Bab 204
Han Jeong-do, seperti biasa, mendengarkan 'Pull'-nya u2014 sifat yang dipanggil Lee Shin sebagai [Super Intuisi].
'Ke mana sebenarnya kita tersesat?'
Bahkan sebelum pertandingan dimulai, [Super Intuisi] telah berteriak kencENGANGAN.
Kekuatanmu di bawah. Jika begini terus, kamu akan menderita kerugian besar.
Han Jeong-do tidak akan pernah mengabaikan peringatan [Super Intuisi], kemampuan yang telah membawanya ke puncak.
'Jadi bahkan kupandang telpon itu ke para asing dan mendapatkan Pedang Bunga Putih. Apa pun itu masih belum cukup?'
Dia telah menghancurkan pertahanan Park Su-bin dengan Pedang Bunga Putih. [Super Intuisi] berteriak bahwa dia telah melakukannya dengan baik.
Dia berpikir bahwa setelah mengalahkan punggung naga, pasangan Hwarang & Raja Gunung akan bergeming. [Super Intuisi] berteriak bahwa dia benar.
'Lawannnya masih muda. Bakatnya mungkin luas, tapi dia belum matang. Jadi jika permainan berlanjut ke akhir permainan, kami akan menang. Kamu setuju juga, kan?'
Ketika mereka pertama kali merencakan strategi, [Super Intuisi] telah berteriak setujuu2014 ya, itu jalan yang benar.
Tapi pada suatu titik, [Super Intuisi] diam sepenuhnya.
'Itu ketika anak Baek itu menggambar pedang panjangnya.'
Sebenarnya, rencana Guild Kirin tidak pernah termasuk pertukaran lajur antara Baek Yeon-woo dan Park Su-bin. Tidak ada keperluan untuk khawatir.
Top dan mid adalah peran yang sangat berbeda. Apalagi mid u2014 begitu menuntut dalam hal tanggung jawab dan serba bisa hingga posisinya hampir seperti seni.
Dan sekarang, untuk menukar dengan kekuatan mentah, jalan lurus ke atas yang hanya perlu melihat ke depan? Mereka hampir senang.
'Saya pikir akan mudah untuk memasak rookie yang bergegas turun.'
Dan saat Han Jeong-do melihat Baek Yeon-woo, dia merasakan ombak rasa legau2014sampai dia melihat sesuatu yang tidak pernah ingin dia lihat lagi.
'Ma Jang-dong u2014 kenapa-kenapa dia di sana?'
Ya. Baek Yeon-woo yang memegang Silencer telah menjadi Ma Jang-dong.
Feroci, kegilaan, intensitas yang kejamu2014bukan sekadar meniru, tapi benar-benar seperti master pedang aslinya, seekor binatang liar mengayunkan pedangnya.
Tangan Han Jeong-do mulai bergetar.
Meskipun hanya satu pertandingan, ketakutan yang menembus tulang telah meraih tubuhnya.
Dan tepat pada saat ituu2014
tepat ketika u8010nnya mulai berputar cepat,
seluruh Guild Mir bersemangat melaju seperti orang gila.
Lajur bawah yang dipenuhi petir oleh Yu Ri-ra, lajur atas yang bangun menjadi raksasa ketika Park Su-bin mengaktifkan efek set-nya, Hwarang menampilkan keajaiban, menggandakan aktivitasnya yang sudah baik-baik, dan Raja Gunung menjadi binatang, merepotakan mantan timnya dengan tidak kasihan.
Pertempuran kacau tanpa henti dengan hampir dua pembunuian per menit.
Kata 'membunuh semua' bukan berlebihan.
Dan di tengah kekacauan itu, menara Guild Kirinu2014setiap satunya—rungguhl. Tidak satu pun tersisa.
u2014 'Wow... luar biasa. Bahkan di tengah medan perang yang kacau, komando Raja Gunung tetap bersinar!'
u2014 'Ini komando. Ini strategi. Siapa saja yang bisa memimpin di medan tenang, mungkin bisa membuat taktik yang cukup baik jika mahir. Tapi untuk memerintah di keadaan seperti ini? Hanya beberapa orang di dunia ini yang bisa melakukannya.'
u2014 'Semua orang, saksikan lagi u2014 ini adalah komander tak tertandingi, Raja Gunung!'
Gempuran tiba-tiba. Manuver. Kekacauan.
Lalu, penghancuran akhir dari objective.
Doktrin dan taktik yang seperti petir dan tusuk inti musuh.
Blitzkrieg.
Ini adalah opsi kedua Guild Mir.
'Jadi sementara aku menyiapkan Pedang Bunga Putih untuk pertarungan iniu2026 kamu menyembunyikannya, kan?'
Baek Yeon-woo, yang telah mempelajari Raja Pertempuran, dan Blitzkrieg yang cepat sepetik.
Jenis pertempuran yang menakutkan ini menyebabkan masalah serius bagi Han Jeong-do.
Dalam lima menit, dengan pertempuran yang tak henti-menuh-menuhkan tanpa satu detik istirahat, hal pertama yang rusak adalah tubuhnya yang sudah tua.
'Brengseku2026'
Jika hanya luka fisik, [Administrator] akan memulihkannya setelah pertandingan berakhir. Tapi stamina adalah hal lain.
Pernapasannya, yang telah naik ke tenggorokannya, hanya agak tenang, tapi setiap otot danSendiri masih meraung dalam rasa sakit.
'Berapa lama sejak pertandingan dengan tempo seperti ini?'
Lebih dari lima tahun. Sepuluh? Dua puluh? Cukup lama sehingga tubuhnya lupa.
Dan tidak heran.
Han Jeong-do tidak tahu, tapi Lee Shin dan Raja Gunung telah merancang permainan ini untuk menjadi pertarungan dengan tempo ekstrim tinggiu2014sesuatu yang liga belum pernah lihat sebelumnya.
Lee Shin berjanji: 'Mr. Han kami tidak akan bisa menyusul.'
Dan memang, itulah yang sedang terjadi.
'Sepertinyau2026 aku tidak bisa menyusul lagiu2026'
Bukan hanya tubuhnya. Persepsi, reaksi, kemampuan analisisu2014seluruh fungsi kognitifnya secara jelas melambat.
Meskipun telah minum ramuan yang dia siapkan untuk hari ini, tidak ada perbaikan.
Mungkin karena ituu2014saat dia memandang mata-mata yang menunggu, sebuah pemikiran muncul.
Pemikiran yang dia benci lebih dari matiu2026
'Aku harusu2026 ganti?'
Di saat itu, mata Han Jeong-do melebar.
'Kenapau2026?'
u2026Kenapa ia ditarik?
Ya—[Super Intuisi], yang diam sejak Baek Yeon-woo muncul, kini berteriak kembali, hebat, memberitahu bahwa penghakimannya benar. Bahwa ia harus melakukan penggantian.
Di tengah kebingungan, para penjaga bertopeng masuk ke ruangan penunggu.
'Pertandingan akan segera dimulai. Silakan bersiap.'
Semua mata beralih ke Han Jeong-do.
Dan di detik-detik yang singkat itu, beribu-ribu kenangan melintas di dalam pikirannyau2014 malam persaudaraan dengan Raja Gunung dan Raja Pertempuran, mengibangkan papan nama Guild Kirin bersama Raja Gunung, pertemuan pertama dengan menantu sang raja di pengajian, dan semua trofi dan keagungan yang dia angkat.
Han Jeong-do sedang berpikir dalam diam.
Keputusannya adalahu2026
'Ayolah.'
Han Jeong-do melangkah ke gerbang.
Ini adalah pertama kalinya ia menentang Pullu2014[Super Intuisi] yang telah membawanya ke puncaku2014dan keputusannya adalah keputusan yang sepenuhnya oleh keinginannya sendiri.
Oleh karena itu, tanggung jawab atas apa pun yang terjadi selanjutnya sepenuhnya tergantung pada Han Jeong-do sendiri.
u2014 'Tunggu, apakah ituu2026? Apakah mereka bertarung? Mereka bertarung! Mereka bertarung! Guild Mir mengeluarkan pedangnya!'
u2014 'Ya Tuhanu2026 apa yang sedang kudiskusikan sekarang?'
u2014 '45 detik ke dalam pertandingan! Guild Mir meluncurkan serangan hebat saat pertama kali mereka bertemu di lajur! Mereka mendorong! Mereka menyerang! Mereka maju! Mereka mempercepat!'
u2026
u2026
u2014 'Ketuk, dan pintu terbuka! Baek Yeon-woo benar-benar membunuh Han Jeong-do dengan keras!'
u2014 'Itu adalah gaya pedang yang benar—Menendang sampai mati!!'
u2014 'Satu hal aneh—target sajanya hanya Raja Sepuluh Ribu!'
u2014 'Dan yang lain—Raja Sepuluh Ribu jelas kesulitan!'
u2026
u2026
u2014 '[Baek Yeon-woo mendapatkan pembunuian lagi!! Pembunuian solo! Raja Sepuluh Ribu jatuh lagi!]'
u2014 'Sekarang sudah jelas. Dia kelelahan. Raja Sepuluh Ribu tidak bisa tetap dengan tempo pertandingan ini sama sekali.'
u2014 ' Lima pembunuian! Empat di antaranya melawan Raja Sepuluh Ribu! Hari terburuk bagi Raja Sepuluh Ribu!'
Beban yang Han Jeong-do harus dipikul tidak ringan.
Seorang pemegang pedang panjang dan seorang pemegang pedang lurus bertemu.
KANG!!
Baek Yeon-woo dan Han Jeong-do bertarung.
KWAJIK!
Raja Pertempuran dalam tubuh muda dan Raja Sepuluh Ribu yang sudah tua saling bersentuhan dengan pedangnya.
KWADEUDEUDEUK!
Kedua, terlempar oleh dorongan balik, berubah menjadi cahaya dan kembali saling mendarat dengan kejam.
KKKKKKu2014!!
Keduanya memotong momen dan melintasi ruang.
Serangan pedang yang terlalu cepat untuk diikuti dengan mata, gelombang kegilaan mengisi Segala arah, cahaya sihir meledak seperti gila.
Bahkan bernapas sulit. Jika kamu menyadari apa yang terjadi, sudah terlambat.
Tubuh mereka hanya bergerak berdasarkan ingatanu2014insting, pelatihan, bakat, dan usahau2026 semua yang mereka bangun sekarang menyala, menerangi dunia.
Dan di pertarungan yang diceriki darah ini, yang pertama kali letih adalah Han Jeong-do.
'Ha—'
Ini tidak boleh terjadi. Pertempuran sengketa seperti ini sempurna menguntungkan untuk dia.
Pada kelajuan ini, dia akan jatuh seperti di set sebelumnya.
Meskipun sedang mengayunkan pedangnya, Han Jeong-do terus berpikir cepat, selalu mencari solusi dengan serakah.
Tapiu2014
'Hentikan berpikir!'
'!!'
KANGu2014!!
Pedang panjang Baek Yeon-woo meluncur dengan kekerasan. Han Jeong-do menendangnya, meluncur mundur di tanah, meninggalkan goresan.
Siapa yang bilang kamu bisa menggunakan kepala?
Hari ini, Han Jeong-do tidak diperbolehkan berpikir.
Itu adalah peran yang diberikan kepada Baek Yeon-woo oleh Lee Shinu2014bukan, oleh Professor Lee yang dingin dan kejam.
u2014 '[Semua orang, guru ini telah menjelaskan semuanya. Meta saat ini di seluruh liga dibangun dengan meniru Guild Kirin. Efisiensi, operasi, tingkat setiap hunter secara individualu2014semua ini membentuk strategi 'efisien.' Dan semuanya berasal dari Elder Mountain King.]'
u2014 '[Jadi mari kita balikkan.]'
Mengapa Mountain King mengadopsi strategi ini? Mengapa dia tidak punya pilihan lain? Pikirkan dalam arah terbalik.
u2014 '[Karena elder, yang sudah tua seperti ini, khawatir pada seorang teman yang sedang menua bersamanya.]'
Karena dia melambat, dia harus mengandalkan kepalanya. Karena lelah dengan mudah, dia mencari efisiensi.
Benar. Apa pun yang Han Jeong-do pikirkan, Kim Jong-pil telah selama ini melihatnya sebagai teman seumur hidupnya.
u2014 '[Jika kamu mengerti sampai di sini, jawabannya sederhana. Lakukan kebalikannya.]'
Jangan biarkannya menemukan efisiensi melalui pertempuran yang metodis.
Tekan terus-menerus sehingga ia tidak bisa berpikir.
Lakukan itu, dan Han Jeong-do pasti akan runtuh.
Jadiu2014
'Jangan berpikir di hadipanku.'
'Kau cabaru2026!'
'Aku bilang berhenti berpikir!'
Baek Yeon-woo mempercepat.
Dia memutar pinggangnya, tangan yang turun seperti cambuk.
Dan pedang panjangnya semakin cepat.
Dia menyerang. Lagi dan lagi dan lagi dan lagi dan lagi.
'GRR!
Han Jeong-do terus ditolak. Sebelum lama, serangan balasannya yang tajam pun berhenti.
Dia tidak bisa lagi menghadapi dengan hanya pedangnya.
Dia butuh waktu untuk bernapas. Han Jeong-do mengucapkan mantra.
Mana bertakaran meledak.\nItem dan perlengkapa-nya berkilau dengan Terang.
Sebalipnya,
Melintasi timus kait, tangan lain Baek Yeon-woo mengayunkan.
CHWARRK!
Itu adalah tanah. Tanah yang diam-diam
Chapter 204
Han Jeong-do, as always, asked his “Pull” — the trait that Lee Shin called [Super Intuition].
‘Where did it all go wrong?’
From before the match even began, [Super Intuition] had been screaming furiously.
Your power is inferior. If this continues, you will suffer great loss.
Han Jeong-do would never ignore the warning of [Super Intuition], the ability that had led him to glory.
‘So I even listened to those damn foreigners and got the White Blossom Sword. And that still isn’t enough?’
He had crippled Park Su-bin’s defense with the White Blossom Sword. [Super Intuition] screamed that he had done well.
He thought that with the dragon’s spine broken, the duo of Hwarang & Mountain King would falter. [Super Intuition] cried that he was right.
‘The opponent is young. His talent may be vast, but he is immature. So if it goes into the late game, we’ll win. You agreed too, didn’t you?’
When they first planned the strategy, [Super Intuition] had shouted in approval — yes, that was the right course.
But at some point, [Super Intuition] went completely silent.
‘It was when that Baek kid drew that greatsword.’
In truth, Kirin Guild’s plan had never included a lane swap between Baek Yeon-woo and Park Su-bin. There had been no need to worry about it.
Top and mid are completely different roles. Especially mid — so demanding in both responsibility and versatility that the position itself was practically an art form.
And now, to swap it with the brute force, straightforward top lane that only had to look forward? They were almost glad.
‘I thought it’d be an easy job to cook that rookie who scrambled down in a hurry.’
And so, as Han Jeong-do looked at Baek Yeon-woo, he had felt a brief wave of relief — until he saw something he had never wished to see again.
‘Ma Jang-dong — why the hell is he there?’
Yes. The Baek Yeon-woo holding Silencer had become Ma Jang-dong.
That ferocity, that recklessness, that savage intensity — not mere imitation, but truly like the greatsword’s original master, a wild beast swinging the blade.
Han Jeong-do’s hands began to tremble.
Even though it was just one match, a bone-deep fear had seized his body.
It was precisely from that moment that the match began to spiral out of control.
And at the same time—
‘The Pull stopped answering me.’
As the match accelerated to breakneck speed, the entire Mir Guild charged forward like lunatics.
The bottom lane filled with thunderbolts scattered by Yu Ri-ra, the top awakened into a giant as Park Su-bin activated his set effect, Hwarang displayed a miracle, doubling his already excellent activity, and the Mountain King became a beast, tearing apart his former teammates mercilessly.
Chaotic, nonstop skirmishes with nearly two kills per minute.
The word “bloodbath” was no exaggeration.
And amidst that madness, Kirin Guild’s towers — every single one of them — fell. Not a single one remained.
— “Ah… astounding. Even amid this chaotic battlefield, the Mountain King’s command still shines!”
— “This is command. This is strategy. Anyone can lead in a calm field, maybe even craft decent tactics if they’re skilled. But to command in such chaos? Only a few in the world can do that.”
— “Everyone, behold once more — this is the peerless commander, the Mountain King!”
A sudden offensive shift. Maneuver. Confusion.
Then, the final destruction of the objective.
Doctrine and tactics that struck like lightning and pierced the enemy’s core.
Blitzkrieg.
It was Mir Guild’s second option.
‘So while I prepared the White Blossom Sword for this decisive battle… you hid this, didn’t you?’
Baek Yeon-woo, who had studied the Battle King, and the lightning-fast Blitzkrieg.
This kind of nerve-shredding battle caused Han Jeong-do serious problems.
In just five minutes, with constant skirmishes leaving no room for even one second of rest, the first thing to break down was his own aged body.
‘Damn it…’
If it were merely physical wounds, they’d be restored by the [Administrator] once the match ended. But stamina was another matter.
His breath, which had risen to his throat, calmed only slightly, but every muscle and joint in his body still screamed in agony.
‘How many years has it been since a match with such a tempo?’
More than five years. Ten? Twenty? Long enough that his body had forgotten.
And it was no wonder.
Han Jeong-do didn’t know it, but Lee Shin and the Mountain King had designed this game to be an ultra high-tempo match — something the league had never seen before.
Lee Shin had promised: “Our Mr. Han won’t be able to keep up.”
And indeed, that’s exactly what was happening.
‘Honestly… I can’t keep up anymore…’
It wasn’t just his body. His perception, reaction time, analytical capacity — all his cognitive functions were visibly slowing.
Even after drinking the elixir he’d prepared for this day, nothing improved.
Maybe that’s why — as he gazed blankly at his waiting raiders — a thought came to mind. A thought he hated more than death itself…
‘Should I… switch out?’
In that instant, Han Jeong-do’s eyes widened.
‘Why…?’
…Why was he being pulled?
Yes — [Super Intuition], which had been silent ever since Baek Yeon-woo appeared, was now screaming again, violently, telling him that his judgment was correct. That he should make the substitution.
Amid the confusion, the robed referees entered the waiting room.
“The match will begin shortly. Please prepare.”
All eyes turned to Han Jeong-do.
And in that fleeting moment, countless memories flashed through his mind — the night of camaraderie with the Mountain King and Battle King, raising Kirin Guild’s nameplate alongside the Mountain King, the first meeting with his father-in-law at the wedding, and all the trophies and glories he had lifted.
Han Jeong-do was deep in thought.
His decision was…
“Let’s go.”
Han Jeong-do stepped to the gate.
It was the first time he had ever defied the Pull — the [Super Intuition] that had led him to glory — and the first decision made entirely by his own will.
Therefore, the responsibility for what followed lay entirely with Han Jeong-do himself.
— “Wait, is that… are they fighting? They’re fighting! They’re fighting! Mir Guild draws their blades!”
— “Oh my god… what am I even witnessing right now?”
— “Forty-five seconds into the match! Mir Guild launches a ferocious offensive the instant they meet eyes on the lane! They push up! They attack! They press forward! They’re speeding up!”
•
•
— “Knock, and it shall open! Baek Yeon-woo is absolutely beating the hell out of Han Jeong-do!”
— “That’s the true ‘Hit till you die’ sword style!!”
— “One strange thing — Baek Yeon-woo’s only target is the King of Ten Thousand himself!”
— “And another — that King of Ten Thousand is clearly struggling!”
•
•
— “[Baek Yeon-woo scores another kill!! A solo kill! The King of Ten Thousand dies again!]”
— “It’s clear now. He’s exhausted. The King of Ten Thousand can’t keep up with the pace of this match at all.”
— “Five kills! Four of them against the King of Ten Thousand! It’s the worst day of his life for the King of Ten Thousand!”
The burden Han Jeong-do had to bear was by no means light.
A greatsword and a longsword collided.
KANG!!
Baek Yeon-woo and Han Jeong-do clashed.
KWAJIK!
The Battle King in a young body and the aged King of Ten Thousand crossed their blades.
KWADEUDEUDEUK!
The two, flung apart by the recoil, turned into light and charged at each other again with ferocity.
KKKKKK――!!
The two warriors sliced through the moment and transcended space.
Sword strikes too fast to follow with the eyes, shockwaves filling every direction, magic light bursting like mad.
Even breathing was difficult. If you realized what was happening, it was already too late.
Their bodies moved on memory alone—instinct, training, talent, and effort… everything they had built up now blazed forth, lighting up the world.
And in this blood-soaked battle, the one who tired first was Han Jeong-do.
‘Huff…’
This wouldn’t do. A war of attrition like this was absolutely disadvantageous to him.
At this rate, he would collapse just like in the previous set.
Even as he swung his sword, Han Jeong-do’s mind raced, constantly devising strategies, desperate to find an answer somehow.
But—
“Stop thinking!”
“!!”
KANG―!!
Baek Yeon-woo’s greatsword came flying in violently. Han Jeong-do blocked it, skidding backward across the ground, leaving scratches behind.
Who said he could use his head?
Today, Han Jeong-do wasn’t allowed to think.
That was the role entrusted to Baek Yeon-woo by Lee Shin—no, by the cold and ruthless Professor Lee.
— “[Everyone, this professor has already explained everything. The current meta across the league was built by imitating the Kirin Guild. Efficiency, operations, each hunter’s individual level—all of it forms an ‘efficient strategy.’ And it all originated from Elder Mountain King.]”
— “[So let’s flip it around.]”
Why did the Mountain King adopt this strategy? Why did he have no choice but to? Think about it in reverse.
— “[It’s because the elder, being as old as he is, worried about a friend who was aging alongside him.]”
Because he had slowed down, he had to rely on his head. Because he tired easily, he sought efficiency.
That’s right. Whatever Han Jeong-do thought, Kim Jong-pil had always seen him as a lifelong friend.
— “[If you understand this much, the answer’s simple. Do the opposite.]”
Don’t let him find efficiency through methodical battles.
Keep pressing him so he can’t think.
Do that, and Han Jeong-do will surely fall apart.
So—
“Don’t even think about using your head in front of me.”
“You insolent…!”
“I said don’t think!”
Baek Yeon-woo accelerated.
He twisted his waist, his lowered hand whipping like a lash.
And his greatsword grew even faster.
He struck down. Again and again and again and again and again.
“Grrk!”
Han Jeong-do kept getting pushed back. Before long, even his once-sharp counterattacks ceased.
He could no longer block with just his sword.
He needed time to catch his breath. Han Jeong-do cast a spell.
Will-infused mana exploded forth. The items and equipment he wore flared brightly.
Soon, shields began to envelop his sword and body—
But then—
Through the forming shield, Baek Yeon-woo’s other hand swung.
CHWARRK!
It was dirt. Dirt he had secretly picked up earlier.
“Ugh!! You coward—”
“Coward, my ass.”
“Grgh!”
Han Jeong-do, dirt in his eyes, stumbled backward.
At that moment, Baek Yeon-woo’s kick flew into his side.
He raised his leg to block it—then his hand came again, reaching for his collar.
He blinked away to dodge—only for Baek Yeon-woo’s face to appear right before his eyes again.
“You overthink things, old man.”
“…?!”
“You always think about what comes after, don’t you?”
The Battle King was a master of street brawls.
That’s why the prestigious Chinese sects saw him as a lowborn mongrel, and why the European knightly orders called him disgraceful.
But in the end, it was that gutter brawling that toppled them all.
That was why Baek Yeon-woo admired the Battle King’s style—a strength only possessed by those willing to throw everything away.
From a young age, he had walked the tightrope between life and death.
In a different way, he was similar to the Battle King himself.
Maybe that’s why he naturally realized why Han Jeong-do had always been the Battle King’s favorite prey.
“You’re weak.”
“…?”
“As a human being, you’re weak.”
“!!”
And that one short line shredded Han Jeong-do’s heart.
Because the Battle King had said those exact same words to him once.
— “[Weakling. You try to play clever games in a fight to the death? That’s why you’ll never beat me.]”
How could you win against an opponent you might not defeat even after giving your all, if you were still thinking about what came next?
— “[You’re different from me and Jong-pil. You’re weak as a person. So stop trying to imitate us.]”
The trauma that had scarred Han Jeong-do’s pride resurfaced.
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