Gwanjongcheonma’s Game Broadcast - Chapter 129

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 129

 

Assassin Sparta.

 

This is the ambitious new project that ‘Gonau Soft’ is preparing, given their recent poor sales performance.

 

Among all the Assassin Series, this has the highest production budget invested,

 

and Singularities from numerous countries visit the on-site location to test it.

 

EX-Grade Capsule Machines that cost billions of won each.

 

Just seeing them equipped there, you could glimpse ‘Gonau Soft’s’ determination.

 

“Everything’s fine, but why Sparta?”

 

Choi Gang-sik, who had been half-lying on the large sofa, sat up and asked.

 

They said the concept was based on the Spartan warriors from the movie 400,

 

but in his opinion, there was something that didn’t make sense.

 

“The Assassin Series has assassination as its concept, but Spartan warriors fight openly, don’t they? Doesn’t that not fit at all?”

 

“That’s a valid point, but recently in the Assassin Series, the protagonist was shooting laser beams. Like Iron People.”

 

“True. I did see that footage too…”

 

If there are no witnesses, it’s assassination even if you do it loudly and flashily.

 

He thought it was just a joke that viewers made,

 

but recent games actually made that into reality.

 

“The storyline has nothing to do with testing, so we just have to hope it turns out well.”

 

A tester can’t be responsible for box office success too.

 

I just need to do my job properly.

 

Hae-rang made that resolution as he faced his second day in America.

 

* * *

 

“…I don’t like it.”

 

The annex building located next to Gonau Soft headquarters.

 

It’s a dormitory where staff handle meals and lodging, and simultaneously a space for welcoming guests.

 

The Singularities who had eaten breakfast gathered in one place.

 

It was a large private room with a C-shaped large sofa surrounding a circular table.

 

“This is shit. Damn it.”

 

Like someone with a stomach full of late-night snacks from the previous day.

 

Jo Sang-jin had been grumbling all morning.

 

“Why is that bastard Gwanjong Cheonma the only one who brought a manager? They clearly told us we couldn’t.”

 

Words they had already heard several times.

 

The Singularities each shook their heads in dismay.

 

Regardless, Jo Sang-jin’s complaints continued endlessly.

 

“After the meeting ended, only that guy went to the VIP Room, right? Ha! A place we’ve never even seen despite participating as testers for years!”

 

“Brother Sang-jin. My ears are going to start bleeding…”

 

“Hyeon-bin, you stay out of this. Where do you get off interrupting when your elders are talking.”

 

Jo Sang-jin glared at Ma Hyeon-bin.

 

He was about to launch into another Long Speech about his displeasure.

 

“Hey, Rounding.”

 

Kim Si-hwan, unable to stand it anymore, called him by his nickname.

 

It was a new nickname he’d gotten since coming to America this time.

 

Gonau Soft’s desired Capsule compatibility was 80%,

 

Jo Sang-jin’s score was 79.6%.

 

For Jo Sang-jin, who barely passed by ’rounding’ his Capsule compatibility,

 

it was truly a nickname that made his blood boil.

 

“I told you I won’t let it slide if you call me Rounding!”

 

“If that nickname bothers you so much, then get first place in the test. Then it’ll naturally disappear.”

 

“Grr…!”

 

“You think we’re happy and cheerful? When the development team leader, who’s called the real power in this Company, especially favors someone. What can we do.”

 

Kim Si-hwan felt just as twisted and bitter inside.

 

He realized it this time.

 

How relative something like ‘treatment’ could be.

 

For the past few years, he thought they had received satisfactory treatment from Gonau Soft,

 

but seeing the treatment they gave Hae-rang, it felt like we were just…

 

‘Like leftovers.’

 

So Kim Si-hwan steeled his resolve.

 

Before the full-scale test, there was a need to give a firm warning.

 

He stood in the middle of the sofa and looked around at the Singularities.

 

Then he drew a gentle arc with his characteristically long, narrow eyes.

 

“If Gwanjong Cheonma takes first place in this test, what do you think those reporters who are already sharpening their teeth will say?”

 

“…!”

 

“They’ll say that ten Singularities went, but all of them knelt before Gwanjong Cheonma. That not a single one could beat him.”

 

A smile that looked harmless and modest like a willow tree.

 

But the words coming from his mouth were as sharp as a well-honed sword.

 

“It might be better to give up returning home and put down roots here instead. For Singularities, getting American citizenship would be no trouble at all.”

 

“We can’t let that happen!”

 

“I’ll just take first place myself!”

 

“I absolutely cannot let Gwanjong Cheonma take the top spot!”

 

If it had been about money at first,

 

now it had become a battle of pride.

 

An emotion they had never felt once in their entire lives.

 

Through Hae-rang, they came to realize what ‘inferiority complex’ was.

 

“I like that spirit.”

 

Kim Si-hwan turned his back, his bleached long hair flowing.

 

“Let’s go. To catch Gwanjong Cheonma.”

 

* * *

 

Thud thud.

 

Two boys with their small hands rolled into fists engage in combat.

 

Their closely shaved heads look cute,

 

but the punches they throw are as cold and fierce as any adult’s.

 

It couldn’t be helped.

 

The target they were swinging those fists at was a ‘Singularity.’

 

“Grr…!”

 

Ma Hyeon-bin swings his fist with all his might.

 

But it’s not as easy as he wants it to be.

 

It’s not because the Capsule’s performance is poor.

 

It’s because ‘Assassin Sparta’s historical accuracy is excessively thorough.

 

“What kind of game… did they make like this…!”

 

Ma Hyeon-bin, who is called a genius even within Singularity.

 

He ranked in the upper tier in this compatibility rate test as well.

 

But he couldn’t move his arms and legs as he intended.

 

Because the character in the game was a young child with no strength and clumsy movements.

 

Moreover, with each level he gained, it felt like the shackles on his hands and feet became heavier.

 

Whoosh!

 

Ma Hyeon-bin came out of the Capsule and collapsed into a chair.

 

The last level he cleared was 7.

 

It wasn’t a bad score, but it wasn’t the ultimate realm that Gonau Soft wanted.

 

“Hah. Hek.”

 

Watching Ma Hyeon-bin gasping for breath, Da-hong asked.

 

“Are you okay? You don’t need to push yourself too hard. If everyone taking the test ends at level 7, that becomes the final level.”

 

“I know that too, but I don’t think that’s going to happen. Phew.”

 

Ma Hyeon-bin’s sweat-drenched face turns to one side.

 

An empty chair with no one there.

 

It was Hae-rang’s seat, who had designated his turn for last.

 

“You’re really conscious of Hae-rang, aren’t you? Is it because of yesterday’s compatibility rate?”

 

“No. I’ve been thinking about it since before then. Gwanjong Cheonma might be…”

 

Da-hong hurriedly covered Ma Hyeon-bin’s mouth.

 

He was already a kid on the verge of getting on someone’s bad side, so she couldn’t let him keep saying things like this.

 

Even now, there was someone at Singularity who would jump up from sleep at the mention of Gwanjong Cheonma.

 

She whispered to Ma Hyeon-bin.

 

“I know what you’re thinking. I sometimes have similar thoughts too.”

 

“Really? You too, noona?”

 

“Right. But this doesn’t seem like the place to talk about it.”

 

Da-hong and Ma Hyeon-bin exchanged meaningful glances.

 

Just then,

 

“Kraaaaaaah!”

 

Despite the capsule machine being well soundproofed.

 

The sound of a pig being slaughtered leaked out.

 

Ma Hyeon-bin checked the player inside the capsule with wide eyes.

 

“It’s Brother Sang-jin.”

 

“That was Jo Sang-jin? I thought someone was giving birth.”

 

Ma Hyeon-bin barely managed to hold back his bursting laughter.

 

“Gyaaaaaaak!”

 

Perhaps wanting to make up for the humiliation from the last aptitude test.

 

Jo Sang-jin was sweating profusely as he faced the young boy in-game.

 

Whoosh!

 

However, the numbers that reached his ears were merciless.

 

“Jo Sang-jin. Level 5.”

 

“…Shit.”

 

Jo Sang-jin slumped down without even thinking of coming out of the capsule.

 

Level 5.

 

Following the aptitude test, he had achieved the lowest score once again.

 

Jo Sang-jin, who had been hanging his head in disappointment, suddenly raised it.

 

Then he came out of the capsule and started babbling in an exaggerated voice.

 

“What. You’re not thinking anything weird about this, right? It’s just a game. Right? Besides, it’s a machine that hasn’t even been verified yet.”

 

“Enough of that, move aside.”

 

Kim Si-hwan, who was next in line, gestured in front of Jo Sang-jin.

 

Everyone smiled bitterly at the sight.

 

All Singularities can understand why Jo Sang-jin is suddenly acting so frantic.

 

Jo Sang-jin is currently worried about ‘expulsion’.

 

Being unable to play one game wouldn’t lead to expulsion,

 

but these things accumulate and eventually lead to a vote.

 

A vote for ‘Singularity expulsion’, that is.

 

Whoosh!

 

“Kim Si-hwan. Level 6.”

 

“Damn it.”

 

Most Singularities, including Kim Si-hwan, couldn’t overcome level 7.

 

Only two Singularities achieved level 7.

 

Ye Da-hong and Ma Hyeon-bin.

 

‘See? I was right, wasn’t I?’

 

Da-hong looked at Ma Hyeon-bin with such a smile.

 

But his gaze was actually directed elsewhere.

 

Thud thud.

 

He heard confident footsteps approaching this way.

 

“Gwanjong Cheonma…!”

 

All the Singularities’ tests were finished.

 

Now only Hae-rang’s turn remained.

 

Several Singularities’ faces twisted unpleasantly.

 

Everyone had been waiting since early, taking turns in order.

 

They didn’t like how he showed up late and acted so leisurely.

 

‘Why are they making such faces? If they’re jealous, they should try getting first place in compatibility.’

 

Da-hong snorted and stood in front of Hae-rang.

 

Then she raised her eyelids.

 

“Your hair is slightly wet?”

 

“Yes. I was doing some training.”

 

“Aren’t you overdoing it? The test is starting soon.”

 

“It’s fine. I looked at the content beforehand and it doesn’t seem like it’ll be too difficult.”

 

“Huh?”

 

A deflated voice leaked from Da-hong’s mouth.

 

Not too difficult?

 

This was a stage where even with all of Singularity throwing themselves at it, level 7 was the limit, let alone level 10.

 

So much so that people said ‘Didn’t the Developer make this just to mess with us?’

 

But Hae-rang was talking about it like ‘What’s so hard about adjusting the water temperature when showering?’

 

As if saying ‘Listen if you want to listen.’

 

There was no hesitation in Hae-rang’s voice.

 

‘What the hell is that bastard saying?’

 

‘His arrogance pierces the sky.’

 

‘Well, he’ll find out once he experiences it himself.’

 

‘I’m really looking forward to seeing how he looks when he comes out of the Capsule.’

 

Though they didn’t say it out loud, most of Singularity were speaking with their eyes.

 

And they prayed earnestly.

 

That Hae-rang’s clear level would be pathetic.

 

“Final test. Starting with Mr. Cheon Hae-rang.”

 

Whirr!

 

Watching the EX Capsule start up, Da-hong gulped.

 

‘I think this is the first time I’ve seen him so confident.’

 

Of course, Hae-rang’s attitude usually had confidence written all over it.

 

But this test felt like something beyond that.

 

What could it be?

 

A stage that deliberately made you fight in a child’s body.

 

They had only played games that made physical sensations comfortable,

 

but this was the first game with so many handicaps scattered around.

 

It felt like taking a Time Machine back to childhood and fighting.

 

Naturally, Da-hong had never engaged in such violent fighting at that age.

 

And the same was true for the other Singularity members.

 

“Haat!”

 

Hae-rang’s gameplay is transmitted to the Singularities through the large screen.

 

Even his battle cry comes out converted to a child’s voice.

 

Hae-rang with his neatly cropped hair letting out a battle cry.

 

That sight was both valiant and, somehow, cute.

 

Thud!

 

Hae-rang’s straight punch struck the solar plexus, and the Rival Boy collapsed with Hae-rang’s body.

 

At the same time, the words ‘Stage Clear’ appeared.

 

“Tsk. He won.”

 

“Whatever. This is just the beginning.”

 

“Hehe. Once he reaches level 5, he’ll be crying snot and tears, right?”

 

0

 

The Singularities were displeased with Hae-rang’s victory,

 

but they didn’t lose their composure.

 

They had also passed level 1 with ease.

 

However, at Dorothy’s words conducting the test, all members sprang up from their seats like springs.

 

【Stage Clear! ‘Gwanjong Cheonma’ has passed level 8!】

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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