Genius Regressor Makes Mythic Items

Chapter 58. Debut Battle (2)

TL: xLordFifth
ED/PR: The reader

[The Gold Rank Debut Battle of Korea has commenced.]

[Summoning participants.]

The Gold Debut Battle, where promising talents from all over the nation come to participate. It’s also the stage where the future stars of the Galaxy Arena showcase themselves.

Thanks to this,

– The Gold Rank Debut Battle is finally starting!

– Yes, indeed! The day has finally arrived!

The Debut Battle is one of the main highlights of the National Arena, known locally as “Guk-A,” boasting the highest viewership ratings in South Korea.

– I hear there are quite a few promising talents in this Debut Battle?

– Absolutely. There are more players positioned this time than in the last Gold Rank Debut Battle.

– Ah, I just got the number of participants. As you said, song-ssi, there are a total of 110 participants, exceeding the average!

Choi Kangyup, south Korea’s famous MC and the main host of Guk-A, captured the audience’s attention with his smooth tone, gradually building excitement.

– Then, song-ssi, wouldn’t it be impossible to not take a look at this Debut Battle’s participants?

– It’s a bit delicate to mention… but do you all remember the Gold Debut Battle from four years ago?

– How could we forget! That was the Debut Battle that produced the most top rankers in South Korean history, wasn’t it?

– Exactly. It was the debut of what was called the “Generation of Stars,” with more than 200 participants.

The Generation of Stars – a title given to a generation that exceeded the typical average of 100 participants in the South Korea Gold Rank Debut Battles. Considering that the Debut Battle is an arena where only the top-tier can participate, it was a generation known for having the most exceptional players.

– It seems I have an inkling of what you want to say, song-ssi?

– As expected from Choi MC! You can’t fool someone as sharp as you. Indeed, I dare say that this Gold Rank Debut Battle’s participants are on par with the Generation of Stars.

– Wow! If Song-ssi is saying so, then it must be quite the hot affair.

At Choi Kangyup’s strong reaction, song-ssi immediately displayed information on the screen. The screen showed the logos of various guilds organized in order.

– As you can see, among the guilds participating in the current Gold Debut Battle, there are two particularly formidable ones.

Song-ssi pointed at two guilds located at the top. One logo resembled a scorpion, and the other a shield with two swords crossed behind it.

– They are the Scorpio Guild and the Myth Guild.

– Oh! I’ve heard about them. The Scorpio Guild includes the rising stars of the magic world, Yu Ayeon and Yu Ajun. And the Myth Guild boasts players like Choi Jinsu, Jang Jisoo, and Cha Hyunwoo, right?

– Correct. The players you mentioned are among the most highly rated prospects. However, there’s something we need to note.

– What would that be, song-ssi?

Although smiling, Choi Kangyup’s eyes conveyed panic, his expression seeming to say, ‘Song Jaekyung, what are you doing? Why are you mentioning things not in the script?’

– You mentioned the rising stars of the magic world, Yu Ayeon and Yu Ajun… but actually, there’s another rising star, perhaps unfortunately.

Coming from his playing background rather than broadcasting, song Jaekyung had the eloquence but perhaps not the best timing. In fact, it’s safe to say he didn’t know.

As a former player turned commentator, he wouldn’t be aware of the complicated relationships with the major guilds that influence production and cast selection.

– It’s somewhat questionable why this player isn’t on the information screen, but there’s another prospect from the magic world attracting everyone’s attention.

– Oh, is that so? Maybe it’s because he’s a recent player that there isn’t any data on him?

– Ah! That could be. He’s a solo-rank warrior, not affiliated with any guild. That player is Kim Shimun.

Song Jaekyung went as far as to mention the name. Taking a deep breath internally, Choi Kangyup professionally responded, – Ah! I know who you’re talking about. The player who became a topic of conversation due to recent abyss broadcasts, right?

– Exactly. The prowess he displayed was truly astonishing.

Swiftly maintaining his composure, he pushed on with the program.

– No matter what kind of power he possess, the ability that unfolds every time he snaps his fingers is absolutely astounding. And his combat skills are remarkable, right?

– I agree. Everyone thought he was from the combat realm until he revealed he was actually from the magic system.

– That’s right. Even I, being Platinum, thought he was more into martial arts.

Could it be that exciting? All the while, Choi Kangyup was rotting away next to them, unnoticed.

Song Jaekyung, the commentator, lit up his eyes and raised his voice.

– But to think he’s from the magic system? And he hasn’t missed first place even once so far. In fact, after the last promotion match, he even received love calls from numerous guilds!

– That’s right. So, Kim Shimun will be one of the highlights to watch this time.

– Definitely! Personally, he’s the player I’m most excited about. Considering his trajectory and the fact that he’s guildless, he’s likely to participate solo.

– Oh! A solo participant? That’s definitely something to look forward to. But since we don’t have prepared data on him yet, let’s start with the promising players from the guilds we do have information on…

Choi Kangyup smoothly redirected the conversation, going along with Song’s commentary.

Then, a man who had been watching this exchange muttered, “Shit, this is ridiculous.”

Frowning with a curse.

“Why are you so annoyed already? The arena hasn’t even started yet.”

A slightly higher-pitched voice responded from behind him. Same face, only the gender was different. A woman, looking very much like the man, spoke indifferently.

“Noona, didn’t you see what just happened? There’s another promising rookie in the magic system aside from us!”

“The commentator this debut game is Song Jaekyung, right? Why bother listening to a guy who floundered in Platinum before retiring?”

“I’m not the one listening to it! It’s the stupid viewers who are the problem.”

“Ajun~ Ajun. You don’t understand public sentiment, do you?”

The woman, Yu Ayeon, sighed deeply and lightly patted her brother, Yu Ajun, on the shoulder.

“The public only sees what’s in front of them. If that bothers you, you just have to show them yourself.”

“I know that. I’m just worried that there might be talk in the guild for no reason.”

“Pfft! Hey, don’t you know? Didn’t our guild massively purge all the prospects below Gold? Don’t you see why they left us as the prospects?”

“Yeah, I know. And I also know that the bastard who purged our guild’s prospects is participating this time.”

Yu Ajun spat out his dissatisfaction, to which Yu Ayeon’s mouth corners twisted into a smirk.

“Ah~ now I get it. My little brother is scared, huh?”

“Sc- Scared? Who’s scared! Stop talking bullshit!”

“Oh, is that so?”

Normally, she would have teased him more, but seeing her younger brother’s increasingly fierce eyes, Yu Ayeon decided to change her tone.

“We’ve got debut games right around the corner, it’d be trouble if it messed with your condition.”

She too was not without nerves, but as a prospect, she had been acknowledged for her potential by the guild and received massive support.

It was her duty to deliver results that met those expectations.

“Ajun, you remember the countermeasures for that Kim Shimun or whatever, right? The guild prepared everything for us.”

Yu Ayeon said soothingly, while leisurely shaking the bracelet on her wrist.

“…Right.”

Yu Ajun slowly nodded, looking down at his wrist adorned with a bracelet identical to his sister’s.

“Besides, isn’t he participating solo? We have a full party, including our dependable meat shield, so what’s the worry?”

Yu Ayeon playfully tapped the plated armor of their silent companion.

At that, Yu Ajun’s frown softened.

“Right. No matter how skilled he is, he can’t stand up to our combined magic.”

“That’s the spirit. So stop worrying about him, and focus on the Myth Guild. That’s where the real challenge is.”

“Over there, it’s just that brute, Choi Jin-soon, we need to watch out for.”

“Don’t you think the other two are no match? A archer and a healer. We’re Gold now; we need to think about job synergies too.”

“Got it, no more nagging.”

As the sibling duo exchanged banter, above their heads.

[All participants have been summoned.]

[The Gold Rank debut match begins.]

A series of message windows popped up, and then—

Ssshhhhh.

With the rushing sounds of water, the surroundings transformed dramatically.

* * *

A breeze as refreshing as the sounds around them, its coolness and saltiness playfully tickling the nose.

Everywhere one looked, there was nothing but the wide, blue sea, reminiscent of a holiday destination. One would expect bewilderment or admiration, yet—

“A sea map, huh…”

Kim Shimun’s face was nothing short of unimpressed.

-LOL, look at this map.

-Wow, a sea for a debut match. Is this a first?

-Nope. The USA had their debut on a sea map a few years back. Hasn’t happened since, though.

-What’s more shocking is that this guy entered as a solo queue.

-So, he’s not affiliated with any guild? Makes sense, doesn’t it?

-What are you talking about? Any big guild would kill to have someone like him as a mercenary. You’re not a player, are you?

-LOL, right? You think the guilds’ sponsorship trains were just for show?

-Normal detected!

The chat reactions mirrored Kim Shimun’s sentiment. Understandably so, as the sea was among the maps players tended to avoid the most.

‘The only silver lining is that there seems to be a fair amount of land.’

The comparatively numerous islands scattered around offered some small consolation in an otherwise unwelcome map.

‘Still, the islands are a bit too spaced out.’

The distances between the islands meant that swimming would not be an easy nor quick option for most.

Without special swimming capabilities, the penalties of a sea map were still very much in effect.

Then.

-But you know, the map doesn’t really matter to you, right?

A distinct ringing in his heart was heard.

It was the Philosopher’s Stone, awakening from its slumber just before the debut match.

-You could just synthesize underwater equipment, or even go for human alchemy.

‘That’s true.’

As the Philosopher’s Stone said, from human alchemy to human alchemy—

For Kim Shimun, there effectively were no penalties with almost any map, barring the truly bizarre.

-But hey, debut matches usually have good rewards, right? It’s like that in other dimensional arenas.

‘True. Not just good, but exceptionally good.’

Debut matches were a one-time opportunity for the top-tier players of that segment. Naturally, the rewards were exceptional and difficult to obtain otherwise.

And especially the first place prize for this debut match was something Kim Shimun couldn’t just pass over. Thus.

[The mode for this debut match is survival, with 110 participants.]

[The region is ‘Floating Archipelago’.]

[Eliminate all other players or survive until the time limit.]

‘I’ll have to give it my all.’

Click.

Without giving even a second for the notifications to fade, Kim Shimun’s fingers moved swiftly.

-Oh! The guy’s making a move!

-Pew pew~ Here comes the murder machine!

-Dude, not a tank, it’s gotta be a submarine~.

-The two above, so lame.

-22. Calling Black Goat noona! Please ban these lame jokes!

Without a moment’s hesitation, splash!

Shimun dove into the sea.

***

“Dammit! Of all the luck, to end up in a sea map!”

A man in armor cursed in a rough tone. Was it because they were underwater? His voice echoed strangely. A woman, who had been carrying a bow, beside him spoke up.

“Hey, we’re kind of lucky, you know. We have a mage.”

“That’s… true but…”

The man readily agreed with the woman’s statement.

Then, the woman in a robe at the forefront of the team added, “I know it’s frustrating, but hang in there. You know what’s happening up there, right?”

True to her word, those without swimming or diving abilities were desperate for control of the land islands, engaging in fierce battles.

“Rushing in without a basic survival strategy, they’re just wearing themselves down in attrition. It makes sense to wait it out and attack the ones who are finishing up.”

“I agree with noona. We were matched among promising contestants anyway. It’s bound to come down to condition.”

Nodding, the woman in the robe looked towards the nearest island despite being underwater.

Despite being in water, booming sounds and vibrations were incessant from the island.

“It seems like the fight might drag on. Let’s wait a bit more. My abilities are water-related anyway, so sustaining the bubble spell won’t cost much magic.”

This way, they could maintain full condition. And could sweep up the team, exhausted from just ending their fight, without any hassle.

“Got it, noona. Should we get a head start on doping then?”

“That would be wise. Let’s drink our potions ahead of time. It’s no different from being above water inside this bubble anyway…”

Just as the three were about to take out their potions, Gurgle. The sound of water stirring and bubbles forming was heard.

“Noona, behind!”

Was it because she was an archer that her senses were sharp?

Suddenly drawing her bow, the woman called out to the lady in the robe.

One.

Crack.

A heavy impact sounded even through the water.

Along with it, the woman in the robe flipped over like a dead fish, floating to the surface. She was instantly killed. Naturally, the magic sustained by the lady in the robe ceased.

“Cough, cough!”

“Ugh!”

Suddenly engulfed by water, the man and woman clutched their noses and throats.

However, bubbling!

This was a debut battle where promising candidates from various guilds gathered. Even as they let out bubbles frantically, with eyes filled with venom, they tried to identify the mysterious attacker.

It was a man wearing a gray hooded shirt.

“Insane! Did he just rush in alone without any equipment? Wait.”

“How dare he! I’ll kill him… Wait? Is that—That person?!”

And the moment they realized who the mysterious attacker was, snap. A sound as distinct as a finger snap echoed through the water.

And with that, crack!

It became their last memory.