episode_0013

Truth be told, I’m not particularly bright.

Compared to me, Chaeseol is considered gifted, but that’s all relative. Objectively speaking, she couldn’t be called a genius either.

The elf beside her goes without saying.

With just the three of us brainstorming, it’s unlikely any brilliant ideas will surface.

Planning a strategy from scratch with no information seemed nearly impossible.

Hence, the last resort we devised.

“Huh, no wonder you fell in one shot and only gained 1 point?”

That was none other than the ‘Full Charge’ tactic.

As reiterated multiple times, our goal isn’t just victory but finding that guy and gathering information.

So, there’s no need to survive until the end; it’s about pushing through with full force from the start.

Of course, elimination here means death, but there was another system she mentioned before it all began.

Forfeiture.

By utilizing this system effectively, even in the randomly warped ‘Workshop Zone 3,’ one could avoid losing their life.

She scattered numerous participants across Zones 1-4, inciting indiscriminate battles.

Zone 3 was where we were positioned, a vast expanse with containers resembling fields of sand.

Current accumulated mana: 70.

“At this rate, we might get eliminated.”

“Hanwool, I have a good idea.”

Not knowing the current score made targeting the ones worth 1 point only add to the anxiety.

In the midst of it all, Chaeseol proposed a strategy on the spot.

“…Now?”

“Yes. It might give us more power.”

“Got it, got it.”

The plan was simply to embrace each other tightly.

In the heat of battle, faces buried in chests, it was an intimate scene.

As if fully charged, she lifted her face, changing her gaze directly.

Though he seemed increasingly childish, Chaeseol had never lied before.

If you trusted her, she always delivered on her promises.

…But indeed, she was truly remarkable.

“Proceed.”

The most crucial change for us was ‘adaptability.’

In other words, resourcefulness.

Seeing someone handle mana at this level would likely astonish Mary. She had built a strong affinity with mana through her lungs.

However, excelling at manipulation had its limits.

It merely extended to what could be achieved through compressed strenuous efforts in a short period.

This was not a competition but a battle for survival. Hence, the key lay in how one utilized this mana.

For instance, leveraging one’s skills.

“Krrrk!”

“Il-Do.”

In an instant, two collapsed emitting black smoke.

The spectacle before us showcased her unique technique, preserving her expertise in swordsmanship.

Concentrating mana, shaping it into a sword after dispersing it, then infusing another layer of mana into the already formidable sword, channeling currents through it.

Swiftly wielding the enhanced sword with full force could render it imperceptible to those facing it.

This was Chaeseol’s swift execution of the Sword Mastery she had honed in secret.

“Whoa, the smell of burnt flesh is intense. Honestly, tell me. Are you some hidden child of the Demon King or something?”

“A child… now that you mention it, how many would be nice?”

“Don’t ask weird questions.”

Though lightening the mood with odd banter, the scent of blood once again reminded us of the battlefield.

Screams echoing around, sounds akin to slicing through something.

After about an hour passed, our accumulated mana reached 80.

“Hey…”

“Il-Do.”

“Just a moment!”

At that moment, a strange voice echoed from behind the container.

Just as they were about to be taken down in one fell swoop, we managed to halt them and upon closer inspection, identified their true nature.

“…Merfolk?”

Judging by their gills instead of ears, it seemed our initial assumption was correct.

Two rather youthful-looking merfolk approached us.

The enemy vanished at the sight of no visible threat, but this is still a battlefield.

It was time to address the matter at hand.

“Truly shameless, but my brother and I must ascend.”

“And?”

“Please help us! We have no strength, so we’ll fall automatically as time passes. Then… we might never see our mother again.”

“Why should we help?”

“…We’ve been rejected multiple times and have nowhere else to go. Please!”

Honestly.

“Wha-what? Hey! Demon King’s daughter, no, Chaeseol! Behind you!!”

“Kick. Farewell.”

How do these recent ones lie without a change in their gaze?

“Tongue, brother? Brother!!!”

Or am I just pretending to sympathize with such shallow tricks?

Aiming at the one targeting Chaeseol’s back, I retaliated in reverse, bursting like popcorn.

The figure that vanished with one punch disappeared so cleanly that no trace remained.

+2

“Two points. You guys were twice as strong as others.”

“This guy! How…!”

“Things were getting frustrating due to the tie. We have to take responsibility, right?”

“What nonsense…!”

This too.

“…Thus, 82 points. Seems like it doesn’t count duplicates in a team. Is that okay?”

“Yeah, I love you.”

“It didn’t seem like you avoided it on purpose… Rather than that, if it’s fine, let it go.”

“…You guys are confusing even when you know.”

Even though 100 points were within reach, the fire on the feet still didn’t extinguish.

Even if only one point remained, once the garden is filled, the battle stops and you’re eliminated.

Though there seems to be space left, it’s not time to relax.

Because the enemies that caught your eye when you turned your head a moment ago are now nowhere to be seen.

It’s one of two possibilities.

Either you’re automatically moved to the waiting area when you reach 100 points.

Or many around you drop out, making it quiet.

If it’s both, it will be the worst.

“There’s nothing we can do.”

Prepared for the worst.

Although a disaster leading to the worst may occur, it’s not a position to be eliminated after coming this far.

“Let’s disperse for a moment.”

“Hanul! That’s…!”

Even if it’s dangerous, there’s no choice.

Hunting together as three is safe but surely a waste of power.

Seeing the crowd quiet down suddenly, you can no longer run leisurely.

It was time to make a decision.

“Then, even if we leave that guy behind and just the two of us…”

“Hey! I’m here! And if we’re dispersing, everyone should disperse! Are you trying to recklessly deceive them by splitting up?”

“Indeed, this is the only way to get ahead. 100 points are close, so we’ll meet soon.”

“But…”

“I’m asking you.”

After muttering the word “request” several times, Chaeseol soon showed a determined face.

“Don’t get hurt. Whether I like you or hurt you, it’s all something only I can do.”

The latter part sounds strange.

Anyway, a decision was made.

If you make a mistake, you could end up in a situation where neither side wins.

Still, the reason for taking such a risk was to use the initial strategy efficiently.

Using the power of three would make it too easy.

Now, after going through hell, using all your power won’t just lead to dying here.

“Let’s move efficiently.”

If each person gathers 6 points, it will be over, so there’s no reason to stick together.

…However.

I may have made a slight mistake.

I didn’t expect a surprise gift to appear like this.

“Lucky. Everyone except one person had scattered, so I was worried, but meeting an ally is unexpected.”

“You…”

Long coat.

That guy appeared.

“Right? Korean.”

“Yes, it seems you weren’t originally from here.”

“That’s right. It’s been a while since I came. More importantly, I thought there would be someone, but seeing people here is surprising.”

Threatening conversation wasn’t happening, but I could instinctively feel it.

Subtle magic flowing.

Right now, this guy must be itching to fight, almost going crazy with the desire.

“What’s your name? I haven’t been here long, so I have a lot of questions. Can you answer them?”

“Of course! If you become my friend, there’s nothing I won’t do for you.”

“…Friend?”

“I’ll be straightforward.”

His name was Choi Woo Kyung.

He was the same age as me and appeared to belong to one of the groups of wanderers, as expected.

He reached out his hand to me.

“Enough with the introductions, come join our team.”

“Join the team?”

“Yeah, I have a special ability that lets me see what’s inside you roughly.”

He started talking about his ability along with the invitation to join the team.

“I’m going to be the leader of the team soon, and you could be right below me. So let’s dominate this place together.”

You shouldn’t judge people by their appearance, but he looked shady from the moment we started talking.

It was astonishing how true to his appearance he was.

“Sorry, but I have no intention of staying here. I will find a way to get back home. I have no intention of being on your team.”

“What?”

After hearing my response, he started laughing for a while.

Seeing him tearing apart his stomach, irritation began to build up.

“…That’s why rookies are like this. I understand that you’re full of hope just starting your adventure, but that’s impossible.”

“I don’t know how much you’ve tried, but since you’ve decided to go, I’ll go too. That’s my reason.”

“…Is that also the reason you want to fight me now?”

I felt magic bursting around his body.

A feeling like facing martial artists in martial arts novels.

My skin prickled, my legs trembled, and cold sweat broke out.

He must be different from anything I’ve faced before.

And the reason to risk my life against him.

Also, the need for a test opponent.

“I don’t think they’ll suffer if I take you down.”

“What? What are you talking about?”

“Oh, never mind. Just come at me.”

I only had one skill prepared.

Only one reason to fight.

For that one reason, I have to defeat him.

“You look like you’d score exactly 18 points.”

“This guy must be joking.”

“We’re short on time, so bring it on, 18.”