Conventionally, authors use exposition to rapidly explain a variety of crucial plot threads that would otherwise require their story to be significantly longer. This added length would then require the introduction of multiple characters and scenarios which would then lead the author through their explanation about the world and his/her characters. The critical information thus detailed, would then enable the series protagonist(s) to come to terms with their personal struggles. This turn of events would, in turn, allowing them to defeat whatever their big bad has been afflicting the world around them. It's no small mercy that Kim Se-hun of HARDCORE LEVELING WARRIOR has refrained from making long exposition mandatory in his story. Though the series could certainly benefit from an info dump given the mysteries surrounding the characters and world, Se-hun's approach towards combat as a storytelling medium makes for a more enlightened approach.
Having said that, CH.43 begins with exposition. HARDCORE LEVELING WARRIOR is largely about playing games, the influences of technology, and the interplay between good versus evil when contrasted against moral ambiguity. The world of Lucid Adventure, however, presents itself in a very simplistic manner: a vast world under siege by a dark, primordial force known as Nightmare. As is the case with most conventional high fantasy, Nightmare exists for the sole purpose of destruction and enables Player Characters (PCs) to augment their capabilities by taking on Nightmare related quests, skills, and attributes. Having joined Nightmare despite being a Non-Player Character (NPC), Rigos' character is understood to be irregular enough that it separates himself from other devils. Lazie's earlier proclamation about Rigos' having broken "the pact" is likely an extension of this irregular interaction. In addition to the explanation of the politics involved in Rigos' breaking of the pact there are a couple of other key pieces of information given to readers by Se-hun. The alliance between Yopi Land, Giga, and the Minor Country Union is flesh out and given a fuller context. Over the span of one year, HLW's personality is significantly changed, and appears to be closely tied to the political movements of the Allied Nations. Se-hun tides over the more dry bits of exposition in this chapter by giving a wide range of combat visuals before returning to HLW's battle with Rigos. Even rewound to a more powerful form, HLW continues to struggle against the most powerful devil in Lucid Adventure. By using three temporary skills gained from his use of "Golden Lucky Coin", he is able to avoid Rigos' ultimate attack, and recover some health before dealing a critical hit to the devil's heart. Rigos, however, manages to stabilize himself by freezing his wounds shut and then proceeds to attack HLW. At this crucial moment of life and death, HLW's passive skill "Lucky Man" saves him from the point end of a blood spear and allows him to use the skill "Lucky Punch". HLW's strike lands and by luck strikes Rigos for 99999 DMG which kills the devil instantly. CH.44 continues from Rigos' death, and with the timer on "Rewind" ticking down, HLW is forced to quickly open the loot chest dropped by Rigos in the hopes of getting an item that will save him from his critical status effect. HLW's luck comes through yet again in this instance and allows him to find The Tear of Lorenas amongst the many items received from killing the devil. Before he can use this legendary item to revive his comrades, however, "Rewind" times out and reduces HLW to a critically downed state. Unable to right himself or revive his companions, a mysterious figure appears over HLW and proclaims that they intend to use The Tear of Lorenas. Following Rigos' defeat, the remaining parties on the field receive system notifications indicating that HLW's party has defeated the field boss. Han Gun-soo of Giga decides to issue a bounty for HLW and his party under the presumption that their party must be weakened following a boss battle. Their presumed weakness, and the fact that each party must spend the night in the field sets a trap for our protagonists reminiscent of a GANTZ mission. BJ Umai, a streamer, informs the general populace and remaining parties in the tournament about Giga's desire to take down HLW and his party. By using the unique skills of his companions, Umai is able to locate HLW and disseminates this information among the other parties. With his party and allied members well again, HLW divides up the spoils of Rigos' drops amongst his companions. Tempest receives a gun, sword and ring, with the later items likely meant for Drip Soup and ChocoVV respectively. Pooh Upooh, Tac, and Lime receive Master Devil's Organ, a Skill Slake, and Succubus' Anti-aging Cream for their hand in fighting the field boss. Lastly, Dark receives Rigos' Horns, Sora's Ego Sword eats Ancient Devil's Ore Pieces, and HLW finds a photograph of the woman who initially reduced him to his LVL 1 state. Strangely, the photograph is titled Zero's Memory and is likely the most highly valued item at Grade - God rank. Se-hun lines up subsequent storylines with the introduction of this picture as the item additionally claims that a quest will be created under certain, unspecified conditions. Revealed as the mystery user of The Tear of Lorenas is Lila, the remaining member of HLW's alliance. Through her intervention, all of the dead members of the alliance are revived and restored to stable states. With an Ego Sword strapped to her back, it is immediately apparent that Lila is an exceptional swordsman in her own right. Lila's connection to BJ Umai's streaming service allows her to inform the alliance members about their current situation, with HLW stating that their current predicament could be worse than fighting Rigos. These past two chapters of HARDCORE LEVELING WARRIOR showcased Kim Se-hun's unique storytelling style. The unique qualities of his characters, and combat scenarios are each worked to orbit around the overarching plot of his story. In this way, there are intrinsic links between each interaction that HLW undertakes with his teammates. The next chapters will see HLW's alliance in a desperate fight for there lives as they continue to try and understand the mysteries surrounding them. Is the mystery woman in Rigos' memory Zero? If so, what were her intentions in killing HLW, taking Lazie's horns, and how do they fit into Nightmare's machinations? What are Han Gun-soo's intentions and why is he so adamant about defeating HLW? What are the implications of this and his relationship with Giga given their shared alliance amongst the Allied Nations? Where are Lila's other companions? These questions are sure to be answered, at least in part, in the coming chapters of HARDCORE LEVELING WARRIOR. Written By: ALAN "VIENNA" SINGH
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