Chapter 99
Chapter 99
Chapter 99: Guild Buff (5)
Translation: godtl
"I'll stop you even if I have to break all your limbs!"
Riko's voice brimmed with agitation.
Shink.
Clutching a handful of hidden weapons in her grip, she drew a firm line in the sand.
Tsk.
"Riko really is a liar. Always nothing but lies."
A composed male student.
Yuto gazed at Riko with his characteristically expressionless eyes.
"You can't beat me, Riko."
"You insane idiot! That's not what I meant!!"
Her anger must have reached its peak.
Riko's face flushed crimson, the veins on her pale neck bulging taut.
But as Yuto had said—
This damn muscle-headed moron!
Even as fellow rising stars of Masamune, Japan's strongest guild—
There was a clear gap between her and Yuto.
Before even considering the rock-paper-scissors dynamic of assassin versus swordsman classes—
What kind of so-called 'once-in-a-generation genius' is this?! Just a battle-crazed brat!
Since the emergence of the Galaxy Arena—
Yuto had carried the title of a prodigy unparalleled in history.
A Platinum Player who could effortlessly defeat even Platinum-tier opponents, Yuto had no equal among players of his level.
Naturally, even Riko—who was rising as a new star among Japan's assassin class—stood no chance against him.
This was something she knew better than anyone, having fought alongside him in their Gold Debut Match.
Still—
"Yuto! I warned you clearly!"
She couldn't just let this battle-crazed brat recklessly throw himself into a solo match.
This is exactly why I requested they assign at least one Ranker to our team!
The smug face of the Vice Guild Master flashed in her mind—the man who had dismissed her concerns, insisting Yuto alone was enough.
"Then try stopping me. But, Riko? You'd better be prepared."
Thud.
Yuto stepped forward without hesitation, unfazed by Riko's drawn weapon and threats.
Damn this brat! He's completely flipped his switch now! What do I do?!
Should she actually strike? Or not?
If she does—will she even survive?
Riko gnawed at her lip, torn by the dilemma.
Then—
Swish.
A single sword came flying between them.
"Huh?"
A blade that was clearly no ordinary weapon.
As if recognizing it instantly—
"This sword...!"
Yuto's expressionless face melted into one of reverence.
Then—
-That's enough.
The sword vibrated, its voice crisp and clear.
-Player Kim Si-mun has just finished his sparring session. I won't permit any further duels.
"Sword Saint, I—"
-Silence, Yuto.
Kim Si-hyeok's voice sliced through Yuto's unusually bright tone like a blade.
His sword angled downward—
Swipe.
—and drew an intricate line across the ground.
-Cross this line, and it won't matter if you're Masamune's rising star or not.
Then—
-I'll just kill you.
The once-clear voice turned into a chilling blade, pressing against Yuto's throat.
"......"
The joyous smile on Riko's face froze.
Though the Sword Saint's murderous threat as a Ranker was intimidating—
If even the Sword Saint is going this far... Surely he wouldn't cross the line now?
—what truly unsettled her was the possibility of Yuto acting unpredictably.
That crazy brat might actually do it.
Having fought alongside him in the Arena as part of their prospect team, Riko knew.
If it meant growing stronger—
Yuto feared his own death not even slightly.
Fortunately—
"If the Sword Saint says so, then of course I must withdraw."
Perhaps not even his idol could sway him beyond this point.
Yuto bowed deeply at a perfect 90-degree angle and stepped back.
Riko exhaled in relief.
Right, this brat listens to the Sword Saint's words better than his own parents.
A Sword Saint fanatic.
It wasn't for nothing that she—and the entirety of Masamune—called him that.
"But."
Yuto tilted his head as he straightened up.
"I didn't expect the Sword Saint himself to personally intervene in a mere Gold-tier duel."
A faint smirk played at the corners of his lips.
"Could it be... you think Player Kim Si-mun would lose to me?"
A blatant provocation.
This idiot!
Embers of anger flared again in Riko's eyes, but that was all.
Ugh! He really is just a kid. Did he seriously think that kind of taunt would work on the Sword Saint?!
She sighed and shook her head.
"You're quite arrogant, Yuto. How dare someone like you claim you can defeat anyone?"
Her prediction had missed the mark entirely.
"Are you saying, Sword Saint, that you believe I will lose to Player Kim Si-mun?"
"Of course. You might last longer than Player Kang Hwa-wi, but that's all. In the end, you'll be utterly crushed."
Perhaps those words struck a nerve.
The smooth furrow of Yuto's brow twisted.
"Why are you so certain without even seeing it? You know me well, don't you? Back then, we had an honest conversation as swordsmen—"
"That's precisely why I'm saying this, Yuto."
The Sword Saint Kim Si-hyeok's voice was resolute.
"Having crossed blades with you, I know better than anyone. At best, you might barely keep up with Player Kim Si-mun's footsteps."
Swoosh.
With those words, the sword vanished into the distance, returning to its owner.
"......"
Yuto said nothing, watching the retreating figure of the sword.
Then—
"...I understand your meaning, Sword Saint. But."
His grip on the hilt tightened until veins bulged on the back of his hand.
"This time, I believe you are mistaken. I will prove it to you later."
His gaze fixed on Kim Si-mun, who was conversing with Seo Wi-ryong in the distance.
"Unbelievable......"
Though he was clearly using the Arena's translator,
the flawless English that slipped through carried nothing but awe.
The blond-haired man who had uttered the exclamation—Andrew Burns—stared at Kim Si-mun with wide eyes.
To shatter Kang Hwa-wi in a single blow... That's something even I couldn't do.
The American Dream, one of the world's top two guilds alongside the Continent Guild.
Even Andrew, their most promising prospect, would have struggled to take down Kang Hwa-wi—armed with his reinforced armor—in one hit.
And he didn't even use that Lightning Spear or Flame Sword from the broadcast.
Considering this was reality and not the Galaxy Arena, his base stats should have been somewhat diminished.
Wasn't Kim Si-mun a Magic Class user, not a Combat Class?
Yet, without even resorting to his strongest techniques, he had sent a defensive-type prospect flying with a single punch?
We absolutely must recruit him for the American Dream.
Like every other major guild in the world,
Kim Si-mun was undoubtedly already on the American Dream's recruitment list.
But seeing him in person made one thing clear—
Kim Si-mun wasn't just someone to be added to the list.
He's a player we must prioritize at all costs.
And wasn't his class the rare Magic Class at that?
Kim Si-mun's future value would be truly limitless.
I'll report to the recruitment team as soon as I get back. But first...
Andrew's eyes shifted to a faint blue.
I need to analyze him.
Whoosh.
Like a thin film of water,
a pale blue shimmer rippled across his emerald eyes.
It was Andrew's S-rank Trait—Analysis.
Soon, the faint blue film faded,
and a system message appeared before him:
[Current target cannot be analyzed.]
"Hm?"
Andrew's brow twitched slightly as he read the message.
Not because he couldn't understand it.
My Analysis works even on most high-tier Platinums.
His trait allowed him to dissect an opponent's abilities, class, and habits—
the weaker they were compared to him, the more detailed the breakdown.
Even against stronger opponents, his S-rank trait should have provided some insight.
Why isn't it working? Don't tell me Player Kim Si-mun is Diamond-tier?
He shook his head instinctively.
After all, it was common knowledge—through his personal broadcasts—that Kim Si-mun was only Gold.
In that case—
There's something else blocking my ability...
Andrew rested his chin on his hand, his expression serious.
What should I do?
His gaze flickered between Kim Si-mun, deep in conversation with Seo Wi-ryong, and the Sword Saint Kim Si-hyeok watching from afar.
Finally—
I came to gather intel on the Growth Buff, but... I have no choice.
Clicking his tongue, Andrew opened his inventory.
He retrieved a miniature replica—a golden shield adorned with serpentine figures coiled like hair.
The Growth Buff intel is important, but there's no guarantee it'll work on a Ranker like the Sword Saint anyway.
Rather than taking that gamble—
It's better to secure concrete information.
Having made his decision, Andrew channeled mana into the shield replica.
['Athena's Relic (Imitation)' responds to the user's mana.]
The shield model glowed faintly along with a series of messages.
Soon, the shield model crumbled into ashes and scattered.
[The Constellation Athena responds to your devotion.]
[The Authority of the Constellation Athena descends upon you.]
[Your S-rank Trait, Analysis, is temporarily elevated to SSS-rank.]
[The capabilities of the Trait Analysis have been greatly enhanced.]
Messages floated up one after another before Andrew's eyes.
Simultaneously.
Whoosh.
The thin blue film that had veiled Andrew's eyes now settled into clear, azure irises.
'Thank you, Lady Athena.'
Andrew gave a slight nod toward the sky before immediately turning his gaze.
'Even if it's an imitation, using a Holy Relic comes at an enormous cost... but the target is worth it.'
His eyes locked onto Si-mun, who was conversing with Seo Wi-ryong in the distance.
'Kim Si-mun, I sincerely hope you're worth this level of investment.'
Swoosh.
Andrew's vision gradually tinted blue.
Just as his SSS-rank Analysis, maximized with Athena's aid, attempted to analyze Kim Si-mun—
[Target cannot be analyzed.]
Once again, a negative message window blocked Andrew's view.
"Even now, it won't work?!"
The words burst from Andrew's lips involuntarily.
And for good reason.
'This has to be a lie. I even analyzed Diamonds in this state!'
In his current state, enhanced by offering a Holy Relic to Athena, he had even managed to analyze Diamond-rank players.
Yet Kim Si-mun was beyond analysis?
But Andrew's shock didn't end there.
[Your SSS-rank Trait Analysis has drawn the attention of XXXX.]
[XXXX frowns and stares at you, thinking, What the hell is this punk?]
An unknown reaction had been triggered.
What was truly shocking—
[XXXX widens his eyes in surprise, Huh? Athena, why the hell are you here?]
[The Constellation Athena pales upon seeing XXXX.]
—was the reaction of his own Backing Constellation, Athena.
[XXXX scowls, Has this bitch finally lost her mind because Zeus kept indulging her? How dare she flaunt her Authority in front of me?]
[The Constellation Athena vehemently shakes her head, insisting it was never her intention and that this is a misunderstanding.]
[XXXX nods slowly, Hmph. Well, you've always had a good head on your shoulders, just like your father. Fine, whatever.]
[XXXX adds magnanimously, Consider this a favor—for your father's sake and that pretty face of yours.]
Athena.
A goddess who grants strength when strength is needed, wisdom when wisdom is required.
Among the currently manifested Constellations, she was regarded as one of the highest-ranking, an all-powerful deity.
[The Constellation Athena bows her head repeatedly in gratitude.]
[XXXX smiles in satisfaction, Good, good. You see the others around me? Let's all get along from now on.]
To think Athena would bow her head like that to someone?
And not only that—the other party's name wasn't even displayed.
'Just what in the world...?'
Faced with a situation beyond his wildest imagination, Andrew could only gape in disbelief.
[The Constellation Athena withdraws her Authority.]
Swoosh.
Like removing colored lenses.
His once-clear azure eyes reverted to their original green.
Even though he had pointlessly wasted a Holy Relic of a Constellation, albeit an imitation—
Andrew felt no sense of futility at all.
'Player Kim Si-mun... There's far more to him than meets the eye.'
Though he had gained no concrete information despite using the Holy Relic—
Paradoxically, he had obtained information worth that much.
Andrew glanced up at the sky.
"Lady Athena, who was that being just now?"
[The Constellation Athena shakes her head, indicating she cannot speak of it.]
"I see. Understood."
Though disappointed, Andrew accepted it readily.
After all—
'If she could have mentioned it, the system wouldn't have censored the name like that in the first place.'
The fact that the system itself was censoring the name spoke volumes.
He had only asked on the off chance.
Andrew hadn't held much hope to begin with.
'One thing's for sure—a player like him will reach Platinum in no time.'
Regardless of that unknown entity—
Kim Si-mun's performance in the spar against Kang Hwa-wi alone proved he could easily break into Platinum.
'Which means we'll inevitably face each other in the Platinum Debut Match.'
Naturally, as the top prospect of American Dream, he would have to brace himself for potential defeat.
'Not that I'm avoiding a fight...'
Andrew pulled out his phone from his pocket.
'But is there really any reason to clash with a high-risk opponent?'
He immediately dialed a familiar number.
—What is it, Andrew? Are you back already?
A familiar baritone voice came through the phone.
"No, Guild Master. There's something I need to discuss."
—If it's guild-related, why not talk to Colin? He didn't become Vice Guild Master for nothing.
"Well... I thought it'd be better to speak directly to you, Guild Master."
Andrew Burns, unable to bring himself to voice Vice Guild Master Colin's shortcomings directly, steadied his breath before speaking.
"There's someone we absolutely must recruit on our side."