Chapter 224
Atop a high mountain peak, Shiwoo stood on high alert.
He cast a wary glance around, carefully scanning his surroundings. Not just his eyes, but every sense and nerve he had spread out across the area.
Even though the surroundings were an empty wasteland, he couldn’t afford to let his guard down.
His opponent was Yerang, after all.
A subtle change in the atmosphere, which might be easily missed, occurred.
In an instant, Shiwoo’s spear swung towards that point.
*Zzzang!*
As the spear moved, the magic that extended from it froze the air. Snow-white ice crystals gathered, creating another peak within the snow-covered mountain.
Inside those crystals, as expected, Yerang was trapped, wearing a surprised expression.
‘Gotcha.’
The thought flashed in his mind.
‘Or not.’
*Ssh.*
Just as he anticipated, an offensive weapon flew in from the opposite direction.
*Clang.*
With a swift motion, he deflected the incoming weapon with his spear shaft. As the weapon, having narrowly missed his vital spot, clattered harmlessly to the ground, another attack followed.
Thousands? Tens of thousands?
The snow of the mountain turned into sharp needles, transforming into daggers that rained down.
*Boom.*
Shiwoo stamped his foot on the ground.
In a breathtaking moment, as if time stopped, the falling daggers halted in mid-air.
They were daggers capable of piercing through steel effortlessly, yet here they fell helplessly to the ground, frozen solid.
‘Where?’
*Swish, swish.*
Shiwoo’s eyes vigilantly scanned all directions.
He had lost track of Yerang’s movements during the fight. That alone suggested the flow of the battle had swung to her favor.
*Crackle.*
To prepare for defense, he extended both arms. A shield of precisely and compactly gathered ice enveloped his surroundings.
In that moment.
*Thwack.*
“!”
A dagger flew from somewhere, scraping his side.
Before the ice shield had fully formed, there was a faint gap. Through this gap, Yerang’s dagger had found its way through.
Though wounded, Shiwoo remained undaunted.
In fact, this gave him an opportunity.
“You aimed well, but—”
*Thwack.*
Shiwoo’s spear moved.
“Thanks to that, I saw you.”
*Zzzang!*
*Whoosh!*
A snowstorm ensued.
Ice sprouted from the air as the magic that followed the spear’s point created countless ice crystals.
The peak where the fight ensued turned into a snowy mountain.
And in the next instant.
*Swoosh.*
A dagger appeared out of nowhere and stopped right in front of Shiwoo’s eyes.
“I won.”
“No.”
*Crackle.*
“We drew.”
Shiwoo’s palm was pressed against Yerang’s stomach. At this range, if he desired, freezing her heart would have been a simple task.
“Tsk.”
In frustration, Yerang withdrew her dagger, muttering under her breath.
“One-on-ones really aren’t my thing.”
“Same here.”
Yerang specialized in stealth and ambush. Her skills shone in chaotic battles or non-combat situations rather than one-on-one duels.
Similarly, duels weren’t Shiwoo’s forte either.
The peak had turned white, resembling a snowy mountain.
He could wield power over a vast area.
In battles against large numbers, where he shone the brightest, Shiwoo displayed tremendous power.
When it came to dueling, there was someone else who excelled among them.
“Lee Suhyuk was the best at dueling.”
Lee Suhyuk, their friend, now turned into a legend.
No one could best him in a one-on-one fight.
“It wasn’t just dueling he was good at.”
“True.”
Shiwoo nodded at Yerang’s words.
“He was good at everything.”
In a personal duel, Hwang Gyuseong shined. In battles against many, Shiwoo was unmatched. In speed competitions, Yerang reigned supreme.
Each stood at the peak of a particular field by leveraging their strengths.
But if there was someone who combined all those strengths, it was Lee Suhyuk.
“Ah, seriously. If only Suhyuk was here, we wouldn’t have had to go through all this hardship.”
When had it begun?
The two of them started talking about Lee Suhyuk without any hesitation.
Until not too long ago, just mentioning his name would bring gloom, but at some point, it became natural.
“Only fifteen days left.”
Yerang, twirling a spellbook with her fingers, remarked.
“How do you feel?”
“The chances aren’t slim.”
*Crunch.*
Even after the battle had ended, the area around Shiwoo remained frozen.
“But are you not going to do it just because of that?”
“As if.”
Fifteen days.
That was the time remaining until the day they decided to go rescue Hyomin.
The two clashed fiercely with each other in anticipation of that day. Finding a suitable opponent was difficult, but they were the perfect match for honing their senses.
“We’ve advanced the schedule quite a bit.”
“There were many variables.”
“What a pity. We could’ve lived a little longer.”
Though spoken with a playful smile, it wasn’t a joke. Yerang was determined that it would be her last day.
There was no “if”. Even if it seemed tough, they intended to push through.
Shiwoo remained silent in response to Yerang’s jests mixed with sincerity, and the atmosphere naturally grew heavy.
Then suddenly—*Buzz.*
Both of their kits rang simultaneously.
“Oh, it started.”
Yerang flopped down into a seat and pulled out the kit from her pocket.
“You’re going to watch that stream again?”
“Yeah. Just during the break.”
Yerang gestured for Shiwoo not to interrupt.
The two of them, who had been clashing about Lee Suhyuk’s shadow until recently, had grown accustomed.
“Yeah, let’s watch.”
Before they knew it, they started watching the stream together.
“… We might not get to see it again anyway.”
『’Lee Suhyuk’ has started streaming.』
* * *
Crossing the Hydra’s valley, Suhyuk entered the trial grounds.
It felt different than before. The 8th-floor trial was a stage Suhyuk had never faced before.
The 8th-floor trial ground differed in appearance from other places.
‘It’s vast.’
A stream flowed creepily, and the cave’s ceiling was wide open. It stretched endlessly inside.
This was the trial grounds leading to the next floor.
‘Viewers…’
『Viewers: 62,540』
Already over 60,000.
Even though only a few minutes had passed since starting the stream, many had already gathered.
The chatroom was already in chaos.
-Su-hi!!!
-SHH SHH SHH!!
-Finally coming
-Go to the 9th floor!!!
-Call the manager!!!
Even without the screen being on, small donations of 10 points, 100 points came pouring in.
『’MyRoughThoughts’ donated 100 points.』
『Aren’t you turning on the stream soon? You want to die?』
『’AnxiousGlance’ donated 100 points.』
『Saw the article ㅠㅠ Manager is pitiful… still with you?』
The stream wasn’t even properly started yet.
Suhyuk turned to look back. Un Hyang mouthed, “Go ahead.”
Flash—At that moment, the screen came to life.
-He’s here!!!!!!!!!!
-Su-hi!!!
-Why keep us waiting?
-Even if it takes time, just stream ㅠㅠ
Watching the chat rapidly scroll by, Suhyuk waved his hand.
“Su-hi. It’s been a while.”
By now, he was familiar with the proceedings.
“It seems like today we’ll be challenging the 9th-floor trial, as announced. Did I see the Hydra’s corpse? Yes, I did. Why didn’t I stream then… Ah, shall I go out and show you now? No, thank you.”
Reading the chat, responding, and communicating—none of it felt awkward anymore.
In fact, it had become so familiar that not doing it felt even more unnatural.
-Where’s the manager???
Ever since his last stream, Suhyuk’s viewers had been constantly asking for Un Hyang.
Her popularity was immense. The successor of the Divine Dragon Group. A ranker known as a genius, with a unique backstory and the job of being the manager of her favorite streamer.
Most of all, Un Hyang was beautiful.
Many among the numerous viewers currently watching this stream had likely tuned in just to see Un Hyang.
“Manager?”
Lee Suhyuk’s gaze flickered towards Un Hyang, who was nearby.
“She’s right next to me.”
“Ta-da!”
As if it was pre-arranged, Un Hyang suddenly popped up on screen.
“Hello, everyone! I’m here.”
-The manager is here!
-Whoa, so pretty
-I’m abandoning Suhyuk’s fan club for Un Hyang’s from today
-I came to see her ㅠㅠㅠ
Un Hyang smiled brightly and waved her hand in greeting.
As he watched her naturally read through the chat, Suhyuk felt relieved.
‘She seemed nervous just a moment ago.’
“Do you have any thoughts about streaming?”
He wasn’t sure how she viewed streaming.
She was a manager, not a streamer.
Indeed, Un Hyang neither refused nor accepted Suhyuk’s suggestion.
“I don’t plan to do it separately. I’ll do it with Suhyuk-nim.”
Un Hyang chose to be with Suhyuk.
That was true both as a colleague and as a streamer. Her vibrant demeanor as she laughed and chatted with the viewers appeared both genuine and insincere.
As time passed and he got to know her better, Suhyuk discovered something.
Un Hyang didn’t particularly enjoy standing in front of people.
‘Yet she keeps appearing on streams…’
Perhaps it was a choice for herself.
『q1w2e3r4 has donated 1,000 points.』
『Hi Un Hyang! Nice to see you!』
A donation came in at that moment.
It was a considerable amount. However, its content was somewhat peculiar.
Un Hyang tilted her head in confusion as she read the message.
“Do I know you?”
The message seemed as if it was from someone familiar.
Suhyuk also recognized the viewer’s nickname.
‘That guy from back then…’
The viewer had once asked if Suhyuk was considering entering the Blue Zone.
Afterward, he made multiple donations while openly criticizing the Blue Zone.
‘Were they acquainted with Un Hyang?’
Suhyuk glanced at Un Hyang, curious if she knew anything.
Judging by her clueless expression, she didn’t know anything either.
Then, a moment later.
『q1w2e3r4 has donated 1,000 points.』
『Do you remember the sister you met at the tournament? Do you know which tournament if I ask both of us^^』
The reply came to ‘Do I know you?’
Un Hyang’s eyes widened.
Suhyuk’s reaction was equally surprised.
“Oh? Could it be from that time…?”
Recognition dawned in Un Hyang’s expression.
“Yejung Unnie!”
『q1w2e3r4 has donated 1,000 points.』
『Yes! Hello, sis! Hahaha』
-Acquainted?
-Her brother knows some big shots ㄷㄷㄷ
-Seeing as it’s ‘unnie’, it’s a woman, not ‘brother’
Un Hyang began a conversation through donations before she even realized it.
Asking how she’d been, saying she was doing well, thanking for the help back then, wondering if she had smacked that friend they discussed.
Her cheerful voice faded as she continued to chat.
Suhyuk drifted deeper into his own world.
Un Hyang’s voice, right next to him, wasn’t reaching him anymore; instead, the echoes of past conversations they shared circled his mind.
“She said she was Suhyuk’s fan, too.”
The first time she mentioned the person named Yejung was during a tournament where Minjae’s shoes had been put up as a prize.
That tournament where he met Schneider in the finals.
At that event, the person named Yejung vanished, avoiding Un Hyang.
“And um… Ah, right. They also asked if they’re a fan of Lee Suhyuk.”
“No, no. Not Suhyuk, but Blue Eyes.”
There were not many who could do such things.
Un Hyang was recognized by Suhyuk for her skill. Considering the events she endured due to her talent, there was no room for doubt.
How many people could suddenly disappear beside such a person?
“At least, one individual came to Suhyuk’s mind.”
Even though everyone thought they were dead, he believed one was still alive.
“It felt like they were longing for something….”
Suhyuk muttered, unable to speak the name out loud.
‘Yejung.’
Someone Un Hyang had met.
‘…… Yerang.’
A name reminiscent of his friend.
His heart raced.
She was watching his stream.