Chapter 131. Variable? (1)
“Unbelievable…”
“Does that make sense?”
A large monitor. The group of people watching it let out gasps of astonishment and admiration. And then.
“I’ll deal with him. You head to the occupation area.”
With a voice of a middle-aged man in a turban, the screen went dark.
“Sigh…”
“No matter how many times I watch it, it’s just unbelievable.”
As the woman chuckled bitterly. The National Competition Platinum-rank. No matter how many times they watched the special match between Korea and Palestine, it was simply unbelievable. Indeed.
“Could Kim Shimun use dark magic as well? And summoning magic at that?”
“Yeah. Summoning magic is known to be particularly difficult among dark magics, right?”
“Exactly. Faust always used to shout about it. That he used that difficult summoning magic from Silver rank.”
“Everyone seems to be mistaken. Summoning magic is difficult in any field. Summoning spirits is different.”
Summoning magic.
Whether it’s holy magic or dark magic, it was an area particularly famous for high-level magic across various magical fields. However.
“Come to think of it, Kim Shimun’s summoning method is most similar to spirit magic, isn’t it?”
“Right. There was no lengthy casting involved, nor did he use summoning circles or sacrifices.”
Kim Shimun used summoning magic. And not just any summoning magic; he did it very easily without the usual lengthy casting time and summoning circles.
“There was a new item attached to his left arm that we’ve never seen before. Maybe it has something to do with summoning abilities?”
“Hmm… I think it’s the ability of the item he obtained from the Platinum Debut Match, right?”
“The one he obtained as a hidden piece? That makes sense.”
“That’s what I think too. It was hidden in the chaos realm and dimensional anomalies, right? An item of that caliber should have such abilities.”
“But the actual summoning was done using the item on his left arm. That’s not the item he got as a hidden piece.”
The conversations went on and on.
It was understandable.
“Sigh… It’s a headache. If we can just stop him, we would easily win.”
“Exactly. The rest of the 8, no, 7, are just pushovers.”
The Platinum-rank special match. They were the next opponents for Korea. At that moment.
“Alright, everyone, focus.”
One side of the door opened, and a blonde middle-aged man entered the training room. He clapped his hands to draw the players’ attention.
“The option to use with the additional option right has been decided.”
“What? Really?”
The players tilted their heads in confusion at the coach’s words. Understandably so.
“Coach, we didn’t even give any opinions on this.”
“That’s right. We haven’t even finished analyzing Kim Shimun yet.”
The 30 players who would face Korea. The German Platinum National Team had not yet finished analyzing the Korean team. Yet, they had already decided on an option to use against them?
“That’s the thing….”
The coach pursed his lips with a somewhat uncomfortable expression, then took a deep breath and continued.
“A recommendation came to use the additinal option against the Korean team.”
“What?”
“Who would do such a thing!”
Recommendation.
There was only one place that could issue a recommendation to the national teams participating in the National Competition.
“You mean, the association?”
The players quickly realized the source of the recommendation.
“That’s right.”
Nodding his head, the coach. The faces of the players froze in unison. The association’s recommendation. They knew that a recommendation was basically an order.
“Hah! Those Association guys are unbelievable!”
“What, more reserve players added before the analysis even finished? Are they out of their minds?”
“Hasn’t the Association seen the game? Busy targeting Kim Shimun and they’re adding more reserve players?”
Players venting their anger. Among them, a blond woman with her arms crossed quietly opened her mouth.
“Who are the additional individuals?”
A quiet yet strong voice. Upon her question, the noisy crowd suddenly fell silent.
“Well…”
Even the coach seemed tense as he cleared his throat cautiously. Or at least tried to.
“Me. Leoni.”
That was until the lean man with dark circles under his eyes roughly opened the door and entered. Leoni stared wordlessly at the lean man.
Soon.
“No one else?”
She seemed as if she had never seen him before. She turned her gaze to the coach. His face twitched, but that was it. The lean man with dark circles simply pursed his lips without saying a word. Under Leoni’s steady gaze, the coach hesitated for a moment before speaking.
“For now, it’s just Faust.”
Leoni’s expression, which was already impassive, turned even colder.
“So you’re saying that using the additional option for reserve personnel,
means we get only ‘that’ one?”
She pointed at Faust with her pale, slender, yet firm fingers.
“Just for ‘that’?”
The word ‘that’ in her dry voice stood out conspicuously. Was it a misunderstanding?
Probably not. Everyone present here could be sure. Especially since they all knew.
“How dare you call me ‘that’! Leoni! Are you insane?!”
Leoni and Faust. Anyone with even a slight interest in the Galaxy Arena would know about their relationship. As time passed, a palpable tension seeped around the contorted face of Faust.
“Fa-Faust!”
“Are you out of your mind?!”
Realizing the tension in the air, the coach and players were startled, but that’s about it. They didn’t step in or stop Faust. It wasn’t just because of Faust’s skill and background.
“Well, you’re truly an unchanging scum, aren’t you?”
A dry sigh. Rising from her seat with her arms crossed, Leoni walked steadily towards Faust.
“Now that you’ve made it to the Platinum, huh?”
Every step closer between her and Faust intensified the energy and vigor emanating from Faust.
“And you dare to release that energy towards me, the number one in Platinum?”
With each narrowing distance between them, Faust’s momentum and energy became stronger.
However, Leoni emanated a stern energy, completely the opposite.
“This…!”
Faust’s face gradually contorted. Finally, when she stood right in front of Faust, he involuntarily took a step back. Was he aware of it himself?
“Why! You dare to hit me? Can you handle it? Huh!”
Despite a flicker of fear crossing his face, Faust raised his voice instead. Like a cornered mouse.
“Hah! Listen well, Faust.”
Or with eyes that seemed to see something in the vicinity, Leoni spoke.
“It was you who first exuded your aura.”
“That’s because you were the one who picked a fight with me first!”
“Then should we exchange pleasantries and laugh together? Have you forgotten the antics you pulled on me last year?”
“…”
“Even if you disregard all that, there’s no justification for exuding such murderous intent like this, Faust.”
Faust couldn’t utter a word.
Because it was true.
And it didn’t end there.
“And another thing.”
Leoni’s emotionless eyes drew closer to Faust’s face.
“If I decide to strike you, what exactly can’t you handle?”
“You!”
“Isn’t it? I know well that you’re the youngest son of the Valtenberg family. So what?”
For the first time, the corners of Leoni’s previously emotionless mouth moved.
Small but upward curling lips formed what was unmistakably a smile.
“My brother is also the vice-guildmaster of Valtenberg and has the attention of a Constellation. I also ascended to Platinum a year ahead of you. Ah, come to think of it, you didn’t even make it to the top ranks in your debut match, did you?”
“Th-that’s!”
“You’re not a fool, even if you are a moron. So let me ask. What was my rank in last year’s Platinum debut match?”
Calmly.
But mercilessly, Leoni’s words pierced through Faust, making him clench his fists tightly.
Finally.
“… Second place.”
He responded, as if spitting out a bitter pill.
With great difficulty.
“Yeah. It was second place with just a 4-person participation. But how many people participated this time?”
“…”
“Why so quiet? Oh, could it be that you can’t even remember properly because you killed seven people with your own hands? It’s possible.”
Faust’s gaze, gradually shifting downwards under Leoni’s cold accusation. The energy flowing alongside demonic ki had long been diminished.
Was she finally satisfied?
Glancing at Faust, who was completely defeated, she smirked and turned to the coach.
“Coach. You’re not seriously considering letting this guy join the national team without a second thought, are you?”
If you do, you’ll set the Association on fire. The coach quickly nodded in response to Leoni’s cold statement.
“Of course not! It’s, well, a recommendation from the Association, but it’s also approved by the Valtenberg Guild. Even the vice-guildmaster himself personally.”
“My brother?”
Did he actually approve of this fool?
Leoni’s eyebrow subtly raised with such nuance.
“It’s not a lie. Hey, Faust. Say something!”
Was he uncomfortable under Leoni’s intense gaze?
The coach hurriedly called out to Faust.
“… It’s true. Leoni, I was personally acknowledged by Vice-Guild Master Fabian Wolf for my method to counter Kim Shimun, and I joined with the association’s approval.”
“Really?”
Despite the subtle nuance, there was no hint of doubt in Leoni’s eyes.
The fact that her brother had personally seen and acknowledged it.
And although Faust often behaved like an idiot, the association had officially approved him.
These two reasons completely changed her perception of Faust.
“Alright, Faust.”
Despite the presence of the coach,
Leoni Wolf crossed her arms and gestured with her chin.
“Go on then. Explain this method that earned my brother’s approval.”
As if she were the commander of the national team.
* * *
『Kim Shimun, who just entered Platinum, effectively achieves a hat-trick?』
『Association President’s Joker Card Hits the Mark! Public Says, ‘As Expected of the Ironwood King’』
『Global Shock?! A Victory That Defied Everyone’s Expectations!』
『The Rising World-Class Star, who Exactly is Kim Shimun?』
『Kim Shimun, after the Palestine match, says, ‘The special series isn’t over yet,’ stays vigilant till the end』
News articles adorning portal sites.
Kim Shimun, who was looking at them meaninglessly, said.
“Oh my, does the food not suit your taste?”
“No, it’s delicious.”
With a voice as clear as a crystal but mixed with a slightly strange tone, he put down his phone. The woman on the opposite side, glancing at her phone screen as it dims, gave a sly smile.
“Oh, were you watching the news about yourself? Well, it must be enjoyable, listening to people praising you,” she said.
“I don’t particularly enjoy it,” Shimun replied with a shake of his head. In reality, he wasn’t the type to take pleasure in such articles or comments. Just like most people, he didn’t mind hearing positive words about himself, but that was about it.
“Is that so? How strange,” the woman with elegantly raised corners of her mouth remarked, tapping her flawlessly clean cheek with her finger.
“It’s not like the food is bad or you’re enjoying the news about yourself though, right?”
She seemed genuinely curious as she lightly tapped her flawless cheek.
“Why is your attention constantly on your phone throughout the meal?” she asked, her voice as captivating as her appearance.
“Well,” Shimun replied without flinching, “maybe it’s because someone rudely intruded without any warning, doesn’t get to the point, and keeps beating around the bush.”
“Oh my! Is there really such an impolite person?” she exclaimed.
“Yes, indeed.”
‘Right in front of me.’
Shimun chose to keep the latter part to himself and quietly took a bite of meat, savoring the harmonious blend of Korean seasonings in his mouth. Yet, the enjoyment seemed out of reach for him, as it would be for anyone in his position.
“Let’s stop playing around. Rin, it’s already been over an hour,” Shimun cut to the chase, despite Rin being a nine-tailed fox feared even by high-rankers.
Even in Shimun’s firm manner, Rin remained unfazed. Instead, she gathered her arms on the table, subtly displaying her cleavage, and chuckled. Perhaps it was the end of spring or the beginning of summer that made her wear a dress emphasizing her ample bosom, drawing stares that were hard to resist for any ordinary man.
“Although you’ve been talking about me for almost an hour, wouldn’t a man still seek the main topic?”
Shimun maintained a businesslike attitude, causing Rin’s eyebrow to arch smoothly.
“Oh, I don’t dislike getting to the point. We just had an expensive meal. How about this? Why don’t we continue the conversation properly in my room?”
Rin teased.
“Rin!”
Shimun’s tone rose with his gaze, unswayed by Rin’s provocations.
‘It’s not easy at all. That makes me even more curious,’ he thought as he observed Rin with an unwavering gaze.
‘What mischief is she planning now?’
If he didn’t know her, he wouldn’t understand. Being someone who understood Rin better than anyone, Shimun was not quick to react to her words. Rin pouted slightly and remarked, “Did you know? Even if it’s half sarcastic, if one doesn’t even blink, it means their pride is quite hurt. Whenever I meet you, I always feel like I’m lacking.”
Then, Rin’s gaze swiftly turned towards the entrance. The waiter who made eye contact with her approached in a hurry.
Despite being well-educated in a 5-star hotel, the waiter blushed and stammered, “Ah… Do you… need anything?”
Rin grinned like a satisfied beast, “Oh, nothing. I just found you cute.”
“Eh? Th-thank you!”
The waiter turned three times redder in an instant and hastily retreated to his place.
Rin watched the waiter’s back as he hurriedly went back, then glanced at Shimun with a meaningful smile. Shimun breathed a sigh and replied, “He is just a regular person. It’s illegal to use abilities recklessly on civilians.”
“Oh, but awakened beings respond well to me, don’t they? And I didn’t really use any abilities, just got a little… carried away,” Rin explained with a mischievous smile. Rin, with a smirk, did not even bother answering Shimun’s remarks.
Shaking her head slightly, Rin raised both hands.
“Alright, I surrender. I wanted to enjoy this rare date, but I suppose it ends here.”
“Who said this was a date?”
“Well, aren’t you sharp-tongued. Anyway, I came here for one reason only, to express my gratitude.”
Shimun’s eyebrows raised slightly. The message he received from Rin right after the special tournament came to his mind. Simultaneously.
“Are you really here to thank me for getting some big payout?”
“As expected, you know how to make money with your claws. It’s not just ‘some’ payout. Do you know how big it was this time?”
“Change the topic. Are you really trying to satisfy yourself with just one meal after winning so big?”
“Haha. Normally, I would be straightforward, but isn’t it different for our VVIP customer?”
With a sly smile, Rin continued, “I had originally planned to treat you well with my sincerity, but since you’re refusing, I have no choice but to offer something else.”
Realizing that the real topic was about to be revealed, Shimun finally met Rin’s gaze.
“Oh, are you finally willing to listen to me? How delightful.”
“Forget the pointless chatter. What do you mean by ‘I’ll give you’?”
“It’s a surprise. Do you know who the next opposing team is for the special tournament?”
Shimun nodded lightly.
“It’s Germany. They are considered a powerhouse team.”
Germany.
A country with a high level of players overall, aside from the two superpowers, the United States and China. It was one of the three countries that played a crucial role in the EU both in his past life and currently.
“According to my sources, Germany has already selected an option to face the Korean team.”
“An option?”
“Yes. They want to add reserve members like Korea.”
“Is that so?”
Shimun’s eyes widened slightly. He had expected Germany to choose an option that would target him, similar to what the Palestinian team did.
Surely, he didn’t expect them to choose the least effective option of adding reserve members. Seeing Shimun’s surprised reaction, Rin was visibly delighted.
“I was also taken aback. And the added member is called Faust.”
“Faust?”
“Haha. Isn’t it more surprising? Even though he is an outstanding dark mage, he showed in his debut match that he couldn’t use any power against you.”
With great amusement, Rin continued without taking his eyes off Shimun’s face.
“It seems they have prepared a secret weapon to face you. Personally, I found this news very intriguing.”
“Hmm…”
“It is said that this weapon was recommended directly by Faust, the vice guildmaster of Valtenburg. The effect should be certain. Of course… it may not be significant to you.”
Finishing her sentence, Rin shrugged her shoulders. For a moment, Shimun pondered, then slightly lowered his head towards her.
“Thank you for the information, Rin.”
It was sincere. Whether from domestic or international media, there was no mention anywhere about Faust joining the German team, especially on the eve of their match. This indicated that Germany was secretly planning his addition.
Not to mention, wasn’t Faust the vice guildmaster of Valtenburg, the strongest guild in Germany?
“Now, around this time, was Faust the same person as Fabian Wolfe?”
In his past life, Fabian was a high ranker who was behind the scenes with Odin’s Sanctum. Known as the “Twin Spears” Fabian, he had clashed with the Spear King Zhang-li-chu and had his own reputation.
“If someone like him recommends it personally, the effectiveness of this secret weapon should be guaranteed.”
Well, he never intended to be complacent. With such detailed information provided, it was indeed helpful. Shimun then politely nodded once more and said, “Thank you for the gratitude. Goodbye.”
He stood up, pulling his chair. For a moment, Rin’s eyes widened.
“How callous of you. I don’t know how things turned out like this.”
With a teasing smile, Rin looked at Shimun.
“Is it okay if you leave like this? I have one more gift for you.”
“The earlier information was sufficient. Especially since it was your wager in the first place…”
“What if it is about the terrorist incident that shook Korea ten years ago?”
Shimun’s movement came to a sudden halt as he was getting up.
“Haha. How about it? Do you still think it’s enough to say it’s over?”
Rin’s mysterious smile deepened more than usual.