Chapter 144
Chapter 144
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 144
Chapter Title: Utopia
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Utopia. The massive company that developed and distributes Arc. That was all Yuseong knew about it.
It made sense that they would have information on undiscovered dungeons.
‘They’re the ones leaking info about this game?’
But not to just anyone. Otherwise, there wouldn’t be so many undiscovered dungeons left in Arc.
“How did you get the information? Do they just hand it out? Or do you have to buy it?”
“Isn’t that enough? It was valuable intel. You want me to spill even more?”
Fair enough.
“Alright then. We good to fight right now as is?”
“Of course.”
Mad Hammer perked up and raised his hammer. Yuseong drew his gun.
“No petty rules! Anything goes! I won’t call you a coward for playing dirty!”
“You didn’t hide any allies on your side, did you?”
“Oh, yeah, we should make that a rule. Strictly one-on-one. You’re not gonna chicken out and call in West Garden, are you? Come to think of it, there were rumors you two were dating.”
“We’re not like that, and I didn’t hide anyone anyway. They showed up out of nowhere—where would I even find the time?”
“True enough.”
Mad Hammer cackled.
“Enough chit-chat. Signal’s when this hits the dirt.”
Mad Hammer flicked a gold coin into the air. It spun, drawing their eyes. It landed on the ground softly, since it was dirt.
But that was enough.
The two clashed.
* * *
The fight started in an area pretty far from Fulton, but it wasn’t totally deserted.
“A duel!”
“Who are they?”
“Isn’t that Yuseong?”
“Whoa, it is!”
“Who’s the other guy?”
“That’s Mad Hammer, I think?”
“Who’s he?”
“C.O.T.S newbie project guy! They say he’s second only to Willy in strength.”
“So Willful and C.O.T.S are clashing again?”
Crowds love a good fight—it’s a timeless pastime. And with the duelists being Willful and a C.O.T.S member, who’d become rivals amid all the recent friction? No wonder spectators gathered.
Stray shots were a risk, but no one cared.
They just focused on the duel.
“Who’s gonna win?”
“Yuseong, obviously. Look at his track record.”
“What about physicals? They’re calling him the top in Arc for that.”
“Mad Hammer’s no pushover. He’s not hyped up next to Willy for nothing.”
“That Willy just got wrecked by Yuseong! And Willy was higher level, right?”
“Clearing an event dungeon isn’t the same as a straight-up duel!”
The crowd argued, each convinced they were right. It might look silly betting on an outcome that’d be clear soon, but they were dead serious.
Naturally, it turned into wagers.
But no bets were settled.
Before money changed hands, it was obvious who had the edge.
Even the loudmouths predicting a winner hadn’t expected a quick finish. Both seemed evenly matched in level and physicals.
Their predictions missed by a mile.
“Shit!”
Thwack!
A bullet to the right arm twisted Mad Hammer’s face. No pain, just annoyance. He gripped his hammer tight and charged Yuseong.
“Hraaah!”
Heavy Strike.
The first active skill anyone wielding close-range weapons learns.
But don’t underestimate it. High proficiency makes it easy to level up.
Above all, it’s simple and powerful.
That’s why even rankers loved it.
But no skill’s any good if it doesn’t land.
Boom!
His hammer smashed the empty ground. Meanwhile, Yuseong casually backed away, peppering him with gunfire.
Special ammo harried him. And true to its rep as the most powerful gun, the damage was brutal. Add range, and Mad Hammer felt like a punching bag.
All he could do was pump his legs and charge again.
A mindless boar. Even Mad Hammer saw himself that way.
‘This isn’t working!’
He wasn’t charging blindly without a plan. No matter his arrogance, he couldn’t underestimate Yuseong’s skill.
Especially after seeing that physical prowess in real life. Yuseong might even have superior raw athleticism.
But in Arc—not reality—he figured he had the edge.
Yuseong’s physicals might be better. His own were still world-class.
Above all, he was confident his stats crushed same-level players.
Physicals only go so far—Arc’s a game. Even Yuseong had died plenty.
Stats.
If they overwhelmingly favored you, you could crush any physical god.
Mad Hammer had bought info on undiscovered dungeons, cleared them for bonus points, and jacked his stats beyond same-level norms.
World-class physicals plus superior stats. That’s how he’d claim Arc’s top spot.
‘Physicals alone can’t make you king! It’s a game!’
He’d mocked those who relied solely on physicals.
But now? He was getting crushed by one—Yuseong.
‘No way! After all the cash I’ve dumped!’
Undiscovered dungeon info wasn’t cheap. He’d bought a ton. The bill was astronomical.
And it all felt wasted.
“Raaagh!”
A furious roar echoed. His activated skill lit his hammer with effects.
But it barely grazed Yuseong.
Mad Hammer lost in every way.
Physicals, gear, even the stats he trusted.
No amount of money let him match the Strategy Guide’s infinite intel. Savior’s Blessing was the cherry on top.
Only his level led. But what good was a level edge with worse stats?
Boom!
“Urk!”
An explosive round to the gut staggered him back.
‘Can’t retreat!’
Distance meant begging a Gunner to unload on you. But he had no choice.
“Fuck! Fuck!”
Curses spilled from his lips.
What a humiliating joke. His rosy dreams of crushing Yuseong were flushing down the drain in real time.
The crowd’s stares burned. No hiding this embarrassment with witnesses. He’d be pegged as Willy 2.0.
Worse—Willy hadn’t even dueled Yuseong directly, so they’d rank him lower.
‘No!’
He gripped his hammer. Cleared his head, steeled his will.
‘I’ll win somehow!’
He charged again.
But as he’d once trampled and mocked obstacles without a thought, the world was full of things willpower alone couldn’t conquer.
Bang!
One to the leg.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Leg again. Hammer arm. Leg once more.
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
Leg. Arm. Head. Torso. Head.
Rat-tat-tat-tat-tat!
Head, torso, head, head, arm, head, head...
A storm of bullets. Mad Hammer pushed through desperately. Chugged potions as HP dropped, used his hammerhead as a shield.
But it was just buying time.
‘Why...’
Why was Yuseong dominating? First time facing a Gunner? God-tier physicals? Or...
‘No way his stats are higher?’
From someone who didn’t even know the info source? Ridiculous.
‘Then what?!’
His questions lingered until his HP bar vanished.
Thud!
Mad Hammer fell. A pathetic end for someone so cocky.
The victor decided, the crowd cheered Yuseong’s upset domination.
He waved lightly—image management to boost visibility. A far cry from his early Arc days, oblivious to social dynamics. Real growth.
He looted Mad Hammer’s drops. Nothing special, nothing he needed. But sellable for pocket change.
Then Yuseong turned back to monster hunting. No glance at the corpse. To him, Mad Hammer was just that—disposable.
But the info he left burned in Yuseong’s mind.
‘Utopia.’
He’d only known them as Arc’s devs and publishers. Selling undiscovered dungeon intel made them suspect.
‘Not exactly legit, huh?’
But he wouldn’t judge. Not after using the Strategy Guide himself.
His focus sharpened on Utopia.
‘Should’ve thought about this sooner.’
Arc—the source of all his mysteries. Of course its creators were shady.
‘Too caught up in that world.’
Next time he crossed over, he’d dig into Utopia.
Decision made, Yuseong resumed hunting.
* * *
Yuseong vs. Mad Hammer drew eyes, as expected. It blew up online.
But the hype wasn’t like before.
-Yuseong wins again
-Not even surprising anymore
To folks, Yuseong victories and C.O.T.S losses were formulaic now. No big backlash, as Mad Hammer feared.
C.O.T.S brass, though, fretted over it.
“People think we—specifically that Yuseong punk—lose if we face Willful head-on.”
“Damn rookies. Told ’em to stay put.”
“Our rep’s tanking. Fine for now, but more damage and sponsors’ll bail.”
“What do we do? Bounty on Yuseong?”
“That’s all-out war with Willful. Others’ll exploit the gap.”
“Send high-levels for some PK? A couple deaths and even Willful backs off.”
“That sneaky shit worsens our image. Think: we’re the assholes you hate but fear ’cause we’re strong. Gotta crush with overwhelming force—not pussyfoot around Willful and get laughed at.”
“Frustrating, but nothing now. Tighten the leash on newbies.”
“Scare off the rest from dumb ideas.”
C.O.T.S opted to let it slide quietly.
But they hadn’t forgotten Yuseong.
“Someday we’ll make him pay. Wait till then.”