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People always wondering the secret behind Lee Minhyeong’s infamous undying loyalty towards his team. Working in the profession where people could easily come and go, he willingly choose to stay and dedicated himself, diligently working hard to bring back the glory that once in their possession, so they can rise again to mark themselves as one of the best team. Of course the suggestion of his father to stay at the “best” organization played a big part for his decision, but perhaps there is other factor that influence him, and that is none other than Lee Sanghyeok, the biggest star in the scene, whose his name has become a symbol of divinity in the worlds of his profession.
Around the time when Minhyeong decided to become pro-gamer, he vividly remember watching worlds final. There stood Lee Sanghyeok, having already secured back-to-back Worlds championships, a feat never achieved before, once again standing on the final stage, aiming to set another record: becoming the first team to achieve a three-peat. He appeared calm, composed, and confident as he waved to the audience in the stadium and the millions watching around the world, perhaps because he was already accustomed to standing on the biggest stage. But sadly, the result did not mirror his previous triumphs. In the end, he had to accept a bitter defeat, one that left him breaking down in his seat, his body trembling, and tears flowing freely, a sign of great anguish that never seen before from man that claimed to be LoL god. Watching that vulnerable moment strengthened Lee Minhyeong’s resolve to become a professional gamer. He too, wanted to experience the extreme highs and lows that come from giving everything in the pursuit of victory.
Not long after that he finally met the LoL God in person. His appearance still the same, skinny person with bangs that cover his thick eyebrow, completed with a pair of round glasses. But there’s seems to be a shift of personality. He might not known him personally before, but from what he’s seen, in the past he look and act like a mighty figure that worth to bear the title of “LoL God” but now he seems… more humble. Maybe because he’s getting older. The once carefree youngest man on the team now become the oldest one and having responsibility to become the captain of the team, guiding the younger one with his experience under his wings to reach the desired victory.
When he become his teammates, he feels determined to get close and makes him comfortable around him. According to Minhyeong, thanks to his good social skills and boldness he surprisingly getting along well easily with him. He understood that Sanghyeok was a highly competitive person, so he tried to bond with him by teasing and taunting him like an elementary school kid. Since Lee Sanghyeok didn’t care much about age hierarchy, Minhyeong felt confident that he genuinely wanted to treat everyone as a friend. However, due to his status, many found him unapproachable. Trusting his sharp intuition, Minhyeong decided to be bold. As a result of his efforts, Lee Sanghyeok now doesn’t hesitate to tease him back and is completely comfortable with physical interactions around him.
After being together as a long time teammates, Lee Sanghyeok presence becomes something special to him. At first he jokingly said that he wants to get rid of him, that makes the community like to jokes that he wants to steal his crown but personally he’s someone who likes to be given a task rather than being the captain. They already experienced many up and down together, making him appreciated Sanghyeok more as a person. If he had to describe him Sanghyeok is his purpose, role model, brother and friend. A purpose, because of Sanghyeok outstanding achievement makes him set his personal goals to surpass Lee Sanghyeok’s achievement as one of his motivation to become the best player. A role model, because of Lee Sanghyeok good reputation and life habit he can learn to be a better person, by adapting Lee Sanghyeok’s good habit like swimming as a way to keep his body healthy or reading a book. He actually feels that reading so many books expand his knowledge, making him feels thrilled about his own growth. A brother, because of Lee Sanghyeok's advice, he was able to withstand and endure hard times as a professional player. A friend, because even when they chose separate paths, he always subtly looked out for him in his own way. As he whispered "you've worked hard" while giving him a soft tap on the shoulder, accompanied by a familiar faint smile on his lips, it made Minhyeong feel a sense of accomplishment and acknowledgment from the LoL God. In that moment, he felt as if he had fulfilled his task. If Minhyeong had a time machine and could go back to meet the younger version of Sanghyeok, he would've proudly tell him that somewhere in the future he could achieve the three-peats and told him that he was the one who helped him achieve the longed for three-peats. He also wanted to say that Sanghyeok’s hard work and dedication were never in vain, because they sparked something in others, like Minhyeong, to follow the same path. He always feel grateful for the care, the knowledge, and the guidance that helped him grow. Now, with that foundation, Minhyeong was ready to take flight and chase his own dreams. Their bond would always live on, carried through the competitive spirit in their veins. It was the drive that connected them, even as they moved in different directions. No matter where their journeys took them, that shared fire would never fade.