Chapter 37
Chapter 37
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 37
Chapter Title: Shun Kerway's Death
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Shun Kerway's death.
Of course, it wasn't a real death.
That was why the viewers were just chatting casually about the headless Shun Kerway, sharing their surprise and nothing more.
But Shin-hyeok didn't just stand there idly.
Kraaaunch!
He devoured Shun Kerway's corpse using Predation.
As Shin-hyeok's hand unleashed a pitch-black maw-like darkness that swallowed Shun Kerway's corpse whole, surprise rippled through the chat window.
Whatever the viewers thought, Shin-hyeok calmly checked the message floating before his eyes.
'Not bad at all.'
Since the Integrated League hadn't opened yet, death in the current Dimension Arena wasn't permanent.
In that sense, Predation's effect of absorbing the opponent's abilities didn't fully activate, but the results were surprisingly decent.
Strength 3, Stamina 2, Mana 5.
A total of 10 stats.
It was paltry compared to game clear rewards and fell short, but for just devouring one player, it was quite profitable.
Stack enough of these, and 10 becomes 50, 50 becomes 100.
Moreover, Predation's benefits weren't limited to stat gains.
'Bet he's pretty pissed. First loss penalty plus stat drop from Predation. That's a one-two punch.'
It directly weakened a Chinese player.
China and Japan were grouped with Korea in Asia, but their relations were worse than rivals—more like water and oil.
Weakening a player from such a rival nation was reward enough in itself.
Of course—
From Shun Kerway's perspective, the victim, it was natural to curse.
For players, stats were like blood—maybe not life itself, but close.
Having them stolen in an instant? Shun Kerway must be spitting blood.
Of course, to Korean viewers, it was none of their business.
Shun Kerway spitting blood?
How much?
Can't he spit a little more?
That was the general sentiment.
It was self-inflicted karma from the start.
Shun Kerway had spoken down to Shin-hyeok with a superiority complex.
Relations between Korea and China weren't great, and the same went for players.
Chats defending Shun Kerway and criticizing Shin-hyeok quickly died down.
"Anyway, now that we've got one win, let's go grab the remaining nine."
Colosseum matchmaking was fair.
Usually, players of similar rank were paired.
Having a famous Gold Tier Chinese player like Shun Kerway as the first opponent proved Shin-hyeok was beyond a fresh Gold promotee.
That was why, as his win streak grew, people inevitably wondered who he'd face next.
Crushing a Chinese player also earned support from major American and Japanese guilds, who weren't on good terms with China.
Their intentions weren't pure, but donations from foreign guilds poured in, swelling Shin-hyeok's balance. Smaller tips from other viewers added up nicely too.
Money meant little to Shin-hyeok, who could summon his grandfather's funds anytime.
'Sweet.'
The Achievement Points were the real treat.
After a brief donation interlude,
Shin-hyeok set off on his win streak journey in earnest.
The next opponent after Shun Kerway was Korean.
"Please take care of me."
"Yes, you too."
The opponent was polite.
Unlike foreigners, Shin-hyeok was well-known in Korea.
More importantly, his influence extended beyond his personal power.
In the Republic of Shinwa—er, Korea—trash-talking Shinwa Group's chaebol heir3 like Shun Kerway?
You'd soon meet stern men in black suits riding a beat-up van.
Survive that? Then police and prosecutors.
After them, the tax office.
Unless you were a Diamond or top Platinum prospect the state cherished, Gold Tier didn't qualify.
After politely greeting Shin-hyeok, the opponent took stance.
'Shield and one-hand sword. Typical player setup.'
Simple armament: shield and one-hand sword.
Block with shield, slash and stab with sword.
Low risk, low return.
They didn't aim big—just steadily block, slash, block, stab, wearing down the foe for victory.
'Gotta end this quick.'
This type was the worst for Shin-hyeok right now.
He needed 10 straight wins.
Colosseum didn't recover stamina or mana on wins.
No rest, no mana regen until 10 wins.
This player intent on grinding his resources was a headache.
Thus, Shin-hyeok planned a single, fatal strike.
Kraaaunch!
Post-match, Colosseum gave 5 seconds prep time.
Shin-hyeok prepared his one-shot kill.
Chungmugong's Bow.
A massive greatbow matching his frame, nocked with a spear-sized great arrow.
Once nocked, draw the string.
Kreeeeeech!
The bow frame bent with a ghostly screech.
Immense power flowed into string, limbs, arrow.
At its peak—
'Hundred Bulls Hundred Hits, Concentrated Fire, Clear Mirror Still Water.'
Legendary bow's three unique skills activated simultaneously.
Unique Skill: Hundred Bulls Hundred Hits
Hits anything you aim for.
Unique Skill: Concentrated Fire
Stacks power layer by layer.
Unique Skill: Clear Mirror Still Water
Unshakable focus in any situation.
Top-tier skills each, all firing at once—massive mana drain, but Shin-hyeok didn't care.
Prep complete.
The translucent barrier vanished.
And simultaneously—
Kwaaaaaang!
The arrow left Shin-hyeok's hand, flying at speed unfit for its size.
"Kuh!"
Korean player Kim Jung-woo raised his shield with a groan.
He knew without touching it.
That arrow was a sure-kill attack.
'It's fine. My Rare Grade shield...!'
Still, he trusted himself.
His battle-proven shield and shield mastery would block it.
Crack!
"...!!!"
Delusion.
His cherished Rare shield split in half on arrow contact.
His Gold 3 Tier shield mastery? Useless.
Shield shattered instantly—what good was mastery?
Disaster didn't end.
The arrow, undiminished, slammed into Kim Jung-woo.
Splorch!
That was it.
Upper torso vaporized from upper abdomen up.
Silence in the Colosseum.
Shin-hyeok spoke calmly.
Krunch!
Even same countryman.
Even without ill will.
What must be done, must be done.
After felling the first two players, Shin-hyeok's win streak continued unabated.
The third was South American player Hialrisong.
South American style? Stylish.
Whether body or weapon, they unleashed whirlwind combos.
Once caught, endless hits inevitable.
Counter? Simple.
Kwaaaaaang!
"...Kraaaagh!"
Choi Shin-hyeok Style Volume 5 - Leg Breaker.
Purely for shattering mobility—South American's feet crumbled like cookies.
Mobility lost? Stylish player's fate sealed.
"...!!!"
Pew-pew-pew-pew!
Close range post-leg break, but Shin-hyeok's archery was masterful.
Three arrows at point-blank, simultaneous release.
That sufficed.
Even normal arrows—not Chungmugong exclusives—overkilled the South American.
Three wins down.
"Behold the power of the samurai!"
Fourth: Japanese player in samurai garb with katana, quick-draw blitzing Shin-hyeok's position.
Point-blank.
Too close for arrows.
'Won!'
He was certain.
Against archers, distance is key.
Close it? Win.
Fail? Loss.
Such certainty was natural.
"...?!"
Crack!
Until Shin-hyeok hurled his weapon without hesitation, shattering the man's shoulder blade.
Choi Shin-hyeok Style Volume 7 - Weapon Throw.
He never imagined the foe discarding his weapon—eyes wide in shock.
What he saw:
Fwooooosh!
A holy sword radiating divine power hurtling toward him.
Pierced heart clean through. Japanese player perished.
Shin-hyeok retrieved his tossed Chungmugong's Bow.
Chat overflowed with shock at Shin-hyeok nearing 5 wins in under an hour.
But viewers calmed soon.
The real test starts at 5 wins.
Where nationally favored players despaired, guild prospects broke.
Those surpassing it became world-class, writing history step by step.
6 wins: O Wang.
7: Samje.
8: I Hwang.
Even global peaks struggled in Gold Colosseum.
Why? Simple.
From 5 wins: face one tier up.
Weight class difference.
Boxing champ can't beat a gorilla.
All thought: this was the wall.
Shin-hyeok the miracle ends here.
-Huh!
Kwaaaaaaaaang!
At least until Shin-hyeok drove Heaven-Destroying Annihilation Style - Heaven-Destroying Peng Bird Fist into the revealed Platinum player.