episode_0012
by fnovelpiaUnlike Beheimos, which is only focused on location, Vol Tech is truly the central city of essential Cerneum.
Even in this place abundant with the culture and technology of a highly developed world, there were neglected areas, but all of Teia’s people gathered here periodically.
There isn’t a specific reason. Simply because there is a jar here.
“…It really does look like some kind of jar.”
“And it’s incredibly huge, too.”
The most neglected area in Vol Tech.
Usually used as a forge, this is where the current workshop battle is taking place.
It was called “Daisy.”
“Daisy? The name and its appearance are mismatched for a grand workshop battle to be held in a place like this.”
“Well, I don’t know the intention. I heard that the person who built this arena was named Daisy. Even though it looks like this on the outside, the interior must be different. It was made by remodeling a massive jar.
Seeing people gathering from early morning in this small town, it seemed they weren’t lost.
Although I came with just a week’s worth of preparation materials, I was carrying clear results, so I wasn’t worried.
But one thing bothered me.
“If I can just hold on this time… If I can just hold on…”
Seol-ah had been muttering to herself since earlier.
More accurately, her expressions had become more intense. The stress she endured in the south seemed to be overwhelming.
With a face that looked like it would collapse if not supported every day, she ended up making all kinds of promises.
“XX If I can just hold on this time…”
“…She seems a bit off.”
“For now, let’s leave her be. But isn’t it too early to be here? It doesn’t seem as crowded as expected.”
Although there was a decent crowd, it was limited to this small area.
Considering the enormous prizes even though the event occurred every ten years, it felt relatively modest.
Suddenly, memories of past days flashed by.
How hellish those days had been for a week. Just surviving the chaos clearly yielded results.
From basic physical stamina to handling magic, concentration, and adaptability, all had noticeably improved, boosting my confidence even further.
“What the heck!! Stop talking nonsense and bring out the responsible party!!”
At that moment, a commotion erupted at the entrance.
A giant barbarian-like figure couldn’t enter.
Reason: ‘Ineligible.’
As a result, he was in a standoff with the robots guarding the entrance.
Come to think of it, I hadn’t heard about the conditions for participating in the workshop battle before. Although it was called a workshop, there didn’t seem to be any set rules.
It seemed more like a quality-based business deal.
According to Luna, applying for the workshop battle wasn’t done separately; passing the inspection on the day itself was all that mattered.
And now, this disqualified individual was being turned away.
“Instead of this stupid tin can, bring out someone proper!!”
“I’m here.”
In an instant.
Truly in an instant, the massive man became disarmed.
Due to the swift cut, he was left bewildered for a few seconds, unable to comprehend what had happened.
“Ah, aghhh!!!”
“Well, it’s not polite to go in front of the participants like this.”
The ruthless figure who had severed the arm soon revealed her face.
Eventually, a common appearance emerged. A woman with slightly torn silver eyes and hair tied back. She belonged to none other than the demon race.
“To all those who have come seeking the workshop, welcome. The uninvited guest has just been dealt with, so please proceed inside.”
I’ve heard stories about the workshop before.
Rumors had spread about events happening inside, but one thing was certain: conflict was unavoidable.
In essence, challenging the workshop battle was akin to putting your life on the line.
“Risk your life from the entrance… is it?”
A round robot, floating in the air like a soccer ball, began scanning every nook and cranny of the room.
Soon, with a refreshing sound, an ‘O’ mark appeared on the robot’s face.
“…Congratulations to all three of you. You seem to be qualified. Please proceed inside.”
Following suit, Chaeseola and Luna also received the same judgment and could enter.
Although they still didn’t know what qualification meant, they had successfully passed the first gate without any issues. Moreover, arriving early might provide them with some extra information.
That was the first reason for their early arrival.
Thud!!!
However, as soon as they entered the entrance, the first button turned into a mistake.
A metal grate descended from above the entrance, sealing the door shut as if firmly closed, indicating that there were no more entrants.
Does this mean that only a few participants entered ahead of us and those who arrived earlier are the minority?
Conducting the tournament with a select few in such a grand event.
There were not just one or two unsettling aspects, but upon entering the workshop, they realized something.
“So many….”
They weren’t early.
They realized belatedly that they belonged to the last group.
The interior of the massive pot was nothing but an empty space, yet people crowded disorderly as if it were packed to the brim.
As soon as the entrance they came through closed, something started descending from the sky.
“Welcome, participants of the workshop battle. I am Artemia, the engineer of the workshop.”
It was the person they had seen at the entrance earlier. Descending slowly from the blue flames emanating from below, he landed gracefully on the ground.
With a brief introduction, he began announcing the start of the workshop battle.
“Before the test, this workshop battle will be conducted in a somewhat abbreviated manner.”
“What? An abbreviated workshop battle. I’ve never heard of such a thing.”
“Yeah! How dare they shorten the workshop battle without any explanation!”
Due to the change in the usual procedure, complaints arose from various corners.
As voices started to rise, the clamor grew louder.
“Do not worry. It won’t affect the prizes for the winners. Isn’t it a good opportunity for all of you? If you’re lucky, you might snatch it away in an instant.”
Surely, he must be referring to the original equipment they focused on in the workshop. Well, it doesn’t matter. Of course, if you see this situation as a game, it’s an opportunity to obtain top-tier weapons.
Their goal wasn’t the equipment; it lay elsewhere. They even touched some magic during the closing ceremony; handling such huge weapons was out of the question.
“I see. You probably need an explanation. Unfortunately, the reason for the delay in the schedule lies with you.”
…Is it because of us?
Seeing everyone looking puzzled, she added an explanation.
“Someone messed up our facilitators, which led me to handle this workshop battle alone.”
Unbelievable.
In other words, did someone kill the facilitators?
For what reason?
Suddenly, Luna’s gaze seemed uncertain.
If someone indiscriminately takes lives without reason…
Though not certain, they had to consider the possibility that the person had participated in the workshop battle.
“So, I’d like to add a slightly special system. Let’s call it a ‘penalty.’”
She said.
Without questioning the responsibility for harming the facilitators, she announced a penalty for those who acted recklessly, along with a kind of ‘balance patch.’
If someone had taken down six workshop officials, it would undoubtedly be an overbalance. That’s why they were given ‘-5.’
What the penalty was for remained unclear, but soon, their eyes widened.
“…Chaeseola.”
“…Yes, I see.”
That thing.
“Clearly, it’s the Long Padding, right?
The 5-point penalty she imposed soon began to hover over the culprit’s head like a status window.
No matter how many people there were, if something was floating above someone’s head, attention would be drawn.
The guy with the red ‘5’ floating above his head was wearing a very familiar outfit.
Certainly a comfortable and practical padding favored when the weather gets cold.
Although he was wearing a hat, it wasn’t visible, but the intuition spoke.
“We finally found you. People. Seems like we’re not the only ones here.”
It was good to find a being to share information with, but there was something that needed to be addressed.
Seeing him receive a penalty meant he was likely the instigator of the commotion.
Just because they are fellow humans doesn’t guarantee they will be allies. If they caused trouble, the likelihood of them becoming enemies is greater.
Moreover, if they are the ones managing this place, they are likely not ordinary bystanders.
Seeing him receive the penalty alone meant he had committed the offense on his own.
In short, a dangerous guy.
“Well, before the greetings get any longer, let’s move. This place is just a stop on the way to the ‘Real Workshop,’ so everyone, tighten your surroundings.”
As soon as she finished speaking, the ground began to shake as if an earthquake had struck.
And in the blink of an eye, all those people had completely moved to a different location.
It seemed like a kind of teleport commonly seen in games.
“The workshop battle will select the winner through three tests. Only those who pass without a loser’s revival match can proceed to the next round, and in the end, only one team or individual will remain.”
It’s bigger than I thought.
The fact that an entire team can win means there’s no need to worry about internal conflicts.
Knowing this, did they select as many individuals as possible to form teams?
Upon closer inspection, there were plenty of guys who seemed to belong to the same group.
Finally, she began to introduce the eagerly awaited first test.
“By now, there should be a ‘0’ floating above your heads. It’s the score used in the first test, the ‘Capture Battle.’”
Capture Battle.
From the name alone, it seems to be a game unfolding as a team-based individual battle.
There’s no doubt it involves seizing and snatching something.
“The rules are simple. We’ve converted your magic power into numbers. Of course, the exact amount is confidential, but if you steal from your opponent, the corresponding magic power will be displayed above their head. And once the stolen magic power reaches 100, you’ll pass the first test.”
The subsequent rules mention that there are 1,000 predetermined early arrivals.
What’s concerning is that they didn’t mention the means of stealing magic power.
However, everyone vaguely knew.
That you have to kill your opponent to gain magic power.
And the total amount for each individual is also confidential.
In other words, if facing a strong opponent, it’s risky but the 100 magic power could be quickly filled.
Facing a relatively weaker opponent might jeopardize your chances of being among the early arrivals.
It was literally a high-risk, high-return approach.
“Seeing your enthusiastic expressions, I can’t delay any longer. Very well.”
Now, one might really die.
Though I’ve faced life-threatening situations before, the atmosphere felt more threatening than ever.
I’m not sure why Chaeseol’s eyes are so full of anticipation.
In the end, it has begun.
The first workshop battle in this world.”
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