Chapter 271 - Choose Your Side
◀ Round 17 ▶
Mission:
Become a commander and achieve victory in the kingdom war
[Integration Area CA-EA001]
Participants: 288
Achievements: Undetermined
For the players who saw the mission window, their first thought was this.
"Oh, it seems this round has no secondary mission."
This was evident by seeing that the part that always said "<Main Mission>" now only said "<Mission>".
Of course, there were doubts.
The part where the achievement was marked as 'Undetermined' was what puzzled them.
[Are you curious? Why the achievement is marked 'Undetermined'?]
The players didn't respond.
Although the appearance of an angel who, for no apparent reason, dared to guess for them was perplexing, they weren't actually interested.
After all, they had already heard the reason from Black Scythe.
[In this round, fortunately, there's no limit on the number of survivors. In other words, if you do well, all 288 can survive.]
Can everyone survive?
Apart from the second round where voting was involved, there had never been a round where everyone survived.
Clearly, this was good news.
However, either due to the mission's content or the players' expressions, there was no trace of joy on their faces.
[Eh? Is no one happy? Are you sharper than I thought? Haha.]
The fact that everyone could survive meant that everyone could also die.
That was the reason why the angel was laughing.
[Although there's a possibility that all 288 could die, you should be happy. Just the fact that everyone can survive is something, right? Right?]
"Yes, you're right. Angel."
Ryu Min silently agreed with the angel's words.
The opportunity to save everyone wasn't common.
But it seemed the angel considered that possibility to be almost nonexistent.
For a while, he had been laughing maliciously.
[Anyway, remember that everyone can survive. Now I'll explain the mission.]
Although the players already knew about the mission, they paid attention.
It was a good opportunity to confirm if Black Scythe's prophecy was true.
[Currently, on the fantasy continent, there are five kingdoms and an empire. The kingdoms of Albits, Brahm, Ver, Byso, and the Kingdom of Decan. And the Holy Empire. They are at war right now. The kingdoms are all united. In short, it's a war between the alliance of the kingdoms and the Holy Empire.]
It couldn't be known if they were really at war or if it was just part of the game.
Given the situation where it was impossible to distinguish between NPCs and real humans from another world.
[This is where you have to choose one of the two sides. Will you fight against the united team of the five kingdoms or face the gigantic team of the empire?]
Basically, it was like choosing the team they believed would win.
[I won't tell you which one is stronger. But, I'll tell you something for sure. One of them is overwhelmingly powerful. So much so that it's clearly visible who will win the war.]
That statement was a kind of warning about the consequences of choosing poorly.
The choice of side is crucial. After all, it depends on the side you choose whether you'll survive or not. Do you remember what I said before? In this round, everyone could survive. If you wisely choose your side and lead the war to victory, everyone will survive regardless of the number of survivors. On the other hand, if you lose the war, you'll be eliminated mercilessly.
Sharing the chosen side and the fate?
That was the reason why the choice of side was so important.
Once you choose your side, you'll be able to intervene in the war as a commander. Do you remember that I mentioned this round is more about using your head than using force? That's the reason. You must lead the war to victory only with tactics and strategies, without participating directly in the combat.
Direct intervention isn't allowed, you can only give orders from behind.
This meant that even someone like Black Scythe couldn't change the course of the war by himself.
In war, strategies and tactics took priority over individual power.
So if you have chosen the same side, you should discuss among yourselves how to win the war.
In the end, this was a team battle, just like the previous ones.
Although this time there wouldn't be opportunities to act physically.
The explanation ended here. The details will be provided by the system. How about starting with the choice of side?
The moment the angel flapped his wings, everything turned dark and the people disappeared.
Or more precisely, you could say they were transported alone to an empty space.
Then the angel's voice was heard.
"Suddenly surprised not to see anyone, right? Don't worry, it's our consideration for you to make the choice easier."
"Consideration, my ass. If you want to make it boring, close your eyes and ears."
All the players were told to agree and move to the same side.
All survive or all are eliminated.
Only one of those two results.
"No matter the result, as the guy who designed this survival game, it will probably be quite boring."
He wouldn't expect all the players to survive, but neither would he want all of them to die.
"It's evident in the missions so far. This survival game was created by a sadistic pervert who enjoys watching humans fight for their lives."
The reason why they weren't allowed to consult among themselves was here.
"Touch the side with which you'll share life or death."
Kingdoms Union
Holy Empire
"If you don't select within the allotted time, it will be chosen randomly."
"Time remaining for selection: 00:00:59"
A simple choice between two.
But the content wasn't light at all.
It was a crucial choice that would decide between heaven and hell.
Of course, Ryu Min knew.
Where the overwhelming superiority was, as the angel had mentioned.
"Of course, it's the Holy Empire."
Although five kingdoms united, they could never compare to the Holy Empire.
In terms of military strength, equipment, wealth, supplies, and more.
In all aspects, the Holy Empire was superior.
Therefore, it was natural to cling to the Holy Empire to survive.
"I thought so. Until we go back to the starting point."
Choosing the Holy Empire guaranteed victory, but the problem was that the difficulty became too easy.
When the Holy Empire wins, the reward is too scarce. You could almost say it doesn't exist.
On the other hand, joining the kingdoms union and winning brings enormous rewards.
A huge amount of experience, plus the ability to create a God rank.
It's high risk, but also high return.
"I understood it later. Without the experience gained from the victory of the kingdoms union, you couldn't reach the maximum level even after getting to round 20."
Ryu Min had reached the maximum level through experience runes and other rewards, but for other players, that would be impossible.
Without the reward for the kingdom's victory, reaching the maximum level would be difficult.
"It's quite lethal when you think about the skills you could learn upon reaching the maximum level."
Therefore, choosing the Holy Empire actually works against you.
It was like giving up all those huge rewards.
"That's why I choose option 1."
[The player "Black Scythe" has joined the "Kingdoms Union" side.]
[You have obtained the title of commander of the Kingdoms Union.]
[You will be directly transported to the command headquarters.]
After a bright light momentarily blinded his vision, Ryu Min found himself inside the command headquarters.
With familiar faces.
"Black Scythe, have you arrived?"
"Seo Arin."
And not just Seo Arin.
Min Juri, Christine, Jo Yong-ho, Victor, Heo Taeseok, Russell, and others.
All the brotherhood members were inside the headquarters.
"Well, I can't say everyone is here yet."
Ryu Min had chosen the kingdoms union, not the Holy Empire, as instructed.
But it was too soon to say all the brotherhood members had followed him.
What if there were traitors among them?
"Can't be."
He had already explained the advantages of joining the Kingdoms Union to the followers.
It would be difficult to face the Holy Empire, but they would receive a great reward if they won.
But there could be some fools who didn't believe in Ryu Min.
And so it was.
[The side selection has ended.]
[Side selection status]
Holy Empire: 2 people
Kingdoms Union: 286 people
"There were two fools who chose the Holy Empire."
If victory were decided more by tactics than by force, there was a high chance that the Holy Empire would win instead of the Kingdoms Union.
Ryu Min never fought to lose.
That was the reason why other followers trusted him and followed him.
"Two people for the Holy Empire?"
"Who the hell switched sides?"
"It must be a crazy person who wants to die."
While the players murmured and moved, Ryu Min also looked around.
Worried that someone he knew had switched sides.
"Fortunately, Alex and Dorothy are here."
Since all the key members were present, it seemed some fool had chosen the Holy Empire.
"No choice. We'll have to fight against two people."
In fact, the fight would be carried out by soldiers from other worlds.
The players only had to command from here.
[Players can now operate military forces as commanders.]
[They can direct all resources, materials, and troops of the five kingdoms, as well as movement, use of facilities, and battle orders.]
[However, command is only possible for players entering the command headquarters.]
[You can leave the camp, but not participate in the battle.]
[Movement in some areas is restricted.]
[For detailed command instructions, use the combat situation board installed in front.]
[Enter the battlefield on the Kingdoms Alliance side and lead the war to victory. Good luck.]
The players who read the message observed
The players who read the message glanced at the combat situation board installed in the main hall.
They saw red and blue points facing off against each other.
"Is this for real...?"
"The red points are the enemies, and the blue ones are us, right?"
"Wow..."
The players stood in awe, mouths agape, as if they were bewildered.
There were too many red points.
The situation was clearly unfavorable.
"Who would have thought the five nations would be at such a disadvantage..."
"When they said the Holy Empire had an overwhelming advantage, they weren't kidding."
"Lord Black Scythe, what should we do now?"
"There are too many enemies, aren't there?"
The players looked worriedly at Ryu Min, but he just smiled.
Choosing the unity of the realms if there's no other option?
"Don't worry, just trust me."
"But how can we face such a large number with only strategies...?"
"We don't need strategies."
"What?"
Strategies? Tactics?
Actually, those aren't necessary.
"When you have enough money, the difference in military forces can easily be leveled."
Commanders can use their gold to recruit more troops or upgrade their equipment.
In short, with enough gold, the gap between the two conflicting sides can be filled.
"And I have close to 10 billion gold."
The corner of Ryu Min's lips curled upward.
With that amount, he could defeat the Holy Empire and still have plenty to spare.
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