The Most Exciting Thing in the World
What is the most exciting thing in the world?
Success you never expected? A surprise gift you never saw coming?
Those have their own charm, sure. But the one Lee Shin personally preferred was this.
'When you predicted success, but then it exploded into an even bigger jackpot!'
55th Round Competition Conquest Battle — 1st Place: Mir Guild!
Mir pulls ahead of 2nd place Kirin by 5 points!
Highest viewership in history. The greatest drama of all time, and the protagonist was Mir Guild.
The Conquest Battle tyrant. Undefeated in every round of the rivalry matches. Even the second team sent through rotation steadily racked up 3 points. A truly astonishing record.
From League 4 all the way to the majors, Mir Guild had never once surrendered the regular season crown.
Yet even with all that, people still doubted them?
Promotion guild.
That was what the haters repeated in perfect unison. No matter how many regular season titles, no matter the undefeated rounds — Mir was still just a promotion guild.
It wasn’t funny, but Lee Shin understood. Experience really was everything.
How many guilds had dominated the first half only to collapse in the second? How many showed invincible form in the regular season just to implode in the playoffs?
That was exactly why Lee Shin had prepared so meticulously for this match.
In a fight where anyone would have called it a one-sided gang beatdown, he had predicted they would crush the opposition — Kirin included — and stand tall in perfect first place.
And there was one more thing.
Healers suddenly in high demand? Prices skyrocketing through the roof.
A reinterpretation of the healer role. The Princess’s Knight Order shows the way.
Inside source from Guild A: “This result drives the point home. Every guild will copy-paste Mir Guild’s squad composition.”
Mir-aligned guilds suddenly smiling? “Looks like we saved some money.”
By deploying seven healers in a completely new squad concept, they had shattered existing positioning norms. At the same time, they reminded everyone of the importance of item synergy and combination play, not just hunters themselves.
How? By perfectly countering the current pinnacle, Kirin Guild, and turning them into relics of a bygone era.
The old era.
That was the important part.
From the rivalry matches to the conquest battles, the competition conquests, and even squad management — the answer was now clear.
'It’s us.'
The result was the skyrocketing market value of hunters whose profiles closely resembled the current Mir Guild squad. In a capitalist world, the market’s evaluation was the most accurate indicator.
This was exactly the ripple effect Lee Shin had been aiming for.
Whether it was promotion or experience, he wanted to silence the haters who had been grinding their teeth and badmouthing them with a single word: Shut up.
Then force the guilds to overhaul their squads and steer the upcoming league meta in the direction he desired.
If you wanted to put it more elegantly —
'Solidifying domestic dominance.'
And as you can see, it had succeeded beautifully.
The age of the dragon had arrived. They had shown the league the difference in class.
The problem was what came next.
'This was exactly what I expected… but…'
Huh?
It wasn’t stopping?
·
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(+99)
Analysts who had watched a lot of matches were all singing praises at the top of their lungs. And now foreign media was suddenly exploding?
US gambling company analysis gives Mir Guild 1st place ‘1.1’ odds — practically the favorite!
North America’s largest community, Reddit, stunned by the Princess’s performance. “That’s it! That’s what a real man’s fight looks like, hell yeah!”
EU guilds wide-eyed at the new meta: “The new world really exists! Time to set sail!”
(Exclusive) Saudi state broadcaster contacts Mir Guild. Broadcasting rights: “Give them to us.”
Mir Guild PR team: “Completely unfounded.”
MBS and NewTube TV: “Are we shaking right now?”
Lee Shin had known this side would pay attention.
The reason he had visited the Mets Guild wasn’t just for the Legendary item. He had also wanted to lay the foundation for overseas expansion.
Still, considering it was the second half of the season and the schedule, he had thought it would end as a passing mention.
But the other side was far more serious than expected.
He also received welcome news.
Mets Guild completes recruitment of six promising healers.
New Mets Guild Master: “I won’t say much. God spoke to me.”
Mets Raid Captain, Destroyer: “The wind of the league is changing. Fortunately, we’ve already caught that wind.”
He also heard interesting rumors.
G.W.J ranked 1st. Rumors they’re gathering information on Mir Guild?
Japanese Secretariat warns Ability Federation: “It is not right to give unilateral support to certain guilds for national interest.”
Chinese Murim Alliance to host ‘Kangho Summit.’ Why suddenly?
When asked if they were conscious of Mir Guild, the Murim Lord gave a firm denial: “Not at all. We are simply gathering as scheduled.”
There was no need for a long explanation why China and Japan were trembling so hard.
This one comment was enough.
80% win rate in Korea-Japan matches. Even the 20% losses happened after he turned 40, meaning he was practically undefeated in his prime.
Because the return of the Mountain King — the emperor and disaster of the Asia League — to international competition was now highly likely.
Former representative and current analyst Han Seok-ki’s comments on the matter caused a massive stir.
From that point on, Lee Shin sensed that things were getting out of hand.
They were shouting national pride on public broadcast.
'This is going to get bigger than I thought, isn’t it?'
Ironically, the place that undervalued the Mountain King the most was their own country.
In Europe and America he was the god of strategy. In China and Japan he was literally the god of disaster.
The return of such a Mountain King to international competition.
The eyes of the world focused on Mir Guild.
Especially on their most important forces.
The greatest genius monster Park Su-bin teaches a league that valued attack power and versatility the importance of defense and stability.
China’s rank 1, Heavenly Demon, officially acknowledges Baek Yeon-woo: “That guy seems to see the same things I do?”
New York Times disses their own marksman while posting Yu Ri-ra’s photo: “Stupid Americans, this is what a real marksman looks like.”
That Flower of the Battlefield is only ranked 16th? Is Korea a league of monsters?
When the evaluation finally reached Seo Ye-na, MVP of the match and the Princess…
She was no longer Mir Guild’s princess.
She had become the princess of the world.
55th Round Competition Conquest Battle MVP — Princess Seo Ye-na
Each nation’s raid teams reacting to the Princess’s last hit: “Hallelujah.”
Area healing, tanking ability, attack power, and even patience on top of that. This is a healer? A healer?
Industry experts in unison: “We don’t know about the rivalry matches, but in conquest battles the Princess is a cheat key.”
·
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·
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(+999)
That day, every league-related publication in the world ran the same photo on their front page: Seo Ye-na smashing through all of ‘Seven Lives Zalts’ last patterns and delivering the refreshing final blow.
Half a year of hard work. If Lee Shin had handled theory, training, and development, the Mountain King had provided guidance and experience. The result of those two geniuses working together — the Princess — had finally taken flight.
When he thought that far, Lee Shin’s body began to tremble.
'Haaah… it was just too perfect…'
Every time she took a step into the last pattern, the Abyss Domain, tears had streamed down her face. Goosebumps had risen all over. Sob sob.
And when she finally shattered the boss’s head, Lee Shin had shaken with overwhelming emotion and thrill.
Displayed ideal results in every area — development, support, guidance, education, training, and direction.
The character has broken through their limits.
The character has broken through their limits.
Potential Ability +2
New Trait Acquired: Executioner (SS)
Executioner (SS)
For clerics who fight darkness, executing evil beings is an excellent means of discipline. They tirelessly seek out evil entities to carry out their sacred mission. Faith and holy power rise in proportion to the blood of evil beings staining their mace.
“I can’t hold it. I, Lee Shin, cannot hold it in!”
“Suddenly? Right now?”
“Launching! Laaaaunching!”
“Wait! Wait!! The curtains! Close the curtains!!”
“Let’s dance time!!”
The curtains were hurriedly drawn. The lights went out.
And then the sparkling neon — no, fluorescent lights turned on.
Dance Master Lee Shin had arrived.
“Yeeeaaah! Yuhuuut! Eeehit!”
This was it!
Nobody could stop him now!
“Hyung, turn on the broadcast!!”
“Ha… do whatever you want…”
* * *
The Yongbungs, who had just achieved the greatest match in history and were thoroughly enjoying the sweet taste of victory.
First they endlessly replayed the match footage, second they binged NewTuber reaction videos, and third they were devouring both domestic and international articles.
Right at that moment.
Five minutes earlier.
A broadcast that had popped up out of nowhere.
But the surprise lasted only a moment. The Yongbungs soon grew excited.
They were surprised, but it also felt familiar.
Lee Shin’s fan service was famous, after all.
3
2
1
“Hi hello hello! My fans. Have you all eaten yet!!”
Lee Shin greeted them wearing comfortable training clothes. The fans typed away on their keyboards in reply.
“Ah, this? I must have shaken it too hard. My muscles got a shock. I drank a potion, so it’ll be fine soon.”
“Huh? Didn’t I show you? Oh man, you missed it? You’ve lost half your life then. Hehe, alright. I’ll show you my not-joking-at-all personal skill called the Dance of Victory…”
“Stop. Absolutely not. No way!”
Lee Shin was already rolling up his sleeves and pulling up his pants to start the routine while Chae Dong-ha dove in from off-camera to desperately stop him.
They didn’t know what it was, but it was definitely Lee Shin being Lee Shin again.
The fans simply smiled warmly like they were watching their youngest’s cute antics and replied with “hahaha.”
“Hmm, too bad. I’ll show you next time.”
“Hehe, got it. I’ll be careful. Still, the only ones who worry about me are you Yongbungs. Dong-ha hyung just calls me annoying…”
“When did I!”
“See? You heard him shout, right? Anyone watching would think he’s the representative.”
Lee Shin rested his chin on his hand and continued chatting warmly with the fans.
He sent chicken coupons to fans who superchatted that they hadn’t eaten dinner yet, saying thanks but they didn’t have to send gifts. When one person received them, he felt bad and sent out ten thousand more. When a fan asked if it wouldn’t be better to just open a chicken shop at this rate, he replied, “Oh, that’s a good idea!” and jokingly talked about starting a business.
When you thought about it, they were trivial conversations, but this was the time the Yongbungs loved most.
Any representative would like their own guild, but many saw it as pure business. They only did it to add another line to their career.
But Lee Shin was different. He genuinely loved the guild.
That was why he loved the fans who felt the same way, was always grateful, and wanted to be with them.
That sincerity showed in every single word and gesture, so how could he not look lovable?
The Yongbungs were incredibly happy that this was their representative.
After some light small talk, Lee Shin checked the time and moved on to the main topic.
“Then shall we do some Q&A? It’s time for the star of the show, right? The one and only Made-in-Lee-Shin Spin-to-Win Wheel!”
A moment later Chae Dong-ha brought out a wheel made of cardboard.
An extremely crude wheel covered with all kinds of questions.
Lee Shin grinned.
“Spin it!”
Whirrrrr.
The wheel with the question slips began to spin.