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27.27% Martial God Regressed to Level 2 / Chapter 153: Chapter 153

บท 153: Chapter 153

'Th-this…' Everyone on the negotiation team was shaken by the request. His demand for exclusive rights to the country's guild buffs was unimaginable. They might've had full authority from the government, but it wasn't an easy decision.

'The growth buff is doable, but the member expansion option is…!'

Unless they were specialized, most guilds didn't need the growth buff. The member expansion buff, though, which gave a +4 bonus to the option, was given to the top 10 guilds and allowed them to accommodate more members.

Thanks to that and the stat increases, guilds that weren't in the top 10 were left even further behind and had no hope of breaking through the rankings.

"We're sure the growth buff is something the top 10 guilds would be ready to give up, but the member increase would require us to change the entire top 10 guild list… We can't give an immediate answer."

"Even if we agreed, the buffs have diminishing returns and wouldn't raise the option by 40. Receiving all of the member expansion buffs would only increase the effect to about +15 or +20."

"Aah, I see," JiHan said. The negotiation team was asking him to consider the complex problem that would arise if the top 10 guilds suddenly had to drastically reduce their numbers.

JiHan smiled. "Would it be better if I went to the USA?"

"N-no! How about we negotiate and give you half of the member buffs? That way, you'd still receive a +10 bonus. In exchange, we'll accept your other terms and offer the benefits we already prepared."

"You mean a tax exemption?" JiHan asked. "But taxes are supposed to be paid."

"Ah! How could we possibly ask you to pay taxes, Mr. Sung? There's also a property next door that the government was going to auction. We can give you that and more…!"

"Hmm…" JiHan frowned as if he were unimpressed. He didn't seem interested in things like tax exemptions or other offers and was only focused on being able to have as many guild members as possible.

'Ah! The member expansion is the most important buff… The repercussions would be unimaginable if we let him monopolize it.' The negotiation team was nervously wondering whether or not they should cry and beg him for leniency.

HaYeon, who'd been watching from the side, stepped forward. Instead of referring to him formally like she usually did, she softly tried to dissuade him. 

"Oppa, don't be like that," she said. "Even if they did give all of the member expansion buffs to us, it'd only be a difference of five levels, right? That's 25 people. Let's just do as they suggested and take half of the buffs."

"It's not too much to ask for," JiHan said. "The United States offered me 10% of America First's shares, after all."

"Oppa…! My family's Twin Star Guild is among the top 10 guilds as well. Can't you be a bit more considerate? They offered half as a good-faith compromise, and you also want to keep living here anyway!"

"Hmm…" JiHan seemed to think about it for a moment.

'An opportunity might arise if we can persuade him!' The negotiation team pushed the initiative HaYeon had given them and fell back on the measures they'd prepared beforehand.

"Going this far would put too much of a burden on us," HaYeon said.

The negotiation representative became certain she was the key and supported her by offering JiHan more benefits.

"Oppa~ Isn't this good enough?"

"Hey, this is supposed to be a formal occasion," he said.

"Didn't I talk to you formally?"

"Ahh… Being able to accept more members is extremely important. Fine. I'll wait outside and leave this to you, okay?"

"Okay, Oppa. Trust me~!"

Despite their bickering, the two seemed extremely close. The negotiation representative had heard the rumors and assumed they were a real couple, which was why he put all of his effort into supporting her.

"Oppa, no, Mr. Sung is quite stubborn. This might not be enough," she said.

The negotiation leader nodded. "Ah. Then… how about this?"

"Hmm… This should be enough. I'll see if I can convince him." With her stronger authority, HaYeon obtained all sorts of benefits from the government negotiation team.

'Ah, we ended up offering more than expected…' one of them thought.

'Still, this is better than having to give up all of the member expansions.'

'Making a compromise with the top 10 guilds is much better than making trouble with them.'

Though they'd been led like a dog on a leash, they felt relieved that they only had to give up half of the member expansion buffs.

"I'll see if I can persuade Mr. Sung with this," she said, "but…"

"But…?" The negotiation team nervously wondered if she was going to ask for even more.

"Could you select us as this year's most promising guild? Mr. Sung is extremely interested in the guild's growth, after all."

"Ah, yes. We can do that right now!" the negotiation leader promised.

"Thank you~!"

The government had been willing to offer her last request from the start. In the end, the negotiation team gave up half of the expansion buffs, all of the growth rate buffs, and everything they'd prepared beforehand.

The government team felt relieved and spoke with each other as they left.

"Ha… She was extraordinary. She took everything we had for backup."

"That's fine… We should be glad that's all it took. All of it combined isn't worth even 2% of America First's shares."

"That's true."

"We'll have to quickly talk to the top 10 guilds and prepare an announcement. I'm glad that's over with."

HaYeon let out a deep sigh and mumbled, "Ah, that was tough…"

JiHan and the others entered the room as she was taking a moment to rest.

"Well done, HaYeon."

"Woah, HaYeon~ Your acting was amazing," Sae-ah said. "I really thought you two were dating."

GaYeong chimed in with, "Miss, I was also amazed. I thought you only had talent for covering up your gambling."

HaYeon shrugged and said, "You didn't need to mention that, did you?" Mr. Sung, your telepathic message earlier took me by surprise. I didn't think you'd ask me to continue playing up our rumored romance."

Just as she said, he'd sent her a telepathic message during the negotiation.

- I'm okay with half of the member expansion buffs. I'll leave the rest to your discretion. Ms. Lee, act like you're my lover and try to dissuade me.

She'd flaunted her closeness with him and contributed to keeping him in South Korea, but it was all according to his plan.

What the negotiation team perceived was something entirely different. They couldn't even imagine that he'd planned the whole thing out.

"You did better than I expected," he said. "You seemed quite comfortable calling me 'Oppa.'"

"Really? Should I continue calling you that?"

"No."

"Tsk." HaYeon pouted after his firm refusal. He felt extremely rigid sometimes.

At that moment, Sofia finished her game and entered the conference room. "Is it over? Have you decided to stay in Korea?"

"Yes. In the end, staying in my home country is more comfortable."

"That's too bad, JiHan, I wanted us to be closer." She took a look around the room. "Ah, now that I think about it, I can just stay in Korea, right?"

"No, it's okay," he said. "Please go back, Sofia."

"How harsh. You keep trying to send me away," she grumbled. "You told me you'd like me if I became the world's best Support, right?"

"Through Sae-ah, yes."

"It's the same thing! Anyway…" She looked at HaYeon. "You should keep your eyes off of him in the meantime."

"Don't worry," JiHan said. "I won't be swayed by her."

"Why not?? Is there something wrong with me?" HaYeon asked.

"I don't see gambling addicts as potential romantic interests."

"I'm not a gambling addict…!"

"Really?"

Her past lifestyle flashed through her mind. She couldn't exactly deny it, but…

"Yeah, she's a gambling addict," GaYeong said with more conviction than ever. "The Miss has a severe gambling addiction."

"Hey!" HaYeon protested.

"Well, I gained freedom thanks to her, but I wish she'd stop now… I don't want to see her suffer anymore."

"What? I'm a gambling addict? Ridiculous! I just like to predict outcomes!"

JiHan glanced at HaYeon's flushed face and turned to Sae-ah. "Sae-ah, I'll confiscate the Sword Palace if I ever catch you betting again."

"Okay… Uncle! Seriously, I don't participate in betting."

"I don't believe you."

"Come on! Trust me!"

Sofia sighed. "Koreans really love gambling."

"Hey now…" HaYeon exclaimed. "The USA has Las Vegas! Gambling pretty much originated from you guys!"

Sofia looked at JiHan. "It seems like I won't have to worry about the others. I'll become the top Support and come to Korea, okay? Will you accept me then?"

JiHan smiled. If she became the world's top support, then the world's survival or destruction would have probably already been decided.

'It won't be hard to accept her if the world survives.' He'd experienced the end of the world in his past life, so he was open to pretty much anything as soon as its future was guaranteed.

"Okay. I'll accept you."

Sofia smiled and said,. "That's a promise."

Soon after, she left Korea with renewed determination.

Then…

[Sung JiHan Stays In Korea!]

[Bloom Guild, Major Expansion And Revamp! All Additional Members From The Country Bonus Will Be Korean!]

The news quickly spread all over the world.

[Sung JiHan Stays In Korea!]]

[The South Korean government offered major benefits, but all of it combined doesn't even add up to 1% of America First's shares…!]

["America Will Always Welcome You." Sofia Leaves Korea After Giving Last Interview.]

[Bloom Guild Received All The Growth Buffs. Their Future Plans? "Focus On Strengthening Korean Players."]

The South Korean government had done its best to retain JiHan and decided to return the Sword Palace, give him tax incentives, officially support him, and grant him many of the country's guild buffs. It was an over-the-top amount of effort for a small country like South Korea, but…

- It turns out that Sung JiHan is a saint, hahaha.

- Is he going to stay for such a meager offer?

- I'm grateful that he's Korean, but if I were his family, I would have suggested going to the USA.

- As a fan, it's regrettable that he stayed there…

- What's wrong with our country?!

- They're last, but that's all they could offer?!

Other countries' top players received awe-inspiring support and treatment, so JiHan's benefits seemed insufficient to the public. Most believed that he deserved more wealth and fame.

'This much is enough,' JiHan thought. The growth rate was most important to him, after all.

'It isn't as crucial for me thanks to Martial Soul, but Sae-ah and the others can greatly benefit from it.' He thought of all of the promising players in the Bloom Guild who would sustain Earth's ranking in the upcoming Space League. His role as the guild owner was to maximize their growth.

When October 25th arrived and the 'Top 100' Gold players were selected from around the world, JiHan's name wasn't on the list.

- Why isn't JiHan here?

- Could it be that he isn't level 100 yet?

- No way. He even leveled up during the international matches.

- He didn't play during the negotiations, right? Maybe he needed to level up more to participate.

- It'd be a pity if he stayed in Gold.

People speculated on why his name was absent, but then October 26th arrived, and they saw a never-before-seen message.

- Player 'Sung JiHan' has been invited to the Space League's 'Top 25' Gold promotion match.

Earth was still in the Tutorial Season, and it was its first true experience with the Space League.


บท 154: Chapter 154

When JiHan reached level 100, he received the same message as when he was in Bronze and Silver.

[You finished 1st in the Bronze League.]

[You've earned the title of 'Ruler of Gold'.]

[You are eligible to participate in the 'Top 100' promotion match.]

Compared to the five-point bonus from 'Ruler of Silver', 'Ruler of Gold' provided seven points to each stat.

'Hmm… It still doesn't increase Martial Soul, though.'

It looked like Martial Soul could only be increased through martial arts training.

'I'm still stuck at 115. If things continue like this, then I might have to go get myself trapped in the 108th Form again.'

He thought back to when his stats miraculously increased after he performed the Heavenly Lightning Phoenix Flames within the 108th Form. Despite all of his practice since then, Martial Soul hadn't developed any further.

'Well, I knew that modifying the Heavenly Lightning Technique would be a difficult task. That doesn't mean I don't feel anxious, though. Are they not going to ask me if I want to skip ranks?' He was confused by the lack of additional messages. When he'd been in Silver, the system had asked if he wanted to skip ranks.

Even though he had Martial Soul and had defeated Diamond players in an international game, the system didn't offer him the chance to participate in the promotion match for Diamond.

'I wouldn't accept it anyway… but this is still strange.'

As if to ease his worries, another system message appeared after the delay.

[You participated in international matches as a Gold Leaguer and were awarded MVP more than three times.]

[You have the abilities of a star.]

[You qualify for participation in the Space League promotion match.]

[Will you participate in the Space League's 'Top 25' Gold promotion match?]

"The Space League...?!" JiHan's eyes widened in surprise. He'd never even seen that option in his previous life and had no clue such a thing existed. Now he was being given a chance to participate!

As if reflecting his thoughts, an additional message appeared.

[*Warning* This promotion match includes players from worlds where the Tutorial Season has ended. Please make your decision carefully!]

"Of course I'll participate."

[You will be participating in the Space League's 'Top 25' Gold promotion match.]

[The match will be on October 27th.]

[You've cleared the achievement 'Space League's Rising Star - Gold'.]

[You've earned 500,000 achievement points.]

[You've cleared the achievement 'Be Chosen as the Space League's Rising Star During the Tutorial Season'.]

[You've earned 1,000,000 achievement points.]

"A million and a half?!"

He received a ridiculous amount of achievement points as soon as he decided to participate.

'I should use everything I've earned so far to upgrade everything in the Achievement Shop to level three.'

The shop already had all sorts of things for sale, but there were things such as the extra constellation and Gift slots that he didn't need. Since he needed to buy them at some point anyway if he wanted to upgrade the shop, he decided to use his points.

'I still have some points to spare after upgrading everything to level three.'

Unfortunately, he still hadn't met the condition of donating five times, so he used his remaining points to upgrade 'Master of One'. As a result, 'Master of One' reached level five, and its efficiency increased from a multiplier of four to a multiplier of six.

'Since it's even better now, it'd be great if I received martial arts inspiration.' He'd picked Fourth-rate Warrior in the first place due to just how much he valued the bonus, but it hadn't shown any effects so far.

'Maybe it'll be different now that I upgraded the effects.' With that hope in his heart, he threw himself into his training until the match, and as a result…

[Martial Soul has increased by 5.]

Fourth-rate Warrior showed its benefits as his martial arts developed and his Martial Soul rose to 120.

The promotion match arrived soon after.

October 25th…

= Sae-ah... She vanished again and dodged all of the attacks!

= What kind of technique is that? She's able to make herself and her arrows vanish!

= It doesn't seem to be a simple invisibility effect! There was a wall of fire above, but she was still unharmed when she reappeared!

= Ah... Only two are left! Oh, the invisibility arrow activated again...!

After Sae-ah pierced her final opponent on the stream, she soon reappeared in the living room and jumped with joy.

"Uncle! Uncle! I won!!"

"I saw. Congratulations!"

"Hehe. Uncle, you doubted me when I first told you to bet on me, right? I've proven myself with these results! I finished 1st in Silver!"

Her Void Archer class had perfect synergy with the Curtain of Void JiHan had given her. Whenever there was a dangerous attack, she'd dodge it with the cloak and overpower her opponents with the defense-ignoring Void Arrow.

- ?? What did Sae-ah do?

- What's up with that family? JiHan, the Sword King, Ji-ah, Sae-ah… They're all monsters!

- Sae-ah's opponents must have been frustrated, hahaha. She can suddenly vanish, and nobody can detect her attacks.

- Seriously. I was just watching it, but it was enough to also make me feel annoyed.

- Since I'm one of her fans, I bet a thousand dollars and received a hundred thousand in return…! Sae-ah's an invincible goddess!

- Woah, a hundredfold on the return? Crazy, hahaha.

"Wow, there was a 1:100 return on me?" Sae-ah asked. "Ah, what a shame..."

"It doesn't matter if it was 100 or 1,000," JiHan said. "Don't even dream of betting."

"Okay, okay. I won't do it!" Sae-ah waved her hands in dismissal and continued to read the comments until one caught her eye.

- Why isn't JiHan on the betting site? I was about to bet all my wealth on him.

- He isn't participating in this promotion match. It seems like he still isn't level 100.

Conversation on Sae-ah inevitably led to some conversation on JiHan. Most people had expected to see him on the 'Top 100' promotion match's roster since it was one of the most watched events in the world, but his name was mysteriously absent from that month's participants.

"Uncle, it doesn't seem like anyone knows of your participation in the Space League yet."

"What's the point of announcing it? They'll find out tomorrow, anyway."

"You're as relaxed as ever...!"

"Should we go celebrate your victory? Let's rent out a restaurant."

Sae-ah scratched her cheek at his suggestion. "Uncle... Isn't that too relaxed? Let's eat together after your match ends! You have to prepare today~ It's the Space League, after all!"

"Okay, okay. Understood."

Then, on October 26th…

After news of JiHan's participation in the Space League was announced by Battle Net, the world went into a frenzy.

[Sung JiHan! The First Human To Participate In A Space League Promotion Match!]

[The Space League Has Never Appeared Before. Will Its Veil Be Lifted?]

[Sung JiHan Tops The Front Pages Of News Outlets Worldwide!]

- The Space League?? Woah, that's insane.

- I've always wondered what it is. So JiHan is going to be the first to debut in it?

- Woah~ Are we going to see aliens?

- He's on the front pages around the world! As a fellow Korean, I'm proud of him!

Though Earth would be placed in the Space League's Bronze Division the next year, everyone was curious about what it would entail, and JiHan's participation attracted worldwide attention.

Many people stayed up all night, unable to sleep, as they eagerly waited for the Space League promotion match.

The next day…

"I'll be back." JiHan waved to his niece and logged into the game.

* * *

[The 'Top 25' Gold promotion match is starting.]

[The mission is 'survival'.]

[You've been summoned to the 'Divine Throne'.]

Flash—

'The Divine Throne? I've never seen this map before.'

JiHan checked the message and looked around as soon as he was summoned into the game. He was in an open area with thick, dark clouds covering the sky, but 25 beams of light pierced through the clouds and illuminated the players on the ground.

Of course, as one of the players, JiHan also stood within a beam of light.

He looked at the other participants in the distance

'Giants and dragons... It's full of huge monsters.'

The most eye-catching beings were the giants. There was a steel giant that seemed ten times bigger than him, dragons that looked like small mountains, and an amalgamation of lifeforms fused into a massive monster.

They all looked more like boss monsters, not other 'Top 25' players.

'About 15 of them are giant creatures.'

[Grr...]

[So it's you again.]

[How sickening, you lizard!]

The giant creatures seemed to know each other from previous 'Top 25' matches and even pressured each other with intense energy.

'Hmm... They really are like boss monsters.'

They were all displaying their immense strength. JiHan might as well have been an insect compared to how big they were, so they largely ignored him.

'Well, it's good if they fight each other.'

He was strong enough to overpower everyone on Earth, but that wasn't the case anymore. He was more than happy for any advantage he could use.

'As for the others… They might not be giants, but they're still quite large. The only other humanoid is an elf.'

As he was looking over the other competitors, a human-sized man in a black robe appeared in front of him. "Oh, my…! Who is this?!" the man asked. His face was shrouded in darkness, but his frivolous tone seemed familiar.

"You…" JiHan said. "Are you the Dead Star?"

"That's right!! My name is... Ah, oh yeah. It was Kallein, right? I made that name just for you!" Kallein recalled the name he'd introduced himself with and made a fuss. "I can't believe I'm seeing you here! I was so frustrated that I couldn't approach Earth anymore! We're truly a match made in heaven! Hehehe!"

"Aren't you a constellation?" JiHan asked. "Why are you here?"

"Ah. This is just a secondary character."

"A secondary character...?"

Kallein looked around. "Most who participate in the 'Top 25' are constellations' secondary characters. Hmm... That dragon over there is being controlled by the 'Dragon God', the 'Essence of the Void' is inside of that big creature, and I also made a new character from royal ghosts I pieced together~!"

Since they were strong enough to participate in the 'Top 25' promotion match, it made sense that most were directly related to constellations.

"Why would you create a secondary character to participate in this?"

"That's because of the fantastic reward~ But I've already fulfilled my wish by meeting you!"

"What are the rewards?"

"If you become my head, you'll naturally know."

'This damn head talk again.'

"Enough. Go away." JiHan dismissed him.

"Head…! I… I…! I've prepared a line for you! Listen to me!"

"What kind of nonsense are you going to spout now…?"

"Dear head~ Dear head~ Will you be my head? I'll be your heart!"

JiHan frowned. How could such a being be a constellation?

"I can kill you now, right?" JiHan asked.

"No! If you do that before a game starts, you'll get a penalty!" Kallein pointed at the sky. "Look at the color of those clouds! It seems like it could be the Cloud or Thunder God... If we get the Thunder God, we'll be too occupied with trying to survive to fight! There's no need to waste strength!"

"Is the Thunder God that strong?"

"Of course. He's the worst god to get on the 'Divine Throne'! Look at the others. That's why they're just growling at each other and not fighting, see?" When Kallein pointed at the dragon and the giant, they stopped glaring at each other and looked over at him.

[The 'Dead Star'...?]

[Why's that guy so excited?]

They were puzzled by Kallein's energy and shifted their gazes to JiHan

[That weak insect... He isn't from a constellation!]

[Oh. He got here despite not being part of a constellation?...]

Just as they were discussing him…

[The god of the Divine Throne will now be assigned...]

[The Thunder God has taken the Throne.]

WHOOM...!

The clouds split apart, and lightning poured down like torrential rain. The dragon and giant looked at the intense yellow lightning and made a few regretful remarks.

[Ah, damn it.]

[I can't believe it's the Thunder God...]

'What's so bad about the Thunder God that it could even frighten a constellation?' JiHan wondered.

More system messages popped up as if to answer him.

[The Thunder God's penalty has been applied.]

[You will be unable to resurrect if you die.]

[Due to the no-resurrection penalty, you are allowed to forfeit the game.]

[Will you forfeit?]

'No resurrection, huh...' JiHan's eyes widened at the unexpected penalty.

[Lizard, I'm out.]

[I give up too. If this dies, growing another will take a long time.]

Flash! Flash—!

The dragon and giant, who had the most intense presence among the 25 players, instantly gave up.

"Head, should we give up as well? I can raise a new character, but you don't have that option."

"What's the reward for this game?" JiHan asked.

"The reward? Ah~ That's..." Unlike earlier, Kallein readily told him what the reward was.

When JiHan heard what was on offer… "In that case, I'll take the risk and participate."


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