The competition made personal streams a headache. Would all the viewers tune into the competition’s stream? Or would competitors keep their personal streams running separately?

In past competitions, it was usually impossible to run a personal stream separately. The idea was especially unthinkable for competitions held offline.

"The qualifiers will be conducted online."

Gradually, smaller competitions and qualifiers began to be held online. During that time was a period of chaos with no clear rule on whether personal streams were allowed.

However, things had changed nowadays. Competitions started creating and enforcing regulations.

"For now,

Civil Empire

allows personal streams during the qualifiers."

— Wow

— Hooray!!

— Almond's personal stream is awesome lol

— Ooooooh

— Lots of newbies in the national competition. The streams will be awesome

Fortunately,

Civil Empire

allowed personal streams during the online qualifiers. Ju-Hyeok particularly liked that.

Sang-Hyeon needed to retain the viewers he gathered from G-Star. It would be a pity to keep taking breaks from streaming.

"So I will be streaming it personally, but it might be difficult to stream the day before the competition."

— :(

— Can't help it…

— Not showing the scrims till the end??

— I want to see the practice

"First, there will be a live draw for the groupings of the qualifiers this evening. We'll watch that together."

— ??

— Godcast lol

— So the grouping isn't done yet :O

— Wow

"And please understand that I can't stream during the main competition."

— Can you even make it to the main competition?

— lol, you haven’t even made it there yet!

— You'll keep streaming, awesome~

— Good luck getting into the main competition!

Almond's fans half-jokingly believed that making it into the main competition with the Korean civilization was quite challenging.

"I've made it to the main stage before. Please stop spreading rumors."

— lol

— Now you're part of the national team, huh?

— Defending lol

"This time, as Cookie said, we’re the strongest Korean team ever. Just trust me."

Ding.

[BuggyDan has donated 10,000 won.]

[They said that last year too!]

— lololololol

— Stop it!

— Fighting with facts is unfair...

— Should we ban for stating facts?

— 10,000 won, probably let it slide lol

"

Ahem.

Thank you BuggyDan for the 10,000 won. If we’re saying this year is the best, it’s obviously better than last year. I'm going with this year."

— Oh lol, nuts gone crazy

— The paradox of the ages lol

— Another great year lol

— Wow, really lol

— It's funny because it's true

— The paradox :O

— What’s this train game with greatness? lol

It was acceptable to describe each year as the best ever. As long as they kept growing stronger than the previous year, it was an appropriate expression to use. That was Almond's logic. Ṙ

"Anyway, I'll see you in the stream today for the groupings."

— ???

— Is that it?

— No!!!

— Aaargh

Bam!

[ReactionKing has donated 100,000 won.]

[You received a donation of ten million won at G-Star, aren't you going to react!?]

As Almond was about to end the stream, he pondered for a moment and bowed deeply.

"... Thank you for the 100,000 won."

— The amount was too large just to turn it off...

— You have to at least acknowledge a donation of 100,000 won lol

— Considering whether to keep it going was really annoying lol

"But I didn't receive ten million won as a donation. It was the first place prize money..."

He didn’t show much reaction to the ten million won he received out of pity because he fell for their lies.

— ??

— He changed his memory lol

— lol

— It seems right...?

— Wait? Who am I?

His fans didn’t easily back down.

[AlmondRecords has donated 100,000 won.]

[(Video)]

A video donation came in.

“This... is missing a zero. Isn’t it supposed to be ten million won.”

“So... you mean this should be ten million won?]

“Yes.”

It was the scene of Almond at the G-Star award ceremony.

— lolololololol

— lmao

— So embarrassing lol

Almond's face turned red for a moment. Then, he simply moved on with his closing remarks.

"

Ahem.

Anyway, I'll be going now. Bye~!"

— He runs off after taking 100,000 won!

— lmao

— Almost like a charm, he's gone right away lol

— It was indeed a prize of ten million won haha

— Don't go!!!

— When are you coming back?!

Ignoring the clamor of his fans, Almond truly turned off the stream.

Then, an announcement appeared on his channel.

[Join us at 6 P.M. today for the live grouping stream gg]

***

The drawing of groups for the international

Civil Empire

competition took place in Japan, the selected host country.

"Hello! Mercenaries!"

For the first time, they also broadcasted the group drawing for Korea. The commentator was OrangeKing paired with the caster Kim Sang-Hoon, who worked well with him.

"I'm caster Kim Sang-Hoon, who is in charge of broadcasting this international competition."

"And I'm the commentator, OrangeKing."

This lineup was as expensive as typically seen in official major league matches. Originally, it was agreed that OrangeKing would do the casting alone. However, Kim Sang-Hoon joined as well when

Civil Empire

decided to increase its investments in Korea.

"Ah. I never thought I'd see you here again, Caster Kim Sang-Hoon."

"Yes, I didn't know either! Because our LIL Cup didn't make it to the finals!"

"Ah... right."

"But what's important is an unbreakable spirit! There's this saying, isn't there? We'll do it again!"

At the caster's comforting words, OrangeKing nodded vigorously in agreement.

"That's right! Our necks may be broken, but not our spirits! That's it! It's not over yet. For Korea!"

People flocked to the broadcast of the group drawings. As soon as it started, the atmosphere intensified. Indeed, it was thanks to the glamorous lineup of commentators.

— If your neck is broken... isn't it over? lol

— haha

— The important thing is breaking...

— The LIL Cup… was a total disaster

— Wow, why such prestigious people for a national competition broadcast lol

— LIL Cup ended quickly lol so here they are lol

The Korean league, which almost always performed well at the LIL Cup, suffered a disastrous defeat this year by not making it to the finals. Naturally, public sentiment related to the LIL Cup was at its worst.

LIL

, unlike

Civil Empire

, had a huge domestic market.

Kim Sang-Hoon once again tried to soothe the viewers.

"Now, everyone. Sports always have unexpected outcomes, right? That's what makes it interesting. In this international competition, unlike

LIL

, our country is the weakest. Why not cause an upset?"

"Yes! I have a strong feeling that it won't just be an upset, but a major upset this year!"

"…?"

"?"

— Major upset lolololol

— Major upset, not bowel movement? lol

— Major BM lol

— OrangeKing lol

— He's going to drop a big one?

— Starting off really funny lol

OrangeKing misspoke in a rush to calm the mood. However, that was fine. It helped to change the subject.

"Ah, but OrangeKing, have you always been interested in

Civil Empire

?"

"Ah, yes. I was briefly in the American league, remember?"

"Oh! Right!"

"At that time,

Civil Empire

was becoming a huge trend in the West, so I got involved too."

"But I'm curious about what civilization the U.S. participates with in the national competition? Ethically, they can't play as the Aztecs or Mayans, right? Isn't that like the Japanese participating as the Joseon Governor-General?!"

— lololololol

— Ethically lol

— lmao

— lol

— True, what’s their civilization?

"Ah... It's not about choosing a civilization for a civilization clash! Countries form teams and then choose a civilization afterward. For example, the Korean team has to choose the Joseon civilization. The U.S. team is assigned a civilization by the game company each year."

"Oh! That's nice?"

"Yes, it's said to help with multicultural policies."

"What civilization are they playing as this time?"

"This time, they've been assigned the Aztecs."

"Ah...! That's interesting. Playing as a civilization they destroyed?!"

— lololololol for real

— Oops...

— lol that's true

— Really lol make it even!

As they cleared up some curiosities about the international competition, the time for the group drawings quickly approached.

"Looks like the group drawing is starting now."

The screen transitioned as the caster spoke.

Now, only their voices could be heard as the group drawing site in Japan was displayed.

"I'm excited to see how they'll do the draw. Each season and country has different methods, right? Some use a ladder program and others mimic mobile gacha mechanics."

"Ah. That's interesting. It varies by country."

"Yes. What about Japan? They say they're going to showcase the latest technology. I wonder if something like anime characters will appear..."

"Wow. I'm looking forward to it too!"

Moments later, the organizers brought out something.

"So, what kind of machine is Japan bringing out?"

"A machine?"

A large transparent container filled with papers appeared on the broadcast screen and a giant robotic arm could be seen.

Click!

Click!

The robotic arm, demonstrating its precision, tapped its fingers and reached into the container to spread out the paper slips.

— lmao

— It is indeed state of the art...

— ??? "Humanity's era is over!"

— Just run the algorithm lol

— This is the fun part

"No, no... it's not just about picking like in the World Cup, right? It's not just one or two countries."

OrangeKing was flustered.

The qualifiers for the international competition were so accessible that numerous countries participated. It was the main competition that really mattered. Were they going to select all the groups with that arm?

"So, because it's hard for someone to physically do! That's why they’re using a robotic arm! Right?"

"No, no, it should just be a computer..."

— lmao

— OrangeKing is speechless lol

— The floppy disk's country

Snap!

The robotic arm began to pick countries one by one. The arm itself was so precise that it could unfold the papers without tearing them, just like a human.

"Ah, anyway! Countries are just starting to be announced..."

Since Korea had not yet appeared, they didn’t have much to say.

However, as each country unfolded, OrangeKing explained the characteristics of their civilizations and their records in previous competitions.

"Italy. Rome is coming up."

"Ah. Rome is a powerhouse. There's no one in the world who doesn't know Rome. It's one of the civilizations whose actual strength is reflected quite well in the game."

"Ah! If it were the true historical Rome, that would be terrifying!"

"Yes. In the game, they frequently make it to the finals and have won once. Korea is about to be...

Viiiiiiiisssss

!!!" OrangeKing suddenly screamed.

Sure enough...

Snap!

The flag unfurled by the robotic arm bore the proud Taeguk mark.

— Emergency! lol

— damn lol

— dreadful

— lmao

— An honorable death!

On the broadcast screen, the Japanese commentators could be seen struggling to hold back their laughter.

What followed was even more spectacular. The countries being revealed all boasted notable records and were in the same group as Korea.

Snap!

"Wow! France's Franks! Known for their chivalry centered cavalry. They have one championship!"

The Franks were another civilization that had won the international competition before.

Snap!

"Ah, Spain's Spanish civilization! Famous for its invincible fleet. They haven’t won a championship, but they have been runner-ups twice and always make it to the quarter-finals!"

Spain was invincible in naval warfare.

At this point, the Japanese commentators burst into laughter.

OrangeKing urgently spoke up, "It's okay! You know, the invincible fleet we always talk about in the World Cup!? Here, instead of soccer balls, they actually shoot cannonballs!? It's fine! Joseon has the Turtle Ship, right!? What's an invincible fleet to us!? Come on! Crane wing formation, deploy!"

OrangeKing raised his arms like a bird as he shouted. It was pitiful to watch.

— lol

— "Invincible Fleet” (literally)

— seriously lol

— Shooting cannons lol

— What kind of bird is that? lol

— It's not crane wing formation but an eagle shot, isn't it?

The caster asked quietly, "Ah... Are these three powerful countries all grouped with our country?"

"Yes!"

[South Korea: Joseon]

[Italy: Rome]

[France: Franks]

[Spain: Spanish]

Considering the historical performance in the international competition, South Korea was at a disadvantage.

Nevertheless, OrangeKing managed to find a positive angle.

"Now, everyone! Aren't we lucky this isn't the World Cup draw!"

— lol

— Wow, if that were soccer, it would be horrific...

— lmao

— lol for real

— Honestly, it's manageable if it's a game

"We're still alive because it's just a game! Let’s go South Korea!!!"

***

While watching with the viewers, Almond turned down the volume after the drawing for the Korean group concluded and said, "Well... that's actually good."

— What is??

— What exactly? lol

— Because he’ll be out of the tournament quickly, LOL

“Last comment, you’re banned. See you at the start of the qualifiers. Bye~!"

— ???

— What's good about that?!

— It's not good, he’s just happy because a lot of donations came in lol

— Ah, there he goes, he’s just happy

A few days passed. The first day of the qualifiers for the international competition arrived.

[Joseon vs Franks]

Their first opponent was the civilization of knights, the Franks.