The Legends of Glory

Chapter 10: The Dual-Core Era (3)

Night fell, lanterns lit. Occasional sounds of fireworks and laughter echoed in the darkness.

Bang Shi-hyuk hadn't gone home for the New Year, instead simply organizing a dinner get-together in his Internet café. He thought that this was quite suitable – they could eat and drink their fill, and he could even play a few rounds of Glory with Jeon Jungkook.

"Let me use One Autumn Leaf, he can use..." Bang Shi-hyuk was trying to pick an account card for Jeon Jungkook to use. But the more he deliberated, the more discouraged he felt. Jeon Jungkook could use anything and he'd still win. Bang Shi-hyuk's skill wasn't even expert-level in-game; compared to a professional like Jeon Jungkook, he didn't have a chance. A brutally honest way of putting it: against Bang Shi-hyuk, Jeon Jungkook could use only one hand and it'd still be like cheating.

!!

"How come they're still not back?" Bang Shi-hyuk wondered, glancing at the clock. It was almost seven. Anxious, he peered out the window. Neither Jeon Jungkook nor Kim Jennie had cell phones, so he had no way of getting in contact with them.

They didn't run into trouble, did they?

As he wrung his hands in worry, there finally came a knock on the door. Bang Shi-hyuk dropped everything and hurried to open it.

Bang!

A loud sound, like a gunshot, followed by Kim Jennie's bright voice: "Happy New Year!"

"What's going on?" yelped Bang Shi-hyuk, staring at the opening of the paper tube pointed at him.

"The sound was a success, but the flowers..." Jeon Jungkook shook his head in disappointment, taking a drag of a cigarette as he walked in.

"What was that all about?" Bang Shi-hyuk was confused, and even after the two of them explained, he still didn't really see how this was exciting.

They really were still just kids! An adult like him couldn't find arts and crafts interesting.

"Come, let's eat!" he said. Last year, he had spent New Year with the two of them; this year was the same.

While they ate and chatted, the subject of discussion inevitably turned toward Glory.

"The Pro League has a bright future ahead," said Bang Shi-hyuk confidently.

"Let's hope so!" responded Jeon Jungkook.

"We need to keep up with the development of the League, so I've thought of our plans going forward," Bang Shi-hyuk continued, standing up and returning with a stack of papers and packets. He pulled out a few and tossed them in front of Jeon Jungkook. "These are especially for you."

Jeon Jungkook picked one up at random and began perusing it.

"Last year, in terms of competition, we undoubtedly succeeded – the championship is the best proof of that," said Bang Shi-hyuk. "But in other areas, our development is unimpressive. Tyranny is already making arrangements with sponsors and investment corporations, as is Blue Rain, and that Team Tiny Herb is arranging partnership deals. I've heard that even that new Team Hundred Blossoms is in talks for endorsement deals.

"We are the championship team! You are the strongest player in Glory. There are many who want to partner with us. So I was thinking, we have to seize these opportunities. You take a look at just those packets related to you, there's-"

"Brother Bang ." Jeon Jungkook cut him off abruptly, pushing the stack of papers back in front of Bang Shi-hyuk.

"I have no interest in any of this. I only want to play Glory."

Bang Shi-hyuk opened and closed his mouth a few times, but no sound came out. Finally, he spluttered, "But this... These will all help you greatly!" He hadn't thought that Jeon Jungkook would completely refuse like this, not even considering a single one.

"No need. From last season up to now, I never had any public appearances, and I don't want to participate in these sort of offstage activities. Sitting in front of a computer and playing Glory, that's enough for me."

"You... Why is this?" Bang Shi-hyuk didn't know what to do. Without Jeon Jungkook 's support, many of his plans would be impossible. After all, Jeon Jungkook was the pillar of Team Excellent Era!

"There are some complications..." said Jeon Jungkook . He looked almost as though he was about to say more, then stopped.

"No way to take care of them? What kind of complications? Say it, and we can figure something out!" Bang Shi-hyuk refused to give up.

"No, it's fine. Even without those complications, I really would not want to participate."

"...Alright," Bang Shi-hyuk finally said. "I respect your wishes, I'll think of other ways." His earlier enthusiastic ambition had turned to dejection quickly.

"I'm sorry, Brother Bang ," said Jeon Jungkook .

"Don't worry," said Bang Shi-hyuk, though his smile was somewhat forced. "If you ever need help with anything, let me know."

"We will." But Jeon Jungkook 's resolution didn't waver one bit.

The earlier festive atmosphere never found its way back. Bang Shi-hyuk made some efforts to be cheerful, but they could all tell that they were half-hearted. The minutes dragged by agonizingly slowly as they waited, until finally, they heard the clock strike midnight.

"Happy New Year!"

"Happy New Year!"

With that, this New Year's Eve dinner dispersed.

Jeon Jungkook and Kim Jennie walked along the streets. The sky was filled with bursts of light and color, while the roars of firecrackers filled the air.

"You don't want exposure, is it because you're scared your family will catch you and take you back home?" Kim Jennie almost had to shout to be heard over the noise.

"It's a possibility!" replied Jeon Jungkook , similarly loudly.

"Then this situation right now is pretty good," said Kim Jennie. Since she was little, she'd depended on her brother for everything, and she'd never wished for a "true" family before. She felt that as long there was one person by your side and neither of you bothered the other, then that was best.

"Yeah! It's pretty good." Jeon Jungkook reached over and rubbed the top of Kim Jennie's head.

"When I grow up, can I play Glory too?" she asked, suddenly.

"Sure! Come join Team Excellent Era," replied Jeon Jungkook .

"Mm," Kim Jennie nodded. That way, shethought, they could stay together.