Ranker’s Return

Hyeonu nodded and answered clearly, “Yes, say it.”

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It wasn’t difficult to hear Choi Bongjun out.

‘In any case, it is obvious what he will say.’

Still, it was polite to listen because Hyeonu was currently streaming.

“Is there any reason why I shouldn’t have good skills? It will definitely be of great use in sieges and raids.”

What Choi Bongjun was trying to say was simple. He was trying to make a bit of an appeal for himself. It was just this much.

“Is it useful? Choi Bongjun-ssi, are you defining your value like that?” Hyeonu tried hard to hold back the laughter that wanted to burst out.

Choi Bongjun was firmly mistaken.

'Useful… Honestly, all nine of them aren’t that good…’

“Since I started New Moon, I’ve been repeating one thing whenever I get the chance.
It is best to select polished talents.
However, there are no such talents.
Therefore, I am going to pick someone who is willing to learn, even if they are a bit inferior, and is passionate about being a professional gamer.” This was what Hyeonu had always said, to the extent that he was tired of it.

In any case, the real talents would already be pro gamers.
So, he was going to raise some of the slightly worse children instead.
This was what he meant.

-I memorized it because he said these words every time.

-He didn’t say it so blatantly.

-Still, it is correct that this is what he meant.

The viewers also remembered what Hyeonu said. It wasn’t exact, but they definitely remembered the nuances.

“Among the players currently in Crescent Moon, none of them have a lower level than you, Choi Bongjun-ssi.
In addition, none of them have a worse class or items than you,” Hyeonu coolly restated the reality of Choi Bongjun.

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Crescent Moon’s players had already finished their fourth class advancement at the time of Arena Week. Their items were also perfect. It was natural since they had Hyeonu’s support. In addition, they had great skills and classes. There was nothing lacking compared to Choi Bongjun.

“Calmly speaking, if Choi Bongjun-ssi remains the same as you are now, you will just hold back the other team members if you join Crescent Moon.
Do you get it?” Hyeonu continued to pour out fact-based harsh comments toward Choi Bongjun.

-Do it in moderation or he is going to cry.

-I will give 300 gold coins if he cries.

-It is a mission.

-By the way, listening to the explanation…
it seems Crescent Moon is a good place even without Alley Leader.

Hyeonu’s continued words provided viewers with an opportunity to think again about Crescent Moon. The giant called Hyeonu was missing, so there was the tendency to think of Crescent Moon as a weak team or a toothless tiger. However, it was their misconception; Crescent Moon wasn’t weak at all.

-That is why he is hosting the show called the audition.

-He can’t do this without confidence. He must be running around for a reason.

-Honestly, all the children who have appeared here are failures. If he really wanted to build real power, he would’ve pulled players from other teams.

This was the right answer. There was no questionable talent in Arena. They all had clear connections with someone, whether it was dark or light. There was no mysterious 1st place ranking that everyone wanted like a dream.

‘His expression is gloomy.’

In Hyeonu’s eyes, Choi Bongjun still looked unconvinced.

‘He is the type to understand only when he is completely crushed.’

Or he might not accept it even until he died.

‘Well, it doesn’t matter.’

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It didn’t matter if Choi Bongjun was unconvinced. Everyone else would understand. So, Hyeonu started laying the bait to drive in the wedge. It was just too aggressive to be called bait. This was a bombing, not fishing.

“Based on your expression, you still don’t seem to understand.
Then I will give you an example that is easy to understand.
For example, let’s say that you survived to the end, Choi Bongjun-ssi.
Then you joined Crescent Moon and participated in the league.
Choi Bongjun-ssi, you are competing in PvP.
What do you think the result will be?”

Choi Bongjun, the party standing in front of the bomb, shut his mouth like a mute at Hyeonu’s question.

-What else? He will be beaten up like a dog.

-He will lose unconditionally.

-PvP fights consist of the same skills and same specs. The person who made an appeal that his class itself is the advantage…

-There will be one loss from the beginning. ㅋㅋ

The answer was given by the viewers. They all predicted Choi Bongjun’s defeat. There was only one reason why they thought so. It was because Hyeonu had said it. Of course, they weren’t direct words. He'd said that Choi Bongjun's basics were lacking. The viewers were well aware that PvP was all about the basics. Putting it in practice might be different, but when it came to theory, they were as knowledgeable as anyone else.

“I don’t think you can get one win through any coincidences.
It doesn’t matter whether you prepared a customized strategy, your opponent is in a slump, or they are in a poor condition on the day of the competition.
Do you understand? Choi Bongjun-ssi, rather than making an appeal about your advantages, you should’ve said that you will make up for your shortcomings.” 

Hyeonu’s words sped up, but he never once raised his voice. He stabbed an intangible knife into Choi Bongjun.

“That’s it for the spar.
Please go back to your position.” Hyeonu shifted his attention away from Choi Bongjun, and his eyes fell on someone else. It was the man who was Hyeonu’s favorite participant and who was also quite supported by the viewers.

“Jeong Cheolmin-ssi, please come out.
I will start the spar.”

The last spar of the day was against Jeong Cheolmin. He was the person everyone was looking forward to seeing, so Hyeonu placed him last.

‘If I placed him first, there are people who would leave…
Now they are still here.’

There were many viewers watching Hyeonu’s live stream, but it was true that they could feel disappointed. For Hyeonu, this was a streaming strategy that had to be adopted in order to maintain the number of viewers.

“Yes, I understand,” Jeong Cheolmin replied. The moment his name was called, Jeong Cheolmin ran quickly toward the set position. It was a very quick action. However, Jeong Cheolmin was unable to move to the set position.

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“Excuse me…
It is currently my turn.” Choi Bongjun was still standing in the spot where Jeong Cheolmin was supposed to stand. Jeong Cheolmin hesitated to speak to Choi Bongjun. It was because he could understand why Choi Bongjun was standing like this.

‘It isn’t easy to remain sober after hearing such things…’

It wasn’t possible unless a person had a mentality like a saint. If Jeong Cheolmin himself had heard such things, it would also be hard for him to move as if nothing had happened.

“Choi Bongjun-ssi doesn’t seem to have any intention of moving, so we will move.
The arena isn’t narrow.” Hyeonu offered a simple solution for Jeong Cheolmin. If Choi Bongjun didn’t move, the rest of them could move. Hyeonu moved his feet first. Naturally, the eight people chased after him. Only Choi Bongjun stood in place.

The moment he moved a moderate distance from Choi Bongjun, Hyeonu stopped walking and tapped on the ground with the wooden sword. “Now that there is room…
Let’s start, Jeong Cheolmin-ssi.”

“Yes, please take care of me.” Jeong Cheolmin bowed lightly and grabbed the wooden sword that Hyeonu handed him. At this moment, Jeong Cheolmin’s momentum changed. The shy young man disappeared, and a sharp-eyed warrior appeared.

“Then please do well.” Hyeonu also matched Jeong Cheolmin’s change. He lifted the wooden sword he was dragging on the ground and gently placed it on his shoulder. Hyeonu stood in that position until Jeong Cheolmin came to him.

Jeong Cheolmin threw himself lightly toward such a Hyeonu. Hyeonu stopped moving due to his promise to give the other person a chance to attack first. What Jeong Cheolmin had to do was make the most of that opportunity.

‘I just have to use simple skills.’ Jeong Cheolmin repeatedly talked to himself during the process of moving. He should never become too excited and use strong skills. This wasn’t hunting; it was PvP. The basics of PvP were simple—realize that the opponent was a human being, not a monster, and fight accordingly. Furthermore, one had to have a sense of instinctively responding to the movements of the opponent and predicting the opponent’s movement.

‘It is all useless.’

However, all these things were meaningless to the current Jeong Cheolmin. They were only meaningful to opponents who could utilize them against Hyeonu. Hyeonu was an opponent that Jeong Cheolmin couldn’t win against even if he used all of his strength.

‘Giving me an opportunity to attack means a chance to show off my skills.’

This was what Choi Bongjun missed. A straw mat was laid out for him, so he had to do something, be it dancing or rolling on it. He wouldn’t falter.

Jeong Cheolmin’s body stretched out like stretching cheese as he approached Hyeonu. In an instant, Jeong Cheolmin reached in front of Hyeonu and extended his sword. Jeong Cheolmin’s wooden sword shone blue as it moved like a snake and aimed at Hyeonu’s neck.

The wooden sword on Hyeonu’s shoulder descended like lightning and blocked the trajectory of Jeong Cheolmin’s wooden sword. Jeong Cheolmin moved his body back and forth like he was trying to move his wooden sword even a little bit further, but it was useless.

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Hyeonu waved his arm, and Jeong Cheolmin’s wooden sword returned to its original position. Still, Jeong Cheolmin didn’t give up. Once again, he clung to Hyeonu.

Jeong Cheolmin’s sword swung at Hyeonu with a heavy energy. Meanwhile, Hyeonu lightly swung his sword to stop Jeong Cheolmin’s, pushing it back again. Jeong Cheolmin spilled out more power through the wooden sword. This time, he moved his body, not the sword. He'd determined there would be no possibility of a head-on attack.

Jeong Cheolmin turned to Hyeonu’s left and simultaneously stretched out his sword. It was a lightning fast stab without anything extra. Nevertheless, Hyeonu blocked Jeong Cheolmin’s attack this time too.

Jeong Cheolmin kept attacking after that.

The front and rear—he literally moved everywhere and targeted Hyeonu.

However, Hyeonu didn’t move a single step and was able to defeat all of Jeong Cheolmin’s attacks by wielding the sword. Jeong Cheolmin attempted attacks for a long time before finally stepping back.

‘There is no iron wall like this.’ Jeong Cheolmin sighed.

He attacked for more than 10 minutes without a second of rest, but he found no success.
Thus, it wasn’t unreasonable for him to give up. No one could blame him. He had done his best. It was a fact that no one could deny.

Hyeonu stepped back and spoke to Jeong Cheolmin, who showed no movement, “Are you giving up?”

‘His persistence is good.’ Hyeonu acknowledged Jeong Cheolmin’s willpower. He'd tried for 10 minutes what others couldn’t do for five. Putting aside his strength, Jeong Cheolmin’s willpower alone deserved praise.

“No.
I haven’t given up,” Jeong Cheolmin replied.

“Then what are you doing there?”

“What?” Jeong Cheolmin answered Hyeonu with a smile.
“Isn’t it your turn this time?”

“What turn?”

“It is your turn to attack.”

“Huh?” Hyeonu smiled with an outraged expression.