NOVEL WEB Chapter 130 - KSM
Chapter 130 – KSM
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“…Then, I will briefly talk about the total prize pool for KSM. Considering that this event is a domestic competition, Icarus International has set the total prize pool at 200 million won. However, since there are no winners or runners-up like other competitions, the prize money will be individually distributed within the 200 million won limit, based on rankings and gameplay.”
The murmuring gradually grew louder.
As always, the word “prize” sounded exceedingly sweet to the fresh young members of society. I couldn’t help but feel the same. Although SSM took care of housing, salary, incentives, meals, and four major insurances, if someone asked whether that’s enough to live on, I’d say not really.
There were many things to talk about besides these, but that was it for now. One thing was certain: everyone gathered here likely thought the same. They too had things they wanted to buy, wanted to be filial to their parents… there are many ways to spend money. If one wanted to, there was no end to spending money.
Of course…
“…Yoo Jin, aren’t you interested?”
Except for this person. He didn’t seem to care at all.
I wondered what Yoo Jin usually did. Did he even spend money? If he had lived in the U.S., his room might be full of guns and armor, but unfortunately, we were in Korea. Maybe he just hoarded money in his bank account.
Anyway, a lot of talks had already gone by. Specifically, the explanation of the tournament structure, the maps to be played, and the event matches in between were the first topics—eight matches on Saturday and eight on Sunday. Compared to last year, two additional matches per day.
After four matches, there would be event matches inviting viewers, followed by four more matches. Considering that observers could also participate, it was more of a festival than a tournament, starting at 5 PM and ending at 10 PM.
Additionally, the change to eight matches per day introduced a new variable—playing all eight AP maps in one day. Until last year, two maps were excluded due to the number of matches, but not this year.
Minor variables could cause a butterfly effect, disrupting existing plans.
“…Also, as previously mentioned, scores will be calculated based on the user’s rank and kills. Therefore, during the early stages, some kill zones, gimmicks, and spawn points might be adjusted to ensure that factors other than physical skills do not affect gameplay. Please be aware of this.”
This part was the same as last year.
The explanation continued. It was about the locations of skill activation zones and terrain features that might change from their usual spots. No one seemed to care much about this part, showing reactions close to silence compared to when the prize money was mentioned.
The ranking method was the same—the results were calculated in real-time and converted into scores. The Saturday match results did not affect Sunday, and the ranks were determined by combining the physical performance points from both days’ matches.
It wasn’t much different from before, so the pre-briefing wasn’t long.
It was nearing the end.
“…Lastly, the Asian preliminaries will include participants from the Central Federation, Japan Republic, Russia, Korea, and Taiwan. As you all know, twenty representative players from each country will be selected to form a total of one hundred. According to the order, Korea will host the Asian preliminaries this year.”
While quietly listening, Yoo Jin suddenly asked a question.
While attentively listening to the briefing, I felt a tapping sensation on my leg. It was an impossible feeling to be caused by fingers. Realizing what was tapping, I almost let out a strange noise but barely held it back and turned my head to ask in a small voice.
“…Why suddenly?”
“…I’m curious about the term Central Federation.”
“Huh? Why are you curious about that…?”
When I said that, Yoo Jin rolled his eyes and then sat back in his chair, lost in thought. For a moment, I wondered if I had done something wrong, but she gestured that it was okay.
I suddenly wondered if she was confused about the game—after all, Dark Zone was based on an alternate history. It made sense that China and Russia appeared as enemies.
A fictional enemy based on the scenario where China was communized to form the People’s Republic and the Soviet Union collapsed, reorganized into the Russian Federation.
In reality, China became a battleground for power struggles between the U.S. and the Soviet Union, eventually splitting into seven countries and barely reuniting to become the Central Federation. The Soviet Union failed miserably in its arms race with the U.S., leading to its collapse and the establishment of a Western-friendly Russian Federation. Japan, flattened by the Fallout operation, became a republic without the imperial family.
That’s right?
That’s what I learned in world history class.
Anyway, if Yoo Jin still wondered after the briefing, I would explain. It was almost over.
“Although many of you here will have to wait until next year. Even if you advance, the competition will continue. One hundred will be reduced to twenty, twenty to at most four. The three or four chosen from each country will go to the U.S., and the strongest one will be crowned through the final championship.”
Just like the host said.
Last year, I climbed up to the final championship and had to face the world’s top players—the result was clear. 41st place. Not bad. Actually, it was quite good. But it meant nothing unless you stood at the very top.
Would I be able to stand alongside those people again this time?
“You are competitors and colleagues at the same time. As you all know, the global competition will be fierce and brutal. There is only one winner’s throne, but countless seats for the losers. So please, do not conflict with each other, and remember that you represent Korea, not just your team.”
And with that, it concluded.
“This concludes the pre-briefing. I wish you all the best in your long marathon ahead. Thank you!”
Clap clap clap clap clap clap!
Deafening applause echoed as the stage curtain fell. The ceiling lights turned on, and people started leaving one by one. As the last person left, this space would completely collapse and disappear. Some would rest for tomorrow, some would continue training, and others would seek their coach’s advice.
My path was set. I didn’t come with Yoo Jin, but I would leave with her. Training would continue… so there weren’t many choices. I wondered if she would take Blooming with her too.
The remaining crowd dwindled to single digits.
“…Yoo Jin, Yoo Jin!”
“Yes.”
“It’s over. Do you still have any questions?”
“Not anymore. Let’s go. We still have a lot of training to do.”
“Ugh….”
Both Blooming and I had similar reactions.
As the last three people left the space, the auditorium collapsed into a beam of light, and the cold air of New York enveloped us again. The difference now was that there were three of us instead of two. But Yoo Jin gave different instructions without much thought.
“Dice, keep repeating the training we did earlier… Blooming, come this way. Engagement endurance is a result of many factors. You need to fix the misaligned cogs for it to work properly.”
“Yes….”
“It’s only 12:20 PM, so let’s train for another hour, then have lunch.”
Save me.
She began to resent bringing Yoo Jin to SSM.
[The Korean Selection Match starts in 30 minutes in virtual reality! Enjoy the festival, but make sure to take your assigned seats to avoid being kicked out due to traffic overload! If the bracelet on your left arm is glowing white, please finish what you’re doing within 5 minutes!］
The impact of virtual reality penetrating reality was immense, and this exponential growth began when construction companies realized that creating various spaces with a polygon cluster in virtual reality was thousands to tens of thousands of times cheaper than building actual structures in the outside world.
With a great designer, appropriate tools, and capable processing machines, anyone could instantly create futuristic buildings in virtual reality, and this truth remained absolute even after a decade.
Avatars of all shapes and sizes, with bracelets glowing white on their left arms, roamed the virtual space. The artificial city, complete with stalls and shops, was already crowded with no room to step—even though the space expanded by the second.
KSM was just around the corner.
The number of pre-connected users had already surpassed one million. The number of purchases of the paid broadcasting room, which offered previously inaccessible seats and views, was over 40,000.
Giant speakers played a grand song composed solely for KSM, and lasers and lights sparkled on temporary clubs scattered around.
A bizarre sight only possible in virtual reality. But no one rejected it; they simply enjoyed it.
“….”
And in a completely detached space that resembled a cozy home, I quietly maintained my gun.
Though unnecessary in a game, it was like a routine, a ritual for mental solace—a habit carried over from when I had to invest most of my break time in firearm maintenance before coming here.
I held the Mk.18 Mjölnir. The gun I brought with me. All settings remained unchanged. I used an airbrush to clean off the dust, disassembled the barrel, and connected a pump to aviation fuel for cleaning. Then, I wiped the interior. As the process completed, the clutter in my mind cleared.
…Many things had changed. The pieces of the puzzle were coming together.
From a gaming perspective, one might wonder how a game company could openly feature Chinese and Russian armies as enemies—if it weren’t for reality.
In hindsight, I wondered why I hadn’t realized it sooner. But more than that… it was bewilder
ing to think that this world still held strange and grotesque mysteries, even as I began to adapt.
Regardless, just as misfortune comes, so does good fortune. My traces in the world wouldn’t vanish.
[Harmony: I hope you achieve great results today~~~~~~~~~!!!］
I couldn’t help but smile as I read it.
She was perhaps the person I had formed the closest bond with since coming here. It was pure support with no hidden intentions. Feeling slightly better, other thoughts began to surface.
Despite the many unknowns in this world, my goal remained—to seek the truth and move forward. No matter how the world changed, that was certain.
It was time.
Time for many to move forward.
───Flash!
With a sensation of floating momentarily in the air, the surroundings completely changed.
The calm waiting room disappeared, replaced by a roaring and vibrating stadium filled with cheers. Hundreds of people surrounded the central stage, where a hundred pro gamers with various expressions stepped up.
The cheers didn’t take long to subside, but the booming voice of the host announcing the top 10 Preliminary Rank players brought another wave of deafening cheers.
And of course, I was number one.
The first interview was mine too.
“Apex Predator, Preliminary Rank 1! Here’s the player you’ve all been waiting for—Yoo Jin───!”
Cheers, and…
“Yoo Jin! Yoo Jin! Yoo Jin! Yoo Jin!”
“Serpent Tail! Axe Goddess! Waaah!”
“Forbes’ sexiest user wielding an axe, Yoo Jin!!”
…Those damn nicknames.
Unfortunately, I wasn’t streaming now, and there were no donations. These were simply viewers.
As soon as I picked up the mic, another wave of cheers erupted, but it quickly quieted as I tested the mic. The number 1,272,765 was clearly displayed above. It was obvious that it indicated the number of people gathered here.
But as always, there was no reason to be nervous.
I spoke as usual.
“Hello, everyone.”
───Waaah!
I pondered what to say while exchanging banter with the host and expressing gratitude.
It was a trick I naturally picked up as a streamer.
“Seeing so many people gathered to watch the match is a bit amazing… but since the next players are waiting, I won’t drag this out.”
“Ha ha, unfortunately, yes. Do you have any aspirations for this KSM, or any message for the viewers here?”
I finished thinking.
With a slight smile, I spoke briefly—making eye contact with everyone.
“I have no specific aspirations, but to those giving me strange nicknames, one day… never mind. Please take care of yourselves.”
ㅅㅂㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
Aren’t you afraid of retribution? Aren’t you afraid of retribution? Aren’t you afraid of retribution? Aren’t you afraid of retribution?
Take care of yourselves (until I get to you, wash your neck and wait)
Saying something only a warrior from the Warring States period would say ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
Heuheng! Heuheng! Heuheng! Heuheng! Heuheng! Heuheng! Heuheng! Heuheng!
These crazy perverts.
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