『They’re pouring down!! Attacks are pouring in from all directions!!』
『Ahh! From saw blades to electricity, even venom! What is that again? It’s like a blade smeared with lava is butchering the German team! Their defense is being torn apart!!』
『The German team is being helplessly overwhelmed by the attacks pouring in from all directions!』
The faces of the two men on Guk-A were flushed with excitement. Choi Kangyup and Song Jaekyung screamed tirelessly, their veins bulging in their necks.
It was no wonder.
“What on earth is this?!!”
“Why is Kim Shimun again under protection! Why!!”
The abandoned railroad, the stage for the special match. There stood thirty players who had thought they had already secured their victory.
“We can’t hold on any longer!”
“Oh no! Shield!”
“Ferry! Damn it!”
They were being mercilessly slaughtered amidst the ruthless onslaught of machines pouring in from all directions. One strange thing was.
『Once again, the blade narrowly misses player Kim Shimun! Even the giant hammer was evaded!』
『The cannonballs are the same! Even projectiles that could be arrows or bolts eerily only avoid Kim Shimun!』
It was peculiar that amidst the merciless attacks of pouring machines, only Kim Shimun managed to evade them.
“Before the defense system’s attack began, Kim Shimun was clearly designated as the top priority for protection, right? How on earth did he become the protected target?”
“I’m curious too, but what’s more puzzling is how these devices were hidden in this abandoned railroad in the first place!”
Song Jaekyung couldn’t hide his amazement in his commentary.
Understanding seemed to dawn on Choi Kangyup, who nodded his head in agreement.
『Since you retired as a Platinum player, you must have had quite the experience with abandoned railroad.』
『Yes. I’ve experienced it about 10 times, especially in the transport event that emerged from Platinum.』
Nevertheless.
『Despite that, I’ve never known that such devices were hidden on the map walls!』
Look at those merciless machines being broadcasted on the screen. Those machines, self-proclaimed as defense systems, were a map feature that even Song Jaekyung, who had extensive experience, had never known about.
Naturally, excitement couldn’t be contained.
And it wasn’t just Song Jaekyung who was surprised.
-Whoa… look at that firepower. Even with the shield coordinated by the healer, it just breaks through.
-Dealing with that, how could anyone endure it? It seems even a Diamond-ranked healer would struggle.
-Haha, how can something like that be hidden in an abandoned railroad?
-Isn’t this totally new information? With that level of power, it couldn’t have stayed hidden.
-Indeed new information. I even browse foreign sites. They’re going crazy too.
Viewers nationwide watching the Special Match. All of them were astounded by the sudden appearance of the defense system.
Most puzzling of all was.
-But why isn’t Kim Shimun getting attacked?
-He’s the target for protection. Did you hear anything?
-So why is Kim Shimun the only one being protected?It was a sight of a player who did not succumb to the attacks of the defense system, standing calmly amidst the relentless onslaught of machines.
– If I recall correctly, Kim Shimun did a special arena event related to dwarves on his broadcast before, maybe that’s why?
– Yeah! When that dwarf girl appeared!
– Oh, right! Didn’t they fix some sort of machine-like thing back then? Maybe that’s the reason?
– They act like they have all the insider information. Are they watching Kim Shimun’s show for work or what? Haha.
– The inferiority complex is off the charts. Arrest them, officer X.
– The end of the era of humans has arrived… Ugh! My head!
Without a moment’s respite, the chatbox kept scrolling rapidly. And there was a middle-aged man with a sharp jawline watching over such chaos.
“This is truly… surpassing expectations with every glance,” he murmured, running his hand through his neatly groomed beard from his chin to his earlobe.
Beside him, a black man named Colin shifted his gaze from the screen to Derick, the one who seemed fixated on the screen.
The emotions in Colin’s eyes were not fitting for the vice guildmaster of American Dream, one of the top two guilds in the world. They were filled with unease.
And for a reason.
“Who would’ve thought such hidden pieces were lying dormant on those abandoned railroad.”
The man couldn’t take his eyes off the broadcasting screen. Derick was the current leader of American Dream Guild, so his attention was understandably glued to the rapidly scrolling chatbox on the screen.
His inhuman physical abilities as a ranker allowed him to easily decipher the chat messages.
“Haha! That’s right! The one who cleared the abandoned mine map was indeed Kim Shimun!”
As Derick continued with his words, his interest in Kim Shimun grew stronger. Colin couldn’t help but break into a cold sweat.
There was nothing he could do.
“There has been no contact from Kim Shimun’s side yet…”
Ignoring the fact that they once dismissed him as just an Asian, the lack of any concrete results from sponsorships to personal contacts within the Shimdrasil Guild despite ongoing affection towards Kim Shimun was frustrating.
“Damn it!”
Colin bit down hard on his thick lips.
“I never imagined Derick would show such a keen interest!”
Even Colin acknowledged Kim Shimun’s exceptional talent. Following Andrew’s realization of his value late in the game and a detailed examination of his performance, there wasn’t a single promising candidate worldwide who could match Kim Shimun’s performance.
Moreover…
“It is particularly in Kim Shimun himself that hidden pieces are often discovered.”
Hidden pieces.
True to their name, they were elements so rare that they may or may not be found once or twice in a year. Kim Shimun has been consistently demonstrating it for less than half a year now. Just by doing that alone, his abilities as a player can be highly evaluated.
‘Moreover, considering the fact that he was able to put Leoni Wolf, who had gained the power of a Constellation, to sleep…’
Receiving the power of a Constellation, Leoni Wolf. Her splendid momentum even showed Collin, who had only watched her on the screen, that she was outstanding.
Perhaps everyone watching the match, including Derick beside him, felt the same. However, Kim Shimun put such a Leoni Wolf to sleep without even lifting a finger. What could this mean?
‘It’s clear that Kim Shimun also has the support of a Constellation.’ Just like Leoni Wolf, it means that Kim Shimun is also supported by some Constellation. Then, it’s quite natural to accept that monstrous growth and power. Even if, “If Kim Shimun is not supported by a Constellation…”
Even if Kim Shimun does not receive support from a Constellation, it won’t make a difference. No, he might become even more formidable.
‘If he managed to put someone like Leoni Wolf in that state without the help of a Constellation…’
It means he suppressed a player with the power of a Constellation using only his own strength. Is Collin thinking the same way?
“Hmm… Collin. Judging by your expression, it seems like you’re thinking the same way as me.”
Derick said satisfactorily, brushing his beard.
“I guess we need to completely revamp our scouting approach for Kim Shimun.”
“Of course. I’ll send the head of recruitment to Korea. He has more authority than me when it comes to recruitment.”
“That sounds good. However, it won’t be enough.”
Derick continued, like a scene from a movie.
“Kim Shimun is a promising prospect who possesses at least the power of a Constellation or something equivalent. He must surely be the next ranker.”
He gazed at Kim Shimun calmly strolling through the crowded passages.
“Perhaps many countries besides us will target Kim Shimun. We should consider setting up guild branches in Korea for continuous recruitment efforts.”
“Got it.”
“And if necessary…”
Derick paused for a moment.
『Ah! Player Max is making his final stand, even using a Concealment Screen, but it’s pointless!』
『Is there some sort of infrared detection? The defense system is accurately targeting him despite the Concealment Screen!!』
『Meanwhile, player Kim Shimun looks as if he’s out for a stroll, completely at ease!』
『Oh no! The healers have been completely wiped out! They can’t hold on any longer now!』
He looked at Channel Gook-Ah, which was filled with repeated sighs of despair.
The broadcasted screen showed the quickly collapsing German team following the eradication of their healers.
“I’m thinking of going to Korea myself, so give a heads-up to the head of the recruitment department.”
“What? You’re going personally?!”
Colin’s eyes widened in surprise.
And for good reason.
“Derick… Isn’t that a bit over the top? You’ve never moved for recruitment before. Rather…”
He barely managed to swallow the latter part of his sentence, hinting at discreet eliminations.
“Rather?”
Derick responded with a polished smile.
“A-Arena! Yeah! I thought you might play an extra match in the Arena!”
Colin barely managed to finish his sentence.
Was Derick satisfied with his answer?
“Well, I do spend all my time on the Arena except when I’m sleeping. I know you’ve been working hard because of it, hyung.”
Derick tapped Colin’s shoulder, now smiling more broadly.
“W-What are you saying! You’re the man leading the world’s top guild, so of course, you should focus on growth!”
Colin, inwardly relieved, forced a wide grin.
Satisfied, Derick patted his shoulder once more and turned his gaze back to the screen.
“Damn it! Is this a game or what!!”
With the final cries of the last German player,
The assassin Max’s desperate scream marked the end.
『And with that, the special Platinum division match comes to an end!』
『Korea emerges victorious! This secures their seed spot for the main tournament!』
The Platinum division match between Korea and Germany had concluded.
* * *
“No, we are trying to minimize the impact right now…”
A middle-aged man with a somewhat dry and common appearance held the phone to his ear.
“Yes, the knights are currently investigating.”
A man with stern eyes and an equally firm voice stared at the bright monitor.
『Securing a spot! Entering the main event and gaining national buffs?! The miracle of the special match!』
『The 8 heroes who saved the country, and the miraculous hero, Kim Shimun!』
『Kim Shimun, ‘The result achieved together with everyone’ is humble』
『Germany in shock, Leoni Wolf, the top of Platinum-rank, ‘This match is invalid! Unacceptable’』
『Reevaluation of the President’s vision and response! Golem Choi Changwook, ‘It was a necessary measure for victory’』
『Is the weakness of the Platinum-rank due to corrupt guilds? Attention drawn to the list of former Platinum-rank national team members stripped of their qualifications.』
A clear impression of a young man. The monitor was filled with articles featuring Kim Shimun’s photos.
“… I’m sorry. This is unacceptable.”
The face of the middle-aged man holding the phone to his ear involuntarily twisted in frustration. Shortly after, he could finally end the call after repeatedly bowing and apologizing.
“Damn it!”
As soon as the call ended, he angrily threw the phone at the monitor.
Bang!
The phone pierced through the monitor screen, almost reaching the wall behind it. The nameplate on the table trembled precariously, labeled 『Scorpio Guild Vice-guildmaster Kim Jongjun』.
“Sigh…”
As if trying to calm his anger, Kim Jongjun clenched his fist several times before pulling out a cigarette from his pocket.
Flick.
A figure watching from a distance quickly approached and lit the cigarette for him. After taking a few deep puffs and exhaling the smoke, Kim Jongjun spoke.
“Dusik.”
“Yes, hyungnim.”
“The press?”
Even after looking at the internet articles that were pouring down. Kim Jongjun asked Kim Dusik persistently. Because he knew the reason.
“Well… whether it’s due to obtaining the Seed rights or not, they are currently making a fuss about Kim Shimun and Platinum Teams’s activities… but…”
Kim Dusik replied very cautiously, not fitting his robust appearance.
“They are also mentioning the players who have been disqualified just before the game.”
He then immediately shrunk his imposing figure. It was a very ridiculous sight, but his response was shrewd.
“Fuck!”
A fierce curse bursting out with anger. Like various props hit by rough wind, they clattered on the ground.
“Kim Muyeol you bastard! Not content with stabbing me in the back, had to escalate the situation to this extent?!”
Kim Dusik sent chills down the spine with his ranker-level aura. He carefully calmed down his trembling body and opened his mouth.
“W-when I investigated, all the media mentioning players who lost their national team qualifications were all controlled by the association.”
“Of course, that’s how it would be! That selfish and thorough guy would even wield a knife against his own family for his benefit!”
Kim Jongjun, whose cigarette had burned out unbeknownst, stabbed it into the ashtray.
“Probably trying to cover up the incident of expelling the 23 national team members and diverting attention this way. It’s a warning to us not to mess with him while doing so.”
A very wicked and malicious bastard. Kim Jongjun, who spoke in a low voice, flicked his ashtray with his finger.
“Kim Dusik.”
“Yes.”
“How many guilds did Kim Muyeol expel in total?”
“Eleven in total.”
“Eleven… All probably guilds with elderly first-generation members, right?”
“Yes.”
The corners of Kim Jongjun’s mouth slightly lifted.
“Call them all back.”
“A-all of them…?”
“Yes. The situation won’t end well if we leave it as it is and let Kim Muyeol have his way, right?”
Kim Jongjun’s gaze turned towards the shattered window.
There.
“Running amok since becoming the association president. Maybe it’s time to step on him as a fellow member of the same generation.”
The imposing building of the Awakening Association of South Korea stood tall.
“Plus, Kim Shimun. That damn bastard has caused us too much trouble.”
At this, Kim Dusik’s thick neck twitched.
“Well, our potential talents have suffered a lot because of him.”
“Let’s handle both of them this time. Contact all the guilds, gather all our press.”
“Yes, hyungnim.”
TL’s corner:
Trouble is brewing in the background.