The Max Level Hero Has Returned!

"Si-Woo, are you ready?"

"Yeah, I just finished up."

"Just take it easy. It’s only a quick appearance. We’re just here to show our faces and have some fun."

Then the team manager entered the room.

"Alright, how’s everyone feeling?"

"Great! Couldn’t be better."

"Remember, this is just an exhibition game. Don't go all out; just keep it casual."

"Got it!" Sun-Hyung chuckled as he responded.

"The main thing here is getting ourselves a reputation out there. You know what that means, right?"

"And I heard the team TC will be here, too. Just so you know, we’ll have a friendly match with them right before the event ends. But don’t hold back on them—teach them a lesson.”

"How hard should we go?"

"You can show them everything; just leave one secret up our sleeves. Keep in mind, our performance here could get us more sponsors, maybe even raise our pay."

"Got it."

"But don’t totally ignore the amateurs, either. The main theme here is for pros and amateurs to enjoy the event together."

"Understood."

With that, they got into their van. For a team with world-class skills, an event like this was usually not something they'd be interested in—but with such an absurdly high appearance fee, it was impossible to turn down. The extravagant casting and heavy advertising made it extremely popular, too.

Team Vasirian had quite a bit of rivalry with the team TC; everything else for them was secondary. When their van stopped, Sun-Hyung, now dressed and ready, was amazed at the size of the crowd.

“Wow… This is impressive.”

"Right? It’s not easy to gather this many people."

There were about twenty amateur teams, with the final four teams to be chosen through a series of tournament-style matches. The goal of the event was to give amateurs a chance to play exhibition games with the pros. Some players had even transitioned to a pro from similar events as well.

“Looks like there’s quite a few female players too.”

“Yeah. Usually, the player base leans toward males since there are more high-skilled players among men.”

"True."

Just then, Sun-Hyung spotted a woman in the distance. She had snow-white hair tied into a ponytail with a traditional hairpin, a truly stunning sight.

She was none other than Perserque. However, she also had a face blindness spell going on, so no one was able to tell her real identity. Her hair color and beauty, too natural to be considered a cosplay, made Sun-Hyung glue his eyes on her for a good moment.

“Hey. Wake up.”

“Oh, Si-Woo.”

“There’s some serious eye candy among the amateurs this time. She’s really pretty.”

"Right?"

"Let’s go. Don’t zone out like that; someone might notice."

“Okay.”

Reluctantly breaking his gaze, he went to his waiting room. The amateur qualifying rounds were already over, with four teams selected. All they had to do now was draw lots to pair amateurs with world-class pro gamers for single elimination matches.

Finally, it was time for Team Vasirian to step onto the stage. They nodded in acknowledgment to Team TC as they approached and entered the event hall.

ROARRRR!!!

A wave of cheers erupted, leaving them wide-eyed. They hadn’t expected such a huge crowd, one reminiscent of the early days of esports. Sun-Hyung found himself thinking that money really could work wonders, though the lineup was undeniably impressive too.

“And here we have Team Vasirian and TC joining us! Sun-Hyung, how are you feeling right now?”

“Ah, well, since you’ve asked, it’s a bit refreshing. I hope we all have a fun and meaningful time.”

As he gave his scripted response, cheers broke out from all directions. The host continued making small talk with the pro players.

"And now, let’s introduce the amateur teams who made it through the tournament!"

A total of twenty men and women appeared on stage. Every team had different outfits and wore a badge displaying their team name on their chests.

“Introducing the amateur rising stars! The ones with both the skill and talent that might just make them the next pros in League! Let’s give them a warm welcome!”

Applause broke out as the players took their seats, but one team was particularly eye-catching.

It was none other than Team Heins. They consisted of four women and one man, but their ratio wasn’t the surprising part—rather, it was their stunning appearances compared to the other teams.

“Wow! It seems like you have to be good-looking to be an amateur player these days!”

Despite the host’s light-hearted remark, everyone couldn’t help but gasp.

“Heins? That name sounds familiar.”

"Yeah, it feels like I’ve heard it somewhere before.”

But they brushed it off as nothing more than a coincidence.

“Ah, and as the only male member of Team Heins, your League nickname is [Super Ribbon], correct?”

“Yes.”

“And with a team full of beautiful flowers, too! I’d love to be in your shoes!”

"Thank you."

“Haha, no need for thanks. Really, I’m jealous!”

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Davey smiled at the playful comment.

"Alright, let’s get started! The machine in the center will release a numbered ball, and the amateurs with that number get to choose the enemy pro and even the enemy’s champion for a one-round match. Of course, a little coaching from the pros would be nice, right? Don’t worry; the pros will go easy on you.”

The host gestured toward two computers in opposing positions. A machine started up, and a red ball popped out with a thunk. The host held up the ball.

“We’ve got a number! Number seven! Who’s number seven?”

One amateur raised his hand. He had an unassuming look about him.

“Ah, so you’re number seven! Any words you’d like to say?”

“Mom! I’m famous now!”

His joke brought laughter from the crowd. The host continued with his playful commentary, and the chosen amateur picked a pro from team TC to match up. The amateur ended up being pushed left and right, their difference in skill apparent.

As the amateur returned dejectedly, another draw was held. For a split second, a strange chill passed over the stadium, almost like an illusion.

“Number twelve! Number twelve! Who is it?”

At that, Illyna raised her hand.

“Oh, a lovely blonde lady! What’s your name, miss?”

“I’m Illyna.”

“Ah, so you’re from overseas! Wow, it makes me want to move there immediately!”

“Hahaha!”

His playful tone brought laughter from the crowd.

“Alright, Miss Illyna, do you have a specific player or champion in mind?”

In response, Illyna narrowed her eyes slightly and spoke softly.

“I’ll take the top lane.”

“Pardon?”

“The smurf Boxer Rank who played Roxia. Was his name Si-Woo? I’ll go against him.”

“Oh… ohhh! She’s chosen Player Si-Woo, the Emperor of the Top Lane! Is this the pride of a top laner? Or should we call it top lane mania…? Miss Illyna, any particular reason for picking him?”

“For a rematch.”

“A rematch…? Hahaha, interesting joke!”

As the announcer exclaimed, Park Sun-Hyung looked over at Si-Woo and grinned.

“Whoa, she chose you. Enjoy your date.”

“It’s not a date, but I have to admit, it feels good. Still, how did she know that Boxer Rank is my smurf account?”

Si-Woo had assumed his name would go unmentioned due to his reputation. He walked forward as the crowd cheered and extended a hand to Illyna before sitting in front of his computer.

“Let’s have a good match, Miss Illyna. I look forward to a friendly game.”

Despite his appearance, his demeanor revealed an unexpectedly shy side of his, which made Illyna smile as she took his hand.

“Likewise. It’s been a while, so let’s have a good match. And… I hope you won’t hold back.”

‘A while?’ Si-Woo thought.

Perplexed, he looked at her to ask more, but she was already seated.

“So, Miss Illyna, any specific champion you want me to pick?”

“Nope. I want you to go with your usual. Like I said, let’s go against each other with our true skills.”

Her confident tone drew gasps from the crowd. Illyna, however, simply focused on her gaming setup.

“I’ve been waiting for this for a long time.”

Si-Woo tilted his head again, wondering for a moment if she might actually be a fan or, perhaps, interested in him. But he brushed off the thought, reminding himself not to overthink things. He was well aware that simple gestures could easily be misinterpreted.

“Amazing! Challenging the world’s best top-laner without giving herself a favorable champion matchup? What a bold move to only want to compete with pure skill!”

“The viewers are tuning in live on YouTube and other broadcasts. Whoa! The view count is going through the roof!”

Of course, no one really expected Illyna to win. However, Si-Woo couldn’t shake off an unsettling feeling.

Then, the game began.

Illyna went for a standard pick, while Si-Woo chose a type of champion that was capable of keeping her in check.

“Alright then! The second friendly match begins!”

The countdown came to an end, and the champions met at the edge of their respective lanes, ready to engage.

“Player Illyna has chosen Box! She’s got a melee, basic-attack style—definitely a common pick in tournaments. One thing about her is that she becomes stronger as her HP drops, right?”

“Correct. Meanwhile, Player Si-Woo’s character is one that heavily depends on the player; they can either be terrifyingly good or bad.

The game sounds signaled the beginning of their clash.

“Aha! She’s going in to keep him in check. Player Illyna may be an amateur, but she’s no pushover.”

“You’re right. She’s cautious, yet she’s not allowing Player Si-Woo to close in. It’s like she’s saying she won’t engage first, but he better not push his luck too much thinking she’s an ordinary amateur!”

The minion waves crashed, sparking a back-and-forth as both players felt each other out.

Si-Woo relaxed, observing his opponent. Her moves were bold, indeed.

‘Though I didn’t exactly choose a counter-pick, I still have the advantage here. Does she think she can dismiss me because my character’s skills are tricky to land? She’s underestimating me way too much.’

Despite him being shy when he greeted her, his pride in his skills was strong, and a slight irritation bubbled up within. He decided to match her daring plays.

Swoosh!!

“Oh! Player Illyna is getting savaged! Player Si-Woo is dealing damage with brutal precision!”

“Yes! Even though his champion is for keeping opponents in check, their skills are hard to land. Yet his skill timing is impeccable; he’s reading her movements like a book! Meanwhile, Illyna seems rattled by his unexpected attacks!”

The match quickly became one-sided. To win, a player had to either defeat the opponent’s character or destroy their turret. Under ordinary circumstances, they would be more cautious, but Si-Woo was irritated at Illyna’s taunts, making him dominate her mercilessly.

“Oh! She’s already down to one-third of her HP!”

“It’s no wonder he’s called the world’s best top laner! Absolute control with a support character!”

“Oh, oh!! She’s going in. It’s not the best idea to go in with so little HP!”

“Too late! Her champion is getting pounded! It’s no use for her to try to dodge his attacks!”

“It’s like Player Si-Woo is taunting her to try avoiding his attacks! It's outright one-sided slaughtering happening here!”

“Ahhh!! It's over! If she closes in any further…!!”

Despite the beating, Illyna continued with a calm and fearless approach. This only fueled Si-Woo, who interpreted her unyielding playstyle as mockery.

‘I’ve got her now!’

He used his Flash to dart in for the kill.

“Flash! Player Si-Woo blinked forward to close the gap! Is this the end for Player Illyna?”

“Is he trying to prove a point that pros are pros for a reason?!”

The crowd gasped, seeing his distance and damage calculations as flawless. He just needed to land his skill on her.

Clank!

But at that moment, Illyna’s champion executed a counter-attack, blocking his strike and stunning him in the process.

“What just happened? She used Flash to set the target elsewhere, and then countered him with a stun! She used the knockback ability to send his champion under her turret! I can’t even tell whether it was intended or not!”

“What an amazing response and trap from her side! But Player Si-Woo is still going for it! He’s determined to finish her off!”

“My goodness! Her response was something that not even world class players show very often!”

If he could land a hit on her, she would die on the spot. His movements left no openings for her to escape, but then something extraordinary happened. As if she had seen his moves in advance, her champion Box deflected his attack with precise movements and impeccable spacing.

She couldn’t help but grin.

Clang!

Then, in an instant, she used a dash ability to escape his attack range and held on while suffering minimal damage. She began slipping just outside the range of his basic attacks with slight movements, targeting the weaknesses in his skills. Once, twice, and then repeatedly.

It was as if she was using a hack.

“A-Ahh! Was that luck?! She dodged! She dodged every skill! Player Si-Woo’s champion has strong skill damage, but weak basic attacks! Meanwhile, Box is devastating in basic attacks! Ahhh, his HP is dropping!”

Amidst the frantic commentary, Si-Woo widened his eyes at Illyna’s sudden change in movement.

He could understand dodging once or twice as being lucky. But the movements Illyna was showing now weren’t luck. She was anticipating each skill’s timing, moving precisely to deflect or evade them.

Her unexpected performance was enough to make even other pro players rise from their seats. Her reactions were too sharp—almost mechanical, as if she was playing in a realm where time flowed slower for her.

‘W-What…?!’

The clumsy playstyle from earlier had completely disappeared. It finally dawned on Si-Woo that the golden-haired girl in front of him wasn’t just some casual amateur.

“A-Ahh!! What’s happening?! Player Si-Woo’s HP is dropping! Are we going to see an upset here?!”

As the commentators shouted in near-panic, Si-Woo tried to retreat, clearly rattled. After thinking he’d lose if he continued the fight and desperately sending his champion back—

“Hmph?!”

Before he knew it, his escape routes were completely blocked. Illyna mercilessly struck him with her counterattack.

First Blood.

“…”

Speechless, Si-Woo froze, eyes wide in disbelief.

Her movements, as if she had predicted everything from the beginning, left not only him but also the other pro teams watching the match utterly stunned.

- What the hell was that…?

- What just happened in the last ten seconds of that fight?

- Holy crap, an amateur just beat Si-Woo?!

The completely unexpected turn of events made his eyes twitch.

As the game ended, Illyna rose from her seat with an elegant smile and approached him. Seeing her face, a sudden thought crossed his mind.

Heins. It was a name he’d heard before.

And then, like a flash of lightning, he remembered.

The player he had encountered in the ranked matches just days ago when he was smurfing, someone whose unique playstyle had left him feeling deeply unsettled.

“No way!”

Si-Woo shot up from his seat, eyes wide.

“I can’t stand losing without getting payback. Thanks for the match.”

With those words, Illyna walked away gracefully, leaving him to sink back into his chair with a defeated expression.

- Damn, Si-Woo just got wrecked, OMEGALUL.

- That’s more than just a loss. Look at the slow-mo replay. Her movement is out of this world.

- Was she using hacks?

- How would she use hacks in a live broadcast, you idiot?

- Then did he throw the match?

- Doesn’t seem like he did.

- Maybe he was just off his game. No way a world class top laner would lose to an amateur.

- He still lost, though.

- Honestly, even in a championship, you rarely see laning like that. As a top lane maniac myself, this was insane. She baited him into dropping his guard by playing sloppy at first, then savaged him the moment she found an opening. Incredible.

- Wait, are you saying this was all calculated? That’s crazy, KEKW.

- Hold up. Heins? The Heins Clan?

- You know them?

- Of course. Heins Clan Caldeiras. They’ve been causing quite the stir in the Grandmaster tier lately. Oh, I remember that ID now—Caldeiras! The psycho player who ignores counter picks and turns top lane into an empty highway. Even Challenger Rock rage-quit after facing her with their smurf account. Holy crap, Caldeiras was a woman this whole time?!

- Damn, I even trash talked her in chat. I’m sorry, ma’am.

- She’s hella cute, though.

- A woman with League skills and looks. But as a proud descendant of the Park family, the 38th generation of Jeonju Park Clan, she can’t have Park Cheol-Hong!”

- Holy crap, that was insane.

The stream was off to a fiery start, drawing tons of attention right from the beginning.

Watching the match, Al Hajat gave Illyna a warm smile. Davey, on the other hand, seemed largely uninterested, though it was clear Illyna seemed to have an unexpectedly fierce competitive side within her.

In fact, it had been Illyna who persuaded the otherwise indifferent Davey to participate in the tournament. She was now smiling as brightly as if she had just pulled out a tooth that had been bothering her for ten years.

When Davey had first met her, she carried a cold and distant demeanor. Now, not a trace of that iciness remained.

In the silence, Al Hajat caught Davey looking at him. He awkwardly smiled back.

He realized now that Davey had been helping him all along. Davey clearly understood that Al Hajat wanted something provocative and attention-grabbing to help him expand his business in the esports market.

“I think we’ve had enough fun. I suppose it’s fine to forfeit the rest, right?”

For Davey, this tournament was nothing more than a brief diversion.

“Well then, I guess I owe you an expensive drink later,” Al Hajat chuckled.

ChubbyCheeks & FriedNook's Thoughts

Editorb’s Thoughts

I’d be flaming fuck outta the pro if they did that lol. Tho tbh, if it were Faker I’d probably just say he was having an off day or let her win lmao