Chapter 132 - Selection of representatives for the ninth round
Time passed quickly, and midnight on September 1st arrived.
Players were no longer surprised, even as the environment changed to a colorless space in the blink of an eye.
Even when hundreds of people appeared in the air.
Even when unwanted angels shone from the sky.
Players who had endured for eight long months looked at the angel with undisturbed faces.
[Welcome, humans. It's always nice to see you like this. Don't you think it's the same for you?]
"...."
As players remained silent, the gentle forehead of the angel Ariel twisted mercilessly.
[What's this? Such a cold response? Do you think you can underestimate angels just because you've leveled up? It's a pleasure to meet you, isn't it?]
"Haha... Yes, it's a pleasure."
"Yes, yes. Nice to meet you."
Forced smiles appeared on the players' faces.
"Damn, this angel is really arrogant."
Though it was nothing more than banter, the angel seemed satisfied with it and smiled broadly.
[Haha, alright. I'm also pleased to meet you, humans. However, unfortunately, it seems you won't see me after this round. Because in this round, there will be a zone integration!]
"Zone integration?"
"Again?"
"They seem to do it quite often."
Around 900 players remained.
It was time for zone integration.
"This will be the last zone integration among us, Koreans. Starting from Round 11, we will join with players from other countries," the angel explained, as if to confirm Ryu Min's words.
"The last zone integration...?"
[Due to the low number of participants, we have to integrate the remaining seven zones in Korea.]
"Integrate all the remaining zones?"
"So, only one zone will be left?"
[That's right. All will be unified into a single zone. It's an opportunity for Korean players, scattered everywhere, to meet in one place!]
The angel spoke as if it were a reunion of separated family members.
[So, let's proceed with the integration right away.]
Drrrrrrrrr-
The earth shook, and the ground fragmented and merged.
Korean players, scattered, gathered in one place.
They were approximately 6,000 in number.
Looking at the new faces, players thought.
"Are all the remaining players in Korea here?"
"Do we have to compete against each other again?"
"What will happen if we decrease more here?"
"Perhaps, even if we don't know it, if we survive here, the player's value will increase, right?"
Thoughts towards others varied.
Some showed competitive spirit, while others lamented the decrease of comrades.
[Finally, all Korean players are gathered in one place! Exactly 6,008 people. The name of the unified zone is C3-ESKA001.]
"6,000 people?"
"Is that all that's left of the players in our country?"
Players, who started at 9 million, dwindled to only 6,000 in eight months.
And yet, it would continue to decrease.
[So, now that the zones have integrated, shall we have another competition to select the zone representative? Our angels will discuss that and inform you, so take some time to greet each other. Maybe gather as friends and share your experiences!]
When the angels disappeared, around 6,000 people expressed their discontent as if they were waiting for this moment.
"Greet each other in the middle of a competition?"
"What? Meet with friends to relax?"
"Is this place supposed to be a meeting square? Ridiculous."
Even if the areas were unified, there would be no familiar faces.
Most friends or acquaintances had already been eliminated in the rounds and turned to dust.
However, there was someone who did not fall into that category.
"Ma... No, Mr. Black Scythe."
The first person to approach Ryu Min was Yamti.
Ryu Min had already instructed her to find him as soon as the zone was unified.
"I thought I'd eventually run into Yamti, and I can't pretend not to know you in reality. Plus, I'll need Yamti to advance in the upcoming missions."
He decided to show Yamti early, as he would need to introduce her as someone close to use her.
"Mr. Black Scythe, it's a pleasure to meet you like this. Aren't we from the same guild?"
"Stop. When we're alone, there's no need to act."
"Ah, really? Hehe, I'm truly happy to see my owner in the other world."
"Shh. Lower your voice when you speak. Who knows if there's an invisible assassin within a 30-meter radius around us."
"Oh, sorry."
After saying that, Yamti immediately scanned the surroundings and whispered to Ryu Min as she approached.
"By the way, what did you think of my performance at the beginning? Was it convincing enough?"
"Well, it seemed a bit exaggerated. It would be better if you moderated your emotions."
"Hehe, thanks for the advice, sir."
"Anyway, don't get too close. You never know who might be watching."
"Oh, yes... I'm sorry."
After whispering in his ear, Yamti looked at Ryu Min with disappointment.
At that moment, someone entered the 30-meter range.
Both turned their heads at the same time, feeling the presence.
"Uh... Mr. Black Scythe?"
It was Min Juri.
She had come to look for Black Scythe as if it were natural, but was surprised to see him interacting with a woman she had never seen before.
"And you... who are you?"
"Hello, I'm Yamti."
"I'm not asking for your nickname. What's your relationship with Black Scythe?"
Min Juri's abrupt attitude momentarily made Yamti frown.
Then, as if thinking of something, she raised the corner of her mouth with a mocking smile.
"Well, so what? Do I have an obligation to answer that?"
"What are you saying?"
"Even you are someone I've never seen before. What's your relationship with Black Scythe?"
"Me? I'm a... follower of Black Scythe."
Before Min Juri could finish her sentence, she looked at Black Scythe for a signal.
Companion? She wanted to say that, but would Black Scythe really think the same? It was a doubt that crossed her mind, as they had never mentioned the word "companion" before.
"Compan... What are you saying? I can't hear well."
"Sorry, never mind."
Ryu Min, unable to bear watching the fight between the women, intervened.
And as they had agreed beforehand, he explained the situation.
"Yamti here is an acquaintance of mine in reality, don't misunderstand her relationship as something more. And Min Juri is..."
Ryu Min looked directly at Min Juri.
"She's my colleague. We've gone partying together several times."
"Ah."
Was it because she heard that he was a colleague she wanted to hear?
Or is it because he set the boundary of not being his girlfriend?
Min Juri, who was surprised, drew a long line with her lips.
It feels like my heart is being ripped out of my chest.
An uncontrollable smile spread.
"You know Black Scythe in real life. I'm sorry for being sensitive. I was suspicious because she was an unfamiliar face."
Min Juri smiled and apologized as if she had let go of her previous feelings.
As she came out like that first, Yamti had no choice but to apologize.
"I'm sorry. I also reacted harshly, didn't I?"
The response came from Ryu Min's mouth.
"She was so cunning that she was extremely rude when we first met."
While saying that, Min Juri secretly glanced at Yamti.
'Don't unnecessarily fight with my acquaintance over slavery. If you don't want to be scolded.'
Yamti, who read the intent in her eyes, lowered her gaze like a scolded puppy.
At that moment, a group of familiar faces approached from afar.
It was Seo Arin, An Sang-cheol, and Ma Gyeong-rok.
"Hello, Black Scythe."
"Hi!"
Except for Ma Gyeong-rok, the expressions of the two were brighter than usual.
Seo Arin seemed happy to see Black Scythe again, whom she had seen in real life, and An Sang-cheol was happy to see Ma Gyeong-rok.
"Who's by your side?"
When Ryu Min pretended not to notice and looked at Ma Gyeong-rok, An Sang-cheol stepped forward as if he already intended to introduce him.
"Let me introduce you. Black Scythe. This person is the CEO of our company... He is the Heavenly Demon."
"Macheonma?"
"Oh, no. I'm Cheonma."
Cheonma and Ma Gyeong-rok took a step forward and extended their hands.
"Pleasure to meet you, Black Scythe."
Ryu Min clasped hands and shamelessly pretended not to notice.
"Cheonma... I didn't know I'd meet someone 2nd or 3rd in the whole district like this."
"Haha, what a name. Now the situation is that we're not even in the top three, so what?"
Ma Gyeong-rok treated him friendly even though it was their first meeting.
"Black Scythe owes me a favor."
"I heard a lot from Director An. I heard you helped me out from a thug during the second round. Also, join us in round 6 and bring us to the level of light."
"Well, that's correct."
"As a representative, I would like to thank you in many ways. Thanks for helping our staff."
"Thank you."
Ryu Min stuck to informal language in concept.
Fortunately, Ma Gyeong-rok wasn't in a bad mood.
They say level 80 will speak informally, but what can a level 38 do?
At that moment, Seo Arin cautiously joined the conversation.
"But Black Scythe. That person over there...?"
The person she pointed to was Yamti.
When pointed at, Yamti raised her head calmly.
"Nice to meet you. Are you a colleague of Black Scythe? I'm Yamti, an acquaintance of Black Scythe in real life."
"Real life... Friend?"
Seo Arin's pupils trembled.
Black Scythe in real life wasn't something only she knew.
'Well, if you're as skilled as Black Scythe, there will be a lot of people around you.'
Aren't there already enough people gathered here?
'Wait a minute, does that person called Yamti know Black Scythe's real face?'
She only sees himself through a white mask and doesn't know his real face.
Black Scythe responded calmly, but Seo Arin's eyes dripped with a touch of jealousy.
In her heart, she also wanted to be considered a real acquaintance of Black Scythe.
[Did you solve the puzzle well? Korean players?]
At that moment, it seems that the discussion among the angels has ended, as Ariel returned.
[Currently, we have the situation that 7 areas are integrated, and as I mentioned earlier, we must select one of them as the zone representative. The representative chosen this time will practically become the representative of Korean players.]
Ma Gyeong-rok listened attentively to the angel's words.
It is none other than the representative of a zone.
He is in a competitive position with Black Scythe.
[So, how will we select the representative? We have considered the basic option of a Deathmatch...]
Upon hearing the word "Deathmatch," Ma Gyeong-rok looked at Ryu Min with surprise.
'I don't have confidence in a Deathmatch...'
If he fights against a level 80, the result would be obvious like fire.
[According to the results of our discussions, we have decided to conduct the selection of the representative through a fair vote.]
"A vote?"
[Everyone has already participated in a vote in round 2, right? Simply select the candidate player you want as the representative from among the 7 candidates, just like last time.]
When Ma Gyeong-rok understood the meaning of the vote, hope reflected on his face.
'Maybe I have a chance?'
Although he doesn't trust a Deathmatch, the vote gives him some possibility.
[So, shall we proceed with the vote right away? Those who don't choose will be eliminated, so choose quickly.]
As soon as the angel waved its wings, a message appeared in front of the people.
[Please vote for one person to select the representative of the integrated zone.]
└ 1. Black Scythe (Level 80 Reaper)
└ 2. Cheonma (Level 38 Dark Knight)
………………
…………
└ 7. Foolish Idiots (Level 38 Shaman)
[Remaining time to vote: 00:00:59]
Players tapped their fingers after contemplating.
There was no need to look around, as this was a selection screen visible only to them.
[Please note that the representatives of the areas are candidates and do not have the right to vote. Leave your fate to chance,]
In accordance with the angel's words, Ma Gyeong-rok held his breath while waiting for a favorable result.
'Maybe I have a chance to become the zone representative, even surpassing Black Scythe.'
Ma Gyeong-rok waited with anticipation as he looked at Black Scythe.
'Although he doesn't show any emotion, he might be worried.'
This time, he couldn't help but be anxious.
He might lose the position of the zone representative.
After a moment, the angel spoke after a minute had passed.
[The results are ready. Shall we check them right away?]