032. The Calm Before the Storm
Seven people. It was a number that could be said to be many, or few.
And here, the people gathered to become a team.
“So, you don’t have any particular opinion about me taking the lead?”
Standing in front of them, Lee Chang-hyun was a disposable, but steadily building his own team.
What was quite surprising was that since Yoon Han-gyeol was on the same team, I thought he would step up as captain at least once, but he didn’t.
Rather, Yoon Han-gyeol seemed to be supporting Lee Chang-hyun’s statement that he would take on the role.
‘He’s just looking at me with those burdensome, sparkling eyes… … .’
I really don’t know what he’s thinking.
It was honestly burdensome to be looked at like that by someone who had defeated me so many times.
“Then let’s talk about strategy first.”
“huh!”
The majority of the team members, except for Kim Do-jun and Yoon Han-gyeol, were guys without any special characteristics. That’s why the strategy had no choice but to shift its weight to them.
“Yoon Han-gyeol and I. Do you admit that these two are the strongest? So I’ll come up with a strategy with the two of us as the main characters.”
Lee Chang-hyun drew black lines on the main whiteboard in front of him. One side was the opposing camp, and the other side was our camp. In the middle, he drew a circle to represent the neutral monster formation.
“First of all, as with the opponent, the most effective strategy in this ‘Battlefield of the Gods’ is to grow and then fight, so we’ll use that strategy as a base. However, there’s also the variable of Chairman Lee Geun-taek in this battlefield, so a few people, including myself, will use an unconventional strategy.”
To summarize what Lee Chang-hyun said next, it was as follows.
From the starting point, the strategy is to prioritize growth. Accordingly, team members defeat monsters, farm items, and slowly advance to the neutral monster area.
However, Lee Chang-hyun, Yoon Han-gyeol, and Kim Do-jun do not get involved. As soon as they start, they charge in with a neutral monster formation and aim to scout out Chairman Lee Geun-taek first.
“Chairman Lee Geun-taek?”
Yoon Han-gyeol asked back. It was a reasonable question.
“Yeah. I’m thinking of catching Chairman Lee Geun-taek.”
As soon as I said that, the already noisy atmosphere suddenly became quiet. It seemed like it was a shock.
And soon after, a voice was heard from someone.
“The opponent is Chairman Lee Geun-taek. Are you crazy? What can you three do to Chairman Lee Geun-taek? No matter how much you limit the Chairman’s power… …
A cold and cynical voice. This was Park Ji-won, a long-range dealer who had just joined the team for the first time. As expected, they hadn’t been together long, and it had been too short a time to acknowledge each other’s skills, so it was a question that came out.
‘But that doesn’t mean it’s wrong.’
Since it was a somewhat reasonable question, I had an obligation to answer it.
“I know you won the last elimination mission with an overwhelming victory, and you were active in the survival mission. But you. You don’t think that’s all you need to know to be outstanding in the Korean hunter world, do you? Don’t even think about getting in front of the pupa.”
Park Ji-won’s speech had a unique sense of sarcasm. Perhaps it was because he received a lot of hate during the elimination mission. That’s why young kids are tired…
I needed to clear up my doubts, but I wasn’t broad-minded enough to accept something like a display of inferiority complex.
So it was at that moment when I was about to refute.
“You all know that Chairman Lee Geun-taek is strong, but how could you not have thought of Chang-hyeon? He carried everything, including the elimination mission? He must have thought about everything.”
Before Lee Chang-hyun could even explain himself, it was Yoon Han-gyeol who spoke.
‘Why is this kid… … .’
It may have been because of the audition program, but it felt strange that the guy who had only fought with me up until now was defending me.
It was a little creepy, but whatever. He said he would take my side. And he wasn’t wrong.
Anyway, that wasn’t what was important right now.
“Of course, I’m not saying that I will confront Chairman Lee Geun-taek head-on and fight him fairly.”
Lee Chang-hyun’s eyes sparkled.
It was the beginning of a plan to rewrite the history of audition programs.
***
A broadcast-only room at the Hunter Union Training Center.
There, the footage that would appear before the start of the finals was being filmed busily.
The content is mainly about predictions for the finals and a brief explanation for those who are new to the Hunters League.
“Yes. Then, please explain it to the general public who are not familiar with the Hunter’s League.”
“Hunter’s League is mainly a 7v7 game, and although it differs depending on the map, it is largely divided into a ‘farming stage’ where you defeat monsters, level up, and farm items, a ‘mission accomplishment stage’ where you capture neutral monsters or strongholds, and a ‘team fight stage’ where 7v7 people engage in battle.”
“Hoo… … Then, if I think about it, it’s simple if I just farm to get items and fight while completing missions?”
“That’s pretty much it… … but what’s interesting is that the players have various mana equipment and superpowers, so there are many variables in the team fight phase. And since the missions are different depending on the characteristics of the map, the game unfolds in various ways.”
As Lee Sang-hyeok explained, a map was revealed as a hologram in front of the three judges.
A dense forest. And a huge waterfall splitting the middle of it. And enormous statues of gods carved so vividly that they look like they’re fighting right now. It was a map that was truly worthy of the name Battlefield of the Gods.
“And in this final, the current Hunter Association President Lee Geun-taek, who can be called a joker, will also be participating.”
“Then… … I understand what the participants are like, but what kind of role do you think Association Chairman Lee Geun-taek plays?”
“Interestingly enough, the role you chose this time is a ‘neutral monster,’ so to speak, a role that is akin to a monster.”
“We will be able to see the rookies fight directly with Chairman Lee Geun-taek!”
“That’s right.”
“But compared to the rookies, President Lee Geun-taek is a pro above the pros, a first-generation hunter. Isn’t he no match for them?”
It was certainly true. Considering not only the difference in status, but also the difference in trained superpowers, there was an objective difference in power that would make it impossible for all seven of them to win even if they fought together.
“So, this time, Chairman Lee Geun-taek has a limit. First of all, all statuses are restricted to decrease by approximately 2.”
“By 2? I’ve heard that even at the decimal point level, the difference is quite large at the professional level, but even if it’s to that extent, it’s definitely an advantage over the applicant, but it’s not a huge advantage.”
“Besides, there are 14 participants and only one president, Lee Geun-taek. I think we’ll be able to show something fun somehow. Haha.”
“Then, please say a word to those who are waiting for this final.”
“Yes. I think there are many people who have been waiting for this final, and there are many things that have been prepared. It will be an interesting scene as the best prospect and the best established hunter, Chairman Lee Geun-taek, will be competing, so please be sure to watch it. Okay!”
After Lee Min-seok’s closing remarks, the broadcast camera lights went off. Words of thanks for your hard work resonated. The broadcasters gathered in groups of three or four and started leaving, and the somewhat chaotic atmosphere continued.
In contrast, the three judges had not yet left their seats.
It was only natural that they still had something to talk about among themselves.
The direction of the finals was also a very important concern for them.
“What do you think about this final? Senior Lee Min-seok has been pushing for Lee Chang-hyun to the point where you could almost call him a fan, so I think Lee Chang-hyun will win this time too. Well, I don’t plan on refuting that this time either.”
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No matter how much Jo Ara said, it was a certain fact that Lee Chang-hyun had done well so far, and it was true that he had broken her expectations and continued to show an even better side. Jo Ara was able to be the first to agree that Lee Chang-hyun would win.
But… … This time, Lee Min-seok defied Jo Ara’s expectations and said something different.
“No… … This time, it seems like Lee Chang-hyun won’t win?”
Lee Min-seok answered with a smile.
“What do you think it means that Chairman Lee Geun-taek personally entered the neutral monster camp this time?”
“I think that’s what it means to judge the winners by dealing with them one by one.”
“Yeah… … That’s right. But if that happens, Lee Chang-hyun will have no place to stand.”
“Why?”
I definitely thought that Joara might not know. It was something that Lee Min-seok himself had realized from the experiences of the first generation hunters he had heard over his shoulder.
“Lee Chang-hyun’s strengths are his excellent mobility and his long-range sniping ability. Those things mean nothing to Chairman Lee Geun-taek. Chairman Lee Geun-taek’s strengths are his ability to counter long-range dealers. He can never be matched by long-range dealers. Strong close-range fighting ability, and ridiculous pursuit ability… … Unless he can take down the Chairman in one go, that’s impossible.
That’s not all. No matter how extraordinary Lee Chang-hyun has shown tactics so far, the difference in experience is like heaven and earth. It is unlikely that Lee Chang-hyun’s tactics will work on Chairman Lee Geun-taek… … It is highly likely that the tactics that have worked so far were possible because the opponents were amateurs.”
But Joara did not back down and questioned him.
“But… … This time, Chairman Lee Geun-taek also imposed a penalty to limit his power. The difference in status probably isn’t that great, so isn’t it worth a try?”
Lee Min-seok shook his head quietly.
“It’s not a problem that the president’s abilities are being limited. That’s why President Lee Geun-taek won’t be lenient. Rather, it’s the audition participants who need to be more careful.
As you know, the first generation of Hunters were the generation for whom defeat meant death, as they crossed the line of fire. If you think about how all the first generation Hunters currently active in the Hunters League are monsters, you can tell right away… … Since it’s right to see them as beings outside the norm, even Lee Chang-hyun this time… … can’t help it.
Rather, this time, the ones who should be paying attention are Yoon Han-gyeol and Yoo Hye-ju. Yoo Hye-ju boasts excellent close combat skills, especially when she recovers with her sanctuary skill, so she is the only card that can stand up to the chairman of the association.”
When Lee Min-seok listed the reasons why Lee Chang-hyun could not win, Jo A-ra stuck out her mouth. Because she was sure that there was nothing wrong with what she said.
“Well, there’s no such thing as ‘absolute’ in Hunters League matches. You never know.”
Although Lee Min-seok gave an overall evaluation, Jin Su-hyeok, who had been quietly staying silent, quietly expressed a new opinion.
“I generally agree with what senior Minseok said… … but I still think this game might have some potential.”
“… … .”
“This battlefield is none other than the ‘Battlefield of the Gods’ map.”
Jin Soo-hyuk smiled meaningfully, and Lee Min-seok smiled bitterly as if he had just remembered something.
fantasy,
