Finals Begin
Tick-tock. Tick-tock. Tick-tock. Beep—
With the chime signaling 8 PM golden time, the broadcast kicked off. It was the live stream of Hunters Next Generation, just like last time. In the meantime, the comment section exploded with a flood of reactions.
Most reactions centered on anticipation for President Lee Geun-taek's moves. Since he was joining as the neutral monster faction, the clashes between participants and the president were clearly the biggest draw for viewers.
Amid the buzz, preparations for the match were underway. A massive virtual miniature of the Gods' Battlefield map rose from the center. Behind it, holograms of the three judges appeared. The grandeur drew gasps and murmurs from the comments and audience seats alike.
Meanwhile, one person stared intently at the virtual miniature of the Gods' Battlefield map, as if studying it closely.
‘Fortunately, the map's the same as before regression…… In that case……’
For Lee Chang-hyun, this was a green light for his pre-planned strategy. It relied heavily on the map's variables, making this crucial intel.
Of course, not everyone fixated on the map like Lee Chang-hyun. Some applicants clenched their fists in tension. Others yawned widely, clearly short on sleep from the night before. They stood on the podium in various states.
Amid the applicants, Lee Min-seok's voice rang out softly.
“Hunters League. We now commence the finals. The map is ‘Gods' Battlefield’. Rules are identical to standard 7v7 Hunters League format. Until one team is fully eliminated. Begin!”
Hunters League. It was a game modeled after the 'little wars' between nations' hunters during the sudden emergence of dungeons called the 'Tower.'
The newly appeared Towers were dangerous zones teeming with monsters, yet treasure troves of relics brimming with infinite potential. Endless conflicts were inevitable. With an unspoken rule that the first to claim a Tower's relics owned them, disputes escalated into full-blown grabs.
A battlefield crawling with monsters. Defeat foes, seize spoils. That was the primal origin of Hunters League.
‘That's why most Hunters League maps are directly modeled after real Tower dungeons……’
First-gen hunters like Lee Geun-taek knew the battlefields far better than rookies. That was what Lee Chang-hyun was wary of.
Lee Geun-taek, who already knew the Gods' Battlefield inside out—pinning down his actions made tactics tough. That uncertainty was the fight's biggest hurdle.
“You sure about that strategy?”
“Yeah.”
Thus, Lee Chang-hyun opted for a scatter strategy despite the scant seven members.
“Let's go, Yoon Han-gyeol. Kim Do-jun.”
He plunged into the unpredictable battlefield.
‘The dice have already been cast.’
“Yes. Now, let's show the match feed.”
Outside the arena, commentary was in full swing. The massive hologram simulation displayed the battlefield. On one side, seven players raided monsters diligently.
“Team B, led by Yoo Hye-ju, is steadily raiding monsters. Looks like they're planning to grow strong via clears, then boss-rush President Lee Geun-taek like a raid finale?”
“Yes. That's the most rational, textbook approach. Even with penalties dropping his stats near 2, the gap with participants is still huge.”
Mid-commentary, the opposite screen lit up—Team A, Lee Chang-hyun's squad.
“Uh…… But Team A's different? Why only four raiding monsters?”
“Ah……! The other three—applicants Lee Chang-hyun, Yoon Han-gyeol, and Kim Do-jun—have ditched the main route entirely.”
Lee Min-seok tempered his words for the public broadcast, doubting his eyes. Facing a far superior foe—who knew the map best in the world—yet veering off-meta?
‘No clue how this plays out……’
Off-meta routes dodged monsters for speed—side paths strong on mobility, weak on growth.
‘And that direction…… straight to President Lee Geun-taek.’
Unfathomable. Charging the unbeatable president without growth or kills.
But he couldn't stay silent—public commentary demanded explanation.
“Ditching main route, what’s applicant Lee Chang-hyun aiming for?”
Jo Ah-ra prompted, noting the empty commentary slot.
‘Damn……’
Tough to read, but goals were enemy wipeout or downing neutral Lee Geun-taek.
“Heading off-meta toward him…… probably targeting President Lee Geun-taek.”
“But with their growth—no, three vs. him? Odds near zero, right?”
“Yes…… spot on. We'll see what he's thinking after watching more.”
Lee Min-seok could only stare.
‘What's your play, Lee Chang-hyun……’
The Gods' Battlefield was one of Hunters League's most unique maps. Its quirk? Massive statues mimicking warring gods strewn across the field.
Solve hidden puzzles on them, and you could awaken them as independent monsters—a gimmick.
‘No one's found it in League history, though……’
For Lee Geun-taek, just a variable to eliminate. Only first-gen vets like him, who'd raided real Towers, knew.
Then, unexpected intel hit his ears.
‘……?’
In the neutral monster zone—map center—footsteps approached far too soon.
‘What the……’
Standard play built EXP slowly to challenge him. This timing screamed otherwise.
Early game wasn't impossible—hunters weak, neutrals handicapped accordingly. But three vs. him? Near impossible.
‘Ho……’
The intruder: Lee Chang-hyun.
Unexpected. Lee Geun-taek's interest piqued.
‘What's your angle……’
Incomprehensible, intriguing yet worrying. Maybe hubris from last game's exploits.
And indeed? Lee Chang-hyun boldly closed in with teammates.
‘Or thinks I won't notice the approach?’
Plausible—last game, he'd sniped effectively.
Sure enough.
Bang!
The presence vanished; gunfire cracked the field.
But Lee Geun-taek wasn't easy prey. His round iron shield easily blocked.
Top-tier hunter's superhuman vision and reflexes made it trivial.
Yet if that was it, no need for this bold opener.
Bang-bang! Bang!
Relentless barrage, as if overwhelming with sheer firepower regardless.
‘No chance.’
Lee Geun-taek tsked at the simplistic ploy. After all that tactical flair en route to finals?
He dodged and blocked flawlessly, with margin to spare—holding back to gauge.
“Lee Chang-hyun. Is this all you've prepared?”
No reply. Just faster bursts, mirroring impatience.
Guns were potent for hunters who could wield them.
‘But…… not that potent without strategy.’
Lee Geun-taek was no rookie. Dodges and blocks aplenty.
Firing held zero threat. Plus, melee DPS-tank hybrid, defense his forte.
Not solo, though. Kim Do-jun and Yoon Han-gyeol followed.
Shield busy with gunfire, Kim flanked; Yoon's Seven Flying Swords hit blind spots.
But……
“Too slow……!”
Shield hand's opposite—spear—swatted them effortlessly.
Kim's rapid slashes pressured, but Lee Geun-taek's spearmanship gave no openings, dominating.
“I had high hopes for you personally, Lee Chang-hyun…… If this is it, I'm truly disappointed. Thought you'd show something fresh beyond recklessness……”
Finishing with a downward strike on Kim—but Kim, Yoon, Lee Chang-hyun? Gone.
‘……?’
Then, behind—a massive statue stirred.
Rumble…… rumble…… rumble……!