Chapter 180: As Long As the Result Is Good

Episode 180

The moment Juan saw Francisco, the first thought that crossed his mind was,

‘I’m screwed!’

If Juan had to choose the person he feared the most, it would undoubtedly be Francisco.

The reason he had joined the Triunfo Clan in the first place was because he had lost a one-on-many battle against Francisco.

The scene of his once-prosperous mercenary crew being utterly crushed, leaving him with a sense of emptiness, was still vivid in his memory.

And now, Francisco was staring at him with an emotionless face.

‘This is bad…!’

Juan gulped nervously.

The blank expression, the cold gaze, and the eyes flickering with faint flames.

Juan knew better than anyone that this was how Francisco looked when he was truly enraged.

He instinctively started to defend himself.

“T-Team Leader! There’s still the third round! You can punish me after the newbie showdown is over! Please calm your anger!”

He shouted, standing at attention, his body stiff with tension.

His pleas continued endlessly.

“I won’t make excuses for the second round! Of course, it wasn’t entirely my fault because it was a team battle, but still…!”

**Slap!**

Francisco’s hand struck Juan’s cheek.

But contrary to Juan’s expectations, it was a light slap.

“You fool. Are you trying to announce my presence to the entire world?”

“Mmm…! I’m sorry.”

Juan hurriedly covered his mouth and lowered his voice.

He had forgotten. This was a space where no Triunfo hunter, except for the ten participants, was allowed to enter.

And all the participants were skilled enough to eavesdrop easily, even with soundproof walls.

“I’ve cast a soundproof magic circle, so there shouldn’t be a problem.”

Francisco took a small Mana stone out of his pocket and placed it on the table next to him.

It was flickering with light, indicating that it was the core of the magic circle that was currently enveloping the entire room.

“We don’t have much time, so I’ll get straight to the point. I won’t scold you for the results of the first two rounds.”

“……!”

“To be honest, Alopsky’s performance was unexpected, even for me. It must have been difficult for you to deal with him.”

As relief washed over Juan’s face,

“But the results are very disappointing.”

“……!”

“Regardless of the match content, you must win first place. That is your duty as the representative of Team 1.”

Juan’s face tensed up again at Francisco’s words.

“I will continue to watch the third round with the same expectations. I believe you will achieve the desired result, first place, regardless of the match content.”

“You can trust me!”

Juan shouted again, standing at attention.

Francisco stared at him silently, then sat down on a chair.

“I brought information about the third round, as usual.”

“Thank you!”

For the first time, a genuine smile appeared on Juan’s face.

Knowing the rules in advance gave a huge advantage in securing an early lead.

To be honest, if Alopsky hadn’t gone on a rampage in the second round, the Blue Team would have won smoothly according to Juan’s plan.

“I’ll only say this once, just like yesterday. Pay attention and don’t forget a single word.”

“Yes, sir.”

“But first, I have something to say.”

Francisco’s voice was serious.

“What did I tell you I wanted?”

“You said you wanted me to achieve the result, first place, regardless of the match content.”

“Do you understand what I meant when I said I wouldn’t care about the match content?”

Juan quickly thought about it and came up with the answer.

“You mean… by any means necessary?”

“That’s right.”

Francisco nodded.

“For your reference, there have been quite a few participants who died in accidents during the newbie showdown.”

“……!”

Francisco stared directly into Juan’s wide eyes, his expression unchanging.

“Accidents, not intentional acts. You understand what I mean.”

* * *

“Accidents?”

“Yes.”

Hans replied to Kim Jinsung’s surprised question.

They had met by chance in the lounge and were chatting over coffee.

“There have been more accidental deaths than intentional ones. Especially during the third round, when the rankings are decided.”

“Hmm…”

“And I heard there’s a statistic that shows accidents often occur when participants try to make a desperate comeback in the rankings.”

Kim Jinsung thought to himself,

‘So that’s why the team leader warned me to be especially careful in the third round.’

Don’t overdo it!

It’s okay if you don’t get first place, just come back safe and sound!

You’re already the best prospect in Team 6’s history with your current performance! Please just come back in one piece!

…Ricardo’s voice, pleading with him over the phone, echoed in his mind.

“So be careful tomorrow. You’re currently in first place, so if an accident happens, it’s most likely going to involve you, Alopsky.”

“Thank you for your concern.”

“Don’t mention it.”

Hans waved his hand dismissively.

This was Alopsky, who had single-handedly carried the Red Team to victory in the second round. A little bit of information was nothing compared to the debt he owed him.

“I can take care of myself. You saw my Teleport skill, right?”

“Ah, that’s true, but…”

“I’m actually more worried about you, Hans. There must be quite a few people aiming for your third-place spot, right?”

Hans’s eyes wavered slightly.

…He was right.

Juan, Luca, and Gian. They were all willing to do anything to climb back to the top.

That meant Dante and Hans, who didn’t have escape skills, might be in more danger.

Hans, realizing this belatedly, fell silent, his face serious.

Kim Jinsung also fell into thought.

‘It would actually be better if they came after me to cause an ‘accident’. I’m confident I won’t lose in a one-on-one fight.’

Maybe he could even absorb their abilities. By accident, of course.

* * *

The next evening,

several team leaders were gathered in the executive meeting room, chatting amicably.

“Look at this guy. He’s been grinning from ear to ear.”

“I know, right? He hasn’t stopped smiling since we met earlier.”

“Ah, it’s not like that…”

Ricardo, the leader of Team 6, chuckled and shook his head at the other team leaders’ teasing.

“How can I not smile? We have the strongest prospect in Team 6’s history.”

“He’s even considered one of the best prospects in Triunfo’s history.”

“I agree. Alopsky’s performance in the second round was truly remarkable.”

They were all team leaders of the participants who had been on the Red Team yesterday.

“……”

The leader of Team 9, who was sitting among them, remained silent with a stiff expression.

He missed Sergio, the leader of Team 10, who was currently out in the field as the evaluation director.

“Alopsky will probably win first place in the third round too…”

“Shh. They’re coming.”

The team leaders stopped talking as they heard footsteps approaching from outside the door.

The door opened, and

“……!”

“No way…!”

Everyone’s eyes widened, and they jumped to their feet.

Francisco, who was sitting at the head of the table, asked on behalf of everyone,

“What brings you two here…?”

“We came to watch the match together. Are there no seats left?”

“Of course not! Please, have a seat here.”

Francisco hurriedly offered his seat and gestured to the staff member outside the door.

The staff member quickly brought two chairs and placed them at the head of the table.

A moment later, two new figures sat down side by side.

“Why are you all so surprised? We’ve watched matches together before, haven’t we?”

“That’s true, but it’s the first time the Master and Vice Master have appeared without any notice…”

Esteban, the Master of the Triunfo Clan, and Tian, the Vice Master.

The strongest hunter in Argentina and his soulmate. They were currently sitting side by side at the head of the table in the executive meeting room.

“We were originally planning to watch the match over drinks. But something came up.”

“Something came up…?”

“The newbie showdown is a huge success this time. You all know that, right?”

Everyone nodded.

This year’s newbie showdown was breaking records in terms of viewership, buzz on Celephone, and everything else.

“The number of hunters applying to join our clan has significantly increased in the two days since the broadcast started. We’ve achieved our goal of promoting the clan through the broadcast.”

“That’s wonderful news.”

“So, we’re thinking of making the third round even more intense.”

Francisco and the other team leaders looked curious.

Esteban, the Master, continued.

“If we offer a big reward to the participant and team that achieves the best results in this showdown, wouldn’t they be even more motivated to compete in the third round?”

“A reward… you say?”

Francisco asked in surprise.

This was the first time in history that the Master had personally offered a reward for the newbie showdown.

What kind of reward could it be?