The Terrifying Power of Momentum

Momentum was a truly terrifying thing. Once a team rode its wave, even a weak underdog could easily topple a powerhouse! That was the power of momentum. When an opponent you had underestimated pushed back like a raging storm, and the cost of losing a team fight grew heavier by the second, even the most cold-headed and elite players couldn't help but shake.

"Calm down! Keep your heads cool!" the Chinese national team's coach screamed desperately.

Once a match began, a coach's screams could never reach the players. The coach knew this all too well, but he couldn't help but shout anyway. Please, get your heads in the game!

We still have plenty of chances! Play defensively and look for an opening to turn things around!

Although the impact of their team being wiped out in that clash was massive, objectively speaking, the situation was still manageable. If they played defensively and held their ground, the lower-ranked Canadian team was bound to make a mistake. They could exploit that opening to stage a comeback.

"The Canadian players are setting up an ambush right in front of the enemy base! How bold! We thought they would fall back, but they're pressing the attack to the very end!"

"Who could have predicted that Canada would put on such a legendary performance!"

The Canadian players played aggressively, as if they had absolutely nothing to lose. They ambushed the Chinese players the moment they stepped out of their base! Caught completely off guard by this unexpected raid, the Chinese team panicked.

"Their formation is collapsing!!! They have to protect the healer, protect the healer! If the healer dies here, it's over! Are they going down? Are they going down?! They're down!"

"The Chinese players are retreating! Ah!! What is happening?! Are they really going to let this happen again...!"

On the broadcast, the Chinese coach was shown clutching his head in utter despair. A complete mental breakdown! The Chinese national team had absurdly thrown away the first round. It was a shocking defeat that absolutely no one had anticipated.

The first-round defeat left a deep scar on the Chinese players. Their mental state completely shattered, they repeated their mistakes in the second round, ending it in a draw. Though they desperately clung to their sanity and scraped by with a win in the third round... the overall match was already locked in as a draw.

The reaction from Chinese fans was explosive. The forums were practically bursting at the seams! They had taken it for granted that their team would secure an easy win and guarantee a spot in the tournament stage, only to end up with a draw. Already, a blacklist of 'traitors' was being compiled and circulated among the Chinese community.

Of course, most of the criticism was highly irrational, but none of the players could speak up to defend themselves. It was a time to keep their mouths shut and their heads bowed low.

The Chinese national team skipped the interview and rushed out in a pack. They knew all too well that doing an interview now would only double the amount of hate they were receiving! In the end, only the Canadian national team stood for the interview.

"Hello, Coach. Today's match truly defied everyone's expectations. Did you foresee this outcome?"

"Not at all. We simply resolved to do our absolute best for the fans who support us." The Canadian coach desperately bit his lip to hold back the grin spreading across his face. I mustn't laugh!

Fans all over the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠world discussing on the forums were dumbfounded. Could such a... such a hilarious—no, ridiculous scenario actually be possible? The Chinese fans, belatedly realizing the gravity of the situation, began to panic. They had merely been venting their anger over the draw, never dreaming that group stage elimination was a real possibility.

Meanwhile, the Canadian team's interview continued.

"You overturned a match that everyone expected you to lose. Was there a secret to your success?"

"The players of Team KL held scrims with us, which was a massive help."

"Pardon? The players of Team KL?"

"Yes. It was an invaluable experience, and it showed us exactly how we needed to fight. I would like to take this opportunity to thank them once again."

"..."

"..."

Anyone with a shred of quick-wittedness understood immediately. 'It showed us exactly how we needed to fight' meant: The insanely overpowered players of Team KL completely analyzed the Chinese national team and handed us their weaknesses on a silver platter!

"Hey! This is huge! Publish this right now!"

"It's a scoop! Put the article I'm sending straight onto the front page!"

Reporters everywhere shouted in excitement. Canada's dramatic upset was already a juicy enough story, but to think there was such a dramatic backstory behind it! Out of all the group stage matches happening in other groups, none received as much attention as this one today.

Chinese fans foamed at the mouth and fainted. How could he block their path like this before they even fought?

They were so backed into a corner that there were more fans begging Tae-hyun than cursing him. Ultimately, despite everything, Tae-hyun had a massive fanbase in China as well. His ill-fated relationship with them aside, his skill and reputation were simply too overwhelming. He was too brilliant of a player to hate! On top of that, the circumstances were dire. Of all things, the final match that would decide whether the Chinese national team would survive the group stage was against Tae-hyun. Even a draw would let them advance. But if they lost... if they lost... they didn't even want to imagine it!

"!"

"What's this?"

The players inside the Ancient Empire University, who had been happily hunting for quests, were startled by the sudden quest window. Find and eliminate the servants of the Hungry Chaos? The quest itself wasn't surprising. There were already plenty of kingdom and religious order quests that tasked players with fighting the Hungry Chaos. However, it was highly unusual for such a quest to suddenly pop up from the Ancient Empire University. Furthermore, it even threatened them with dire consequences if they failed to complete it.

"Isn't this a bit weird?"

"Well... maybe it's the price we have to pay for entering the Ancient Empire University? Honestly, getting in here was a bit too easy."

"We literally got in after being afflicted with a bizarre curse, though."

"Anyway, we just have to clear this, right?"

"I guess so?"

The players had no idea. They had no clue just how many quests the Ancient Empire University would throw at them in the future! To forge a hero, one had to be put through the wringer.

Unaware of the quests unfolding back at the Ancient Empire University, Tae-hyun flew swiftly through the sky on Yong-yong's back. Their destination was the Espa Kingdom, located southwest of the Erangs Kingdom! As they crossed the mountain range, dry, hot air welcomed the group.

"Kyaoo!"

"Oh... I wonder if his power would increase even more if I took him near some lava?"

"...Kyao?"

"Master. Even I think that is a bit much." Yong-yong, who usually picked on Bulbul-i, spoke up with a deadpan expression. No matter how much of a Red Dragon he was, taking a hatchling who hadn't even fully grown near lava was...

"I just want Bulbul-i to grow up a bit faster."

"Master. Do you not have a far more reliable dragon by your side, rather than that untrustworthy Red Dragon?" Heuk-heuk chimed in subtly. Heuk-heuk had been feeling a quiet threat to his position in the hierarchy ever since Bulbul-i arrived. Yong-yong was mocked as a scammed Gold Dragon, but he was still a direct descendant who had personally contracted with Akisus. Bulbul-i was a young hatchling, and Tae-hyun had even received a personal request from Alexeos to look after him. In contrast, Heuk-heuk was a Black Dragon contracted with Sadiq. Considering how much Tae-hyun utterly looked down on Sadiq, this wasn't exactly a stellar selling point.

"Heuk-heuk, what's gotten into you? Since when do you praise Yong-yong?"

"...I was talking about myself..."

"Ah, you? Sorry. Didn't even cross my mind."

"..."

Heuk-heuk slumped in dejection. Tae-hyun comforted him. 'Yong-yong and Heuk-heuk grow well enough on their own (while leeching my EXP), but Bulbul-i needs extra care.' Even if they leeched their master's experience, the saving grace of the two older dragons was that they fought exceptionally well on their own. If Tae-hyun had to micromanage them, it would have been infinitely more exhausting. In contrast, Bulbul-i was still a hatchling and required constant supervision. If possible, Tae-hyun wanted to raise him to at least Yong-yong or Heuk-heuk's level. 'Maybe I should try to power-level him while clearing this quest.'

"Master. I believe we have arrived at the place you mentioned." At Yong-yong's words, Tae-hyun looked down. A village nestled in the wasteland. Plain, white-painted buildings were clustered closely together.

Indeed. It was a truly tragic event. Bloody demons. At any rate, in the Espa Kingdom, one could easily find NPCs with criminal-class professions just by heading slightly into the outskirts. This village wasn't particularly special or unique.

"Bro! I'm definitely going to become the world's greatest highwayman and rob everyone who passes by!"

"That's my boy! Spoken like a true brother of mine. What a proactive and positive goal!"

"..."

Tae-hyun marvelled at the conversation of the passing players. They are textbook trash!