LPL didn't want me? I joined SKT instead!

"General Manager, isn't this...isn't the price too high? What if the board asks about it..." CFO Park asked hesitantly.

"I'll explain to the board of directors. I'll take full responsibility!" Kim Sun-joong waved his hand domineeringly. "You just need to remember one thing: if Xiao Yan hasn't signed our contract renewal by sunrise tomorrow morning, then it's a dereliction of duty on the part of everyone here! At all costs, understand? At all costs!"

"Yes!" came the unanimous reply from the conference room.

"Get it done immediately! The legal department is to review the contract overnight, and the translation department is to translate it into Chinese right away. Supervisor Cui, book the earliest flight to Beijing right now. Tomorrow morning, I want you to personally bring this contract to Xiao Yan's hotel room!"

At Kim Sun-joong's command, the entire SKT management team sprang into action in the dead of night. They knew that an invisible war to recruit talent had begun. And they had to win.

……

Meanwhile, in Beijing, at a five-star hotel near the Bird's Nest.

SKT's championship celebration banquet is in full swing in the banquet hall on the top floor. Champagne bubbles are splashing in the air, the aroma of barbecue is filling the air, and the players, coaching staff, and accompanying personnel are all venting their joy and relief from the pressure of the past few months.

Peanut was already slightly tipsy and was hugging Huni's neck, loudly singing off-key Korean songs.

Coach Kkoma, with tears in his eyes, held Wolf's hand and said "Thank you for your hard work" over and over again.

However, Xiao Yan, the absolute protagonist of this celebration banquet, quietly left the noisy banquet hall.

He carried a glass of juice to the spacious terrace outside the banquet hall.

In late autumn in Beijing, the night wind carried a biting chill, but Xiao Yan felt exceptionally clear-headed. He leaned against the railing, overlooking the dazzling night view of this bustling metropolis. In the distance, the outline of the Bird's Nest was still clearly visible under the lights.

Recalling his experiences over the past few months, Xiao Yan couldn't help but feel a surge of emotions.

From an unknown, unwanted player, to rescuing SKT from dire straits, and now standing at the top of the world, winning the FMVP award.

It all felt like a dream, but the heavy trophy in his hand and the still clear system notification in his mind reminded him that it was all real.

"What are you thinking about?"

A gentle and calm voice sounded beside me.

Xiao Yan turned his head and saw that Faker had also come to the terrace at some point, holding a glass of water, and was standing next to him.

"Brother Xianghe." Xiao Yan smiled and raised the juice in his hand. "I wasn't thinking about anything, I just thought the night view was quite beautiful."

Faker followed Xiao Yan's gaze, his deep eyes reflecting the city's neon lights.

"Xiao Yan, do you know? Before this year's Summer Split, I actually felt a bit tired," Faker said slowly. "Not physically, but mentally. The burden on SKT was too heavy. I felt like I was dragging a heavy carriage through mud. Everyone was counting on me, and all of the opponents' tactics were aimed at me. I was exhausted."

Xiao Yan listened quietly without interrupting.

He knew that this was a vulnerable side that the e-sports god rarely showed.

"But your appearance changed everything." Faker's lips curled up slightly, revealing a relieved smile. "When you were playing Kalista and managed to get two kills in a 2v3 situation in the bot lane; when you were playing Tristana and leaping around like an assassin to reap kills in team fights, I suddenly realized that I was no longer fighting alone."

"You not only relieved my pressure, but more importantly, you ignited a new desire to win in this team." Faker reached out and patted Xiao Yan on the shoulder. "You were right on stage just now, the old era is over. But SKT's dynasty is not over yet."

Faker's eyes rekindled that fearsome fire of victory: "Next year, the year after, and the year after that. As long as we're still here, no one can cross the mountain that is SKT."

He raised his juice and lightly touched it to Faker's water glass.

"bite."

The crisp sound of the collision was particularly clear in the night breeze.

"Sang-hyeok-ge, I've really enjoyed playing with you as my teammate lately. The team atmosphere at SKT, the professionalism of the coaching staff, and you, the mid-laner who draws all the firepower, are all assets that allow me to unleash my full potential on this stage." Xiao Yan's voice was gentle, with a hint of sincere gratitude in his tone.

A hint of joy flashed in Faker's eyes, and he was about to speak when Xiao Yan interrupted him with his next words.

"But..." Xiao Yan turned his head, his gaze returning to the dazzling night view of Beijing in the distance, the colorful neon lights reflected in his deep eyes, "Brother Xianghe, you are the embodiment of pure e-sports, you can sacrifice everything for victory. But I am different."

Xiao Yan turned around, leaned against the railing, and looked directly into Faker's eyes. His tone became calm and realistic: "I am a professional player, and more importantly, someone who has struggled in the abyss. I know very well that in this world of fame and fortune, all honors and praise are built on strength. And the ultimate standard for measuring a player's strength, besides championships, is his commercial value and his team's status."

"I really like SKT and I look forward to building a new dynasty with you. But I won't blindly sign my name just because of a phrase like 'brotherhood esports' or 'dynasty'." Xiao Yan smiled slightly, a smile that revealed a maturity and sharpness far beyond his years. "If SKT wants to keep me, I need to see their true sincerity."

"Sincerity..." Faker silently pondered these two words.

"Yes, sincerity." Xiao Yan nodded without hesitation. "This is not just about the numbers on the contract, but also about my position in SKT's tactical system and even the club's future development blueprint. Sang-hyeok, you represent SKT's past and present, and I need to see if SKT is truly willing to let me represent the future."

Faker downed the water in his glass in one gulp. "You're right. This is how esports should be. I believe General Manager Kim Sun-joong isn't short-sighted. When the sun rises tomorrow, you'll see the sincerity you're looking for."

After saying that, Faker patted Xiao Yan on the shoulder and turned to walk back into the noisy banquet hall.

Watching Faker's departing figure, Xiao Yan downed the juice in his glass in one gulp, feeling the cold liquid flow down his throat, his eyes becoming even more determined.

He knew that at this moment, the major LPL teams, and even European and American capital, must have been calling his agent non-stop.

The allure of exorbitant transfer fees, top-tier signing bonuses, and even club shares is enough to drive any professional player crazy.

But Xiao Yan was not in a hurry.

He was waiting, waiting for SKT to make the first move.

The next chapter is even more exciting: Chapter 178, a conversation with Faker. We look forward to your visit.