Chapter 167: To Seoul (2)
The next day, they continued their journey. They advanced in formation, defeating monsters as they went.
Finally, they arrived at Seoul City Hall.
“We made it!”
“Yes!”
People cheered in joy. Kim Hwiyeon’s face was also very bright.
Only two people had died during the journey, far fewer than expected.
“Thank you, Taesan!”
And it was all thanks to Taesan. Whenever there was danger, Taesan swiftly intervened, limiting the casualties to two.
“Enough. Let’s go in.”
“Yes!”
People rushed towards the City Hall. As they approached, their expressions turned puzzled.
“Huh?”
“The building…”
Seoul City Hall was half-destroyed.
Hesitantly, they reached the front of City Hall, where someone was waiting for them.
“You’ve arrived?”
A middle-aged man with a weary expression greeted them at the entrance. He looked at them with an exhausted face.
“There are more of you than I expected. I thought only about half would make it.”
He directed his gaze to Kim Hwiyeon at the front.
“Are you Kim Hwiyeon?”
“Yes.”
Kim Hwiyeon nodded calmly.
“You must be Choi Baram. I’ve heard a lot about you.”
“Then you must have heard that I hate that name.”
Choi Baram frowned.
“I want to welcome you as fellow survivors, but… we’re not in a good situation either.”
Choi Baram smiled bitterly.
“So, we’ll have to test you first. To see if you’re qualified to enter Seoul.”
Kim Hwiyeon wasn’t shaken, as she had anticipated this.
Even within Gyeonggi-do, different regions fought for supremacy. Seoul wouldn’t be any different. It was natural for them to be cautious rather than welcoming outsiders.
Choi Baram turned his gaze.
“…Are you Kang Taesan?”
Taesan nodded.
“Hello, Choi Pung.”
“…How do you know that name?”
Choi Baram was taken aback. Choi Pung was a nickname his old friends used for him. It was surprising to hear it from someone he had never met before.
“I came across it in the community.”
“…There are still some talkative survivors, huh. Persistent folks.”
Choi Baram chuckled.
Of course, that wasn’t true. Taesan knew because Choi Baram himself had asked him to call him Choi Pung.
A player from Normal Mode. Choi Baram.
The ruler of Seoul.
He was one of the few who survived until the mid-game and led the others.
Choi Baram was a very selfish man. His own life came first, and he wanted to be the last one standing.
That’s why he became the ruler of Seoul.
He believed that his personal leadership maximized their chances of survival.
He wasn’t a bad person.
To ensure his survival, he managed the people as best as he could. And thanks to that, many survived.
“I’ve heard a lot about you too. The strongest player, Kang Taesan.”
Choi Baram scratched his cheek with an awkward expression.
“Let me say this first: I hope you don’t misunderstand. I’m very grateful to you. Most people in Seoul feel the same way.”
Thanks to the talents for struggle and death, Choi Baram had also descended deeper into the labyrinth. Thus, he felt gratitude towards Taesan.
“But there are always people with different motives. I can’t suppress them forever.”
Choi Baram stepped aside. Two men appeared behind him.
Kim Hwiyeon bit her lip.
“You…”
They were Hard Mode players she knew. They were also ones who had always questioned Taesan’s abilities.
“Sister, we apologize. But we need to see for ourselves.”
The two men, with serious expressions, drew their weapons.
“We need to verify if he really has that kind of power.”
They couldn’t believe that there was a human who could withstand hundreds of them.
Kim Hwiyeon looked at Taesan. He nodded.
“Step aside. It’s fine.”
“I’m sorry.”
“You have nothing to apologize for.”
[Kang Taesan has challenged you to a duel. This is a non-lethal duel.]
“If you’re curious, come at me.”
The two men charged.
They attacked from different directions, swinging their swords at Taesan. Taesan extended his hands.
Their swords were caught between his fingers.
“Ah!”
[Kim Minsoo has activated Flow.]
As Flow activated, the trajectory of the sword twisted, trying to escape Taesan’s grasp.
Taesan tightened his grip.
The trajectory was forcibly corrected.
“Huh…”
Taesan punched. The two men were sent flying.
[You dealt 1843 damage to Kim Minsoo.]
Had it not been a non-lethal duel, the damage would have been fatal. Choi Baram swallowed hard.
“…The rumors were true.”
“This should be enough for you too, right?”
Taesan smiled lightly. Choi Baram felt a chill down his spine.
While it was true he couldn’t stop those who wanted to challenge Taesan, he also partially wanted to see his power for himself.
Many people doubted Taesan’s strength since they had never seen it firsthand. Some even mocked those who worshipped him, wondering why they revered someone they had never seen.
Thus, he brought the two most skeptical individuals to represent and witness Taesan’s power.
This way, he could prevent disputes while confirming Taesan’s capabilities.
And Taesan seemed to understand Choi Baram’s intentions.
‘He’s dangerous.’
Choi Baram swallowed hard. If Taesan had harbored ill intentions towards him for this setup, he wouldn’t have let it slide.
“There won’t be any more issues like this. Welcome. But don’t expect Seoul to be what you hoped for.”
Choi Baram smiled bitterly.
“This place is completely ruined.”