Dragon and Phoenix Gathering (4)

[“Choi Aengaeng” is displayed on the map.]

[Duration: 15 minutes]

Seo Yerim was in second place with six points. Her location appeared on the map, and before long, Minwoo found her.

“Wanna team up?”

She nodded.

Eight points and six points. First and second place had joined forces.

'Ten people left.'

Excluding the two of them, that left eight enemies to deal with. Minwoo recalled the most recent rankings.

[1st: Baek Socheon, 8 points]

[2nd: Choi Aengaeng, 6 points]

[3rd: Seok Woncho, Baek Muhan, 4 points]

[4th: Namgung Hyeji, 3 points]

.

.

Seok Woncho and Baek Muhan had four points each, and Namgung Hyeji had three. All the other small fry had just one.

'It's over.'

The rules made it impossible for the remaining eight to win even if they attacked together. Seok Woncho, Baek Muhan, and Namgung Hyeji might be able to contribute something, but the other five had only one point each. Killing just one of them would inflate Minwoo's stats through the multiplicative bonus.

Besides, the survivors belonged to different factions—a jumble of the Martial Alliance, Demonic Cult, and Unorthodox Alliance. Forget cooperating; they would be lucky not to fall into infighting.

They had few options left now. Attack together, run and hide in hopes of taking third place, or else...

[Someone has died.]

[Someone has died.]

[Someone has died.]

[Rankings are being tallied.]

[1st: Baek Socheon, 8 points]

[2nd: Baek Muhan, 7 points]

[3rd: Choi Aengaeng, 6 points]

[4th: Seok Woncho, 4 points]

[5th: Namgung Hyeji, 3 points]

.

.

“Ah, shit! My second place!”

Seo Yerim ground her teeth at the rankings. Having dropped to third in an instant, she had every reason to be furious.

“That bastard killed all his own lackeys, didn't he?”

“Looks like it.”

There had been familiar names among the remaining one-point small fry: the Third Young Master and two warriors from the Unorthodox Alliance. Apparently, they had been traveling together and funneling points to Baek Muhan until now.

'He killed them all.'

Kill the hunting dog once the hunt is over. That was exactly what had happened.

[“Baek Muhan” is displayed on the map!]

[Duration: 17 minutes]

“Let's kill him. I'll take this one. You can have the next kill.”

“Sure.”

Seo Yerim nodded readily. They had already agreed that Minwoo would take first place. This was why trustworthy party members mattered. He began running across the island with her.

They could see Baek Muhan moving in a panic. First and third place—their locations were probably showing on his map too. He must have realized he stood no chance if they attacked him together.

And he was right.

“I'll circle around and get ahead of him. Just buy me some time.”

Seo Yerim nodded and dashed off.

About ten minutes into the pursuit, Minwoo heard swords clashing in the distance.

'She's pinned him down.'

Seo Yerim and Baek Muhan were swinging their swords fiercely at each other. He had one more point than she did, but she was a swordswoman whose abilities were considered beyond A-rank. She wasn't easily pushed back.

'Quite the hot spot.'

First, second, and third place were all gathered in one location. If the remaining small fry had any brains, they would all show up. Their only hope was to profit from someone else's fight.

But that didn't matter. Minwoo had minions of his own.

As he extended his hand, Dolsoe appeared alongside nearly three thousand skeletons, with several hundred mages added to the mix for good measure. That was the power of his inflated stats.

“Attack anyone who approaches.”

CLATTER!

The skeletons nodded and formed a ring like an arena. Anyone trying to get inside would need some time.

Minwoo charged at Baek Muhan, whose eyes shook violently at the sight. He already had to give his all just to fight the maid. If Baek Socheon joined in, the outcome was obvious.

“I'll even let your maid take second place! Work with me!”

“Yeah, no.”

Baek Muhan had far too many points. Better to kill him now before he became a wild card.

Once they both attacked, he was forced onto the defensive in an instant.

“H-help me! If I die, it's all over! This bastard and bitch will kill every last one of you!”

Baek Muhan shouted desperately, looking around. Only then did several candidates reveal themselves and begin attacking the skeletons, frantically trying to cut a path through. Unfortunately, their decision had come far too late.

'Well, it's not like I don't understand.'

The top three might fight when they met, but they might also cooperate. Two of them even shared the surname Baek. That possibility had probably kept the others hiding and watching until now.

'Too late.'

Not that helping Baek Muhan from the outset would have saved them.

Baek Muhan's head flew into the air.

[Your level has increased by 3.]

[You have gained 7 points.]

As befitted the strongest young talent participating in the Dragon and Phoenix Gathering, killing him yielded three levels at once. The points were explosive too. An almost unfathomable power enveloped Minwoo's body.

Fifteen points.

The power of multiplicative stacking was magnificent. His stats were nearly four times their original values.

He saw the other candidates turn to flee.

[Dolsoe uses Taunt (A) on Seok Woncho!]

Seok Woncho had been about to spin around. Taunt was a skill that forcibly drew the target's attention, and it turned him right back.

In that split-second opening, Minwoo closed the distance and sliced off his leg.

“Aaagh!”

Seok Woncho rolled on the ground, clutching his severed leg. Minwoo then beheaded the fleeing woman in an instant.

[Your level has increased by 1.]

[You have gained 3 points!]

Judging by the three points, she must have been that woman named Namgung Hyeji or whatever.

Eighteen points. Even if someone killed everyone left, Minwoo's first place was now guaranteed.

Seo Yerim beheaded Seok Woncho. Only four people remained, and two of them had just one point each. The game was as good as over.

“Let's split up and find the others.”

Whoever they found first would die. Minwoo felt nothing in particular about it. The candidates must have been prepared for this from the moment they entered. In any case, the trial wouldn't end until only three remained.

Just then, Seo Yerim stared straight at him.

“You said you were staying here, right?”

“Yes.”

“What exactly is your plan?”

“Don't tell me you're thinking of staying too?”

“... If I think your plan is workable. Surely you aren't planning to let thirty thousand people attack you right from the start.”

He took a white bead out of his inventory. He had asked around beforehand about what the clue to ascension looked like and had this bead made to match. Naturally, it had no special effects. It was an ordinary piece of junk.

“I'm going to wrap this in cloth and throw it to the Unorthodox Alliance leader.”

“... Will that work?”

“The Dragon and Phoenix Gathering happens once every hundred years. Meanwhile, the Alliance Leader, the Martial Alliance leader, and the Heavenly Demon are apparently in their eighties.”

The previous Gathering had taken place and its clue to ascension had been awarded before any of them were even born.

“... So they won't know exactly what the clue is? That's why you're wrapping it in cloth before throwing it?”

“Yes. According to the old records, each faction won once over the past three hundred years. Every time, the prize is described as a white bead like this.”

Kim Minwoo continued, looking at the bead.

“But no matter how I look at it, this seems like a consumable that disappears when you use it.”

“... A consumable?”

“The bead must contain some sort of power, right?”

“Probably... yes?”

“Then whoever got it probably used it. Suppose it became an empty shell once the power was gone... wouldn't they put even that empty shell on display somewhere?”

Seo Yerim nodded. Something that important was indeed worth keeping somewhere rather than throwing away.

“But there's no mention of anything like that in any of the three factions. All there is about the clue is a mass of records and rumors.”

“So it's a consumable?”

“Probably? Someone around a hundred and twenty might be another story, but anyone under a hundred won't even have seen it. In short, none of them knows exactly what the clue is.”

All they knew was that it was roughly a white bead, and obtaining it made you the strongest under heaven.

Seo Yerim sighed.

“... That plan seems full of holes. Those three might know things other people don't. What will you do if the clue gives off some mysterious aura?”

They didn't even know whether the clue to ascension really was a consumable.

Kim Minwoo shrugged.

“You're right. It is full of holes. But if it's an item like that, I couldn't copy it in the first place.”

There was no perfect plan. It was simply a matter of odds. He had heard that no one had ever presented a fake reward before. They would hardly think to suspect it.

He would throw the fake bead. The Unorthodox Alliance leader would catch it. The other two factions would go mad at the sight and attack. War would break out, and he would bolt.

If it worked, his chances of survival would rise dramatically. But what if all three recognized the fake the moment he threw it?

'Surviving would get a lot harder.'

Then he would have to grit his teeth and run for his life. Whether even that would save him was questionable.

'But what choice do I have?'

If he wanted to pocket this prize, he had to accept that much risk. Throwing the fake bead was merely a way to improve his chances of survival, however slightly. If it worked, great. If not, there was nothing he could do.

“You're insane. Seriously...”

“That's why I'm telling you not to join me. There's a high chance of dying.”

“... And you're doing it anyway?”

“Clearing gates isn't always easy.”

Hunt down an Outer God within seven years. To achieve that goal, he couldn't hesitate when it was time to push forward.

'And the stakes are high, too.'

Ascension? The word alone was enough to make his mouth water. It was worth risking his life at least once.

“Anyway, that's what I'm going to do. Make your own decision.”

Her help would be welcome, but that was his concern. She had no obligation to join him.

They split up to search for the remaining candidates.

'There he is.'

With his overwhelming stats and the arena having shrunk considerably, finding someone in hiding wasn't difficult.

“W-wai—”

Minwoo cut off his head before he could finish.

[Your level has increased by 1.]

[The final three remain.]

[The trial has ended.]

[Results]

[1st - Baek Socheon]

[2nd - Choi Aengaeng]

[3rd - Cho Wonhwi]

'Well, he hid well.'

Cho Wonhwi had taken third place with just one point. The unfamiliar name suggested he belonged to the Demonic Cult or Martial Alliance. In the end, luck was a skill too.

'I'm at 130.'

Ten levels from one competition. An insane leveling spree.

[Your reward is being granted!]

[You have obtained the clue to ascension!]

A fairly heavy bead appeared in his hand. Its pure white appearance looked remarkably like the fake.

'I don't feel any particular aura from it.'

He checked its details.

[Clue to Ascension]

[Grade: Legend+]

[A reward granted to the first-place winner of the Dragon and Phoenix Gathering.]

[Effect 1. Possessing this item grants eligibility to attempt the “Ascension Ritual.”]

[Effect 2. ???]

[Effect 3. ???]

[You have fulfilled part of the gate clear conditions! (1/2)]

[Offer the “clue to ascension” to the Unorthodox Alliance leader!]

'An Ascension Ritual, huh.'

He thought of Mutakta, the orc who had demonstrated such overwhelming strength that he could wreck Cedric at his full power. The secret to that strength seemed to lie here.

Minwoo immediately put the bead in his inventory, then gripped the cloth-wrapped fake clue.

[You are leaving the arena!]

The scenery changed a moment later. Three masters—the Unorthodox Alliance leader, the Martial Alliance leader, and the Heavenly Demon—had stepped forward.

After the barrier vanished, everyone's faces stiffened at the sight of only three survivors. But soon, a smile appeared on the Unorthodox Alliance leader's lips alone.

Baek Socheon. The boy held a cloth bundle, and it plainly contained a bead.

The clue to ascension!

He must have taken first place.

None of his other sons had returned alive. As a father, it pained him, but he had been prepared for that from the moment he entered them in the Gathering.

What mattered was the clue. With that alone, this generation could usher in the Unorthodox Alliance's reign over the world.

“My son, you've done we—”

“Father! I offer you my reward!”

WHOOSH.

Baek Socheon threw the cloth-wrapped bead.

WHIZZ.

The three old masters watched the bead flying through the air in its cloth wrapping without so much as breathing. A moment later, the Unorthodox Alliance leader caught it.

At that instant, the Heavenly Demon and Martial Alliance leader kicked off the ground together, their eyes bloodshot.

“Baek Hakseong! Release it this instant!”

“Ascension belongs to our Martial Alliance! Kill every last Unorthodox Alliance bastard!”

Thirty thousand people drew their blades at once. Everyone had already been prepared for bloodshed. It had happened a hundred years ago, and two hundred years ago too. It always did.

As long as the person holding the clue returned safely, their faction could enjoy glory for a generation.

The Unorthodox Alliance warriors formed ranks in an instant. If they could protect their leader, they didn't care if they died here.

Fountains of blood erupted everywhere.

Then, after blocking the two masters' attacks, the Unorthodox Alliance leader tilted his head.

'What is this?'

The clue to ascension. He had heard that obtaining it made mysterious words appear before one's eyes. It was one of the sayings passed down from one Alliance Leader to the next.

'Then why isn't anything happening...?'

Strange. Could the saying handed down since ancient times have been a lie?

Or...

Baek Hakseong hurriedly looked around. Amid the battlefield, where sparks flew as weapons clashed, Baek Socheon and his maid were already long gone.

'Wait. Could it be?'

The Alliance Leader's eyes widened as a possibility occurred to him.

“W-wait! Stop! This is a fake!”

“Bullshit! Is my swordplay that sharp?”

“Haha! Baek Hakseong! How low you've sunk! Even making your own son out to be unfilial!”

The Martial Alliance leader and the Heavenly Demon went on a wild rampage.