As Min-jun left his university for the day, his thoughts were filled with the unknown journey that lay ahead. He had spent the past few days in a state of shock, trying to wrap his head around the life-altering events that had unfolded. Now, as he stood outside the university gates, his phone rang, and Mr. Park's name appeared on the screen.
Min-jun hesitated for a moment before answering, his voice tinged with curiosity. "Hello?"
Mr. Park's voice exuded a mix of anticipation and assurance as he greeted Min-jun. "I hope you've been enjoying these past few days, Min-jun. It's time to get down to business. Before you come to Reigns' headquarters, there's one more stop you need to make."
The mention of another stop heightened Min-jun's sense of intrigue. "Another stop? Where?"
Mr. Park explained, "You're going to meet the founders of 'Timeless Alchemy.' They want to brief you on your role and the tasks you'll be handling. Don't worry, a car is waiting for you outside your university to take you there."
Moments later, as Min-jun approached the university gate, his eyes fell upon a sleek black car that oozed luxury. The presence of the impeccably dressed man beside the vehicle piqued the curiosity of onlookers, creating a minor spectacle.
When the man beckoned Min-jun and gestured towards the car, he was met with a degree of astonishment from his fellow students. They exchanged hushed comments about the surprising scene unfolding before them. Soo-yeon, too, observed the commotion but dismissed the idea that it might be Min-jun, assuming it was merely a coincidence.
As Min-jun entered the waiting car, the suited driver treated him with a level of respect usually reserved for celebrities. The black-suited man opened the back door for Min-jun, allowing him to enter like a VIP. Then, the driver moved gracefully to his own door, getting behind the wheel, and the car set off.
Arriving at the headquarters of "Timeless Alchemy," Min-jun was met with an unexpected welcome. The driver handed him a custom-made mask, an exquisite replica of his in-game character's iconic mask. He explained that it was to become Min-jun's mask for the world outside, concealing his true identity as he embraced his role as Shadowflare.
As Min-jun got out of the car at "Timeless Alchemy" HQ, the driver approached him, and in a polite, professional tone, he introduced himself.
"Mr. Shadowflare, I'll be your driver from now on," he said, extending his hand. "You can call me Ji-hoon, and I'm not just your driver. I'll also be your assistant, as designated by the CEO of Timeless Alchemy."
Ji-hoon handed Min-jun a small card with his contact information, ensuring that Min-jun could reach him whenever needed. With this newfound support, Min-jun felt even more like a rising figure in the world of professional gaming and was ready to meet the founders to learn about his new responsibilities.
With the mask now a part of his identity, Min-jun stepped out of the car to a reception fit for a CEO or a renowned public figure. The employees of "Timeless Alchemy" were lined up to greet him in unison, their voices synchronized as they chanted, "Welcome, Mr. Shadowflare." Some displayed visible excitement, their faces reflecting their awe and admiration for the gaming legend. With his mask donned, Min-jun walked towards the founders' office, where he would embark on the next chapter of his remarkable journey.
As Min-jun entered the founders' office at Timeless Alchemy, he felt a blend of excitement and responsibility. The founders warmly greeted him and offered refreshments, but Min-jun politely declined. They wasted no time in explaining his new role.
First and foremost, Shadowflare was to become more than just a gamer; he was the face of Timeless Alchemy. He'd be involved in promotional photoshoots, video shoots, and advertisements, not only for the game but also for partnering companies. They assured him that he would receive a percentage of the profits generated from these ventures. Furthermore, his opinion would be valued in meetings about improving the game, given his extensive experience.
As the meeting concluded, Min-jun or Shadowflare was eager to begin this new journey, feeling that it was an exciting opportunity. The Timeless Alchemy founders shared the sentiment, expressing their desire for a long and fruitful partnership. He assured them that everything they had laid out aligned with his desires, including the mask designed to protect his identity.
Before Min-jun left the office, the founders reminded him about a crucial upcoming task. Over the weekend, he was scheduled to film an announcement video for their partnership. The video would be featured on their official channel and promoted across various media platforms. They were confident that this announcement would create a significant impact and leave the gaming community in awe. It was yet another exciting challenge in this new chapter of Min-jun's life.
Leaving the office, he was greeted by enthusiastic Timeless Alchemy employees, all eager for autographs and questions. While Min-jun was initially hesitant to speak without his in-game voice changing, his assistant informed him about a button on the mask that allowed him to alter his voice. With this newfound ability, he thanked the crowd, signed autographs, and interacted with fans.
However, as more and more people gathered, it became overwhelming. His assistant intervened, clearing a path for Min-jun to make his way to the car. Inside the vehicle, he removed his mask and with a smile, instructed his assistant, "To Reigns HQ, please." The car smoothly drove off, taking him to the next chapter of his life, one filled with exciting opportunities, success, and new responsibilities.
After the warm welcome by Mr. Park at Reigns headquarters, Min-jun embarked on a tour of the facilities. He was shown the training grounds, the state-of-the-art equipment, and the dedicated spaces for strategy development. It was a world he had only seen from the outside, and now he was part of it.
Upon completing the tour, Mr. Park led Min-jun into a room where his new teammates awaited. There were two young men, Ji-ho and Tae-young, and two young women, Hye-jin and Ji-eun. Coach Yoo, an experienced eSports coach, was there as well.
Tensions rose when Ji-ho couldn't contain his frustration and questioned Min-jun's presence. He demanded to know which team Min-jun had previously played for and why they should accept him as their captain. The atmosphere grew heated, and Min-jun found himself at a loss for words.
Mr. Park stepped in, explaining that Min-jun had never been part of any team, but he saw potential in him. To settle the dispute, Mr. Park proposed a match between Ji-ho and Min-jun, urging Min-jun not to hold back. With the team watching, they engaged in a battle in the game.
In a matter of seconds, Min-jun displayed his extraordinary skills, leaving no doubt about his abilities. Ji-ho's pride took a hit as he lost and left the room in frustration.
Before Ji-ho's exit, one of the girls in the room, Hye-jin, broke the tension. She asked Mr. Park why they had never heard of such a talented gamer before. It was then that Mr. Park revealed the truth, shaking everyone in the room.
"Our Min-jun here is the legendary Shadowflare, the Dark Emperor of the gaming world."
Shock rippled through the room as the team members realized the gravity of their new captain's identity. The revelation left them in awe, and they couldn't believe they were now teammates with a legend like Shadowflare.
With the tension diffused and the team now aware of Min-jun's gaming legacy, they continued to converse, this time filled with newfound respect and excitement for their shared journey. It was a promising start to Min-jun's career with Reigns, and he couldn't help but look forward to the challenges and opportunities that lay ahead.
As the discussion concluded, Mr. Park shared some exciting news with the team. Reigns would soon face their rivals, Team Phoenix, in a charity match. Team Phoenix was led by the second-ranked player, Ji-hoon. This revelation added a new level of excitement to the room. Min-jun's status as the only one to have defeated the second-ranked player added a layer of anticipation to the upcoming match.
The team couldn't contain their enthusiasm. With Shadowflare as their captain, they believed they had a unique advantage against Team Phoenix. They were eager to train, practice, and refine their skills under their legendary leader.
Without hesitation, they turned to Coach Yoo, requesting to begin their training immediately. To their surprise, Min-jun, too, displayed a burning desire to join in. Despite just arriving, he was already eager to practice with the team.
The team's unity and Min-jun's determination fueled their resolve. Ji-hoon, who had been initially skeptical and resentful, now turned into one of Shadowflare's most ardent followers. Having experienced Min-jun's prowess firsthand during their game, he couldn't help but admire and respect their captain.
With the newfound camaraderie and a shared goal, Reigns embarked on their rigorous training sessions, determined to prepare for the upcoming charity match against their rivals, Team Phoenix, led by Ji-hoon. It was a promising start to their journey with Min-jun as their captain, and the excitement in the room was palpable as they began their intensive training regimen.