Chapter 100

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Chapter 100: Guild Battle (1)

―Divine Archer, Divine Archer… I’ve heard Guild Master Kim Minwoo’s opinion well! Then, do you have any nickname you’d like to give to Mr. Park Siwoo, the Awakening User?

“A nickname? I don’t have one yet.”

―Ah, even cold water has its high and low points? Come to think of it, you don’t have a nickname yet, Guild Master. I’ll wish for something impressive for you today. Then, may both Guild Masters declare the Guild Battle!

[Guild Battle is activated!]

[It’s a showdown between Ilsung Guild and Money Talks Guild!]

[Please set detailed conditions!]

There were standard rules for public Guild Battles.

The Shield Battle mode.

[Shield Battle is set!]

[Protective Barriers are provided!]

[Automatically ejected from the match when the barrier is destroyed.]

The effect was simple.

A barrier equal to the held HP is provided.

Once the barrier is broken, the participant is ejected.

There were many advantages.

Since the system is in control, there’s no risk of losing life.

Even if a powerful attack breaks the barrier, the body automatically moves out of the arena upon barrier rupture, preventing accidents.

Would they really be slashing and killing each other in front of 200,000 spectators and all the broadcasters in a Guild Battle regulated by the system?

Such scenes were rare even in unofficial Guild Battles.

‘Even with the barrier, it’s almost like real combat.’

A barrier covering the entire body.

The rate at which it wears down depends on which part of the body is attacked.

For example, if you were attacked in the vital spots?

The barrier wears down much faster.

If an arrow hits a vital spot like the forehead, regardless of the size of the barrier, it’s an instant death.

Of course, if you respond with skills to block or apply a defensive barrier, the judgment might change a bit, but that’s about it.

Anyway.

There were no irrational elements interfering since the system was in control.

The only difference was that it was a real fight where you didn’t lose your life.

They returned to each other’s side.

Seo Yerim was seen staring at this direction intently.

“…Divine Archer. How should I respond if you say something like that? It’s burdensome.”

“Isn’t Divine Archer better than a mere Archer?”

“Well, that’s…”

“You don’t need to feel burdened. With Yerim’s skills, you are more than qualified for such a nickname.”

He was certain of it after seeing her in action on the Land of Giants.

Not only was her weapon a divine bow, but her skills matched the title.

Therefore, he decided to raise Seo Yerim’s reputation a bit higher.

Honestly, in Money Talks Guild, there’s no other experienced Awakened worth mentioning.

‘There’s no one else but Seo Yerim who deserves a title.’

Originally, titles were bestowed upon experienced practitioners in the Awakening World.

The reason Park Siwoo and himself didn’t have one yet was because it required both fame and time.

[1 minute until the Guild Battle begins.]

[Positions are being moved.]

The positions being moved were at the ends of the arena. That’s where both guilds began preparing for the upcoming battle.

* * *

The three major broadcasting companies.

The key commentators of the three stations gathered in one place. It was to oversee the commentary of this Guild Battle.

A moment ago, commentator Choi Yongjun conducted an interview with the two guild masters.

He took charge of the opening statement.

“Hello, viewers. This is commentator Choi Yongjun. I’m really looking forward to this Guild Battle. Especially, Money Talks Guild seems to be in high spirits, don’t you think?”

“That’s correct. Until recently, there were talks of reckless challenges. Honestly, even our commentary team thought it was a bit premature, but now it’s different. The public opinion polls show the same.”

“It’s a fifty-fifty chance of winning. The performance they showed on the Land of Giants was impressive indeed. It was like a storm.”

―Yeah, seriously.

―It was like a storm, lol.

―Today’s matchup is gonna be lit.

Among the live broadcasts on NewTube, numerous comments were popping up.

The real-time viewership reached 25 million. Considering that such numbers usually require a top-tier guild’s guild battle, it was an enormous figure.

It likely meant that this tournament was being watched not only in Korea but also worldwide. That’s how much attention Money Talks Guild’s performance was drawing.

Choi Yongjun nodded in response to the commentators’ words and said.

“There’s another issue. Guild Master Nam Cheolmin. What’s his title? It’s ‘Phantom Archer’ right?”

“That’s correct. He earned that title for shooting arrows as if he was a ghost. He’s truly deserving of being the number one archer in Korea.”

“But today, it’s been confidently stated that Seo Yerim will reclaim that top spot. What do you both think about it?”

“Well… Seo Yerim didn’t change her profession for no reason. Surely, she must have talent with a bow. But is it enough to threaten Nam Cheolmin’s reputation? I’m not so sure.”

“I think the same. Divine Archer? Maybe she’ll earn that title someday. But changing professions and earning it within just a month? It’s hard to imagine what she would have to show for such a title, honestly.”

―That’s true. Honestly, isn’t Divine Archer a higher title than Phantom Archer?

―Yeah, gods are stronger than ghosts, lol.

―It nearly took her 7 years for the Sword of Justice title. But ‘Divine Archer’ ? Hmm… is that justified?

―Haha, but if Kim Minwoo is so confident, there must be something.

―Maybe it’s part of a bigger plan. Even though we might not see it now, maybe he’s mentioning a prestigious title that will be earned later?

“As I mentioned earlier, both guilds have moved to the ends of the stadium. The Ilsung Guild is the first to cast buffs during the preparation time.”

“Buffs! Those are really important. And when it comes to Ilsung Guild, what is it? Money, right? They have a lot of key professions needed for buffs, don’t they?”

“That’s correct. Various buffs are being poured out, such as the Shaman’s Ancestral Totem, the Paladin’s Radiant Light, the Priest’s Blessing Prayer, the Druid’s Bear Form, and the Warlock’s Soul Enhancement.”

On the live broadcast screen, it showed Ilsung Guild members being covered in a brilliant light. At least, with those buffs, their abilities must have increased by 50%.

That was the strength of a guild with a well-rounded composition.

“Now let’s take a look at Money Talks Guild. As expected, Guild Master Kim Minwoo has summoned an undead group, but wait? What’s that?”

A camera zoomed in on something in the air.

Through the enlarged screen, it showed a woman wearing a cloak standing next to Kim Minwoo.

[Translator – Prøks]

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“Doesn’t that look special? A human instead of an undead…?”

“But that can’t be a human, right? It’s a participation of three members from the Money Talks Guild. That means it’s a summon…?”

―Huh? Another one besides Cedric?

―Usually, the more human-like an undead looks, the stronger it is, right?

―Yeah. Usually, the stronger ones still have their flesh attached. Like liches and death knights, they have flesh, not just bones, lol.

―Judging by her beauty, she seems like a perfect fit, lol. Looks fierce, lol.

―Could the reason for the Guild Battle be because of her?

At that moment,

The woman who was staring at the camera waved and smiled brightly.

―I can’t help but smile too, lol.

―Haha, same here, lol.

“As we speak, there are 10 seconds left until the match starts. Oh, Guild Master Nam Cheolmin is starting to draw his bow!”

“Judging by his aiming position, it looks like he’s targeting Guild Master Kim Minwoo, right?”

“What’s the scariest profession in the world? It’s definitely an archer with a quivering arrow! And look at the size of this arena. A skilled archer can shoot from much farther than any mage’s spells!”

“That’s right. No matter how much the necromancer summons things right now, what happens when the summoner explodes? It’s a structure where if the summoner goes, so do the summons!”

“The archer is claiming right now! ‘I’m going to shoot them down. If you’re going to block, then give it a try!'”

Nam Cheolmin, the archer.

His actions were nothing short of openly provoking the opponent.

But the arena was large.

Nam Cheolmin’s effective range covered the entire stadium.

And his title was an archer.

He handled the bow like a ghost.

There would undoubtedly be countless arrows raining down from the start.

And those arrows would undoubtedly be enhanced by buffs from guild members.

Even if they tried to block with summoned creatures, there were limits. With an archer of this caliber, finding openings and landing arrows would be easy.

To block this…

The live broadcast screen split, focusing half on Nam Cheolmin and half on Seo Yerim. The sight of her holding a splendid bow in her hand was visible.

“That bow looks amazing. That must be a skill, right?”

“That’s correct. It’s known to be an achievement skill, summoning weapons like Park Siwoo’s Awakening.”

“There have been rumors about Yerim. She supposedly had matches and duels.”

“What were the results?”

“I’m not entirely sure, but apparently, she was impressive. Of course, these are just rumors floating around the internet, so they might not be a hundred percent reliable.”

“Oh! As I mentioned, Seo Yerim is also starting to draw her bow!”

The sight of brilliant mana arrows forming on her bow was visible.

“The Guild Battle begins!”

“Guild Master Nam Cheolmin is firing dozens of arrows at an unseen speed!”

“Rapid Fire! It’s Nam Cheolmin’s S-rank achievement skill! That’s a truly terrifying skill! Before you know it, he’s firing arrows at insane speeds!”

“Rapid Fire, Nam Cheolmin’s trademark? It’s in the official records! With his archery skills, he can shoot a hundred arrows in three seconds!”

“And now, with buffs? Not just a hundred arrows! Who knows, he might even shoot two hundred!”

Arrows filled the sky densely, flying towards Kim Minwoo’s exact location.

And it didn’t stop there.

Nam Cheolmin continued to unleash Rapid Fire, shooting arrows indiscriminately.

Thwish!

Mana-infused arrows flew at a frightening speed.

But…

Kim Minwoo didn’t move an inch, calmly raising his head to watch the barrage of arrows in the sky.

“Huh? Guild Master Kim Minwoo isn’t dodging?”

“And his summons are still idle? Could it be… does he trust Seo Yerim, the Awakened? Look, She is drawing her bow!”

“Just by looking at the arrows, there seem to be over five hundred! We’re running out of time! Arrows fall much faster when descending!”

“How on earth can she deflect those arrows!”

At that moment, Kim Minwoo and Seo Yerim locked eyes. Kim Minwoo nodded with a grin.

Before the match began, she recalled his words.

—Let’s turn the tables. Properly.

And so, he wanted her to show who the real archer was.

The stage was set.

‘That’s more like it.’

At this point, pulling out would be foolish.

“That skill from earlier looked promising.”

Archers have a good field of vision.

Even from one end of the arena to the other, every move Nam Cheolmin made was visible.

He definitely shot arrows at an astounding speed.

It was a calculated movement.

That was his skill.

Seo Yerim mirrored Nam Cheolmin’s movements exactly.

And in that moment…

[Overwhelming talent mimics skill!]

[A new skill is created!]

[The skill, Rapid Fire (S), is created!]

A new skill was created.

Seo Yerim’s hand began to move at an ultra-high speed.

Mana arrows were automatically generated.

Since she didn’t need to reach into the quiver, her speed at drawing the bow and shooting was twice as fast as Nam Chulmin’s.

The commentators were stunned.

“…Huh?”

“What’s this?”

“Isn’t that Rapid Fire?”

“…She copied the skill?”

More arrows flew from her than from Nam Cheolmin.

Soon, her arrows collided with Nam Cheolmin’s arrows descending from the sky.

“Unbelievable…!”

“All of the Phantom Archer’s arrows… Their trajectories are disrupted! They’re falling powerless!”

With a close brush, the tip of the Phantom Archer’s arrow lost momentum and crashed to the ground.

On the other hand, Seo Yerim’s arrows were different.

Despite the collision, they continued their trajectory as if nothing had happened, steadily aiming for Nam Cheolmin.

She was deflecting arrows with arrows.

Just that alone would be considered world-class skill, but even more…

“She’s saving all her own arrows and turning the Phantom archer’s arrows into empty shells. Is… is that even possible?”

“I-It’s possible. If you calculate the trajectory precisely from the moment of release… B-But… Did she really do that? There are so many factors to consider.”

“This is insane…”

The commentators swallowed hard.

Divine Archer.

Those two words popped into their heads

[Translator – Prøks]

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