[WCS] Global Finals 2014 Day 1 - Page 25

Winner: Zest, by Shady Sands

"Just... just who is this barcode fuckface?"

Joo Sung Wook's jaw hung open as he tried wrangling down the four medivacs darting amongst his bases. His jaw opened wider as his opponent's bio danced past zealots, their marines executing probes, marauders demolishing nexii. When his all-in counter ran over a quad of mines, he tapped the g keys twice for the sixth time in a row.

"Shibal... this multi..."

Now onto the profile screen - click open match history. Twenty-eight and one. All terran, except for one loss as protoss.

Zest shook his head, began typing. Who are you? This is Sung-Wook.

I've known you for years... you can't beat me. Even when you did, I was just toying with you.

Ah, Zest thought. Young-ho hyung, is this you? I thought you were busy playing FIFA...

Hahaha... why are you calling a surgeon a caveman? Are you insulting me, boy?

Zest snorted and grabbed another bottle of Pocari sweat from a cardboard box. The grapey tang cleared his head and he stood up, vaulted a few quick steps into Flash's private room... and found the God of Brood War asleep, mumbling the phrase 'bulgolgi bulgolgi bulgolgi' over and over again.

Zest sat back down at the computer. Mr. Barcode had added a new line.

So you're playing against a zerg in a few weeks, huh?

Yes, I'm playing against Life. He resisted the urge to add the word 'hyung', but there was no doubt in his mind that he was not the favorite going into the match.

Just a zerg... just another zerg.

Zest laughed a little. The phrase sounded familiar.

I'm honestly a little nervous for the match.

Barcode's reply was quick. Keke, are you trying to flirt with me? I'm not that girl who ran onstage screaming oppa oppa oppa at the GSL...

A few rays of light began to arc off the Korea Life Building, fighting past blinds to brighten up the practice room. Zest squinted.

I really am. I feel trapped when I play against someone with such good control and aggression...

Hah... no zerg is aggressive. They're all fakes.

Huh?

All of them. Greedy fakes, trying to scare you so they can make more drones.

So I should just...

Distract and strike. Strike, strike, and strike again. And never let up.

Hmmm. Thank you, ... hyung.

No, thank you, dongsang. You make a former protoss like me proud.

Protoss? But your record... Zest took another sip of the Pocari sweat. Something began to click.

I am better with Terran, but I had too much pride to switch... just like Young-Ho had too much pride to go to Protoss.

You - your multi - you're -

I must go. You gave me good ideas for how to properly train Classic. And you better beat Life, so the insights I have gleaned on you do not go to waste...

Zest powered down his computer. He slept well that day.