Chapter 60: vs 240
by fnovelpia
Chapter 60
“Put the screen up.”
Kim Bongman pointed to the TV screen installed nearby. As if on cue, the screen lit up, displaying four large characters:
[Hide and Seek]
‘Hide and Seek?’
Everyone, including Kim Jinsung, widened their eyes in surprise. No one had anticipated this.
“You all look surprised. This ‘Hide and Seek’ is a first in Colosseum history.”
Indeed, there had never been a hide-and-seek-related event in the history of the Colosseum program.
“Now, let me explain the rules for this event.”
Kim Bongman, seemingly expecting their reactions, smiled and continued. The TV screen displayed the rules for ‘Hide and Seek,’ and Kim Bongman began reading them.
“Hide and Seek involves 250 participants in a group. Of these, 240 will be ‘Seekers,’ whose goal is to catch or eliminate 10 ‘Thieves’ within 24 hours. Conversely, the ‘Thieves’ must survive without being caught for 24 hours to pass the second preliminary round.”
‘…10 people?’
As Kim Bongman finished speaking, the participants instinctively looked at each other. There were exactly 10 people sitting here. So…
“The 10 participants here will play the role of ‘Thieves’ in the second preliminary round of Group A.”
Kim Bongman’s explanation echoed in the ears of the 10 participants.
* * *
[If a Seeker catches or eliminates a Thief, 24 Seekers will secure their spots in the preliminary round.]
In the main castle.
The vast waiting room was filled with 240 participants assigned the role of Seekers. They were currently watching a large TV screen on one wall, which displayed the rules. The announcer’s voice continued to explain the rules.
[In other words, if 2 Thieves are caught or eliminated, 48 Seekers will pass. If 5 Thieves are caught, 120 Seekers will pass. If all 10 Thieves are caught or eliminated, all 240 Seekers will pass the preliminary round.]
The more Thieves they caught, the more Seekers would survive.
[What happens if the Thieves are not all caught? After the event, the number of Thieves caught and the number of remaining Seekers will be checked. If the number of Thieves caught is greater than the number of surviving Seekers, all Seekers will pass. If the number of surviving Seekers is greater than the number of Thieves caught, an additional selection event will be held.]
“…What does that mean…?”
A man with his body covered in tattoos muttered, clearly not understanding. The answer came from behind.
“Yawn, it just means we have to kill them all.”
Seol Daun, with a tired face, answered, drawing the attention of some participants before they turned back to the TV. The announcer’s voice continued.
[Seekers directly involved in catching or eliminating a Thief will pass the preliminary round regardless of the selection event.]
“Oh!”
[Participants who were defensive soldiers in the first preliminary round and the losers’ revival round will find these rules familiar.]
Some participants nodded.
If 100 Seekers caught 5 Thieves, there would be 120 spots for survivors. The 100 Seekers who directly contributed would automatically pass, and the remaining 20 spots would be contested among the surviving Seekers.
[These rules were designed to minimize the number of participants who try to pass without contributing. Please keep this in mind.]
* * *
“All of you selected as Thieves have one thing in common. Do you know what it is?”
Kim Bongman looked at the 10 participants as he spoke.
“You all possess abilities specialized for survival. Some of you can run faster than anyone, some can create smoke screens to hide, and…”
Kim Bongman’s gaze fixed on one participant.
“…some can hide in the shadows.”
Kim Jinsung met Kim Bongman’s eyes without any reaction.
“However, no matter how excellent your survival abilities are, it will be challenging to last 24 hours against 240 Seekers. So…”
Kim Bongman pointed to the lockers behind the participants.
“There are items in the lockers to help you survive. Let’s start by checking the bags.”
Everyone opened their bags.
“Inside the bags, you’ll find emergency rations and water to last 24 hours, as well as various potions to aid in survival.”
As Kim Bongman spoke, Kim Jinsung checked the potions in his bag.
‘HP, MP recovery potions, status recovery potions… Smoke bombs? Is this an invisibility potion?’
The bag contained a wider variety of potions than those found in the supply boxes during the first preliminary round.
“Let’s check the other items. There’s a helmet and upper and lower body armor made of bulletproof material. They are designed to be as light as possible to aid in survival rather than combat.”
‘…So, they’re telling us to run rather than fight.’
“Now, open the bottom drawer.”
Everyone opened the drawer and took out a folded piece of paper. Kim Jinsung’s eyes widened as he unfolded it.
‘Oh? This is…’
“It’s a detailed map of the island where the second preliminary round will take place.”
“Oh!”
“Wow!”
For the first time, the participants expressed their amazement.
Kim Bongman smiled broadly and continued his explanation.
“Familiarizing yourself with the map before the preliminary round will definitely increase your chances of survival.”
“……”
“…The introduction of the items isn’t over yet. I’ll give you plenty of time to look at the map later.”
The participants, who had been engrossed in the map, looked up at Kim Bongman. He held up something between his fingers.
“Here is the last item! It’s an earpiece for communication, allowing you to exchange information even when far apart. Take it out from the drawer.”
Inside the drawer was a tiny, ultra-small mini earpiece. Kim Jinsung put it in his ear.
‘It’s incredibly light.’
“This is the lightest, most advanced communication earpiece available. You can turn it on and off by injecting mana without pressing the button on the ear.”
“Excuse me.”
One participant raised their hand.
“Yes?”
“Will the Seekers also be given these communication earpieces?”
Kim Bongman shook his head and answered.
“I don’t know anything about the Seekers’ equipment. All the information I received from the production team pertains to the Thieves.”
“Oh…”
“Why? Are you worried?”
“Yes.”
The participant answered honestly.
“Honestly, the idea of 10 people against 240 seems… The numbers are too skewed. It feels like the Seekers have a huge advantage…”
“I have something to tell you regarding that.”
Kim Bongman looked around at everyone.
“The production team is aware that the Thieves are at a significant disadvantage. Therefore, they are offering a special benefit.”
‘A benefit?’
“If you pass this preliminary round as a Thief, you’ll receive a substantial reward in the third preliminary round.”
Kim Bongman directed his question to the participant who had asked.
“Have you watched previous seasons of the Colosseum?”
The participant nodded.
“Then you understand what I mean by a substantial reward.”
The participant nodded again. The production team’s promise of a significant reward was not to be taken lightly. In the previous season, for example, the 10 participants who killed the most monsters in the first preliminary round were given a huge advantage by advancing directly to the third preliminary round without competing in the second.
“And if the Thieves are at a severe disadvantage during the event, special rules may be added to balance the situation.”
“Oh…”
“Does that satisfy you?”
The participant still looked reluctant but nodded. Complaining now wouldn’t change the rules, and the preemptive consideration was already appreciated.
“Any more questions?”
Kim Bongman looked around. Another participant raised their hand.
“Yes, Kim Jinsung.”
Kim Bongman looked at Kim Jinsung with particularly bright eyes. Kim Jinsung asked,
“Is it permissible for a Thief to kill a Seeker?”
“Yes, it is.”
“In that case, can Seekers kill Seekers and Thieves kill Thieves?”
Everyone looked at Kim Jinsung with expressions of disbelief. Kim Bongman checked the rulebook again and answered,
“Yes, it’s possible.”
A moment of silence filled the waiting room. The participants began eyeing each other suspiciously, except for Kim Jinsung.
“That rule works in our favor as Thieves.”
Kim Jinsung looked around at the participants.
“We’ll be scattered across the island to survive, so we won’t encounter each other often.”
“……”
“On the other hand, the Seekers will have to group up to catch us, increasing the chances of accidents among them.”
The participants seemed to agree with Kim Jinsung’s assessment. While internal conflicts among the Seekers couldn’t be guaranteed, it was true that Thieves would rarely encounter each other.
“That’s a sharp analysis.”
Kim Bongman seemed impressed by Kim Jinsung’s insight.
“I noticed you had a unique perspective during the first preliminary round, and my expectations were correct.”
“…Thank you.”
“Hahaha… Any more questions?”
No one else raised their hand.
“Alright. The event will start in an hour, so take this time to prepare yourselves. Remember, the Seekers will only start moving an hour after you set off.”
Kim Bongman then faced the participants and the cameras installed on the walls.
“This has been your host for the day, Kim Bongman! Thank you!”
As the participants gave a mechanical round of applause, Kim Bongman exited the waiting room. Now, only the 10 participants assigned the role of Thieves remained.
“Could everyone gather around?”
Kim Jinsung spoke first, walking towards the central table. As he unfolded the map, he addressed the participants.
“Let’s analyze the map quickly so we can decide where each of us should hide.”
The participants approached the table.
“Before we analyze the map, there’s something I need to say.”
Kim Jinsung spoke to the participants who had gathered close.
“We need to consider this event to be even more challenging than Kim Bongman mentioned. There’s a leader among the Seekers who can single-handedly coordinate all 240 of them.”
“Who?”
In response to a participant’s question, Kim Jinsung answered.
“Yang Junggeun.”
* * *
**Clap, clap, clap!**
“Attention! Attention!”
In the waiting room of the main castle building, a middle-aged man clapped his hands loudly, drawing everyone’s attention. It was Yang Junggeun.
—
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