In This Life, The Greatest Star In The Universe

Thirty minutes before the pro gamers arrived.

"Hello. I’m Jung Seyeon, head of the Airsoft PR team. Nice to meet you."

"Yes! Hello. We’re NewBlack~"

Watching them respond with sparkling smiles, Team Leader Jung Seyeon let out an exclamation inwardly.

They’re really handsome.......

Because of her job, she often saw celebrities, but she had never seen anyone this handsome.

Suppressing the urge to let her mouth hang open, she composed herself into the expression befitting a client.

"Please take good care of us for today’s shoot."

"Oh no. We’re the ones who should say that."

Wooju smiled calmly.

"The idea of me teaching pro gamers how to play games... Thank you so much for giving me such a precious opportunity."

Despite his gentle tone, his eyes were shining wildly, as if he were extremely happy.

She smiled back.

"We thought it would really match our game console’s image. Honestly, I think it’s prejudice to say Wooju can’t play games. Gaming isn’t only about moving a keyboard and mouse, right?"

"Exactly!"

"That’s why we sent the casting request to you, Wooju. You’re good at everything."

"Kyaaa!"

Wooju squealed in delight like a pterosaur.

Maybe because he had such a youthful face, he looked like a high schooler thrilled that tteokbokki was served for lunch.

"Ha ha! Thank you. Let’s shake hands."

"Ah, yes...."

She did not know why he was asking for a handshake like an older gentleman, but she laughed and shook his hand anyway.

Seeing the underlings clicking their tongues behind him, she barely suppressed a smile as Wooju declared confidently,

"We’ll film the best content possible."

"I’m looking forward to it."

With that, she ended the conversation and returned to her role as the client.

She checked whether the props and game settings were properly arranged, whether the snacks for the ad models were prepared correctly, and so on.

Her eyes narrowed at the basket of bread placed on the snack table.

"Bread?"

"Uh... we prepared it because we heard NewBlack likes bread."

"Didn’t you see the interview where they said they’re sick of bread for now? Switch it to snacks instead of bread."

"Ah, yes!"

It was known that NewBlack were not picky models.

They were far from the type who refused to drink anything but a specific beverage brand or screamed at managers for putting their favorite snacks out while they were on a diet.

But separately from that, since they were currently the hottest celebrities in the advertising industry, they needed special treatment.

We have to treat them the best.

Not simply to treat ad models well, but to maintain a good relationship in the future.

Team Leader Jung Seyeon approached the employee installing the game console.

"Is the setup going well?"

"Yes, please take a look."

The employee, having connected complex cables to the large TV, wiped sweat with gloved hands and showed the game setup with a remote. 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

Icons for table tennis and tennis were arranged on the screen.

She nodded.

"When everything’s ready, let NewBlack try it beforehand."

"Yes."

After finishing her rounds across the set, checking everything, her gaze shifted again.

The director in charge of today’s shoot and NewBlack were seriously discussing the script.

Pointing here and there repeatedly, they seemed to be coordinating movement routes.

I hope it goes well.

Airsoft’s new console, O2.

They were already pouring large-scale promotion into it, and the performance was not bad.

Still, there was something slightly lacking.

That was why this MyTube content they were preparing would serve as the perfect finishing touch, like a plus alpha.

An advertisement video content together with NewBlack, who had overwhelming influence as MyTubers.

I can’t believe Wooju agreed to be cast.

They had to prepare in a rush because his schedule was so tight and he wanted to film as soon as possible, but it was an incredibly good situation.

But.......

There was one question.

Why did they all come?

The casting request had clearly been sent only to Sun Wooju, but before she knew it, all of NewBlack had come together.

They had willingly paid additional promotional fees, but it was still bewildering.

Was the rumor that they were extremely close in real life actually true?

She remembered seeing something like that on a cable gossip show.

[S, a top star in the entertainment industry. It is said that the relationship between S and the members is like that of a king and his loyal vassals...]

It must be true that the image of underlings following their eldest hyung was accurate.......

"Hey!"

Wooju’s voice rang out.

"It’s so noisy with you guys talking next to me. Seriously, why did you even come?"

As he looked exasperated at the swarming underlings, they erupted noisily.

"I came to get pro gamers’ autographs~ I’m definitely getting Bubble’s autograph."

"There’s always good food on ad sets. Ha ha."

"I came because I thought you’d eat something good without me like last time. I refuse to see you happy without me."

"I just like being together with everyone......."

Each of them had ulterior motives filled with selfishness, and she barely held back laughter.

They did follow their eldest, but it was completely different from what she had imagined.

Rather than the image of vassals shouting "Loyalty!" it was more like.......

"Hyung, later show us some tricks while playing badminton. Tricks."

"No. Go get bitten by a mosquito."

"Bzzzzzz-."

Watching the youngest imitate a mosquito and the eldest look disgusted, she coughed to suppress laughter.

It feels more like a neighborhood older brother and a bunch of little kids.......

That was her first impression of the nation’s idol.

To teach others, you must know more yourself.

To teach the pro gamers, I first learned how to use this new console.

"It’s simple."

The client side explained how to use the game controller.

"The buttons there are only for choosing games or moving menus. You just swing the controller."

"Like this?"

I swung my hand as if hitting table tennis, and people nodded.

"Yes, that’s it."

"It’s simple."

"For table tennis or tennis serves, you just press that button."

I fastened the remote to the wrist strap and tested it.

Table tennis practice.

I pressed the button with my left hand to toss the ball, added a light spin, and served with the remote in my right hand.

"Ohhh!"

My character in the game, [UniverseMaster_1109], delivered a picture-perfect serve and toyed with the AI.

The younger members and I widened our eyes in admiration.

"Wow, it works exactly the same? It really feels like playing table tennis."

"Yes. It’s a project our company ambitiously prepared."

"Wow......."

Technology had improved this much.

Memories of playing Galaga and other arcade games with Ri Hyuk in Gunsan came back, and I felt the passage of time.

The staff member who had participated in development at headquarters crossed his arms and smiled solemnly.

"It’s just that the tools are a bit different. Think of it as almost identical to real sports."

"Can I try something else?"

"Of course. Then let’s try boxing......."

We entered the kickboxing section and went through the tutorial.

Following instructions, I mixed jabs, hooks, and kicks, swinging my limbs as exclamations rose around me.

"His form is really serious."

"That’s why he’s the boss......."

As I threw a refreshing punch, beads of sweat trickled down. When I wiped my forehead and turned, the youngest was standing with his hands politely clasped.

I asked at his sudden change in attitude,

"What’s wrong?"

Jiho smiled.

"I’m going to listen to you better from now on."

"Forget it."

Laughter flowed.

I took the towel Biju handed me and wiped my sweat, then asked how it looked.

The director gave a thumbs-up.

"Perfect."

It seemed I was ready to teach the pro gamers.

"Then let’s get dressed."

"Yes!"

I put on the instructor cap and sunglasses and hung the whistle around my neck. The underlings also pressed black assistant caps onto their heads.

Just as we finished preparing, the gamers arrived.

"Hello!"

"Oh! Hello-!"

I ran over with a bright smile, but the gamers’ pupils were trembling.

Pro gamer Shin Hyunsoo, with his yellow-dyed hair and gentle impression, pointed at us with shaking eyes.

"Wh-why are you dressed like that......."

"It makes for a better thumbnail."

"Ah......."

Then he asked,

"We’re not doing some kind of training, right?"

"Of course not."

The outfit must have had strong impact.

After standing in mild panic, they regained composure and began extending their hands one by one.

A broadcaster with glasses and an «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» ordinary impression reached out.

"It’s been a while. Have you been well?"

"It really has been a while."

It was Bae Younghoon, who had been a pro gamer and then fully transitioned to broadcasting.

We had filmed the Jusehan rural special together back in 2014, and now he was a well-known broadcaster.

He had several regular MC programs on cable and was a fixed cast member on a terrestrial variety show.

He smiled wistfully.

"It’s been three years since then... and you’ve become a huge star."

"A huge star? Not at all."

As I laughed shyly, Bae Younghoon looked at Jiho with wide eyes.

"Jiho was about my height back then, but you’ve grown a lot."

"Right? I’m taller than this Hyung now."

The youngest grinned happily and slung an arm around my shoulders.

After exchanging greetings with Bae Younghoon, we greeted the other gamers.

"Hello. I’m Shin Hyunsoo."

He was the only gamer I knew here. A famous player who had been runner-up in the Star League.

"Huuuuuh!"

Apparently the youngest knew him too.

At Jiho waving excitedly, Shin Hyunsoo smiled bashfully.

We then greeted three others.

First, a round-faced student with glasses.

"Hello. I’m Bub...ble. Just call me Jinsu."

He was a League of Legends gamer, and judging by the youngest’s excitement, he seemed famous.

Next to him, a thin student raised his hand.

"I’m Go Yoonmin."

He was a pro gamer for a game called Overwatch.

And finally, a man in his forties who looked very experienced in social life extended his hand.

"I’m Baekwi. My real name is Park Ihyun."

"Nice to meet you."

He was a Tekken gamer.

When I first saw the casting list, I wondered if Tekken even had tournaments, but it was actually one of the major fields.

He was apparently among the top five in Korea.

Warcraft. Star. League. Former and current gamers from different fields stood together, all so different.

Their only common point was.......

"Could I get a photo later?"

"Of course."

"I’m so excited. They say if you film with NewBlack, your subscriber count skyrockets......."

The gamers’ eyes sparkled.

Their commonality was that they all ran fairly popular MyTube channels among pro gamers.

"They’re pretty popular MyTubers. The goal is for them to talk about this content on their own channels so it spreads virally."

They each had around 300,000 to 500,000 subscribers.

Watching the gamers begin warming up, I smiled.

"Shall we start filming?"

"All right. Let’s energetically start with warm-ups~!"

A lively voice.

"Ready~ start!"

Wearing the red instructor cap, Wooju demonstrated movements as the pro gamers smiled energetically.

For about thirty seconds.

"Huff... haaah......."

"Good grief."

"Ugh, I’m out of breath."

Pro gamers suffering from chronic lack of exercise.

Even the warm-up to loosen their bodies was too much for them, and NewBlack blinked in surprise.

Biju asked gently,

"Um... is this hard?"

"Yes. Huff."

"It’s just warm-ups......?"

The gamers’ weak stamina was worse than expected, and NewBlack looked flustered.

It was the same during stretching.

"Ughhhh!"

"Unngh!"

Watching the gamers struggle with flexibility exercises, the members looked culturally shocked.

Ri Hyuk stood in place and raised his leg up.

"This... doesn’t work for you?"

"......."

"Uh......."

NewBlack stared at the gamers like they were strange creatures, as if seeing someone with three arms.

For some reason, the gamers felt wronged.

After taking off the instructor cap and returning to NewBlack mode, they smiled brightly.

"All right! Now I’ll teach you how to swing in table tennis. Stand like this and spread your legs."

The gamers, each holding a remote, copied Wooju’s movements.

Creak.

Squeak.

For Baekwi, the forty-something Tekken gamer, his joints cracked audibly.

"......Just follow the demonstration you see."

"Yes!"

"I’ll show you a tennis serve."

Wooju demonstrated a tennis serve.

And the moment he set his stance, the pro gamers’ eyes widened.

Oh, that stance and gaze.......

For some reason, it looked like the expression of a pro tennis player.

Baekwi, who liked watching tennis, blinked.

That’s a face I’ve seen at Wimbledon.

He convinced himself it was imagination.

Wooju snapped his wrist holding the left remote.

Star gamer Shin Hyunsoo muttered,

"Is it just me? I can see the ball."

"Me too......."

It felt like a yellow ball was bouncing in the air.

Wooju pressed the remote button and lightly jumped.

"Kim Deoksun!"

With a strange shout, his right hand sliced through the air.

A perfect motion like a professional tennis player.

Applause broke out at the movement impressive enough for a pro to admire.

Sure enough.

On the TV, the AI collapsed without even responding.

[Excellent!]

[Achievement unlocked: Not supposed to be at this level yet.]

What is this, Prince of Tennis?

It’s his first time, so why is he so good......?

Biju ran over like a ball boy and handed Wooju a water bottle.

Wooju laughed like the protagonist of a tennis comic and said to the stunned gamers,

"I’ll show you other ones too."

That was the beginning.

Whoooosh.

Even when serving in table tennis, Wooju’s expression changed. It felt like a panda was roaring like a dragon behind him.

His expression suddenly looks fifty years old. There was a Chinese table tennis player who made that face.......

Baekwi shook his head.

No way.

From there on, every demonstration birthed a legend.

[Perfect!]

[NPC Old Man of the Table Tennis Hall likes you!]

[Hidden job quest triggered: Have you heard of the legend of the Table Tennis King?]

The old man of the table tennis hall handed out a sudden quest.

[The spirits of badminton begin to favor your achievement. Your fame spreads across the Continent of Badminton.]

[Fame +10]

[NPCs anticipate the rise of a new prodigy.]

With a single smash, his fame spread across the Continent of Badminton.

[The Great Demon King of Baseball wants to recruit you.]

[Job change quest: Will you clear the bench with me?]

When he swung in baseball, the Great Demon King descended with wings spread.

The pro gamers blinked.

Why does this game have such settings... and why is he so good......?

The confused voice of the production staff was heard nearby.

"Was that supposed to appear?"

"No. Those are hidden missions inserted considering experienced players on their second run. They’re set to appear only for master-level players......."

"But it’s happening......."

While the pro gamers stared blankly, Wooju grinned and stepped aside.

"Want to try?"

"Yes!"

The pro gamers stepped forward confidently.

They had carefully watched Sun Wooju play.

The calculations are perfect.

Pro gamers were, after all, athletes of the sport called gaming.

It was not simply a job that relied on physical ability.

Like any sport, Esports required judgment and instinctive timing.

And complete understanding of rules and strategy.

The pro gamers’ eyes shone.

I’ve roughly learned the method.

They had learned how to score high by keenly observing Sun Wooju’s movements.

Shin Hyunsoo, stepping forward as representative, smirked and prepared a table tennis serve.

But.

"Oh......."

The timing was accurate, but his body failed to follow, and the ball on the TV dropped flat.

His gaze wavered.

How could this be. The calculations were perfect.......

The calculations were perfect.

Only the body did not follow.

As NewBlack clapped and giggled, the other pro gamers took their turns.

But most results were similar.

[The Fairy of Table Tennis cheers for you. It’s okay if you’re bad.]

[Your fame falls on the tennis court. You may receive disadvantages from NPCs.]

[Your infamy spreads across the Continent of Badminton.]

The pro gamers stared blankly at the screen, tears welling in their eyes.

Then Wooju approached them with a satisfied smile.

"Um... this might be a bit rude to say."

What came from his mouth was something they had never heard in their lives.

"You’re really bad at games."

"......."

"Oh. So this is how it feels. Watching someone who’s bad."

At Sun Wooju’s cheerful smile, the underlings burst into noisy laughter.

Tears almost sprang up from sheer injustice.

This is infuriating. But I can’t refute it.

To be told I’m bad at games by Wooju.......

How did I end up like this.......

Gamers who had been called prodigies since childhood and risen to the professional world trembled like silkworm pupae in shame.

If only this were a computer game.......

Just then.

[Aim for a clean hit!]

The game shifted to kickboxing, launching a mini game as Wooju began swinging the remote.

A tutorial game hitting a dummy.

Whoosh—

Pa-pa-pa-pa-pat!

Spinning his body and delivering a kick, then mixing jabs and hooks, Wooju’s figure made the gamers’ tears dry instantly.

They clasped their hands politely.

"Hm?"

Wooju turned to them.

"What’s wrong?"

"Nothing. Ha ha."

They waved their hands at the smiling handsome man.

When you play games, you can say things like that.

I’m too magnanimous to get angry over a single comment like that.

Just looking at Wooju’s face makes me feel good.

They smiled warmly.

It absolutely was not because of the shattered remains of the dummy collapsing on the TV screen with its tongue sticking out.