The Korean SC Pro League runs from January to November each year, with a total of eight participating teams.

The tournament is divided into the regular season and the postseason, with the structure as follows:

1. Regular Season: Consists of four rounds. Each round is divided into a full league phase and a playoff phase.

• Full League: Each of the eight teams competes against one another once, earning points based on their rankings.
• Round Playoffs: The top four teams of the round compete in a tournament, with the champion earning 40 points and the runner-up earning 10 points.

2. Postseason: The four teams with the highest total points across all four rounds compete to determine the ultimate champion.

And as of May 20, 2020, the Round 3 Playoff Finals had arrived.

The match was between MBS and CT.

With this match, the Pro League would be taking a break for a while, as the World SC Grand Prix and the transfer season were approaching.

MBS had to win this match.

After three rounds, MBS ranked 7th out of the eight teams.

To escape the lower ranks, they absolutely needed to win the Round 3 Playoffs and secure the 40 points.

“MBS has been struggling all year. I suppose the poor team atmosphere is the cause.”

The spectator stands were packed with over 2,000 fans.

Seated in the royal section, Lee Shin intently watched the massive screen displaying the arena.

He had come to watch in disguise, covering his face with a mask and a cap.

He wanted to see MBS’s condition firsthand.

Of course, he could have simply bought an online ticket and watched over the internet, but he wanted to feel the electric atmosphere of the stadium in person.

“So MBS’s slump is because Shin Ji-ho is throwing off the team’s rhythm, and their recent improvement in Round 3 is thanks to his revived performance? Manager Bang Jin-ho must have a headache.”

Just then, the large screen displayed the players entering the stage.

"Waaaah!"

"Waaaah!"

"Let’s go, MBS!"

"Go CT!"

The fans erupted into cheers. Some had come wearing team jerseys, waving signs in support, while others enjoyed the match as couples.

Lee Shin smiled.

“The stadium is as exciting as ever.”

Seeing the players appear on the massive screen, he felt a pang of envy.

He was a greedy man.

He wanted the cheers and enthusiasm of the crowd all for himself. Even after shining for four years, his thirst had not been quenched.

“Someday, I’ll be back up there…”

Lee Shin reaffirmed his determination.

- “Hello, everyone! Welcome to the 2020 SC Korea Pro League Round 3 Playoff Finals! I’m your caster, Lee Byeong-cheol!”

- “And I’m analyst Jeong Seung-tae.”

- “The team that needs this win the most is MBS, correct?”

- “That’s right. MBS struggled throughout Rounds 1 and 2, barely managing to recover in Round 3. You could say their resurgence is entirely thanks to their ace, Shin Ji-ho, who has carried the team by himself.”

- “Shin Ji-ho is truly proving his worth as the ace!”

- “Indeed. The summer transfer window is about to open, and with Shin Ji-ho’s contract ending, MBS will have to do everything in their power to keep him.”

- “Several teams have their eyes on him, right?”

- “Yes. Any team looking to reinforce their top-tier lineup is watching Shin Ji-ho closely. MBS must be desperate.”

As the caster and analyst continued their discussion, Lee Shin focused on the large screen. The match bracket was now being displayed.

Meanwhile, the women seated next to him kept stealing glances in his direction.

“Isn't that Lee Shin oppa?”

“I can’t tell because of the mask.”

“But the eyes, nose, that flawless white skin, and even his proportions—it’s definitely Lee Shin oppa.”

They weren’t just ordinary eSports fans.

They were members of Lee Shin’s fan cafe, ‘Lee Shin Sect’!

And not just casual members who only lurked online, but the truly devoted ‘fanatics’ who actively participated.

“Wait, aren’t those black jeans and that V-neck the ones we gifted him?”

Years ago, there had been a famous anecdote about Lee Shin.

- “You seem to wear the same clothes often. Is there a reason for that?”

“I don’t want to waste time shopping.”

- “But you could just buy clothes from an online store.”

“I don’t want to waste time installing ActiveX.”

Wasting time on fashion? That was unthinkable.

The majority of Lee Shin Sect members, who were female fans, had been utterly shocked.

As soon as that interview aired, the fan cafe bombarded him with gifts—from clothes to shoes, sending him entire wardrobes.

Lee Shin had no issue wearing those gifts, making his fans incredibly happy. Every time he appeared in an outfit they had sent, they felt a deep sense of fulfillment.

“Let’s ask him directly.”

Pretending to take a selfie, they snapped a picture of Lee Shin in his cap and mask. Then, they immediately uploaded it to the Lee Shin Sect cafe with a question.

[Title: Could this be Lee Shin oppa?]

[Content: I’m at the Gangnam eSports stadium right now. I’m not sure, but doesn’t this look like Lee Shin oppa?]

As soon as the post went up, real-time comments flooded in.

[OMG, this is huge! That’s definitely Lee Shin oppa!]

[That slouched posture, crossed legs, and the way he rests his chin—classic Lee Shin oppa.]

[There was a time when everyone in the cafe copied that pose. It was so annoying! Every guy in the community was sitting like that back then. Anyway, seeing him naturally like this, I’m sure it’s him.]

[His proportions are so unreal. Look how effortlessly he crosses his legs. It has to be him!]

[Check his right hand. If he’s flicking his index finger, it’s 100% Lee Shin oppa.]

[Are those Dolce & Gabbana pants? Those are the ones we sent him, right?]

[Yeah, yeah, they’re definitely Dolce.]

[And the Valentino sneakers? We gifted those too! I’m so touched he actually wears them. ㅠㅠ]

[The official list of clothing offerings from Lee Shin Sect is pinned in the ‘Lee Shin Fashion’ board.]

[Oppa ㅠㅠ!! You said you’re at the Gangnam stadium, right?!]

[OMG, this is insane!]

[I’m heading there now! It’s only 30 minutes from my place!]

[So jealous. ㅠㅠ I’m all the way in Jeonju. ㅠㅠ]

[I’m in Busan. ㅠㅠ If I catch the KTX now, do you think I can make it in time?]

[Is Lee Shin Sect mobilizing? LOL]

The fan cafe immediately exploded with chaos. Fans near Gangnam were all frantically announcing their intent to rush to the scene.

The women sitting next to Lee Shin, having confirmed his identity, looked dazed.

“Oh my god, it’s really him. What do we do…?”

“His wrist was injured, right? Is he okay?”

“I want to ask for an autograph, but he’d probably find it annoying.”

“Isn’t it obvious from the fact that he came wearing a cap and mask? Let’s ask after the match.”

“Okay, okay.”

Whether he was aware of all this or not, Lee Shin remained entirely focused on the match that was about to begin.