Chapter 123
Chapter 123
["National Representatives Warriors, all come out!" Seong Jihan's public declaration!]
[Experts on Seong Jihan's statement, "Impossible." is overwhelming... "He can beat some of them." Minority opinion.]
[Public petition surpasses 500,000 after Seong Jihan's broadcast?! Petition demanding a confrontation newly established, surpassing 300,000]
[Anonymous National Representative Warrior, "Not worth responding." Shows displeasure]
[Even a Gold ranker looks down on the National Representatives... What is the direction for improvement?]
Seong Jihan's provocation was very successful.
The news section of the portal site, which was full of articles related to the defeat in Taiwan, was completely turned over by Seong Jihan's issue.
- Wow, a Gold Rank is so arrogant. No matter what, how can he say he can beat the national representatives?
- The national reps are just that badㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ If it's annoying, they should just fight one round, right?
- For real, just teach the Gold a lesson, it will be fine. Why are they avoiding?
- Because they are scaredㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
- Honestly, I can think of a few people who would lose, agree?
- Excluding Kim Dongwoo, all will loseㅋ
- Welcome, Kim Dongwoo
- Even Kim Dongwoo was really bad in Taiwanㅋㅋㅋ Jihan will KO him in one second.
Bang!
The leader of the National Representative Warriors, Kim Dongwoo, threw his tablet PC while reading the article comments.
"Those crazy bastards... Are they saying I would lose to a Gold Rank now?"
Seong Jihan.
He knows he's strong.
Having watched the Top 100 matches, as a Warrior class, he even admired how he could do such a thing.
However, being strong is one thing.
"This guy... He's going to be a national representative soon anyway. How can he disrespect the seniors like this?"
How can he say that?
When he becomes a national representative, he will be on the same side, sharing the same fate, so how can he outright insult the seniors like this?
'This can't go on like this.'
At first, the way the National Representative Warriors decided to respond to this issue was to ignore it, saying it was not worth answering.
But seeing how public opinion is turning, if this goes on, they might end up being ridiculed as national representatives scared of a Gold Rank.
Kim Dongwoo entered the National Representative Warriors' exclusive chat room.
- Guys... This can't go on like this. If we keep ignoring, it looks like we'll get a lot of hate comments.
- See, I told you. Ignoring will only make us look bad, right? That arrogant guy needs to be taught a lesson
- Yes, if this goes on, it's going to be bad. We need to ask the management for a spot soon.
- But bro... We won't lose, right? That guy is strong
- ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ Jaeho is crazy, a national representative scared of a Gold Rank?
Then a video was uploaded in the chat room.
It was a highlight video of Seong Jihan clearing the 'Lone Bridge' map.
- I was so annoyed, I went to the channel to see how strong Gold is... but he's kinda crazyㄷㄷ;
"This dumbass is scared of Gold after watching just one video!"
Kim Dongwoo played the video while cursing out loud.
Seong Jihan, who single-handedly defeated Hojo, and while flying swiftly through the sky, brought down the monsters.
After watching the scene where the Warrior dominated the defense game alone,
Kim Dongwoo opened his mouth wide.
"Uh..."
He's... kind of strong?
Kim Dongwoo recalled the Sword King, who has now gone to Japan, from Seong Jihan's video.
Sword King Yoon Sejin, who would single-handedly disrupt the game in BattleNet, a sophisticated team game for national representatives.
This guy, like Sword King, showed potential to be an unconventional player.
- He's really strong, damn.
- That must be a cheat. Does it make sense for a Warrior to act like that? He's not even Sword King.
- To be honest, Seong Jihan is strong. It's better to face him as soon as possible. That guy levels up really fast too.
- You think it's better to face him at level 70? Is that something a national representative should say?
- You idiot, do you want to lose to a Gold Rank?
A chatroom for national representative warriors erupted in debate after watching Seong Jihan's highlight video.
Kim Dongwoo frowned and quickly sent a message.
- Let's face him soon. If he grows more, even I won't be able to defeat him.
While he was frustrated, his judgment remained calm.
Having risen to the leader of the Warrior squad through skill, Kim Dongwoo got chills watching Seong Jihan's power.
He wasn't sure if he could confidently win against him now. But if they delayed and that guy leveled up even more? They were bound to lose.
- If Dong-woo says so... Okay.
- I'll call the Management Department. You guys get ready too.
After seeing Seong Jihan's highlight, the composed Kim Dongwoo called the Management Department immediately.
"It's Kim Dongwoo. I have something to discuss regarding Seong Jihan's video..."
His request was to arrange a match as soon as possible.
* * * * *
Tokyo, at Ito Shizuru's mansion.
"There's some interesting news from Korea."
Ito Shizuru looked at the news with an intrigued expression.
The widespread provocation by Seong Jihan, a Gold player, was not only a hot topic in Korea but also drew a lot of attention on Japanese portal sites.
- Did something go wrong in Seong Jihan's brain? A Gold player provoking the national representatives?
- Haven't you seen the Top 100? Seong Jihan is strong.
- Maybe the Korean team is just pathetic lol.
- What's Shizuru doing? Hurry up and charm him lol.
"Tsk! I don't know why such an article is being posted in Japan."
Sword King, who was lying next to Shizuru, looked displeased.
Seeing Shizuru getting interested in the articles of his former brother-in-law was irritating.
"What does Ryuhei think? Will Seong Jihan beat the national warrior representatives?"
"He will win."
Sword King immediately responded. Dislike is one thing, but his power analysis was impartial.
"The national team warriors in Korea are pitiful. They're talentless and lazy. They will all lose to that guy."
"It's the first time I've heard you speak well of Seong Jihan."
"Regardless of my personal feelings, his skills are outstanding. I understand why you're interested."
"That's good to hear. So, if Seong Jihan becomes a national representative and faces our country, you... can you overpower him?"
"Hah! What a ridiculous question."
Sword King looked annoyed, as if asking if he could overpower someone was offensive.
"I could sever his arms and legs in 10 seconds. Just thinking of him getting your attention makes me want to do that right now."
Although he originally had no special feelings for Seong Jihan, who was his former brother-in-law, ever since Shizuru, whom he dearly loved, showed interest in him, Seong Jihan became the most despised existence for Sword King.
"Hehe. We'll see."
As Shizuru clapped, a woman in a dark uniform emerged from outside the bedroom.
Her figure was similar to Akari, who had caused a stir in Korea before.
The ninja resembled Shizuru, a beauty of a pale complexion.
"Did you call for me, main body?"
She was an 'avatar' that Ito Shizuru had made by modifying the returned Akari.
"Why did you call her?"
"The match with Korea... Is it next month?"
"Maybe. I think so."
"Please take my clone to the national team match then. If you completely suppress Seong Jihan, she'll likely enchant him properly this time."
"You still have feelings for him?"
"Yes. I want to make Japan not just the number one in the Northeast Asia League but the number one in the World League."
Shizuru turned on the TV with a charming smile and switched it to channel 0.
There, a highlight of a past Top 100 match was being commented on by American commentators.
"I want to hear Japanese, not English, on that channel. I'd also prefer the GP exchange to be shown in yen, not dollars."
"You're quite the patriot."
"Isn't that why I'm with you?"
"All I need is you..."
"Don't worry!"
To the Sword King, who was hesitant out of jealousy,
Shizuru offered a solution.
"To ease your concerns... if I enchant Seong Jihan and bring him to Japan, I'll completely turn him into a woman."
"...What? Turn him into a woman?"
"Yes. You weren't jealous of Akari, were you? Let's have him undergo a sex change surgery."
The Sword King was momentarily speechless at Shizuru's suggestion to change Seong Jihan's gender.
"Heh... fine."
He soon smiled contentedly.
The fact that Shizuru had thought of gender change for his sake was pleasing.
"So, I should hope he becomes a national representative soon."
"Yes, and I'm also working on stirring up public opinion in Korea."
"I hope it works out."
The Sword King sincerely hoped that the arrogant former brother-in-law would become a national representative.
* * * * *
[Mr. Seong Jihan, Mr. Kim Dongwoo, the leader of the national representative candidates, has proposed a match. He is preparing a stage to prove your skills. Would you like to participate...?]
"I will."
Seong Jihan, upon receiving the call, agreed even before Manager Park Yoonsik finished his sentence.
[We will proceed with the test at the Management Department's mock battleground in two days. Ah, and Mr. Kim Dongwoo suggested broadcasting this test live. What do you think about that?]
"...Live broadcast?"
Even if he wins, it's nothing big. If he loses, it'd be embarrassing to lose as a Diamond Rank to a Gold Rank player. And they want to broadcast it live?
[They suggest broadcasting it live through the Management Department's channel and splitting the profits from the broadcast.]
"I understand."
Though it seemed more like an attempt to publicly humiliate him, Seong Jihan graciously accepted the Management Department's proposal.
"Wow, uncle... You're going up against a national representative?"
"Yeah, sooner than I thought."
Perhaps the rumors that the national representatives were afraid of a Gold Rank and avoiding a match had been bothersome, as the test date was set surprisingly quickly.
"...Wouldn't it be better to level up a bit more before that? Two days seem too short."
"It's okay. I can win now."
"Still! Isn't it a bit much to face him at level 70?"
"No. I'm now at 72. And..."
Seong Jihan smiled confidently.
"My Martial Power stat has reached 100."
"...You've reached 100? Already? Is that even possible?"
"I did get some benefits from my title."
Strength 100, a result of combined title and guild bonuses.
'Now, I can unify the three Dantians.'
From 99 to 100.
Although it's just one stat point difference, reaching a three-digit stat is not merely symbolic.
Compared to 99, the increased strength was palpably stronger.
'This time...'
The unification of the three Dantians.
I can definitely succeed.
"Seah, I think I need to train in the training room."
"Ah... To prepare for the test? Okay!"
"No, not for them. It's for the stat."
Seong Jihan then asked Yoon Seah,
"So even if I don't come out of the training room, don't worry."
"Got it!"
"Then, I'll finish quickly and be back."
With that, Seong Jihan entered the training room with a bright smile.