TN: The prologue takes place in a competitive online game, where players must win ranked matches to climb tiers. So expect in-game banter before the story shifts to the main plot in Chapter 1.
killNyang (Beritz Kring): If we win, we hit silver.
killNyang (Beritz Kring): This is irritating.
Life is a tragedy when viewed from afar and a comedy when up close. As if my life wasn t hard enough, the people here make it even worse. Ten seconds in, and this is the atmosphere? It gives me chills.
[All] HiksSaveMe (Callen): Guys, our mid-lane has two wins.
[All] HiksSaveMe (Callen): Are you in a promotion match too?
[All] killNyang (Beritz Kring): Yeah, we are. Our mid has two wins too.
In the middle of this chaos, I found a comrade. Even with the exact same two wins. They say the end of a season feels like the end of the world, and it really does. I had to make it through before the tragic finale. Postponing the promotion match due to work led to this mess.
[All] Park Yujin (Malang Kai): Gather in mid-lane.
[All] Park Yujin (Malang Kai): Let s pick one worthy person.
[All] djajsltptkddp (Kaaktherin): Let s go, let s go, let s go!
The mid-lane became a gathering spot, and I hoped someone would cast the first skill. If just one person betrayed the group, it d be a great excuse to play fiercely.
But against my expectations, all eight players truly gathered in mid-lane. No one made the first move.
These bastards. They only unite like this when it s inconvenient for me.
[All] Ping9Ping9 (Two Sets): Give me your reasons for wanting a promotion.
[All] Park Yujin (Malang Kai): We ll spare only one sincere player.
What a spectacle of the end times. I never imagined I d have to give a self-introduction here. Is this what it s come to? Something wells up inside me, but I can t let it out.
Today marks the 99th attempt. Damn it, my 99th silver promotion match. I ve failed 98 times. Always facing the so-called Gatekeepers.
Please, team. Let me escape bronze. How long do I have to listen to people call me an eternal bronze ? At least let me slap a silver badge on my name before I quit or do anything else.
[All] TeamHAJA (Hari): Smurf account here, good luck.
A rope of salvation descends. The opposing promotion player claims to be on a smurf account!
[All] killNyang (Beritz Kring): No way.
[All] Ping9Ping9 (Two Sets): Hari, What rank is your main account?
[All] TeamHAJA (Hari): Gold 3.
[All] Park Yujin (Malang Kai): LOL, what nonsense.
The response is enthusiastic. Maybe I can redirect their focus. It feels like they re trying to reduce the fun by calling out the lie.
[All] Park Yujin (Malang Kai): Hey, Opposing team, our Hari says it s a smurf. Let them stay in bronze.
[All] Ping9Ping9 (Two Sets): You believe that? Why would a gold-tier be here?
[All] killNyang (Beritz Kring): Lying adds to your guilt, you know.
There s hope. Yeah, 99 failed promotions is too much. Surely heaven will recognize this as unfair and grant me a break. Let me shake off the eternal bronze curse and breathe silver air for once.
[All] djajsltptkddp (Kaaktherin): Let s just go to our lanes.
[All] Park Yujin (Malang Kai): Agreed. Let s plan as we play.
The gatekeepers return to their roles. If only they d just focus on the game.
[All] Ping9Ping9 (Two Sets): Hey, mid-laner, say something. LOL.
[All] killNyang (Beritz Kring): How much are you willing to offer?
[All] killNyang (Beritz Kring): If you pay now, I ll play seriously.
Now I understand why Satan lost his job.
killNyang (Beritz Kring): No response?
- An ally has been slain -
[All] HiksSaveMe (Callen): Say something before you throw. At least we d know how to adjust.
- An enemy has been slain -
You die once, I die once. Tears almost come to my eyes in this harmonious exchange. How is it that getting promoted feels harder than finding a job? Is this game run by Satan?
[All] TeamHAJA (Hari): I m blocking everyone and focusing on the game.
The opposing team s player chose to block everyone. Whether that s wise or foolish, I can t say.
What followed was a dog-eat-dog game of death, where players fell one after another. Some were unhappy with Hari s attitude and began suggesting they drop the player.
The rest of the team seemed to be on board with the plan. At least, I tried to play along.
- An ally has been slain -
- An ally has been slain -
- Quadra Kill! -
But what the hell? Why is this game falling apart so fast?
[All] KarangKakakang (Naisa): Sorry, I ve got cram school in 20 minutes. Let s speed this up.
Is it a real cram school, or are they just pretending? At the very least, could they tell the truth?
[All] killNyang (Beritz Kring): Lord, we ve blocked one more today!
[All] Ping9Ping9 (Two Sets): Adding that to life achievements.
[All] Park Yujin (Malang Kai): Ha, easy win for us.
[All] KarangKakakang (Naisa): Sorry, SwagGod, my bad.
[All] TeamHAJA (Hari): Mid diff.
- Defeat! -
And just like that, the dream of silver shattered again.
- You failed your promotion -
I stared blankly at the screen for a moment before queuing up for another match. At this point, I wasn t even angry anymore. No laughter, either. Just... acceptance.
Might as well keep reading the novel I d started while the queue loads. …Damn it. Even here, it s all about measuring silver potential nonsense.
99 promotion failures. The 99th descent of the Silver Gatekeeper. I never dreamed that my one wish in life would become, getting to silver rank. Ha-ha. Damn it. You bastards.
…Damn it.
I d heard that the trend these days was to avoid reckless comments online. So, I didn t comment. I swear. I didn t even look at the comments section.
[Assessment Department Baek Seojin]
- The Third Eye is activated.
But why on earth did I end up possessing a character in this novel?