Chapter 129
Chapter 129
Chapter 129: Option Addition Ticket (2)
Translation: godtl
The National Arena Program, Korea's premier Arena broadcast channel.
The atmosphere in the studio covering the National Tournament's Special Match was unusually tense.
And for good reason.
[Ah! Palestine has activated their Option Addition Ticket!]
[Activity Range Restriction! And of all things, the objective is territory control... Palestine came thoroughly prepared.]
With the title of "Nation Guaranteed a Main Tournament Spot" now lost,
the people's last hope rested solely on securing Seed Rights through this Special Match.
Yet what unfolded on screen was the exact opposite of their wishes.
[Ah... Commentator Song, isn't this too devastating?]
"Devastating is an understatement—they've driven in the first nail from the very start."
Song Jae-kyung responded to Choi Gang-yeop's lament with a grim expression.
[The moment the map and objective were decided, they used Activity Range Restriction. It seems they've prepared various options tailored to specific map and objective combinations.]
"Palestine's option addition was remarkably swift. Almost as if they'd been waiting for this."
"That's right. Especially since Option Addition Tickets lose effectiveness the more targets they're applied to, correct?"
"Conversely, their potency increases when applied to fewer targets."
Choi Gang-yeop quickly grasped Song Jae-kyung's implication.
["I see what you're getting at, Commentator Song. So the core of Palestine's strategy is sniping Player Kim Si-mun?"]
"Exactly. Our national team already lacks any Magic Class players, putting us at a disadvantage against Palestine's composition. And now with our numbers reduced like this..."
Song Jae-kyung's voice trailed off.
He knew exactly why their numbers had decreased,
and precisely who was responsible.
But such matters couldn't be openly discussed on air.
Noticing Song's hesitation, Choi Gang-yeop smoothly picked up the commentary.
["They've judged that blocking our sole wild card—the Magic Class player Kim Si-mun—would guarantee them an easy victory."]
"Correct."
["Frustrating for us, but understandable. Like Korea, Palestine absolutely needs these Seed Rights from the Special Match."]
Despite their professional obligation to maintain positive commentary,
both veteran commentator Song Jae-kyung and seasoned MC Choi Gang-yeop couldn't hide their gloomy expressions.
They had no choice.
To any observer, Korea's defeat seemed inevitable.
With no silver linings to highlight, even veteran broadcasters struggled to control their expressions.
However.
["Unlike Palestine's team rushing toward the control point, our representatives remain stationary at the starting area. Perhaps they're formulating some strat— Wha—?"]
Choi Gang-yeop's eyes widened mid-sentence.
The previously despondent Song Jae-kyung similarly jolted upright.
["Player Kim Si-mun is suddenly firing something into the air! Commentator Song?"]
"From the energy signature, it appears to be Demonic Energy... but to my knowledge, Player Kim Si-mun shouldn't be capable of direct Black Magic usage?"
True to his experience as a former Platinum-ranked player, Song recognized the Demonic Energy in Si-mun's attack.
Yet as revealed during his Platinum Debut Match,
without intermediary assistance like from the Demonic Race, direct Black Magic use should be impossible even for Si-mun.
["Perhaps it's a martial technique? We know Player Kim Si-mun can channel Demonic Energy into combat skills... Wait? Suddenly there's beastly howling!"]
["The Blue Sand Desert map shouldn't have monsters! Hold on—that sound is somehow familiar..."]
The eerie howls clearly didn't belong to ordinary beasts.
Yet when the strangely recognizable cries echoed, both men tilted their heads in confusion.
Then—
["Aah! Th-that's!!"]
Choi Gang-yeop and Song Jae-kyung's faces twisted in shock.
For good reason.
["A H-Hellhound?!"]
["Not just Hellhounds! From Fell Bats to Dark Grizzlies—Platinum-tier Demonic Beasts are pouring out!"]
Entities utterly incongruous with the Blue Sand Desert.
Grrrrrl.
Awooo!
Creatures that should never exist in this environment came charging across the azure dunes,
black smoke billowing from their bodies like steam locomotives.
The camera panned against the tide of monsters.
Then—
["Aah!!"]
Song Jae-kyung gasped loudly upon seeing their origin point.
["Of course! A Summoning Circle! That Demonic Energy Player Kim Si-mun fired must have been a Summoning Circle!"]
Three dark fissures rippling across the Blue Sand Desert.
From them poured forth three distinct types of Demonic Beasts.
An exquisite turban.
The jewels and intricate patterns adorning it made clear this was no ordinary headpiece.
And the owner of that turban.
"Hmm..."
A man with a beard so impeccably groomed it extended down to his jawline stroked his facial hair as he gazed upon the winter-cold desert.
"Was it truly necessary to go this far...?"
The man murmured softly.
Behind him—
"You saw it too, didn't you? Just how powerful that Kim Si-mun is as a Player."
A gentle voice reached his ears.
Turning his head—
"I've never seen Suad that shocked before."
A woman appeared, her face barely visible beneath her hijab, her entire body wrapped in a veil.
With a smile as soft as her voice, she continued:
"So I looked into him separately. Truly astonishing. Whether it's magic or equipment, his offensive power was nothing short of shocking."
At the woman's words, the turbaned man let out a hollow laugh.
"I'm surprised too, Yasmin. To hear you praise someone like that."
"My, Ban. You saw the footage too. Even I couldn't possibly block attacks like that. Healing would be out of the question, of course."
"The next Divine Maiden, making such weak talk."
"It's the truth, Ban. Didn't your brother say the same? He experienced Kim Si-mun firsthand alongside Suad."
At Yasmin's words, the turbaned man called Ban shook his head.
"I heard it from Khan too, but this isn't how I wanted to win."
"Fufu. Wounded pride, is it?"
"Wouldn't be lying if I said no."
Ban's grip tightened around the hilt of the Curved Blade at his waist.
"I saw his footage too. Kim Si-mun is undoubtedly strong. But his opponents are merely eight Players, no?"
"And yet he deliberately snipes one and only faces seven? Doesn't that unsettle you?"
"Of course it does, Yasmin. I'm a warrior. Not just me—all our brothers participating here are the same."
Ban glared at Yasmin with unmistakable displeasure in his eyes.
"I'll acknowledge his strength, but this treatment shows utter disrespect. This isn't some regular Arena match—it's a Special Match."
Faced with Ban's discontent, Yasmin silently nodded.
She couldn't claim not to understand his frustration.
"Well... I do think it was an excessive measure too. Even if the effect was minor, it would've been better to fight with a team-wide penalty against the opponents. That would've looked better too."
Even in the Platinum tier, they were selected as national representatives.
Thirty against eight already made for an unsightly picture—what would public perception be when they openly sniped the ace too?
"To think thirty of us would just stand by quietly in the capture zone like this..."
"Ban, I understand how you feel, but I still believe the coach made the right call. We're in a position where we absolutely must secure the Seed Rights."
But currently, Palestine stood on the brink of elimination from the main tournament.
This was no time to be picky about methods.
Zayed Ban knew this fact all too well.
"Tch."
With only a click of his tongue in dissatisfaction—
He spoke no further.
Then.
"Huh?"
Zayed Ban's eyes narrowed.
Perhaps sensing Yasmin's presence too.
"This is... our archer squad, isn't it? They're moving in a hurry."
His gaze shifted sideways.
There, at the edge of the high dune serving as their capture point, the archer squad was rushing toward them in panic.
"Enemy attack! Enemy attack!"
"Enemy attack?"
In a capture battle, an enemy assault shouldn't be surprising, yet—
"I don't sense anything at all?"
How could there be an enemy attack when Zayed Ban, their team's top Player, detected nothing?
Yasmin, ranked second, felt the same.
Then—
Reflexively, Ban and Yasmin's heads snapped upward.
"Fall back."
With Yasmin's warning, her white hand stretched toward the sky.
Vwoom.
A clear chime flowed from her fingertips as a white protective barrier formed, and—
Splat!
Sssss—!
Thick green liquid immediately splattered against it, bubbling violently across the white shield.
Yasmin's delicate brows furrowed at the ensuing foul stench.
Her gaze naturally turned toward the attacker, and—
"That's—!"
Her eyes widened.
"Fell Bats?"
Wreathed in toxic fumes—
Black smoke billowed from their tattered wing membranes as the bats flapped violently.
The creature, with its fiercely torn eyes, nose, and mouth dripping thick green liquid, was unmistakably the Platinum-tier demonic beast, the Fell Bat.
"Why on earth is a Fell Bat here...?"
"It's not just them!"
Yasmin, her face filled with bewilderment.
The archer under her protection urgently pointed downward.
"Demonic beasts are charging from below too! Judging by their types, they seem to be Hellhounds and Dark Grizzlies...!"
Before the archer could even finish speaking.
Tap-tak.
In an instant, Zayed Ban dashed to the edge of the sand dune.
Yet, without even a moment to assess the situation below.
Swish.
In a flash, he drew his curved blade from his waist and slashed.
Simultaneously.
Kreeeek!
A pitch-black silhouette let out a shriek as it was split in two and sent flying.
Without even glancing at the Hellhound corpse falling beside him, Ban immediately returned to the occupied base where the main force was stationed.
"Enemy attack! Everyone, form ranks!!"
Despite the abruptness of Ban's command, the players moved with flawless precision.
As expected of Platinum-rankers selected as national representatives who had undergone joint training.
"They're coming from all directions. Immediately form a circular defensive formation centered around the healers!"
The Palestinian players swiftly formed their ranks, creating a tight circle around their healers.
Proving the renown of their solid combat and support classes.
"O God. Bless us."
"May Your mercy..."
"Destroy the wicked!"
With Yasmin at its core, the Palestinian national team, now bolstered by large-scale buffs after forming their circular formation, stood like an impregnable fortress of flesh and steel.
However.
Grrrr.
Kee-haak!
The number of demonic beasts emerging one by one onto the high sand dune—their occupied territory—rendered the team's imposing presence meaningless.
"...There are so many."
Ban, standing at the forefront, muttered with a hardened expression.
His words rang true.
Woof-woof!
Kyaaaah!
Even at a glance, there were nearly a hundred demonic beasts.
Moreover—
'They're oddly forming ranks...'
With the notoriously tanky Dark Grizzlies at the front.
Hellhounds dripping flames between their ranks, and Fell Bats circling the skies, waiting for openings.
'It can't be...'
Except for the absence of healers.
The demonic beasts' composition and positioning were eerily similar to that of coordinated player formations.
And as always.
Bad premonitions never missed their mark.
Grooooooar!
With crimson eyes blazing, the Dark Grizzly let out a thunderous roar.
As if it were a signal.
Whooosh.
Dozens of Hellhounds positioned throughout the area spewed searing fireballs.
Splaaat!
The Fell Bats circling the skies simultaneously spat volleys of green acidic venom.
Excluding the Dark Grizzlies, roughly eighty beasts.
Meaning eighty projectiles came raining down upon the occupied territory in a concentrated barrage.
"Yasmin!"
Ban, his curved blade sheathed in sword energy, raised his voice.
Followed by.
"Protect us!"
As Yasmin and the support team's incantations erupted, a white hemisphere enveloped the Palestinian formation.
A massive defensive barrier covering the entire occupied territory.
And upon it.
Boom-boom-boom-boom!
Like stir-frying beans.
Red and green projectiles relentlessly pounded against the barrier.
"Ugh!"
"Lady Yasmin!"
Had it even been five seconds?
Yasmin, standing at the center of the healers with arms outstretched, staggered.
And rightfully so.
Whoooosh.
Sssssss.
Fire and acid.
Moreover, projectiles unleashed simultaneously by over eighty Platinum-tier demonic beasts.
That Yasmin, hailed as the next Divine Maiden of the Middle East, could endure this much was impressive.
Any ordinary Platinum support class would have coughed up blood and collapsed long ago.
Another five seconds passed.
"Guhk!"
"Kgh!"
This time, the healers linked around Yasmin staggered in unison.
Witnessing this, Ban clenched his teeth.
'If this continues, we're finished.'
Barrier skills, unless specifically specialized in, were notoriously costly in terms of resource expenditure.
Only the famously resilient Palestinian healers could maintain a large-scale barrier to this extent.
But even this was precarious.
'Once Yasmin and the healers exhaust their holy power, we combat classes will have to fight alone.'
No matter how renowned the Palestinian combat classes were—said to rival their healers in resilience.
Facing nearly a hundred demonic beasts without support class assistance was impossible.
Had the others reached the same conclusion?
"Ban! We can't hold out like this!"
A swordsman nearby shouted with anxious eyes.
Though he didn't voice it aloud, the same sentiment was evident among the other combat classes maintaining the formation.
"Damn it all!"
Zayed Ban spat out a short curse before stepping forward and shouting,
"Drop the shields and engage in close combat! Maintain flexible formations, and archers—focus on the Fell Bats first!"
The moment his words ended—
Whoosh.
The massive protective barrier enveloping the Palestinian team vanished.
Or rather, it shrank.
"Everyone, prioritize Dot Heals and conserve your energy as much as possible. Protect each other first—if we fall, the warriors are done for!"
Following Yasmin's command, the shield condensed around the ten healers.
Perhaps because of the regained breathing room, the healers began supporting the combatants who had plunged into melee.
"Grah!"
"Power Slash!"
Rumble—!
A hundred demonic beasts clashed against thirty humans.
Naturally, the elevated dune serving as their stronghold turned into chaos in an instant.
"Die, you bastards!"
Swoosh—
Among them, the most striking was the turbaned man, Zayed Ban.
"Sand Blades!"
Using his S-rank trait, Sand Sculpting, he conjured multiple swords and cleaved through several beasts in a single strike.
Perhaps due to the nature of his blue sand—
Shink.
Screeeech—
His frost-imbued Sand Blades proved particularly effective against the Hellhounds.
"Have the top seven warriors handle the Dark Grizzlies!"
While continuously dispatching Hellhounds and issuing orders, Ban took on three of the largest Dark Grizzlies himself.
A display of martial prowess befitting Palestine's top Platinum-rank fighter.
Yet his expression remained grim.
'These bastards... They're far too systematic for demonic beasts.'
To put it crudely, they were fucking coordinated.
Unlike the usual frenzied nature of demonic beasts, the ones before him moved with excessive precision.
'I can understand the Fell Bats, but Hellhounds focusing solely on ranged attacks? How the hell does that make sense?!'
Hellhounds—also known as Hounds of Hell—were the most aggressive among the three types of beasts present.
While they could attack from a distance, their true strength lay in their flame-dripping fangs and claws.
True to their canine nature, they typically preferred closing in to tear their prey apart.
That was common knowledge—something Ban had personally experienced in past Arenas.
Woof! Woof!
Whoosh—
Yet the Hellhounds they faced now were the complete opposite.
The reason was obvious.
'Kim Si-mun! This has to be his doing!'
Hadn't he already shocked the world during his Platinum Debut Match?
By controlling demons at will, no less.
So manipulating mere demonic beasts beneath them? Child's play.
Ban's face twisted in fury.
'Dammit! At this rate, even Yasmin's support won't be enough!'
True to his fears—
"Gaaah!"
"Yosef!"
Casualties began mounting one by one.
Though Palestine's close combat prowess was globally recognized,
the coordinated assault of Platinum-tier demonic beasts with suppressed instincts wasn't something easily withstood.
'No choice. Not everyone can make it out alive.'
Gritting his teeth, Ban's gaze flickered toward the sky.
'We just need to secure the capture points. Kim Si-mun can't come here anyway.'
Current capture progress: 68%.
Just a little more, and they could secure the remaining 32%.
But as Ban thought this—
Swoooosh—
A thick shadow loomed over his head.
He didn't even need to think.
Ban hurled himself sideways instantly.
BOOOOM—!
A heavy tremor and deafening explosion swallowed the spot he'd just occupied.
Scrambling up swiftly, Ban's body froze stiff.
Thud.
Where he had stood moments ago,
a massive pile of sand now floated midair.
Realizing it had formed into a colossal fist, Ban's lips parted slightly.
"What the hell is this...?!"
A Sand Golem.
Only its upper half had manifested, yet it already loomed with both arms raised.
And the moment Ban realized whose handiwork this was—
"This is just too much..."
A hundred demonic beasts.
And now, a golem.
All while the very techniques they'd been wary of—Kim Si-mun's Lightning Spear, Fire Sword, Black Beam—hadn't even appeared.
How had things come to this?
'The supervisor was right.'
The Palestinian supervisor who had openly targeted Kim Si-mun, dignity be damned.
Ban now understood just how right that decision had been—and how arrogantly he'd dismissed it.
Yet even that correct judgment wasn't enough to fully stop Si-mun.
"Allah, guide us..."
The dazed plea slipped from Ban's lips unbidden.
As if hearing him,
the Sand Golem, fingers interlaced as it loomed over Ban, paused its movement for a brief moment.
The inside.
-How... unfortunate.
A mouth-like opening formed, and a bizarre voice, grating like sand against sand, flowed out.
-Your... god... is not here.
With those final words.
KOOOOOOOOM!!
The massive Sand Golem's rampage began.