Ranker's Return

Reina stopped in place when she read the static atmosphere that flowed.

-Loool the timing of this appearance ㅋㅋㅋ

-Hurry up and sit down.

-The empty seat over there is your spot.

-As expected, it is best to talk in front of the person.

The timing of Reina’s appearance was perfect enough for the viewers to admit it.

“There is an empty seat here, so sit down.”

Mason pointed to the seat next to Hyeonu.

“Thank you.” Reina gladly sat down. She had intended to do this from the very beginning, right from the moment she opened the door.

“Reina, how are you these days?” Yeongchan took away the microphone that Hyeonu was holding and started streaming again.

“I’m too busy. I don’t even know how the days are going.”

“Are you busy?”

“I just had to play Arena when I was a pro gamer. Meanwhile, there is a lot more work than you think when being a streamer.” Reina sighed. If she had known she would be so busy, she would’ve prepared slowly before she retired. However, no one taught her about life after retirement.

-It is probably due to the increase in external activities.

-You also need to stream a lot more than before.

-She must’ve left the dorms, so she would’ve moved.

-She can’t help being busy. Mason just said it. There are frequent meetings due to work.

The viewers knew at one glance why Reina was so busy. Reina was retiring for the first time, but the viewers had seen a number of retired pro gamers. Unlike the days of a pro gamer when the team solved everything, the vast majority of retired pro gamers couldn’t come to their senses once they had to take care of themselves. The period was as short as one month, and in some cases, it stretched out for as long as three or four months.

-Where are you moving to? Is it still New York?

-Do you have any plans to post a video introducing your house to A-World?

-There is nowhere else to go except for New York, right? She is a New York native.

-Nike is also in New York. There is no need to go to another city.

Yeongchan glanced at the chat window and forwarded the most frequently seen question to Reina.

“I think people are wondering about Reina’s move. Can you give us a rough idea?” Yeongchan was being very careful. He had to be so. It was because Reina’s address could be leaked if he asked incorrectly.

“Ah, moving? I haven’t done it yet. I couldn’t decide where to go. I’m still staying at the accommodations of the New York Warriors.” Reina answered so coolly that Yeongchan’s cautious attitude was overshadowed.

-You are still at the accommodations?

-It has been a long time since the Spring League ended...

-You aren’t a streamer for the Warriors, right?

-Really, I know it came out.

Yeongchan held out his smartphone to Reina. The chat window was moving too quickly. It was better for Reina to see it and answer directly.

“I have a place, and I am going to move soon. In fact, that is why I prepared for today’s farewell party.”

-Don’t tell us where you are going.

-That’s right. Something strange might happen.

-Instead, you have to work hard when streaming.

“Thank you, everyone. I will stream harder once I move.” Reina smiled at the viewers’ concerns.

Clap!

Then Reina clapped like she just remembered something. It was what she heard when she first came in. She was curious about it.

“By the way, why did my name come up earlier?”

-Ah, that.

-Ask Mason.

-It was what Mason whispered into Alley Leader’s ear. That is why Reina was mentioned.

-By the way, he looked so serious. His expression was scary.

Reina’s head naturally turned toward Mason.

“Cough...” Mason couldn’t overcome Reina’s gaze and coughed repeatedly. Just then, the tightly closed door opened again, and a man entered.

“Everyone was here?” It was Kim Seokjung, who was smiling coolly while holding a coffee in one hand.

“The stream was turned on for a bit. Hyung-nim, please greet the fans.” Hyeonu got up from his seat and greeted Kim Seokjung. As Hyeonu stood up, so did the others.

“It has been a while.”

“You are still the same.”

Yeongchan and the others greeted Kim Seokjung.

“Yes, everyone looks good. It is nice to see the viewers as well.” Kim Seokjung greeted them by waving the hand that wasn’t holding the coffee. Then he waved to the camera.

-Hyung-nim, nice to see you.

-I’m sad because you haven’t been streaming these days.

-I’m also curious about what type of place the Holy Kingdom is.

-Are there many quests there?

-Are you done with your fifth class advancement? I’m curious about that as well.

Kim Seokjung—no, to be precise, the executives of New World hadn’t turned on their live streams for more than a week. Even before that, they only carried out content like the arena because they were in the Holy Kingdom. In other words, the Holy Kingdom was still an unknown land for viewers.

“I can’t say since it is a secret... The live stream will be turned on in a few days. Just wait for it.” Kim Seokjung scratched the back of his head with an awkward expression.

His inability to stream was entirely his fault. He might’ve encountered an accident, but he was hit too hard. Now was the time to fix it.

-I’ll be waiting for you.

-Let’s go the Holy Kingdom!!!

-Let’s go the fifth class advancement!!!

-A-World isn’t much fun without Hyung-nim. Come back soon, and give me a show.

The viewers didn’t know this and just wanted Kim Seokjung and New World to return.

‘Um... There are too many people...’ Yeongchan looked around the room. There were a total of six people in the live stream, including himself. It was a number that was too burdensome to hold a talk without proper preparations.

‘It is time to start the farewell party...’

“I’m sorry to the viewers, but I think I can’t stream any longer due to the time and the number of people gathering.” Yeongchan made a bold decision. He hadn’t streamed for a long time, but he decided to end it here.

-Ah, it is too bad.

-Still, it was nice to see this combination since it has been a while.

-I wish you could do a bit more...

-I’m glad you turned it on. I thought you were taking a break since you said you were going to the United States.

The viewers expressed their regret, but they respected Yeongchan’s choice. However, some viewers persistently dug their teeth into Hyeonu.

-No, so what was said about Reina earlier?

-What were you talking about?

-Alley Leader and Mason should answer quickly.

However, there was no one to answer. Hyeonu had already been dragged out by Kim Seokjung, and Mason also left the room while talking to Reina.

***

Reina’s farewell party was smaller than expected.

There weren’t that many people, and the location wasn’t a hotel or city center. The farewell party was held in the suburbs of New York, where the New York Warriors’ accommodations were located.

“It is quiet and nice.”

“Yes, the yard is spacious and the atmosphere is good.”

Yeongchan and Hyeonu admired the wide yard where the farewell party was arranged. There was a comfort here that couldn’t be felt from the city center.

“Should I move out? I don’t think I necessarily need to live in Gangnam,” Hyeonu murmured after looking around for a while.

“Moving? You?” Yeongchan asked with a surprised expression. He never dreamed that Hyeonu would say this.

“I thought you would live with me for the rest of your life... Have you grown up now? Or...” Yeongchan’s eyes narrowed. “Do you have a woman? Huh? Do you just need privacy?”

At the same time, an evil aura appeared in his eyes.

“I was just saying maybe. Stop talking nonsense.” Hyeonu lightly hit the back of Yeongchan’s head. He didn’t mean to actually do it. The officetel where he lived now wasn’t uncomfortable.

‘If I think about many different things, this is much better.’

It was close to his parents’ house and had many amenities around it. He had no desire to give up on all of this and move to a secluded suburb.

“Hyeonu, are you going to move too?” Reina made the same expression that Yeongchan made a little while ago.

“No, I don’t intend to do so. I’m going to continue to live where I used to live. It is close to the fitness area, the kids’ accommodations, and the downtown area. Do I really need to move?” Hyeonu shook his head.

“I’m glad.” Reina sighed with relief. If Hyeonu moved out, it was likely that all the efforts she made so far would be in vain.

“You’re glad?” Hyeonu cocked his head when he heard Reina’s words that came out inadvertently.

“Ah... That...” Reina stuttered in a flustered manner.

Then someone appeared to help her. “I’m glad to hear that, this guy. Is it easy to move? Indeed, it is easy for you. You will just drag your suitcase in. What would you know?”

This time, it was Yeongchan who hit Hyeonu in the back of the head. It was filled with a lot of power as if he was repaying what he had already suffered.

“I mean, moving is very hard work. You have to look around until you find a house that you like. However, you also have to meet the conditions. Then is it over? No, you need to do interior decorating and clean up. You can only move your luggage after that. Do you understand?” Yeongchan shot quick-fire words at Hyeonu while quickly winking at Reina at the same time.

Reina responded by raising his thumb.

‘Thank you.’

Reina couldn’t understand what Yeongchan was saying because it was too quick, but she knew that Hyeonu’s attention had been diverted.

“By the way, isn’t it a farewell party today? It just looks like dinner?” Hyeonu quickly changed the subject. It was a trick in order to not hear any more nagging from Yeongchan.

“It is that type of atmosphere. It has been quite a while since I’ve left the team.”

“I guess so. If you are still sad, the team itself will have problems.”

“They are all strong friends. They are also friends who should do well.”

Hyeonu and Reina continued to exchange words. Yeongchan sensed that the conversation between the two of them was deepening, so he left first.

***

The morning after the farewell party.

Hyeonu finished preparing to return to South Korea and visited Yeongchan in the next room.

“You go alone,” Yeongchan told him.

“What? I should go by myself?”

“I don’t know about you, but I rarely get a chance to come here. So when I come here, I have to gain as much as possible.”

Yeongchan had visited Mason and asked him for a favor when Hyeonu was talking to Reina. He asked if it was okay to stream inside Nike Management.

“I also have an interview with Junggu hyung-him. I’ve contacted the New York Warriors. It went well, and I think we will be doing a joint stream.”

Based on this schedule, he had to stay in New York for at least two or three more days.

‘I have to go first.’ Hyeonu immediately agreed. It couldn’t be helped. Yeongchan wasn’t staying behind to play; it was to work. There was nothing more for Hyeonu to say.

“I’ll go alone.” Hyeonu closed Yeongchan’s door and dragged his suitcase out.

A vehicle heading to the airport was already waiting outside for him. He couldn’t relax any longer.

“You can give me the suitcase.”

As Hyeonu emerged from the hotel lobby with his suitcase, a hotel employee came out and took Hyeonu’s suitcase, loading it in the trunk of the waiting vehicle.

“Thank you.” Hyeonu thanked the employee and opened the door to the back seat. Then he stiffened.

“Why aren’t you riding in it? Get in the car. We are going to be late for the flight.” Reina was in the car.

“Uh... I got it.” Hyeonu was pressured by the vigor that Reina exuded, so he got into the car and closed the door.