Chapter 216
Translator: rainbowturtle
Editor: LD & Jyazen
âItâs a bit better than usual. Is it because I think itâs the last time?â
After the stream, Hyeonu slowly walked to Yuri. The reaction was better than he thought, so he was more excited about the stream today.
âYuri, you worked hard.â
âNo, it wasnât hard work. I had fun as well.â
âReally? Then Iâm glad. Practice hard on what I told you, okay? Iâm not talking as Yeongchanâs friend but as Streamer Alley Leader.â Hyeonu spoke to Yuri with a serious attitude.
Yuri responded with a serious expression, âI understand, Alley Leader!â
âIâm joking. Just this is enough. It isnât that difficult. It will be ready soon.âAs he spoke, Hyeonu pointed his right index finger at the sky. Black sword energy repeatedly filled Hyeonuâs finger and then disappeared.
âWow...!!â An exclamation of admiration burst out from Yuriâs mouth.
She was so surprised because she tried it out herself.
âIs it possible?â
She wasnât confident that she could gather her divine power so quickly. On the other hand, a strange will to live up to Hyeonuâs expectations started to take hold within her.
âI understand. Iâll try to be more natural next time,â Yuri responded vigorously.
Hyeonu gave a warm smile at the sight. It wouldâve been nice if he had a younger sister like this. Hyeonu didnât understand why Yeongchan kept treating Yuri like that.
âIâm also treated like his little sister...â
âYes, work hard.â
***
-To Gang Junggu:Brother, what is the current situation?
Hyeonu separated from Yuri and ran straight to the Balder Mountains instead of ending the connection with Arena. He didnât have time to sit back and rest. He needed visible results within a week. This would allow him to unveil the main scenario in the stream.
âThey must still be struggling...â
Level, items, and skillsâthere was nothing that could be raised easily. Still, the one that could have the most dramatic chance was a playerâs items. Attack power was changed if just one unique-rated item was worn. 10 minutes after Hyeonu sent the whisper, a reply arrived from Gang Junggu.
-From Gang Junggu:Iâm sorry.I was in combat and couldnât answer.Right now, it is similar to before.Still, theyâre getting used to it, and it is becoming better than before.We should be able to build a camp if more guild members gather.
âThe situation is better than I thought...â
Nevertheless, it was lacking. Hyeonu couldnât conceal his feelings. Compared to his expectations of New World, the current situation wasnât good enough.
-To Gang Junggu:What about the other side?Kowloon or...
Before Hyeonu had finished his whisper, Gang Junggu interrupted.
-From Gang Junggu:Kowloon?The eight people of Kowloon are gathered here, but their situation still isnât similar to ours.These eight people arenât the problem. It is that the other guild members canât keep up with them.
-To Gang Junggu:What else?What about Reina and Mascherano?
-From Gang Junggu:It is a bit strange.Iâm certain theyâve formed an alliance.Professional teams might have the quality, but they are lacking in numbers. So they often make this choice.
This was the case.
âAfter the fifth main scenario, they got on the same boat for the sixth main scenario.â
It was an understandable judgment. The two of them might have a close friendship, but it seemed that the clubâs front desk had an influence. The situation was just right, so an alliance between the two clubs was a natural choice. In any case, there were two Arena Week tickets assigned to the North America League. It was impossible for Red Bull America and New York Warriors to gain an overwhelming lead in the main scenario.
So it was natural to choose to fight together instead of guarding against each other. Just then, an idea passed through Hyeonuâs mind. âAlliance... Yes!â
Hyeonu smiled and spoke to Gang Junggu.
-To Gang Junggu:Brother, I have one more thing to ask.
-From Gang Junggu:What is it?Tell me quickly.Iâll listen to you.Who should I bury?
Hyeonu was creeped out by Gang Jungguâs playful words and touched the back of his neck with his right hand.
-To Gang Junggu:It isnât like that.Please gather the other three.The time...Two hours. Two hours later,gather at the entrance of the Balder Mountains.
-From Gang Junggu:I understand.Two hours later...
There was a bright smile on Hyeonuâs face, but his eyes were glowing like those of a hyena that had found its prey.
***
âWhy did Alley Leader gather us together? Do you know the reason?âLiu Shei stared at Mascherano with a look of great annoyance.
It shouldâve made him feel bad, but Mascherano replied with a smile on his face, âI donât know either. Even so, it must be about the main scenario if he called us.â
Then Mascherano turned his head. His gaze was directed at Gang Junggu who was absorbed in whispering to someone. Mascherano opened his mouth and asked, âShouldnât you be smiling or, at the very least, be expressionless?â
âWhat?â
âYouâre here. You have to manage your facial expressions. Smile!â Mascherano gestured to Gang Junggu using his chin and then smiled exaggeratedly to Liu Shei.
âHow do you see this Liu Shei...â
Liu Shei was about to yell at Mascherano, but Gang Junggu finally appeared in front of them and glanced at Liu Shei.
âSee this Liu Shei? What about it? Whatâs up? What's going on?â Gang Jungguâs expression was distorted in a very fierce manner.
Liu Shei bit on his lip and didnât know what to say. âNothing. What does Alley Leader want to talk to us about today? We were discussing this topic, Gang Junggu.â
âReally? You will know soon. He will come in a little bit. He said heâs arriving.â Gang Junggu placed an arm around Liu Sheiâs shoulder.
He didnât see that Liu Sheiâs face had stiffened.
âHeâs here.â The silent Reina opened her mouth for the first time.
âIâm sorry for the delay!â Hyeonu appeared the moment his name was mentioned. It was just like the saying, âspeak of the devilâ.
âYouâre not late. There are still five minutes left in the two hours we agreed upon.â
âThatâs right. Rather, you came quickly. You mustâve come from a far distance.â
Gang Junggu and Mascherano welcomed Hyeonu. Liu Shei, however, still had a stiff expression. Meanwhile, Reinaâs lips were tightly shut, and she didnât say anything. She just gave a small nod as a greeting.
âIâm late because I gathered all the busy people and came last.â Hyeonu looked around at each of them.
The first one was Gang Junggu, and once he made eye contact with the last one, Reina, Hyeonu opened his mouth to speak. âI will get to the main point. I know youâre all busy trying to attack the Balder Mountains. I will make things bigger.â
âWhat do you mean? Do you mean passing on information to other guilds? Behemoth?âMascherano questioned it because he didnât understand Hyeonuâs words.
The other three people didnât say anything, but they obviously felt the same judging from their nodding.
âOf course not. The way I will open it up is by using âmulti-levelâ,â Hyeonu replied.
âMulti-level?â Reina asked.
Based on Reinaâs knowledge, âmulti-levelâ was a sales method with a pyramid-like distribution structure.
âWhat does that have to do with the current situation?âShe couldnât connect the main scenario with the multi-level method no matter how she thought about it.
âItâs simple. The four people gathered here and Rain who didnât comeâthe five of us are at the top of the pyramid. We will attract other guilds like an octopus, but we wonât provide accurate information. There is something somewhere in the Balder Mountains. Only these nuances will be spoken, but they will have to share their maps,â Hyeonu stated.
Upon hearing Hyeonuâs words, everyone had a blank look like they had been hit by a hammer. They only thought about holding onto the information and hiding it. They had never thought of sprinkling it in pieces to gain benefits like this.
âThis should be conveyed precisely to Rain. In any case, do you have any questions?â Hyeonu turned his head from left to right and then from right to left. âNo one has any questions? Then we will go back to our spots. Shouldnât we go ahead with the main scenario?â
Hyeonu was about to leave when Reina raised her hand. âAre there any restrictions on the guild recruitment?â
âIt doesnât matter as long as they have the ability. Just... Arenât there many places that are like fat pigs raised on a lot of food? It is no use gathering from places that are about to die of starvation or places that havenât ripened yet,â Hyeonu explained it to Reina in a gentle manner.
Those who werenât capable were of no use in the Balder Mountains. There were other fields as well, but the Balder Mountains were particularly severe. It felt similar to the early days of Arena when players who only hit animals and beasts started hunting orcs and lizardmen in earnest.
There was a rapid rise in difficulty.
âThis is just my prediction, but the Balder Mountains will be a turning point for the players who are real rankers and players who just follow the pattern. It will also be one for those who donât have the skills but cover it up with money. Players have to pass a certain standard to survive here in the Balder Mountains.â Hyeonu paused for a moment before speaking again.âWe are going to suck on the backs of those who survive. This is how to survive in Arena. Then I will end it here for today.â
Hyeonu disappeared from the Balder Mountains after completing his remarks.
***
Hyeonu entered deep into the Balder Mountains while those left behind logged out. They grabbed their smartphones, computers, or laptops. All four of them started getting in touch with others. Between those with whom they had a distant relationship or a good relationship, their main goal was naturally to invite those who were closer to them. This was the only way they could avoid suspicion. In short, they were going to call someone they could eat up.
âI have to find my prey first,â the intelligent-looking Mascherano thought before picking up his smartphone.
It rang for a brief moment before a male voice was heard.
âHello?â
-Hello?Mascherano?
âIt has been a while, Jinyong Kim.â
Kim Jinyong, JT Telecomâs captain and oldest brotherâthis was the prey Mascherano decided on. JT Telecomâthis team was both prey and a gift to Alley Leader.
âIâve brought you a very good offer. Would you like to hear it?â Mascherano spoke in a very sweet voice. It was truly the devilâs temptation.
-A good offer is always welcome.What do you want to talk about?
The prey asked for the bait.