Chapter 2: Descent into Iron

Legends and Legends.

Currently a sensation among those in their teens, twenties, and thirties, “LoL,” as it’s commonly called, is often described as a game combining AOS and RPG elements.

The basic gameplay involves 5v5 matches, and like an RPG, you can choose a class.
The classes range from swordsmen to dark mages, offering quite a variety.

The first team to reach 30 kills or capture three bases wins.

“Alright. Let’s do this.”

After the game finished installing, the familiar client window greeted me.

I already felt a sense of comfort, like returning home.
This level of internal familiarity without ever having played the game…
Truly remarkable adaptability.

Perhaps I, this man–no, woman–possess the talent of a true gaming master.

And finally, it arrived.
The inevitable moment of suffering for all gamers!

[Please enter a nickname.]

Choosing a nickname.
A truly malicious task that sometimes takes longer than actual playtime.

“Hmm…”

I actually had a few ideas in mind.
Since I started playing to snipe, it seemed fitting to choose a streamer-related name.

“What the…”

But it wasn’t easy.

[‘LenySniper’ is already in use.]
[‘IWantToBangLeny’ is already in use.]
[‘LikeIfYouWantLenyDead’ is already in use.]
[‘GoatLeny’ is already in use.]

This is dizzying.
All sorts of nicknames were already taken. Why are there so many trolls in the world?

I alone am enough to snipe her… I guess I’ll have to set an example for them.

[‘VerySpicyLenyMain’ welcomes you.]

“Sigh… Not great.”

The nickname I finally came up with after much hardship. Honestly, I wasn’t entirely satisfied.

But this was the best I could do.
My creativity, honed by countless silly posts, struggled to conquer the high ground already occupied by numerous snipers.
This is why it’s important to be first. Just like it’s important to be the first to post nonsense.

Anyway, I decided to move on.
The important thing was to snipe Leny quickly; wasting more time on this wasn’t worth it.
I can always change the nickname later.

[Would you like to play the tutorial?]

“What tutorial?”

I promptly skipped it.
A four-year veteran of LoL streams, what use do I have for a tutorial? It’s not an exaggeration to say I already know everything about the game.

“Now, the ranked mode is…”

I tried to jump straight into ranked games.

Leny was in Iron, the lowest tier, right?
They say it’s a place where average players rarely tread, but I figured I could get there by losing all my placement matches.

[You do not have the required level for ranked games.]

But there was another unexpected hurdle.

‘Leveling up manually is such a chore…’

[Payment for ‘Level 30 Macro’ has been completed.]

So, I resorted to a third-party macro. A macro that automatically levels up by playing bot matches.
30,000 won was a bit of a sting, but leveling up manually would take at least 20 hours, so let’s just say I bought time with money.

If I run out of food money… future me will figure it out. I can just skip a malatang meal if I have to.

[Starting ranked game.]

After waiting about five hours, I hit level 30 and immediately jumped into ranked.
I considered using a macro for ranked as well, but I heard that could get me banned, so I gave up.

I’ve invested so much time already; getting banned now would make me cry.

• Dramatic music

“Let’s go.”

Finally, the pick screen with its grand background music.
I’ve only ever seen it on a small smartphone screen; seeing it like this felt new.

[I shall become a demon!]

Without a second’s hesitation, I chose the Dark Mage. The class considered the most overpowered in LoL.

It’s common sense to pick an OP character when you’re starting, right?
And so, my historic first game began, with such a powerful class at my back.

What if I’m too good and carry the team? I need to lose to get to Iron.

-You have been slain.
-An enemy is on a rampage.
-An enemy is legendary.

=Defeat!=

“……”

Unfortunately, that didn’t happen.
Indeed, watching and playing are worlds apart.

In streams, dodging enemy skills with slick movements looked so easy, but I just got hit by everything.

If I had to make an excuse, it was my first game, and I wasn’t warmed up yet.
But now I truly understand. From the next game onwards, I will surely be reborn as a merciless carry machine.

-Ding! -Ding!

“…Huh?”

Countless chat messages started pouring into the results screen after the game.

[ChatAndIllThrow(Swordsman): Dark Mage, you
ing suck]
[goacr7(Swordsman):
, I get a feeder in my promo match? Go snipe your own
ing streamer]
[LoveMommySoMuch(Guardian): zz fd I want to start a revolution because of those skills]

Most of them were praises directed at me.
Probably because of my score.

[0/19/3]

Honestly, I admit it’s a disastrous KDA.
But I was seriously bullied. Three or four people were ganging up on me; how could a newbie like me survive?

If they had watched my screen for even a minute, they wouldn’t be cursing at me but offering encouragement.

And if they really wanted to win, they should have helped me. Looking at it this way, I’m not at fault at all.

-Ding! -Ding!

To those who continued to sing my praises, I cheerfully replied.

[VerySpicyLenyMain(Dark Mage): See you all in the next game ^^]
[ChatAndIllThrow(Swordsman): You little
…]

-VerySpicyLenyMain has left the room.

“Phew…”

Despite what I said in chat, after waiting a minute, I started another ranked game.
I absolutely refused to encounter those toxic players again.

• Dramatic music

And so, my journey towards Iron began anew.

=Defeat=

=Defeat=

=Defeat=

=Defeat=

[Congratulations! You have been placed in ‘Iron IV’.]

“……”

And with a perfect record of 0 wins and 10 losses, I was successfully placed in Iron.

“Oh yeah…”

A combined score of ‘7/138/32’ across ten games and a 0% win rate. A record so unbelievable, it could be mistaken for manipulation.

Of course, there was no reason to be discouraged by my performance.
I wasn’t even trying. I was just playing casually to meet Leny.

If I showed my true skills, I could at least reach Diamond. For real.

“Gotta do what I gotta do…”

――Click!

Leaving my regrets behind, I took a screenshot of the results screen before closing it.

To post it on the subreddit, of course.
I couldn’t miss the chance for some good trolling.

[This Body Has Descended.AV] (Views 597)
=Author : GOAtSolNoon=

(A screenshot of the results screen showing placement in Iron IV)

This body has descended to Iron to properly destroy Leny.

Likes : 33   Dislikes : 5

-lol death sentence for feeders ON, the real troll has arrived
-Did you boost? That KDA is impressive. That’s bannable btw, bye
ㄴ(Author) ㄴㄴ Pure skill
ㄴPure skill lolololol
ㄴWow.. not human
-Already reported you, enjoy your ban.
ㄴFeeder caught
-(An emoticon that induces likes)
-Ugh, phone camera quality makes me want to die.

[Why Leny is in Big Trouble.guel] (Views 319)

GoatSolNoon << A crazy
who’s mastered sockpuppets and alt accounts.

Probably going to use dozens of accounts to snipe in LoL too.

Like if you’re a Leny fan trembling in fear lol

Likes : 41   Dislikes : 19

-Ugh,
, why him of all people?
ㄴFeeder caught
ㄴWhy bother catching him? Half of the subreddit are Leny fans anyway.
ㄴHalf my
, then you’re one too
-lol Leny fans reaping what they sowed, so satisfying

[Pure Entertainment GOAT] (Views 278)

(A picture of SolNoon)

The GOAT has appeared to dispel the boring webnovel discussions.. We worship you.

Likes : 21   Dislikes : 5

-Like
-As expected, the drink GOAT
ㄴPepsi lol
ㄴMonster lol
ㄴMcCol lol
ㄴMcCol, seriously?
-So brazenly promoting your friends lol
ㄴJust posted a picture, how is that promoting friends? Are you a Leny fan?
ㄴTriggered?

After that, countless silly posts started popping up.
I only wrote one post, but suddenly, I became the subreddit’s main topic.

“Delicious, delicious.”

This is why I troll.
I haven’t even started sniping yet, and already so much attention is directed at me.

The subreddit, as always, was ablaze.
While I was posting nonsense as usual, melting away time with the internet ghouls, the time gradually approached.

I could sense it with my sixth sense.

“It’s about time…”

And finally, Leny started her stream.

[Leny stream ON! I’m really getting promoted today!]

“There she is!”

The moment to execute my grand plan had finally arrived.