r18novel Chapter 221
Chapter 221
- Wow, haha, aiming for the Guild of the Year this year... That's amazing.
- Is the Guild of the Year really that important?
- If selected, all guild options will be increased by +7, haha, what a scam.
The "Guild of the Year," which is selected once a year by the World Battle Net Federation...
It had an incredible effect of increasing all guild option levels, which are divided into "Guild Member Expansion," "Stat Increase," and "Growth Rate Increase," by +7.
Because of this effect, strong disputes arose among various countries over the Guild of the Year.
The World Battle Net Federation did not allow a specific guild to be selected as the Guild of the Year consecutively.
If American First was selected this year...
Next year, they would not be selected, and another guild would be chosen.
-Wasn't American First the Guild of the Year last time?
-Yeah, this time it's the People's Council's turn, haha.
And in this way, the Guild of the Year was chosen.
This honor was divided between the United States and China, alternating every year.
In terms of guild size, American First and the People's Council were overwhelmingly dominant.
Excluding them, there were no guilds worthy of being selected as the Guild of the Year.
And since American First was the Guild of the Year last year...
This year was the People's Council's turn...
"The Guild of the Year. Looking at it from the perspective of guild size, the People's Council should be chosen. However, let's think of it as something that you all like, as a "dominant" guild. The complete version of a nurturing guild, the Great Guild. If we receive +7 options here and receive 35 more players, the power of global players will quickly become stronger."
As Sung JiHan said this, he clapped his hands as if he had just realized something.
"Oh! And the growth rate will also increase. If the growth rate is increased by +7 in a nurturing guild... How effective would it be for player development? For the greater good, how about selecting us as the Guild of the Year?"
-Dominant, greater good. Just like what the Chinese guys were saying, haha.
-But seriously, the Great Guild has become a nurturing guild that raises world rankers, so it's right to push for it here, right?
-Yeah, players need to grow quickly to fight against the cosmic monsters.
-Even the top 200 would have a higher chance of being selected, so wouldn't they be in favor?
-But when will they announce it?
-It's on March 1st, haha.
-It's coming up soon, wow.
As of the end of February.
There are only a few days left until the selection of the Guild of the Year.
Sung JiHan calculated the date and said,
"We will hold a random drawing broadcast on March 2nd. Whether all 200 rankers will participate in the drawing or not... We can find out the day before."
They decided to confirm the date for guild member selection the day after the selection of the Guild of the Year.
"Well then, we look forward to a wise decision."
With those words as the last, Sung JiHan passed the ball to the Chinese side and turned off the Battle Tube broadcast.
And of course, the broadcast of the day...
Spread throughout the entire Battle Net industry as breaking news.
Especially, the People's Council was in chaos.
* * *
Conference room of the People's Council.
The officials of the People's Council watched the replay of Sung JiHan's broadcast with distorted faces.
"That audacious guy... How dare he demand the Guild of the Year?"
"He has crossed the line too much!"
"That's right. If we miss the Guild of the Year this time, it will be a signal for the Champions League to challenge us."
The Guild of the Year effect that increases all guild options by +7.
This brought a tremendous increase in power to China's national team players.
Because, in addition to the All Stats +7...
"We have already decided the list of 35 players to be promoted to the first team. In order for them to receive the All Stats + effect of the People's Council's first team, they must be selected as the Guild of the Year."
"Without reinforcing the abilities of the 35 individuals, we will lose in the battle against the United States."
The People's Army, where all of China's resources are concentrated.
Having an additional 35 individuals here was a tremendous advantage in terms of receiving ability enhancement and effects.
However, according to Sung JiHan's demands, the addition of 35 more individuals was out of the question.
From China's perspective, aiming for victory in this year's Champions League, it was an extremely difficult proposal to accept.
"But, when thinking about the future, it's regrettable to give up the growth effect of the Waiting Guild..."
"Ha. Out of a population of 1.3 billion people, aren't there any gifted individuals being nurtured? Why is it that Korea has SS-level nurtured individuals?"
"The most outstanding one was B-level. He was able to enhance himself up to A through the Akashic Pages, but the wall of S was too difficult to overcome."
"Is there really such a big difference, though?"
"Yes. Even for top-tier players, there were often cases where their stats naturally grew. The world's number one, Oliver, expressed his surprise when his stats increased by 3."
"Hmm. If players from other countries are all rapidly growing in the Waiting Guild, and we're the only ones left behind..."
"Starting next year, there may be a significant difference in growth between top-tier players."
However, rejecting the proposal from the Waiting Guild meant constantly being reminded of their nurturing abilities.
Not only promising rookies, but also existing top-tier players were benefiting greatly from the increased growth rate of the Waiting Guild.
The value of the Waiting Guild was skyrocketing day by day.
"Master of the Waiting Guild, shouldn't we bring Lee Ha-yeon? Her abilities are the most crucial."
"Isn't she in a relationship with Sung JiHan? She's the practical owner of the guild."
"I've already tried, but even when I offered 80 more Akashic Pages, she flatly refused."
"But Sung JiHan told us not to propose it on the broadcast. Knowing his personality, if we approach and fail, our connection with the Waiting Guild will be completely severed."
"Ha. We have to be careful of that bastard Bbang-je."
What a disgrace this is all because of one player.
The officials of the People's Army continued to sort out the situation while blaming Wang Tse-chung, who caused trouble last time.
"What are the players in the top 200 saying?"
"They strongly criticize Sung JiHan and the Waiting Guild, but there is a prevailing reaction that the growth potential of the Waiting Guild is disappointing."
"The latter must be sincere."
"Hmm. It seems so... Especially someone like Je Gal-heon, who dropped to 3rd place in the rankings, reacted sharply."
"Is he really that far behind?"
The faces of the officials of the People's Army became serious.
To be this far behind after just a few months?
At this rate, in one or two years, the difference in growth potential may become insurmountable.
"...In the BattleNet, the top-tier players are the most important. We can't let them fall behind."
"If that's the case..."
"Instead of giving up this year's guild, let's ask the Waiting Guild to guarantee a certain number of guild member positions."
Pride and compromise.
Between the two, the People's Army chose the latter while gritting their teeth.
And...
"Owner... Just when I thought you could finally rest, an urgent call came from the People's Army."
After the BattleTube broadcast, Lee Ha-yeon, who had finally collapsed in the lounge, contacted Sung JiHan again.
"What is it?"
"They're willing to hand over this year's guild, so they're asking for all 35 spots in return."
"35 spots... That's quite ambitious."
"But in return, they promise to support us to be selected as this year's guild next year as well."
"Next year?"
If this year belongs to the People's Army, then next year belongs to American First.
"He's using his head."
Since we've already lost this year, let's not let the United States have it either.
I could sense the strong presence of a water ghost mindset.
"Is it impossible for a guild to be selected as the Guild of the Year for two consecutive years?"
"The Great Guild has offered full support as an exception."
"Well... that's because it's not a problem with the Battle.net system, but rather a rule set by the Battle.net Federation."
Let's change the regulations and make it the Guild of the Year for two consecutive years.
"That's fine."
Instead of giving it to the United States, let's give it to the Great Guild, that's probably what they argued.
In any case, their argument benefited Sung JiHan.
"Alright. Then, let's assign about 20 spots to the United States, including those conditions."
"20... Should we negotiate with this number as the bottom line?"
"Yes. And once the number is determined through negotiation, we will announce that the guild that gives up the Guild of the Year will transfer some of its guild member positions."
"I see... Understood. Then, I will try to negotiate with the United States."
Sung JiHan nodded.
He had a somewhat unfortunate relationship with the United States.
American First had shown him many friendly gestures relatively.
"They say yesterday's enemy can become today's ally."
This year's Guild of the Year was limited to that.
It seemed best to make good use of the United States.
Sung JiHan's goal was to liberate the Earth from the Battle.net game.
To do that, the Great Guild, which Sung JiHan was a part of, had to continue to hold the leadership in nurturing.
The Guild of the Year was an important key point to strengthen that leadership.
"Miss Ha Yeon, I'll only ask you to handle this negotiation. After that, you can take as much vacation as you want."
"Vacation..."
Ha Yeon, with a tired face, murmured those two words with a faint expression.
She glanced at Sung JiHan for a moment.
"Don't you take a vacation, Owner?"
"I have to level up."
"The hidden boss will give you experience points."
"That's true, but I also have to do personal training."
"No, people need some rest too..."
"For me, training is resting."
Ha Yeon looked at Sung JiHan with tired eyes.
People train all day and participate in Battle.net...
What kind of machine is he?
"Well, okay. Since you mentioned it, I should take a break."
"...To train?"
"Yes. I've been neglecting it for a while because I was clearing the Special Dungeon Map. Well then, I'll go up for now."
After bidding farewell to Ha Yeon, Sung JiHan left the Guild Master's room to train.
Ha Yeon blinked her eyes and stared at his back.
At that moment, Im GaYoung, who was in the break room, came out.
"Miss, why did you ask about vacation?"
"Oh, it's nothing..."
"Are you trying to go on vacation with Sung JiHan?"
"What? What are you talking about? Are you crazy?"
"It might be better to speak directly next time. Like Sophia."
"I didn't!"
"If you're in a romantic relationship, you should show that you're going on a trip together, shouldn't you?"
"Ah... I really didn't say that!"
"Then don't say anything."
Tsk.
When Im Ga-young gave a meaningful smile, Lee Ha-yeon shouted with a frustrated face.
"Ugh... Hey. Get to work!"
"Yes, yes."
Im Ga-young raised the documents again and thought to herself.
"Leaving it like that, it'll probably stay the same for hundreds or thousands of years..."
Even though she had cut off her addiction to gambling with strong determination, she couldn't take any action.
"I guess I have to help."
Im Ga-young glanced at Lee Ha-yeon and made up her mind.
***
Meanwhile,
When Sung Ji-han came home and was about to visit the training room of emptiness,
Sss...
He felt the shadow energy intensifying in his left arm.
[Master, I'm back.]
After the conversation with Artmu,
Ariel, who had briefly disappeared to request a finger from the Shadow Queen, resurfaced.
She had said it would take quite some time.
But it hadn't been a few days before she revealed her presence again.
"You came back quickly. Did the Queen refuse to give you a finger?"
"No, she gave it to me."
"...Already?"
Pong.
A finger popped out of Sung Ji-han's left arm.
A long, black index finger.
It emitted a strong shadow energy and looked like a genuine finger at a glance.
"...How did the permission come so quickly?"
Just going back and forth to the Shadow Queen would take a few days.
"You're really the Queen, aren't you?"
"I told you I'm not!"
"Why did you take off the finger as if you were waiting for it? Be honest. I heard everything."
"No! It's just that the Queen has high expectations of you."
"Alright, Your Majesty."
"...Sigh, call me whatever you want."
At first, Ariel jumped up in surprise, but now she had given up.
Sung Ji-han already thought of her as the Queen to some extent.
"Inventory."
From his inventory, Sung Ji-han took out the horn that Artmu had given him.
"The greatest blacksmith in the universe..."
Artmu, who introduced himself as a dwarf.
"I should see his skills."
He blew the horn.
"I am a player with the 'Hell Palace's Obsidian'."
"Artmu's forge invites the player."
Flash!
Sung Ji-han's appearance disappeared, enveloped in light.