Chapter 212
Chapter 212
Chapter 212: Advantage (1)
Translation: godtl
At Nikolai's intrusion, which went beyond mere rudeness—
"Nikolai. Calm down first and let's sit down to talk things over."
Si-mun spoke slowly, trying to pacify Nikolai, but—
"Shut the hell up!!"
Despite Si-mun's sincere efforts,
Nikolai's rage showed no signs of subsiding.
"My brother and guild members' deaths must be connected to you!"
Instead—
"Until the truth of this incident comes to light, I'll carve out your bones one by one!"
Whoosh.
Nikolai, wrapping his aura around his mace.
To that—
"N-Nikolai!"
"Have you lost your mind?!"
"Si-mun has nothing to do with this assassination—"
Vasily and the organizers hurriedly tried to block him, but that was all.
They weren't even Awakened, so there was no way they could stop Nikolai, Russia's most promising talent.
However, in this room, there were not just one but four people capable of stopping—no, beating down—such a Nikolai.
And among them—
"How dare you...!"
The most terrifying figure stepped forward.
In the literal blink of an eye—
"Who dares direct killing intent at my brother?!"
Lee Yu-jeong appeared before Nikolai, who was seething with murderous intent.
Contrary to her title as the Iron Wall Saintess,
Screeeak!
Her fist shot toward Nikolai's abdomen at an incredible speed.
Crunch!
With a sickening sound of bones breaking,
Kwaaaang!
Nikolai's massive frame was sent crashing into a wall.
"......"
"......"
Silence filled the waiting room.
Within it,
"Hah."
The only woman breaking the silence,
Lee Yu-jeong, let out a short sigh as she raised her hand, glowing with white light.
It was no wonder.
"Do I really have to be the one to heal him? Russia must have plenty of high-rank healers or medical facilities, right?"
She was healing Russia's most promising talent, Nikolai Ivanov, whom she had sent flying in one hit.
To that,
"W-well... It's not like we can only receive healing from the Saintess..."
Vasily, standing nearby, answered cautiously while gauging Yu-jeong's mood.
Strictly speaking, as the representative of this Guild War's organizers,
Vasily didn't need to be this careful around Yu-jeong, but—
'She took down Nikolai in a single hit...'
One strike.
Even considering the vast gap between Platinum and Ranker tiers,
Lee Yu-jeong's fist, which had obliterated Russia's top talent in one blow, held something terrifying beyond social status—
Something that instinctively instilled fear.
At Vasily's shock,
"Yu-jeong."
A clear, beautiful voice spoke up.
"Stop that and heal him properly."
It was Si-mun, who had been silent until now.
"Even if Nikolai was agitated, your response was a bit excessive too."
"But, brother..."
Yu-jeong looked at Si-mun with slightly teary, dejected eyes.
Though Si-mun, having known her since childhood, was well aware those weren't genuine emotions.
"I really appreciate you worrying about me, but let's focus on fully healing Nikolai first, okay?"
Instead of accepting it,
He chose to gently admonish her.
Conversely, Yu-jeong, who understood Si-mun's heart just as well,
"...Okay."
Nodded and increased the Holy Power in her hand.
Though her face remained slightly pouty, there was no helping that.
Beside Si-mun,
"Honestly. You're too kind for your own good."
A sharp voice chimed in.
"That bastard was spouting nonsense about breaking your bones, and you're letting Yu-jeong teach him manners? Even healing him?"
It was Go Mal-suk.
Arms crossed, she seemed thoroughly displeased with the current situation.
"If it were me, I'd have smashed his skull in already."
She shook her fist, faintly shimmering with Demonic Energy—
Most likely the Tyrant Emperor Break.
To that,
"H-he lost his only family and comrades in an instant! He must be going through a lot!"
Vasily, looking uneasy, quickly defended Nikolai.
"Right. He was just rough in his actions. He didn't truly mean it."
Si-mun added as well.
In reality,
"If he'd truly meant it, he would've swung his mace without a word."
Given Nikolai's tendency to act before speaking.
If he had truly wanted to harm Si-mun, he would have swung that massive mace without hesitation.
"Si, Si-mun-nim is absolutely right!"
Vasily, too, nodded fervently.
As if his neck might snap from the force of his agreement.
It wasn't hard to understand.
'With Ivan-nim already dead, we can't afford to lose Nikolai-nim too!'
The death of Russia's top player.
Coupled with the loss of the Tsar Guild's elite players and promising talents.
From Russia's current standpoint, successors like Nikolai weren't just important—they were lifelines.
"Right. So, Mal-suk. Withdraw your Demonic Energy."
Understanding the situation well, Si-mun gave a slight nod and pushed Go Mal-suk's fist away.
"Ugh!"
He then turned his gaze to Nikolai, who was groaning in pain.
'Truth be told, under normal circumstances. As Yu-jeong and Mal-suk said, I wouldn't have gone this far to heal him...'
But the plan that had come to mind earlier.
'To turn the Tsar Guild against the Continent Guild, this much investment isn't a loss.'
If it meant driving a wedge between China and Russia.
Si-mun was more than willing to show this much mercy.
Soon after.
"Wh-where am I...?"
Nikolai's eyes fluttered open.
Whether due to the sheer force of Lee Yu-jeong's strike.
"Guh!"
As he tried to sit up, Nikolai let out another groan and clutched his stomach.
"Organ ruptures and fractures have all been healed. However, the aftereffects will linger for quite some time, so avoid strenuous movement for about two weeks."
Her voice monotone, as if reading a report.
Lee Yu-jeong replied dryly and stood up with matching indifference.
"Ni-Nikolai-nim!"
Vasily hurried toward Nikolai.
Or at least, he tried to.
"Mr. Vasily? I have something to discuss with Mr. Nikolai. If you don't mind, could you give us some space?"
That was, until Si-mun grabbed his shoulder.
Vasily blinked rapidly.
Taking in Lee Yu-jeong and Go Mal-suk standing coldly behind Si-mun.
And even Park Jin-uk's awkward expression.
"Understood."
Without another word, he nodded and left the waiting room.
"Then, Si-mun-nim. I'll go ahead and meet with the organizers to wrap up the Guild War."
"Oppa. I'll go to the lounge to recover my holy power."
Park Jin-uk and Lee Yu-jeong also stood up.
As the two headed toward the now-gaping entrance, they glanced back at Go Mal-suk, still standing behind Si-mun.
"I'll stay. In case this piglet starts acting up again—I'll need to teach him manners right away."
Go Mal-suk shrugged her shoulders nonchalantly.
"Ha!"
Nikolai let out a hollow laugh but said nothing more.
Once Park Jin-uk and Lee Yu-jeong had left.
"Now then, Mr. Nikolai."
Snap.
With a flick of his fingers, Si-mun restored the shattered door.
"Let's talk about the matter you're so curious about."
His eyes, gleaming with an unusual light, fixed on Nikolai.
"...Let's go."
A deep, gruff voice.
Nikolai, his muscular frame matching the weight of his tone, headed for the exit.
He paused briefly, glancing at the door he had once broken.
Thud.
He shoved it open roughly and stepped outside.
Watching his retreating figure, Go Mal-suk spoke up.
"Hey."
"What."
"You really think that piglet is trustworthy?"
Only after the waiting room door had closed did she continue.
"The guy who barged in right after the Guild War ended, swinging his mace around like a madman?"
She turned her gaze to Si-mun.
Si-mun chuckled softly before answering.
"He's more thoughtful than he looks."
"Bullshit. Anyone would think you've known him for ages."
"Well... that might not be entirely wrong?"
"Cut the crap. You seriously trust him?"
"Hmm, at this point, I think you're the one who doesn't believe it, Mal-suk."
"Well..."
Had he hit the mark?
For a moment, her lips twitched before she let out a deep sigh.
"Look. I fucking trust you, okay?"
"That's unexpected."
"I'm serious! Ugh... Anyway, no matter how I hear it, your story sounds like bullshit."
The relationship between the Continent Guild and the Tsar Guild.
And deeper still, the ties between China and Russia—no one was unaware of them.
Even before the Galaxy Arena appeared on Earth.
"Weren't China and Russia supposed to be on friendly terms?"
But then.
"The Continent Guild colluding with the Dragonkin to assassinate Russia's top players? Does that even make sense?"
"Let me correct you slightly. It wasn't the Continent Guild—it was the Dragonkin acting on their own."
Bang.
"Fuck! Same difference!"
Go Mal-suk slammed the table and shot up from her seat. After letting out a deep sigh, she swept her bangs back with a rough hand.
"Anyway. It's complete bullshit, but... sigh. Since it's you saying it, I'll believe you for now."
"Just out of curiosity—what about me makes you trust me so much?"
"That's—!"
Go Mal-suk's words cut off abruptly. Her eyes, fixed on Si-mun, trembled uncharacteristically before she quickly averted them.
"...It's just a thing."
She muttered the answer while lowering her gaze.
"Anyway, now that bastard's gone, I should get going too. Heard Russian street food is killer. Gonna go wreck some places with Yu-jeong."
With a lazy wave, she left the room.
Si-mun silently watched her retreating figure.
"Why is she acting like that?"
He tilted his head at her unfamiliar behavior before shifting his attention to the message window tucked in the corner of his vision.
Well, at least this means the Tsar Guild and the Continent Guild will drift apart now...
"Have you decided on the compensation yet?"
Even though he was alone, Si-mun spoke as if addressing someone.
Before him, the Galaxy Arena—silent throughout the Guild War—finally responded.
[Compensation has been decided.]
Si-mun cocked his head slightly, as if prompting it to continue while folding his arms.
[We deeply regret the incidents that occurred during this Guild War.]
[We offer our sincerest apologies and condolences to all participants and victims.]
[We will double the effectiveness of the guild bonuses awarded as compensation.]
[Additionally, as a gesture of goodwill, we will grant an SSS-rank...]
Before the scrolling message could finish—
"Ah, hold on."
He waved his hand irritably. And for good reason.
"You apologized right away, but the compensation is a joke, don't you think?"
At least they had the decency to lead with an apology, but the actual compensation was pitiful.
"The Guild War is an event-type Arena under your management. Even when the official Arena starts, it's supposed to be non-lethal, correct?"
Instead of explaining how Si-mun knew this—
[Player Kim Si-mun is correct.]
The Galaxy Arena confirmed his statement.
"My life was threatened, and dozens of people died."
Si-mun glared at the message with a hollow laugh.
"And this is the compensation you came up with? You said you'd hold a meeting to discuss it. What kind of meeting was it, exactly?"
His tone was aggressive—but he had every reason to be.
[We fully acknowledge Kim Si-mun's concerns. This was our oversight. We apologize.]
The Galaxy Arena could only bow its head.
"Enough. Since you clearly have no idea what you're doing, I'll set the guidelines myself."
Si-mun spoke decisively.
"Triple the guild bonuses earned from this Guild War, and properly compensate me for the items I expended."
[Which items were expended?]
Instead of answering, Si-mun extended his right hand toward the message.
[That's...!]
The Galaxy Arena recoiled in shock upon seeing his right hand.
[We apologize, but that item is not registered within the Galaxy Arena system.]
"I'm well aware."
It was a Divine Artifact given by the Weaver of the Boundary—not as part of the Arena, but as a personal reward for bringing Dr. Choi Woo-seok to him.
There was no information window for the Divine Artifact.
Thus—
[As you know, we cannot compensate for items obtained outside the Arena.]
It was completely unrelated to the Galaxy Arena.
But—
"I know. That's exactly why I'm telling you."
Si-mun curled the corner of his lips slightly.
"I never asked for it back. I only said to properly compensate me for it."
He enunciated each word clearly—especially emphasizing "properly compensate."
Had the Galaxy Arena finally realized what he was implying?
[...Understood. However, the item Kim Si-mun is referring to is a Divine Artifact.]
"I'm well aware of that too."
[And it's a single-use consumable Divine Artifact at that.]
"I'm well aware of that as well. So what?"
Si-mun responded nonchalantly.
"The fact remains that the Galaxy Arena's mistake led to the use of that consumable Divine Artifact, doesn't it?"
[But this is...]
"Don't say it's unreasonable. That's your excuse."
Once again, Si-mun cut off the Galaxy Arena's message.
His expression turned uncharacteristically stern as he continued.
"I nearly lost my life because of you people. Dozens already have. Do you still not grasp the situation?"
[......]
"On top of that, I've faithfully kept quiet about 'what happened during the Guild War' as you requested. But this kind of response is hardly appropriate, don't you think?"
To Nikolai, he had only hinted that 'the Continent Guild likely assassinated his brother.'
Regarding 'the events during the Guild War,' Si-mun hadn't breathed a word.
[......]
The Galaxy Arena fell silent under Si-mun's interrogation.
But knowing this silence wasn't mere hesitation but internal deliberation over his demands,
Si-mun allowed the Galaxy Arena's silence without pressing further.
[We accept Player Kim Si-mun's request.]
Soon, the Galaxy Arena returned with an answer.
[We will provide a Divine Artifact of equivalent rank to the Weaver of the Boundary, the original owner of the said Divine Artifact...]
"Tsk tsk. Why are you doing this?"
Si-mun cut off the Galaxy Arena again.
"You're calling this consolation? If it's merely equivalent, how is that proper compensation?"
He feigned disappointment, glancing sideways at the air.
"You should give more. Raise the rank, increase the quantity."
As if responding to his words,
[The Constellations Black Goat, Heavenly Demon, and Baal direct murderous glares toward the Galaxy Arena.]
[The Constellations Odin, Zeus, and Ra sharply eye the Galaxy Arena.]
Si-mun's five—no, six Constellations had fire in their eyes.
[......We will accommodate Kim Si-mun's request as much as possible, but the highest rank is all we can offer.]
[The Constellation Black Goat's eyes widen as if to say, 'Are these bastards serious?']
[W-we mean it! The consumable Divine Artifact given by the Weaver of the Boundary is the highest of the highest grade. It's impossible for us to offer anything beyond that.]
The Galaxy Arena expressed dismay as Black Goat grew even angrier.
Si-mun, too, knew full well the value of a top-tier consumable Divine Artifact.
"Fine. Instead—"
Rather than demanding the impossible,
"Let me choose which Constellation's Divine Artifact it will be. Then my Constellations will be satisfied."
He proposed a more efficient solution.
[Of course.]
The Galaxy Arena quickly seized the opportunity.
[Compensation will be processed alongside the Guild War rewards. Please decide which Constellation's Divine Artifact you wish to receive.]
In response to the Galaxy Arena's request,
"Please defer that and deliver it later."
Si-mun answered with a smirk.
Perhaps it was an unexpected reply?
[......Huh?]
Uncharacteristically,
The Galaxy Arena sent a message dripping with bewilderment.
"Exactly as I said. Deliver a high-rank consumable Divine Artifact, but defer whose it will be. Think of it like an unopened random box."
Si-mun reiterated his request.
[What in the...]
"Is it impossible?"
[It's not impossible, but...]
The Galaxy Arena gave a hesitant answer.
To which,
"Then that's what I ask."
Si-mun nodded in satisfaction.
[The six Constellations watching you are filled with deep suspicion.]
Seeing the Constellations' reactions floating before him,
"This is new and fun, isn't it? I can use it when needed."
He wore a mischievous smile.
Of course,
'This way, I'll get a top-tier Divine Artifact unconditionally, no matter whose it is... The Constellations will pay even more attention to me now.'
He secretly hid his calculated thoughts.
As expected,
[The six Constellations' gazes upon you are filled with desire.]
[The six Constellations lick their lips and eye each other warily.]
Even before receiving any compensation,
The six high-ranking Constellations had already begun their silent battle of nerves.
Then,
[Then, with sincere apologies and condolences regarding this Guild War, we shall take our leave.]
The Galaxy Arena's farewell message appeared.
But,
"Wait. Where do you think you're going?"
[Huh?]
Si-mun grabbed the Galaxy Arena by the ankle as it tried to leave, smirking.
"The compensation discussion is over, so now we need to address the root cause—the Ancient Dragon, don't we?"
[......]
No answer came, but—
The Galaxy Arena exuded a silence thick with the distinct impression of having been outmaneuvered.