Class Annihilation Match [Clash]
After stepping into the interior of the Class Annihilation Match [Clash] stage, Lee Hyunseung surveyed his surroundings. A vast forest stretched out before him, broken up by large pillars that rose prominently between the trees.
He waited a moment, and soon a voice rang out from the empty air above.
Hello, everyone. The category for this Class Annihilation Match is Occupation Battle. On the pillars visible ahead of you, two buttons can be found. Press and hold the button labeled A for more than five seconds to let A-class claim the point. Press the button labeled B to allow B-class to occupy it. Take note that even occupied points can be seized by the opposing side.
There are six occupation spots in total. Should a single class capture all six, the match will end immediately. However, if the time limit expires without any class controlling every point, the winner will be decided by who holds the greater number of occupied spots at the final bell.
Special rules are also in effect. Eliminating every member of the opposing team will naturally conclude the match. We wish you all the best of luck.
The waiting period had begun. The group immediately started discussing strategy.
“Why the hell is this so complicated?” Han Seonggil grumbled, irritation thick in his voice.
Jeong Eunseo answered bluntly. “Think of it simply. All you have to do is capture every occupation point within the time limit or knock out the other side. That’s how you win.”
“Shit, it really was that fucking simple?”
Lee Hyunseung pondered for a moment before speaking. “We’ll use the three teams we organized beforehand. Each team will head for occupation spots one through three.”
Jeong Eunseo asked, “Then what about spots four through six? Won’t they be left empty?”
“It doesn’t matter. If we split our forces any further, the A-class bastards will just pick us off one by one. We wouldn’t even be able to put up a proper fight. So for the early stage, we focus on securing and holding three points. Since one side has to control all six to win within the time limit, holding three means we can’t lose by the clock. At worst, it ends in a tie. Of course, I have zero intention of settling for a tie.”
“Just holding out won’t guarantee victory, though. Do you have another plan?”
“I do.” Lee Hyunseung glanced at the mana stones scattered across the ground. “The space we’re in was artificially created using mana. Mana stones are littered everywhere, and they can be used to craft excellent weapons.”
The mana stones inside the stage were essentially an advantage tailored for production-class individuals whose combat ability was relatively low. Weapons made here couldn’t be taken outside, but they would still prove extremely useful during the match. The stones here possessed especially high mana density, which greatly increased the odds of producing high-tier equipment.
From what Lee Hyunseung knew, A-class did have a blacksmith, but their rank couldn’t possibly match his own Legendary-grade profession. On top of that, there was only one such student, with a single crafting slot. Their speed and quality would inevitably fall short of his own. If he could buy enough time to produce superior weapons, the gap in raw fighting power could be closed. After all, everyone had only been allowed to bring their basic weapons inside.
For this plan to work, the most important thing is buying time.
The better the weapon, the longer the crafting process. Thanks to the stage’s production-time advantage, what would normally take far longer in reality could be completed in one to two hours. Even so, one or two hours was an eternity in a battlefield where combat could break out at any second.
“For now, we hold the line. Once I finish crafting the weapons, we begin the counterattack.”
At his words, Jeong Eunseo whispered, “Hyunseung, you can craft two weapons simultaneously, correct? Who will you give them to? I assume you’ll keep one for yourself.”
She looked at him with subtle expectation, clearly hoping one would be for her. His answer, however, was different from what she anticipated.
“One is for me. The other goes to Han Seonggil.”
“....”
When she stared at him with clear disappointment, Lee Hyunseung added an explanation. “Honestly, I’d like to give one to you, but I have something I need to test.”
“A test?”
“Yes. I’m going to craft an artifact here that can suppress the Berserker trait. In the real world, many of the necessary materials are impossible to obtain even with money. But the mana stones here are treated as universal materials thanks to the special magic placed on them. That means I can create the artifact I want.”
Items difficult to produce outside the stage were usually blocked by material scarcity. Here, however, the mana stones could serve as substitutes. Of course, the restriction that nothing crafted inside could be taken out made it possible.
An artifact capable of controlling the Berserker trait. The combination and crafting method were still unknown in this world. Therefore, simply telling Han Seonggil he could trust him would never be enough. But if Lee Hyunseung actually produced the artifact and showed with his own eyes that it could control the Berserker state, Han Seonggil would have no choice but to fully commit to his side. Seeing once was better than hearing a hundred times.
The moment the announcement signaling the start of battle rang out, Lee Hyunseung quickly issued orders.
“As soon as you’re able to move, gather the mana stones one by one and bring them here. After that, split up and head for occupation points one through three according to your assigned teams.”
The ground was covered in mana stones. Having each person collect one or two on the way wouldn’t create any meaningful delay. Besides, the F-class members had already decided to focus solely on securing the first three points.
The instant the starting signal sounded, the barrier that had prevented entry into the stage dissolved. The moment it vanished, both the F-class and A-class members burst outward at incredible speed.
Just as Lee Hyunseung had instructed, the others swiftly brought mana stones and dropped them into the large sack he carried. They then immediately set off for their designated occupation points.
Before leaving, Jeong Eunseo turned to him. “I’ll take full responsibility for securing spot two, so don’t worry.”
She departed with a confident gleam in her eyes. Lee Hyunseung felt Han Seonggil’s gaze on him from the side.
“Hold out for just a little while,” he told him. “Once I finish crafting the items, I’ll come help.”
Han Seonggil let out a disbelieving laugh and muttered, “I don’t need any damn help. Go babysit the other trash instead.”
With that, he left as well.
Lee Hyunseung stared at the pile of mana stones that had been gathered in one spot.
Time to get started.
The Blacksmith's Forge has been generated.
When Lee Hyunseung reached out his hand, the forge materialized before him. He poured every mana stone into it at once.
A fierce blaze roared to life. The stones melted completely, and a message window appeared.
What item would you like to craft?
He already had a specific item in mind.
Specifying only the general form rather than a precise item increased the potential ceiling. An Epic-grade automatic pistol would be plenty useful, but a Unique-grade one would be a literal jackpot. If he could actually produce it, the weapon alone might be enough to overturn their disadvantage. It would be worth revising every other part of their strategy.
-Kwaaang!
Lee Hyunseung swiftly smashed the crafting orb with his hammer.
As expected, it’s going to take a while.
Of course, crafting it in the real world would have required far more time. Still, he couldn’t help feeling impatient.
The next item had already been decided. Even if the ceiling was lower, it didn’t matter. This artifact’s grade wouldn’t be that high anyway.
-Kwaaang!
Because the item had a very limited use case, its crafting time was shorter than the pistol’s. Staring at the remaining crafting timers, Lee Hyunseung smiled faintly and raised his pistol toward the sky.
There’s no way the team can hold out for one or two hours. Yoo Heeyeon’s group will definitely prioritize hunting me down over capturing points. In that case, it’ll be easier if I act as bait.
He pulled the trigger.
-Taaaaaaaang!
The gunshot echoed all the way to where Yoo Heeyeon stood.
“Everyone, move toward the source of that gunshot! If you let him slip away, I won’t let it slide!”
The A-class members charged as one toward Lee Hyunseung’s location.