[Breaking News] Dice Has Registered for Pre-selection, LOL
"Damn, Dice is ecstatic! LOL"
[All comnts] [Sorted by registration ti]
"Wow, two people on the first day? That's insane LOL."
"One of them even got through right in the first phase."
"You can’t even count Eugene in this LOL."
"If you're bringing in a human tank and they don’t make it past phase one, isn’t that a problem in itself? LOL."
"Last year, they made it to phase 4, but this year they’re just demolishing everything LOL."
"Is this guy injecting stimpacks into himself while gaming or what?"
"What’s a stimpack? Eugene is the stimpack LOL."
"He really learned well, didn’t he?"
"This is getting scary LOL."
"Eugene! Eugene! Eugene! Eugene! Eugene!"
"Yeah, but no matter how much you teach, only four people can make it through~"
"Can we just ditch that player quota for each country? We need more people, or everyone’s going to lose their cool in the finals."
"Then start by taking away the quota from South Arica and the third world LOL."
"North Arica, Europe, and Asia are the only relevant forces anyway. The urge to snatch more slots is real."
"Their performance is insane LOL."
"Was it three who made it to the finals last year?"
"Yeah, Dice, Summit, and Ink went."
"How co everyone but one is doing terribly this year LOL."
"What kind of performance do you expect when you’re getting steamrolled by a tank? LOL."
"Well, now that two have made it, more should start popping up soon."
"What are you talking about? KSM starts on day two LOL."
"Forget it, just give us the player interviews already."
"Calm down LOL. It’s the first day of KSM, buddy."
"How did they score over 70 points in the sixth ga, LOL?"
"Honestly, just push through the ones who deserve to advance."
[General] KSM’s First Day Was Packed LOL
"But why is Saturday already over? Stop lying! Don’t tell it’s true! We only have one more day of this weekend? How is sothing this fun only lasting two days? This can’t be real! Please say it’s not true!!!"
[All comnts] [Sorted by registration ti]
"I’m unemployed, so this doesn’t affect at all~~."
"LOL, look at these poor working folks."
"Working folks, yeah right LOL."
"Fact: even unemployed people are going to be depressed by the day after tomorrow."
"Wait...why are my eyes tearing up?"
"No one’s happy when KSM ends LOL."
"After the solo prelim rankings, at least we get to watch duo and squad prelim rankings, but after KSM, there’s nothing for a whole week LOL."
"Damn, this pisses off. I’m going on strike on Monday, peace out."
"Is the strike just you continuing your unemployed lifestyle? LOL."
"You had fun, didn’t you? Now go to bed LOL."
"Leftover chicken...lukewarm beer...a deep, silent night...and all alone in an empty room."
"AAAAAAH!"
"I’ll find you, I swear!!!!!"
"Why do you keep poking at my pain? Why do you keep doing it? Why do you keep doing it? Why do you keep doing it? Why do you keep doing it? Why do you keep doing it?"
"You bastard!!!!!!"
"Damn, that comnt really hit hard LOL."
"So many little devils here LOL."
"Now all you have is a bloated stomach, huh? Gonna lay in bed, watch the forum, and drift off to sleep, right?"
"Phew, reading this made feel better again LOL."
"Thanks!!!!!"
"This is the real deal LOL."
"How is chicken and beer a big deal? The real deal is stroking Eugene’s tail, you noobs."
"Agreed."
"LOL, you idiots."
"LOL, keep being depressed~. anwhile, I touched Eugene’s tail during the event match~. Gonna eat snacks and sleep in until 10 AM tomorrow~."
"Damn, I’m so jealous LOL."
"Did you just win the lottery LOL?"
"Why do you get to touch Eugene’s soft, moist, and silky tail!!!!!!"
"How’d you beat 200:1 odds, you absolute god LOL?"
"Damn, I want to try the event match at least onceㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ."
"Not happening for you LOL."
"When the room splits into five, you basically need to break through 1000:1 odds to get in with Eugene LOL."
"1000:1? Not even Google job applications get those numbers LOL."
"And even if you win, there’s no guarantee you’ll touch anything LOL."
"But since there are five rounds, the odds aren’t that bad."
"You gotta win the lottery before you even start talking about odds, you idiots LOL."
"For the next three rounds, I’ll pray every day just to et Eugene once ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ."
"Yeah, too, I’m in line for that."
"Pro tip: If you donate sothing weird in Eugene’s room, you might get a karate chop from Eugene."
"LOL, paying to increase your hate ter."
"That’s a bit much."
"That’s too far LOL."
[End of KSM’s First Saturday]
"It's late, Eugene."
"Ugh."
It was a deep Saturday night.
The first day of KSM was coming to an end.
"The night is deep, but the enthusiasm from everyone here is beyond hot. Isn’t that right?"
In response, the roar of millions filled the stadium. The thunderous sound was brief, and the host looked down at the audience, as if accustod to this.
The stadium was enormous, like an oversized soccer arena, with every inch of space filled with seats for viewers. In other words, everywhere you looked was packed with spectators.
Even the most experienced hosts, who had spoken before countless crowds, were overwheld by the sheer intensity.
"I’ve hosted events related to Dark Zone several tis now, but I’m always amazed at the passion that grows each year. The number of fans continues to increase exponentially."
The focus shifted from the audience to the 100 KSM participants. Each had different reactions—so waved to the crowd, others looked completely zoned out, while a few were deep in thought.
Regardless, it was ti to shift the topic.
"In addition, the AP soloing tournant level continues to amaze . Every year, we see incredibly skilled players participating in KSM, and I’m always shocked while watching the gas. At the sa ti, I feel relieved, thinking that Korea’s talent pool remains vast and its future bright."
But!
The mont the host shouted that, the atmosphere turned silent. A controlled mute effect was applied, creating a suspenseful pause. Even after the mute was lifted, the audience remained quiet, eager to hear what would be said next.
The host continued after a brief pause.
"Unfortunately, and sadly, 60 out of these participants will have to wait until next year, while those ranked 21st to 40th will remain on standby as reserves for unforeseen circumstances. Only twenty will be selected as national representatives, given the honor of competing on the global stage."
The mood beca subdued.
But with a simple gesture from the host, the background music shifted, swelling in intensity. It was a mont when the seeds of hope and excitent blood in the hearts of millions of viewers.
"However, I’m confident this year will be different. We will take a step further. A result never seen before is waiting for us! Because today, for the first ti in three years, we have a pre-selection in phase one!"
The atmosphere shifted.
As soon as the word “pre-selection” was ntioned, an image popped into everyone’s minds—though the person in question wore a slightly awkward expression as if unsure why everyone was so excited. And with that, the whole crowd began chanting a single na.
It wasn’t just the figure in the stadium. Across multiple sessions, millions of eyes were all focused on one person. While there was another pre-selected candidate from phase two, it didn’t matter—they were sitting right next to them.
As the host continued building up to bringing Eugene and Dice onto the stage, the two of them casually chatted, as if the entire world wasn’t watching.
"Why are they so excited?"
"Eugene really doesn’t seem like the type to enjoy all this attention. But then again, they’re a strear... Pick a lane, Eugene."
"Streaming seems like a two-way interaction, but it’s still one-sided in the end. Unless it’s a fan et-and-greet, it’s the sa thing. And in this case, it’s the latter."
"When you put it that way, it makes sense."
It wasn’t that hard to understand, but listening to such back-to-back blunt statents made the conversation feel a bit too intense. Or maybe Eugene just wasn’t great at handling embarrassnt.
Anyway, the mood was reaching its climax. Just as Dice tapped the armrest in preparation, the host’s voice bood, cutting through the noise.
"Let’s now welco today’s pre-selected players: South Korea’s national representatives, the independent player Eugene and SSM’s Dice!"
Before the roar of the crowd could hit like a sound bomb, the scene shifted, bright lights engulfed the view, and suddenly, both Eugene and Dice found themselves on stage next to the host.
The introductions continued—rcifully, the host refrained from ntioning any embarrassing nicknas. Instead, they focused on titles, such as Eugene’s role as South Korea’s AP soloing national representative.
Feeling the familiar weight of the microphone in my hand, I waited for the host to finish speaking. But the crowd’s cheers and applause kept pushing back the timing.
Who knows how much ti passed,
"Haha, with so many people chanting Eugene’s na, it's hard to even start the interview. Anyway, Eugene, congratulations on being selected as a national representative. Could you share your thoughts with us?"
I nodded slightly.
I hadn’t really prepared anything to say, but perhaps so people would prefer raw, unscripted words. Or maybe, I just couldn’t be bothered to plan a speech and was ready to say whatever ca to mind.
It was ti to start.
"Hmm, I only played four matches, but through this KSM, I gained a lot of unexpected and valuable experiences. Personally, it’s been a highly enriching ti."
"Haha, I see. But surely, these experiences must have been... well, unique?"
"I think you already have an idea. Sprinting across a collapsing mountainside, explosions on a cargo ship, everything engulfed in flas... I’ll stop there."
Though I caused so of it, most of what I was talking about involved Dice.
With Dice scratching her head awkwardly in the background, the conversation continued.
"Haha! Your sense of humor is as sharp as your skills. Let’s move on to the next question—Eugene, you’re known for dominating your opponents with overwhelming power. In combat, there must be countless variables. Could you share a bit of your secret to victory?"
"You have to think in every mont of combat. Force unfavorable situations on your opponent and block their tactical and strategic advantages. Confusing their hearing and sight is one of the most common ways to gain the upper hand."
"Ah, I see! So, it’s not just about pointing a gun at the enemy, but using a systematic approach to gain the advantage. Very insightful!"
Though I said that, I didn’t expect anyone to actually be able to replicate it.
The reason Dice grew so quickly was that I had arranged a portion of the countless combat records stored in the Icarus device and applied them to training in the shooting range.
The Icarus CQB-urban warfare manual, written with human blood as ink. In other words, it was a guide that far surpassed any existing manual, even those used by the U.S. military, based on extensive real-world experience.
It might sound impressive when said aloud, but replicating it was impossible without a massive amount of real-world combat experience.
"Due to ti constraints, this will be the last question. If possible, how far do you aim to go in this competition?"
"Hmm."
And without much thought, I opened my mouth.
"I heard the air at the top of Arica is exceptionally clear."
"Ah! Hahaha! That’s a very interesting way to put it! If things go as you wish, I imagine South Korea will be in for quite the surprise! Thank you so much, that was an incredibly enjoyable interview!"
With that, we shook hands, and the host moved toward Dice.
I couldn’t say what others thought, but to , it wasn’t a goal; it was an assignnt. Of course, to uncover the truth about this world and the Dark Zone, simply getting to Arica and the Icarus headquarters might suffice, but if I were to go, winning wouldn’t be a bad outco.
Even as the crowd showered with applause, my gaze was focused further ahead.
The night was growing deeper.
I felt a sense of relief, as though I had crossed sothing off my to-do list.
─Ding!
-[Eugene: Although I didn’t review everything, I analyzed the strengths and weaknesses of this match.]
-[Eugene: We’ll have a debriefing session from 12 to 2 AM in real-world ti, so see you then.]
-[Eugene: Dice will also be joining ꒰◍ˊ◡ˋ꒱੭ु⁾⁾♡]
-[Attachnt: Debriefing File.pdf (50 pages)]
"Ugh..."
Still on stage, with the farewell speeches not yet concluded, Blooming, who had been watching Eugene and Dice’s interview, fainted right then and there.
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