Episode 72
A week has passed since Taehyun and Kwon Kanghyuk's press conference.
It was enough time for the two men's press conference to spread around the world.
Exploring Minotaros, a labyrinth that no one has been able to accomplish for 30 years.
Rankers around the world began to recognize New Korea.
Kwon Kang-hyuk and Kim Tae-hyun are top S-level players who are not yet at the national power level but are looking forward to the future.
It is no exaggeration to say that popular players are celebrities.
At first glance, it seemed natural that many people would enter New Korea to meet the two players and Ji Jin-hee, the president of the association who discovered them.
However, Kwon Kang-hyuk suffered so many injuries during the attack that he declared a hiatus from public activities.
Taehyeon, another main character, also disappeared, giving all the credit to his guild members.
It was around this time that reporters from all over the world who visited New Korea were pouring out their complaints.
The Players Association has released a new article.
New Korea is said to be one of the top three countries in the world in terms of license issuance difficulty.
It was news that the thirteenth and fourteenth S-class players were born in less than half a year in New Korea.
Many reporters were wandering around because they could not cover Kwon Kang-hyuk and Kim Tae-hyun.
They flocked towards the new protagonist.
* * *
V[P reception room set up at the New Korea Players Association.
In a luxuriously decorated place, six players were facing each other.
"We are seeing the future of the new Korea in one place. "It seems like this old man's heart is pounding again."
Ji Jin-hee, the president of the association, is the one who brought in the five new Korean rankers.
He said with a big smile.
The same was true for the five players representing New Korea.
"If the president of the association had his way, there would be no room for us."
"haha. "Isn't it thanks to this that review indexes like us are receiving attention?"
Two men ranked 11th and 12th in the New Korea Player Rankings.
Jang Jin-su and Seo Han-gil bowed their heads humbly.
It was an attitude that Ji Jin-hee could show because he knew better than anyone else that compared to the prestige he had built up during his active years, he was currently nothing.
"The members have changed a lot compared to last year. "If you don't prepare your hands and feet in advance, you won't be able to even get your money's worth."
Park Seong-jin, who was sitting quietly polishing his favorite sword, Raseongilji, opened his mouth.
He is currently ranked 3rd in the New Korea Player Rankings and is a member of the association's ranking, and has been taking on a leadership role by participating in friendly matches every year.
The person who answered those words was Kwak Si-yang, the head of the Magicians guild and currently ranked 4th in the New Korea player rankings.
"It can't be helped, right? "The first place position is vacant, and the new guild leader Kwon Kang-hyeok, who took second place, is temporarily retired."
"You're not wrong. It's sad that the ranking has dropped, but the person in question is temporarily retiring. "I don't even want to make fun of you."
Then, Park Seong-jin fixed his gaze on one of the three newly joined players.
Currently the most famous person in New Korea, he is now a rookie who the world is paying attention to.
A man who may, along with himself, carry on the will of Association President Ji Jin-hee.
Taehyun Kim.
"Anyway, it's amazing. I knew it was reckless, but... "I never thought I would raise my ranking this far in such a short period of time."
Park Seong-jin smiled with satisfaction as he looked at Tae-hyun, who had grown even more since the last time they met.
An incident in which Kwon Kang-hyuk had to give up his undisputed 2nd place in the rankings not long ago.
'It was only recently that I recognized my potential during the licensing exam.'
Currently, along with Kwon Kang-hyuk, he has become the main player in conquering the Labyrinth Minotaros, and has risen to 5th place in the rankings, proudly taking his place as a member of the national team.
Taehyun was growing much faster than he expected.
"that's right. "I also never thought that our rookie would make it this far."
"If the rise is this much, Seongjin will have to give up your ranking soon. haha."
Jang Jin-su and Seo Han-gil, who are similar in age to Park Seong-jin, laughed and brightened the mood.
"This is too much praise. "I just got lucky."
Taehyun shook his head and showed humility.
Ji Jin-hee, who was watching the scene with a happy expression, once again focused everyone's attention on herself.
"now. Well then, let's stop chatting here and get to the point. The reason I called you here. "I'm talking about a friendly match for Asian players."
With that one word, the players' expressions became serious.
As a player, it is an honor just to be selected to represent my country.
However, I also knew that with such glory comes responsibility.
"The two people here have experience in friendly matches, so no further explanation is needed. "Since we have new members in the family, I will begin with a brief explanation."
"thank you."
Taehyeon, Jang Jinsu, and Seo Hangil bowed their heads.
At the same time, Ji Jin-hee's explanation, which was very simple and summarized only the necessary parts, lasted for 5 minutes.
Asian player friendly match.
In summary, the five players selected as representatives from ten countries are ranked by adding up the points for hunting demons and monsters.
It was a kind of 'festival' that aimed to establish social justice and boost the morale of the people of each country by hunting down demons and monsters with huge bounties on them.
But how many people actually believe that statement?
'Meaning is bound to change.'
Not only Taehyun but all the players there had the same expression.
Ranking of countries in Asia.
This is because we know the real meaning beyond the name of a friendly match.
"As the president of the association, I'm embarrassed. "I have to agree that the meaning has changed, at least now."
In modern society, it is no exaggeration to say that the level of a player is the national power of a country.
Therefore, the content and rankings of the friendly matches are broadcasted not only in Asia but all over the world.
In the end, it was tantamount to publicly announcing the ranking of countries.
It is natural that countries that do not make it into those ten entries are ignored on the world stage.
"China and Japan are trying to take the lead in Asia in the name of a friendly war. "There's not much we can do on a stage where ambitions collide."
Ji Jin-hee said calmly with a bitter expression.
New Korea is the only country among the three countries that does not have a national power player.
Therefore, there were not many positions that could be taken.
Should we pour out everything and fight fiercely against China and Japan?
Or should we acknowledge reality, bow our heads, and plan for the future?
Ji Jin-hee's actions before becoming the president of the association were in the former position, and she is currently taking the latter position.
While Japan and China are bleeding due to excessive competition, they maintain a decent ranking and make modest profits.
The average ranking in each friendly match was only 3rd.
New Korea's player power was gradually strengthening its strength behind the scenes.
"Then, as usual, you will receive support for your role in the order of selection."
"This time too, it would be better to divide the team into two demons and three monsters. "The three new members will need time to get used to the atmosphere."
Park Seong-jin checked the members' faces and gave his opinion.
Players are free to allocate between demons and monsters, but capturing demons requires more accurate information.
There is an excellent intelligence guild called Night Walker in New Korea, but the same applies to Japan and China.
Therefore, from New Korea's perspective, the goal is not to win.
'I guess they're going to put more emphasis on monster hunting, which is relatively dull, rather than monster hunting, which takes a lot of time to track.'
This was not a new thing for Taehyun, who already knew that Ji Jin-hee and Park Seong-jin would appear like this.
"There is definitely no strategy to rank 2nd or 3rd without overdoing it."
Kwak Si-yang, who holds this event repeatedly every year, said calmly.
Kwak Si-yang even has wide-range magic skills.
There seemed to be no more effective tactic than this.
Association President Ji Jin-hee, Park Seong-jin, and Kwak Si-yang have been presiding over the meeting every year.
The remaining three people confirmed the intention and nodded to indicate that they would follow.
"It was a breeze. "Then let's decide who is in charge."
Ji Jin-hee smiled kindly and looked at Park Seong-jin, who was selected first.
"I will be in charge of the monster side."
"I understand."
Next is Kwak Si-yang.
"I'll take charge of the monster side, too."
Ji Jin-hee nodded and then looked at Tae-hyeon.
"I will take charge of Mine."
Afterwards, the deployment was completed with Jang Jin-soo supporting the demons and Seo Han-gil supporting the demons.
"Thank you everyone."
"Two demons and three monsters. Unless there is a major upset, I think I will finish in 3rd place this time."
"I guess so. "Our country is the only country that can achieve results using this strategy."
Afterwards, there was talk about detailed tactics and strategies.
When the meeting ended three hours later, it was already dark outside.
"I'll call reporters tomorrow and make a separate announcement about this. "Everyone worked hard to get here."
Ji Jin-hee said with a satisfied expression.
What is satisfactory.
'I'm looking forward to it.'
The same was true for Taehyun, who was playing in his first friendly match.
* * *
Around that time, Tokyo was the capital of Japan.
Masataka Kubota, president of the Japan Players Association, was entertaining two players.
"I can't believe you're willing to participate in a friendly match like this again. "I'm just grateful."
He bowed his head politely to the two men and women sitting in front of him.
Like most countries.
In Japan, the power of the players' association president is also enormous.
Therefore, it was ridiculous for the head of the Players Association to take such a low stance, even though the Prime Minister said he was having a hard time.
Anyone who could see the faces of those facing them would have no choice but to be convinced.
That opponent is the only national power player in Japan.
This is because they were the holy woman Yoshikawa Tsurara and the demon sword Shinji Nakata.
"It's something we must do as citizens of Japan."
The saint answered calmly while drinking tea made by the president of the association himself.
His actions showed a different dignity from those of the criminals.
"It's the same. "My sword must be wielded only for Japan."
"haha. "This is reassuring."
The president of the association burst into laughter with a satisfied expression.
You cannot take the position of national representative if you want, and it is not a position that can be said to be forced.
The participation of the Holy Maiden and the Demon Sword, which can be said to be Japan's greatest strength, in a friendly battle was also the biggest concern of the entire Japanese people around this time.
Is it thanks to the two players who belatedly confirmed their intention to participate?
The president of the association breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that, unlike last year, he would be able to avoid a direct hit from public opinion.
"As you all know, the Prime Minister has high expectations for this friendly match."
The president of the association quietly mentioned the general election that will be held in a few months.
"For Japan to become a leader in Asia, we must support Prime Minister Suga. To do that, we must put down New Korea and China."
It wasn't long ago that Japan handed over its position and status in Asia to China.
Unlike what I never had to begin with.
It's more disappointing to lose what you had.
That's why Kubota, the president of the association, wants to get it back as soon as possible.
Recently, the rise of New Korea has been significant.
"According to information, it seems like a guy named Kim Tae-hyun is also participating. This is truly scary growth. "Maybe it will be a bigger variable than Park Seong-jin."
"Don't worry. "If there is anyone who interferes with Japan's defeat, I will personally cut them down with this sword."
Shinji Nakata said, holding up his beloved sword, White Night, which is imbued with ghosts.
"Thank you. "I will do my best to support you."
The saintess looked at the two men shaking hands with warm eyes.
It was a smile so beautiful that it won the Goddess of the Year Award chosen by the Japanese.
but.
'It's Taehyun Kim.'
Naelum.
No one saw her tongue move.
Chapter 72
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