In This Life, The Greatest Star In The Universe

“Unbelievable.”

Souffle and fake Souffles burst into laughter and immediately clicked the video.

A black screen appeared.

[The Beginning of the Incident]

On the dark screen, white text displayed only the phone call audio.

Above it, in small letters: “Right after the Chuseok E Sports Dorllympics broadcast.”

Kim Deoksun: How are you that bad?

Wooju: ......No, it’s just—

Kim Deoksun: Even I’d do better than you. Good grief.

As the call ended, a caption appeared.

[So we prepared this]

[Kim Deoksun VS Sun Wooju]

As the NewBlack TV opening rolled, subscribers gasped in anticipation.

-My chest already feels tight

-What kind of grandson tries to beat his seventy year old grandma at a game lol

-Wooju would probably be amazing at running a loach soup restaurant since he’s pathetic

-Chu Seon is Ju

-Even if he wins or loses he’s confirmed unfilial

-King Deoksun: Back then I thought my grandson harvest was good... turns out it was a bad crop

The usual comments teasing Wooju.

But the subscribers were curious too.

“Game disaster VS. seventy year old grandmother.”

Honestly, wasn’t it way too intriguing?

It was a matchup where you genuinely couldn’t predict the winner.

If it were an ordinary man in his twenties versus a woman in her seventies, the outcome would be obvious. But this case was different.

Sun Wooju was practically a byword in everyday life for someone who knew nothing about games.

-Damn. You’re terrible. Are you Sun Wooju?

-Let’s call him Balsan Rocket from now on. What do you mean log off? It’s just a fact you suck.

-Are you Sun Wooju lol??

-This guy’s got Rocket tier physicals; let’s not meet next round

His name even popped up occasionally in PC rooms and game chats full of middle and high school students.

So no one could guarantee the result.

“Thump thump.”

The opening logo ended, revealing the NewBlack TV studio.

Grandmother and grandson sat facing each other at computers, setting up.

The scene switched to the commentary desk.

[Yes! Hello viewers! Welcome to the First Lemon Cup Amateur Game Tournament!]

The nation’s top sports announcer began with a bright smile.

Three men in suits.

The game caster seated in the center looked at the camera and greeted viewers.

[I’m game caster Jung Hyunjung, who covered the E Sports Dorllympics! Great to see you again!]

Beside him, Wang Jiho brushed his hair back slightly and bowed.

[I’m Wang Jiho, a gaming enthusiast!]

After introductions, commentary began flowing.

[The atmosphere on site is extremely heated today.]

The camera briefly showed managers and members laughing while eating popcorn.

Jung Hyunjung nodded.

[That’s right. It’s a historic moment. It might even be the day Sun Wooju earns his very first victory in his gaming life.]

[But we can’t exactly say his win rate is high, can we?]

[That’s true.]

[What do you think, Caster Wang Jiho? About today’s match.]

The NewBlack maknae smiled slyly.

[Logically speaking, it’s obvious that Wooju should win.]

[Correct.]

[But that player doesn’t exactly play logically, does he? Personally, I’m extremely uneasy about this~!]

As the casters kept teasing, Wooju ripped off his headphones and shouted.

[I can hear all of that!]

The casters looked completely unfazed.

[There was a brief disturbance.]

[We will continue the broadcast.]

Seeing Wooju trembling, the subscribers burst out laughing.

A comparison chart displayed both gamers’ physical stats and specs.

On Kim Deoksun’s chart, she had written “Mentally in her twenties,” which prompted playful commentary from the casters.

[Yes! We’re told preparations are complete.]

[The game is the same survival game from the Dorllympics.]

A battle royale where players parachute down and fight to become the last survivor.

The production company, which had benefited recently from NewBlack’s influence, had specially created a one on one arena map.

[That concludes the map introduction. Let’s hear the players’ resolutions.]

[Yes. Caster Bbi! Please come out, our cute Caster Bbi!]

The scene switched.

The main dancer, smiling like a sunflower, held a microphone with both hands.

[Thank you for calling me cute, Caster Wang.]

[Hehe, not at all.]

[Yes! Let’s meet the two players ahead of today’s match.]

The mic went first to Sun Wooju.

With an arrogant expression, the Rocket stared down at his grandmother.

[Well. I’ll go easy on you today.]

“Ooooh~~” Managers and staff cheered.

The mic moved to Kim Deoksun.

Her eyes flared with fire at her grandson’s provocation.

[Hey.]

[......Yeah?]

[Whatever you do, when you’re up against me, give it your best. Got it?]

[Uh, yeah....]

As imaginary flames burned behind her, the grandson flinched, and laughter erupted.

-Sun Wooju hard counter lol

-05:37 U-uh yeah... why do I keep replaying this

-The evil dictator of Lemon Entertainment is just a mere grandson in the end

-He already lost the mental battle lol

Biju conducted the interview with a grin.

[Player Kim Deoksun! Did you practice a lot?]

[Jiho showed me last night, so I tried a little... but I don’t think this is a game made for old folks. Why are °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° there so many buttons to press?]

[I see. What about you, Player Sun Wooju?]

[Do I really need special practice?]

Caster Jiho cut in smoothly.

[He stayed up all night yesterday.]

[Please do not spread baseless rumors, Wang Jiho.]

[The game logs show it. I’m his friend.]

[......Wait, really?]

The maknae pointed and winked.

[Just kidding~]

[You little.......]

The interview ended with Wooju rubbing the back of his neck.

Junhyun and Ri Hyuk whispered to each other while chewing popcorn.

[Yes! Round one has begun!]

The grandmother character and a flower patterned soldier character parachuted onto the island.

Grandmother and grandson stared at their monitors intensely.

-That’s why they’re grandmother and grandson

-Wow when Grandma concentrates she looks exactly like Sun Wooju lol

-Competitive spirit runs in the family lol

Wooju smirked and started pressing keys.

The soldier began running.

[He’s running! He knows how to run now!]

[He’s even picking up items well!]

Wooju grabbed a gun in a warehouse and armed himself with armor.

Then he headed into a street packed with buildings.

Tat tat tat tat!

He fired shots while taunting.

Hop hop!

As he hopped annoyingly, saying, “Come out if you dare! Kim Deoksun!”—

Hop hop h—

Pew—!

With a sharp sound slicing the air, Wooju’s character collapsed.

[......?]

Wooju just wiggled his mouse blankly.

The camera switched to third person as the kill log appeared.

[White Rice Witch ☞ Kim Deoksun’s Man (Sniper Rifle)]

Far away on a rooftop, the white haired grandmother lay prone with a sniper rifle.

Kim Deoksun smiled in satisfaction at her monitor.

-Oh my god lol

-Grandma’s insane play lol

-Her expression lol

-He was being cocky and got one shot, this is hilarious

-LMAO

-I’m drooling lol

-Seriously hard counter lol

On site, everyone was doubled over laughing. Wooju removed his headset and buried his face in his hands.

Even the casters broke down laughing mid broadcast.

[Ah, I’m losing it!]

[Sun Wooju was practically saying come catch me, and she did!]

[Only five minutes in and round one is decided!]

Wooju trembled while Kim Deoksun shook her shoulders and danced a trot dance.

-Perfect teabagging lol

-Now I see where Wooju got it from lol

-Grandma is adorable lol

Round two began at Wooju’s request.

But the second and third rounds ended the same way.

[Beeep—]

The white haired grandmother activated and threw a bomb, and Wooju jumped right into the explosion.

In round three, the frightened grandson ran, only to be calmly hunted down by an arrow.

-Kim Deoksun the Great Hunter

-(That saying about being careful around old people and children in martial arts)

-If you see an old person in times of war, assume they survived

-He really couldn’t win even once lol

-But Grandma’s actually really good??? She’s talented

-She really lives young

Wooju’s skill wasn’t surprising.

Everyone’s eyes turned to the grandmother instead.

While Wooju pouted in a corner, Kim Deoksun received congratulations.

She addressed the camera.

[Well, even if I won, I just beat that, so I’m not especially proud... but this game is strangely fun. Even at my age, being able to try something new makes a corner of my heart feel warm.]

A heartfelt message encouraging everyone to try new things.

Then she approached her dejected grandson and hugged him. The video ended with a healing scene.

And then.

[Seventy year old Grandma’s insane movement]

[Rocket who even lost to Grandma (feat. game)]

[Grandma who disciplined her cocky grandson with a sniper rifle (not a lie)]

The video spread like wildfire.

After spending a dreamlike day with Grandma.

I immediately fell into misery.

“Hahahahaha!”

“.......”

“Hehehehehe!”

“.......”

There wasn’t even time to feel empty after sending Kim Deoksun back to Gunsan.

The video was uploaded to NewBlack TV at light speed.

“......Do the editors not go home? How did this come out this fast? It’s only been a day since filming.”

“Well, timing matters for content.”

Ri Hyuk said logically.

“If it goes up when interest is at its peak, the reaction is best. It’s not a bad thing.”

“You’re smiling right now, aren’t you?”

“Pffft, no? Since when?”

Watching Ri Hyuk pretend innocence, I just thumped my chest.

The maknae clicked his tongue.

“Seriously. You’re such a fool. Why did you suggest filming that?”

“I.”

I spoke with difficulty.

“......I thought I would win.”

“Seriously?”

“Wow.”

“Oh, so you pushed it through based on completely baseless confidence.”

The minions marveled.

I just laughed bitterly.

I practiced all night. Surely I wouldn’t lose to Grandma. And yet I did.

Should’ve just not done it.

“Ha.......”

“Smile, hyung. They say the one who smiles in hardship is first class.”

I forced a fake smile and shot him a look.

But the minions were too busy reading internet memes to care.

I picked up my phone.

Ignore this. Let’s look at good news instead.

-[Comprehensive] NewBlack, Billboard Hot 100 No. 1... “Five Consecutive Weeks”

METRO, which I thought would drop to second or third, held first place for five weeks.

Analysts said the recent concert influenced it.

Especially the performance with Glenn Davis went viral in North America.

-Glenn Davis is truly great. Even in that short moment, he controlled the audience.

-Koreans cheer like that for every singer.

-His performance still gives me chills

-The crowd reaction is insane

-That’s why a master is a master

Clips with Hayley Blue spread across social media too, pushing METRO once more.

But with Mandy Spice’s new release close behind, this week might really be the last.

-Don’t forget the featuring.

-Call me if you visit Australia.

I remembered seeing them off by video call the day after the concert.

Feeling grateful to those who flew in.

And smiling at another piece of luck.

“Hehehehehe.”

“What is it, hyung?”

I showed Biju my phone.

“These people.”

“Ah.”

Inviting famous guests had been great.

Right after the concert, congratulatory messages filled with obvious jealousy poured in.

No Jaehyun: It looked fun.

Jang Sowon: Is there nothing between us now?

Baek Sanggyo: I arranged Maeda in Japan, you know.

Ha Seungju: So you squeeze out all the sweet juice and toss us aside, huh.

I explained, but no one believed me.

-What about Nostalgia? That was a 2015 movie.

-The musical hit again this year in 2017. On Broadway.

-I don’t care!

-You never pick up when we call.

-Th-that’s.......

They used to dodge my calls, saying “Let’s talk next time.”

Junhyun smiled warmly.

“Big catch.”

“The biggest.”

They were asking to appear themselves.

After soothing their hurt feelings, I proposed immediately.

-Then if I ask you to come next time, you’ll definitely come, right?

-Oh? Of course.

-Promise. Verbal contract.

-S-sure.......

I smiled at the minions.

“Next year’s song camp will be abundant.”

“Song camp?”

“I never said concert. They can come to concerts and song camp.”

“Wow. That’s wicked.”

Ri Hyuk smiled slyly.

“I like it.”

“Right?”

As we laughed.

Click.

The waiting room door opened.

“Rehearsal in ten minutes.”

“Yes!”

I checked my watch.

“Let’s get ready.”

“Yes.”

Stretching, I looked at the poster.

[11.01 Pyeongchang G 100 Commemoration Gwanghwamun Square Concert]

Our first schedule after the concert.

Jiho stretched.

“Only 100 days until Pyeongchang.”

“That was fast.”

Three months until the Olympics.

G 100 stood out.

It meant Game Day, the day the Olympics begin.

Not D 100.

We were performing at Gwanghwamun to celebrate 100 days remaining.

The lineup included us, Teen Spirit, Street Boys, Wonder Child, Serenity, Scarlet, and more.

All the top K pop groups gathered.

“The Minister of Culture will come briefly. Be ready for photos.”

“Yes.”

On TV.

[Today, the Pyeongchang Olympic torch arriving at Incheon Airport.......]

The torch would travel nationwide for 100 days.

I felt it then.

“Let’s go rehearse.”

“Go go~!”

We stepped out confidently.

“Wait.......”

We froze.

“What is this crowd?”

“What’s happening today?”

Beyond the fence, a massive crowd filled Gwanghwamun Square.

“Waaaaaah!”

Cheers erupted for Street Boys rehearsing.

We stared.

“Wow.”

“Sbo’s popularity is no joke.”

“Crazy.......”

Traffic was controlled from 4 to 10.

Seats were still empty.

But.

“My god.......”

The area was packed.

“What’s going on?”

“K pop concert!”

But this wasn’t normal.

“It hasn’t even started.”

The answer was simple.

“NewBlack is appearing.”

“Ah.”

That’s why.

Even foreigners gathered.

The crowd swelled.

Police swallowed and grabbed radios.

“We need backup.”

Tens of thousands gathered before the show.

Dialect echoed.

“People came from all over.”

The reason was simple.

The recent NewBlack concert.

With Hayley Blue and Glenn Davis.

“NewBlack offline performance.”

It was natural.

The perception had spread.

‘NewBlack concert equals impossible to get tickets.’

Organizers hadn’t expected this.

Someone stepped on stage.

“NewBlack?”

But it was nine members.

“Hello! We are Street Boys!”

Cheers.

“For those who don’t know us, we are NewBlack’s close friends.”

“Waaaaaaaah!”

Street Boys grinned.

That was the secret behind the cheers we heard the moment we stepped outside.