NOVPUB
Chapter 2
[Translator – Zain]
Chapter 2
* * *
On a certain day in the year 2010.
-Inviting Earthlings to the Battle Net.
A single invitation from space turned the human way of life upside down.
“Did you watch the game yesterday?”
“I did. We won against Mexico pretty easily.”
“The Sword King swept everyone. Their tanks are weak against us.”
The Battle Net League unfolds worldwide. A combat game consisting of these four modes: Survival, Invasion, Defense, and Dungeons.
It made all professional sports like the Olympics and World Cup disappear.
Kids in Brazilian alleys, once playing soccer, began to treat swords as toys.
Promising members of American baseball teams threw daggers instead of baseballs in the air.
It had been just a year since Earth was invited to Battle Net, and yet such a peculiar shift in perception had occurred.
And now, after a decade, in the year 2020.
[The tutorial season of Battle Net will end after this year.]
[Starting from 2021, humanity will participate in the Space League – Bronze League.]
The time for humanity to stay in the cradle had come to an end.
* * *
A vast and splendid living room.
Seong Jihan, lying on the sofa, opened his eyes.
‘Where is this…’
His head throbbed with pain, and the smell of alcohol vibrated in his mouth.
Typical hangover symptoms.
This was an experience Seong Jihan hadn’t had a single time for the past few years. But he was so pleased with this feeling.
“I really have returned to the early days of the league.”
A chance to challenge the system again.
Even when he saw the last system message, he didn’t believe he would actually return.
He had truly gone back in time.
He quickly got up from the sofa and looked around. A spacious living room big enough to kick a ball around. It was a very familiar place to him.
This was his sister’s house and Yoon Sejin’s house.
Until now, Seong Jihan had been living in this house.
‘And…’ 𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑝𝘶𝘣.𝑐𝘰𝘮
Even the numerous bottles of alcohol on the coffee table in front of the sofa.
‘That’s right..’
This time, It was a period of upheaval in his life, the time when he had become a Level 2 and participated in the Bronze League for the first time.
“Now once again, let’s listen to the press conference of the Sword King Yoon Sejin…”
Meanwhile, a somber voice was spreading from the TV.
When Seong Jihan turned his gaze in that direction, a video of a journalist conference with a man was playing on the TV, filling the entire wall.
“Ladies and gentlemen of the nation.
As soon as Seong Jihan heard that voice, he clenched his teeth.
That journalist conference video.
A scene he couldn’t forget for a lifetime.
July 31st, 2020…
He even remembered the date perfectly.
“I, Yoon Sejin….
The Sword King Yoon Sejinwas Seong Jihan’s brother-in-law and the strongest player in Korea.
Ranked 3rd among the world’s top 11 players, he was known to be the most powerful among the Warrior class.
He, who was called Korea’s pride and national treasure. On the screen, he stood with a proud expression.
“Regarding the rumors circulating across space, I’ve come today to reveal the truth.
Confidently, he continued speaking.
“First, about the rumor of me transfering to Japan’s Divine Self-Defense Force.
That part is true.”
‘Of all times, just as I return to the past, to see that bastard’s face again.’
Yoon Sejin’s press conference.
This was the turning point that shook Korea and led to its downfall.
Him moving to Japan had a cascading effect, causing Korea’s league ranking to plummet rapidly.
“And our country… perished.”
Seong Jihan twisted his expression while contemplating future events.
The journalists on the screen, momentarily wearing disappointed looks, eagerly raised their hands.
“Mr. Yoon Sejin! Mr. Yoon Sejin!”
“Defecting to Japan’s Divine Self-Defense Force? Is that really true?”
“It is true.”
“The Divine Self-Defense Force is a guild directly under the Japanese government! It’s known to select representatives for the league nations, and they only accept Japanese nationals.”
“Well, then…?”
“I’m aware of that too. The Divine Self-Defense Force only accepts Japanese people.”
Click. Click. Click.
The press conference hall was enveloped in silence.
The sound of camera flashes continued to reverberate.
“So, I, Sejin… am changing my name to Ryuhei and naturalize as a Japanese citizen. Please call him Ito Ryuhei from now on.”
Murmurs. Murmurs.
The unsettled voices of journalists reached beyond the TV screen.
“W-what?! Mr. Yoon Sejin!”
“What are you saying… Sword King!”
“Becoming a naturalized Japanese citizen!”
“Are you saying you’re retiring as a national representative too?”
“Yes. I, Ito Ryuhei, will be representing Japan in the World Champions League from now on. See you then. Well then.”
Even a cool smile circled around Yoon Sejin’s lips as he spoke of becoming Japanese.
Countless journalists had such cold expressions that it seemed as if their emotions froze.
He, who had been called Korea’s hero and gained popularity with his gentle image, now appeared completely contrary to that image.
“Wait, wait a moment!”
“Mr. Yoon Sejin! Has there been any consultation with the Korean government?”
“To change even your name…”
Journalists rushed towards Yoon Sejin, but suddenly, a black shadow rippled around him, and he was engulfed in it.
“What… what is this?”
“Where did he go?!”
And the screen shifted.
Below the scene of a gloomy discussion hall, a bold headline was written.
[Sword King’s Departure. What will happen to South Korea’s league ranking in the future?]
[Translator – Zain]
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