Chapter 18
Jeong Hamin was the first to part his lips.
"Yeah? Why didn't I think of that?"
The number of blinks increased.
"Achievements... I thought they were just about how many monsters you'd slain..."
"The heroic tales and legendary intros were the trap. In the end, it's a game about who racks up the most EXP."
"Then... contribution points."
"Must be level-ups."
"...Huh."
It was as if the resolution of his vision sharpened.
"Have one of our hunters step up."
Seo Wonseok stared straight at Han Biyeol.
"...Why me, of all people?"
"Didn't you come here to handle the grunts? Don't want to tarnish R&Y Guild's reputation."
Salt in the wound.
"What's that got to do with this?"
"At this point, that scar-faced bastard dominating the go board won't nominate from his own crew—he'll drag out some random hunter by force."
"Yeah! Half his crew's already wiped out!"
Seo Wonseok kept pressing.
"The other hunters know it too. They're trembling in fear. Imagine if an R&Y hunter steps up right now."
In short, it'd boost the guild's image big time.
And that was just the start.
"Not only that, but topping the contributions in a ∅∅-grade gate raid? Your stock would skyrocket, Hunter Han Biyeol."
"..."
His mind raced.
'If achievements mean EXP...'
Han Biyeol had nothing to lose.
Everything to gain.
But one thing nagged at him.
"This achievement race keeps calling out participants. We'd end up pulling in outsiders beyond that scar-faced crew. Isn't that a contradiction?"
"I'll handle that."
Seo Wonseok declared firmly.
"I'll talk to that golden goblin and switch it to a long-term battle."
"..."
"Just think of it as a chill EXP event, Hunter Han. No downside."
It was supposed to be a killer pitch, but he countered instantly. He'd planned for this too.
'Damn it.'
What he was saying...
...made sense.
'Shit.'
Even Han Biyeol, chronic skeptic,
'One more.'
couldn't shake all doubt.
"No matter how I spin it, this is too good for me."
Suspiciously good terms.
"Why isn't Hunter Seo doing it himself?"
"My abilities don't suit long hauls."
"...! N-No way, a one-shot deal...?"
"Let's say that."
Anemia.
"Y-Yeah, figured..."
Han Biyeol's face paled.
He'd basically admitted his awakening ability.
This was an order.
Don't obey, and fireworks on your skull. Refuse?
You're hiding your rank and all that for a reason—cooperate or else. No choice.
"...Fine."
He accepted.
"You'll do great."
Han Biyeol thought.
Seo Wonseok was like eternal permafrost—a hunter who never thawed. The kind that chilled you to the bone.
'Got it, got it.'
The biggest hurdle cleared.
'...Teaming up with my past life's enemy twists my guts...'
A small sacrifice for the grand plan.
This mental anguish would be repaid in time.
While we schemed, the other side's mood ripened.
《Such resilient intellects! Truly superior!》
Shylock praised, but his vibe screamed boredom.
The last four or five rounds? Total blowouts. Not the ruler's style. He was just playing along since it fit the rules.
...Ping.
His index finger twitched. The red thread slipping out of the library vibrated.
The bite finally came.
Thud, thud.
I strode to the front, drawing all eyes. Shylock, mid-yawn, twitched an eye.
《Hm? A voluntary challenger? Quite fresh!》
I shook my head.
"The challenger's not me."
《Ah, then step back. Ruining the fun shows a lack of intellectual virtue.》
"Counter-proposal."
《A counter from you? To me?》
Touchy.
'Rulers see humans as inferior amoebas.'
Jeong Hamin and Han Biyeol's take—∅∅-grade vets. Spot on.
'Rulers are Millennium Gate gatekeepers.'
Transcendent beyond human orbits.
Awakened or not.
《...Haha. Things were getting dull anyway.》
"One-shot battles make it boring."
《Hmm?》
"Propose a long-term war."
《Long-term?》
"Pile achievements until one side's stamina runs dry."
《Oh?》
Interest piqued.
Press the advantage.
"Push to exhaustion, and humans will show spirit. Isn't that what you want from intellects, Shylock?"
"Bullshit!"
Scar-face flipped.
"Who the hell are you to dictate rules—?!"
《Enough.》
"Guh!"
Shylock's gesture zipped scar-face's lips.
《Stays within rules.》
Shylock clacked his thumbs.
《Approved!》
Success.
《But!》
...But?
《Proposals demand equal stakes.》
Right.
"...Next achievement round, I'll join for sure."
《Until exhaustion?》
"Yes."
《Perfect!》
Shylock grinned, shark teeth gleaming.
Thwack!
Beach books spun into the air en masse.
Misc monster silhouettes hovered as light clusters.
Han Biyeol thumbed his nose bridge, brushing past me. Chilling aura.
'...Future S-grade for a reason.'
Shitty personality, but first to breach S-rank through sheer grind.
"Damn it!"
Scar-face reeled. An R&Y hunter volunteering.
He scrambled into combat stance.
99:59:59
"...Competing with that freak. Grunt's got some bite."
Han Biyeol smirked.
"What'd you say?!"
"Hey, scar."
"...!!"
Knows that one?
Even trash has ranks.
Han Biyeol's the pinnacle, far as I knew.
"Better off dying than living with that scar."
"Wh-What?!"
"Hang on. Help soon."
Special Effect: Synergy
Mutual EXP gain increased!
Rumble!
Han Biyeol shot like a beam into the monsters.
His blade swept them like autumn leaves.
Time limit meant speed mattered. His specialty: swift sword.
He weaved, slashed, carved, twisted left-right.
"Hah, hah."
Scar-face couldn't keep pace.
Sching!
Speed ramped up.
Like overdrive kicked in.
Han Biyeol was EXP-mad. Avenging the Hangju Bridge flop, he zipped relentlessly.
Scree, screeeeech!
One strike: five necks gone.
Next: fifteen dead. Third, fourth, fifth. Each flash carved dazzling arcs, chest-opening spectacle.
Quiet slices, flashy ripples.
"What kinda stamina!"
Scar-face sweated bullets.
Should've drained by now.
Han Biyeol danced on, tireless.
Scar-face panicked, pushed harder. But anxiety botched his moves—whiffs, stumbles. Jerky mess.
Han Biyeol, meanwhile.
'EXP filling up!'
Float like butterfly, sting like bee!
Time ticked; his solo show. Scar-face sidelined unwillingly.
00:00:00
Han Biyeol exhaled hot breath. Wavy blade slithered into sheath.
《Impressive!》
Shylock, other hunters—awed by the flashy swordplay.
《Settlement starts now!》
Scales jolted.
Clank, clank.
Gears meshed—
Boom!
Vast gap decided it.
《Congratulations on your victory!》
Han Biyeol eyed Shylock blankly, then
"..."
glanced at Seo Wonseok.
Then sat in a quiet corner.
《Aww, too bad. All those achievements, gone in a flash.》
"N-No...!"
《No? Yes it is!》
"You filthy goblin bastard...!"
Crack!
Knuckles caved his face. Eye popped free.
《Vulgar!》
Shylock sneered wide.
《Promise time. Your turn, step up.》
Finger pointed.
"..."
Seo Wonseok advanced calmly.
《Come on, nominate, intellect! That brave warrior again? More achievements await!》
"N-No, I."
Seo Wonseok's pupils half-hid under brows.
"I nominate you, Shylock."
《...Pardon?》
"Anyone in the gate, right?"
《True, but you've zero achievements.》
"Guess?"
《...》
Shylock's gaze menacingly gleamed.
《Arrogant. Very. Fine, I'll play.》
"Hunter Seo!"
Jeong Hamin moved to intervene; I stopped him.
"It's fine."
Scales twitched meanwhile.
It began.
"I've got plenty of achievements."
If achievements equal EXP.
'That's my blessing's specialty.'
One thing clear:
This was a gamble.
Weighted toward the irrational over reason.
But I'd stake my life gladly.
'Abyss scales rewards with clear difficulty.'
Higher challenge, better payout.