A Commentator's Eye for Talent
Thomas Miller was a player analyst with a formidable reputation in the United States.
His unique ability was Analysis.
It allowed him to instantly grasp an opponent’s capabilities the moment they entered his field of vision.
Working as a freelancer, he analyzed promising talents from various guilds and designed training curriculums tailored to them.
Training that matched each player’s unique abilities, stats, and personality.
He found deeper satisfaction in discovering and nurturing exceptional talent than in climbing the Tower of Babel himself.
Among freelance analysts, Thomas was the most famous.
Recently his name had become known not only to player industry insiders but to the general public as well.
Promotion match commentator.
It was a new profession born after the first Great Erosion, when real-time broadcasting of tower missions became possible.
“This broadcast is coming to you from Korea, just like last month.”
“Why Korea, Analyst Thomas?”
“Because I wanted it to be?”
“Hehe, isn’t that rather biased?”
The co-commentator traded lines smoothly, keeping the rhythm alive.
After a brief silence, Thomas deliberately let the moment stretch before speaking again.
“The truth is, I received an offer from Gold Moon. They asked me to commentate on the Yeokcheon Guild’s promotion match.”
“Where is Yeokcheon?”
“Oh, you remember the hero of the Spice Islands, don’t you?”
“Of course I do. We commentated on his previous promotion match as well. It was quite the spectacle.”
On the screen above the two commentators, edited footage played of Jinho destroying a war golem.
“Impressive no matter how many times I see it. But what does that have to do with commentating on a guild promotion match?”
“Ah, apparently that is Mr. Yu’s guild.”
“Oh my god.”
The commentator let out an astonished breath.
Thomas smiled faintly and continued.
“And the promotion match has just begun.”
“The opponent is France. Both nations are player powerhouses, aren’t they?”
“Yes. It is Rene Davis’s country. He stands shoulder to shoulder with our own top ranker, Ellen Taylor.”
A showdown between Korea and France.
As he watched the promotion match, the corners of Thomas’s eyes twitched.
“This is…”
“Ah, what’s happening! The Korean team isn’t moving at all!”
His fellow commentator cried out, voice laced with dismay.
The French team swiftly seized the forward bases.
In contrast, the Korean team only claimed the bases around their main camp and refused to push aggressively.
“Analyst Thomas, how do you read this situation?”
“The Korean team appears confident in their strength.”
“Confident?”
“They’re aiming for the war golem. The moment the point tally ends, they’ll move.”
One hour later.
The instant occupation points began to rise, the Korean team sprang into action.
The Yeokcheon Guild members charged forward.
Led by Ping Lei, five of them maintained perfect speed and raced straight for the factory zone.
“Exactly as Analyst Thomas predicted!”
“It was a fairly common strategy in the early stages of base occupation battles.”
“Intentionally conceding a double score to target the factory zone seems like a solid plan.”
“No. That strategy’s weakness is that it cannot win against comparable forces.”
Thomas shook his head and spoke with conviction.
The factory zone favored the defenders.
The French players had already occupied it and were fully committed to defense.
Even if they could not produce war golems, they would still accumulate occupation points.
Its central location also allowed them to respond flexibly to attacks from any direction.
“Then the French side holds the advantage.”
“We’ll have to watch and find out.”
The straight-charging Yeokcheon members collided with a French player group.
At that moment, Ping Lei slammed his staff into the ground.
A massive wave erupted from the bare earth.
The French players tried to block it with defensive magic, but part of their formation still collapsed.
Carla seized the tiny opening and plunged inside.
Space Manipulation
Grim Reaper's Dance
The scythe in her hands danced through the air.
Blood droplets trailed its every arc.
By nullifying portions of their defense with Space Manipulation, she dropped even the tanks in a single strike.
“Don’t panic! Counterattack!”
The French players were stunned for only a moment by Ping Lei and Carla’s intrusion before launching their counteroffensive.
Having read the Korean team’s intentions, they had stationed more than half their forces in the factory zone.
A group of sixty players unleashed their attack skills at once.
“That looks far too reckless!”
“On the contrary.”
Thomas covered his mouth with his right hand, staring intently at the broadcast screen.
He had completely forgotten his earlier tongue-clicking at the Yeokcheon Guild’s strategy.
Analysis.
His unique ability began dissecting the Yeokcheon team’s capabilities.
‘Stats like that at Bronze rank? Is that even possible?’
Their skills were excellent. Their equipment was excellent. Their raw stats were outstanding.
These specs were impossible without consuming numerous elixirs, and not merely consuming them but perfectly absorbing their energy.
Enrique soared freely through the air, pouring out firepower with Mechanic Control and Mana Discharge.
“You’re not going anywhere.”
Jiyoung deployed multiple layered barriers, disrupting the French players’ movements.
The one whose presence was least obvious during the fight was Kim Youngsoo’s puppet soldiers.
“All troops, advance in assault formation.”
All unit members' skill coefficients increased by 20%.
He was not idle either.
Reading the flow of battle, he switched formation buffs constantly, controlling the rhythm of offense and defense.
“Unbelievable.”
Thomas let out a gasp of pure astonishment.
“The Yeokcheon Guild is truly incredible.”
“Incredible doesn’t even begin to describe it. This is perfect teamwork!”
“Is it enough to surprise even you, Analyst Thomas?”
“Coordination this flawless is something only teams led by super-first-rate players like Ellen Taylor could achieve.”
“Are you saying these players are comparable to Ellen Taylor?”
“Exactly. I guarantee these players will become famous in the very near future.”
Thomas spared no praise.
The French side had suffered devastating damage from just five enemies.
Of the sixty guarding the factory, only five had been forced to withdraw.
“It looks like the Korean team is going to activate the factory, doesn’t it?”
“They will. The gap in skill is truly overwhelming. I almost feel sorry for the French.”
“They’ve just invested CP. The factory lights are coming on!”
With such an overwhelming difference in ability, the Korean team produced their war golem with almost no interference.
“Ah, the match has completely tilted.”
“Still, it’s strange. With this large a gap, why spend CP to build a war golem?”
“A fair point. Do you have any guesses?”
“If I did, I would have said so already.”
Thomas gave a hearty laugh.
“Ah, a young man has boarded the war golem!”
Mechanic Control
Synchronization
A blue line spread across the war golem’s entire body.
The instant the mechanic user took control, the mana circuits improved and the golem’s performance skyrocketed.
“Whoa, riding this thing is giving me all sorts of new ideas.”
Clank. Clank.
Metallic sounds echoed from inside the war golem.
The weapon was being reassembled.
Enrique unconsciously modified the mana circuits and altered several structural elements.
A booster formed on its back like additional armor.
The mana core’s output rose by fifty percent.
With a deep roar, blue mana erupted from behind the golem and lifted it from the ground.
“W-what is this? Analyst Thomas!”
“I don’t know either, but it’s incredible!”
Thomas grew more excited the more he watched the Yeokcheon Guild.
Not only did they wield Seon Magic that no one else had mastered, but a player who could overhaul a war golem had appeared as well.
‘A guild full of players like this!’
A man who took player development seriously.
A new goal had taken root in Thomas Miller’s heart.
Having achieved a flawless victory, the Korean formation returned to reality with flushed faces.
“Everyone worked hard.”
“Master, is that all you have to say?”
“You’re not seriously suggesting we throw a celebration party, are you?”
“If you were going to throw a party, you should have prepared in advance!”
Jiyoung clicked her tongue.
Being called out on his lack of sense by her of all people somehow irritated him.
“We don’t actually need a party, right?”
“Wow, even after I said all that, you’re still trying to dodge. That’s cold.”
“…Fine. We’ll have a party tomorrow.”
“Yahoo!”
Jiyoung cheered.
I have no idea who this party is actually for.
“Oh, right. Enrique, the war golem’s structure changed. How did you manage that?”
I asked as if I didn’t already know.
Before the regression, he had been the one remotely controlling multiple Titans, the evolved version of the war golem.
I had expected something to happen once he piloted one.
“Guild Master! It was absolutely amazing!”
“What was?”
“The golem’s circuits suddenly became crystal clear, and all the unnecessary parts just stood out, you know?”
Enrique spoke with visible excitement.
He went on about mana circuits this and mana core energy management that, and how to use Mechanic abilities even more efficiently.
At first I could follow along, but the longer he talked, the deeper he dove into specialized territory.
“You look tired. Shall we continue this later?”
“No, it’s fine! Oh, I need to go organize the inspiration that just hit me!”
Enrique left his seat in a hurry.
It was a relief to see all that overflowing motivation directed somewhere productive.
“Even you have moments like this, my partner.”
“Was it that obvious?”
“Hehe, this monarch knows everything just from the sound of your voice alone.”
A refreshing smile curved Nyx’s lips.
“Guild Master.”
A voice stripped of all emotion.
Carla approached.
“You worked hard too.”
“There is one thing I must ask of you.”
“It’s not about the party, is it?”
“This may be rude, but please spar with me seriously.”
Hm?
For a second I doubted my ears.
Jiyoung, who had overheard, immediately wedged herself between us.
“Carla, you should rest today.”
“This is more important.”
“Even so…”
When Jiyoung tried to say more, I waved her off.
“Master?”
“She says she has her reasons. Leave her be.”
A sudden request for a spar.
We had traded fists many times before, but the atmosphere this time was completely different.
“Did you feel something during the promotion match?”
Instead of answering, Carla looked straight at me.
Emotions flickered in her eyes.
Intense fighting spirit and restless impatience.
Nyx’s voice rang directly inside my head.
I pretended to think while listening to her.
I glanced at Nyx.
I didn’t know what kind of circumstances Carla had, but I couldn’t solve them for her.
Sigh. This has become a nuisance.
If I hadn’t seen Ellen lamenting over her, I might have ignored it, but since I owed that woman a debt, I might as well follow the goddess’s advice this once.
“All right. I’ll take you on.”
“Thank you.”
“This time the spar will be a little different.”
“Pardon?”
“Inside a gate. With our lives on the line.”
Whether she would become new flesh or infected pus that needed to be cut away.
This was the perfect chance to find out.