Chapter 132

Chapter 132

Spendthrift Necromancer (132)

King-of-the-Hill MatchLiang Xiaojun's failure to break the record.

The humiliation suffered during the Selection Tournament.

President Li Zemin had been in an extremely foul mood lately.

So foul that he'd even toyed with the export-control card.

If that bastard Kim Minwoo didn't personally offer an apology, he'd intended to twist Korea's neck in one stroke.

But that attempt had been blocked immediately.

Powerful pressure from America and its allies. China could still impose controls if it truly wanted, but the losses China itself would suffer would be far greater.

So he'd barely restrained himself…….

“A King-of-the-Hill Match? Hah, what the hell is this…….”

He crumpled the newspaper in irritation.

Nine Dragons Guild.

China's finest elite guild, raised by the Communist Party like a precious jewel.

Its level was high enough to be recognized as tier 1 even internationally.

Of course, it ranked only around the middle among tier-1 guilds, but that was by no means low.‘And they dare…….’A bunch of people who were tier 2.5 at best were issuing a challenge?

And people who were practically Kim Minwoo's lackeys?

Just how easy did they think China was for one mere individual to act this recklessly?

Grind.

The President clenched his teeth and made a call.

Before long, the Nine Dragons Guild Master, little different from his subordinate, arrived at the office.

“You called, Mr. President.”

“You've heard the news too, I assume.”

“Of course.”

“What do you intend to do?”

“Normally, refusing would be the proper response. Simply fighting opponents beneath our level would damage our prestige.”

“I agree. But if we remain silent, all kinds of noise may follow.”

President Li looked at the Nine Dragons Guild Master.

“If we ignore them, they may keep barking without knowing their place.”

“That…… is true.”

“And the longer that continues, the weaker public support will become for refusing because they're beneath us.”

“We could send a tier-2 guild or another tier-1 guild in our place.”

“Tier 2 won't do. You roughly know the effects of Highest-Grade Elixirs too, don't you?”

The Nine Dragons Guild Master nodded.

No matter how airtight America's and its allies' security was, China was still a country with considerable strength.

Through careful analysis, they'd estimated the elixir's effects.

Roughly +150 to every stat.

That was by no means small.Send a tier-2 guild and there was a real possibility of a crushing defeat.

And Ilseong had specifically requested a King-of-the-Hill Match.

A ten-versus-ten format where each side sent out one person at a time, continuing until every member of one side had been eliminated.

“……

Nam Cheolmin. That bastard shoots fairly well.”

Nine Dragons Guild's sole weakness.

Its average level was high, but it lacked any truly world-ranker-class talent.

How many people could possibly pass every requirement—talent, skill, family background, loyalty, and everything else?

That was also why it was rated around the middle of tier 1.

“Mr. President. Even so, it changes nothing. This isn't one-on-one, but ten-on-ten. The side with the higher average wins. And even accounting for the elixirs, my skill is certainly no worse than Nam Cheolmin's.”

“……

Yes. I know your ability well. That's why I'm even more curious. Why are those bastards charging in so confidently……?”

A global tier-1 guild didn't earn that title for nothing.

Average Levels, equipment, stats, coordination.

Countless factors had surpassed a certain threshold to earn that recognition.

The President agreed. He himself had once been active as an A-rank Awakened.

That was why he knew one powerful elixir couldn't close a gap like that.

So why were they challenging them?

“……

Could they perhaps think we'll refuse the Guild Battle?”

“They know we won't accept, so they might as well bark while they can?”

“Yes. If ignored, they'll keep barking for a while, then retreat at an appropriate point. Or if we send another tier-1 guild, perhaps they'll call Nine Dragons cowards and run away…….”

“That does make sense.”

The President tapped the desk with his finger. One of his habits whenever deep in thought.

Then his eyes sharpened.

“Are you confident you can win overwhelmingly?”

“I am certain. Even accounting for the elixirs, I'd give it eight to two.”

He and Nam Cheolmin would probably be roughly even.

Even if he himself lost, they still had the Vice Guild Master and all the other members. With such a huge difference in average ability, victory was certain.

“Then let's make this bigger. We'll crush them properly while we're at it.”

“If that's what you wish, Mr. President, gladly.”

The Nine Dragons Guild Master and President's eyes gleamed.* * *Ilseong, number one in Korea's business hierarchy.

For all the prestige of that name, the guild itself had always been mediocre.

Perennial fifth place.

With Spendthrift Guild surging upward, people were even asking whether Ilseong Guild was about to be discarded…….―What? They're challenging Nine Dragons? Is this for real?―Highest-Grade Elixirs are that strong?―Nobody should know the exact effects, right?―Yeah. Isn't it secret on both the consumer and supplier side?―Yep lol All people know is that they're way better than High-Grade.―Obviously they're good lol America hasn't fallen from first place in the Gate Contest since they developed them lol―Are they good enough for a tier-2.5 guild to compete with a tier-1 guild?―No way; they're not some legendary divine medicine lol―Haven't broadcasters tried analyzing the effects or something?―Everyone who takes them disappears for a month or two. Makes analysis almost impossible.―Yeah. Heard they deliberately scramble the stats by leveling or changing equipment during that period. So nobody knows the exact estimate.―Why the hell do they hide it that much;―You think ‘strategic asset’ is just a funny phrase? lol―Yeah. Maintaining military superiority, using it as a diplomatic bargaining chip, preventing hostile nations from countering it—plenty of reasons come to mind.―Right. It's kind of petty, but that's why they hide the elixir's effects. And ordinary people don't care much either, so the media barely covers it.

The people who consumed Highest-Grade Elixirs were practically predetermined.

Either already world rankers, or talents likely to become world rankers.

Highest-Grade Elixirs were something people who were already strong ate to become even stronger.

Honestly, it was a world most ordinary people and even most Awakened had little interest in.

If someone was talented and skilled enough, they could at least dream of obtaining High-Grade Elixirs someday. But Highest-Grade Elixirs were special treasures you couldn't obtain no matter how much money you had.

Only a tiny handful of Awakened received the benefit.

People might feel vague curiosity, but since it was effectively a pie in the sky, it usually sounded like a story from another world.

And now Ilseong's first team had eaten them.The S-rank Awakened of the first team?

Honestly, excluding Nam Cheolmin, most would've been grateful to receive even High-Grade Elixirs, never mind Highest-Grade.

Even Nam Cheolmin was questionable as a talent worth supplying Highest-Grade Elixirs to.

But they'd all eaten them?

Nobody had any idea how much their combat power had increased.―Nine Dragons does have one weakness though. Their average is tier-1 high, but they barely have any truly standout Awakened.―Yeah. Because they only recruit hardcore Party loyalists lol Liang Xiaojun, maybe? He's SS-rank with potential, but he's still low-Level lol―If Nam Cheolmin got stronger after eating the elixirs, maybe this isn't obvious? Especially since it's King-of-the-Hill.―Even then, he probably takes two at most before getting cut. Starting with the Vice Guild Master line beneath him, they'll get absolutely demolished.―Yeah. Maybe Ilseong only challenged because they assumed Nine Dragons wouldn't accept? No way a tier-1 guild agrees to fight a tier-2.5 guild…….

That was when.[(Breaking!) China accepts King-of-the-Hill Match! Venue: Beijing Awakened Stadium! Date: May 1, tomorrow!][(Breaking!) Nine Dragons Guild Master vows to show an unreachable, four-dimensional difference!]

The news exploded.―They actually accepted this, damn―They must be pissed;―And they picked the biggest stadium in Beijing; looks like they want to humiliate them properly…….―I don't even expect them to win;; but maybe they can manage 7:3……?

The King-of-the-Hill Match was scheduled.* * *Kim Minwoo grinned when he saw the news.

“They accepted the match.”

“……

They did?”

“What? Not confident?”

Nam Cheolmin shook his head.

During the past two weeks of training, he and his guild members had changed so completely it was like heaven and earth.

Normally, such a thing would've been impossible.

But it happened.

Every time Kim Minwoo offered one piece of advice, it immediately reflected in their bodies.

Instruction bordering on miraculous.‘It's truly absurd.’Nam Cheolmin and Kim Hwanyong.

And the eight S-rank Awakened.

Every one of them felt astonished.

If they tried putting a monetary value on this instruction, it might easily exceed tens of trillions of won.

China's Nine Dragons Guild.

An elite Chinese guild superior to them in average Level, skill, equipment—everything.

If they'd fought a King-of-the-Hill Match with their original strength, even in the best case it would've ended around 8:2 or 9:1.

But now things were different.

The stat increases from the Highest-Grade Elixirs.

And their skill, sharpened as though they'd undergone complete rebirth.‘Now we can do it.’Nam Cheolmin's eyes gleamed.

If Nine Dragons had some overwhelming monster like Isabella, that would've been different.

But Nine Dragons was a guild with a high average, not a high peak.

“My problem is that I'm too confident.”

“As you should be. Let's go. To China.”

“Yes.”

Ilseong's private jet took to the sky.

When they arrived at the Chinese airport.

They encountered ambassadors from America and its allied nations. And it wasn't only ambassadors. Broadcasters from those countries had all gathered too.

It was a kind of insurance.

Depending on today's result, China might completely lose its mind.

Maybe they'd get so angry they'd try something stupid.

But if ambassadors and broadcasters from other countries were there too?‘They won't move easily.’Trying something foolish would bring international disaster. China also seemed to have high expectations for this match, because it readily allowed everyone to accompany them.‘And besides.’Having a Nuclear Bomb really does make you feel safe.

Unless things went truly, catastrophically wrong, he had no intention of detonating it, but nothing worked better as a threat.

When they entered Beijing Stadium.

Boooooo!

A deafening wall of boos erupted.

True to the sheer size of the country, the stadium was enormous too.

It could hold an astonishing two million people. The seats were already packed with Chinese spectators.

Korea had already been crawling up their nerves lately.

And now a Korean guild at a mere tier-2.5 level dared challenge Nine Dragons Guild?

No Chinese citizen could resist news like that.

Naturally, every seat sold out within one minute of reservations opening. Korea had barely secured some seats too, but their numbers were tiny. Their cheers were barely audible.

Tens of thousands of cameras broadcast the stadium like countless gleaming eyes.

The leadership, including President Li, had probably promoted the event heavily with the intention of humiliating them.‘Thanks.’They were tightening their own noose. Nothing could be better.

The Awakened of Nine Dragons Guild and Ilseong Guild stepped onto the gigantic stadium floor.

Ten from each side.

The Chinese host asked both sides a few questions.

“We'll show you clearly what the strength of a great nation means.”

Nine Dragons looked confident.

Nam Cheolmin spoke boldly too.

“Today, we'll show you exactly how powerful the Highest-Grade Elixirs we consumed are.”

Boooo!

Ignoring the boos that followed almost like an automated macro.

The two guilds initiated the King-of-the-Hill Match.[King-of-the-Hill Match between Ilseong Guild and Nine Dragons Guild begins!]

The System message appeared immediately.

The condition was Shield Battle.

The most standard rule.

Nam Cheolmin stepped into the ring first. The Nine Dragons Guild Master climbed up as though he'd been waiting.[The first match begins in 5 seconds!]

Shing!

The Nine Dragons Guild Master drew his sword.

Ilseong Guild had stagnated for years. Nine Dragons, meanwhile, had constantly pushed upward.

That difference couldn't be closed simply because someone wanted to catch up in a short time.

Not with a mere +150 to every stat.‘Nam Cheolmin. I'll break you properly today.’Running here in excitement just because he'd eaten one elixir.

Today, those Koreans would learn exactly what difference in Rank truly meant.[The match begins!]

The instant the System message appeared, the Nine Dragons Guild Master charged like lightning. Nam Cheolmin slid backward.‘As expected. Phantom Step.’China had already analyzed Ilseong Guild's combat power down to the smallest detail through its strategic analysis team. Naturally, Nine Dragons had received all that information.

Every tiny movement, habit, resulting weakness, and countermeasure had been handed over.

Raising a few stats didn't fundamentally change a person's patterns of behavior.

The Nine Dragons Guild Master closed the distance instantly, eyes gleaming.

Nam Cheolmin hurriedly began drawing his bow.‘Too late.’He could swing his sword and shatter the shield around Nam Cheolmin's head far faster than the bastard could aim and draw.

‘It's over!’[Hong Tao uses Death Sentence(S)

!]

Death Sentence, one of a Swordsman's Bound Skills. The empowered sword thrust toward Nam Cheolmin's head.

A perfect, beautiful trajectory that could never be avoided.

The instant it landed, it would be judged an instant kill.

That was when.

Nam Cheolmin's movement suddenly accelerated as though he were riding the wind.

The blade brushed past by a hair's breadth.‘……!’Hong Tao's eyes widened.

The trajectory had been impossible to evade…….‘……

He dodged?’Then his face drained white. A bowstring had already been drawn from point-blank range. This too followed an unavoidable trajectory.

Before he could even activate another Skill.

Thud!

The arrow fired from directly in front of him buried itself in his heart.[Your shield has shattered.][You have been eliminated.]

Hong Tao was thrown out of the arena in an instant.

Nam Cheolmin was a reasonably talented Archer.

But not so exceptional that he stood above the Nine Dragons Guild Master.

Seven out of ten people expected Hong Tao to win.

Even the remaining three assumed that, if Nam Cheolmin got lucky and won, he'd do so with his shield nearly depleted.

And yet…….[Remaining Shield: 100%]

He'd effectively won at full health.

Everyone's eyes widened at the unimaginable result. The overseas broadcasters were no different.‘What?’‘Highest-Grade Elixirs are that powerful?’The Chinese spectators were equally stunned.‘What?’‘Full health?’‘Is this real?’The strongest Awakened in Nine Dragons Guild had been eliminated without shaving away even a sliver of shield.

Then didn't that mean whoever came out next was doomed too?

This was King-of-the-Hill.

As long as someone wasn't eliminated, they could keep fighting.‘This…….’‘If they're unlucky, are they going to get swept by one person?’Just as their hearts began pounding for a very different reason than excitement.

Nam Cheolmin stored his bow in his inventory and grinned.

“I forfeit.”―……?

The Chinese host tilted his head.

What did he mean, forfeit?

Only briefly.‘Wait. Don't tell me…….’He suddenly understood what these bastards were trying to do.

If Nam Cheolmin stayed and swept everyone, China could at least dismiss it by saying he alone was unusually strong…….[Current Score 1:1][The next match begins.]

Second round.

The Vice Guild Masters of each guild stepped into the arena.

If the previous match had been considered 7:3 odds, this one was worse.8:2.

Barring an upset, China absolutely had to win.

But…….

Thud!A fierce forty-exchange duel.

At the end, Nine Dragons' Vice Guild Master was eliminated.

Ilseong's Vice Guild Master, Kim Hwanyong.

He too grinned as he looked over the crowd and spoke.

“I forfeit as well.”[2:2][3:3][4:4]..[9:9]

The score looked even on the surface, but all nine of China's points had come from forfeits.[10:9][King-of-the-Hill Match has ended.][Ilseong Guild wins!]

And finally, the last match drove in the nail.

A horrifying silence descended over the gigantic stadium.