Chapter 131
Chapter 131
Translation: godtl
"Good heavens......"
"Is that even possible?"
A group of people watching a large monitor let out gasps somewhere between shock and admiration.
Then—
"I'll handle the author. You all head to the occupied zone."
With those words from a middle-aged man holding a tonfa, the screen turned off.
"Ha......"
"No matter how many times I see it, it's unbelievable."
As the woman muttered with a hollow laugh, the Platinum Division's National Tournament—
The Special Match between Korea and Palestine was something that remained unbelievable no matter how many times they watched it.
And for good reason.
"Kim Si-mun can use Black Magic too? And Summoning Magic at that?"
"Right? Isn't Summoning Magic supposed to be one of the hardest branches of Black Magic?"
"Exactly. Didn't that psycho Faust always brag about it? Saying he's been using that 'impossible' Summoning Magic since Silver-rank."
"Everyone's mistaken. Summoning Magic is difficult no matter the field. Spirit Arts are a different story, though."
Summoning Magic—
Whether in Divine Magic, Black Magic, or other branches of the Magic Class—
It was renowned as an especially high-level spell in any field.
But—
"Now that I think about it, Kim Si-mun's summoning method was most similar to Spirit Arts, wasn't it?"
"Right. There was no lengthy casting, and he didn't use a Summoning Circle or sacrifices either."
Kim Si-mun had used Summoning Magic.
And he had done so effortlessly, without the lengthy casting time or Summoning Circles that were considered standard.
"He had some unfamiliar item on his left arm. Could it have summoning-related abilities?"
"Hmm...... From what I saw, it might be an ability from the item he obtained in his Platinum Debut Match?"
"The one from the Hidden Piece? That makes sense."
"I was thinking the same. It was hidden in the Chaos Realm, beyond dimensional anomalies. It's only natural it would have abilities of that caliber."
"But he summoned using the item on his left arm. That's not the one he got from the Hidden Piece."
The endless back-and-forth was only natural.
"Sigh...... What a headache. If we could just stop that bastard, the rest would be easy."
"Seriously. The other eight—no, seven—are just pushovers."
The Platinum Division's Special Match—
Korea's next opponents were none other than them.
Just then—
"Alright, everyone. Focus."
A door opened, and a blond middle-aged man entered the training hall.
Clapping his hands, he gathered the players' attention.
"The option to use with the Option Addition Ticket has been decided."
"Huh? Seriously?"
The players tilted their heads at the coach's words.
And for good reason.
"Coach. We haven't even submitted any opinions yet?"
"Right. We haven't even finished analyzing Kim Si-mun."
The thirty players set to face Korea—
Germany's Platinum Division national team hadn't even completed their analysis of the Korean team yet.
And yet, an option to use against them had already been decided?
"Well, you see......"
The coach's expression turned slightly uncomfortable as he pursed his lips, sighed deeply, and continued.
"A recommendation came in to use the Reserve Personnel Addition Option against the Korean team."
"Wha—?"
"Who did that?!"
A recommendation.
There was only one place that could issue recommendations to national teams participating in the National Tournament.
"Don't tell me it's the Association?"
The players immediately guessed the source.
"That's right."
The coach nodded.
At that, the players' faces stiffened in unison.
The Association's recommendation.
Though it was called a recommendation, they all knew it was effectively an order.
"Ha! Those Association bastards!"
"We haven't even finished analyzing them, and they want us to add reserve personnel? Are they insane?"
"Did the Association even watch the match? We're already struggling to counter Kim Si-mun, and now they want us to add reserves?!"
The players erupted in frustration.
Among them, a blonde woman who had been silently listening with her arms crossed finally spoke.
"Who is the additional personnel?"
Her voice was quiet but carried weight.
At her words, the noisy room fell silent in an instant.
"Ahem! Well......"
The coach also cleared his throat nervously before cautiously continuing—
Or at least, he tried to.
BAM!
Before a gaunt man with deep dark circles under his eyes could roughly throw the door open and stride in.
Leoni silently stared at the gaunt man.
Then—
"Is there no one else?"
As if she had never seen him before in the first place—
She turned her gaze back to the coach.
The gaunt man with the dark circles flushed with anger but said nothing else.
Under Leoni's unwavering gaze, the coach hesitated for a moment before speaking.
"Just Faust for now."
Leoni's expression, already impassive, grew even colder.
"Are you saying you're using the Reserve Personnel Addition Option to bring him in?"
She raised her long, pale fingers—calloused and hardened—to point at Faust.
"So you're telling me it's just that thing over there?"
If the word "that thing" sounded particularly harsh in her otherwise monotonous voice, was it just an illusion?
Probably not.
Everyone present could be certain of that.
And for good reason.
"How dare you call me 'that thing'! Leoni! Have you lost your mind?!"
Leoni and Faust.
Their relationship was something no German with even a passing interest in the Galaxy Arena could be unaware of.
Sssssss—
A dark energy seeped out around Faust, whose face had twisted in fury.
"F-Faust!"
"Are you out of your mind?!"
The coach and players flinched when they noticed the murderous intent mixed into that energy, but that was all.
None stepped forward or tried to restrain Faust.
And it wasn't just because of Faust's skill or his background.
"Honestly, you never change, do you? You utter fool."
A sigh, just as flat as before.
Leoni rose from her seat, arms crossed.
Thud.
Without the slightest hesitation, she walked straight toward Faust, who was radiating killing intent.
"A fresh Platinum who just crawled his way up."
Thud.
"Daring to bare your fangs at me, the Vice Captain of Platinum?"
With each step that closed the distance between them,
the pressure and murderous aura emanating from Faust grew heavier.
But that was all.
In stark contrast to the deadly atmosphere—
"Y-you...!"
Faust's face contorted further.
By the time Leoni finally stood before him,
Faust had unconsciously taken a step back.
Had he realized it himself?
"What?! Are—are you gonna hit me?! You think you can handle the consequences?! Huh?!"
Despite the flicker of fear in his eyes,
Faust raised his voice instead.
A cornered rat.
"Ha. Listen well, Faust."
Leoni's gaze was the kind one might use to look at something—or someone—of that nature.
"You were the one who flared your killing intent first."
"Th-that's because you provoked me!"
"Were we ever on such friendly terms that we'd exchange pleasant laughs? Did you forget the shit you pulled last year?"
"......"
"Even if we set all that aside, unleashing your killing intent like this isn't justifiable, Faust."
Faust couldn't even muster a retort.
Because it was true.
And it wasn't over.
"And another thing."
Leoni's emotionless eyes were now right in Faust's face.
"What exactly can't I handle if I decide to hit you?"
"You—!"
"Right? I know full well you're the youngest son of the Valtenbergs. So what?"
For the first time, Leoni's impassive lips moved.
The slight upward curve at the corners was unmistakably a smile.
"My brother is the Vice Guild Master of Valtenberg and has the Constellations' favor. I also reached Platinum a full year ahead of you. Ah, come to think of it—you didn't even make the top ranks in your Debut Match, did you?"
"Th-that was—!"
"You're a fool, but not stupid. So let me ask you. What was my rank in last year's Platinum Debut Match?"
Calmly.
Yet mercilessly, Leoni's words poured out as Faust clenched his fists.
Finally.
"...Second place."
As if forcing out bitter medicine.
He answered through gritted teeth.
"Right. Second place out of just four participants. But how many were in yours this time?"
"......"
"Cat got your tongue? Ah, maybe you don't even remember because you team-killed seven people with your own hands? That'd make sense."
Under Leoni's cold reproach, Faust's gaze sank lower and lower.
The killing intent that had been seeping out alongside his Demonic Energy had long since dissipated.
Finally satisfied, perhaps.
She let out a small scoff at the thoroughly deflated Faust before turning back to the coach.
"Coach. You didn't bring this fool into the national team without any thought, did you?"
Or should I burn the Association down for you?
The icy lilt in her voice made the coach nod hastily.
"O-of course not! W-well, while it was the Association's recommendation, the Valtenberg Guild also agreed. Even the Vice Guild Master himself—"
"My brother?"
He approved this idiot?
Leoni's eyebrow arched slightly with that implication.
"It's not a lie! Hey, Faust! Say something!"
Was Leoni's gaze too much to bear?
The coach hastily called for Faust.
"......It's true. Leoni, I received direct approval from Vice Guild Master Fabian Wolf to keep Kim Si-mun in check and joined the team with the Association's consent."
"Oh?"
Despite the subtle undertone, there was no trace of suspicion in Leoni's eyes.
The fact that her own brother had personally reviewed and approved it.
And though they usually seemed incompetent, the Association had still given their official endorsement.
These two factors completely shifted her perception of Faust.
"Alright, Faust."
Even though the coach was clearly present.
Leoni Wolf crossed her arms and tilted her chin up.
"Go on, then. Recite that method you claimed earned my brother's approval."
As if she were the commander of the national team.
[Kim Si-mun Enters God Platinum, Essentially a Hat Trick?]
[Association President's Joker Card Hits the Mark! Public Declares, 'As Expected of the Iron Wood King']
[The World Shocked?! A Victory That Defied All Expectations!]
[Who Exactly Is Kim Si-mun, the Rising Global Prospect?]
[Post-Palestine Match, Kim Si-mun Says, 'The Special Match Isn't Over Yet'—Remains Vigilant Till the End]
News headlines flooded the portal sites.
Si-mun stared at them with indifferent eyes.
"Oh my, does the food not suit your taste?"
"No. It's delicious."
He set his phone down at the voice—clear as a jade bead, yet laced with a peculiar allure.
The woman across from him, who had been glancing at his dimming phone screen, smirked.
"Ah, so you were reading articles about yourself? Well, I suppose it's enjoyable. Hearing the voices of people singing your praises."
"I don't particularly enjoy it."
Si-mun shook his head immediately.
Truthfully, he wasn't the type to revel in such articles or comments.
Though, like most humans, he didn't dislike hearing positive things about himself.
"Really? How odd."
The woman, her lips curving elegantly, propped her chin on her hand.
"The food isn't bad, and you don't enjoy your own press either..."
She seemed genuinely curious.
Her flawless cheek rested against her fingers as she tapped lightly.
"Then why have you been glued to your phone all through dinner?"
Her voice was as captivating as her appearance, but—
"Hard to say."
Si-mun answered without so much as blinking.
"Perhaps it's because someone showed up unannounced, keeps circling around without stating their business, and won't get to the point?"
"Oh my! Who in the world could be so rude?"
"Indeed. Turns out, they exist."
Right in front of me, no less.
Swallowing the last remark, Si-mun silently placed a piece of meat in his mouth.
The harmonious blend of Korean seasoning danced on his tongue.
Yet, Si-mun couldn't savor the pleasure.
Anyone in his place would feel the same.
"Let's drop the jokes, Lin. It's already been an hour."
The owner of the Black Market.
If this sudden dinner meeting was with Lin, the Nine-Tailed Fox whom even high-rankers would tread carefully around in the future—
Despite Si-mun's firm tone,
"Hoho, truly. Men do love getting straight to the point, don't they?"
Lin remained unfazed.
Instead, she folded her arms on the table, subtly accentuating her décolletage as she smiled.
Perhaps because it was the tail end of spring, the cusp of summer?
Her dress plunged deeply, bordering on obscene.
A sight most men wouldn't be able to tear their eyes from.
But.
"You've spent nearly an hour talking only about yourself. What man wouldn't look for the main point?"
Si-mun maintained a strictly businesslike demeanor.
At that, Lin's brows arched gracefully.
"My, my. It's not that I dislike getting to the point either? We've had such an expensive meal. How about it? Shall we move to my place for a proper discussion?"
"Lin!"
Si-mun's voice, steady until now, rose a pitch along with his sharpened gaze.
"Really now. You're not making this easy. It only makes me more curious."
What flavor would you have, steeped in desire?
Si-mun watched Lin murmur this with cold eyes.
'What scheme is she plotting now...?'
Had he not known her, perhaps.
But Si-mun, who understood the kind of woman the Nine-Tailed Fox Lin was better than anyone, refused to react easily to her provocations.
At his indifference, Lin pouted.
"You know what? Even if it's half in jest, when you don't budge like this, it really wounds my pride. Every time I meet you, I end up feeling inadequate."
Then, her gaze slid toward the entrance.
A waiter, meeting her eyes, hurried over.
Even for a waiter who must have received considerable training at this five-star hotel—
"Ah... W-was there something you n-needed...?"
The waiter's face flushed red as he stammered over his words.
Lin smiled in satisfaction, like a well-fed beast.
"Nothing. I just thought you were cute, so I looked."
"Huh? Ah... Th-thank you!"
The waiter's face turned three shades redder in an instant.
As he hastily turned and scurried back to his post, Lin watched his retreating figure before turning to Si-mun with a meaningful smirk.
"Tsk tsk. See? I'm really not like that at all."
Si-mun sighed and replied,
"That man is a civilian. And using your abilities recklessly on civilians is illegal."
"My, my, it works just as well on Awakened, you know? And I didn't technically use any abilities. I just... charmed him a little."
Si-mun didn't dignify her with a response, and Lin shook her head in exaggerated disappointment before raising both hands in surrender.
"Fine, fine. I'll concede. I was hoping to enjoy this rare date, but I suppose this is enough."
"Who said anything about a date?"
"Hmph. So prickly. Anyway, there's only one reason I came to see you today. To express my gratitude."
Si-mun's eyebrow twitched upward.
The message he'd received from Lin right after the Special Match flashed through his mind.
At the same time—
"Don't tell me you're here to thank me because you actually won some bets?"
"My, my, you really are the type to rake in money with both hands. 'Some bets,' you say? Do you have any idea how much I made this time?"
"Then let me rephrase. For someone who made that much, you sure are trying to settle things with just one meal."
"Hehe. Normally, I'd agree in a heartbeat... but for our VVIP customer, I'll make an exception, won't I?"
Lin smirked before continuing.
"Originally, I planned to personally treat you with all the sincerity I could muster. But since you're so resistant, I suppose I'll have to offer something else instead."
Only then did Si-mun realize she was finally getting to the point. He met her gaze squarely.
"Oh my, you're finally looking at me? How delightful."
"Cut the nonsense. What are you offering?"
"So cold. You know who Korea's next opponent in the Special Match is, right?"
Si-mun nodded lightly.
"Germany. The so-called 'elite powerhouse.'"
Germany.
Excluding the two superpowers, the U.S. and China, it was one of the countries with the highest overall Player standards.
In his past life—
And even now, it remained one of the three core nations driving the EU.
"According to my sources, Germany has already decided on the option they'll use against the Korean team."
"An option?"
"Yes. They're adding reserve members, just like Korea did."
"Is that true?"
Si-mun's eyes widened slightly.
Naturally, he'd assumed they'd pick an option to snipe him, just like the Palestinian team had.
To think they'd choose the least effective option—adding reserves.
Lin brightened visibly at his reaction.
"I was surprised too. And the additional member? Faust."
"Faust?"
"Hehe. Even more shocking, right? He may be a talented Black Mage, but he already proved in his Debut Match that he's utterly powerless against you."
Lin watched Si-mun's face intently, as if savoring his reaction.
"Apparently, he's prepared a trump card to use against you. Personally, I find that very intriguing."
"Hmm..."
"This move was pushed by Valtenberg's Vice Guild Master, so I'd say its effectiveness is guaranteed. Though... I doubt it'll mean much to you."
Lin shrugged after finishing her piece.
Si-mun rested his chin on his hand briefly before giving her a slight nod.
"Thanks for the info, Lin."
He meant it.
Neither domestic nor foreign media had made a peep about Faust joining the match—despite the fact that Germany was facing Korea tomorrow.
This meant Germany was keeping Faust's participation under wraps.
And on top of that, the Vice Guild Master of Valtenberg, Germany's strongest guild, was backing it?
'Come to think of it, wasn't Valtenberg's Vice Guild Master Fabian Wolf around this time?'
In his past life, Fabian had been a High-ranker backed by the Constellation Odin.
Known as Fabian of the Twin Spears, he had been a rival of sorts to the Fist King, Jong-ri Chu.
'If someone of that caliber is personally pushing this, then that trump card must be the real deal.'
Not that he'd ever planned to let his guard down in the first place.
Still, having such detailed intel was undeniably helpful.
Si-mun gave another nod of thanks.
"Consider your gratitude well-received. Now then—"
Screech.
He pushed his chair back and stood.
Lin's eyes widened briefly before she let out an amused chuckle.
"Really, you're so ruthless. I don't know what to do with you."
Humming to herself, she smirked up at him.
"Are you sure you want to leave just like that? I do have one more gift for you."
"Your earlier information was sufficient. After all, it was you who initiated the deal, and this much gratitude is already..."
"What if I told you it's about the terrorist incident that shook Korea ten years ago?"
Si-mun's rising movement abruptly halts.
"Hehe. What do you think? Can you still say it's enough now?"
Lin's peculiar smile deepened beyond its usual measure.