May.
The warm season and the time when the vigor of spring is at its peak.
However, – No way, what the heck is this?
– Just trying to make it to the finals lol just gotta win the preliminaries lol
South Korea did not enjoy the peaceful May as usual.
– Is this insanity for real? What’s up with the performance?
– There’s no teamwork at all, right? Drawing a line in front of Sword Saint was outright irritating.
– Sword Saint was all bark and no bite.
– This is madness. They got debuffed throughout the match, even facing long-range attacks!
– Exactly. What more do they want, even after facing Sword Saint? No ranker from any country can handle that.
– Seriously, it’s not Sword Saint that’s the problem.
– It seems like the guilds participating in the national team event were running wild lol
The Arena communities were ablaze with discussions about the National Team Preliminaries, which were tirelessly burning through.
Not only that,
– Hey, did you watch the preliminary rounds?
– Of course! How can you not watch it? Getting hit by the same strategy over and over again?
– I feel sorry for Kim Shihyuk. No matter what tactics he uses, he always gets swept by the opponents.
– It’s obvious that the guilds are targeting Kim Shihyuk. They throw their strongest forces against him and just play among themselves!
– No, no matter their personal feelings, they should keep it private. Why resort to this kind of behavior in the National Team Competition?
– It’s a complete international embarrassment!
No matter where you went in the country, the only talk was about the defeat of the national team in the National Team Competition, and the news was boiling in every news outlet and portal site about the defeat in the preliminary rounds.
And then,
– Yes, I’m aware of that.
– That’s not under my jurisdiction. The Platinum National Team has already…
– Our Platinum National Team’s power is lacking…
– That’s entirely up to the association.
The man received consecutive calls. With a sharp voice fitting his stern demeanor, the man continued the calls for over two hours.
“Damn it!”
Finally ending the last call, he threw his phone away.
Thud.
The phone shattered with a dull sound. Without even glancing at it,
Thud!
The man slammed his desk before he could regain control of himself.
“These damn bastards! They still managed to lose even after all the boasting that it’s not like last year! And to Thailand, of all lower-tier countries!”
Sharp complaints poured out. And then,
Click.
Beside him was a 2-meter tall figure.
Choi Changwook picked up a nameplate that had fallen from the desk, saying 『Kim Muyeol, chairman of the Korean Awakeners Association』, and quietly placed it back on the desk.
Kim Muyeol nervously lit an Arena brand cigarette.
“Choi Changwook, what’s the situation?”
With a hiss, the cigarette lit up.
Choi Changwook waited for Kim Muyeol to take a couple of puffs before speaking.
“It’s not good. If we only focus on the preliminaries, elimination is certain, and with no extension tickets for buffs available immediately, the national buff will be removed as soon as the national competition ends.”
“Ha…..”
A bitter laugh, accompanied by a greyish smoke, erupted. With frustration, Kim Muyeol rolled his eyes and roughly swept back his bangs.
“The national buff that has never been interrupted is cut off during Kim Muyeol’s term?”
Since the appearance of Galaxy Arena, South Korea has never missed advancing to the main event of the national competition. Naturally, the national buff, which only the main event qualifiers can obtain, has never been interrupted.
But now, is that record being broken? By none other than himself, a first-generation ranker and the current head of the association in South Korea?
Kim Muyeol’s gaze sharpened.
“Even if you have a diamond on, you should know how to differentiate between official business. How could you do such a thing at an international competition?”
“Not to mention that the public sentiment is not very favorable due to that.”
Choi Changwook glanced at Kim Muyeol once and spoke.
“Internationally, aside from the disgrace, there is a strong opinion questioning whether top guilds can openly undermine rankers like this.”
“Hmph! They probably couldn’t replace the ranker in the preliminaries with their own ranker.”
In the preliminary round of the national competition, unless it is a country with guaranteed seeding rights like the United States or China, everyone had to participate in the preliminaries. In the name of fairness, only one ranker could participate in the preliminaries per guild.
“If they were that dissatisfied, they should have gotten first place in the national team selection match.”
Generally, the ranker participating in the preliminaries is decided by winning first place in the national team selection match. Winning first place in the selection means being the strongest player among the participants.
“However….”
With a sigh, Kim Muyeol said, “It was not only for that reason that such an uproar happened. Since the time Kim Shihyuk participated in the national team selection match, it was as good as certain that he would be first place.”
“Then, why…. Ah.”
Perhaps he had a clue.
Choi Changwook nodded his head without finishing his sentence.
“It’s because of the Growth Buff Guild.”
“Yes.”
Kim Muyeol nodded as well.
“They must be protesting that we didn’t give any benefits to their guild from the Growth Buff. Spreading foolish propaganda claiming discrimination against domestic guilds.”
“But didn’t the Myth guild send one member? I heard that Lee Yujeong gave up her master position to Lee Younghee and joined the Shimdrasil guild.”
“That’s why it’s foolish. Are facts important to them?”
Kim Muyeol chuckled as he flicked his cigarette ash.
“Especially for long-standing guilds since the first generation, it’s even more so. They simply can’t believe that their abilities are lacking, having only survived due to the first-mover advantage,” Choi Changwook added with a bitter smile.
“Indeed….”
Over time, eras change. And human desires and aspirations tend to move towards something better than the present. Naturally, things of the past fade away. This was a fact proven by human history.
“And the first-generation players aren’t retiring for no reason.”
Even the players who were said to be flying high weren’t exempt from this category.
During the early days of Galaxy Arena, known as the savage era, proper items, strategies, skills, or magic had not yet been established. Everything related to the arena had to be learned through trial and error.
Accumulating over time and now, with the debut of new players in the Arena information obtained through accumulation and growth, the first-generation players who lived in the savage era are now not so many.
From stat investments to released potions, various nurturing systems, from within the accumulated and developed arena information, newly debuted players were surpassing them.
But as always, there were exceptions. There were those who defied the flow of the times, enduring even as they decayed.
“So in the end, the ghosts of the past are holding us back.”
The masterminds behind the current situation. Most of the guild leaders who were making a name for themselves were being dominated by these first-generation ghosts.
Kim Muyeol pondered his loyal servant’s words carefully.
“The ghosts of the past… I can understand, but it’s an unpleasant expression. If they had the ability in the first place, they wouldn’t have perished.”
Even just looking at him, it was clear that most of the current generation of diamond players couldn’t measure up to him as the current president of the association. The same was true for his loyal servant, Golem Choi Changwook.
Including the core members of the Myth Guild, as well as the first-generation players still active, they all thought the same.
“Just because we lived in the same era doesn’t mean we’re all like those bottom feeders, Choi Changwook. Draw the line clearly.”
“You’re right. I apologize. I misspoke.”
Choi Changwook bowed deeply. As he raised his head again,
“Is there something to be said on this side?”
Kim Muyeol asked casually.
“There is. The main topic seems to be what the Association has been up to.”
“Well, I suppose that’s to be expected.”
Originally, the national team selection match was completely managed by the Awakening Association. Naturally, the Association couldn’t remain indifferent to conflicts between players or issues with teamwork.
As he thought about it,
“Hmm… What’s the solution?”
Although he already knew the answer, Kim Muyeol asked as if he really didn’t want to hear it, letting out a deep sigh.
“As the main team is already confirmed to be eliminated… there’s no way other than securing a seed spot in the special match.”
Choi Changwook delivered the answer that his lord hated hearing the most.
“What are the chances for the current representative team in the special match?”
“As you know, in our country, players below the Diamond rank are generally weak…”
Choi Changwook’s words trailed off. In reality, except for the top-level players in Korea, the overall skill level of ordinary players wasn’t that high.
Not to mention the Elite Nations or Ranker-producing country name that was given without much thought.
“Based on the data we have so far, there seemed to be no hope of securing the seed spot. However…”
Until now.
And it no longer ‘was’. Just with these two statements, Kim Muyeol had a hunch.
“Damn pests. Once this is over, I’ll eradicate them all!”
He feared it the most. But there was no choice but to take the most unpleasant route. However, what could he do as the current Association President of awakened individuals in South Korea?
“Get in touch with that guy.”
Pressing his temples, Kim Muyeol reached out his hand towards Choi Changwook.
“It’s me.”
-Oh? The sun will rise from the west tomorrow? Uncle even personally called.
Over the phone, a voice that was irritating to the point of being sinister and made the hair on one’s neck stand on end could be heard.
* * *
Click.
Clack.
Various sounds of work, including metal, could be heard. And one man in the center of this busy research lab was making a call.
“So, you’re asking me to participate in the special match, right?”
To Shimun, none of these sounds were audible.
-Yes, that’s correct.
Except for the cold voice on the other end of the phone.
– It might not be a bad offer for someone like you. You might not care about things like honor, but there is some merit in the special quest rewards.
The sharp voice that seemed like it could cut just by listening sounded surprisingly smooth. It was akin to a sharp sword without a blade.
In response to this astonishing change, Kim Shimun chuckled and replied.
“Unfortunately, I don’t really see any merit in it for me.”
– What?
Perhaps it was an unexpected response. Kim Muyeol’s bewildered voice could be heard.
Kim Shimun reiterated his response once more.
“Indeed. The special quest rewards hold no merit for me.”
It was the truth. It wasn’t that Kim Shimun wanted to tease his uncle, Kim Muyeol.
“Thinking of it as SS-Rank equipment for special quest rewards is meager.”
While realistically speaking, SS-Rank equipment was an item that even Diamonds would drool over, for Kim Shimun, who crafted Myth-grade martial arts, there was no merit at all.
Rather.
“I am better off participating in the special arena at the Black Forge.”
As it was a hidden quest, the rewards were guaranteed.
Was Kim Shimun’s response genuine?
– What do you want?
Kim Muyeol asked in a somewhat calmer voice.
“What I want… well, I don’t really have anything I want from uncle?”
Kim Shimun shrugged his shoulders. From the moment he had taken DS, his uncle, Kim Muyeol, could not escape from the manipulation of the situation. Well, his uncle probably thought of only the recorded transcript from that time as his weakness.
– Get rid of the useless chitchat. Don’t you need money? Now is the time when money is pouring in for you, especially in the mage class, isn’t it?
Kim Muyeol spoke in that manner, but Kim Shimun smirked in response. Even his sharp uncle didn’t realize how meaningless money was to him at this moment.
Was that what made him feel bad?
– What’s so funny?
Kim Muyeol’s voice grew increasingly tense, but that was it.
“Just something amusing happened. And I really don’t need the money, Uncle.”
Kim Shimun replied without paying much attention.
– Tsk, I don’t want to have a long conversation with you. Just tell me the amount you want clearly.
“I’m serious. I really don’t need anything.”
– You!
Kim Muyeol’s tone grew louder. But what could he do?
Material possessions were truly of little importance to Kim Shimun.
“If you gives me a special random box like during my debut, then who knows.”
Then, he would receive another Paracelsus series to try out.
As the conversation reached an impasse.
– Are you really trying to make me lick your feet or something?
In the end, Kim Muyeol lost his composure.
Just then.
– L-Lick his feet?
Another voice echoed in Kim Shimun’s ear.
– That stoic and dignified man… forcefully licking the feet of his own nephew, whom he despises more than anything else? Becoming a middle-aged man tainted by disgrace both physically and mentally… Oh my! Just the thought is thrilling!!
“…
”
Thunk!
Kim Shimun nonchalantly hit himself right in the center of his chest with a precise palm strike.
– A-Ah! Effective critical strike!
Meanwhile, not far away, the Philosopher’s Stone inside a flask being worked on was shaken.
Seeing this pathetic sight, Kim Shimun raised his trembling hand to his temple.
“Who on earth said that the whisper of the void drives people insane?”
There’s a whisper that drives people truly insane. The words seemed to be from someone who had never met a real demon.
Shimun barely held onto his unraveling thread of sanity and spoke up, “Forget about compensation, I have another task for you later, so let’s talk about it then.”
– Nonsense! Just because I granted your request once, do I seem like your subordinate?
“Tsk, I don’t have time to argue with you right now.”
This, too, was sincere. He couldn’t let a creature more terrifying than void indulge in such delusions any further.
“Won’t forget the recording, will you?”
– … That should have been settled with providing information on the secret research of the Continental!”
“If we boil it down, isn’t my request very reasonable? You will take on a task in exchange for participating in the Special Match at your request.”
Kim Muyeol remained silent. He also knew something. He just didn’t want to owe Shimun anything. The proposal Shimun offered was undoubtedly reasonable.
– If this is some unreasonable request…
“It’s not, even if it is, you won’t be able to decline, uncle.”
– You’re quite arrogant! Hah… Fine. I’ll do as you say. But be prepared if you lose in the Special Match.
“I’m not scared at all, uncle. Goodbye.”
Shimun abruptly ended the call.
“Heugh…”
He trembled with a sensation that could be either agony or pleasure beyond the Philosopher’s Stone.
“Appa…”
“Shiyeon. You’re the only one for me.”
After comforting himself with sleeping Shiyeon in one of the lab’s beds, he left the room.
“I was wondering how I should act after hearing Lee Yujeong’s words, but it worked out well.”
After finishing his conversation with Choi Changwook, Shimun spoke with Lee Yujeong.
She provided the answer to the question about the arena facility in Cheorwon that was puzzling him.
“Orabeoni, there’s actually an arena-related facility in Cheorwon.”
When he first heard about this fact from her, he was very surprised. But he understood later what she meant.
“Our family’s Holy Trinity Bio has a facility there.”
Holy Trinity Bio. A place producing medical supplies related to the arena that Dohu Yeonghee had established.
“Until hearing from the secretary, I had no idea it was an unregistered facility. From what my grandfather told me, I thought it was simply a material-related facility…”
Of course, Shimun didn’t say anything to Lee Yujeong except for thank you.
As a company like Holy Trinity, it could have a secret facility hidden, and he didn’t want to trample on his younger sister’s courage to tell him, knowing the group’s implication.
Crucially.
“The Chairman….”
The Holy Trinity Bio facility secretly erected in Cheorwon was none other than the property of the current Holy Trinity owner. Under the supervision of Chairman Lee Suncheol, the facility was built.
“I can’t believe they’re at odds over land disputes. Well, it’s not that surprising.”
Lee Suncheol had always been close to Shimun’s uncle, Kim Muyeol. Furthermore, considering his business strategies, it was no longer surprising that there was no connection with land disputes.
“Let’s look into the Cheorwon area gradually.”
Shimun, who had walked from the lab to the living room without realizing it, stared at an odd sight in broad daylight. Rows of bottles of fiercely potent arena liquor were lined up, enough to kill an ordinary person in a single drink.
Beyond those bottles…
“You bastards…”
A handsome man drunk on arena liquor and two pretty ladies drinking together were visible.