<Chapter 53: The God of Martial Arts Regressed to Level 2>
* * *
The Top 100 Promotion Match.
Though it was called the War of the Stars, to Seong Jihan, this game held little significance.
This promotion match was merely a means to complete the epic quest related to the Shadow Queen.
He didn't even think it would be particularly difficult.
Moreover, after reaching level 25 and gaining 30 points in strength, if he could receive support from the 'Wandering God of Martial Arts' as before, he believed he could easily clear it.
"But the situation has changed."
The Muyeongshingong (Martial Arts of No Name) was incompletely transmitted, and the Gift was gone.
He also failed to obtain the 'Successor of the God of Martial Arts' title, which he should have received, and the only remaining titles were 'Ruler of the Bronze League' and 'Master of the Tutorial.'
Among these, 'Master of the Tutorial,' which only applied to the Bronze League, now only provided a +1 to all stats in the promotion match, and 'Ruler of the Bronze League' also didn't have an overwhelmingly powerful effect.
[Ruler of the Bronze League]
- A title given to players who completely dominate the Bronze League.
- Increases all stats by +3 and grants a 30% experience boost in the Bronze and Silver Leagues.
Despite expanding his title slot, the effect he gained was merely a +3 to all stats.
Of course, this wasn't insignificant, but for Seong Jihan, who had anticipated the 'Successor of the God of Martial Arts' title, it was a woefully inadequate stat boost.
"Therefore, I will put all my efforts into this promotion match." * * *
The sound of a drum announcing the start of the battle echoed from the Colosseum.
Having finished his thoughts, Seong Jihan took out an item he had stored in a corner of his inventory.
[Fragment of Crystal]
- Grade: B
- Grants a single Divine Blessing to the player.
- Can be used in the Bronze and Silver Leagues.
Divine Blessing.
The highest-grade buff, increasing all stats by over 50%.
This item, obtained as a special reward in the Defense Map, could be used up to the Silver tier.
Seong Jihan decided to use it this time.
[Do you wish to use the 'Fragment of Crystal' item?]
"I will use it."
[For this match, the player will be granted 'Divine Blessing.']
[The 'Fragment of Crystal' item will be destroyed.]
As the Fragment of Crystal disappeared, a brilliant rainbow light enveloped Seong Jihan's body.
* * *
And a golden crown appeared and then vanished from his head.
This was the effect of the highest-grade buff, Divine Blessing.
After the effect disappeared, Seong Jihan stretched his body and checked the changes.
...Indeed, it was Divine Blessing.
'The performance is definitely solid.'
A 50% stat boost was truly remarkable.
* * *
'That's Seong Jihan.'
'Coming to the promotion match in a shirt... Is he in his right mind?'
Meanwhile, the players summoned to the seats around Seong Jihan looked at him with a menacing glint in their eyes.
Seong Jihan's equipment was woefully inadequate.
Wearing a white shirt and black slacks, he was essentially without any armor.
'Even if he's strong, he's too careless.'
'Just a mid-tier league player, what confidence does he have?'
When Seong Jihan played survival in Gangnam 1, everyone would run away if they got near him.
However, the players participating in the Top 100 promotion match, being skilled, saw this as an opportunity rather than a reason to flee.
Thud. Thud.
Players cautiously approached Seong Jihan.
They were each other's enemies, but...
"Let's take him out first."
"OK."
They exchanged glances and agreed to take down the top contender first.
A quickly formed encirclement.
Seven players closed in, each a formidable opponent among the Top 100.
However...
"There are so many helpful people these days."
Seong Jihan smiled at the sight of them approaching on their own.
In Gangnam 1, players ran away so much that it was frustrating, but now that they were coming on their own, it was much more convenient.
The energy of the Samdanjeon (Three Levels of Perfection) gathered in the Phoenix Spear in Seong Jihan's hand.
Instantly, the Phoenix Spear was enveloped in a white flame.
Seeing this, the surrounding players took a battle stance and charged.
"He's coming! Defense!"
"Kill him before he uses his skill!"
Seong Jihan raised the Phoenix Spear and made a horizontal circle above his head.
It looked like a spear wielder was loosening up.
However, the aftermath was far from light.
"Ah..."
* * *
As Seong Jihan extended the Phoenix Spear, the bodies of the seven players split in half simultaneously.
Muyeongshingong (Martial Arts of No Name)
Samjaemujeok (Three Levels of Perfection)
Hyeongsotcheonjun (Sweeping a Thousand Armies)
Hyeongsotcheonjun.
Despite its grand name, which means sweeping a thousand armies, in the Three Levels of Perfection, it was just a horizontal slash.
However...
The power of Hyeongsotcheonjun, as wielded by Seong Jihan, lived up to its name.
"My, my armor... S-grade armor..."
One of the warriors who had surrounded Seong Jihan stared in shock at his split chest.
From a distance, a single horizontal swing of the spear had split his S-grade armor like paper, and his body was turning into light.
Less than a minute into the game, and he was already eliminated.
"It's... impossible..."
With those last words, the warrior disappeared, and Seong Jihan looked around.
There were no more players nearby.
So now, the place to hunt is...
* * *
A huge flame shot up from the far end of the arena, where Seong Jihan was standing.
A powerful fire spell, visible even from a distance.
This was not something a Bronze-level mage could cast.
'Is it Barrain?'
Indeed, even in his previous life, Barrain, who ranked first in the world, had formidable firepower.
'If I don't take him down quickly, he might steal the most kills.'
For mass slaughter, magic is more efficient.
Especially with the power of Barrain's visible spells, which were almost Gold-level, if left unchecked, he could steal the most kills even if Seong Jihan won first place.
"Should I go?"
Seong Jihan crouched slightly, then took a step.
Muyeongshingong (Martial Arts of No Name)
Bopbeop (Stepping Technique)
Seoncheonraebeop (Flash Heaven Thunder Step)
His body flashed and disappeared.
* * *
The main broadcast on Channel 0 focused on Barrain's performance but occasionally showed Seong Jihan.
= Player Seong! ... You used Divine Blessing? Is Divine Blessing possible in the Bronze League?
= It's expensive, but it is possible. He just didn't use it in the Bronze League! Seong must have a lot of money!
= His equipment is too... Coming to the promotion match in a shirt! He should have bought armor with the money for Divine Blessing!
= I agree. A little touch of fire from Barrain would turn him into charcoal! Maybe he wants attention?
= Still, the white spear Seong is holding looks impressive. He might have invested all his money in his weapon.
= Oh! That's not a spear, it's an arrow, the Phoenix Spear! It's a weapon Seong obtained through a hidden quest in the dungeon this time!
= Christopher, you know a lot!
= Haha... I'm a fan of Seong!
While claiming to be a fan, Christopher, the commentator, had mocked Seong Jihan earlier.
He knew about the Phoenix Spear because he had gathered information for the commentary, not because he was a fan.
= So, Seong is fighting with an arrow? Haha!
= Yes, practically without any proper weapon!
= Unbelievable...! Korea treats players too poorly!
The American commentators, who had been joking back and forth, mocked Seong Jihan again when he made a horizontal circle with his spear above his head.
= Seong! Is he threatening 7 people?
= He looks like a porcupine trying to raise its quills!
However...
* * *
The seven players split in half with a terrifying sound.
Silence filled the air instead of time.
What did we just see?
= Player Seong takes 7 kills!
The caster quickly regained his composure and announced Seong Jihan's score.
= Christopher! What did Seong do?
= I... I don't know...
The self-proclaimed fan, Christopher, couldn't explain Seong Jihan's move.
It was a power that defied his common sense.
Is this the Bronze League?
No.
Even in the Gold League, this level of power is impossible...
= This is unbelievable... Among the 7 players, there was a warrior wearing S-grade armor.
= To cut him down from such a distance in one go! Was the effect of Divine Blessing that strong?
= No, no. Seong doesn't belong to a guild. Without guild buffs, even with the effect of Divine Blessing, he couldn't show such power!
= What?! He doesn't belong to a guild? A player of that caliber?
= Yes!
The broadcast switched back to Barrain, but the commentators continued to talk about Seong Jihan.
= Not belonging to a guild...! So, Player Seong, are you preparing to transfer to a foreign country from the start?
= It's possible!
= My God... This will bring a flood of offers from other countries.
= Yes. Today, Seong is putting on a proper showcase!
= Meanwhile! Seong, gets another kill! Already 10 kills!
= Barrain is also using his signature 'Fire Wave'... But he's trailing with 6 kills!
The scoreboard on the side of the broadcast screen showed:
1st place: Seong Jihan, 10 kills.
2nd place: Barrain, 6 kills.
= Barrain! He burns the Urk troops with Fire Wave in one go. 3 more kills! Now 12 kills!
= Seong's spear technique... What is that? One swing, and everyone splits! 15 kills achieved!
In the Top 100 Promotion Match, the focus was now on Barrain and Seong Jihan.
Other players had long since been reduced to increasing their kill counts.
Their bodies were either torn apart by Seong Jihan's spear or burned away by Barrain's Fire Wave.
The two, completely dominating the other players, were leading the kill scores.
Seong Jihan was ahead, but Barrain was gradually catching up.
If this continued, Barrain might reclaim first place.
However, the American commentators' voices still carried a sense of tension.
= Barrain is quickly catching up to Seong's kill count...
= Christopher! The direction Seong is running, no matter how you look at it...