Chapter 58: The Curtain Rises on the Finals

I finally advanced to the finals of the Myth Festival.

The semifinals weren’t exactly easy, but they weren’t difficult either.

I easily won with just a few Skeleton Soldiers.

Anyway, I became the first finalist like that.

The second semifinal match followed.

In the end, Moon Sua claimed the victory there.

Since it was a result everyone expected, most people reacted as if it was only natural.

And I too accepted it calmly.

The other competitors were impressive, but they couldn’t catch up to Moon Sua.

After the finalists were decided like that.

A short break was given along with celebratory performances by famous singers.

After even those performances ended, the main event of the Myth Festival, the finals, was imminent.

“Hoo…”

Before the finals began.

I stood in the passageway leading to the training ground and took a deep breath.

The passageway, which had been packed with silver attack squad members at first, now had only me standing there alone.

“I made it to the finals after all.”

A tremor from tension, yet an inexplicable excitement surged.

It was because I’d overcome competitors with tremendous skills to reach the finals.

“The finals of the Myth Festival. My life has really changed a lot.”

Suddenly, old memories came to mind.

Before awakening as a necromancer, back when I lived powerlessly.

It was really tough then.

Not just living expenses, but wondering how to pay next month’s rent made everything seem dark.

Yet now, I’m about to face the finals of a tournament called the Myth Festival.

It made me think life is really interesting.

It was then.

“You were here first?”

A woman’s voice came from behind.

Lost in various thoughts, I turned around.

There, I could see.

A woman with long black straight hair and skin pale to the point of being white.

Moon Sua, my opponent in this Myth Festival finals.

“Ah, team leader. You’re here.”

As soon as I saw Moon Sua, I bowed my head in greeting.

Before being my finals opponent, she was the team leader of another team.

“Don’t be so formal. We’re meeting as finals opponents.”

“But still…”

“No. It makes me uncomfortable. So please be casual with me. At least here.”

“Thank you for your consideration, team leader.”

I smiled.

It felt strangely odd that I had to fight such a good-natured person soon.

“Anyway, it’s amazing. To think I’d be facing Hunter Seo Juwon in the finals.”

Moon Sua said as she stood side by side with me.

“You’re right. It’s amazing to me too.”

“You don’t look like you expected it at all?”

“Honestly, no. Of course, I wanted to climb high, but I didn’t think I’d really make it to the finals.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

“That’s interesting. I thought Hunter Seo Juwon would make it to the finals.”

“…What?”

I was a bit surprised by Moon Sua’s words.

Then, Moon Sua gave a faint smile and said.

“I didn’t say it when we met in the passageway earlier, but I thought Hunter Seo Juwon would advance to the finals.”

“Why did you think that?”

“Well. First, thanks to Hunter Seo Juwon’s reputation. And the fact that the guild master took you to the Night of Transcendents event. But above all, the strongest reason is…”

Moon Sua looked at me and continued.

“I feel a special power from Hunter Seo Juwon.”

“A special power, you say?”

“Yes. It’s not like superpowers or anything. Just a feeling. Like a woman’s intuition, but as a hunter’s intuition. That intuition told me. My finals opponent would be Hunter Seo Juwon.”

At Moon Sua’s words, I blinked.

Because her words about feeling something from me carried an inexplicable mysticism.

Moon Sua said.

“It’s just a feeling, so don’t take it too seriously. I don’t have precognition or anything; how could I know Hunter Seo Juwon would advance.”

“Ah, I see.”

“Right. Anyway, you worked hard to make it to the finals. I’m really glad I get to face Hunter Seo Juwon in the finals, not someone else.”

“I’m truly honored to compete against you, team leader Moon Sua. Sincerely.”

“Good. Then let’s have a great match in the finals. Without holding back an inch. Got it?”

“Yes, team leader.”

We shook hands like that.

From her hand, pale to the point of being white, I felt a strange energy.

It was only natural.

The woman before me wasn’t just a beautiful woman, but the strongest in the silver attack squad.

Everyone, you’ve waited a long time! After fierce battles, the two hunters for the finals have finally been decided!

At that moment, the emcee’s booming voice came from the training ground connected to the passageway.

Followed by cheers from the Myth Guild members, close to thunderous roars.

If I talk too long, it’ll be boring, right? 

So let’s quickly invite the hunters who advanced to the finals and have a chat!

The emcee continued in an even louder voice.

The two hunters who won through blood-soaked competition to reach the Myth Festival finals! Hunter Moon Sua from the Mercury Team and Hunter Seo Juwon from the Nova Team! Please come out now!

At the emcee’s words, Moon Sua and I looked at each other and nodded.

Then, we walked steadily down the wide passageway toward the training ground.

Eunbyeol, dad will do well.

It was the moment the curtain rose on the Myth Festival finals.

***

I walked side by side with Moon Sua into the super-large training ground.

Steps that were very nervous but as bold as possible.

During those steps, tremendous cheers poured down on us.

“Waaaah! Amazing!”

“Team leader Moon Sua! Congratulations on advancing to the finals!”

“Hahaha! Seo Juwon! You made it to the finals! Incredible! Go all the way to the win!”

“Team leader Moon Sua! Show us the power of the silver attack squad’s strongest!”

“Juwon! Do well! Our Nova Team is cheering for you!”

“Amazing, Moon Sua! Crush Seo Juwon just like you crushed the others!”

“Whatever happens, make it an entertaining match!”

“Moon Sua! Moon Sua! Moon Sua!”

“Seo Juwon! Seo Juwon! Seo Juwon!”

“Waaaah!”

People cheering for me and Moon Sua shouted.

Cheers so hot they hurt the eardrums and flashes from external guests.

It felt like becoming a top star, making the tension even heavier.

Act composed. I made it here on skill.

Even so, I steeled my mind over and over.

If I’d advanced on luck, I couldn’t be this confident.

But from the first round to the finals, I advanced solely on skill.

With the power of an EX-grade necromancer.

Thus, I puffed out my chest and walked even more confidently up to the training ground.

Ah, Myth Guild everyone! The two finalists of the Myth Festival have finally arrived! Please give a hot cheer to the two who have worked hard so far!

“Waaaah!”

Tremendous cheers poured toward us standing on either side of the emcee.

The cheers poured solely at us two from the densely packed spectator seats were enough to make one lose their mind.

The emcee even asked several times to calm down, but the people’s excitement showed no sign of subsiding.

Hahaha, what incredible heat! It seems the Myth Guild members have been waiting a lot for the finals!

The emcee continued in an excited voice.

I’d love to jump right into the finals too, but we have to do what needs to be done, right? 

So, let’s hear the thoughts of the two who advanced to the finals. 

Shall we start with an interview from Hunter Seo Juwon, who could be called the challenger?

The emcee looked at me and continued.

Nice to meet you, Hunter Seo Juwon. 

And congratulations on advancing to the finals!

Thank you.

Receiving the microphone, I replied with a light smile.

Hahaha, there are many opinions that Hunter Seo Juwon’s advancement to the finals is an upset. 

What do you think about that?

Half is natural, half is not.

Oh, what do you mean by that?

Those who knew me before would think it’s an upset. 

But those who saw my rapid growth up close before the Myth Festival would think advancing to the finals is natural. 

Because I’ve grown tremendously.

At my words, the spectator seats heated up once more.

Wow, impressive confidence. So, Hunter Seo Juwon was 100% sure about advancing to the finals?

I wasn’t certain, but I thought if I fully displayed my skills, it wouldn’t be impossible.

Whoa, I see. 

Such spirit. 

But what to do? 

Your opponent is Hunter Moon Sua, evaluated as the silver attack squad’s strongest. 

How do you feel about that? You must be quite nervous.

I’ve heard of team leader Moon Sua’s reputation. I’ve personally respected her, and I thought team leader Moon Sua would definitely advance to the finals.

I continued speaking.

But as I said earlier, if I can fully unleash the power I have, I think I can win sufficiently.

Oh, really? 

You think you have a chance even against the strongest, Hunter Moon Sua?

Yes, sincerely. 

If I can reveal all the power I have, the Myth Festival’s championship trophy and promotion to the gold attack squad will be mine.

At my words, the spectator seats started stirring again.

“Hahahaha! Amazing, Seo Juwon!”

“Good spirit! A man’s all about confidence!”

“Yeah! Work hard and come up to the gold attack squad!”

“Hahaha, saying that against team leader Moon Sua! Totally crazy?”

“What is this power he has that makes him say that? Did he bring a secret item or something?”

“Do well, Seo Juwon! I’ve been cheering since the first round!”

At the people’s cheers, the emcee smiled contentedly.

He seemed satisfied with me, the underdog, boldly making provocative statements.

Whoa, really cool interview! 

Now, lastly, please give us your thoughts on facing the finals!

At the emcee’s question, I paused in silence before speaking.

First, thank you to all the Myth Guild members who cheered for me and our Nova Team members.

And thank you to guild master Shin Daeho and the executives watching from the VIP seats. 

Thank you so much for opening the opportunity to display my skills.

I said while looking at the VIP seats located high up.

Thank you to my finals opponent, team leader Moon Sua. 

Whatever the outcome, I hope we put on a match splendid enough to decorate the Myth Festival’s finale. And lastly…

I continued with a heartfelt emotion.

I want to say a word to my daughter at kindergarten. 

Eunbyeol, dad made it to the finals. 

It won’t be easy, but I’ll do my best to bring home the championship trophy. I love you, my daughter!

Words poured out with full sincerity.

At those words, the spectator seats heated up more than ever before.