Chapter 181: The Rich (1)

Chapter 181: The Rich (1)

"That’ll be 20,000 won, please."

"Here you go. Thank you.”

Han Jung-Woo Jung-Woo handed the cash to the chicken delivery man and took the neatly packed chicken box, rushing straight to the living room.

"Has it not started yet?"

His heart was pounding just enough to make him feel excited. He glanced at the clock on the wall.

They said the broadcast would start at eight PM, but it hasn't started yet.

NET Media's ambitious project—a monstrous contract worth 4.8 billion won with incentives tied to viewership—was about to be broadcast across television screens nationwide. It was the footage of the Battle of the Bir Plains.

As Han Jung-Woo opened the chicken box, he checked the community reactions through his tablet.

-Why hasn’t it started yet? Wasn’t the broadcast supposed to start at eight PM?

└ Do you ever see a World Cup match begin right at four PM when scheduled?

└ Exactly. They play the anthem, have player entrances, and the commentators chat before it starts.

-Ugh, I’m so curious. I can’t leave the house if something like this broadcasts at the end of the year.

└ Don’t worry. The world outside is dangerous anyway.

-But weren’t there quite a few war videos before this? Why are people so hyped?

└ This is a massive war involving Unknown and six of the top ten guilds. With tens of thousands of enemies, it’s going to be insane—unlike anything seen before.

└ Might be all hype with no substance.

└ Do tens of thousands of enemies even make sense? Koreans sure love to exaggerate.

The higher the expectations, the greater the potential disappointment. Most people were excited, but there was a fair share of skeptics too.

-Isn’t it still just another war video? I feel like it’ll just be a messy brawl.

-I've watched tons of raid videos... Unknown's getting way too much special treatment.

└ Who else deserves special treatment if not the first ranked player?

-Everybody quiet. The real point today is whether Unknown’s face will finally be revealed.

-Standing by as a member of his fan club, waiting to see Unknown’s face on the live broadcast.

└ 222222

└ 3333

Just as Han Jung-Woo took a huge bite of the steaming chicken leg, the program finally began. It was a pilot program, replacing the usual show at this time, with new hosts taking their places.

—Good evening, viewers! Bringing you something unlike before, unseen, but highly anticipated—the first-ever war video from MID Online, I’m Kwon Jun-Hyuk.

—And I’m Kim Joo-Ri.

The two hosts smiled warmly as they bowed, both dressed in sharp suits.

It was clear that NET Media had high hopes for the program, given that both hosts were top-tier MID Online broadcasters. Kown Jun-Hyuk was famous for his clean looks, wittiness and deep voice, while Kim Joo-Ri had a dual image—innocent yet a hardcore gamer—which secured her a loyal fanbase.

Turning to face Kim Joo-Ri, Kwon Jun-Hyuk continued.

—Joo-Ri, are you a fan of MID Online yourself?

—Oh my, you're not seriously asking that, are you? You know the answer, right?

Kim Joo-Ri squinted playfully at Kwon Jun-Hyuk, covering her mouth with her small hand. Kwon Jun-Hyuk then laughed heartily and waved his hand.

—Hahaha, of course, I know you’re a gamer. I was just asking out of courtesy to maintain your image.

—Oh please, I’m already past my marriageable phase. Who would marry a gaming addict like me?

As they exchanged casual greetings, they smoothly transitioned into the program and Kwon Jun-Hyuk asked another question.

—Since you’re familiar with MID Online, could you give us a brief introduction to the video we’ll be showing today?

—Hmm, well, first, everyone knows about MID Online's ranking system, right?

—Absolutely. Top-ranked players are often called walking corporations. I hear that being a top-ranker even puts you at the top of marriage eligibility lists these days.

—Haha, that’s right. The earnings are great, and since it's remote work, couples can spend a lot of time together, making them the perfect marriage partner.

—But why did you bring up rankings all of a sudden?

—Because today’s video star is none other than Unknown, and I need to explain who that is.

Standing up like a weather presenter, Kim Joo-Ri picked up a long pointer and quickly summarized Unknown's stats displayed on the screen.

—Wow... First ranked... Just hearing all that, he’s like a monster. A total beast.

—Exactly. He has leveled up in record time, and his skill development is unmatched. You know how they say some people absorb knowledge like a sponge? Well, Unknown is like a giant sponge that’s fallen into a vast ocean.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

—That means he’s truly an incredible person.

The viewers' criticism grew harsher as the war progressed.

-I knew it. They’re being completely overrun.

-The Inquisitors are too strong. It takes at least ten players just to hold one off.

-I don't understand why Unknown is pushing this fight. They should have blocked the bridge and worn down the enemy’s numbers slowly...

-Huh? But Unknown's going after the Inquisitors?

-Even if he does, it's just stalling for time... Wait, what?

The tide of battle began to shift. The strongest Inquisitor fell at Unknown’s hand, and the morale of both the players and elves surged.

-This might actually work...?

-The Ironblood Knights have completely pinned down the main force of the Church of Muldine.

-If Unknown keeps taking out the Inquisitors like this, they might have a chance!

However, just as everyone started to have hope, Unknown ordered a retreat.

-You idiot! You should press the attack while you have the advantage!

-Oh, great, it’s over. They’re doomed.

-I’m done watching. This is giving me a headache. I’m turning it off.

-The editing is like something out of a movie, but the actual war content is so weak... What?

Rumble, rumble.

At first, it sounded like the trees outside were shaking. It was such a faint noise that only the viewers with sharp hearing noticed it. However, the sound grew louder and louder, amplified by the video focusing on it.

-Do you hear that? It sounds like rumbling... like an earthquake or something.

-An earthquake? Idk. My house is fine.

└ You idiot, not in real life. In the video.

└ Oh yeah, now that you mention it, it does sound like it’s getting louder...

Rumble, rumble!

By the time the rumbling had grown loud enough for everyone to hear, the players and elves had already retreated from the ice field to dry land.

And just when the viewers were about to burst with frustration, the army of merfolk crashed onto the ice field, smashing through both the ice and the Church of Muldine forces.

"This is the climax."

With a satisfied grin, Han Jung-Woo Jung-Woo continued watching, enjoying every moment of what followed.

The visuals are incredible. Especially when the players charge through the bridge and crush the Church of Muldine’s main force.

It was already becoming a popular scene, spreading as a gif in the community.

It was a beautiful moment that even films made with hundreds of millions in budget couldn’t replicate because it wasn’t scripted acting by players pretending to be characters. It was the ferocity and bravery that came from players genuinely fighting as if their lives depended on it.

Even after the two hour and thirty minute program ended, the sense of excitement and lingering impact only grew stronger.

“Hmm... I should pay and rewatch this later.”

Even though the video featured himself as the protagonist, the editing was done in a way that also gave the other major rankers from different guilds plenty of screen time, making it more enjoyable to watch.

There were friendships forged in the heat of battle, the desperate faces of the rankers, and heart-wrenching camaraderie as they cried out for their fallen comrades—all of it created moments that brought tears to the eyes.

It was, quite frankly, just a video of endless fighting with no real story, but showing the intense battle in such detail left him with sweaty palms.

That was when Han Jung-Woo Jung-Woo received a phone call.

Ring, ring, ring.

Taking a sip of cola to refresh himself, he answered, "Hello, this is Han Jung-Woo."

—Hello! This is Kim In-Ha, PD from NET Media. Did you happen to catch the program?

"Yes, I watched it. It was really well done. Thanks to you, two hours and thirty minutes flew by, and I didn’t even get a chance to go to the bathroom."

—That’s the best compliment. The reason I’m calling is that I have some good news.

"Good news? What is it?" Han Jung-Woo asked, tilting his head in curiosity.

Kim In-Ha’s excited voice came through the phone.

—The program pulled in a 63.4% viewership rating, just slightly below the historic 65.8%—the highest rating in South Korea since 1997. Considering it’s not a drama, but a one-time pilot program, this is an absolutely insane result.

"... Wait a second. Does that mean...?"

As Han Jung-Woo’s face went blank, memories of the contract details flashed through his mind.

Sure enough, Kim In-Ha PD spoke in a sneaky tone.

—Congratulations on becoming a rich man.