DCRBG 58

Chapter 58

When the Taegukgi Waves (4)

8.

Binghwa.
Literally, “ice flower.”

That was the nickname of my fourth opponent — Shiomi Yui.

She wasn’t one of the “priority watch” individuals Deputy Choi had warned me about, but even at a glance, I could tell she was on another level.

‘Yeah, she’s definitely not like the last two.’

Stronger than Bokusei Jun, no question.
From what I’ve seen, a player’s floor level usually correlates with their magic capacity — the higher the level, the stronger the basic stats and mana reserves.

But what I sensed from her was… different.
To be precise, she had two types of mana inside her body.

– She’s a magic swordsman.
– Bokusei Jun was just a gear abuser. She’s the real deal.
– Ice magic and dagger skills, right?
– Yeah.
– Her guild’s ranked 2nd in Japan, isn’t it?
– Yep yep yep yep.
– He’s been steamrolling everyone so far, but Shiomi Yui might actually be tough.
– She never loses. She’s the goddess of victory. (Auto-translated)
– Ice Flower. I’ve seen her montage before — she’s insane. (Auto-translated)
– Why are there no Chinese here? It’s unfair to have Korea vs. Japan without us. We’re the true pioneers of the Abyss. (Auto-translated)
– Yeah, okay, Mr. “Attempted Assassin.”
– Worry about your international tribunals, lmao.
– Isn’t Shiomi Yui known for being super pro-Korean? Her Instagram’s full of Korean pics, even selfies with K-idols lol.

If even Korean viewers knew her name, she had to be pretty famous.

She approached me, holding two daggers — one in each hand.
Gone was the casual outfit from earlier; she was now in shimmering blue leather armor.

It looked expensive.

Me?
I’d stuffed my Avalon leather armor back in my inventory. Just a plain white t-shirt and jeans for me — more comfortable that way.

“Hey,”
she said in fluent Korean.

“I’ve been wondering — why’d you beat Bokusei Jun up like that? From what I saw, his right arm won’t heal for at least three months. You’re not worried about… diplomatic issues?”

“Bokusei Jun’s a traitor.”

“He’s still Japanese, though.”

“Not my problem.”

“…Fair.”

She sighed and shook her head, a faint smile tugging at her lips.

“I mean, I’m not complaining. He was a total jerk.”

Now this could be interesting.

She was definitely cut from a different cloth than the others.
Maybe this would be the real fight — the kind that looked good on camera.

I clenched and released my fist, grinning.

“Doesn’t look like you’re planning to go easy on me. I’m actually pretty delicate, you know?”

“My fists are all about equality. Out here, there’s no man or woman — just players. Korea versus Japan.”

“You’re serious?”

“To be honest, yeah. I just kinda feel like punching something. Been a rough week.”

“That’s harsh.”

– LOL
– Dude’s just a straight-up thug.
– True equality 😂
– He’s not wrong though.
– There’s no gender in the Abyss.
– FYI, Shiomi Yui once cut off a stalker’s… you know.
– 😳😳😳
– That’s… intense.

Whoa. Okay, note to self — don’t mess with her.

I chuckled and raised my right fist.
She sighed and nodded.

“Alright.”

“Then let’s get started.”

Shiomi Yui tightened her grip on her daggers, eyes locked on me.

Mana began to swirl around her body — two distinct flows.
One soft and fluid, the other icy cold.

Even Peanut, who was sensitive to mana, perked up in interest.

So, what would she show me?

She raised both hands higher — clearly about to strike—

CLANG!

“I surrender.”

“…What?”

“Can’t win. Not even close. I can tell from your aura. I surrender.”

And just like that — she dropped her daggers and raised both hands.

Everyone — me included — froze in confusion.
But the ones who were really panicking were the Japanese officials standing behind her.

One middle-aged man, probably a government rep, rushed over and started yelling at her.

Shiomi Yui frowned, then shouted something back in high-pitched, furious Japanese.

I didn’t catch a word, but thankfully, a kind viewer translated for me.

[“RoomTranslator” has donated ₩10,000!]

The government guy said, “The Prime Minister will be disappointed. At least fight.”
And Yui shouted back, “Screw that! If he wants a fight, tell that bald bastard to come do it himself!”

– Is that real?!
– LMAO yeah, that’s basically what she said.
– Actually, she said something even spicier.
– So many Japanese speakers here lol.
– “Yui-chan”? 😂
– She’s famous for being brutally honest, that’s for sure.

Guess the translator wasn’t lying.

After yelling one last time at the official, Yui turned to me with an embarrassed smile.

“Every country’s got stiff old men at the top, huh? Always ordering people around.”

“You’re really not going to fight?”

“Nope. Oh, right — how old are you, by the way, Yu Sung-woo?”

“Thirty-fi— wait, thirty-two.”

(Avalon age thirty-five, but on Earth, thirty-two.)

She nodded approvingly, her tone softening.

“Teach me a thing or two sometime.”

“…Huh?”

“And come on my MiTube channel later as a guest?”

“Oh! Sure, why not? Anytime, oppa.”

Oppa, huh?

I must be getting old — that word actually sounded kind of nice.

The chat exploded.

– She called him oppa 😭
– My wife 😍
– Even in surrender, she’s marketing content. Respect.
– OSMG OSMG OSMG
– Bro, this is gold. Four losses, now four wins? Peak entertainment.

As she headed back toward the Japanese side, she turned and added—

“Oh, by the way, Kurogane’s really fired up. I talked to him — he’s super into you.”

“I’m not into guys.”

“Not like that. The other kind of interest. Anyway, good luck!”

She waved lightly and walked off.

And that made the overall score 4:4.
Time elapsed? Barely ten minutes.

Four straight losses followed by four straight wins — dopamine city.

Now only one remained: Japan’s top contender, Kurogane Tatsuya.

[“Hey, bro. You sure you don’t wanna rest? Maybe take a short break?”]

Inseop’s voice buzzed in my earpiece.

“I’m fine. Why, what’s up?”

[Just got a 100-million-won ad deal. Five minutes tops.]

“Holy— when did you even land that?”

[That’s what an MCN’s for, duh.]

Auto-hunting must feel like this.
Five minutes, one hundred million won.
Sure, why not?

“Alright. Go ahead.”

I turned to the drones.

“Everyone ready for the final match?”

– MEGOD! MEGOD! MEGOD!
– An Jung-geun Punch! An Jung-geun Punch!
– Is he really gonna win this?!
– Meteor-class.
– Admiral Yi Sun-shin is watching.
– Okay, chill with the comparisons.
– If Meteor’s Yi Sun-shin, what’s Peanut then?
– The Turtle Ship.
– The Peanut Ship 💀💀💀

“Alright guys, quick ad break. Back in five!”

– ???????
– Even TV networks don’t take 5-minute breaks!!
– ‘Clean Bot detected inappropriate language.’
– Lmao, it’s not TV, dude.
– Let him make his money.
– The only ad I respect: DW’s Korean-Japanese showdown exclusive sponsor!

While the ad rolled, I sat on a makeshift dirt chair Peanut had shaped for me and chewed on some jerky.

Not a bad day’s work.

But I did learn something today:
Korean players are still way behind.

We haven’t even cleared the 6th floor yet, and our talent pool’s too small.

Guess I’ll have to step up.

Not out of patriotism or anything — just…
it pisses me off when our people get looked down on.

“Yu… Seong-woo-san.”

While I was lost in thought, a man stepped out from the Japanese side.

Kurogane Tatsuya.

The final boss.

Despite Japan’s four straight losses, his face was calm — serene, even.

“I’m taking a five-minute break while the ads run. That okay?”