Chapter 63
Chapter 63
Chapter 63: The Cure (1)
Translation: godtl
The Continent Guild.
China's top guild, and one of the world's most prominent mega-guilds.
In the upper floors of the Continent Guild's massive guild house—
The seats for the executives, usually left with several vacancies, were completely filled today.
"I believe everyone knows why we've gathered like this."
A portly middle-aged man standing at the front podium lightly waved his hand.
Flick.
A massive screen lit up behind him, displaying photos and personal details organized by nationality.
"As of this morning, the Gold-rank Debut Matches have concluded worldwide. Did anyone happen to keep tabs on the Debut Matches of countries other than the United States?"
Could he even see properly?
The middle-aged man swept his gaze across the assembly with eyes nearly buried in flesh.
Yet none of the seated executives reacted.
"As expected, no one did."
It was only natural.
For the Continent Guild, the only opponent that mattered was the United States.
Naturally, their attention was nowhere else—at least, that was the official stance.
But the reality was slightly different.
"If the Vice Guild Master is dragging this out, it must be about that country again."
An executive seated in the front row spoke while swaying slightly.
For anyone who understood the Vice Guild Master's standing in the Continent Guild, this was behavior that should never be shown.
"As expected of a Ranker—Young Master Xiao has sharp instincts. Then again, one can't rise to such a position on strength alone."
Despite the man being young enough to be considered green by his standards,
the Vice Guild Master simply responded with a benevolent smile.
"Young Master Xiao is correct. Among the four standout newcomers in this Gold-rank Debut Match, there's one we should pay attention to—a Korean player."
The Vice Guild Master's thick hand gave a light wave.
The monitor behind him changed, displaying the photo of a handsome young man under the heading: [Winner of Korea's Gold-rank Debut Match].
"His name is Kim Si-mun. His class is Magic, and he's only been in the Arena for a month."
"......What?"
The Ranker who had been swaying earlier froze at the Vice Guild Master's words.
And he wasn't the only one.
"Hoho. I understand your reactions perfectly. How could someone who's only been in the Arena for a month participate in a Debut Match?"
"There must be some mistake in the intel."
"Lately, the Intelligence Division's reports have been quite unreliable."
At the Vice Guild Master's words, the other Rankers and executives seated nearby all voiced their opinions.
Reaching Gold-rank itself wasn't impossible.
With innate stats, traits, exceptional control, or combat sense, it wasn't particularly difficult.
But the Debut Match was a different story.
An Arena where only the absolute best among the best could participate.
And since the Galaxy Arena itself handpicked the participants, no amount of bribes or connections could influence it—wasn't that the case?
"But everyone, think about it the other way. If someone has the skill to reach Gold in just a month, wouldn't they qualify for the Debut Match?"
"......"
The assembly fell silent at the Vice Guild Master's words.
The executives here weren't unaware that the Galaxy Arena determined Debut Match participants based on MMR.
After all, they were all players of at least Diamond-rank—
And they had once competed in Debut Matches themselves.
The Vice Guild Master, observing the executives with his benevolent smile, continued.
"Doesn't this situation remind you of someone?"
At those words, the atmosphere in the room grew even heavier.
The one who came to mind was none other than the Continent Guild's legendary player and candidate for the next Guild Master—Fist King Jong-ri Chu.
It was only natural, given that the person who had handed him his only defeat in his undefeated myth was—
Seemingly enjoying the mood,
the Vice Guild Master grinned and spoke.
"I see we're all thinking the same thing. Correct. Sword Saint Kim Si-hyeok. His trajectory is strikingly similar to that of the man who recently earned the title of Sword Saint."
"I must disagree with you there, Vice Guild Master."
The young Ranker who had been swaying earlier responded with clear dissatisfaction.
"I acknowledge the Sword Saint's greatness. It's baffling how such a figure emerged from such a small country. But when he participated in the Gold Debut Match, he did so in a two-man party."
At the young Ranker's words, the other Rankers and executives nearby all nodded in unison.
The unspoken rule of Debut Matches worldwide was a full three-person party.
Kim Si-hyeok was a historical figure in his own right, having shattered the unwritten global rule by winning with a two-person duo party.
"But to compare some unheard-of nobody who's entering the Arena's Debut Match just a month after starting to Kim Si-hyeok—"
"Ah, that part is explained here."
The Vice Guild Master smoothly cut off the young Ranker and gestured toward the massive monitor behind him.
There, the word [TEAM MEMBERS] was listed as blank.
"...Why is that empty?"
"Exactly as you see, my young friend. Player Kim Si-mun participated in the Debut Match alone—and won."
The Vice Guild Master deliberately emphasized the words alone.
The young Ranker's jaw dropped.
The surrounding executives reacted the same way.
And for good reason.
"Th-that's impossible!"
"Even for you, Vice Guild Master, this joke is going too far!"
The very idea of winning the Debut Match—where the best players clashed—solo was absurd.
Sure, individual skill gaps could exist to some extent.
But weren't all participants top-tier players of their generation?
The Debut Match was precisely where weak teams could become strong, or strong teams could falter, based on class synergy.
Moreover, most of those present here had once been promising rookies who had gone through the Debut Match themselves.
They knew better than anyone how it worked.
Yet the Vice Guild Master merely maintained his benevolent smile and stayed silent.
The executives, well aware that his silence was an affirmation, finally grew serious.
The young Ranker in the front row, now wearing a grave expression unlike before, asked:
"Vice Guild Master. Then shouldn't we act? Has the Guild Master said nothing about this?"
"I've already discussed it with the Guild Master. His stance was to wait and see. If the situation escalates, we'll attempt recruitment."
"But why go out of our way to—"
Were they really going to rehash a matter already settled with the Guild Master in an executive meeting?
Though everyone harbored doubts, it lasted only a moment.
"Doesn't it seem unreasonable? Recruitment already failed when he was Silver. And now, with even the major American guilds making moves, you want to try recruitment again?"
At the Vice Guild Master's words, the young Ranker's eyes widened.
He realized why the Vice Guild Master had brought up a settled matter here.
"Are you calling for an executive vote, Vice Guild Master?"
Instead of answering, the Vice Guild Master nodded with that same warm smile.
Originally, the Continent Guild granted its Guild Master immense authority.
Following the law of Survival of the Fittest, any citizen of Zhonghua could challenge for the position—and with it came corresponding power and influence.
But such power required safeguards.
Several measures were in place to prevent the Guild Master's unchecked dominance.
An executive vote was one of them.
"Ahem! Even so, an executive vote out of nowhere?"
"If the Guild Master has decided so, there must be a reason..."
Some executives voiced discomfort.
Every faction had its conservatives, and they were no exception.
Despite the Continent Guild's creed of Survival of the Fittest, these were fools who shied away from change and challenge.
The Vice Guild Master gazed at them with eyes that, though benevolent, held sharpness.
"Then let me be blunt. Do you want a second Sword Saint to emerge?"
"Th-that's—!"
"......"
The conservatives froze in panic.
Hadn't Sword Saint Kim Si-hyeok just dominated the national qualifiers with overwhelming performance, taking first place?
And now, Kim Si-mun was showing feats even greater than Si-hyeok's—his future was beyond prediction.
"Your reactions make it seem as though you want our Continent Guild to bow its head to that tiny nation."
"Now, now! Vice Guild Master, you go too far!"
"How could you say such a thing!"
"With the Emperor still in power, what could a small country possibly do? We're merely pointing out your excessive concern!"
Like a reflex,
unified backlash erupted.
But the Vice Guild Master, as if he had been waiting for this,
continued with a face that had turned cold.
"As you said, the Emperor already stands as Kim Si-hyeok's equal. But what comes after?"
"What if another like Kim Si-hyeok is born? What if someone even stronger appears? Are you calling it excessive concern to prepare for that day?"
The natural outpouring of a Ranker's aura and informal speech.
But the executives who knew well that this was the Vice Guild Master's true self remained silent.
Even before the revelation of the Vice Guild Master's sincerity.
The notion of a player stronger than Sword Saint Kim Si-hyeok struck deep into everyone's core.
In that suffocating silence...
"...Then what exactly is the picture you're painting, Vice Guild Master?"
A young Ranker broke the silence.
"I believe our brilliant junior brother has already pieced it together."
To wait and see, or to coax them into compliance.
They had openly opposed the Guild Master's intentions and called for an executive vote.
The answer it pointed to was singular.
"Are you suggesting assassination?"
"As expected of our exceptional junior brother."
"But Vice Guild Master, assassination carries extreme risks. Moreover, Korea's security has been heightened recently due to the Awakened terrorist incident—"
The young Ranker's words trailed off.
His eyes, which had remained steady until now, wavered for the first time.
The same was true for the other executives.
Only now did they realize.
'Could it be that the terrorist incident in Korea was—?!'
'But there was no mention of it in the last executive meeting...'
'Does that mean this was the Vice Guild Master's unilateral decision?'
'Impossible. This must be Fist King's will.'
'Indeed. The Vice Guild Master is Fist King's staunch supporter.'
The full truth behind the Awakened terrorist incident in Korea.
The Vice Guild Master watched the murmuring executives, his originally benevolent smile returning.
He drove the final nail for those still hesitating.
"Not long ago, in a secret martial contest, Fist King Jong-ri Chu emerged victorious."
He didn't specify whom the Fist King had faced in that contest.
But as for who that opponent was—
And how the Continent Guild's power dynamics would shift—those seated here couldn't possibly remain ignorant.
'Is the Guild Master finally changing?'
'The First Generation players... their era is ending.'
'Heavens! How could this be...'
The executives' expressions transformed in an instant.
The master of the Continent Guild was changing.
Each of them now racked their brains about how to position themselves in this upheaval.
'They must be agonizing. Mere insects who wouldn't dare challenge the emperor's seat.'
Strong, yet ultimately failed contenders who never dared challenge the supreme position.
The Continent Guild's current executive roster included many such figures.
In fact, weren't all those with gravest expressions precisely the non-high-rankers?
The Vice Guild Master gazed contentedly at these troubled executives.
"I sincerely hope you'll make wise choices for the Continent Guild's future."
After tidying up the surroundings, he signaled for the vote.
The result was inevitable.
"Truly, the Continent Guild's future shines bright! I shall convey your loyal hearts to my Fist King."
Unanimous.
[You have cleared the Arena's 'Gold-rank Debut Match' with historic results.]
[Clear rewards have increased based on your performance.]
[Your bound trait 'Philosopher's Stone' has distributed a portion of experience.]
[Level has increased by 10.]
[Philosopher's Stone level has increased by 7.]
[Obtained 'Special Random Box' as clear reward.]
Message windows cascaded before Si-mun's eyes.
Then—
[You have discovered the hidden piece of the Rising Archipelago.]
[Acquired 1,000 Achievement Points as reward.]
[Hidden achievement 'Sunken Mermaid Island' completed.]
[Acquired 1,000 Achievement Points.]
Only after receiving the final island-related rewards did the flood of messages cease.
"Whew. Got quite the haul."
The sponsorships pouring in after the Debut Match's conclusion.
True to a Debut Match, many high-rank players had attended, making the sponsorship amounts incomparable to before.
Guilds that had been sending love calls since last time grew even bolder in their scouting.
Thanks to this, the AP earned just from this Debut Match broadcast alone easily surpassed hundreds of millions in cash value.
'Though the most important thing is still the reward.'
The prize for first place in the Debut Match.
In his past life, it was Beast King Choi Jin-su who obtained this reward—a gift that remained his workhorse even after becoming a high-ranker.
Naturally so.
"It's a freaking Special Random Box!"
As Si-mun organized his messages and prepared to check his Special Random Box with joyful anticipation—
Ding~.
The intercom rang.
Clicking his tongue, Si-mun closed his inventory and approached the intercom.
On the screen appeared—
[Si-mun nim, I'm here!]
[Hyung! Me too! Your Debut Match was insane!]
[Oppa, congratulations on first place!]
Night Hunter Park Jin-uk and his two younger siblings waved brightly, their faces beaming.