Chapter 27: Not A Troll (2)

Lee Kyungbok unhesitatingly chose the character ‘Yami’.

[Welcome to the mysterious battlefield.]

With the system voice, his view changed. It was like an ancient ruin landscape, and there were dummies present ahead.

[A ninja named Yami, who has learned visions passed down from ancient times, based on the five elements…]

Meanwhile, a guide voice continued speaking. Lee Kyungbok quickly skipped it since he didn’t need to know the character settings for this AOS genre game.

Then, a table composed of 5x5 appeared at one side of the screen. On the left side vertically, it was divided by the Five Elements (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water), while horizontally across the top, it was separated into stages numbered from 1 to 5.

Each square contained images representing the jutsus Yami needed to learn.

-Already feeling dizzy ᄏᄏᄏ

-It’s not too late even now!

-I, I am furious…!

-Don’t run away! Face and fight me!

-Ahigo-nan!

-Stop making excuses ᄏᄏᄏ

In total, there were 25 jutsus. To master them, one had to memorize each sequence and practice forming the hand signs accurately. It was understandable why most viewers found this daunting.

However, Lee Kyungbok embraced the challenge.

“Let me concentrate for a moment.”

As he spoke:

[Broadcast title has been changed.]

[Why can’t Mystic achieve three consecutive wins against Yami?]

This indicated a notification of the title change.

Lee Kyungbok’s choice wasn’t his own.

–Editor… Did you see that?

–Haha! Haha! Haha!

–It’s definitely aggro now LMAO

–The cool kids must be freaking out, right?

–So Editor was one of us all along.

–Real cool kids wouldn’t get this reference, but Trot users know LMAO

–Oh haha, from now on, we’re BFFs with the editor.

Although viewers expressed their disapproval outwardly, they couldn’t hide their amusement.

Meanwhile, Lee Kyungbok quickly scanned the jutsu.

–Whoa… Joma’s eyes are spinning again.

–What’s going on? What is he implying?

–Is he trying to memorize it?!

–His eyes! Those eyes!

–Lol… Is he Cthulhu or something? Lol

If someone asked if he had a good memory, his answer would be no. If he did, studying wouldn’t have been such a chore for him. To be precise, Lee Kyungbok wasn’t actually memorizing anything.

It’s like someone is drawing each symbol inside my head.

His perception was registering the jutsus. The exact movements required to form each seal clearly popped into his mind. This sensation felt natural, as if he’d known them all along. It was akin to learning how to ride a bicycle—his muscles were retaining the knowledge rather than his brain.

“Yawn.”

“How many viewers are there now, over a thousand?”

“What’s going on here?”

“It’s Mirin, right? Picking Yami again?”

Thanks to the new title, more viewers started trickling in.

-LMAO! What’s this ‘Yami’s Three Consecutive Victories’ quest?

-Are you serious?

-Haha, it must be Cue Agent!

-Makes sense for a Cue Agent.

The new viewers quickly understood the situation after checking out the quest details. The quests of “Agent Q” were notoriously difficult.

“That’s good.”

Lee Kyungbok blinked several times and cleared his expression. This action led to numerous question marks appearing in the chat window.

-King level… LOL

-WTF happened?

-Did he just memorize everything from what we saw?

-Is he a collector of fishing hooks?

-Ha… He only focused on what was necessary.

-He’s amazing… LOL

His hands moved swiftly without any hesitation. As soon as one seal (印) was formed, it immediately transitioned into the next stage.

It was hard to believe this was his first time performing such movements. As he completed the jutsu, ancient characters inscribed on Yami’s uniform began to glow. The ground shook with brown flashes of light. With a loud rumble, an earth giant emerged and punched towards the dummy.

An asterisk appeared above its head upon impact, indicating that it had been stunned.

-?!?!?!

-Not fair;;

-Earth Giant Spell!

-WA! You know Thomas’ Earth Giant!

-Isn’t that level three for the ‘Earth’ attribute?

-To succeed at level three from the start…;;

The chat window couldn’t hide their astonishment. However, among them, the regular viewers quickly recovered from their shock.

-I guess this is another ‘Perfect’?

-Purple just went full Purple…

-Ha-ha-ha-ha! Q agent’s defeat is imminent!

-??? : Why not aim for a draw instead?

-This’ll be his third straight win with the invincibility buff ᄏᄏ

-Wow, over seventy-seven billion won!

The viewers already familiar with Purple knew what to expect from this brief demonstration alone.

“All right, prep complete! Let’s begin.”

Lee Kyungbok also felt no need for further practice. Confirming that he could activate the jutsu was enough for him. He promptly ended his training session and entered the main lobby. His next move was selecting ranked mode.

-Starting with ranked games?!

-Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha! Is he crazy?

-“Normal” mode? That’s not “perfect.”

-To avoid getting thrown under the bus, you gotta go ranked ᄏᄏᄏ

One viewer hit the nail on the head.

Given how things have been going, there’s a high chance my teammates would abandon me in a normal game.

Players tend not to take normal games seriously since they had relatively little to lose. The odds of securing cooperation were much higher with ranked matches.

However, what appeared next on the screen took everyone by surprise.

[Welcome to the new season!]

[Your placement evaluation will be based on your performance from the previous season.]

[PerfectPlay’s rank from the previous season is Bronze 0.]

Since this was his first time playing with this account, he had to undergo a placement evaluation, also known as “placement hell.”

“Oh, right. It’s been almost ten years, so I forgot.” Lee Kyungbok hadn’t anticipated this turn of events either, but it didn’t bother him.

“In fact, this works out better for us. My fellow team members should consider themselves lucky.”

In placement matches, it was harder to abandon the game mid-battle compared to regular ranked games.

–LMAOOOO

–How’re we gonna carry this?

–If you bail now, your MMR will plummet LMAO

–We’re lucky (or not)

The chat room lit up like a carnival knowing full well what awaited them. Had they been in Kyungbok’s shoes, their stomachs would’ve dropped, but since it wasn’t their problem…

Meanwhile, there came a thumping sound as he found a match. The screen flipped, and he arrived at the lobby. His teammates were represented by translucent shadow figures, along with those on the opposing team, while all available champions were listed before him.

[>Hello everyone!]

[>Nice to meet you!]

[>Please go easy on me, as this is my first time ಠ‿↼]

These messages popped up in the in-game chat.

–Starting off with pleasantries?

–Shouldn’t you pick Kalista for a placement match?

–Ahahaha, looks like I’m surrounded by noobs because it’s our first game ahaha

–True. They seem like complete newbies like Purple ahaha

-Lol, even Yami wouldn’t get flamed for this pick.

-Newbies are so cute

-I bet trolls were once like this…

The viewers seemed surprised by how polite the chat was. Lee Kyungbok chuckled and joined in.

[>Please select your champions first. I’ll choose last.]

One by one, his teammates picked their champions.

-Haha, mercy meta.

-They’re aiming for something here.

-Lol, trying to hide their crap picks

-Even noobs know Yami is trash.

-Fact: True.

Lee Kyungbok didn’t respond to the teasing in the chat. Eventually, both teams finished selecting their champions.

[>If you haven’t decided yet, what about support?]

[>Strengthening mid lane might be better. Plus, we can assist others if needed.]

[>That sounds good too.]

[>Want to try ADC even if it’s challenging? I’ll cover you ㅎㅎ]

The in-game chat continued scrolling.

Instead of replying, Lee Kyungbok selected Yami as his champion.

[>???]

[>Sir Play?]

[>Did you press the wrong button?]

[>Yami? What lane is Yami for?]

The confused team members’ messages turned the chat into a laughing frenzy.

-Team members King confused ᄏᄏᄏᄏ

-Yami-gate ᄏᄏᄏerding ᄏᄏline ᄏᄏᄏ

-Ignoring the existence of the jungle entirely ᄏᄏᄏ

-??? : You picked Kinggot though?

-Mirins so innocent ᄏᄏᄏ

-In a normal ranked game, he would’ve been terrifyingly aggressive

Lee Kyungbok smiled lightly and typed:

[>I’m a jungler.]

Simultaneously, he pressed ‘Ready.’

“The Purple Bus departs now. There are no exits!”

-LMAO, is this some urban legend?

-Passengers forced onto bus.

-???: What?! Let me off!

-Yo, Mirin! Purple storm bus incoming!

One of the main differences between Legend League, a PC-based game, and Mystic League, its virtual reality counterpart, was the absence of levels. In Legend League, players would steadily level up their champions by defeating minions and unlocking skills along a skill tree. However, in Mystic League, a player’s actual ability determined their effectiveness.

Hunting neutral monsters like creeps spawned from each team’s base or those found in the jungle served only to acquire items.

-No creep kills?

-Are you prepping for a gank already?

-Ah~ Purple, you’re so sneaky! Clever move!

This is why Lee Kyungbok had hidden himself in the bushes, waiting for the right moment.

[>What are you doing, Play?]

[>Oh… You messed up your first deployment…]

[>I told you just to stick to your lane.]

[>Let’s just focus on our own lanes for now.]

Naturally, his teammates weren’t too pleased with him, as the standard strategy was to concentrate on their respective lanes. However, Lee Kyungbok didn’t bother explaining himself.

“Luckily, since everyone is newbies, I don’t think we need specific orders.” He addressed the viewers while keeping one eye on the minimap at the corner of his screen.

Both teams were evenly positioned along the lanes.

-LMAO no one listens even if you give them orders

-WTF who cares about your orders?

-Don’t bully Purple!

-I think I know why the jungler disappeared based on this first-person view… LOL

The top lane was currently struggling. While Lee Kyungbok had gone into the jungle, two champions from the opposing team were guarding the top lane.

As such, his teammates were unable to stray far from their tower.

Is this it?!

Lee Kyungbok’s instincts flared as he sensed something ominous emanating from the opposing team’s champion Magnetcrank.

“Ahhhhh!”

Sure enough…

Magnetcrank shot out its mechanical arm and grabbed one of Kyungbok’s teammates, dragging him instantly toward the enemy champions.

In that moment, Lee Kyungbok burst forth from the bushes and swiftly formed hand signs.

“What…?!”

“Tree roots?!”

Roots emerged from the ground, entangling minions and two enemy champions. The jutsu he’d cast was Rank Four Nature: Wood, Wide Area Binding Skill.

-Nice!

-He’s so fast!

-Does he know all the elements by heart?

Viewers were astonished. Wasn’t he supposed to use only earth-based jutsus during training?

“Attack!” Lee Kyungbok instantly drew his katana and yelled at his teammate, who finally snapped out of it and swung his sword.

“Take this!”

But their opponent didn’t go down without a fight. The magnetic field emanating from Magnet Wrench sent the second player flying backward. Even restrained, the minion could still employ skills because being bound wasn’t the same as being stunned.

“Ahh!”

Had they been more composed, they might’ve avoided that attack, but it was a difficult maneuver for rookies. Lee Kyungbok frowned slightly.

Under normal circumstances, retreating and waiting for another opportunity would be the right call, but…

“This isn’t working. I’ll take care of them.”

Lee Kyungbok had other plans.

“Huh?”

“What?!”

“We should retreat!”

The situation took a sudden turn as soon as the tangled roots disappeared. Magnet Crank and the berserker Ralph simultaneously targeted Yami, filling his field of vision with a giant robotic arm and a massive axe.

“Oh no…!” The pushed-back team member inadvertently cried out loud. With Yami’s low stamina, those attacks alone would leave him on the brink of death, and he’d be finished off by the minions’ onslaught.

However, that didn’t happen.

With metallic clangs, both champions’ strikes were deflected, leaving them bewildered.

-Wow!

-He used Metal attribute?!?!

-머혀

-No way, did he time it perfectly?!

Lee Kyungbok had activated his survival jutsu, Metal Attribute, temporarily hardening his body.

Lee Kyungbok seized this fleeting opportunity and mercilessly attacked Ralph with his dual katana blades.

“Aargh!”

“What is going on…?!”

The two champions immediately retaliated, and minions rushed toward Lee Kyungbok. Had he been playing in the Legend League, he would’ve been killed instantly without any recourse, but this wasn’t a PC game controlled by a keyboard and mouse. The Mystic League was a virtual reality that responded to players’ movements.

“Huh…?” Lee Kyungbok evaded the incoming attacks from both champions, then leaped off a minion charging at him. Having replenished some chakra through basic melee strikes, he spun around while forming another jutsu. Symbols on his robes lit up once more, unleashing a massive blaze across the area.

[Perfect Play: Dodge]

[Perfect Play: Dynamic Rondo]

[Double Kill!]

The kill notifications popped up one after another.

Lee Kyungbok stood on the scorched earth, taking deep breaths.

LWhat is this? LOLLLL

LLOLLLLLL

LIs he Purple? Is he Purple? Is he Purple?!

LIf you have low HP, just avoid getting hit.

LHwadun?! Hwadun?!

LWh-wh-where’s he from?!

LHokage Punch! Hokage Punch! Hokage Punch!

The chat window exploded with messages.

Lee Kyungbok smiled faintly as he glanced at his bewildered teammate.

“I’ll take the top lane. I’m heading to another route.”

“What? Oh, sure…!”

Leaving him behind, Lee Kyungbok leaped back into the bushes.

“I’m starting to get the hang of it.” A grin spread across his face.

Lee Kyungbok’s playstyle could be summarized as relentless and unstoppable.

-Is Yami actually this good of a champ?

-I seriously, it’s trash.

-LOL! If we played Yami, our fingers would get tangled, and we’d lose for sure.

-Purple is moving like a ninja!

-Sorry, minasang, but Purple Death!

-Let’s kick him out!

The mood in the chat suddenly shifted thanks to Lee Kyungbok’s indiscriminate takedowns across all three lanes—top, mid, and bottom.

-What does he do for a living?

-Following you now with pleasure.

-Physical stats off the charts!

-He can dominate any champ at this level, right?

-Not only his physical stats, but his ganking timing was insane LOL

-Wow…this just shows how much the difference between junglers matters.

Naturally, new viewers who joined midway were curious about him. However, there were also some trolls Choi Byunghoon had been worried about.

-Trot users making too big a deal LOL

-To be honest, his physical stats are impressive, but it’s possible because everyone else is noobs

-LMAO once his rating goes up, he won’t be able to do this anymore

These trolls were trying to disrupt the positive mood of the stream, but Park Juhho, as Lee Kyungbok’s manager, didn’t bother reprimanding them. With new viewers constantly joining, it was tricky to monitor and control their comments. Additionally, the negative remarks easily got buried under the sea of praise.

-Haven’t subscribed to PurTube yet?

-Aha ha, not from Korea, I see.

-Thinking of him as Trot Choi should suffice LOL

-Trot Choi after only two weeks on air LMAO

-But seriously, though LOL

Lee Kyungbok’s performance was that impressive, making victory in the first game all but assured.

[The enemy has surrendered.]

[Victory!]

Lee Kyungbok blinked at the system announcement. “Huh? It’s already over?”

He hadn’t even reached the opponent’s base, yet the game had ended.

-33 kills already? A-already?!

-The opponent was just a newbie, a noob!

-Let’s stop this massacre…!

-It wasn’t node denial but node destruction LMAO

-Reason for surrender: Purple

Lee Kyungbok’s eyes widened as he checked his stats.

[Perfect Play – 33/0/4]

“Thirty-three kills? Wait, seriously? Did I kill that many…?”

His record showed thirty-three kills, zero deaths, and four assists. Luckily, his teammates had managed to secure four additional kills, although those would’ve been impossible without him. In essence, it could be considered thirty-seven kills total. Since they’d spent most of the game getting killed, their opponents were bound to tire out eventually.

“Oh geez, sorry if it felt like I hogged all the fun.” Lee Kyungbok chuckled awkwardly.

-LOL! That was awesome!

-There goes the killer grin again, huh?

-Knight! We’ve reached our destination, so please let us off!

-Over-speeding bus LOLLLL

-This bus can go from zero to sixty in one second

-Eeekkkk! Monster! Get out of our village!

As viewers continued their chatter, Kyungbok’s view flipped back to the lobby screen.

“Well, at least that first round was successful. Only two more rounds until quest completion!” Lee Kyungbok exclaimed with delight, and the chat window immediately flooded with laughter emojis.

-Q Agent watching this?

-At this point, even Q agent has to admit he sucks, right?

-LMAO He still hasn’t learned his lesson after getting crushed by Purple Physique

-He got too complacent, didn’t he?

Lee Kyungbok quickly shifted focus before the spam got out of hand.

“To be honest, though, it wasn’t what I expected for the first round. I wanted to try issuing some orders and maybe have a proper 1v1 match, but… Hmm, considering everyone is newbies, it couldn’t be helped.”

Fundamentally, the MOBA genre was not meant to be played solo. The main appeal lay in collaborating with teammates for victory. Instead, this game felt more like a stage to test individual champion abilities, without any 1v1 battles.

-Look, it’s your first match too;;

-Deceiving others comes naturally to you, huh?

-Ah, this is from ‘Perfect’s’ perspective.

-Is this newbie already max level or something?

“Oh please, I’m far from max level. My rating should have increased this time, so the next match should be even more interesting.”

Lee Kyungbok waved his hand and selected a ranked game.

“This time, let’s play properly.”

He hoped to encounter someone slightly better than himself.

Meanwhile, at Choi Byunghoon’s office studio…

“You saw that, right?” Choi Byunghoon looked back at Park Juhho with a smug smile. Despite his attempt to feign nonchalance, his dilated pupils gave him away.

“…I’ve heard he’s good, but I had no idea just how skilled he is.”

“I told you—he’s on another level! Kyungbok, man, it’s like he’s playing a completely different game.” Choi Byunghoon chuckled and began stretching his limbs.

“Well then, how many clips should we pull from this stream? I’ll start editing highlights, so keep an eye on the comments for me.”

“Sure thing.”

As Choi Byunghoon watched his friend nod in agreement, he grinned mischievously.

Ha, gotcha already, didn’t I? Honestly, anyone who isn’t impressed by what they just witnessed can’t be human.

He sat down at the editing computer with a grin and opened up one corner of his screen to monitor the stream. It wasn’t that he didn’t trust Park Juhho; rather, while his friend managed the chat, Choi Byunghoon planned to focus on capturing footage for highlights.

“…Huh?”

However, Choi Byunghoon couldn’t get started.

“What’s wrong?”

“No, hang on…” Park Juhho cocked his head. Was there something wrong with the broadcast?

It just shows the second match being made.

His question was soon answered.

“Oh shit!” Choi Byunghoon abruptly jumped out of his seat.

“What is it?”

“That guy! That’s him!”

“That guy?”

“That guy! You know, the one famous for playing games based on DNA levels with seven hundred thousand subscribers!”

“…And?”

“Ahhh! Watch some streams already!” Choi Byunghoon smacked his forehead out of frustration.

Kyungbok Genome was known as one of the top streamers who excelled at games involving DNA levels and had built up a huge following through his entertaining broadcasts.

“In any case, Kyungbok is scheduled to play against Kyungbok!”

The formidable opponent would be facing off against Lee Kyungbok.

“What?! Are you kidding me? How high is his MMR? Why is he here of all places?!”

On top of that, Kyungbok was ranked Platinum, which placed him fourth among players in the Mystic League.

A battle between Bronze (?) and Platinum—this unexpected match-up was about to commence.