Master Swordsman’s Stream - Chapter 269

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 269

“Is this the country of Shin Ha-yeon, Baek Do-yul, and Seo Jun?”
Two foreign nationals—a man and a woman—descended from the plane, cleared customs, and entered Korea, looking around Incheon Airport with curiosity.
“That was way too stupid, Bernard. Besides, didn’t we come to Korea before?”
Both were sixth-year Pro Gamers.
And over those six years, they’d advanced to numerous world championships, and it was only natural that Korea had hosted several of them.
“What’s she doing over there?”
Rachel pointed at a blonde player holding a placard just beyond the immigration checkpoint, greeting them.
“Wasn’t she on the same flight as us? Her team’s in New York too, right?”
Christina.
If Rachel self-proclaimed herself as Shin Ha-yeon’s rival (or not), then Christina self-proclaimed herself as Rachel’s rival in North America (or not).
They didn’t even play the same position.
The relationship wasn’t bad.
Not that pros never had bad blood, but given her somewhat difficult personality and lack of social awareness, there was little reason for things to sour unless she acted up even at tournaments.
And they’d grown closer after attending international tournaments together.
“About time you got here! Do you know how many times I asked Manager Michael when you two were coming? Welcome, Rachel, Bernard!”
The two approached somewhat stiffly, greeting her with a handshake.
Then they lowered their voices.
“Is the Korea guide that Manager mentioned Christina?”
“Likely. Rachel, no matter how I look at it, she seems like a tourist who’s already been sightseeing for days. Is it just me?”
“No, I get that feeling too.”
“What’s with the outfit?”
“A hanbok? Isn’t it?”
Christina, dressed in a hanbok, greeted them as they approached with their luggage.
“Leave your bags with the managers and let’s go have fun! I’ve been bored!”
“Ugh… never mind, let’s just head to the accommodation first.”
At Bernard’s words, Rachel nodded.
They enjoyed sightseeing too.
But what mattered most was ultimately recovering their condition.
Six days remained.
Having a History Book in a foreign land meant even greater challenges awaited them.
They followed Christina immediately, and with help from their manager who was waiting, they loaded their luggage and headed to the accommodation.
They chatted about various things along the way.
“Since you went first, you checked out the accommodation, right? How was it?”
At Rachel’s question, Christina answered.
“Just like last time. Good facilities, and for mental health the room is spacious with an open view. There’s a high-end Capsule, but if you want, you can bring yours too.”
“So you brought it?”
“No. My play doesn’t use a Capsule.”
“Bad luck.”
Bernard chimed in.
“Did you two both bring yours?”
“No. Same as her—I don’t use a Capsule.”
“I brought mine.”
“Bernard, you seem way too picky. Do you really need to bring your own Capsule all the way here?”
“They called us here, so it’s the least I can do.”
“Right, with over thirty pros invited, I have no idea why the game company called everyone to Korea. My team complained endlessly about it. Did yours?”
“We complained too, but then everyone noticed that more than just form had improved—actual skill had jumped quite a bit because of the Trial. So there’s no major complaint anymore.”
“Do whatever. What can you do? At least we could rest more. Though that depends on Korea. Wait, Christina, exactly when did you get to Korea?”
“A week ago. I’ve been sightseeing and adjusting to the time difference since then.”
“That’s why the team’s complaining. Wait, why? It’s not like the game company gave you a ticket before the rest of us. You should’ve been on the same flight we were.”
“Well…”
“Well?”
In that instant, Christina’s eyes shifted.
The gaze of a predator spotting prey.
Her position was Jungler.
“It felt like I’d struggle without the best condition. So I had to come early. The sightseeing was just something I did on the side.”
They didn’t need her to say what she’d struggle with—they understood, and Bernard shivered slightly.
‘So she really wants to face off in this History Book,’ he thought.
Perhaps many of the pros were thinking the same.
Weren’t they all coming to target that person?
Even Bernard himself, after all.
‘Hmm… do I want to face off against him?’
That person who was remarkable from the first time he saw him?
He still wasn’t sure.
He just wanted to meet him, have a conversation.
“Oh, but did you know? Bernard?”
“What?”
“That Geomsin person. Apparently he used to play ADC.”
The desire to face off suddenly sparked.
That had been ADC.
And Bernard was a top laner.
“Hahahaha. This is too good to resist.”
Rachel tore her gaze from Bernard and clicked her tongue, shaking her head.
Bernard caught this and spoke.
“Rachel, you won’t even be able to fight him.”
“….”
“Bet on it. You’ll never forget. Haha.”
“….”
“What bet?”

* * *

They arrived at the accommodation. It was a massive hotel in Seoul.
“I hear everything is here? We might run into each other while sightseeing around before things start? I haven’t yet because I wandered far, but…”
Rachel was confident that since almost no one arrived as early as Christina, she wouldn’t have encountered anyone even if she’d walked the area.
“I see.”
“Yeah.”
Normally in a History Book, they just assigned accommodations reasonably near participants. Separately for each.
There was no reason to gather participants in one place.
They would meet inside the game.
And the numbers weren’t that high anyway.
The country with the most participants in this History Book was the United States.
Six people.
Most countries had no participants at all.
But since everyone had gathered in Korea this time, they’d consolidated the accommodations.
“So why don’t we share information at the lounge bar or restaurant?”
“They probably wouldn’t allow it.”
“We’d be monitored.”
“They won’t leave it to conscience.”
“They probably won’t lock us in our rooms. They’ll just manage us regardless.”
Since they could solve communication difficulties in difficult situations through the real world, the game company would forbid their interactions.
Also, internet was strictly forbidden during the History Book period.
There was no help for it.
They wrapped everything up in advance and broadcast recorded footage live later—if participants used the internet, the game itself wouldn’t progress.
“So how many people are staying in this hotel total? By country?”
“What does it matter? As long as the rooms are spacious and we can occasionally get out, that’s enough. Now rest. When should we go out?”
“Not today.”

Six days before the start.
Participants who had entered Korea according to their individual schedules were all assigned accommodations.
From the day the History Book begins, they must be supervised at their assigned lodging, but before that, they’re free.
They could stay there continuously or leave for another five-star hotel immediately.
Or even return to their home country.
Though no one would do that, of course.
Rachel and Bernard spent their first day in Korea simply resting to manage their condition.
From the next day, they went sightseeing with the American delegation and ate out.
They received help from their manager and Christina’s guidance.
From what they could see online, most seemed to be moving around that area.
“Look at this, Bernard—everyone seems to keep meeting each other downtown?”
“Should we just wander the neighborhood starting tomorrow?”
“Should we turn on streaming?”
“Not really. We don’t have the equipment.”

Four days before the History Book starts.
They decided to wander the area.
They’d adapted somewhat to the time difference by now, and with a high probability of meeting people they knew, they planned to chat if they ran into anyone.
There would be an opening ceremony two days before.
“Do you think the Koreans are staying here right now too?”
Christina spoke as she walked outside the hotel.
She was interested in that person.
“Korea has four people this year. That’s a lot.”
Normally Korea sent one or two.
But this time, with Baek Do-yul and Seo Jun, they became the third-largest contingent after the six from the United States and five from China, tied with India.
“Huh? Look over there. Quite a few people are gathered. Not Koreans though—wait, isn’t that Jon?”
They walked a little outside the hotel and spotted a shop with suspiciously many people crowded at the entrance.
The first person who caught her eye was Jon, a player from Denmark—a gaming powerhouse since the PC era.
At 203 centimeters tall, he was so massive you’d believe his ancestors had been Vikings.
Even with people gathered around, he was easy to spot.
His face protruded prominently.
“What are they doing?”
“Most of the people around look like participants? I don’t see many regular fans.”
It didn’t appear they were lining up for street food.
Bernard soon figured out why people were gathered there.
“There’s a Punch Machine out front! Hahaha! I can’t resist this!”
Civilians seemed to be watching from the surroundings.
“Men are all the same.”
Bernard rolled up his sleeves and approached first, while Christina and Rachel shook their heads helplessly but followed him anyway.
This they couldn’t pass up.
“There are really a lot of them.”
Rachel said.
“Right.”
“Ten participants? Fifteen?”
“You can spot pros easily because you recognize their faces. No one’s streaming.”
“They must find it annoying.”
Whack!
With a sharp sound, fist met pad and the machine rose up with a thud, calculating the score.
“877! Ooooh! Nice punch!”
“Wow!”
It was clearly a good hit.
The calibration was definitely not set to the usual street-level standard.
It wasn’t even UFC standard.
“That person’s not here.”
Christina searched for Seo Jun once more.
“He lives in Korea. Even if he came to the accommodation the night before, his condition would be sharp.”
She shrugged, and Bernard stepped forward next.
He’d said he wanted to have a conversation and test himself right after arrival.
Everyone spoke English, so communication flowed smoothly.
Whack!

[901]

A new record. The previous best was 895.
“Finally broke 900! Yes!”
The men cheered.
That’s why they’d gathered since morning.
Jon, the largest figure there, watched with a smile from the back.
He was highly competitive and loved fighting and competition, but seemed to have no need to move yet.
“Did you see?”
“Jon stepping in will break that easily.”
The players chuckled, punched the machine, cheered, and jeered.
908.
The current best record, set by a German streamer.
Jon still held back, observing from a slight distance as the atmosphere subtly urged him to try, as if amused.
And then, at that moment.
A Korean man wheeling luggage approached from a distance—one person’s eyes caught him.
Two pairs of eyes.
Three.
And following that gaze, everyone’s eyes fixed on him.
Some began observing as if they’d spotted prey.
Most of those present fell into this category.
The Trial had been an act of provocation to global gamers, proclaiming that he was the best without question.
And since he genuinely had the qualifications and had proven them, he was no different from the most coveted prey to them.
Some held only simple curiosity in their gaze.
Mainly Rachel, who couldn’t fight streamers.
And beyond that, some were itching to test themselves against him even lightly.
Jon, belonging to that last category, was the first to approach Seo Jun, that Korean.

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