Chapter 128

Chapter 128

There was a reason why Seong Jihan put his own name into consideration.

'A Constellation hunting its own kind... The attitude of the Wandering Martial God is so odd.'

Back then, when he hit Martial Power 30 and acquired the skill Nameless Divine Arts.

The Wandering War God, cautious of him when his unification of Three Dantians was activated, withdrew the Gift and also canceled the transmission of martial arts.

Even at that time, Jihan just thought that the Martial God was highly wary of him.

'The response was completely different this time.'

Even though Seong Jihan, whom he was highly cautious, came to Tuseong, the Martial God stopped Dongbangsak and instead showed mercy, encouraging him to gain strength.

Wasn't this reaction so different from the initial one?

The Martial God, who mercilessly hunts down other Constellations by sending ultimatums, was exceptionally generous to him, and he couldn't understand why.

Moreover,

'I... obtained the Martial Soul too easily.'

The Martial Soul, a Star's Abiltiy obtained through the unification of the Three Dantians.

Even if unifying the Three Dantians was a great achievement, the value of the Martial Soul exceeded it by far.

The Martial Soul possessed immeasurable potential, so much so that even after dismissing the national representative, it could not be said to have fully managed its power.

Had he really been that talented in martial arts to earn such ability?

'I'm not that good...'

Of course, in his previous life, he did rise to the position of the strongest among humanity, but obtaining the Martial Soul was an incomparable achievement.

Yet, obtaining the Martial Soul this easily made him think that there must be some connection between the wandering War God and himself.

So he tried inserting the name Jihan, but...

[Incorrect.]

[Only the last chance remaining.]

[Hint: It is related to an ancient existence.]

'Oh, it wasn't.'

Seong Jihan sighed in relief, seeing the hint along with the notification of the wrong answer.

'It's fortunate that it wasn't as I feared.'

Seeing that it was related to an ancient existence, it seemed that the Martial God was an entity separate from himself.

'I'll have to modify the three advanced techniques to upgrade the Nameless Divine Arts.'

Since the last chance was without much clue, he decided to leave it for now.

Seong Jihan decided to pursue the upgrade in a conventional manner for the time being.

'I have somewhat caught the clue for modifying the Divine Thunder Decree.'

When it mixed with the flame of the phoenix, the power of thunder, had become much stronger.

The direction for modifying the martial arts of the Divine Thunder Decree seemed to be to integrate it with the Phoenix Flame.

'There are no clues for the others.'

However, he had no idea how to modify the other two advanced techniques.

Seong Jihan decided to start changing the Divine Thunder Decree one at a time to suit himself.

"Uncle~ Come eat!"

"Is it ready already?"

"Yeah. Ariel is good at cooking. With her help, it was finished quickly."

"Okay. I'm coming."

She said she'll tasted it but she cooked too?

Seong Jihan organized his thoughts and left the room with a lighter heart.

* * * * *

Four days had passed since Seong Jihan took the test.

In a conference room of the BattleNet Management Department, members of the National Representative Selection Committee gathered.

The National Representative Selection Committee was mostly composed of executives from the top 10 guilds in Korea, so they had a certain rapport.

"Did you see the reporters when you came in today?"

"Yes. There were way more than usual. It seemed to be twice as many as when the list of national representatives was announced in the second half of the year."

"Goodness... just because of one player, what a fuss."

"That player is none other than Seong Jihan."

"Now, now. Committee members. Please take your seats."

As the chairman stepped forward, everyone took their designated seats.

"The reason I have called you all here today is to revise the National Representative selection criteria of the Management Department."

"Heh, we have to revise the selection criteria just because of one player..."

"The public sentiment is not ordinary. It's been 3 days and they're making a fuss asking why the selection is not being made yet."

The selection of BattleNet National Representatives.

Since the rank in the BattleNet League wasn't just a rank in entertainment, but something on which the future of a country hinged.

The representative selection went through as systematic and fair a process as possible.

So, even if Seong Jihan showed an insane performance, it was natural that it took some time.

But the public, who saw Seong Jihan's one-man show, didn't think so.

"My elementary school daughter also scolded me, asking what is daddy doing."

"Hehe. My father, who is in a nursing home, called me. He asked if there was any reason not to pick Seong Jihan. Even though I tell him he'll be picked soon, he forgets because of his dementia and contacts me every day."

"Haha... That must be quite troublesome."

"I wonder if there's anyone here who hasn't received such a question."

After witnessing Seong Jihan's performance, which blew away all the national-level Warriors in one room, the public opinion, which initially opposed Jihan being a representative because he was a Gold player, completely flipped, sending unanimous support.

Especially, the prevailing opinion was that Jihan should be put into the game against Russia, which will take place in a week.

"Okay. Then, let's revise the criteria for selecting the Korean national representatives from Daimond Rank to Gold and above. Is there anyone against it?"

In this situation, opposing would be tantamount to becoming a national traitor.

No one raised their hand.

"Alright. So, understanding that everyone agrees... I will revise the national representative selection criteria."

Thud! Thud!

The chairman quickly passed the agenda.

"And the next agenda is about changing the national representative selection list."

"Are you replacing player Gu Jaeho with player Seong Jihan?"

"Yes. That's right. We plan to replace Gu Jaeho, the lowest-ranked Warrior representative, with Seong Jihan. Is there anyone against this?"

"The result is the fairest."

"No objections."

Gu Jaeho, who was the first to be defeated by Jihan with one punch, inevitably got a taste of falling out of the national representative selection.

"It's the first time a meeting has ended so quickly."

"Shouldn't we end the losing streak?"

"Hmm... Can we end the losing streak just by choosing him?"

"Did you watch Jihan's broadcast yesterday? He's now fighting Hojo with his bare hands. Considering his growth rate, it's worth expecting."

"Oh, do you also watch Jihan's broadcasts yourself, Chairman?"

"If I don't watch them, I can't join in the conversation with my kids. Hehe."

After the national representative test, Seong Jihan's channel, which gained subscribers steeply again, surpassed 5 million.

In Korea, less than 10 players have surpassed 5 million subscribers, but Jihan had reached this record even as a Gold player.

"Then, I will notify player Seong Jihan that he has been selected as a national representative and request to stay at the BattleNet Center."

"He should participate in the game against Russia right away."

"Hmm... But Jihan has humiliated the national representative warriors so much, can they build teamwork smoothly during the training camp?"

A member expressed such concerns, but

"Oh~ They're all pros, not kids, what could happen? Don't worry. Even the national Warrior players will be glad that a strong player is joining."

"Right. Would they want to be the lowest forever?"

Other members spoke dismissively as if that wouldn't happen.

"Alright. Let's hold a press conference and wrap up today's schedule."

"Understood."

Thus, the national representative selection committee meeting ended swiftly.

And the news was conveyed to Seong Jihan through Manager Park Yoonsik.

[The National Representative Selection Committee revises the selection rules! Now Gold players can also be selected!]

[Seong Jihan selected as a Battlenet National Representative! Can participate from the next League game against Russia!]

"Uncle! Congratulations on being selected!"

Yoon Seah entered the room to congratulate him after seeing the breaking news, and saw Jihan, who was on the phone with a serious expression.

"Do we... have to do the training camp?"

[Yes... A training camp is essential for the national representative match. The map chosen for the game against Russia is a Siege map, so a harmonization process is needed even more.]

"It's just that I'm a bit concerned about leaving my niece alone."

[Oh! Don't worry about that. Family members can also come to the BattleNet Center. The facilities at the BattleNet Center are above a 5-star hotel, and a suite is provided to each player.]

"Alright. When should we come?"

[The training camp starts in 3 days. I will come to pick you up.]

"Okay. See you then."

Yoon Seah, who listened to the conversation between Jihan and Park Yoonsik, waved her palm left and right.

It was a gesture of refusal.

"Ah. Uncle. What's with that, I'm not a kid... It's okay. Why bother taking me to the BattleNet Center?"

"Something might happen."

"Come on~ What could happen! Even that stalker has disappeared, hasn't he?"

If the stalker had been alive, it might have been different.

Is there anything dangerous now?

'This is what you call overprotection.'

Thinking so, Yoon Seah wore a meaningful smile on her lips.

"There's so much happening at the BattleNet Center! Scandals among national team-level players are said to originate from there. Wouldn't Uncle be disappointed if he brought me there and we couldn't join in?"

"That's not even funny."

"They say you have quite a bit of free time after training camp, right? There's a drinking party every night."

Seong Jihan made a face as if he couldn't believe what he was hearing.

'League losers and yet so undisciplined, huh.'

Even considering it's a tutorial phase, if it's notorious enough for the general public to know, how much of a mess must their training be?

It made him question the point of training camps.

"Anyway. I'm really fine! Have a good time at the training camp!"

"What if a madman barges in?"

"What... How would a madman get all the way up to this penthouse! They can't even take the elevator!"

Yoon Seah didn't seem inclined to go to the BattleNet Center at all.

'Well, nothing should happen.'

With Xin Youhwa dead, there was no one left to threaten her, but Seong Jihan still wanted to make some insurance arrangements.

"Where's Ariel?"

"She's rolling around on the sofa, watching TV."

"What a mess."

When Seong Jihan went to the living room, Ariel had become one with the sofa.

"Master. You're back."

"Ariel. How far can you be from me?"

"Um... not very far in this physical form. But in my smaller form, I can be quite far."

"Good. Stay in the penthouse while I'm at the training camp, even if you have to reduce your form."

Since the BattleNet Center was located in Gangnam, it was not too far from Sword Palace in terms of distance.

Even in a small form, leaving Ariel behind would be a relief.

"Uncle... Ariel. Isn't that the black sword? The Shadow something?"

"I don't need it for practice anyway."

"That's mean. Master. Saying it's not needed."

Ariel verbally protested, but with a leisurely face, she continued watching TV.

Crunch!

Using her shadow, she enjoyed a piece of heaven, eating potato chips placed on the coffee table in front of the sofa.

"I shall accept my master's command, and protect Seah with my life!"

"...Uncle. I don't think she'll be much help."

"She's quite useful despite appearances."

It's best if a situation where she needs to be useful doesn't arise.

Seong Jihan thought as much and gestured to Ariel.

"Let's go. We have a game to play."

"Oh. I wanted to watch this pro..."

"Watch the replay."

"I opened snacks..."

"Open more when we come back."

"Master is so inconsiderate, except when dealing with Seah..."

Swish~

Ariel, lounging on the sofa, eventually turned into smoke and entered Seong Jihan's arm.

"Today isn't a day we play together, right?"

"Yeah."

Yoon Seah agreed to play together twice a week.

This week, they had already completed two games.

"I'll be back then."

And so, Seong Jihan who logged into the game was.

[This mission is Survival.]

[Entering the 'Experimental Zone'.]

Having reached level 75, he entered a new Survival map, 'Experimental Zone'.