Chapter 390
Chapter 390
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 390
Chapter Title: He's the Real One
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Bay? No, that's what Kim Il-su thought for a split second. The incoming bolt of lightning was that fast and powerful.
Recalling the blade that had been about to sever Si-woo's neck in one stroke, and leaping backward as if fleeing—those were all instinctive reactions.
Chiiik-.
Kim Il-su, who had been flung backward, scraped the ground with his hand to halt his momentum. He raised his head to check the intruder who had wedged himself in midway.
Of course, the one who appeared with the lightning was Soo-hyuk.
"......You're here."
A faint murmur, barely audible.
The chaotic battlefield fell into a brief lull. The Blue Zone rankers, who had been charging to finish things off upon Soo-hyuk's arrival, hesitated.
Soo-hyuk checked Si-woo's condition.
"You okay?"
"I'm fine."
"Fine, my ass. That must hurt like hell."
Soo-hyuk smiled with his eyes, as if he knew everything. Only then did Si-woo remember that Soo-hyuk had been the first to experience this poison.
"Secondhand smoke. Not lethal."
"Rest up. Catch your breath. Moving around will just spread it more."
"It's not that bad, I said."
"Looked like you were wheezing pretty bad earlier."
"......You saw all that?"
Soo-hyuk nodded. The playful glint in his eyes faded to calm resolve.
"Been here a while. Left you guys to sort it out yourselves."
He had arrived much earlier than now.
Seeing Si-woo and Ye-ryeong about to clash, Soo-hyuk had pondered.
Should he jump in right away? He forced his feet to stay put several times before deciding.
Give the two of them the first shot.
"I've only been at this for a couple years, but you two have waited over twenty."
Soo-hyuk considered how their timelines differed from his.
Their wait must have been dozens of times harder than his. Far longer, and with unavoidable weaknesses they had to endure.
That meant it was only right to give them their moment.
Besides, this was a trial ground. No safer place to let them have the stage.
"Was that a mistake?"
"Nah. Thanks."
"Right?"
In the brief exchange, Si-woo's breathing had steadied considerably.
He had suppressed the poison with his magic power. Seemed like "fine" wasn't just empty words.
"But aren't you streaming right now?"
"Yeah."
"Gonna wrap it up?"
Soo-hyuk nodded at Si-woo's loaded question.
"Sick of the act."
This scene was broadcasting live in full. Viewers kept questioning the pair's exchange.
Expected reactions.
Soo-hyuk offered no explanations to the viewers. They couldn't understand without one.
No, even with one, it'd be hard.
Only one way.
As is.
Broadcast? He wasn't thinking about that anymore. He'd show it raw.
That was what Kim Il-su feared most.
"Heh."
Ye-ryeong let out a giggle from the side. Her laughter rang clear across the quiet battlefield.
"Il-su, you're in deep shit now?"
Kim Il-su's shoulder twitched faintly.
"Soo-hyuk's here. You know, right? You've never beaten him since way back."
Kim Il-su shot back urgently.
"That Lee Soo-hyuk and this one are different."
"Cut the act. You know they're the same."
Ye-ryeong dropped a bombshell loud enough for all to hear.
"This Soo-hyuk is the real deal."
Thud-.
Pak Soo-hyuk, watching the stream alongside them, dropped the snack in his hand.
He'd been enjoying it, then a bombshell dropped.
"Wh-what... the hell was that?"
So shocked, words barely came out. He checked Hawk's Eye and John Tail's faces just in case, but they were much the same.
Hawk's Eye pale as a ghost. John Tail frozen in shock.
Their reactions confirmed his ears weren't lying.
"Is this... for real, Team Leader?"
"I heard the same."
After repeated questions, John Tail startled and replied.
"For real? The streamer is Lee Soo-hyuk? Bro, you knew?"
"Can't you see I'm shocked too?"
"This some content ploy?"
"You nuts? Pull content like this? One slip and our rep tanks, channel shuts down."
Obvious.
From past to present, Lee Soo-hyuk's name was sacred. The current player era was his creation, no exaggeration.
He led the charge against demons, symbol of those who felled the Heavenly Demon.
Impersonate him? No matter the hype, the channel would crash instantly.
"If even you didn't know, who would?"
"How the hell would I...?"
Then, one line came to mind.
He'd dismissed it. But maybe...
Even when Unhyang's identity surfaced, he'd hoped for some twist.
But this? Unbelievable.
The Lee Soo-hyuk he'd watched was real? The dead hero returned?
"I... think it's real."
Hawk's Eye, who'd been dazed, finally spoke.
"Thought it from his first stream. Stats don't match, but how's he moving like that? Possession? Nah, doesn't add up."
Countless doubts from day one.
Ye-ryeong's words solved them all like a puzzle piece.
Hawk's Eye buzzed with excitement.
"It fits perfect if he's the real Lee Soo-hyuk."
"But who'll buy it?"
All three fell silent at Pak Soo-hyuk's question.
Obvious.
Unlike true believer Hawk's Eye, public reaction was unpredictable.
They wouldn't.
Real now? After all this?
Of course, witnesses and context abounded. Ye-ryeong, Si-woo, Hyo-min—legends.
But Kim Il-su was the issue.
"He won't admit it. Half the legend he built."
Lee Soo-hyuk made the legend; Kim Il-su solidified it alive.
Irony: Kim Il-su rode that halo to build Blue Zone castle.
Whose word would people trust?
Streamer Lee Soo-hyuk and friends? Or Kim Il-su?
"One thing's sure. If real... Kim Il-su's done."
"Vice versa."
"Yeah. All-in truth game."
John Tail snickered.
Hawk's Eye asked.
"Why laugh?"
"One thing's certain."
"What?"
"If truth game..."
Eyeing skyrocketing viewers, John Tail declared.
"Best content ever."
Shock rippled everywhere.
Even rankers from other worlds idly watching.
"This guy's Lee Soo-hyuk?"
"......Real?"
"Kim Ye-ryeong says so."
"Then Kim Il-su?"
"Dunno."
Among Lee Soo-hyuk stream viewers was Gerbion. Curious how far the guy who'd beaten him had climbed.
Then this.
"What do you think? Matches?"
His friend watching together asked.
"You fought him."
"......Yeah."
"Real?"
Gerbion pondered, then nodded.
"Feels right."
"Sure?"
"Nothing's sure. Just Ye-ryeong's claim now."
"True. Could be Blue Eyes damage control."
Blue Eyes had stirred massive controversy matching their fame.
Trashed New Lian성 and Blue House, killed Poison King and Jin Do-ha. Even guild had Heavenly Demon blood.
Huang Gyu-seong's shadow too dark.
"Blue Eyes vet used demon powers. These two no exception."
"Makes three with Lee Hyo-min."
"Anyway."
Gerbion's friend leaned back, arms crossed.
"Not buying it yet."
Ye-ryeong's words silenced the area.
Blue Zone rankers doubted their ears. They stared at Soo-hyuk's mask in shock.
Real?
No words, no moves. If real? What were they, fighting him?
Especially those who joined Blue Zone idolizing Lee Soo-hyuk—deeper chaos. Some had even heard rumors he was real.
Seconds passed like frozen time.
Then.
"Kek."
One laugh broke out.
"Kek, kuahaha!"
Kim Il-su burst into guffaws echoing through the forest.
Tears streaming, some faces eased with relief.
That reaction beat a hundred excuses.
Soo-hyuk waited silently.
Viewers knew how extreme this was.
If Soo-hyuk real, Kim Il-su was Lee Soo-hyuk's enemy. If fake, Soo-hyuk was an impersonator criminal.
After prolonged laughter, Kim Il-su wiped tears and spoke.
"Hilarious. Speechless. Kek."
"What're you laughing at?"
"Funny. Plenty saw Soo-hyuk die that day. Why'd he... die?"
As if reminiscing a dying friend, he closed eyes, head tilted.
Eyes snapped open, glaring at Ye-ryeong.
"What'd you say? Repeat."
"Sausage in your ears?"
"Still potty mouth."
"Didn't hear?"
"I did. Too absurd, doubted my ears. This Lee Soo-hyuk real? Him?"
The formerly aloof Kim Il-su finally eyed Soo-hyuk properly.
Then declared.
"No way."
How rehearsed? He acted entirely different from their private meet.
Like first encounter. Total stranger.
He tapped his half-mask coldly.
"If so, take it off. Lee Soo-hyuk."