Episode 78
A friendly match for Asian players that is attracting attention from all over the world.
It's a festival for those who want justice, but for the demons, it's no different from hell.
Day 1 of the week-long event has ended.
Even though it is almost midnight.
Many people were spending time in cafes and bars around the world instead of going home.
This was due to the friendly match broadcast being played on the majority of screens.
On the screen, a man who used to be an announcer was broadcasting the friendly match in a delicious way.
[Wow~ It seems like our new Korea has made a decision for the first time in a long time? Compared to the strategy until last year, it is a disaster. Damn it. The lead that started with Mine Team's Kim Tae-hyeon winning the first point is still maintained. I've been doing this show for 10 years, but it's truly an unbelievable sight. Ah, the current time is 11:58. In a moment, the long-awaited Asian Player Friendly Match Day 1 tally broadcast will begin. Everyone stay tuned! Do not forget it!!]
"Our country is still in first place. "Is this true?"
"I thought Kim Tae-hyun would do things. You get 1,000 points right from the start. "This is the equivalent of a week's worth of acquisition for a mid- to lower-tier team."
"If I do well at this, I might win this time."
"Ah, but winning went too far."
"that's right. "If you start hunting properly in China and Japan, you can catch up to 1,000 points in an instant."
"Hey. "Are you from our country?"
"betrayer?"
"Uh huh~ Gukbbong should be done to the same degree~"
The cafe was abuzz with talk of a friendly match.
At the center of it all, the name of Taehyun, who played the most prominent role, was mentioned without fail.
There were people who praised Taehyun, and there were also people who scoffed at him out of jealousy.
One thing is certain.
Thanks to Taehyun's presence, this friendly match between Japan and China, which was a competition for the championship, is becoming more successful than expected.
A man wearing sunglasses and a hat and drinking coffee at the table next to him.
They didn't think that he was Kim Tae-hyun, the person they were talking about excitedly.
* * *
'I'll just watch the broadcast and go in and rest.'
Taehyun sipped his coffee with his eyes focused on the broadcast.
It was three hours ago that they beat up the gnats and the nearby demons and handed them over to the forensics team.
I handed over the newly acquired information to Ayoung and made a plan for the next step.
If all goes according to plan, things will get a little busier from day 2 onwards.
That's why I came to Seoul early and took my time.
'The president of the association, Yoo Ah-young will take care of convincing him…' Are the rest of the team members?'
Who will be the first to take the bait?
While I was thinking that, it was midnight.
[Day 1 tally. It starts now!!]
After a while, when the point tally appeared, the people in the cafe began to cheer.
1st. New Korea (Mine: 1150P Monster: 400P Total: 1550P)
2nd place. China (Main: 300P Monster: 400P Total: 700P)
3rd place. Japan (Main: 200P Monster: 300P Total: 500P) Abstention: 1
4th place. Türkiye (Mine: 150P Monster: 120P Total: 270P)
5th place. Philippines (Main: 140P Monster: 110P Total: 250P)
6th place. Qatar (Mine: 100P Monster: 100P Total: 200P)
7th place. United Arab Emirates (Mine: 100P Monster: 90P Total: 190P)
8th place. Singapore (Mine: 80P Monster: 80P Total: 160P)
9th place. Hong Kong (Main: 30P Monster: 50P Total: 80P) Death: 2
10th place. Taiwan (Demon: 20P Monster: 30P Total: 50P) Death: 2
It's not enough to beat China and Japan, the favorites.
It was New Korea that was in first place with an overwhelming point difference.
It's only day 1.
It is a country that has consistently ranked 3rd, earning a respectable number of points until last year.
It was natural for citizens to cheer at the unexpected sprint.
'The monsters are doing well too.'
Park Seong-jin, Kwak Si-yang, and Seo Han-gil headed to Abyss according to the existing strategy.
With these alone, they achieved the same number of points as China, which used national power.
Although I didn't see it in person, I could see how well he was making a save.
the problem is.
'It's too blatant.'
Taehyun frowned as he checked the number of deaths.
This is because I remember that in my past life, deaths did not occur until the third day.
It is a friendly battle in which it is advantageous to hunt high-rank demons and monsters.
As Masahiko Kimura said earlier, some injury was inevitable.
However, they are also S-rank players, considered among the best in their country.
It was not common for this level of death to occur in a friendly match.
Is that why?
The broadcast also covered the four players whose deaths were officially confirmed.
[We will deliver the official confirmation from the association that has just arrived. Japan's Masahiko Kimura is said to have withdrawn due to health concerns due to illness. Fortunately, it is said that there is no danger to life. and… The cause of death for Hong Kong and Taiwanese players was confirmed to be a retaliatory attack by the Mine Cartel... The cause of death is due to skill… .]
I was momentarily excited by the report card that said I was in first place.
The atmosphere in the cafe instantly calmed down after the announcer's explanation.
"Health concerns due to disease? "Can't I recover even with the saint's skills?"
"I guess they're just making a fuss. "They don't lie just once or twice."
"Isn't China bigger than that? In this situation... ."
"Hey. Be careful what you say. Because there are many Chinese people in our country. "You could end up getting stoned on the street at night for no reason?"
"hmm… ."
"There's nothing to be afraid of. New Korea is a country that protects the liberal democratic system."
"That's right~!!"
There was also a moment of mourning.
The cafe became noisy again.
Only Taehyun still had a serious expression.
An action that won the first point right from the start.
Originally, the situation where China would have taken the lead changed due to Taehyun's actions.
This is something that must have been done to win the friendly match.
Is it because of that?
'Something that should have happened on the third day happened on the first day. If the past is changing in this way... I can't just rely on what I remember.'
The Triad, Asia's largest mining cartel.
We plan to capture their leader, Samrodu, within a week.
No matter how Taehyun was, he could not help but be sensitive to unexpected variables.
But it happened anyway.
'Day 2. 'I will catch Kenji Miyazaki at all costs by tomorrow.'
Taehyun strengthened his fighting spirit and took a shot of the remaining coffee.
Just then, a message arrived in my earrings.
[I'd like to meet you briefly.]
It was Jang Jin-su who was assigned to the Mine team.
* * *
"I guess you were in Seoul."
Taehyun arrived at the rooftop of the building and spoke to Jang Jinsu.
He came first and was waiting for Taehyun.
"You came quickly. "You were in Japan, right?"
It was no longer a secret that Taehyun caught a group of gnats.
One S-grade mine and one A-grade mine.
And compared to Taehyun, who caught many of the B-level or lower mines.
It is also said that Jang Jin-soo caught three B-grade mines.
"That's because information from that side just came in."
Taehyun said as if it was no big deal.
This is a mine team where only two people are assigned.
We had decided in advance that each person would act and accumulate points in order to move fluidly.
"I still have something to ask because of that. About that information. "Did the president of the association tell you this directly?"
"It can't be. "It's through my personal information network."
"haha. It was like that too. I also didn't think that the president of the association or guild leader Yoo Ah-young would do that. In any case, there is no benefit in hiding information from a player representing the country."
Jang Jin-soo patted Tae-hyeon's shoulder with a pleasant smile.
"I think there's something else you'd like to say."
Jang Jin-soo's expression hardened slightly at Tae-hyeon's fastball.
Soon he smiled and opened his mouth.
"Now that we're in the lead, let's change our strategy a little. Even if it is the Abyss side where communication is not possible. "Shouldn't the hands and feet of those of us who remain on Earth be fit?"
In short, it meant using Taehyun's personal information network together.
'As expected, it comes out like this.'
It was a suggestion that required no hesitation.
The answer was already decided before I came here.
"The strategy does not change. "I think it would be better for us to move individually like we did today."
Jang Jin-su's brow furrowed at the reaction that seemed like there was no need to think.
"I know what you're thinking, but the more information you share… ."
"no. "You have no idea what I'm thinking."
"… … ?"
"Today a Japanese player was targeting me."
"no way… ."
"yes. Masahiko Kimura. "I was the one who made him abstain."
"… … ."
"That's what this friendly match is about. "It means that demons and monsters are not the only enemies."
"no way… "Are you doubting me?"
Jang Jin-soo glared at Tae-hyeon with a puzzled expression.
There was even anger mixed in that voice.
"There is no harm in being suspicious. Haven't you seen the cases of Onsaemi-ro and Wan Chai? The only thing you can trust on the battlefield is your own gun. Isn't it?"
"… … ."
This is not appropriate for a 19-year-old.
Jang Jin-su could not refute anything.
"Let me be clear. "There is no change in strategy as there is no benefit in needlessly exposing information."
"You're conceited."
"I tend to be cautious."
With those words, Taehyun's body disappeared.
"… … ."
After a while.
Jang Jin-su, thinking that Tae-hyun had left the building, clenched his fists.
Compared to himself, not only his age but also his playing experience is not that long.
Nevertheless, Taehyun's words contained a strange, irrefutable power.
It was something that would hurt his pride as he had been a representative player of New Korea for a long time.
"shit… bouncer. How dare you say something like that... ."
Jang Jin-su cursed and spat before leaving the building.
The rooftop of an empty building.
Taehyun, who had been watching the whole time using stealth, finally moved his body.
* * *
Day 2 of the friendly match.
Taehyun was having breakfast at the cafe where he watched the broadcast.
He wore sunglasses and a hat, completely obliterating his appearance as an S-rank player.
He is wearing jeans and a sweatshirt and has no beard, so his face looks a little older than usual.
It was the appearance of a freelance worker commonly seen in cafes.
Taehyun took a bite of toast and glanced at a corner seat.
Two middle-aged men in suits. An ordinary briefcase. Contract and signature.
On the surface, they looked like office workers having an ordinary business meeting.
However, in reality, it is an illegal trading site for demons belonging to the Triad Association.
Hidden in the briefcase was probably drug raw material modified into magic stones.
'At the end of that briefcase is Kenji Miyazaki.'
Through the gnats, we have gained some insight into the illegal business they are secretly carrying out.
Now, if you just follow them carefully, you will naturally meet Kenji Miyazaki.
With that thought in mind, I took another bite of toast.
A man came and sat in front of Taehyun.
"It's been a while. Taehyun Kim."
A man with a slim body and slit eyes like a weasel.
"you… ."
The appearance of a man who shouldn't be here.
Taehyun was speechless for a moment.
Chapter 78
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