Chapter 118

Clang! Clang!

The Rune Dwarf kept working without a moment’s rest.

Much like Baek Jinwoo never ceased his own physical conditioning, the Rune Dwarf had maintained the steady rhythm of his smithing hammer from the very moment of his summoning.

The priorities dictating the Rune Dwarf’s crafting orders ran in a precise sequence:

Baek Jinwoo > the SKY guild > prominent domestic guilds > international commissions.

Because global patrons routed their rune requests through various networks, the Rune Dwarf was able to constantly elevate his mastery without spending a single dime on resources.

As an added benefit, he frequently gathered surplus scrap materials from these jobs.

“Ah, look who it is. Master.”

The stocky blacksmith lowered his tool, wiped away the perspiration beads on his forehead, and met Baek Jinwoo’s gaze.

He had been laboring over the precise runes Baek Jinwoo had commissioned four weeks prior.

“Have they been finalized?”

“Naturally! The finishing touches were applied just this morning.”

“Phew.”

Baek Jinwoo let out a breath he didn’t realize he was holding.

Talk about incredible timing.

A part of him had been deeply worried that the Rune Dwarf wouldn’t manage to complete the task prior to the conclusion of the World League.

“See for yourself. Six Ruination runes and half a dozen Fire Dragon runes. This project alone allowed me to hoard an immense amount of Masterwork Crafting experience.”

Ruination.

Along with Fire Dragon.

To break it down once more, Ruination served as a placeholder Rare rune for Rolly.

[Rune]

[Rank: Supreme-grade (Rare)]

• Capped at 100 total copies across the globe.

[Set Effect: Ruination]

• When 6 pieces are slotted: Critical Hit Damage +500% within the Arena, Maximum HP +10,000.

• When this specific summon stands as the sole survivor: Every attribute +500%.

[Level: 1]

[Stat Modification]

STR +12%, AGI +12%, Critical Hit Probability +10%, Critical Hit Damage +40%

Evaluating the raw numbers alone, these were tailored flawlessly for Rolly.

A set designed purely for PVP encounters!

The collective trait alone was staggering.

Critical Hit Damage amplified by +500% inside the boundaries of the Arena.

This meant whether engaged in a massive team brawl or a direct Player vs Player duel… every bit of that scaling went into effect.

Furthermore, what would take place if someone accumulated a trio of these Ruination runes and presented them directly to the Rune Dwarf?

A completely overwhelming Unique tier rune known as Annihilation would be forged.

Annihilation represented the ultimate, definitive endgame rune for Rolly, bar none.

The specifics of that item could remain on the back burner until the actual forging process commenced.

And what about Fire Dragon?

That was the interim rune assigned to Stormy.

It wasn’t merely optimal for Stormy either—it paired just as fluidly with Hong Ari. It stood as a magnificent rune choice for any combat summon aligned with the element of flame.

[Set Effect: Fire Dragon]

• When 6 pieces are slotted: Total Output +100%.

• When 6 pieces are slotted: For every sequence of 10 strikes, an S-rank Fire Dragon manifests to deliver a standard strike.

• Provided the summon possesses a flame affinity: Every attribute +200%.

INT +12%, MP +12%, Critical Hit Probability +10%, Critical Hit Damage +40%

This particular one was no exception.

Merely skimming the mechanical fine print was enough to send a shiver down a person’s spine.

“Hah, the task is finally complete.”

Stormy, Rolly.

The two of them had certainly endured a difficult stretch, wading through battles up to this point with mismatched, low-tier junk runes slapped onto their slots.

It was finally time to outfit them with top-tier gear.

“My thanks, Rune Dwarf.”

“Haha, don’t mention it, Master. If anything, I am the one indebted to you for granting me the materials to forge runes of such incredible caliber.”

A true blessing, that Rune Dwarf.

The creature operated on an entirely different level.

Baek Jinwoo moved without wasting a single second.

He presented his official national representative credentials, passed into the London Player Zone, and made a direct line toward the enhancement lab facilities.

[Welcome to the Enhancement Lab!]

[Upgrade or refine the qualities of your runes!]

The setup in London mirrored the one back home in South Korea perfectly.

While the exterior architecture presented a different aesthetic, the internal systems functioned on the exact same core parameters.

He unequipped all the low-grade runes that Stormy and Rolly had been scraping by with, then dumped the entire reserve of scrap runes he had collected from Day Dungeons straight into upgrading the new pieces.

He pushed them all the way to their absolute limit, level 10.

Observing the numeric attributes climb higher and higher provided immense satisfaction.

Though he possessed 49 Universal Abrasives in his inventory, he abstained from using even a single one.

These weren’t their final endgame runes, meaning such an expenditure would be entirely wasteful.

Even so, this current setup was more than potent enough to hold its own on the grand stage of the World League.

Baek Jinwoo maintained access to these Rare pieces solely due to the presence of the Rune Dwarf. The vast majority of top-tier rankers found themselves struggling to acquire even a solitary Unique grade rune.

This bottleneck wasn’t due to a lack of funds—there simply weren’t any actual listings appearing on the open market.

“Grrr… Grrrr!”

“Hehe, my utmost gratitude, Jinwoo-nim.”

The combat summons appeared absolutely ecstatic over their newly acquired runes.

Excellent.

Every single preparation required for the impending clash with America had fallen into place.

“Impeccable.”

Haaah!

Baek Jinwoo extended his limbs in a deep stretch and retraced his steps back toward his lodging.

He intended to practice some rhythmic breathing exercises within the privacy of his personal quarters, followed by a long period of deep relaxation.

The following morning. South Korea.

As the semifinal round drew closer, the entire citizenry had flooded the streets since the early dawn hours, blanketed in a sea of red attire.

Youths, senior citizens, expectant mothers—it made zero difference. Every single individual raised their voices in perfect unison.

“VICTORY FOR KOREA!”

Clap-clap, clap-clap-clap!

A population of fifty million people, completely united without a single exception, sent forth their intense desires for a South Korean triumph.

“This evening at 6 PM! Which equates to 10 AM local London time! The day of the fateful semifinals is finally upon us!”

“Securing a spot in the top four is an absolute phenomenon by itself, but honestly, given that phenomena are already taking place, wouldn’t it be spectacular to see them advance to the grand finals? Hahaha!”

“Quite right! Our very own Baek Jinwoo—the citizens have remained awake through the night rooting for him since yesterday, all collectively praying he delivers another masterclass performance.”

The on-air broadcasting team maintained a composed analytical tone as they counted down to the event.

Celebrated musical acts and vocalists offered performances to rally the public.

Local street vendors went so far as to vow they would distribute free meals if the squad managed to secure a spot in the finals.

The entire nation of South Korea resembled a living, breathing carnival.

And then.

“The competitors are making their entrance!”

The precise instant the combatants emerged, marching shoulder to shoulder into the Arena—

“WAAAAAAAH!”

The stadium seating shook as the spectators welcomed them with deafening cheers.

The volume spiked exponentially the moment they caught sight of Baek Jinwoo marching right at the head of the formation!

“WOOOOAAAHH!”

“BAEK JINWOO! BAEK JINWOO!”

“TAKE THE WIN, BAEK JINWOO!”

“CRUSH XENOS!”

The onlookers bellowed until their throats turned raw.

When Baek Jinwoo caught sight of the broadcasting lens and gave a casual wave, the roar of the arena somehow managed to redouble in intensity.

It was an incredible sensation.

Watching South Korea’s rising prospect standing tall upon the grand international stage, gesturing with that level of serene self-assurance—it was enough to fill anyone’s chest with immense national pride.

“Our beacon of hope, Baek Jinwoo, is gesturing to the spectators! The enthusiastic cheers from his female fans are vibrating all the way to our commentary booth.”

“He truly possesses striking visuals. A national savior blessed with an incredible physique and handsome features to match… how is anyone else supposed to compete with that?”

“Even if competition is impossible, it matters little. Please! Nothing else takes precedence—just secure a victory over America. That is the singular wish we are all projecting.”

Concurrently, the combatants’ official rankings began to scroll across the main displays.

To start, the South Korean team lineup slid into view.

Directly following it was the American roster.

“Wow.”

“Those competitors are serious business.”

“To be perfectly blunt, looking strictly at the metrics, America presents a far greater threat than Japan.”

That fact was undeniable.

If Japan operated essentially as a singular star showcase centered entirely around Hikaru?

America utilized a far more balanced, comprehensive roster, sharing similarities with the structural approach of England.

Taking a closer look at the lineup:

[American National Team Roster]

1. World Ranking 3rd — William Xenos

2. World Ranking 8th — Coby Pochettino

3. World Ranking 10th — Clint Jones

4. World Ranking 15th — Emily Fox

5. World Ranking 32nd — Emily Sonett

6. World Ranking 34th — Casey Ravel

7. World Ranking 56th — Sophia Plum

8. World Ranking 90th — Donovan Tatum

9. Jaylen Brown

10. Greg Kerr

An incredible eight competitors held official positions as world rankers—monsters, every last one of them.

As for the remaining pair? Both were highly renowned as elite combatants perched right on the precipice of entering that titan tier themselves.

“Blimey.”

“That is utterly ridiculous.”

“Isn’t that roster practically identical in strength to England’s?”

“We are expected to overcome THAT?”

By comparison, the South Korean lineup appeared remarkably understated, almost tragic.

Not a single globally ranked individual featured on the list.

Two members of the squad were even unranked entities within the domestic competitive circle.

While one of those unranked individuals happened to be Baek Jinwoo, the stark contrast remained.

“Well, things have already progressed to this stage anyway.”

“The lineup is certainly terrifying, but wasn’t the English team just as imposing? What truly counts is possessing a resolve that refuses to splinter!”

“Preach. Even in the event of a defeat? We simply return across the ocean having gathered invaluable combat experience!”

The contest kicked off without delay.

The primary broadcast feed transitioned directly to the live transmission coming out of the London production center.

Whirrrrl!

The Fate Dice spun across the surface of the arena floor.

America’s opening combatant: Donovan Tatum, sitting at world ranking 90th.

South Korea’s opening combatant: Ahn Gijeong.

Ahn Gijeong maintained a deep specialization in toxin mechanics.

The Poison King (A-rank) that Baek Jinwoo had recently gifted him for this occasion pushed the offensive capabilities of all his toxin-aligned summons to their absolute peak.

The clash between Tatum and Ahn Gijeong proved to be incredibly brutal.

That performance alone was more than enough to ignite a firestorm of excitement across South Korea.

“Astonishing! Simply breathtaking! An unranked competitor like Ahn Gijeong is maintaining THIS level of parity against a world-renowned powerhouse like Donovan Tatum!”

What stood out as even more mind-blowing?

He claimed the win. With exactly a single summon remaining active on the field.

“AHN GIJEONG! AHN GIJEONG! AHN GIJEONG!”

“An executive of Ilwol doesn’t just fold under pressure!”

Though he only possessed a lone summon left in play, the objective reality of his triumph was the only thing that mattered.

“America’s subsequent combatant is Sophia Plum. Holding world ranking 56th!”

The next American representative strode forward.

As expected, the ultimate resolution of that particular bout was set in stone.

“Ahn Gijeong is eliminated from the arena!”

“It was an unavoidable outcome. He was operating with just a single active summon!”

“Who represents the next link in our chain?”

“It is Kang Jiho! The Mad Berserker himself, Kang Jiho!”

For the most part, the trade efficiency between the South Korean and American rosters balanced out to a steady 1:1 ratio.

Whenever one competitor secured a victory?

The opposing side would promptly eliminate that exhausted victor, allowing a fresh, balanced confrontation to reset the cycle.

That dynamic spoke volumes about how drastically the members of the South Korean national squad had enhanced their capabilities.

However.

“For the fifth bout, Clint Jones steps into the light! World ranking 10th! A true leviathan who sits firmly within the top ten elites of the entire globe!”

The second Clint Jones set foot on the battlefield, South Korea found themselves being violently driven backward.

Hong Ari, Ki Jaehyeok, Oh Seonyeong…

Every one of them had undergone massive individual development, yet it remained insufficient to withstand a literal force of nature of that caliber.

They were systematically wiped from the field.

“Eighth bout! Baek Jinwoo finally steps into the arena!”

“BAEK JINWOOOOO! The focus of our hopes! Our national icon marches forward to bring America down to its knees!”

“WAAAAAAAH!”

At long last.

Whoosh!

Baek Jinwoo materialized upon the competitive stage.

Apologies, but—

Step.

The gaze of the young man who planted his feet upon that platform was freezing cold.

Against the American squad, I will open with Drill Sarge and I will close with Drill Sarge.

Without question.

He had no intention of calling upon entities like Rolly or Stormy.

Baek Jinwoo fully intended to dismantle the American lineup utilizing nothing but Drill Sarge’s micro-control.

Whether it was Clint Jones blocking his path immediately, Coby Pochettino waiting in the wings…

Or even Xenos himself, an esteemed member of the Five Emperors—it made no difference whatsoever.

If he proved incapable of conquering them through sheer execution while utilizing a Drill Sarge outfitted with an ultimate endgame rune—a Unique-tier extreme endgame rune at that?

Then he would stand zero chance when facing off against Rachel regardless.

Rachel commanded two separate S-rank entities.

Swish.

Baek Jinwoo extended his arm forward, and a solitary summon materialized in the space before him.

A heavily armored Drill Instructor.

“WHAT?!”

“What in the world is happening?!”

“Don’t tell me he intends to go toe-to-toe with the world’s 10th-ranked powerhouse using nothing but Drill Sarge a second time?!”

“This is… even taking Baek Jinwoo’s track record into account, that borders on extreme hubris!”

“What is his objective?”

“What could he possibly be plotting?”

“We are all well aware of Drill Sarge’s combat proficiency, but… his current challenger is Jones.”

Baek Jinwoo could easily visualize the exact nature of South Korea’s collective panic within his own mind.

They would all be drowning in doubt.

Could he truly bring down an elite of that caliber using nothing but Drill Sarge?

“Are you intentionally disrespecting me?”

His challenger shared that exact sentiment.

Clint Jones knit his brows together, his features contorting with profound irritation.

“Just because a member of the Five Emperors offered you a bit of public praise, you genuinely believe you’re untouchable?”

Baek Jinwoo didn’t even bother to offer a verbal retort.

Shing!

He simply—

Signaled Drill Sarge to unsheathe his weapon.

Wasting breath on a skeptic was a pointless exercise.

Demonstrating reality through action was always the far more effective response.