Chapter 17
—
The day had finally arrived.
Under dazzling lights, vehicles entered the scene.
The luxurious cars were the kind one might see at a motor show, but value is always relative—when the doors opened, revealing hunters, the cars became mere background props.
The sound of shutters clicked incessantly as camera reporters scrambled for shots, and the cheers of fans poured down like the heavens were breaking apart.
The greatest show on Earth.
A festival of stars.
This was the opening ceremony of “Guild War Korea.”
“Good evening. I’m Yoo Young-seok, your host for the Guild War Korea opening ceremony. It’s truly an honor to be invited to such a prestigious event.”
The astronomical capital flowing through the league ensured the opening ceremony’s scale exceeded all expectations.
The opening performance featured a top idol currently dominating the Billboard charts, the host was Korea’s leading MC ruling every channel, and even the attendees were carefully curated.
It wasn’t an exaggeration to say that all of Korea’s attention was focused on this event.
To be part of this glorious moment was essentially to be declared the best in Korea at present, and thus everyone aspired to stand on this dream stage.
Amidst the intense spotlight, certain individuals shone the brightest.
“The first order of business is a greeting from last year’s Guild War Korea League champions.”
38 matches, 37 wins, and 1 loss.
The shortest clearance time.
The most championships.
The most MVPs.
The undisputed number one guild in Korea.
“Please welcome All-King Han Jeong-do of the Kirin Guild with a round of applause!”
Clap, clap, clap!
Han Jeong-do appeared from behind the stage amid thunderous applause.
A suit fit so perfectly it highlighted his well-built physique.
His slicked-back pomade hairstyle added a touch of elegance, and the kind eyes behind his horn-rimmed glasses exuded warmth.
Like the ideal first-love professor, Han Jeong-do radiated a charisma that belied his age.
“Hello, everyone. I’m Han Jeong-do of the Kirin Guild. Yes, it’s me again this year. It just turned out that way. Hahaha.”
All-King’s playful joke was met with attentive silence, for his repeated appearance as the opening speaker underscored the Kirin Guild’s years-long dominance.
“Ladies and gentlemen, before us lies the long race called the ‘League.’”
The gruelling nine-month marathon ahead.
“We will become workers responsible for humanity’s prosperity. We will be pioneers exploring the mysteries of the world. We will be seekers who approach the essence of magic more closely than anyone else.”
As times change, so does the meaning of value.
If the first hunters risked their lives to fight for survival, modern hunters compete (Race) and conquer (Raid) for prosperity.
Through the league, they embody humanity’s pride and sing of glory.
This is the role given to them.
“Rest is over. From this moment, we are no longer known by our names but by our titles.”
The world called them:
“Hunters.”
They were hunters.
Roar!
The crowd erupted into cheers before anyone else could.
Such was the charisma of All-King. With a single short speech, he captivated the audience.
Following his powerful speech, the host returned to the stage to announce the league’s operations and direction.
“Starting this year, the number of Guild War League matches will increase worldwide. … There will be three league matches and three raid matches, totaling six matches….”
The Guild War Secretariat’s goals remained consistent.
With matches like “League Battles,” which were both popular and entertaining, they sought to capture public interest, while “Raid Matches” preserved the essence of hunters and sustained the magical industry’s foundations.
Additional announcements included simplified match rules and warnings, such as stricter penalties for tampering (unauthorized pre-match contact), an issue that had caused much controversy since the league’s inception.
The discussion moved smoothly through League 1, League 2, and finally League 3.
Normally, the opening ceremony would end here, with participants relaxing and thinking about their dinner plans.
But something unusual happened. The host remained on stage.
And what followed stunned everyone.
“Lastly, we have an announcement regarding League 4.”
“??!!”
A moment of silence.
Then, shock.
The opening ceremony was in turmoil.
What the hell? Why League 4, and why now? This had never happened before.
Unspoken but acknowledged, the Secretariat’s recognition of a guild generally extended only to League 3.
This was evident from the Secretariat’s 5v5 “League Battles,” which started at League 3 and demonstrated the professional entertainment aspect of the league.
Below that, the leagues leaned more toward upholding results and the league spirit rather than entertainment.
So why suddenly bring up League 4?
As the attendees murmured in confusion, some quick-witted individuals pieced the puzzle together.
“Is it because of the Mir Guild?”
“Mountain King’s presence is enormous.”
“They probably have to consider Lee Do as well. It’s still the league’s biggest sponsor.”
“I think it’s because of that brat Lee Shin. Look at his antics—it’s entertaining. What guild is as interesting as Mir Guild these days?”
The unprecedented attention on League 4 stemmed from none other than the Mir Guild.
Right out of the gate, they had become the center of conversation—a League 4 guild boasting the “Mountain King,” a world-class hunter.
According to insiders, their new leader was the most shocking, disastrous, and enviable figure no one wanted to deal with, ensuring the Mir Guild’s debut sparked a media frenzy.
It was a phenomenon the Secretariat could no longer ignore.
“The increase in matches will also apply to League 4. Given League 4’s unique absence of league battles, the number of raid matches will increase from 28 to 32….”
These changes clearly ruffled the Kirin Guild’s feathers. Stealing their limelight would already be irritating, but to be upstaged by a regional League 4 guild? It was infuriating.
Especially for Han Jeong-do, who was personally tied to the Mountain King’s departure, the rising attention on Mir Guild only made matters worse.
Finally, the eventful opening ceremony drew to a close as the host delivered the traditional closing line:
“Let the Guild War League begin~~~!”
With a powerful punch in the air.
Boom!
Like the attendees’ intricate web of conflicting interests, hundreds of fireworks chaotically illuminated the sky as the curtain rose on a new league season.
* * *
Meanwhile, watching the opening ceremony from the guild, Lee Shin gazed at the brightly exploding fireworks on the screen and broke into a radiant smile at a certain moment.
It was the brief glimpse of All-King’s furrowed brows as he passed by.
Yes, that’s it!
For someone with such a gentle image, he must be genuinely furious.
The unexpected mention of League 4 left even Kim Jong-pil’s face filled with bewilderment.
“You actually did it. You moved the Secretariat…”
“I told you, I could do it. Heh heh heh, our guild painstakingly set this table, so there’s no way I’d let the Kirin Guild feast on it.”
The main spotlight of the opening ceremony ultimately fell on the previous year’s Winners, the Kirin Guild.
This was an undeniable fact—it was the winner’s privilege.
Even though the Mir Guild dominated this year’s Stovetop League, once the opening ceremony passed, they were bound to become mere decorations for the Kirin Guild.
However.
This truth grated on Lee Shin’s nerves.
I twisted my entire body to craft my stage, and you think you can just snatch it away…?
I’d rather discard it than let someone steal it—that’s Lee Shin’s philosophy.
Don’t recognize League 4? Then make them recognize it! Lee Shin resolved to move the Secretariat.
With yet another “sucker”… no, sponsor!
A secretary standing behind Lee Shin leaned down and whispered into his ear.
“The Secretariat made it clear that mentioning League 4 will be limited to this year only.”
“Don’t worry. By next year, we’ll be in League 3.”
“…The Vice Chairman said that if you don’t achieve promotion, the entire lobbying expense will be charged to you, so be prepared.”
“Okay. Send my thanks.”
Successfully clinging to the stage.
Now it was their turn. Lee Shin glanced at Kim Jong-pil, who was sipping tea.
“Elder, it’s your turn. Time to make a grand entrance.”
“Well then, I shall play along.”
The Mountain King stood up.
[“Mountain King” Declares Ambition with the League Opening!]
Having already won fans over with his promise of promotion, the Mountain King, Kim Jong-pil, once again declared his goals.
His declaration was presented as a 55-minute video on the NTube channel of <Mir Guild>. Incidentally, the Mir Guild channel achieved an unprecedented milestone of 300,000 subscribers in the shortest time ever…
In his declaration, Kim Jong-pil directly addressed fans’ concerns (an unproven squad, a one-man Mountain King team, and accusations of farming weaker opponents), making the following promise:
― “I promise that I will not step forward until our guild reaches League 1. This is my belief in and trust toward my teammates. So please, refrain from criticizing our young comrades.”
The Mountain King displayed the image of a mature adult protecting his younger colleagues. And to top it off, he made a shocking vow.
Some League 4 insiders criticized the Mountain King, claiming he was mocking the league, but so far, the public seemed to side with him…
Meanwhile, for the first time, the Mountain King addressed the <Kirin Guild>, about which he had remained silent until now. When asked by a viewer what he thought of the Kirin Guild, he responded with one word: “Love-hate.” This answer added fuel to the longstanding rumors of discord with All-King.
- ·
·
Watching the situation unfold, Chae Dong-ha let out an exclamation of astonishment.
“This actually works?”
[Mountain King VS All-King]
Even the photo was perfect.
The framing of the two facing each other made it clear to anyone that they were rivals.
What impressed Chae Dong-ha the most was this:
Taking a step back and analyzing it calmly, this narrative was highly unusual.
If All-King Han Jeong-do had been the leader of the Kirin dynasty dominating the league for years, the Mountain King was merely a member of a fallen League 4 guild.
Looking at it simply, League 1 versus League 4—the game shouldn’t even exist.
But he had stubbornly pushed this narrative.
From the moment he hurled himself onto the scene with his brash fandom provocations, to the legendary recruitment of Mountain King—an acquisition no one could have imagined—and the unparalleled showcase built around it.
Then there was the lobbying that pushed the Secretariat to mention League 4…
All-King’s hardened expression, the Mountain King’s mature stance, and his shocking pledge all combined into a storyline Chae Dong-ha couldn’t take his eyes off.
All orchestrated by one person.
“Journalists aren’t doing their jobs. [ Greedy Han Jeong-do vs. Humble Kim Jong-pil ]—what is this nonsense? Articles like this need loads of MSG to be any good. If it were me, I’d label them as symbols of corruption and entrenched privilege!”
“And I specifically told them to mention ‘Mir Guild’ and ‘Lee Do.’ Why isn’t it here? Where is this? Dae-yang Daily? Hey, call them.”
Lee Shin.
This man was the mastermind behind this year’s Stovetop League.
“If they took the money, they should do their job. These freelance journalists have no business ethics. None at all.”
“Isn’t mentioning Lee Do a bit much? If you bring the group into this, even the Kirin side won’t stay silent.”
“Don’t worry, bro. I meet chaebols often enough to know how they think. They absolutely hate being involved in dirty business like this. They think it’s beneath them.”
“That includes you, Representative.”
“That’s why it’s effective! A chaebol taking down another chaebol! The essence of a mudslinging match is that everyone has to roll in the dirt together to make it fun.”
“…Are you seriously planning to go all the way, as you said back then?”
What’s the fastest way for a bottom-ranked team to gain fame?
This was the question Lee Shin asked Chae Dong-ha a few days ago. In response, Chae Dong-ha suggested a few answers, like “building up skills”—the most standard answer.
Hearing this, Lee Shin shook his head in disapproval, then flashed his signature mischievous grin as he spoke:
The fastest way for a bottom-ranked team to gain fame.
It’s grabbing onto the number one team’s ankle and pulling them down.
That’s right.
The culmination of the grand strategy Lee Shin had been building from the start was that very photo.
The one showing the Mountain King and All-King facing off against each other.
In other words, creating this current confrontation between the Kirin Guild and the Mir Guild was his ultimate plan all along.
“From the moment we signed the Mountain King, Mir and Kirin were destined to clash. If it’s unavoidable, we might as well enjoy it.”
“It’s a win-win situation for us. If we win, it’s a massive jackpot. If we lose, we can still play the underdog card and say we fought well. We can even subtly spin it as being the second-best contender.”
Challenging the number one spot automatically makes you the second-best.
Logically, it sounds like nonsense, but so what? That’s how the world works. The world runs on emotions, not logic.
“On the other hand, the number one team…”
“Suffers massive losses.”
“Exactly~!”
For the Kirin Guild, winning is the bare minimum.
What’s worse is that even winning isn’t easy at this point. As the reigning champions of League 1, they have no battlefield where they can directly confront the Mir Guild from League 4.
But does that even matter?
“What matters isn’t the ‘result’ but the ‘narrative.’”
This is pure, consequence-free pleasure, risk-free trading!
Puhehehehehe!!
It’s an attitude that perfectly suits someone called the mouth of hell.
Despite his actions being shockingly clever, whenever those words passed his lips, they sounded like the ravings of a rabid watchdog… Chae Dong-ha, now convinced that Lee Shin was no ordinary troublemaker, moved on to the next agenda.
“All the major schedules are done. Only the raid team’s introduction remains the day after tomorrow.”
“Oh, right. The introduction.”
“We’re nearly there. Once the introduction is over, the front office won’t have much to do for a while. So…”
“Let’s wrap it up with a bang~!”
“…No, I mean don’t cause any trouble. Just go quietly this time.”
Please, just this once, no hellish antics! Act like a proper representative!
“It’s great that you’ve sucked up attention like a black hole, but now our guild is under fire from all directions. Don’t stir up more trouble unnecessarily; let’s keep this one clean and simple.”
“If they’re uncomfortable, they should straighten their backs.”
“Ssss!”
“Okay, okay.”
Lee Shin nodded as if agreeing to Chae Dong-ha’s plea.
“Fine, I’ll go quietly. From now on, I, Lee Shin, will be normal.”
Two days later, Lee Shin, dressed in what could be considered normal attire, stepped onto the podium and calmly spoke.
“You are tools.”
Chae Dong-ha thought to himself:
Should I kill him…?
—
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