Chapter 7
Chapter 7
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 7
Chapter Title: Well, That Doesn't Make Sense
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Yeah, that didn't add up.
"It's weird how all the women running shops or working part-time jobs are so pretty..."
Was there some terrifying secret that any store falling short of that standard simply vanished according to the laws of natural selection?
For some reason, she could almost hear dozens of voices wailing in despair over their collapsed businesses. A chill ran down her spine.
If that was the case, then the shop she'd just left was clearly destined to thrive.
Whether it was mastery of modern martial world's [Disguise Art: Makeup], or a talent that plunged a thousand pure-hearted souls into despair...
The owner was a rare beauty.
'Can't visit too often, or it'll be awkward.'
Vibrant allure that would make even a three-fingered disabled student from a turbulent school life too tense to strike up a casual chat.
With an owner like that running the place all day, male customers would be lining up out the door, no doubt.
Anyway, she'd secured a way to maintain her blood nicotine levels.
So, what next?
Obviously, a late lunch and back to practice.
She stared blankly at the meal laid out before her for a while.
It might be premature, but a quiet excitement bubbled in one corner of her heart.
Her fingers had adapted to gaming with astonishing speed that morning.
Maybe she could handle chopsticks naturally now, too.
Surrendering to the eager thrill urging her body on, she reached for the utensils.
"......"
But the wall of chopstick mastery was towering and treacherous.
A pair of haughty metal rods that refused to yield gracefully even after half a day's taming.
She could only slump in defeat before them.
Kim Sung-jin was racking up wins smoothly in today's stream, as if he'd never known defeat.
His fingers fully loosened, unleashing the full prowess of a former pro.
Before long, fifteen humiliating losses inflicted on foes by his own hand.
Countless experts had leaped into single combat to halt the peerless warlord's advance, but all met the same end.
Not that the seemingly impregnable fortress was entirely spotless.
This morning, just as Kim Sung-jin declared his descent into the wilds of custom rooms.
A former supreme master hiding name and face, confident he'd toy with the young upstarts effortlessly.
But as the saying goes, the world is vast and full of oddballs.
Just as he grinned wickedly in anticipation of flaunting his skills and planting heart demons in the juniors, a hidden expert appeared out of nowhere...
Wielding fluid illusory swordplay to deceive the eyes while pressing a sharp blade to his throat.
In the end, an indelible mark was etched in Kim Sung-jin's heart.
The fact it was an online duel where faces couldn't meet proved a massive blind spot.
As martial tales warn to beware women and children—had he seen the hidden expert's form, he might have been more cautious.
Reality isn't the martial world, and calling her a woman or child felt oddly off...
Anyway, Yoo Seo-ha fit the bill with squinted eyes, so it wasn't wrong.
"Another GG pops up."
"Let's let this one go. Time to find another opponent."
Another victim toyed with to his heart's content by Kim Sung-jin, until questioning his own Triachia build ideas: 'Double cathedral in main base... maybe not a bad build?'
Reeling from absurd meme builds one after another, he'd fallen into a heart demon.
Indifferent to such plights.
With his tower of sixteen straight wins complete, Kim Sung-jin scanned for the next sacrifice.
A familiar title caught his eye.
[No swearing manners game ^^. Host: Humanity / Pros only]
"Oh!! This one!"
He clicked in instinctively.
Sure enough.
The host's ID was unforgettable.
Ttalpi Reader.
The user who'd seized a chance to blemish Kim Sung-jin's flawless record, only to vanish with a nonchalant attitude toward victory or defeat.
"Finally found you! Thought I wouldn't catch you today!"
Facing the chance to wash away his shame, Kim Sung-jin felt his excitement build.
The deceptive tricks she'd toyed with him using—he was confident he wouldn't fall for them again.
Now, he'd claim her neck honorably and repay that morning's humiliation tenfold.
Snagging the mission pot swelled to 100,000 won was extra motivation.
By the sharp eyes of a former pro, the opponent clearly had unusual skill.
Picking his worst faction, Undead, risked another loss.
But pride forbade picking main faction Humanity right away.
Look—she didn't even remember him?
Failing to leave an impression despite defeat was a huge humiliation.
Maybe worse than being mocked directly during the loss.
Thus, his hand rejected Humanity coldly.
Compromise: Dragonkin.
If she realized he'd partied with her that morning, kick risk.
To avert disaster, Kim Sung-jin stayed quiet, awaiting game start.
Beep—. Beep—.
Opponent started without delay.
Machine beep, 5-second timer, game begins.
Splitting workers in spare time.
Now in battle—no escape if he reveals himself.
So he laid bare their grudge openly.
Finally, recognition dawned on her.
Kim Sung-jin smiled, continuing the chat.
He'd shelved all his meme builds.
Play standard early, seize advantage, then revenge.
As if responding to their master's zeal, Lizardman workers diligently mined ether.
The chat overflowed with laughter, but Kim Sung-jin couldn't help but bristle.
Undead wasn't his main, true.
But the seed of those words struck his chest.
You sucked at Undead?
A certified pro with Triachia league credentials, youth poured into the game.
No pro wouldn't itch at such treatment from an amateur.
He had to admit deep down.
She mastered scratching nerves.
Even mild-mannered Kim Sung-jin felt his blood boil.
He'd win no matter what.
Tournament-level desperation filled his chest.
First, Lizardman built Humidity Regulator.
Reptilian Dragonkin vulnerable to humidity; buildings only near pop-boosting regulator.
Then Warrior Residence for basic fighter 'Dragonling Infantry'.
Scout with builder.
Delaying double Warrior for long-game tech switch, not early power.
Thus, scout timing late.
"I'm at 1 o'clock... so 5 o'clock."
Praying first scout Lizardman succeeds.
But hopes dashed.
Deep scout into main—just empty at 5.
"Mission failed..."
Sent worker to 7 o'clock.
First Dragonling Infantry out, blocking ramp.
No second.
Straight to Drake Citadel and Illusium Extractor.
Melee Dragonling Infantry and ranged Drakes—Dragonkin core units.
Costly at 2 pop each, but worth it mainline early to late.
While fortifying main, Lizardman reached opponent's 7 o'clock expansion.
A massive building already there.
"Oh no."
Spawn Double.
Bold—no Elf Archers, straight multi.
Problem: His build not early aggression fit, and diagonal mains—farthest map distance.
Far apart means ample prep time even if attacking.
Speechless.
No scout at all?
Meant one extra worker mining in her main—huge resource gap.
Mute as a honeyed fool.
He'd cheesed harder himself before.
Situation dire.
Opponent's expansion half-active; infrastructure met, army floods soon.
Accumulate damage in brief reprieve, defend.
Equal skill, this gap usually auto-loss...
"Not over yet. Block timing rush, chance."
Kim Sung-jin had flipped worse countless times.
No thought of surrender.
Drag to macro, solid concepts could reverse.
Revenge certain.
Flames ignited in ever-gentle Kim Sung-jin's eyes.