Chapter 205 - Guild War (1)
Boom!
A short but thunderous explosion.
Accompanied by,
“Aaaaaaah!”
“Ugh!”
Shrill screams filled the air.
For good reason, “Hurry up and die, bastards.”
One woman’s casual punches. Yet, the black and fierce energy at the end of her fists,
“Again! It’s coming again!”
“Tankers, block it somehow!”
“How are we supposed to tank that!? Deploy the shields!”
Regardless of class or profession, crushed everything it touched to bits. Just as it had been since the beginning of the arena match.
“Ugh!”
“Damn it…”
The force of her punches resembled area-of-effect magic, African players dropped one by one, screaming and gasping.
Meanwhile,
『Aaaah!! Another one falls! This time it’s the African Union!』
『Is this kind of destructive power even possible?! A combat class showing this level of destruction!』
The World Championship, commonly referred to as TWC Channel,
Michael and Jonathan, the announcer and commentator, were astounded.
And reasonably so,
『I never thought I’d see such a one-sided match in a Platinum debut match!』
『Indeed! The Platinum debut matches are continuously delivering shocking results!』
Platinum debut match.
An arena where only the most promising talents from around the world, handpicked by Galaxy Arena, could participate.
In this globally recognized arena,
『Korea stirs up yet another storm following Kim Shimun!』
『Riding the momentum from the last debut match, Korea is sweeping through!』
Korea was having another massacre.
More precisely,
“It’s Miss Fuck it!!”
“Go Malsuk? Oh shit! I’ve got to get out of here!”
“Run! Facing her means certain elimination!”
‘A single Korean player’ was demolishing the Platinum debut match.
The other participants fled in panic,
“Don’t hide, you bastards. It’s annoying to chase you.”
Go Malsuk followed slowly with an irritated look.
“Eek!”
“When did she get here?”
In a flash, even those who ran with all their might were caught.
“Damn it! In that case!”
“Take this!”
Being promising talents, as they were, they abandoned escape and launched a desperate assault, but it was futile.
“Yeah, as promising as you are, you should stick around and fight.”
Go Malsuk nodded in approval.
Boom.
She swung her blackened fist, exuding a menacing hum. As had been since the start of the debut match.
Crash!
“This monster!”
“This is an arena?!”
“Miss Fuck it! Please spare us!”
Another massacre ensued.
TWC’s two commentators,
『Ahh! Now it’s the Middle Eastern Union’s turn…!』
『She’s laying waste to everyone she encounters! ‘Miss Fuck it’ leaves a trail of fallen Middle Eastern players!』
Michael and Jonathan couldn’t hide their dismay.
Then,
『Jonathan, isn’t this surprising? Just a while ago, Korea didn’t have talents of this caliber, right?』
Michael composed himself naturally and posed a question to Jonathan.
『Right. After the golden era of the Star Generation, who produced champions like the Sword Saint and the Saintess, Korea experienced a dark age with hardly any promising talents.』
Jonathan quickly collected his thoughts and nodded.
『Korea still has few participants in the debut matches, but it’s the quality that matters.』
『Exactly!』
The Platinum debut match, also known as the arena for selecting the next rankers,
In such matches, it wasn’t about ‘how many players’ a country could field, but ‘how strong the players’ were.
『Most participants in the Platinum debut match advance to Diamond, but becoming a ranker is another story.』
『That’s right. Only 10% of debut participants become rankers!』
Advancing beyond the highest tier of Diamond to ranker status, even in the Platinum debut match, this was no easy feat.
『Ahh! The next victim is Europe!』
『This generation of European players lacks standout players compared to the last!』
『Indeed. Europe is being overrun more helplessly than any other union!』
『Ah…! They opted for a survival strategy, which worked till now, but that’s the end!』
『Enduring is meaningless in the face of the catastrophic Miss Fuck it!』
As the commentator’s predicted, lacking exceptional players like Faust, Go Malsuk pounded through the European Union without any specific martial arts techniques, purely relying on her overwhelming strength.
After dealing with the European team,
『It feels like a replay of the nightmare from the last arena!』
『From Kim Shimun to Go Malsuk! Will Korea dominate this Platinum debut match too?』
『One step to victory! The last remaining team is the USA!』
『Now the strongest team remains. This is going to be thrilling!』
The last remaining country was the USA alone.
Thud.
Steady footsteps echoed on the dull, ashen floor. Once again, the stage for the Platinum debut match was set in the Chaos Realm. As Go Malsuk walked through the dust, she muttered,
“Fuck. This map is ridiculously large.”
Her face contorted in annoyance. However, it didn’t quite add up for someone who had been dominating the Chaos Realm so far to suddenly complain about the map.
The chat seemed to pick up on this discrepancy.
– Why is she angry again?
– Are you new? Malsuk is always pissed.
– Yeah, lol. Malsuk, let out a good yell!
– You crazy? She just did, what more do you want? lol
– Ahhh! Sister! Step on me!
『The manager has kicked out ToeFetishUser from the chat.』
The chat erupted in cheers at Go Malsuk’s annoyance.
Knowing well the nature of her chat,
“Idiots are acting up again.”
She glanced at the chat notifications shoved into the corner of her vision, shaking her head in exasperation.
However,
– Heuuu! Contempt!!
– Insult me more! More!
– This really is a madhouse lol.
– I’ve watched many villain streams, but none as crazy as this lol.
– Even that reaction just served to excite her viewers further.
Fortunately, Go Malsuk couldn’t see what was happening in the chat and refocused on her annoyance.
The reason was simple.
‘They are weak. Every last one of them is too weak.’
It wasn’t about winning or losing the arena. She was dissatisfied with the standard of the Platinum debut match participants.
More precisely,
‘Kim Shimun’s debut match opponents were much stronger.’
Compared to the participants from the last debut match, they were weaker. Gritting her teeth in frustration, Go Malsuk bit her lower lip.
‘Is there no one like Faust here? I need to fight demons or angels, not these insects!’
Calling the top prospects from various countries “insects” was a testament to her superiority. Considering she was dominating the debut match, she had earned that right.
But she was not satisfied with her achievements thus far.
‘I need to get stronger, much stronger!’
After the emergence of the Semi-Arena, before gaining the Shimdrasil growth buff and the Death Nullification Ticket, following Kim Shimun’s advice, Go Malsuk had stopped participating in arenas.
And,
‘Those otherworldly players Kim Shimun was matched against. Every single one of them was better than these insects.’
The mysterious alien players she had seen in Kim Shimun’s broadcasts.
Given Kim Shimun’s Platinum rank, they, too, were likely Platinum rank, far superior to Earth’s Platinum players.
Hence, ‘I need to fight stronger opponents to prove myself.’
To get stronger and fight tougher opponents was her mission.
So that, ‘Kim Shimun, standing beside you confidently, I’ll repay this damn debt somehow.’
The recently updated growth buff rental fee of 500 billion. The stat enhancers that shook the global arena community, the numerous elixirs she received.
And the equipment.
She felt the need to earn the right to repay the numerous supports she had received from Kim Shimun. Although Kim Shimun had insisted she shouldn’t think that way,
‘Living with this debt feels unbearable… Damn it! I’ll pay it back somehow.’
Perhaps due to her inability to accept living in debt?
Go Malsuk couldn’t just accept what she had received from Kim Shimun. Seething with frustration, she moved forward.
“I’ve arrived.”
“Haa… This is the first time I’ve dreaded meeting an opponent since I awakened.”
“I feel the same.”
She had encountered the last remaining debut match participants. The promising talents of the American Dream. The man who seemed to be the leader,
“It’s an honor to meet you, Go Malsuk. I am the leader of this American Dream batch…”
A tall, dignified Latin man greeted her politely, but that was all.
“Just drop dead, asshole.”
Boom!
Go Malsuk’s fist shot forward without warning. A strike intended to end it all. But the man, called Miguel, Despite being thrown into the air, responded instinctively.
“Miguel!”
Landing on his feet after a deft maneuver in mid-air, he clutched his grazed shoulder, wincing. But it wasn’t a wince of pain,
“As expected, Miss Fuck it. Truly remarkable strength as the rumors say.”
It was a gesture of respect for her strength.
However, this respect wasn’t received well.
“Remarkable strength?”
Go Malsuk’s eyebrow twitched.
“You’ve clearly never seen true remarkable strength… Well, alright.”
With a cynical smirk, Go Malsuk adjusted her stance.
“You’re the first one to withstand a single hit. So I’ll acknowledge that. Now…”
She raised her hand, loaded with power.
“Let’s see how you handle this.”
Then,
Heavenly Demon Divine Art.
Peerless Slash.
A clean arc of demonic energy swirled from her hand.
Swish.
In an instant, Miguel and the American participants behind him were cleaved in two.
『You are the last survivor.』
『A winner has been determined in the Platinum Rank Debut Match.』
『The Platinum Rank Debut Match is now over.』
The Platinum debut match concluded.
***
Winner of the Platinum Debut Match. Despite achieving the title of being the top newcomer among those recently ascended to Platinum,
“Sigh…”
Go Malsuk, the person in question, exhaled a deep sigh and left the room to trudge toward the bathroom. At that moment, she heard a distinct mellifluous voice.
“Congratulations on your win.”
Frozen, as if turned to ice.
Go Malsuk stopped in her tracks.
With crossed arms, “But, Malsuk.”
Leaning against the hallway wall, Shimun popped his head forward towards her.
“After winning the debut match, why do you look so gloomy?”
“…”
Go Malsuk, looking at his handsome face silently, blushed slightly and her lips quivered.
Kim Shimun straightened up, waiting patiently as Go Malsuk hesitated unusually. After mumbling a few times, Go Malsuk finally sighed deeply and responded,
“…It’s just. The debut match wasn’t what I expected.”
“What did you expect? What’s that about?”
Kim Shimun tilted his head, but left it at that.
“Things happen, man. Anyway, why are you here?”
As Go Malsuk brushed it off nonchalantly, Kim Shimun watched her for a moment and then stepped back.
“I came to support you at the Platinum debut. I stuck around until it finished.”
“Funny.”
Go Malsuk snapped back immediately.
“You’re here because you have something to say, right? This is why I don’t buy it.”
“How did you know?”
“You may not realize, but when you lie, your tone changes subtly. You avoid eye contact while focusing only on the nose or lips.”
“I did that? I had no idea…”
Kim Shimun blinked, surprisingly detailed by Go Malsuk’s observation.
“As expected, Malsuk. I can’t fool you.”
He chuckled and nodded in acknowledgement. Due to his candid admission, or perhaps for some other reason, “Of course. Even if you could deceive a ghost, you couldn’t deceive Go Malsuk.”
The previously dark mood seemed to vanish as Go Malsuk flicked her head back in her usual manner.
“Then spill it. What do you want?”
Go Malsuk asked, arms crossed and lounging casually. Kim Shimun scratched his cheek, displaying an awkward smile.
“Hey, you make it sound like I’m out to get something.”
“Who said that? Go rip their throats out.”
“No, how did it even turn into that?”
“If you don’t want to, just leave it to me. I said it before, I can handle the dirty work anytime.”
Go Malsuk’s attitude today seemed indistinguishable between joking and seriousness. Kim Shimun blinked in confusion, but that was all.
“No, it’s nothing like that. There’s just something I was hoping you could help with…”
“Great! Just say it! Who do you want me to take down? I’ll bury any of those punks for you!”
Before he could even finish, Go Malsuk was pounding her chest, expressing her willingness. Kim Shimun shook his head despairingly.
“Good grief. Did you reach the fifth rank in Heavenly Demon Divine Arts? You seem overconfident today?”
“It’s not like I can deny it. The Peerless Slash technique is really something. Aren’t you about to reach the fifth rank too?”
“Try using it when you do. It’s a killer.”
While she rambled on, Shimun could not help but laugh,
“Okay then. If you could, would you participate in the guild war?”
“Guild war?”
It sounded so absurd to her that her face contorted strangely.
No wonder,-“I’ve just reached Platinum. Can I even participate in a guild war?”
Despite being the winner of the Platinum debut, she was a newly promoted Platinum.
Yet to breach the “Diamond wall”, a realm teeming with promising talents from around the globe.
Plus, “That… You’re there. What help would my participation be?”
Wasn’t Kim Shimun, considered one of the most promising newcomers, also in Shimdrasil?
However, was she mistaken?
“What are you talking about? Of course, you’ll be helpful.”
Kim Shimun quickly countered, shaking his head.
“Guild wars are divided into Diamond and Platinum tiers. Each guild war has a participation requirement; each team must have at least two members.”
“Oh crap, did you come here to fill numbers?”
Go Malsuk’s face immediately fell in disappointment. Finding her response amusing, “We could fill numbers by including anyone.”
Kim Shimun smirked and continued, “But fundamentally, I need people I can rely on. For skills and… personality, I guess? If you have other plans though…”
At that, “Nope. I’ll participate.”
Go Malsuk’s demeanor brightened up instantly and she nodded resolutely, “Of course, why does it sound like you’re being careful when talking about personality?”
While she made sure to check every concerning detail,
“Huh? Are you seriously asking me that?”
“… You jerk.”
She momentarily forgot, but Go Malsuk also managed to check Kim Shimun’s characteristic attitude.
*
Recognized by the World Awakeners Federation and being the world’s premier arena channel, TWC.
There,
『Aah! How time flies after the debut match. The guild war is already beginning!』
『Indeed. You’d need two bodies to keep up at this rate.』
『But Jonathan, this is what keeps us employed, right?』
『Haha! So let’s keep smiling.』
Regular casters and commentators, Michael and Jonathan, were starting with casual banter.
After briefly adjusting their earpieces, both continued,
『Oh! We’ve been chatting too much among ourselves. We’ve received word that everything is ready.』
『Then let’s begin the 15th guild war hosted in Russia!』
They announced the commencement of the guild war.