frightfiction Chapter 300
Chapter 300
The group stage matches of the World Champions League have officially begun.
The games have been progressing smoothly.
[Victory against the UK, 3:1! The Korean national team finishes the game in four matches]
[Victory against Saudi Arabia, 3:0! Supporter Sofia showcases her true worth in the supporter map.]
[No surprises in the match against Canada, 3:0.]
The Northeast Asia League, known as the most challenging league in the world.
The Korean national team, who came through as the top team, found the group stage matches surprisingly easier.
"It's easier than the regional league."
"Back then, even the opposing countries were strong, and the avatars of the Sung JiHan's kept popping up, it was no joke."
"That's right. This time, it feels very comfortable."
Even when facing the lowest-ranked team in Northeast Asia, Taiwan, the appearance of Dongbangsak's avatar used to make the Korean national team feel uneasy.
The players of the national team felt more at ease as they advanced to the main tournament.
And also.
"Even if the supporter map comes out, with Sofia, we won't fall behind."
"Wasn't the Saudi supporter in the top 5 of the supporter rankings? It's amazing to defeat that person with a buff."
"The buff effect is incredible."
The newly added member, supporter Sofia.
Although only one person was added, she greatly boosted the strength of the Korean national team.
If only one player was added to strengthen the supporter lineup.
The opposing country could ban only that player, which could diminish the effect of strengthening the lineup.
But Korea had a player who must be banned, Sung JiHan.
"Since Sung JiHan keeps getting banned, the other players are performing exceptionally well."
"But we can't afford not to ban Sung JiHan."
"Our country, it feels like we're really strong."
"As long as we don't get sniped on the wizard map like in the UK match, we might have a chance to win the championship."
In the three group stage matches, the Korean national team only suffered one loss against the UK.
That was the result of playing on the wizard-exclusive map and Sung JiHan being banned.
The UK did prove the only strategy to counter the Korean team in that match.
But that strategy was only possible when Sung JiHan was banned and the map selection aligned.
It was a victory equation that relied heavily on probability.
However, even for the national team that was winning consecutively, there was one concern.
"Will Sung JiHan, who has never played, be able to break through with a 50% chance in the tournament?"
"The probability of getting banned four times in a row is 6.25%. It's about time for it to be lifted!"
The opposing countries naturally banned Sung JiHan as if it were a given.
It fit too well.
-I wanted to see Sung JiHan's opponent shivering, but he keeps sitting on the bench ㅠㅠ
-It's actually better ㅋㅋㅋㅋ Since all the opponents in the group stage are weak, it's fine. If he gets banned now, he can be unbanned in the tournament ㅇㅇ
-But this is an independent event. There's no guarantee that he won't get banned again ㅡㅡ
-Well, except for the US and China, it seems like Sung JiHan can handle getting banned... With Yoon Sejin, Yoon Seah, and now Sofia, there's one key player for each position.
-Sofia joining the Korean national team was a divine move.
Still, perhaps because they achieved a clean sweep in the group stage.
People didn't think too seriously about this phenomenon.
The probability of getting a 50% chance four times in a row, although slim, was definitely possible.
Instead, Korean fans were more excited about the national team's strengthened lineup, even with Sung JiHan being banned.
"Sofia is receiving a lot of praise. She should have come to Korea earlier."
"I wanted to come too~ But it's fun. Being a national representative. It's a shame I can't play with JiHan..."
"Uncle Sung JiHan is getting banned really well. Does the 50% chance really work like this?"
A waiting room in the Battle.net Center.
Sung JiHan and his companions were taking a break there, discussing the upcoming 3-round battle.
"But still, little brother, don't you think things will loosen up in the tournament? How long will we keep getting banned?"
"Even if I keep getting banned, I'm confident in the strength of the Korean team now. Let's ride the victory all the way to the top, me too."
"Well, it's going to be difficult to win against the US or China without Uncle..."
"That's right. And we have to win to complete the quest, right? Sung JiHan has to be there for sure."
A waiting room with only Sung JiHan's family and Sophia.
Sophia thought that everyone here was trustworthy and started discussing the quest Sung JiHan received.
Then, Yoon Se-jin's eyes sparkled with interest.
"A quest?"
"Oh, you didn't know?"
"Well, Dad wasn't there at that time."
"Yeah, I didn't know either. Little brother, was winning the 'condition' for the quest?"
He asked Sung JiHan with curiosity.
Superficially, it seemed like a simple question from a family member, but...
"He's shining again."
Sung JiHan once again caught the golden light in Yoon Se-jin's eyes.
A faint golden light that others couldn't notice.
"Yes, but brother-in-law. Your eyes are shining with gold."
He openly talked about it.
"What? Gold in my eyes?"
"Yes, how is the Holy See these days? Did the 'King of the Beginning' give any orders? It's very similar to that Holy See."
"Is that so? That's interesting. I didn't feel anything at all. Where is it?"
In response to Sung JiHan's words, Yoon Se-jin looked at the mirror in the waiting room.
He tilted his head, as if he was really curious, and opened his eyes wide.
"You can't see it with my eyes?"
"I guess... since the gap between me and my little brother is so big, what I can't see, my little brother can see."
"..."
"I didn't perform the task that the Holy See entrusted to me well."
"Is that so?"
"He told me to find an artifact from ancient times, and he roughly told me the location, but it was like finding a needle in a haystack. I came back because we have the national team schedule. I'll go back after the job is done."
No matter how much he looked, he couldn't find the golden light, so Yoon Se-jin turned his head from the mirror.
For some reason, he had a satisfied smile on his lips.
"I can't see it with my eyes, but it seems like the Holy See's golden light is shining on me... It's nice."
"Do you like that?"
"Of course! The great 'King of the Beginning' is imbuing me with his power. I have to work harder to receive more support from him, following his orders."
"...Dad. Is the Holy See such a great existence to you? It feels like you're believing in some god."
"A god? The 'King of the Beginning' is a greater existence than a god. If I dedicate myself to the Holy See, I can also rescue your mother."
"Mom too?"
"Yes. If I faithfully fulfill the mission given by the Holy See, he said he would help me with this matter too."
No, he didn't show this kind of reaction even when he first received the support from the Holy See.
Sung JiHan furrowed his brows.
"This reminds me of when you were obsessed with Shizuru back then."
It's not like he's fallen for a woman like he did back then, but Yoon Se-jin is now starting to show religious faith in the Holy See.
Yoon Se-ah looked at him and seemed to remember something from the past.
She watched Yoon Se-jin with an expressionless face.
"Hmm... Something reminds me of what happened back then with Shizuru."
"What, how can you compare Shizuru to the Holy See! Shizuru simply brainwashed me and used me, while the Holy See is the one who showed me the way!"
Yoon Sejin raised his voice in response to Yoon Se-ah's words.
"Oh, I see. Dad, why are you getting so worked up?"
"Oh, well... I'm sorry, Se-ah. I got emotional all of a sudden. It wasn't supposed to go this far..."
"Well, I guess... it could happen?"
"Um... I'll go out for a bit to clear my head."
Surprising himself with what he said, Yoon Sejin apologized to Yoon Se-ah and left the room.
"...Dad, why is he acting like that?"
"Well, the Holy See of the Sword King is the king of the beginning, right?"
"Yeah, that's right."
"I heard that players who serve the Sword King as the Holy See have a strong belief. Some even say that the Sword King is their savior and build temples for him."
"...Temples?"
"Well, players have a lot of money. They build these big earth towers, you know."
"Really?"
"Yes, here..."
Whoosh. Whoosh.
Sophia searched for American players' SNS and showed it to Sung JiHan.
Rankers who built large earth towers and devoutly bowed in front of them.
Among them, there were several players who participated in the previous guild battle.
"To the savior of humanity, the Holy See 'King of the Beginning,' pay your respects. Humanity owes everything to him. Worship him and send the minimum courtesy to the savior."
"What's with this all of a sudden..."
"Is Louis crazy?"
"No, once someone like that falls into a cult, they can't get out anymore :("
"Who on earth is the King of the Beginning? There seem to be more than one or two players like that."
Louis, the ranker from the United States.
Even he, who was famous for posting inappropriate photos of drinking, gambling, and inappropriate sexual acts with top stars on his SNS.
After serving the Holy See, he almost became a religious person.
"This guy has become a person."
"But, isn't it scarier now that he's doing things he didn't do before?"
"That's right. Um, Dad... will you do something like that later?"
Just a few years ago, he was the proudest father in the world.
Now, Yoon Se-ah's forehead wrinkled with worry about what kind of trouble he would cause next.
Sung JiHan went outside after seeing that.
It was to confirm Yoon Sejin's appearance once again.
But...
"Brother-in-law, are you out?"
"Are you okay?"
"I'm fine. I worried you for no reason."
Yoon Sejin slightly bowed his head to Sung JiHan with a perfectly fine face.
And then he spoke with a happy expression.
"The Holy See has given me a message. The Holy See will always support me unconditionally."
"...Is that so?"
"Yes. And for that, the Holy See has given me something."
"What is it?"
"A class."
Yoon Sejin opened his status window and showed the class section.
"......This is it."
"Yeah. The weaknesses of the Korean team have been eliminated by Sung JiHan."
In his class list,
'Magician' had been added.
* * *
Because of the Space League, the tournament had a tight schedule.
= The Round of 16 opponent has been decided as Germany!
= Because of the Space League, we only have a 2-day break before the next game!
= I'm worried if the stamina of our Korean players will be okay.
= The first game is starting. Once again, Sung JiHan is being banned.
In the tournament where Sung JiHan was banned,
The most notable player was Yoon SeJin.
Of course, this was also due to the strength of the Sword King.
= Ah...! The magician map is selected.
= This will make the first game difficult...!
= Uh, but. Yoon SeJin is playing...?
= Really? This, this is a magician map, right?
However, it was the appearance of the Sword King, who was sent to the Mage class map instead, that surprised the viewers even more.
- What is this?
- The Sword King became a mage...?
- But the distance between the two towers is so far, summoning a warrior won't make a difference...
- ?? What are you talking about? The Sword King is flying around on his sword, lol.
- Seriously, you don't know anything about the game, lol. The game is already set with the Sword King being summoned.
When Sung JiHan was banned, the magician map, which was Korea's only weakness,
The strategy that Germany could use against Korea.
The sudden appearance of the Sword King completely crushed it.
= Go, Sword King! Slaughter all the magicians!
= And he's even faster than before! His skills have improved tremendously!
= The German staff members have a look of despair! They had to win the first game no matter what, but they don't know how to deal with the sudden appearance of the Sword King!
= We can't believe it ourselves, so how about them?
With the weakness eliminated, the Korean national team.
Naturally, the result of the Round of 16 game was also 3:0.
And this kind of game result continued.
= Ah, the Sword King. He even dominates Masid!
= Argentina also 3:0...!
= The quarterfinals were a breeze. Except for the loss against England, we haven't lost a single game!
Quarterfinals, Argentina 3:0.
= Sung JiHan! Finally playing in the semifinals! This is his first appearance in this Champions League!
= Ah, as soon as he appeared, the Indian players' camp exploded...!
= The Indian players are losing their resistance against overwhelming power...!
Semifinals, India 3:0.
After the Sword King obtained the Mage class, the one-sided game continued until the finals.
And.
= The opponent in the finals is the United States...!
= We meet the defending champions from last year in the finals!
The World Champions League, now only one game remained.
Only the match against the United States was left.