Chapter 147. Movement (3)
“Those vermin wouldn’t dare to act like this unless they’ve lost their minds.”
Kim Muyeol brushed his forehead and glared at the article on the monitor with slightly calmer eyes.
“There’s a ringleader behind this. And it’s probably….”
“We’ve received intelligence that there was a secret meeting at the Scorpio Guild not long ago.”
“Right. Kim Jongjun. That thug wouldn’t dare pull a stunt like this otherwise.”
Grinding his teeth, Kim Muyeol listened as Choi Changwook cautiously added, “The guildmaster of the Scorpio Guild likely supported their actions as well.”
“Considering what they’ve done, it’s a given.”
Seething with anger, Kim Muyeol struggled to contain his rage but eventually regained his composure.
“Heh.”
He let out a deep breath, brushing his hair back.
“These punks were thugs lurking in the back alleys before the arena arrived. Nothing surprising about this.”
Returning to his usual self.
“…What should we do?”
Choi Changwook asked, and Kim Muyeol scoffed.
“We need to crush them. Their attempts at media manipulation have limited effects given their lowly origins.”
“But, President-nim, the media isn’t the only party involved this time.”
The unexpected response made him frown.
“What?”
Kim Muyeol’s brows furrowed even further.
“We haven’t identified them yet, but we’ve confirmed that other forces, besides the guilds and media outlets, are involved.”
“Other forces? Hah!”
Are these bastards collectively insane?
Muttering to himself, Kim Muyeol took out a cigarette.
Click.
Choi Changwook hurriedly lit it for him.
Whoosh.
Kim Muyeol exhaled a few puffs of smoke, tapped the table a couple of times, and ordered,
“Flood the media with rebuttal articles. Even if we can’t control public opinion, we must not appear weak. And find out who these bastards are as quickly as possible.”
“Yes, President-nim.”
Choi Changwook nodded sharply and left the office, making calls. Kim Muyeol took another deep drag of his arena-grade cigarette. Then, “No one in this country will ever dare to defy me….”
Just as he was about to utter his words with a growl, Kim Muyeol abruptly stopped.
“….”
A long silence followed. He glared at the rising smoke with eyes full of disdain, almost as if it reminded him of someone.
Then, “…I’ll make sure there’s nothing left.”
Kim Muyeol growled, crushing the burnt-out cigarette into the ashtray.
—
A stone structure exuding reverence and antiquity.
Among the five thrones arranged in a circle at the center, “What the hell is going on?!”
A violent voice erupted from a black-pink sphere hovering in the air. A long slit ran through the center of the sphere, resembling a reptilian pupil, and it was visibly agitated.
“The Black Forge has been partially destroyed! How is that even possible?!”
The sphere trembled, contracting and expanding repeatedly. Opposite the black-pink sphere, another throne housed a dark-blue sphere, equally unable to hide its agitation.
“Silence, Vritra. Do you think I’m any less furious than you are?”
A booming, enraged voice erupted from the sphere. Its power was so formidable that the entire structure trembled, dislodging bits of stone.
At that moment, “Enough.”
At the calm voice, the shaking building instantly stilled.
“The matter of the Black Forge is a collective failure. Vritra.”
A grey-brown sphere appeared over one of the vacant thrones. Its words made Vritra’s eye narrow dangerously.
“Don’t be ridiculous! Apophis, this is your fault! You had Sargas and Sartiny stationed there. The supplies and materials were all under your authority!”
The dark-blue sphere, Nidhogg’s eye also turned towards Apophis.
“She’s right. Apophis, you appointed many of your subordinates as key figures at the Black Forge because you claimed my resources were insufficient. And now this mess is the outcome?”
Perhaps this was a long-standing grievance. Unlike his usual fierce demeanor, Nidhogg questioned with a calm, calculated tone.
“I acknowledge it. All your points are valid; it is my fault.”
The grey-brown eye, Apophis nodded gently.
“However, saying it is solely my fault is incorrect. Vritra, you know who is responsible for partially destroying the Black Forge.”
“Hmph! Of course I do. The Arena Council went into chaos because of him.”
Vritra snorted.
“So what?”
She glared sharply at Apophis, “What does that have to do with me?”
“I heard he even received additional rewards?”
“That’s…!”
The black-pink eye trembled slightly.
“There was nothing I could do. Even the High Council intervened, and then the death constellations joined in too!”
“I’m not blaming you. I’m merely stating that the one who destroyed the Black Forge also received additional rewards.”
But implicitly, it meant Vritra bore some responsibility. All three dragon kings were aware of this without the need to spell it out.
“Then it’s an issue between you two. I don’t see why I should be lumped in with you. Are you suggesting we should have deployed more forces to the Black Forge?”
Nidhogg growled as he asked.
“While that wouldn’t be entirely incorrect, in truth, this incident has the least to do with you, Nidhogg.”
Apophis shook his head as he replied.
“You, unlike us, do not have a following of subordinate races.”
“You bastard!!”
Nidhogg immediately shouted in fury. Usually quick to pick fights with Nidhogg, Vritra merely watched the exchange silently.
“Apophis! How dare you insult me?!”
Screams emanated from the dark-blue phantoms swirling around Nidhogg’s eye.
“Calm down, Nidhogg. I do not mean to insult you.”
Apophis spoke dispassionately, showing no signs of agitation.
Realizing it was not meant as an insult, “This had better be an explanation I can accept.”
Nidhogg suppressed his anger, and the phantoms around him vanished in an instant.
Apophis continued calmly, “Objectively speaking, your faction is the weakest among us. My involvement in your jurisdiction over the Black Forge stems from that fact.”
“…….”
Nidhogg remained silent but visibly uneasy, his dark-blue eye kept expanding and contracting.
“Moreover, as Vritra pointed out, most of the key officials at the Black Forge were my subordinates. Hence, the primary responsibility for this incident falls on me.”
“Not just primary; essentially, the entire fault lies with you.”
“No, that would be an oversimplification. I, too, have suffered significant losses.”
“Ha! Significant losses? Apophis, are you mocking me…….”
“Sargas is dead.”
“……What?”
Nidhogg’s eyes widened in shock at Apophis’s sudden revelation. And he wasn’t the only one.
“What do you mean? Sargas is dead?”
Vritra, equally astonished, asked again. Apophis looked at Vritra.
“Vritra, you said you even involved the High Council, yet you don’t know the details of the additional rewards.”
Apophis shook his head slightly.
“Sargas was killed by that player. Sartyne too. And we lost the Future Sight as well.”
“Insane! Is that true?!”
Nidhogg was taken aback by Apophis’s calm statement. And seemingly having a realization, Vritra shouted, “So that’s what it was! I was wondering what it could be, but that’s why the death constellations mentioned Sargas!”
Her voice was louder than Nidhogg’s.
“I’ve lost my trusted aide and the power of Future Sight. While the main blame lies with me, it’s truthfully too much for me to shoulder all the responsibility.”
Apophis revealed his thoughts earnestly. Vritra and Nidhogg nodded slightly.
As he said, “Sargas is dead…”
“And the Future Sight was a power gained from killing a Constellation during the Dragon-God War, wasn’t it?”
“Correct.”
It was indeed too much to bear solely, considering the loss of Sargas and a power gained from a past war. At that moment, “What a commotion.”
Next to Apophis, another vacant throne was occupied by a gray-green sphere that appeared.
“Greetings, Great Mother.”
“Mother.”
“You have arrived, Mother.”
The three Dragon Emperors promptly paid their respects. Echidna, the Second Dragon Emperor, whose gray-green sphere scanned the room, focused on Apophis.
“I heard the story. The Black Forge was partially destroyed by a mere human?”
“Yes, Great Mother. I am deeply ashamed.”
“As you should be. Imagine how many constellations will laugh at us over this. It makes my blood boil.”
Her words caused the Dragon Emperors to lower their gazes further.
“But what’s done is done. We need to handle this situation as best as we can.”
She turned her gaze to Nidhogg.
“Nidhogg.”
“Yes, Mother.”
“Is the recovery of the Black Forge possible?”
“Impossible. Though the facilities ran without the dwarves until now… rebuilding it requires their skills.”
“Ah, as expected.”
Echidna closed her eyes briefly.
Opening them again, she looked at Vritra.
“Daughter, work through the council to broaden our player’s qualifications. Ensure that even dragonkin, not just the evolved types, can participate in the arena.”
“Mother, with our current reputation, getting that passed requires the Supreme Councilor to propose it, and unanimous agreement from all council members…!”
“Then make it happen. Don’t feign incompetence.”
“M-Mother!”
Echidna ignored Vritra’s plea entirely.
“Listen carefully.”
She scanned the three Dragon Emperors as she continued.
“We will change our strategy. We will increase our players and expand our influence over Galaxy Arena.”
“But Great Mother, the human who destroyed the Black Forge must be dealt with. My subordinates were killed by his hand…”
“The revenge will also occur within Galaxy Arena. Besides, Earth will soon be incorporated as a formal arena.”
Echidna cut off Apophis decisively.
“Until then, focus on recovering from the losses. This is also an order from the First Dragon Emperor.”
“What, cruach?”
Apophis’s eyes widened, reflecting his surprise at the mention of the First Dragon Emperor’s order. Apophis looked at the lone vacant throne with shaken eyes.
“Additionally, Nidhogg, Depina will no longer be able to serve you. Select a new emissary.”
“What? Mother, suddenly, why…?”
“During this incident involving Earth, it seems she caught the First Dragon Emperor’s eye. Given her exceptional capabilities, this is hardly surprising.”
“……”
Nidhogg had lost his emissary in an instant. But he could not dare to object to his mother, the Second Dragon Emperor, nor to the decision of the First Dragon Emperor.
“… Understood.”
Nidhogg nodded, forcibly concealing his displeasure.
—
In June, along with summer, the finals of the National Championship typically begin.
『The National Championship Comes to An End!』
Headlines announcing the end of the National Championship surfaced.
The reason was simple.
『South Korea Eliminated in the Round of 16!』
『The Sword Saint Fought Hard, but Japan’s Wall Was Too High!』
『Great Fight, but Lost? National Team’s Consolation Banquet Without the Sword Saint in Sight』
『Another Ranker Leaving National Team—Who Will Join Next Year’s Championship?』
Despite advancing to the finals thanks to the Platinum-rank, that was it.
South Korea was eliminated in the Round of 16.
However, what caught Kim Shimun’s attention were other headlines.
『Hero of the National Championship Finals! But Is He at the Pinnacle of Fraud and Corruption?』
『Platinum-rank’s Kim Shimun, Possibly Tied to the Association?!』
『National Team Expulsion, Association President Kim Muyeol’s Abuse of Power! More Than Once?』
『Kim Muyeol’s Controversial Tenure! ‘Where There’s Smoke, there’s Fire.’』
These articles were directly related to Kim Shimun and his uncle, Kim Muyeol.
The media attention was so intense that, “The Round of 16 elimination is getting overshadowed.”
News of their immediate elimination in the finals was buried by the controversy. Kim Shimun’s attention was drawn by a voice.
“What’s getting buried?”
A powerful voice.
“Hey, have you been sitting like that since morning? Are you still looking at your phone? Aren’t you going to eat lunch?”
It was Go Malsuk. Fresh out of the shower, the sweet scent wafted from her, a towel draped around her neck.
“What are you looking at? Oh, this? So, it does bother you?”
She plopped down next to Kim Shimun and glanced at his phone, nodding her head.
“I guess it’s hard not to be bothered when people are badmouthing you. Turns out, you’re human after all.”
“Malsuk, I don’t particularly care about insults like this.”
“Really? Hey, you monster! You’re so damn annoying. Got it?! How can a newly minted Platinum act so wise and….”
Smack.
“Ow!”
Go Malsuk clutched her forehead and fell back.
She sprang back up and shouted, “You said you don’t care!”
“I said I don’t care about getting insulted like this.”
Kim Shimun waved his phone in front of Go Malsuk, who was still holding her forehead.
“Damn it!”
Finding herself at a loss for words, Go Malsuk’s eyes teared up slightly as she rubbed her forehead.
It genuinely hurt, but more than the pain, ‘How did I not even notice his hand moving?!’
It was even more infuriating for Go Malsuk that she hadn’t detected Kim Shimun’s flick. Seeing her reaction, Shimun sighed lightly and looked back at his phone.
“The Platinum-rank event was three days ago, and the Round of 16 elimination was just this morning. Why did the controversy suddenly flare up?”
Targeting just his uncle and himself, no less.
“The journalists are just stirring the pot because they have nothing better to do.”
Go Malsuk pouted while patting her forehead with a towel.
“Is it really dragging more attention than being eliminated in the Round of 16?”
“Obviously! The Diamond National Team’s defeat was thoroughly milked dry during the preliminaries. Besides, does your brother have any fans? Messing with him would only backfire.”
Looking at her phone, Go Malsuk scoffed.
“Look at this! Accusations of connections to the Association, corruption everywhere. They’re really sinking their teeth into you.”
Kim Shimun nodded calmly.
“Definitely intentional.”
“Not just intentional—it’s 100% on purpose. Unless you reveal yourself as the Sword Saint, you’ve got no backing right now. You’re easy prey.”
“Prey, huh? I see. So they’re targeting uncle and me… or rather, they’re targeting uncle.”
Kim Shimun pondered Go Malsuk’s words for a moment.
Then, “Thanks, Malsuk.”
He smiled, looking at her.
“W-What’s with you all of a sudden?”
Go Malsuk turned her gaze aside, flustered.
“You’ve given me some clarity.”
“Huh?”
Go Malsuk blinked in surprise at his sudden gratitude.
Though she didn’t quite understand, “Right, you’re always stuck in the arena or the lab. Navigating this harsh world requires someone like me to look out for you!”
Go Malsuk saw an opportunity to stand tall.
“Come to me with any problems from now on. This big sister will sort them out for you.”
Of course, “Sure. Now that you’re starting to think, I feel very reassured.”
Kim Shimun lightly shook his head, displacing Go Malsuk.
“Of course! If I start using my head too… wait, what?”
Catching sight of Kim Shimun’s sly smile, Go Malsuk’s raised chin faltered.
She blinked twice with wide eyes.
“You little… So, are you saying I’ve been living without thinking until now?!”
She immediately shifted into rage mode.
Unfortunately, she wasn’t given the chance to vent her anger.
“Orabeoni, you have a visitor.”
Lee Yujeong, who had appeared out of nowhere, announced the visitor’s arrival.
“A visitor?”
“A visitor my foot! You’re dead today!”
Go Malsuk attempted to land a punch on Kim Shimun, her forehead caught in his grip.
Swish, swish.
Kim Shimun effortlessly dodged her flurry of punches.
“Where are they from?”
Ignoring Go Malsuk’s attacks, Shimun asked calmly.
Lee Yujeong gave a faint smile as she replied,
“They’re from the recruitment department of American Dream.”