Chapter 45
Chapter 45
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 45
Chapter Title: VS Hers Guild in the Flooded Swamp
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A new video was uploaded to the channel presumed to be Yuseong's—the one that had previously featured footage of those malicious players who tried to trap him getting utterly wrecked instead.
The title was simple.
VS Hers Guild in the Flooded Swamp
It was a title that only made sense if you had the right context. But the response to the video was explosive.
- This is that thing, right? The one where eight members of Hers Guild got killed this time?
- If they fought inside the flooded swamp, that has to be it.
- Hers died there too.
It was already a fight drawing massive attention. People cheered as they clicked on the video.
The first thing the video showed was Yuseong moving through the deep blue flooded swamp. Then came the Hers Guild members tracking and closing in on him.
Yuseong kept heading deeper into the swamp. His movements were incredibly agile even in there.
He easily stepped on ledges with height differences, lightly dodging protruding tree roots or rocky outcrops. Trees blocking his path were no exception.
In contrast, the glimpses of Hers Guild members were completely different. Anyone could see they were flailing helplessly against nature's massive barrier.
There were even comical slips where they pushed too hard and tripped over their own feet.
However, due to the basic stat differences, the distance between them didn't widen much. Or at least, it didn't seem to.
How far into the swamp had he gone? Yuseong stopped. He glanced back at the pursuing guild members.
Thick trees obstructed the line of sight. No one would call it ideal for shooting.
Yet Yuseong raised his gun without a hint of hesitation.
The battle erupted once more.
Gunshots, shouts, and the swish of swinging blades shattered the swamp's silence. Since they'd spread out for the pursuit, one guild member took Yuseong's focused attack and dropped dead on the spot.
But Hers Guild didn't falter.
Hers had already drilled it into them: no matter the sacrifice, they had to kill Yuseong in this fight. They seized the moment he'd stopped moving to drag him into their encirclement.
And Hers Guild's attempt succeeded.
"We got him!"
Like a swarm of ants surrounding prey, their net around Yuseong thickened. But in the process, another guild member died.
Now all that was left was to maintain the solid encirclement like before and squeeze the life out of him. Sure, Yuseong might pull some desperate "let's die together" move, but in this situation, that would actually be better for them.
But once again, Yuseong denied Hers Guild their wish.
Thud!
Even surrounded, Yuseong—who'd been using a tree at his back to minimize direct fights—suddenly kicked off the trunk behind him. His body launched into the air.
"Huh?"
The panicked guild members reflexively swung their weapons. But Yuseong used branches and gouges in the bark to scramble up the tree in an instant. He was out of melee range.
Perched on a thick branch, Yuseong aimed his gun barrel downward. He pulled the trigger.
"Shit!"
The targeted guild member hurriedly raised his shield. His quick reaction barely saved him from death. But Yuseong's assault didn't end there.
A rain of bullets poured down. Most guild members had no choice but to take the hits.
"Shields up!"
Hers yelled urgently. People raised their shields in unison. Those without shields ducked under a comrade's.
But that did next to nothing. Some had massive shields covering most of their bodies, but they were few and far between.
Most had shields that covered only half their upper bodies—if that. Plenty had none at all.
Yuseong's bullets embedded in their bodies everywhere. They barely held on by chugging potions to restore health. The silver lining was that Yuseong's revolver needed reloading, buying them a brief respite.
"W-what do we do?"
Even the vice guild leader—who'd been dutifully advising Hers until now—looked at him in panic.
"Could we climb the trees too?"
"No chance."
The vice guild leader flatly denied it, even in his fluster.
"Sure, climbing trees isn't hard with our stats, but we can't go up like that monkey. We'd die trying."
"Shit!"
Hers's mind raced. But Yuseong had no intention of waiting.
Yuseong leaped between trees, then dropped to the ground. Straight toward the mage and archer.
They were hiding under comrades' shields. But their roles as backline attackers meant they had to stay somewhat separated from the clustered guild members.
Nearby guild members rushed to protect them. But Yuseong was faster.
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
"You bastard...!"
In emptying one cylinder, Yuseong instantly killed an archer. Normally he'd fall back to reload, but this time he charged forward.
Toward the mage.
The mage fired a spell. Nearby comrades stepped up to defend him.
But they missed Yuseong. By the time he reached the mage, a sword from his inventory was in his hand.
Thwack! Thwack! Thwack!
He hacked away wildly in seconds. The mage's HP plummeted until he collapsed limply.
Guild members then swarmed in. But Yuseong, satisfied, climbed back into the trees.
"Mages! Get the mages to the center!"
Only then did Hers try to protect the surviving mages, but the dead ones stayed dead.
He glared up at Yuseong with eyes full of rage. Yuseong casually reloading on the branch was utterly loathsome.
"...We're pulling out of the swamp."
It was a clear declaration of defeat. But no one objected to the order. They kept Yuseong in check as they retreated the way they'd come.
Thanks to their rogue player, they wouldn't get lost. But Yuseong followed, harassing them relentlessly.
Hers Guild couldn't properly counter Yuseong's three-dimensional tree-hopping attacks. Casualties kept mounting.
Even so, they somehow reached the swamp's edge. Through the exhausting trees, open space and the walls came into view.
Just get past here, and they'd be free of that horrific onslaught. The relief was so great that, without realizing, Hers Guild members briefly let their guard down.
Yuseong didn't miss it.
He unleashed every skill and bullet on one target.
Hers, the guild leader of Hers Guild.
A storm of bullets in an instant. They struck his head without a single miss.
"Guild leader!"
"Mr. Hers!"
Guild members rushed to protect him. But it was too late.
"You son of a...!"
Hers collapsed without even finishing his curse.
"Damn it! Fuck this!"
As if voicing the curses Hers couldn't, the vice guild leader spewed profanities nonstop. But there was no time for that.
"Get out of here, fast!"
They had to escape while Yuseong reloaded.
Fortunately, that was the end of Hers Guild's sacrifices. The moment they exited the swamp, they scattered like cockroaches fleeing a lit room.
Yuseong didn't pursue. He simply watched them leisurely from the swamp's edge before slipping back inside.
And that was the end of the video.
But the public's frenzy started right then.
-So basically, Hers Guild got massacred from the leader on down and still couldn't kill Yuseong?
-Lmao, these guys should disband their guild right now.
-I'd quit on the spot if I were them. How do you even show your face? Lololol.
Mockery of Hers Guild.
-What the hell is this guy made of?
-His movements make monkeys look slow.
-Hey now, not a monkey. Just your average physical genius.
Praise for Yuseong.
It was another moment where Yuseong and Hers Guild's reputations diverged sharply.
* * *
The conflict between Yuseong and Hers Guild continued afterward.
With nowhere left to retreat, Hers Guild threw everything at killing him, no holds barred.
They'd attack him at the city gates then slink back inside with their cowardly tactics, or hire other players with money.
But nothing worked. Every time, at least one of Hers's elite guild members died.
Now, most people were saying it.
Yuseong would be the final victor in this war.
Hers Guild's meeting room.
Guild leader Hers and all the key figures were gathered. But no one spoke easily. The silence grated.
"...Does anyone have another idea?"
Hers broke it. His voice was utterly dour.
The furious leader of the powerhouse guild from just days ago was gone. Only the miserable commander of defeated remnants remained.
Hers asked, but no one replied.
They just hung their heads or sighed.
"...Guild leader."
The vice guild leader spoke cautiously.
"How about we end the war?"
Putting it nicely as "ending the war," it was surrender in this situation. Utterly humiliating.
But Hers, who should have exploded in rage, said nothing. The others, stealing glances, seemed to agree with the vice leader.
"We haven't managed our hunting grounds in a while. Cutting off income any longer is risky."
In reality, it meant their livelihoods were at stake.
"Plus, our guild members' levels are dropping badly. Not just the regulars—even the elites. If this keeps up, we'll suffer real combat power losses beyond just looking weak."
A guild stays respected to avoid hassles. More challengers mean more headaches.
But losing combat power was a whole different level of threat. They could lose their hunting ground monopoly.
"And that bastard Yuseong keeps getting stronger steadily. If we drag this out, our losses will balloon."
"......"
Hers didn't respond. The vice leader didn't push further.
They all knew his mindset. And the fact he wasn't lashing out openly showed his heart was leaning toward ending it.
Just pride was holding him back.
"......"
Hers's silence dragged on. All eyes turned to him.
Knock! Knock!
A knock sounded, and a guild member entered. Tense in the heavy atmosphere, he said,
"Yuseong's appeared at the gates."
"......"
Hers closed his eyes briefly. Then he stood.
"No need for the rest of you to come."
He left the meeting room. The others stayed put.
Thud!
The front door slamming shut outside drew simultaneous sighs from everyone.
"Shit."
The vice guild leader's curse laid bare their plight.
* * *
Yuseong sat in the gate square again today, waiting for Hers Guild. The crowd swarming him like clouds was unchanged.
'They're late today.'
Normally they'd charge the second he showed. Feeling a touch bored, Yuseong toyed with his Eonir revolver for a bit.
Then Hers arrived.
Yuseong stood for battle. But the guild members who should be behind Hers were absent.
"Coming alone today?"
Yuseong tilted his head, puzzled.
They couldn't win even mobbing him—now solo? Or some new scheme?
"Let's talk for a bit."
Hers said.
"Go ahead."
"I'd prefer just the two of us."
"Refused."
As if he'd follow into some trap.
Hers sighed deeply. He'd wanted privacy away from prying eyes, but he was the weak one now.
Chewing bitterly on his unfamiliar position, Hers spoke.
"Let's end the war."