Beeeeep!

The moment the end of the match was announced, the five people, including me, gasped and stared at each other from our respective positions.

“Gasp. Gasp...”

“Sigh.”

“...s.h.i.+t.”

“It's already over.”

“......”

Michael of the United States, Zhen Sulong of China, Torres of Spain, and finally the British big-nosed person called David. They were all those with the power of a constellation.

...That British guy was someone I didn't expect. The ancient elf crown he wore gave him the ability to freely manipulate trees. As a result, we all formed relations.h.i.+ps where we had a natural enemy. My sun flames burned David's trees and Davdi's trees grew by absorbing Torres' water. Torres' water made Michael's sand heavy and Michael's sand repeatedly extinguished my fire. We kept each other in check, absorbed each other's powers, became stronger, and fought again.

Zhen Sulong was busy wandering here and there.

“...It seems the final decision needs to be made in the next match,” I told them as the oldest man present.

Then there was a message in front of me announcing the end of the match.

[The players have suffered.]

[You will be logged out after three seconds.]

[3, 2, 1...]

My vision turned white along with the message announcing the end of the match. I opened my eyes and saw darkness. There were constant cheers from outside.

“... I will become deaf.”

I took off the connection helmet on my head and brushed my hair. I fought a thrilling battle after a long time and my body was covered with sweat. I tied up my white hair with a rubber band in my pocket.

“...Hrmm.”

Several thoughts flashed through my head. The first thing to come to mind was my family. I was worried that they would be too surprised when watching the match. In particular, Mido had been deceived by me and might feel betrayed. Maybe she won't want to see me for a while.

“Ah, I don't know.”

First, I didn't regret this. My ident.i.ty had already been revealed and now various media and the world would pay attention to me. I was annoyed when I thought about how the reporters would be chasing me, but I could bear it for my granddaughter. It was because I was her grandfather.

“Groan.”

I pressed the b.u.t.ton located inside the capsule and went outside. At the same time, shouts poured out toward me.

Wahhhh!

Click! Click!

“......!”

I was amazed by the loud shout and almost collapsed. I staggered and slowly walked to the front of the stage. Every time I walked, there was a constant baptism of camera flashes.

“Umm.”

Now that I had adapted, I could deal with the reporters with a certain degree of calmness. The moment I fully appeared on the stage, crazy shouts came from all directions.

"Waaahhhhhhhh!"

“Dark Wolf!”

“Grandfather Choi Chuntaek!”

“You are really the best!”

“You're really cool!”

There was also thunderous applause. It was invisible, but it poured down toward me like endless rain. It was the first time I had ever experienced this rain, but it didn't feel as bad as I thought.

"Grandfather!"

A familiar warmth hugged my waist. I gently stroked Mido's hair as she buried her face in my chest. The two of us stood silently. Thus, we once again became prey for the hyenlike reporters.

Pang pang! Pang pang!

“Um, Mido. The reporters...”

“It's okay. Just a moment... just wait a moment...”

She strengthened her arms and hugged my waist strongly. My gaze alternated between her and the cameras of the reporters and I smiled with resignation. My arms patted her back.

*** 

At the VIP seats on the second floor of Union Square...

The Union officials and invited guests were immersed in a festive mood.

“Victory! We won! Hahaha!”

“We are number one. It is truly amazing!”

“No way, I didn't know that Dark Wolf was Korean!”

“Team Leader Yoo here put in a lot of effort to scout him.”

Lee Seokjun turned over the merit to Yoo Minseok with a kind smile. Yoo Minseok simply smiled and bowed politely to the people sitting here. Among them was the current president of the Republic of Korea. He was called Kang Taesan.

“Well done. You should be treated as a hero of South Korea.”

Kang Taesan nodded vigorously as he watched the scene unfolding on the stage in front of him with fierce patriotism. It was a scene where generous praise and applause was poured toward Choi Chuntaek holding the microphone. At this moment, Choi Chuntaek touched the microphone and silence fell in the stadium. His voice filled the stadium.

-h.e.l.lo, I am Choi Chuntaek.

Wahhhhhhh!

The shouts lasted for five seconds. Choi Chuntaek simply raised one hand to calm the audience. Then he continued speaking, -As many of you know, I am Dark Wolf. In fact, I wasn't going to appear today. I broke that promise. The reason I came here is due to my granddaughter here.

Then there was the scene of the audience shouting Choi Mido's name. Choi Chuntaek raised his hand again to calm the audience.

-There are many wolf-like guys here targeting my granddaughter.

Laughter burst out from the audience seats.

Choi Chuntaek continued, -In fact, I am burdened by your interest. After this, the reporters will probably chase me and my granddaughter like stalkers. However, I won't tolerate it. It is because this is my personality.

This time, laughter broke out even in the VIP seats. Choi Chuntaek's words were also an indirect warning to the reporters.

Kang Taesan asked Yoo Minseok, who was standing next to him, “Are the reporters chasing him a lot?”

“Ah, yes. In fact, there was an incident where some reporters were beaten and logged out of the game by him.”

“Ah, is that so?” Kang Taesan looked at Yoo Minseok with a surprised expression.

“Reporters can't even go around the city he built. He doesn't like revealing his ident.i.ty. It took tremendous courage for him to reveal his face like this.”

“Umm, he is the one who established South Korea's status so we can't make him uncomfortable. Chief Secretary-nim.”

“Yes.”

"Call the country's media right away and take action. There shouldn't be any inconvenience to his family, including him.”

“I will do so.”

The middle-aged man who was the chief secretary bowed his head and left. Yoo Minseok bowed to Kang Taesan. “Thank you, President-nim.” 

“You're welcome. It is nothing compared to his hard work. I watched a very pleasant match today. Hahaha.”

Kang Taesan laughed and looked down at the stage again.

Choi Chuntaek finished with a brief comment and returned to the waiting room with the Korean players. Meanwhile, there was one man watching like him with unusual eyes.

'...He is that person.' Chairman Lee Geonmyeong looked at Choi Chuntaek like a tiger looking at prey. 'I've finally found you.'

*** 

The Korean players, including Mido and I, arrived in the waiting room and shook hands. I shook hands with the captain Lim Changyong first and he told me, “Thank you for your hard work, Sunbae-nim.”

 “Sunbae-nim?”

“I saw you fighting and knew right away that you are our sunbae.”

“Umm, are you also UDT?'

“That's right, although I am discharged now.” 

Long words weren't necessary. I wasn't UDT, but I knew the place I used to be was the origin of UDT. I smiled slightly and continued, “Then it is a pleasure, Hoobae-nim.” 

Then I shook hands with Kim Cheol and Park Jangsoo. Then I saw Lim Sara, who I had met briefly in the waiting room.

“I really didn't know you were such a great person. I slightly misunderstood you... Haha, Mido's grandfather...” Lim Sara laughed and I smiled at her.

“It was natural since I went around wearing a strange mask.”

“Thank you for your understanding.”

Then I saw Kim Hyeonu and Eun Jeonghyeok. First, I held Kim Hyeonu's hand. It was full of strength.

“Hup.” The surprised Kim Hyeonu shook and made eye contact with me.

I whispered quietly in his ear, “It was nice to meet you in the hot springs.”

“Hiccup!"

Then I spoke loudly, “It is nice to meet you.”

“Ah, yes... Hiccup!”

Kim Hyeonu hiccuped while I shook Eun Jeonghyeok's hand. "I saw your game in the preliminaries. It was really impressive.”

“Oh, thank you for praising me!” Eun Jeonghyeok gave a glowing smile with his eyes that were s.h.i.+ning like lanterns. His play in the preliminaries was really impressive.

Finally, I looked at MIdo. I had talked with her a lot earlier, so Mido had a slightly different question. “Where did those uncles and the director go?”

“Those three probably won't show up.”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“Well, it just happened.” 

I decided not to talk about it because I thought it would only lower the morale of the young people in front of me. There was no need to say it. They would naturally find out tomorrow.

“By the way, we have to decide who will take part in the next match...”

I looked around and scratched my cheek slightly. “Can this old man partic.i.p.ate?”

“Of course.”

“It is an honor, Sunbae-nim!” 

“Please enter!”

Fortunately, they weren't displeased about me suddenly entering the team. We quickly picked 10 people to play the third match. In fact, nothing has changed much. Kim Donghyun and Han Sanghyuk were gone. I took one place and An Seunghyun, who wasn't able to partic.i.p.ate because of me, also joined. Now all that was left...

“Who will be the Joker?”

The attention of all the players focused on me when they heard Mido's question. The captain should be Lim Changyong. Why were they looking at me? Well, I was going to bring someone anyway. Yoo Minseok had helped me with the procedures.

“Cough.” I coughed slightly and looked at the clock in the waiting room. He had decided to come, so why was he so late? In any case, his habit of being late was still the same.

“Grandpa?”

I was awakened from my thoughts by Mido's call and I tried to speak, “In fact...”

Just then, I heard a sound from the hallway. The footsteps clearly stood in front of the door of the waiting room and the owner of the footsteps opened the door right away.

Creak.

The person who appeared was familiar to me and Mido.

“Am I late?”

It was an old gentleman in a brown suit and with white hair.

“You should've come here sooner. I should break your hand. Tsk.” I scolded him. 

“Then what should I use to wield my weapon? This friend.”

“Why don't you use your mouth?”

“I will fight well.” 

All the Korean players, except for me, once again had wide open mouths. It was a man who was famous in South Korea.

“It is nice to see everyone. I am his friend.”