The Art of Speculation

The host burst into laughter. As expected of a world-class player—even his sense of humor was top-tier! Of course, Kim Tae-hyun had been completely serious, but the host didn't take it that way at all. The others standing nearby giggled along as well.

"Player Kim Tae-hyun, countless fans are watching us right now. To be honest, so many broadcasting stations fought over this hosting spot, so I feel incredibly honored to be the one standing here."

"You're doing a great job hosting."

"Is that so? Thank you!"

The host's face lit up at Tae-hyun's compliment. Just how many people had engaged in a bloodbath to secure this broadcast? It had gotten so intense that the Pan-On organizers eventually resorted to ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠a random drawing among the applicant stations. Since it was such a coveted position, the weight of responsibility felt immense.

It wasn't just the official broadcast; countless players were streaming their own reactions to the Arena reveal. It was pure, unadulterated entertainment! Naturally, a few of those players took the opportunity to tear Tae-hyun down.

"Kim Tae-hyun is going to crash and burn! Mark my words!"

"The Korean team has its limits!"

"Kim Tae-hyun didn't pick me for the team because he's blind!"

Tae-hyun was the kind of person whose name alone could multiply views by tens or hundreds of times. The reverse was also true: badmouthing Tae-hyun was a guaranteed way to garner attention. If Tae-hyun had seen this, he would have been amazed, thinking, Wow, back in the day, people hated me just because they hated me. Now they hate me to farm views? It was wild how players who had absolutely nothing to do with him in Pan-On 1 were latching onto him like leeches! Consequently, the chat sections of those streams were battlegrounds.

Despite the viewers' mockery, the streamers pretended not to hear. Honestly, at this point, one might expect someone to challenge Tae-hyun to a 1v1 duel just for the clout. Even if they lost, the sheer amount of attention would be astronomical! ...But such players were incredibly rare. Perhaps because Tae-hyun had been on the receiving end of so many PK attempts, whenever someone challenged him to a 1v1, he assumed, Ah, this must be someone holding a grudge from Pan-On 1! and utterly pulverized them. Losing gear and dropping levels just for a brief moment of stream spotlight was not an easy choice to make.

Meanwhile, Tae-hyun began to walk around the Arena.

"How do you find the Arena?"

"The map is much larger and wider. We're restricted to basic equipment, which is unavoidable, but... hmm. I think I'll need to see a bit more to be sure."

Tae-hyun traversed the map carrying only basic starting gear. It felt significantly larger than most standard dungeons. At this rate, players will really have to utilize the entire map... If it were a Domination rule set, it might be different, but for an Escort rule set, a bloody free-for-all would likely erupt across the entire terrain. Understanding the complex topography and using it to one's advantage required practice, no matter how skilled the player was.

If the reception to the World Cup is good, next season will probably use this Arena. I'm a bit worried. Will we be able to adapt? Tae-hyun was a pragmatist. Just because he had achieved an undefeated championship in the first season didn't mean he expected to replicate that feat in the next. In gaming, there were times to win and times to lose. Just as he had enjoyed a long winning streak in Pan-On 1 before eventually losing to Lee Se-yeon, he was fully capable of tasting defeat again. Even now, rising rankers were constantly emerging, and some of them were undoubtedly studying his playstyle exclusively. Although Tae-hyun hid as much of his hand as possible while trying to master new skills and combos, the challengers naturally held the advantage of studying a known target. He had to be prepared to accept defeat. The important part was what came after!

If I lose once, I just have to make sure I don't lose a second time. Hmm. Should I recruit more players to diversify our tactics? Maybe I should train Cain so he can handle various roles? But honestly, our schedule is already so tight that trying to teach him might backfire.

"Player Kim Tae-hyun has gone quiet. What is he contemplating?"

"Perhaps he's strategizing on how to utilize this map?"

"Ah, you shouldn't keep those brilliant thoughts to yourself! Player Kim Tae-hyun! Please tell us what's on your mind right now!"

The host cried out eagerly. Every single word of Tae-hyun's thoughts was a priceless piece of analytical data. Countless viewers watching the stream were dying ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠to hear it! Of course, from Tae-hyun's perspective, it was a rather awkward request. What, am I supposed to tell them that Cain is too stupid to handle multiple roles? Fortunately, he didn't have to answer. A bone-chilling, ear-splitting roar echoed through the Arena.

"KROOOOOOOOAAAAAAAR!"

"!"

"!"

The unmistakable roar of a monster sent the viewers into a frenzy.

"It's a monster!"

"So this is what they meant by changes!"

Monsters had been added to the Arena. The host also cried out in surprise.

"Player Kim Tae-hyun! A monster! That was a monster's roar, right?"

"That's Hakkarias's roar."

"..."

"..."

The faces of the Pan-On developers watching the broadcast stiffened. Wait, what...?!

"How did he recognize that?"

"I-I have no idea."

"I really wanted to see Kim Tae-hyun look surprised for once...!"

Although there were many fans of Tae-hyun among the development team, even they wanted to see him lose his composure. Yet, incredibly, Tae-hyun had identified the exact monster after hearing just a single roar.

"Wait, Player Kim Tae-hyun! Hakkarias's roar? You can actually identify that?"

"Well, I've killed him before, so I have a rough idea of what he sounds like."

"What kind of monster is Hakkarias?"

"He's a Black Dragon... but wait, if they put him in the Arena, is he even beatable?" Tae-hyun asked back, genuinely puzzled. No matter how he looked at it, it wasn't a monster that players should be able to defeat under normal Arena conditions.

"Perhaps his stats have been scaled down?"

"Ah. Right, it's probably an illusion of a defeated monster." Tae-hyun nodded in understanding. Since they were summoning a dead monster, it wouldn't be the actual, living entity.

Yes, Player Kim Tae-hyun! He's weakened, so go check him out!

Please, just look flustered when you see Hakkarias! the developers pleaded internally. They desperately wanted Tae-hyun to hurry over and face the dragon.

"Hmm. If it's Hakkarias, I don't really want to meet him..." Tae-hyun hesitated.

"Why is that?"

"Well, since I'm the one who killed him, I have a feeling he's going to be absolutely furious to see me."

Despite his words, Tae-hyun directed his steps toward the source of the roar. Since he had agreed to showcase the Arena, he had to earn his keep!

"!"

Hakkarias looked exactly as he did when he was alive. The beast let out a ferocious roar and glared down at Tae-hyun.

Oh? Tae-hyun was surprised by the unexpected system messages. A bonus for facing Hakkarias? Of course, Hakkarias's increased rage was also part of that "bonus," but the fact that the system granted a buff at all was intriguing. Ah, I see. So depending on the monster, players who possess relevant titles will have an advantage? Tae-hyun marveled as he realized the developers' intention. With a variety of maps and monsters scheduled to appear, this would introduce all sorts of dynamic variables. A player who had actually defeated a specific monster, like Tae-hyun, would fight from a much more advantageous position.

"YOU!!! AVATAR OF ARCHISUS!!!"

Tae-hyun turned and bolted without looking back. Hakkarias, consumed by rage, gave chase. Fwooooosh! In an instant, the surrounding area was engulfed in flames, and dark, ominous curses rained down indiscriminately. Tae-hyun deflected them with his sword, blocked the rest using the Authority of Archisus, and widened the gap. Can I even fight him up close without my proper gear? Even if he's weakened... Tae-hyun planned to keep his distance for now and chip away at the dragon's weaknesses. While the opponent was scaled down, Tae-hyun was also severely weakened by his basic equipment.

However, mid-chase, Hakkarias suddenly ground to a halt.

"...Aha." Tae-hyun smirked. He had sniffed out the reason why Hakkarias couldn't pursue him any further. His movement zone is restricted! The dragon couldn't roam the entire map; he was confined to a designated area! Tae-hyun ran back and stood right in front of Hakkarias.

"BLACK DRAGON'S HATRED!"

Rumble! A potent poison spell erupted in all directions, but Tae-hyun simply stepped back again. Hakkarias gnashed his teeth in sheer frustration but could not cross the boundary. A quick step forward—

"SEVEN ARROWS OF HELL!"

A quick step back—

"DARK DRAGON-BLOOD CURSE!"

Tae-hyun was starting to have fun. There was a certain thrill in stepping into the dragon's territory, baiting an attack, and stepping right back out to mock him.

Such bonuses were just the icing on the cake!

"Um, Player Kim Tae-hyun?"

"Ah. My apologies."

Tae-hyun stopped his antics after realizing he had just broadcasted himself teasing Hakkarias to the entire world. The viewers, however, were already laughing hysterically.

"Could you share your thoughts on participating in this World Cup?"

"I plan to do my absolute best alongside my teammates and take it one match at a time."

"Is there a country you predict will win, or perhaps a player you expect to shine?"

"Uh..." Tae-hyun hesitated. If he were just the leader of Team KL, he would have answered without a second thought. But now, he was a member of the national representative team. Furthermore, he had made a promise to Lee Se-yeon.

Lee Se-yeon had been worried that Tae-hyun might draw unnecessary hate. While Tae-hyun was undoubtedly the most popular player, that didn't mean he was free of haters. In fact, because he was the absolute best, his anti-fans were even more passionate. He hadn't slipped up even once so far, but what if he did? To prepare for such a scenario, it was best to watch his words.

"I do have a player in mind, but I'll keep it a secret."

"...!" The host was taken aback. Tae-hyun had always been someone who ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠spoke his mind without filter. Yet, he was keeping this a secret!

"Now I'm incredibly curious! Could you perhaps give us a hint?"

"My apologies."

"Wow... that really leaves us hanging. I wonder which team or player Kim Tae-hyun holds in such high regard!"

Tae-hyun had said it without much thought, but to the countless viewers watching, it was a different story. Just who... who on earth could it be?