Chapter 132

Chapter 132

[Translator – Prøks]

[Proofreader – Prøks]

Chapter 132: A Guild Battle

Liang Xiaojun’s attempt to break the record failed.

The humiliation he suffered in the starting battle.

President Li Zemin’s mood has been extremely uncomfortable lately.

He was so uncomfortable that he even played the export control card.

If that bastard Kim Minwoo didn’t make a direct apology gesture, he was thinking of instantly strangling Korea’s neck.

But that attempt was completely blocked.

Intense pressure from the United States and its allies.

China could control exports, but if they did, China would suffer much greater losses.

So he was barely holding back...

“A Guild Battle? Huh, what’s this again...”

Seeing the newspaper, he crumpled it up in an unpleasant manner.

The Nine Dragon Guild.

It’s the top elite guild in China, nurtured by the Communist Party with all resources.

It was known to be a part of the top guilds out there.

Of course, it’s in the middle ranks among the top guilds, but that’s certainly not a low level.

‘But how dare they...’

Ones who were barely at mid level at best dared to issue a challenge?

And they are practically no different from Kim Minwoo’s underlings?

How insignificant does China look to them, for an individual to act so arrogantly?

Gritting his teeth, the President made a call.

Soon after, the Nine Dragon Guildmaster, practically his subordinate, visited his office.

“You summoned me, President?”

“You’ve heard the news too, right?”

“Of course.”

“What should we do?”

“Normally, we shouldn’t accept it. If we engage with an opponent below our level, it would only hurt our dignity.”

“I agree. But if we ignore it, all sorts of nonsense could come out.”

President Li looked at the Nine Dragon Guildmaster.

“If we ignore them, they might keep barking without knowing their place.”

“That’s...true.”

“And the more we’re seen as avoiding a lower-tier opponent, the more public opinion will turn against us.”

“We could send a 2nd-tier guild or another top guild instead.”

“Not 2nd-tier. You should know roughly about the effects of the Highest Rank Potions.”

The Nine Dragon Guildmaster nodded.

No matter how tight the security from the US and allies, China was still a formidable nation in its own right.

Through thorough analysis, they had estimated the effects of the Highest Rank Potions.

Roughly increasing all stats by around 150.

That was no small effect.

There was a possibility of a crushing defeat if they sent out a 2nd-tier guild.

On top of that, they specifically requested the Guild Battle format.

Ten fighters from each side would come out and fight until one side was completely annihilated.

“...Nam Cheolmin, that bastard was quite skilled with the bow.”

The only weakness of the Nine Dragon Guild.

While their average level was high, they lacked any truly world-class elite talents.

How many could pass all the criteria of talent, skill, background, and loyalty?

That’s why they were evaluated as a middle-tier top guild.

“President. That may be so. But it’s not one-on-one, it’s ten-on-ten. The side with the higher average will definitely win. And my skills, even considering the Highest Rank Potion, are no less than Nam Cheolmin’s.”

“...I know your skills well. That’s why I wonder why they’re so brazenly charging at us...”

Top guilds aren’t top guilds for no reason.

The average level, equipment, stats, and cohesion of members.

Countless factors had to exceed a certain threshold to be recognized as a top guild.

The President thought the same.

He too had been an A-rank Awakened in the past.

So he knew well that it wouldn’t be solved by just taking some Highest Rank Potions.

Then why were they charging in?

“...Could it be that they think we’ll refuse the Guild Battle?”

“Since we won’t accept the fight anyway, they want to bark while they can?”

“Yes. If we ignore them, they’ll keep barking then retreat. Or if we send another top guild, they’ll insult the Nine Dragon Guild as cowards and flee...”

“You make a fair point.”

The President tapped his fingers on the desk, a habit when he was deep in thought.

Soon after, he asked with a glint in his eyes.

“Are you confident you can win decisively?”

“I’m certain. Even considering the Highest Rank Potions, it would be 8:2 at best.”

He and Nam Cheolmin would be even.

Even if he lost, there were other guild members like the Vice Guild master. With their overwhelming average level, victory was assured.

“Then let’s escalate this. Let’s properly crush those bastards while we’re at it.”

“As you wish, President.”

The Nine Dragon Guildmaster’s eyes glistened along with the President’s.

* * *

Ilsung, the #1 conglomerate in Korea.

Despite the name, their guild’s level was just mediocre.

Always ranked 5th.

There were already talks that the Money Talks Guild was overtaking them and Ilsung was getting pummeled...

―What? They’re challenging the Nine Dragon Guild? Is this for real?

―Is that the extent of the Highest Rank Potions?

―No one knows the exact effects though, right?

―Right. Both the takers and suppliers keep it confidential?

―Right lol, It’s just known that it’s way better than the regular rank.

―Obviously lol Since they made it, the US hasn’t dropped from #1 in the Ranker Wars lol

―Is the effect good enough for a 2.5-tier guild to beg a top guild?

―Even so, that’s going too far; it’s not some legendary potion lol

―Haven’t broadcasting stations tried analyzing the effects?

―The Awakened who took it hide their activities for a month or two. Makes analysis nearly impossible.

―Right. Heard they disrupt their stats in that period by leveling up or changing gear. So the exact estimates are unknown.

―Why hide it so much though?

―Does “strategic asset” sound like a joke? lol

―Right. There are many reasons like maintaining military advantage, using it as diplomatic leverage, preventing hostile nations, etc.

[The first match will begin in 5 seconds!]

Sling!

The Nine Dragon Guild leader drew his sword.

The Ilsung Guild had been stagnant for years, while the Nine Dragon Guild had continued to rise.

This gap couldn’t be bridged in a short time just because they wanted to.

With all his stats at least around 150, there was no way he’d stand a chance.

‘Nam Cheolmin. Today, I will defeat you properly.’

Getting all excited just because he took some potion, running straight into the fray. These Korean guys will clearly understand what the gap in class means today.

[The match begins!]

The moment the system message sounded, the Nine Dragon Guild leader charged like lightning. Nam Cheolmin slid back as if he were gliding.

‘As expected, an illusion.’

China had thoroughly analyzed Ilsung Guild’s capabilities through their strategy analysis team. Naturally, this information was passed on to the Nine Dragon Guild as well.

They had received everything: subtle movements, habits, weaknesses, and strategies to exploit them.

Just because someone’s stats went up a bit doesn’t mean their behavior changes.

The Nine Dragon Guild leader’s eyes glinted as he swiftly closed the distance.

He saw Nam Cheolmin hastily drawing his bowstring.

‘Too late.’

The speed of swinging a sword at his head to break the Barrier was much faster than the time it took for him to aim and shoot the arrow.

‘It’s over!’

[Hong Tao uses Death Sentence (S)!]

Death Sentence, one of the swordsman’s bound skills. The sword infused with its power thrust towards Nam Cheolmin’s head.

An absolutely unavoidable, perfect, and beautiful trajectory.

The moment it hit, it would be an instant kill.

At that moment, Nam Cheolmin’s movements became incredibly fast, like riding the wind.

By a hair’s breadth, the blade grazed past his hair.

‘...!’

Hong Tao ‘s eyes widened in shock.

It was a trajectory that should have been impossible to dodge...

‘...He dodged?’

His face turned pale. The bowstring was already drawn at close range. This too was an unavoidable trajectory.

Before he could even utilize another skill.

Thwack!

The arrow, fired at point-blank range, pierced his heart in an instant.

[Barrier has been broken.]

[You are out.]

Hong Tao was instantly pushed out of the ring.

Nam Cheolmin was indeed an excellent archer.

But no one thought he could surpass the Nine Dragon Guild leader’s prowess.

Seven out of ten expected Hong Tao to win.

Even the remaining three, who thought Nam Cheolmin might win by luck, believed he would do so with his Barrier nearly depleted.

But then...

[Remaining Barrier Percentage: 100%]

He had essentially won with full health.

Everyone’s eyes widened at the unexpected result, including the international broadcasters.

‘What’s going on?’

‘Is that really the effect of the highest-rank potions?’

The Chinese were just as shocked.

‘What?’

‘Full health?’

‘Is this real?’

The strongest Awakener from the Nine Dragon Guild had been taken out without even scratching the opponent’s Barrier.

That meant no matter who went next, they would inevitably lose!

This was a team battle.

As long as you weren’t out, you could keep fighting.

‘Could this...’

‘Could we be wiped out if we’re unlucky?’

Just as their hearts began to race with a different kind of anxiety, Nam Cheolmin, after storing his bow in his inventory, smiled and said,

“I forfeit.”

―...?

The Chinese host tilted his head in confusion.

Why suddenly forfeit?

But it wasn’t long before the realization dawned.

‘Wait, hold on. Is this...’

They had a feeling they knew what the Koreans were planning.

If Nam Cheolmin performed a clean sweep, they could just chalk it up to him being exceptionally strong...

[Current Score: 1:1]

[The next match begins.]

The second round.

The vice guild masters of each guild took the stage.

If the previous match had been estimated at a 7:3 chance of winning, this one was even more skewed.

8:2.

Barring any surprises, it was a match China was supposed to win.

But then...

Wham!

After a fierce battle of 40 exchanges, the Nine Dragon vice leader was out.

Ilsung’s vice leader, Kim Hwanyong, smiled as he looked around at the audience and said,

“I, too, forfeit.”

[2:2]

[3:3]

[4:4]

...

[9:9]

On the surface, the score was tied, but all nine points had been won by forfeits.

[10:9]

[The match has concluded.]

[Ilsung Guild has won!]

Even the final match that sealed the victory followed the same pattern.

The stadium was filled with an eerie silence, witnessing what felt like a nightmarish scene.

[Translator – Prøks]

[Proofreader – Prøks]