Chapter 41
Chapter 41
Chapter 41: Foundation (3)
Translation: godtl
Tap tap tap.
The small keyboard of the laptop was being busily tapped.
"So you're saying mass production of the cure isn't feasible right now?"
"Yes. As I mentioned earlier, the production process is somewhat... troublesome. It requires specialized facilities."
"I understand what you're implying. You're planning to use the proceeds from selling this batch of the cure to set up those facilities, aren't you?"
Si-mun grinned and nodded.
"As expected of Jin-uk. Exactly. Though I'll need you to cap the maximum price as we discussed earlier."
A cure for an incurable disease.
Without a price ceiling, it would undoubtedly generate enormous profits.
But he knew better than anyone the suffering caused by Arena Disease.
'We need as many normal Players as possible—that way when the regular Arenas begin, the impact will be minimized.'
Only by reducing the number of Arena Disease patients.
Could they mitigate the damage when the regular Arenas fully commenced.
"Understood. Then I'll determine the price ceiling based on the auction trends. The sales method will be auction-based, and we'll primarily use the Black Market..."
Park Jin-uk began neatly summarizing the points they'd discussed so far.
Given their relationship of trust, a verbal agreement would have sufficed.
But true to his nature, Jin-uk insisted on documenting everything properly.
Si-mun turned his head toward the source of noisy chatter.
There, sprawled on the sofa watching TV, was his younger brother Kim Si-hyeok.
Si-mun's gaze naturally shifted to the television screen.
The National Arena Program, hosted by Korea's famous MC Choi Gang-yeop alongside professional Player commentators.
Commonly called "NatArena" for short.
Si-mun let out a small sigh watching it.
Come to think of it, this is around the time for National Team selections.
Mid-January.
The National Team Selection Tournament, starting no later than early February since the advent of Galaxy Arena.
Had become as hectic a period as Lunar New Year.
And.
"Si-hyeok, aren't you participating in this National Team selection?"
This was also around the time his younger brother would earn the title of Sword Saint.
"Yeah. But did I mention that to you?"
"You've been staring holes through NatArena—how could I not know?"
"Oh. Did I?"
Kim Si-hyeok scratched his head with an awkward expression.
Si-mun chuckled and took a sip of lukewarm coffee.
"You brat. So, any special preparations?"
"Not really. Honestly can't be bothered either."
"Why? The participants are pretty much set already."
The National Team Selection was a global event.
Naturally, most details were finalized weeks before the selections began.
The participation of key Players being the most crucial factor.
"Figured I'd just do what I always do. No big deal."
"You're not planning to half-ass it just because you were pressured into joining, are you?"
"Hah, how'd you know I was pressured into it?"
"Who knows?"
Because he was a regressor with memories of a past life?
Si-mun merely responded to his brother's question with a meaningful smile.
"Sigh... I wasn't interested originally, but—should've known that fox Yu-jeong would make her move early."
Si-hyeok twisted his lips slightly as he continued in a grumbling tone.
"You know how it is—unlike Yu-jeong, I don't even have a guild."
"True."
Kim Si-hyeok, who would later establish Ssaulabi Guild—Korea's top guild.
Naturally had no guild affiliation at this point.
In a way, it's impressive.
A powerhouse who reached Ranker status alone—no guild, no support.
But before praising those remarkable achievements.
Just how many people had tried to block his rise to this position?
Once again, I felt proud of my younger brother, yet at the same time...
'Meanwhile, I was busy floundering with Mana Disability...'
As his older brother, guilt intertwined within me.
Just then, a grumbling voice reached Si-mun's ears.
"Honestly, this kind of thing suits Yu-jeong more since she's part of a major guild, but she already announced she won't participate. So they practically begged me to join instead."
Well, of course.
As even the national program National Arena had mentioned, the public's interest in Rankers Kim Si-hyeok and Lee Yu-jeong was incredibly intense.
From their looks to their age and even their skills—there wasn't a single flaw.
The organizers must have been desperate to get at least one of them to participate.
"So you're saying you'll be a mercenary for both the individual and team events?"
"Yeah, looks like it."
Ironically, while the individual matches didn't matter much, the team events were usually organized by guilds—even in a national event, the power struggles between major guilds seeped in.
In a way, it made sense.
Just becoming a national representative was practically a declaration of being the best in the country.
'If I just gave him a few pointers here, this kid would become an absolute hero in this National Team Selection Tournament.'
So while the individual matches were unpredictable,
as a mercenary, there were limits to how much he could shine in the team events.
Just as often happened in the Arena,
the famous guilds would do everything to prevent outsiders from stealing the spotlight.
But with my future knowledge, my advice could easily make him the MVP in both individual and team events.
But—
'It's better not to.'
Just look at that sulky face of his.
Despite his refreshing outward appearance, he was actually quite the introvert.
He even streamed with the chat turned off, broadcasting one-sidedly like some kind of lecture.
In the end, for this talented brother of mine, being a national representative or MVP was nothing more than a nuisance.
So I changed tactics.
"Si-hyeok."
"Yeah?"
"Hey, do you do sports betting?"
It was better for both Si-hyeok and me to benefit in different ways.
And surprisingly—
"Honestly, hyung, I can't hide anything from you. How do you know things I haven't even mentioned?"
The brother I thought was naive had already been profiting.
"I considered betting on other matches, but it got too complicated, so I just bet a little on mine."
"You little— You act all reluctant, but you've already done everything behind my back, huh?"
"Hehe. It's a world where money makes money. Gotta grab every opportunity to earn."
Kim Si-hyeok flashed his signature refreshing smile.
Though it was the same innocent face I knew so well—
'Total snake.'
I'd worried for nothing.
Shaking my head, I spoke again.
"How'd you bet?"
"On a clean sweep."
Both the individual and team finals were best-of-five matches.
Considering that, a "clean sweep" meant—
"Don't tell me you bet on a 3-0 victory?"
"Obviously. There's no one in this tournament who can beat me one-on-one."
Would you look at this punk?
That unmistakable arrogance peeking through his refreshing smile made me laugh involuntarily.
Then, from beside me—
"Keh! So our VVIP has finally seen through that damn junior's true nature, huh?"
Park Jin-uk, having finished organizing the documents at some point, plopped down with a glass of liquor in hand.
"Well, to be honest, I bet the same as that junior. Kim Si-hyeok sweeping 3-0."
"You didn't bet on him losing 0-3?"
Given their history, that wouldn't have been surprising.
At Si-mun's words, Park Jin-uk burst out laughing.
"Pfft! Sure, the kid's a pain, but his skills are undeniable, no? I doubt it'll even go to a fourth match."
If the strange aura around Kim Si-hyeok dimmed slightly at those words, was it just my imagination?
Given how the usual "Hyung—" threat died in his throat, it probably wasn't.
"That kid. He's basking in the praise, isn't he?"
Si-mun, who had easily read his younger brother's inner thoughts, let out a soft chuckle and shook his head.
"It's not just me, Si-mun-ssi. I'd wager nearly all the top players betting on the individual matches placed their bets the same way I did."
"Oh? Even the top players?"
"Yes. They've all faced that junior of mine in the Arena at least once, after all."
"I suppose so."
Perhaps it was because even those called Rankers often got matched against each other since they belonged to the same Diamond-rank? The top players' trust in Si-hyeok's combat prowess seemed remarkably solid.
But what could he say?
The outcome he knew ran counter to their certainty.
'Well, isn't this turning out to be interesting?'
As Si-mun smiled oddly, Si-hyeok scratched his cheek and spoke up.
"Uh... Hyung? Not to brag, but if you're thinking of betting, put your money on me. I'll make sure you win big."
If hyung bets on me, I'll fight even harder.
Watching the kid say that—
"Hmm..."
Si-mun slowly curled one corner of his lips.
"My thoughts might be a little different, though?"
National Team Selection Tournament day.
"It's true. The Night Hunter's back."
"Things are about to get noisy in Diamond-rank for a while."
"What a joke. Who does he think he is? He doesn't even have a guild."
"He might not have a guild, but he's tight with Kim Si-hyeok. Don't you remember them running duos all the time?"
"Right. Look, they're practically glued together even now."
The surrounding chatter was chaotic.
Even with a Diamond-grade player's heightened senses, the openly insulting voices stood out.
But the person in question, Park Jin-uk, paid no attention.
Or rather—
"Hey, Kim Si-hyeok. Did you change your bet?"
—he was in no position to care.
"No. I didn't change it."
"You little shit. You completely ignored your hyung-nim, who you treat like the heavens themselves?"
"And what about you, sunbae? Did you listen to your precious VVIP?"
"...No. Just this once, I turned a blind eye to our esteemed VVIP client."
Jin-uk, who had been pulling out a cigarette, coughed awkwardly under the glare of a nearby usher and stuffed the pack back into his pocket.
"Ahem! Don't get me wrong, Si-mun-ssi is incredible, but I just can't picture you losing."
"Right?"
Si-hyeok, for once, agreed with Jin-uk's words.
"Damn straight! And it's not like your opponent's some nobody—it's the Vice Guild Master of the Scorpion Guild."
"Well, they do have a merit-based system."
"Even so, how does it make sense for a Ranker like you to lose to some washed-up First Generation fossil?"
"Sunbae, if I didn't know better, I'd think you were predicting a complete sweep for me. Hyung only said I'd lose one match."
"I know, kid."
Jin-uk plopped down into the seat next to Si-hyeok.
Normally, non-participants were strictly barred from the waiting rooms, but none of the officials dared to restrict Jin-uk. If anything, they were too busy watching him warily for any signs of trouble.
Before anything else—before his past as a renowned Assassin-class player—he was currently the closest associate of Korea's two hottest Rankers.
And whether he knew it or not—
"3-1. And that one loss is only in the first match. But knowing Kim Jong-jun, you couldn't lose even if you wanted to."
Jin-uk just kept talking.
"From the sound of it, you know him, but isn't that a bit too dismissive? He's Diamond-rank too."
"That bastard's a piece of sh—. The kind of guy who'd slit the throat of any Scorpion Guild member on sight."
"Sunbae, watch your language."
"Pfft, this? Hey! Did you eat something wro—"
Jin-uk's body froze mid-rant as he spotted the broadcast cameras positioned around them.
"Wow. Talking about image management at a time like this. What a two-faced little shit."
"Sunbae."
"You slippery bastard. Anyway, just looking at class matchups, he can't beat you. That guy's Assassin-class."
"Oh-ho, so he's an Assassin Class."
"You were defending him just because he's Diamond-rank, but you didn't even know that?"
"We've never met before."
Kim Si-hyeok shrugged his shoulders.
Then, as the camera lights flickered and moved, he flashed his signature refreshing smile before standing up.
"National Team Selection Tournament! Let's begin the long-awaited match!!"
With the emcee's heated announcement, the officials gestured for Kim Si-hyeok to come forward.
"I'll be back, Senior."
"Don't hold back. My godlike older brother said you'd lose the first match anyway."
"I know."
With that refreshing smile still lingering on his lips, Kim Si-hyeok stepped onto the arena floor.
Immediately, players and officials alike swarmed around the arena.
It was only natural.
"Kim Si-hyeok, long time no see."
"I got matched with him in the last Arena. He's a real monster. Took down an Upper-level Dragonkin all by himself."
"Kim Jong-jun is a First Generation player with plenty of experience... but even so, going against a Ranker must be tough."
Kim Si-hyeok, the newly minted Ranker, versus Kim Jong-jun, a veteran First Generation player.
It was a fitting matchup for the finals of the national team selection.
A lean, middle-aged man with a somewhat gaunt appearance.
"Kim Si-hyeok, this is the first time we're facing each other like this."
"True. Strangely enough, we've never met in the Arena before."
"With how quickly you rose to this position, it's only natural."
Kim Jong-jun spoke with a peculiar nuance.
A short Arena career.
In other words—a rookie.
His words carried that exact provocation.
But Kim Si-hyeok merely responded with his refreshing smile instead of a retort.
Not because he was affected by Kim Jong-jun's meaningless taunt.
'He said I'd lose to this guy?'
His older brother, whom he trusted and followed more than anyone in the world.
He was simply mulling over those words in his mind.
"Not even going to respond? This brat's got some nerve."
But this time.
'Brother... I think you might be wrong this time.'
He couldn't help but doubt his older brother Kim Si-mun's words.
Not because he was underestimating Kim Jong-jun.
The fact that he held the position of Vice Guild Master in the notoriously ill-mannered Scorpion Guild meant—
He had the strength to endure countless retaliations because of it.
It was just—
'He's a First Generation player, but he's still only Diamond. There's no way I'd lose to someone like that.'
Someone who, despite all that time, had never broken past the Diamond barrier.
To a Ranker like himself, that was all the man was worth.
"Then, let the first match begin!"
The moment the referee's signal dropped—
Swiish.
The sword at Kim Si-hyeok's waist slid free as if by nature.
Kim Jong-jun, too, began to emit a crimson aura—likely a buff skill.
But.
Snick.
With a single slash through the air, Kim Si-hyeok's sword returned to its sheath.
All he had done was draw, swing, and sheathe it again.
Yet—
"Damn..."
"It's over."
"How the hell does he unleash a sword strike like that?"
"I'm speechless."
"Try taking it yourself. You'll be even more speechless."
The Diamond-grade Players watching from the sidelines all let out sighs of astonishment.
Then—
Crunch.
The cameras, broadcasting equipment, and safety devices surrounding Kim Jong-jun were all sliced clean in half.
Kim Si-hyeok turned away before they even hit the ground.
Just as he always had.
The outcome was obvious.
'Sorry, Brother. But I'll make up for the money you lost—'
Just as he sent an apologetic thought to his brother, who must have been watching from somewhere—
Shiver.
"Tch!"
A chill ran down his spine—one he hadn't felt in a long time—and he immediately twisted his body, pulling his head back.
Whoosh.
Something sharp grazed his cheek and chin.
Before Kim Si-hyeok could even register what it was—
Thud.
Four claws embedded themselves into his chest as he tried to evade.
"This is why rookies don't cut it."
With Kim Jong-jun's sneer, the claws retracted.
Slurp.
Kim Si-hyeok, his chest pierced through, turned ashen gray before collapsing.
'What the hell...?'
His mind wasn't even occupied with the question of how Kim Jong-jun had dodged his sword strike and counterattacked.
Instead, it was filled with the voice of his older brother Kim Si-mun from before the match:
"Even if it's you, Si-hyeok, you won't get a flawless 3-0 victory. You'll probably lose the first match."
It echoed relentlessly in his head.