The match began with the team dropping into the battlefield, their virtual avatars ready for combat. Joon-ho could already feel the tension as Min-jae, true to form, charged ahead with reckless abandon, disregarding the strategy they had discussed. He sighed inwardly, knowing that trying to rein in Min-jae would only lead to further disruption.
As Min-jae plowed through the enemy lines, Joon-ho quickly sent out a voice call, directing it only to Soo-jin, Jin-kyong, and Baek-hyeon.
"Let's adapt to him. Follow his lead and cover him as best as we can."
"Got it, I'll keep an eye on his flanks and move in when he creates an opening," Soo-jin was the first to respond, her voice calm but resolute.
"I'll provide suppressive fire and try to pick off anyone he leaves behind," Jin-kyong chimed in next, her tone slightly sceptical but willing to give it a shot.
"I'll stay back and support with spells. I'll try to cover any gaps," Baek-hyeon hesitated, but after a moment, he nodded, even if they couldn't see it.
With their new strategy set, they moved in tandem with Min-jae's chaotic approach. It wasn't ideal, but as they worked together, they began to find a rhythm. Min-jae's aggression drew the enemy's attention, creating opportunities for Soo-jin to engage in close combat, while Jin-kyong's precise shots took out threats from a distance. Baek-hyeon, though still nervous, managed to land some critical spells that turned the tide of smaller skirmishes.
Despite Min-jae's reckless manoeuvres, the team found themselves making progress. Joon-ho, leading from the rear, made quick decisions to fill in the gaps that Min-jae's unpredictable moves left. There were still moments of frustration—Min-jae charging into fights that could have been avoided, forcing the team into tight spots—but overall, they managed to turn what could have been a disaster into a surprisingly effective strategy.
As the match neared its end, Joon-ho couldn't help but feel a glimmer of hope. They were making it work, even if it wasn't in the way they had originally planned. And while Min-jae still operated in his world, the rest of the team was beginning to adapt, finding ways to support his impulsive style rather than being derailed by it.
As the match ended, the team logged out of NexaRealm, their avatars dissolving back into the virtual ether. Joon-ho leaned back in his chair, rubbing his temples as the others gathered around him in the training room. The match had been a victory but felt hollow, a win borne of sheer luck rather than skill.
"This isn't sustainable," Soo-jin voiced what everyone was thinking, her tone laced with frustration. "We got through that match by the skin of our teeth. We can't keep playing like this."
"Yeah, we can't rely on luck every time. We need consistency, a plan that we can stick to," Jin-kyong nodded, her face serious.
"I struggled to keep up. I was casting spells on the fly, trying to cover Min-jae's gaps, but it felt chaotic… uncoordinated," Baek-hyeon, who had been quiet, finally spoke up.
Joon-ho sighed, understanding their concerns all too well. The lack of a solid plan meant they were always reacting instead of controlling the game's flow. Min-jae's unpredictable behavirur forced them into constant improvisation, making it impossible to build any sort of rhythm or strategy. While they managed to win, the victory felt more like a fluke than a testament to their abilities.
"We can't keep doing this," Joon-ho admitted. "If we keep depending on luck, it's just a matter of time before it runs out. We need a plan that we can follow, one that accounts for the worst-case scenarios."
"So how do we address the Min-jae problem? We can't keep adapting to his whims. We need him to be on the same page as the rest of us," Soo-jin crossed her arms, her eyes narrowing as she thought.
"Easier said than done," Jin-kyong muttered. "He's got a big ego, and from what I've seen, he doesn't take orders well."
"Maybe we don't need him to take orders," Joon-ho mused, an idea forming in his mind. "What if we make him think the plan is his? If we can frame the strategy in a way that feeds into his ego, maybe he'll be more likely to stick to it."
"You think that'll work?" Baek-hyeon looked sceptical but intrigued.
"It's worth a shot," Joon-ho said. "We don't have many other options. If we can get him to buy into a plan, we might be able to find some middle ground between his aggressive style and the structure we need."
The team fell silent for a moment, considering the proposal. It was a gamble, but it might be their best chance to bring Min-jae into the fold without compromising the integrity of their gameplay.
"Alright," Soo-jin finally said, her voice resolute. "Let's figure out a way to make this work. We can't afford to let one person's unpredictability drag the whole team down. If we can get him to follow a plan—even if he thinks it's his idea—we might just be able to find that consistency we need."
After a gruelling day of training, the team felt the weight of exhaustion settling in. The room was filled with the soft hum of electronics and the low murmurs of their post-match discussion. Joon-ho could see it on their faces—everyone was drained, both mentally and physically.
"Alright," he said, breaking the silence. "I think we've pushed ourselves enough for today. Let's call it a day and get some rest. We still have one more day to practice before the instructors are back."
"Yeah, I'm beat. We're not going to make any progress if we're too tired to think straight," Soo-jin nodded in agreement, stretching her arms above her head.
"We've got a lot to figure out tomorrow. Let's hope a good night's sleep will help us come up with something," Jin-kyong stood up, rubbing her eyes.
"Do you have any ideas on how to deal with Min-jae? We can't afford to waste tomorrow's practice," Baek-hyeon, who had been quietly packing up his gear, looked over at Joon-ho.
"I'm working on it. We need to come up with a plan that'll keep him engaged but also allow us to maintain some structure. I'll think about it tonight," Joon-ho sighed, running a hand through his hair.
"Good luck," Soo-jin said with a tired smile. "We're counting on you."
As the team packed up and prepared to leave, Joon-ho lingered for a moment, watching his friends file out of the room. He knew they were depending on him to find a solution, but the challenge seemed daunting. Min-jae's unpredictable and ego-driven playstyle had thrown a wrench into their plans, and they couldn't afford to let it drag them down.
Walking out into the cool evening air, Joon-ho felt the tension of the day slowly unwind from his shoulders. He knew he needed to rest, but his mind kept churning, searching for a way to integrate Min-jae into the team without sacrificing their cohesion.
As he made his way back to the dorms, Joon-ho resolved to spend some time tonight thinking through different strategies. Tomorrow would be their last chance to work out the kinks before the instructors returned, and he knew they had to make it count.
The night stretched ahead of him, full of possibilities and potential solutions. Joon-ho just had to find the right one.
Back in his room, Joon-ho sat down at his desk, staring at the laptop in front of him. The quiet hum of the building filled the space, a stark contrast to the intensity of the day's training. He began to search for notes, scribbling out ideas and strategies. He considered different approaches—whether they should try to rein Min-jae in, or if they could devise a way to use his unpredictability as a strength rather than a liability. The more he wrote, the more the challenge seemed to crystallize. It wasn't just about finding a tactical solution; it was about understanding how to work with someone who didn't see the game the same way they did.
As he brainstormed, his thoughts kept returning to what he knew about Min-jae. He was undoubtedly talented, but his ego and impulsiveness were major obstacles. Joon-ho realized that if they were going to make any real progress, they needed to find a way to communicate with Min-jae on his level. He remembered how Tae-young had been handled in other teams—by allowing him freedom within a structure that still supported the team's overall goals. Maybe that was the key. They needed to give Min-jae a role that played to his strengths but also made it clear that he was part of something larger.
By the time Joon-ho finally set his pen down, he felt a little more hopeful. Tomorrow, he'd bring these ideas to the team and see if they could work something out. It was their last day to practice before the real challenges began, and they couldn't afford to waste it. As he prepared for bed, Joon-ho knew that tomorrow would be crucial—not just for their training, but for the future of their team. They had to find a way to turn their chaotic, frustrating experience into something that could lead them to victory.