“Is this for real…?”
The number of viewers kept increasing endlessly.
It wasn’t until it exceeded 1.4 million that the growth finally came to a halt.
– Wow! 1.4 million viewers haha, crazy.
– Only Platinum broadcast and it’s being watched by 1.4 million… not even Diamonds reach this level.
– Why bring up Diamonds? Even Diamonds rarely reach 1 million viewers.
– Exactly. Without any buzz, even mid-tier Diamonds struggle to hit 1 million.
Viewers couldn’t contain their awe. Indeed, unless they were a highly popular Diamond rank, surpassing 1 million viewers was challenging. Especially in a country like Korea with a smaller population, it was even more so for those who weren’t at the level of Rankers.
Hence, when Shimun, a Platinum player, managed to surpass 1 million viewers, it was not due to an influx of local fans from a Special Match.
–Mr. Kim, the Special Match is over and now you’re performing in the arena the next day.
– All Asians are workaholics, aren’t they?
– Hey, not all Asians are obsessed with work. They just don’t know how to rest.
– Kim-san, glad we didn’t have a Special Match with Korea! Hahaha.
– Indeed. Unlike Korea, we don’t need seed rights, but it’s just words.
The increase in overseas viewers had a significant impact. There was too much chat activity, making it difficult for Aretania’s translation tool to accurately translate everything. However, Shimun and other Koreans had no trouble understanding the content of the chat.
– Why are you watching such a show when it’s just Platinum?
– I’d even watch Lon’s show until Machoism.
In our continent, there are better review indices in broadcasts.
– Yuto-kun is the same. He’s a historical genius in Japan, right?
– What nonsense. If you don’t like it, then just leave.
– Why are they promoting their prospect here? Haha.
– I’m craving for hot pot with beef brisket.
Naturally, friction between chatters often flared up.
“Alright everyone, please refrain from provocative or disruptive chatting. Sanctions will be imposed.”
Shimun tried to calm the chat room down and opened the manager’s chat.
– Kim Shimun: Are you all watching the broadcast? Please help manage the chat.
– Constellation Black Goat: Okay.
– Constellation Odin: Haha. I have to defeat that brat today!
Two Constellations popped up as if they had been waiting.
Then, 『Constellation Baal looks at you with an uncomfortable expression, “Hmm….”』
“Oh.”
Recognizing this, Shimun quickly granted manager authority to Constellation Baal.
– Constellation Baal: Hmm!
– Constellation Black Goat: Why are you giving the manager title to this ‘Hmm’ guy again?
– Constellation Odin: Exactly! Seems like this guy enjoys causing trouble for others!
Baal’s chat seemed oddly satisfying compared to the complaints from the other Constellations. Shimun neatly ignored it, closed the manager’s chat, and said, “Alright everyone. I need to focus on the arena now, so I’ll be closing the chat. Be careful with chatting, as the managers are watching.”
– Understood!- Did everyone hear? Goat-nim is coming. Everyone bow down!
– Hah… Goat-nim! Please don’t hit me!
『Manager ‘Black Goat’s Seat’ has banned Black Goat Enthusiast.』
After checking the chat window was functioning properly, Shimun closed it.
‘Shall we start moving?’ The black smog-filled forge, spewed smoke without rest. Kim Shimun moved towards it, checking the message windows he saw when entering.
‘Let’s see… No hints about the special arena?’ There were only messages indicating entry and consumption of the entry item ‘Black Forge’s Slave Chain.’
Unlike the previous special arenas, this one didn’t even provide a tiny clue about its purpose. It would have been a despairing situation under normal circumstances.
‘Well, it doesn’t matter.’
Not at the moment.
‘Since the purpose of this special arena was predetermined before entering.’
Kim Shimun opened the quest window.
『Towards the Black Forge』
– Hidden Quest –
Dark Elf Dayna is targeting one of the notorious military facilities of the dragonkin, the Black Forge. Please rescue her fellow tribesmen held captive there.
Entry Restriction: Platinum Rank or higher.
Reward: Dark Elf Race’s Friendship, 10,000 Achievement Points, Black Forge Parts (?)
The entry item for this place was given to Dayna along with the quest. Therefore, if the goal was to meet Dayna, this special arena would be sufficiently cleared.
“First, I need to find Dayna…”
Kim Shimun surveyed the desolate area like the Chaos Realm. Although rare, there were sparse trees and vegetation, all withered likely due to the aftermath of the Black Forge.
‘If she’s not here at the starting point, she must be around or inside the Black Forge.’
Making a quick assessment of the situation, Kim Shimun decisively declared, “I need to find her.”
Snap!
Flicking his finger, he alchemized a humanoid projection and slammed it onto the ground with an ashen light. With the Obsidian Tablet’s completion at 60%, Kim Shimun’s projection swiftly disappeared. Then, the small rock where Kim Shimun was, moved.
“Where did Appa go?”
A little child, with an even smaller head, peeked out, twinkling eyes fixed on Kim Shimun moving away.
“Hehe! Appa can’t hit me!”
The cheerful child giggled. Watching Kim Shimun’s disappearing figure for a while, the child suddenly jerked her head as thunder struck again. In the child’s sparkling eyes, looming clouds, thunder, and the imposing fortress blending with the thunder were reflected.
* * *
The dry and desolate wind.
Thud. Thud!
A faint sound of metal clashing against something carries through the air. Shimun, now tired of hearing that sound, paused in his steps.
“Hmm. This seems to be the end…”
Glancing around swiftly, Shimun’s senses were heightened, with only Odin’s eyes inactive. 『Black Panther’s Physique』 and 『Nighthawk’s Physique』, among others, enhancing his senses with human alchemy. Even after circling the wide periphery of the Black Forge, there was no trace of Dayna’s presence. Shimun sat down abruptly on a nearby rugged rock.
“If Dayna is inside the Black Forge… could she have been captured or something like that?”
After briefly investigating the periphery, Shimun realized that the military strength within the Black Forge was considerable.
“At the very least, there were intermediate-grade or even advanced-grade dragonnkins present.”
While normally he wouldn’t consider intermediate or advanced dragonkins as opponents, the situation would change if they were gathered in a stronghold.
“If Dayna was captured in a place of that scale, it wouldn’t be surprising.”
Even if Dayna, a renowned NPC, underestimated them, ultimately she was just one person. Judging by the visible clan size, it would require a raid-level force to deal with them. Despite Dayna’s skill, it would have been difficult for her to hold her own against them.
At that moment, Shimun’s gaze shifted to the side. There, the air rippled like a disturbed water surface. Rather than being alert, Shimun smiled.
“Just as the saying goes, speak of the tiger and it will come.”
A woman clad in tight black leather armor exuded a sense of danger and strength rather than sexiness; as soon as she revealed herself, she kneeled down on one knee.
“Noble one, I have been waiting for you.”
“It’s been a while, Dayna.”
Dayna, the NPC from the Poisoned Supply Route, and the one who provided the entry item and quest for the special arena, asked with a gaze filled with curiosity.
“May I ask what you meant by your earlier words?”
“Huh? Oh, it’s nothing. Just a saying from our world.”
“I see.”
Dayna nodded lightly.
“For now, please come to my hideout for a more detailed discussion…”
As she continued speaking, a sudden loud and powerful sound caught Shimun’s heightened senses. Shimun, as if something was following him, instinctively pulled Dayna back and retreated.
Boom.
The surrounding rocks crumbled. Shimun moved his head slightly and looked at the intruder, dodging flying debris.
There.
“Oh hoo. Evaded it, huh?”
A 3-meter tall ash-colored figure with arms crossed was looking in this direction, his deep voice echoing appropriately.
One unique thing was, ‘Riding a D’valli?’
An intermediate quadrupedal species similar to a centaur but with four legs. What stood out was that he was “riding” a D’valli like a horse.
It wasn’t difficult to recognize the identity of the ash figure.
“Ah, Patrol Captain Malidok!”
Dayna, who was beside him, shouted with an unusual tone. Malidok’s gaze turned towards Dayna.
“Oh. And who might this be? Isn’t it Dayna, the first one to tarnish the reputation of the Black Forge?”
Thump.
Malidok dismounted from the D’valli. Perhaps due to his thick and sturdy figure, the massive hooves partially sank into the ground.
“Well, elves like you are all the same. Ignorant of their own place and interfering with others. Thanks to your four-year escape, our honor was dragged through the mud. And you dare to walk in here on your own.”
Thump. Thump.
With every stride of his log-like legs, the desolate ground trembled as if in protest.
About 5 meters away now, Malidok, who had approached Shimun and Dayna, finally halted his imposing advance. Neither Shimun nor Dayna were unaware that they were within his striking range.
The only difference was, ‘Looks like an advanced species like a Drak in the higher ranks. Since there’s no separate hidden boss alert, is he a named monster?’
Shimun gazed at Malidok with interest.
“N-Noble one…”
Dayna scanned Malidok with a highly tense expression. Shortly after,”I will try to stall for time. Please, run away!”
She urged Shimun to flee.
“Kuhaha! Became a coward during your escape, huh, Dayna.”
Malidok sneered at Dayna.
“Well, being a weak race from birth, what can you do? You dark elves are only good for the underground labor…”
Before Malidok could finish his sentence,
Swooosh!
Dayna’s dagger slashed through the air, striking Malidok’s neck with a clang against the iron-like skin.
Surprisingly, “Still the leader. Unlike your weaker kin, you know how to sharpen your claws.”
Malidok’s neck remained unfazed, not a single scale falling off. As Shimun watched him, a gleam of curiosity shone in his eyes.
“That Malidok guy… He’s not just a simple named monster.”
Druck.
It was a creature with a larger build and more muscular than a drakan. Different from other dragonkins, it was a superior dragon with the characteristic reptilian head of the dragonkin without a tail.
However, no matter how much it was a named monster from a superior dragonkin, it was impossible to withstand Dayna’s sword strikes with just bare skin.
Thus, it was a dragonkin that awakened to enlightenment.
“Did you say Malidok? You must be a Draconic.”
To withstand Dayna’s sword strikes with just bare skin, one had to be at least Draconic. It seemed that Shimun’s expectations were not wrong.
“Oh? Does even a lowly insect like you know that?”
Malidok looked at Shimun with interest, seeming unconcerned about the part of his neck that was gripped.
“Oh, noble one! Please leave this place quickly….!”
Was he interested in him?
Dayna tried to hurry Shimun away, but that was all.
Clang.
The lips of the D’valli surrounding them in all directions were tightly bitten.
“You called him noble one since earlier? And he even knows about Draconic. Is it a waste to just use you as fuel?”
Malidok looked at Shimun with a very interested gaze, stroking his chin.
“Hmm. It would be better to send you to the Cradle of Indulgence. So I can rummage through all that inferior mind of yours.”
“The Cradle of Indulgence?”
Shimun raised an eyebrow slightly at the unfamiliar term. Malidok seemed reluctant to answer.
Thud.
He gripped his fist like a rock and started walking again.
However, Shimun was not disappointed.
If he didn’t answer.
Kiiing.
“Oops!”
It meant making him answer.
“Kneel.”
Before Shimun finished speaking.
Thud.
Malidok’s knees slammed into the ground. But that wasn’t all.
Thud.
“Ke, cough!”
The D’valli surrounding them and building a siege circle all plunged their knees into the ground.
“What is this….?”
Before Malidok could grasp the situation.
Splat.
Grabbing him by the horns. Twisting his head, Shimun looked down at him.
Malidok’s face, meeting Shimun’s eyes, was filled with astonishment.
“This, this cannot be! How dare the king…!”
However.
“Speak. What is the Cradle of Indulgence for?”
With a voice and gaze that could not even resist.
“… Th-that place is.”
Malidok’s eyes, as hard as rocks, went blank.
TL’s Corner:
Shimun doing it again.