Chapter 79-1: - Soul Chess (2)


    Soul Chess.


    For Baek Yu-Seol, it was a content that he found quite tiresome.


    In the Aether World, Soul Chess appeared everywhere.


    Whether it was in Persona Gates, dungeons, ruins, or any other ce, he had to ovee traps and obstacles through Soul Chess time and time again.


    Furthermore, to build rapport with key characters, persuade them, or make certain choices, he had to y Soul Chess.


    Unlike conventional chess, Soul Chess involved cing pieces with various abilities andpeting. It was more akin to a turn-based role-ying game (TRPG).


    However, Baek Yu-Seol wasn''t particrly smart, so he didn''t excel at it.


    But that was the case for other yers as well; they had no choice but to strategize and exploit their opponents with the help of the "system."


    Soul Chess marked the beginning of a strategic battle as soon as the pieces were ced.


    Did his forces have favorable matchups against the opponent''s forces?


    Was the formation he set up more advantageous than the opponent''s?


    That was where Baek Yu-Seol had an advantage.


    Although he had never directly faced Admon Atalek, the form and strategies of the pieces he used were recorded in meticulous detail in a strategy guide.


    In other words, studying the "guidebook" enabled him to y Soul Chess.


    Moreover, using the analysis system of his thick-framed sses based on that information, he could analyze the opponent''s chess patterns and determine the moves that had the highest probability of leading to victory.


    In essence, with the strategy guide and his "AlphaGo" by his side, Baek Yu-Seol was unbeatable.


    Unaware of this fact, Edmon Atalek looked at the chessboard in front of him with a confident gaze.


    "Oh, Soul Chess, huh?"


    The impatient feeling had disappeared.


    Now, Baek Yu-Seol could leisurely look around his surroundings.


    The signing of the oath document was done. Now, all he had to do was win in Soul Chess and obtain the item trading rights.


    "Hey, are Edmon Senpai and the first-year student going to y Soul Chess?"


    "It''s not just ying, it''s a bet. We''re ying Soul Chess for stakes."


    "To the point of writing an oath document..."


    "Senpai will win, right?"


    "Well, obviously. Have you seen anyone in Ste who ys Soul Chess better than Admon-senpai?"


    The number of spectators had increased without Baek Yu-Seol realizing it.


    Initially, he felt a bit burdened by the spectators, but now he wished there were even more.


    That way, he could show his victory to everyone.


    Edmon nced at Hong Bi-Yeon in the seat next to him with affectionate eyes.


    However, she closed her eyes and crossed her legs, casually sipping her coffee without even giving a nce.


    Although her nonchnt attitude was irritating, it didn''t matter.


    She was the woman who would be his, and no one else could interfere with her.


    With such thoughts, Edmon locked eyes with Baek Yu-Seol.


    In contrast, Hong Bi-Yeon''s mind was in turmoil.


    *What is he thinking? Soul Chess*


    Of all things, Edmon Atalek had chosen the discipline he excelled in.


    It seemed utterly crazy.


    If he lost there, everything would be meaningless.


    What could he be thinking?


    Even if Baek Yu-Seol was said to have a good head, it was impossible to outy Edmon Atalek, who had been called the prodigy of Soul Chess and had been learning since the age of five.


    Edmon, who knew this fact, spoke calmly.


    "Well, junior. Let''s start by cing our pieces. You can go first."


    Baek Yu-Seol nodded without hesitation.


    Giving up the initiative for free in such an important bet, there was no bigger fool.


    "Yes."


    They ced their pieces on a chessboard that was muchrger than a regr chessboard and had an octagonal shape.


    Even the process of cing the pieces was a mental battle.


    After the opponent ced five pieces, it was their turn to ce five pieces. They had to examine the opponent''s pieces, strategize, and carefully select which pieces to ce.


    **[Edmon Atalek mainly deploys ''me of Destruction'' forces. Be cautious of his firepower-oriented strategies.]**


    **[If he has the first move, there is a high possibility that he will move ''Burning Golem'' or set up ''Scorched Earth'' on the field. It would be good for you to prepare ''Frozen cier'' in anticipation, but if you haven''t...]**


    Countless strategies for Edmon Atalek''s Soul Chess came to Baek Yu-Seols mind.


    Based on that, his augmented reality spec started analyzing the patterns and projected the most ideal route for him in the air like a hologram.


    Following that, he calmly ced his pieces on the chessboard.


    There was no need for psychological warfare.


    Whatever he did, he had the advantage.


    "Hmm...?"


    As Edmon was cing his pieces, he furrowed his brow slightly.


    Although he didn''t underestimate the stakes of the Soul Chess bet, seeing Baek Yu-Seol mere few pieces and his seeminglyplete understanding of the strategy through their cement... He was outyed from the start.


    For a moment, uneasiness struck, but he forcefully pushed it away.


    Such a minor disadvantage could be ovee with his experience and superior strategies.


    He had fought countless battles like this and was familiar with them.


    "Ahem, shall we begin?"


    Baek Yu-Seol responded in ce by moving his piece to take the first move.


    "Hmm?"


    An aggressive move from the start.


    Edmon was slightly surprised by Baek Yu-Seols boldness in sending pieces with sufficient strategic elements, high offensive and defensive capabilities closer to his own side. Not in a good sense, but in a bad sense.


    *Does thismoner not know that this is an exploration game?*


    For Edmon, it wasn''t a bad development.


    If he could significantly weaken the opponent''s forces from the beginning, it would be advantageous.


    Since the opponent came out boldly, Edmon also moved his limited three pieces boldly.


    "Speedrun Knight."


    It wasn''t a piece with strong offensive power, but it had exceptional mobility, capable of covering the entire map.


    **ng!**


    As Edmons piece moved, it swiftly took out one of Baek Yu-Seols pieces and vanished into specks of light.


    However, Baek Yu-Seol didn''t panic and immediately moved his next piece. This time, he initiated pressure from another direction.


    As expected, it was an aggressive move, but it didn''t inflict any significant damage on Admon''s side.


    On the contrary, Edmon used the mobility advantage to


    swiftly eliminate Baek Yu-Seols key pieces one by one.


    "This is too easy."


    Edmons lips curled into a smile as he didn''t even bother hiding his expression and yed chess with a leisurely demeanor.


    Hong Bi-Yeon chewed her lips anxiously, wearing a worried expression.


    *What on earth are we supposed to do?*


    Baek Yu-Seol felt the same.


    *Seriously, what should we do?*