I Was the Strongest Sword God in My Past Life

part 40

“I only know the theory of the sponsorship system. There were no viewers during the beta.”

As Amy said, viewers can ‘sponsor’ their favorite party.

Of course, the sponsorship money goes to G Channel, but the important thing isn’t the money. Streamers can use the sponsored amount to give gifts to the party leader.

Enhancing unique traits.

Artifacts.

And various other food supplies.

Sponsorship, the heart of this event, was also the reason streamers were needed.

“I don’t know about other things, but enhancing traits is essential. Celia’s side is so popular, they probably opened up to the second round easily, right?”

“Popularity affects the game, doesn’t it?”

“It’s a broadcast after all. Popular teams inevitably get more benefits. That’s why the concept and character are important.”

Amy scanned each party member. If there was one thing she learned from her short but intense broadcasting career…

It was that popularity and appearance are proportional.

Amy didn’t deny it, as she had fully reaped the benefits herself.

‘First, Isabelle…’

Like casting an actress, Amy scrutinized Isabelle meticulously.

Indifferent eyes and a haughty air that seemed to keep others at bay.

Yet, her distinct features forcibly held one’s gaze.

And that clear skin you’d want to touch confirmed she had beauty.

‘If she just wouldn’t speak, no, such a strong character is subtly…’

Amy approved Isabelle in her mind.

Her gaze then shifted to Chris. A thin face line, a lean body with golden hair, and distant eyes.

‘Hmm, he’s quite…’

As Amy silently observed him, Chris offered a potion.

“A sip?”

“Just don’t open your mouth for now.”

“…What kind of backhanded comment is that?”

“It’s not an insult. I just thought of the perfect character for you.”

Amy’s explanation, brimming with excitement, went like this:

“A hunter from the city with a painful past, likely from District 1! A dangerous pretty boy who broods over solitude! Ehehe, I’m boiling. Boiling. Got the vibe?”

“Uh… not at all. I don’t get it.”

“It’s not that hard. Just look into the void after knocking out an opponent.”

“Alright, let’s go with that.”

Now, the last turn.

Amy stared intently at Gian. In truth, Gian, the party leader, was more important than the previous two. After all, Amy’s camera broadcasted from Gian’s perspective.

“It seems like you get it, but there’s no punch! Just being a good student won’t get you popularity. You need a punch that’ll hit hard…”

As the broadcast came up, Amy examined Gian with the utmost seriousness.

“……I don’t know. Now that it’s come to this, smile. Try smiling.”

“Smile all of a sudden?”

As Gian became flustered, Amy became more forceful.

“Really, do I have to teach you how to smile? Just smile.”

Broadcasting prodigy.

Sponsorship fairy.

Although quirky, Amy’s intuition for broadcasting was remarkable, especially as the benefactor at events, which is why Gian had no choice but to trust her completely.

“Got it.”

It might be awkward, but acting isn’t a difficult task. For a Saver, acting is life.

‘The most impressive smile.’

Gian racked his brain.

If he was going to imitate, he wanted to show the best smile possible. With that thought, a smile came to mind.

The Demon King Belial.

The incarnation of evil he met at the 8th-grade gate.

One of the disasters of the 4th district, he sat on the black throne, looking down arrogantly.

[Are you the hero?]

A spine-chilling voice.

With those words, Belial smiled.

If he could mimic that proud yet beautiful smile.

Perhaps he could deliver a stunning punch in a climactic scene.

‘An opponent I’ve fought before.’

Gian tried hard to act like the Demon King.

The immortal Demon King who had not allowed a single defeat in two thousand years.

Gian infused his smile with the Demon King’s arrogance.

A moment of silence.

Amy, who had been looking at Gian with a serious expression, spoke.

“Perfect. This, this is simply standing ovation material.”

Amy shrugged her shoulders and then stood up to applaud.

The worries were just unfounded fears.

“There’s nothing to teach you. You’re just……”

I hope this captures the essence of the original text for you.

Amy racked her brain for words befitting the emotion.

“Yes! A genius of a face!”

Excited, Amy patted Jian on the back and laughed heartily.

Isabel looked at the two with a disdainful gaze.

“I can’t stand to watch.”

* * *

The grandest event.

The first collaboration.

The internet was abuzz, and Battle Survival was the talk of the town.

[The grandest suburban event ever!]

[Game X Saber, a collaboration of the ages!]

[The gamification of the Virtual Gate?!]

[Arcana vs. Celia! A head-to-head battle of the prestigious academies!]

[…….]

“Finally, it’s tomorrow.”

Jian closed his phone.

After regaining his memory, he had become insanely strong.

His mana, once a weakness, was now among the upper echelon of third-class sabers, and his swordsmanship and experience were beyond compare.

But Jian was not satisfied.

‘Still not enough.’

That day at the Mage Tower when he met Desire.

Jian had to flee helplessly with Isabel. They only escaped the illusion because of his complacency. If not…

‘I would have surely died.’

Now an evident enemy of Desire, it wouldn’t be surprising if a similar crisis struck again.

But Jian would become stronger.

Stronger than now, stronger than in his previous life. With time, both the Gate and Desire would become mere walls to overcome.

What he must remember to the end is his original determination.

‘I won’t repeat it again.’

Jian closed his eyes.

The scar on the back of the hand glowed red, and before long, a jet-black sword was grasped in hand.

Tsst! Tsstsst!

Fierce mana surged and swirled from the sword.

Crackle!

As the mana-wrapped sword touched a point in space, it naturally distorted and scattered. Like parting the waters, a languid motion left only the trace of torn space where the black fragrance had passed.

This is the new magic device.

Isabel, having approached at some point, gazed at the black rift.

“Did it work?”

“Yes, as you see.”

“The sword is fascinating every time I see it. Is it rude to ask about its nature?”

Magic devices have both nature and form.

Even gloves of the same shape can handle water or fire, depending on their nature.

The same goes for swords.

The nature of the black fragrance was peculiarly.

“It cuts.”

“Cuts?”

“Yes. What image do you conjure when you use gloves?”

“Just… burning?”

“I think only of cutting.”

The act of cutting itself.

If the first magic device had the power to cut mana, this new one had the power to cut space.

“Really? …I see.”

“Is that all your questions?”

Jien asked.

Isabel was not one to take steps in vain. She glanced at him and then leaned against a tree.

“From the tower…”

Isabel closed her mouth again.

She was carefully choosing her words.

“Why go to such lengths? Aren’t you afraid of dying?”

Isabel’s voice was tranquil.

How can one risk their life for another?

This was a question about the essence of Jian.

Even for a Saber, he was only 17 years old.

Yet, Jian bet on an impossible wager against a Level 6 Saber.

Before discussing success or failure, such courage and resolve were far from that of an ordinary student.

“That is.”

Jian had faced a similar question in his past life. But his answer now was different.

Jian was afraid of dying too.

He didn’t want to repeat that chill, nor did he want to miss out on this life.

But the reason he could stand up to Desire until the end,

Was because that selfish yet altruistic heart was Jian’s original intention.

If he repeated the mistakes, there would be no meaning in regaining his memory. That was the reason.

“……”

Just as Jian was about to answer, someone came running from afar.

“I knew you’d be here! The principal is looking for you, Jian. Turn on your phone.”

Chris glanced back and forth between Jian and Isabel, then whispered softly.

“……I overheard something earlier? Seems like it’s someone from Central.”

‘Contact from the government?’

Battle Survival D-1.

The stakes were becoming much larger than Jian had thought.

* * *

Central, the topmost authority of the government. A press conference had begun there. The speaker was Minister Metis of the Gate Management Bureau.