Ex Rank Supporting Role’s Replay in a Prestigious School

Before the PlayerZ tournament, Yoo Sang-hoon was focused on practice.

Even without a tournament, Yoo Sang-hoon was so immersed in PlayerZ that he spent the entire summer break playing the game.
Of course, he still loved basketball, so he participated in the basketball team's training camp and attended group practices, but he decided to take a break just before the tournament.
Even though he had invested a lot of time in PlayerZ, Yoo Sang-hoon was not satisfied.

‘The practice time is lacking. Especially for the team competition.’
The PlayerZ World Championship was divided into two sections: individual and team competitions.
Originally, Yoo Sang-hoon had no intention of participating in the team competition unless he was with the team he usually played with—Jo Yi-shin, Jang Nam-wook, and Do Si-hoo—but after being encouraged by a user he had partied with a few times, he decided to join the team competition, thinking it might be fun.

The teammates in the team Yoo Sang-hoon chose were passionate about PlayerZ and loved the game, but they were not particularly good at it.
There were a few teammates with decent skills, but they didn’t have the time to dedicate all their efforts to the game.
‘The healer said he has to save his remaining vacation days for the finals, the mechanic said if he skips his family trip, he might break his leg, and the gunner said if he skips his academy, he’ll be kicked out of his house.’

Yoo Sang-hoon looked at the names of his teammates who were logged out on his friends list, feeling regret.
The preparation period for the World Championship and the tournament schedule were quite long, so this was an issue faced by every team.
Aside from students on vacation, the unemployed, full-time streamers, and some small business owners who had free time, most people couldn't dedicate everything to PlayerZ because of work or their everyday lives.

In fact, Yoo Sang-hoon thought it would have been impossible to train this hard if it weren’t for the summer break.
‘This World Championship is a kind of showcase. If it succeeds, sponsors will join, and the number of pro leagues, parent companies, and clubs will increase.’
Several scouting offers had already come to Yoo Sang-hoon.

Though it was an exaggeration to say there were many, the number of offers was equal to the number of clubs that would likely emerge.
Though he felt a little regret, Yoo Sang-hoon was driven by the thought that if he played well this time, he could create an environment where people could truly enjoy the game.
‘Watching the other participants play in this tournament, my Pljet has improved. I will definitely become a pro.’

Yoo Sang-hoon turned on his hologram.
The hologram displayed a gameplay video of DUSK, showcasing DUSK’s play.
This video wasn’t uploaded by DUSK himself, nor was it an official upload by SZ Games; it was a fan-made edit.
Since this was a fan-made edit, it included clips not only from the World Championship but also from personal streams.

The most notable scene was an acrobatic play shown on Yeom Jun-yeol's personal stream.
‘No matter how I look at it, this play style is different from usual.’
Yoo Sang-hoon, who didn’t neglect analyzing other players in addition to his own practice, knew well the kind of plays In Seon-oh had made so far.

It wasn’t uncommon for prominent gamers to showcase their secret picks and combos in actual play, but something felt off about it.
If it was a style he had been hiding, he wouldn’t have revealed it on a star player’s personal stream.
‘The way he fights reminds me of someone…’

Yoo Sang-hoon replayed in his head the many gameplay videos of users he had analyzed, but he couldn’t pinpoint anyone.
He wasn’t the type to drag out thoughts when the answer wasn’t clear, so he quickly stopped thinking about it.
After finishing the video, Yoo Sang-hoon tried to queue for a competitive match to practice for the individual tournament.

Just then, he felt a purposeful presence outside the door.
“Sang-hoon, eat dinner before you play.”
Yoo Sang-hee’s voice was heard.

She had mentioned attending a 100-day celebration today, and it seemed like she had just arrived.
Yoo Sang-hoon thought about when he last ate, then decided to get up.
He wasn’t particularly hungry due to his focus on the game, but if he skipped dinner and Yoo Sang-hee found out, it would be a hassle.

When Yoo Sang-hoon stepped outside, he spotted someone and made a displeased face.
“What’s this? Why is he here?”
“It’s because Do Won-woo gave me a ride. I thought it would be nice to have dinner, so I called him over.”

It was Do Won-woo.
Having just come from the celebration, as expected from the heir of a wealthy family, his outfit was impeccable, though his expression toward Yoo Sang-hee made him look like a fool.
When he glanced at Yoo Sang-hoon, he made a face that seemed like a former student council president of Eungwang High, but it didn’t look good.

‘It’s still daytime, and Yoo Sang-hee can handle herself, so why would he give her a ride and then try to get free dinner?’
Even though it was dinner time, the sun was still up since it was summer, and the days were long.
Moreover, Yoo Sang-hee could handle any enemy, no matter if it was day or night.

Had Do Won-woo not given her a ride and just gone to do his own thing, Yoo Sang-hoon would have been even more annoyed.
To be honest, Yoo Sang-hoon didn’t like anything Do Won-woo did because he had seen his bad behavior for years as a childhood friend.
Even if Do Won-woo was doing something now, it still made him uncomfortable.

“Sang-hoon, long time no see.”
“Long time no see? We saw each other last week.”
He was about to call him “brother-in-law” and return to his room, but unfortunately, Do Won-woo called him by his name.

Still, Yoo Sang-hoon sat down with a sigh, but Do Won-woo, unfazed, began setting the table.
Yoo Sang-hoon, showing his discomfort, took a seat, while Do Won-woo and Yoo Sang-hee prepared the dinner with ease.
Seeing that, Yoo Sang-hoon’s face contorted.

If he hadn’t known about Do Won-woo’s antics, he might have supported them as a couple, even though it made him feel conflicted.
It was clear they were getting along, and Do Won-woo seemed sincere. Moreover, Yoo Sang-hee was starting to show some affection for him, which made Yoo Sang-hoon uneasy.
“I wish Sang-hoon had come today. Yi-shin said he was disappointed not seeing you.”

At the mention of Jo Yi-shin, Yoo Sang-hoon fixed his gaze on Do Won-woo’s face.
Yoo Sang-hee cherished Jo Yi-shin as a junior, and Do Won-woo had become uglier because of that.
Yoo Sang-hoon was ready to say something if he showed any hint of bad attitude, but Do Won-woo’s reaction was unexpected.

“If you had come, I’m sure you and Yi-shin would have shown great teamwork during today’s dragon hunt.”
“Dragon hunt?”
Yoo Sang-hoon was planning to just listen to Do Won-woo, but he accidentally replied.

Yoo Sang-hoon could only think of Yong Je-gun when it came to dragons that a student from Eungwang High would hunt, and it turned out that way.
The commemorative photo with Yong Je-gun, tied to a pillar, looked more like a photo celebrating a successful dragon hunt than a 100-day celebration.
Yoo Sang-hoon listened attentively to Do Won-woo’s dragon hunting story, adding comments like “Did he really do that?” and “He used that?” every time a familiar name appeared.

Though they weren’t close yet, Yoo Sang-hoon and Do Won-woo were talking, and Yoo Sang-hee smiled happily at the sight.
‘Oh, right. Dusk’s combat style.’
While talking, Yoo Sang-hoon suddenly remembered what he had been thinking earlier.

Listening to the dragon hunt and sealing process made him realize something.
Dusk’s combat style was very similar to that individual.
That individual played as a support in PlayerZ, so it hadn’t been obvious at first.

But using oneself as a piece to recklessly yet decisively defeat the enemy was very similar.
‘It’s like In Seon-oh was referencing Jo Yi-shin’s combat style.’
After the 100-day celebration, there were some noticeable changes in the surroundings.

The most noticeable change was Kim Shin-rok’s attitude.
When he had been with the Hojo family, Kim Shin-rok had always stepped back or tried to leave quickly, but now he was actively changing.
His attitude toward me had also become more flexible.

“I received Jo Yi-shin’s gift well. I ended up throwing a thumbtack with its case at the dragon, so I was thinking of buying a new one, but this one works great.”
Did that happen?
There had probably been many similar incidents.

He might already have a thumbtack case he was using, but I had given him a new design to switch it up. I was glad that my gift selection had been a good one.
“And, um…”
Kim Shin-rok asked hesitantly.

“Can I call you casually? Jo Yi-shin is a benefactor to both me and the Hojo family, but since you are also a student at Eungwang High, you’re like one of my students.”
Kim Shin-rok had always spoken casually when he encountered me at school.
Even so, he had done so in a manner that ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) matched his disguised appearance, and outside of that, he always used formal speech.

I could feel the change in Kim Shin-rok’s attitude toward students.
I hadn’t heard exactly what he had talked about with Seong Guk-eon, but perhaps “treating students casually” was part of it.
“Yes, feel free to speak casually.”

“Yi-shin-ah.”
At my answer, Kim Shin-rok smiled brightly and called me by name.
It felt refreshing hearing him call me like that while showing his true self, with his left eye revealed.

Our peaceful conversation didn’t last long.
“Then, to mark this newfound comfort, let’s hear about that incident that happened that day!”
Yong Je-gun suddenly popped up.

Since the 100-day celebration, Yong Je-gun had been annoying Kim Shin-rok more than ever.
It was clear he had noticed the big change in his only close friend and was intent on not missing any of it.
Now, he was shamelessly intruding into the tiger’s lair and drinking tea.

“Get out.”
Kim Shin-rok pushed Yong Je-gun away as though shooing away a fly.
Naturally, I thought he would either dodge or not move at all, but Yong Je-gun staggered after being hit by Kim Shin-rok’s arm.

Seeing this, both Kim Shin-rok and I were a bit surprised, and Yong Je-gun rubbed his shoulder with a bitter tone.
He was wearing a short-sleeved shirt, and the sleeve had been rolled up, revealing a mark that looked like it had been tied with a rope.
I thought it wasn’t tied too tightly and that Yong Je-gun looked fine, so I was relieved, but it seemed that wasn’t the case.

“In fact, when I was tied to the pillar, it hurt a little… I hid it so as not to spoil the mood of the celebration, but it still hurts.”
After hearing Yong Je-gun’s words, both Kim Shin-rok and I didn’t know how to react.
His voice carried exhaustion and regret, and his red, irritated skin looked painful.

‘Should I ask Yoo Sang-hee or Li Wei to treat him? No, if Yong Je-gun is hurt, it would be better to have the Dragon King’s priestess treat him. Should I ask Cheongryong to include Yong Je-gun in the medicinal herbs he’s going to make for Hyang-rok?’
When I snapped back to reality, Kim Shin-rok had already started talking.
Kim Shin-rok explained the conversation he had with Seong Guk-eon and Jeon Mu-young in detail.

Originally, Kim Shin-rok was a good speaker, and now that we were speaking casually, he seemed to be talking even better.
Occasionally, he would pause, possibly concerned about Yong Je-gun’s condition, but there were no issues with conveying the information.
It wasn’t until after the conversation ended that Kim Shin-rok and I realized we had been played by Yong Je-gun.

“I heard everything. Oh, actually, I made that mark. I was trying to check myself by pressing on it, but I wasn’t careful with the pressure. That’s why it hurts.”
Kim Shin-rok immediately took the thumbtack from the case I gave him and threw it, but it missed completely.
Seeing Yong Je-gun, who was perfectly fine, I was relieved, but at the same time, I felt a surge of frustration.

Though I wanted to avoid the mischievous Yong Je-gun, our next schedule was for the class event.
Including Yong Je-gun, our class was planning to go cheer for the PlayerZ finals.