NOVEL NEXT Chapter 83
“Lately, Riot’s really getting things done. A new game already, huh?”
“Right? ‘Galaxy Craft’ is a total hit!”
“How do they come up with these ideas? Honestly, I find ‘Hidden Attack’ and ‘Galaxy Craft’ a bit scary.”
“Totally. I was a bit taken aback when ‘Hidden Attack’ first dropped. I mean, to think of a weapon that can kill people so easily.”
“It’s just a game, so why so serious? After all, swords and guns are both dangerous, right?”
With the continuous release of games, public reaction was heated.
Both games had a bizarre world setting that was completely different from reality.
Even guns were actually invented, making the world change rapidly.
But for most people’s lives, things remained quite similar.
Even if gunpowder exists, ordinary people have no use for it.
Using small artifacts is still more convenient.
Such items are mainly used for large-scale operations like mining, which is still the norm.
Since it had only been a year since ‘Hidden Attack’ was released.
And guns were no different.
The production methods of guns were currently managed on a national level.
Some individuals had figured out the methods, but for the most part, the state restricted ordinary citizens from owning firearms.
Even if someone used it secretly, it would be at a level fitting for the underworld.
In the end, a person intending to kill will do it with a sword or whatever.
Having guns that make it easier to kill doesn’t mean murder rates would rise.
Human nature remains unchanged.
Ultimately, what people kept focusing on was ‘games.’
“Did you choose the Zergling race? That horrendous monster?”
“You just don’t know the thrill! The Zerg is much more fun than that visually painful Protoss!”
“Seriously, who would pick anything other than Terran?”
“Eh? Terran?”
‘Galaxy Craft’ especially enjoyed even greater popularity than ‘Hidden Attack.’
An intriguing world, attractive races.
And becoming a strategist to command a war.
Numerous strategies for ‘Galaxy Craft’ were born.
The streaming on ‘Twatch’ saw a surge in popularity for ‘Galaxy Craft’ broadcasts.
Moreover, various groups and individuals began to host both large and small tournaments for ‘Galaxy Craft.’
Unlike COL, as it was a personal tournament, there were fewer restrictions on participation.
Thanks to this, the popularity of ‘Galaxy Craft’ skyrocketed in no time.
“Ugh, these Terran users again. Those blasted idiots.”
Among several well-known users stood Kong.
Being nearly the top among Zergling users, he participated in numerous tournaments back to back.
He’s the second child of the Zeno family in the Empire, just two years younger than the eldest son.
He had two of each: arms, legs, eyes, nostrils, and ears, and had placed second in every tournament so far.
Despite his great skills leading him to finals, he always lost to those ghostly Terran users.
“Oh, thank you, Kong Zeno-san.”
“Ah, you don’t have to call me by my full name.”
“It’s just convenient since your name is one syllable.”
At 22 years old, he was engrossed in games instead of going to the Academy.
It was a trend among the youth lately.
Having skipped the Academy, he became a professor right after showcasing his exceptional COL skills.
He dreamed of succeeding through gaming skills like him and getting a professorship at the Academy.
Of course, a part of it might stem from a growing disinterest in studying Academy-style.
But mostly, people like Kong from the Zeno family wished to succeed with fun games.
However, such instances were rare.
No matter how good someone is at games, top talent like that isn’t common.
“I need to win something to amount to anything.”
It was well-known that the I-SPORTS major at the Academy was going to open a detailed sub-major related to ‘Galaxy Craft.’
And Kong Zeno was also dreaming of being appointed as a professor in that major.
But for that, he had to win at the various large and small tournaments currently happening.
And winning the upcoming international tournament hosted by the royal family would be a must.
Strangely, he had never once achieved victory.
He always ended up as the runner-up after losing in finals.
“No one remembers second place…”
Nobody remembers second place.
In fact, all the users watched closely were those who came out on top.
“Ah, Kong Zeno player with Zerglings! In the end, failing to surpass Johan’s Terrans, he lost!”
And for the first time, ‘Galaxy Craft’ was included in the international tournament hosted by the royal family.
Kong Zeno also entered that tournament which gathered immense interest following COL Champions.
In the finals, he regrettably met the Terran race again, resulting in yet another defeat.
Placing second in the first international tournament was certainly an impressive result.
However, Kong Zeno was not satisfied with himself.
Moreover, Johan, the winner, had been appointed as a professor in the Academy’s I-SPORTS major.
In the end, he was left with the label of perennial runner-up and the memory of being the twenty-first second-place finisher.
“Another second place? That’s why I keep telling you to go enroll in the Academy!”
“Bro, it’s still not too late. At 22, you’re still at a suitable age to enroll.”
He was treated like a parasite within the family.
They thought he had a chance of succeeding with ‘Galaxy Craft.’
Yet they scolded him, asking why he didn’t just enroll in the I-SPORTS major if that was the case.
“But I’m not good at games like COL… I probably would’ve flunked the entrance exam anyway.”
The competition rate for the I-SPORTS major was insane.
For Kong Zeno, who wasn’t good at any games other than ‘Galaxy Craft,’ it was tough.
“Is there some curse on me?”
Kong Zeno walked aimlessly down the street, pondering.
To think he had a talented game and never once won in it.
It was clear that bad luck was firmly attached to him.
Then, news reached him.
“Did you hear? The royal family is picking a new military strategist.”
“What does that have to do with us? We don’t know anything about military strategies.”
“Actually, they’re selecting based on skill in ‘Galaxy Craft’!!”
“What? Has the Emperor finally lost his mind after only playing games?”
“Is this person looking to get killed? No, it seems they are having trouble setting up tactics for the newly revamped military. It seems that the Commander, who has only ever swung a sword, can’t devise tactics mixing firearms.”
“Ah! If they hire someone with excellent strategies from ‘Galaxy Craft,’ it would certainly lead to suitable tactics for the new army! If only I was a bit better at the game, I would’ve applied!”
The news that the royal military department is seeking a new military strategist was shared.
Moreover, they said that it would be selected through ‘Galaxy Craft.’
It certainly seemed beneficial to have a ‘Galaxy Craft’ player who could employ diverse strategies for the new military.
Rumors spread that next year, the officer exam would include ‘Galaxy Craft’ as well.
“If it’s like this…”
With a trembling heart, Kong Zeno applied for the position of military strategist in the royal family.
The military strategies he learned vaguely during high school were now all but forgotten.
But the strategies he embodied in ‘Galaxy Craft’ felt like they could be applied without a hitch.
“However, I’m a Zergling user…”
The issue was that Kong Zeno was a user of Zerglings, not Terran.
He decided to think about that part later.
*
“What? They’re picking a new military strategist in ‘Galaxy Craft’!!”
The Emperor, upon hearing the news, jumped up and shouted.
He had just finished his homework for ‘Maple Leaf Story.’
“Y-yes. I’m sure your Majesty approved…”
“Hmm, I can’t quite remember. Was I in the middle of ‘Auto Chess’ back then…”
The Emperor didn’t recall approving something like that.
In reality, it was one of the matters he had carelessly approved while gaming.
After all, he hadn’t been attending the state meetings lately due to gaming.
“Hmm… The new army is indeed a problem.”
However, the Emperor didn’t think too much about it.
He had also played quite a bit of ‘Galaxy Craft’ himself.
Thus, he had a grasp on most aspects regarding ‘Galaxy Craft.’
“Galaxy Craft. It is indeed the essence of military strategy.”
What’s important in war is not just the fighting.
It’s the command of troops, the commanders, logistics, resource allocation, and the ability to handle various situations. The harmony of different military forces, along with the importance of vision and reconnaissance.
Making military strategies.
Especially in a military with newly introduced weapons, one had to consider all those factors even more meticulously.
“To be honest, I’ve always been unhappy with appointing those who only studied at desks to the military department.”
“R-really?”
“That was an unavoidable part after peace set in.”
Only those who had experienced the brink of death could consider such aspects carefully.
Except for those who had crossed that threshold wouldn’t know.
However, after peace persisted, elites from the Academy had secured positions in the royal military department.
It was only natural, considering they had no other metrics to evaluate besides grades.
As a conqueror, the Emperor often felt discontent for that reason.
“But with ‘Galaxy Craft,’ it’s different.”
‘Galaxy Craft.’ It truly is the essence of strategy.
The deficiencies in strategic and command experience could be filled through this game.
Thus, recruiting a new military strategist through ‘Galaxy Craft’ seemed justifiable.
The Emperor spoke with a pleased expression.
“Good job! Now, let’s get back to COL broadcasting…”
“…”
The kingdom seems to be running well.
Satisfied, the Emperor connected the ‘Twatch’ artifact and started streaming.
“Hello everyone. Ah, thank you for the donations right from the start. No reactions? Your Majesty is quite wealthy, but what do you use the donations for…? Hmm. All the donation money goes to spending in Maple Leaf Story. But more importantly, today it seems that I’ll be collaborating with Demon King Sama…”
The Emperor’s secretary shook his head, closed the door, and departed.