It was unexpected.

Manager Bang Jin-ho and Lee Shin were well-known rivals.

The professional league between pro teams followed a winning streak format, where the victorious player continued to compete against the next opponent.

In his debut year, Lee Shin came out as the vanguard and single-handedly defeated all five players of the MBS team, achieving his first all-kill.

Then, in an interview, he said it wasn’t particularly difficult, which infuriated Manager Bang Jin-ho.

'Lee Shin should start by learning how to show respect to his opponents.'

'I apologize. I was just being too honest.'

From then on, not only were Lee Shin and Bang Jin-ho rivals, but Lee Shin and the MBS team became one of the most famous feuds in Korean eSports.

Whenever they faced off, the main topic was always, "Will the MBS team finally get their revenge this time?"

'It was all for showmanship and entertainment, but the heated exchanges were real.'

So, it was quite a surprise that Manager Bang Jin-ho had come to visit him personally.

Knock, knock, knock.

Manager Bang Jin-ho knocked on the door. Lee Shin opened it.

Their eyes met.

Manager Bang Jin-ho was a man in his late thirties with a solid build, a well-groomed mustache, and a black suit that suited him perfectly.

Lee Shin, on the other hand, was a naturally handsome young man with a tall stature, well-balanced features, and flawless white skin.

Their rivalry—between the youthful beauty and the charming older man—was something that thrilled many female eSports fans. Pictures of them together were downloaded like crazy to be used as wallpapers.

"You look better than I expected."

"I haven’t been exposed to sunlight, so my skin hasn’t aged."

Only then did Manager Bang Jin-ho frown as he glanced around the dim room with its curtains drawn.

He strode in and yanked the curtains open.

The sudden flood of sunlight made Lee Shin squint slightly.

"You need to get some sunlight. Is this how a person should live?"

"I manage just fine."

"If you don’t see the sun, your mind gradually sinks into depression."

"I suppose so."

"......"

Lee Shin gestured toward the chair at his desk.

Manager Bang Jin-ho sat down, while Lee Shin perched on the edge of his bed.

"What brings you here?"

"I heard you’ve been holed up at home for half a year."

"Yes."

"You damn shut-in. I was waiting to see when you’d finally crawl out."

"I was wondering when at least one person would show up to check on me."

"Whose fault is that? Blame your own damn attitude. If you had been just a little friendlier, you’d have a truckload of people visiting you."

He had no argument against that. Lee Shin was brutally straightforward in everything.

"Friends—are those something you can eat?"

"You hardheaded punk."

Lee Shin chuckled softly.

"Look at your hand. How is it?"

At Manager Bang Jin-ho’s words, Lee Shin raised his right hand and gave a thumbs-up—then turned it downward.

It was the signature taunt he always did after achieving an all-kill.

"You little..."

Manager Bang Jin-ho scowled.

"At least I avoided becoming disabled."

"Can you handle daily life?"

"Yes."

"What about gaming?"

"As long as I don’t need intense controls, I can play leisurely."

"Can you continue your pro career?"

"Who knows."

Of course, he could, but Lee Shin evaded the question.

He wasn’t planning to return as a player just yet. It had been too long since he last played, and he needed time to adjust.

Rushing back only to fall to second-tier status and tarnish his past reputation wasn’t an option.

But suddenly, Lee Shin grabbed Manager Bang Jin-ho’s hand.

Startled, Manager Bang Jin-ho scowled.

"What the hell, punk?"

"Did you come here because you were worried about me?"

"Bullshit. Who’d worry about someone like you?"

[Lie.]

Lee Shin let out a crazed chuckle.

Manager Bang Jin-ho looked at him as if he were insane.

Manager Bang Jin-ho shook off his hand as if annoyed and asked,

"Do you have any plans for what you’re going to do?"

"I do."

"What is it?"

"Coach for the MBS team."

Manager Bang Jin-ho's face showed slight surprise.

Lee Shin was grinning.

For the first time in half a year, Lee Shin left his house alongside Manager Bang Jin-ho.

They visited the MBS team's operations office.

"Well, well, Lee Shin!"

A middle-aged man with a protruding belly greeted Lee Shin enthusiastically.

It was Park Sang-hyuk, the director of the MBS team.

"Nice to meet you."

"I’ve heard a lot about you. Ah, what happened was truly unfortunate."

"Thank you for your concern."

"The reason we called you here today is because of Manager Bang Jin-ho’s strong recommendation. Did you know that?"

"I didn’t."

Lee Shin stared directly at Manager Bang Jin-ho.

Manager Bang Jin-ho spoke.

"Lee Shin’s flashy control, multitasking, and physical prowess often overshadowed his strategic acumen, but he was also an outstanding strategist. I believe bringing him on as a coach would create great synergy for our players."

"Yes, yes. But how’s your hand?"

"It’s much better. I can use a mouse adequately."

"Adequately, huh?"

"Yes, adequately."

Director Park Sang-hyuk and Lee Shin locked eyes.

"Forgive me for asking, but is there any possibility of you returning as a player?"

"I’m not sure. I’ll have to observe my condition a bit more."

"Hmm…."

Director Park Sang-hyuk seemed to be lost in deep thought.

Lee Shin, leaning back on the sofa, made his own calculations.

'He's thinking about how much to offer. Since I haven’t completely ruled out a comeback, he must be conflicted.'

Lee Shin could see right through Director Park Sang-hyuk’s thoughts.

Using that as a basis, he calculated his expected salary.

Then, he casually stated,

"One hundred million won per year."

"What?"

At Director Park Sang-hyuk’s surprise, Lee Shin continued.

"One-year contract for one hundred million won. But make it a player-coach contract. If my performance is unsatisfactory, there will be no renewal."

"But one hundred million won is quite a lot for a coaching position…."

"Korea won three gold medals in the World SC Grand Prix. Who do those three belong to?"

"…Well, they’re yours, of course."

"And you're saying my experience isn’t worth one hundred million?"

As Lee Shin’s tone turned sharp, Director Park Sang-hyuk began to sweat.

"That’s not what I mean. It’s just that there’s no precedent for this, and we haven’t yet assessed your coaching capabilities…."

"How’s Shin Ji-ho doing these days?"

Lee Shin cut him off.

"Huh? Oh, Shin Ji-ho will be re-signing soon."

Shin Ji-ho was the star ace of the MBS team.

"Shin Ji-ho is infamous for his terrible personality. Since he finished as runner-up in the individual league’s latter half last year, he must be even more full of himself now."

"…"

Neither Director Park Sang-hyuk nor Manager Bang Jin-ho could say anything.

Because it was all true.

Shin Ji-ho was known for his constantly negative attitude. Ever since he placed second in the latter half of last year’s individual league, he had become even more unfiltered.

He openly badmouthed the team and other players, but as the team’s ace, they couldn’t simply get rid of him.

Lee Shin smirked coldly.

"You need someone who can keep Shin Ji-ho from poisoning the team’s atmosphere, don’t you? Personally, I don’t think someone like him would dare act up in front of me."