The Training Camp Unveiled
The guilds participating in the once-veiled training camp finally revealed their identities!
― “This is Incheon International Airport. The airport is currently packed with fans who came to see Lee Shin and Mir Guild…… huh??”
― “Lee Shin approaching with a friendly greeting? Huh?? That’s Destroyer? Isn’t that the Mets Guild??”
― “Hold on! A group in martial attire is coming out of the airport gate one after another…… Ah! It’s Namgoong Sega!! Last year’s Guild War China champion! The defending champions, Namgoong Sega, are emerging from the gate!”
The rising powerhouse of the American Eastern League, the star of ‘Mets Time’ that drives New York citizens crazy every week.
The defending champion that conquered mighty China and aimed for the top of Asia.
America and China.
The two hottest guilds from the two nations that rival the world in market size alone have set foot on Korean soil.
To participate in the training camp hosted by Lee Shin!
Naturally, the media poured out articles all at once.
The feverish media coverage that began at the airport continued all the way to Lee Do Hotel in Seoul.
No matter how much of a training camp it was, they couldn’t just start training right away. With guilds of this caliber gathered, they were walking content themselves.
In that sense, the start was obviously this.
A mukbang!
“Fuck! This is Korean BBQ! I told you the real thing is different! It melts in your mouth! Bro, pile on more meat. I’m gonna eat everything today.”
“Aaaagh――! Spicy, I’m gonna die from the spice. What the hell is this, aaaagh! My tongue feels like it’s burning up.”
“God, do that thing you did before, the dororok ttakttak!”
They invited MK, who had been looking forward to Korean BBQ, to a famous meat restaurant. There, Manager Selena tried Ido Food’s “Spicy Chicken Stir-Fried Noodles,” which were all the rage in America these days, while Destroyer Catherine and the raid team couldn’t hide their shock at the bomb shots Lee Shin mixed for them.
And the fans watching this dinner in real time?
Needless to say — total chaos.
Once their stomachs were full, it was time to move — straight into sightseeing!
After the standard course of Gyeongbokgung and Insadong, they visited E-Land, Asia’s largest theme park built by Ido Group, then boarded a luxury limousine bus and headed to Busan.
“Hanbok? Look at this outfit, I like it. I’m buying this.”
“……It’s more fun than I expected?”
“Should we ride it one more time?”
“Korea has restaurants at rest stops.”
“What is this? It’s just potatoes, but why is it so good……?”
Namgoong Sega’s martial artists fluttering in hanbok jackets while performing sword dances, stern-faced martial artists raising their hands on roller coasters, martial artists with wide eyes at sugar-coated baby potatoes.
The charm point was that they did all of this with their characteristically strict, solemn, and serious expressions.
During this process, the active participation of Mir Guild’s main roster members, who joined as hosts, couldn’t be overlooked either.
Yu Ri-ra had an in-depth discussion with Destroyer Catherine about currently trending K-pop idols, while Baek Yeon-woo, as fellow swordsmen, and Park Su-bin, due to their connection from the Asian finals, exchanged many conversations with Blue Sky Sword Emperor Namgoong Min.
By the time league fans came to their senses from the real-time V-logs and various videos……
― My Sunday……?
― Kyaaaaah lol T_T
― Following the videos deleted my weekend, damn.
― It’s the off-season though T_T Why is this so fun!
The ongoing nickname contest, the formation of the four major guilds’ super team, and now Lee Shin’s training camp on top of it all.
There was no more accurate expression for all of this than this one line.
― This off-season, there’s no time to be bored!
Meanwhile, at Mir Guild.
Just as shadows grow darker the brighter the sun shines, and just as a swan kicks its feet furiously beneath the water to maintain its elegant appearance……
Today, for everyone’s enjoyment, Mir Guild’s front office was being worked to the bone once again.
“Whoever has the schedule! Are the broadcast schedules confirmed? You think it’s not our job? Hey! If it’s not our job, is it over? Call the PR team!”
“Rare Cafe, Choi Ga Yakhoe, Yonggwang-ro, and finally the Academy — we have to go in that order. Absolutely no mix-ups.”
“Facility team, gather immediately. We need to inspect the training facilities.”
“Yes, the mayor said to change the course? Ha…… Here we go again…… That’s outside my authority. Ah, I said I don’t know.”
While everyone was frantically busy, Lee Shin entered the guild, with Chae Dong-ha at his side as always.
“The preparations for Choi Ga Yakhoe and our Yonggwang-ro are done, right?”
“Already checked.”
“Check twice. We didn’t build them just to use domestically. You know the reactions from China and America are no joke right now, don’t you? We need to use this opportunity as a stepping stone to expand into the global market immediately. The more money, the better.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Same goes for the Academy. We need to maximize exposure while filming this time — the system that allows competitive matches and how the coaching works. We have to show that.”
“I’ve already informed the broadcast team. Once this training camp ends, Representative-nim will have become the teacher of all hunters.”
“Good. That confidence. I like it.”
Now, let’s move on to the most important part.
“Dong-ha hyung, where are they about now?”
“Confirmed they arrived in Gyeongju ten minutes ago. Here’s the schedule.”
“Let’s see…… They’ll eat lunch here and arrive in the evening, then? What about lodging?”
“We’ve cleared out Lee Do Hotel. I went personally to check the room conditions and security status.”
“What about our raid team? They’re on standby, right?”
“Yes, their rest is over and they said they can join the camp starting tomorrow.”
“Good.”
Lee Shin nodded in satisfaction.
Disheveled hair, wrinkled shirts, dark circles under their eyes — anyone who saw Lee Shin or Chae Dong-ha would think they hadn’t slept in days.
Well, that was actually the case.
The two hadn’t gotten a wink of sleep since showing their faces at Incheon Airport.
But their eyes sparkled even through the fatigue.
After all, this training camp would play a major role in Mir Guild’s future moves.
“Let’s move on. How’s the viewing arrangement going? You said you were checking the system with the Bureau? Are we giving up on live viewing?”
“Yes, I inquired with the Bureau, and they said it would be impossible to watch live inside the stadium if matches are held simultaneously. Instead, they agreed to install screens that allow live viewing by dividing sections.”
“Check the sound and video, and clean up the surroundings too. Look into the nearby shops as well.”
“I’ll check right away.”
They planned to run multiple venues simultaneously, from Yongwanggung to the second stadium built at the Academy, and as expected, at least dozens of matches would be held per day.
The point Lee Shin was aiming for in this schedule was this.
“We need to let the other raid members, excluding the main roster, participate in as many competitive matches as possible. As densely as possible. I’ll handle the main roster, so you focus on this side, hyung.”
That’s right. Competitive match experience!
Coldly speaking, competitive matches were a stage allowed only to a small number of hunters.
That’s why even within the same guild, the market value of competitive match members and non-members differed drastically.
It wasn’t a bad system for guilds.
No matter how major a guild was, turning all fifteen members into ranker-level was nearly impossible.
So they concentrated their power on the five competitive match members and compromised realistically with the rest. After all, individual skill wasn’t as visible in raid matches as in competitive matches.
In reality, most Korean guilds, including Baekgeom and Royal Sword, were doing exactly that.
But.
Was this system good for raid teams or hunters? Would it be good for the league in the long run?
Lee Shin could confidently declare.
No!
“If super teams raise the league’s ceiling, raising the level of non-competitive members raises the floor. It might not seem like much right now, but these small details will ultimately determine a guild’s level.”
“There’s a difference between someone whose potential is visible and someone whose potential is blocked. The training camp Representative-nim is hosting right now is meant to confirm that potential.”
“Right! That’s it — dreams! Will! Ambition! In short……”
“Winning mentality.”
“Winning mentality.”
The two spoke at the same time and burst into laughter.
Promotion, buzz, and internationalization were important, but even more important was this winning mentality.
And looking further ahead, this was the form guilds and the league ultimately needed to develop into.
“You were worried before, hyung — that we were making things too big.”
“I definitely did.”
Taeyang Guild was contacting foreign rankers, led by Guardian, Sword Master, and Heukseong. Rumors were already circulating that contracts had been finalized.
Shinseong Guild had already completed their insane squad of Hwanhu, Cross, Fist King, and Blaster, yet they were reportedly pouring a fortune into one final spot.
On top of that, Kirin Guild had conducted a massive three-way trade, overhauling their existing rankers and was on the verge of completing an entire roster of number-one rankers.
But you know what……?
Creak.
Lee Shin opened the representative office door and sat down.
As he rested his chin on his hand and raised one corner of his mouth, Chae Dong-ha timely turned off the lights.
“Super team? We finished that a long time ago. Heh!”
A full roster of rankers? A squad filled with 200 potential?
We already completed that, didn’t we?
The path they were walking now was one Lee Shin and Mir Guild had already passed.
“Heh, you have to show hope for them to chase. No need to go too far ahead. Just one step, only one step ahead is enough.”
If they make super teams, we’ll make a dream guild. If they make a dream guild, we’ll completely devour this city.
And by the time they devour the city……
White teeth gleaming in the darkness.
“This country will be beneath my feet.”
Forever.
Eternally.
You will never escape me.
“Uwahahahahahaha――!!”
Watching Lee Shin laugh, Chae Dong-ha thought.
‘Is this right……?’
The future of this league.
Is it okay like this……?
Cough cough, bwahahahahaha!!!