NOVEL WEB Chapter 41
Chapter 41
41. Foundation (3)
Tap, tap, tap.
The small keyboard of the laptop is busily typed upon.
“So, you’re saying that mass production of the cure is difficult at the moment?”
“Yes. As I mentioned, there are some bothersome steps in the production. We need separate facilities for that.”
“I understand. You plan to use the sales from this cure to set up the facilities, right?”
Kim Shimun smiled lightly and nodded.
“Exactly, Jinwook-ssi. That’s right. However, please set a price cap as I mentioned earlier.”
The cure for an incurable disease. Even without a price cap, it would certainly bring in a lot of money. Having a better understanding than anyone of the pain caused by the Arena disease.
‘The more normal players there are, the less the impact will be when the regular Arena starts.’
Reducing the number of patients with the Arena disease. Would minimize future damage in the regular Arena.
“Understood. We will decide on a price cap based on the auction trends. The sale will be conducted through an auction, and we will use the black market if necessary…”
Park Jinwook began to neatly organize the discussions they had so far. Although there was no issue with a verbal agreement given their trust.
Park Jinwook, perhaps by nature, insisted on putting things in writing. Kim Shimun turned his head towards the source of a noisy sound.
There, his brother Kim Shihyuk was seen lounging on the sofa, watching TV. Kim Shimun’s gaze naturally moved to the TV screen.
-“The expectations and interest in this national team selection are unprecedented, aren’t they?”
-“Indeed! Since there’s news that the most popular ranker in South Korea is participating! The interest is understandably special.”
-“And there’s considerable interest from abroad as well. Already, foreign…”
A national Arena program hosted by Korea’s famous MC Choi Kangyup and expert players.
Kim Shimun let out a small sigh upon seeing the show, commonly known as. “Guk-A”.
‘Come to think of it, it’s about time for the national team selection period.’
Mid-January.
Starting at latest by February, the national team selection, which began after the emergence of the Galaxy Arena, became a period as busy as the Lunar New Year.
And then.
“Kim Shihyuk, are you participating in the national team selection this time?”
It was also the moment when his brother, Kim Shihyuk, would earn the nickname. “Sword Saint”.
“Yeah. But, did I tell you about that?”
“Watching Guk-A that intently, how could I not know?”
“Ah. Did I really?”
Kim Shihyuk, scratching his head awkwardly, elicited a light laugh from Kim Shimun as he took a sip of his lukewarm coffee.
“You. So, are you preparing anything special for it?”
“I’m not preparing anything special. Honestly, I don’t even feel like doing it.”
“Why? The participants have already been decided, haven’t they?”
The national team selection occurs globally.
Naturally, most details, including the all-important participant list, would have been decided weeks before the selection started.
“Well, I guess just doing what I usually do will be enough, right? Just going with the flow.”
“You’re not just half-heartedly participating, are you?”
“See, you know me. How did you know I was coerced into participating?”
“Who knows?”
Because of memories from a previous life? At his brother’s question, all Kim Shimun could do was smile meaningfully.
“Sigh. I originally wasn’t interested but… as if not to let anyone accuse her of being a fox, Yujeong went and made a move way beforehand.”
Kim Shihyuk continued with a slight twist in his lips and a grumbling voice.
“You know, unlike Yujeong, I don’t even have a guild.”
“That’s true.”
Kim Shihyuk, who would later establish Korea’s top guild, “Fighting Father”.
At this point, naturally, he didn’t belong to any guild.
‘In a way, it’s impressive.’
A talented individual who made it to the ranker status all on his own without a guild or support.
Before praising such a great achievement,
One could only imagine how many people tried to hold him back from reaching his current position.
Feeling proud of such a brother, yet also,
‘Back then, I was struggling with my inability to use magic…’
Kim Shimun felt a mixture of pride and guilt as a brother.
Into Kim Shimun’s ears came his brother’s grumbling voice.
“It should’ve been Yujeong, who has a massive guild, that’s more suited for this, but he already declared his non-participation, so they asked me to definitely participate. ”
As mentioned in the national program “Guk-A,” the public’s interest in rankers Kim Shihyuk and Lee Yujeong was extremely high. With their looks, age, and skills lacking nothing, the organizers must have felt compelled to get at least one of them to participate.
“So, will he be competing as a mercenary in both the individual and team events?”
“Yeah, seems like it.”
Ironically, while individual events were no issue, team events usually consisted of guild-based teams despite being a national event. Large guilds’ influences permeated even here, which seemed natural as becoming a national representative was akin to being recognized as the best in the country.
“If I just give him a few tips, this guy could become a total hero in the national team selection this time.”
However, there were limits to how much one could shine as a mercenary in team events. As often seen in arenas, famous guilds tended not to give room for individual fame. Yet, with the advice from someone who knew the future, he could potentially become the MVP in both events.
But,
“I better not.”
Look at that discontent on his younger brother’s face, who, despite his refreshing appearance, was quite shy. He would even broadcast live without reading the chat, showing his aloofness. To his talented younger brother, being a national representative or an MVP were merely bothersome matters.
So, changing the tack,
“Shihyuk.”
“Hmm?”
“Do you also bet on matches?”
It was better for both Shihyuk and himself to benefit in different ways. And surprisingly,
“You really can’t fool me. How do you know everything even without me saying?”
The younger brother, thought to be naive, was already taking advantage.
“I only bet a little on my matches, considering the complexities of betting on other games.”
“You pretend to be annoyed, but you’re doing everything behind the scenes?”
“Hehe. It’s a world where money makes money. Gotta grab every opportunity.”
Kim Shihyuk smiled brightly, his innocence masking something more cunning.
“I’ve been worried over nothing.”
Shaking his head, Kim Shimun asked,
“How did you place your bet?”
“On a total victory.”
Considering the finals of both individual and team events are decided by best of five, predicting a total victory meant,
“You bet on winning 3-0?”
“Of course. There’s no one here who can beat me one-on-one.”
Look at this guy,
Kim Shimun couldn’t help but chuckle at the arrogance hidden behind that refreshing smile.
Then Park Jinwook, who had finished sorting documents, sat down with a glass of whiskey,
“Ha! It seems our VVIP has also noticed his little brother’s true nature.”
“Well, I also bet the same as your younger brother, on Kim Shihyuk winning 3-0.”
“You didn’t bet on him losing 0-3?”
Given their history, it was a plausible bet. Laughing at Kim Shimun’s comment, Jinwook replied,
“Haha! Shihyuk may be annoying at times, but his skills are solid, aren’t they? The match probably won’t even go to the fourth game.”
Was it an illusion that the complacent aura around Kim Shihyuk seemed to deflate a bit? Seeing him retract his usual threatening demeanor confirmed it.
‘He’s pleased with the praise.’
Easily reading his younger brother’s mind, Kim Shimun smiled and shook his head.
“Not just me. Kim Shimun. Probably, in the individual events, the top players must have bet the same.”
“Oh, the top players too?”
“Yes. Since most of them have faced that junior in the arena at least once.”
“That makes sense.”
Perhaps because they were all in the same diamond rank and often matched together, the top players’ trust in Kim Shihyuk’s prowess seemed quite solid.
But what to do?
The outcome he knew was different from their conviction. “Is this turning out to be quite the interesting situation?”
As Kim Shimun smiled intriguingly, Kim Shihyuk casually scratched his cheek and spoke up.
“Uh… Hyung? Not to brag, but if you’re thinking of betting, bet on me. I’ll make sure you win.”
Having his brother’s support would definitely boost his morale.
Watching him say that,
“Well…”
Kim Shimun slightly lifted the corner of his mouth.
“I have a different thought.”
***
On the day of the national team selection.
“So, it’s true. The Night Hunter has returned.”
“The Diamond rank is going to be noisy for a while, isn’t it?”
“That’s a laugh. What’s so special about him? He doesn’t even have a guild.”
“He may not have a guild, but he’s close with Kim Shihyuk. Remember when they were playing duos non-stop?”
“Right. Look over there, they’re sticking together even now.”
Surrounding noise was tumultuous.
Even though offensive comments were caught by the senses of Diamond-ranked players,
The person in question, Park Jinwook, didn’t seem to care.
Or rather,
“Hey, Kim Shihyuk. Did you change your bet?”
He was in a situation where he couldn’t afford to care.
“No. I didn’t change it.”
“This guy. Completely ignored the words of our godlike hyung?”
“And what about you, senior? Did you listen to our VVIP’s words?”
“…No. I also ignored our VVIP customer just this once.”
Park Jinwook, who was about to light a cigarette, coughed awkwardly under the intense gazes of the staff and put his cigarette pack away.
“Cough! It’s undeniable that Kim Shimun-ssi is incredible, but I just can’t picture you losing.”
“Right?”
Kim Shihyuk seemed to agree.
For a change, he concurred with Park Jinwook’s words.
“Yeah, man! Moreover, the opponent is none other than the vice-leader of the Scorpio Guild.”
“Well, they have their own merit, don’t they?”
“Even so, does it make sense for a ranker like you to lose to a has-been from the first generation?”
“Senior, if you’re not careful, it sounds like you think I’ll lose every match. Hyung said I would only lose one match.”
“I know, man.”
Park Jinwook slumped down next to Kim Shihyuk.
Normally, entry to the waiting room was strictly controlled for anyone who wasn’t a participant.
But no one tried to restrict Park Jinwook’s access.
Rather, they were too busy checking if anything might offend him.
Beyond the fact that he was once a renowned assassin player,
he was a friend of two of the hottest rankers in South Korea.
Aware of this,
“3 to 1. And it’s just one game where you lose, right? But knowing Kim Jongjun, you’d want to lose, but can’t.”
Park Jinwook continued on his own terms.
“Looks like you know each other, but isn’t that too dismissive? That person is a Diamond too.”
“That person is nothing. A guy who’d go for the neck first if he meets a Scorpion guild member.”
“Senior, please use nicer words.”
“Oh, what’s this? Hey! What did you eat wrong…..”
Park Jinwook abruptly stopped as he noticed the broadcast cameras installed around them.
“Wow! Even now, managing your image, huh. Such a duplicitous bastard.”
“Senior.”
“Such a sly dog. Anyway, just considering the system compatibility, he can’t beat you. That person is from the assassin class.”
“Ah, an assassin, I see.”
“Defending them as a Diamond rank, didn’t you even know that?”
“I haven’t met them before.”
Kim Shihyuk shrugged.
Soon, as the lights flickered and the camera zoomed, he flashed his uniquely refreshing smile and stood up.
“The national team selection! The long-awaited match begins nowww!”
Accompanying the announcer’s enthusiastic voice, the staff signaled to Kim Shihyuk.
“Senior, I’ll be going then.”
“Don’t hold back. Our godlike hyung said you’d lose one match.”
“I know.”
With a refreshing smile, Kim Shihyuk stepped onto the field.
Around the stadium, players and officials alike gathered.
It was to be expected.
“Kim Shihyuk, it’s been a while.”
“I was matched with him in the last arena. A real monster. He swept away a superior dragonkin all by himself.”
“Kim Jongjun might be a seasoned player from the first generation, but… becoming a ranker seems out of reach.”
Newcomer ranker Kim Shihyuk and first-generation player Kim Jongjun.
It was indeed a fitting matchup for the national team’s final selection.
A somewhat gaunt middle-aged man.
“This is our first time competing like this, Kim Shihyuk.”
“Indeed. It’s strange we’ve never met in the arena before.”
“Given the short amount of time you’ve reached this point, that’s understandable.”
Kim Jongjun said with a peculiar nuance.
A brief arena career.
In other words, a newbie.
That was the taunt hidden in his words.
However, instead of responding, Kim Shihyuk simply wore a refreshing smile.
He wasn’t falling for Kim Jongjun’s pointless provocation.
‘Am I supposed to lose to this person?’
The brother he trusted and followed more than anyone in the world.
He was ruminating on his brother’s words inwardly.
“Not going to answer? Such arrogance for someone so young.”
But this time was different.
‘Bro, I think you were wrong this time.’
It wasn’t out of disrespect for Kim Jongjun.
Being known for bad manners, sitting as the vice guild master of the Scorpio Guild meant.
He had the capability to withstand countless retaliations.
However.
‘A first-generation player, and still, I can’t lose to someone who’s just in diamond.’
Someone who couldn’t break beyond the diamond barrier over a long period.
To a ranker like himself, that’s all they were worth.
“Let’s begin the first match!”
As soon as the referee signaled.
Swoosh.
The sword hanging at Kim Shihyuk’s waist was naturally drawn.
Kim Jongjun also began to emanate a dark red aura, presumably a buff skill.
Yet.
Click.
Kim Shihyuk’s sword, after a single swipe through the air, returned to its scabbard.
It was merely drawing and sheathing the sword.
“Insane…”
“It’s over.”
“How did he deliver such a sword strike?”
“Unbelievable.”
“Get hit by it yourself. You’ll be even more speechless.”
The diamond-ranked players watching collectively sighed.
Then.
Screech.
Cameras, broadcasting equipment, and safety devices surrounding Kim Jongjun were simultaneously sliced in half.
Kim Shihyuk turned away before they even hit the ground.
As always.
The result was predictable.
‘Sorry, bro. But I’ll cover the money you lost…’
Just as he sent a silent apology to his brother, likely watching somewhere.
Chill.
“Ah!”
He immediately twisted his body and pulled his head back, feeling a chill he hadn’t felt in a while.
Swoosh.
Something sharp grazed his cheek and chin.
Before Kim Shihyuk could even spot it.
Thunk.
Four claws were embedded in Kim Shihyuk’s chest as he dodged.
“This is why you can’t rely on newbies.”
With Kim Jongjun’s mocking laughter, the claws were withdrawn.
Slick.
Pierced through the chest, Kim Shihyuk’s entire body turned to ashes and he collapsed.
‘What is this…’
More than wondering how Kim Jongjun managed to dodge and counter his strike,
‘Even if it’s you, Shihyuk, you can’t win 3-0. You’ll probably lose the first match.’
The voice of his brother Kim Shimun before the match kept echoing in his head.