Chapter 232: Chapter 232
A week after the Space League games, the Korea-Japan match is underway.
The outlook for this game had drastically changed compared to six months ago.
-1.01… Is that the real odds??
-Betting on Korea's win gives you a 1% profit, huh? lol
-It was originally at 1.05, but after Seong Jihan became the Space League MVP, it dropped even more lol
-Makes sense, the Japanese players are betting on Korea's victory too? There seems to be a lack of talent in Japan nowadays.
-It's the total opposite of last year's Independence Day lol
Whether it was the Independence Day when the Sword King moved to Japan,
Or the subsequent Korea-Japan match where Seong Jihan rose rapidly, fighting the Sword King.
The 2021 Korea-Japan match was expected to end predictably, unlike previous years.
Seong Jihan, who dominated the Space League games,
And now evaluated as warrior rank 2, but still the formidable Sword King, Yoon Sejin, would participate as well,
Whereas Japan, after the Sword King returned to Korea, hasn't seen the emergence of any SSS-ranked players,
Continually struggling at the bottom of the Northeast Asia League rankings.
Korea's easy victory seemed predestined.
Koreans showed more interest in other developments rather than the predictable game outcome.
-Turns out Yoon Seah also joined the national team this time.
-Eh? Yoon Seah? Isn't that a bit… Did she use family connections?
-└└└ Last month, Yoon Seah's win rate was top among the diamond archers, she was always good, but after changing her bow, she's insane.
-Wow…that family is full of monsters o_o
-The speed of her growth is unbelievable lol!! Two games a day is such a cheat
With the assertive growth trajectory, Yoon Seah shows off the true potential of the late bloomer's gift. Her Void Arrows, since changing bows, fire in quick seven-arrow volleys, devastating battlefields.
-But if the gift is only quick growth and eventually plateaus, wouldn't it be nothing special?
-Exactly. It may not be directly combat affecting or something beneficial
-It's good she's in the national team, but whether she'll shine is another question…
However, compared to the monstrous performances of Seong Jihan or the Sword King,
Yoon Seah received a colder reception from the public,
Yet the Korean national team staff thought differently.
"Turtle Formation is breached."
"All warriors are down."
The national team held practice games incorporating the newly joined Yoon Seah with the existing warriors.
Her performance was astonishing.
"We knew Void Arrow was strong, but…"
Yoon Seah's unique Void Arrow.
Arrows vanished and emerged back to strike, leaving even diamond-class warriors unable to properly block them.
People thought lower-ranked players might stand a chance, but with her new bow, Yoon Seah was easily hunting down even national-level players.
"We never expected her to easily penetrate the Turtle Formation like this."
"I know, right?"
The defensive formation, the Turtle Formation, formed by national team players,
It used to be effortlessly destroyed by outliers like Seong Jihan.
Typically, breaking through required intense combat.
But to pierce it with arrows…
"If Yoon Seah keeps growing at this pace, we might even aim for the Champions League victory this year…"
"Don't count the chickens before they hatch. We can't even guarantee making it to the main competition yet."
Coach Noh Youngjun reprimanded the over-excited staff, but his eyes gleamed with anticipation.
Meanwhile,
"Do you want to lead this time, Seah?"
Archer Division Leader Ha Yoori welcomed Yoon Seah coming out of the BattleNet connector.
"Eh. Come on, with Unnie here, why would I lead!"
"You're stronger than me. I can't even break the Turtle Formation by myself."
"Break it by myself? But I got help from Akari Unnie!"
Ssss!
Beside Yoon Seah, Akari shook her head upon hearing this.
"Together…? I merely stood there. You handled it all."
"You had no rear guard concerns, so you were free to pull your bow to its limit!"
"Indeed. I saw you smoothly deflect the warriors' attack."
"…Um, is it really okay for me to join the national team? As an assassin, in the archery ranks… I'm not sure if I'm needed…"
Akari, who joined the national team roster with Yoon seah, had grown to level 245, easily qualifying her, but as an Archer variant class, the Assassin wasn't a perfect fit for Korea's archer division.
"Don't worry. Our archer division has more than enough firepower with the addition of Seah."
"Yeah. Games aren't always about confronting enemies head-on. In places like dungeons, assassins shine."
"Ah… Uncle! Weren't you practicing?"
Yoon Seah was surprised to see Seong Jihan coming toward the BattleNet connector.
Hadn't he disappeared to practice again? When did he return?
"I'm stuck on something tricky, so I've wrapped up my practice for now."
"You, Seong Jihan, find things difficult?"
At Ha Yoori's playful comment, Seong Jihan shrugged.
"I'm not a god to find everything easy."
The fourth of the Annihilation technique, Ice Heaven Sword Rain.
After Pythia mentioned this skills true intention lies in reconnaissance,
Seong Jihan spent time in the Void Training Room, repeatedly practicing it.
But…
'Reconnaissance doesn't seem to click. Sword Rain seems related, though…'
During the previous game, Sword Rain intercepted the source of the Great Chieftain's power,
Despite Seong Jihan not directly commanding it, the swords targeted the Orc warriors automatically.
If reconnaissance is truly the intent of Ice Heaven Sword Rain, then it connects with that incident.
Yet in the Void Training Room, he could freeze the sky, but the swords didn't form as vividly as before.
Raining down, it was more a genuine downpour than an ice storm.
While Seong Jihan pondered the Ice Heaven Sword Rain,
Ha Yoori teased with a grin.
"A god… after watching the previous game, I thought you were one. There's even a 'Church of Seong Jihan,' you know?"
"Seong Jihan Church? What's that about?"
"What else but a religion that believes in you? That you'll be the messiah to save humanity?"
"…Unnie, You're joking, right?"
"No joke. Yuri's convinced such cults should be suppressed before they grow, she's been reporting them."
Frowning, Seong Jihan became concerned.
A cult believing in a player as a deity.
Such movements were usually at the end times, and now humanity was thriving, climbing to 5th place. Why would a cult appear all of sudden?
"I think I showed too much strength. Should I lose on purpose?"
"No, Messiah! If you have started saving us, you must continue to the end!"
"Yeah. Uncle, since it's come to this, climb to that divine throne!"
At that moment.
"…A divine throne? What are you talking about?"
"Daddy!"
Yoon Sejin, who had also been training individually, arrived at the BattleNet center, carrying two large bouquets.
"Congratulations on joining the team, Seah."
"Hehe. Thanks."
"Congratulations to you too, Akari."
"Thank… you."
Handing out bouquets, Yoon Sejin looked at Seong Jihan,
"Jihan, It seems I'm getting a lead on what you told me last time."
"Are you talking about focusing on each sword individually?"
"Yes. I'm glad I listened to you."
The Sword King of the previous life, went in the direction of focusing on the numbers of swords.
Alone, it took a long time to find the way, but with Seong Jihan's guidance, progress was swift.
"It seems all our key players are here."
Then, Coach Noh Youngjun approached with a smile.
"We're about to start analyzing Japan's last game's footage. Normally, you would not have to see it, but… How about it? Want to join us for the analysis?"
"Oh. I'd love to listen! I've been interested!"
Japanese power analysis.
Technically it was unnecessary given Japan's lack of threat, but…
"Sure."
With practice hitting a wall, Seong Jihan entered the analysis room to get a change of perspective.
Then…
'Why did they get so weak?'
Watching Japan's power in the footage, Seong Jihan wondered.
* * *
=Everyone! The first Korea-Japan match of 2021 is upon us!
=The Korean national team is sailing smoothly with 2 wins in the Northeast Asia League! Despite Seong Jihan's absence, the second game against Taiwan was an easy win!
=The double threat of Seong Jihan and the Sword King is so effective!
=On the other hand, the Japanese team is not faring well with 0 wins and 2 losses. They suffered 3:0 losses to China and Russia too.
The Northeast Asia League of 2021.
While Korea cruises with 2 wins and no losses, Japan languishes at the bottom.
=Their weakness lies in not having key players with high Gift ranks.
=But wasn't there a lack of high Gift rank players back in 2019 too? It seems Japan's weaknesses have been magnified this year.
=True. Even with the Sword King around, our win rate against Japan was only around 60%. The characteristic of Japan was having evenly strong abilities across all positions, even without a key player…
=Now, their overall position strength is considered mediocre. To see such a change in two years… they desperately need an SSS-rank Gift holder now.
In the BattleNet waiting room,
Seong Jihan listened to the Korean commentators and thought.
'It's not just the absence of a key player that's the problem. All their players seem to have weakened.'
Between the last life and now, the only changes in Japan's power were the Sword King's return to Korea and Shizuru's death.
The Sword King's presence or absence wouldn't sway the others' levels,
'Was Shizuru modifying other Japanese players too?'
The editing gift was indeed overpowered.
It would have been great had she used it benevolently for mankind.
'She wasn't that kind of person.'
With her ability, there's no knowing what frivolous acts she would perform. Believing it was right to remove her, Seong Jihan watched the ban process.
=Japan is preparing to use their ban card.
=Who would they ban?
=Surely, after Seong Jihan's incredible performance in the previous matches, he's the top candidate…
=Exactly! He dominated the Space League, didn't he?!
While the commentators firmly expected Seong Jihan would be banned,
=Uh, what? But… it's Sword King Yoon Sejin's name written on the ban card!
The actual result was beyond prediction.
"…Me?"
Expecting his participation, Yoon Sejin was startled by the commentators' revelation as he held his twin swords.
Even after viewing last week's game,
Why they wouldn't ban Seong Jihan but instead him was puzzling.
"What scheme are they planning…?"
"Who knows."
Outwardly playing ignorant, Seong Jihan inwardly speculated,
'It must be Pythia's doing.'
Pythia, who had proposed a meetup during the Korea-Japan match,
Required Seong Jihan's participation in the game as a prerequisite.
"…Something fishy's going on. Be careful, Jihan."
"Understood."
Addressing Yoon Sejin's concerns, who was unaware of the subplot,
"My first game with you, right uncle?"
"Let's go."
Seong Jihan joined the first set of Korea-Japan match with Yoon Seah.
* * *
=The map for game one is Southgate. It's chosen by Japan!
=Ah… facing Seong Jihan at Southgate? What in the world is the Japanese coach thinking?
Southgate map, where Seong Jihan has continually shown exceptional performance.
It seemed a self-destructive move for Japan to choose such an optimal map for a transcendent warrior like him.
But…
"Here! Right here!"
At the start of the game atop the ramparts,
A Japanese player suddenly appeared, waving at Seong Jihan,
"Ah. It's awkward to talk here, huh? Let me invite you to a better place."
Swoosh!
With a downward sweep of his hand,
"Fall down, Apollo."
Whoosh!
A massive chariot of flames erupted from the sky,
Crashing down upon the earth.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
With a tremendous explosion, the ground shook.
Fires surged, engulfing the Korean national team.
Especially,
The flames wrapped around Seong Jihan at the forefront.
"Ugh…"
"What… The fire isn't extinguishing?"
"Heal, heal!"
While the rest of the team struggled at the back against the fire,
The lead flames did no harm to Seong Jihan.
Then,
[You are invited to 'Fallen Apollo's Sanctuary'.]
[Will you accept the invitation?]
A message of invitation appeared.
'The team will struggle a bit.'
Fallen Apollo's Sanctuary.
It appeared like a Greco-style circular temple made entirely of fire.
While created by Pythia solely to invite Seong Jihan,
"Ah… can't fend off this fire…!"
"Retreat back!"
Even the indirect influence of the fire from the temple overwhelmed the national team players.
Whether a prophet or not, the disciple of the Martial God certainly had power.
'But they should manage. It's their duty to overcome hurdles like this on their own.'
As much as they couldn't always be spoon-fed solutions,
"I accept the invitation."
Seong Jihan accepted the invitation to the sanctuary.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone