# Player with Maxed-Out Talent Episode 47

24. The Giant at Sunset

Kang Sang-gu spoke.

“No way, Shubam. A man’s got his pride. I will never go alone.”

“…”

What’s with this guy? I was about to tell him to go by himself. Did he read my mind? Does he also have some kind of sixth sense?

“Listen to me, Mr. Kang Sang-gu.”

This place, ‘The Giant at Sunset,’ is designed for you. The guardian who’s all-in on you? It doesn’t like anyone but you.

‘It’s basically telling us to die if it’s asking us to cross that valley.’

We should separate from Kang Sang-gu and plan our strategy. If we’re with Kang Sang-gu, the Giant at Sunset, which is only focused on him, will find a way to kill us. All to ensure the rewards go solely to Kang Sang-gu.

“Mr. Kang Sang-gu, you must have a strong affinity for fire, especially after consuming the Essence of Flames.”

The Essence of Flames usually has a consumption level limit of 40.

“And there’s a high chance you have a unique skill that increases your resistance to fire.”

It was known that not even the fiercest of flames on Earth could harm the ‘Flame Emperor.’

“You can cross that place, just as you said you would.”

“Right. I’m a genius, so I can cross it.”

Kang Sang-gu interrupted me.

“But how can I go alone after you called me here? I have my dignity. I won’t do it.”

Kang Sang-gu’s tightly closed lips seemed to express tremendous resolve.

‘He’s serious.’

He seriously doesn’t want to cross.

‘That’s not helping me.’

You should go first by yourself and clear this place, man. After all, the entrance settings are likely blocked; the Giant at Sunset will ensure you clear this place.

“Mr. Kang Sang-gu.”

I looked at Kang Sang-gu. His spirit was commendable. Perhaps if it were me, I might have made a different choice. In the tutorial field, I didn’t open the convenience store door to ensure my survival. My own wellbeing comes first. I don’t think I was wrong. Kang Sang-gu is just a bit unique.

“Anyway, Sun-hwa and I can’t cross it. We would burn to death.”

“So we need to find a way.”

We already have a way. We just don’t want to attract the attention of ‘The Giant at Sunset.’

“No. It would be better if you cross by yourself.”

“No. I said, I completely hate that idea!”

“I’m not telling you to abandon us. We will wait here, so clear this place quickly, before anything happens. As fast as you can.”

“…”

Kang Sang-gu’s eyes went wide.

“…Excuse me?”

“With the Essence of Flames you’ve consumed, and under the protection of a special guardian, you can clear this place.”

“No matter what…”

Kang Sang-gu is not a fool. He’s one of the eight heroes representing Korea. At first, he staunchly refused my suggestion, but gradually, he began to understand.

“Damn it, I don’t know.”

Kang Sang-gu grimaced deeply.

“Then I’ll clear it super quickly. Just wait a little.”

The information about Kang Sang-gu that I sense through my sixth sense has changed slightly.

──────────

Status: Remorse/Determination/Fighting Spirit

Summary: A warrior moved by emotion

──────────

Kang Sang-gu walked toward the Valley of Fire. I could see his back. He seemed to be very moved by something.

“Thanks for making the right decision in this situation. And also for not being greedy for the items and giving them to me first. That’s what gaming is about. That’s how you do it. Thank you for teaching me that.”

Ah. So that’s what they call being moved.

“I’ll definitely clear this godforsaken place and save you. Just wait right here.”

Uh… This place isn’t exactly ‘godforsaken.’ It’s made for you, Mr. Emotionally Moved Warrior. Kang Sang-gu crossed the Valley of Fire first.

‘Phew.’

That’s fortunate. The Giant at Sunset will now be focused solely on him. It’s time to move on to the next step.

* * *

I had a bit of a conversation with Sun-hwa. Nothing much. Just, ‘Will it be okay? Let’s hope it is. All we can do is wait here.’ That was the gist of it.

After all, this is just a distraction. To deceive ‘The Giant at Sunset’ who could be listening in through Senia’s channel.

While talking to Sun-hwa, I opened the ‘Item Shop’ and bought a ‘Whisper Stone.’ This item allows exclusive conversation with BJ, the intermediate manager.

[‘Requesting a whisper to Intermediate Manager Senia.’]

[‘Intermediate Manager Senia’ accepts your whisper request.]

-Senia. How about broadcasting other players? Or just stopping the stream altogether.

-I manage my broadcasts myself.

No, you’re an idiot. You’re a newbie. Listen to me.

-I’ll just sit here quietly. The guards must be bored, right?

Senia is not hard to persuade. It was a bit hard to have a voice conversation with Sun-hwa while whispering to Senia, but it turned out to be manageable.

-Senia. Think about it. Since the tutorial field, you’ve been focusing on broadcasting me. And how has that been? Without any obstructions, we’ve come all this way.

Senia didn’t respond. She just quietly looked at me as if to say, keep talking.

-What I mean is, you’ve been using the same direction all along. Without any crisis, or anything. Just the same old method. Do you think it will appeal to guardians who always seek fresh stimulation?

-…

She’s almost convinced. Persuading a newbie BJ from ten years ago seemed easy.

-Stop the live broadcast here. It’s like I’m going to die or give up here, and then reveal the recorded footage dramatically.

In reality, this technique is commonly used by BJs in the future. It’s more effective than just repeating the same content and pattern.

-In return, I’ll cross the Valley of Fire. Using my own method.

-Is it really possible for you to cross the Valley of Fire?

Of course, it is. In the end, Senia accepted my proposal. See. You were going to accept it anyway.

-Then in 30 seconds. Stop the broadcast. After that, we’ll proceed with a recorded version.

Senia, seemingly curious, asked one more question.

-But what about the meaningless conversations you’ve been having with Player Kim Sun-hwa… How will that work?

Using voice and whisper simultaneously. At first, it was confusing and difficult, but it turned out to be doable.

-Why?

-…It’s nothing.

You do it because you can. Looking ahead, I’m not sure if I’ve ever seen a player who uses voice and whisper separately like this in the future. Or have I…?

-It just… works when you do it?

* * *

[Channel #19207 has closed.]

The channel closed. Now there are no guardians who can watch me.

‘Senia is really curious.’

Everyone must be very curious about how I will cross the Valley of Fire. But the challenge didn’t end there.

[The Valley of Fire does not tolerate living beings.]

[The Valley of Fire moves to consume living beings.]

I knew.

‘The Giant at Sunset is determined to kill us.’

Even if it’s invisible, it’s not the type to just leave us alone. It’s meticulously designed even to these ends just to kill us.

“Senia. Don’t worry too much. I was going to cross it anyway.”

“…”

Coming toward the Valley of Fire? Even better. I was going to cross it anyway. If it’s moving towards me, relatively, my speed becomes faster.

‘Maybe I should be thankful.’

I said,

“Sun-hwa, it might get a bit hot.”

But, at any rate, she has a quite sturdy body. She shouldn’t get too hurt.

“I trust you, oppa.”

I picked up Sun-hwa. Despite being in middle school, she is as small as one would believe she’s in elementary. She wasn’t very heavy.

‘Phew.’

I’ve never actually tried it.

‘Caring someone while using Spatial Transposition.’

It won’t be easy. The Valley of Fire is seven meters wide. The Giant at Sunset has designed this trap to kill us. It was growing hotter by the moment. The Valley of Fire began to move towards us.

‘Sword Sage mentioned having used Spatial Transposition this way before.’

Spatial Transposition differs from a mage’s warp. Warp doesn’t require moving through space—it’s an instant jump from one point to another. But Spatial Transposition travels along a ‘line.’ You move quickly from one point to another—too fast for anyone to react.

‘In other words, I have to cross the Valley of Fire regardless.’

If I warp, I can avoid the flames, but if I use Spatial Transposition, I’ll contact them.

My heart pounded. Although I planned to cross quickly using Spatial Transposition, I was carrying Sun-hwa. A mistake could severely injure or kill either of us.

Crimson flames roared to life. Even Kang Sang-gu, the ‘Flame Emperor,’ cried out “Whoa! Shubam! It’s damn hot! It’s so freaking hot!” as he consumed potions to make it across.

I stood in front of the valley.

‘It’s insanely hot.’

Taking three steps forward would bring the flames directly against my skin. Sweat poured down Sun-hwa’s body as she faced the heat. Sweat streamed down her face too. Such searing heat should’ve been unbearable, yet she didn’t whimper at all.

‘Phew.’

This is it. Simply using Spatial Transposition won’t suffice. First, I need to overcome those fierce flames that seek to engulf us.

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[Fox Tail]

The tail of a six-tailed fox（六尾狐）. It’s said that the six-tailed fox performed enchantments using the power of this tail, and the tail dissipates when used by someone else, losing its power.

1) ‘Fox Fire’ can be created.

* Fox Fire – Fire attribute affinity/resistance is significantly increased within a small field.

2) ‘False Fox Fire’ can be created.

* False Fox Fire – Attributes other than fire have slight increased affinity/resistance within a small field.

3) ‘Clone Fox Fire’ can be created.

* Clone Fox Fire – Summons a clone that looks exactly like the user. The summon duration is proportional to the user’s M/P.

* Usage count: 0/1

──────────

I had the ‘Fox Tail’ I had acquired before with me. Out of the three options, I chose the first one: Fox Fire. It creates a very small field. Its range is probably about a 30cm radius around the ground where I stand.

‘Phew.’

I took a deep breath. Seven meters across. No room for errors.

‘I’m crossing.’

I tensed my legs. I slightly bent at the waist, getting into a leap posture. Spatial Transposition (移形換位) can be used without a preparatory stance, but it’s slightly better to assume a position first.

I visualized it in my head.

‘The Valley of Fire. The other side amid surging flames.’

The unseen destination. With my sixth sense, I’ve observed how Kang Sang-gu crossed. Even if I couldn’t see it with my eyes, I saw it with my ability.

[Will you use the Fox Tail?]

[Creating ‘Fox Fire.’]

[You are within the influence of ‘Fox Fire’.]

[Your fire attribute resistance and affinity have greatly increased.]

I used the Fox Tail.

[Using the skill, Spatial Transposition (移形換位).]

Combining the Sword Sage’s skill, Spatial Transposition, with the Fox Tail, I dashed forward while holding Sun-hwa. In that moment, scorching flames that felt hotter than anticipated enveloped me. I gritted my teeth.

‘I must. Cross…!’

The Giant at Sunset. To this biased jerk. I won’t die here.