The Ultimate Winner

"What happened?"

A few people who couldn't grasp the situation muttered in confusion, but anyone with even half a brain had already figured out exactly what had transpired.

Tae-hyun had smacked every single ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠guild right in the back of the head and emerged as the ultimate winner! Of course, even when the fighting first broke out inside, the spectators had given Tae-hyun a decent chance of winning.

"Still, it's Kim Tae-hyun. He'll probably hold out for a pretty long time."

"Hey, if it's Kim Tae-hyun, he might survive until the very end. Didn't he win the arena too?"

"Is the arena the same as this? All the guild members are swarming in there to fight right now."

"But it looks like Kim Tae-hyun teamed up with the other guilds?"

"Then the Suning Guild is at a disadvantage. Kim Tae-hyun and the guild alliance will win."

Even then, people couldn't have imagined that Tae-hyun would backstab everyone and stand alone as the sole victor. However, as time passed, the situation began to shift.

"...Are all the other guilds dead?"

"I think they're all dead. The survivors are coming out of the city gates right now..."

"I heard the guild master of Crying Hammer logged out?"

While the players spectating around the city were noisy, the reactions of the players watching the live broadcast were even more explosive.

The person who had tried to paint Tae-hyun as a "devious bastard who betrays people as easily as breathing" was quickly obliterated by the barrage of counterattacks from other users and vanished.

Tae-hyun was probably the only player who could completely demolish several guilds along with an entire city and still receive such a positive reaction.

What kind of bullshit is this?!

Cain, who had been fighting hard in the city, suddenly remembered to check the broadcast. Back when he was the leader of the Red Zone guild, Cain had streamed quite actively. Of course, now that he was completely ruined, he was too embarrassed to stream... Still, he ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠couldn't help but feel a little pleased that he was appearing briefly on Tae-hyun's broadcast.

He had only intended to check if Abalab City was being shown on stream... But why on earth were these viewers simping so hard for Tae-hyun!

No, seriously, why do they like a guy who literally backstabs everyone and betrays them left and right?!

To the general public, the large guilds wreaking havoc in Abalab City had a villainous image. Tae-hyun, who was wreaking even worse havoc against those very guilds, naturally became a hero fighting against ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠villains! On top of that, his original public image was incredibly clean.

Cain, who still held a grudge over the bomb armor incident, quickly typed out a comment mid-fight.

When did I ever say that, you bastards?!

Now, rumors were circulating about things he had never even said! Cain felt like he was going to lose his mind.

"Hey! What are you doing? A paladin ran off into that alleyway, go catch him!"

"A-alright, I got it."

At Tae-hyun's call, Cain shut down the broadcast with a bitter heart and moved out.

And now.

Unaware of the chaos unfolding on his broadcast, Tae-hyun stood face-to-face with Roy.

"So your guild's name is Team Rocket?"

"I told you it's not!"

Roy flared up once again. Before coming here, he had resolved to himself countless times.

I must never let Kim Tae-hyun find out who I really am.

No player looked down on Tae-hyun anymore. Most players assumed he was a high-level ranker. Though, of course, his actual level didn't match that assumption.

I can't fight him right now!

Battles between rankers rarely happened unless absolutely necessary. They both had too much to lose. Moreover, even at full strength, Tae-hyun was an uncomfortable opponent to face. Right now, Roy had lost a lot of his gear and experience due to being killed by Kim Tae-san. If his identity was exposed and they clashed, it would be extremely dangerous.

With Kim Tae-hyun's personality, if he finds out what I do, it'll be dangerous. He'll definitely attack me.

Roy was completely misunderstanding Tae-hyun based solely on his past broadcasts. He thought Tae-hyun was a righteous, kind, and fair player! Otherwise, there was no reason for him to ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠reform someone like Cain and keep him around.

If Roy had at least watched what happened in Abalab City properly, his thoughts might have been a bit different. However, he had rushed over immediately upon hearing that Tae-hyun was at the Abalab Arena, so he had only heard a brief summary of the events.

- What? Why is Abalab City in this state?

- A demon appeared at the arena. Didn't you see?

- What? A demon? Then what about Kim Tae-hyun? He didn't die, did he?

- Kim Tae-hyun is probably inside the city. It looks like he's clearing a demon-related quest right now. All the other guilds got wiped out.

- Really? That's great.

Roy had entered Abalab City in high spirits and ended up meeting Tae-hyun like this. Roy did his best to put on a virtuous expression. Tae-hyun's teasing grated on his nerves, but he could endure it. However, his fingertips were trembling! Shiver, shiver!

Seeing Roy's expression, Tae-hyun thought to himself:

How much of a temper does this guy usually throw for it to be this obvious?

He was trying so hard to act like a good guy, but the anger boiling inside him was painfully obvious. Tae-hyun knew this type of person all too well. They had been his prey from Fantasy Online 1 all the way to 2. Underhanded, scheming bastards who loved PK!

His expression is one thing, but looking at his gear... that's PK-exclusive gear. Look at all those PK gems dangling from his hilt. He's practically advertising it. If you're going to act, at least make it convincing...

Tae-hyun clicked his tongue inwardly. From Tae-hyun's perspective, someone like Roy, who put so little effort into his acting, was simply painful to watch. If you're going to act, you should at least give it your all!

"So, what brings you here?"

"I've been keeping up with your broadcasts! I'm a huge fan!"

Roy said things he didn't mean in an attempt to lower Tae-hyun's guard. Watching this, Cain turned his head and gagged.

What's up with that guy? Why is he acting like that?

Roy tilted his head inwardly as he looked at Cain. He had definitely heard that Cain possessed absolute loyalty toward Tae-hyun...

"Right. I get that you're my fan. But why are you here?"

"Uh... ahem. Well, you see..."

Roy cleared his throat slightly and prepared to act. Watching him try to squeeze out tears by irritating his eyes, Tae-hyun shook his head.

"Cain, look at that."

"What?"

"That's how pathetic it looks when you're bad at acting. Remember this the next time you try to act in front of someone."

"...I'm not that bad."

"That's exactly how you looked when you were acting back in the mountains, you punk. Don't pretend otherwise..."

"When did I ever!"

"Cough, cough!"

As the two whispered and bickered, Roy coughed again to draw their attention.

"Right, what were you saying?"

"Yes. The reason I came here is..."

Roy spun a long, tragic tale. He claimed to be an innocent player who had been peacefully clearing quests around Bardo City, until one day, a vicious guild called the Ultimate Matchless Guild and its leader, Kim Tae-san, ambushed him and his friends, PK'ing them ruthlessly.

"Oh dear... how could they do such a thing! To kill another person in this peaceful Fantasy Online!"

"...?"

Cain stared at Tae-hyun as if he were looking at a madman.

You literally just wiped out three entire guilds, you bastard!

Even if Tae-hyun had a face made of adamantium, he shouldn't be able to be this shameless.

"We need to hunt down those bastards and bury them all. Don't you agree?"

"You are absolutely right!"

"But what does your misfortune with that guild have to do with me? Did you come here expecting me to help you?"

Tae-hyun hadn't expected to hear his father's name, Kim Tae-san, here, but he didn't miss the opportunity. His intuition was screaming at him. This was a golden opportunity!

"W-well, I did hope for that a little..."

You hoped for it a lot.

Tae-hyun thought dryly. Unaware that he had already been completely read, Roy spoke in a pitiful voice.

"The guild master there, that Kim Tae-san guy, kept saying he had to catch Kim Tae-hyun and was hurling all sorts of insults at you. Since I'm your fan, I felt like I had to let you know..."

"My... your warm consideration brings tears to my eyes."

The acting battle was heating up!

"Those guys are no joke, so if they catch you off guard, it could be dangerous."

"Indeed."

"If you don't mind, I would like to help you fight them. Do you happen to know them?"

"I do. We have a bad history. I have some debts to pay back."

Yes! I knew it!

Roy cheered inwardly. The middle-aged man Tae-hyun had mentioned on his broadcast was indeed that old man! With this, he could pit Tae-hyun and Kim Tae-san against each other.

Just you wait, you old geezers!

"Right. You want to help me fight?"

"Yes!"

"Perfect. Follow me."

"...?"

Roy raised his head. Come to think of it, there was a horde of demons gathered around Tae-hyun.

I heard demons appeared around the arena, but did he not defeat them?

Roy had assumed that the demon-related quest was a demon subjugation quest. Normally, that would be the case. However, when they arrived at the arena building shortly after, Roy's expression twisted in horror. There stood the very much alive demons and their leader, Edaor!

Weren't the demons supposed to be subjugated?!

"Lord Edaor, I offer you my absolute loyalty!"

"Bwahaha! You've returned, Count Kim Tae-hyun! These insects here arrived first and were just reporting to me."

Edaor spoke jovially from his seat. It appeared that Yang Sung-gyu and Lee Da-bi had already received their rewards for this battle. There were demons standing behind them who looked like their subordinates.

"To drive out all the adventurers in Abalab City and conquer the city... your contribution is worthy of praise. Is there anything you desire?"

"I have only loyally carried out your orders, Lord Edaor. How could I dare ask for anything more!"

"Bwahaha! You truly are a human worthy of being my left hand! You are more demonic than the demons themselves!"

A rather questionable compliment! Tae-hyun had no intention of spending his contribution points right now. It seemed Lee Da-bi and Yang Sung-gyu had spent theirs to obtain demon subordinates, but Tae-hyun already commanded quite a few. With the limits of his Tactics skill, there was no need to increase his numbers further.

There will definitely be a chance to use them later.

And after meeting Roy, Tae-hyun had changed his plans. There was no need to run away and leave Edaor behind. If he could control a walking storm, why would he ever give that up? He just had to direct it toward his enemies!

"Lord Edaor. Abalab City now lies completely beneath your feet. May I suggest the next city we should march upon?"