Genius Regressor Makes Mythic Items

『What is the true identity of the suddenly emerged ‘Temporary Regular Arena’?』

『Only those with the top 10% MMR in each rank can participate?』

『Galaxy Arena, finally breaking its fairness?』

『Shocking! Death in the ‘Temporary Regular Arena’ is real!』

News poured into portal sites not only in South Korea but worldwide.

-They say if you die in the arena, you die in real life?

-Hey, higher-ups in the heavenly ranks. Is this for real?

-Yes, that’s what the announcement says. I’ll decide whether to participate or not.

-But until I decide, I can’t play the regular arena either, lol.

-Can’t even test the waters, lol.

-I’ve already declared my non-participation.

-Yep, even using the arena access device is painful. Who in their right mind would risk their life?

Arena-related communities in each country also showed intense interest in the emergence of the ‘Temporary Regular Arena.’

Especially:

-I belong to the American Dream. The top players call this the ‘Regular Arena Training Ground,’ or ‘Semi-Arena.’

-Semi-Arena? That sounds like a cute name.

-Interesting. Our rankers in Masamune also call it Semi-Arena.

-The heavenly ranks in our Baltenberg also call it Semi-Arena.

The top guilds, which could be said to represent their respective countries. As the top MMR users in these guilds started referring to the ‘Temporary Regular Arena’ as Semi-Arena,

-But is there no information about Semi-Arena at all?

-Almost none, right?

-Just saw an Indian ranker who played the arena earlier. All sorts of different races appeared.

-Really? Different races can be matched?

-Yes, they seem to be players too.

The bits of information that came in only fueled the fire more. Of course, there wasn’t much information coming in.

-I also saw a Filipino ranker two hours ago who participated. Different races were matched. But…

Not only did he not advance far in the arena due to the increased difficulty,

-You saw it too? That guy got instantly killed.

-Yes; seeing as there’s been no news since, the death penalty seems real…

-The death penalty.

The penalty where if you die in the arena, you die in real life was applied.

Since everyone who experienced Semi-Arena died in the early stages, naturally, there was little information.

-Looks like the top-rank players aren’t running the arena.

-Open the Arenea app. There are less than 20 Semi-Arena broadcasts, lol.

-20 is actually a lot.

-Do those 20 people have multiple lives, lol?

-Looking at it now, players from large guilds aren’t running Semi-Arena at all.

-There must be something behind it?

-Yes, seems like exclusive information is being shared among the top tiers.

And.

-Reporting in.

The World Awakeners’ Federation, which received all this news and reports,

-An Indian ranker was found dead, again, after participating in the last Temporary Regular Arena announced.

“With this, the total number of rankers who have died is now 19.”

“Sigh! This is truly exhausting!”

The monitoring continued nonstop worldwide.

“Send another official letter to the Indian Association! ‘Strongly advise’ them to refrain from entering Semi-Arena for a week!”

“Why are they not listening!”

“How can these top players be so reckless when their lives are at stake!”

Sighs and complaints erupted from various corners of the conference room. Especially the representative from India, like the representatives of the previous 18 countries,

“These fools…!”

He was biting his lips so hard they trembled. It was understandable. This time, the casualty in India was a ranker. Seeing this situation, the German representative.

“It’s unfortunate but inevitable.”

Milla sighed briefly.

“Galaxy Arena offers substantial rewards initially, doesn’t it? Even with their lives at stake, they can’t help but be tempted.”

The American representative, Marcus, who was sitting beside her, nodded.

“Indeed, all the reported deaths so far occurred right after the entrants received achievement rewards.”

“Yes. With everything being broadcast live, it must be hard for them to resist.”

Milla’s response prompted Marcus to loosen his tie and continue speaking.

“Nevertheless, we extend our heartfelt condolences to the countries that have lost their rankers.”

For once, no objections came from the typically contentious nations. The reason was simple.

“The United States has also lost two rankers, and we deeply empathize with your loss.”

The United States had also reported the deaths of two rankers. The Chinese representative, Yuanhong, who had been observing this, spoke quietly.

“China also sends its deepest condolences to the countries that have lost rankers.”

“Serbia sends its condolences as well.”

“We also…”

Solemn words of sympathy were exchanged.

This seemed to offer some comfort, as the representatives from the countries that had lost rankers, including India, began to calm their strained expressions.

Marcus, observing the gathering, spoke up.

“Seeing as you are all using the term Semi-Arena… it appears you are all aware?”

“…”

“…”

The representatives glanced at each other at his words.

Then, “How could we not be? In fact, none of the deaths have occurred among the top guilds in any country.”

Yuanhong responded to him.

“That’s right. While the United States has lost two rankers, the rankers from American Dream remain unscathed.”

“So, everyone has obtained information from the black market.”

“Haha! It’s good to speak frankly.”

The other representatives also added their observations and nodded. Among them, a man with a gentle demeanor raised his hand.

“Um… I’ve been curious about this since we gathered for this emergency meeting, but why haven’t we discussed sharing this information?”

Thailand’s representative, Somchai, asked.

“…”

“…”

The World Federation’s conference room fell silent in an instant. Expressions of confusion, difficulty, and impassiveness surfaced. Various emotions appeared in the silence, but no one easily opened their mouth.

China’s representative, Yuanhong, crossed his arms and maintained a neutral expression.

“Externally, it’s due to the trust in the black market owner.”

Yuanhong broke the silence. Thailand’s representative, Somchai, blinked.

“Externally? Does that mean there’s another reason internally… Ah!”

A short sigh followed. Somchai closed his mouth with a sheepish look but that was all. All the representatives in the conference room could guess what he had realized. Yuanhong continued speaking immediately.

“It is as you think. It’s to keep the rival guilds in check. The fewer top players in other guilds, the more their influence diminishes.”

“Representative Yuanhong.”

“So, what of it? It’s something everyone knows.”

Yuanhong shrugged at Marcus’s mild reproof.

“Ahem! Let’s set aside the dark stories for now. It seems no one here hasn’t dealt with the black market, so let’s talk openly among ourselves.”

“… Let’s do that.”

“I agree.”

One by one, representatives including Marcus and Milla voiced their agreement.

Beep.

Some representatives indicated their consent with a green light as well. With the mood settling, Yuanhong spoke up again.

“And Representative Somchai? Although we didn’t specify the details of the black market information, it’s essentially been shared.”

“Representative Yuanhong is right.”

Marcus nodded as he received Yuanhong’s words.

“We strongly advised everyone against participating in Semi-Arena for one week, didn’t we?”

It’s called a ‘strong recommendation’ by the World Awakeners’ Federation.

Although it’s termed a recommendation, everyone knew it was effectively an order from the Federation to each nation through their associations.

However, “Such recommendations simply didn’t work for some players.”

The mid-to-low-rank players might comply, but the top 10% of each rank wielded considerable power and influence. No matter how strong the Federation’s words were, they had little effect.

At that moment:

-Reporting in.

A hologram rose in the center of the conference room, accompanied by a mechanical voice.

“Sigh…”

“Tsk.”

The representatives all either sighed or clicked their tongues.

‘Who died this time?’

‘Please, not from our country! Please!!’

They each hoped internally that it wasn’t a player from their own country.

Fortunately,

-Confirmed entry of two new players into Semi-Arena from Arena.

It was news of participation, not death. However, the representatives’ faces didn’t brighten. The fact that someone had entered Semi-Arena meant, “Which country’s players are they this time?”

That they were likely to follow the previous players to their deaths.

– Platinum rank players, Kim Shimun of Korea and Leoni Wolf of Germany.

“No!”

“Oh, Lord!”

Male and female screams rang out simultaneously.

“What is the head of the association doing!”

“Leoni! How could someone as wise as you!”

It was the screams of the representatives from Korea and Germany. They fumbled with trembling hands on their phones.

Bang.

The representatives stormed out of the meeting room. They were likely contacting their respective associations or guilds.

‘Tsk. Unfortunate.’

‘Both of them were chosen by the Constellations, weren’t they?’

‘To lose talents who are future ranker potentials just like that.’

The representatives felt a mix of sympathy and relief.

‘Finally, Allah avenges Palestine!’

‘Kim Shimun. He was doing so well lately…’

‘They must be flying high just because they made a contract with a Constellation.’

‘Zhang Liqiu will be pleased.’

And with faint schadenfreude, they internally sympathized with the representatives from Korea and Germany.

*

『Welcome to Galaxy Arena.』

A familiar phrase.

Below it:

『You have acquired the achievement ‘Challenger of the First Day’.』

『You have received 2,000 Achievement Points』

『You have acquired the achievement ‘Into Diverse Worlds’.』

『You have received 3,000 Achievement Points』

You have acquired the achievement rewards appeared. Shimun’s eyes sparkled.

‘Oh? They’re giving 5,000 achievement points just for entering?’

5,000 achievement points. It was quite a high reward for merely entering the arena.

Of course.

‘Well, considering it’s risking my life, it’s not that high.’

Compared to the risk of losing his life, it wasn’t exactly generous. Shimun dismissed the achievement window and was about to look around.

『You have acquired the achievement ‘Surpass 5,000,000 Viewers’.』

『You have received 7,000 Achievement Points』

Another achievement reward appeared. Shimun’s eyes widened at the notification. And for good reason.

‘Five million viewers?!’

It claimed he had surpassed five million viewers. Shimun quickly opened the settings window in Arenea.

As indicated by the achievement.

『Currently watching: 5,779,271』.

The viewer count surged past 5 million, heading towards 6 million.

『Currently watching: 5,975,154』.

『Currently watching: 6,451,763』.

In an instant, it exceeded 6 million and continued to climb.

-Look at the viewer count, lol.

-Mr. Kim, I knew you’d enter Semi-Arena.

-As expected from Shimun-san. In a way, it’s impressive.

-Allah will commend your bravery.

-Such valor, truly manly!

-Look at the foreigners’ support, lol.

-Can’t even read the chat, lol.

The overwhelming number of chats, scattered with translations.

Along with the continuously increasing viewer count,

『Currently watching: 7,751,261』.

Only after reaching an astonishing 7.7 million did the pace slow down a bit.

Shimun let out a dry laugh.

‘I expected the viewer count to increase with Semi-Arena’s opening day, but…’

He didn’t imagine it would surpass 7.7 million.

‘Well, it’s not surprising. Quite a few reckless players must have already died by now.’

Although Semi-Arena in his previous life opened in January, the only difference was the date.

The overall flow seemed to remain unchanged.

‘In the past life, about 50 rankers died on the first day, didn’t they?’

Rankers, the highest tier on present-day Earth. In the previous life, when Semi-Arena opened on the first day, nearly 50 rankers died. Including the lower rank deaths, it easily reached five figures.

‘Even if there are fewer deaths now compared to the past life, there will still be some.’

It couldn’t be helped.

‘Even though I leaked the information that amulets of death avoidance would be sold a week later, not everyone would have heard it.’

This Galaxy Arena’s ‘first’ title wasn’t just about the rewards—

The honor alone could turn players into moths drawn to a flame. Shimun shook his head and glanced at the chat window.

-Hyung! Get out of there immediately!

-Why did you enter there? Didn’t you see the news?

-What’s done is done, right?

-I’m fine with it, haha. Stay safe ^0^

-Thinking he’s doing well now, and pulling a suicide stunt, lol.

-This guy will be totally wrecked when he dies, lol.

-Looking forward to him weeping miserably, lol.

From concerned fans to antis wishing for his death, the chat was utter chaos.

However, “Everyone, please chat politely. Due to the high number of viewers, I’ll set the slow mode more strictly.”

Having experienced countless malice in his past life, shimon set up the broadcast without flinching.

“Then I’ll focus on the arena now.”

He turned off the chat window. Shimun surveyed his eerie surroundings.

‘Dark and a desert terrain?’

The sand had a dark blue hue.

Although it was spread out in all directions like a desert,

It felt more like the interior of a vast, imposing structure.

At that moment, 『The event for this arena is ‘Survival’, and the number of participants is 100.』

『The arena will begin once all participants are visible.』

An announcement appeared.

Flash.

Summoning lights flickered in various places.

“Grr! Where is this?”

“Hmmm. There are a lot of filthy creatures.”

“Ahaha! Only inferior species are here!”

From beastmen with half-human, half-animal forms, to tall and pale vampires, and even orcs classified as green skins. Those who he had only encountered as monsters seemed to have highly advanced artificial intelligence, Each expressing their thoughts. Shimun closed his eyes for a moment.

“Sss.”

He exhaled deeply.

‘Now it truly feels like I’ve returned home.’

The variety of non-human races. Their unique voices and intonations. Everything felt incredibly welcoming.

‘Yes. This is Galaxy Arena.’

An arena where various races risk their lives. Although death penalties were mitigated with items like amulets of death avoidance, the fundamental aspect of risking one’s life to participate remained unchanged.

Most importantly, ‘In my past life, I could only watch…’

Shimun, who had been powerless to do anything but watch Arenea broadcasts due to his lack of magic, now stood on this battlefield on his own two feet, feeling a profound sense of renewal.

Then,

“Are you Kim Shimun?”

A powerful voice came from behind. Shimun turned his head immediately to see his opponent.

“You are…”

He slightly furrowed his brows.