From the northern lights of Reykjavik, a story was written not in ink, but in the radiant pixels of a game and the thunderous, collective heartbeat of a team. I remember the feeling, a quiet hum of disbelief that slowly crescendoed into a roar. We, ZETA DIVISION, were a constellation of stars from Japan, a region whose light had often flickered and faded on the grandest of international stages. Our goal, at the outset, was simple, almost humble: to win a single match. Yet, as we stepped into the arena of the 2022 Masters, something intangible took hold—a chemistry that felt like shared breath, a sense of destiny woven into every clutch play. It was not just a tournament run; it was a shared dream, a Cinderella story that resonated across oceans and servers, fueled by a chorus of "NICE!" that became our anthem. When the final curtain fell, it was a near-perfect performance from the mighty OpTic Gaming that finally ended our dance, leaving us with a third-place finish that felt not like an end, but a breathtaking, luminous beginning.

The Resonance of a Dream

The echoes of that achievement still vibrate within me. Coach XQQ once reflected that there is nothing better than such a result, yet his mind, ever the strategist, was already counting the fragile rounds where individual brilliance saved us. I carry that too—the memory of the Fracture battle against NiP, a symphony of tension where every note could have been the last. It taught us that the path forward is not just about soaring highs, but about forging a consistency as unyielding as stone. Our next goal, as articulated by Coach JUNiOR, crystallized instantly: to win the championship. Reykjavik was a masterclass in the unique, exhausting rhythm of an offline tournament—a tight schedule, shifting opponents, a pressure that cannot be simulated. We learned how to win, and we learned, viscerally, how difficult it truly is.

The Symphony of Support

When did we first feel the global embrace? For crow, it was a moment of pure, shared energy. Against Team Liquid, when the Nice remix echoed through the arena, we felt it—a tangible wave of support. Later, reviewing the streams, the comments section was a sea of encouragement, a digital chorus giving us strength. Twitter replies became our fuel. We were no longer just a Japanese team; we had become a story for the world. Every region we faced in Reykjavik played with a distinct, impressive style, but OpTic left the deepest mark. They played a game that moved behind our countermeasures, a testament to their adaptability and depth. Facing them was a gift, a harsh but invaluable lesson that we now carry into every practice.

The Spirit Within: Laughter, Luck, and "NICE!"

Our strength has always been more than aim and strategy; it is our spirit. On stage, we wear our emotions openly—a celebration of every small victory, a collective shoulder for every setback. Laz, our captain, was the conductor of this atmosphere, inspiring with booming "NICE!" calls and soothing mistakes with a gentle "Don’t mind." And if I had to name the soul of our morale, it is Dep, who cares for the team's spirit with a quiet, profound dedication.

Our signature "NICE!" became a phenomenon. Laz believes it resonated because we were the underdogs from a region with a past of struggle, making a giant leap with voices louder than the rest. It was an outburst of pure, unfiltered joy that the world wanted to sing along to.

To know us is to know our roots, a tapestry woven from other battles:

• Laz & crow: Veterans of Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, seeking a new frontier where their competitive fires could burn brighter.

• Dep: A wanderer of Overwatch and PUBG, drawn by curiosity to a new tactical world.

• TENNN: Another Overwatch pro, yearning for a stage where Japan could truly compete for the top.

• SugarZ3ro: An FPS enthusiast hooked from the very first beta test.

We are a mosaic of past lives, united under one banner.

Beyond the Game: The Men Behind the Monitors

In our spare time, we are not just players. We are individuals who find solace and joy away from the tactical screen.

Player	Spare Time Passion
Laz	Sleeping, practicing, or losing himself in the worlds of FromSoftware's Souls games.
crow	A cinephile, lost in movies and dramas, with a special love for Nolan's films and Lucifer.
Dep	A gourmand. His hobby is eating—seeking out exquisite restaurants or crafting delicate shrimp dumplings in his own kitchen.
TENNN	Petting his dog, sleeping, or sharing meals with friends. A master of Tetris, ranked among the world's top 80.
SugarZ3ro	Streaming VALORANT or immersing himself in the expansive Marvel cinematic universe.

Before a big match, our rituals vary. Laz seeks the clean energy of white rice. crow bonds the team over yakiniku. Dep and SugarZ3ro crave the fiery kick of spicy food. TENNN, ever proud of his roots, sips on Shizuoka green tea.

And when luck turns against us? The team unanimously points to crow (with a few nods to Laz) as the one who will voice the universe's unfairness with a comedic, "This is unlucky!"—a cathartic release that lets us reset and refocus. As for humor, the title of team comedian is bestowed upon Dep, the quiet mood-maker whose sudden jokes and unique words can lighten any tense moment.

Words for the Next Generation

If I could offer one piece of advice to those who dream of walking this path, it would be this collection of our collective wisdom:

• Laz: "Keep your motivation high. Set a goal close at hand—like defeating a world-class player—and grow towards it."

• crow: "Find a team. Competitive play is a different universe from solo queue. Team up with motivated friends and conquer community tournaments."

• Dep: "Play with the enthusiasm of 'I will make the strongest clip in the world.' Don't just focus on win or loss; concentrate on creating brilliance."

• TENNN: "Words alone won't make you better. Practice relentlessly. Watch, learn, and absorb knowledge from those who are great."

• SugarZ3ro: "Constantly seek the correct answer. Watch, practice, review, correct. Repeat this cycle to grow."

A Final Whisper of Gratitude

To the fans who painted our journey in Reykjavik with your support—thank you. Your cheers, from Iceland to our homes in Japan, were a powerful force that propelled us forward. Reading your comments, feeling your energy during the public viewings... it made us realize we were part of something bigger than a game. We are not satisfied. The third-place trophy is a milestone, not a destination. We carry the fire from that tournament, the lessons etched into our strategy, and the echoes of your "NICE!" into every day of practice. We are coming back. We are aiming for the summit. The story that began in the cold, bright air of Reykjavik is only just beginning its next, most thrilling chapter.