Reunion (8)
One week before the Continental War.
Fond announced at a press conference watched by the entire world that he would serve as China's commander.
He didn't possess Zhuge's brilliant tactical genius or Necromancer Wei's overwhelming numbers advantage.
Yet the reason he became commander was simple: he was simply too strong.
The Chinese people called Fond the heavens.
He had earned the recognition of the Sword Emperor in one of the world's few empires, displaying overwhelming power.
Fond vividly remembered that press conference.
Behind him stood Poison King Riu, Yongwol, Necromancer Wei, and strategist Zhuge, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
There was no chest-thumping excitement or thrill he couldn't contain.
Representing China—the world's second-ranked Ares powerhouse—he saw it as only right.
The reporters asked Fond,
"Can you capture it within 10 hours?"
The question itself was flawed.
It shouldn't have been "within 10 hours," but "can you even capture it at all?"
Yet no one thought it strange, and he gave the fitting answer.
"Three hours will be enough."
Fond wasn't foolish enough to flaunt arrogance before the world.
"Don't all the indicators point to it? China ranks second among Ares powerhouses, while Korea is around 18th. And with our overwhelming population, we have far more talent at our disposal."
He stared confidently at the reporters from the podium.
"Moreover, as one of the world's economic giants, China's Black Dragon Forge—boasting over 20 million subscribers—is crafting artifacts for our participants. Many Chinese players are lending artifacts to them as well. And Zhuge, active as a strategist in the kingdom, has devised excellent plans."
"How will you handle variables?"
Fond nearly said he'd counter them with Zhuge's brilliant mind but swallowed the words.
"...Regrettably, there are no variables."
A declaration that Korea wasn't even worth considering a rival.
The press conference racked up tens of millions of views.
But neither the Chinese nor people worldwide left comments like "Isn't he too arrogant?" or "What if Korea holds them off?"
As Fond had said, every indicator proved it.
This wasn't like the World Cup.
It wasn't a fluke where Korea's team was in top form that day while their opponents faltered.
Every metric favored them overwhelmingly, with users' average levels far higher.
And yet, the scene unfolding before his eyes.
The instant Hyun-soo's sword swung once, slicing past Riu and him—a panorama flashed by like lightning.
Necromancer Wei and nearly a hundred summoners dead.
Hyun's Forge artifacts countering the Blacksmith King Gang.
Hyun's Forge guild members slaughtering dozens.
Yongwol, assassins, and ranged dealers wiped out.
And the total annihilation of Poison King Riu's hydra and melee users.
Facts he'd dismissed as recklessness and bravado.
Even with only Riu and himself left, he'd thought it worked out perfectly.
As China's heaven, he'd created a stage for Hyun-soo to receive even greater applause.
The world would cheer for stopping the one who threatened China.
The panorama ended, and reality hit.
Fond turned to Riu standing beside him.
'Wha—what the...'
Poison King Riu's defense and total HP were low relative to his level.
To compensate for the massive mana drain from poison skills, he'd allocated stats differently from standard melee users and tailored his gear accordingly.
But one must remember: Poison King Riu was world rank 19.
And yet Riu...
Dispersed in a single blow.
And Fond recoiled in horror at the damage he'd taken.
-585,419 HP
A whopping 500k+ damage.
Like Riu scattering in shreds, Fond had taken massive damage too.
HP has fallen below 11%.
Nearly 90% of his HP gone in one hit.
Afflicted.
Afflicted.
Afflicted.
Afflicted.
Fond had never seen so many status ailment notifications at once.
Not even against any named monster had his HP been shaved by 90% in a single hit.
He staggered.
The current Fond couldn't move even if he wanted to.
Watching Hyun-soo approach, he realized.
His words at that press conference.
Those words would instead grant Hyun-soo unimaginable glory!
But Fond muttered softly.
"No matter how great the Twin Dragon Swords are. To reveal all their power before the entire world? Puheheh."
It was Fond's desperate bravado. But also a fatal jab.
With the Twin Dragon Swords' secrets fully exposed to the world, countless countermeasures would emerge.
Public knowledge was that terrifying.
"We'll see."
But Hyun-soo flashed a meaningful smile.
One fact Fond and the world didn't know: Hyun-soo possessed God's Custom Repair.
Using its recreation function, new power could be infused into the Twin Dragon Swords.
This attack-oriented pair was perfect yet imperfect.
Crafted mid-Continental War, it held powers suited to that moment.
But he said no more.
Letting the world think they'd found his weakness would be a powerful variable in itself.
Hyun-soo slashed Fond without hesitation.
Kwajajajak—
And before every viewer's eyes:
The Continental War has ended.
Total defense time: 10 hours, 32 minutes, 11 seconds.
All Chinese users have been wiped out.
Korea victory.
Shock.
A massive shockwave hit the world.
Korea erupted in celebration.
At the pub where Hyun-soo's friend Ji-hoon was.
"Wooooaaahhh!"
"Yeeaaahhh!"
"Long live Blacksmith Hyun!"
"Looong live!"
They hugged and danced at the sight of "Korea Victory" on the screen, with Ji-hoon in the midst, tears streaming as he yelled "Hyun-soooo!" and went wild.
Kim Hye-sook and her husband Park Bong-sik, watching TV, embraced and danced too.
"Our Hyun-soo did it!"
"Ah, I knew he'd make it big!"
They celebrated as if it were their own triumph, while their son Park Hae-su stared at the TV in disbelief.
"What? It's like scoring six in a row for a comeback...?"
But soon he felt it in his bones and shouted "Uwaaaah! Long live Korea!"
Elsewhere.
Hyun's Forge.
Nel smirked, arms crossed.
When she left Golden Shield Guild, its master Rune had said other guilds would struggle to grow her.
At Hyun's Forge.
Each with their own reasons, all circling back to making Hyun-soo king—they cheered hotly too.
Another place.
Inside the hospital.
The director, doctors, Jin-seop, nurse Ji-hye, and Ho-seok stared at the screen in disbelief.
They'd witnessed Hyun-soo's rock bottom and his soaring heights firsthand.
The young man who'd wept and begged to save his father upon their first meeting, shoulders slumped from lack of hospital bills—he'd achieved this.
Doctor Jin-seop rushed to a room.
VVIP room.
The TV was on. He'd learned Hyun-tae had been listening all along.
Gazing at the peacefully sleeping man, he said,
"You've raised a son to be truly proud of."
Before entering, Jin-seop could've sworn a faint smile touched Hyun-tae's lips.
"Waaaaahhhh!"
AJ Internet broadcasting station.
Kim PD looked out at the building exterior. Countless people cheered and ran about.
Ares, played by a third of the world's population.
Even non-players must've watched the Continental War today.
Not quite 2002 World Cup fever, but people shouted "Long live Korea!" and "Long live Hyun!"
Kim PD eyed the electronic billboard high on the building.
Hyun's cool figure overlaid on the subtitles.
Kim PD asked Director Lee with trembling heart,
"What's the peak viewership?"
The global broadcast's ratings had climbed steadily. Hyun-soo's upsets kept drawing viewers.
"40.1%."
Historic. 40% of the world had watched Hyun-soo.
Monitoring dozens of screens, Kim PD knew the most important part remained.
At the Continental War site.
There, Pureum Corp CEO Lee Se-jin appeared—the head of the world's top company by market cap.
***
Pureum Corp CEO Lee Se-jin couldn't believe it.
He recalled when user Hyun-soo first shattered norms with a level-mismatched alert and became the first to break the wooden dummy.
He'd thought it a remarkable talent, but never dreamed it'd reach this in a year.
Light coalesced into Lee Se-jin, a podium forming before him.
Standing there, Se-jin saw Hyun-soo approaching.
Hyun-soo's wounds, wrapped in light, healed spotless.
'First time seeing him this close.'
Se-jin thought the real thing was even better.
Hyun-soo, arriving before him, noticed Se-jin scanning the surroundings.
A reminder: no other survivors but Hyun-soo.
And Hyun-soo felt his heart pound.
'It's hot...'
He'd known, but hearing it directly versus imagining were worlds apart.
Lee Se-jin leaned into the mic and spoke.
No needless greetings.
"Korea, China, and the rest of the world must acknowledge it."
A small smile, then eye contact with Hyun-soo.
CEO Lee Se-jin.
He wasn't one to praise lightly.
And as a Korean, any misstep would amplify the fallout.
Yet Se-jin was certain the world would agree, no objections.
Before 40.1% viewership, the world watching TV, he declared,
"You are the true MVP."
You have been selected as MVP of the Continental War.
And a reward neither Hyun-soo nor viewers knew:
You have acquired the MVP title.
MVP wasn't just a name—it was a title.
And the mere name MVP would bring Hyun-soo benefits defying common sense.
But in this moment, Hyun-soo cheered hotly for something else.
As MVP reward, you may receive 1,000,000,000 won.
Ten billion won in Korean currency.
Vital to Hyun-soo, but something else burned hotter.
As Ares reward, choose one of the following three:
1. Top-grade legendary artifact of desired type.
2. Top-grade legendary skill of desired type.
3. New-grade ore and crafting materials.
No surprises.
Hyun-soo knew.
'I'll choose the third reward.'
You have selected new-grade ore and crafting materials.
Hyun-soo wondered.
'The first Transcendent-grade material...!'
What power this transcendence held.