Chapter 397
Chapter 397
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 397
Chapter Title: Forfeited Finals
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Lightning fell from the thunderclouds.
It wasn't just one bolt.
With a flash of light, the first strike swept through one area, only for another to follow immediately, raining down relentlessly.
Blinding flashes and thunder that threatened to burst eardrums.
The mages of Runeterra could not resist.
They had already expended most of their mana to unleash Solar Inferno. A few tried defensive spells, but it made no difference.
The barrage of lightning that poured like rain for several minutes finally stopped.
Rumble—.
The scorched, barren battlefield came into view.
Lee Soo-hyuk didn't cease the lightning until every mage had fallen. Steam rose from his body as he poured mana relentlessly.
He turned his head, his gaze fixing on the Heavenly Demon, who stood alone in the distant stands.
Saw that? That's the real deal.
The Heavenly Demon's lips curled up, catching the meaning in his eyes.
And with that, the semifinal of the tournament came to an end.
Viewership had surpassed 3 million.
It seemed like there was nowhere left to climb, yet the numbers kept accelerating.
Had the Players channel ever drawn this many viewers before?
It felt like the entire world was tuned in. Even those who never watched streams were gathering—perhaps it could swell even larger.
Gradually, opinions were tilting toward Lee Soo-hyuk being the real one.
His display had been that impressive.
Taking on all of Runeterra's mages single-handedly. No one thought anyone besides Cheonma or the Archmage could pull that off.
John Tail scanned the broadcast chat, grinning ear to ear.
Hawk's Eye and Pak Soo-hyuk whispered while eyeing his half-mad expression.
"He's loving this."
"Promoted after 8 years."
"Promotion? So not team lead anymore, what then?"
"...Team lead's a role, not a rank."
This was the happiest John Tail had ever been. The joys of office life—pay and promotions—hit the nail on the head.
Even better, this might not be the end of it.
Hawk's Eye glanced at the screen.
A brief intermission.
Lee Soo-hyuk sat in the lounge with eyes closed. He ignored the broadcast entirely, not uttering a word.
Nothing like a typical streamer.
But no viewer complained or nitpicked.
'That's what makes it feel like the real Lee Soo-hyuk. No... because he is the real one.'
Lee Soo-hyuk was sharpening his focus. No distractions, preparing perfectly.
Because his next opponent was the Heavenly Demon.
The moment everyone had awaited. Or rather, the moment they thought they'd never see again.
Lee Soo-hyuk versus the Heavenly Demon once more.
Anticipation peaked.
'No joke.'
Hawk's Eye's chest burned watching the rising viewers and reactions.
To witness a stream like this in his lifetime.
Players channel viewership was capped, after all.
Not everyone watched live. Most preferred edits, and non-viewers outnumbered them.
Yet this many had flocked—meaning even casuals came for Lee Soo-hyuk.
Thus, thirty minutes passed.
The intermission before the final match nearly over.
Swoosh—.
Lee Soo-hyuk rose from his seat.
One minute left.
Kim Si-woo, focusing nearby with eyes closed, asked.
"Confident?"
"Always have been."
Feeling time slip by, Lee Soo-hyuk replied calmly.
"Trying to be humble now, though."
"Why the sudden change?"
"That confidence wrecked everything. Failed once—gotta learn from it."
On the opposite side, the Heavenly Demon opened his eyes. As if watching through closed lids, their gazes met instantly.
Lee Soo-hyuk strode forward. Then, Si-woo's voice halted him.
"Don't do anything out of character."
Lee Soo-hyuk turned back to him.
"Be yourself. Cocky, annoying, full of confidence."
Cold words, but Si-woo's way of cheering.
Act normal. Results will follow.
Many retorts surfaced, but he replied as always.
"Got it."
He nodded, glancing at the others.
All prepared.
And right then.
The barrier enveloping the group vanished with the message.
"Let's go."
Thud—.
Lee Soo-hyuk led the way.
The Heavenly Demon approached from afar. The eyes of Lee Soo-hyuk and his comrades differed as they watched him.
Unhyang steeling herself with fear and resolve. Jin-un brimming with enmity and rage. Ye-ryeong and Hyeo-min seeming blank. Si-woo itching for a fight. Hailez smiling enigmatically.
But ignoring them all, the Heavenly Demon cared only for Lee Soo-hyuk.
The followers halted.
Lee Soo-hyuk and the Heavenly Demon did not. Distance closed.
They stopped close enough for a sword swing to connect.
Lee Soo-hyuk spoke.
"This place is lacking, huh?"
The Heavenly Demon, knowing what was coming, smirked.
"Lacking."
"Knew it. This tournament's nothing. Right?"
"Agreed."
Viewers were baffled by the exchange.
From the tournament's start, longtime viewers remembered.
Why he'd entered solo.
"What's fun about a tournament where people die?"
The players' festival.
The tournament was a coin with black and white sides. Flip it, and worlds' fates were sealed by the color.
A life-or-death festival?
No such thing existed. It was a game for the safe ones. A catastrophe for low-rank worlds gambling lives.
That wasn't called a festival.
Lee Soo-hyuk muttered for all to hear.
"What's the point... of this damn tournament."
His eyes asked the nearby Heavenly Demon.
You too, right? That's why you skipped while I was gone.
Utter evil, yet they saw each other as closest kin. Extremes might connect.
And today.
Lee Soo-hyuk resolved to end it.
"Not here. Outside. That's what you really want, yeah?"
Kihihii—.
Ghostly wails laughed for the Heavenly Demon.
He was genuinely thrilled.
Two clashing joys in the cries.
Joy of possible death.
Joy of possible kill.
The Heavenly Demon rejoiced at mortality; his demon soul at killing Lee Soo-hyuk.
Lee Soo-hyuk had to slay the demon soul. Impossible here.
Crackle—.
Roaming ghosts burned in golden currents.
Scorching competitively, he declared.
"As promised, today I'll kill you."
"Music to my ears."
The moment both sides chose to forfeit.
The awaited tournament result appeared.
Lee Soo-hyuk was stunned by the outcome.
Suspended.
Meaning, all entrants got nothing despite participating.
But simultaneously.
Post-tournament, entrants could've earned massive points by rank—tens of millions for first, millions for others.
All voided by suspension.
But lives saved mattered more.
Plus.
Millions watched this loss.
After years of streaming, confidence surged.
This loss was temporary. This choice would yield greater rewards—in points, honor, or both.
Whoosh—.
Thus, the tournament ended.
Or so it seemed.
Broadcast channels shut down. Officially over.
But everyone knew: it wasn't finished.
Ended, yet not.
"What... the hell just happened?"
Entrants gaped at the unfolding events.
"Suspended?!"
They'd awaited Cheonma versus Lee Soo-hyuk.
Stayed in the arena, watching on big screens. Terrified by Cheonma, electrified by Lee Soo-hyuk.
Yet this result.
Low-rank worlds rejoiced wildly.
"We're saved! Our home's safe!"
RANKERS from doomed worlds. Those with families to protect.
Cheers and tears filled the arena. Worth more than any fight.
Not all celebrated blindly.
"Just a delay."
"Next time, or the one after. It'll all crash down together eventually."
The pessimists.
Feared the judge's multiplied return.
"Unless we keep suspending forever."
Magnus nodded at Axion's words, smiling faintly.
"We dodged it for now, right?"
"Never backed up homework since forever."
"Solve the problem?"
"The tournament?"
Unthinkable before.
To them, it was an inevitable disaster.
But now, someone sought to surpass it.
"Indeed..."
Axion's gaze turned to the unresolved tournament screen.
"...we must overcome this somehow."
Before the suspended calamity grew and struck.
No immediate plan. But as always, solutions converged at one end.
Climbing the tower.
Axion eyed Lee Soo-hyuk on Kit's screen.
"This guy's leading our salvation too."
"Still denying?"
All entrants pulled out Kits.
Staring at one man.
Stubborn Axion's eyes twitched.
He had to concede.
"Fine. Take it back."
Pondering rephrase, he gazed at Kit's Lee Soo-hyuk with respect.
"This man... leads us once more."