Chapter 188: Chapter 188

Ho-Yeong Guild.

Under Yeo Sunwoo’s command, they barely managed to defend the castle while engaging in the Siege War.

“The Wings Guild is retreating!”

“We did it!”

While Jeong-Hoon was conquering castles, they had succeeded in defending the castle that they absolutely had to protect.

[Whisper/Hoon -> Sunwoo: I’ve conquered Dogjeon’s main castle. In addition, I’ve also conquered the castles of the Paste Guild and the Gladdin Guild.]

Just then, a whisper came from Jeong-Hoon.

“Haha… This is unbelievable.”

Yeo Sunwoo couldn’t believe it.

They had only defended one castle, but they had gained 7 more.

With this, Ho-Yeong had a whopping 10 castles in this Siege War.

[Whisper/Sunwoo -> Hoon: You’ve worked really hard!]

[Whisper/Hoon -> Sunwoo: What happened to the Wings Guild?]

[Whisper/Sunwoo -> Hoon: We succeeded in driving them away!]

[Whisper/Hoon -> Sunwoo: That’s a relief.]

With Jeong-Hoon’s hard carry, 1st place in the Siege War was all but certain.

[The Siege War is ending.]

And so the Siege War ended.

[Calculating rankings.]

[Guild points will be differentially awarded based on ranking.]

[Siege War points will be differentially awarded based on ranking.]

The Siege War calculates rankings immediately upon ending.

All guilds can check the overall rankings, which they use as a reference when preparing for the next Siege War.

[Ranking calculation is complete.]

[Rankings will be revealed.]

Soon, all the rankings were revealed.

Yeo Sunwoo’s eyes trembled as he checked the rankings.

-1st place: Ho-Yeong

Ho-Yeong had achieved 1st place in the Siege War for the first time.

Even though they were considered a named guild, Ho-Yeong had barely managed to stay within the top 10 in Siege Wars.

That’s why they considered their 2nd place in the last Siege War a miracle, and they never dreamed that an even greater miracle would come.

Yeo Sunwoo’s eyes gradually reddened.

“Dad!”

At that moment, Yeo Min-Ji, who had been resting under the castle wall, came running at full speed.

“Min-Ji…”

“We’re first! First!”

“Yes… He did it perfectly…”

Siege Wars were fundamentally a team effort.

It meant that it was extremely difficult to carry with individual play.

Yet, Jeong-Hoon had done it.

“As expected of Brother!”

“Hoon did it!”

Kim Bong-Goo and Ha-Jin high-fived each other in joy.

Lee Na-Yeon, who had displayed perfect archery to prevent the Wings Guild from approaching, just smiled contentedly without saying a word.

***

Meanwhile.

Jeong-Hoon was in the white room where he had made the bet with Ling Ling.

“Did I faint again…?”

“Correct!”

Ling Ling nodded.

“I see.”

“Wow… Are you even human?”

“Don’t I look human enough?”

An overwhelming first place.

As promised, Jeong-Hoon had achieved an overwhelming first place in this Siege War.

One guild had taken a whopping 10 castles.

It was a rare occurrence, even considering all the servers.

Ling Ling had also watched the entire Siege War unfold from above.

And she couldn’t help but acknowledge Jeong-Hoon.

“No, I’ve seen countless humans, but you’re the first one to stimulate me like this.”

Ling Ling’s face was flushed with excitement, as if she had enjoyed the spectacle immensely.

“I’m glad you enjoyed it.”

Even though she lost the bet, at least she enjoyed the show.

“As promised, I’ll do whatever it takes to remove the penalty.”

“Thank you.”

“However… even though there won’t be a penalty, I can’t stop the shocking events that will happen afterwards.”

“Shocking events?”

Jeong-Hoon pretended not to know and asked back.

“I can’t tell you that.”

“Is that so?”

“Ah, but I could tell you if you give up your Heavenly Energy instead?”

Ling Ling offered to reveal the shocking events if he gave up his Heavenly Energy.

“No thanks.”

Of course, Jeong-Hoon had no intention of accepting that offer.

Because he knew better than anyone what those events were.

“Really? That’s too bad.”

“Then please fill up my Heavenly Energy quickly.”

“Alright.”

[You have gained 75% Heavenly Energy.]

[Your Heavenly Energy is now Max.]

[You have gained the qualification to acquire Heavenly Power.]

75% Heavenly Energy.

With this, his Heavenly Energy instantly reached 100%.

‘This is crazy…’

He thought it would take at least 1-2 more years to gather 100% Heavenly Energy.

Although he had gained access to Heavenly Energy by completing the 3rd advancement of the Legendary grade, gathering that energy was an extremely difficult task.

“Thank you.”

“Hehe, do you know how to use Heavenly Energy?”

“Will you tell me if I ask?”

“Of course! But you’ll have to receive a penalty!”

She was quite obsessed with penalties.

Jeong-Hoon smiled bitterly and shook his head.

“No thanks.”

Ling Ling pouted at the immediate, unwavering response.

“What’s so hard about receiving a penalty once? Just take it…”

“What is the penalty?”

“Hmm… that’s a bit hard to say.”

“Yes. That’s why I don’t want to receive such a troublesome penalty.”

“…You’re a smart one.”

“It’s not being smart, it’s common sense. I’m not that smart.”

“You’re funny.”

Jeong-Hoon chuckled.

“If the bet is over, I’ll be going now.”

“Wait!”

As he was about to leave, Ling Ling stopped him.

“What else is left?”

“…The countdown will start soon.”

Countdown.

Jeong-Hoon’s face hardened.

It was impossible to prevent it from becoming reality.

It was an inevitable future, but he couldn’t help but feel tense.

“Countdown?”

“Well, you’ll naturally find out as time passes.”

“Is there a way to stop it?”

“Unfortunately, I can’t do anything about that.”

“I see. Then I’ll be going back.”

“Huh? You’re not going to ask any more questions?”

Ling Ling tilted her head in confusion.

Normally, if she had said this much, people would be overflowing with curiosity and try to dig deeper.

Jeong-Hoon turned his back without any hesitation.

“You wouldn’t tell me even if I asked, would you?”

“I could tell you if you pay the price…”

“It’s okay.”

“…Well, if you don’t want to, I can’t force you. Then, see you next time.”n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Ling Ling snapped her fingers with a face full of regret.

Then, Jeong-Hoon’s vision went dark.

***

Bang!

“Damn it!”

Sa Jae-Hyeok threw the sword he was holding.

The Myth Guild, which had achieved the most 1st places in the Korean server’s Siege War.

That Myth had been eliminated without even conquering a single castle.

‘It’s all because of that bastard… Everything went wrong when he appeared!’

A level 226 martial artist.

That damn bastard who used the nickname ‘Hoon’.

He never dreamed that they would be completely wiped out by that one guy.

‘I should have used all my skills from the beginning.’

Honestly, he was a bit careless at first.

He never dreamed that he, over level 400, would be pushed back by a level 226 martial artist.

If he had focused on attacking that guy from the beginning, pouring all his skills into it, the result would have been different.

It was a shame that he couldn’t use the strongest skill he had available, as it required such preparation.

“Guild Master…!”

At that moment, one of the executives entered the guild master’s room.

He glanced at the chaotic guild master’s room and hurriedly bowed his head.

“What is it?”

“The results of the Siege War are out.”

“Results? Do you want to die by my hand?”

Sa Jae-Hyeok felt his insides boiling with rage.

Now that Myth had been eliminated early, he had no interest in the Siege War results.

“I apologize… But I thought I should report it…”

“…Sigh, you know what happens if it’s useless information, right?”

Sa Jae-Hyeok took out the Black Dragon Sword and pointed it at his neck.

The executive gulped and nodded quickly.

“O-Of course!”

“Tell me.”

“Ho-Yeong took first place in the Siege War.”

“Is that all?”

“No…! I checked, and Ho-Yeong took 3 castles from Dogjeon!”

“Ha, those bastards lost too?”

Sa Jae-Hyeok recalled Min Jin-Ho’s arrogant face.

The guy who cowardly killed people in secret with poison, yet looked down on those who wielded weapons with contempt.

How could he have any good feelings towards him?

“Yes… They all lost to that martial artist.”

“Ha, is that so?”

That wasn’t bad news.

Not only himself, but also Min Jin-Ho, who deserved to be torn to shreds, had been eliminated by that guy.

“As a result, Dogjeon has been pushed out of the top 10.”

They had lost their most important castle and were left with only two insignificant ones, so it was natural for them to be pushed out of the top 10.

Sa Jae-Hyeok couldn’t hold back his laughter.

“Puhaha, that’s somewhat pleasing to hear.”

“…”

The executive couldn’t continue speaking.

Although Dogjeon had been pushed out of the top 10, Myth had been eliminated early after using all their forces in an attempt to take Ho-Yeong’s castle.

In reality, they were the last among the named guilds, and their performance was so poor that they were on par with small and medium-sized guilds.

“So you disturbed me just to tell me that?”

Sa Jae-Hyeok’s eyes flashed.

At the same time, a murderous aura emanated from him.

He had been bothered just to be told this insignificant news.

“Ha, there’s one more thing.”

“Tell me.”

“Y-You need to check the homepage.”

“Homepage?”

Sa Jae-Hyeok returned to his seat and accessed the New World homepage.

The New World homepage, which could be checked even while logged into the game.

A new notice had been posted on the homepage.

===

[This is New World.]

-Hello! This is the New World development team.

It has already been 7 years since the launch of New World.

It was a short time if you consider it short, and a long time if you consider it long.

Did everyone have fun?

You better have had fun.

Because this New World will become your lifeline.

(Omitted)

We, the development team, have determined that enough time has been given to the Earthlings.

Therefore, we are about to enter the main game.

Please note that the countdown will start unexpectedly.

– From all the New World development team

===

“Huh? What’s this?”

This notice consisted of content that was completely incomprehensible.

“This is strange… It’s not a beta test, what do they mean by the main game?”

“…How are the others interpreting this?”

“Everyone is confused.”

“What about Earth Korea?”

“It seems Earth Korea hasn’t heard anything either. They seem completely clueless.”

“Damn it, what the hell is this?”

Sa Jae-Hyeok’s face contorted.

***

At that time.

Jeong-Hoon also checked the notice.

“As expected, it’s up…”

Now they were starting to move in earnest.

120 hours.

The countdown started shortly after New World posted the notice on their homepage.

That time was only 120 hours.

At that moment, Yeo Sunwoo approached Jeong-Hoon.

“Jeong-Hoon!”

“Yes.”

“Thank you so much! I will definitely repay this favor!”

A chuckle escaped his lips.

It wasn’t like he had done it expecting something from Ho-Yeong.

Rather, he felt grateful.

‘Penalty removal and 100% Heavenly Energy.’

To obtain those, Ho-Yeong had to defend the castle, and Ho-Yeong had succeeded in doing so.

So that was enough.

He didn’t want anything more.

“It’s okay. I didn’t do it expecting a reward.”

“No! We achieved 1st place this time all thanks to you. So I want to give you a proper reward. Please accept it!”

However, Yeo Sunwoo showed no signs of backing down.

Finishing 1st in the Siege War.

As a result, they received a hefty amount of guild points, and Ho-Yeong’s ranking rose by one step.

It was only natural to reward Jeong-Hoon.

“…Then let’s put it on hold for now.”

“Put it on hold?”

“Yes. I don’t need anything right now. I’ll think about it a bit and let you know.”

“Alright! Please let me know anytime if you need anything!”

“Yes.”

Contrary to his words, now was not the time to think about rewards.

Jeong-Hoon’s mind was completely focused on something else.

‘I need to reach the next stage before the countdown ends.’

100% Heavenly Energy.

In other words, it meant he had qualified to acquire Heavenly Power.

He hadn’t obtained the power yet.

Jeong-Hoon’s next plan was to get his hands on Heavenly Power.

———-