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A week after the Space League games, the Korea-Japan match is underway.

The outlook for this game had drastically changed compared to six months ago.

-1.01 Is that the real odds??

-Betting on Koreas win gives you a 1% profit, huh? lol

-It was originally at 1.05, but after Seong Jihan became the Space League MVP, it dropped even more lol

-Makes sense, the Japanese players are betting on Koreas victory too? There seems to be a lack of talent in Japan nowadays.

-Its the total opposite of last years Independence Day lol

Whether it was the Independence Day when the Sword King moved to Japan,

Or the subsequent Korea-Japan match where Seong Jihan rose rapidly, fighting the Sword King.

The 2021 Korea-Japan match was expected to end predictably, unlike previous years.

Seong Jihan, who dominated the Space League games,

And now evaluated as warrior rank 2, but still the formidable Sword King, Yoon Sejin, would participate as well,

Whereas Japan, after the Sword King returned to Korea, hasnt seen the emergence of any SSS-ranked players,

Continually struggling at the bottom of the Northeast Asia League rankings.

Koreas easy victory seemed predestined.

Koreans showed more interest in other developments rather than the predictable game outcome.

-Turns out Yoon Seah also joined the national team this time.

-Eh? Yoon Seah? Isnt that a bit Did she use family connections?

- Last month, Yoon Seahs win rate was top among the diamond archers, she was always good, but after changing her bow, shes insane.

-Wowthat family is full of monsters o_o

-The speed of her growth is unbelievable lol!! Two games a day is such a cheat

With the assertive growth trajectory, Yoon Seah shows off the true potential of the late bloomers gift. Her Void Arrows, since changing bows, fire in quick seven-arrow volleys, devastating battlefields.

-But if the gift is only quick growth and eventually plateaus, wouldnt it be nothing special?

-Exactly. It may not be directly combat affecting or something beneficial

-Its good shes in the national team, but whether shell shine is another question

However, compared to the monstrous performances of Seong Jihan or the Sword King,

Yoon Seah received a colder reception from the public,

Yet the Korean national team staff thought differently.

Turtle Formation is breached.

All warriors are down.

The national team held practice games incorporating the newly joined Yoon Seah with the existing warriors.

Her performance was astonishing.

We knew Void Arrow was strong, but

Yoon Seahs unique Void Arrow.

Arrows vanished and emerged back to strike, leaving even diamond-class warriors unable to properly block them.

People thought lower-ranked players might stand a chance, but with her new bow, Yoon Seah was easily hunting down even national-level players.

We never expected her to easily penetrate the Turtle Formation like this.

I know, right?

The defensive formation, the Turtle Formation, formed by national team players,

It used to be effortlessly destroyed by outliers like Seong Jihan.

Typically, breaking through required intense combat.

But to pierce it with arrows

If Yoon Seah keeps growing at this pace, we might even aim for the Champions League victory this year

Dont count the chickens before they hatch. We cant even guarantee making it to the main competition yet.

Coach Noh Youngjun reprimanded the over-excited staff, but his eyes gleamed with anticipation.

Meanwhile,

Do you want to lead this time, Seah?

Archer Division Leader Ha Yoori welcomed Yoon Seah coming out of the BattleNet connector.

Eh. Come on, with Unnie here, why would I lead!

Youre stronger than me. I cant even break the Turtle Formation by myself.

Break it by myself? But I got help from Akari Unnie!

Ssss!

Beside Yoon Seah, Akari shook her head upon hearing this.

Together? I merely stood there. You handled it all.

You had no rear guard concerns, so you were free to pull your bow to its limit!

Indeed. I saw you smoothly deflect the warriors attack.

Um, is it really okay for me to join the national team? As an assassin, in the archery ranks Im not sure if Im needed

Akari, who joined the national team roster with Yoon seah, had grown to level 245, easily qualifying her, but as an Archer variant class, the Assassin wasnt a perfect fit for Koreas archer division.

Dont worry. Our archer division has more than enough firepower with the addition of Seah.

Yeah. Games arent always about confronting enemies head-on. In places like dungeons, assassins shine.

Ah Uncle! Werent you practicing?

Yoon Seah was surprised to see Seong Jihan coming toward the BattleNet connector.

Hadnt he disappeared to practice again? When did he return?

Im stuck on something tricky, so Ive wrapped up my practice for now.

You, Seong Jihan, find things difficult?

At Ha Yooris playful comment, Seong Jihan shrugged.

Im not a god to find everything easy.

The fourth of the Annihilation technique, Ice Heaven Sword Rain.

After Pythia mentioned this skills true intention lies in reconnaissance,

Seong Jihan spent time in the Void Training Room, repeatedly practicing it.

But

Reconnaissance doesnt seem to click. Sword Rain seems related, though

During the previous game, Sword Rain intercepted the source of the Great Chieftains power,

Despite Seong Jihan not directly commanding it, the swords targeted the Orc warriors automatically.

If reconnaissance is truly the intent of Ice Heaven Sword Rain, then it connects with that incident.

Yet in the Void Training Room, he could freeze the sky, but the swords didnt form as vividly as before.

Raining down, it was more a genuine downpour than an ice storm.

While Seong Jihan pondered the Ice Heaven Sword Rain,

Ha Yoori teased with a grin.

A god after watching the previous game, I thought you were one. Theres even a Church of Seong Jihan, you know?

Seong Jihan Church? Whats that about?

What else but a religion that believes in you? That youll be the messiah to save humanity?

Unnie, Youre joking, right?

No joke. Yuris convinced such cults should be suppressed before they grow, shes been reporting them.

Frowning, Seong Jihan became concerned.

A cult believing in a player as a deity.

Such movements were usually at the end times, and now humanity was thriving, climbing to 5th place. Why would a cult appear all of sudden?

I think I showed too much strength. Should I lose on purpose?

No, Messiah! If you have started saving us, you must continue to the end!

Yeah. Uncle, since its come to this, climb to that divine throne!

At that moment.

A divine throne? What are you talking about?

Daddy!

Yoon Sejin, who had also been training individually, arrived at the BattleNet center, carrying two large bouquets.

Congratulations on joining the team, Seah.

Hehe. Thanks.

Congratulations to you too, Akari.

Thank you.

Handing out bouquets, Yoon Sejin looked at Seong Jihan,

Jihan, It seems Im getting a lead on what you told me last time.

Are you talking about focusing on each sword individually?

Yes. Im glad I listened to you.

The Sword King of the previous life, went in the direction of focusing on the numbers of swords.

Alone, it took a long time to find the way, but with Seong Jihans guidance, progress was swift.

It seems all our key players are here.

Then, Coach Noh Youngjun approached with a smile.

Were about to start analyzing Japans last games footage. Normally, you would not have to see it, but How about it? Want to join us for the analysis?

Oh. Id love to listen! Ive been interested!

Japanese power analysis.

Technically it was unnecessary given Japans lack of threat, but

Sure.

With practice hitting a wall, Seong Jihan entered the analysis room to get a change of perspective.

Then

Why did they get so weak?

Watching Japans power in the footage, Seong Jihan wondered.

* * *

=Everyone! The first Korea-Japan match of 2021 is upon us!

=The Korean national team is sailing smoothly with 2 wins in the Northeast Asia League! Despite Seong Jihans absence, the second game against Taiwan was an easy win!

=The double threat of Seong Jihan and the Sword King is so effective!

=On the other hand, the Japanese team is not faring well with 0 wins and 2 losses. They suffered 3:0 losses to China and Russia too.

The Northeast Asia League of 2021.

While Korea cruises with 2 wins and no losses, Japan languishes at the bottom.

=Their weakness lies in not having key players with high Gift ranks.

=But wasnt there a lack of high Gift rank players back in 2019 too? It seems Japans weaknesses have been magnified this year.

=True. Even with the Sword King around, our win rate against Japan was only around 60%. The characteristic of Japan was having evenly strong abilities across all positions, even without a key player

=Now, their overall position strength is considered mediocre. To see such a change in two years they desperately need an SSS-rank Gift holder now.

In the BattleNet waiting room,

Seong Jihan listened to the Korean commentators and thought.

Its not just the absence of a key player thats the problem. All their players seem to have weakened.

Between the last life and now, the only changes in Japans power were the Sword Kings return to Korea and Shizurus death.

The Sword Kings presence or absence wouldnt sway the others levels,

Was Shizuru modifying other Japanese players too?

The editing gift was indeed overpowered.

It would have been great had she used it benevolently for mankind.

She wasnt that kind of person.

With her ability, theres no knowing what frivolous acts she would perform. Believing it was right to remove her, Seong Jihan watched the ban process.

=Japan is preparing to use their ban card.

=Who would they ban?

=Surely, after Seong Jihans incredible performance in the previous matches, hes the top candidate

=Exactly! He dominated the Space League, didnt he?!

While the commentators firmly expected Seong Jihan would be banned,

=Uh, what? But its Sword King Yoon Sejins name written on the ban card!

The actual result was beyond prediction.

Me?

Expecting his participation, Yoon Sejin was startled by the commentators revelation as he held his twin swords.

Even after viewing last weeks game,

Why they wouldnt ban Seong Jihan but instead him was puzzling.

What scheme are they planning?

Who knows.

Outwardly playing ignorant, Seong Jihan inwardly speculated,

It must be Pythias doing.

Pythia, who had proposed a meetup during the Korea-Japan match,

Required Seong Jihans participation in the game as a prerequisite.

Something fishys going on. Be careful, Jihan.

Understood.

Addressing Yoon Sejins concerns, who was unaware of the subplot,

My first game with you, right uncle?

Lets go.

Seong Jihan joined the first set of Korea-Japan match with Yoon Seah.

* * *

=The map for game one is Southgate. Its chosen by Japan!

=Ah facing Seong Jihan at Southgate? What in the world is the Japanese coach thinking?

Southgate map, where Seong Jihan has continually shown exceptional performance.

It seemed a self-destructive move for Japan to choose such an optimal map for a transcendent warrior like him.

But

Here! Right here!

At the start of the game atop the ramparts,

A Japanese player suddenly appeared, waving at Seong Jihan,

Ah. Its awkward to talk here, huh? Let me invite you to a better place.

Swoosh!

With a downward sweep of his hand,

Fall down, Apollo.

Whoosh!

A massive chariot of flames erupted from the sky,

Crashing down upon the earth.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

With a tremendous explosion, the ground shook.

Fires surged, engulfing the Korean national team.

Especially,

The flames wrapped around Seong Jihan at the forefront.

Ugh

What The fire isnt extinguishing?

Heal, heal!

While the rest of the team struggled at the back against the fire,

The lead flames did no harm to Seong Jihan.

Then,

[You are invited to Fallen Apollos Sanctuary.]

[Will you accept the invitation?]

A message of invitation appeared.

The team will struggle a bit.

Fallen Apollos Sanctuary.

It appeared like a Greco-style circular temple made entirely of fire.

While created by Pythia solely to invite Seong Jihan,

Ah cant fend off this fire!

Retreat back!

Even the indirect influence of the fire from the temple overwhelmed the national team players.

Whether a prophet or not, the disciple of the Martial God certainly had power.

But they should manage. Its their duty to overcome hurdles like this on their own.

As much as they couldnt always be spoon-fed solutions,

I accept the invitation.

Seong Jihan accepted the invitation to the sanctuary.

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