Chapter 205
Chapter 205
Chapter 205: Guild War (1)
Translation: godtl
KWA-BOOM!
A short, intense explosion.
Right on cue—
"Gyaaah!"
"Aaagh!"
Piercing screams erupted.
And rightfully so.
"Drop dead already, you shits."
A woman's fist and feet swung lazily—
yet at the tip of each strike, a sinister, ferocious energy—
"It's coming again! Again!"
"T-Tanks, block her!"
"How the hell are we supposed to tank that?! Just put up barriers!!"
—utterly obliterated everything in its path, regardless of class or profession.
Just as she had done since the Arena began.
"Guh-hack!"
"Fucking hell...!"
Under the sweeping fists and kicks that might as well have been area-of-effect magic, African players fell one after another, screaming in shock and horror.
Meanwhile—
[Aah!! They're going down again! This time, the African Union is the victim!]
[How is this level of power even possible?! A martial artist shouldn't have this kind of destructive capability!]
Michael and Jonathan, the commentators for The World Championship (TWC), couldn't contain their astonishment.
And who could blame them?
[I never thought we'd witness another one-sided massacre in a Platinum Debut Match!]
[Indeed! This is the second shocking Platinum Debut Match in a row!]
The Platinum Debut Match.
An Arena where only those handpicked by the Galaxy Arena itself could participate—even among the world's most promising talents.
And in this global Arena—
[Following Kim Si-mun, Korea is bringing yet another storm!]
[Riding the momentum from the last Debut Match, Korea is sweeping the board!]
—Korea was staging another slaughter.
To be precise—
"Gah! It's Miss F*ck!!"
"Go Mal-suk? Oh shit! I'm outta here!"
"Retreat now! If we fight her, we're done for!"
—it would be more accurate to say a single Korean player was sweeping the Platinum Debut Match.
The remaining participants scattered in terror.
"Don't run, you shits. It's annoying to chase you down."
With an irritated expression, Go Mal-suk trudged after the fleeing players.
"Eeek!"
"H-how did she—?!"
In an instant, she caught up to the players sprinting at full speed.
"Damn it! If this is how it's gonna be—!"
"Take this!!"
True to their status as elite prospects among prospects, they abandoned escape and desperately lunged at her—but that was all.
"Good. You're supposed to be hotshots. Should've fought me from the start."
Satisfied, Go Mal-suk gave a slight nod—
Whoom.
—and swung her ominous, ink-black fist, imbued with a fearsome reputation.
Just as she had done since the Debut Match began—
KWA-GA-GA-BOOM!
"That monster—!"
"Is this even an Arena?!"
"Miss F*ck! Please, spare us!"
Another massacre unfolded.
Watching the carnage, the two TWC commentators—
[Aah! This time, it's the Middle Eastern coalition...!]
[She's destroying everything in her path! The Middle Eastern Union is falling one by one, screaming her infamous alias—'Miss F*ck'!]
—couldn't hold back their sighs.
Soon after—
[Jonathan, isn't this astonishing? Not long ago, Korea didn't have prospects of this caliber, right?]
Michael, the caster, smoothly composed his expression and posed the question to Jonathan.
[That's correct. After the golden age that produced legends like the Sword Saint and the Saintess, Korea entered what could almost be called a dark age—their output of elite prospects dwindled drastically.]
Jonathan quickly shook off his sigh and nodded.
[Even now, the number of Korean participants in Debut Matches remains small. But what matters is their quality.]
[Exactly!]
The Platinum Debut Match.
This Arena, often called the proving ground for future Rankers, naturally prioritized—
Not how many players each nation sent, but how strong those players were.
[While most Platinum Debut Match participants get promoted to Diamond, becoming a Ranker is a different story.]
["That's right! Only 10% of Debut Match participants ever become Rankers!"]
Beyond the upper echelons of Diamond—
That realm classified as Ranker status was not a place one could easily reach, even as a Platinum Debut Match participant.
["Ah! This time, Europe is the sacrificial lamb!"]
["Compared to the previous batch, this European cohort lacks any truly outstanding Players!"]
["Just as expected. Team Europe is being swept away more helplessly than any other alliance!"]
["Ah...! They chose a survival strategy with their weak forces and have held out well until now, but it seems this is the end!"]
["Against that calamity known as Miss F*ck, holding out has no meaning whatsoever!"]
As the commentators said—perhaps because there were no overwhelmingly strong Players like Faust this time—
Go Mal-suk was hammering through the European alliance with nothing but the Heavenly Demon's Divine Art: Heavenly Demon's Dominion Step.
No techniques beyond this movement skill—just pure, unadulterated beatdowns.
And with Europe cleared—
["Somehow, it feels like the nightmare of the last Arena is replaying almost exactly!"]
["Following Kim Si-mun, now Go Mal-suk! Will this Platinum Debut Match also end in Korea's blue wave?"]
["Now, only one step remains to victory in the Debut Match! The last team standing is the United States!"]
["The strongest team remains. This is incredibly exciting!"]
Only one nation was left—America.
Thud.
The murky, ashen ground.
Just like the stage of the previous Platinum Special Match, this time too, the Chaos Realm had been selected.
Kicking up clouds of dust as she advanced, Go Mal-suk—
"F*ck. This map is disgustingly huge."
—scowled in irritation.
One.
For her, who had been rampaging freely across the Chaos Realm until now, to suddenly complain about the map meant—
Something didn't add up.
And the chat seemed to realize it too.
[Manager has banned Foot Fetishist.]
The chat erupted in cheers at Go Mal-suk's irritation.
Already well-acquainted with the nature of this chat—
"Looks like these motherf*ckers are at it again."
—she shook her head in exasperation, glancing at the chat notifications crammed into a corner of her vision like Si-mun's setup.
But.
Even that reaction only served as further stimulation for Go Mal-suk's viewers.
Thankfully oblivious to the chat's antics, she stewed over the source of her irritation.
The reason was simple.
Weak. Every last one of these bastards is pathetically weak.
Beyond the Arena's win or loss—
She was dissatisfied with the current Platinum Debut Match participants' level.
More precisely—
Kim Si-mun. These guys are way weaker than the ones from his Debut Match.
It must be because they were weaker than the participants from the last Debut Match.
Go Mal-suk bit her lower lip impatiently.
Are there no bastards like Faust left? I should be fighting demons or celestials, not these damn bugs!
Dismissing each nation's top prospects as mere bugs—
Though she had every right to, given how she'd slaughtered the Debut Match—
She wasn't satisfied with her achievements so far.
More... I have to get stronger!
After So Jung-gyu's appearance—
Before the death prevention buff from Simdrasil was implemented—
Go Mal-suk, who had received So Jung-gyu's invitation to participate, had halted her Arena activities on Si-mun's advice.
And—
Those non-human bastards Kim Si-mun matched with. Every single one of them was better than these bugs.
The skill of those mysterious non-human Players she'd seen in Si-mun's streams.
Considering Si-mun's rank was Platinum—
They must have been Platinum Rankers too, yet—
The Platinum-ranked players she knew from Earth were on a completely different level.
And so.
'I need to fight stronger bastards and prove myself.'
She needed to grow stronger and fight even mightier opponents to prove her worth.
Only then.
'Kim Si-mun. Only then can I stand proudly by that bastard's side and repay even a fraction of this damn debt.'
The growth buff loan that had just been renewed for 500 billion.
The stat enhancers that had shaken the entire Arena community worldwide.
All the spirit elixirs she'd received over time.
Not to mention the equipment.
At least then she'd have the right to repay even a fraction of the countless supports she'd received from Kim Si-mun.
Of course, Si-mun had always insisted she shouldn't think of it that way.
'Who knew having nothing but this damn body would feel so fucking miserable... Ha! Fuck! I'll pay it back somehow.'
Was it because of her stubborn pride that couldn't stand being in debt?
Go Mal-suk simply couldn't swallow everything Si-mun had given her without reciprocation.
As she seethed inwardly, her footsteps carried her forward—
"You're here."
"Haa... First time I've ever dreaded facing an opponent after awakening, I swear."
"Same here."
The last remaining participants of the Debut Match.
She found herself facing the rising stars of American Dream.
Among them, a man who appeared to be their leader—
"Pleasure to meet you, Go Mal-suk. I'm the current leader of American Dream's..."
The well-built Latin man offered a courteous greeting, but that was all.
"Drop dead, fucker."
KWAANG!
Mal-suk's fist shot forward without hesitation.
Tyrant Emperor Break tore through the air.
Perhaps he wasn't the leader for nothing?
"Miguel!"
The man called Miguel was sent flying—but that was it.
Swiftly regaining his footing mid-air, he landed smoothly on the ground.
"Ugh."
Clutching his shoulder where Mal-suk's fist had grazed him, his face twisted.
But it wasn't from pain—more like irritation.
"As expected of Miss Fuck. Your skills are as terrifying as the rumors say."
His tone dripped with genuine respect for her strength.
But whether that respect was welcome or not—
"Terrifying skills?"
Mal-suk's eyebrow twitched.
"Guess you haven't seen real terrifying skills yet... Well, fine."
Her lips curled into a cynical smirk as she shifted into a stance unlike any she'd taken before.
"You're the first bastard to survive even one hit, so I'll acknowledge that much. So..."
Her hand, clad in OPG, straightened into a blade.
"I'll beat you properly."
Then—
Heavenly Demon Divine Art.
Strike: Peerless Slash.
A clean, crescent-shaped wave of dark energy arced from her fingertips.
SWISH.
In an instant—
The man called Miguel, along with the American participants behind him—
Were cleanly bisected.
[You have become the last survivor.]
[The winner of the Platinum-rank Debut Match has been decided.]
[The Platinum-rank Debut Match has concluded.]
The Platinum Debut Match was over.
The victor of the Platinum Debut Match.
Though she had achieved the title of the strongest among the newly ascended Platinum players—
"Sigh..."
Go Mal-suk herself merely exhaled deeply and trudged out of the room, her footsteps dragging as she headed toward the bathroom.
Then, into her ears—
"Congrats on the win."
A clear, melodious voice reached her.
Thud.
As if frozen.
Mal-suk halted mid-step.
Arms crossed, leaning against the hallway wall—
"But hey, Mal-suk."
Si-mun tilted his head slightly as he peered at her.
"You just won the Debut Match, so why the long face?"
"......"
Mal-suk stared silently at his flawless face, her ears reddening before she finally parted her lips slightly.
Si-mun straightened up, waiting patiently—uncharacteristically—for her hesitant response.
After a few stammers, Mal-suk exhaled deeply and answered.
"...Just. The Debut Match wasn't what I expected."
"Expected? What did you expect?"
Si-mun tilted his head, but that was all.
"Just... stuff. Anyway, what're you here for?"
As Mal-suk brushed it off casually, Si-mun studied her for a moment before taking a step back.
"It's your Platinum Debut Match, isn't it? I came to cheer you on, but it ended before I got here."
"Funny."
Go Mal-suk's lips instantly twisted in disbelief.
"You came because you had something to say, didn't you? Who are you trying to fool?"
"What? How did you know?"
"You might not realize it, but your tone gets weird when you lie to people you know. You avoid eye contact and only look at their nose or lips while pretending otherwise."
"I do that? I had no idea..."
Kim Si-mun blinked in surprise at Mal-suk's unexpectedly detailed observation before conceding with a chuckle.
"As expected, Mal-suk. I can't fool you."
Was it because he admitted it so readily?
Or was there another reason?
"Of course not. You couldn't deceive me even if you tried to trick a ghost."
The earlier gloom in her expression had vanished without a trace.
Mal-suk tilted her head with her usual confidence.
"So just spit it out. What do you want?"
Crossing her arms, she asked bluntly.
Si-mun scratched his cheek and smiled awkwardly.
"Hey, people might think I'm here to extort something from you."
"Who'd say that nonsense? I'll rip their throat out."
"Why are you suddenly so violent?"
"If it bothers you, just leave it to me. Like I said last time, I'll handle any dirty work or heavy lifting for you."
Whether it was a joke or genuine today, Mal-suk's ambiguous attitude made Si-mun blink in bewilderment.
"No, it's nothing like that. I just happened to need a little help..."
"Great! Just say the word! Who do you want me to take out? I'll bury any punk you name!"
Before he could even finish, she thumped her chest enthusiastically.
Si-mun shook his head in exasperation.
"Honestly, did reaching the 5th Star of the Heavenly Demon Divine Art go to your head? You're overflowing with confidence today."
"Can't deny that. The Peerless Slash? It's the real deal. Aren't you about to hit 5th Star too?"
Once you do, give it a try. It's insane.
As she bragged, Si-mun finally burst into laughter.
"Anyway, forget that. If you're free, could you join the upcoming Guild War?"
"Guild War?"
Her face twisted as if she'd heard something absurd.
And understandably so.
"I just hit Platinum. Can I even participate in a Guild War?"
Even as the winner of the Platinum Debut Match, she was still a freshly promoted Platinum.
This was a tier teeming with skilled Yetis who hadn't yet breached the Diamond wall, wasn't it?
Not to mention...
"Uh... with you around, what help could I possibly be?"
After all, wasn't Kim Si-mun, hailed as Simdrasil's greatest prodigy, right there?
But was she wrong?
"What are you talking about? Of course you'd be helpful."
Si-mun shook his head and countered immediately.
"Guild Wars are split into Diamond and Platinum tiers now. Each requires at least two participants to qualify."
"Ugh, seriously? You just came to fill a slot?"
Disappointment instantly colored Mal-suk's face.
Amused by her reaction, Si-mun chuckled.
"Well, filling the slot is part of it..."
His smile deepened as he continued.
"But fundamentally, I need someone reliable. In terms of skill... and personality...? If you have other plans—"
Before he could finish—
"No. I'll join."
As if flipping a switch, Mal-suk brightened and nodded firmly.
Of course—
"But why did you hesitate when you mentioned personality?"
She didn't forget to scrutinize the suspicious part.
Thanks to that—
"Huh? Are you really asking because you don't know?"
"...You bastard."
She got a timely reminder of Si-mun's true nature.
The World Awakened Federation's officially recognized arena channel.
The world's premier arena broadcaster, TWC.
There—
[Ah! It hasn't been long since their Debut Matches, and already the Guild War is starting!]
[Indeed. At this rate, even two bodies wouldn't be enough!]
[But Jonathan, isn't that what keeps us fed?]
[Haha! So let's smile through it!]
The regular casters and analysts, Michael and Jonathan, warmed up the broadcast with playful banter.
After briefly adjusting their earpieces—
[Oh dear! We've been chatting too much. Preparations are complete.]
[Then let's begin the 15th Guild War, hosted in Russia!]
They announced the official start of the Guild War.