Chapter 116

One Bridge had proven to be impossible for him so far, despite his repeated challenges. It wasn't that he lacked the skills. Rather, it was because the map was just designed that way. 

The giant enemy leader, Hojo, always appeared after the first wave was cleared, and his wind attack always wiped out everyone except for JiHan. 

Then, a scripted event was always triggered when more than half of the players were eliminated, causing the Gatekeeper to toss JiHan back over the bridge before he self-destructed.

Despite all of that, JiHan felt a bit more relaxed about it since he'd reached Gold.

'My stats have grown considerably.'

His Martial Power and Force stats, which were at 68 when he was level 50, had increased thanks to the promotion match, and then he'd invested all of the stat points he earned into them as well. 

With the Phoenix Flag effect on top of everything, the stats were at 93. He only had seven points to go before he reached the intermediate goal of 100 Martial Power and could merge the three elixir fields.

'I can't use the last Divine Technique yet, but I'll have more leeway after I merge the three elixir fields.' While he was thinking about the final technique, he was greeted by the smiling Sofia and Sae-ah, who was shaking her head.

"JiHan! Thanks for letting me join the party!" Sofia exclaimed.

"Uncle, it turns out that Sofia is older than me…"

"Hmm, how is that?" he asked.

"We were talking about our birthdays earlier. It turns out that they calculate age differently in the United States."

That explained a lot. He'd heard that Sofia had competed with his older sister in collecting otherworldly relics before his regression, so he'd found it odd that she was supposedly the same age as Sae-ah.

"Come on~ Why worry about a year or two of difference?" Sofia asked.

"People in our country are sensitive when it comes to age," Sae-ah explained.

"Forget it. We're going to become family soon anyway!"

"Family…?"

"If I become the top Support, I'll join your family through JiHan!" Sofia said with a bright smile. 

Sae-ah was surprised. JiHan had just said that he might like her if she became the top Support. How far was she letting her imagination run?

Unlike his usual, calm self, JiHan began to nervously sweat as he said, "Let's talk about that after you get there…"

"Just wait. It will happen soon. That's why you're carrying me, right?" Flames of ambition burned in her eyes.

JiHan's carry party consisted of himself, Sae-ah, and Sofia. It was a group guaranteed for rapid growth to Gold.

'I wanted to include Diego, but he declined.' Diego, who'd just reached Silver, had said he wanted to pave his own path.

- JiHan, I appreciate the offer, but I feel that I won't improve if I join your party. I want to grow on my own.

It was a fitting reply for a former sports star.

'I should try using the Phoenix Flag,' JiHan thought as he opened his inventory. At first glance, it looked similar to the Phoenix Arrow, but it was bigger, and white flames gathered at its tip to form a banner.

Fwoosh-!

The Phoenix Flag's heat was also several times more intense than the Phoenix Arrow's. It might've had a flag attached to the end of it, but it seemed to be a much more powerful weapon. The biggest difference was that it no longer needed to be thrown to release its full power.

'The only drawback is that it lacks a bit of offensive power.'

The Phoenix Flag had the capability of an SS-rank weapon, and its SSS-rank came from the many special effects it had.

'There's supposed to be a special effect it grants if I plant it.'

He stuck the flag into the ground, and a system message appeared before him.

[Would you like to unfold the Phoenix Flag here?]

"Yes."

Fwoosh-!

The flag's emblem burned from the edges and vanished as the phoenix engraved on it soared out into the sky on its own.

[The phoenix's blessing descends on the battlefield.]

[Increases the stats of nearby party members and allies by 25%. This effect applies as long as the phoenix is visible.]

The phoenix shone brilliantly in the sky and could be seen from quite a distance. To think that it would give the 25% buff for the entire area it could be seen in…

'The range is great.'

Moreover, the stat increase also applied to the one owner, in that case, JiHan. He felt even lighter than usual and grinned before picking the flag back up. Since the burning flag had transformed into a phoenix, it could be used as a spear again—it didn't need to remain planted for the buff to continue.

'An SS-rank weapon that provides a large AOE buff… I did well in listening to that crazy constellation's story.'

What was the Dead Star's name? Kallein? He'd managed to acquire such an amazing item by just listening to the crazy constellation for a few moments. He'd definitely do it again if given the chance.

"Wow, Uncle! What's this?"

"A phoenix's blessing? The buff is incredible," Sofia said.

Of course, they also received the buff, and since it extended to all of his allies as well…

"Oh? What's this buff?"

"Now he even gives buffs… Woah, what's up with this increase?"

"He's carrying us as well!"

The other players were also astonished when they saw the buff. A player who usually dominated the games alone was suddenly buffing everyone as well.

As expected of Battle Net! It was a game that didn't have any semblance of balance.

"I think this kind of buff should stack with mine," Sofia said.

"Really?"

"Yes, I'll try it." She began casting her Trinity buffs, and after he received the triple-stacking effect, JiHan felt that he was even stronger.

'I think I should be able to reach the next wave now,' he thought. He'd been unable to progress due to Hojo's strong wind attack before.

"Ariel, act as a summon this time," he ordered.

[It seems I'm being used more as a summon than as a sword.]

Eclipse wasn't too effective against the map's many undead enemies. In the end, he positioned her at the start of the bridge.

"Sofia, buff the others as well and we'll try to make it to the next wave this time."

"Of course. Buffing is my specialty."

Then…

WHOOM-!

The massive bridge vibrated, and a roar shook the earth and the sky.

"Shut up!" Signaling the start of the game, the Empire's Gatekeeper, Bijang, appeared before the players. 

* * *

"How dare the soldiers chat in the back while the Gatekeeper is fighting alone at the front!" Scolding the summoned players was pretty much what he was known for.

- He's going to kick them away soon.

- Will JiHan resist like the last time?

- Probably. He's much stronger than before. He might make it to the next wave. 

- No way. It doesn't matter how good he is. If the players in the back get defeated, it's over. Hmm… The buffs might prevent this from ending as quickly as last time.

The bridge map was so scripted that the viewers pretty much knew what was going to happen.

If the Gatekeeper complained and said he couldn't fight with such weaklings, every player other than JiHan would be forced from the bridge.

Bijang, rather than following his usual pattern, cautiously asked JiHan, "You… Is that a phoenix? Only the captain of the royal guards should be able to wield a being of such divine power… Are you Zhao Yung's replacement?"

- ???

- Why's he acting like that?

- Right? It's weird.

- What's up with 'Zhao Yung'? Is it a parody of Zhao Yun from the Three Kingdoms?

- That seems to be the case. If you reverse Bijang, it's Jangbi.

- Ah, that makes sense. So Hojo is also Hojoo.

- I haven't read the three kingdoms, so I have no clue what you're talking about.

- It doesn't matter. The relationships on the map are weird.

 'How unexpected.'

For Bijang, who usually didn't like JiHan because of his appearance, to act that way was unusual. Although it was a surprising turn of events for JiHan as well, he didn't show it outwardly.

Instead…

'Let's try a different approach.'

He decided to change things up. Even if he somehow managed to get to the next wave, they would still be annihilated. On top of that…

[Epic Quest]

- Get recognized by the Imperial Gatekeeper and stop him from dying.

Bijang usually disliked JiHan because of his appearance. That's why, rather than earning his respect in a traditional manner, JiHan decided to try a new route.

"Although I'm affiliated with the royal family, I cannot specifically tell you the family I hail from. I hope you understand."

"Ahem…! I have a brotherly relationship with His Majesty. Are you saying you can't even tell someone like me?" Bijang said, his face wrinkling as he pursed his lips. The Gatekeeper's eyes moistened as if he was upset. It seemed that his dissatisfied feelings toward the royal family were exploding.

- Why's he whining? Lol.

- They say that you cry more as you get older. Buaa.

- He really looks pitiful ㅜ0ㅜ

- He only has a few seaweed-like hairs on his head, which makes him look even more pitiful, lol.

- Sad ㅠㅠ

Seeing someone who usually didn't behave like that made him look even more pitiful, but there wasn't much JiHan could say. He really didn't know anything.

"Hmm… I'm sorry."

BOOM! BOOM!

Bijang hit his chest in frustration in response. "How frustrating…! Can you not even tell me? I am Bijang! The Gatekeeper of the Empire!"

"I cannot go against the royal family's decrees. Please, understand."

"Ehem…!" Bijang showed clear displeasure and walked past JiHan. "You weaklings, step back! 

He stomped his foot and sent the other players off of the bridge; then he walked to where the bridge started, sat down with his arms crossed, and said, "Well, dear esteemed guest of the royal family, handle things yourself!"

- He's upset.

- He sure is.

- He used to help, but now JiHan will be fighting alone. Lol.

- Even if he fights alone, he'll be fine.

- Didn't Bijang help with Heavenly Thunder Net? That makes a huge difference.

- There won't be a big difference, okay??? Our JiHan will easily sweep them away!

- Ah~ Sure~

As the viewers mentioned, Bijang helped a lot by using his Heavenly Thunder Net in the last game. 

Lightning was extremely effective against the undead, but Bijang decided to just sit and watch for the latest attempt, so that synergy was completely absent.

'Well, it's just the starting wave.'

Still, JiHan was much more powerful than before. He took the Phoenix Flag and walked toward the center of the bridge.

"Cough…! How stubborn! Even if you die, I won't help you!" Bijang coughed from behind in an attempt to intimidate him.

"Do what you wish," JiHan calmly responded as the undead legion approached.