Chapter 99. Guild Buff (5)
“I’ll break your arms and legs if I have to stop you!”
Riko’s voice was filled with excitement.
Swoosh.
She gripped the hidden weapons in her hand tightly, drawing a firm line.
Then, “Riko, you’re such a liar. Always lying.”
The tidy schoolboy. Yuto looked at Riko with his characteristic expressionless eyes.
“Riko can’t beat me.”
“You’re crazy, idiot! That’s not what I mean!!”
Was she getting that heated?
Riko’s face turned beyond red, with veins popping out on her white neck. But as Yuto said, ‘This brute with only strength!’
Even though they were both promising members of Masamune, the strongest guild in Japan. There was a clear difference between Riko and Yuto.
Before discussing the compatibility between the classes of an assassin and a swordsman, ‘What genius? He’s just a kid obsessed with fighting!’
Ever since the appearance of the Galaxy Arena. Yuto had been known for his unprecedented talent. Being able to easily defeat even Platinum players, Yuto had no equal among players of his level.
Obviously, even Riko, who was rising as a new star in the Japanese assassination world, could not match Yuto. She knew this better than anyone, having fought a gold debut match together as a team.
Even so, “Yuto! I warned you clearly!”
She couldn’t just let go of this child running wild, betting on membership recklessly.
‘I requested for a ranker to join exactly because of this!’
The annoying face of the vice guild master, who had seen her off saying she was enough on her own, naturally came to mind.
“Let’s see. But, Riko? You better be prepared.”
Thud.
Yuto took steps forward without hesitation, even as Riko threatened him with a weapon in hand.
‘Damn kid! He’s totally flipped the switch! What do I do?’
Should I really hit him? Can I survive if I do?
Riko chewed on her lips, filled with all sorts of worries.
Before her, swoosh.
A sword flew in.
“Huh?”
The sword looked extraordinary at a glance. Knowing something about this sword, “This sword is…!”
Yuto’s expressionless face softened into one of reverence.
Then, -That’s enough.
The sword vibrated, emitting a clear voice.
-Player Kim Shimun has just finished a duel. Any further duels are not permitted.
“Sword Saint, but I…”
-Be quiet, Yuto.
Kim Shihyuk’s voice, much brighter than usual, sharply cut off Yuto. The sword then pointed downwards, slick. and drew a precise line on the ground.
-If you cross this line, whether you’re a promising member of Masamune or whatever, then, -I will kill you.
The clear voice turned into a chilling blade, aiming straight at Yuto’s neck.
“….”
Riko’s face, previously adorned with a smile of joy, hardened. It wasn’t just the menacing threat from the renowned swordsman, the ‘Sword Saint’, that caused this change.
“Even the Sword Saint has gone this far… surely he wouldn’t cross the line, right?”
The concern was genuine, stemming from Yuto’s impulsive actions.
“That crazy kid might really cross it.”
Having teamed up with Yuto in the promising team for the arena, Riko knew well. If it intertwined with his resolve to become stronger, Yuto wouldn’t fear death in the slightest.
Fortunately, “If the Sword Saint himself says so, of course, I must step back,” Yuto conceded, bowing politely at a 90-degree angle, not daring to challenge his idol. Riko let out a sigh of relief.
“Right, he was the kid who worshipped the Sword Saint, listening to him more than to his own parents.”
A fanboy of the Sword Saint. It wasn’t for no reason that he, along with the entirety of Masamune, was referred to in such a manner.
“But…”
Yuto tilted his head, a small smirk playing at his lips and eyes.
“I never imagined the Sword Saint himself would intervene in a mere duel between golds.”
A clear provocation.
“That idiot!”
The sparks flew back into Riko’s eyes at the audacity, but that was it.
“Ugh! Really, a child is still a child. Did he actually think such provocation would work on the Sword Saint?”
She shook her head, sighing. However, -“Quite arrogant, Yuto. Who do you think you can beat?”
Her expectations were completely off the mark.
“Does that mean you believe I would lose to Player Kim Shimun?”
Yuto dared to question.
“Of course. You might last longer than the strengthened player, but in the end, you’ll be miserably defeated,” affirmed the unwavering voice of the Sword Saint, Kim Shihyuk.
Was it these words that struck a nerve? Yuto’s usually calm brow furrowed.
“How can you be so sure without seeing? Don’t you know me, Sword Saint? We’ve had an earnest conversation as swordsmen before…”
-“That’s precisely why I say this, Yuto,” Kim Shihyuk’s voice remained firm.
“Having crossed swords with you myself, I know best. You’re barely able to chase after Player Kim Shimun’s shadow.”
With those words, the sword vanished into the distance, back to its master. Yuto remained silent, watching the disappearing sword. Then, “I understand the Sword Saint’s intentions. However,” clenching the hilt of his sword so hard that his veins bulged, “this time, I believe the Sword Saint is mistaken. I’ll prove it later.”
He glared at Kim Shimun, who was conversing with Seo Wiryong from afar.
* * *
“Unbelievable……”
Although it was clear they were using an arena translator, the fluency in English that broke through was filled with admiration. The blond handsome man, Andrew Burns, looked at Kim Shimun with eyes full of shock.
‘To smash that sturdy enhanced player with one punch… even I can’t do that.’
The American Dream, the top guild in the United States and considered a world power alongside Continentals. Even Andrew, their top prospect, found it difficult to take down an enhanced player with a single punch.
‘And to think, he didn’t even use that lightning spear or flame sword seen on the broadcasts.’
Considering this wasn’t the Galaxy Arena but the real world, where basic stats are somewhat downgraded. Moreover, Kim Shimun wasn’t even from a combat class but a mage class. Yet, without using his top skills, to send a promising defensive player flying with just one punch?
‘This guy, we must definitely recruit him to our American Dream.’
As is the case with major guilds around the world, Kim Shimun was already on the radar of American Dream’s scouts. However, seeing him with his own eyes, it becomes clear. Kim Shimun is not just another name to be added to the recruitment list.
He’s a player who must be recruited as the top priority. His class is one of those rare magical ones, after all? The future value of Kim Shimun seems boundless.
“I must report to the recruitment department as soon as I return. But before that…”
With that resolve, Andrew’s eyes turned a light shade of blue.
“I should start with an analysis.”
Like a thin layer of water, a light blue hue flickered over his green irises. It was Andrew’s SS-Rank trait, Analysis. Soon the light blue sheen vanished, and a message appeared in front of him:
[The current abilities cannot analyze the target.]
“Hmm?”
Andrew furrowed his brows, not because he couldn’t understand the message.
“My analysis usually works even on those in the upper ranks of Platinum?”
His Analysis trait could meticulously examine someone’s characteristics, system, and even habits, especially if they were of the same level or weaker than him.
Despite being an SS-Rank trait that was somewhat effective even against stronger opponents, “Why doesn’t it work? Could it be that Kim Shimun is actually a Diamond player?”
Andrew naturally shook his head. After all, it was well-known through his personal broadcasting that Kim Shimun was Gold. Then, “There must be something preventing my ability from working…”
With a serious face, Andrew propped his chin, pondering, “What should I do?”
His gaze alternated between Seo Wiryong, who was in conversation with Kim Shimun, and Kim Shihyuk, who was watching from a distance. Eventually, “I originally intended to find out about the growth buff… but it can’t be helped.”
Andrew then opened his inventory and retrieved a gold-shield with snake shapes embedded into it like hair.
“While information on the growth buff is important, there’s no guarantee it will work on a ranker like Kim Shihyuk.”
Opting for certainty over taking a gamble, “It’s better to obtain information I can be sure of.”
With that decision, Andrew infused the shield with mana. [‘Athena’s Relic (Replica)’ reacts to the user’s mana.]
Along with a series of messages, the model of the shield emitting a soft glow turned into ash. [The Constellation Athena responds to your sincerity.]
[The power of the Constellation Athena descends upon you.]
[The grade of the SS Analysis trait temporarily changes to SSS.]
[The Analysis ability is significantly enhanced.]
Message after message surfaced before Andrew. And then, woong. The light blue veil that had enveloped Andrew’s eyes settled into a clear blue iris.
‘Thank you, Athena-nim.’
Andrew nodded slightly towards the sky and immediately, ‘Even if it’s an replica, the cost of using a divine relic is quite significant… but he is worth it,’ he thought, looking at Kim Shimun conversing with Seo Wiryong from a distance.
‘Kim Shimun, I hope you prove worthy of this investment.’
Shhh. Andrew’s vision gradually turned blue. In the moment when the Analysis trait, maximized by the help of the Constellation Athena, tried to analyze Kim Shimun, [Unable to analyze the target.]Another negative message window blocked Andrew’s view.
“This still doesn’t work?!”
A cry of frustration escaped Andrew involuntarily. And for good reason.
‘No way? I even analyzed a diamond-rank ability with this!’
Having offered a sacred relic to Athena and thus strengthened his abilities, his current state was supposed to be equivalent to having performed analyses at the diamond tier.
Yet, he was unable to analyze Kim Shimun?
However, Andrew’s astonishment didn’t stop there.
[SSS-Rank trait analysis catches the attention of XXXX.]
[XXXX frowns, looking at you with an expression saying, ‘What’s up with this guy?’]
An unidentified reaction came flying in. What was shocking was.
[XXXX’s eyes widen in surprise, saying, ‘Oh? Athena, what brings you here?’]
[Athena’s complexion pales as she sees XXXX.]
It was the reaction of Athena, his patron constellation.
[XXXX frowns, saying, ‘Have you finally lost it because Zeus coddled you? How dare you wield your power before me?’]
[Athena shakes her head vigorously, insisting it was a misunderstanding and not her intent at all.]
[XXXX nods, ‘Really? Well, you do know how to discern right from wrong, just like your father. Hmm, fine then.’]
[XXXX speaks as if granting a favor, ‘For the sake of your father and that cute face of yours, I’ll let this slide just this once.’]
Athena, the patron.
A goddess who grants strength when it is needed and wisdom when it is wise, making her one of the top omnipotent deities among the current constellations.
[Athena bows her head repeatedly, expressing her thanks.]
[XXXX smiles contentedly, ‘Right. You see the other fellows beside me? Let’s get along from now on.’]
To see someone bow their head like that?
And the name of the counterpart isn’t even revealed.
‘What in the world…’
Faced with a situation beyond imagination, all Andrew could do was stand agape.
[Athena retracts her power.]
Whoosh.
Like taking off colored lenses. His bright blue eyes returned to their original green. Although it felt empty to have thrown away even an replica of Athena’s relic, Andrew didn’t feel any emptiness at all.
‘Player Kim Shimun. There’s more to him than known.’
Though no information was obtained even after using a relic, ironically, it was still of equivalent value to have learned that much.
Andrew glanced up at the sky.
“Athena, who was that being just now?”
[Athena shakes her head, indicating she cannot mention it.]
“I see. Understood.”
Though disappointed, Andrew readily accepted it. Of course, he thought.
‘If it were mentionable, the system wouldn’t have censored the name in the first place.’
After all, it was a being already censored by the system itself. It was worth asking, just in case. Andrew had not held much hope.
‘One thing’s for certain, a player like that breaking into Platinum would be no big deal.’
That unidentified being aside, just the skills Kim Shimun has shown in the duels with the enhancement committee are enough to breech Platinum.
‘I’m bound to confront him in my Platinum debut match, no doubt.’
Naturally, as the top prospect of the American Dream, he had to brace himself for some degree of defeat.
‘Not that I’m avoiding a fight but…’
Pulling out his phone, ‘There’s no point in recklessly taking on a risky opponent, is there?’
He immediately dialed a familiar number.
-What’s the matter, Andrew? Are you back already?
A familiar baritone voice came through the phone.
“Not exactly, Guild Master. There’s something else I need to discuss.”
-If it’s guild business, why not talk to Colin? You didn’t become vice guild master for nothing.
“Um… It seemed better to talk to you directly, Guild Master.”
Unable to voice the shortcomings of Vice Guild Master Colin, Andrew took a deep breath and said, “There’s someone we absolutely must recruit on our side.”
TL’s note:
Changing Magic System -> Mage Class
Changing Combat System -> Combat Class