Chapter 47

Chapter 46: Press Conference (1)

The entire stadium fell into a dead silence.

Everyone was at a loss for words, stunned by the unexpected outcome.

“……”

“……”

The people here had to be surprised twice.

The first time was due to Chanyu-seong's skill, which obliterated the D-rank players.

The second time was because of the monstrous being that Chanyu-seong, despite his full efforts, could not defeat.

It was truly an overwhelming force.

The goosebumps caused by the chill had yet to subside.

After a few minutes,

the silence, which seemed eternal, was broken by someone's words.

Or rather, it was more like a curse.

“What the hell...!”

It was impossible not to curse.

This situation had completely shattered all common sense.

He couldn't help but spill out his true feelings.

Then, the others also began to speak as if they had been waiting for their turn.

“Did you see that? The sword beam alone almost made my eyes pop out, and he even used magic skills?”

“That wasn't just a basic level. The white light just now, it shattered the mana stone protection wall and even broke through the outer wall!”

“Is he even human? It seems more like a boss monster from the upper levels has escaped.”

“I still can't believe it. Damn. Is this a dream or reality...?”

In the chaotic atmosphere,

Jinhyuk approached the two people standing right next to the stadium.

“It's been a while, hasn't it?”

Jinhyuk smiled.

“...Yes. It's the first time since I saw you at the museum.”

“Ah...”

Min Jeong-woo and Yi Yoo-ri flinched.

The memory of being thoroughly dominated at the National Central Museum resurfaced.

“Actually, although the start was a bit brutal, we can't be stuck in the past forever, can we?”

“Hmm. I don't want to be enemies with you either. To be honest, I don't think I could survive if we met as enemies.”

“Me too.”

The two nodded.

“Then, as a sign of improving our relationship, I have one request. I hope Summoner Yi Yoo-ri will put in some effort.”

“What? A request?”

“Yes. You can refuse if you want to hear it.”

“In that case...”

“Of course.”

Jinhyuk's smile deepened.

“If you think our future relationship is as disposable as a toilet, you can refuse.”

“...!”

Yi Yoo-ri's eyebrows trembled.

It was a request with a choice, but only in name.

If she refused, she might face unknown consequences.

“I'll do it if I can... No, I'll definitely do it, no matter what.”

“Thank you.”

Jinhyuk told Yi Yoo-ri what he needed.

A task that must be completed to tackle the boss. An item that Yi Yoo-ri, as a summoner, could prepare much more easily.

“By when do you need it?”

“The day after tomorrow. Please send everything to this address by then.”

“T-this much in just two days?”

“Why? Can't you do it?”

“No, no. I can do it, I can.”

Yi Yoo-ri took the note Jinhyuk handed her with a grimace.

“Then, I'll leave it to you.”

Just as Jinhyuk was about to leave after a light greeting,

‘What is this...?’

Jinhyuk instinctively turned his head.

He sensed something.

It's from above!

Rumble!

A man in the stands jumped down.

A massive, muscular body.

It was Jung Do-hyun, whom he had met in front of the association.

“This is really unexpected. I thought he was just a cheerleader, but he has this much strength.”

“If you're trying to start a fight, you've come to the wrong place. I can't control my strength when I'm fully warmed up.”

Jinhyuk said coldly.

At the same time, he peeked at the opponent's status window through 'Eyes of Truth.'

——————————————————

Name: Jung Do-hyun

Gender: Male

Age: 33

Level: 21

Strength 40 Agility 17 Vitality 18 Mana 8

Available Stat Points: 0

Available Coins: 8,535

Occupation: Power Borrower (借力士)

Unique Ability: Giant's Strength

Skills: Lv5 'Giant's Grip', Lv5 'Giant's Shield', Lv5 'Pain Dampening', Lv5 'Deep Breath', Lv4 'Contempt for the Weak'

——————————————————

[Copy Condition: The current target is approaching you with some intention. If you can figure out what that intention is, you can copy the 'Giant's Grip' skill.]

...Some intention?

Does this mean it's not just for starting a fight?

But how does the system know Jung Do-hyun's intention?

Jinhyuk frowned at the different copy condition.

But only for a moment.

Solving the secrets of the Tower of Trials would come later.

Right now, he had no time to worry about a problem with no immediate solution.

“Hey, hey. Don't look at me like that. I'm not here to fight.”

Jung Do-hyun raised his palms towards Jinhyuk, who was radiating hostility.

As if to show he had no intention of fighting.

“Then, why are you bothering me?”

“Since we'll be seeing each other often... I just wanted to say it's nice to meet you.”

Jung Do-hyun extended his hand, making a joke that didn't make sense.

However, Jinhyuk did not shake his hand.

Nice to meet you, now?

No way.

It's impossible for someone who only knows how to look down on others to suddenly become polite.

There must be another reason, as the system suggested.

Jinhyuk's mind began to work rapidly.

Compared to Chanyu-seong, Jung Do-hyun was weaker, but he was still quite strong among D-rank players.

But why didn't he participate in the martial arts tournament?

And why did the guild master Hong Deok-pyo come here in person, unlike the other large guilds?

‘There must be a reason he had to come here.’

Although he didn't know exactly what it was, it was definitely important.

Jinhyuk looked at Jung Do-hyun.

Behind the calm facade, he could see a mix of inferiority and anger.

He didn't come to be friendly.

Rather,

he came to show off something only he could do.

The handshake, Jung Do-hyun's unique ability 'Giant's Strength', the player he kept in reserve for the martial arts tournament, the guild master who was eager for the guild's growth.

The clues began to connect.

And finally,

a flash of insight struck Jinhyuk.

‘Right. The reporters are here.’

Jung Do-hyun was sent to prevent the rookie from stealing the spotlight.

In a fight, maybe not, but in terms of brute strength, Jung Do-hyun was far superior.

A promising new player, who was the center of attention, being overpowered?

It would tarnish the other side's image while boosting his own value.

Indeed, it wasn't a bad plan.

‘If the opponent wasn't me, that is.’

At that moment,

Ding! Ding! Ding!

Jinhyuk's hypothesis was proven correct.

The status window indicating the fulfillment of the copy condition appeared one after another.

[Conditions met.]

[You have obtained the skill 'Giant's Grip (B)'.]

[Giant's Grip]

Acquisition Difficulty: B

Description: You can use the strength of a large monster, a giant. In particular, your grip strength increases dramatically, and you can use items up to ten times your body weight with ease.

As expected,

his guess was right.

‘So that was your intention.’

This makes things interesting.

Jinhyuk, with a smile on his face, used a unique ability he obtained from the underground.

[Unique Ability 'Anubis' Judgment' activated!]

Rumble!

The air trembled slightly.

The conditions are met when the user asks three questions and the target answers them.

“Is this handshake representing the entire Black Cloud guild?”

Jinhyuk asked the first 'question'.

“Of course. Brother Deok-pyo is also interested in you. It seems you don't have a guild, but if you join us, we'll give you special treatment.”

Special treatment...

What a load of nonsense.

Knowing his intention, even these words sounded disgusting.

But he didn't show it.

The Q&A wasn't over yet.

“Actually, I need some quick cash. If I join, will you give me a hefty signing bonus? Why, sports stars get paid upfront when the transfer season comes around.”

“Haha! Of course, just name the amount and we'll match it.”

That was the second one.

Anubis' Judgment is a cheat.

Even with such trivial questions, the conditions were met.

Most importantly, the target wouldn't even realize the skill was activated unless they had extremely sensitive senses.

Just use it with a proper interval to avoid triggering the Egyptian NPCs.

“I'll think about it seriously.”

Jinhyuk extended his hand towards Jung Do-hyun.

And so,

their hands met.

***

‘Got you!’

A sly smile appeared on Jung Do-hyun's lips.

Finally, the opponent had taken the bait.

‘No matter how skilled he is in swordsmanship and magic, he can't be strong in pure physical strength.’

By overpowering the opponent and holding the press conference, he could achieve the best outcome.

Coincidentally, the reporters, who had noticed the handshake, began to approach.

With cameras and smartphones in hand.

All eyes were on the two of them.

“Who is he?”

“From the emblem, he seems to be a player from the Black Cloud guild.”

“Oh! So they're trying to recruit this player before the other guilds. This could be a big scoop.”

“A meeting between a large guild and a promising player... This is a surefire top story.”

‘Perfect timing!’

[Jung Do-hyun activates Lv5 'Giant's Grip'!]

Jung Do-hyun's arm rapidly swelled.

The strength of a giant, capable of bending steel, was now manifested through a human hand.

But,

“...What?”

The opponent's face, which should have been contorted in pain, was surprisingly calm.

Shudder.

The hand that was shaking was his own.

A symptom that appeared when the balance of strength was evenly matched.

How could this be...

‘Could his strength be on par with mine?

It's impossible.

He had never heard of a player who was perfect in every aspect.

But no matter how much he tried, the balance didn't break.

It was as if the opponent was using the same ability.

Then,

“Last question.”

Jinhyuk slowly opened his lips.

“Gasp! Damn. What are you asking?”

Jung Do-hyun, with a red face, barely managed to answer.

“Did you think you would have the upper hand in pure strength?”

“Of course! A weakling like you and me... Gasp?”

The moment Jung Do-hyun answered,

the balance of strength suddenly broke.

Did the opponent get stronger?

No, that wasn't it.

It was...

‘I got weaker?’

It was hard to believe, but his unique ability and skills were completely sealed.

Crack!

The pressure on his hand exceeded the limit he could endure.

It would break.

If this continued, his fingers would definitely be crushed.

“Let... Let go. Let go of this!”

“Huh? Why? Does it hurt?”

Jinhyuk smirked.

“Gah!”

“Stop whining. I noticed you were quite confident in your strength, but you can't just rely on your size.”

“Stop... Stop it!”

Finally, Jung Do-hyun, writhing in pain, knelt on one knee.

The initial plan to toy with the opponent was long gone.

His mind was filled with the desire to escape this terrible pain.

Smack!

Jung Do-hyun unconsciously swung his fist.

It was more of a desperate attempt to survive than a counterattack.

Of course,

such a clumsy attack wouldn't work.

Jinhyuk calmly watched the fist embedded in his abdomen.

“...”

That was it.

Bang!

A lightning-fast punch buried itself in Jung Do-hyun's abdomen.

“Gurk!”

His body bent into a complete 'C' shape.

Vomit and blood gushed out, a natural result.

But Jinhyuk didn't stop there.

He wanted to thoroughly crush him to show Hong Deok-pyo.

But right then,

Zap!

An unfamiliar mana interfered.