[Friede Gallery]
[But isn’t there some hidden strategy behind Friede not using the broken greatsword?]
[Author: Bbaebbaejwa]
“Friede is past the semifinals and preparing for the finals.”
“So far, Friede hasn’t used the broken greatsword.”
“Typically, you might think it’s because her opponents are formidable, so she chose a more practical weapon.”
“But is that really all there is to it?”
“Could there be another intention hidden behind it?”
[ZekeGarterbelt: Another intention? What is it? Aren’t you going to summarize it in one line?]
[Loo: Could it be that she’s deliberately saving it for something… like that?]
[KimKkaettulleokku: No way. Do you think she’s planning to use the broken greatsword in the match against Lotus?]
[Sesutbya: Looking at the finals bracket, whoever advances would have a somewhat favorable matchup.]
[Loo: She might use it then, but definitely not before the match with Lotus.]
[SweetHanNam: I’m not underestimating the master, but even for the master, Lotus is a top-tier opponent.]
[yaSergei: No matter how skilled the master is, using the broken greatsword against Lotus is absurd.]
Lotus isn’t just any ranker; she’s a top-tier challenger who regularly competes professionally.
Think back to the Stove League from two years ago. Both Warden and Lotus’s contracts expired, and offers flooded in from domestic and international teams. In the end, she renewed with STK.
In this field, Lotus is undeniably top-tier, but using the broken greatsword against her? That’s a bit…
[LLAmpadu: While the broken greatsword is technically a usable pick, it’s easy to get criticized for poor manners.]
[TheDominator: Lotus would be completely cornered by it.]
[Loo: Exactly. If she wins, it’s because of the broken greatsword. If she loses, it’s because she used it. There’s no way out of this, LOL.]
[If Friede brings the broken greatsword to the match against Lotus, I’m all in. First up, me!]
[SweetHanNam: At least write three lines, for decency’s sake.]
[KimKkaettulleokku: If Friede really uses the broken greatsword against Lotus, it’ll spark chaos everywhere.]
[ZekeGarterbelt: STK, Lotus… this is going to be brutal!]
[IlgwangSmallSword: Lotus is so prideful. If she loses to the broken greatsword, she won’t be able to sleep at night, LOL.]
***
The semifinals ended surprisingly smoothly and uneventfully.
Maybe it was because the opponent was mid-tier among Grand Masters.
It seemed like sheer luck carried the opponent to the semifinals, making their achievement impressive despite their skill level.
If heavyweights like Bisu, Gunder, Haldir, or Hades had been in the bracket instead, the semifinals would have played out completely differently.
The post-match interview went by uneventfully, and as always, I indulged in some ego-searching.
I browsed through Friede Gallery, Sweetie Channel’s panel board, and YouTube channel boards.
Everywhere, the topic was always the same.
“The broken greatsword is disrespectful to the opponent… You need to take this seriously, especially since your opponent is a pro.”
Such discussions were everywhere.
The broken greatsword.
Honestly, I hadn’t given much thought to this weapon.
Even if it’s a trivial weapon that no one uses, even if it’s impossible for others, I wanted to show that it’s possible to shine with it.
That’s why, without hesitation, I used this weapon to reach Challenger rank.
‘Though I did switch weapons mid-way for content purposes…’
That was purely for entertainment and content creation on my stream.
But this tournament wasn’t just about me. It involved professionals, making the atmosphere too serious to ignore.
Judging from the reactions, I couldn’t help but let out a small sigh.
‘Now that I think about it, there have been plenty of comments before.’
At first, most complaints came from my own teammates.
But as I climbed higher in rank and my stream gained traction, even opponents started grumbling.
‘Why is that?’
From my perspective as a player, I didn’t see why using the broken greatsword was an issue.
No matter how weak a weapon is, skill can always compensate.
Even in virtual reality, I rely solely on the abilities of my scanned physical body.
I don’t use any heroic powers.
So it’s laughable that the weapon’s poor performance would be a topic of discussion.
What’s truly problematic: someone using an overpowered weapon poorly, or someone carrying with a broken greatsword?
It’s obviously a matter of the person, not the weapon.
Still…
“People’s feelings are a different matter.”
I said aloud to no one in particular, trying to convince myself.
Originally, I planned to use the broken greatsword in the finals against Lotus.
I thought it would attract more attention and highlight my skills even further.
But with the public opinion being what it is, I might have to step back.
As much as I pride myself on being a hero, I can’t completely ignore public perception.
This isn’t a problem I can solve alone, so…
“Let’s ask.”
It’s time to consult my all-purpose advisor, Park Dayoung.
The event organizers sat in utter silence, each too afraid to speak, merely exchanging nervous glances.
The meeting, which had been proceeding smoothly, hit a wall with the final agenda item, leaving everyone feeling suffocated.
The marketing team leader, maintaining a grim expression, finally broke the silence.
“The coaching staff is voicing a lot of complaints. They’re worried about Lotus’s performance deteriorating under these circumstances.”
“Well, that’s…”
“They always say the same thing during events when their players participate. It’s practically a catchphrase now.”
“A professional doesn’t win every match.”
“They can make mistakes and even lose.”
“Moreover, the opponent is still a Challenger-level ranker, regardless of who advances.”
“If they’re so mentally fragile that this situation cracks them, they wouldn’t have made it this far in ranked games.”
“Normally, this would have been something to brush off without much thought.”
“Honestly, looking back, isn’t it kind of ridiculous? It’s just a friendly event match—why all the fuss?”
“Well, I can see where they’re coming from. The winner of this event is pretty much already decided.”
“But still, isn’t this a bit much? If they’re professionals, shouldn’t they understand the club’s situation? It’s not like this didn’t happen with Warden before.”
“True, but…”
“The internet won’t be as understanding as fans.”
Not wanting to spark unnecessary controversy, the speaker swallowed their words.
***
With the semifinals over, one of the finalists was determined: Friede.
Her opponent had only made it this far through sheer luck and was a mid-tier Grand Master player, making the match heavily one-sided.
The real issue lay with the players in the other semifinal bracket.
“Looking at the final match… Friede will undoubtedly win, right?”
“Yes, that seems certain.”
“Will she use the broken greatsword?”
“Who knows? But does using the broken greatsword guarantee a win?”
“Even if she loses, isn’t that her responsibility to bear?”
“No matter how much a player complains, outright banning a weapon officially provided by the game developer feels wrong.”
“Maybe the team leader should have a word with them.”
The marketing team leader sighed at the overly simplistic suggestion.
‘Easy for you all to say.’
In the end, the complaints from the coaching staff and their players would land squarely on his shoulders.
‘Damn it all.’
He cursed internally.
Despite all the worries, the conclusion was always predetermined—a frustrating inevitability.
“Alright, let’s just push forward with this.”
“What about Lotus’s side?”
“What about them? The player has to handle it themselves. Ignore any complaints from them going forward.”
Surprisingly assertive for once, the team leader dismissed the meeting with a wave of his hand.
Everyone left the room, leaving the team leader alone in the now-empty space.
He pulled out his smartphone and played a video.
A melodious voice resonated from the device:
“I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you.”
The voice was unmistakably Friede’s, repeating lines professing love over and over again.
“Ah, Friede Onee-chan.”
This was from the Friede Fan Club, known as “FriSaMo.”
It was their latest masterpiece, “Friede My Love Call ver 2.3,” painstakingly crafted for the club’s core members.
The fan club president, Bbaebbaejwa, offered this exclusive service to the club’s elite: an audio compilation of Friede’s voice saying “I love you” repeatedly.
It was, without a doubt, the ultimate reward.
The marketing team leader for STK was, in fact, secretly FriSaMo’s promotion manager, “SweetHanNam,” and one of the privileged few who received this reward.
“To think they separated every word and syllable of Friede’s lines to create something of this quality.”
He chuckled, marveling at how far technology had come.
Though some transitions sounded choppy, it wasn’t unpleasant to listen to.
At that moment, the door creaked open.
“Ah, there you are. I’ve got a report to….”
-Squeak.-
The intruder froze mid-sentence, locking eyes with the team leader.
“I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you.”
The awkward silence was broken only by Friede’s voice echoing in the room.
“Team Leader… is that…?”
“Uh…”
The team leader adjusted his glasses with a sigh.
Having one’s personal preferences exposed at work, regardless of the context, was undeniably embarrassing.
Determined to take control of the situation, the team leader stood up.
One step.
Another step.
He slowly approached the staff member.
“Huff, huff!”
The leader exhaled dramatically, building tension.
-Rip!-
“Ahh!”
The sound of fabric tearing filled the air, making the staff member instinctively flinch.
But nothing happened to them.
Opening their eyes cautiously, they gasped.
“Holy…!”
Beneath the team leader’s torn dress shirt was a T-shirt emblazoned with Friede’s image, proudly on display.
From internet memes to cleverly edited bikini shots, the shirt was covered entirely with images of Friede, leaving no blank space untouched.
It was a literal embodiment of obsession.
‘What is this…?’
‘Friede-chan? Is he seriously wearing that under his suit?’
‘Why is the STK marketing team leader wearing such a shirt?’
Before their brain could process the absurdity, dizziness overtook the staff member.
“Caught me, huh? Whatever, just watch Friede’s streams. Onee-chan is amazing!”
The team leader’s nonchalant confession shattered any remaining decorum.
“Eek!”
The staff member could only let out a metallic screech, clutching their face in disbelief.
The lives of these two employees at STK Esports, now tinged with a bizarre thriller twist, were just beginning.
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