Chapter 414: Death’s Performance

Chapter 414: Death’s Performance

The Korean viewers in the audience all expressed their regrets as they watched the highlight of the second half begin.

“So the first place goes to America, huh?”

“But I think we’ll be able to rank in the top ten, right?”

Everyone felt disappointed, but the outcome was already inevitable. Still, despite their disappointment, their lips were all curled up in a smile. They might not get the gold, but the three players from South Korea, a small country that most ignored, had made dozens of players flustered and at a loss. On top of that, the Food God had also successfully killed Calauhel, one of the Summit Five. In other words, their performance did not lag behind America’s performance.

“South~ Korea!”

Clap, clap! Clap! Clap, clap!

“South~ Korea!”

Clap, clap! Clap! Clap, clap!

‘You did well. You look cool. We’re proud of you!’

These were the words that they wanted to convey to them. The Koreans in the crowd cheered loudly in hopes that their representatives would feel their heartfelt sincerity. By the time the ‘Golden Time’ arrived, the entire nation was already shouting with one voice.

“Ooh~ Oooooooh~ Ooh! Ooooooh~”

The Koreans, with the same mind and heart, shouted loudly and cheered for their representatives. Countless people across the country watched with rapt attention, waiting for the game to end. Everyone, including the people watching from their TVs at home with their families, to the people gathered in front of electronic displays, and even PD Kim Daeguk, who was watching together with the staff from various Korean broadcasting stations, all chewed their lips nervously.

‘Player Minhyuk has always created miracles. Please...’

PD Kim remembered all of the things that Minhyuk had achieved—the battle against the demon race, Vormon’s hunt and many more!—he had created countless miracles. Even so, his current obstacle was in the form of America’s Alexander, threatening to stop him from creating another miracle.

[Aaaaaaaaaah! Alexander!!! He’s prowling around the stadium as if he’s telling the other players that he wouldn’t let them get to the golden balls!]

[He’s moving so fast that we can’t even see him with our naked eyes!]

[America’s strongest, Alexander, is showing us why he’s called the best right here and now!!!]

[It seems like the Korean Team is hell-bent on scoring goals until the last minute. They look very determined in narrowing down the gap in the rankings.]

Just like PD Kim Daeguk, many players were gritting their teeth and waiting for a miracle. However, in the end, all they could do was sigh in pity at the medal that they would never have. Nevertheless, all of the Koreans present all felt the same way, ‘Good job, Korea!!!’

Feeling that nothing would change, PD Kim decided to get back to work. But, at that moment...

“Huh. Huuuuuuuuuh?! Huuuuuuuuuh!!!”

“What, what the hell?!”

Exclamations rang one after the other. PD Kim looked at them in confusion only to catch sight of the scene displayed on the huge TV screen. The representatives of each country were all kneeling in front of Minhyuk.

Bathump, bathump, bathump, bathump!

PD Kim Daeguk felt his heart thump wildly.

[The players are all kneeling down in worship to one player, and one player alone! They are all kneeling down in worship to Food God Minhyuk!]

[What kind of skill did he use?!! This is very shocking! Even the person hailed as the strongest, Alexander, is also kneeling in front of him!!!]

[Alexander is looking at Player Minhyuk with shock!!!]

[The entire world watches as Player Minhyuk forced all of the surviving players to kneel down and submit to him!]

[Look at his dignified and noble aura! Ah! I feel a blazing flame sparking in my heart!]

[Yes! There’s still hope. My fellow citizens, please don’t give up! Pres... President Kang Taehoon! We still have hope! There are still fifteen seconds left before the game ends!!!]

The thunderous shouts and cheers of the Korean people rang loudly in the stadium.

[Fourteen seconds before the game ends.]

Everyone watching the scene clasped their hands tightly in tense anticipation. Meanwhile, the current rankings was:

[1st Place: America. 131 points.]

[2nd Place: Japan. 101 points.]

[3rd Place: Russia. 99 points.]

[4th Place:...]

[5th Place:...]

[11th Place: South Korea. 79 points.]

***

Minhyuk watched as the surviving players knelt before him, with confusion and disbelief all over their faces. Just like what Team Leader Park Minggyu had expected, Minhyuk had run hundreds of simulations in his head, until he came up with the perfect strategy.

Minhyuk’s strategy involved taking advantage of the second half’s ‘Golden Time’. If they scored high in the beginning, the players would definitely target them. However, even if that was the case, they would not lose out. Their team would be able to score high during the first half, on top of being able to gain enough Authority Mana to use ‘Earth King’s Authority. Worship’.

Thud—

The tremendous force from Ali’s attack sent seven golden balls into a wild track. Thankfully, most of them flew towards the goal posts that he had gathered.

Thunk—

However, one of the golden balls slammed into the sides of one goal post and was thrown back out to the field while another glided past the goal post, only grazing its side. Only the last and final ball made the goal, the goal post shaking wildly from the impact.

Thuuuump—

[Goooooooooal!!!]

[It’s another goal!!! Ali scores another goal!!!]

[There are only a few seconds left before the game ends!!!]

Once again, everyone turned to look at the electronic display.

[1st Place: America. 131 points.]

[2nd Place: South Korea. 109 points.]

[3rd Place: Japan. 101 points.]

[4th Place: Russia. 99 points.]

Everyone shook in nervousness. Meanwhile, Minhyuk, who everyone was still worshipping, jumped up in the sky and said, “Sword of Frenzy.”

A powerful force stretched out from the tip of his sword that stabbed one of the golden balls.

Baaaaaaang—

The golden ball powered by the force of Minhyuk’s Sword of Frenzy flew towards the goal post sharply. But, the shield was already up around the goal.

Crack, crack, crack, crack, crack—

However, the force that Minhyuk used to strike the ball was so strong that it spun fiercely even after colliding with the shield. And finally...

Clang!

The shield broke down into pieces and the ball flew inside the goal post.

[1st Place: America. 131 points.]

[2nd Place: South Korea. 124 points.]

[3rd Place: Japan. 101 points.]

[4th Place: Russia. 99 points.]

All eyes were trained on Minhyuk as they sat on the edge of their seats. Even the commentators’ were shouting loudly in trepidation to the point that they overwhelmed the crowd’s shouts.

[Only three seconds!!! There are only three seconds left in the game!!!]

[In three seconds, the first game of Athenae: World War, the Penalty Shoot-Out, will end!]

However, at that moment, the power that bound Alexander and made him submit was released. Minhyuk quickly changed the words engraved in his Continent Destroyer Sword from Destruction to Explosion when he saw him break free. Now, there were only two seconds left. Minhyuk hurriedly swung his sword with all his might towards the golden ball lying in front of him.

‘Please!!!’

If the passive skill Explosion did not get triggered, then there would not be enough force to drive the golden ball towards the goal post. However, at the same time Minhyuk landed a hit on the golden ball, he received Alexander’s slash on his back.

One second left...

Baaaaaaaaang—

A bloody lightning bolt fell down from the sky and struck the golden ball in front of Minhyuk. A huge explosion erupted and made it fly towards the goal post.

Slash—

Minhyuk, who received an attack from Alexander, collapsed while vomiting blood.

Baaaaaaaang—

He had no time to check the result of his shot. He only heard the sound of the ball making contact with the goal post from the ground.

Thud—

And zero.

Minhyuk turned to look at the goal post as the ball spun fiercely and went inside the net. And the rankings...

[1st Place: South Korea. 139 points. Gold medal.]

[2nd Place: America. 131 points. Silver medal.]

[3rd Place: Japan. 101 points. Bronze medal.]