Episode 159
The first to come to their senses were those in the audience.
Although it was reduced thanks to the barrier, there was no major impact because the magic power was controlled.
Controlling power and range by measuring horsepower.
It was a feat that could not have been accomplished without someone with the magic control of Ricky Harlis.
What followed the silence was a huge roar.
Kim Tae-hyun, who was thought to be the weakest among the ten SS graders.
However, after experiencing that power directly, my perception completely changed.
“Wow!! Taehyun Kim!!!”
“It’s amazing!!!”
“I thought I was going to die!!!”
The atmosphere in the Colosseum quickly boiled over again.
On the contrary, those in the square could not help but be embarrassed.
Especially unlike the other eight players who were standing with their knees bent.
Alex Watson and Daniel Grint.
It was difficult for them to remain sane as they knelt down due to humiliation and shame.
‘I’ll kill you, you damn Asian bastard!!’
‘I’ll tear your limbs to shreds!!’
Contrary to what they thought, they did not dare to shout even though the skill was unlocked.
This was because my body was trembling due to the aftereffects of receiving the skill defenselessly.
“Whoa…”
Montel Jackson let out the breath he had been holding.
It was a mistake to measure the magic power a little while ago and use up a lot of it.
I used up 80% of my magical power with the thought of overpowering the previous two guys.
‘If the skill release had been a little later… I would have fallen to my knees too.’
Montel Jackson clicked his tongue as he thought about this.
Thomas Neuer, Sergei Semak, and Dominic Garbrandt were in a similar situation.
Montel Jackson looked around.
Ricky Hallis seemed to have unleashed magic in an unknown way, while Uriah Simone and Cody Cruz, who had not yet measured it, looked calm.
It was a case where the Italian host saved face thanks to Taehyun’s consideration.
I once again realized how ridiculous Taehyun’s magic power control was.
‘Kim Tae-hyun. ‘He was crazier than I thought.’
Montel Jackson laughed.
Ricky Harlis and Taehyun Kim.
Although the two avoided going into detail, we do know that it was Taehyun who dealt with Venom.
However, I thought Ricky Harlis would have had a lot of help in that process.
This is because no one but Cody Cruise can handle her in top condition.
As he is presumed to be an anti-aircraft contractor, he may have at least one hidden card, but he will not be able to take it out in a public place like this.
So, even if you measure horsepower, the expected ranking is around 5th or 6th.
I said so.
‘Everyone got a kick out of it.’
Montel Jackson looked at his colleagues with stern expressions.
I don’t know what Taehyun did, but the power of an anti-aircraft contractor can be used secretly.
I felt like I would have to add such a hypothesis in the future.
But Montel Jackson’s thinking was wrong from the start.
This is because the magical power level and skill proficiency have increased abnormally, but the true power has not yet been unleashed.
“That’s creepy.”
Yuraiya Simon, who had been quiet until now, opened his mouth.
He also had similar thoughts to Montel Jackson.
It is clear that the Archduke’s power was used secretly.
Horsepower control is also top-notch.
They had no choice but to admit that everything was more than they thought.
‘I heard that Ricky Hallis was injured on Jeju Island… I wonder if Kim Tae-hyun was also involved.’
‘Is it possible that he can be compared to Cody?’
When the shocked people were shaking their heads.
“The measuring instrument is worse than I thought?”
Taehyun joked and returned to his seat.
“How dare you talk nonsense like that…!!”
Alex Watson, who recovered himself late, tried to shout, but Ricky Harlis was one step faster.
“It’s still the same. “That ominous magical power.”
Although it was said with a contract with the Archduke in mind, Taehyeon was not caught off guard.
“I thought you could handle it well enough.”
“Hmm~ Could you please stop comparing me to those newbies?”
Alex Watson and Daniel Grint’s expressions darkened at Ricky Harlis’ words.
“If this happens, what will be the ranking?”
Taehyun asked the still stunned host.
[Ah… since it wasn’t converted into official points… according to the regulations… it was disqualified due to a mistake in magic control…]
“Is that so? “I feel sorry for the people behind me.”
Taehyun shrugged his shoulders and said.
“….”
“….”
Uriah Simone and Cody Cruz, who suddenly took 8th and 9th place, could not say anything.
* * *
“Hahaha. Disqualification is a truly unexpected result. “Isn’t that right?”
Ji Jin-hee said without holding back her laughter.
Without revealing his magic power level, he overwhelmed others around him.
The result was disqualification, but it was actually more of a benefit than taking first place.
“….”
“….”
“That’s amazing….”
The presidents of the British and French associations remained silent, and president Kevin Lee tried to hide his embarrassment.
His eyes turned to the broken magic meter.
‘That thing breaks…?’
This is not an ordinary measuring instrument.
It is a culmination of the cutting-edge technology that the United States is proud of, made using as many as 70 S-grade magic stones and 30 S+-grade magic stones.
Including the magic stones lost during the making process, the development cost alone was over 3 trillion won.
Suddenly, Ricky Harlis’ strange reaction appeared in his mind.
Guangzhou and Jeju Island.
Since she was close to Taehyun there, she must have known something about this ridiculous situation.
‘Kim Tae-hyun…’
Kevin Lee with a stern expression and Ji Jin-hee with a happy expression looked at Tae-hyun.
SS level player license award ceremony.
And the event ended.
* * *
The ceremony ended with numerous issues left behind.
New Year (新年) January 1st.
A new year has dawned.
* * *
Taehyun opened the status window.
Name: Kim Tae-
hyun Age: 20
Grade: AAA
Strength: 219 Stamina: 220 Speed: 218 Magic Power: 327 Charm: 182
Fatigue: 2%
Remaining Magic Power: 327/327
[Skill]
Predation (AAA) – Can prey on a desired target. Magic Power: 50
Shadow Skin (AAA) – Strengthens the body and hides the body. Magic Power: 10
Monarch’s World (AAA) – Forms a special field strengthened by magic power. Magic Power: 30
Lord’s Awesomeness (AAA) – Radiates a spirit strengthened by magical power. Magic Power: 20
Chain of Binding (AAA) – Designates an opponent and binds them. Skill tracking and cancellation are possible. Magic Power: 20
Queen’s Man (AAA) – Summons Rosaria, Queen of Dream Demons. Magic Power: 300
Complete Hypnosis (AAA) – Specifies the opponent and hypnotizes them. Magic Power: 100
Blood Rush (AAA) – Activates physical abilities. Magical power: 200
Demon’s Eyes (AAA) – Red eyes are activated. Magic Power: 10
“It feels new.”
The only thing that has changed compared to before is the age and attractiveness stats.
I felt proud.
This is because the result was obtained less than a year after the regression.
“Will I graduate in a little while?”
I remembered the first day Taehyun returned.
A day that started with punishing Gu Beom-mo and Jo Tae-sik.
Afterwards, using his newly awakened ‘predation’, he quickly became stronger and has reached where he is today.
SS rank player.
Cody Cruz was holding the top spot before Taehyun’s death.
Unlike his previous life, where he awakened at the end of 35 years, this time he reached an equal position in less than a year.
My heart was pounding.
A player is someone who pioneers the Abyss.
The realization of my dream of becoming the best player in the world was within sight.
“Is this just the beginning?”
While saying that, he emptied his soju glass alone.
The New Year’s moon was shining brightly.
* * *
A few days have passed since the new year began.
News stories from various fields poured out, but by far the biggest issue was about SS-level players.
It seems like he was conscious of that atmosphere.
Association President Kevin Lee declared that he would attack every unexplored dungeon on Earth.
It was natural that the world’s attention was focused.
‘Association President Kevin Lee. The United States announces its commitment to world peace.’
‘American SS-level player. ‘Everyone is scheduled to be deployed to unexplored dungeons.’
‘A country with unexplored dungeons. Are you asking for help from the United States?’
‘This year, again, the player ecosystem is centered around the United States.’
‘The eyes of the world focus on Asian heroes.’
‘Unknown Abyss. Will we be conquered by heroes?’
There were articles floating around that weren’t even properly checked.
There are eight unexplored dungeons announced by the World Players Association.
Among them, four dungeons were listed first based on their importance.
An unexplored dungeon in Paris, France.
An unexplored dungeon in Milan, Italy.
An unexplored dungeon in Berlin, Germany.
An unexplored dungeon in Barcelona, Spain.
This was the result of a renewed risk assessment considering the recent breakups in Russia, Japan, and China.
Due to Association President Kevin Lee’s remarks, unexplored dungeons are attracting attention.
The World Players’ Association announced a policy that only parties or attack teams run by proven qualified players will be allowed into dungeons.
in other words.
This meant that if holders of the newly established SS-level player license did not participate, they would not be allowed to enter the dungeon.
Soon after, Association President Kevin Lee announced a four-nation alliance.
It was a large attack force consisting of three SS-rank players from the United States and SS-rank players from France, England, and Germany.
And a few days later.
The New Korea Players Association expressed its intention to participate in the dungeon raid.
The plan was to form an independent attack force rather than one led by Dominic Garbrandt.
Although people respect the strong, they tend to be inclined towards underdogs.
The spirit shown by the new Korea, which has just become a great power, against the United States, the world’s most powerful country.
Once again, the world’s attention shifted to Taehyun and Shin Korea.
* * *
New Korea Players Association headquarters.
Three men were sitting in the association president’s office and talking.
They were Ji Jin-hee, Ko Tae-wook, and Tae-hyeon.
“I know Taehyun’s skills well, but I feel like he’s overdoing it.”
President Ji Jin-hee of the association said with a face full of worry.
“President of the Association. Please trust Taehyun once. “Aren’t you a full-fledged adult now?”
“Uhm….”
Ji Jin-hee fell silent at Go Tae-wook’s words.
“I guess I worried you too much.”
Taehyun said with a shy smile.
“I would be lying if I said no. “Because everything Taehyun has done is beyond common sense.”
“It will work out well this time too.”
Taehyun spoke confidently and raised his teacup.
It was the car that Ji Jin-hee himself got off.
“Um… can I ask one thing?”
“of course.”
“Why… are you pushing yourself like this? If Taehyun had the power, he could always live comfortably. Why are we fighting so constantly?”
Ji Jin-hee’s eyes stared at Tae-hyeon.
I have seen countless people who were lucky enough to awaken S-rank skills and died to prove themselves.
So, I was wondering if Taehyun might also be that kind of person.
“They say fighting spirit is a human instinct.”
“Because of the fighting spirit…”
Ji Jin-hee’s face was filled with disappointment.
A small smile appeared on Taehyun’s lips as he watched this.
I thought I knew what answer Ji Jin-hee wanted.
“But it’s not just because of that or anything like that.”
“…?”
“I am well aware of the Association President’s past life. He devoted his entire life to saving the crumbling new Korea. Even while bearing the weight of being the president of the players’ association.”
“….”
“Me too. There is something you want and you move to get it. “Humans are such creatures.”
These were values that made it hard to believe that he had just turned 20.
Go Tae-wook smiled shallowly and Ji Jin-hee asked the last question.
“Can I ask… what you want?”
“I will be the best player in the world. and.”
Taehyun paused for a moment.
The answer was already decided when we returned.
And the fate of New Korea, which has a player named Kim Tae-hyun.
“and…?”
Ji Jin-hee couldn’t bear it anymore and asked back.
“New Korea will be a neutral country that no one can touch.”
“…!!”
He is talking about his dream instead.
Ji Jin-hee’s heart trembled when she saw that scene.
‘It’s a neutral country that no one can touch…’
Ko Tae-wook was equally surprised.
In the past, this would have been dismissed as bravado, but it was different now.
‘I don’t know if you can really do it.’
While Go Tae-wook was thinking about that.
Ji Jin-hee cleared her throat and gathered her emotions.
“I understand… Our association will fully support Taehyun’s strategy.”
“thank you.”
“So, is there a designated dungeon?”
“Yes, there are some good places.”
Taehyun’s next words.
“what?!!”
“It’s not allowed!!”
The two people shouted at the same time.
