Chapter 137
Chapter 137
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 137
Chapter Title: Real Sword and Real Gun
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Originally, the shooting range should have been echoing with gunfire, but Hye-won stepped in holding a sword. The hefty weight in her hand. The silver blade's sharp tip exuded an eerie chill.
'I knew from watching the stream, but this feels seriously real.'
Someone who had rented out the entire shooting range just to show off Yuseong's abilities in detail wouldn't think twice about bringing a single sword.
Of course, it wasn't the sword she used in the game. The one she wielded there was as wide as a person's torso. In reality, she couldn't even lift it, let alone swing it.
'This one's heavy enough to begin with.'
It didn't look that heavy. But even a standard sword's weight was no joke.
'I won't be able to swing it for long.'
But then, she didn't need to swing it for long anyway.
"Alright, let's start with the absolute basics."
At Tusil's gesture, the staff brought over some items. They were straw bundles and bamboo stalks, the usual props for live sword-cutting demos.
"Westgarden. Have you ever done kendo in real life, or practiced live sword cuts or anything like that?"
"Nope. This is my first time even hearing about real swords."
"You heard that, everyone? Westgarden is picking up a real sword for the very first time right now."
Tusil, speaking while glancing at the camera, turned slightly toward Westgarden.
"You're not going to say something like 'I've used wooden swords plenty,' right?"
"I've never even heard of wooden swords or bamboo swords. The closest things I've handled are kitchen knives or box cutters."
"You heard that, everyone? She's never even heard of wooden swords or bamboo swords."
Just then, the staff finished setting up the straw bundles and bamboo.
"Then, for today's first test: the classic that comes to mind when you think real sword—the straw bundle and bamboo cut!"
Tusil shouted dramatically, and the staff clapped once more.
Truth be told, an Arc player's physical abilities had little to do with cutting straw bundles or bamboo. Live sword-cutting was something for actual swordsmen.
Even if she played a sword-wielding class, that was only inside the game. It would make more sense to test motor skills like dynamic vision or reflexes.
But this wasn't a scientifically rigorous experiment—it was a broadcast, entertainment. A bit of showmanship like this was well within bounds.
The viewers loved it, after all.
Plus, if you asked whether it was completely unrelated, that was debatable too.
Westgarden raised her sword toward the straw bundles and bamboo in front of her. True to her word that she'd never learned sword techniques, her movements clearly had some awkwardness.
Yet, there was also an undeniable maturity blended in, enough to make you question if she was really a total beginner.
That was the influence of virtual reality.
She'd never swung a sword in person, so her body was indeed a novice's. But her brain and nerves were those of a seasoned top ranker who had swung blades countless times—with the system's assistance, no less.
And with reflexes on a ranker's level, she could move her body based on abnormally trained neural pathways.
Westgarden had never heard anyone say she was bad at PE as a kid. Plus, in her spare time outside Arc, she never skipped her pricey gym sessions.
Slash!
Her clumsy yet polished swing sliced through the straw bundle. Her form couldn't compare to the pros on TV, but it was more than enough to cut straw.
Slash! Slash!
The blade swung twice, three times, and the bundle split from top to bottom, tumbling down in pieces.
After the straw, she moved sideways and swung at the bamboo next. The same thing happened there.
Slash! Slash!
The tough, resilient bamboo was mercilessly shredded by Westgarden's blade.
She turned away from the wreckage of straw and bamboo.
"This good enough?"
Applause and cheers erupted toward her.
* * *
After that, Tusil ran through a variety of tests. Some were showy like the straw and bamboo cuts, while others were based on genuine scientific research.
And Westgarden aced them all with stellar scores.
"Wow, impressive."
Tusil stuck out his tongue in admiration.
A true top ranker. Her results were far above the average of everyone else who'd appeared on his show so far.
Considering his broadcasts focused on rankers and rising stars, it was all the more astonishing.
[Whoa, scary. No wonder she's a top ranker.]
[She's got no weaknesses.]
[I'd lose for sure in a fight.]
Even Tusil's viewers, whose standards had skyrocketed from watching rankers, were wowed by her scores.
"You get it now, right, everyone? This is what a ranker is. If you want to become a ranker—a top ranker—just hit scores like this."
[This level?]
[Tusil, you're crossing the line lol]
Ignoring the chat's backlash, he approached Westgarden, who was wiping sweat from her brow.
"That was truly amazing, Westgarden. Now the viewers definitely understand why you're a top ranker."
"Thanks."
She bowed her head slightly.
After chatting with her a bit more in awe, Tusil turned toward Yuseong.
"Now it's Yuseong's turn!"
He raised his voice again to hype things up. Yuseong walked over slowly.
"Honestly, even though Yuseong's gotten famous lately, today's star is Westgarden. They say the main character appears last, so I should've saved her for the end.... But come on, I don't rent out shooting ranges every day, do I?
"I wanted to make the most of it. So we scheduled Yuseong's tests for later. Things are gonna get messy, and cleaning up after would make Westgarden's second round too late."
[I bet you just wanna go home early lol]
"No, how'd you know?"
Tusil bantered with the chat to defend himself, but really, it was at Hye-won's request. She wanted him to make Yuseong shine more in this episode.
'Is she going rogue like C.O.T.S, trying to seriously develop Yuseong?'
That was his first thought. But if so, wouldn't leveling him up with carries in-game come first?
'Or are they actually dating?'
That money-grubber dating someone? Was he rich? Or did he have some insane charm that trumped cash?
'Whatever, none of my business. As long as the stream does well.'
Of course, he'd initially balked. Putting her second would hold viewers longer. But when she offered to cover production costs, he nodded.
Even for him, renting an entire shooting range was a big burden.
Luckily, his excuse seemed to land.
[If you rented the whole place, no choice.]
[Same as that time with the national archery range.]
With the mood flowing his way, Tusil relaxed.
'That should do it.'
He glanced at Yuseong beside him.
Whether Westgarden was going all-in to build up the newbie or spring had finally hit the money-grubber, one thing was clear.
'He has to show something here, no question.'
This was as far as he could help. That was the deal. From now on, he'd stick strictly to being the broadcaster.
'She came along probably to protect him if things go south.'
But if the show needed it—if the flow demanded it—he'd ruthlessly cut even Westgarden extending a hand to Yuseong.
'Though that'd only happen in the absolute worst case.'
Tusil eyed Yuseong inwardly.
'At least hit average. With that rare Gunner class, it'll be topical enough. Good for you, good for her, good for me.'
If not? He couldn't predict what came after.
"The first event is, naturally, shooting. No one's surprised, right?"
[We're literally filming at a shooting range lmao]
[Wa. Ke. No. Sur. Pri. Sed.]
"Yeah, no one saw that coming, huh? Yuseong here has the super-rare Gunner class in Arc. Thanks to him, I'm renting a shooting range for the first time."
As one viewer had said earlier, he'd rented archery ranges before, but a gun range? Never. Rankers didn't even have Gunners.
"So expectations are high. Yuseong boasts fantastic accuracy in-game. First test: simple target shooting."
At Tusil's signal, the camera panned away from them to another part of the range. A few people stood there.
"As I mentioned before Westgarden's tests, like always, we're filming with safety and medical personnel on site. Extra bodies today since, well, the weapons."
The camera swung back to Tusil.
"Alright, time to bring out the guns at last."
A staffer brought two black cases and set them before Yuseong. He opened them. One pistol, one rifle. And magazines packed with ammo.
[Guns!]
[What models?]
The chat exploded instantly.
Korea strictly banned gun ownership. Even licensed owners had to store them at the police station, not home.
So despite the conscription system churning out gun-savvy citizens, real guns alone set the chat ablaze.
Yuseong touched the guns.
"One warning, Yuseong. Yes, this is a warning. Those are real firearms—handle with absolute care."
Even Tusil's voice held a hint of tension. In a gun-free country like Korea, real guns provoked that reaction.
"Got it."
They were his constant companions, the soulmates that had always protected his life, but Yuseong knew their dangers all too well.
And with that expertise—without formal training like this world's handlers—he knew exactly what not to do.
Above all, these guns were meant for monsters and beasts, not people.
The chat slowed a bit, tense at the guns' presence.
"Need practice?"
"Yes, that'd be good."
Tusil signaled the staff. The moment the guns went to Yuseong, the staff—already keeping extra distance— hurriedly adjusted something.
Clang!
A target appeared in front of Yuseong.
"One magazine for practice enough?"
"No need for that much."
Yuseong raised the pistol first.
Click! Click! Click!
He fiddled with it expertly. The chat filled with awe—his handling looked pro-level.
[Like a movie.]
[Totally trained professional.]
Seeming to have it figured out, Yuseong loaded a magazine. Then he aimed at the target and pulled the trigger.
Bang!
The gunshot rang out.