Unstoppable Troll [MTL]

3

"Is LoL not fun anymore?"

Four years ago, after Jaehyuk announced his retirement as a pro gamer, the first person he faced was Seo Moonyoung, who was lying on the sofa in Jaehyuk's living room as if it were his own.

Seo Moonyoung is Jaehyuk's same-aged cousin and his best friend for 26 years. Since they were both born out of wedlock, they grew up as close as brothers, and that's why Seo Moonyoung knew everything about Jaehyuk. Whether it was Jaehyuk's game account password, his jinx, or the subtle changes in Jaehyuk's emotions, Seo Moonyoung knew it all.

That's why Seo Moonyoung was the first to discern the changes and understand why Jaehyuk retired.

"No."

"Then why did you retire?"

Nevertheless, Seo Moonyoung feigned ignorance and believed it would be preferable to hear the reason directly from Jaehyuk. There was no significant reason for Jaehyuk to retire from professional gaming and start broadcasting on YouTube.

"Just because..."

It wasn't because the game wasn't fun anymore, and there wasn't any opposition in the family. Rather, Jaehyuk's father, who used to preach out, "Anything you're good at, contributes to your happiness," recognizing that his son had a talent for games, had silently supported and encouraged his son from behind, proud of his son's exceptional leadership skills in the game.

"it's not fun anymore."

"I see."

Others who overheard their conversation might not have grasped it immediately. However, Seo Moonyoung comprehended Jaehyuk's response right away and nodded. He speculated that the issue might not have been the game itself, but rather the profession, individuals, and players that surrounds Jaehyuk.

And that was exactly the right answer.

Even before winning the LOL Championship, Jaehyuk had started to feel increasingly disillusioned with being a professional gamer. Becoming a pro gamer was about being exceptionally good at and passionate about games more than others, so they're being able to make a career out of it.

It was initially rewarding and fulfilling to represent the country and bring home trophies, but at some point, he began to feel a deep sense of disillusionment with the reality of just boasting about trophies, rather than worrying about the stress and pressure that usually players feel.

Jaehyuk competed as a professional gamer representing his country, but he didn't reap anything from it, and the pressure placed on the players was immense. People claimed that their country could easily secure first place, but that was not the case. While they disparaged gaming, asserting it wasn't a sport, their hypocritical attitude deeply drove him crazy.

Jaehyuk didn't pay much attention to the double standard directed at himself, but he was infuriated by those who used him as a standard to belittled and compared other players. As the leader of the team, Jaehyuk led the players, they trusted and followed him, but they all gradually fell apart because of Jaehyuk...

'How can Ha Jaehyuk win even when he's not in good condition?'

'Why are his teammates so lackluster?'

'If these loser can be on the national representative team, then I can join the national team too.'

'Ha Jaehyuk is doing well even when he's not in good condition, but why are his teammates who should be in good condition performing so poorly?'

Ultimately, all team members except for Jaehyuk left one by one. The gaming clubhouse didn't make an effort to retain them, believing that Jaehyuk was the only essential member. They saw him as a one-man army and continually recruit new players to replace those unimportant players.