Chapter 39: The Unyielding Spirit

Chapter 39

At that moment, the commentators on the TV broadcasted in a more solemn voice than usual.

[And so, the survival journey of Kang Minhyuk, the sole heir of Kang Chan, comes to an end.]

[He has been eliminated in the first preliminary round. A contestant many viewers expected would easily advance to the finals…]

[The chatroom is mostly filled with expressions of disappointment… But remember, folks, this is the Colosseum. It’s a survival program where anyone can survive, and anyone can meet their end.]

Many in the monitoring room felt the disappointment.

“Ah… It’s such a shame.”

“We put so much effort into promoting Kang Minhyuk throughout these four days…”

“Well, it can’t be helped. We all anticipated that unexpected variables could arise, right?”

The main PD comforted the disheartened staff.

“Let’s forget Kang Minhyuk for now and focus more on Kim Jinsung. If we’re unlucky, Kim Jinsung might also fall to the 1-1 defender team.”

Following the main PD’s gaze, everyone turned their attention back to the monitors, where the defenders were seen charging towards Kim Jinsung.

“If Kim Jinsung dies too, Preliminary Group A would truly be a disaster.”

“Ah, why am I so anxious? Kang Minhyuk died because of that team too.”

“Everyone, focus! From now on, we alternate only between Kim Jinsung and the 1-1 defender team. Remember this.”

Prompted by the main PD’s commanding voice, the staff refocused on their tasks. Amid this commotion, one person watched the monitors with a detached perspective – Baek Jun.

‘The number of defenders has increased again.’

Baek Jun, observing the 1-1 defender team monitor, had long shifted his attention away from Kang Minhyuk’s corpse.

‘1-1. That guy has leadership qualities.’

Convincing random passersby to join one’s team wasn’t easy, especially with little time left. It required persuasive eloquence to recruit team members, charisma to keep them in line, and a cool-headed strategy towards the target.

So far, the 1-1 defender had shown the most exceptional leadership among anyone in Preliminary Group A.

‘I need to keep an eye on this. If the newly joined defenders move as one body like before…’

As Baek Jun toggled between the approaching Kim Jinsung and the 1-1 defender team on the monitors, he suddenly grabbed his smartphone. He then called a funeral home, a partner of his.

‘Everyone else aside, Kang Minhyuk deserves a proper send-off.’

Kang Chan, who greatly helped establish the Colosseum program and served as Baek Jun’s senior, required that gesture of respect from his junior.

***

Bang-!

Hearing a distant gunshot, the entire group of 1-1 defenders halted.

“There’s gunfire ahead!”

“Is it in the direction the mana hawk was sent?”

All eyes naturally turned to the leader, the 1-1 defender, who had just shifted his focus from controlling the mana hawk and nodded.

“Yes, our mana hawk was shot down.”

“Is it a contestant?”

“Yes. But it seems to be that contestant who fought alongside Kang Minhyuk atop the Area 2 barricade.”

The mention startled everyone.

“The one who kept running under the shadows?”

“Isn’t that dangerous? He might even be tougher to deal with than Kang Minhyuk—.”

Having just fled from Kang Minhyuk, now they were faced with fighting someone of equal or potentially greater might.

And now, in the shadow-enshrouded dawn, the environment was even more advantageous for him.

“We have no choice. There’s not enough time left to keep searching for other contestants. What time is it?”

“4:14 AM.”

The atmosphere darkened at the response of a contestant checking their watch; less than an hour remained until dawn.

“We might not find another contestant in the remaining 40 minutes. It’s now or never.”

“Don’t be afraid! We can do this! Don’t be discouraged! We learned our lesson from Kang Minhyuk; we just need to be more cautious and ensure we catch him this time!”

The 1-1 defender tried to rally the mood amidst the sinking atmosphere.

“Besides, our numbers have grown since our last confrontation. The abilities of our new teammates are all top-notch.”

Their numbers were now at 19, one more than before despite losing eight members. They had gained nine new defenders while scouting for contestants.

“We’ve planned a more meticulous strategy this time. With this plan, we will surely catch him!”

“All right, let’s do this! What about you, 2-41?”

The one designated as 2-41 raised a hand.

“You said you could detect all creatures within a 10-meter radius, right?”

“Yes.”

“You’re sure? There’s no catch?”

2-41 shook their head.

“Unless someone is more than ten times stronger than me, I can detect anyone.”

“More than ten times… Okay. If there’s a monster that strong, we couldn’t beat it anyway.”

Soon, the 1-1 defender looked around and gave the order.

“We’ll quickly move forward, centered around 2-41. It’s only 100 meters ahead, so it couldn’t have gotten far. Before we move…”

The 1-1 defender began to focus, seemingly about to summon the mana hawk again, but it turned out to be unnecessary.

“There, there’s an enemy right in front of us!”

2-41 called out urgently, pointing ahead. Though the group was quick to react, they were too late.

Swoosh!

“Ugh!”

One of them sprayed blood from their throat and collapsed powerlessly. Retrieving his swung sword, Kim Jinsung eyed 2-41, contemplating.

‘That person pinpointed my location exactly.’

Until now, Kang Minhyuk was the only one who had managed to detect Kim Jinsung’s position while using the ‘Shadow Hide’ skill.

But Kang Minhyuk had been capable of it, albeit in a berserk state; he was significantly more profound than Kim Jinsung at the time.

Kim Jinsung had read online that those of higher realms can sense the presence of those with lower realms.

‘If that’s true, this person must be stronger than me…’

However, that didn’t seem to be the case. He didn’t feel the overwhelming pressure he felt when facing Kang Minhyuk directly.

‘They must possess a skill or trait that allows them to detect my position.’

Realizing this, Kim Jinsung quickly formulated a plan. If the opponent could pinpoint his location, relying on ‘Shadow Hide’ for guerrilla tactics would be ineffective.

There was only one answer left.

‘An all-out battle!’

▶Use Beast Karma points to activate your unique trait, ‘Magi.’

Activating his ‘Magi’ trait, Kim Jinsung charged toward the defenders. They were taken by surprise, startled by his incredible speed—much quicker than Kang Minhyuk in his pre-rampage state.

The 1-1 defender shouted urgently,

“Counterattack quickly!!”

Swoosh!

“Argh—!”

“Gurk….”

However, the two defenders closest to him didn’t have a chance to react. It was only after the rapid loss of three of their comrades that the defenders managed to compose themselves and respond.

Crackle.

The defender with the freezing skill was the first to react, stretching out his palm toward Kim Jinsung. Initially taken aback by the unfamiliar power, Kim Jinsung violently shook his body, shattering the ice encasing him.

Seizing the moment, the 1-1 defender called out for coordinated action.

“Scatter and shoot! Get ready to use the next skill!”

The remaining defenders distanced themselves from Kim Jinsung’s location and prepared to carry out their given tasks. Some fired their guns while others extended their palms, readying their skills.

But Kim Jinsung was faster.

Right before the sound of gunfire pierced the air, he disappeared into the ground using his ‘Shadow Hide’ skill.

In an instant, Kim Jinsung vanished from the defenders’ sight.

But the defenders had 2-41, who could detect lifeforms.

“Over there to the left!”

2-41 pointed frantically toward the left where many defenders could be seen. The 1-1 defender, surveying the situation, also shouted,

“Now’s the time!!”

Defender number 3-30, standing right beside him, quickly thrusted his palm forward, ready to unleash a pre-charged skill.

Then,

Rumble!

The ground where the defenders stood on the left started shaking violently.

It was the activation of defender 3-30’s unique skill ‘Earthquake.’

“Whoa?!”

“Uh uh uh…!”

All the defenders in that area staggered, some even falling over—and they weren’t the only ones.

“Uh…!”

Suddenly pulled up to the surface, Kim Jinsung too stumbled. The earthquake disrupted his ‘Shadow Hide’ skill.

“Hurry with the next skill!!”

Seeing an opportunity, the 1-1 defender’s command echoed louder than ever. Nearby defenders quickly followed up,

“I’ve cast Confusion!”

“Neutralization complete!”

The same combo of skills that had put Kang Minhyuk in danger unfolded once again against Kim Jinsung. The debilitating status effects on him were perfect.

“Uh uh—?”

Even after the earthquake ended, Kim Jinsung looked disoriented and staggered. The 1-1 defender urgently issued another command,

“Attack only from a distance! Don’t get close! Remember what happened with Kang Minhyuk!”

Fully intent on avoiding close combat until Kim Jinsung was completely incapacitated, the 1-1 defender was cautious. All his teammates heeded the instruction.

Ratatata!

Soon, the encircling defenders began firing at Kim Jinsung en masse. Just when it seemed his body began bleeding from bullet wounds, his form suddenly changed.

“Wha?”

“What?!”

Everyone was shocked as Kim Jinsung transformed into a small scarecrow. And then,

Slicing sounds came from right beside the 1-1 defender.

Turning his head, his eyes widened in shock. Before him, three of his comrades’ heads had been cleanly severed by the surprise appearance of Kim Jinsung’s sword.

Instinctively, he turned to the shoulders of the three killed ones,

“!!!”

His heart sank. The three fallen were none other than 3-30 who used the Earthquake skill, and the defenders with the Confusion and Freezing skills.

“Oh! Wow.”

Kim Jinsung’s amazed exclamation reached the ears of the 1-1 defender.