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

SKT T1 Club, General Manager's Office.

Although he had just experienced a crushing solo match in the training room, the atmosphere instantly shifted from the passionate arena to the cold business negotiation table when he stepped into this office.

Behind the desk sat SKT's general manager, Choi Byung-hoon. He adjusted his glasses, looking at the young Chinese player before him with a shrewd businessman's eye. KkOma sat on the sofa beside him, still holding his notebook, saying nothing.

"Xiao Yan, your trial performance was truly amazing." Manager Cui got straight to the point, pushing two pre-prepared contracts in front of Xiao Yan. "Coach KkOma has a very high opinion of you, so we've decided to skip the original second team observation period and offer you two completely different contract options."

Xiao Yan looked down.

The one on the left is thicker.

"The first one is a standard substitute contract," Manager Choi said, pointing to the document. "The annual salary is 50 RMB (converted to Korean Won). This is a guaranteed contract; the money is yours regardless of whether you play or not. However, considering that Bang's performance on the first team is very stable, if you sign this contract, you may need to train with the second team most of the time or wait for your opportunity on the bench."

The one on the right is only a few pages long.

"The second contract, which we call the 'Challenger Contract,'" Manager Cui's voice lowered slightly. "The base salary is only 10 RMB. That's even less than many LCK trainees."

Upon hearing this number, Xiao Yan didn't even raise an eyebrow; he simply listened quietly.

"However," Manager Cui changed the subject, "this contract includes a ton of incentives. Playing fees, win bonuses, MVP bonuses, and World Championship ranking bonuses... If you can deliver a top-tier performance, the final earnings from this contract will be ten times, or even more, than the first one. Most importantly—"

Manager Cui paused, then looked at Xiao Yan meaningfully: "Signing this contract means you'll automatically be on the first team's roster, with the right to compete with Bang for a starting position and be rotated in. SKT doesn't tolerate idle players. If you dare to sign this, we dare to give you the opportunity."

The air seemed to freeze for a few seconds.

For most newcomers, their first contract is the perfect safe haven. A 50 annual salary was quite a lot for an "LPL outcast" in the S7 era, and there was no pressure. Wouldn't it be better to just sit back and get a championship skin?

But Xiao Yan didn't even glance at the 50 contract.

He picked up the "challenger contract" with a base salary of only 10, pulled out a pen, and signed his name smoothly.

"Swish swish swish".

The sound of the pen nib gliding across the paper was exceptionally clear in the quiet office.

Manager Cui was taken aback, clearly not expecting Xiao Yan to make such a quick decision: "Xiao Yan, won't you reconsider? Bang is a two-time world champion. If you compete with him for a starting position and end up on the bench for a long time, you'll only get 100,000 yuan."

"No need to consider it."

Xiao Yan put down his pen, pushed the contract back, leaned forward slightly, and his eyes burned with a flame called ambition.

"Manager Cui, I didn't come to SKT to retire, nor did I come to be a mascot."

He pointed out the window, where the bustling street scene of Seoul was located, and the only way to the S7 Bird's Nest.

"I came here to win, to crush those who look down on me. If I don't even have the confidence to take the starting position from Bang, I might as well buy a plane ticket and go back to my hometown to sell sweet potatoes."

Xiao Yan stood up, straightened his collar, and spoke in a calm yet domineering tone:

"As for the money... believe me, by the end of the year you'll find this contract is the most 'loss-making' deal you've ever made, because I'll take all the bonuses."

Manager Cui stared blankly at the young man before him, whose confidence bordered on arrogance, for a moment, then suddenly burst into laughter and extended his hand:

"Great! That's impressive! SKT welcomes you to the team!"

KkOma, watching this scene, also smiled slightly.

Stepping out of the general manager's office, KkOma's serious expression softened slightly. He glanced at Xiao Yan beside him, his eyes now showing a hint of appreciation.

"Come on, let me introduce you to your teammates." KkOma pushed open the heavy soundproof door at the end of the corridor. "Remember, this is SKT's first team, the cradle of world champions. Although you just signed a challenger contract, everyone is equal in the training room."

Xiao Yan nodded, took a deep breath, and adjusted his facial expression.

He knew very well that he was here to play professionally, win championships, and incidentally make those blind guys in the LPL regret their decision, not to be a locker room bomb. He always maintained sufficient respect for the strong.

As you push open the door, a cool breeze from the air conditioner, mixed with a faint aroma of coffee, wafts out.

Compared to the noisy and restless atmosphere in the second team's training room, the first team's training room was exceptionally quiet, with only the crisp and rhythmic sound of keyboard typing.

"Everyone, stop for a moment." KkOma clapped his hands.

Several heads peeked out from behind the monitor.

The most eye-catching person was naturally the man sitting in the very center, wearing round-framed glasses and with a calm expression.

Lee Sang-hyeok, Faker.

He wasn't playing League of Legends at the moment; instead, his screen displayed a mini-game called "Bridge Master." Hearing the coach's voice, he quickly switched screens, adjusted his glasses, and calmly looked at Xiao Yan.

"This is our new AD carry, Xiao Yan," KkOma introduced simply. "Starting today, he will be on our first team roster."

Xiao Yan did not display the arrogant attitude he had shown in the second team. Instead, he bowed very humbly and said in fluent Korean, "Hello everyone, I am Xiao Yan. I am new here, please take care of me."

As the saying goes, one doesn't hit a smiling face. Xiao Yan's gentle and humble demeanor instantly won everyone's favor.

"Oh? A new AD?"

A chubby figure spun around in his chair first—it was Wolf, the assistant. He smiled at Xiao Yan and said in somewhat broken Chinese, "Hello, hello! I like Chinese hot pot!"

A burst of good-natured laughter immediately filled the training room.

Faker stood up, walked over, and extended his hand, his tone calm yet polite: "Welcome. I've seen your ranked game history; your win rate is very high."

"Thank you, Brother Xianghe." Xiao Yan grasped the hand known as the "Hand of God." It felt slightly cool to the touch, yet exceptionally steady.

There was no bullying or exclusion as rumored. These players standing at the pinnacle of the world are more pure than imagined. They only care about one thing: whether you can help the team win.

Just then, the door to the training room was pushed open again.

"Oh my god, I'm exhausted. That director insisted on making me strike that embarrassing pose..."

A slightly chubby man with makeup still on his face walked in, rubbing his shoulders as he went. It was Bang, SKT's starting AD carry, who had just returned from filming GG.