novelraw Chapter 172 : The Pinnacle of the World (3)
Chapter 172 : The Pinnacle of the World (3)
The Pinnacle of the World (3)
No one gave much thought to the Korean representatives, who had not shown themselves for two days before the Odyssey. People simply assumed they were training in a hurry, or sticking to an unnecessary secretiveness.
This often happened with countries that either didn't participate in the Odyssey often or were entering for the first time.
Especially since, during the last Odyssey Korea participated in, they failed to win even once and were humiliated by being eliminated.
"They're probably just training in a rush. Of course, there's no way a day or two of extra practice is going to make a difference at the level of S-rank Hunters, but still."
It was an absolutely reasonable statement.
At the same time, it was a comment that ignored the Korean representatives.
Veil had a lot to say but decided to just hold his tongue.
There was no point in saying anything, as it would just go in one ear and out the other anyway.
"Still, I personally think Korea will bring about a big upset at this Odyssey."
"Well, upsets are always fun for us."
Although Peter replied like that, it seemed he regarded Veil's words as little more than a joke.
His expression made it clear he didn't think a country like Korea, who hadn't participated in the Odyssey for so long, could accomplish anything now.
Although it was annoying, Veil could also understand Peter's feelings.
'It can't be helped.'
Peter probably had information about the Korean team.
That made it 'even more' inevitable he would react this way.
'The Korean representatives are just too young.'
Calling them 'young' was almost an understatement.
At least the two S-rank Hunters from Grand Nova were relatively older, but the next oldest was Baek Hojun, who was in his thirties.
After him were the S-ranks in their early twenties, including Shin Ah-yeon.
The average age of S-rank Hunters was generally in their forties or fifties.
Because of that, there was considerable skepticism about the Korean S-rank Hunters' abilities among foreign reporters.
"Well, I'm personally watching the French team closely. You know, right? France is also said to be in its golden era."
"Yes, I heard they've sworn to reclaim the throne of the Odyssey for the first time in thirty years."
"Absolutely. It'll be difficult, of course, but I think there's a decent chance."
The French team. It was true that France was at a frighteningly high level this time, but...
'I'm not so sure.'
Veil thought the Korean representatives he'd met recently were far more threatening.
His instincts honed by years as a journalist told him so.
"Ladies and gentlemen! Thank you for waiting. We'll now begin the highly anticipated group drawing ceremony!"
Just as the conversation with Peter was becoming awkward, a well-dressed host on stage announced loudly.
With that, countless spectators who had been waiting for the drawing began to cheer.
Looking at the packed audience, Veil subconsciously clicked his tongue in amazement.
Dum-dum-dum!!
With the host's shout, the representatives from each country began to enter the arena.
Whenever top-ranked countries in the world hunter rankings like the UK, Germany, and France entered, there were endless rounds of applause and cheers.
'It should be about time now.'
Just as Veil was thinking that, a thunderous roar erupted.
'The United States.'
He didn't even need to check to see who had entered.
The American representatives, known as the strongest in the world.
Owen McGregor, Ryan Knox, and Alencia Walker.
These three were the pillars of current America and known as the Trinity.
Unlike her confident teammates, Alencia waved with an awkward expression, seemingly uncomfortable in her position, but that only made the crowd roar even louder.
It showed just how popular Alencia currently was in America.
'Not so long ago, people pointed fingers at her for being James Walker's daughter.'
Veil clicked his tongue briefly and snapped a photo for the record.
After all, it was the US team—he needed at least a photo.
Following the cheers for the American representatives, the next team to enter was Korea.
"Huh? Korea?"
"Tough luck, entering right after America."
It was almost as if someone had rigged it for the worst possible timing.
Of all moments, right after the US.
The thunderous roar that had filled the stadium moments ago died away as if it had all been a lie.
It was clear that most people weren't paying much attention.
"Huh?"
Veil squinted as he watched the Korean Hunters enter.
Spectators seeing Korea's S-rank Hunters for the first time didn't seem to notice anything unusual, but having seen the Korean team not long ago, Veil couldn't help but sense something was off.
'Somehow... they look haggard.'
Shin Ah-yeon, energetically waving the flag at the front, looked very lively, but the Hunters following behind her strangely showed signs of fatigue.
"But isn't that the manager of the Korean team next to Shin Ah-yeon?"
"I heard he's the manager who discovered Alencia... Still, to make a mere manager the coach..."
Veil could faintly hear the derisive snickers of other journalists.
Park Jung-woo was quietly following behind Shin Ah-yeon.
As the team's coach, he entered alongside them.
Veil let out a faint sigh at their ridicule.
Such cold reactions didn't just come from reporters.
The audience, who were still fired up from the US team's appearance, responded with only stiff applause.
However, many people did raise questions about the presence of as many as five S-rank Hunters, as listed on the scoreboard.
"Hey, are all five of those really S-rank Hunters?"
"No way. They're way too young."
Currently, there were only 55 S-rank Hunters in the whole world.
Even that number had only increased recently with the addition of Alencia and Soo-ah.
Having five S-ranks in Korea alone was naturally cause for suspicion.
There were only a handful of countries in the world with more than five S-rank Hunters.
"This Odyssey is really a feast. Even the number of A-rank Hunters participating has increased, making for quite a spectacle. The number of participating countries has also doubled since the last Odyssey. Of course, it's a bit of a shame that, because so many are participating, the preliminary rounds have disappeared."
Originally, with fewer countries involved, a lengthy group stage increased participation, but that wasn't necessary this time.
With the rare opportunity for A-rank Hunters to participate, the number of countries joining the winner-stays-on battle also increased. Countries with only one or two S-rank Hunters included A-rank Hunters as well to participate in this winner-stays-on format.
"Victory isn't determined by rank alone. I wish all the Hunters participating in this Odyssey the best of luck."
With those words from the host, the group draw began in earnest.
The first to step up to the draw was the United States, represented by Alencia.
She greeted the crowd with the same awkward look she had when first appearing.
Although she had become accustomed to broadcasting, it was her first time greeting such a large audience in person.
"Ah, hello!"
The hottest current star, and a Hunter.
Her stunning looks gained her new fans every day, catapulting her to stardom almost overnight.
'She's of Korean descent, so Korea must regret not having her on their team.'
Veil glanced at Park Jung-woo, the man who had discovered her.
He thought Park Jung-woo might feel some regret that she wasn't on the Korean team.
But Park Jung-woo simply nodded with a satisfied expression.
"Alright, the US draws number 23!"
Countries with the same number would face each other in the round of 32.
After several more draws, the Argentine representative who drew the same number as the US turned pale.
Argentina had three S-rank Hunters, but that wouldn't help against the United States.
"And now, the draw has passed the halfway point... Korea!"
When it was Korea's turn, the Hunters' attention was focused.
The country with the youngest S-rank Hunters.
"Number 17. Number 17 means... Ah! Germany!"
The German Hunters, holding the same number as Korea, were beaming.
Germany had only three, two fewer than Korea, but all were seasoned veteran S-rank Hunters.
Moreover, in the last Odyssey they made it all the way to the semifinals.
The country with the most Odyssey championships.
Germany, the eternal favorite.
Most countries were relieved to have avoided Germany, and Germany in turn was visibly happy not to have drawn the US.
"Now that the matchups are decided, could we have a few words?"
"All truths will be revealed in the matches."
Confidently replied the German team's head coach to the host.
Those meaning-laden words inflamed Korean online communities.
【Isn't that basically saying we're falsifying our number of S-rank Hunters?】
【But to be honest, who wouldn't be suspicious? Five S-rank Hunters from a country of just fifty million? I'd be suspicious too.】
【Interviews at the Odyssey always go like this; come on, who wouldn't talk big and provoke the competition when national pride is at stake?】
【But to be fair, the unique S-rank Hunters account for a lot of Korea's S-rank share, don't they? Honestly, I find Park Jung-woo really suspicious. Is it possible for everyone he touches to become S-rank???】
Opinions alternated between calling the German coach's words arrogant or understandable.
Interest was especially high since it was Korea's first Odyssey in ten years.
"Now, a word from the Korean team's Coach Park Jung-woo, please."
The host now turned to Park Jung-woo for an interview.
The German coach's comments were basically targeting Park Jung-woo.
Nonetheless, Park Jung-woo calmly smiled and opened his mouth.
"Before revealing the truth, I recommend you pack your bags first."
It was inevitable that such a short but impactful statement would send online communities around the world into an uproar.
***
"Wasn't that a bit too much of a bold statement?"
As soon as we returned to the lodgings, Gong Je-hun grabbed my shoulder and spoke.
It seemed my words to the German representative were weighing on him.
"Really? I just responded to what I heard."
"Su-surely, coach Ben Mueller's words were somewhat rude."
Ben Mueller, the coach of the German team.
He had once made a name for himself as an A-rank Hunter, but had found even greater success after turning to coaching.
"But did you see the faces of the German team? Especially Felix looked like he wanted to kill us."
Felix Jurgen.
The leader of the German team, he had narrowly lost to the American representative Ryan Knox in the last Odyssey.
'It's only natural for Gong Je-hun to react that way.'
The very same Ryan Knox who defeated Felix was the one who humiliated Korea ten years ago.
"Hunter Baek Hojun-nim."
That was why I called for Hojun, who was quietly standing at the side.
He turned to me silently, as if he'd already known I would call him.
"Yes?"
"You know what I'm going to say, right?"
"... I think it's pretty obvious."
Defeat Felix, Germany's most powerful weapon.
Gong Je-hun seemed to catch on to my meaning, his face turning anxious.
"Felix will come out first. So Hunter Baek Hojun-nim, I'd like you to be our starter."
"Huh? But doesn't Felix usually come out last...?"
"He definitely won't let my provocation slide."
Even if Coach Ben Mueller tried to stop him, Felix was sure to step up first.
That's how great his pride in his country was; he wouldn't accept even a hint of humiliation.
"But... even if that's the case, for Hunter Baek Hojun-nim to take on Felix..."
Gong Je-hun trailed off, unable to finish his sentence.
It was most likely because he thought Felix was on a higher level than Baek Hojun.
'Ryan Knox, Felix's past opponent, is the very same person who utterly defeated Hunter Jung Yoo-shin.'
Jung Yoo-shin, known as the "Sword God" of Korea.
It was Ryan Knox who had completely defeated Jung Yoo-shin, Baek Hojun's teacher.
Felix Jurgen, who fought Ryan Knox evenly.
From Gong Je-hun's perspective, Felix was definitely an opponent to avoid at all costs.
-------------= Clacky's Corner -------------=
【ദ്ദി(⩌ᴗ⩌)】