Season 4: Chapter 13: Victory Tour (1)

A few days later, Ju-Hyeok stood on a bare concrete floor. The walls were plain and unfinished without wallpaper, and the ceiling was fully exposed. The space looked completely unfinished. He glanced around carefully, tilting his head as he inspected various parts of the room.

"They said it’s okay to touch or modify stuff around here, right?" he asked the real estate agent.

"Oh, of course! You can’t use this place as-is. You’re free to finish the interior however you like."

"Why is it in this state, though? It’s a new building."

"

Ugh

, don’t even get me started. The whole construction was a disaster. The contractors basically squatted on the site and dragged things out like gangsters. They took all the money and ran before even finishing the job."

“

Hmm.

”

That explained it. Ju-Hyeok nodded and continued inspecting the space. There could be more than just unfinished interiors based on that backstory. Other issues with water, electricity, or leakage could exist.

‘If it leaked, there would be traces.’

Any leaks would have left visible marks since the property had been unoccupied and held up for a while.

‘None.’

He didn’t see anything like that. So far, so good.

‘This might just need a bit of interior work.’

He liked this space the most among those he’d seen so far. This was probably his third or fourth visit.

"Young folks these days are so thorough."

"Let me take another look at the contract."

"Sure, sure. Take your time."

Ju-Hyeok stood there carefully reading through the contract.

‘There’s probably a liability clause somewhere if I go remodeling carelessly and something goes wrong.’

His finger paused on a line of text.

"Oh. Here it is. You tell tenants to finish it however they want, but still sneak in a clause like this? At least finish the basic work before handing it over."

"Uh, excuse me? Oh no, this is just standard boilerplate—"

"Then, at least provide the standard finish. This place is clearly not standard."

"

Ugh.

One moment."

The real estate agent wiped the sweat off his forehead and made a call.

"Yeah, so we’re basically about to sign. Yes, yes. He looks young and bright, you know? Seems like they’ll stay a long time. Can you just tweak that one line? I mean, you’re not going to enforce it anyway."

Ju-Hyeok pretended not to hear, but caught every word.

‘A local accent, huh.’

The man didn’t normally speak in a dialect, but now he was speaking warmly with one to someone he already knew.

‘A bit iffy.’

Ju-Hyeok always liked the idea of having a separation of powers. Checks and balances were essential for fairness, especially in transactions. The agent, seller, and buyer had to all be strangers to ensure fair dealings.

‘Hmm.’

He looked around again at his potential future office.

‘Perfect.’

The conditions were quite favorable. The finish-it-yourself clause was a mess, but Ju-Hyeok could just leave the place as it was and make do. When had he ever worked in a perfectly furnished place? All he needed were working outlets and space for a desk.

‘This raw industrial finish is actually trendy now.’

He could already visualize what areas needed minimal touch-ups to look decent.

Click.

The phone call ended.

"So... modifying that clause won’t be easy. It’s a standard clause to prevent tenants from ruining the place, you know?"

The agent wasn’t wrong. Letting a tenant make unchecked changes to someone else’s property was inherently risky.

"Then give me a discount on the rent."

If the clause couldn’t be touched, Ju-Hyeok decided to negotiate the price.

"Whaaat? It’s already super cheap!"

"Come on. You know the owner. You must have some wiggle room."

The agent looked startled.

"We know each other? What are you talking about? He’s just from my hometown. This is the first time we’re doing business."

"I know everything."

Ju-Hyeok actually didn’t.

"Wh-What? No, seriously. It’s nothing like that! I just felt bad about his situation and wanted to help sell the place! And what risk could there possibly be with a rental contract?!"

Again, the agent had a point. Rentals were low-risk and not something to haggle over aggressively.

"I know, but still, cut me a break."

Ju-Hyeok hummed as he casually jiggled the bathroom door, sending a clear message. There would be no deal unless the agent lowered the price.

"

Ugh...

seriously..."

***

A few days passed.

"Jeez. Don’t ever try to rent through us again, got it? I’m serious," the agent grumbled bitterly.

Ju-Hyeok had clearly landed a great deal.

"

Hahaha

. Come on, boss."

Thud.

Ju-Hyeok cheerfully stamped his seal.

"You’ll be seeing me often, you know."

"Don’t come back!!"

***

Despite all the dramatic goodbyes during the last party, Ju-Hyeok ended up seeing the international tournament members all the time. This was typical for anyone who became a sports celebrity. They inevitably went on a major media circuit tour.

[Evening Wide]

["Heroes from a Parallel Universe?" Guest Segment Featuring the Fake National Team]

[LIVE in 30 mins!]

— Are the Fake National Team guys really on today??

— OMG I’m so hyped

— Almond showing up first as always, what a bro

— Is Cookie coming?

— Any updates on Cookie’s chemo?

— CRAAAAA!

Almond would appear on

Evening Wide

first. He had appeared on the show before, so he decided to return as a courtesy. According to Ju-Hyeok,

Evening Wide

had desperately begged to get them.

The panelists remained the same with the blunt critic Han Min-Gu, the host Kim True, and the peppy idol Seo-Rin. However, the treatment felt entirely different this time.

[LIVE on air]

The broadcast began with Kim True giving the intro.

"He may not have brought glory to the nation through archery! But he did in a virtual world! A patriotic young man! A handsome young man! A... not-so-brilliant grown-up! The pride of Korea—Almond!"

The producers even knew about his alternate persona.

— LMAO

— "Not-so-brilliant grown up"

— They’re hyping him UP

— They even know “SmartGrownUp?” They did their homework

— "For the nation!"

— So many fancy adjectives lol

— Just to clarify: SmartGrownUp is not Almond!

Almond wasn’t the only guest.

"Descendants of archers! The legendary archer corps of Joseon! The Fake National Team’s archers—welcome!"

Their entire squad of archers entered.

— OOOOOOHH

— Let’s goooo

— Cookie didn’t show up...

— The archer squad is tight

— Dang, Carrot’s makeup is fire!

— LOL Pang looks hilarious

— They’re going all out for this

An entire team rarely took over an

Evening Wide

segment. Usually, they only allowed a few guests from different fields. Last time, Almond had shared the segment with the male idol In-Ho and the female rapper Lil Grass.

"Now, I hear there’s a special chant to welcome them?"

Kim True began teasing the crowd.

The rest of the panelists all shouted, "

KRAAAAAH!

"

"

KRRRAAAAAAAHHHH!

"

— LOL

— The grand return of heroes lol

— Even Han Min-Gu shouted it!!

— Han Min-Gu please relax your face lol

— Even tough critics bow to national glory haha

The iron-willed and sharp-tongued comedian, Han Min-Gu, never played along with audience prompts. However, even he enthusiastically shouted, "

KRAAAAH.

"

"Wow. Han Min-Gu is actually doing this? That’s hilarious," Kim True teased.

Han Min-Gu heartily laughed and responded, "Well, I mean... This is basically a national honor situation, isn’t it? I’ll raise both my hands too. It can’t be helped."

"Exactly. Even Han Min-Gu bows before the Do-You-Know Club’s national prestige."

— LOLLLLL

— The "Do You Know" Club LOL

— Damn

— Can’t believe Almond came this far

— This is insane lmao

"Mr. Han Min-Gu, didn’t you complain about Almond’s name when he first came on?"

Laughter rippled through the panelists.

"Don’t play that clip. I bought one too, you know? That thing... what was it..."

Han Min-Gu made vague gestures above his head.

"You know, that Almond thing. What’s it called again?"

"You bought it without knowing what it was?"

"Hey, I had to survive, alright? I bought it in a hurry."

“

Bwahahaha.

”

The guests and hosts alike burst into laughter. The idea of Han Min-Gu participating in any sort of fan activity to boost his image was beyond believable.

— LOL

— Is he serious?!

— No way, did he really buy the I Wanna be Almond suit?

— That’s so extra

— This man is wild today lol

"Folks, it’s true. He bought it and even took a selfie wearing it. He even showed up to a live match."

— Wait, really???

— I’m losing it lol

— How did no cameras catch that??

They cut to the footage of Han Min-Gu pulling the Almond suit over his grumpy face. He awkwardly smiled and gave a thumbs-up. It was a sight to behold.

"Wait a minute. Is this a size small?"

"It’s an XL, dude."

— LOLOLOLOL

— Is that seriously XL?!

— His head is massive

— King-tier head size confirmed!

"Can’t you make a 2XL version for big-headed folks like me?" Han Min-Gu suddenly directed the question at Almond.

"Hey, that’s not in the segment script, Mr. Han Min-Gu."

"I’m just asking real quick, off the record. I heard Almond’s manager handles all the merch stuff, right?"

"Wait, how do you even know that?"

Despite Kim True’s attempt to stop him, Han Min-Gu carried on unfazed.

"You’ve made some serious money now, right? Come on. Make a 2XL, would you?"

“

Bwahaha.

”

Everyone laughed at Han Min-Gu’s unexpected intel.

— I’m dying!

— This man did his homework

— Bet Almond’s rolling in cash

— Han Min-Gu’s energy today is insane

— Look at his eyes sparkling lol

— Be like Min-Gu!

Sang-Hyeon finally chimed in, "Uh... that one already is 2XL."

"What?"

"You asked for the biggest one, right? Ju-Hyeok said so."

Han Min-Gu was stunned speechless.

"

HAHAHAHA!

Min-Gu oppa, what are you gonna do now?!"

— Wait, is that true? LOL

— No way LMAO

— Tbh, 2XL is pretty standard now

— Seo-Rin’s losing it haha

— That escalated fast lol

"N-No, Yu Sang-Hyeon... your TV game has gotten better, huh? You’re lying, right?"

— Denial is real LOL

— I can’t believe that was a 2XL lol

— His head size is in its own league

— I’m in tears omg

It was, in fact, a lie. Sang-Hyeon just made it up to be funny. Naturally, Han Min-Gu was the only one who didn’t know he was being trolled.

"Alright, alright. Mr. Han Min-Gu, let’s move on. Everyone here needs to prove their love for the Fake National Team, okay? Seo-Rin, you already confirmed yours, right?"

"Yes!" Idol Seo-Rin raised her hand high.

Han Min-Gu tapped the cue cards and interjected again, "Come on. She’s basically a cult member. What’s the point of making her prove anything? What difference does it make if a believer confirms their beliefs?"

— LMFAO

— He’s being petty again

— That was accurate though lol

— He’s not wrong!

— The cult analogy is spot on lol

Seo-Rin’s attitude hadn’t changed at all since Almond’s last appearance.

"That’s right. I’ve always been a fan. I won’t waver no matter what anyone says."

Kim True burst into laughter as Seo-Rin proudly proclaimed her faith. Han Min-Gu’s face twisted in defeat.

— LMAO

— Seo-Rin strikes back

— Class divide in the fandom confirmed

— The cult is hierarchical now!

"Alright, let’s check the footage."

The screen showed Seo-Rin posing in front of a Fake National Team poster on social media. She wore an Almond ball cap and carried an eco bag for a casual, everyday look.

"What the heck? This isn’t fan gear! You gotta go full-on Almond like me!" Han Min-Gu complained.

"Please. Wearing it just for cheering isn’t true devotion. I wear Almond gear every day out of love for the Fake National Team!"

— The Great Sang-Hyeon

— Why is it always Sang-Hyeon who wins??

— That’s literally Almond merch tho

— Not even Fake Athlete stuff lol

"It’s actually pretty cute. I brought it today too. It’s just a simple Almond design."

She even slipped in a product advertisement.

— She’s so consistent lol

— Seo-Rin is just whipped for Almond

— This is the worst streamer and I love him

— Seo-Rin pls

— Breaking News: Seo-Rin quits idol life to join the YSH cult

Fifteen minutes had passed since the livestream began.

‘Wow.’

‘This is insane. I haven’t said a word.’

‘What is this...’

Almond and the Fake National members hadn’t said a single word yet. They were stuck watching a fandom devotion battle.

"Even my son has the Almond suit! I’m raising him to be a proper Almond fan."

"Excuse me, Mr. Han Min-Gu. First off, you don’t even have custody. Second, you’re divorced."

"Still! I see him twice a week!"

For the team, this was their first taste of a major TV show’s chaotic energy.

— Kim True has lost his mind!

— The child custody burn LOL

— This show usually roasts the guests, but today their roasting the host

— This is comedy gold

— Han Min-Gu is taking Ls left and right

— The Fake National team guys haven’t spoken even once

— We’re still in the intro???

— They can’t even start the segment because of a cult war

— This is the life of a GOAT...