Chapter 13

EP.13 The Renowned Warrior and the Cheap Saint

‘Scholar’ Juntai finally received the PD's signal and held the small piece of paper containing the script in his hand.

It was a tense moment.

No matter how hard he tried not to notice, he couldn't stop his hands from trembling.

A broadcast that everyone was looking forward to was this burdensome.

He couldn't help but compare himself to the caster ‘Jang Gi-yong’ sitting next to him, who would be co-hosting this event.

Gi-yong, proving his composure, was soothing the audience with his gentle demeanor and smooth words and gestures.

His words soon reached Juntai.

"Mr. Juntai, are you okay?"

"Me?"

"You don't look well."

"Wow, the scale of the broadcast is much bigger than I thought, and I can't seem to pull myself together."

As he said this, Juntai checked the number of viewers, even though the broadcast hadn't started yet and the screen was still black.

7,000 people.

The thought that his words and actions would be exposed to 7,000 viewers from the start made him feel like the calming pills he had taken earlier were about to come back up.

Gi-yong, being experienced, quickly sensed Juntai's mood and comforted his nervous junior.

"Mr. Juntai, do you know that this event will be run with one caster and one commentator until the end?"

"Yes..."

"Most events use two commentators. Do you know why?"

"Probably because the game involves multiple events happening simultaneously, so a multi-perspective view is needed. Plus, if there's only one person, they might make mistakes or give biased commentary, right?"

"Then why is this event being run this way?"

"Was there not enough money to hire another commentator?"

"Just kidding. I asked the planners to do this."

"Huh?"

"I can be a bit loud, right? Many people criticize that when three people talk at once, the audio gets too crowded. Some also say that my game analysis is outdated, and I make too much noise, which can be distracting. I can't control myself, they say."

"Yes..."

"That's why I've been keeping an eye on you, Mr. Juntai. Your commentary skills are impeccable, and you can calmly pinpoint the flow of the game without making mistakes. However, you can be a bit too calm, which can make the broadcast less exciting. If I support you and you rein me in, I think we'll complement each other well."

"..."

"Besides, everyone in the industry knows how thoroughly you prepare. You must have done a lot of preparation for today, right? With so many streamers gathered, you're planning to introduce them briefly to the viewers. That's very reliable."

"Yes, yes... That's true, but..."

"That's why I trust you. It would be a problem if you didn't meet my expectations."

Gi-yong took a deep breath after his long speech and looked at Juntai, saying one last thing.

"Mr. Juntai, there's no need to be nervous. Just be the ‘Scholar’ you've always been. I'll be the ‘neighborhood uncle’."

"Understood!"

...

"Hello, viewers. This is the 2021 Second Streamer Team Selection and Match-up Broadcast, organized and hosted by Setec and sponsored by Ace. I'm Jang Gi-yong, the host. We have Mr. Kang Juntai as our commentator."

"Hello, I'm ‘Scholar’ Kang Juntai."

"Wow, this Streamer Battle. It's a diverse event with various streamers and new rules. It's really a tournament to look forward to."

"Before we move on, let me briefly explain the new rules. The tournament will be conducted with a director and an auction system, and eight teams will be formed, each with a unique color."

"According to the rules, the eight directors introduced in the previous broadcast will use their allocated points to purchase streamers through an auction. The 48 streamers, ranging from Orange to Purple, must be distributed so that no team has the same rank color. Directors are expected to engage in intense strategic battles, and viewers should pay attention to how unique teams are formed, which will make this broadcast more interesting."

"More detailed rules can be found on the Setec homepage."

"The main event will take place exactly one week from now at this time, and this broadcast will only handle team selection and match-ups. Please keep that in mind."

"Now, let's move on to the player introductions and the auction."

***

"Before the auction, the ban rules for this event have changed a bit! Mr. Juntai, can you explain briefly?"

"Since many of the players gathered here are experts who use specific builds, the main skills are not banned to ensure the tournament's fairness and entertainment value."

"During the pick process, which is done in a cross-selection format, each player can ban up to three sub-skills!"

"According to the tournament rules, the main and sub-skills of the build chosen by the player will be revealed to both the Red and Blue teams after the picks are completed, and these cannot be changed. Therefore, it's better to delay picking key players, as the opponent might bring counter skills, and some of the key player's supporting skills might be banned during the pick process."

"Now, let's move on to the highly anticipated auction!"

"As mentioned earlier, the auction will last 15 seconds. If a director bids, the timer resets. The minimum bid is 5 points, and each subsequent bid must be at least 5 points higher than the previous one."

"The directors are ready! Let's start the auction right away!"

"The auction begins with Indigo 2 player, ‘Tekto’."

"‘Tekto’ is a user who mainly plays a balanced sword warrior. He is gentle and doesn't have a stubborn side in his build, so he can show endless potential depending on how he is taught."

"The auction starts! 15... 14... Ah, Director ‘Endai’ has declared 15 points!"

"Director ‘Salim’ counters with 20 points."

"The auction is progressing... 45 points! Director ‘Salim’, are you not going to bid higher?"

"Each director has a total of 1,000 points. It seems they are hesitant to spend more than 50 points on an Indigo player, as the real competition will likely be in the Orange, Yellow, and Green ranks."

"The auction is awarded to Director ‘Endai’! We expect great performance from him!"

"Next is Yellow 1 player, ‘Muscleman’."

"His in-game nickname is... a bit vulgar... ‘OptimizedMuscle4Years’. If your team needs a tank, there's no better player than this one."

"As soon as the game starts, he sells all the equipment provided, including the shield, and charges in with just two emergency healing potions! He's very reliable!"

"However, he is somewhat weak against magical attacks. Still, as a tank player, he's not so bad. He pushes the line aggressively, making it difficult for the opponent, and his grappling skills are highly advanced, so if you get caught, you can't escape on your own. He will be very effective against teams centered around specific Orange or Yellow players."

"The auction begins! Director ‘Hyundong’ bids 100 points! Director ‘Yogyurang’ bids 120 points! 125! 130! 150! 200! 250! 300! It's getting intense!"

"Director ‘Yogyurang’ declares 430 points. 4... 3... 2... 1... The auction is awarded!"

"Isn't that a bit too bold so early in the auction?"

"As the auction progresses, it will get more heated, and later on, directors might have to buy players they don't really want at high prices. Besides, since this is Yellow 1, not Yellow 2, it has its merits."

"Director ‘Yogyurang’, I hope you can build a good team with this early investment!"

...

"Next is Indigo 3 player, ‘Hectopascal’."

"His style is quite unique. While there are builds that don't use weapons, a build that only uses feet is rare. He often uses commands like ‘Flying Kick’, ‘Feather Kick’, and ‘Eagle Kick’. Because his fighting style is unconventional, lower-ranked players often panic and get killed. The problem is that he sometimes panics at his own play..."

"How the director will elevate this weakness will be key! The auction begins!"

"6... 5... Is it going to be a no-bid? Ah, Director ‘NonMedical’ declares 10 points."

"Maybe he sees the potential? Director ‘Catdize’ suddenly joins the auction?"

"25... 30. 30 points. The auction is awarded to Director ‘Catdize’ for 30 points."

"Next is Purple 1 player, ‘Nanitul’."

"His in-game nickname was ‘Nanitul’. Even though he's Purple, he shouldn't be underestimated. He's a user who has dedicated his soul to the Great Shield Warrior build. If things go wrong, his play style of blocking all day can drag out the game, making it very difficult for even Blue or Green players to break through his fortress-like defense."

"Why is such a player in Purple?"

"The problem is his lack of offensive capability. His build invests all his stamina and defense, making it hard for him to clear out minor enemies. However, in this tournament, he will definitely be worth more than Purple. With a bit of refinement, he can excel in an anti-carry role."

"Director ‘Salim’ bids 50 points! Director ‘Malang’ follows with a bid!"

"Since they have to pick one Purple player, the fact that this is Purple 1 adds value. The competition is heating up. Is Director ‘Catdize’ considering it?"

"Continuous bidding, bidding, bidding! 155 points! 160 points! The sound of ‘Nanitul’s’ teeth grinding can be heard! 180 points! Any more?"

"Director ‘Salim’ wins. He looks a bit disappointed, but I don't think it's necessary. This player can easily be worth 180 points with the right handling."

...

"Next is the Warrior player, nickname ‘Warrior’."

"The chat will explode! Is this player so popular?"

"He was already a big name in personal broadcasts. Recently, as he reached Orange, more viewers have been captivated by his play."

"He's a bold player who charges straight into battle, sweeping away all enemies he encounters!"

"His strategy and play style seem thoughtless, but he is very calm and calculated in combat. Reaching Orange proves that. I doubt there will be any player who can beat ‘Warrior’ in a 1v1 in this tournament. Perhaps the only one who could is the ‘Muscleman’ player that Director ‘Yogyurang’ bought earlier."

"Is there a director who can control this mad warrior? The auction starts... Within a second, Director ‘Salim’ declares 600 points!"

"An Orange player is worth that much. Especially since he is proficient in the Warrior build, which can't be easily countered by just a few main skill bans. This is a significant advantage for the directors."

"If things go well, he's unstoppable!"

"Your assessment is very accurate. Using ‘Unyielding Fury’ to delay death and continue fighting until the very end, he's a real headache for the opponent. He's vulnerable to ranged attacks, but even considering that, he can significantly influence the tournament's outcome."

"The auction price keeps rising!"

"I think it's reasonable, but... Wait, isn't it getting too expensive?"

"The final bid is 920 points by Director ‘After’! 920 points! Isn't that too expensive?"

"The competition was too intense. Director ‘After’, this is your first auction, and it seems you've used too much of your power. You'll need to gather players who can complement ‘Warrior’ with the remaining 80 points."

"Rete is not a solo game!"

...

...

"Next is Blue 3 player, ‘Stak’."

"This player is also famous for his large viewer base. He enjoys playing Dual Thieves, Stealth Thieves, Sword Warriors, Great Sword Warriors, and Shield Warriors."

"Since he can handle many weapons, he has the advantage of not being targeted in the ban-pick phase!"

"But... that's not the case... They're all mediocre. Honestly, I don't even understand how he's Blue..."

"Still, his confidence is at a Rainbow level, isn't it?"

"The problem is that his excessive confidence, compared to his skill, could ruin the team..."

"Mr. Juntai, the directors are backing off! Can't you package him better?"

"Viewers and directors might understand... I coached him in a 1v1 recently, and he kept saying ‘Got it! Got it!’ after each round, but he ended up losing seven consecutive matches..."

"Seems like Mr. Juntai has a lot to say. The chat is filled with viewers saying he has the right to speak. Mr. Juntai must have a lot of affection for him! The auction begins!"

"3... 2... 1... No bid, the auction is over."

"It's not over just because it's no-bid! If he's pushed to the last pick, he might be auctioned again. Directors might regret missing him later!"

"Is that so?"

"Mr. Juntai, you're being too harsh on this player!"

"Another Blue player, this time Blue 4!"

"‘SangsungShow’ is a shortened version of ‘SangsungShow at Shangri-La Hotel’. This player mainly uses the Mage build, specifically the Fire Mage build based on the default preset for mages."

"Will his ultimate skill ‘Hellfire’ appear in the tournament?"

"Definitely. At least once. This player is known as a man obsessed with Hellfire. He says he plays the game just to use the Hellfire skill."

"Directors will need to handle him well! The auction begins!"

"15 points. Any more?"

"Since he's a difficult player to handle, the auction is awarded to Director ‘Malang’ for 15 points."

...

"Orange player, ‘GoldSun’ is up!"

"He's the last of the 48 streamers to decide to participate. He's not very interested in such events and is a hardcore PC room user with a short broadcast schedule."

"What's gotten into him?"

"Who knows, but his skill is verified. He's a master of the Knuckle Warrior build. Despite being a warrior, he is calm and has a good understanding of the battle situation and strategy, making him excellent at handling surprise attacks. He's a suitable main order player even though he fights at the front lines."

"Quite unique!"

"His combat sense is also strong, making him a tough opponent. He quickly assesses the battlefield and either drags out the time to get help from allies or quickly retreats to avoid fatal damage. His KDA is very high, which is unusual for a warrior."

"He's a strategic warrior, indeed!"

"Rainbow Tales is a team game, after all. While individual skills are important, this player prioritizes team movements. He's a crucial talent for this tournament."

"198 points for Orange. It's not for nothing that he's the highest-ranked player in this tournament!"

"Currently, the Red color cut-off is 240 points, so he's almost at the Red level. He might be the best player in this tournament."

"The auction begins! Director ‘Endai’ declares 400 points!"

"Since the auction has progressed, most directors have few points left. They need to use their saved points. Director ‘Ap’ counters with 450 points."

"Director ‘Malang’. 535 points! No one has more points left! The auction is awarded!"

"Purple 3 player, ‘HoldMedic’!"

"Although he's the lowest-ranked player in this tournament, he mainly uses the Elowim Priest build, which is very easy. It's the most recommended main skill for new priests, and directors who don't expect much from priests might consider him."

"5... 4... 3... 2... 1... But it's no-bid!"

"Directors seem to prefer players who can perform specific roles, like ‘Nanitul’."

"Yellow 3 player, ‘Hase’, a Great Sword Master! I know this player!"

"He's famous for his foot command skills. If you give him the first move, you'll face a tough battle. He's a master of finishing opponents quickly. However, his build focuses on early-game skills, so he gets weaker in prolonged battles."

"The auction begins. Director ‘Salim’ bids 200 points! Any more?"

"The auction is awarded to Director ‘Salim’."

...

"Green 3 player, ‘Sorama’! His main skill is ‘Lineage of Black Magic’!"

"He uses decay, curse, and necromancy spells. While he can't unleash powerful attacks like elemental mages, he can debuff tough opponents and use skills like ‘Raise Corpse’, ‘Summon Skeleton’, and ‘Summon Living Armor’ for a numbers advantage. His ultimate skill, ‘Summon Bone Dragon’, can turn the battlefield into a wasteland with a single breath, although the activation conditions are very strict."

"Director ‘Catdize’, 150 points! Director ‘Yogyurang’ is considering! Will he follow?"

"Director ‘Ap’ joins the auction. 190 points. 200 points."

"Director ‘Hyundong’ joins! 220 points!"

"The auction is awarded to Director ‘Catdize’ for 240 points."

"Next is Yellow 2 player, ‘ColdWaterFriction’