<h4>Chapter 181: The Rich (1)</h4>
"That’ll be 20,000 won, please."
"Here you go. Thank you.”
Han Jung-Woo Jung-Woo handed the cash to the chicken delivery man and took the neatly packed chicken box, rushing straight to the living room.
"Has it not started yet?"
His heart was pounding just enough to make him feel excited. He nced at the clock on the wall.
<i>They said the broadcast would start at eight PM, but it hasn''t started yet.</i>
NET Media''s ambitious project—a monstrous contract worth 4.8 billion won with incentives tied to viewership—was about to be broadcast across television screens nationwide. It was the footage of the Battle of the Bir ins.
As Han Jung-Woo opened the chicken box, he checked themunity reactions through his tablet.
-Why hasn’t it started yet? Wasn’t the broadcast supposed to start at eight PM?
└ Do you ever see a World Cup match begin right at four PM when scheduled?
└ Exactly. They y the anthem, have yer entrances, and thementators chat before it starts.
-Ugh, I’m so curious. I can’t leave the house if something like this broadcasts at the end of the year.
└ Don’t worry. The world outside is dangerous anyway.
-But weren’t there quite a few war videos before this? Why are people so hyped?
└ This is a massive war involving Unknown and six of the top ten guilds. With tens of thousands of enemies, it’s going to be insane—unlike anything seen before.
└ Might be all hype with no substance.
└ Do tens of thousands of enemies even make sense? Koreans sure love to exaggerate.
The higher the expectations, the greater the potential disappointment. Most people were excited, but there was a fair share of skeptics too.
-Isn’t it still just another war video? I feel like it’ll just be a messy brawl.
-I''ve watched tons of raid videos... Unknown''s getting way too much special treatment.
└ Who else deserves special treatment if not the first ranked yer?
-Everybody quiet. The real point today is whether Unknown’s face will finally be revealed.
-Standing by as a member of his fan club, waiting to see Unknown’s face on the live broadcast.
└ 222222
└ 3333
Just as Han Jung-Woo took a huge bite of the steaming chicken leg, the program finally began. It was a pilot program, recing the usual show at this time, with new hosts taking their ces.
—Good evening, viewers! Bringing you something unlike before, unseen, but highly anticipated—the first-ever war video from <i>MID Online</i>, I’m Kwon Jun-Hyuk.
—And I’m Kim Joo-Ri.
The two hosts smiled warmly as they bowed, both dressed in sharp suits.
It was clear that NET Media had high hopes for the program, given that both hosts were top-tier <i>MID Online</i> broadcasters. Kown Jun-Hyuk was famous for his clean looks, wittiness and deep voice, while Kim Joo-Ri had a dual image—innocent yet a hardcore gamer—which secured her a loyal fanbase.
Turning to face Kim Joo-Ri, Kwon Jun-Hyuk continued.
—Joo-Ri, are you a fan of <i>MID Online</i> yourself?
—Oh my, you''re not seriously asking that, are you? You know the answer, right?
Kim Joo-Ri squinted yfully at Kwon Jun-Hyuk, covering her mouth with her small hand. Kwon Jun-Hyuk thenughed heartily and waved his hand.
—<i>Hahaha</i>, of course, I know you’re a gamer. I was just asking out of courtesy to maintain your image.
—Oh please, I’m already past my marriageable phase. Who would marry a gaming addict like me?
As they exchanged casual greetings, they smoothly transitioned into the program and Kwon Jun-Hyuk asked another question.
—Since you’re familiar with <i>MID Online</i>, could you give us a brief introduction to the video we’ll be showing today?
—<i>Hmm,</i> well, first, everyone knows about <i>MID Online</i>''s ranking system, right?
—Absolutely. Top-ranked yers are often called walking corporations. I hear that being a top-ranker even puts you at the top of marriage eligibility lists these days.
—<i>Haha</i>, that’s right. The earnings are great, and since it''s remote work, couples can spend a lot of time together, making them the perfect marriage partner.
—But why did you bring up rankings all of a sudden?
—Because today’s video star is none other than Unknown, and I need to exin who that is.
Standing up like a weather presenter, Kim Joo-Ri picked up a long pointer and quickly summarized Unknown''s stats disyed on the screen.
—<i>Wow</i>... First ranked... Just hearing all that, he’s like a monster. A total beast.
—Exactly. He has leveled up in record time, and his skill development is unmatched. You know how they say some people absorb knowledge like a sponge? Well, Unknown is like a giant sponge that’s fallen into a vast ocean.
—That means he’s truly an incredible person.
—This isn''t all. As I mentioned earlier, everything Unknown has done has been nothing short of unbelievable.
More video footage quickly appeared on the screen.
—From the solo fight against the Crimson Fist Guild, to the orc expedition squad in Glendale, the still unbroken record for the fastest dungeon clear, and the legendary Aosa solo raid that heated up the inte for a while... This is the same yer who even took down the stronghold of one of the world''s top ten guilds, something thought to be invincible.
—It feels like I''m listening to an epic saga of a hero.
—Exactly, and this time, over six-hundred top-tier rankers gathered under his lead.
—<i>Ah</i>, yes, I roughly heard about it. It was for the war, right? But wow... With that many rankers, they could beat anyone.
As Kwon Jun-Hyuk eximed in amazement, Kim Joo-Ri furrowed her brow.
—Jun-Hyuk, you''re not a gaming noob, are you?
—P-pardon?
—Someone who doesn''t really know much about games.
—Come on. I''ve been hosting <i>MID Online</i> broadcasts for almost a year now... I know more than most. <i>Ahem.</i> As far as I know, there’s never been a case where so many rankers gathered for amon purpose, right?
—That''s right. It''s the first time, but their opponent is none other than the tens of thousands of dark followers from the Church of Muldine.
—The Church of Muldine?!
Even though the show followed a script, the two hosts'' acting was top-notch. As Kwon Jun-Hyuk eximed like someone genuinely shocked, Kim Joo-Ri put on a smile.
—It''s an organization that''s been consistently mentioned by top-tier rankers. The ultimate evil in <i>MID Online</i>. It''s an organization that once flourished even more than the Srian Church.
—I can’t believe they sent tens of thousands of soldiers from an organization like that... Can a few hundred rankers really win?
—Well... Why don’t we watch the video and find out together.
The image of Kim Joo-Ri and Kwon Jun-Hyuk smiling gradually zoomed out, and the faint footage started to appear.
At the same time, the onlinemunity exploded with reactions.
-It''s starting!
-Damn it! Why are they airing it in the evening in Korean time? This is the kind of thing you need to watch with the lights off, but it''s broad daylight here in the U.S.!
└ Get ckout curtains or something.
-Oooo, I know that ce! It''s the Bir ins!
The video opened with a shot of arge eagle flying across the vast sky. The camera zoomed in closer to the eagle, eventually showing the world from the eagle''s point of view. The massive Suver Canal stretched out, hundreds of meters wide! And on the Bir ins, over a thousand yers and hundreds of elves had gathered.
-Wait, didn’t they say there were only about five-hundred rankers? There are clearly over a thousand yers there.
└ True, there are probably a few hundred yers unaffiliated with guilds too.
-Is this a broadcast mistake?
-Whatever, it just looks cool to see that many people gathered in order.
-Wow, the sheer majesty of it. If I were the enemy, I’d just run away.
Standing at the forefront of that massive army was a yer! d in the Tyrant of the Sea set, Kai exuded an overwhelming presence, as if ready to conquer the world. However, that sense of dominance didn''tst long.
<i>Thud, thud, thud, thud, thud!</i>
The snow-covered Pivez Mountains began to darken, turning ck as a massive army approached, making the yer forces seem small inparison.
Viewers at home were so shocked they even put down theirte-night snacks, staring nkly at the screen as they typed on their keyboards.
-Are you kidding? They''re really going to fight that?
-Wow, that’s insane. Hearing about tens of thousands and actually seeing it is a whole different level.
-Can they even win that...? No, can they even call this a fight?
-Oh no! Some yers are already leaving! They’re logging out!
-I see. So that’s why there were only a few hundred yers left by the end.
The army around Kai quickly became smaller. The once orderly lines now had gaping holes, and the number of yers was nearly halved.
However, even in that dire situation, Unknown didn’t lose hisposure. He quickly reorganized the remaining forces and gave a speech! The apanying morale-boosting buffs helped to slightly close the gap between them and the overwhelming enemy force.
-He really is something else.
-It feels like they’re trying to break a rock with an egg... but I’m still rooting for him! I’ve been a fan for a long time.
-Butrge-scale battles in <i>MID Online</i> aren’t that different from real life. Strategy is important, but when the numbers are six times bigger...
Despite the viewers'' concerns, Unknown took arge step forward. Wearing his cleric robes simultaneously, he bestowed blessings upon his allies and began issuingmands.
-Right, if they block the bridge, they can hold off arge force with fewer troops...<i>huh?</i>
-Wait, is Unknown crazy? Why are they freezing the canal? And why are they going up there?
-Nooo! It''s over! The enemy’s starting to cross over now!
-This guy, he''s great at fighting alone, but he’s got no idea how to lead a war!
The viewers'' criticism grew harsher as the war progressed.
-I knew it. They’re beingpletely overrun.
-The Inquisitors are too strong. It takes at least ten yers just to hold one off.
-I don''t understand why Unknown is pushing this fight. They should have blocked the bridge and worn down the enemy’s numbers slowly...
-<i>Huh?</i> But Unknown''s going after the Inquisitors?
-Even if he does, it''s just stalling for time... Wait, what?
The tide of battle began to shift. The strongest Inquisitor fell at Unknown’s hand, and the morale of both the yers and elves surged.
-This might actually work...?
-The Ironblood Knights havepletely pinned down the main force of the Church of Muldine.
-If Unknown keeps taking out the Inquisitors like this, they might have a chance!
However, just as everyone started to have hope, Unknown ordered a retreat.
-You idiot! You should press the attack while you have the advantage!
-Oh, great, it’s over. They’re doomed.
-I’m done watching. This is giving me a headache. I’m turning it off.
-The editing is like something out of a movie, but the actual war content is so weak... What?
<i>Rumble, rumble.</i>
At first, it sounded like the trees outside were shaking. It was such a faint noise that only the viewers with sharp hearing noticed it. However, the sound grew louder and louder, amplified by the video focusing on it.
-Do you hear that? It sounds like rumbling... like an earthquake or something.
-An earthquake? Idk. My house is fine.
└ You idiot, not in real life. In the video.
└ Oh yeah, now that you mention it, it does sound like it’s getting louder...
<i>Rumble, rumble!</i>
By the time the rumbling had grown loud enough for everyone to hear, the yers and elves had already retreated from the ice field to drynd.
And just when the viewers were about to burst with frustration, the army of merfolk crashed onto the ice field, smashing through both the ice and the Church of Muldine forces.
"This is the climax."
With a satisfied grin, Han Jung-Woo Jung-Woo continued watching, enjoying every moment of what followed.
<i>The visuals are incredible. Especially when the yers charge through the bridge and crush the Church of Muldine’s main force.</i>
It was already bing a popr scene, spreading as a gif in themunity.
It was a beautiful moment that even films made with hundreds of millions in budget couldn’t replicate because it wasn’t scripted acting by yers pretending to be characters. It was the ferocity and bravery that came from yers genuinely fighting as if their lives depended on it.
Even after the two hour and thirty minute program ended, the sense of excitement and lingering impact only grew stronger.
“<i>Hmm</i>... I should pay and rewatch thister.”
Even though the video featured himself as the protagonist, the editing was done in a way that also gave the other major rankers from different guilds plenty of screen time, making it more enjoyable to watch.
There were friendships forged in the heat of battle, the desperate faces of the rankers, and heart-wrenching camaraderie as they cried out for their fallenrades—all of it created moments that brought tears to the eyes.
It was, quite frankly, just a video of endless fighting with no real story, but showing the intense battle in such detail left him with sweaty palms.
That was when Han Jung-Woo Jung-Woo received a phone call.
<i>Ring, ring, ring.</i>
Taking a sip of c to refresh himself, he answered, "Hello, this is Han Jung-Woo."
—Hello! This is Kim In-Ha, PD from NET Media. Did you happen to catch the program?
"Yes, I watched it. It was really well done. Thanks to you, two hours and thirty minutes flew by, and I didn’t even get a chance to go to the bathroom."
n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
—That’s the bestpliment. The reason I’m calling is that I have some good news.
"Good news? What is it?" Han Jung-Woo asked, tilting his head in curiosity.
Kim In-Ha’s excited voice came through the phone.
—The program pulled in a 63.4% viewership rating, just slightly below the historic 65.8%—the highest rating in South Korea since 1997. Considering it’s not a drama, but a one-time pilot program, this is an absolutely insane result.
"... Wait a second. Does that mean...?"
As Han Jung-Woo’s face went nk, memories of the contract details shed through his mind.
Sure enough, Kim In-Ha PD spoke in a sneaky tone.
—Congrattions on bing a rich man.