Chapter 26
Chapter 26
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 26
Chapter Title: The All Master Who Returned to Bronze
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For several days, Choi Shin-hyeok threw himself fully into playing Dimension Arena.
Having neglected it during the time he was unconscious and the hour spent crafting the magic spear, he rampaged through Dimension Arena like a madman, as if to make up for lost time.
As a result, in just a few days, he reached the top of Silver 1.
What's more, he even secured an invitation to the worldwide TOP100 promotion match.
Reporters swarmed toward Shin-hyeok like a hive of bees—the first Korean participant in the worldwide TOP100 in ages.
To the gathered reporters, Shin-hyeok unabashedly dropped a bombshell: he would claim 1st place in the worldwide TOP100 promotion match.
One might dismiss it as merely a Silver tier promotion match, but this was a clash of the world's top prospects.
In other words, taking 1st here all but guaranteed a player would rise to the top ranks later on.
Thus, no one could hide their pounding excitement upon hearing Shin-hyeok's declaration.
"Whoa, that's a ton."
-Caw!
"Yeah, even you think so, huh, Kakamaki?"
-Caw!
Shin-hyeok was staring at mountains of Rare and Rare+ grade materials piled high.
This was the stockpile Grandpa Choi Cheol-ho had promised.
And he planned to use it to evolve his Armor of Absorption all the way to Rare+.
"Here, Kakamaki, chow down on this."
-Caw caw!
He cracked open a can of premium pet food he'd brought himself and set it on the floor. Leaving the ecstatic Kakamaki behind, Shin-hyeok equipped the Armor of Absorption.
"Alright, time to eat."
-Grrrrr...
The armor let out a hungry growl at the feast piled before it. Shin-hyeok scooped up handfuls from the mountain of materials and fed them into the mouth-like opening on the armor.
Crunch!
The true feast of Predation had begun.
It took Shin-hyeok a full day to feed the Armor of Absorption.
Rare-grade materials alone took dozens of minutes each to devour, and Rare+ ones took twice as long.
Fortunately, it reached Rare+ without needing every last scrap.
Had it required everything, it might've taken several times longer.
"Phew... exhausting."
Having worn the armor the entire time, Shin-hyeok collapsed to the floor in fatigue. Even with his stats maxed at Silver tier limits from grinding Dimension Arena, it wasn't enough to shake off the weariness.
But when he checked the now Rare+ Armor of Absorption, joy bloomed in his eyes.
✨ Rarity:Rare+
Once imbued with a great demon's power, this armor has lost all of that might.
"...Perfect."
Upgrading to Rare+ boosted the original all-stats +5 to a whopping +21—a jump of 16.
Defense hit nearly the max for the grade at +98.
And to top it off, it gained a unique skill like the Black Flame on his magic spear: Shock Absorption. Shin-hyeok's happiness was beyond words.
But the rewards didn't end there.
Whoosh!
"Kakamaki's status?!"
The Kakamaki, scarfing down pet food, was suddenly engulfed in radiant light.
As far as Shin-hyeok knew, pets only glowed like that for one reason.
"It's growing!"
Pet growth.
True to his words, when the light faded, a noticeably larger Kakamaki stood there.
-Caw!
Shin-hyeok gave the vigorously cawing Kakamaki—proudly announcing its growth—a fond stroke, then immediately checked its status window.
📛 Name:Kakamaki
Traits
"Definitely a whole different league."
A single grade-up had massively boosted all its stats and even added a new trait. Shin-hyeok nodded in satisfaction.
"Now all preparations are complete."
Unique+ grade magic spear.
Rare+ grade Armor of Absorption.
Rare-grade pet, Kakamaki.
With everything ready, Shin-hyeok equipped all his gear and pulled up his status window.
📛 Name:Choi Shin-hyeok
💼 Job:All Master
🏆 Title:Disciple of the War God (Temporary)
Traits
Skills
The holy sword, magic spear, and Armor of Absorption pushed his stats up by a total of 101.
Add in his Silver-tier-maxed base stats, and he was well over 200 across the board.
His TOP100 rivals would likely be around this level too—cherished super rookies or deities from guilds and nations alike.
But Shin-hyeok wasn't worried.
"I wonder what reward they'll give for an overwhelming 1st place."
He simply brimmed with anticipation for whatever prize awaited when he dominated.
The worldwide TOP100 promotion match—especially the Silver tier—was the hottest topic globally.
The participants were simply that extraordinary.
Leading player powers like the US and China, hot on their heels Japan and the EU—all sent their prized prospects.
Even nations across South America, Russia, India, and beyond didn't hesitate to trot out their own stars.
They all knew: this TOP100 Silver promotion would be a war of the stars.
And they hoped their star would claim a spot, bolstering their national strength.
Then Shin-hyeok dropped his bomb.
A nuclear declaration implying himself.
Though phrased indirectly, it was a statement brimming with unshakable confidence in his victory. The world erupted.
But his actual opponents saw things differently.
"Alice. The player to watch most in this promotion match..."
"I know, Shin-hyeok, right?"
"Exactly. First Earth player placed in Silver 1 during the placement exam. Every clip of his play is beyond impressive."
"Yeah, I know he took 1st in every game he's played. I've reviewed all the footage you sent."
"Good. That should cover it. The government and guild have high hopes. Don't let us down."
"Leave it to me. Berserkers never lose."
America's Alice flashed crimson eyes as she spoke.
It wasn't just her.
"Deung-pyeong. Don't underestimate that small-nation player—crush him thoroughly."
"Yes, Great Hero Feng! I won't disappoint War Emperor's expectations."
"Play as you've been taught, and 1st is yours. Show that upstart the spirit of a great nation—and take down those cocky Yankees too!"
"You got it!"
China's Hong Deung-pyeong too.
"Ryo. Your abilities aren't suited for combat... but if your trait shines, it's different. Live up to the name of Shrine Maiden."
"Brother Kaito. At the very least, I won't lose to him."
Japan's Mizuki Ryo as well.
"Heh, declaring 1st... Arrogant. Confident you'll win, Alondrong?"
"My only loss was to you, the Weapon Master and Demon Emperor, Lord Banner."
"Excellent. Match that confidence with results."
And finally, Europe's Deville Alondrong.
Each nation's key players—and the super rookies they mentored—harbored deep wariness toward Shin-hyeok.
With a single phrase, he'd awakened the world's players.
Back in his room, Shin-hyeok finished preparing for the promotion match.
Click!
Armor of Absorption equipped. Holy sword in one hand, magic spear in the other. Kakamaki perched on his shoulder.
His father, Choi In-gyun, patted his back.
"Son. I believe in you."
"You know I always keep my word. I'll come back with 1st, no question."
A voice thick with emotion, but laced with unyielding faith in his son.
Shin-hyeok smiled at In-gyun, then turned to the others watching from the room.
"Shin-hyeok. Everything's fine—just don't get hurt."
"Yes, Mom."
Reassurance for his mother, Lee So-yeon, who still fretted over her grown son like a child.
"Next TOP100 is mine—so watch out!"
"Su-ah, you could pull it off. 1st might be a stretch, though."
"...Want a punch?"
A playful tease for his one true friend.
"No 1st? No more gear from me."
"Yikes, guess I absolutely have to take 1st now."
An exaggerated reaction to draw laughs from the sternly bluffing Se-jin.
Then his expression turned serious, smile vanishing.
"I'll be off."
With that, Shin-hyeok vanished from the room.
The worldwide TOP100 Silver promotion match had begun.