“Ki, Kim Shimun?!”
“When did he get here?!”
Eyes filled with astonishment. In the midst of it, two piercing gazes stood out amongst the rest.
One of them.
“Hey, what did you just say?”
A man with short sports hair. Chung Hajun stiffened his face as he stepped forward.
“Are you saying we’re weak? Is that what you’re saying to us right now?”
“You heard correctly. But why are you asking?”
Seemingly unable to comprehend, Kim Shimun tilted his head innocently.
“This guy!”
Chung Hajun’s face immediately darkened.
“You sneak in through the Association’s connections and spout nonsense at us now!”
“Association’s connections?”
Kim Shimun tilted his head innocently once again.
Soon after.
“Ah.”
So that’s what’s going on?
Kim Shimun let out a small sigh and nodded slowly.
“So, joining the special match without consulting the players, huh.”
Kim Shimun, who had not participated in the national team selection process, needed the additional option to join the special match. Naturally, the existing national team had to comply with the option provided by the opposing team.
“So, whether we win or lose, they planned to play their own game.”
Arriving at the training grounds halfway through, Kim Shimun had not heard the entire conversation. But with the word ‘Association’s connections’ just now, everything became clear to her.
“It’s quite a sophisticated way to handle things.”
Kim Muyeol, the Ironwood King. True to his independent nature, he simply sent a standard notification that Kim Shimun, the player, would be joining as an additional option.
Of course, the players, who had been selected through the selection process and had trained together for months, could not help but feel disgruntled.
“Do you understand the situation now? Then leave. Don’t cause trouble just because you want to worm your way into the national team.”
On a separate note, “It seems like you’re misunderstanding something.”
It had to be corrected.
“I’m not participating in the special match because I want to.”
“What did you say?”
An astonished voice. This time, it wasn’t Chung Hajun with the sports haircut.
“Excuse me, Kim Shimun-ssi. What on earth are you talking about?”
It was a woman with sharp eyes and a sharp tone.
“How can you participate in the special match against your will? Does that mean the Association begged you to participate and even bribed you in some way?”
Arms crossed, the woman asked in disbelief.
Nodding in agreement with Choi Hyoyun’s words, Kim Shimun replied.
“The Association President personally requested it. That’s why I’m here.”
“… Unbelievable!”
“Wow, this person is really insane.”
Choi Hyoyun and Chung Hajun burst out laughing in disbelief.
And following suit, the players who had been mocking them along with Lee Sangmin were no different.”Hey, Kim Shimun-ssi. Isn’t it a bit much to mention the association president like that?”
The association president asking a newcomer who just made it to Platinum rank to participate in a Special Match? And it’s none other than the legendary Ironwood King himself? However, Kim Shimun replied without a hint of hesitation, “Why would I lie about something like this?”
“Oh, well,” Chung Hajun seemed to indicate he didn’t want to discuss it further.
“Even without saying it, we are well aware of how skilled you are.”
He approached Kim Shimun with a casual wave of his hand.
“I watched your Platinum debut match. Yes, I admit it. You were impressive, really something. But you see…”
His words trailed off. A warm current, like the humidity of midsummer, grazed Kim Shimun’s skin. It wasn’t because of his mood.
“Special events are different. It’s not a place where someone who’s used to solo play can go wild!”
Chung Hajun stared at him threateningly. Indeed, a Platinum-ranked momentum exuded from him.
“That’s right. We acknowledge your skills, but in the end, it’s just a debut match, right?”
Hyoyun’s sharp voice interjected.
“I participated in the Platinum debut match with Hajun oppa as well. Of course, we didn’t show as overwhelming results as you did, but still, we know that a debut match is different from a Special Match.”
Even though she was a senior, hyoyun spoke up. With her arms crossed, she moved closer to Chung Hajun.
“Exactly, a Special Match is different from a debut match in terms of strategy and quality. It’s like the difference between a civilian and military confrontation, you know?”
“That’s a fitting analogy.”
Chung Hajun nodded approvingly with a very satisfied expression.
“Do you understand now? No matter how good you are, team matches are different.”
His released momentum intensified even further.
“So, back off. Or I’ll boycott you right away.”
Kim Shimun, with a slight smile, shook his head.
Kim Shimun was also well aware of the dynamics of team-based arenas.
Unlike the small-scale formations he had achieved in lower leagues,
In Platinum, arenas featuring large-scale battles like siege warfare began to appear.
Given that national competitions involve many top-rank players, the ability to coordinate was crucial.
Which is why they went straight into joint training after the selection trials, isn’t it?
But.
‘It’s not as serious as it seems. Their pride is more important than winning.’ This was a separate issue from discussing the differences in team matches.
“I understand the dissatisfaction with using the option to activate additional rights in participating.”
Suddenly, the announcement of using additional rights options from the association. Especially if it caused discontent among the players to allow someone who didn’t even compete in the selection matches to participate. However, “Is that the real reason for all this?”
“What?”
“Isn’t it more about fears of revealing your incompetence because of using the parachute option and not because of me?”
“W-What nonsense!”
Chung Hajun immediately retorted.
“Seriously! I can’t believe this! Hey, Kim Shimun-ssi. Are you finished talking?”
Hyoyun also fanned the flames with a raised voice, glaring at Kim Shimun. Kim Shimun chuckled before responding, “Isn’t that right? Although using the additional rights options may make an already tough match even tougher, isn’t the fear of winning despite such circumstances daunting?”
In the Special Match, the Korean team was already evaluated as the underdog. Even if they lose the match like this, the public’s anger will be directed not towards the “Platinum National Team” that couldn’t do much in the first place but towards the “Diamond National Team” that failed to advance to the main round.
However,
“You wouldn’t face any backlash even if you lose anyway. It’s just terrifying to have all sorts of aggro coming in and raising false expectations for this special match, isn’t it? What if you actually win? Then what about those of you who have been participating for years?”
“……”
“……”
Both Chung Hajun and Choi Hyoyun were left speechless. The other players who had been sending hostile glances their way while supporting them were no different. With a wry smile, Shimun spoke up.
“From avoiding responsibilities to defeatism. It saddens me to say this on our first meeting, but now I understand why you can’t break free from being a Platinum.”
Then,
“Nevertheless, it was somewhat commendable that you chose to go in the direction of boycott instead of directly confronting me, a Platinum player.”
Shimun didn’t hold back with his additional taunting remarks. As soon as those words left his mouth,
“This guy is unbelievable!”
“Are you out of your mind?!”
Roar!
The confident demeanor was now boiling over with anger. It wasn’t just Chung Hajun. It was the collective momentum of over twenty Platinum players, including Choi Hyoyun, that erupted simultaneously. The furious outcry of the national team continued.
* * *
Should it be called an empty Colosseum?
The circular arena made of stone was spacious enough to accommodate hundreds of people running around. And at its center,
“Why are you all standing there like that? It’s a team match for the Special Match, isn’t it?”
A strikingly handsome man.
“Why did you choose this map if you all won’t even form up quickly?”
Shimun asked nonchalantly. A man with a sporty haircut at the front of the group of over twenty. Chung Hajun gestured to a man without saying a word.
“Jiho, show yourself briefly.”
“Yes, hyung.”
A casually dressed man stepped forward. Shimun’s gaze shifted to the sword at the man’s waist.
“A rapier?”
A rapier. A slender and long sword that appeared to be around 100cm even at a glance. Rapiers, which were favored by European combatants, were not commonly used in Korea. Therefore, Shimun easily identified the opponent’s identity.
“Is that Jang Jiho, ranked 6th in the Platinum-rank?”
Focused on agile combat.
In reality, in the BroSilGol Line, combatants wielding such narrow swords were not particularly threatening. They weren’t fast enough, nor did they possess superior destructive power.
Given the nature of narrow swords requiring precise skills and finesse, it was unlikely for them to be present in BroSilGol.
However,
“I’ll go right away.”
Things changed when it came to Platinum rank. Thud.
Jang Jiho charging forward with determination. At the same time, the smooth continuation of his footwork contained its own intricacies.
Hmm.
A shimmering haze wrapped around the slender blade. The swordsmanship negated all the weaknesses typically found in the rapier style. Jang Jiho’s smile deepened as he noticed the focus of Shimun’s gaze on the sword.
“He must be wondering, to cut or to stab.”
With a regular sword, most people continue with a follow-up attack after a sword strike. It was efficient. But a rapier is different.
With its versatile characteristics, both stabbing and cutting strikes could be equally deadly. Especially in a one-on-one situation, he could fully utilize the psychological warfare inherent in the rapier style.
Depending on the opponent’s posture, he could choose the desired attack route.
“First, follow through with a cut, and then…”
Just like with a follow-up strike in swordsmanship. Jang Jiho smoothly continued with his footwork.
Swish.
Simultaneously, Shimun subtly shifted his body to the left. And Jang Jiho’s eyes gleamed.
“I got him!”
Jang Jiho’s elbow holding the sword suddenly jerked back. Concurrently, the rapier, which was slicing through the air in a curve, suddenly stood upright with its blade pointing forward.
“Die!”
The sharp rapier swiftly thrust forward towards Shimun.
Was it a second?
In a short span of time, Jang Jiho’s sword strike swiftly transformed from a cut to a stab, penetrating Shimun’s chest.
And then.
Snap.
A clear sound echoed.
He knew exactly what that sound meant, but Jang Jiho’s smile remained.
“It’s already too late!”
Each time Shimun flicked his fingers, something inexplicable happened. It was probably related to his abilities.
But after honing his stabbing skills relentlessly in Platinum for the past four years, Jang Jiho understood he was now at a level where he could handle whatever came at him. So he thought.
Swoosh.
Until Shimun’s body defied the laws of physics and twisted to the right.
“What!”
Jang Jiho’s eyes widened.
“How can a human body do that?”
It seemed unrelated to the human body’s physical structure. Shimun’s entire core, including his shoulders, twisted in the opposite direction.
Simultaneously.
“Goodbye.”
Using the rotational force from the evasion, Shimun’s fist grazed Jang Jiho’s jaw.
Thunk.
There was no room for screams.
Thud.
Jang Jiho’s face, now turned 180 degrees, showed shock.
And with his neck twisted along with his jaw, Jang Jiho splattered with blood.
“This is beyond words….”
Pain was not even felt. Jang Jiho’s dim vision signaled death. The last thing he saw was his teammates’ astonishment reflected there. Thud. Jiho, who was flying through the air, crashed outside the stadium.
“…”
The ensuing silence. Some who regained consciousness managed to open their mouths, “Un… unbelievable….”
“Jiho in one hit…?”
Most of the representatives looked on in horror at Jiho being thrown outside the stadium. A clear murmur of disbelief echoed in the representatives’ ears.
“Even like this, will it be a one-on-one match?”
The frozen thoughts of the representatives suddenly returned.
“W-what!”
Chung Hajun couldn’t even utter words properly. Choi Hyoyun also nervously bit her nails. Soon, “H-Hajun oppa, we absolutely can’t do this one-on-one….”
She whispered to Chung Hajun with a slightly trembling voice. Whether Chung Hajun agreed with her opinion or not, he just silently nodded and glared at Kim Shimun. Reluctantly, he spoke, “…. As you say, since the special match is a team match, we will maintain formation and confront the opponent.”
Kim Shimun replied with a smirk, “It would’ve been better if you did that from the beginning. It would’ve saved time.”
Chung Hajun’s face reddened visibly. As Kim Shimun said, if they had maintained a team formation and dove in from the beginning, this situation wouldn’t have occurred. Giving up some pride and switching to a team match was the only choice.
“Hyoyun, we… can win, right…?”
If only he wasn’t low-ranked. Realizing the level of the recent blow, Chung Hajun whispered somewhat tensely. A similar voice mixed with curses came back in response, “F*ck! Oppa, are you going to retreat here? It’s already too late to pull back!”
Chung Hajun closed his eyes tightly. Yes. As Choi Hyoyun said, it was already too late to pull back now that they had come this far.
“So let’s set formation.”
They had no choice but to fight to the death. Suddenly, players surrounded Kim Shimun. Like Chung Hajun, everyone felt an urgent determination. The glares directed at Kim Shimun were filled with determination and fierceness.
“Hmm.”
Kim Shimun glanced at the players surrounding him as if taking a leisurely walk. Taking it as a signal, “Fire!”
Thunk!
Arrows, with Chung Hajun’s shout, rained down on Kim Shimun, enveloping him.