Past Life Returner

“Seung-Hyun, did you invest in stocks or not? ”

“It was rising so fast that it was scary. Why?”

“No, nothing. You did well…”

The coach’s back as he was leaving looked somewhat gloomy. It was the opposite of the cheerful appearance he had shown consistently until yesterday. A teammate next to him shook his head at Seung-Hyun.

“Maybe the coach is considering jumping into the Han River.”

“Hey, don’t even joke about that! You should not say that. What do you mean by ‘jumping into the Han River jump?’”

The teammate switched the monitor screen without responding.

「 [Morning Market] Frenzied Plunge! KOSPI starts at -18% 」

“It’s frightening… It’s at minus twenty-one percent now. Good thing you didn’t invest.”

“Still, compared to how much it rose, it’s not that significant, is it?”

“The problem is how far it will fall.”

“Who knows, it might rise again tomorrow. Anyway, let’s not get involved. If you get in now, you won't even be able to sleep. But speaking of which, how is Butler?”

Seung-Hyun switched the screen to Butler's recent game. Undoubtedly, the most important thing wasn't something like stocks. Just like a nuclear bomb exploding in the world stock market, a similar event was unfolding in the world of pro gamers, where Seung-Hyun lived.

About a month ago, an unidentified gamer named Butler appeared for the first time. His appearance was indeed explosive.

It was a common belief in the industry that the top lane didn't influence the game's outcome as much as other lanes did. However, it was different for him. Not only did he possess tremendous physical skills, but his insight and broad view of the battlefield were also remarkable, as if he had an actual supporter next to him.

It was not about an in-game supporter. Unless people assumed he had a collaborator helping him with map reading and strategy, it was hard to comprehend his amazing plays.

Butler was known as an aggressive player, and he had no choice because he enjoyed fighting. He tended to initiate small skirmishes and grew by using the spilled blood during those times as nutrients. That was Butler’s play style.

However, once he finished growing, his play style changed drastically. Surprisingly, he became more rational and played to win. Though he could show off his skills, he even demonstrated sacrificial plays that were unseen in solo-ranked games, not to mention professional matches. In other words, he was not only aggressive but also stable. He had mastered how to win.

Therefore, it was not unreasonable for pro teams worldwide to use his rank game plays as textbooks, especially for the top laner.

Meanwhile…he’s ranked third now.

The gap between Seung-Hyun and him had closed to a reachable distance.

***

Belonging to the challenger tier meant that each person there was exceptional. Most were not amateurs, and even those who were called amateurs were mostly retired professional gamers.

Seung-Hyun had played many games both as a teammate and opponent of Butler. The conclusion he reached was a strong belief that the team recruiting Butler would secure the trophy in the next world championship.

However, Seung-Hyun's true reason for wanting to recruit him wasn't for the trophy. One might daringly call it admiration. Just as many juniors had admired him, he finally found someone he admired.

When competing, he wished to wear the same uniform, and in daily life, he hoped to share the same office and studies. Seung-Hyun didn't care whether Butler was a foreigner, as rumored or not.

Ah, he ignored my message again.

As expected, there was no response today either.

Butler is…truly haughty. Amazing.

When he thought of Butler, he felt the same as on the days of victory, seeing Him with the ultimate heroes.

It was then one of his teammates casually said..

“He’s second, second place! Butler has moved up to second place right now. Only two games apart now. He might catch up within an hour?”

“How would I defend it? It’s not like I can only focus on ranking.”

“It's still your title. It’s too precious to just let it go.”

“Thanks for saying that, but everyone is probably waiting for Butler to take first place. Anyway, it’s just a two-game difference?”

That meant there was still a chance. Seung-Hyun immediately hit the start button. He didn’t intend to be on the same team as Butler and earn the same points. On the contrary, he hoped to be on the opposing team.

He had to win two consecutive games to rank first. But if he ended up playing one game on the opposite side of Butler, it became a title match for Butler and a defensive match for him. If Butler won, his rank would go up while Seung-Hyun's went down. It would be a symbolic game for both.

[ The game starts. ]

Yes! Butler!

His prayer was answered. Butler was on the opposing team.

[(All) o2_kuma: Farewell, Seung-Hyun~]

[(All) sword_star: Farewell, Seung-Hyun~]

[(All) tewon_gumon: Farewell, senior Seung-Hyun~]

[(All) tewon_grab: Farewell, Seung-Hyun~]

The opposing team, which was blessed with the god of victory, was already noisy. Butler, of course, remained silent.

[(All) tewon_grab: Now that I think about it, it’s a defensive game for Seung-Hyun. Good luck~ lol]

Seung-Hyun responded.

[(All) jeonil_road: butler. This is your championship game.]

Let’s fight with all we have.

[(All) jeonil_road: Let's fight as hard as we can.]

Then, something that no one expected happened.

[(All) gamer_butler: ok.]

Huh?

[(All) sword_star: !Butler spoke!]

[(All) o2_kuma: I’m thrilled. It’s an honor, Butler!]

Butler...

Seung-Hyun blinked rapidly. No matter how many times he looked at the chat, Butler was the one who sent the text. He had tried to initiate conversation countless times but never received a response until now. Though it was a simple ‘ok,’ it was enough. Seung-Hyun could feel his heart pounding while feeling overwhelmed.

[(All) jeonil_road: I'll be the winner.]

[(All) gamer_butler: as long as you can.]

As long as you can...? Cool!

***

Seung-Hyun gave his best, as if he was participating in the world championship finals, fighting for the trophy in the last game.

[Defeat]

But indeed, Butler was Butler. Now Seung-Hyun could confidently say that Butler was the best in the world!

Seung-Hyun recalled the old days before he became a professional. It was the nights he spent awake when he achieved the first rank as an amateur. He defeated famous pros and finally saw his username at the very top. It brought joy as if he owned the world, but at the same time, a sense of emptiness.

Looking back, he mainly felt, “What now?”That was why he turned professional and aimed for the world championship trophy.

Now it was Butler's turn. Seung-Hyun, who had represented his era, had become the old generation, and a new one had emerged. Now, it was Butler's turn to walk the path Seung-Hyun had walked.

Butler couldn’t remain an amateur forever with such skills. The stage of true pros was a different game. Seung-Hyun wanted to share the joy, sorrow, ecstasy, and frustration he had felt on that stage with Butler. Certainly, Butler would soon experience the same emotions, the emptiness that comes with reaching the end.

You are the champion now.

[(All) jeonil_road: Now, you're the champion. You’re number one.]

But that's not the end.

[(All) jeonil_road: But that is not all.]

A new world is waiting for you.

[(All) jeonil_road: A new world awaits you. It’s time to go to the real world.]

Come with me.

[(All) jeonil_road: Come with me.]

Seung-Hyun poured out the words he had been harboring in his heart. However, Butler maintained silence. The chatter of their fellow players who had played with them was all there was.

When Butler eventually left, Seung-Hyun honestly almost cried. He didn’t know why. Some emotion welled up, making his eyes hot. Seung-Hyun sat there, completely dazed. He remembered his classmate he had had a crush on since high school, and the day when he gathered the courage to confess and got rejected became increasingly vivid. Back then, there were only two worlds for him when he was young. The game and his classmate.

He felt someone's gaze from the side. Feeling awkward for some reason, Seung-Hyun grumbled back, “What are you looking at? I told you, even I am no match for Butler.”

Of course, he said this without looking in that direction, covering his eyes with one hand.

“No, not that. It’s Butler.”

“What about him?”

“No, it’s Butler. Look.”

The teammate pointed at Seung-Hyun's monitor with his chin. Only then did Seung-Hyun notice a message he got.

[gamer_butler has sent a friend request.]

It was as soon as Seung-Hyun accepted the friend request.

[gamer_butler: It's not finished yet.]

It's not over yet?

[gamer_butler has created a custom battlefield.]

[gamer_butler has invited you. (custom battlefield)]

Seung-Hyun knew even without checking. Right now, Butler was suggesting to have a one-to-one battle without other teammates. Just the two of them.