NOVEL WEB Chapter 59
Chapter 59. Debut Match (3)
TL: xLordFifth
ED/PR: The reader
The gold rank debut match in Korea.
Channel One’s broadcast, focusing on the event, shifted continuously.
-After a prolonged battle, the victor of Island 11 has been decided! However, one is severely injured!
-Another battle breaks out on Island 7!
Sometimes the screen split into two or four, During crucial moments or intense battles, it took up the entire screen.
Given its popularity, the transitions were smooth and quick.
The commentators followed suit, seamlessly continuing their dialogue.
Especially notable was, -Ah! Just like that, Hanseong Guild collapses!
-Myth Guild is strong. Incredibly strong!
-Is this level of combat power even possible?
Mostly, it was pretty much exclusively broadcasting players from well-known guilds.
That was to be expected, since only those who had gone through a guild’s promising player system could participate in the debut match.
There were exceptions, of course, with independent players being broadcasted as well.
Like now,
-Ah! Player Kim Shimun wipes out another team single-handedly!
-Didn’t I say from the beginning? The person to watch in this debut match is definitely Kim Shimun!
Shimun decimating a three-person party that was hiding underwater.
-Is Player Kim Shimun some kind of mermaid? His movements underwater are phenomenal.
-I see something like gills by his ears. He must have an artifact or a related ability!
-Ah! The finish was just too perfect! Can you believe he’s just been promoted to gold?
As this scene unfolded, the commentator Song couldn’t stop speaking, almost spitting in excitement.
-Indeed, Player Kim Shimun is showing incredible performance, MC Choi Kangyup continued, cautiously glancing at the staff in front of him.
-Do you remember, MC Choi? Even four years ago, during the era of the stars, there was a player who showed such dominance in their debut!
-How could I forget? It was Kim Shihyuk, who earned the title of Sword Saint after the last national team selection!
After the national team selection, Kim Shihyuk, who had been awarded the title of Sword Saint. He, too, had dominated his debut match as an independent, annihilating parties with his remarkable prowess.
-I hesitate to say this, but personally, I think Player Kim Shimun is more formidable than Kim Shihyuk was at that time.
-Wow! Commentator Song, isn’t that a bit of a dangerous statement?
MC Choi Kangyup lightly teased him, but his eyes were filled with genuine surprise. Understandably so, considering the current status of Sword Saint Kim Shihyuk, surpassing even the first generation of formidable players.
Regardless of whether the statement was true or not, considering Kim Shihyuk’s fans, such a comment during the broadcast could be deemed quite risky.
-Ah! Please don’t misunderstand. I’m only comparing to the gold-rank Kim Shihyuk.
Commentator Song, aware of the potential danger, continued,
-As you know, though Kim Shihyuk was independent, he did form a party, didn’t he?
He slowly elaborated,
-As MC Choi, who covered the event personally, knows, Kim Shihyuk formed a party with Lee Yujeong,
-Ah… I remember now. They made headlines by being the first duo to enter the debut match. Of course, they also set the record by winning as a duo.
MC Choi Kangyup, while glancing at the staff arrayed in front.
-Exactly. But look at Player Kim Shimun now. Like Kim Shihyuk, he’s independent, but he’s the debut match’s only solo participant.
-That… That makes sense now when you put it that way.
Commentator Song’s words left him no choice but to nod.
It was the truth.
After all, this wasn’t just about knowing or not knowing about the Galaxy Arena.
Anyone with a bit of sense could understand, the difference between participating alone and with a party was immense.
However,
-Ah! The Scorpio Guild’s feats are truly remarkable!
With a heavily distorted face, the PD sends a silent pressure with his gaze.
And with an excellent change in camera shots, Choi Kangyup sweats coldly and shifts his attention.
Fortunately.
-That’s right! The Scorpio Guild is no pushover either. Especially, the combination of the siblings Yu Ayeon and Yu Ajun could be considered world-class without a doubt!
Perhaps because it’s his first time as a commentator on broadcast?
Commentator Song enthusiastically raised his voice about the achievements of other talents without any doubt.
Finally, the PD’s face softened.
-Haha! Hearing you say that makes me really look forward to the upcoming Platinum debut of this group!
Choi Kangyup found his pace again and continued his commentary with a smile.
* * *
“Hmm… the kills are tougher than I thought.”
Kim Shimun’s gaze sharpened slightly as he stared into the void.
At that moment, “This damned guy!”
“Why are you looking at something when there’s a person in front of you!”
Two enraged men lunged at him. Blades diving in from both sides, targeting the neck and chest. A deadly coordinated attack aimed at different vital points from the left and right.
Yet, swoosh.
With minimal movement, flowing like water, Kim Shimun avoided the attack.
At a glance, it seemed no different from the advanced skill of ‘deflection’, minimizing damage by moving the hit area. Of course, it wasn’t real deflection.
A stat increase through medicinal elixirs, the martial prowess known as Heavenly Demon Divine Art, and physical conditioning combined to create this evasion, a result of absurdly high specs.
However, “What, what is this!”
“Deflection?!”
No rookie participating in their debut, especially not a player just reaching gold, would have been able to distinguish that.
‘Even if they could, it would make no difference.’
Indifferent, Kim Shimun took advantage of the two swordsmen’s exposed weaknesses and struck with his fist.
Boom.
A heavy, metallic thud echoed.
Without sparing a glance at the two swordsmen flying through the air, Kim Shimun
Swoosh.
Tilted his head to dodge an incoming arrow and flicked his finger towards the direction it came from.
Click-clack.
Stones spikes surged up in an instant.
“Impossible!”
As archers tend to do with their keen senses, she avoided the rising stone spikes by spinning in mid-air and pulling the bowstring.
“When, when did!”
As if he had been waiting, Kim Shimun’s leg, which had flown towards the archer, penetrated her neck.
Crack.
The archer’s neck snapped feebly.
The end was not there. Kicking the lifeless body of the archer, Kim Shimun leaped again into the air towards the two swordsmen trying to get up by using their swords as supports.
“Ahh.”
“Ugh!”
Following the intricate wave patterns of the Heavenly Demon Divine Art, the aggressive demonic ki, beginning with the Philosopher’s Stone, roared and surged through Kim Shimun’s legs.
Heavenly Demon Divine Art (天魔神功).
Supreme Emperor’s Demolition Strike (覇皇碎).
Boom!
The explosion was so powerful, one might worry if this small island would sink. Moments passed, and as the dust cleared, it revealed a giant crater, as though a meteorite had struck.
– …
– Wow… Holy crap!
– That technique is truly amazing every time I see it.
– Wasn’t that technique something done with just fists?
– Nah, it’s like a type of martial arts technique; how you apply it varies.
– Gold rankers can use martial arts techniques now?
– Do you seriously see that as a gold rank move?
After a brief silence, the chat window buzzed with activity.
– Just to make sure no one’s confused, this person uses magic. They’re not from the combat system.
– Oh right, I forgot about that, lol.
– Those struggling in the combat system are just sobbing at gold rank.
– Please, add some flair here too. T_T.
While everyone was impressed by the power of the Heavenly Demon Divine Art, the creator of the monstrous crater didn’t seem too pleased.
‘The consumption of demonic energy is still too high.’
Having improved both his cultivation and magic stats significantly through past events, the technique from the Heavenly Demon Divine Art, Demolition Strike, still posed a substantial cost.
‘Being an alchemist plays a part, but the main issue is probably that my proficiency level is just one star.’
While higher proficiency levels in martial arts do require more magic energy, if one can control their power output, the increased proficiency can drastically reduce energy consumption.
‘Once Malsuk arrives with the package, everything should be resolved…’
Tapping his chin thoughtfully, Shimun opened the arena leaderboard.
1st – Yu Ayeon, Yu Ajun, Kang Cheolmin 15 kills.
2nd – Choi Jinsu, Jang Jisoo, cha Hyunwoo 12 kills.
3rd – Kim Shimun 9 kills.
4th…
‘Still in third place.’
Considering there were 110 participants, it was a high ranking. However, given his unmatched strength, it definitely did not reflect his capabilities.
The reason was simple.
‘One can’t chase ten with just one hand.’
Solo queue. No matter how strong, being alone was a disadvantage compared to those in teams.
‘The real problem is how much time it takes to deal with these promising fighters.’
Given this was a debut battle, it was natural. Using a powerful technique like Tyrant’s Demise to quickly finish opponents was best, but the huge magic energy cost was pushing him behind in kill count.
The most pressing issue was, ‘There aren’t many participants left.’
With a quick count of kills from first to third place alone totaling 36, and adding the rest, over half of the participants were already out. To win, he had to claim the remaining kills before others.
‘It seems I’ve no choice but to splurge achievement points, huh?’
Not that he minded. This arena was where he intended to go all out. It was just regrettable to use up precious achievement points in a battle of attrition.
Just then, [The spectators vigorously waving their light sticks start whispering among themselves.]
[Four of the Constellations have issued you a mission.]
-The four constellations in the hierarchy stand at the pinnacle of their respective dimensions. They wish for you to do the same.
Achieve 1st place in this arena’s ‘Gold Rank Debut’.
Reward: Achievement Points 5,000
The four constellations boldly issued a mission. On seeing the mission, Shimun smirked and accepted it.
‘This changes everything.’
Shimun instantly raised his hand, recalling a material suitable for the current situation.
Islands, seas, and the efficiency to monopolize the remaining kills.
There happened to be a material that met these criteria.
-“That’s so like you. With this, we can definitely sweep them away. I’ll get ready.”
Before he even said anything, the Philosopher’s Stone responded on its own, sending a signal.
[Your creation lacks the necessary power to alchemize.]
[To establish the necessary equivalent exchange with the Philosopher’s Stone, 2,000 achievement points are required.]
[Do you accept? (Yes / No)]
A familiar message window popped up before his eyes.
Shimun tilted his head.
‘2,000 points?’
Astrape costs 500 points, and this requires 2,000?
As if anticipating Shimun’s question, -“Can’t help it. Normally, it would be the same as Astrape, costing only 500 points, but you’re aiming for all the islands here, right?”
‘So, it’s like when Asclepius’s staff temporarily increased its power last time?’
-“Yeah. It’s inefficient in terms of Achievement Points, but it can achieve the power you desire.”
The Philosopher’s Stone prattled on.
-“Also, since this place is surrounded by sea, it’s incredibly cost-effective. Think of it as launching an Astrape at each island.”
‘Now that you put it that way, it really hits home.’
-“Right?”
Shimun nodded without hesitation. Indeed, 2,000 points wasn’t too expensive. Rather, it was fortunate to be able to sweep across all the islands at this price.
Then, whoosh.
As Shimun touched ‘Yes’, the energy converted from Achievement Points gathered at his fingertips.
Snap.
Flicking his finger that held the energy, swoosh. The sea around the island Shimun stood on began to churn. Like a curtain woven from fine silk, it fluttered in all directions, beginning to swallow the island.
Even the ground where Shimun stood was engulfed, rising higher and higher. There was one peculiar thing; amidst the surging sea water, Shimun stood as if he was still on solid ground.
And before him, swoosh.
A spear that seemed forged from mithril and sapphire rose. A form slightly regressed from its original, unlike Astrape. But its tip, split into three prongs, clearly expressed a different presence.
Indeed, Like a trident.
[Constellation Zeus smiles contentedly.]
[Constellation Poseidon nods satisfactorily at you and the surrounding constellations.]
Ignoring the messages that appeared, Shimun thrust the sharp triple tip into the sea and chanted, “Overturn everything, Triaina.”
And then, rumble!