Martial Arts Returnee’s Game Broadcast

Chapter 161

When a small woman wearing a hood approached, Ha Eung Eung felt a sense of doubt.

"That person is Eve Christina, the war hero from Eastern Europe, also known by the codename 'Saint.' She’s an Ascended," Min Woo-sung introduced grandly.
However, in contrast to the extravagant introduction, Eve's first impression was simply cute.
Could this small, seemingly harmless girl really be the war hero they spoke of?

Sssss.

When Eve removed her hood, her long blonde hair spilled out like a waterfall.
Upon seeing her hair, which shone brilliantly in the light, along with her clear blue eyes and porcelain skin, Ha Eung Eung felt a beauty beyond cuteness.
However, even then, her beauty seemed distant from that of a war hero.

Sssss.

As Eve’s clear eyes met Ha Eung Eung’s, it felt as though she was sinking into a deep lake.
Only then did Ha Eung Eung feel an emotion beyond mere admiration for her beauty.
The emotion was… longing.

• "Sister, would you live with me at the North Sea Ice Palace?"
  The little princess of the North Sea Ice Palace.
  Another patient of the Gu Eum Jeol Maek (the illness of blood stagnation) that Ha Eung Eung had encountered in the martial world.

• "Sometimes, I become afraid. Even if we find the elixir, there is only one person who can consume it. Will we still be able to rely on each other, like we do now?"
  They were companions who had supported each other in search of a cure for Gu Eum Jeol Maek, hunting magical beasts together while finding solace in each other’s presence.

• "I remember the devotion, love, and friendship you showed me. Maybe that’s why, now, I feel your life is more precious to me than my own."
  She could have taken the internal energy, but instead, she used the unique martial art Gyeok Che Jeon Gong (an exchange of internal energy) to pass her own internal energy onto Ha Eung Eung, saving her life.
  It was one of the bonds she had to sever, sending her away beyond the realm of life and death, beyond this world.

"Bing So So."

The name she had forgotten for so long came flooding back in a rush, like a waterfall.

"!"

Bing So So looked at her with a surprised expression, then extended her hand with concern.
"Are you alright? Is there anywhere you are feeling unwell?"
Ha Eung Eung shook her head.
Through the tears she had wiped away, the face that had once belonged to Bing So So now looked like a stranger.

[For a moment, I remembered someone.]
"It's a bond I’ve let go of. Have you mourned enough?"
[That’s what I believed. But perhaps it wasn’t enough.]

Ha Eung Eung blinked, trying to steady her emotions.
After a brief pause, she closed her eyes tightly and opened them again.
Her emotions, once in turmoil, had vanished completely.

[It seems I’ve shown you an embarrassing side on our first meeting. I apologize.]
"No need to apologize. We are Ascended. We send more lives away than the stars, and no matter where they are—Eastern Europe or East Asia—the heart that mourns the dead is the same."
[Saint. You are a good person.]

The Saint smiled serenely, her smile deep and calm like a tranquil lake.

"Eve. Please call me Eve."
[Understood, Eve. My name is Ha Eung Eung.]
"Ha, Eung Eung? That’s a unique name."
[If it’s difficult to pronounce my name… you can call me ‘sister.’]
"Sister… Sister. For me, as a Saint, that is a title I am happy to accept. Sister Ha Eung Eung."

If you’re going to use her full name, the "Sister" is practically redundant.
Ha Eung Eung chuckled in disbelief.
Seeing her laugh like that, Eve Christina smiled in return.
There was no tension or subtle wariness between the two women.
It felt as if they were sisters meeting after a long time apart, sitting side by side without hesitation, chatting casually.

‘What’s going on? Is there something they both understand?’
‘That servant is also flustered, huh?’

Dashman and Min Woo-sung exchanged awkward glances and gave a slight nod to each other before quietly turning their heads away, standing behind the two women.
While the two women enjoyed a familiar, easygoing time, the men found themselves in an uncomfortable moment.

Even Ujiu himself didn’t expect to say something like this, but it seemed he was considered to be one of the more rational people in Haenampa.
At least, that’s how he had to think.

"A martial arts tournament in real life? Does that even make sense? When Ascended fight, even a brush can lead to serious injuries or even death. This is madness."
[In martial arts tournaments, casualties are unavoidable. The participants must be prepared for that.]
"No matter how much the guild’s autonomy outweighs the administrative power of government agencies, if they organize an event like this, they can’t avoid conflict."
[Isn’t there anything we can do about it?]
"If you keep insisting on this, I’ll have to call Gyeong Seok."

At the mention of Gyeong Seok, the most difficult and stringent guild member, Ha Eung Eung frowned.
Even she knew that Gyeong Seok could easily come up with 49 reasons why a martial arts tournament should never be held.

"If safety is a concern, I can help."
"Huh? Are you serious?"
[Eve, is it really alright if you help?]
"If the Saint helps, then what could possibly be wrong? You, the Saint, who can bring back people from the brink of death? But… must you really go this far for us?"
"My country’s battles are over. I’ve come to the far East to find freedom after retiring from the frontlines. The time that remains is entirely mine."

Min Woo-sung’s heart grew heavy.
He was not someone who didn’t understand what it meant for a high-ranked Ascended to use their abilities.
Even Dashman, who had been standing behind Eve, was struck with fear.

"Saint! There’s no need for you to spend your precious life on people like us. Most of those people over there are just here hoping for a quick fortune!"
"The other half are serious Ascended here for the interview, I assume?"

That’s not what he meant.
Dashman, looking grim, tried to pull his hand away when the Saint gently grabbed it.
Startled, Dashman froze, but he couldn’t resist and allowed the Saint to hold his hand.

"Dashman, you are really thoughtful. I truly appreciate how much you are worried about me."
"Saint…"
"I wanted to know. What kind of Ascended people live in Mugeon Geomgaek’s country. What kind of people will lead the next generation."

The Saint’s heart was so pure, beautiful, and noble that Dashman felt even more regretful.

‘Half of these guys are just freeloaders on association subsidies. I don’t want someone like you spending your precious life for people like them!’

The desire to speak up was overwhelming.
The viewers in the chat felt the same way.
But they couldn’t say it.
They didn’t want to disappoint the Saint.
They wanted to repay her nobility.
The Ascended of a distant land, those who would become the new generation of the world she had protected.
They wanted to shout that they were strong. They were worthy.
They wanted to show it, prove it.

• "I’ve never seen Dashman look so manly."
• "Hey, don’t insult the ‘resolve of a man.’"
• "From now on, ‘Fool’ is my brother."
• "I never knew Dashman was a man."
• "From now on, I’m no longer just a subscriber; Dashman and I are one. Any attack on Dashman is an attack on me."

The resolve of a man.
That intense will was conveyed without words.
In the clenched fist,
In the veins that popped,
In the white knuckles from holding too tight,
In the tightly clenched lips,
In the eyes holding back tears,
In the bowing head of a man.
The viewers could feel it through the headcam,
They could see Dashman’s image reflected in the mirror,
And they felt the sincerity of a man,
The pride of a Korean.

That burning resolve was captured in clips.
It spread through the many personal streams of the Ascended who attended the interview.
Everyone understood the Saint’s heart for the tournament,
And everyone understood why Dashman couldn’t stop her.

"Mugeon Geomgaek, we want to hold the martial arts tournament!"
"We want to participate in the martial arts tournament!"
"We’ll do our best to minimize casualties and show our strength!"

The full story of the tournament’s establishment, which wasn’t shown on the public broadcast,
Was felt by one man even as the powerful cries echoed through the air.

<Ascended Ability - MindReading>

Just moments ago, the participants in the interview seemed far from serious.
Min Woo-sung, who had felt nothing but annoyance and jealousy toward others, was now overcome with emotion as he read the minds of the changed participants.

‘One person’s noble heart has drawn out the sincerity of one man, and that man’s sincerity has earned the agreement of all the participants.’

Indeed, she was worthy of being called a Saint,
And worthy of serving as the Saint’s attendant.

"Ujiu, seeing their resolve, what do you think about giving them a chance?"
"But… it will burden the Saint too much. No matter how much she wants it…"
"If we gather medical staff to prevent the excessive use of the Saint’s abilities, that will solve the problem. Didn’t we recruit medical staff recently?"

The emergency contact system was already in place.
At Min Woo-sung’s words, Ujiu recalled the contact network.

[Even now, will you report this to Gyeong Seok?]
"It’s unavoidable, now that things have progressed this far. I did try to stop it."

With Ujiu’s final surrender, the collection of medical staff was actively supported, and no one could stop the martial arts tournament.
Thus, the opening of the second Mugeon Geomgaek Martial Arts Tournament began.