Chapter 38
Chapter 38
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 38
Chapter Title: All Master Who Returned to Bronze
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Dimension Arena.
The thing that had propelled humanity to leap over hundreds of years of history in mere decades.
This Dimension Arena, which granted ordinary humans Awakening and turned them into superhuman Players, held one absolute truth.
Tier.
Iron can't beat Bronze.
Likewise, Bronze can't beat Silver.
Naturally, Silver can't beat Gold.
This hierarchy solidifies even more as tiers rise.
Later on, victory or defeat is decided solely by whether it's 5th tier or 4th tier.
Of course, the world is vast, and occasionally, individuals emerge who crack this absolute truth.
There was a similar saying in soccer.
"There are no players greater than the team."
But just as Messi and Ronaldo defied that, such existences appeared in Dimension Arena too.
And among them, the most popular and world-renowned was—
[Yi Hwang, Three Emperors, Five Kings]
These were the players counted among the top ten fingers worldwide.
Their common point: each had once defeated a Player one tier above them.
Of course, there were quite a few others who'd achieved that feat, but they were the only ones who reached the pinnacle in their fields.
That's why Shin-hyeok's viewers thought:
No matter how impressive Shin-hyeok was, as a mere Gold 5 tier, he couldn't beat a Platinum Player—or so they thought.
Of course, counterarguments existed.
From right after his Placement Exam, through Silver tier games and the Integrated Silver League exploits, some still clicked their tongues in disbelief.
But even they admitted one thing.
Even if Shin-hyeok beat a Platinum Player, it'd be a grueling fight.
But their thoughts shattered immediately.
The moment the 5th straight win match began.
"Heaven-Destroying Annihilation Style - Heaven-Destroying Peng Bird Fist."
Kwaaaaaaaa!
A peng bird plummeting from the sky devoured the Platinum Player.
That was it.
The Platinum Player's body was utterly shattered, leading to death.
He barely retained a humanoid form, but that was all.
Even if he'd survived, a single light follow-up would have finished him.
As the chat fell silent, Shin-hyeok approached the dead Player and used Predation without a word.
"Predation."
Kwaduduk!
'Platinum tier definitely gives more stolen stats.'
Confirming the stats pilfered from the Platinum Player, Shin-hyeok smiled inwardly.
It was equivalent to devouring two or three Gold Players, so it was only natural.
With dozens of stats stolen across five wins, he was satisfied but immediately circulated the Tai Chi Divine Art.
Wuuuuuung!
Mana surged rapidly.
For someone freshly Gold tier, Shin-hyeok's mana was quite abundant.
He was armed with powerful Unique, Unique+, and Legend gear, granting substantial bonus stats.
His Unique+ mana spear was half-destroyed and under reforging, so it was a bit lower, but still plenty high.
'Still brutal. Heaven-Destroying Annihilation Style really is a mana hog.'
Even so, it couldn't fully handle Heaven-Destroying Annihilation Style.
One attack had sucked over half his mana.
Thanks to his title, Disciple of the War God (Temporary), he wielded it more efficiently, reducing consumption.
Without the title at Silver, two-thirds might have vanished in one go.
Predation restored some mana, and circulating Tai Chi Divine Art during matchmaking filled most of it back up.
By then, the chat had exploded.
A Gold tier had beaten a Platinum tier.
Not a close call, but total annihilation.
Everyone spammed the chat in disbelief.
America's top guild and Japan's top guild latched on.
Even China's top guild, enraged by their great defeat at Sangdo, extended a hand.
Countless mid-to-small guilds from various countries, plus regular viewers, poured in sponsorships and questions—but
Ududuk!
Shin-hyeok, rising from his cross-legged seat, ignored it all.
Cracking his neck to loosen up, a message appeared before him.
'Still far from 10 wins. No need to reply. Never planned to anyway.'
Chat or sponsorships didn't matter.
Only one thing: 10 straight wins.
Not even 9 existed yet. Time to chase the unprecedented record.
No distractions.
'Sweet Achievement Points.'
They were honey, of course.
Anyway, Shin-hyeok's 10-win streak chase resumed.
True to Platinum being a different league, from the 6th win onward, opponents came prepared.
Info on Shin-hyeok had spread: he wielded a monstrous finisher.
Platinum Players typically streamed via Dimension Broadcasting.
Viewers of his stream tipped off the current broadcasters.
No more insta-kills at the start.
But that was it.
"Heaven-Destroying Annihilation Style - Heaven-Destroying Peng Bird Fist."
"...Krueeeek!"
Platinum Players were overwhelmingly disadvantaged.
The skill's only weakness: long cooldown, covered by pre-duel wait time.
To counter, they'd need equal firepower or defense, but no Platinum could match Heaven-Destroying Peng Bird Fist.
They faced Shin-hyeok not at full condition.
Victory was inevitable then.
But they couldn't stop Shin-hyeok's condition gradually declining.
'Weight class difference is real.'
Supplement stats with Predation, stamina too.
Restore mana with Tai Chi Divine Art.
Still, Platinum was Platinum.
Each exchange favored them structurally.
Of course—
It wasn't enough to halt his streak.
Three more wins after the first five.
I.e.—
Shin-hyeok had reached 8 straight wins, a realm only two had touched before.
Much stamina, mana, and mental energy consumed, yet he maintained 80% condition.
"On to the 9th win."
Viewers cheered his fearless charge at the uncharted 9th win.
Ridiculously, the realm no one had reached—
—was achieved all too easily.
Opponent: Platinum 1 Player.
At Platinum's peak, stats at the limit: 1,000.
Shin-hyeok, via Predation through 9 wins: average ~200.
High for Gold 5, but 5x gap to Platinum peak.
Yet victory was simple.
Why?
Nothing special.
"Heaven-Destroying Annihilation Style - Heaven-Destroying Thunderclap Tail Blade."
A single tail blade pierced the foe.
Difference from Peng Bird Fist: overwhelming AoE destruction vs. pinpoint devastation.
Pinpoint was superior vs. single targets.
Especially against one fixated on Peng Bird Fist.
Huge stats bonus too.
Not all gain, though.
'Plat 1 is tough. Without Thunderclap Tail Blade, it might've dragged and cost more stamina/mana. Unavoidable.'
Condition near 80% pre-9th dropped to 50% instantly.
Even that, post-Predation and Tai Chi—pre-use was dire.
Biggest issue: from now on.
10th opponent: Diamond, virtually certain.
Platinum to Diamond: one step, but an uncrossable chasm.
Many despaired at that wall.
All expected Shin-hyeok's defeat.
Did well enough.
Lost but fought well.
Lostwellfought.
Such chats flooded when—
Shin-hyeok cooled his flushed face, steadied his ragged breath, and faced his final opponent.
Silent Sword.
Nickname for his emotionless demeanor and unshakable calm in any situation.
Disciple of Sword King Lee Ho-seok, one of the Five Kings.
Fresh Diamond, but with Oseong Guild's full backing, he rivaled veterans.
Shin-hyeok's final foe.
As all sensed the end—
"Heaven-Destroying Annihilation Style."
Kugugugugugu!
Shin-hyeok didn't yield.
Heaven-Destroying Annihilation Style.
Uttering it crushed the surroundings.
Silent Sword Lee Chang-soo impassively raised his sword at an angle, ready.
Refusing to fall for any ploy.
Be it Peng Bird Fist or Thunderclap Tail Blade—he'd block it.
Facing that sword-like sharpness, Shin-hyeok grinned, baring teeth for the first time.
"Never said I'd use just one. Heaven-Destroying Peng Bird Fist, Heaven-Destroying Thunderclap Tail Blade."
"...!"
Right hand: Peng Bird Fist.
Left hand: Thunderclap Tail Blade.
The two most destructive techniques he could unleash hurtled toward Chang-soo.