in getting promoted but Yoon Seo-ha, whom they intended to build around, left, it would be meaningless.

There was even a possibility of the worst-case scenario of being relegated right after promotion.

“We’re not such bad people. If the team shows genuine sincerity during the half-year, she is willing to stay.”

“…Really?”

“Yes, no matter how ruthless the world of contracts may seem, it’s still a world where people live.”

The woman took off her glasses and smiled.

“I think Ark could be a good team for Seo-ha, but what do you think, Coach?”

***

“Our daughter, you’re really a pro now?”

A few days later, after signing the revised contract, my mother smiled at me.

“There’s still half a year left, though.”

“I wish I could go see you every time, but I’m going to be busy again, which is a shame.”

“Just come on important days.”

“Important days?”

“Like the finals.”

“Oh, you’re already thinking you’ll make it to the finals?”

I took a sip of the chocolate frappuccino I had ordered in advance.

In my past life, I hated sweet things, but after becoming a woman, they became indispensable.

‘Why does he look like he’s seen a ghost?’

The Kim Hanseong I knew in my past life was someone who could be described as cold-blooded.

But it was strange to see him so intimidated, like a frightened puppy, whenever he met with my mother.

Moreover, as soon as the contract was over, he gathered his documents and left in a hurry, as if he were running away.

‘She is pretty.’

Of course, the coach was also a man, so it was understandable that he might act like that in front of a beautiful woman like my mother.

Anyway, I wondered what I should do during the remaining half a year.

Should I try to grow my stream more?

Or should I hang out with my friends since it might be difficult to meet them later?

Or should I just play games?

Nothing really appealed to me.

Even after returning home, I couldn’t think of anything I particularly wanted to do.

Lying in bed, staring blankly at the ceiling, I remembered that there was someone I could tell about joining the team.

[I got a team]

[Really?]

As soon as I sent a message to Choi Eunseo, I received a prompt reply, as always.

Did she just live with her phone in her hand?

I was pretty sure she was good at her studies too, so it was a bit puzzling, but I didn’t think too much of it.

[Where?]

[I can’t say where, but it’s a second division team]

[Because of the age restriction, right?]

[Yeah]

[I hope the Summer season starts soon! I’ll come to watch!]

****

Spring, which came as soon as winter ended, passed by in an instant.

It felt like I hadn’t done much, but it was finally June.

Today was my debut match.

It was my first time appearing in an official pro match, and my job was to make everyone remember me as a player.