The Female Lead Saves the World - Chapter 285
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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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Yeo Joo Saves the World
Part 2, Episode 106
The Guild Cup group draw took place at the Korean Awakener Association on the scheduled day.
Kang Han, Han Ji Sung, Yang Hwa Yeon who led Team 2, and Lee Tae Yoon who led Team 3 arrived at the Association on time alongside me.
However, it took quite a while before we actually stepped inside the Association building.
I’d anticipated something grand when Association Director Ji Jung Hwi rolled up his sleeves, but the scale and splendor of the Guild Cup exceeded even my imagination.
“Even so, setting up a photo wall seems a bit much, doesn’t it?”
Standing before the photo wall on the way into the draw venue, I’d been bombarded by camera flashes for so long that my entire body felt numb.
I should have realized something was off when the maximum number of participants for a simple group draw reached five people.
As I walked behind the guide staff, rubbing both my arms, Han Ji Sung laughed and patted my head.
“You did well, Yeo Joo.”
“Oppa, did you see earlier? There were so many foreign journalists.”
“The Guild Cup has gotten other countries excited too. I heard the United States and Europe are already working behind the scenes to hold their own Guild Cups.”
“At this rate, we might end up holding international competitions between nations.”
At my casual murmur, Han Ji Sung quickly covered my mouth and glanced around before whispering.
“The Association Director might hear you.”
“Oh no.”
If he did, an international competition might actually become reality.
Fortunately, aside from the guide staff walking ahead, no one seemed to have heard our conversation.
After zipping my lips and walking quietly, the venue with its wide-open doors came into view not long after.
“I didn’t know the Association had a space like this.”
The massive hall, with its ceiling open several stories high and made entirely of glass, felt like stepping into an enormous greenhouse.
The interior was decorated lavishly.
“Wow, it looks like an end-of-year awards ceremony.”
I nodded in agreement with Yang Hwa Yeon’s observation.
A large stage was set up at the far end opposite the entrance, with sixteen circular tables arranged before it—it really did look exactly like that.
There was even a console area with complex machinery at the back of the hall.
“The Association really spent a fortune!”
“That milky way-like thing over there must have an illusion spell cast on it.”
“Everyone, let’s look pretty for the cameras.”
The moment I closed my gaping mouth at Han Ji Sung’s words, I heard a ‘click!’
I’d thought all the journalists were gathered at the photo wall earlier, but there were cameras inside the venue as well.
I’d almost gotten a photo taken of the “Justice Guild caught off guard with mouth agape.”
“Please have a seat here. If you need anything, feel free to ask any of the staff members standing by.”
“Thank you so much.”
I greeted the staff member who had gone through the trouble of bringing us here, then took a seat at the table marked “Justice Guild”.
The official group draw hadn’t even begun yet, but I was already exhausted and wanted to go home.
I was sipping water and catching my breath when Lee Tae Yoon beside me showed me his phone screen.
“Fast, really fast. Our photos are already all over the internet.”
“I was worried the flash would be too bright and I’d look like a frozen crucian carp, but this turned out pretty well.”
“Yeo Joo, you worry about the most unnecessary things, don’t you? Look at this—it came out beautifully. There’s even a caption under the photo. ‘My ring is pretty, isn’t it?’ What’s this about a ring?”
The photo showed me adjusting my bangs that had fallen forward.
But the moment was captured so perfectly that it genuinely looked like I was showing off the ring.
“Let me see. What kind of ring is it?”
“This one.”
I showed my left hand to Yang Hwa Yeon, who was sitting across the table, and explained.
“It’s a new item the owner of Sugar Workshop gave me. It’s an item that naturally increases stamina recovery speed.”
“It’s beautiful.”
“The owner made something perfectly suited for Yeo Joo, who has weak stamina.”
The guild members took turns complimenting it one by one.
“He gave you a ring? You just accepted it?”
Kang Han straightened up from where he’d been leaning back in his chair and asked.
“Yes, it’s pretty, isn’t it?”
….
Kang Han gazed at my finger for a moment, then spoke plainly.
“It’s a fine item.”
“It’s even S-rank, this one.”
I whispered so only Kang Han beside me could hear, and his response was a faint smile.
While the guild members chatted among themselves, all the guilds finished entering.
When the scheduled time arrived, the interior lighting gradually dimmed, and bright lights illuminated the stage.
With the realization that ‘it’s starting now,’ my heart began to race.
But it was excitement closer to anticipation than tension or fear.
I hoped the tournament would start soon so I could boast about Justice Guild to everyone.
“Good evening, everyone. We will now begin the group draw ceremony for the First Korean Awakener Association Director’s Cup Guild Tournament.”
The host was a famous broadcaster I’d seen on television.
And following him was Ji Jung Hwi, the Association Director.
It was hard to believe this was the same person who used to wander around in shabby clothes picking herbs—the Association Director, now dressed in a perfectly tailored three-piece suit, was the very embodiment of ‘handsome middle-aged charm’.
“…Through this tournament, we hope to promote exchange between guilds and friendly competition….”
Moreover, without a hint of nervousness, he delivered his remarks with such skill that he looked like an actor playing the role of Association Director.
First Korean Awakener Association Director’s Cup Guild Tournament Matchup Draw Live Stream
Live Comments ▼
– He’s the textbook definition of a handsome middle-aged man, seriously
– I’ve searched every other country and there’s no Association Director like Ji Jung Hwi
– I don’t even remember what the ousted former director looked like lol
– Oh right, there was that Jo guy or whatever
– Competent A-rank Hunter turned handsome middle-aged man = Director Ji Jung Hwi
– My mom watching the broadcast with me is getting a fan right now lol
– They say you’re actually more beautiful than most actors ㅠㅠㅠ
I wasn’t the only one thinking this—the reactions from people checking their phones were equally enthusiastic.
“Thank you for listening to Director Ji Jung Hwi’s remarks. Now I’ll briefly explain the format of the first Guild Cup.”
As the host spoke, a large tournament bracket appeared on the screen.
“The Guild Cup will proceed as a tournament without group matches. You’re eliminated with a single loss! Additionally, each of the four guilds divided into Groups A, B, C, and D will be assigned to one region.”
This time, a map of Korea appeared, divided into four zones: the Seoul Metropolitan Area and Gangwon Region, and the Yeongnam Region and Honam Region.
“Two guilds randomly matched through a lottery will enter the Gate scheduled to open in their assigned region and determine the winner through a contribution war!”
So this was Ji Jung Hwi’s doing after all.
To hold the Guild Cup while simultaneously finding a way to clear Gates across the entire nation.
“Now then, let’s begin the official lottery!”
At the host’s gesture, staff members brought a large box onto the stage.
“Guilds drawn from the lottery will be assigned sequentially starting with Group A, Number 1.”
Director Ji Jung Hwi reached his hand into the large black box.
Thump-thump-thump.
There was no separate sound effect, but the hunters gathered here were probably hearing the sound of drums in their ears.
“The guild taking the A Group, Number 1 spot is… Yes! Fantasia!”
Simultaneously, the large screen installed behind the stage filled with Fantasia’s meteor-like logo and the image of Fantasia hunters seated around a table.
In particular, Guild Master Sung Ro Sa appeared largest, wearing a subtle smile that exuded composure.
But the Number 2 guild assigned next was not in such a position.
“The guild facing off against Fantasia is the Mage Guild!”
Of all things, two magic guilds were matched against each other.
Moreover, for the Mage Guild, which had relatively weaker forces than Fantasia, this was about as bad as it could get.
By the time Groups A and B were decided, the Justice Guild’s name had not been called.
Just as I was starting to think, “Are we going to be drawn last?”, the host finally spoke the Justice Guild’s name.
“The Group C, Number 2 guild is… the Justice Guild! Thus, a matchup between the Cheongmun Guild and the Justice Guild has been set!”
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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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