Chapter 97. Guild Buff (3)
“It’s resolving much more easily than expected.”
At the training ground of Ranker’s Palace—
The very place Kim Shimun had previously clashed with Go Malsuk, he watched the two men walking ahead.
“I never thought Kang Hwawi would fall for it this easily.”
Among them, a small, chubby man.
The corners of Kim Shimun’s lips rose involuntarily as he looked at Kang Hwawi.
“Who would have thought he’d openly provoke Kim Shihyuk right then and there.”
Guild growth buff. The moment he had this in hand, the reins were already with Kim Shihyuk, the ‘public Guild Master’.
Yet, in a formal setting with other promising members around. To openly provoke his brother like that.
“With threats about gratitude and whatnot… Truly, Continental has been unchanged since then.”
Did they truly not realize that they were in no position to make demands?
As always, the arrogance of Continental was astounding.
However, “Seo Wiryong is a whole different story.”
The current Continental could not simply be categorized as arrogant. A man of tall stature, Seo Wiryong, not only in his basic manners but also. He understood well their position.
That’s why when Kim Shihyuk got angry about reducing the number of joining members, he immediately stood up to apologize first.
Beyond the matter of force, he was a person of clear discernment.
However, “Yet, Seo Wiryong never became the representative ranker of Continental.”
Kim Shimun nodded as memories of his past life naturally flowed to him.
“Indeed, that incident from my past life was true.”
Continental, known as one of the world’s two great mountains along with American Dream, had its prestige shaken just once.
That was, “The Continental Purge. Well, they call it a revolution.”
An event where they purged internal traitors, proclaiming a leap forward as a united people, a revolution initiated by Continental itself.
Technically speaking, a revolution, but practically just a purge to leave only Spear King Zhang Liqiu’s faction behind.
‘It was quite a shocking incident.’
After the official arena began, Continental, which had overtaken the political scene and even engulfed the Chinese government, legally committed murder.
This inhumane case was revealed by a handful of survivors who narrowly escaped from China, but it was quickly covered up by the overwhelming influence of Continental, which had swallowed up the nation.
Since the incident was buried so quickly, there were even claims that it was a plot to slander Continental. However, Kim Shimun, who was gathering all sorts of information for mana incapacity recovery at the time, clearly remembered.
That Continental legally assassinated its internal guild members. And, “The leader of those survivors was Seo Wiryong.”
He distinctly remembered the news that Seo Wiryong was the leader of the survivors at the time. And that those purged factions, led by him, were all from the previous Guild Master’s moderate faction.
Therefore, “Crushing Kang Hwawi here would deal a significant blow to Zhang Liqiu.”
From the start, allocating two membership spots to Continental had this motive.
At this time, Continental was engaged in a faction competition between the current Guild Master and Zhang Liqiu.
“However, Zhang Liqiu becoming the Guild Master is an unavoidable future.”
Continental’s influence under Zhang Liqiu was evident enough just from the assassination attempts on him. Sending a diamond-rank guild member as an assassin to another country meant virtually confirming the next Guild Master.
Yet, Zhang Liqiu had not ascended to the Guild Master’s position at this point. At this moment, if his faction, Kang Hwawi’s Faction, suffered significant losses while his opposing faction reaped benefits thanks to Seo Wiryong? And even more so, if they flourished rapidly due to the guild growth buff?
“That alone would be a considerable check,” he thought. The constellation of the world’s strongest guild was within reach. In such a critical period, it would be unwelcome for the opposition to gain strength. Naturally, this would leave Zhang Liqiu with no leisure to meddle in his affairs.
“Consequently, the growth pace of Zhang Liqiu would also slow down.”
This would also diminish the influence of the dragonkin that is conspiring with Zhang Liqiu.
“After all, large forces are more fatally hurt by attacks from within than those from outside.”
The principle is the same as facing a powerful beast. To confront them, you need power equal to theirs, but if you can internally break them down with disease or poison, you can defeat them without having the same strength.
“This is killing two birds with one stone, or rather, three.”
Was this the so-called experience of someone who had lived as a level 1 of the regular arena? He nodded in satisfaction as things went according to plan.
* * *
At the waiting area next to the sparring grounds. The latest unreleased dueling suits and goggles among other arena equipment were abundant.
“Sword Saint, is there really no way you can change the conditions?”
Seo Wiryong carefully asked while fiddling with the equipment.
“If you could return to the previous offer, I, Seo Wiryong, would do anything to repay your kindness…”
“It’s not possible,” Kim Shihyuk flatly refused.
“One spot is for player Seo Wiryong. A spot for player Kang Hwawi will be given if he defeats one of our guild members.”
“Sword Saint…”
“If it’s not possible, then only player Seo Wiryong can join. I won’t accept any objections.”
“… Understood.”
Seo Wiryong, having let out a soft sigh, looked anxiously at Kim Shimun, the chosen duel opponent.
“Player Kim Shimun… Can my hyung really win against him?”
Shadows crossed Seo Wiryong’s handsome face.
‘Looking solely at the class compatibility, it would be normal for my hyung, a fighter, to overpower a mage…’
Although the mage class was indeed noble, in a one-on-one with the fighting class it was often at a disadvantage. Despite abilities like Memorize and whatnot, ultimately, casting was essential to land effective hits. Facing the fast and freely combinable moves of the fighting class, casters wouldn’t even have the luxury to cast.
However.
‘Player Kim Shimun, he has no need for casting.’
A simple snap of the fingers was enough for him, a mage player, to unleash tremendous firepower.
In reality, Seo Wiryong was well aware of what kind of player Shimun was. As someone keeping an eye on the promising talents across continents, he was always monitoring the rising talents from various nations.
Naturally.
‘His broadcasts were truly… nothing but astonishing.’
Shimun’s broadcasts were no exception. From Seo Wiryong’s perspective.
‘The strongest prospect currently is not from our country or the United States, but player Kim Shimun.’
Among the myriad of rising stars from the continent, and fittingly among the prospects swarming in the American Dream like Andrew, expected to make a platinum debut as true talents.
Yet, having monitored them all, Seo Wiryong knew. The strongest prospect right now was none other than Kim Shimun from Korea. Surely, those who meticulously observe such prospects would know as well.
“Ha.”
Seo Wiryong let out a short sigh.
“Hu Yunryong, indeed his discernment is never wrong.”
While he was an underground scout in charge of Korea. Once a renowned scout who traversed the world, hu Yunryong had even written a report on Kim Shimun, a report Seo Wiryong had seen. Referencing the time when the Sword Saint, Kim Shihyuk, had been a promising talent, hu Yunryong had strongly recommended on multiple occasions to recruit Kim Shimun. However, for reasons unknown, the higher-ups at Continental had shown no particular interest.
“Such a talent is exactly what Continental needs,” he thought, a wave of regret washing over him. In addition, a heavy sense of defeat loomed.
“Sorry to say, Kang-hyung, but the odds of defeat are too high.”
Kang Hwawi, also a renowned prospect within Continental, had no edge over Kim Shimun except in their professional compatibility.
But what could be done? Everything had ended the moment they’d crossed the Sword Saint. Approaching Seo Wiryong was Kang Hwawi, already dressed in his sparring suit.
“Seo Wiryong, you need not assume such an expression.”
“Kang-hyung.”
“You’re probably thinking I’m doomed to lose to that small-country nobody without even watching.”
“I’m sorry, Kang-hyung, but I honestly cannot be confident in your victory. He is strong.”
“Hmph! I know he made some noise in Korea, but that’s all it is.”
Kang Hwawi scoffed, cracking his thick fingers—a resounding snapping of bones followed.
“I have a secret weapon bestowed by the Spear King. You just watch.”
A fleeting crimson gleam flashed in Kang Hwawi’s eyes.
“Kang-hyung?”
Startled, Seo Wiryong called out, but to no avail.
“What?”
“Oh, it’s nothing.”
Seo Wiryong shook his head at Kang Hwawi’s gaze, buried in his usual plumpness.
“Come out if you’re ready.”
Kim Shihyuk’s clear call came from behind, and Kang Hwawi strode onto the sparring field with heavy steps.
‘Did I see wrong? Kang-hyung’s eyes just then…’
With anxious eyes, Seo Wiryong watched Kang Hwawi’s retreating back.
* * *
Beep.
– The defense system is activated.
With a familiar mechanical voice, layers of protective barriers enveloped the sparring field, while waves imbued with protective magic spread across the floor, reminiscent of gentle sea waves.
‘How should I end this?’
Kim Shimun, with a stern face, stared indifferently at Kang Hwawi standing before him.
‘Perhaps it would be best to end it quickly for various reasons?’
The whole reason behind setting this match was not to disqualify the promising candidate from Zhang Liqiu’s side. Wasn’t it because crossing the Sword Saint could risk losing his TO membership?
‘To aggravate the Sword Saint, move hastily, only to face a humiliating defeat?’
Zhang Liqiu, known as Spear King, was never someone to let mistakes slide easily. Certainly, a promising talent is crucial from a guild’s perspective. Despite the waste of investment, he might try to keep Kang Hwawi by his side.
‘If he does decide to keep Kang Hwawi, that would be favorable for me.’
Facing an important position as the master of Continental’s guild, and after causing a significant disgrace and damage to the guild—If you try to defend your faction like that, even Zhang Liqiu could face a significant backlash.
‘Then, naturally, the opposition would gain strength, and Zhang Liqiu’s growth could be hindered.’
Either way, it’s a win-win situation for Shimun.
‘Why on earth would you attempt an assassination? If you had just stayed put, I wouldn’t have started this check so soon.’
Imagining Zhang Liqiu’s frustration made Shimun let out a snicker. Was it a misunderstanding that triggered the reaction?
“How dare you…!”
Kang Hwawi’s face turned red in an instant as he glared at Shimun.
Then, “A lowlife who only strutted around in minor nations dares to mock me?!”
Whoosh.
Despite his hefty body, Kang Hwawi launched himself forward with speed at least twice as fast as when he charged at Riko in the Ranker’s Palace lobby.
Following, “I’ll straighten you out!”
The thick palm coming directly at him. A glint appeared in Shimun’s eyes upon seeing this.
‘Heart Bursting Palm… It’s been a while.’
In the future, Kang Hwawi becomes a Continental ranker.
His signature move, Heart Bursting Palm, was a technique developed by a first-generation Continental ranker, encapsulating the subtleties of penetrating ki technique that ruptures the opponent’s internal organs from the inside.
However, ‘As long as one knows the counter, it’s not a difficult technique to deal with. Especially for someone with a high ki stat like me.’
Shimun didn’t take any particular stance. Instead, he straightened up proudly as if to show off. At that, “What!”
“Hey! What are you doing!”
Worry appeared on the faces of Park Jinwook, Go Malsuk, and the other onlookers. Even with protective gear, taking a promising talent’s technique head-on was highly dangerous.
“Yujeong.”
“Yeah.”
Upon Kim Shihyuk’s signal, Yujeong responded briefly. Gentle white divine energy shimmered in her hands. But she never had to use her holy magic.
Thwack.
Right at Shimun’s chest, at the exact location of the heart, Kang Hwawi’s palm penetrated.
Despite being a sparring match that clearly manifested lethal intent, discussing that became secondary when, “What!”
Even after taking Heart Bursting Palm directly, Shimun stood as unyielding as a rock facing a gentle breeze.
“How, how is this possible…!”
Shocked beyond measure, Kang Hwawi stood frozen, unable to retract his hand.
“Is it my turn now?”
Shimun smiled softly at Kang Hwawi and, snap.
Flicking his finger, he drove his palm into the unguarded chest of Kang Hwawi.
Boom!
A sonic boom utterly different from the Heart Bursting Palm Hwawi had used resonated.
And then, flutter.
The sound of fluttering cloth.
Though it was actually the hefty Kang Hwawi’s flesh that fluttered, regardless, whirled through the air like a piece of cloth caught in the wind, Kang Hwawi then, crash!
Landed heavily on the ground.