Chapter 525
A wide grin appeared on Rick’s lips.
Usually, when that snake acted like that, it was best to keep your distance.
No one could predict what he would do next.
“Ahem! It’s nothing much… but since so many warriors are gathered, shouldn’t we decide who is the mightiest among us?”
The mightiest warrior.
At those words, the warriors chewing on their meat paused.
They wiped the grease from their lips and their eyes sharpened.
Their hearts couldn’t help but burn.
They were the type to hate losing more than death itself.
“Huhu. I see you’re all interested. With that in mind, I’ve thought up a rather fun wager.”
Rick snapped his fingers.
Snap!
A familiar face appeared in the air.
[Master of the Veteran Corporation, Kang Jinhyuk.]
“The wager is simple! The person who performed the greatest feat in this war is Player Kang Jinhyuk! Whoever catches him will be the winner of this wager!”
At Rick’s announcement, Jinhyuk’s face twisted.
Damn it.
Of course, he knew this would happen.
‘When I had a bad feeling, I should have just run for it…’
He should’ve known when the drinks and food started flowing so easily. There was a catch.
It was obvious Rick intended to solidify his own position with a flashy event like this.
Now that Godirak had fallen, Rick was the most likely next senior administrator.
“Oh! Of course, there’s a reward as well.”
This time, Rick opened subspace.
A red wave surged and from it emerged a golden helmet with a pair of wings.
[Burning Heart – Special Item.]
Acquisition Difficulty: S
Title: You can earn the title ‘The Bravest and Greatest Warrior’. The one who wears this helmet will be recognized by all factions and leadership will increase by 300%.
A helmet crafted by Rick himself.
The ability was impressive, but just wearing it produced a scattering flame effect that set all the warriors’ hearts racing.
“Ooooo!”
“That sounds fun!”
“I’ve been itching for something like this, can’t imagine anything better.”
“Exactly what I wanted!”
Everyone started to rise from their seats.
From the Norse to the troll tribes like Karakal and the Barbarians, joints cracked.
If it was about being a true warrior, none of them would back down.
On the other hand, the rest of the members watched, interested, as they ate.
There was no reason to get involved in this war.
That was a small relief.
Not everyone was turning against him.
Still, it was a headache.
“Wait! This is way too unfair for me! More than anything, isn’t it wrong to run an event like this without even getting the participant’s consent?”
Jinhyuk raised a valid objection.
“That’s because… a wager like this is what makes a festival really exciting. Hehe, I’m kidding. Kidding. Put your sword away. If you use sword energy, this old man might die.”
“Then how about you give me a real excuse?”
Jinhyuk fiddled with the blue flames on [Crimson Lotus].
With over 500 magic, the sword energy he manifested was now so long it was breaking apart into tangible flame.
“Ahem! Ahem! Of course, if Player Kang Jinhyuk wins, I’ll offer a reward worthy of that.”
“I’m listening.”
“I overheard that you were planning to mediate with Olympus… I can give you some items that will help you in those talks.”
That was a little interesting.
If it was Rick, he’d definitely have something to backstab Zeus with.
But—
“Not a bad offer, but it’s a little lacking. I have my own cards to play, after all.”
Jinhyuk neatly rejected the proposal.
“Hm. As expected, that’s not enough. Then… how about this?”
Rick quickly pulled out a piece of parchment stamped with a green seal.
“…!?”
Now it was Jinhyuk’s turn to flinch.
[Lock Breaker Scroll].
An item specialized in breaking spells or seal barriers of 12-star class and above.
One of the holy relics he’d obtained was sealed.
With that scroll, he wouldn’t even need Orun or any other option.
Most importantly…
‘He really sees exactly what I need.’
Just like last time.
Rick’s insight went far beyond mere intuition.
It reminded him of what Coffindance had said.
The problem was…
‘There’s no way Rick doesn’t know all this…’
To be so blatant—what was Rick plotting? What was hidden behind that smile? It drove him crazy with curiosity.
But right now, he had no choice but to play along.
‘That scroll is something I need.’
Jinhyuk nodded, pretending to be reluctant.
Rick’s smile grew even broader.
“With the participant’s permission, now we can really heat things up. I see some people plan to just watch… but Rick Hennessy can’t just let that happen.”
Vuuuum!
New rules began to appear with Rick’s gesture.
“So! With this, does everyone feel a little more interested?”
[Intermediate administrator’s special privilege activates!]
[Restrictions are applied.]
[Whoever catches Player Kang Jinhyuk first will earn the ‘One-Day Slave Right’.]
For a moment, the eyes of those nearby shook.
Like predators locking onto prey.
“Oh…”
“That’s pretty tempting.”
“One-Day Slave Right, huh…”
It was an opportunity that rarely came by.
Everyone licked their lips and drifted into their own fantasies.
-Yeah, Alice is my most beautiful and precious companion in the world. She’s so lovely I just can’t leave her alone. In that sense, shall we toast to those blood-red eyes?
Jinhyuk could feel her face getting closer and closer.
Thump! Thump! Thump!
His heart started pounding like crazy.
Unable to contain her excitement, Alice sprang to her feet.
With twenty-four hours, you could really do a lot.
A whole lot…
“Huhuhu! Good! I, too, will join in!”
Kaang!
Kakakakakang!
Swords clashed furiously.
The savage sword dance was enough to make anyone’s hair stand on end just watching.
But one side’s skill was overwhelmingly superior.
In the end, the man holding swords in both hands knelt down, speaking in a self-mocking tone.
-I lost. Even if I challenged you a hundred—no, a thousand times, I’d never come close to your intelligence, charisma, or greatness. Not even to the tip of your toe. How could I ever get as strong as you… Haa. I guess I never will. Never.
Jinhyuk wore a bitter smile.
And just imagining it made him insanely happy.
He could hardly believe twenty-four hours could feel so short.
“No, the winner’s prize will be mine.”
Chun Yoosung revealed a rare flash of ambition.
Honestly, for that slave right, he’d probably put on the maid outfit again without complaint.
-Teresa, how about you skip the boring prayers and run away with me for a day?
In Teresa’s mind, images of going on a special date with Jinhyuk outside the Tower flashed by.
A life always bound by doctrine and etiquette.
The sweet freedom beyond the walls was too tempting.
“If it’s with Jinhyuk… maybe it’ll be even more fun.”
He was the one who had seen and understood the true Teresa hidden deep inside.
Teresa, too, clenched her fists and declared her intent to join.
“…Not bad. Hm. The odds are about 22.35%.”
Frey nodded expressionlessly as well.
“Hehe. To think I could make Jinhyuk my slave…”
“Making my master a slave. I can’t let that go.”
“Mogiii!”
“A reversal of master and servant with the lord, even for a day?”
“Hmm. If I win, you’ll have to come with me for twenty-four hours of hellish martial arts training.”
Various other members also licked their lips at the thought of the slave right.
Gulp…
Jinhyuk’s throat felt dry.
Something was seriously wrong here.
It was no longer about just winning or losing a bet…
No one could predict what the person with the slave right would do.
Whoever won, it was clear the next twenty-four hours would be a nightmare.
—
Bang!
Jinhyuk leaped back and ran.
A rapidly changing field of view.
Dashing from floating stone to floating stone, staying out of sight was crucial.
[Time remaining 0h: 29m: 42s]
The time limit was thirty minutes.
As long as he wasn’t caught within that, he could reach a happy ending.
But.
That was just personal hope.
Things in this world never go so easily.
Boom boom boom boom boom boom!
A storm of crimson blood rushed in.
Alice, her eyes completely glazed over, was flying in with a flock of bats.
Alice’s gaze swept between the floating stones.
“I can smell the contractor here.”
What was she, a dog?
Just sniffing was enough to track his location?
The net was closing quickly.
Jinhyuk, hiding at the edge of a floating stone, was finally spotted by Alice.
“Found you!”
“Damn.”
Jinhyuk dodged and darted among the bats.
Just barely out of reach, then almost caught again.
A chase with no end.
“Stop running and let yourself be caught! Don’t run!”
Alice kept flapping her hands.
[Alice activates Lv?? [Festival of Bloodsucking]!]
In an instant, the scattered bats gathered together.
Thousands of bats flew as one, forming a huge vortex.
“Are you trying to kill me?!”
“That’s because you won’t let yourself get caught and keep dodging! If you don’t want to get hurt, just give up and become mine!”
“Sorry, but that’s not my thing. I’ll have to decline.”
“Then it can’t be helped. I’ll just have to take you by force.”
Alice drew in her magic.
Her snow-white hair fluttered, and a terrifying aura gathered in one place.
But just then,
Crackle…!
From the side, another flash of light erupted.
A sharply gathered force.
The [Soul-Chasing Sword]’s strike was fully unleashed.
Slash!
Just before Alice’s attack landed, a sword strike split the air.
The vortex of bats was split cleanly in two.
“Idiot… Sword Saint! Why are you interfering at a time like this!”
Alice, blocked, protested sharply.
“That one’s my prey.”
Chun Yoosung gripped his sword in both hands, ignoring Alice’s glare.
It was obvious—he’d never give up, even if the sky fell.
Realizing this, Alice gave up on persuasion.
All that was left was to overpower the opponent.
Boom boom boom boom bang!
Kaang!
Sword and crimson storm collided immediately.
‘Maybe it would’ve been better to fight Olympus again…’
He’d thought thirty minutes would be easy to last.
But even ten minutes seemed a distant dream.
This wouldn’t do.
He needed at least one ally who wouldn’t stab him in the back.
And the first candidate was obviously…
* * * * * * * *
(T/N: i apologize for the super delayed chapters, baby time was so rough. baby is currently on a sleep regression phase. good news though, i should be back to our regular release rate (or even faster) by the end of this month. we’ve got everything arranged, so we’re all set. )
