The Gyeonggi-based esports outfit, Gyeonggi Innate, has officially claimed the top spot at the Kkuburakko-bae Eternal Return Masters Season 9 Finals, held at the Busan Esports Arena on the 23rd and 24th of this month.

Gyeonggi Innate is the official esports team of Gyeonggi Province, established under the regional affiliation programme launched by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in 2024. The provincial government continues to back the team by covering their tournament participation expenses.

This season finale featured 12 teams selected through the regular league and playoffs of the Eternal Return Masters Season 9, which kicked off last November. It is a major official tournament backed by developer Nimble Neuron, local governments, and esports venues. On the 23rd, eight teams battled in the semi-finals, with the top four securing a direct ticket to the finals. On the 24th, those four met the qualifiers to determine the ultimate champion.

Gyeonggi Innate surged into the finals after a solid second-place finish in the semi-finals with 93.5 points. They kept the pressure on throughout the finals by securing two round wins, and even in the frantic final 8th round—where every team had reached the checkpoint—they maintained their cool.

The squad played a risky hand, doubling down on their Tsubame, Justina, and Marcus composition. After securing a second-place finish in one round through steady growth, they faced off against the previous season's champions. Yoon Young-jin’s Justina forced a favourable trade, while Jeon In-guk’s Marcus landed the crucial skills to seize momentum. Even when things looked hairy, Jung Jin-ho’s Tsubame managed to survive, clinching a dramatic comeback victory.

Jeon In-guk was crowned the tournament's MVP for his relentless front-line pressure, which served as the backbone of the team. The players reflected on their journey, noting, "There were slumps, but our fans never stopped cheering, which helped us reach this result. Winning this alongside teammates who trusted each other until the very end makes it even more special."