Chapter 67: 1st Players Convention (2)

I put my phone to my ear. Of course, there wasn't anyone on the line. Other people couldn't see Senia right now. If I spoke to the empty air, people would think I was insane, so I pretended to be on a call while I walked home.

Senia spoke first.

"Allow me to notify you that my channel is currently closed."

In other words, the Guardians weren't watching us right now. It appeared that Senia had taken my earlier words to heart. Always showing the same stuff with the same method would reduce both the excitement and the enjoyment. Streaming to the Guardians with a slightly more diverse, slightly different pattern was the job of a Streamer and a sign of their skill.

"It sounds to me that you want to coordinate with me for the event tomorrow."

"I am simply considering more diverse directing methods."

That's right. That was the way.

'For now, just tickle the Guardians' curiosity.'

The Players Convention was a 'man-made gathering' being held in the Korean server for the first time. It was a different sort of spectacle from System-made Playing. There had to be quite a lot of Guardians who wanted to see it, and it would be even better if there were some kind of conflict or dispute thrown in.

'She stopped filming, huh.'

Among Streamers, this move was called 'Sudden Cut' or 'Sudden Cliffhanger', but those terms weren't yet established.

'After exciting their curiosity, she'll start streaming again tomorrow.'

Moreover, there were probably a few things she wanted to consult me about right now, which was something I wanted to do as well.

'Senia, you've really grown.'

It felt like just yesterday she was frozen and helpless against the Streamer Neptune, but she was picking things up quickly. At this rate, she would probably be able to earn her keep pretty well.

"Did you meet with Player Yeonseo in order to call me?"

"Correct. Because Yeonseo was with Roa."

Senia had become a lot smarter. She was even able to figure out why I met up with Yeonseo.

"There must be a reason why."

I nodded. "As you know, tomorrow's the Player Convention. This isn't a scenario set by the System, but a choice humans have made in response to the new world."

With that, our conversation continued for about one hour.

"Understood, even though what you say is far too detailed, even for something you have deduced through Precognitive Dream."

Senia looked a little doubtful. Over one hour of conversation, I gave Senia a lot of tips. I told her in advance what would happen tomorrow and what she had to do.

"Look a little further ahead, not just at the here and now. It's best to use your combined experience of various situations to predict what will happen before they happen. Don't you think you'll be able to make good quality content that way?"

"..."

Senia seemed to be struck speechless. In any case, our conversation wrapped up nicely. All that was left was for Senia to do her job as a Streamer, and for me to do mine as a Player.

We reached my house, the DMC Riverview Xi. One way or another, Senia kind of ended up bringing me home.

"...Understood. I shall wait and see if the scenario Player Kim Hyukjin predicts is correct."

Her words carried a slight edge of warning, perhaps because I had talked to her in such a lecturing tone. It was reasonable for her to feel displeasure. But what could she do? She might have improved a little, but she was still a newbie Streamer. From the viewpoint of someone who had ten years of experience, she was far too shabby a Streamer. There was so much she had to learn.

"You seem a little doubtful." With a grin, I provoked her. "Wanna bet?"

"..."

"If you're scared, forget it."

"Are you provoking me right now?"

Yeah, I am.

"Think of it however you please."

After thinking for a long time, Senia said, "What will be the conditions of the bet?"

As expected of our angel Senia, she was really easy to bait.

"Open the intermediate-grade Item Shop for me."

That was obviously not possible. I was still only level 30. To open the intermediate-grade Item Shop, you had to be over level 40. Even I knew it wasn't possible.

"That is an excessive demand. It is impossible."

"Then how about one time?"

"..."

I proposed something entirely excessive at first, then followed it with a more practical condition.

"That's…"

"Forget it if you don't want to."

"...I accept."

That's right, of course you would. I knew you would accept.

"What do you want?" I asked.

"I will tell you that if I win the bet."

I almost snorted. Guess I didn't need to hear what it was, since I would be winning anyway. I went up the elevator, which reached the 10th floor.

Ding!

–The door is opening.

Number 1004. Our house. The place where Mom, Noona, and Sunhwa were waiting. I suddenly felt happier. It was like I was slowly getting a grasp on my future. It was a feeling I hadn't been able to experience before. A sense of achievement, a desire to challenge the trials ahead, and… the happiness of coming back home.

Every time I saw our house, all of the changes that had occurred struck me anew.

'Let's do our best tomorrow, Senia.'

The Players Association made under Sungshin's lead was in the DMC, the 'Digital Media City'. It was within walking distance of our house.

'As expected, the Association was put here.'

Later on, even once the Association became a government institution, the building was still in the same spot.

'It's a government institution in name, but there were a lot of rumors that it was actually a tool of Sungshin.'

I was able to verify that those rumors were true after seeing Kim Kangchul. It didn't have that much to do with me, but it did make me a little bitter. The phrase 'Republic of Sungshin' didn't exist for nothing.

'That means they'll probably do rank measurements today, too.'

The ranks would be evaluated with a method that was absurd by future standards. It was fine to see the 'Player ranks' determined now as completely meaningless.

'The concept of 'talent plates' hasn't been established yet.'

There was no concept of talent plates, or magic, for that matter. The ranks would be set by evaluating physical factors. For example, things like running or grip strength. They would measure Player ability with the same methods used to evaluate athletes, a ridiculous method according to future standards.

"Yes. I do not wish to receive a rank evaluation."

"A rank evaluation can be very favorable for the Player. Many avenues will be opened up to you if you gain a high rank. Even if you get a low rank, it won't be of any harm to you."

"It's fine."

"If you do not want to go through the rank evaluation, are you okay with being given an F-rank for the time being?"

"Yes, that's fine."

What use was there in getting a rank that would be obsolete soon anyway? I didn't come here to submit myself to long-distance running or push ups.

"Hyungnim! I got an A!"

"Me too!"

Like the Fist King and Sword Empress they were, Yoohyun and Yeonseo received A's from the very beginning. Seriously, people who could succeed in whatever they did sure were on a different level. Sunhwa also went through the rank evaluation with them, but she got a C.

It was 2:20 p.m. The convention would start at 3 p.m. The Main Hall on the 12th floor was already bustling. The four of us went down to the cafe on the 1st floor to wait.

"It's alright, it's alright."

I patted the sullen Sunhwa. Figures, how would they even evaluate her tanking qualities, anyway? They could hardly stab her arm with a knife or take a hammer to her head. Such a result was inevitable.

"It's alright, C is better than my F."

I didn't say that it was because F was the rank given if you refused the evaluation, but it still wasn't a lie. What kind of score would I get?

'I think I'd also get an A.'

I wasn't sure, and I didn't have that much interest in a rank evaluation done with a completely meaningless method.

"Really? Oppa got an F?"

Yeonseo and Yoohyun's eyes widened as well.

"Come on, that's ridiculous. You, an F?"

"That's ridiculous, hyungnim!"

Of course it was. I chuckled in spite of myself.

"You're right, it's ridiculous. Because they used a ridiculous evaluation method, only the Players in combat classes will have gotten a high rank."

Apparently greatly comforted by my words, Sunhwa slurped the chocolate shake we'd ordered with enthusiasm, as if she could forget the shock of getting a C-rank with the taste of chocolate.

Yeonseo grinned widely. "That's true. Well, nothing more needs to be said if you got an F. The rank measuring method is a hundred percent wrong. A monster like Kim Hyukjin getting an F? Gosh darnit. Here I was, getting all happy for nothing that I got an A."

"Seriously, hyungnim. This rank has zero meaning."

While we were waiting on the 1st floor, I constantly checked the Players coming through. One of the Players I saw was a man with a huge physique no inferior to Yoohyun, and a flashy tattoo covering his right arm. His whole aura was screaming, 'Mess with me and you'll get hurt'.

'The Brown Bear, Kim Taechun."

His current level was 28.

'What a funny summary.'

Summary: Self-Proclaimed Predator Seeking Prey

He was one of the 'starting pieces' for what would be happening today.

'Where's Jo Sunghyun?'

I kept looking, but I didn't see him. Instead of Jo Sunghyun, someone ran helter-skelter through the 1st floor.

"Uwah! I was almost late!"

After seeing us, he immediately ran our way. His breathlessness made him seem a little out of shape.

"Goodness, look who it is. Isn't this our mighty hero who was unreachable for three months?"

State: Gladness / Having Fun / Relief

Choi Sung-gu also joined the fray. From what I heard, Sung-gu also got much closer to the others, or something like that. Sunhwa had introduced him, and they had gone through the Seoul Station Dungeon a few times together. They'd also cleared a few gates together.

"Can I kiss you to celebrate your safe return? Wh-whoa there. Alright, sorry, sorry. C'mon man, do you really need to give me the death stare?"

It seemed Sung-gu was still under the protection of the Giant of the Sunset. I couldn't read his information with Eye of Perception. However, since he had used the 'Vulcan Body Tome', had the 'Person of Fire' title, and three months passed, with his degree of talent, he had probably grown quite a lot. And my prediction was correct—he said he was level 31. He was indeed high level.

It was now 2:40 p.m. Sung-gu said, "I'm already late, so I think I won't be able to get the rank evaluation. Was it on the 12th floor? Let's go!"

"Wait."

As I thought, what I remembered was correct.

'Jo Sunghyun.'

That person was coming in. The young man coming through the 1st floor revolving door was tall and had a slender frame. He was wearing a school uniform and looked to be a high school student.

'His current age… is 18.'

His talent plates wouldn't be completely open yet. Of course, he wasn't the 'Typhoon' he would be in the future.

'Current time, 2:45 p.m.'

It was about time for Senia to show herself. Sure enough, just like we arranged ahead of time, Senia appeared.

[Channel #19207 has opened.]

The café on the 1st floor, 2:45 p.m. The high schooler 'Jo Sunghyun' who had just come into the 1st floor. And Kim Taechun, the self-styled predator lurking around in search of prey.

'Let's watch for a bit, shall we?'

Just then, I heard a notice.

[The 'Nameless Guardian' is greatly satisfied with your observing.]

[The 'Nameless Guardian' has sent you a 300 Coin sponsorship.]

My 'act of watching' was interpreted by the Nameless Guardian as 'observing'. Well, it was all good, since it meant the Guardian I had a direct contract with was looking at me in a good light. After all, I would have to keep the contract with this Guardian until at least level 50.

As I watched, I sensed it.

'It's starting.'

Right here and now, the Typhoon would be making his first move.

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