Chapter 217 - Round 13 Begins
On January 1st, 2023, the New Year dawned.
Upon hearing the sound of midnight bells, some set goals for abstinence, study, or exercise, but for the players, those things were mere luxuries.
Their ultimate goal was always survival.
"Round 13 has begun without fail this year as well."
Looking at the familiar and dull monochromatic space, Ryu Min sighed.
"Those are all that are left in front of us."
Although there were still about 10,000 people in the vast space, it was notably less than before.
"Many died in round 12."
Three-quarters of the population disappeared due to the challenge caves that couldn't be overcome without a summoner in the group.
"There's nothing we can do about it. I can't explain strategies one by one in front of so many people."
"Not only must we look after the people close to us, but also other players."
At least, the followers of the Church of the Four Gods were determined to look after.
That was the strategy for Round 13 they had laid out.
"If half survive in this round and also in the next one, there will be about 2,500 people left."
But the problem was Round 15.
Only a quarter of the people can pass in Round 15.
It will be approximately 600 people, but due to the extreme difficulty, not even 50 will survive.
Therefore, excluding the last round out of the twenty, this was the most important round.
"We have to save as many people as possible in Round 15. We can't afford to fail like in Round 12."
He was determined to firmly fill those 600 slots.
That way, they could face the boss with as many people as possible in the final round.
"It's not bad to have many survivors due to the lack of information about the boss. That's why we are taking care of the Church of the Four Gods. Also to prepare for Round 16."
Many Korean players had to survive to avoid Round 16.
That's why he revealed the strategy for Round 13 and, if they followed it as instructed, they could easily pass.
"If everything goes well, all Korean players will survive."
Of course, he wasn't only concerned about Koreans.
He also gave them the easy strategy to beat foreign players like Christine, Jeffrey, Russell, Victor, and John Delgado.
"Black Scythe."
Min Juri, who had just arrived, as well.
"You've come? Follower of the Church of the Four Gods."
"Haha... It feels strange to be called a follower. Just call me Min Juri as always. Or feel free to call me by my name."
When she joined the Church of the Four Gods, she provided all her personal information.
Although there was no way they didn't know her name, Ryu Min shook his head.
"I feel more comfortable with Juri than with my name."
"Really?"
Juri smiled as she followed Ryu Min's gaze towards the people.
They might be competitors, but they were also comrades who had made it to Round 12 together, somehow.
"Although it's New Year, instead of watching the sunrise with so many people, we have to participate in the survival game... It's a bit sad, don't you think?"
"It's quite touching."
Whether it was because of the comment or not, Juri puffed her cheeks.
"Despite appearances, it's touching... Well, is that what I wanted to say?"
"I didn't say that."
Ryu Min, who didn't have the confidence to argue with Juri, discreetly turned his head.
At that moment, Seo Arin and Heo Taeseok were approaching from the other side.
"Master Black Scythe!"
"You couldn't watch the sunrise either and are sad?"
"Huh? What are you saying?"
"Anyway, you can't watch the sunrise because of the time limit."
Thanks to Ryu Min, everyone knew that the time limit for this round was 10 hours.
Returning to reality, it was already 10 in the morning.
"Oh, so Lady Min Juri wants to watch the sunrise?"
"I didn't say that. Just..."
"With whom do you want to watch it? Perhaps with your boyfriend?"
"I don't have a boyfriend!"
"Eh? Why not such a beautiful lady like Lady Min Juri?"
"Don't joke, Master."
"It's not a joke..."
Suddenly, two more people joined the conversation.
Black Scythe stayed silent as he watched people gather.
"Master Black Scythe!"
When he turned, Eom Jun-seok, Joo Sung-taek, and Yamti appeared in succession.
Then came Christine, Jeffry, Jo Yong-ho and his group, and Black Scythe's presence became evident.
"With Jo Yong-ho joining, the crowd has grown."
Senior mercenaries over thirty introduced themselves, possibly led by the Mercenary King.
Of course, they were all Korean followers of the Church of the Four Gods.
"I only turned Jo Yong-ho to my side, but even the mercenaries follow him. Not bad."
As the group exchanged greetings and smiles, an angel appeared.
"Welcome, humans! You've come punctually today as well!"
Although he knew they hadn't come because they wanted to, the angel joked with the humans.
"Oh! There are only less than 10,000 survivors in the entire area! The last round was a bit tough, wasn't it? Don't worry. After a few rounds, it will quickly decrease to two digits. Haha."
"Two digits?"
"This is... incredible."
The angel enjoyed the unnecessary anxiety he generated among the people.
"Haha, shall we open the mission then? This time it won't be as hard, so relax. I'm serious."
The angel, as if urging people to believe, flapped his wings.
◀ ROUND 13 ▶
<Main Mission>
Raise the reputation of a race to 'Very Friendly' within 10 hours.
<Secondary Missions>
???? Various
[Integrated Area CA-EA001]
Participants: 9,994
Achievers: 0/4,997
It was a simple mission.
Especially for Ryu Min, there wasn't an easier mission in all previous rounds.
'It's already completed.'
In this round, the mission to survive is to raise the reputation of the race to a very friendly level. Isn't it easier compared to other rounds?
"Very friendly?"
"Could we have raised the reputation?"
Mostly, people didn't even know reputation existed.
"You won't know unless you've raised the reputation at least once."
But Ryu Min had already raised his reputation with the elven race to the very friendly level in the eighth round.
He had achieved extreme friendship with three races, excluding elves.
"Especially with the elves, he even reached an eternal alliance beyond extreme friendship."
The role of the reputation runes that raised all reputations was crucial.
So in this round, Ryu Min didn't have much to do.
It was like having completed the mission as soon as it began.
"The reputation of the race starts at neutral. Taking actions that please that specific race will make you become friendly, and then you will become very friendly."
Two levels from neutral to very friendly.
"It's not easy to raise two levels."
This round wasn't as easy as it sounded.
That's why they were given a long time of 10 hours.
But the perspective of the followers of the Church of the Four Gods, who heard Ryu Min's strategy, was a little different.
"You should do side missions that quickly increase reputation."
Right at that moment, an angel was explaining about it.
"Have you done side missions while traveling through the fantasy world? By doing side missions that please a specific race, you'll accumulate reputation. Also, as a reward for the missions, you can also get experience, gold, and items."
"Should I do missions to increase reputation?"
"Is there no other choice than crazily doing side missions for a specific race?"
"Of course, depending on the difficulty of the mission, the reputation that increases and the rewards are different. So do it well according to your skills. In summary, remember that you must raise the reputation of a race to very friendly in less than 10 hours to survive."
"It must be difficult to raise it in 10 hours, right?"
"Ugh... It won't be easy."
Although most would feel like they had fallen into an endless, dark sea, the 170 followers of the Church of the Four Gods who heard the strategy at least knew what missions to do to quickly reach their goal.
"There's no time to hesitate. They will be added to the survivor list in the order they reach the reputation as fast as possible. Well, if there are already humans who have achieved it, they will be given a free time of 10 hours, but I doubt there are such humans... huh?"
The angel who was speaking seemed surprised to see the achievement list.
"Oh, is there someone? Someone who has already reached more than extreme friendship...?"
Although they didn't mention the nickname, if there was only one person, there was nothing to see.
"That's me."
Ryu Min smiled with a relaxed expression.
Since he had already passed the mission as soon as it began, he could spend the next 10 hours freely doing side missions.
"Well, then, why don't you choose a place to start?"
A message box appeared in front of the players.
"Please tap the region where you want to start among the following options."
1. Albitz Kingdom
2. Brahm Kingdom
3. Sacred Empire
4. Elsorium
"If you don't choose within the time limit, it will be randomly selected."
"Time remaining until final selection: 00:00:59"
[Time remaining until final selection: 00:00:59]
While people hesitated about the emerging options, the followers of the religion of the Four Gods knew exactly where they should go.
"I'll go first, Black Scythe."
"Me too."
When Heo Taeseok and Seo Arin tried to move, Min Juri hurriedly shouted.
"Oh, wait! Receive the buffs before you go!"
As she quickly threw the buffs to the group, she received words of thanks.
"Thanks, Min Juri."
"You'll be blessed!"
"Good luck for this round too!"
After exchanging words of encouragement, upon pressing the option, they disappeared as expected.
"Black Scythe, also receive the buffs."
"Thank you."
Ryu Min, who secretly hoped for it, could smile happily upon receiving the buffs.
It's not that he really needed the buffs, but who knows with people's stuff?
"Maybe the Archangel will decide to retaliate again."
With Sariel appearing earlier, the possibility of it happening again was high.
After Jo Yong-ho and Min Juri disappeared, Ryu Min was the only one left.
At a glance Ryu Min, who looked at the options, had already decided where to go before the round began.
"Option 4. I choose Elsorium."
By touching with his finger, Ryu Min's location instantly changed.
-----------------
Chirp-
Ryu Min, who fell into a lush forest, looked around.
"This is the right place."
The reason he chose Elsorium was none other than to obtain rune fragments in the treasure vault of the elves.
If it had only been friendly, it would have been impossible, but with the reputation of the Eternal Alliance, they would be happy to hand over the treasure vault, even Princess Eufinelcia.
Since the council elders have control in Elsorium, the position of the princess is relatively weak.
Bad, bad-
Ryu Min advanced through the bush and looked ahead.
"From there."
Although only dense trees could be seen, a strange energy could somehow be felt.
A little further ahead, as he stepped across the borderline.
Vwoosh!
The vegetation and trees that were visible until a moment ago disappeared, revealing majestic tall structures covered by a magical veil.
Elsorium, the elven city hidden behind the spell.
"The buildings are impressive."
Looking at the kingdom-sized structures built by the elves, Ryu Min advanced with his gaze fixed on them.
After crossing a bridge over a gleaming river, the elven guards guarding the entrance interposed by crossing their spears.
"Why has a human come here?"
"Leave immediately!"
Despite the cold words, Ryu Min's gaze turned to the air.
[The special skill of the round, 'Interpretation', is activated.]
[Can communicate with races from other worlds.]
[Can talk to all players without language barriers.]
Fortunately, there didn't seem to be any issues with speaking to the NPCs.
"Human, why have you come here?"
"Have I not made it clear?"
When he replied coldly, the guards were surprised to see his face.
As if they knew him.
"Uh, oh, are you the warrior from another world, Black Scythe?"
"Can't you tell by looking?"
Responding coldly, the guards' attitude changed 180 degrees.
The 'Eternal Alliance' is a great reputation that can be obtained by saving a race beyond individuality.
It wasn't strange to receive treatment above nobility.
"Well, call the council elders. I need to meet with them."
"To the elders, sir?"
"I have something to demand personally."
"Very well, please wait a moment. I will call them immediately."
Ryu Min waited calmly as he watched the guards hurry off.
---
(Up to '45' more ch4pt3rs)
Publication of up to 6 weekly ch4pters, thank you.
