Royal Rumble (2)
The ultimate goal of the midterms' Royal Rumble was simple: survive until only one team remained. No matter how strangely the exam twisted and turned, that core objective never changed. Even if I'd thrown the game into chaos, sparking all sorts of incidents, or even swallowed the artifact whole—it stayed the same. If anything, gobbling the artifact had made things more entertaining. No one had an edge; everyone fended for themselves.
Our team had to eliminate every other team before the artifact in my gut fully dissolved. The other teams, meanwhile, had to hold out using every trick in the book until our team or others dropped. So, what was my immediate task? Simple.
"Uwaaaah!"
Grabbing people and hurling them out of the magic field.
The moment the artifact was swallowed, the field shrank to a tiny zone. Step outside, and you were out—practically instant disqualification. I'd timed it: about three seconds max before elimination. That's why everyone was desperate to avoid my grasp.
"He's throwing people like goddamn balls? How strong is that guy?!"
"Shut up and just hold on!"
Once I latched on, a one-way trip out of the field was guaranteed. So the other teams ditched fighting in favor of pure survival mode. The goal hadn't changed, but the theme had shifted from team battles to a twisted game of tag.
They were supposed to knock each other out too, but they'd apparently agreed to deal with me first.
"Hey! Stay right there! Or your team might not make it out in one piece!"
"Y-You coward...!"
But maybe they got too fixated on tag. They slipped up and ignored Grace. The one holding her hostage? None other than Antonio, true to form as the guy who’d do anything for a win. He'd posted Lee Yeonju as a guard, but she was busy fighting someone else. Looked like Antonio's side had at least two.
She'd protect herself easily if she showed her real skills... but circumstances being what they are.
No helping it. Just not getting DQ'd was enough. I glanced at Antonio, dagger to Grace's throat, then scanned the surroundings. The brief stalling had worked—everyone froze, watching and waiting.
"Sivar! I'm fine, so hurry and take out the other teams...!"
No need. I dropped into a low stance, then exploded forward like a coiled spring. Antonio panicked at my silent charge—his wide eyes gave it away. As his hand twitched, I shot my arm out and snatched the dagger effortlessly.
Crunch!
I squeezed, crumpling it like paper. No time for him to react—I clamped my hand over his face. My paws were big enough to cover it entirely.
"Agh! Th-This...!"
Before he could yell "let go," I yeeted him out of the field. Extra hard, too, for the hostage stunt. Bam! He smashed into a distant house. Hurt or not? Not my problem.
I dusted off my hands and eyed the stunned Grace. Her sharp features softened into total bewilderment.
"You okay?"
"...Huh? Y-Yeah! I'm f-fine! Th-thank you."
"Yeah."
After her thanks, I shot a glance at Lee Yeonju. She'd faked being pushed back, then used the field to DQ her opponent. Antonio's team was toast—hardly anyone left now.
I looked around. Final holdouts: Luna and Kara. Elvin was already out via field glitch.
Dangerous levels!
A warning chimed from the artifact in my belly. I checked the bracelet right away.
Artifact: 20%
I'd been too busy DQing others to check—now it was critical. Digestion sped up over time. Rough math: 1 minute 30 seconds left.
No time to waste.
Lollygag more, and we might actually lose. Not a huge deal if we did... but it’d suck. Getting booted for something this ridiculous? Nah.
I picked Kara first. She dodged sideways the instant she saw me coming. Luna just watched. She looked relieved I'd targeted Kara. Big mistake.
I spun, switching targets.
"Huh?"
Luna's eyes went wide as our gazes locked. Shocked I'd changed up. But standing still? Her screw-up. Still so green.
I reached for her wrist—no, tried to. She lunged at me first, weapon dropped, clinging like glue. From afar, it looked like a hug.
Squeeze!
Embarrassing enough already, but she locked her arms behind my back and buried her face in my chest. Could spark misunderstandings, but context made it obvious: survival cling.
"Let go."
"No way! Not letting go!"
I tried prying her off; she squeezed harder. Planning to outlast me till DQ. Not happening. Just shove her off, done.
"Hyup!"
Thud!
Someone latched onto my back first. Nearly toppled me forward.
"The field moves with you, right? So if we just stick like this..."
Kara. She'd caught on from Luna and plastered herself to my back. Soft pressure from front and rear—distracting, but priorities.
Pry off front Luna? Back Kara pulls. Vice versa? Same issue.
"G-Get off him quick!"
"Nngh...!"
Grace and Lee Yeonju finally snapped, yanking at the human leeches. Wanted to blast with magic or dagger, but friends—couldn't. Best they could do: mana-enhanced strength. Useless against the gap.
"B-Better get off before I cast."
"Go ahead. I can tank it. Little pain's nothing."
Kara didn't care. If anything, she hugged tighter. Making the plush sensation very vivid. Was she doing this on purpose? Nah.
Probably not.
Escaping wasn't hard. Wolves piled me in the forest once—thought I was done. Trick's simple: leap sky-high. Or blast mana to shake 'em off.
Squeeze!
Problem: Luna, cicada-style on a tree trunk. Legs locked around me. Ridiculous.
How bad did she want this win to act like a kid? Wanted to mana-burst, but it'd hurt them bad.
Streeetch—
"Eeee...!"
Grabbed her cheeks and yanked. Sticky rice cake stretch. Face wrecked or not, she clung on. Tough cookie.
"Let. Go."
"Nuuuh...!"
Stubborn as hell. I twisted her cheeks, then acted. First, pried her legs off my torso with my free arm.
Snap!
"Hey. Come on."
She just leaped back on. Frustrated groan escaped me. Worse: Kara now fully piggybacked, arms around my neck.
"Hold on, Luna! This'll DQ him!"
"Got it!"
"Get off now!"
"Ugh! What strength...!"
Caught in this absurd tactic, I made my call. Sorry, Luna—I'll buy new clothes later.
Squeeze!
Shoved clinging Luna hard. She flailed, but couldn't match my power. She slid off slowly, space opening. I wedged my arm in to block re-cling.
Whoosh!
"Wuub?!"
Grabbed her face—not full like Antonio's, just around the mouth, lips fish-pouting. Her pretty face mangled? Kinda funny today. Snatched her legs too.
Whoosh!
"Kyaaah!"
Everything loose? Easy: hurl her out. She screamed, flipped midair—DQ sealed.
One left: back-clinger Kara. Reached back.
"Stay put, and I'll buy you candy after."
She froze. Whisper slithered in my ear—sultry, tempting.
"Exam ends, President'll chew you out big time. Might even beg the Saint to cut off your candy. Right?"
"Wh-What are you...?"
Grace gawked at Kara's "temptation." Like, that works?
"I'll cover for ya. Candy on me too. Deal?"
"For real?"
Yeah. It worked. Exam? Whatever. Candy and sweets trumped it. Plus, Kara said buy, not lend. Stingy with cash—refusing free food from her? Smart move. Covering for Lord’s scolding? Big favor.
"Sivar! Don't fall for that!"
"Means I know him better than you."
"C-Candy for me too...!"
Preeep!
Before Grace finished, a weird noise pierced my ears.
"Burp."
Light belch. The meal digested. And sure enough—
Owner and team automatically disqualified.
Good work, students.
Artifact gone. Without Kara's temptation, we'd have won. She stayed glued even after the announcement, kneading my cheek contentedly.
"Cute. So cute. Didn't think you'd actually hesitate."
"You buying?"
I craned up to meet her eyes. Her cool smile shone.
She chuckled softly, nodding.
"Course. Say the word anytime. I'll buy it all. No more sneaking—straight-up treats from now on."
"Oh."
Sweet. I pursed my lips in delight; she laughed. Grace, who'd watched, snorted softly.
"...My bad. Should've warned Sivar first."
"Warned what?"
"If he'd listened to me, I'd buy candy and cake."
"...That's a 'bad'?"
"East has a saying: Know yourself and your enemy, win every time. My fault for not scouting my own team."
"..."
The chaotic exam ended.
Chaos seemed satisfied enough.