Chapter 250

"No… not the buzz cuts again. Can it really be the 108 Arhat Formation?"

Yoon Seah looked at the game screen, her face a mix of astonishment and dread.

Before Wang Lin had emerged in China as the top warrior, the notorious Shinsong Il-ryong had reigned using the 108 Arhat Formation.

That very same formation that once gave Seong Jihan a hard time and was ultimately deciphered and defused by him, now looked to be making a comeback.

"Dad's going to smash through it, right?"

"Hard to say. I would have been sure had Wang Lin not been involved…"

Although Wang Lin, known by his title 'Heavenly Demon,' seemed an unlikely fit for Shaolin's 108 Arhat Formation, it appeared that in-game buffs applied all the same, regardless of whether the user was a 'Heavenly Demon' or 'Heavenly God'.

'The first game might prove to be difficult.'

Now overshadowed by the real Heavenly Demon Dongbang Sak, Wang Lin's once shining moniker had dimmed.

However his SSS-class gift, the 'Heavenly Demon Body' remained a talent not outclassed even by the Sword King's 'Twin Sword Mastery.'

For now, Wang Lin was weaker due to being a lower level, but with further growth, he held the potential to fiercely battle the Sword King.

And the 108 Arhat Formation could be the equalizer he needed to bridge their current gap.

=The first game is about to begin.

=Ah… Il-ryong has immediately activated the 108 Arhat Formation!

=Different from the last match, this time Wang Lin has joined the formation.

[108 Arhat Formation shall test Yoon Sejin.]

As Il-ryong chanted from the front of the Chinese ranks, a flash of light!

18 Chinese warriors, together with the Sword King, vanished from the battlefield.

"Not 9, but 18 players used the formation this time."

"Then the warrior count left on the field… isn't it pretty close now?"

"Very close."

True to Yoon Seah's words,

now only 49 Korean and 32 Chinese warriors remained in Valhalla.

=Korean warriors… must capitalize on their numerical advantage, with Sword King gone!

=But the remaining Chinese players are high-end too. Their average levels are 10-20 higher.

=Still, we have 1.5 times their number! The level gap is manageable!

As the commentators noted, Korea did have the 1.5 times numerical advantage, but Korean commentators weren't sounding hopeful.

The Korean warrior force was deemed the world's strongest precisely because of Seong Jihan and Yoon Sejin.

Remove those two, and it became painfully clear that Korea's warriors were the weakest in the Northeast Asia League.

-Oh, this is annoying…

-Our national warriors, are they earning their keep?

-Remember last year? Even Taiwan trashed us, didn't they?

-That unpleasant memory… not again.

And that uneasy premonition quickly became reality.

=The Korean warriors charged valiantly but…

=The Chinese defense is impenetrable! They can't break through!

=Ah! We can see Korean casualties…

=The Chinese warriors are now turning to offense!

Starting off with a 1.5 times numerical advantage, the Korean warriors attempted to hammer the Chinese defenses.

But the difference in level and skills of the two countries' warriors was stark.

-Feels like last year's PTSD is coming back.

-How are things in the 108 Arhat Formation?

-Sword King is going strong… but no easy suppression.

-It's true, with Wang Lin's intervention, the formation is holding firm…

Despite the pressure from the 108 Arhat Formation, the Sword King fought back indomitably.

But the fortified Chinese formation, bolstered by Wang Lin, held fast.

'Had he been at his past life's level, he would have been suppressed already.'

Whether it was the advice to focus on the Limited swords from White Sword that made a difference,

Yoon Sejin, firmly stronger than when he was in Japan, was weaving masterfully through the Shaolin monks, facing them head-on in battle.

Neither side in the Arhat Formation gained the upper hand,

suggesting the battle would continue till the end this way.

Then, the outcome of the match hinged not on the Arhat Formation but on the situation outside it…

=Ah…! Numbers are reversed! Now there are more Chinese warriors alive!

=We started with a 1.5 times advantage, how could this happen!

=With how fiercely Yoon Sejin is fighting…! This can't be happening. Korean warriors, snap out of it!

Against the shoutcasters' outcry,

One by one, Korean warriors started to fall.

"No, this isn't right…"

Yoon Seah couldn't finish her sentence in frustration,

Her face was painted with disbelief as she watched the Korean warriors perish.

"Why are we falling behind? Uncle, does a 10-20 level difference make that much impact?"

"It's more than levels; there's a significant gap in equipment."

"Equipment gap…"

"Yeah. The Chinese warriors' gear looks state-sponsored."

Unlike the Korean national team, where players have to procure their own gear,

The Chinese national team was equipped by the People's Association with SS-grade equipment for national matches.

Such a feat was possible because capital was monopolized by the country's top guild, the People's Association.

The inability to capitalize on the numerical advantage was clearly affected by the disparity in gear.

"Now that you mention it, their armor does shine. That's…"

"Still, the lack of skill is the biggest issue."

Thump!

As the fierce battle of Valhalla concluded, Korea's last warrior fell.

12 Chinese warriors survived.

Looking at the Korean team overwhelmed despite their numerical advantage, the viewers were filled with regret.

-Wow, losing on this map…

-Thanks for the vivid memory, Chinese Warriors 😃

-What are the odds Sword King obliterates the 108 Arhat Formation…

-It looks like they will just drag this on forever

Korea's sole survivor, Yoon Sejin, persisted in the fight within the Arhat Formation but,

[The first game concludes as it goes beyond the allotted time.]

The battle of Valhalla map went over time, and the first game ended in China's victory.

* * *

"Ha. We lost."

"You did what you could, brother-in-law."

"It's my lack of ability. Had Jihan been there, he would have crushed them…"

Exiting game one, Yoon Sejin sighed deeply.

With the game on a warrior map, the victory should have been guaranteed.

But the 108 Arhat Formation, now featuring Wang Lin, proved far too formidable.

"Coach, I think we need to ban Il-ryong next match."

"Yes. It's my fault. The game fell apart without Sejin…"

Coach Noh Youngjun also blamed himself after witnessing the first game's outcome.

'It's only thanks to those three that we've been considered championship contenders. Korea's national team isn't strong on its own.

Seong Jihan, Yoon Sejin, and recently added Yoon Seah.

Their powers balanced or even overwhelmed other world teams, but excluding these key players, the rest were still lacking.

Apart from the archers, the Korean team was lacking in nearly all areas.

The first game was a harsh reflection of that bitter reality.

'If we lose either match two or three… it's definitely over.'

China was sure to pick Golem Duel for game four.

Should they lose either of the next two games, it's over for Korea.

'We should have banned Il-ryong in the first game…'

Regretting his past selections, Coach Noh Youngjun re-entered the ban and select phase, rethinking his strategy.

=Ah! Coach Noh Youngjun bans Il-ryong!

=Il-ryong, with the Monk Leader gift. Without him, the 108 Arhat Formation won't activate!

=That'll free up Yoon Sejin to move around as he pleases!

=And for the select card… it's Valhalla again, just like the first game!

=I wonder if that map will come up again?

Compared to the first game, the only change was Korea's ban card.

But that single change could be significant this time around.

=Oh…

=The Valhalla map is chosen again!

=That 70 percent probability hits twice in a row!

"Good… Time for revenge for the first game."

Yoon Sejin, having stared intently at which map would be picked, smiled as he entered the BattleNet connector.

"Uncle, I might not even get to play a single game today."

"That goes for me too."

Yoon Seah, carrying a drink, finished her game-watching prep as the second game started.

The flow of the match was completely different from game one.

=Yoon Sejin charges alone swiftly!

=Wang Lin tries to block him, but without the 108 Arhat Formation, he's hopelessly overpowered!

=No one can stand before the twin swords! The Sword King! He's motivated from the first game's defeat!

=And swiftly, the game comes to an end!

Without the 108 Arhat Formation to constrain Yoon Sejin, the Chinese team quickly crumbles.

'Wang Lin is still lacking in growth, and couldn't dodge the swords.'

Schwing!

Watching Wang Lin beheaded by the twin swords, Seong Jihan affirmed his previous thought.

-Phew, LOL that's more like it. This is how you win!

-Banning the Monk Leader was the right move. That brat called 'Heavenly Demon' is not ready yet. LOL

-Heavenly Demon? More like an underling in the Evil Sect, LOL.

-Seeing this makes the first game even more regrettable…

-Right. We must win the third to push for a fifth game.

Relieved by the smooth completion of the second game, the Korean fans relaxed a little.

But considering the expected definite loss in the fourth game, the significance of the third game grew even more critical.

=Now, from the third game onwards… Seong Jihan can also participate!

=That's right, although only a 50 percent chance!

Starting from the third game, a player banned could be released with a 50 percent chance.

The commentators, as well as,

"Seong Jihan, please come with us. You have to prepare since you won't be banned!"

Ha Yeonjoo and the team players all hoped that Seong Jihan's ban would be lifted.

With him, the third game was as good as won.

But then,

=Ah… Seong Jihan is banned again…

=He got caught in the 50 percent probability.

=If only Seong Jihan had been picked, a sure victory would have been confirmed, but it's a shame.

The third game did not start on a good note.

'At this rate, I won't even get to play before the game ends.'

Banned again, Seong Jihan stepped out of the BattleNet connector, frowning deeply as he looked at the screen.

Being too strong does have its issues.

I want to compete in the national match, but I can't even get the chance.

=Coach Noh Youngjun sticks to the same strategy as in the second game. He bans Il-ryong, and the map is Valhalla.

=If Valhalla is chosen, we'll have the same result as the second game. Then we can take it to a fifth game!

=The select card has become crucial now!

Despite Seong Jihan being banned, If it's a warrior map, Korea can easily claim victory in the third game, much like the second.

Korean fans hoped again for Valhalla to be selected, but,

=Ah…

=This time, the map isn't Valhalla!

=Yeah, it's the Train map!

=Hmm… With Je Galheon still around, that's quite annoying…

Three consecutive 70 percent probabilities didn't happen.

-Oh no, we seem to be out of luck today.

-When did BattleNet turn into a game of luck?

-Of all the maps that could've been picked, it had to be the Train map, with Je Galheon and Joo Ryung-Ryung unscathed…

-But isn't it still okay if the Sword King flies across the map with his sword?

While people held onto hope for Yoon Sejin's sword flight technique,

=Joo Ryung-Ryung's summon, the Yellow Dragon, stubbornly blocks Yoon Sejin's path…!

=Meanwhile, our train is getting decimated by Je Galheon's magic!

=Yoon Seah tries to take aim at Je Galheon, but the distance is too far and not feasible!

Je Galheon utilized his grand sorcery, proving why he was banned in game one,

=The train is derailing…

=In the third game, Korea suffers a defeat…

The third game ended in defeat for Korea.

* * *

Swoosh!

"Ah… lost again…"

Exiting the BattleNet connector, Yoon Seah sighed deeply.

China, competing alongside the US for world supremacy, demonstrated their strength in the third game.

"The Yellow Dragon has become more troublesome."

Yoon Sejin, blocked in his sword flight by the summon, shook his head as he stepped out from the connector.

All three games he played with all his might, but the unsatisfactory 1-2 outcome left his expression dark.

"That means game four is automatically the Golem Duel… Even if we ban Joo Ryung-Ryung, we'll still be outmatched, right?"

"…Looks like it."

With only supporters allowed in Golem Duel,

Korea's supporter strength was clearly inferior to China's.

The outcome of this match was predictable by everyone.

=China pulls out their reserve select card for the Golem Duel map.

=And they use their ban card on supporter Lee Jinwook!

=Coach Noh Youngjun too bans China's supporter Joo Ryung-Ryung, but…

=Without Joo Ryung-Ryung, China's support lineup is still top-notch…

The commentators predicted defeat, their voices sapped of hope.

Similarly, Yoon Seah drooped her shoulders, watching when suddenly,

She rose abruptly, watching Seong Jihan walk off somewhere with curious eyes.

"Un…uncle, where are you going?"

"To participate in game four."

"But… It's a supporters' game. Only buffs apply."

"We're set to lose with the current lineup, right?"

"That's true…"

"If we're destined to lose, it's worth a shot to try something. I've already discussed it with the coach."

Without elaborating, Seong Jihan entered the BattleNet connector,

Leaving Yoon Seah blinking at his retreating figure

"…What kind of experiment?"