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Chapter 20
“…….”
“…….”
PD, AD, everyone on the broadcast team watching the screen—all of them had the same thought.
‘That…actually works?’
A motley crew.
When the video started and the battle against the goblin horde began, the Mir Guild could only be described with that phrase.
The formation was sloppy, the tankers’ defensive line was crooked, and even that flimsy line failed to hold, giving gaps to the goblins, panicking everyone.
So, was this just the tankers’ problem?
The tankers might be off their game. They could have eaten spoiled food together or just had an off day.
But in that case, the rest of the team could calmly assist. That’s why they’re comrades. That’s why they’re a team.
However, the very comrades who were supposed to help, when the tankers panicked, didn’t help at all. Instead, they shrugged it off and danced along like “whatever!”
The fight turned into a frenzied ball with the goblin horde.
It was dizzying.
Some watching the screen turned their heads in embarrassment even though it wasn’t their responsibility, and the PD, seeing the youngest staff sigh “Ah…,” had to reassure them: “It’s usually not like this. It’s not this chaotic….”
Hmm…
To correct myself, looking back slowly, even calling it a “motley crew” was too generous—it was a complete mess.
Even if one tried to understand it as first-battle nerves, this was extreme.
But in an instant, the battlefield turned completely around.
When the Mountain King, Kim Jong-pil, began his command.
― “From now on, follow my orders without exception.”
The tide of battle reversed 180 degrees.
The previously messy formation, the chaotic atmosphere, even the team’s mindset—all organized instantly.
The previously worthless raid team members became competent soldiers.
Weapons that seemed aimless now carried purpose. Spells that had been chaotic now showed meticulousness.
Those who had only shown weaknesses suddenly had their hidden strengths explode.
It was truly a dramatic transformation.
The Mountain King hadn’t even used any special powers—he just opened his mouth and commanded.
And it changed things this much?
The PD and a few others recalled the Mountain King’s vow at that moment.
― “I promise not to step into the front lines until we reach League 1.”
Honestly, it seemed arrogant.
What kind of people are we Koreans? A warrior nation.
‘Guild War Korea’ is considered the most competitive among the world’s guild war leagues.
Yet, even though he could have carried the team by the scruff of their necks, he stepped back from the front lines? And the squad was filled with entirely used or rookie talent?
No matter how excellent the Mountain King’s command was rumored to be, plainly speaking, it was also because the Kirin Guild had an excellent squad.
What could he possibly do with such weak members?
Restraining his own power, barely able to provide buffs or CC.
—This was the thought until just a few minutes ago.
PD, AD, the youngest staff, even Chae Dong-ha—everyone doubted, except one person, Lee Shin.
“Eh? Why is everyone so surprised? That’s the Mountain King. This is normal for him.”
He knew people considered the Mountain King’s vow arrogant but to Lee Shin, their clumsy judgment calling it that was far more arrogant.
Who are you to doubt the SSS-rank Mountain King I picked? Do you know this world better than I do?
These weren’t lukewarm feelings like faith or trust.
It was conviction.
Conviction in the Mountain King wasn’t a simple certainty.
It was certainty born from his own 20-year career loving this world more than anyone else.
It was Lee Shin’s life, his only truth.
“Now, it’s about time to wrap things up.”
No sooner had Lee Shin spoken than the battle on the screen reached its climax.
― “Cease attack. Tankers, raise shields and lower stance.”
The tankers simultaneously slammed their tower shields into the ground.
And as they crouched, explosions erupted from above—the suicide bombs from earlier.
― “Melee, advance. Rampage for 5 seconds.”
The shields tilted, and three melee dealers leapt forward.
Swords strike, spears swing, daggers dance and fists crush goblins’ flimsy jaws.
One second, two seconds… exactly five seconds.
Retreat immediately, and suddenly the floor collapses.
The trap they were making had completely failed.
The whole battlefield resembled a puppet show.
Go right, they go right. Go left, they go left. Order to retreat, a tricky pattern appears. Push forward, that’s the focal point.
And depending on perspective,
‘It’s like they know the future that’s about to happen.’
A shiver ran down several of the broadcast team’s spines.
At that moment, Lee Shin spoke casually.
“Using hundreds of spirits for overwhelming vision and multitasking and having a brain capable of reading the patterns of every existing monster, the Mountain King’s command controls the battle itself.”
The previously unstoppable goblin horde visibly decreased in number.
Nearly 300 goblins were reduced by half, and the remaining half were rolling lifelessly on the ground.
It was over.
Kim Jong-pil made up his mind, and that became the future.
Wind spirits appeared on the battlefield, flapping their wings as if saying, “Here~!” to mark targets.
In that instant, magic erupted from the formation.
Fire Wall.
As the massive wall of fire rose, the supporters responsible for healing and buffs channeled their pre-prepared magic circles.
From the center, milky magical lines spread like a spiderweb.
Waves of wind.
The wind surged like waves toward the goblin horde.
Though weaker than an original magic dealer, this wasn’t intended for raw destructive power.
It had a wide range to cover the battlefield and synergy with fire attribute through the wind attribute.
Yes, this ‘Wind Wave’ was…
Flare―!!
…fuel for the Fire Wall.
Carried by the wind, the flames transformed the wind wave into a wave of fire.
The broad wave of flames swept through the goblin formation in an instant.
Kieeeek―!!
Painful screams came from the goblins.
Panicked, the goblins twisted their burning bodies in frenzied convulsions.
The battlefield was effectively over.
― “A gift. Ready for revenge?”
As if to repay the humiliation from earlier, the raid was spurred.
― “Everyone, charge.”
As flashes ignited among the flames, the burning goblins’ blood and bodies exploded in all directions.
Highly meticulous command is indistinguishable from a miracle.
Yes, the raid had just witnessed a miracle. So had the broadcast team.
“If this goes on air, it’ll be fun, right?”
With a twirling smile, Lee Shin’s laughter left Chae Dong-ha with no choice but to nod.
No need to say more.
________________________________________
Every year when the league starts, each guild posts a slogan on its main gate.
“Do better than last year!”
It was a way to express ambitious aspirations, and fans would use that blueprint of the guild as motivation to cheer their hearts out.
Naturally, Mir Guild had something similar.
[ This year is different! ]
Forget last year’s disappointing results! A new Mir is stepping up!
── That’s the meaning, but in reality, it was closer to a plea: “Please, don’t fail us this yearㅠㅠ.”
The Yongbung-i’s hated that phrase.
No, more than hate—they took it as a curse.
This guild had failed repeatedly for a long time.
Since its founding, it had always gone downhill, and whenever it seemed to improve, it would inevitably collapse.
And every time, they would shout [ This year is different! ]. Imagine how the Yongbung-i’s, who had endured this for at least 1–5 years, or in some cases 20–30 years, must have felt.
“Different this year? What’s different?”
“Ah, it did change, alright… but it fell again.”
By the end of the league, all the Yongbung-i’s thought the same thing:
“If I cheer for this hopeless f***ing guild again, I’m not human!”
The slogan [ This year is different! ] had shattered their minds, then forced them to cheer doggedly like, “I’m not human, woof woof!”
If that wasn’t a curse, what was?
So Park Seong-cheol found it even harder to believe the sight before him.
What he was seeing…
Was this really our guild?
• “Mir Guild!! Breaking through the goblin horde’s defenses in one fell swoop! Charging ahead without hesitation!!”
• “Holding position as expected, striking the protruding parts! The counter hits, and in no time, they wedge through the enemy formation! Mir Guild is flawless! Spine-chillingly flawless!!”
It was a raid squad holding firm with shields.
They took positions mid-hill for height advantage, fortified both flanks with earth magic barricades.
Positioning, formation, everything was perfect.
Honestly, Park Seong-cheol’s jaw had already dropped.
‘What the hell! Why are they so good? Why are they perfect?!’
But the Mir raid squad seemed to scoff at his astonishment as if saying, “You’re only surprised by this?” and launched their counterattack.
Perfect positioning.
Perfect formation shifts.
And perfect counters!
The goblins on screen were crushed, annihilated, trampled under the Mir “tank.”
• “There were indeed significant concerns along with the hype. An unproven squad and the Mountain King’s promise. Many experts expressed their worries.”
• “I’ll confess first. When I first checked Mir Guild’s squad, I thought they were arrogant. Over half were secondhand rookies, and the rest were inexperienced prospects. Average age 23.5, including Mountain King! Can you believe it? Mir’s squad was that immature!”
“Yeah, yeah, right! Exactly!”
The Yongbung-I’s, who had politely inquired about parents and residences, switched attitudes at lightning speed.
Just a while ago, they had been shedding tears praising Mountain King, worshipping Lee Shin who recruited him.
Yet, separate from that, many were uneasy about Mir Guild.
Beyond anything else, as the commentator said, the squad was incredibly weak—too weak. Half secondhand rookies, half prospects…
“I’ve been cheering for this f***ed guild for 20 years, and I’ve never seen a squad this weak.”
The only one to truly rely on was Mountain King.
In practice, Mountain King would have to carry the team by himself.
But then, surprise! Mountain King actually stepped forward as promised?!
No, Mountain King, what’s this?! Lee Shin, explain!!
Confession time.
Honestly, I was nervous. So nervous I vented (disguised as severe cursing) on Lee Shin’s social media.
Not just me—all ten million Yongbung-i’s were on edge.
So nervous that one by one, they gave advice (disguised as harsh cursing), causing chaos on Lee Shin’s social media.
Deep down, the stench of failure seemed to rise, the scent of defeat that had haunted Yongbung-i’s for twenty years.
Yet all that anxiety…was unfounded.
Mir Guild,…ere far more outstanding than expected.
• “The battle is nearing its end. Commentator, please give your final thoughts on today’s broadcast.”
• “Ah~ I haven’t been this moved watching a League 4 match in ages. Instead of a summary, I want to speak to the Mir Guild fans who have long supported them with difficulty. Congratulations. Everyone, this year is different.”
“This year is different… this year is different…”
Shivering, trembling!
The excitement surges!
At the end of the first broadcast, Park Seong-cheol could boldly speak on behalf of the ten million Yongbung-i’s:
― Mountain King is a god, and Lee Shin is invincible!
