Leveling Up Through Eating

Chapter 333: The Soldiers’ Great Battle

ATV PD Kim Dae-Guk was staring at Genie in the monitor seriously. There was not just one, but dozens of cameras trained on her. Then, a notification appeared on one of the monitors in the broadcasting station.

[The voting has ended, the location of the Secret Warehouse will now be revealed.]

[The Commanders of both the continents should command their NPCs and head to the Secret Warehouse.]

The match between South Korea and China had now begun. However, the expressions of PD Kim Dae-Guk and the rest of the directors inside ATV broadcasting station remained solemn.

This was currently being broadcasted in all gaming channels. However, all of the people, including the other broadcasters and players, were of the same mind. All of them thought, ‘Our odds of winning are slim.’

Nangong Hao, the player leading China, was the owner of the second strongest territory, Behemoth. They also knew that China’s NPCs had a stronger, and longer, history than the NPCs in Korea.

Only one person could go inside the Cloud Continent with every ticket, and these tickets were distributed equally to both China and Korea. But for the NPCs, their admission tickets did not have any limits and restrictions, unlike the tickets given to players. For that reason alone, the Chinese would most definitely fill in their slots with high-leveled people. On the other hand, Korea, which was infinitely smaller than China, had a weaker military force and smaller number of players. That was still the case, even if both China and Korea could lead 3,000 troops.

“PD Kim!!!” One of the employees shouted urgently.

Genie only selected the top NPCs among the NPCs gathered in the territory. Then, she said…

[The rest should wait here.]

“...!”

“...!”

PD Kim Dae-Guk and the director were both taken aback. They were broadcasting this over the three great broadcasting station’s gaming channels. Even the citizens watching this broadcast would definitely be taken aback.

“N…No… It’s not enough… You…you need to fill in the numbers…!”

“Are you crazy?!!!”

In just one glance, they could tell that there were only around 400 NPCs chosen for this match. That was in addition to the 700 troops that were left by Genie inside the territory. In other words, they would only have 1,100 troops against 3,000 troops. Did she mean that they would fight against the carefully groomed enemy NPCs with just that number alone?

“...No way,” PD Kim Dae-Guk said bitterly. Even the director was bitter. It seemed like he knew what the PD meant.

“We’ll definitely lose.”

“I think it’s because they know that they’ll lose this battle so they’re trying to minimize the damage.”

These words were quite bitter but perhaps Genie’s choice was the ‘truth and reality’ that they had to face. If they lost here while losing a lot of troops too, then the damage that Korea would receive would be enormous. Comments came in fast after that. It seemed like the viewers thought they understood what Genie was trying to do.

[Ah… I think she made that choice because she knows that it would be a big deal if all of the troops went and they got destroyed.]

[Isn’t that choice a bit too sad and pitiful?]

[No. Don’t you think it’s not alright to lose even before they tried?]

[Genie, you became my girl crush when you declared war on China the other day but I’m very disappointed in you…]

[Perhaps Genie’s choice is correct. It might be better for them to keep those 2,000 troops and make a better plan for the future.]

PD Kim Dae-Guk collapsed in a heap of helplessness when he saw those comments. All he could do was watch the monitor blankly. He once confidently left a comment in the World War Official Website saying ‘Wait for us, World. Our country, South Korea, is coming.’. PD Kim Dae-Guk believed that each and every Korean citizen were of the same mind right now. But then, Genie’s confident smile flashed on the monitor.

“...What?”

How could she smile so confidently after knowing that they would lose? PD Kim Dae-Guk murmured, “Director…”

“Huh?”

“Did you watch the 2018 World Cup?”

The Director smiled excitedly and said, “Of course!”

Was there someone from their country that did not know about that World Cup? In that World Cup, South Korea had lost two consecutive games and was left facing Germany, the team ranked number one in the FIFA rankings, as their third opponent. It was a match that would determine who would move forward to round 16. What was the public’s reaction back then?

‘It’s a relief if we don’t lose 4:0.’

‘Should we even watch the World Cup today?’

‘Why should we watch?! We’re going to lose anyway!’

‘I’m betting on Toto.’

‘Which one are you betting on? Our country?’

‘Of course in Germany!’

None of them expected that their country would win. In fact, they only wished to have a draw. But, as it turned out, what was the result back then? Although Korea failed to move to round 16, they were still able to defeat FIFA’s number one, Germany, 2:0.

“Boy, did you watch the World Cup too?”

“Yes, I was a child back then but…”

PD Kim Dae-Guk smiled as the words of his father rang in his head. He said, “My father cheered loudly back then and said…”

The Director looked at PD Kim in interest, waiting for his next words.

“...Our country has always produced miracles.”

The words set the Director’s heart ablaze with hope. He clenched his fists and looked at the monitor. PD Kim Dae-Guk also turned to look at the monitor as he murmured the rest of the words that his father had said.

“So, don’t give up hope until everything is over.”

***

Nangong Hao led his 3,000 strong troops and began their campaign as the Chinese commentators began to talk.

[Nangong Hao finally begins his attack towards the ‘Warrior’s Secret’ Warehouse.]

[Nangong Hao is the guild master of the Great Wall Guild, one of China’s largest guilds. As an individual, he has proven himself to be a powerful Chinese ranker as a swordsman at Level 504.]

[Right now, you can see Black Lion and White Lion marching, each with around 1,000 troops under their command. There are also around 200 Qin Shi Huang’s Warriors under the Great Wall Guild’s banner. Each warrior is said to be above Level 450.]

[According to our estimates, his military force is, on average, around Level 450.]

[That’s not all. Nangong Hao’s Qin Shi Huang’s Warriors consist of at least seven knights at Epic-rank, with a potential that exceeds 100. From what I heard, each of them were around Level 480-490 and can grow much stronger than that. At first, their level was only around Level 420, a level that matched their ranking as Epic, but Nangong Hao had increased their level by around 60-70.]

[Wow. That’s unbelievable. I can only be in awe. No matter how high the NPC’s potential is, it’s hard to do that. Only Nangong Hao can cultivate such forces!]

[However, I’m sure that the players from the Asgan Continent will also be tough to deal with. The main characters on their side are the unknown little boy and the man from the demon race, who had both just recently appeared. We can consider them as the core forces of the Korean side.]

[However, wouldn't they just prove to be useless in front of the Black and White Lions?]

[That’s a very likely outcome. Both Black and White Lions are brothers. They receive a seven percent buff from each other’s abilities so their levels are almost around 530.]

[Although the little boy and the man from the demon race looked strong, it seemed like they’re only around Level 500.]

The commentators kept on talking. Then, one of the commentators piped up in surprise.

[Huh? This is breaking news! Asgan Continent’s troops are marching towards the Warrior’s Secret Warehouse with just around 1,100 soldiers!]

[Then, that means that the Asgan Continent has already given up this battle.]

This was also something that was relayed to the advancing Nangong Hao.

[JTV Broadcasting Station: Mr. Nangong Hao, South Korea is marching with only around 1,100 troops. From what we heard, Genie has removed most of their troops.]

Hearing those words, Nangong Hao…

“Keuhahahahahahaha!”

…laughed loudly. Where did Genie’s confidence go? Where was the person who cursed them and told them to come if they could go? It seemed like she was struggling to minimize the damage to their troops right now?

‘A ridiculous and laughable woman.’

It seemed like her dignity and pride disappeared, with just the slightest change in their situation. But then, the woman appeared in front of Nangong Hao. She appeared with around 200 troops behind her.

[Ah. Genie, the Commander of the Asgan Continent, has appeared right at this moment!!!]

[She showed up with only 200 troops.]

[What in the world is she thinking?!]

[However, I can’t see the mysterious little boy and the man from the demon race, the NPCs that played active roles in hunting the Red Dragon Order, anywhere among their ranks?]

[Maybe they were just temporary NPCs.]

Temporary NPCs were NPCs that helped players during their quests. Temporary NPCs would provide help for the players, but would have no reason to stay with them if they were idle. It was an entirely different concept from vassals. In fact, the Chinese only speculated this. After all, it did not make sense for strong NPCs like them to willingly fall under the control and command of a player.

“Miss Genie, I wonder why you only came here with just 200 of your troops? Aren’t you aware that an army that had lost its Commander is like a light and useless leaf fluttering in the harsh winds?”

Athenae had a good ‘translation system’ so there were no problems communicating between the two of them. Besides, Nangong Hao was very confident that even if the troops that Genie had brought were the best of the best, they were still strong enough to deal with just 200 of them. After all, he had 3,000 troops behind him. He wondered if the remaining 900 troops were preparing for some kind of strategic tactic as their last struggle.

Then, Black Lion, with his black mask and double sword, folded his arms as he guffawed and said, “Hahahahaha. Nangong Hao, can you see that?”

Black Lion did not have any respect for Nangong Hao, the guild master. This was because both Black Lion and White Lion were too free-spirited for Nangong Hao to control.

“I’m talking about that old man! Look, it’s like they brought that ragged old man just to match the number of people!”

Nangong Hao chuckled at Black Lion’s words. That was exactly what the old man looked like. He even believed that the old man was just around Epic, or perhaps almost at Epic rank. That was probably the reason why that old man had joined the battlefield. But…

“What a unique hairstyle for an old man…” Nangong Hao said with a laugh. The old man looked old, but he had long, luscious black hair, tied up in a ponytail. Nangong Hao could not help but laugh at the sight.

Then, Genie raised her arm up in the sky. The moment she clenched her fists…

Dash, dash, dash, dash, dash!

…something unexpected happened. Nangong Hao thought that Genie was here to negotiate but she suddenly started to attack with her 200 soldiers.

“Wh…what?!”

‘Is there such a f*cking idiot? Does she really think that they have a chance at winning? Or maybe…’

“There may be troops hiding in the area. Don’t let your guard down.”

…they were just acting as a distraction. Black Lion and White Lion both stepped forward.

“We have to take the initiative.”

“Let’s start with that girl.”

Black Lion and White Lion stood confidently in front of their enemies and got into position. Black Lion and White Lion were both close combat fighters. Their main specialties were consecutive attacks, quick jabs and kicks. Their fists and kicks were so fast that it was even hard for rankers that transferred to High Class to deal with them and endure the onslaught of their attacks. Then, the commentators’ explanations began.

[Aaaaaah! The 200 soldiers are now rushing towards the troops from the Cairon Continent!!!]

[It’s a completely incomprehensible strategy!!!]

[Did they believe that they have a chance at winning?]

Then, the 200 soldiers collided with the 3,000 strong troops. To be exact, they appeared right in front of the Cairon Continent troops.

[This is an unexpected but fierce match!]

[White Lion and Black Lion stepped forward to defend against Commander Genie and her troops!]

[We’ll be able to see their wide area of attack specialty skill soon, the Thousand Fists and Thousand Kicks!]

White Lion’s main specialty were his fist attacks, while Black Lion’s main specialty were his kicks. The skills that these two used together could easily devastate a 20 meter radius. Perhaps they might be able to lay waste to the 200 troops in a single attack once they entered their range. Then, the old man with the head of black hair rushed towards White Lion.

[Aaaaaah! That old veteran soldier chose the wrong opponent! Why did he choose to go to White Lion?]

[I can already tell that he’ll die without even crossing fists and swords thrice…]

The commentators continued to speak, but then something completely beyond the realm of common sense happened in front of their eyes. The old man thrust his spear forward, and everyone firmly believed that White Lion would be able to stop the attack. But…

Stab!

…White Lion’s neck was completely pierced through. He turned into ashes and disappeared in a span of two seconds. This was the one shot kill that they had only heard of!!!

[Screech!]

The commentators let out some incomprehensible words in shock. It was actually the sound of one of the commentators kicking a chair in surprise.

[...!]

[...!]

[...!]

The commentators, the live comments and the viewers that watched the broadcast were all left in silence. But then…

[There… there’s a woman standing over there!]

Dozens of drone cameras from the Chinese’s side flew to get a shot of the woman standing on top of a small hill. The woman was wearing a white priestess robe and had her hands stretched out towards the 200 troops from the Koreans’ side. The woman was so beautiful that it was enough for people to call her an angel that descended from heaven. She was considered to be the most beautiful woman in Athenae, including the women from real life. The woman rumored to be sent to the world by God Athenae himself to become his agent in this world.

The commentator’s voice trembled as he spoke…

[S-S-S-S-S-Saintess Loyna is, is standing over there! But how come…]

[Saintess Loyna is helping the soldiers from the Asgan Continent…?]

China, no, the entire world watching the Continental War between China and Korea, were all left in shock.

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