Chapter 15
Chapter 15
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 15
Chapter Title: The 5-Wave Gamble
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While other players were gathering, the vote came to an end.
"Over ten thousand people participated. It looks like most of my viewers joined in... but I have no idea why."
He'd promised a brand-new car worth over 50 million won in cash as a reward for the correct answer, boasting high participation rates—but Shin-hyeok pretended not to know.
The viewers found it absurd, but that didn't last long.
It was all thanks to those 19 brave souls who'd bet on Shin-hyeok clearing Wave 5.
On average, players in the Bronze-Silver range couldn't get past Wave 2.
Clearing Wave 2 was enough to get scouted as a promising talent by guilds or the government.
But Wave 5? Not even Wave 3 or 4, but Wave 5?
No matter how hyped the viewers were about Korea's returning prodigy, downing a hearty dose of national pride, they couldn't help but shake their heads.
Amid the viewers' reactions, Shin-hyeok scrolled through the chat and smiled at a familiar name.
'Right now, Robert's the world #1, huh.'
Robert Jason.
He traded the top spot back and forth with Europe's #2, Roderick, but he'd held #1 the longest, earning him the title of world's strongest.
Of course, after Shin-hyeok truly made his mark, Robert became the perennial #2.
For the regressed Shin-hyeok, hearing Robert's name after years brought a special nostalgia.
But setting those thoughts aside, Shin-hyeok drew his weapon.
"Just because others can't do it doesn't mean I can't. I'll prove it with results. Let me make one prophecy: the nineteen of you who believed in me—you absolutely won't regret it."
The holy sword emitted a brilliant light, lending weight to his words.
The viewers panicked at the sight of the plainly extraordinary weapon.
Sensing something was off, they unleashed furious chats, but sadly, their pleas didn't reach Shin-hyeok.
"Let's go."
He'd closed the chat window the moment the game started after everyone matched into his team.
Ignoring the unheard clamor, Shin-hyeok faced his teammates.
"Whoa, I never thought I'd be teamed up with a super rookie."
"That sword looks amazing. What's its grade?"
"Looking forward to carrying with you!"
Shin-hyeok's teammates were ordinary Silver-tier players.
They'd either seen his placement exam or the news, and acted like his fans.
Shin-hyeok responded with a gentle smile, quickly assessing them.
'One warrior, one mage, one priest. Perfect balance.'
Tank, DPS, healer.
With this setup, most games started with a clear advantage.
And adding the versatile Shin-hyeok? That sealed it.
"Alright, now that Shin-hyeok's here, let's prep. Warrior, grab your shield and stand at the gate."
"Got it."
"Mage, stick behind the warrior with me."
"Understood."
"Shin-hyeok, I saw your placement exam—you handled close, mid, and long range like a pro. Where do you prefer?"
The priest, often called the 'noble,' swiftly positioned the warrior and mage before asking Shin-hyeok's preference.
Anyone who'd seen his exam knew he could handle any range.
Shin-hyeok replied lightly.
"I can go anywhe—"
[Quest from the Apex of All Evil]
📍 Condition: Defeat 1,000 enemies in the waves.
🎁 Reward: Achievement Points 5,000
No, he'd intended to.
Until the constellation, Apex of All Evil, issued a quest.
Shin-hyeok's eyes widened at the sudden quest.
'5,000 achievement points in one quest? That's generous.'
A single quest for points you couldn't even glimpse from normal achievements.
Finishing the thought, Shin-hyeok completely revised his earlier words.
"I'll take the outside."
"...That's outside the castle, though?"
"Yes. I'll hold the waves solo out there—you guys guard the castle."
"No, that's ridiculous..."
Shin-hyeok, planning a casual Wave 5 clear, set his position outside the castle.
The priest stared at him in disbelief as he pulled this apparent madness.
Ignoring the priest's lunatic-like gaze, Shin-hyeok strode out the gate.
-Kek!
-Kek!
"Kobolds, huh."
The first wave's beastkin were kobolds.
They resembled humans but were smaller and dumber, barely qualifying as beastkin.
Still, the reason they were called beastkin was simple.
Pfshing! Thunk!
"Arrows. Annoying."
They could wield weapons.
Shin-hyeok dodged the arrows with light steps and began the hunt.
Krunch—
"You're not the only ones who can shoot arrows. Let me show you."
Nocking an arrow on the bowstring of his spare weapon, Shin-hyeok released.
Pipipipipiping!
One shot.
But five arrows flew toward the kobolds.
Thud thud thud thud!
Sharpened arrowheads pierced and tore through kobold flesh.
The gruesome sound of rending skin and muscle.
Not every arrow hit, of course.
Two of the five sank harmlessly into the ground.
"Comprehensive Weapon Mastery's only D-rank, so accuracy's a bit low."
It couldn't be helped.
No matter his past-life memories, low skill rank held him back.
But Shin-hyeok didn't mind.
Shing—
"My main is the sword anyway."
Even an All Master had a primary weapon.
And it sure wasn't a bow. Smiling, Shin-hyeok dove into the kobold pack.
A wolf among sheep.
That was Shin-hyeok plunging into the kobolds.
Slashslashslash!
With every swing of the holy sword scattering white light, kobold heads flew skyward.
After a few repetitions, no kobolds remained around him.
"Only the low hundreds. Gotta step it up."
Confirming the kill count with the wave-end message, Shin-hyeok wiped the blood from his sword and returned to the castle.
"Castle's fine, right?"
"...You survived out there?"
"Not many kobolds came, yeah?"
"True, but..."
"I got 132, so that probably helped. Anyway, next wave—count on you guys."
"Uh... sure..."
No matter how many enemies you felled, a shattered guardian stone meant wave failure.
Confirming the stone and team intact, Shin-hyeok headed back out.
The second wave awaited Shin-hyeok.
That was the viewers' reaction to Shin-hyeok steamrolling the waves.
It was only natural.
He started with a bow for ranged poke.
Then charged sword-first into dozens of foes.
Minimizing damage while even picking up and using their weapons—Shin-hyeok's feats were anything but ordinary.
But his true ace, Necromancy, hadn't appeared yet. The viewers buzzed with anticipation.
Like saving the best dish for last.
Not everyone was impressed, though.
These were Shin-hyeok's haters, desperately trying to downplay him.
As the chat devolved into fan vs. hater wars...
-Snort!
-Snort!
-Snort! Snort! Snort!
Fierce snorts echoed.
"...Ha, I've been waiting forever for you pigs."
Shin-hyeok knew exactly who was snorting.
"Orcs. Just the pig bastards I wanted."
Orcs.
Taller and bulkier than adult men, with rough green skin granting physical resistance.
Naturally, they boasted the largest numbers in the New Humanity Empire.
And they'd been there when Shin-hyeok died.
Seeing the orcs stirred memories of his death. A cold smile crept across his lips.
"Now it gets real. Dinner tonight's orc stew."
The fan-hater battle hushed at Shin-hyeok's chilling smile and 'serious mode' declaration, replaced by pure excitement.
Rumble rumble rumble!
The corpses of kobolds and goblins Shin-hyeok had slain in Waves 1 and 2 began to stir.