Chapter 76: Stats Don’t Lie

“Didn’t you say that guy was just a little over level 100?”

Jinah asked, and Jaeho shook his head.

“About halfway there, actually.”

“Still, that’s…”

It wasn’t a very meaningful explanation.

“Hyuk.”

And, belatedly grasping the situation, Dupyouno let out a shocked exclamation as well.

“W-what is this? Why are the stats like this?!”

“Hm? Are they high?”

High, indeed.

For a player not even level 200 to have stats similar to a ranker’s accumulated bonus stats? It was unthinkable.

“What in the world have you been doing in the game all this time? These numbers are ridiculous!”

“I just… ran a flower shop, that’s all.”

An absurd oversimplification.

Naturally, no one believed him.

Hadn’t he shaken the world not long ago by dealing with the Bear Kingdom?

In reality, Jaeho had done many “incredible things” that he himself didn’t think were all that amazing.

He fought Elves in hand-to-hand combat at level 1, took down a bear barehanded, overthrew the King of Antiquity, dug a lot, and so on…

Among those, the feat that contributed most to Jaeho’s insane stat grinding was the Desert Crossing with Elves.

Thanks to being relentlessly worked by the Elves who promised to teach him Elbo Spirit Infusion, his stat growth had skyrocketed.

After that, since Jaeho’s main fighting style was essentially brawling, his physical stats naturally kept rising.

Moreover, most of his opponents were much stronger than himself, so the efficiency was outstanding.

But Jaeho himself didn’t know these detailed reasons, and even if he did, explaining each one would be tedious.

“Well, Jaeho-nim is basically a hundred levels higher than his actual level…”

Muttering vacantly, Dupyouno stumbled upon a new possibility he hadn’t considered.

“At this rate, Alicia-nim could just jump in herself and compete without any problem!”

Not only Dupyouno, but the other players watching had a slightly changed look in their eyes as they regarded Jaeho.

Before, they thought it was just exaggerated image-making rather than actual skill. But now, much of the hype had faded.

Maybe… he really is a monster…

No, Jaeho’s potential for future growth was overwhelmingly higher than the other players. Wasn’t he basically a monster in the making?

That was the thought on everyone’s mind.

“I don’t know about that.”

But Jaeho shook his head even at Dupyouno’s hopeful gaze.

“As I said before, I don’t really plan on playing as a player myself.”

Top priority, no matter what, was the flower shop.

“And honestly, I don’t even have that many skills usable in combat.”

Skills solely of, by, and for the flower shop!

The only combat skills he used were <Rapid Mutation Growth> and some Item Binding Skills, at best.

And he was only able to maximize the efficiency of those skills thanks to the Elves.

If he really decided to fight one-on-one, it was clear Jaeho would be overwhelmingly disadvantaged.

“I know myself better than anyone. I can’t rely on luck in the League.”

Hearing Jaeho say so, Dupyouno shut his mouth, but…

“You’re saying all those things until now were just luck?”

Who would believe that story as it was?

In truth, it was just Jaeho’s own misconception.

***

In the actual League, matches were announced to proceed with four players per team, but since this was a Friendly Match, it was run with three-person teams using their own rules.

Fwoosh—

All the players were transported into the Labyrinth.

The players who spawned with Jaeho were Jinah and Dupyouno.

Since this was their first match, a Manager accompanied each team for explanations.

“I’ve played quite a few games myself. I’ll try not to drag you down!”

Dupyouno thumped his chest as he spoke.

“Actually, you two have more gaming experience than I do.”

At Jaeho’s words, Dupyouno shook his head vigorously.

“Come on, is New World really a game about experience? Anyway, I’ll take the Tank role.”

“I’m a Healer Class.”

“Perfect balance. Let’s do our best!”

Naturally, Jaeho was categorized as the Dealer.

“Oh right, let’s set our stats before we move.”

At Dupyouno’s suggestion, Jaeho and Jinah pulled up their Status Window.

“Hwang Jaeho, what’s your main stat?”

“My main three…?”

Jaeho hesitated.

Whenever he leveled up, he’d always raise his stats evenly, except for Intelligence.

“…Seems like Strength is the main one.”

“Seems like?”

“Yeah.”

If it’s Strength 2, Agility 1, Stamina 1, Mana 1, isn’t that enough to call Strength his main?

So, this time too, he distributed points in that ratio.

[Lv.250 Alicia]

[Spiritization Medal (Heir Apparent Rank)]

[Strength: 812]

[Intelligence: 281]

[Agility: 583]

[Stamina: 573]

[Mana: 560]

Stats so high, they were unbelievable!

About double his original stats.

But it didn’t feel any different for now.

“I guess I’ll find out when the battle starts.”

***

The Labyrinth had the typical shape of a dungeon.

A maze of winding tunnels.

“You get 1 point for every Monster you defeat, and 3 points for defeating an opposing team member. Win or lose is ultimately determined by points, and if you die, you can’t be revived, so we have to fight strategically.”

“They say survival, but really it’s just a point battle.”

At Jaeho’s comment, Dupyouno nodded.

“But the detailed rules could change at any time. The System provided for the tournament is there to gather samples like that.”

When Dupyouno finished, Jinah raised her hand.

“Then it’s important to kill as many Monsters as possible.”

“That’s right. But the Monsters here get stronger every 5 minutes. Even the starting level is 250, so they’re no weaklings. After 20 minutes, boss-class Monsters respawn and give 2 points, but… honestly, it’s not cost-effective. You might get ambushed, too.”

If another team appeared while you were fighting a boss Monster, you’d pretty much be wiped out.

“And the layout of this Labyrinth keeps changing. As time passes, the space shrinks, so eventually the teams are forced to collide.”

As they listened to the explanation and walked, the three reached a huge cavern.

Grrr—

There, two Giant Gnolls were waiting.

“Do we just fight them now?”

Jaeho pulled out his trowel and summoned Fonda and Jingjing-i.

—Hm? Where is this place?

—What, what’s going on… wait, those are Monsters!

The two, suddenly awakened, realized they were in a strange place and were confused.

“Just fight.”

He’d already explained about the summon System.

Like with other items, Fonda and Jingjing-i weren’t affected at all, being separated from the Main Server.

After the match, everything would Reset—just data.

It was a bit of a shame, but what could you do…

“Let’s go.”

Jaeho charged ahead with Fonda.

Jingjing-i, as usual, stayed put.

“Uh.”

“Wa-wait!!”

Jaeho’s reckless charge left Jinah and Dupyouno flustered.

To rush in without even figuring out the enemy’s attack pattern was a very rookie way to fight.

Moreover, the Gnoll race was famous for being quick and nimble despite their size.

If a Dealer, not a Tank, got hit by a Dungeon Monster like that, they could be put in critical condition instantly…

CRASH—!

The massive Helberd of the Gnoll came crashing down on Jaeho with an explosion-like impact.

“Wha— Hwang Jaeho!”

It looked like he’d been struck dead on, but before anyone knew it, Jaeho had moved right up to the Gnoll.

Whoosh—!!

A huge foot swung at Jaeho, but he sprang up like a spring, grabbed the foot, and used the momentum to leap onto the Gnoll’s head.

Thwack—

GRRRRAAAAA!!

Fortunately, since it was a bipedal Monster, Ginseng Pluck worked perfectly.

Thud—thud—

Standing atop the reeling Gnoll’s snout, Jaeho pounded away with his trowel and fists.

Wham, wham!!

The other Gnoll, confused, flailed its arms helplessly.

If it swung its fists or weapon recklessly, it might send its friend’s head flying.

RAAAHH!

[<Giant Gnoll’s> roar hits you.]

[<Giant Gnolls> begins to go berserk.]

“Berserk?”

“The Gnoll race is known to go berserk when their health drops!”

Dupyouno shouted quickly, but the Gnoll moved even faster.

Slam—

With bloodshot, furious eyes fixed on Jaeho, the beast punched itself in the snout.

As a result, Jaeho was launched into the air.

RAAAHHHHH!!!!

While Jaeho was still in midair, the Gnoll swung its Helberd at him.

Snap—

A light flick of his fingers.

[ <Magic Explosion> activates]

He hadn’t just been hitting them for nothing.

Jingjing-i, his original owner, was completely useless, but the Demon-possessed Spiritification boasted overwhelming combat ability.

The Gnoll had been steadily stacking Magi with every hit while in that state.

And, having just been hit by Jaeho’s much more powerful Ginseng Pluck, thanks to the stat boost, there was no way it could endure.

Boom—

The Gnoll collapsed at last.

Crash—!

[ <Falling has Wings> title effect reduces fall damage.]

Landing cleanly, barely taking any damage thanks to his fall skill, Jaeho got up and tilted his head.

“Feels like I’m moving way lighter than usual?”

At first, he thought it was due to his stats, but now he could tell for sure that wasn’t the case.

It felt like his reaction speed was strangely faster!

“Is it because of the Capsule?!”

Though the design was clearly different, he hadn’t expected much of a difference in performance.

“Hey, by any chance…?”

Jaeho turned to ask about the Capsule.

“…Why do you ask?”

Jaeho looked at Jinah and Dupyouno, who were staring at him blankly, puzzled.

“Huh? Oh, that…”

Jinah was at a loss for words at Jaeho’s absurd fighting style.

“Are you really sure you don’t want to become a player?”

Dupyouno again appealed to Jaeho, unable to let go of his lingering desire.

***

Seumin knew that Jaeho was more well-mannered and not just a scary person.

Especially after he visited for the profile shoot, her aggressive competitive spirit had faded…

“I can’t lose…”

But today, seeing Jaeho’s shocking stat screen, she was stunned.

The reason she was so nervous was simple.

For a player in the mid-100s to have stats like those… it was unbelievable!

She’d always thought she was superior to Jaeho, but now, even that self-consolation had vanished.

She might really lose!

That sense of crisis only made Seumin more combative.

“Wow… what’s up with Seumin today? Why is she so fired up?”

“She usually isn’t like this, is it just tournament mode?”

Her teammates were simply amazed at her fighting spirit.

And finally… they met on the single-log bridge.

In the area they entered, another team—no, a single person was already battling Monsters.

And, sitting calmly on the side watching the fight, there were three others.

“Huh? Seumin, you’re here?”

“…Dupyouno-hyung?”

It was none other than Dupyouno, Jinah, and even Jingjing-i, whom she’d thought was human.

Naturally, the one fighting Monsters alone was Jaeho.

“W-what are you doing, just sitting there…”

“Ah, just watching.”

Anyone could see they were spectating.

The question was, why were they watching inside the Labyrinth?

“Ah, well… watching is just fun.”

Dupyouno replied with an embarrassed look, but there really wasn’t any other reason.

Jinah nodded as well.

“He fights just fine on his own. Or, more accurately, not really on his own.”

At her words, Seumin looked back at the battlefield.

Jaeho was rampaging through dozens of Monsters, while Fonda soared around him, firing beams.

Even with the tournament System’s balancing, which made movements sharper than usual, their reaction speed was astonishingly quick.

He dodged every attack, even the ones you couldn’t avoid without eyes in the back of your head—his Agility was off the charts!

How could that bulky body move like that?

By this point, the Monsters looked stupid for not being able to hit him.

Grip—

Seumin tightened her sword and shield.

“It’s a point match, right?”

“Yeah, that’s right.”

Dupyouno nodded at Seumin’s question.

“Then it doesn’t matter if I attack now, right?”

Dupyouno nodded casually at that question.

“No problem. It’s just a Friendly Match, so it’s totally fine.”

At that, Seumin quickly dashed onto the battlefield.